Mechanism for buffer status reporting

Abstract

Embodiments of this disclosure relate to a solution for transmitting a buffer status report. Specifically, a network device transmits the configuration of one or more logical channel groups to a terminal device. Furthermore, the network device transmits to the terminal device a configuration indicating whether an additional buffer size table is available for at least one logical channel group. The terminal device determines which buffer size table should be used based on the type of buffer status report for at least one logical channel group. Based on the determined buffer size table, the terminal device transmits a buffer status report to the network device. This simplifies the padding buffer status report procedure when data is buffered for both logical channel groups where the additional buffer size table is used and logical channel groups where it is not used.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunications, and particularly to methods, apparatuses, devices, and computer-readable storage media for buffer status reports.

Background Art

[0002] A buffer status report (BSR) is used by a user equipment (UE) to report to a gNB the status of data buffered in itself, assisting the gNB in performing appropriate scheduling. The BSR can be defined at the media access control (MAC) layer to indicate how much data is buffered in which logical channel group (LCG). In the current BSR procedure, whether to report a long BSR or a short BSR in a regular BSR and a periodic BSR depends on whether there are multiple LCGs in which data is buffered. For a padding BSR, it is determined whether a truncated BSR is reported according to whether there is enough space to indicate all buffer sizes (BSs) for all data that can be transmitted. Extended reality (XR) combines extended reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality. To efficiently support XR services, several issues arise in New Radio (NR). Therefore, an extension for supporting XR services has been proposed. Thus, the extension of the BSR corresponding to XR services is one of the important objectives to be studied.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a first device is provided. The first device includes at least one processor and at least one memory that stores instructions causing the first device to receive a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups from a second device, receive a second configuration from the second device indicating whether at least one of the logical channel groups has a second buffer size table available in addition to a first set of buffer size tables, determine a target buffer size table to be used for the buffer state report of at least one logical channel group based on the type of buffer state report from the first set of buffer size tables and the second buffer size table, and send a buffer state report based on the target buffer size table to the second device.

[0004] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a second device. The second device includes at least one processor, and, when executed by at least one processor, transmits to the first device a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups, a second configuration indicating to the first device whether at least one of the one or more logical channel groups has a second buffer size table available in addition to a first set of buffer size tables, and transmits to the second device a buffer status report for at least one logical channel group based on a target buffer size table, wherein the target buffer size table stores instructions to transmit and to perform, determined from the first set of buffer size tables and the second buffer size table based on the type of buffer status report.

[0005] A third aspect of this disclosure provides a method. The method includes, in a first device, receiving a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups from a second device; receiving a second configuration from the second device indicating whether at least one of the one or more logical channel groups is able to use a second buffer size table in addition to a first set of buffer size tables; and determining, from the first set of buffer size tables and the second buffer size table, a target buffer size table to be used for the buffer status report of at least one logical channel group, based on the type of buffer status report.

[0006] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a method. The method includes, in a second device, transmitting to a first device a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups; transmitting to the first device a second configuration indicating whether at least one of the one or more logical channel groups has a second buffer size table available in addition to a first set of buffer size tables; and transmitting to the second device a buffer status report for at least one logical channel group based on a target buffer size table, wherein the target buffer size table is determined from the first set of buffer size tables and the second buffer size table based on the type of buffer status report.

[0007] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a first apparatus. The first apparatus includes means for receiving a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups from a second apparatus; means for receiving a second configuration from the second apparatus indicating whether at least one of the logical channel groups is able to use a second buffer size table in addition to a first set of buffer size tables; means for determining a target buffer size table to be used for a buffer status report of at least one logical channel group based on the type of buffer status report from the first set of buffer size tables and the second buffer size table; and means for transmitting a buffer status report based on the target buffer size table to the second apparatus.

[0008] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides a second device. The second device includes means for transmitting a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups to the first device; means for transmitting a second configuration to the first device indicating whether at least one of the one or more logical channel groups is able to use a second buffer size table in addition to a first set of buffer size tables; and means for receiving a buffer status report from the first device for at least one logical channel group based on a target buffer size table, wherein the target buffer size table is determined from the first set of buffer size tables and the second buffer size table based on the type of buffer status report.

[0009] A seventh aspect of this disclosure provides a computer-readable medium, which includes instructions stored thereon for causing a device to perform a method according to at least the third aspect.

[0010] In an eighth aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium stores instructions for causing a device to perform at least the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0011] Please understand that this abstract is not intended to identify any significant or essential features of the embodiments of the Disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the Disclosure. Other features of the Disclosure will be readily apparent through the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] Several embodiments will be described with reference to the attached drawings. [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a communication environment in which the embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a signaling chart for sending a Buffer Status Report (BSR) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram showing the format of a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) for transmitting a BSR. [Figure 3B] Figure 3B is a schematic diagram showing the format of a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) for transmitting a BSR. [Figure 3C] Figure 3C is a schematic diagram showing the format of a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) for transmitting a BSR. [Figure 3D] Figure 3D is a schematic diagram showing the format of a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) for transmitting a BSR. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the format of a MAC CE for transmitting a BSR according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of the method for determining MAC CE according to the embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method performed in a first apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a method performed in a second apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for carrying out an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a computer-readable medium according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar elements. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The principles of this specification will be described with reference to several examples. These examples are provided solely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of this specification, but are intended to help those skilled in the art to understand and implement this disclosure. The examples described herein can be implemented in a variety of ways other than those described below.

[0014] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0015] In this specification, descriptions such as "one embodiment," "a certain embodiment," and "an exemplary embodiment" indicate that the described embodiments may include a particular function, structure, or feature, but not all embodiments are required to include such a particular function, structure, or feature. Furthermore, these expressions do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Also, if a particular function, structure, or characteristic is described in relation to an embodiment, it is understood that its application in relation to other embodiments, whether explicitly stated or not, is within the scope of the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0016] Terms such as "first", "second", etc. may be used before nouns to describe various elements, but it should be understood that these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another and do not limit the order of nouns. For example, it is also within the scope of the embodiments to refer to the first element as the second element or the second element as the first element. In the present specification, the term "and / or" encompasses any combination including one or more of the recited terms.

[0017] In the present specification, "at least one of the following: <list of two or more elements>" and "at least one of <list of two or more elements>" and similar expressions mean at least any one element, at least two or more elements, or at least all elements when the list of two or more elements is connected by "and" or "or".

[0018] In the present specification, unless explicitly stated otherwise, performing a step "in response to A" does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after the occurrence of "A", and there may be one or more steps included therebetween.

[0019] The terms used in the present specification are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit exemplary embodiments. In the present specification, the singular forms "a", "an", "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, in the present specification, the terms "comprise", "comprising", "have", "having", "include" and / or "including" identify the presence of the described features, elements, and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0020] In the present application, the term "circuit" (a) Only hardware circuit implementation (such as implementation by only analog circuits and / or digital circuits), (b) A combination of a hardware circuit and software, for example (if applicable), (i) A combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) A combination of a part of a hardware processor and software (including a digital signal processor), software, and memory, which cooperate to execute various functions in devices such as mobile phones and servers, (c) A hardware circuit and / or processor (such as a microprocessor or a part of a microprocessor) that requires software (such as firmware) to operate, provided that the software may not exist when it is not necessary for operation, may refer to any one or more or all of the above.

[0021] This definition of a circuit applies to all uses of this term in this application, that is, to its use in all claims. Further, for example, the term "circuit" used in this application also includes a mere hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors), or an implementation of a hardware circuit or a part of a processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuit" includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or a processor integrated circuit for mobile devices, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network devices when applicable to the elements of a specific claim.

[0022] In this specification, the term “communication network” refers to a network that conforms to an appropriate communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced (LTE-A), Broadband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA®), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT). Furthermore, communication between terminal devices and network devices within a communication network includes, but is not limited to, first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G), and sixth-generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of this disclosure are applicable to a variety of communication systems. Given the rapid development of communication technology, there will naturally be future communication technologies and systems to which this disclosure will be embodied. The scope of this disclosure should not be limited to the aforementioned systems only.

[0023] In this specification, “Network equipment” refers to a node on a communications network from which terminal equipment accesses the network and receives services. Network equipment may also refer to, for example, base stations (BS), access points (AP), node B (NodeB or NB), evolved node B (eNodeB or eNB), NR node B (also called gNB), remote radio units (RRU), radio headers (RH), remote radio heads (RRH), repeaters, integrated access backhaul (IAB) nodes, low-power nodes such as femto and pico, satellite network equipment, non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-terrestrial network equipment such as low orbit (LEO) satellites and geostationary (GEO) satellites, aircraft network equipment, etc., depending on the terminology and technology applied. In some embodiments, the radio access network (RAN) partitioning architecture includes centralized units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs) in an IAB donor node. An IAB node includes a mobile terminal (IAB-MT) portion that behaves like a UE to the parent node and a DU portion that behaves like a base station to the next IAB node.

[0024] The term "terminal device" refers to any end device capable of wireless communication. While these are merely examples, terminal devices may also be called communication devices, user equipment (UE), subscriber stations (SS), mobile subscriber stations, mobile stations (MS), or access terminals (AT). Terminal devices include mobile phones, mobile phone terminals, smartphones, VoIP phones, wireless local loop phones, tablet devices, wearable devices, PDAs, portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminals such as digital cameras, game terminals, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminals, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop mounted devices (LMEs), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPEs), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches and other wearables, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain environments), consumer electronics, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and similar devices. Terminal devices may also correspond to the mobile termination (MT) portion of IAB nodes (such as relay nodes). In the following description, the terms “terminal device,” “communication device,” “terminal,” “user device,” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0025] In this specification, “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block (PRB),” “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” refers to any resource used to perform communication. For example, in communication between a terminal device and a network device, this includes resources in the time domain, frequency domain, spatial domain, code domain, or any combination of resources in the time, frequency, space, and code domains that enable communication. Unless otherwise specified, several embodiments of this specification will be described using resources in both the frequency and time domains as examples of transmission resources. Note that the embodiments of this specification are also applicable to resources in other domains.

[0026] In this specification, the term “Logical Channel Group (LCG)” may refer to a set of logical channels in a wireless communication system. Logical channels are used to transmit different types of data, such as voice, video, and control signals, between a base station and a mobile terminal. LCGs may be used to allocate resources, such as bandwidth and time slots, to different logical channels based on priority and quality of service requirements.

[0027] In this specification, the term "Buffer Status Report (BSR)" may refer to information regarding the amount of uplink data in the MAC entity of a terminal device that is provided to a network device. In this specification, the term "Buffer Size Table" may refer to a table showing buffer size levels for a buffer size field. In this specification, the term "Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE)" may refer to a MAC structure that transmits control information.

[0028] As mentioned above, extending the BSR to support XR services is a key research topic. In XR, the current assumption is that either a new buffer size (BS) table or a conventional BS table can be configured for each LCG. If only a new 8-bit table is defined for XR, reusing the conventional BS table is possible by allowing the reporting of a long BSR even when there is only one LCG being buffered, similar to normal and periodic BSRs. However, this only considers normal and periodic BSRs and does not take padding BSRs into account. On the other hand, padding BSRs lack sufficient bits to report the BS. If only 8 bits of BS can be reported in a padding BSR, and only 1 byte of space remains, then only an 8-bit bitmap for the LCG ID can be displayed, and no information about the BS can be obtained. This situation is less favorable than the conventional method. Therefore, a solution for XR-compatible buffer state reporting is needed.

[0029] Examples of implementation environments Figure 1 shows an example of a communication environment 100 in which the embodiments of this specification can be implemented. In the communication environment 100, multiple devices, including device 110 (hereinafter referred to as the "first device") and device 120 (hereinafter referred to as the "second device"), can communicate with each other. Device 110 may be located within the coverage area of ​​service cell 102.

[0030] For the sake of explanation, the following example will describe a scenario in which device 110 operates as a terminal device and device 120 operates as a network device. However, in some examples, it is possible to implement the operations described in relation to a terminal device in a network device or other devices, and vice versa.

[0031] In some embodiments, when device 110 is a terminal device and device 120 is a network device, the link from device 120 to device 110 is called a downlink (DL), and the link from device 110 to device 120 is called an uplink (UL). In a DL, device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or transmitter), and device 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or receiver). In a UL, device 110 is a TX device (or transmitter), and device 120 is an RX device (or receiver).

[0032] Communication in communication environment 100 is performed according to an appropriate communication protocol. This includes, but is not limited to, cellular communication protocols such as first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), and sixth generation (6G), wireless local network communication protocols such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Furthermore, communication may optionally utilize appropriate wireless communication technologies, which include, but are not limited to, code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplexing (FDD), time division duplexing (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0033] Examples of communication operating principles and signals According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a solution for sending a BSR is provided. Specifically, a network device sends a configuration of one or more logical channel groups to a terminal device. The network device also sends a configuration to the terminal device indicating whether at least one of the logical channel groups has an additional buffer size table available. The terminal device determines which buffer size table to use based on the type of buffer status report for at least one logical channel group. The terminal device sends a buffer status report to the network device based on the determined buffer size table. This simplifies the padding BSR procedure when there is buffered data for the LCG, both when a new BS table is configured or in use and when it is not.

[0034] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0035] Next, refer to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows a signaling chart 200 for communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the signaling chart 200 includes apparatus 110 and apparatus 120.

[0036] Device 120 transmits to Device 110 a configuration of one or more logical channel groups (hereinafter also referred to as the "first configuration") (2010). That is, Device 110 receives the first configuration of one or more logical channel groups from Device 120. The first configuration may indicate the logical channels (LCGs) to be assigned to one or more logical channel groups. The maximum number of LCGs may be eight. The first configuration may include any appropriate parameters that can be used to configure one or more logical channel groups.

[0037] Device 120 sends a configuration (hereinafter also called the "second configuration") to device 110 (2020) indicating whether at least one of the one or more logical channel groups has an additional buffer size table (hereinafter also called the "second buffer size table") available in addition to the set of buffer size tables (hereinafter also called the "first set of buffer size tables"). In other words, device 110 receives the second configuration from device 120. In some embodiments, the first and second configurations may be sent / received in the same configuration message. Alternatively, the first and second configurations may be sent / received in different configuration messages.

[0038] In some embodiments, one or more logical channel groups may have a set of buffer size tables available. The set of buffer size tables may be pre-configured in the device 110. The set of buffer size tables may include a 5-bit buffer size table and an 8-bit buffer size table. For example, one or more logical channel groups may have a 5-bit buffer size table available. Table 1 is a 5-bit buffer size table showing the buffer size level (in bytes) corresponding to the 5-bit buffer size field. [Table 1]

[0039] Alternatively, one or more logical channel groups may use an 8-bit buffer size table. Table 2 is an 8-bit buffer size table, showing the buffer size level (in bytes) for each 8-bit buffer size field. [Table 2-1] [Table 2-2]

[0040] In some embodiments, an additional buffer size table may be fixed and pre-configured in the device 110. In some embodiments, the buffer size tables included in the set of buffer size tables and the additional buffer size table may have the same number of bits for buffer size (e.g., 8 bits), or the buffer size tables included in the set of buffer size tables (e.g., Table 1 or Table 2) and the additional buffer size table may have different numbers of bits for buffer size. For example, the additional buffer size table may be used for XR services. In some embodiments, the additional buffer size table may have a narrower range of minimum and maximum buffer size values ​​and finer granularity compared to Table 1 and Table 2. Table 3 shows an example of an additional buffer size table. Note that Table 3 is merely an example and not limiting. [Table 3-1] [Table 3-2]

[0041] Device 110 determines the buffer size table to be used for buffer status reports (hereinafter also referred to as the "target buffer size table") based on the type of buffer status report for at least one logical channel group (2030). The target buffer size table may be an additional buffer size table, or it may be determined from a set of buffer size tables based on the type of buffer status report. For example, if the buffer size in the buffer status report is outside the range of the additional buffer size table, device 110 may decide to fall back to using one of the first set of buffer size tables (e.g., Table 1 or Table 2). For example, if the amount of buffered data is 10,000 bytes, it means the buffer size is outside the range of the additional buffer size table. In this case, device 110 may decide to fall back to using Table 1 or Table 2. Alternatively, if the amount of buffered data is 34,000 bytes, it means the buffer size is outside the range of the additional buffer size table. In this case, device 110 may decide to fall back to using Table 2. In some embodiments, as described above, the first set of buffer size tables includes a 5-bit buffer size table and an 8-bit buffer size table. When the target buffer size table is determined from the first set of buffer size tables, the device 110 may determine the target buffer size table to be either a 5-bit buffer size table or an 8-bit buffer size table based on the type of buffer state report.

[0042] In some embodiments, the buffer status report may be a short buffer status report. Alternatively, the buffer status report may be a short shortened buffer status report. Figure 3A shows a schematic diagram of the MAC CE310 for a short buffer status report or short shortened buffer status report. As shown in Figure 3A, the LCG ID field 311 identifies the group of logical channels for which the buffer status is being reported. The length of the LCG ID field 311 may be 3 bits. The buffer size field 312 may identify the total amount of data available across all logical channels in the logical channel group after the MAC protocol data unit (PDU) has been constructed. The data amount is expressed in bytes. The sizes of the radio logical channel (RLC) header and MAC header may not be considered in the buffer size calculation. The length of the buffer size field 312 may be 5 bits. The values ​​for a 5-bit buffer size field are shown in Table 1 above.

[0043] In other embodiments, the buffer status report may be a long buffer status report. Alternatively, the buffer status report may be a long shortened buffer status report. Figure 3B shows a schematic diagram of the MAC control element 320 for a long buffer status report or a long shortened buffer status report. As shown in Figure 3B, the LCGi field 321-i (for example, i is in the range of 0 to 7) may indicate the presence or absence of a buffer size field for logical channel group i. For example, an LCGi field 321-i set to 1 indicates that a buffer size field 322-i for logical channel group i is reported. If the LCGi field is set to 0, it indicates that a buffer size field 322-i for logical channel group i is not reported. In the long shortened BSR format, the LCGi field 321-i may indicate whether data is available for logical channel group i. For example, if the LCGi field 321-i is set to 1, it indicates that data is available for logical channel group i, and if the LCGi field is set to 0, it indicates that there is no available data for logical channel group i. The buffer size field 322-i (for example, i is in the range of 0 to m, and m may be 7 or less) may specify the total amount of data available across all logical channels in a logical channel group after the MAC protocol data unit (PDU) has been constructed. The data amount may be expressed in bytes. The sizes of the radio logical channel (RLC) header and MAC header may not be considered in the buffer size calculation. The length of the buffer size field 322-i may be 8 bits. The values ​​for the 8-bit buffer size field are as shown in Table 2 above. In the long buffer status report format and the long shortened buffer status report format, the buffer size fields may be included in ascending order based on LCGi. In the long shortened buffer status report format, the number of included buffer size fields can be maximized, up to the number of padding bits.

[0044] In another embodiment, the buffer status report may be an extended short buffer status report. Alternatively, the buffer status report may be an extended short shorten buffer status report. Figure 3C shows a schematic diagram of MAC CE330 for an extended short buffer status report or an extended short shorten buffer status report. As shown in Figure 3C, the LCG ID field 331 identifies the group of logical channels for which the buffer status is being reported. The length of the LCG ID field 331 may be 8 bits. The buffer size field 332 may identify the total amount of data available across all logical channels in the logical channel group. The length of the buffer size field 332 may be 8 bits. The values ​​for the 8-bit buffer size field are as shown in Table 2 above.

[0045] In other embodiments, the buffer status report may be an extended long buffer status report. Alternatively, the buffer status report may be an extended long shortened buffer status report. Figure 3D shows a schematic diagram of the MAC CE340 for an extended long buffer status report or an extended long shortened buffer status report. As shown in Figure 3D, the LCGi field 341-i (e.g., i is in the range of 0 to 255) may indicate the presence or absence of a buffer size field for logical channel group i. The buffer size field 342-i (e.g., i is in the range of 0 to m, where m is 255 or less) may specify the total amount of data available across all logical channels in the logical channel group. The amount of data may be expressed in bytes. The length of the buffer size field 342-i may be 8 bits. The values ​​for an 8-bit buffer size field are as shown in Table 2 above.

[0046] In one embodiment, the buffer status report may be a further long buffer status report. Alternatively, the buffer status report may be a further long shortened buffer status report. Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the MAC CE400 for a further long buffer status report or a further long shortened buffer status report. As shown in Figure 4, the LCGi field 411-i (e.g., i is in the range of 0 to 7) may indicate whether or not there is a buffer size field for logical channel group i. The buffer size field 412-i (e.g., i is in the range of 0 to m, where m is 7 or less) may specify the total amount of data available across all logical channels in the logical channel group. The amount of data may be expressed in bytes. The length of the buffer size field 412-i may be 8 bits. The values ​​for an 8-bit buffer size field are as shown in Table 2 above. The fallback indicator field 413-i (e.g., i is in the range of 0 to 7) may indicate whether or not a fallback occurs for logical channel group i. For example, if the fallback instruction field 413-i is set to 0, it indicates that the configuration is in use; that is, no fallback occurs. If the fallback instruction field 413-i is set to 1, it indicates that a fallback has occurred for logical channel group i.

[0047] In some embodiments, there are three types of BSRs depending on the timing of the buffer status report transmission: normal BSR, periodic BSR, and padding BSR. A normal BSR is transmitted when new data arrives in the UL buffer and that new data has a higher priority than the data waiting in the buffer. A periodic BSR is transmitted at a predetermined period. This period is defined by the network and notified to device 110 by an RRC message.

[0048] Device 110 sends a buffer status report to device 120 for at least one logical channel group based on the target buffer size report (2040). In other words, device 120 may receive a buffer status report from device 110 based on the target buffer size table.

[0049] In some embodiments, device 110 may determine that the buffer status report is a padding buffer status report. Device 110 may also determine that the type of buffer status report is a short buffer status report or a short shortened buffer status report. In embodiments, device 110 determines the space for the payload of the padding buffer status report. For example, if there is 1 byte of space for the payload of the padding buffer status report, device 110 may send a buffer status report based on a buffer size table (e.g., a 5-bit buffer size table) from a set of buffer size tables. For example, the buffer size field in the buffer status report may be determined based on Table 1 above. For example, if the amount of buffered data is 250, the buffer size field may include index 11. In this case, the buffer status report is a short buffer status report or a short shortened buffer status report. For example, as shown in Figure 3A, a buffer status report can be sent using MAC CE310. In other words, if only one byte remains for padding the buffer state payload, a short or short shortened buffer state report with a 5-bit buffer size table may be reported to the LCG, even if the LCG is configured to use an 8-bit additional buffer size table. In other words, the additional buffer size table may only define long new buffer state reports and long shortened new buffer state reports. As a result, for an LCG configured to use an additional buffer size table, the fallback to the buffer size table (e.g., Table 1 or Table 2) may use the 5-bit buffer size table not only when the buffer size is outside the range of the additional buffer size table, but also when a short BSR or short shortened BSR is reported as a padding BSR.

[0050] Alternatively, device 120 may transmit a 5-bit short buffer status report or short shortened buffer status report configuration to device 110. In other words, device 110 receives a 5-bit short buffer status report or short shortened buffer status report configuration from device 120. For example, this configuration is used for XR services or other services. The 5-bit short buffer status report or short shortened buffer status report configuration may be transmitted via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, MAC CE, or Downlink Control Information (DCI). For example, if the 5-bit short buffer status report or short shortened buffer status report configuration is configured by RRC signaling, it may be included in the buffer status report configuration message. That is, a configurable fallback may be applied, which may be implemented by the RRC configuration in the buffer status report configuration (BSR_CONFIG) message when configuring the LCG.

[0051] In some embodiments, device 110 may determine that the type of buffer status report is a padding buffer status report. In embodiments, device 110 may send a buffer status report to device 120 if padding bits for the buffer status report are available. In other words, device 120 may receive a buffer status report from device 110 if padding bits for the buffer status report are available. For example, in one embodiment, a MAC CE for a long shortened buffer status report may prioritize an LCG consisting of an additional buffer size table in reporting and ordering the buffer size field within the MAC CE. For example, if XR traffic is important, this improves capacity optimization decisions in device 120, as buffer status reports for XR are always sent when padding bits are available. The configuration of one or more logical channel groups may indicate that a buffer status report is sent when padding bits for the buffer status report are available.

[0052] Alternatively, prioritization rules based on LCG priority may still apply regardless of whether the buffer size tables within the set of buffer size tables or the additional buffer size tables are used for a logical channel group. In one embodiment, if a first buffer status report is reported for a first logical channel group using the set of buffer size tables and a second buffer status report is reported for a second logical channel group using the additional buffer size tables, device 110 may send the first and second buffer status reports to device 120 via different MAC CEs. Device 120 receives the first and second buffer status reports from device 110 via different MAC CEs; that is, logical channel groups using the buffer size tables (e.g., Table 1 or Table 2) and logical channel groups using the additional buffer size tables may be reported separately via different MAC CEs. If there are LCGs for which no data has been reported, even if all LCGs using the corresponding buffer size tables are already included in the MAC CE, they may be shown as a shortened MAC CE.

[0053] Alternatively, device 110 sends the first buffer status report and the second buffer status report to device 120 using the same MAC CE. This MAC CE includes instructions indicating which buffer size table was used. In other words, device 120 receives the first buffer status report and the second buffer status report from device 110 using the same MAC CE.

[0054] In another embodiment, device 110 may determine that the buffer status report is a padding buffer status report. In this case, if at least one of the logical channel groups being reported uses an additional buffer size table, device 110 sends a padding buffer status report for the logical channel group to device 120 based on the buffer size table included in the set of buffer size tables. In other words, device 120 receives from device 110 a padding buffer status report for the logical channel group based on the buffer size table included in the set of buffer size tables (e.g., Table 1 or Table 2). For example, in some cases, as long as at least one of the logical channel groups uses the buffer size table included in the set of buffer size tables (e.g., Table 1 or Table 2), the padding buffer status report for all logical channel groups may use the buffer size table included in the set of buffer size tables. For example, if, based on prioritization rules, the LCGs being reported include LCGs that use an additional buffer size table and LCGs that do not, the padding buffer status report will always use the buffer size table for all LCGs being reported. On the other hand, if only a single buffer size table is used in all reported LCGs, either a buffer size table or an additional buffer size table can be used.

[0055] In yet another embodiment, the device 110 may determine that the buffer status report is a normal buffer status report. Alternatively, the device 110 may determine that the buffer status report is a periodic buffer status report. In these cases, the device 110 determines the target buffer size table from the set of buffer size tables. The number of bits for the buffer size in the target buffer size table may be the same as the number of bits in the additional buffer size table. For example, if the additional buffer size table is a 5-bit buffer size table, the target buffer size table may also be a 5-bit buffer size table. Alternatively, if the additional buffer size table is an 8-bit buffer size table, the target buffer size table may also be an 8-bit buffer size table.

[0056] In some embodiments, the device 110 determines that the type of buffer status report is either a long buffer status report or a long shortened buffer status report. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, in block 510, the device 110 determines whether at least one of the one or more logical channel groups uses an additional buffer size table (e.g., an 8-bit buffer size table) included in the set of buffer size tables. In some embodiments, the device 110 may determine that at least one of the one or more logical channel groups falls back to use a buffer size table included in the set of buffer size tables. For example, the device 110 may determine that at least one logical channel group falls back to use Table 2.

[0057] In one embodiment, if at least one logical channel group falls back to using a buffer size table included in the set of buffer size tables, in block 520, device 110 sends a buffer status report for one or more logical channel groups using a conventional MAC CE. For example, the buffer status report is sent using MAC CE 320 shown in Figure 3B. The buffer status report for one or more logical channel groups is sent based on a buffer size table included in the set of buffer size tables. That is, device 120 receives a buffer status report from device 110 for one or more logical channel groups based on a buffer size table included in the set of buffer size tables. In this case, the buffer status report may be a long buffer status report or a long shortened buffer status report.

[0058] Alternatively, if at least one logical channel group does not fall back to a buffer size table included in the set of buffer size tables, in block 530, device 110 sends a buffer status report for at least one logical channel group to device 120 using a new MAC CE. For example, it is possible to send a buffer status report using MAC CE 400 as shown in Figure 4. Buffer status reports for one or more logical channel groups may be sent based on additional buffer size tables. In other words, device 120 may receive a buffer status report from device 110 for at least one logical channel group based on additional buffer size tables (e.g., Table 3). For example, the buffer size field in the buffer status report may be determined based on additional buffer size tables. In this case, the buffer status report becomes a further long shortened buffer status report or a further long buffer status report. Furthermore, device 110 may determine that another logical channel group among the one or more logical channel groups uses a set of buffer size tables (e.g., using a 5-bit buffer size table or an 8-bit buffer size table). In this case, device 110 may send another buffer status report to device 120 for other logical channel groups based on a set of buffer size tables (e.g., Table 1 or Table 2). For example, the other buffer status report is determined based on the buffer size tables.

[0059] In some embodiments, device 110 may send a buffer status report to device 120 in MAC CE format, which includes a field indicating whether a target buffer size table determined from a set of buffer size tables is used for at least one logical channel group. In other words, device 120 may receive a buffer status report in MAC CE format from device 110. For example, the buffer status report may be sent using MAC CE 410 as shown in Figure 4. That is, MAC CE may include a field indicating whether there is a fallback from an additional buffer size table to a set of buffer size tables. As shown in Figure 4, MAC CE 410 includes a field 431 indicating whether there is a fallback from an additional buffer size table to a buffer size table for one or more logical channel groups.

[0060] Alternatively, device 110 may send a buffer status report to device 120 that includes a logical channel identifier indicating whether an additional buffer size table is being used. In other words, device 120 may receive a buffer status report from device 110 that includes a logical channel identifier. For example, a logical channel identifier (LCID) included in the subheader of a MAC CE (e.g., MAC CE310, MAC CE320, MAC CE330, or MAC CE340) may indicate that an additional buffer size table is available. In this case, the LCID may be a newly defined value.

[0061] The following is an example of selecting a MAC CE format for buffer status reporting.

[0062] Device 110 may consist of one LCG using an additional buffer size table and an LCG that has buffered data to be reported. In this case, when reporting a short BSR or short shortened BSR with only one byte of space available as the BSR payload, device 110 reports the BSR using a 5-bit buffer size table. Alternatively, device 110 may report a long BSR, a long shortened BSR, or a long new shortened BSR. In this case, if the LCG using the XR BSR table performs a fallback, device 110 may send the BSR using MAC CE320. Alternatively, if the LCG using the XR BSR table does not perform a fallback, device 110 may send the BSR using MAC CE410 to distinguish the BSR. Furthermore, LCGs using other buffer size tables can continue to report BS because device 120 knows which LCG is using which table.

[0063] Device 110 may consist of multiple LCGs that buffer data using additional buffer size tables. In this case, when reporting a short BSR or short shortened BSR with only 1 byte of space available for the BSR payload, device 110 reports the BSR using a 5-bit buffer size table. Alternatively, device 110 may report a long BSR, a long shortened BSR, or a long new shortened BSR. In this case, if at least one of the LCGs using the XR BSR table is performing a fallback, device 110 may send the BSR to all LCGs using MAC CE320, even though some LCGs using the XR BSR table may not be performing a fallback. Alternatively, if none of the LCGs using the XR BSR table are performing a fallback, device 110 may send the BSR using MAC CE410 to distinguish the BSRs. Furthermore, LCGs using other buffer size tables can continue to report BS because device 120 knows which LCG is using which table.

[0064] Table 4 shows examples of MACs in several embodiments for LCGs using the new BS table, assuming a long new BSR and a long new shortened BSR as new MAC CEs. These are reported separately from conventional MAC CEs. [Table 4-1] [Table 4-2]

[0065] According to the above embodiment, a conventional short BSR can still be reported for LCGs using the new 8-bit buffer size table. This applies when a 1-byte payload is available and provides more information than reporting only an 8-bit bitmap indicating that there is one LCG with data but not enough space to show buffer size information. Furthermore, an optional future 5-bit buffer size table may be provided as a fallback via an optional RRC configuration. If BSRs for LCGs using the conventional buffer size table and those using the new buffer size table are reported in separate MAC CEs for BSRs, a prioritization rule can be defined for cases where both cannot be included. In addition, this can also simplify the padding BSR procedure when data is buffered in both LCGs where the new buffer size table is configured or used and LCGs where it is not.

[0066] Examples Figure 6 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 600 performed in a first apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, method 600 will be described in terms of apparatus 110 of Figure 1.

[0067] In block 610, device 110 receives a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups from device 120.

[0068] In block 620, device 110 receives a second configuration from device 120 indicating whether at least one of the logical channel groups among one or more logical channel groups is able to use a second buffer size table in addition to the first set of buffer size tables.

[0069] In block 630, the device 110 determines, based on the type of buffer status report, a target buffer size table to be used for the buffer status report for at least one logical channel group from a first set of buffer size tables and a second buffer size table.

[0070] In block 640, device 110 sends a buffer status report to device 120 based on a target buffer size table. In some embodiments, the types of buffer status reports include at least one of the following: padding buffer status report, normal buffer status report, periodic buffer status report, short buffer status report, short shortened buffer status report, long buffer status report, long shortened buffer status report, further long buffer status report different from the long buffer status report, or further long shortened buffer status report different from the long shortened BSR.

[0071] In some embodiments, device 110 may determine that the buffer status report is a padding buffer status report. If the type of buffer status report is a short buffer status report or a short shortened buffer status report, device 110 may determine that space is required for the padding buffer status report payload. In this case, if there is 1 byte of space for the buffer status report payload, device 110 may send a buffer status report to device 120 based on a buffer size table included in a first set of buffer size tables.

[0072] In some embodiments, if the buffer status report type is a long buffer status report or a long shortened buffer status report, device 110 determines whether at least one logical channel group uses additional buffer size tables included in the first set of buffer size tables. If at least one logical channel group uses additional buffer size tables, device 110 sends a buffer status report based on the additional buffer size tables to device 120. The buffer status report is either a long buffer status report or a long shortened buffer status report.

[0073] In some embodiments, device 110 may determine that at least one logical channel group is not using the first set of buffer size tables. In this case, device 110 sends a buffer status report to device 120 based on a second buffer size table. The buffer status report is either a further long shortened buffer status report or a further long buffer status report.

[0074] In some embodiments, device 110 may determine that another logical channel group among one or more logical channel groups is using the first set of buffer size tables. In this case, device 110 sends another buffer status report to device 120 for the other logical channel group, based on the first set of buffer size tables.

[0075] In some embodiments, device 110 may send a buffer status report to device 120 in the form of a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) that includes a field indicating whether at least one logical channel group uses a target buffer size table determined from a first set of buffer size tables. In some embodiments, device 110 may send a buffer status report to device 120 that includes a logical channel identifier indicating whether a second buffer size table is used.

[0076] In some embodiments, device 110 receives a 5-bit short buffer status report or short shortened buffer status report configuration from device 120 via either radio resource control signaling, MAC CE, or downlink control information. In some embodiments, if the buffer status report configuration is configured via radio resource control signaling, the buffer status configuration is included in the buffer status report configuration message. In some embodiments, if the type of buffer status report is a padding buffer status report, device 110 sends the buffer status report to device 120 when the padding bits of the buffer status report are available.

[0077] In some embodiments, when reporting a first buffer status report for a first logical channel group using a first set of buffer size tables and a second buffer status report for a second logical channel group using a second buffer size table, device 110 sends the first and second buffer status reports to device 120 using different MAC CEs. In some embodiments, when reporting a first buffer status report for a first logical channel group using a first set of buffer size tables and a second buffer status report for a second logical channel group using a second buffer size table, device 110 can send the first and second buffer status reports to device 120 using the same MAC CE, which includes an instruction indicating which buffer size table is used.

[0078] In some embodiments, device 110 may determine that the buffer status report is a padding buffer status report. If at least one of the target logical channel groups uses a second buffer size table, device 110 may send a buffer status report to device 120 for all logical channel groups based on a target buffer size table determined from a set of first buffer size tables.

[0079] In some embodiments, if the buffer status report is a normal buffer status report or a periodic buffer status report, the device 110 determines a target buffer size table from a first set of buffer size tables. The number of bits for the buffer size in the target buffer size table may be the same as that in the second buffer size table. In some embodiments, the device 110 sends a buffer status report based on the target buffer size table to the device 120.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first set of buffer size tables includes a 5-bit buffer size table and an 8-bit buffer size table. In some embodiments, when the target buffer size table is determined from the first set of buffer size tables, the device 110 determines the target buffer size table to be either a 5-bit buffer size table or an 8-bit buffer size table based on the type of buffer status report.

[0081] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of Method 700 performed in the apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, Method 700 will be described in view of the apparatus 120 in Figure 1.

[0082] In block 710, device 120 transmits a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups to device 110.

[0083] In block 720, device 120 transmits a second configuration to device 110 indicating whether at least one of the logical channel groups among one or more logical channel groups has a second buffer size table available in addition to the first set of buffer size tables.

[0084] In block 730, device 120 receives a buffer status report from device 110 for at least one logical channel group based on a target buffer size table. Here, the target buffer size table is determined from a first set of buffer size tables and a second buffer size table, based on the type of buffer status report. In some embodiments, the type of buffer status report includes at least one of the following: padding buffer status report, normal buffer status report, periodic buffer status report, short buffer status report, short shortened buffer status report, long buffer status report, long shortened buffer status report, further long buffer status report different from the long buffer status report, or further long shortened buffer status report different from the long shortened BSR.

[0085] In some embodiments, if the buffer status report is a padding buffer status report, the type of buffer status report is a short buffer status report or a short shortened buffer status report, and there is 1 byte of space for the buffer status report payload, then device 120 may receive a buffer status report from device 110 based on a buffer size table of a first set of buffer size tables. The buffer status report may be a short buffer status report or a short shortened buffer status report.

[0086] In some embodiments, if the buffer status report type is a long buffer status report or a long shortened buffer status report, and at least one logical channel group uses an additional buffer size table included in the first set of buffer size tables, then device 120 receives buffer status reports from device 110 for one or more logical channel groups based on the additional buffer size tables included in the first set of buffer size tables. The buffer status report is either a long buffer status report or a long shortened buffer status report.

[0087] In some embodiments, if at least one logical channel group does not use the first set of buffer size tables, device 120 may receive from device 110 a buffer status report for at least one logical channel group based on a second buffer size table. This buffer status report may be a further long shortened buffer status report or a further long buffer status report. In some embodiments, if another logical channel group among one or more logical channel groups uses the first set of buffer size tables, device 120 receives from device 110 another buffer status report for the other logical channel group based on the first buffer size table.

[0088] In some embodiments, device 120 receives a buffer status report from device 110 in the form of a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), which includes a field indicating whether at least one logical channel group uses a target buffer size table determined from a first set of buffer size tables. In some embodiments, device 120 receives a buffer status report from device 110 which includes a logical channel identifier indicating whether a second buffer size table is used.

[0089] In some embodiments, device 120 transmits a 5-bit short buffer status report or short shortened buffer status report configuration to device 110 via either radio resource control signaling, MAC CE, or downlink control information. In some embodiments, if the buffer status report configuration is configured via radio resource control signaling, the buffer status configuration is included in the buffer status report configuration message.

[0090] In some embodiments, if the buffer status report is a padding buffer status report, device 120 receives the buffer status report from device 110 when padding bits for the buffer status report are available. In some embodiments, if reporting a first buffer status report for a first logical channel group using a first set of buffer size tables and a second buffer status report for a second logical channel group using a second buffer size table, device 120 receives the first and second buffer status reports from device 110 on different MAC CEs. In some embodiments, if reporting a first buffer status report for a first logical channel group using a first set of buffer size tables and a second buffer status report for a second logical channel group using a second buffer size table, device 120 receives the first and second buffer status reports from device 110 on the same MAC CE, which includes instructions indicating which buffer size table is used.

[0091] In some embodiments, if the buffer status report is a padding buffer status report and at least one of the reported logical channel groups uses a second logical channel group that uses a second buffer size table, then device 120 receives from device 110 a padding buffer status report for the logical channel group based on a target buffer size table determined from a set of first buffer size tables.

[0092] In some embodiments, when the buffer status report is a normal buffer status report or a periodic buffer status report, device 120 receives a buffer status report from device 110 based on a target buffer size table determined from a first set of buffer size tables. The number of bits for the buffer size in the target buffer size table may be the same as that in the second buffer size table.

[0093] Exemplary apparatus, devices, and media In some embodiments, a first apparatus (e.g., apparatus 110 in Figure 1) capable of performing any of the methods 600 may include means for performing each operation of the methods 600. These means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented as a circuit configuration or as a software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as apparatus 110 in Figure 1, or included in apparatus 110 in Figure 1.

[0094] In some embodiments, the first device includes means for receiving a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups from a second device; means for receiving a second configuration from the second device indicating whether at least one of the one or more logical channel groups is able to use a second buffer size table in addition to a first set of buffer size tables; means for determining a target buffer size table to be used for a buffer status report for at least one logical channel group based on the type of buffer status report from the first set of buffer size tables and the second buffer size table; and means for transmitting a buffer status report based on the target buffer size table to the second device.

[0095] In some embodiments, the types of buffer status reports include at least one of the following: padding buffer status report, normal buffer status report, periodic buffer status report, short buffer status report, short shortened buffer status report, long buffer status report, long shortened buffer status report, further long buffer status report different from the long buffer status report, or further long shortened buffer status report different from the long shortened buffer status report.

[0096] In some embodiments, the first device further includes means for determining that a buffer status report is a padding buffer status report; means for determining the available space for the payload of the padding buffer status report according to the determination that the type of buffer status report is a short buffer status report or a short shortened buffer status report; and means for transmitting a buffer status report based on a buffer size table included in a first set of buffer size tables to a second device according to the determination that there is 1 byte of space available for the payload of the buffer status report.

[0097] In some embodiments, the first device further includes means for determining whether at least one logical channel group uses additional buffer size tables included in the first set of buffer size tables, based on the determination that the type of buffer status report is a long buffer status report or a long shortened buffer status report, and means for transmitting a buffer status report based on the additional buffer size tables to the second device, based on the determination that at least one logical channel group uses additional buffer size tables.

[0098] In some embodiments, the first device further comprises means for determining that none of at least one logical channel group is using a first set of buffer size tables, and means for sending a buffer status report to a second device, wherein the buffer status report is a further long shortened buffer status report or a further long buffer status report.

[0099] In some embodiments, the first device further includes means for determining that another logical channel group among one or more logical channel groups uses a first set of buffer size tables, and means for sending another buffer status report for the other logical channel group, based on the first set of buffer size tables, to the second device.

[0100] In some embodiments, the first device further comprises means for sending a buffer status report to the second device in the form of a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), which includes a field indicating whether at least one logical channel group uses a target buffer size table determined from a first set of buffer size tables.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first device further includes means for sending a buffer status report to the second device, which includes a logical channel identifier indicating whether or not a second buffer size table is used.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first device further comprises means for receiving a 5-bit short buffer status report or short shortened buffer status report configuration from the second device via either wireless resource control signaling, MAC CE, or downlink control information.

[0103] In some embodiments, the buffer state configuration is included in the buffer state report configuration message, in accordance with the determination that the buffer state report configuration is configured by wireless resource control signaling.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first device further includes means for sending a buffer status report to a second device when the padding bits of the buffer status report are available, based on the determination that the type of buffer status report is a padding buffer status report.

[0105] In some embodiments, the first device further comprises means for transmitting a first buffer status report and a second buffer status report to a second device by different MAC CEs, based on the determination that a first buffer status report should be reported for a first logical channel group using a first set of buffer size tables and a second buffer status report for a second logical channel group using a second buffer size table.

[0106] In some embodiments, the first device further provides means for transmitting a first buffer status report and a second buffer status report to a second device via the same MAC CE, including an instruction indicating the buffer size tables to be used, based on a determination that the first device should report a first buffer status report for a first logical channel group using a first set of buffer size tables and a second buffer status report for a second logical channel group using a second buffer size table.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first device further includes means for determining that a buffer status report is a padding buffer status report, and means for sending a buffer status report for a logical channel group to the second device, based on a target buffer size table determined from a set of first buffer size tables, according to the determination that at least one of the target logical channel groups uses a second buffer size table.

[0108] In some embodiments, the first device further comprises means for determining a target buffer size table from a first set of buffer size tables, based on the determination that the buffer state report is a normal buffer state report or a periodic buffer state report, wherein the number of bits for the buffer size in the target buffer size table is the same as that of the second buffer size table, and means for transmitting a buffer state report based on the target buffer size table to the second device.

[0109] In some embodiments, the first set of buffer size tables includes a 5-bit buffer size table and an 8-bit buffer size table. In some embodiments, the first device further includes means for determining the target buffer size table to be a 5-bit buffer size table or an 8-bit buffer size table based on the type of buffer state report, in accordance with the determination that the target buffer size table is determined from the first set of buffer size tables.

[0110] In some embodiments, the first device includes a terminal device, and the second device includes a network device.

[0111] In some embodiments, the first apparatus further includes means for performing other operations in some embodiments of Method 600 or Apparatus 110. In some embodiments, the means includes at least one processor and at least one memory, which stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to perform operations.

[0112] In some embodiments, a second apparatus (e.g., apparatus 120 in Figure 1) capable of performing any of the methods 700 may be equipped with means for performing each operation of the methods 700. These means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented as a circuit configuration or as a software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as apparatus 120 in Figure 1, or included in apparatus 120 in Figure 1.

[0113] In some embodiments, the second device includes means for transmitting a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups to the first device; means for transmitting a second configuration to the first device indicating whether at least one of the one or more logical channel groups is able to use a second buffer size table in addition to a first set of buffer size tables; and means for receiving a buffer status report from the first device for at least one logical channel group based on a target buffer size table, wherein the target buffer size table is determined from the first set of buffer size tables and the second buffer size table based on the type of buffer status report.

[0114] In some embodiments, the types of buffer status reports include at least one of the following: padding buffer status report, normal buffer status report, periodic buffer status report, short buffer status report, short shortened buffer status report, long buffer status report, long shortened buffer status report, further long buffer status report different from the long buffer status report, or further long shortened buffer status report different from the long shortened buffer status report.

[0115] In some embodiments, the second device further comprises means for receiving a buffer status report from the first device based on a buffer size table included in a first set of buffer size tables, according to the determination that the buffer status report is a padding buffer status report, the type of buffer status report is a short buffer status report or a short shortened buffer status report, and there is 1 byte of space for the buffer status report payload.

[0116] In some embodiments, the second device further comprises means for receiving buffer status reports from the first device for one or more logical channel groups based on additional buffer size tables included in the first set of buffer size tables, according to the determination that the type of buffer status report is a long buffer status report or a long shortened buffer status report, and that at least one logical channel group uses additional buffer size tables included in the first set of buffer size tables.

[0117] In some embodiments, the second device further comprises means for receiving a buffer status report from the first device for at least one logical channel group based on the second buffer size table, wherein the buffer status report is a further long shortened buffer status report or a further long buffer status report, based on the determination that none of the at least one logical channel group uses the first set of buffer size tables.

[0118] In some embodiments, the second device further includes means for receiving from the first device another buffer status report for another logical channel group based on the first set of buffer size tables, in accordance with the determination that another logical channel group among one or more logical channel groups uses the first set of buffer size tables.

[0119] In some embodiments, the second device further comprises means for receiving a buffer status report from the first device in MAC control element (CE) format, the format including a field indicating whether at least one logical channel group uses a target buffer size table determined from a first set of buffer size tables.

[0120] In some embodiments, the second device further comprises means for receiving a buffer status report from the first device, which includes a logical channel identifier indicating whether or not a second buffer size table is used.

[0121] In some embodiments, the second device further comprises means for transmitting a 5-bit short buffer status report or short shortening buffer status report configuration to the first device via either wireless resource control signaling, MAC CE, or downlink control information.

[0122] In some embodiments, the buffer state configuration is included in the buffer state report configuration message, in accordance with the determination that the buffer state report configuration is configured via wireless resource control signaling.

[0123] In some embodiments, the second device further comprises means for receiving a buffer status report from the first device when padding bits for the buffer status report are available, based on the determination that the buffer status report is a padding buffer status report.

[0124] In some embodiments, the second device further comprises means for receiving a first buffer status report and a second buffer status report from the first device by different MAC CEs, based on the determination that a first buffer status report should be reported for a first logical channel group using a first set of buffer size tables and a second buffer status report for a second logical channel group using a second buffer size table.

[0125] In some embodiments, the second device further comprises means for receiving a first buffer status report and a second buffer status report from the first device, via the same MAC CE including instructions indicating which buffer size table should be used, in accordance with the determination that a first buffer status report should be reported for a first logical channel group using a first set of buffer size tables and a second buffer status report for a second logical channel group using a second buffer size table.

[0126] In some embodiments, the second device further includes means for receiving a padding buffer status report from the first device for a logical channel group based on a target buffer size table determined from a set of first buffer size tables, according to the determination that the buffer status report is a padding buffer status report and that at least one of the reported logical channel groups uses a second buffer size table.

[0127] In some embodiments, the second device further comprises means for receiving a buffer status report from the first device based on a target buffer size table determined from a first set of buffer size tables, in accordance with the determination that the buffer status report is a normal buffer status report or a periodic buffer status report, wherein the number of bits indicating the buffer size in the target buffer size table is the same as that in the second buffer size table.

[0128] In some embodiments, the first device includes a terminal device, and the second device includes a network device.

[0129] In some embodiments, the second apparatus further includes means for performing other operations in some embodiments of Method 700 or Apparatus 120. In some embodiments, the means includes at least one processor and at least one memory, which stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus to perform operations.

[0130] Figure 8 is a simplified block diagram of a device 800 suitable for implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 800 is provided for implementing a communication device such as the device 110 or device 120 shown in Figure 1. As shown in the figure, the device 800 includes one or more processors 810, one or more memories 820 connected to the processors 810, and one or more communication modules 840 connected to the processors 810.

[0131] The communication module 840 is for bidirectional communication. The communication module 840 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with other modules or devices. The communication interfaces can represent any interface necessary for communication with other network elements. In some embodiments, the communication module 840 may include at least one antenna.

[0132] The processor 810 can be any type suitable for the local technology network and may include, for example, a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), or a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 800 may have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent to a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

[0133] Memory 820 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 824, electrically rewritable read-only memory (EPROM), flash® memory, hard disks, compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), optical discs, laser discs, and other magnetic and / or optical storage devices. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random-access memory (RAM) 822 and other volatile memories that cannot retain data during power-off periods.

[0134] The computer program 830 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 810. The instructions in program 830 may include instructions for performing actions / operations in some embodiments of this disclosure. Program 830 may be stored in memory, for example, ROM 824. The processor 810 can perform any appropriate actions and operations by loading program 830 into RAM 822.

[0135] The embodiments of this disclosure are implemented by program 830, enabling the apparatus 800 to perform all of the processes described in Figures 2 to 7. The embodiments of this disclosure are also implemented by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0136] In some embodiments, the program 830 may be physically stored in a computer-readable medium built into the device 800 (for example, in memory 820) or in another storage device accessible to the device 800. The device 800 can load the program 830 from the computer-readable medium into RAM 822 and execute it. In some embodiments, the computer-readable medium may include any type of non-temporary storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, flash® memory, hard disk, CD, or DVD. The term “non-temporary” here refers to the medium itself (i.e., a tangible medium rather than a signal) and not to the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0137] Figure 9 shows an example of a computer-readable medium 900 that can take the form of a CD, DVD, or other optical storage disc. The computer-readable medium 900 stores a program 830.

[0138] Generally, various embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some features may be implemented in hardware, while others may be implemented in firmware or software executable by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Various aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure are described using block diagrams, flowcharts, or other graphical representations, but it should be understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented, in non-limiting examples, in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or a combination thereof.

[0139] Some embodiments of this disclosure also provide at least one computer program product physically recorded on a computer-readable medium, such as a non-temporary computer-readable medium. This computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those contained in a program module, and is executed on a device on a target physical or virtual processor, performing one of the methods described above. Generally, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform a particular task or implement a particular abstract data type. The functionality of a program module is combined or divided among program modules as needed in various embodiments. The machine-executable instructions for a program module are executed locally or in a distributed device. In a distributed device, the program module is located on both local and remote storage media.

[0140] Program code for carrying out the methods of this disclosure is written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code is provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or other programmable data processing device, and is executed by the processor or controller to implement the functions / operations defined in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. The program code may run entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, run as a standalone software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or run entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0141] In the context of this disclosure, computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable medium to enable an apparatus, device, or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of such mediums include signals and computer-readable media.

[0142] Computer-readable media may be computer-readable signal media or computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, devices, or appropriate combinations thereof. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media include electrical connections with one or more wires, portable computer floppy disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or appropriate combinations thereof.

[0143] Furthermore, while the operations are shown in a specific order, this does not mean that the operations must be performed in a specific or sequential order shown, or that all illustrated operations must be performed, in order to obtain the desired results. In certain situations, multitasking or parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, the above discussion includes some specific implementation details, but these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Unless expressly stated, certain features described in the context of separate embodiments may be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless expressly stated, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any appropriate partial combination in multiple embodiments.

[0144] While this disclosure is described in a language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, the disclosure as defined in the attached claims is not necessarily limited to the specific functions or actions described above. Rather, the specific functions or actions described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. The first device, At least one processor, When executed by the at least one processor, the first device, The second device receives the first configuration of one or more logical channel groups. The second device receives a second configuration indicating whether at least one of the one or more logical channel groups can use a second buffer size table in addition to the first set of buffer size tables. From the set of first buffer size tables and the second buffer size table, the target buffer size table used for the buffer status report of the at least one logical channel group is determined based on the type of buffer status report. The buffer status report based on the target buffer size table is sent to the second device. A memory to store instructions that cause this to happen, A first device comprising the following:

2. The types of buffer status reports mentioned above are: Padding buffer status report, Normal buffer status report, Periodic buffer status report, Short buffer status report, Short buffer status report, Long buffer status report, Long shortened buffer status report, A further long buffer status report different from the aforementioned long buffer status report, or A further long-short buffer status report, different from the aforementioned long-short buffer status report, The first apparatus according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following.

3. The first apparatus is The buffer status report is determined to be the padding buffer status report, In accordance with the determination that the type of buffer status report is the short buffer status report or the short shortened buffer status report, the space for the payload of the padding buffer status report is determined. In accordance with the determination that there is 1 byte of space for the payload of the buffer status report, the buffer status report based on the buffer size table from the first set of buffer size tables is transmitted to the second device. The first apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first apparatus is configured to perform the following actions.

4. The first apparatus is In accordance with the determination that the type of buffer status report is the long buffer status report or the long shortened buffer status report, it is determined whether the at least one logical channel group uses a further buffer size table from the first set of buffer size tables. In accordance with the determination that at least one logical channel group uses the additional buffer size table, the buffer status report based on the additional buffer size table is sent to the second device. The first apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first apparatus is configured to perform the following actions.

5. The first apparatus is Determining that none of the at least one logical channel group is using the first set of buffer size tables, Sending the buffer status report based on the second buffer size table to the second device, wherein the buffer status report is the further long shortened buffer status report or the further long buffer status report, The first apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which is configured to perform the following:

6. The first apparatus is If it is determined that another logical channel group among the one or more logical channel groups uses the first set of buffer size tables, Send to the second device another buffer status report for the other logical channel group based on the first set of buffer size tables. The first apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first apparatus is configured to perform the following actions.

7. The first apparatus is The buffer status report is transmitted to the second device in the form of a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), which includes a field indicating whether the at least one logical channel group uses the target buffer size table determined from the first set of buffer size tables. The first apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the following actions.

8. The first apparatus is The buffer status report, which includes a logical channel identifier indicating whether the second buffer size table is being used, is sent to the second device. The first apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the following actions.

9. The first apparatus further includes, Wireless resource control signaling, MAC CE, or, Downlink control information, The configuration of a 5-bit short buffer state report or short shortened buffer state report is received from the second device via one of the following: The first apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the following actions.

10. In accordance with the determination that the configuration of the buffer state report is configured via the wireless resource control signaling, the configuration of the buffer state is included in the buffer state report configuration message. The first apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The first apparatus is If, upon determination that the type of buffer status report is the padding buffer status report, padding bits for the buffer status report are available, the buffer status report is transmitted to the second device. The first apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the apparatus is configured to be such as.

12. The first apparatus is In accordance with the determination that a first buffer status report should be reported for a first logical channel group using the first set of buffer size tables, and a second buffer status report should be reported for a second logical channel group using the second buffer size table, the first buffer status report and the second buffer status report are transmitted to the second device in different MAC CEs. The first apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the following actions.

13. The first apparatus is In accordance with the determination that a first buffer status report should be reported for a first logical channel group using the first set of buffer size tables, and a second buffer status report should be reported for a second logical channel group using the second buffer size table, the first buffer status report and the second buffer status report are transmitted to the second device in the same MAC CE, including an instruction indicating which buffer size table is being used. The first apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the following actions.

14. The first apparatus is The buffer status report is determined to be the padding buffer status report, In accordance with the determination that at least one of the logical channel groups to be reported uses the first set of buffer size tables, the buffer status report for all of the logical channel groups based on the target buffer size table determined from the first set of buffer size tables is sent to the second device. The first apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first apparatus is configured to perform the following actions.

15. The first apparatus is In accordance with the determination that the buffer status report is either the normal buffer status report or the periodic buffer status report, the target buffer size table is determined from the set of first buffer size tables, and the number of buffer size bits in the target buffer size table is the same as that of the second buffer size table. The buffer status report based on the target buffer size table is transmitted to the second device, The first apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which is configured to perform the following:

16. The first set of buffer size tables includes a 5-bit buffer size table and an 8-bit buffer size table, The first device In accordance with the determination that the target buffer size table is determined from the set of first buffer size tables, the target buffer size table is determined to be either the 5-bit buffer size table or the 8-bit buffer size table based on the type of buffer status report. The first apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first apparatus is configured to perform the following actions.

17. The first device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the first device includes a terminal device and the second device includes a network device.

18. The second device, At least one processor, When executed by the at least one processor, the second device, Transmitting a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups to a first device, The first device is to transmit a second configuration indicating whether at least one of the one or more logical channel groups can use a second buffer size table in addition to the first set of buffer size tables, Receiving a buffer status report from the first device for the at least one logical channel group based on a target buffer size table, wherein the target buffer size table is determined from the first set of buffer size tables and the second buffer size table based on the type of buffer status report, At least one memory to store instructions to execute, A second device equipped with the following.

19. The types of buffer status reports mentioned above are: Padding buffer status report, Normal buffer status report, Periodic buffer status report, Short buffer status report, Short buffer status report, Long buffer status report, Long shortened buffer status report, A further long buffer status report different from the aforementioned long buffer status report, or A further long-short buffer status report, different from the aforementioned long-short buffer status report, The second apparatus according to claim 18, comprising at least one of the following.

20. The second apparatus The buffer status report is received from the first device based on a buffer size table from the first set of buffer size tables, according to the determination that the buffer status report is the padding buffer status report, the type of the buffer status report is the short buffer status report or the short shortened buffer status report, and the space for the buffer status report payload is 1 byte. The second apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the apparatus is configured to be such as.

21. The second apparatus described above is The buffer status report is of the type of long buffer status report or the long shortened buffer status report, and the first device receives the buffer status report for the one or more logical channel groups based on the additional buffer size table from the first set of buffer size tables, in accordance with the determination that the at least one logical channel group uses an additional buffer size table from the first set of buffer size tables. The second apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the apparatus is configured to be such as.

22. The second apparatus described above is Receiving a buffer status report from the first device for the at least one logical channel group based on the second buffer size table, in accordance with the determination that none of the at least one logical channel group is using the first set of buffer size tables, wherein the buffer status report is the further long shortened buffer status report or the further long buffer status report. A second apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, which is configured to perform the following:

23. The second apparatus described above is In accordance with the determination that another logical channel group among the one or more logical channel groups uses the first set of buffer size tables, the first device receives another buffer status report for the other logical channel group based on the first set of buffer size tables. The second apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the following actions.

24. The second apparatus described above is The first device receives a buffer status report in the form of a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), which includes a field indicating whether the at least one logical channel group uses the target buffer size table determined from the first set of buffer size tables. The second apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the apparatus is configured to be such as.

25. The second apparatus described above is The first device receives the buffer status report, which includes a logical channel identifier indicating whether or not the second buffer size table is used. The second apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the apparatus is configured to be such as.

26. The second apparatus described above further, Wireless resource control signals, MAC CE, or, Downlink control information, The configuration of a 5-bit short buffer status report or short shortening buffer status report is transmitted to the first device via one of the following: The second apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein the apparatus is configured to be such as.

27. The second apparatus according to claim 26, wherein, in accordance with the determination that the configuration of the buffer state report is configured via the wireless resource control signaling, the configuration of the buffer state is included in the buffer state report configuration message.

28. The second apparatus described above is In accordance with the determination that the buffer status report is the padding buffer status report, the first device receives the buffer status report if padding bits for the buffer status report are available. The second apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 27, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the following actions.

29. The second apparatus In accordance with the determination that a first buffer status report should be reported for a first logical channel group using the first set of buffer size tables, and a second buffer status report should be reported for a second logical channel group using the second buffer size table, the first device receives the first buffer status report and the second buffer status report in different MAC CEs. The second apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 28, wherein the apparatus is configured to be such as.

30. The second apparatus described above is In accordance with the determination that a first buffer status report should be reported for a first logical channel group using the first set of buffer size tables, and a second buffer status report should be reported for a second logical channel group using the second buffer size table, the first device receives the first buffer status report and the second buffer status report in the same MAC CE, which includes instructions indicating which buffer size table is used. The second apparatus according to any one of claims 18 to 28, wherein the apparatus is configured to be such as.

31. The second apparatus described above is In accordance with the determination that the buffer status report is the padding buffer status report and that at least one reported logical channel group uses the second buffer size table, the first device receives the padding buffer status report for all of the logical channel groups based on the target buffer size table determined from the set of first buffer size tables. The second apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the apparatus is configured to be such as.

32. The second apparatus described above is Receiving a buffer status report from the first device based on the target buffer size table determined from the set of first buffer size tables, in accordance with the determination that the buffer status report is the normal buffer status report or the periodic buffer status report, wherein the number of bits for the buffer size in the target buffer size table is the same as that of the second buffer size table. A second apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, which is configured to perform the following:

33. The second device according to any one of claims 18 to 32, wherein the first device includes a terminal device and the second device includes a network device.

34. The first device receives a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups from the second device, The second device receives a second configuration indicating whether at least one of the one or more logical channel groups can use a second buffer size table in addition to the first set of buffer size tables, From the set of first buffer size tables and the second buffer size table, determine the target buffer size table used for the buffer status report of at least one logical channel group, based on the type of buffer status report. The second device transmits the buffer status report based on the target buffer size table, Methods that include...

35. The second device transmits a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups to the first device. The first device is to transmit a second configuration indicating whether at least one of the one or more logical channel groups can use a second buffer size table in addition to the first set of buffer size tables, Receiving a buffer status report from the first device for the at least one logical channel group based on a target buffer size table, wherein the target buffer size table is determined from the first set of buffer size tables and the second buffer size table based on the type of buffer status report, Methods that include...

36. The first device, Means for receiving a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups from a second device, Means for receiving a second configuration from the second device indicating whether at least one of the one or more logical channel groups can use a second buffer size table in addition to the first set of buffer size tables, Means for determining, from the first set of buffer size tables and the second buffer size table, a target buffer size table to be used for the buffer status report of at least one logical channel group, based on the type of buffer status report, The second device includes means for transmitting the buffer status report based on the target buffer size table, A first device comprising the following:

37. The second device, The first device includes means for transmitting a first configuration of one or more logical channel groups, Means for transmitting a second configuration to the first device, indicating whether at least one logical channel group among the one or more logical channel groups is able to use a second buffer size table in addition to the first set of buffer size tables, Means for receiving a buffer status report for at least one logical channel group based on a target buffer size table from the first device, wherein the target buffer size table is determined from a set of first buffer size tables and a second buffer size table based on the type of buffer status report, A second device equipped with the following.

38. A computer-readable medium wherein instructions stored therein cause a device to perform at least the method according to claim 34 or 35.

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