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ApplePatent applicationNetworks & wirelessInterest 4/10

Apple patents method to drop lost data in multi-hop wireless networks

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Apple describes a method for managing data flow in networks where devices pass information to each other through intermediate 'relay' devices. The system uses a specific header in data packets to track them, and if a relay reports that a packet was not delivered, the sender automatically discards related packets to prevent errors.

Why it mattersThis improves the reliability of wireless connections that rely on devices helping to forward data, which is useful for dense networks or areas with limited direct coverage.

In the filing’s own words

The present application relates to devices and components including apparatus, systems, and methods for user plane operation of multi-hop communications within such networks.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method comprising: generating a first packet for transmission to a relay user equipment (UE), the first packet including a sidelink relay adaptation protocol (SRAP) header including a packet data unit (PDU) set identifier (ID); processing an indication, received from the relay UE, indicating a failure in delivery of the first packet to a downstream node; and discarding, based on the indication, a second packet associated with the PDU set ID.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
TECHNOLOGIES FOR USER PLANE OPERATION OF MULTI-HOP COMMUNICATIONS
Publication number
US20260304223A1
Application number
19462937
Filed
Jan 28, 2026
Published
Oct 1, 2026
Inventors
9
Claims
20

Classified under

H04W 28/06 Electricity & electronicsH04W 28/04 Electricity & electronicsH04W 88/04 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.