Method and apparatus of allocating scheduling request resources in mobile communication networks
Various schemes are provided to improve SR resource utilization by adapting SR resource allocation to traffic pattern. In a first Scheme, SR resource allocation is configured more accurately. In one example, UE provides assistant information for eNB to determine or adjust SR configuration based on the received assistant information. In a second Scheme, multiple SR periods are configured and adapted to traffic pattern. In one example, eNB configures a set of SR resources with multiple SR periods, and UE applies different SR periods based on predefined events. Unused SR resources could be recycled by eNB for PUSCH data transmission. In a third Scheme, multiple SR allocations are configured and adapted to concerned applications. In one example, eNB configures multiple sets of SR resources adapted to predefined applications, and UE applies SR configurations based on corresponding applications. The additional SR configurations could be activated and/or deactivated.
1. A method, comprising:
establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection by a user equipment (UE) with a base station in a mobile communication network;
providing assistant information related to scheduling request (SR) resource allocation to the base station, wherein the assistant information comprises a UE-preferred SR-CONFIG index; and
receiving a scheduling request (SR) configuration from the base station in response to the assistant information, wherein the SR configuration associates with an SR period and an SR offset for SR resource allocation.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the assistant information comprises traffic pattern information related to packet inter-arrival-time (IAT).
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving an initial SR configuration from the base station; and
evaluating SR usage and determining whether to send the assistant information to the base station.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
transmitting an indication to the base station to release allocated SR resources.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the indication contains a specific value of an SR-CONFIG index or contains a specific value of packet inter-arrival time.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a second SR configuration from the base station in response to the assistant information, wherein the SR configuration allocates a first set of radio resources, and wherein the second SR configuration allocates a second set of radio resources.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
using the first set of radio resources for SR when a first application is running; and
using the second set of radio resources for SR when a second application is running.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein each SR configuration corresponds to a set of predefined applications.
9. A user equipment (UE), comprising:
a radio resource control (RRC) management module that establishes an RRC connection with a base station in a mobile communication network;
a scheduling request (SR) adaptation module that provides assistant information related to scheduling request (SR) resource allocation to the base station, wherein the assistant information comprises a UE-preferred SR-CONFIG index; and
a receiver that receives a scheduling request (SR) configuration from the base station in response to the assistant information, wherein the SR configuration associates with an SR period and an SR offset for SR resource allocation.
10. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the assistant information comprises a UE-preferred SR period and a UE-preferred SR offset.
11. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the assistant information comprises traffic pattern information related to packet inter-arrival-time (IAT).
12. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the UE receives an initial SR configuration from the base station and evaluates an SR usage to determine whether to send the assistant information to the base station.
13. The UE of claim 9 , further comprising:
a transmitter that transmits an indication to the base station to release allocated SR resources.
14. The UE of claim 13 , wherein the indication contains a specific value of an SR-CONFIG index or contains a specific value of packet inter-arrival time.
15. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the UE receives a second SR configuration from the base station in response to the assistant information, wherein the SR configuration allocates a first set of radio resources, and wherein the second SR configuration allocates a second set of radio resources.
16. The UE of claim 15 , wherein the UE uses the first set of radio resources for SR when a first application is running, and wherein the UE uses the second set of radio resources for SR when a second application is running.
17. The UE of claim 15 , wherein each SR configuration corresponds to a set of predefined applications.
18. A method, comprising:
establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection by a user equipment (UE) with a base station in a mobile communication network;
providing assistant information related to scheduling request (SR) resource allocation to the base station, wherein the assistant information comprises a UE-preferred SR period and a UE-preferred SR offset; and
receiving a scheduling request (SR) configuration from the base station in response to the assistant information, wherein the SR configuration associates with an SR period and an SR offset for SR resource allocation.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
receiving an initial SR configuration from the base station; and
evaluating SR usage and determining whether to send the assistant information to the base station.
20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
receiving a second SR configuration from the base station in response to the assistant information, wherein the SR configuration allocates a first set of radio resources, and wherein the second SR configuration allocates a second set of radio resources.