Radio station, second radio station, and radio communication system

Abstract

To suppress an increase in signaling or power consumption in the allocation of radio resources.SOLUTION: A wireless station includes a converged channel which is a channel group formed by aggregating a plurality of channels, a control unit that sets first information regarding the converged channel, controls to generate a transmission trigger for a first signal according to the data amount of the converged channel and the first information, and performs control to generate a transmission trigger for a second signal requesting uplink resources for the first signal according to the transmission trigger for the first signal, and a communication unit that transmits the second signal to another wireless station according to the transmission trigger for the second signal, and receives wireless resources from the other wireless station.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a radio station and a communication system. [Background technology]

[0002] In today's networks, traffic from mobile devices (smartphones and feature phones) accounts for the majority of network resources, and the traffic used by mobile devices is expected to continue to grow in the future.

[0003] On the other hand, along with the development of IoT (Internet of things) services (for example, monitoring systems for transportation systems, smart meters, devices, etc.), there is a demand for services with diverse requirements. Therefore, in the communication standard for 5th generation mobile communication (5G or NR (New Radio)), in addition to the standard technologies of 4G (4th generation mobile communication) (for example, Non-Patent Documents 1 to 11), technologies that realize even higher data rates, larger capacity, and lower latency are required.

[0004] Regarding the fifth generation communication standard, technical studies are being carried out in working groups (such as TSG-RAN WG1 and TSG-RAN WG2) of the 3GPP (registered trademark) (Third Generation Partnership Project) (Non-Patent Documents 12 to 40).

[0005] As mentioned above, in order to accommodate a wide variety of services, 5G is expected to support many use cases classified into eMBB (Enhanced Mobile Broadband), Massive MTC (Machine Type Communications), and URLLC (Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication).

[0006] When a terminal device such as a mobile terminal performs communication, the terminal device requests a base station device to allocate radio resources. The base station device allocates radio resources in response to the request from the terminal device and notifies the terminal device. The terminal device then transmits data to the base station device using the allocated radio resources.

[0007] The same is true for V2X, which is communication between a terminal device and a base station device, in which communication is performed between a terminal device and another terminal device.

[0008] For convenience, the following description will be given of communication between a terminal device and a base station device, but the devices that communicate are not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to communication between terminal devices, such as V2X. In this case, for example, the "base station device" can be replaced with "another terminal device."

[0009] Technologies related to 5G are described in the following prior art documents. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0010] [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP TS 36.211 V16.0.0(2019-12) [Non-Patent Document 2] 3GPP TS 36.212 V16.0.0(2019-12) [Non-Patent Document 3] 3GPP TS 36.213 V16.0.0(2019-12) [Non-Patent Document 4] 3GPP TS 36.300 V16.0.0(2019-12) [Non-Patent Document 5] 3GPP TS 36.321 V15.8.0(2019-12) [Non-Patent Document 6] 3GPP TS 36.322 V15.3.0(2019-09) [Non-Patent Document 7] 3GPP TS 36.323 V15.5.0(2019-12) [Non-licensed document 8] 3GPP TS 36.331 V15.8.0(2019-12)

Non-licensed literature 9

Non-licensed literature 10

Non-licensed Document 11

Non-licensed Document 12

Non-licensed Document 13

Non-licensed Document 14

Non-licensed Document 15

Non-licensed Document 16

Non-licensed Document 17

Non-licensed Document 18

Non-licensed Document 19

Non-licensed Document 20

Non-licensed Document 21

Non-licensed Document 22

Non-licensed Document 23

Non-licensed Document 24

Non-licensed Document 25

Non-licensed Document 26

Non-licensed Document 27

Non-licensed Document 28

Non-licensed Document 29

Non-licensed Document 30

Non-licensed Document 31

Non-licensed Document 32

Non-licensed Document 33

Non-licensed Document 34

Non-licensed Document 35

Non-licensed Document 36

Non-licensed Document 37

[0011] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-180098 A [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2020-501441 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] However, when an opportunity to transmit data occurs frequently, the number of times that the terminal device requests allocation of radio resources and the number of times that radio resources are allocated increases, in other words, signaling increases. The allocation of radio resources generates transmission and reception of messages, and the power consumption of the terminal device also increases. In addition, for example, when the terminal device is in a power saving state (sleep state, discontinuous reception state), the power consumption of the terminal device increases due to repeated release of the power saving state.

[0013] Therefore, one disclosure provides a wireless station and a communication system that suppresses an increase in signaling or power consumption in the allocation of wireless resources. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The wireless station includes a converged channel, which is a channel group obtained by consolidating a plurality of channels; a control unit that sets first information about the converged channel, controls to generate a transmission trigger for a first signal according to the amount of transmission data of the converged channel and the first information, and controls to generate a transmission trigger for a second signal requesting an uplink resource for the first signal according to the transmission trigger for the first signal; and a communication unit that transmits the second signal to another wireless station according to the transmission trigger for the second signal. Furthermore, the communication unit receives a third signal from the other wireless station according to the second signal, and transmits transmission data according to the third signal. Note that the same means can be applied even in the case of "one channel" rather than "multiple channels". Therefore, hereinafter, the case of consolidating "multiple" channels will be described for convenience, but the same meaning applies even in the case of one channel. Effect of the Invention

[0015] Therefore, one disclosure makes it possible to suppress an increase in signaling or power consumption in the allocation of radio resources. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system 1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication system 30. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the terminal device 100. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the configuration of the base station device 200. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a wireless resource allocation process. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a converged LCH. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flowchart of the converging LCH control process S100. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a wireless resource allocation process. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flowchart of the individual LCH control process S201. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a wireless resource allocation process. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flowchart of the individual LCH control process S301. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of a radio resource allocation process when the convergence LCH guard timer times out. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how to use radio resources when the radio resources are allocated to an individual LCH. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of how to use radio resources when the radio resources are allocated to converged LCHs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The problems and examples in this specification are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the rights of the present application. In particular, even if the expressions described are different, the technology of the present application can be applied as long as they are technically equivalent, and do not limit the scope of the rights.

[0018] [First embodiment] A first embodiment will be described.

[0019] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system 1. The communication system 1 is configured with a wireless station 10 and another wireless station 20. The wireless station 10 and the other wireless station 20 are wirelessly connected to each other and perform communication. Uplink wireless resources are allocated by the other wireless station 20 in response to a request from the wireless station 10.

[0020] The wireless station 10 has a control unit 11 and a communication unit 12. The control unit 11 and the communication unit 12 are constructed, for example, by a processor included in the wireless station 10 executing a program. The wireless station 10 also sets a converged channel 13, which is a channel group that bundles (concentrates) multiple channels corresponding to each data. The converged channel 13 converges multiple channels, for example, channel 1 to channel n (n is an integer). The wireless station 10 also sets first information, which is information related to the converged channel 13. Settings related to convergence, such as the setting of the converged channel and the first information, are set by a control signal transmitted from another wireless station 20 to the wireless station 10.

[0021] When data to be transmitted to wireless station 20 occurs, control unit 11 performs control so as to generate (trigger) a transmission opportunity for a first signal according to the amount of transmission data (amount of accumulated data) of the convergence channel and the first information.

[0022] In response to the generation (trigger) of an opportunity to transmit the first signal, the control unit 11 generates (triggers) an opportunity to transmit a second signal that requests an uplink resource for the first signal.

[0023] In response to generation of a transmission opportunity (trigger) for the second signal, the communication unit 12 transmits the second signal to the other wireless station 20. Furthermore, the communication unit 12 receives a third signal from the other wireless station 20, and transmits transmission data to the other wireless station in response to the third signal.

[0024] It should be noted that the same method can be applied to the case of "one channel" instead of "multiple channels." For example, multiple pieces of data having different quality of service (QoS) may be multiplexed onto one channel.

[0025] The control unit 11 classifies each piece of data multiplexed onto one channel. The classification can be performed according to QoS, for example. An arbitrary header in the data is analyzed and classified for each QoS, and the data is classified into multiple QoS classes from QoS class 1 to QoS class n (n is an integer). Each QoS class is then associated with n virtual channels. Furthermore, a channel group that bundles (concentrates) multiple channels can be set as the concentrated channel 13.

[0026] QoS is a requirement regarding communication performance, such as data throughput, delay time, loss rate, etc. It may be end-to-end communication performance or the communication performance of the wireless access part. When it is difficult for data to satisfy the communication performance, a high QoS is set and control is performed so that the communication performance can be satisfied.

[0027] The classification is not limited to this. For example, the data may be classified according to the type or variety of data. For example, the data may be classified according to whether it is important data for communication control or other data. Also, the data may be classified according to LCG (Logical Channel Group) (see Non-Patent Document 21).

[0028] In response to the generation (trigger) of an opportunity to transmit the first signal, the control unit 11 generates (triggers) an opportunity to transmit a second signal that requests an uplink resource for the first signal.

[0029] In response to generation of a transmission opportunity (trigger) for the second signal, the communication unit 12 transmits the second signal to the other radio station device 20. Furthermore, the communication unit 12 receives a third signal from the other radio station, and transmits transmission data to the other radio station in response to the third signal.

[0030] In this embodiment, in allocating radio resources, the first signal and the second signal are generated according to the converged channel, which has the effect of suppressing an increase in signaling or power consumption of a terminal device compared to the case where the first signal and the second signal are generated according to individual channels.

[0031] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment will be described. In the following description, a terminal device and a base station device may be called a wireless station or another wireless station. For example, one device may be called a wireless station and the other device may be called another wireless station.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the communication system 30. As shown in FIG.

[0033] The communication system 30 includes a terminal device 100, a base station device 200, and a core network 300. The communication system 30 is a system in which the terminal device 100 communicates with other communication devices on the core network 300 via the base station device 200.

[0034] The terminal device 100 wirelessly connects to and communicates with the base station device 200. When an opportunity to transmit data occurs, the terminal device 100 requests the base station device 200 to allocate radio resources.

[0035] The base station device 200 is a communication device that relays communication between the terminal device 100 and other devices. The base station device 200 manages radio resources for uplink data of the terminal device 100. The base station device 200 may also manage radio resources for uplink and downlink data.

[0036] The core network 300 is, for example, a network that performs communication using IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, and is, for example, the Internet or a local network.

[0037] In the communication system 30, the terminal device 100 transmits a scheduling request (SR) to the base station device 200 in a radio resource allocation procedure. This procedure is called an SR procedure. When the base station device 200 receives the SR, it transmits to the terminal device 100 a UL grant (UL grant: uplink transmission permission) that permits the terminal device 100 to transmit uplink data. When the terminal device 100 receives the UL grant, it transmits, for example, a buffer status report (BSR: Buffer Status Report) including information on the amount of data to be transmitted. The base station device 200 that receives the BSR allocates radio resources for uplink data transmission to the terminal device 100 according to the information on the amount of data to be transmitted, and transmits an UL grant to the terminal device 100 notifying the allocated radio resources. The terminal device 100 transmits uplink data to the base station device 200 according to the notified radio resources.

[0038] In the communication system 30, the terminal device 100 can determine whether to transmit a BSR depending on the amount of accumulated data in a converged LCH (Logical Channel). The converged LCH is composed of multiple individual LCHs. The amount of accumulated data indicates, for example, the amount of untransmitted data (data that has been generated as data to be transmitted but has not yet been transmitted) to be transmitted to the base station device 200. Alternatively, technically, it is also called "Data Available Transmission".

[0039] <Configuration Example of Terminal Device 100> 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the terminal device 100. The terminal device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a storage 120, a memory 130, and a communication circuit 140.

[0040] The storage 120 is an auxiliary storage device that stores programs and data, such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage 120 stores a converged LCH control program 121, an individual LCH control program 122, a converged LCH radio resource allocation program 123, an individual LCH radio resource allocation program 124, and a data transmission program 125.

[0041] The memory 130 is an area into which the programs stored in the storage 120 are loaded. The memory 130 may also be used as an area in which the programs store data.

[0042] The communication circuit 140 is a circuit that wirelessly connects to a base station device and communicates with the base station device, and is, for example, a network interface card.

[0043] The CPU 110 is a processor that loads a program stored in the storage 120 into the memory 130, executes the loaded program, configures each unit, and realizes each process.

[0044] The CPU 110 executes the converged LCH control program to construct a control unit and a communication unit, and performs converged LCH control processing. The converged LCH control processing is processing to determine whether or not to request allocation of radio resources for transmitting a BSR (whether or not to perform an SR procedure) according to the amount of accumulated data in the converged LCH and the convergence threshold (first threshold). At this time, a BSR is triggered, and the BSR becomes a trigger for performing the subsequent SR procedure.

[0045] The CPU 110 executes an individual LCH control program to configure a control unit and a communication unit and perform individual LCH control processing. The individual LCH control processing is processing for determining whether or not to request allocation of radio resources for transmitting a BSR according to the accumulated data of the individual LCH, the accumulated data of the converged LCH, the individual threshold, and the convergence threshold.

[0046] The CPU 110 executes the converged LCH radio resource allocation program to configure a control unit and a communication unit and perform converged LCH radio resource allocation processing. The converged LCH radio resource allocation processing is processing for transmitting a BSR including information on the amount of accumulated data in the converged LCH.

[0047] The CPU 110 executes a dedicated LCH radio resource allocation program to configure a control unit and a communication unit and perform dedicated LCH radio resource allocation processing. The dedicated LCH radio resource allocation processing is processing for transmitting a BSR including information on the amount of accumulated data of the dedicated LCH.

[0048] The CPU 110 executes a data transmission program to configure a control unit and a communication unit, and performs data transmission processing. The data transmission processing is processing for transmitting data (aggregated LCH, individual LCH, or both) using radio resources allocated by the base station device 200. The data transmission processing also includes, for example, LCP (Logical Channel Prioritization) processing, which will be described later, and determines data to be transmitted.

[0049] The configurations of the control unit and the communication unit can be set by a control signal received from the radio base station device 200. For example, settings related to a control program and a radio resource allocation program are set by a control signal transmitted from another radio station 20 to the radio station 10. Depending on the settings, individual and converged LCHs are configured, and a BSR trigger, an SR procedure, a BSR transmission, and the like are set. The control signal is preferably, for example, an RRC (Radio Resource Control) signal, but may be a MAC signal (MAC CE: MAC Control Element) from the viewpoint of quick response of settings.

[0050] The setting method and messages used in this setting can be applied to all the embodiments.

[0051] <Example of configuration of base station device 200> 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the base station device 200. The base station device 200 includes a CPU 210, a storage 220, a memory 230, and a communication circuit 240.

[0052] The storage 220 is an auxiliary storage device that stores programs and data, such as a flash memory, a HDD, or an SSD. The storage 220 stores a wireless communication control program 221 and a wireless resource allocation program 222.

[0053] The memory 230 is an area into which the programs stored in the storage 220 are loaded. The memory 230 may also be used as an area in which the programs store data.

[0054] The communication circuit 240 is a circuit that connects to and communicates with the terminal device 100 and the core network 300. The communication circuit 240 that communicates with the terminal device 100 and the communication circuit 240 that connects to the core network may be configured with a plurality of different communication circuits. For example, the communication circuit 240 that communicates with the terminal device 100 may be a device that supports wireless connection, and the communication circuit 240 that communicates with the core network 300 may be a device that supports wired connection.

[0055] The CPU 210 is a processor that loads programs stored in the storage 220 into the memory 230, executes the loaded programs, configures each unit, and realizes each process.

[0056] The CPU 210 executes a wireless communication control program to configure a wireless control unit and a receiving unit, and to perform wireless communication control processing. The wireless communication control processing is processing for controlling wireless communication with the terminal device 100.

[0057] The CPU 210 executes a radio resource allocation program to configure a radio control unit and a receiving unit, and to perform radio resource allocation processing. The radio resource allocation processing is a process of transmitting an UL grant permitting transmission of a BSR when an SR is received from the terminal device 100, and allocating uplink radio resources according to information included in the BSR when a BSR is received from the terminal device 100, and transmitting an UL grant including information regarding the allocation to the terminal device 100 to notify it.

[0058] <Radio resource allocation processing> 5 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of a wireless resource allocation process. When uplink transmission data occurs, the terminal device 100 performs a converged LCH control process (S100). The converged LCH control process S100 is a process of comparing the total value of accumulated data of the target LCH of the converged LCH with a threshold, and if the total value exceeds the threshold (if equal to or greater than the threshold), triggering a BSR (sometimes called a converged BSR) including information on the amount of accumulated data of the converged LCH, and attempting transmission.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a converged LCH. For example, the terminal device 100 has four LCHs, and a data type to be transmitted is defined for each LCH. As shown in FIG. 6, LCH_1 to 3 are channels for transmitting eMBB data, and LCH_4 is a channel for transmitting URLLC data. The terminal device 100 sets, for example, LCH_1 to 3 transmitting the same data type as a converged LCH. Then, the terminal device 100 compares the total value of the accumulated data amount of data 1 to 3 with a threshold, and decides whether or not to request allocation of radio resources for data transmission of the converged LCH.

[0060] For example, eMBB data has a longer allowable delay time than URLLC data. In Fig. 6, the LCH of data with a longer allowable delay time is set as a converged LCH, and the number of BSR transmissions can be reduced by increasing the threshold, so that the number of times the radio resource allocation procedure for transmitting data 1 to 3 is performed can be reduced.

[0061] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flowchart of the converged LCH control processing S100. The terminal device 100 waits for transmission data to be generated (No in S100-1). When transmission data is generated (Yes in S100-1), the terminal device 100 checks whether the transmission data is target data for the converged LCH (S100-2).

[0062] If the transmission data is not target data of the converged LCH (No in S100-2), the terminal device 100 executes an individual LCH radio resource allocation process (S2000) and waits for the occurrence of transmission data again (S100-1).

[0063] The individual LCH radio resource allocation process S2000 is a process for controlling whether or not to request radio resources for each individual LCH. In the individual LCH radio resource allocation process S2000, for example, when the amount of accumulated data for a certain LCH exceeds (or becomes equal to or greater than) an individual threshold, the terminal device 100 requests radio resources for transmitting data for that LCH. The individual threshold is, for example, a threshold set for each individual LCH and may be different for each LCH. In the following description, "equal to or greater" will be used as "equal to or greater" since "equal to or greater" encompasses "exceeded."

[0064] If the transmission data is target data of the aggregated LCH (Yes in S100-2), the terminal device 100 calculates the total amount of accumulated data as the aggregated LCH (S100-3). Then, the terminal device 100 determines whether the amount of accumulated data is equal to or greater than the aggregation threshold (S100-4).

[0065] If the amount of accumulated data is not equal to or greater than the aggregation threshold (No in S100-4), the terminal device 100 waits for the occurrence of transmission data again (S100-1).

[0066] On the other hand, when the amount of accumulated data is equal to or larger than the convergence threshold (Yes in S100-4), the terminal device 100 performs a converged LCH radio resource allocation process (S1000). The converged LCH radio resource allocation process is a process for requesting radio resources for transmitting converged LCH data. The convergence threshold is a threshold to be compared with the total value of accumulated data of the converged LCH, and is, for example, the total value of individual thresholds of each LCH, or a value based on the total value. The convergence threshold may be determined according to the frequency with which converged LCH data is generated, the frequency with which a radio resource allocation procedure is executed, etc.

[0067] Then, the terminal device 100 waits for transmission data to be generated again (S100-1).

[0068] Returning to the sequence of Fig. 5, in the converged LCH control process S100, the terminal device 100 determines that the amount of accumulated data in the converged LCH (for example, the total value of data 1 to 3) is equal to or greater than the convergence threshold (Yes in S100-4 in Fig. 7). At this time, a BSR is triggered, and the BSR becomes a trigger for performing the subsequent SR procedure.

[0069] In the aggregated LCH radio resource allocation process S1000, the terminal device 100 transmits an SR to the base station device 200 (S101). The SR is an SR for transmitting an aggregated BSR, and is triggered by a BSR trigger. Upon receiving the SR, the base station device 200 transmits an UL grant that permits transmission of uplink data (S102).

[0070] When the terminal device 100 receives the UL grant (S102), it transmits a converged BSR to the base station device 200 (S103). When the base station device 200 receives the BSR (S103), it transmits an UL grant including information on the radio resources allocated in accordance with the information included in the BSR (S104).

[0071] Upon receiving the UL grant (S104), the terminal device 100 performs LCP processing (S105), generates a MAC PDU, and transmits the data 1 to 3 accumulated in the aggregated LCH to the base station device 200 using the allocated radio resources (S106).

[0072] In this way, the terminal device 100 in the second embodiment sets a converged LCH that bundles multiple individual LCHs, and determines whether to request allocation of radio resources according to the amount of data accumulated in the converged LCH. As a result, compared to a method of requesting radio resources for each individual LCH, the radio resources are requested when a certain amount of data has accumulated, so that it is possible to suppress the execution of the radio resource allocation procedure and to suppress the power consumption of the terminal device 100.

[0073] The following description is not limited to this embodiment but also applies to other embodiments, so in the second and subsequent embodiments, the description will be omitted unless otherwise specified.

[0074] Note that this embodiment and the following embodiments can be considered as embodiments that embody the first embodiment. For example, the "wireless station 10" in the first embodiment can correspond to the terminal device 100, and the "other wireless station 20" can correspond to the "base station device 200." The "concentrated channel" in the first embodiment can correspond to the "concentrated LCH," the "first information" to the "first threshold," the "control signal" to the "RRC signal or MAC signal," the "first signal" to the "SR," and the "second signal" to the "BSR."

[0075] It should also be noted that the same means can be applied even in the case of "one channel" instead of "multiple channels". The terminal device 100 performs classification for each data multiplexed in one channel. The classification can be performed according to QoS, for example, as described in the first embodiment. An arbitrary header in the data is analyzed and classified for each QoS, and the data is classified into multiple QoS classes from QoS class 1 to QoS class n (n is an integer). The ToS field in the IP header, the QIF (QoS Flow ID) field in the SDAP header, and the PFI field (ID of the PC5 QoS flow) can be analyzed (see Non-Patent Document 40). Then, each QoS class is associated with n virtual channels. Furthermore, a group of channels that bundle (concentrate) multiple channels can be set as a concentrated LCH. Note that classification is not limited to separation by QoS. Classification can also be performed according to the type and variety of data. Classification may also be performed according to the data size or packet size. Furthermore, classification may also be performed according to the amount of data accumulated (stagnation amount). That is, when applying the same method to "one channel" rather than "multiple channels", a converged class that converges multiple classes classified within one channel may be treated in the same way as a converged channel, as described above.

[0076] The same is true for V2X, not just communication between a wireless terminal and a base station device. In this case, communication is performed between a terminal device and another terminal device. In the above-mentioned second embodiment, an example of wireless communication between a "terminal device" and a "base station device" has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to wireless communication between a "terminal device" and an "other terminal device" in V2X.

[0077] [Third embodiment] A third embodiment will be described below. A terminal device 100 according to the third embodiment uses a converged LCH to control the availability of an individual LCH or to control the availability of a BSR.

[0078] <Radio resource allocation processing> 8 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of a radio resource allocation process. In the terminal device 100, an opportunity to transmit data of an individual LCH (e.g., LCH_1) occurs (S200). The opportunity to transmit data of the individual LCH indicates, for example, a case in which the amount of accumulated data of LCH_1 becomes equal to or exceeds an individual threshold value of LCH_1 in the individual LCH radio resource allocation process S2000.

[0079] When an opportunity to transmit uplink transmission data occurs (S200), the terminal device 100 performs an individual LCH control process (S201). The individual LCH control process S201 is a process of comparing the amount of accumulated data of the individual LCH with a threshold, and if the amount exceeds the threshold (if it is equal to or greater than the threshold), attempting to transmit a BSR (sometimes called an individual BSR) including information on the amount of accumulated data of the individual LCH. In this process, a BSR is triggered, and this BSR becomes a trigger for performing the subsequent SR procedure.

[0080] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flowchart of the dedicated LCH control processing S201. The terminal device 100 waits for an opportunity to transmit data of the dedicated LCH (No in S201-1). When an opportunity to transmit data of the dedicated LCH occurs (Yes in S201-1), the terminal device 100 checks whether the dedicated LCH is a target of the converged LCH (S201-2).

[0081] If the dedicated LCH is not a target of the converged LCH (No in S201-2), the terminal device 100 executes a dedicated LCH radio resource allocation process (S2000) and waits for an opportunity to transmit data for the dedicated LCH again (S201-1). Note that the dedicated LCH radio resource allocation process S2000 may be the same as the dedicated LCH radio resource allocation process S200 in the second embodiment, and since the process S201-1 determines whether or not there is an opportunity to transmit data for the dedicated LCH, the process equivalent to the process S201-1 may be omitted.

[0082] If the individual LCH is a target of the aggregated LCH (Yes in S201-2), the terminal device 100 calculates the total amount of accumulated data as the aggregated LCH (S201-3). Then, the terminal device 100 determines whether the amount of accumulated data is equal to or greater than the aggregation threshold (S201-4).

[0083] If the amount of accumulated data is not equal to or greater than the convergence threshold (No in S201-4), the terminal device 100 waits for an opportunity to transmit data of the dedicated LCH again (S201-1). At this time, control is performed to determine that the dedicated LCH is invalid.

[0084] On the other hand, when the amount of accumulated data is equal to or greater than the convergence threshold (Yes in S201-4), the terminal device 100 performs an individual LCH radio resource allocation process (S2000). At this time, control is implemented in which the individual LCH is determined to be invalid.

[0085] Then, the terminal device 100 waits again for an opportunity to transmit data on the dedicated LCH (S201-1).

[0086] Returning to the sequence of Fig. 8, in the dedicated LCH control process S201, the terminal device 100 determines that the amount of accumulated data in the converged LCH (for example, the total value of data 1 to 3) is equal to or greater than the convergence threshold (Yes in S201-4 in Fig. 9). At this time, control is implemented in which the dedicated LCH is determined to be valid.

[0087] In a dedicated LCH radio resource allocation process S2000, the terminal device 100 transmits an SR to the base station device 200 (S202). Upon receiving the SR, the base station device 200 transmits an UL grant that permits transmission of uplink data (S203).

[0088] When the terminal device 100 receives the UL grant (S203), it transmits a BSR including information on the amount of accumulated data (accumulated amount of data 1) of the dedicated LCH (LCH_1) to the base station device 200 (S204). When the base station device 200 receives the BSR (S204), it transmits a UL grant including information on the radio resources allocated in accordance with the information included in the BSR (S205).

[0089] Upon receiving the UL grant (S205), the terminal device 100 performs LCP (S206), generates a MAC PDU, and transmits the accumulated data 1 of the dedicated LCH (LCH_1) to the base station device 200 using the allocated radio resources (S207).

[0090] In this way, the terminal device 100 in the second embodiment uses the amount of accumulated data of the converged LCH and the convergence threshold to determine the validity of the dedicated LCH. Determining the validity of the dedicated LCH can also be said to be determining the validity of the BSR triggered by the LCH.

[0091] In addition, in the individual LCH control processing S201, if the amount of accumulated data is not greater than or equal to the convergence threshold, the terminal device 100 may further determine whether the BSR of the individual LCH is enabled (activation) or disabled (deactivation) based on information other than the amount of accumulated data of the convergence LCH (for example, the usage status of the radio resources, the urgency of the accumulated data, etc.), and if it is enabled, may perform the individual LCH radio resource allocation processing S2000.

[0092] So far, the validity of the individual LCH has been explained. However, this embodiment will be explained from the viewpoint of the validity of the BSR. If the BSR triggered by the individual LCH is judged to be valid or invalid (enabled or disabled), it will be a trigger for carrying out the subsequent SR procedure.

[0093] If the amount of accumulated data is not equal to or greater than the convergence threshold (No in S201-4), the terminal device 100 determines that the triggered BSR is invalid (deactivated). As a result, the BSR is invalidated and does not become a trigger for performing the subsequent SR procedure. The invalidated trigger is a pending BSR, and can be held by the terminal device 100 until it becomes valid.

[0094] On the other hand, if the amount of accumulated data is equal to or greater than the convergence threshold (Yes in S201-4), the terminal device 100 determines that the triggered BSR is valid (activated). As a result, the BSR is enabled and becomes a trigger for performing the subsequent SR procedure.

[0095] In this embodiment as well, it is possible to suppress the execution of the radio resource allocation procedure, and it is possible to suppress an increase in signaling or power consumption of the terminal device 100.

[0096] [Fourth embodiment] A fourth embodiment will be described. The terminal device 100 of the fourth embodiment judges whether to transmit a BSR including the amount of accumulated data of the converged LCH when a data transmission trigger occurs for the individual LCH. That is, the terminal device 100 of the fourth embodiment transmits a BSR including information on the amount of accumulated data of the converged LCH under a condition that satisfies both a data transmission trigger according to the amount of accumulated data of the individual LCH and a data transmission trigger according to the amount of accumulated data of the converged LCH.

[0097] <Radio resource allocation processing> 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of a wireless resource allocation process. In the terminal device 100, an opportunity to transmit data of a dedicated LCH (for example, LCH_1) occurs (S300).

[0098] When an opportunity to transmit uplink transmission data occurs (S300), the terminal device 100 performs an individual LCH control process (S301). The individual LCH control process S301 is a process of comparing the amount of accumulated data in the individual LCH with a threshold, and if it exceeds the threshold (if it is equal to or greater than the threshold), attempting to transmit a BSR including information on the amount of accumulated data in the converged LCH. In this process, a BSR is triggered, and this BSR becomes a trigger for performing the subsequent SR procedure.

[0099] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flowchart of the dedicated LCH control processing S301. The terminal device 100 waits for an opportunity to transmit data of the dedicated LCH (No in S301-1). When an opportunity to transmit data of the dedicated LCH occurs (Yes in S301-1), the terminal device 100 checks whether the dedicated LCH is a target of the converged LCH (S301-2).

[0100] If the dedicated LCH is not a target of the converged LCH (No in S301-2), the terminal device 100 executes a dedicated LCH radio resource allocation process (S2000) and waits for an opportunity to transmit data for the dedicated LCH again (S301-1).

[0101] If the individual LCH is a target of the aggregated LCH (Yes in S301-2), the terminal device 100 calculates the total amount of accumulated data as the aggregated LCH (S301-3). Then, the terminal device 100 determines whether the amount of accumulated data is equal to or greater than the aggregation threshold (S301-4).

[0102] When the amount of accumulated data is not equal to or greater than the convergence threshold (No in S301-4), the terminal device 100 waits for an opportunity to transmit data of an individual LCH again (S301-1). At that time, as in the third embodiment, control of invalidation determination of an individual LCH or BSR may be performed.

[0103] On the other hand, when the amount of accumulated data is equal to or larger than the convergence threshold (Yes in S301-4), the terminal device 100 performs converged LCH radio resource allocation processing (S1000). At that time, as in the third embodiment, control of the validity determination of the dedicated LCH or BSR may be performed.

[0104] Then, the terminal device 100 waits again for an opportunity to transmit data of the dedicated LCH (S301-1).

[0105] Returning to the sequence of Fig. 10, in the dedicated LCH control process S301, the terminal device 100 determines that the amount of accumulated data in the converged LCH (for example, the total value of data 1 to 3) is equal to or greater than the convergence threshold (Yes in S301-4 in Fig. 11). At that time, similarly to the third embodiment, control of the validity determination of the dedicated LCH or BSR may be performed.

[0106] In the converged LCH radio resource allocation process S1000, the terminal device 100 transmits an SR to the base station device 200 (S302). Upon receiving the SR, the base station device 200 transmits an UL grant permitting transmission of uplink data (S303). Subsequent processes S303 to S307 are similar to processes S102 to S106 in FIG. 5.

[0107] In the fourth embodiment, the terminal device 100 transmits a BSR including information on the amount of accumulated data in the aggregated LCH when both the amount of accumulated data in the individual LCH and the amount of accumulated data in the aggregated LCH satisfy a transmission trigger (the individual LCH is equal to or greater than the individual threshold, and the aggregated LCH is equal to or greater than the aggregation threshold). This makes it possible to suppress the number of requests for allocation of radio resources, and to suppress an increase in signaling or power consumption of the terminal device 100.

[0108] For example, the individual radio resource allocation process S2000 may be performed in the No path of the branch processes S301 to S304 in Fig. 11. For example, there are cases where it is less necessary to consider the power consumption of the terminal device 100, such as when the terminal device 100 has sufficient power or when the terminal device 100 is connected to a charger. In this case, by performing this process, when either the amount of accumulated data in the individual LCH or the amount of accumulated data in the converged LCH becomes equal to or greater than a threshold, the radio resource allocation process is executed, making it possible to transmit data with greater immediacy.

[0109] [Fifth embodiment] A fifth embodiment will be described. In the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, when performing radio resource allocation processing based on the amount of accumulated data of the converged LCH, if the data of the converged LCH is accumulated slowly (if the occurrence frequency of the data of the converged LCH is low), the time until the data is transmitted may become long, and a delay may occur. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, a converged LCH guard timer (timer) is provided, and if the data of the converged LCH is not transmitted for a predetermined time or more, the converged LCH radio resource allocation processing S1000 is executed.

[0110] <Radio resource allocation processing> 12 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of radio resource allocation processing when the converged LCH guard timer times out. In the terminal device 100, a converged LCH guard timer times out (S400). When the converged LCH guard timer times out (S400), the terminal device 100 executes a converged LCH radio resource allocation processing S1000. The subsequent processing S401 to processing S406 are similar to the processing S101 to processing S106 in FIG. 5.

[0111] The concentrated LCH guard timer (guard timer) is started at the timing when the target data of the concentrated LCH occurs when the accumulated data amount of the concentrated LCH is 0 (a state in which no new target data of the concentrated LCH occurs after the accumulated data of the concentrated LCH is transmitted). Also, the concentrated LCH guard timer is stopped, for example, when the accumulated data of the concentrated LCH is transmitted.

[0112] The timer value of the converged LCH guard timer is set in consideration of, for example, an end-to-end allowable delay time between terminal devices, between applications, etc. The terminal device 100 sets the timer value to a time that does not exceed the allowable delay time.

[0113] Also, the timer value of the converged LCH guard timer may be set based on, for example, a discard timer (PDCP Discard Timer). The discard timer is, for example, a time during which the data may be held in the PDCP layer (time permitted until transmission). When the time expires, the corresponding data (PDCP SDU) is discarded. The terminal device 100 sets the timer value of the converged LCH guard timer so as not to exceed the timer value of the discard timer. Note that the discard timer is set based on the importance of data (for example, whether the data is critical or not) and the allowable delay time, etc., so that the terminal device 100 needs to select the timer value of the discard timer to be taken into consideration (used as a reference) based on the importance of data of the converged LCH, the allowable delay time, etc. Also, the value of the guard timer can be set by an RRC signal.

[0114] [Sixth embodiment] A sixth embodiment will be described. In the terminal device 100 of the first to fourth embodiments described above, in the LCP process, the radio resource for the individual BSR is used for transmitting data of the individual LCH, and the radio resource for the converged BSR is used for transmitting data of the converged LCH. However, the LCP process is, for example, a design item implemented by a predetermined algorithm, and the radio resource specified in the UL grant received by the terminal device 100 from the base station device 200 may be used for transmitting data of any LCH. For example, in the MAC PDU of the sequence of FIG. 5, the UL grant may be used for transmitting data 4 other than data 1 to 3. In other words, the UL grant is allocated with the terminal device 100 as the minimum unit, and is not exclusively allocated for data transmission of a specific LCH. Also, for example, in the MAC PDU of the sequence of FIG. 8, the UL grant may be used for transmitting data 2 to 4 other than data 1.

[0115] The terminal device 100 in the sixth embodiment specifies a method of using the allocated radio resources in the LCP process.

[0116] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a method of using radio resources when radio resources are allocated to an individual LCH as a result of the terminal device 100 performing LCP processing. In FIG. 13, the terminal device 100 performs an SR procedure for the BSR of an individual LCH (LCH_4) and receives a UL grant. In the LCP processing, the terminal device 100 performs control to prohibit (or restrict) transmission of data of a converged LCH in order to control so that radio resources are allocated to the individual LCH. For example, LCH_4 is an LCH of URLLC data, and has a shorter allowable delay time compared to eMBB. Therefore, it is preferable that LCH_4 is transmitted with priority over the converged LCH. Therefore, the terminal device 100 suppresses a transmission delay of data with high priority by, for example, not using radio resources allocated to an individual LCH of high priority data for data transmission of the converged LCH. For such control, for example, the LCP processing is extended and an algorithm that implements the restriction is introduced.

[0117] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a method of using radio resources when radio resources are allocated to a converged LCH as a result of the terminal device 100 performing LCP processing. In FIG. 14, the terminal device 100 performs an SR procedure for the BSR of the converged LCH and receives a UL grant. In the LCP processing, the terminal device 100 controls so that radio resources are not allocated to the converged LCH, and permits data 4 of an individual LCH (LCH_4) to be transmitted. As described above, when there is data to be transmitted with priority over data of the converged LCH, such as LCH_4, the terminal device 100 permits transmission of data of an individual LCH with high priority even in the radio resources allocated to the converged LCH. This allows data of an LCH with high priority to be transmitted in advance. For example, such control is achieved by extending the LCP processing and introducing an algorithm that implements the constraint.

[0118] In these examples, if there are surplus radio resources (room) after radio resources are allocated to data of an LCH with a higher priority, the radio resources may be allocated to a converged LCH.

[0119] [Other embodiments] The embodiments may be combined with each other. The data transmitted in the LCP process and the information included in the BSR may be used in each embodiment in other embodiments.

[0120] In addition, the control by the converged LCH and the control by the dedicated LCH may be used differently. The terminal device 100 may determine whether to control by the dedicated LCH or control as the converged LCH according to, for example, wireless quality, frequency of data generation, allowable delay time, etc. In addition, the base station device 200 may notify the terminal device 100 of which control to use. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1: Communication systems 10: Radio station 11: Control section 12: Communications Department 13: Focusing channel 20: Other radio stations 30: Communication Systems 100: Terminal device 110: CPU 120: Storage 121: Focused LCH control program 122: Individual LCH control program 123: Converged LCH radio resource allocation program 124: Individual LCH radio resource allocation program 125: Data transmission program 130: Memory 140: Communication circuit 200:Base station equipment 210: CPU 220: Storage 221: Wireless communication control program 222: Radio resource allocation program 230: Memory 240: Communication circuit 300: Core network

Claims

1. A control unit capable of controlling generation of a transmission trigger for a second signal for acquiring wireless resources; a communication unit configured to transmit the second signal to another radio station in response to the transmission trigger and to receive the radio resource from the other radio station, The control unit controls to generate the transmission trigger according to a data amount of a convergence channel and first information related to the convergence channel, or to generate the transmission trigger when a timer corresponding to the convergence channel expires; The radio resources are allocated to data of the converged channel and are not allocated to data of channels not included in the converged channel. Radio station.

2. The focusing channel is a channel group formed by focusing a plurality of channels. The radio station according to claim 1.

3. The communication unit transmits a signal for acquiring radio resources for transmitting a channel not included in the focused channel when data of the channel occurs. The radio station according to claim 1.

4. The communication unit receives an RRC signal that is a control signal including third information that is information on a setting of the focusing channel. The radio station according to claim 1.

5. The communication unit receives an RRC signal which is a control signal including the first information. The radio station according to claim 1.

6. The value of the timer is set via an RRC signal. The radio station according to claim 1.

7. A receiving unit that receives a second signal from another wireless station, the second signal being generated in response to a data amount of a focusing channel and first information regarding the focusing channel, or generated when a timer corresponding to the focusing channel expires, in response to a transmission trigger of the second signal for acquiring wireless resources. a transmitter capable of transmitting the radio resource to the other radio station, The radio resources are allocated to data of the converged channel and are not allocated to data of channels not included in the converged channel. Second radio station.

8. A first wireless station capable of controlling generation of a transmission trigger for a second signal for acquiring wireless resources, the first wireless station transmitting the second signal in response to the transmission trigger; a second radio station that receives the second signal and transmits the radio resource to the first radio station, The first wireless station controls to generate the transmission trigger according to a data amount of a convergence channel and first information related to the convergence channel, or to generate the transmission trigger when a timer corresponding to the convergence channel expires; The radio resources are allocated to data of the converged channel and are not allocated to data of channels not included in the converged channel. Wireless communication system.

Images