Apple patents satellite heartbeat to manage network congestion
Apple describes a method where a device sends periodic 'heartbeat' signals to a core network via satellite when the connection is congested and no other data is being sent. The network uses these signals to keep the connection active and prioritizes incoming messages based on how recently the device checked in.
In the filing’s own words
A communications system may include a core network (CN) that communicates with a user equipment (UE) device via a satellite constellation. While a congestion level of a serving satellite in the constellation exceeds a threshold and an uplink message queue is empty, the UE may transmit heartbeat signals with a heartbeat period to signal to the CN that the UE device is still active in its communications session. Receipt of a reverse link signal such as the heartbeat may trigger the CN to reset a timer. When the CN receives a forward link message for the UE device, the CN may place the message into a queue. The CN may increase a priority of the queued message when less than the heartbeat period has elapsed and may decrease priority of the queued message when longer than the heartbeat period has elapsed since the timer was reset.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method comprising: entering, using a radio, a communications session by registering with a core network via a satellite constellation; receiving, using the radio during the communications session, a congestion level of the satellite constellation; and periodically transmitting, using the radio during the communications session, heartbeat signals to the core network via the satellite constellation while the congestion level exceeds a threshold and while a reverse link message queue of the radio is empty.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Congestion Management in Satellite-Based Communications Networks
- Publication number
- US20260322724A1
- Application number
- 19174603
- Filed
- Apr 9, 2025
- Published
- Oct 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 9
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04L 43/0882 Electricity & electronicsH04L 5/0053 Electricity & electronicsH04L 43/10 Electricity & electronicsH04W 60/04 Electricity & electronicsH04W 84/06 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple 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.