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Apple patents faster 5G connection switching for phones

Apple has filed a patent for a method that helps phones switch between different 5G network signals without losing connection. The system checks if the current signal is stable and chooses the quickest way to activate a backup signal group if the main one fails.

Why it mattersThis could make 5G connections more reliable by reducing the time it takes to switch to a backup signal when the main one drops.

In the filing’s own words

A user equipment (UE) includes a transceiver operable to maintain a radio link with a network device via an antenna beam, and a processor configured to receive a radio resource configuration (RRC) message for activation of a secondary cell group (SCG). The processor is configured to determine if a random access (RACH) procedure is required for activation of the SCG, and determine a status of a set of primary and secondary cells (PSCell) and a status of a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) in accordance with determining that the RACH procedure is not required for activation of the SCG. The processor is configured to determine a particular procedure for activation of the SCG based on a failure status of the BFD or the RLM in accordance with the status corresponding to the PSCell and the status corresponding to the TCI, and perform the particular procedure for activation of the SCG.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An apparatus comprising memory coupled to a processor, the processor configured to: receive a radio resource configuration (RRC) message for activation of a secondary cell group (SCG), the UE is configured for a beam failure detection (BFD) of the antenna beam connecting the UE with the network device or radio link monitoring (RLM) of the radio link connecting the UE with the network device; determine if a random access (RACH) procedure is required for activation of the SCG; in accordance with determining that the RACH procedure is not required for activation of the SCG, determine a status of a set of primary and secondary cells (PSCell) and a status of a transmission configuration indicator (TCI); in accordance with the status corresponding to the PSCell and the status corresponding to the TCI, determine a particular procedure for activation of the SCG based on a failure status of the BFD or the RLM; and perform the particular procedure for activation of the SCG.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
METHODS FOR ACTIVATION OF A SECONDARY CELL GROUP (SCG)
Publication number
US20260280676A1
Application number
19472645
Filed
Apr 6, 2023
Published
Sep 17, 2026
Inventors
6
Claims
20

Classified under

H04B 7/06964 Electricity & electronicsH04W 36/0069 Electricity & electronicsH04W 36/0077 Electricity & electronics

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.