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Apple patents method to fix timing gaps in 5G data streams

Apple describes a way for phones to measure tiny timing differences between two separate 5G signal channels. The phone reports this gap to the network, which then adjusts the data signals to prevent errors.

Why it mattersThis could help improve the reliability of high-speed cellular connections by fixing minor synchronization issues.

In the filing’s own words

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for enhanced non-collocated carrier aggregation in cellular systems, e.g., in LTE systems, 5G NR systems, and beyond. A method may include establishing a cellular link with a network node and transmitting signaling including capability information indicating support of carrier aggregation (CA) of a first component carrier (CC) and a second CC. The method may further include receiving physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) signaling on the first and second CCs and measuring a relative time difference (RTD) between the first CC and the second CC. The method may also include transmitting, to the network node, a report including the measured RTD and receiving, from the network node, first downlink (DL) signaling on the first CC and second DL signaling on the second CC. One of the first DL signaling or second DL signaling may include an adjusted set of OFDM symbols which are adjusted based on the measured RTD such that a degraded OFDM symbol is avoided.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method, comprising: establishing a cellular link with a network node; transmitting, to the network node, signaling including capability information indicating support of carrier aggregation (CA) of a first component carrier (CC) and a second CC; receiving, from the network node, physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) signaling on the first and second CCs; measuring a relative time difference (RTD) between at least one of the following associated with the PDSCH signaling: a start of a first orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbol in a current slot of the first CC and a start of a first OFDM symbol in a current slot of the second CC, or a start of a first OFDM symbol in a current slot of the first CC and an end of a last OFDM symbol in a previous slot of the second CC; transmitting, to the network node, a report comprising the measured RTD; and receiving, from the network node, first downlink (DL) signaling on the first CC and second DL signaling on the second CC, wherein one of the first DL signaling or second DL signaling comprises an adjusted set of OFDM symbols, and wherein the adjusted set of OFDM symbols is adjusted at least partially based on the measured RTD such that a degraded OFDM symbol is avoided.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Enhancements for Non-Collocated Carrier Aggregation
Publication number
US20260292615A1
Application number
19472602
Filed
Apr 6, 2023
Published
Sep 24, 2026
Inventors
6
Claims
30

Classified under

H04W 36/00692 Electricity & electronicsH04B 17/328 Electricity & electronicsH04L 5/0007 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.