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A patent is a very specific kind of document that grants legal rights to an inventor. Although most tech startups cover themselves up with patent protection, the communication industry is one that often uses a combination of patent protection and trade secrets for keeping its technology commercially viable for longer.

Patenting in the Communication Industry: Its Varied Forms

Patenting in this sector is unlike any other. Although sectors like AI, Fintech can be a highly lucrative and growing patenting sector, the communication sector offers innovators with ability to patent  in areas such as wireless, fiber optics, satellite communication and more.

Patenting for Wireless Communications Technologies

Wireless communication is based on electromagnetic waves. Scientists use the term energy to describe how electromagnetic waves work. Electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light. Electromagnetic waves are made up of electric and magnetic fields that move together.

Inventors have been experimenting with wireless communication since the early 1800s. Guglielmo Marconi was one of the earliest inventors to develop successful wireless transmitters and receivers. Today, there are thousands of patents for wireless communications worldwide and most of these patents were issued within the last two decades.

Some of the major patentors in wireless communications are:

1. Lumen Technologies,
2. Verizon Communications,
3. Qualcomm Technologies

The 5G and 6G technologies are the future of communications. They will provide fast speeds, security, and network coverage for people around the world. These technologies are essential for business and consumers, and if you’re interested in learning more about them, here’s a quick look at some of the most important things to know.

As a result of the continued growth of technology, telcos are under pressure to adapt to the new era. This is where 5G and 6G come into play. Both technologies offer a higher level of speed and capability, and they will play an important role in the future of wireless communications.

The technology is still in its early stages, but researchers are already working on it. The goal is to develop a network that will be capable of providing instant communication and intelligence to all people, devices, and applications. It will be able to sense and map the world around us. Moreover, it will be a platform for innovation.

Eventually, 6G could enable the Internet of Everything. This would mean that everyone has an Internet-connected device, and all their information and data is available to them at any time. However, there are many questions to be answered before this becomes a reality.

Getting started with 5G and 6G technologies is not going to be easy. The Internet is constantly changing, and it will need to be reengineered to work with the new technologies. Plus, it will be essential to have a strong business relationship with subscribers.

There are a number of uses for 5G, including ultra-reliable low-latency communication, real-time video communications, and augmented reality. While these are the most commonly mentioned, there are several other use cases. Some include digital twins, robot navigation, e-health, precision agriculture, smart cities, and holographic technology.

Wireless Communication Speed

When it comes to the speed of 5G and 6G technology, there are many factors to consider. These include the architecture of the network, the types of links it uses, and the benefits it will provide to users.

One of the most impressive aspects of 5G is its speed. In fact, the industry has set the bar high for this new wireless technology. Its peak data rate of 10 Gbits/sec is more than five times the speed of 4G. The International Telecommunication Union recently nailed down the standards for 5G.

However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t expect to see these technologies start rolling out soon. Several countries have already pledged to lead the charge. Among them is China, which recently reported a successful wireless test that delivered 100-200 Gbits/s.

In fact, it’s not too surprising that many vendors and technology providers are looking to jump on the 6G bandwagon. The industry is putting together specifications for products that will support 6G-enabled networks. Many of these specs remain years away from being ready to roll out.

Of course, the real question remains: when will 6G actually hit the market? While some vendors are investing in a next-generation wireless standard, others have made no mention of a potential release.

Some industry players, like LG Electronics, have taken on the challenge. Their CTO is leading the charge, announcing plans to develop new business models with 6G in mind.

Wireless Communication Latency

Latency is the time it takes for a packet of data to be transmitted over a frequency. It can be different depending on the destination and the journey. In general, it is measured in milliseconds.

Although 5G and 6G are both coming up soon, there are many differences in their capabilities. Among them are latency, speed, and bandwidth. Compared to 5G, 6G has better reliability and lower latency. Also, it uses advanced technologies.

Unlike 5G, which has a latency of about five milliseconds, the latency of 6G will be in the range of one millisecond. This will allow massive data transmissions in less than a second.

The spectral efficiency of 6G will be nearly double that of 5G. This will offer users instant access to new multimedia services. Eventually, 6G may reach terahertz frequencies.

While 6G may still be in the research stage, some companies are already working on developing its technology. For example, LG Electronics has announced plans to lead the global standardisation of 6G. And South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT held a 6G strategy meeting in mid-2021.

There are several open issues to be addressed before 6G becomes available. These include a new way to model the tail behavior of THz channels. Other issues relate to determining the minimum latency possible for UbiI systems.

As the demand for seamless connectivity increases, a future digital society will require a faster and more dependable solution.

Wireless Communication pectrum

As demand for wireless networks continues to grow, so does the need for more spectrum. In order to keep pace with demand, wireless network operators need to begin with broad geographic coverage, then build out high-band and low-band networks to fill in the gaps.

The availability of the right spectrum is a crucial factor in unlocking the potential of 5G and 6G technology. It is also important to recognize the need for cooperation among several stakeholders. This includes regulators, telecom operators, and network providers.

There are currently two main sources of spectrum. One is the millimeter wave spectrum bands, which range from 24GHz to 40GHz. Another is the sub-THz spectrum, which ranges from 90GHz to 300GHz. These bands offer extremely high data rates, but there are limitations to their mobility.

To deliver the full capacity and range of 6G technology, it will need to be combined with new frequency bands. The combination will enable mobile edge computing and sophisticated mobile systems. Some of the benefits of these technologies include lower latency and higher bandwidth.

New mid-band spectrum will provide even more capacity, including a minimum of 400 MHz, and ultra-low latency. Combined with mobile edge computing, these systems will support a wide variety of applications, including real-time streaming, imaging, and telepresence.

Amid these new capabilities, network operators will need to redesign their infrastructure frameworks to meet higher spectral efficiency. This includes the use of advanced antenna-array technologies.

Wireless Communication Network coverage

The 6G technology market is set to take advantage of next-generation computation capabilities, which will help the industry to meet the ever-growing demand for data-driven services. Industry experts are predicting that the 6G era will be characterized by immersive technologies such as wireless brain-computer interfaces, connected implants, and cellular surfaces.

While not yet widely available, the Federal Communications Commission has opened the door to the future of 6G. Its adoption will depend on the evolution of the marketplace.

Compared to 5G, the speed and bandwidth offered by 6G will allow it to serve dramatically more devices. This will also increase throughput and sampling rates, providing more accurate data. A 6G network will also have lower latency.

In addition, its broad spectrum and sub-millimeter waves will provide better coverage. Moreover, its reliability will be enhanced through numerous wireless hops and AI/ML.

The technology will enable users to experience maximum data speeds of up to 1 Tbps. The network could even be used for automated cars. Meanwhile, its low power consumption could allow over-the-air charging.

6G networks are predicted to support ten times more devices per square kilometer than 5G. As a result, they will be able to support a wider range of applications. Some examples of these applications include smart city technology and new imaging applications.

The technology’s high-frequency and low-latency spectrum will allow it to support higher bandwidth, resulting in faster throughput and increased sample rates. Furthermore, its spectral efficiency will be nearly double that of 5G.

Wireless Communication Security

While 5G will provide high-speed and high-quality services, it will also come with security concerns. A recent paper outlines some of the security challenges facing 5G and 6G networks. The paper focuses on the security issues of the physical and AI/ML layers.

One of the biggest security challenges faced by 6G is identity management. Many applications have relied on password-based security methods for decades. However, they have a number of disadvantages.

To overcome these challenges, new authentication methods and encryption techniques must meet the higher significant requirements of future networks. Security measures also need to protect users’ privacy.

Another security challenge that affects all network generations is resource restrictions. As the volume of devices and their applications increases, the number of resources and the availability of these resources becomes increasingly difficult to manage. This makes the interaction between performance expectations and security needs more complex.

The zero trust security concept, as the name suggests, focuses on ensuring that no one can interfere with the operations of a system. It assumes that the attacker may reside in the network and that the attacker can access the system’s resources.

The zero trust security concept is not always effective, as some of its processes can cause latency. Moreover, it is not feasible to provide end-to-end encryption.

Lastly, the control layer of a 6G network is prone to attacks. These attacks target SDN controllers, cloud computing services, and interfaces.

Satellite Communications Patenting: The Trend

Satellite communication is a term that describes the use of satellites to send, receive and relay wireless communications over the earth’s surface. The signals used by satellite communication techniques include radio, optical and laser signals. Some examples of the equipment that utilizes satellite communications include satellite phones and internet connections via satellite technologies such as Starlink.

As technology advances so does the capability of satellite communications. The technology of communication via satellites is advancing quickly. Currently there are over 750 active GEO satellites in orbit around the Earth.

Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics, Sony, LG Electronics and Huawei Technologies are some of the leading patentors in this sector.

Most satellite communication patents deal with broadcasting, receiving and transmitting signals.

The most recent patent published September 25, 2018 is titled “Optical communication system with integrated spectro-temporal pulse shaping”. Some notable inventors who have more than 100 satellite communication related patents are Ying Chen, Cang Zhou and Hany Barhoumi. Satellite communication patents are expected to evolve alongside rapidly developing technology.

Fiber Optics Innovation and Patenting

Corning first introduced optical fibers for telecommunications in 1977. In 1977, the first single-mode optical fiber was produced in Corning’s research laboratory by P.Kopans, D. Payne and C. Kao. Solely made of glass,

Corning’s optical fibers can transmit data faster and farther than conventional copper-wire cables and are about one-tenth the size.

Optical fiber is now the preferred telecommunication medium and has virtually replaced copper wire as the backbone of worldwide communications systems. By 1985, more than 6,000 miles of optical fiber had been installed around the world, mostly in North America and Europe.

The innovative technology of fiber optics relies on inventions by many individuals over time to become a household commodity with mass usage today.

The ability to harness light for communication and data transfer purposes was an early development of the telecommunications industry, with the earliest patent on fiber optics dating back to 1970. Today, fiber optics is a crucial part of our everyday lives.  It’s technology that we’ve grown to rely on and expect to have 24/7 without incident.

Patenting on Radio Communications Technology

Wireless technology is a rapidly evolving field, and as such, it is important to have a strategic approach when it comes to patenting. Some key elements of a wireless technology patenting strategy include:

1. Focusing on core technologies: Identifying the core technologies that are central to the wireless technology and patenting those technologies can provide a strong defensive position and a competitive advantage.
2. Building a portfolio: Building a portfolio of patents that covers a wide range of wireless technologies and applications can provide a strong defensive position and increase the chances of licensing or selling the patents.
3. Timing: Timing is critical when it comes to patenting wireless technologies. Filing for a patent as soon as possible can help ensure that the patent is granted before the technology becomes widely adopted.
4. International protection: Wireless technology is often used globally, so it is important to consider obtaining patents in multiple countries to protect the technology in those markets.
5. Monitoring and enforcement: Regularly monitoring for potential infringement of the patents and taking appropriate enforcement action can help protect the value of the patent portfolio.
6. Collaboration and licensing: Collaborating with other companies and licensing the patents can provide additional revenue streams and help bring the technology to market more quickly.
7. Being aware of the trends: Following the trends in wireless technology and patenting in this field, in order to adapt and adjust the strategy accordingly.

Overall, a well-crafted patenting strategy can help protect the value of wireless technology and provide a competitive advantage in the market.

Radio communications is a method and system for intentionally replicating and/or linking a link-layer address to a base protocol address on a network interface card, reducing contention among nodes in a wireless network. A device for communication among a plurality of devices is provided. The device includes: an interface; and a radio configured to operate at two or more frequency bands and using packets which include an ID field.

Given that wireless/radio tech is a crowded field, you should consider offensive and defensive patenting as two different strategies that can be used when it comes to radio technology.

Offensive patenting involves proactively seeking patents on new technologies and innovations in order to prevent competitors from using them. This strategy is often used by companies that are developing new radio technologies and want to establish a dominant position in the market. By obtaining patents on key technologies, companies can prevent competitors from using those technologies without paying licensing fees, which can provide a significant revenue stream.

Defensive patenting, on the other hand, involves obtaining patents as a defensive measure to protect against potential infringement lawsuits from competitors. This strategy is often used by companies that have already established a strong position in the market and want to protect their existing technology from being copied by others. By obtaining patents on existing technologies, companies can create a “patent thicket” that makes it difficult for competitors to enter the market without risking a lawsuit.

A combination of offensive and defensive patenting can be a more effective strategy for radio technology companies. By obtaining patents on new technologies, companies can establish a dominant position in the market, while also protecting their existing technologies from being copied by competitors. Additionally, licensing and cross-licensing agreements with other companies can be a way to monetize the patents and also to reduce the risk of patent litigation.

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