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Apple patents 5G timing tweak to help phones switch bands faster

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Apple describes a method for 5G devices to adjust the time needed to switch between different radio frequencies based on their distance from the cell tower. By calculating a specific delay, the network can pause sending signals while the phone switches bands, ensuring the device is ready to transmit on the new frequency.

Why it mattersThis technical adjustment helps maintain stable high-speed connections by preventing signal conflicts when a phone rapidly changes radio channels.

In the filing’s own words

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for determining and applying switching periods, e.g., incorporating timing advance, e.g., in 5G NR systems and beyond. A UE and network may determine one or more base switching period and one or more time adjustment value related to timing advance. An adjusted switching period may be determined based on a combination of a base switching period and a time adjustment value. The network may avoid transmitting to the UE during the adjusted switching period. The UE may perform an uplink transmission switch during the base switching period.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method, comprising: obtaining, from a cellular network, configuration information associated with a first time adjustment value for uplink transmission switching, wherein the first time adjustment value is based on a timing advance; receiving, from the cellular network, scheduling information to schedule: a first uplink (UL) transmission on a first band; and a second UL transmission on a second band different from the first band; determining a first adjusted switching period between the first UL transmission and the second UL transmission, the first adjusted switching period based on a base switching period adjusted by the first time adjustment value; transmitting, to the cellular network, the first UL transmission on the first band; receiving, from the cellular network, a first downlink (DL) transmission after transmission of the first UL transmission; during the base switching period, switching a transmitter to the second band, wherein the base switching period begins after reception of the first DL transmission and continues during the first adjusted switching period; and transmitting, to the cellular network, the second UL transmission on the second band after the base switching period.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Switching Period with Timing Advance
Publication number
US20260304336A1
Application number
19474986
Filed
May 9, 2023
Published
Oct 1, 2026
Inventors
8
Claims
22

Classified under

H04W 56/0045 Electricity & electronicsH04W 56/009 Electricity & electronicsH04W 72/231 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.