6G URLLC Link Reliability Patent Landscape 2026
Samsung Electronics dominates a highly concentrated field of 2,877 patent families, holding a commanding position among the top filers with activity expanding strongly on a multi-year basis — though annual volume has eased from its 2023 peak. Wireless communication networks and digital information transmission account for the overwhelming share of disclosed technology, with AI-native and positioning-layer approaches remaining comparatively sparse.
Samsung commands a heavily skewed competitive landscape
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd leads the applicant ranking with 2,437 patent families, an order of magnitude ahead of the next-ranked filers. The top five filers collectively account for 93% of the combined output of the hundred largest filers, signalling an unusually concentrated field.
Below Samsung, a cluster of non-traditional entrants — The Massengill Family Trust and Newman David E — occupy the second and third positions respectively, each well under one-tenth of Samsung’s volume. Established telecoms incumbents including AT&T, Nokia Technologies, Huawei, and Intel appear further down the ranking with far smaller footprints, widening the tier gap between the dominant leader and the rest of the field.
| # | Applicant | Patent families | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2,437 | |
| 2 | The Massengill Family Trust | 193 | |
| 3 | Newman David E | 152 | |
| 4 | AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P | 29 | |
| 5 | Nokia Technologies Oy | 19 | |
| 6 | Huawei Technologies Co Ltd | 18 | |
| 7 | Intel Corporation | 17 | |
| 8 | Jio Platforms Ltd | 15 | |
| 9 | AT&T MOBILITY II LLC | 12 | |
| 10 | RES & BUSINESS FOUND SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIV | 8 |
| # | Applicant | Patent families | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Southeast University | 6 | |
| 12 | Infovista | 4 | |
| 13 | CVR College of Engineering | 4 | |
| 14 | Yonsei University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation | 4 | |
| 15 | Tasione Innovations Co Ltd | 3 | |
| 16 | Massengill R Kemp | 3 | |
| 17 | Dalian Maritime University | 3 | |
| 18 | Chandigarh University | 3 | |
| 19 | NOIDA INST OF ENG & TECH | 3 | |
| 20 | Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson | 3 |
Samsung’s scale implies it is effectively shaping the standards-adjacent IP landscape for 6G URLLC; challengers seeking freedom to operate or differentiation will need to identify the technical sub-spaces where Samsung’s coverage is thinner, particularly in AI-driven reliability and sensing-communication convergence layers.
Filing data for 2024–2026 is subject to publication lag and will be revised upward as more applications publish; the observed softening from the 2023 peak should not be read as a structural decline. Longer-window growth, applicant concentration, and technology-route coverage are therefore more reliable signals than the latest-year bar alone.
Rapid multi-year expansion anchored in wireless and digital transmission
Two charts together reveal the pace and composition of 6G URLLC innovation: a filing trend that surged from near-zero before 2020 to a 2023 peak, and a technology-composition profile dominated by wireless networking and digital transmission classes with a thin long tail of adjacent branches.
Annual filing trend
Filings were negligible through 2019, then accelerated sharply, reaching 977 patent families in 2023 before registering 729 in 2024 and 387 in 2025. The 2024–2026 figures are understated due to publication lag, so the apparent step-down from 2023 should not be interpreted as a real decline. The field is still expanding on a multi-year basis, with recent three-year volume approximately 1,720% above the prior three-year window.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaTechnology composition
H04W (Wireless communication networks) and H04L (Digital information transmission) together account for the large majority of classified records, reflecting the core air-interface and protocol focus of URLLC research. G06N (AI models), G01S (Radar, sonar and positioning), H04J (Multiplex communication), H03M (Coding and code conversion), and G06F (Digital data processing) each represent a fraction of that volume, marking them as adjacent branches where coverage is comparatively sparse.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaHighly cited patent families surfaced by the query
Citation-heavy patent families returned by the query. Use this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents.
Method and system for determining energy efficienc…
The disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. Specifically, the disclosure related to method for determining an energy efficiency of an Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) network slice based on reliability. The method includes determining, by a producer server (100), a Packet Success… (excerpt from the patent abstract)
| # | Patent | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Facilitation of dynamic edge computations for 6g o… | 153 |
| 2 | Facilitation of dynamic edge computations for 6g o… | 147 |
| 3 | Intelligence and Learning in O-RAN for 5G and 6G C… | 95 |
| 4 | Method and system for DSS between LTE cell and NR … | 88 |
| 5 | Policy enhancement to support group application fu… | 30 |
| 6 | Apparatus and method for load balancing in wireles… | 28 |
| 7 | Computing workload management in next generation c… | 25 |
| 8 | Method and apparatus for accelerating data process… | 21 |
Ranked by total forward citations. Citation counts favour older and broadly cited patent families, and broad or adjacent patents may appear when they match the search scope. Treat this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents. Some patent titles may be shown in their original, non-English language where an accurate translation could not be guaranteed.
What the IP structure means for 6G URLLC R&D investment
The combination of high concentration, rapid recent growth, and sparse adjacent branches shapes the strategic options available to both incumbents and new entrants in 6G URLLC link reliability.
Growth stage — multi-year expansion with easing annual pace
The field carries a Growth lifecycle designation: recent three-year filings sit well above the prior three-year window, confirming that the technology base is still broadening. Annual volume peaked in 2023 and has eased since, though publication lag inflates that apparent decline. Teams entering now face a maturing but not yet saturated core, with genuine whitespace remaining in AI-native and sensing-layer sub-domains.
Growth stageSingle-leader dominance with a wide tier gap
The top five filers account for 93% of the combined output of the hundred largest filers, and Samsung alone accounts for the overwhelming majority of that share with 2,437 patent families. The gap between Samsung and the next tier — which includes AT&T, Nokia Technologies, Huawei, and Intel each with fewer than 30 patent families — is structurally significant. Challengers should assess whether differentiation in under-covered branches can sidestep rather than confront Samsung’s portfolio.
Highly concentratedSamsung–university links and AT&T intra-group filings dominate co-applicant activity
The most active co-filing pair is AT&T Intellectual Property I L P and AT&T Mobility II LLC with 12 joint patent families, reflecting intra-group IP coordination. Samsung Electronics co-files with Sungkyunkwan University (8 families) and its Beijing R&D centre (8 families), and also with Yonsei University (4 families), indicating a structured university-engagement model. Nokia Technologies has small co-filing links with Nokia Shanghai Bell and Nokia Solutions and Networks. Outside these clusters, collaboration density is low.
Structured co-filingEurope and PCT lead filings; China and India growing
Europe (EPO) is the lead filing jurisdiction with 843 patent records, followed closely by WIPO PCT (799) and the United States (724). China accounts for 304 records and India for 184, indicating meaningful but secondary activity in those markets. Japan and South Korea have much smaller footprints at 16 and 2 records respectively — notable given the Korean identity of the dominant filer, which suggests Samsung routes most of its protection through EPO, PCT, and US routes.
EPO-PCT-US triadGo beyond the landscape: Eureka’s TRIZ Solution agent breaks down an R&D problem and returns patented concept solutions, each with a technical approach and cited patent & literature evidence.
| Applicant | Collaborator | Co-filings |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T知识产权一部有限合伙公司 | AT&T移动第二有限责任公司 | 12 |
| Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | Sungkyunkwan University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation | 8 |
| Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | Beijing Samsung Telecom R&D Center | 8 |
| Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 延世大学校产学协力团 | 4 |
| Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | UI (UNIVERSITY IND FOUNDATION) YONSEI UNIVERSITY | 1 |
| Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | Seoul National University R&D Business Foundation | 1 |
| Nokia Technologies Oy | Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd | 1 |
| Nokia Technologies Oy | Nokia Solutions and Networks | 1 |
Co-filing pairs, ranked by the number of jointly-filed patent families.
Samsung sets the pace; telecoms incumbents trail at distance
The
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Samsung holds 2,437 patent families in this space, concentrated in wireless network management (H04W 24, H04W 72) and digital information transmission reliability (H04L 1). Its momentum is marked at approximately 28× its prior three-year filing rate, confirming an aggressive and sustained build-out of URLLC-specific IP rather than legacy portfolio carryover. The scale of this position makes Samsung the de facto IP reference point for 6G URLLC air-interface and network-layer reliability.
patent families: 2,437Nokia Technologies Oy
Nokia Technologies holds 19 patent families, focused on digital information transmission reliability (H04L 1), wireless resource management (H04W 72), and network protocol layers (H04L 12). It enters the recent measurement window as a new entrant by momentum classification, signalling a deliberate recent push into 6G URLLC IP despite a small absolute base. Nokia’s established standards-body engagement may amplify the strategic weight of even a modest portfolio in this space.
patent families: 19| Applicant | Recent (3 yrs) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2,024 | ▲ 28× vs prior 3-yr |
| Newman David E | 187 | ▲ new entrant |
| Massengill R Kemp | 187 | ▲ new entrant |
| AT&T知识产权一部有限合伙公司 | 6 | ▼ -71% |
| Nokia Technologies Oy | 6 | ▲ new entrant |
| Huawei Technologies Co Ltd | 6 | ▼ -40% |
| Intel Corporation | 14 | ▲ new entrant |
| Jio Platforms Ltd | 15 | ▲ new entrant |
Under-served branches adjacent to the URLLC core
Several IPC classes appear at low share relative to the dominant H04W and H04L blocks, indicating branches where fewer applicants have staked positions. These are observations of relative sparsity; they warrant further due diligence before being treated as validated entry opportunities.
G06N · AI-native reliability models
With 143 patent records and a 3% share of classified records, AI-model approaches to link reliability sit well below the wireless and digital transmission core. Given the emerging consensus around AI-native 6G architecture — reflected in the most-cited patents on dynamic edge computation and O-RAN intelligence — this branch has plausible technical value as a differentiation layer. An entrant with existing machine-learning IP could extend into URLLC-specific inference for channel prediction, anomaly detection, or adaptive scheduling with a realistic cross-filing path from G06N into H04W.
Search this in Eureka →G01S · Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC)
G01S (Radar, sonar and positioning) accounts for 76 patent records and approximately 1% of classified records, marking sensing-communication convergence as an under-served adjacent branch. ISAC is a recognized 6G architectural pillar with direct implications for URLLC in mobility and positioning scenarios. The sparse filing base suggests that most ISAC-URLLC interaction remains unpublished or unstaked, and teams with radar or positioning backgrounds could explore this intersection — though the dominant filers’ silence here may also reflect deliberate roadmap timing rather than genuine absence.
Search this in Eureka →How leading applicants differ by technical route
Route coverage across the main technology branches in the current evidence set.
| Player | H04W 24 · Wireless communication networks | H04W 72 · Wireless communication networks | H04L 1 · Digital information transmission | H04L 5 · Digital information transmission | H04W 28 · Wireless communication networks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | Strong · 1,237 | Strong · 1,031 | Strong · 799 | Strong · 649 | Moderate · 530 |
| Massengill R Kemp | Moderate · 45 | Moderate · 43 | Strong · 159 | Moderate · 35 | Moderate · 57 |
| Newman David E | Moderate · 45 | Moderate · 43 | Strong · 159 | Moderate · 35 | Moderate · 57 |
| AT&T Intellectual Property I L P | Strong · 8 | Moderate · 5 | Strong · 10 | Strong · 8 | Strong · 15 |
| Nokia Technologies Oy | Absent | Strong · 7 | Strong · 12 | Absent | Moderate · 5 |
| Intel Corporation | Strong · 9 | Moderate · 2 | Absent | Moderate · 3 | Strong · 5 |
| Huawei Technologies Co Ltd | Strong · 12 | Absent | Moderate · 4 | Absent | Absent |
Frequently asked questions
The corpus contains 2,877 patent families in scope for 6G URLLC and link reliability as of the data cut used for this analysis.
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd leads with 2,437 patent families, representing a commanding position among the top filers. The next-largest applicants — The Massengill Family Trust and Newman David E — each hold fewer than 200 patent families, creating a substantial tier gap.
Europe (EPO) is the lead filing office with 843 patent records, followed by WIPO PCT with 799 and the United States with 724. China accounts for 304 records and India for 184. Japan and South Korea have much smaller recorded footprints.
The field is classified as Growth. Recent three-year filing volume sits approximately 1,720% above the prior three-year window, confirming multi-year expansion. Annual volume peaked in 2023 and has eased since, though 2024–2026 figures are understated by publication lag and should not be read as a structural decline.
G06N (AI models, 143 records at 3% share), G01S (Radar, sonar and positioning, 76 records at 1% share), H04J (Multiplex communication, 48 records), H03M (Coding and code conversion, 31 records), and G06F (Digital data processing, 29 records) are all sparse relative to the dominant H04W and H04L classes. These are observations of relative sparsity rather than confirmed commercial opportunities.
The most active co-filing relationship is between AT&T Intellectual Property I L P and AT&T Mobility II LLC with 12 joint patent families. Samsung Electronics co-files with Sungkyunkwan University (8 families) and its Beijing R&D centre (8 families), and also with Yonsei University (4 families). Nokia Technologies has limited co-filing links with Nokia Shanghai Bell and Nokia Solutions and Networks. Broader ecosystem collaboration density is low.
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Patent data carries inherent limitations: recent filings (typically the most recent 18–24 months) are under-counted due to standard publication lag; counts may be reported at either a patent-family or a patent-record basis and are not always directly comparable; classification, applicant-name, and citation data may contain errors, duplicates, or omissions; and the underlying search query defines and constrains the scope shown. As a result, the analysis may be incomplete or inaccurate and may not reflect the full technology landscape.
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