How 5G Networks Use Different Speeds for Device Communication
Ericsson's patent describes how 5G wireless networks can tell a device how to talk back, and then send data to that device using two different 'speeds' or channel widths at the same time, making communication more flexible.
Original patent title: “Network architecture, methods, and devices for a wireless communications network”
Ericsson's patent describes how 5G wireless networks can tell a device how to talk back, and then send data to that device using two different 'speeds' or channel widths at the same time, making communication more flexible. Granted to Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB in 2024 with 21 claims and 4 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2043.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a method for wireless communication in 5G networks. From the network's side (a radio network node), it first receives a message from a user equipment (UE), like a smartphone, using a specific 'uplink access configuration' that the network previously told the UE to use (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). After that, the network sends two different data transmissions to the UE. These transmissions use Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) but have different 'subcarrier spacings' (Claim 1). This means the network can send different types of data, or data to different parts of the device, using different underlying transmission settings simultaneously. For example, a network might send high-priority control information with one subcarrier spacing and regular user data with another, more efficient subcarrier spacing.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover wireless communication systems where all data transmissions use the exact same subcarrier spacing.
- Does not cover systems where the network does not first provide an 'uplink access configuration index' to the user equipment.
- Does not cover communication methods that do not use Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM).
- Does not cover systems where different data transmissions with different subcarrier spacings are processed by the same Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol layer.
- Does not cover systems where a single, common Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer is not used to manage messages from different MAC layers.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is enabling a wireless network to dynamically manage how a device talks back (uplink access configuration) and then simultaneously send data to that device using different fundamental transmission 'speeds' or channel widths (differing subcarrier spacings). This allows for a highly adaptable and efficient use of the radio spectrum, tailoring the communication method to the specific data being sent.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
5G New Radio (NR) networks
Modern smartphones connecting to 5G
IoT devices using 5G for diverse communication needs
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) deployments using 5G
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent is significant for the flexibility and efficiency of 5G wireless networks. By allowing different subcarrier spacings (often called 'numerologies') to be used concurrently for different types of data, networks can better adapt to varying service requirements, device capabilities, and radio conditions. This capability is crucial for supporting the diverse applications of 5G, from high-speed mobile broadband to low-latency industrial automation and massive IoT deployments.
Filed
January 5, 2023
Granted
June 25, 2024
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB, the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is a major player in telecommunications infrastructure and continues to develop and deploy 5G network technologies that leverage such flexible communication methods. Other major network equipment vendors like Nokia, Huawei, and Samsung also build and implement similar capabilities within their 5G offerings, as these concepts are fundamental to the 5G New Radio standard.
Market impact
This patent's subject matter has contributed to the evolution of 5G networks, enabling them to be more versatile and efficient than previous generations. It allows network operators to optimize resource allocation, support a wider range of services with varying quality-of-service requirements, and improve overall network performance. This flexibility helps drive the adoption of 5G across various industries by making the network more adaptable to diverse use cases.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a method for wireless communication in 5G networks. From the network's side (a radio network node), it first receives a message from a user equipment (UE), like a smartphone, using a specific 'uplink access configuration' that the network previously told the UE to use (Claim 1). After that, the network sends two different data transmissions to the UE. These transmissions use Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) but have different 'subcarrier spacings' (Claim 1). This means the network can send different types of data, or data to different parts of the device, using different underlying transmission settings simultaneously. For example, a network might send high-priority control information with one subcarrier spacing and regular user data with another, more efficient subcarrier spacing.
The clever bit
The clever part is enabling a wireless network to dynamically manage how a device talks back (uplink access configuration) and then simultaneously send data to that device using different fundamental transmission 'speeds' or channel widths (differing subcarrier spacings). This allows for a highly adaptable and efficient use of the radio spectrum, tailoring the communication method to the specific data being sent.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover wireless communication systems where all data transmissions use the exact same subcarrier spacing.
- Does not cover systems where the network does not first provide an 'uplink access configuration index' to the user equipment.
- Does not cover communication methods that do not use Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM).
- Does not cover systems where different data transmissions with different subcarrier spacings are processed by the same Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol layer.
- Does not cover systems where a single, common Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer is not used to manage messages from different MAC layers.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
14/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
14/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$82K – $262K
Midpoint $164K · 16.2 yr remaining · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
21 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Parkvall, S., Peisa, J., Mildh, G., Baldemair, R., Wager, S., Kronander, J., Werner, K., Abrahamsson, R., AKTAS, I., Alriksson, P., Ansari, J., ASHRAF, S. A., Asplund, H., Athley, F., Axelsson, H., Axmon, J., Axnäs, J., Balachandran, K., Bark, G., ..., & Zheng, Y. (2024). How 5G Networks Use Different Speeds for Device Communication (U.S. Patent No. 12,021,609). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12021609/network-architecture-methods-and-devices-for-a-wireless-communications-network-12021609
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How 5G Networks Use Different Speeds for Device Communication cover?
Ericsson's patent describes how 5G wireless networks can tell a device how to talk back, and then send data to that device using two different 'speeds' or channel widths at the same time, making communication more flexible.
Who owns patent US 12021609?
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB owns this patent, granted in 2024.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on January 5, 2043, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 12021609 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 4 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent is significant for the flexibility and efficiency of 5G wireless networks. By allowing different subcarrier spacings (often called 'numerologies') to be used concurrently for different types of data, networks can better adapt to varying service requirements, device capabilities, and radio conditions. This capability is crucial for supporting the diverse applications of 5G, from high-speed mobile broadband to low-latency industrial automation and massive IoT deployments.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover wireless communication systems where all data transmissions use the exact same subcarrier spacing.
Same assignee
More from Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
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