Apple patents faster direct phone-to-phone connection setup
Apple has filed a patent for a method that helps two devices connect directly to each other without a base station. The system sends specific reference signals during a set time window to align their communication beams before the main data link is established.
In the filing’s own words
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for sidelink operation enhancements, e.g., in 5G NR systems and beyond. A UE may determine to set up a sidelink unicast link with a neighboring UE in a first slot. The UE may transmit, during a transmission window for transmitting beam pairing reference signals, beam pairing reference signals to the neighboring UE for beam pairing. The transmission window may be defined based on the first slot. The UE may perform beam pairing with the neighboring UE, e.g., based, at least in part, on the beam pairing reference signals.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method for initial beam pairing prior to set up of a sidelink unicast link, comprising: determining, by a user equipment device (UE), to set up the sidelink unicast link with a neighboring UE in a first slot; transmitting, by the UE and during a transmission window for transmitting beam pairing reference signals, beam pairing reference signals to the neighboring UE for beam pairing; and performing, by the UE, beam pairing with the neighboring UE based on the beam pairing reference signals.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Sidelink Operation Enhancements
- Publication number
- US20260291590A1
- Application number
- 19476435
- Filed
- May 10, 2024
- Published
- Sep 24, 2026
- Inventors
- 7
- Claims
- 27
Classified under
H04B 7/06954 Electricity & electronicsH04B 7/0696 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Networks & wireless
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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.