Apparatuses and Methods for a Communication System
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided herein for enabling ProSe discovery via one or more signal range classes. In some example embodiments, a method is provided that comprises determining a signal range class to be associated with one or more applications based at least on one or more signal range classes that are authorized by a network entity. In some example embodiments, the signal range class is assigned a logical channel. The method of this embodiment may also include causing two or more service data units received from the one or more applications to be multiplexed into a protocol data unit based on the signal range class associated with the one or more applications. The method of this embodiment may also include causing the protocol data unit to be processed via the logical channel associated with the signal range class.
1 . A method for use in a communication system, the method comprising:
determining a signal range class to be associated with one or more applications based at least on one or more signal range classes that are authorized by a network entity, wherein the signal range class is assigned a logical channel;
causing two or more service data units received from the one or more applications to be multiplexed into a protocol data unit based on the signal range class associated with the one or more applications; and
causing the protocol data unit to be processed via the logical channel associated with the signal range class.
2 - 13 . (canceled)
14 . An apparatus for a communication system, the apparatus comprising:
a processing system that comprises at least one data processor and at least one computer-readable memory storing a computer program, wherein the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to at least:
determine a signal range class to be associated with one or more applications based at least on one or more signal range classes that are authorized by a network entity, wherein the signal range class is assigned a logical channel;
cause two or more service data units received from the one or more applications to be multiplexed into a protocol data unit based on the signal range class associated with the one or more applications; and
cause the protocol data unit to be processed via the logical channel associated with the signal range class.
15 . An apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to:
receive an indication of one or more signal range classes that are authorized by the network entity; and
receive an indication of the logical channel that is to be associated with a signal range class of the one or more signal range classes.
16 . An apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the two or more service data units are multiplexed in an instance in which the two or more service data units are generated by applications that are associated with the same signal range class.
17 . An apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the two or more service data units are multiplexed in an instance in which the two or more service data units are generated by applications that are associated with different signal range classes.
18 . An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to:
determine a signal range class for the protocol data unit that comprises the two or more service data units that are associated with the different signal range classes.
19 . An apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the signal range class for the protocol data unit is determined based on one or more service requirements.
20 . An apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the signal range class for the protocol data unit is determined based on the signal range class that has a shortest signal range when compared to other signal range classes that are authorized.
21 . An apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein at least one of a medium access control element or a medium access control header of a protocol data unit having at least one service data unit comprises an identification of the signal range class.
22 . An apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the identification of the signal range class is configured to enable a medium access control layer to forward a protocol data unit based on the identification of the signal range class and an associated logical channel.
23 . An apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein one or more protocol data units are configured to be discarded by a signal receiver in an instance in which the signal receiver is not configured or authorized to receive packet data units associated with a particular signal range class and the one or more protocol data units are of the particular signal range class.
24 . An apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein a logical channel prioritization parameter defines a priority for the one or more signal range classes.
25 . An apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the one or more signal range classes are one or more discovery signal range classes.
26 . An apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the network entity that is operable to authorize one or more signal range classes is a mobility management entity, a base station, a proximity services server or a home subscriber server.
27 . An apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of a user equipment and a communications device.
28 . An apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the apparatus is configured for use in at least one of global system for mobile communications, wideband code division multiple access, time division synchronous code division multiple access, a long term evolution or long term evolution advanced system.
29 - 87 . (canceled)
88 . An apparatus for a communication system, the apparatus comprising:
a processing system that comprises at least one data processor and at least one computer-readable memory storing a computer program, wherein the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to at least:
determine a logical channel of one or more logical channels to be associated with a signal range class of one or more signal range classes; and
cause an indication of a logical channel associated with a signal range class of the one or more signal range classes to be transmitted to a mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal is configured to assign one or more applications to a signal range class of the one or more signal range classes.
89 . An apparatus according to claim 88 , wherein a logical channel identification is assigned for each of the one or more signal range classes.
90 . An apparatus according to claim 88 , wherein the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to:
determine a priority for the one or more signal range classes; and
assign a logical channel prioritization parameter for the one or more signal range classes based on the determined priority.
91 . An apparatus according to claim 88 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of a base station, a node B, an enhanced node B, a mobility management entity, a proximity services server or a home subscriber server.
92 - 100 . (canceled)