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ApplePatent applicationNetworks & wirelessInterest 8/10

Apple patents way for phones to switch from ground towers to satellites

Apple describes a method for smartphones to automatically switch their connection from standard ground-based cell towers to satellite networks. The phone receives specific instructions from the ground network about when to check for satellite signals, allowing it to measure and connect to a satellite if the conditions are met.

Why it mattersThis technology could help maintain phone connectivity in remote areas where ground cell towers are unavailable by seamlessly handing off to satellite links.

In the filing’s own words

Systems and methods for radio resource control (RRC) Idle mode/RRC Inactive mode mobility from terrestrial network (TN)-based access to non-terrestrial network (NTN)-based access are disclosed herein. A user equipment (UE) receives, from a network, on a terrestrial network (TN) cell, system information (SI) comprising cell reselection configuration information for an NTN neighbor cell that includes, among other things, a cell reselection condition for measuring the NTN neighbor cell. The UE then determines that the cell reselection condition for measuring the NTN neighbor cell is fulfilled and measures the NTN neighbor cell for purposes of a cell reselection in response. The cell reselection configuration information provided by the TN cell includes, among other things, NTN configuration information for the NTN neighbor cell (e.g., an epoch time, a validity duration for the cell reselection configuration information, ephemeris information, timing advance (TA) information, etc.) Examples of various cell reselection conditions are provided herein.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method of a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving, from a network, on a terrestrial network (TN) cell, system information (SI) comprising cell reselection configuration information for a non-terrestrial network (NTN) neighbor cell of the network, wherein the cell reselection configuration information for the NTN neighbor cell comprises a cell reselection condition for measuring the NTN neighbor cell; determining that the cell reselection condition for measuring the NTN neighbor cell is fulfilled; and measuring the NTN neighbor cell for purposes of a cell reselection in response to the determining that the cell reselection condition for measuring the NTN neighbor cell is fulfilled.

Facts

Company
Apple (APPLE INC.)
Official title
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RADIO RESOURCE CONTROL IDLE MODE/RADIO RESOURCE CONTROL INACTIVE MODE MOBILITY FROM TERRESTRIAL NETWORK-BASED ACCESS TO NON-TERRESTRIAL NETWORK-BASED ACCESS
Publication number
US20260281849A1
Application number
19167943
Filed
May 11, 2023
Published
Sep 17, 2026
Inventors
8
Claims
21

Classified under

H04W 36/08 Electricity & electronicsH04W 36/0058 Electricity & electronicsH04W 36/0061 Electricity & electronicsH04W 36/322 Electricity & electronicsH04W 84/06 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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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.