Samsung patents method for phones to switch to low-power radio mode
Samsung has filed a patent application describing a method for 5G or 6G devices to switch from a main radio to a low-power radio when they are not actively using data. The network sends a specific message to the device, telling it to change modes to save battery while still staying connected.
In the filing’s own words
A communication method and system are provided for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system or a 6th-Generation (6G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system. A method in a wireless communication system for transitioning a user equipment (UE) between a main radio (MR) and a low-power radio (LR) including detecting a transition of the UE from a radio resource control (RRC) connected state to one of an RRC Idle state or an RRC inactive state, in response to detecting the transition, determining whether to operate the UE in low power radio frequency (RF) mode based on one or more network parameters, and in response to determining to operate the UE in low power RF mode, transmitting, to the UE, in one of an RRC release message or an RRC suspend message, a configuration information element indicating LR operation and that the UE is to switch from the MR to the LR.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method in a wireless communication system for transitioning a user equipment (UE) between a main radio (MR) and a low-power radio (LR), the method comprising: detecting a transition of the UE from a radio resource control (RRC) connected state to one of an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state; in response to detecting the transition, determining whether to operate the UE in low power radio frequency (RF) mode based on one or more network parameters; and in response to determining to operate the UE in low power RF mode, transmitting, to the UE, an RRC message including a configuration information element indicating an LR operation; wherein the RRC message includes one of an RRC release message or an RRC suspend message, and wherein the configuration information element indicates the UE to switch from the MR to the LR.
Facts
- Company
- Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
- Official title
- METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRANSITIONING A USER EQUIPMENT BETWEEN MAIN RADIO AND LOW POWER RADIO
- Publication number
- US20260304544A1
- Application number
- 19564941
- Filed
- Mar 12, 2026
- Published
- Oct 1, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 14
Classified under
H04W 76/27 Electricity & electronicsH04W 36/08 Electricity & electronicsH04W 52/0235 Electricity & electronicsH04W 68/02 Electricity & electronicsH04W 76/30 Electricity & electronicsMore from Samsung 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.