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:
receiving a scheduling request (SR) configuration from a base station by a user equipment (UE), wherein the SR configuration allocates a set of radio resources for SR, and wherein the allocated SR radio resources are associated with a first SR period and a second SR period;
applying the first SR period for transmitting SR to the base station; and
applying the second SR period upon a first predefined triggering condition is satisfied.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
switching back to apply the first SR period for transmitting SR upon a second predefined triggering condition is satisfied.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first or the second triggering condition is based on an SR timer that is configured via the SR configuration.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first or the second triggering condition is satisfied when uplink data for a specific application is sent to the base station.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the specific application is indicated by sending a power preference indication to the base station.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first or the second triggering condition is based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) operation status.
7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the second SR period is longer than the first SR period, and wherein unused SR resources are recycled for physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for other UEs or for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for data transmission when the UE applies the second SR period.
8. A user equipment (UE), comprising:
a radio frequency (RF) receiver that receives a scheduling request (SR) configuration from a base station, wherein the SR configuration allocates a set of radio resources for SR, and wherein the allocated SR radio resources are associated with a first SR period and a second SR period;
a transmitter that transmits SR to the base station by applying the first SR period, the UE transmits SR by applying the second SR period upon a first predefined triggering condition is satisfied.
9. The UE of claim 8 , wherein the UE switches back to apply the first SR period for transmitting SR upon a second predefined triggering condition is satisfied.
10. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the first or the second triggering condition is based on an SR timer that is configured via the SR configuration.
11. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the first or the second triggering condition is satisfied when uplink data for a specific application is sent to the base station.
12. The UE of claim 11 , wherein the specific application is indicated by sending a power preference indication to the base station.
13. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the first or the second triggering condition is based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) operation status.
14. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the second SR period is longer than the first SR period, and wherein unused SR resources are recycled for physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for other UEs or for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for data transmission when the UE applies the second SR period.
15. A method, comprising:
receiving a first scheduling request (SR) configuration from a base station by a user equipment (UE), wherein the first SR configuration allocates a first set of radio resources in physical uplink control channel (PUCCH);
receiving a second SR configuration from the base station, wherein the second SR configuration allocates a second set of radio resources in the PUCCH;
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.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein each SR configuration corresponds to a set of predefined applications.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the allocated radio resources are determined to satisfy quality of service (QoS) requirement of the applications.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the UE stops using the first set of radio resources for sending SR when the first application stops running.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the stop of the first application is indicated by a power preference indication.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the first set of radio resources are recycled for other usage.
21. The method of claim 15 , wherein the allocated SR radio resources are activated or deactivated based on discontinuous reception (DRX) state transition.