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Apple patents method for phones to tell towers which antennas are ready

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Apple describes a way for a phone to check which of its internal antenna groups are currently available for sending data. The phone then sends this specific count to the cell tower so the tower knows exactly how many antennas it can use for the connection.

Why it mattersThis helps cell towers manage connections more efficiently by knowing exactly what hardware is active on the phone, potentially improving signal stability.

In the filing’s own words

Embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for radio resource management (RRM) for user equipment (UE) in communication with a base station including dynamic panel selection for uplink transmission from the UE. In particular, a method and apparatus is disclosed that allows for determining a maximum number of available antenna ports per panel per band; and transmitting from the UE to the base station the maximum number of available antenna ports per panel per band.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1 - 12. (canceled)

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMIC PANEL SELECTION FOR UPLINK TRANSMISSION
Publication number
US20260313651A1
Application number
19483119
Filed
Apr 30, 2024
Published
Oct 8, 2026
Inventors
7
Claims
23

Classified under

H04W 72/21 Electricity & electronicsH04L 5/0035 Electricity & electronicsH04W 72/51 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.