Resource allocation for communication via reflective surfaces

US12381600B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Apple Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jan Ellenbeck · Munich, DE
• Bertram Gunzelmann · Königsbrunn, DE
• Stefan Meyer · Langensendelbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 22, 2023
• Grant date: Aug 5, 2025
• Expiry date: May 22, 2043

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04B7/0413
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A controller may map user equipment (UE) devices in a wireless system to access points (AP) and reflective intelligent surfaces (RIS). The controller may generate a corresponding communications schedule based on the locations of the UE device(s), AP(s), and RIS(s) and based on current traffic demands. The controller may control the RIS(s), AP(s), and UE devices to implement the schedule. The schedule may divide the time, frequency, and/or spatial resources of the RIS(s) to meet the traffic demands of the UE devices using a space division multiple access scheme, a time-division multiple access scheme, a frequency-division multiple access scheme, and/or a distributed multiple-input and multiple output scheme. The schedule may be updated over time as needed. The RIS(s) may allow for a reduction in the number of AP(s) required to meet the dynamic demands of the UE devices, thereby minimizing deployment and operating costs.