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Apple patents method for devices to share data over unlicensed radio slots

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Apple describes a way for devices to send data directly to each other using unlicensed radio frequencies. The system uses specific time slots and frequency channels to manage these direct connections without needing a traditional cellular network connection for every packet.

Why it mattersThis filing focuses on improving how devices communicate directly with one another in crowded radio environments, which is a standard part of developing future wireless standards.

In the filing’s own words

The techniques for enabling the indication, selection, allocation, and use of sidelink (SL) resources for SL communications using an unlicensed wireless spectrum (SL-U communications) and multiple, consecutive slots. One or more of these techniques may be applicable to scenarios in which SL resources are allocated by a base station and/or scenarios in which SL resources are allocated by use equipment (UEs). The SL resources may include a frequency domain, time domain, number of consecutive slots, etc., may be selected from a pool of SL-U resources, and may be indicated using downlink control information (DCI) and/or sidelink control information (SCI). The techniques may include allocating SL-U resources using additional or higher layer parameters, such as candidate SL resource slots, sub-channels, data priority values, a reference signal received power (RSRP), and more. The techniques may involve scenarios in which allocated SL resource conflict or overlap with a channel occupancy time (COT).

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: a memory; and one or more processors configured to, when executing instructions stored in the memory, cause the UE to: determine unlicensed spectrum sidelink (SL-U) resources for a SL-U communication involving multiple consecutive slots; and transmit, using the SL-U resources, data to another UE, wherein the SL-U resources are determined based on higher layer signaling indicating a number of consecutive slots, a subchannel (L subCH), and a priority (prio TX).

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR MULTIPLE-SLOT, CONSECUTIVE, UNLICENSED SIDELINK TRANSMISSIONS
Publication number
US20260333393A1
Application number
19112317
Filed
Sep 23, 2022
Published
Oct 22, 2026
Inventors
10
Claims
26

Classified under

H04W 72/25 Electricity & electronicsH04L 1/1896 Electricity & electronicsH04L 5/0005 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.