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Apple patents method to manage traffic for direct device-to-device location signals

Apple has filed a patent application for a way to manage data traffic when devices communicate directly with each other to determine their location. The system uses congestion control to check how busy the channel is and reserves specific resources to ensure the location signal gets through without interference.

Why it mattersThis improves the reliability of direct device-to-device communication, which is useful for precise location tracking in areas where traditional network coverage might be weak or unavailable.

In the filing’s own words

Techniques, described herein, include solutions for allocation sidelink positioning reference signals (SL-PRS). In some aspects, various aspects of SL-PRS congestion control, reserving resources for another UE, and inter-UE coordination of using assisting information from an assist UE for SL-PRS resource selection is illustrated for improving SL-PRS communication.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A baseband processor for a first User Equipment (UE), the baseband processor configured to execute instructions stored in one or more memories and perform operations comprising: decoding congestion control information for a sidelink positioning reference signal (SL-PRS) communication to a second UE; determine resources for the SL-PRS communication; performing congestion handling based on the congestion control information; and after performing the congestion handling, performing the SL-PRS communication on the resources.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
CONGESTION CONTROL AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR SIDELINK POSITIONING REFERENCE SIGNAL TRANSMISSIONS
Publication number
US20260281953A1
Application number
19472758
Filed
May 2, 2024
Published
Sep 17, 2026
Inventors
5
Claims
21

Classified under

H04W 64/00 Electricity & electronicsH04W 72/25 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.