Apple patents method to split phone network connection tasks
Apple describes a way to handle wireless connections by splitting the management of a phone's network link across multiple servers. Instead of one central server handling all data, the system sends information directly to other network nodes to manage the connection.
In the filing’s own words
This disclosure relates to techniques for performing wireless communication in a system with distributed non-access stratum termination. A radio access network element may receive information from a wireless device indicating that network-side non-access stratum termination for the wireless device can be distributed. The radio access network element may provide an indication to a core network anchor node that network-side non-access stratum termination for the wireless device can be distributed. The radio access network element may receive mobility management context information for the wireless device from the core network anchor node, which may include addressing information for one or more other core network nodes. The radio access network element may receive uplink data from the wireless device, and may forward the uplink data directly to at least one other core network node using the addressing information included in the mobility management context information for the wireless device.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An apparatus, comprising: a processor configured to cause a radio access network element to: receive information from a wireless device indicating that network-side non-access stratum (NAS) termination for the wireless device can be distributed; provide an indication to a core network anchor node that network-side NAS termination for the wireless device can be distributed; receive mobility management context information for the wireless device from the core network anchor node, wherein the mobility management context information for the wireless device includes addressing information for one or more other core network nodes; receive uplink data from the wireless device; and forward the uplink data directly to at least one of the one or more other core network nodes using the addressing information included in the mobility management context information for the wireless device.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Distributed Non-Access Stratum Termination
- Publication number
- US20260304228A1
- Application number
- 19479236
- Filed
- Jun 26, 2023
- Published
- Oct 1, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04W 28/12 Electricity & electronicsH04W 36/0033 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Networks & wireless
- Apple patents interface for sending messages via satellite Sep 29, 2026
- Apple patents way for phones to switch from ground towers to satellites Sep 17, 2026
- Apple patents moving phone plans between devices via Bluetooth Sep 1, 2026
- Apple patents sharing Wi-Fi channel data to speed up device connections Sep 1, 2026
- Apple patents smart surface that helps phones find signal faster Sep 8, 2026
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.
