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Apple patents method to simplify signal switching in 5G networks

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Apple describes a way for phones to handle signals from multiple cell towers more efficiently. The system uses a pre-set list of signal configurations, or 'states,' so the phone knows exactly which tower to listen to for instructions without constant updates.

Why it mattersThis could help make 5G connections more stable by reducing the confusion when a phone switches between nearby cell towers.

In the filing’s own words

This disclosure relates to techniques for performing multi-transmission and reception point operation in a wireless communication system. A transmission control indication state may be indicated for future monitoring of a control channel, e.g., using semi-static signaling. The indicated state may be used to provide and receive control information for performing multi-transmission and reception point operation.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method, comprising: communicating with a cellular network via a plurality of transmission and reception points (TRPs); receiving, from the cellular network, an indication of a plurality of unified transmission control indication (TCI) states activated for downlink communication from the plurality of TRPs; receiving, from the cellular network, a media access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE) comprising an index of a first TCI state of the plurality of unified TCI states; selecting, based on the index, the first TCI state for monitoring of control channel messages from the plurality of TRPs; monitoring a control channel for control channel messages according to the first TCI state; receiving, from at least one TRP of the plurality of TRPs and using the first TCI state, a first control channel message; and exchanging data with the cellular network according to the first control channel message.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Semi-Statically Mapping Unified Transmission States for Multipoint Control Channel Reception
Publication number
US20260333368A1
Application number
19099519
Filed
Aug 1, 2022
Published
Oct 22, 2026
Inventors
6
Claims
20

Classified under

H04W 72/231 Electricity & electronicsH04L 5/0035 Electricity & electronicsH04L 5/0094 Electricity & electronicsH04W 72/02 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.