Providing user equipment assistance information technical field

Abstract

According to an aspect, there is provided a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer. The user equipment may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least to perform: determining that one or more pieces of uplink traffic information that is now available has not been transmitted in any of user equipment assistance information messages comprising uplink traffic information since the user equipment was configured to provide uplink traffic information; and initiating based on the determination, a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the one or more pieces of uplink traffic information independently of the state of a prohibit timer governing the transmission of uplink traffic information.

Description

[0001] PROVIDING USER EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE INFORMATION TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Various example embodiments generally relate to the field of telecommunication systems. In particular, some example embodiments relate to a solution for providing user equipment assistance information in a wireless communication network.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] In a wireless communication network, a user equipment (UE) may be configured to send assistance information towards a network to inform the network about one or more user equipment related status or parameters. This assistance information may be referred to as UE assistance information (UAI). The UE assistance information is an RRC message mechanism by which the UE can inform various internal status to the network. Then, based on the UE assistance information, the network can assign or control resources to better serve the UE.

[0005] As an example, the UE may not have all the traffic information available when it triggers UAI for extended Reality (XR). Starting a prohibit timer immediately would mean that the UE either has to delay sending the UAI (which can mean that the network does not get the information in time) or sending only partial information (which can mean that the network does not know all the relevant information). This can lead to inefficient operation.

[0006] Further, the prohibit timer may set only a maximum frequency (or equivalently a minimum period) for the transmission of consecutive UAI messages, but other implementation-specific UE conditions may prevent the transmission of the UAI when the prohibit timer expires. Therefore, the network may have to wait indefinitely for the UAI and this could result in inefficient operations if optimization based on UAI reporting are performed.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. According to a first aspect, a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer comprises at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least to perform: determining that one or more pieces of uplink traffic information is now available has not been transmitted in any of user equipment assistance information messages comprising uplink traffic information since the user equipment was configured to provide uplink traffic information; and initiating, based on the determination, a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the one or more pieces of uplink traffic information independently of the state of a prohibit timer governing the transmission of uplink traffic information.

[0009] In an example embodiment of the first aspect, a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to perform: obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information cannot be initiated within the delay budget; and postponing the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message to the next transmission occasion.

[0010] In an example embodiment of the first aspect, a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to perform: obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; starting the prohibit timer based on determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; and initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer. In an example embodiment of the first aspect, the uplink traffic information comprises extended reality traffic information.

[0011] According to a second aspect, a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer nay comprise at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least to perform: determining that a partial set of uplink traffic information is available; and based on determining that the partial set of uplink traffic information is available, initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information without starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message.

[0012] In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to perform: determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; starting the prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that the complete set of uplink traffic information is available; and initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer.

[0013] In an example embodiment of the second aspect, a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to perform: obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information cannot be initiated within the delay budget; and postponing the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message to the next transmission occasion.

[0014] In an example embodiment of the second aspect, a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to perform: obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; starting the prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that the prohibit timer has expired, determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available, and determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; and initiating a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information.

[0015] In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the uplink traffic information comprises extended reality traffic information.

[0016] According to a third aspect, a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer may comprise at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least to perform: determining that any of uplink traffic information included in a previous user equipment assistance information message has changed since the last transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising uplink traffic information; determining that a prohibit timer is not running; determining that a complete set of the uplink traffic information are available; starting the prohibit timer based on determining that any of uplink traffic information included in a previous user equipment assistance information message has changed since the last transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising uplink traffic information, determining that a prohibit timer is not running and determining that the complete set of the uplink traffic information is available; and initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of the uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect, a network node may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to perform: receiving, from a user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a partial set of uplink traffic information; and determining that the user equipment did not start a prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information.

[0018] In an example embodiment of the fourth aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to perform: receiving, from the user equipment, one or more user equipment assistance information messages comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information, wherein one user equipment assistance information message comprises the complete set of uplink traffic information, or a plurality of user equipment assistance information messages together comprise the complete set of uplink traffic information; and determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information.

[0019] In an example embodiment of the fourth aspect, a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to perform: determining that the delay budget has passed since the time the prohibit timer was expected to expire; and determining that a user equipment assistance information message was unavailable at the user equipment.

[0020] In an example embodiment of the fourth aspect, a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to perform: receiving, from the user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information within the delay budget; and determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer.

[0021] In an example embodiment of the fourth aspect, the uplink traffic information comprises extended reality traffic information.

[0022] According to a fifth aspect, a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information may comprise at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least to perform: obtaining uplink traffic information; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; initiating a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information; obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information cannot be initiated within the delay budget; and postponing the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message to the next transmission occasion.

[0023] According to a sixth aspect, a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information may comprise at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least to perform: obtaining uplink traffic information; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; initiating a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer; obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; starting the prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that the prohibit timer has expired, determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available and determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; and initiating the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information. According to a seventh aspect, a network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information, wherein a delay budget is associated with receiving the user equipment assistance information, may comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to perform: receiving, from a user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information; determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information; determining that the delay budget has passed since the time the prohibit timer was expected to expire; and determining that a user equipment assistance information message was unavailable at the user equipment.

[0024] According to an eighth aspect, a network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information, wherein a delay budget is associated with receiving the user equipment assistance information, may comprise at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to perform: receiving, from a user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information; determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information; receiving, from the user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information within the delay budget; and determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer.

[0025] According to a ninth aspect, a method performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer may comprise determining that one or more pieces of uplink traffic information that is now available has not been transmitted in any of user equipment assistance information messages comprising uplink traffic information since the user equipment was configured to provide uplink traffic information; and initiating, based on the determination, a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the one or more pieces of the uplink traffic information independently of the state of a prohibit timer governing the transmission of uplink traffic information. According to a tenth aspect, a method performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer may comprise determining that a partial set of uplink traffic information is available; and based on determining that the partial set of uplink traffic information is available, initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information without starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message.

[0026] According to an eleventh aspect, a method performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer may comprise determining that any of uplink traffic information included in a previous user equipment assistance information message has changed since the last transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising uplink traffic information; determining that a prohibit timer is not running; determining that a complete set of the uplink traffic information are available; starting the prohibit timer based on determining that any of uplink traffic information included in a previous user equipment assistance information message has changed since the last transmission of the UE assistance information message comprising uplink traffic information, determining that a prohibit timer is not running and determining that the complete set of the uplink traffic information is available; and initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of the uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer.

[0027] According to a twelfth aspect, a method performed by a network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information may comprise receiving, from a user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a partial set of uplink traffic information; and determining that the user equipment did not start a prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information.

[0028] According to a thirteenth aspect, a method performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, may comprise obtaining uplink traffic information; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that the complete set of uplink traffic information is available; initiating a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information; obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information cannot be initiated within the delay budget; and postponing the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message to the next transmission occasion.

[0029] According to a fourteenth aspect, a method performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, may comprise obtaining uplink traffic information; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that the complete set of uplink traffic information is available; initiating a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer; obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; starting the prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that the prohibit timer has expired, determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available and determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; and initiating the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information. According to a fifteenth aspect, a method performed by a network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information, wherein a delay budget is associated with receiving the user equipment assistance information, may comprise receiving, from a user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information; determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information; determining that the delay budget has passed since the time the prohibit timer was expected to expire; and determining that a user equipment assistance information message was unavailable at the user equipment.

[0030] According to a sixteenth aspect, a method performed by a network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information, wherein a delay budget is associated with receiving the user equipment assistance information, may comprise receiving, from a user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information; determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information; receiving, from the user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information within the delay budget; and determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer.

[0031] According to a seventeenth aspect, a computer program is disclosed. The comprise program may comprise instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a method according to the ninth to sixteenth aspect, or any example embodiment thereof.

[0032] According to an eighteenth aspect, a (non-transitory) computer readable medium is disclosed. The (non-transitory) computer readable medium may comprise program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a method according to the ninth to sixteenth aspect, or any example embodiment thereof.

[0033] According to a nineteenth aspect, a user equipment may comprise means for: determining that one or more pieces of uplink traffic information that is now available has not been transmitted in any of user equipment assistance information messages comprising uplink traffic information since the user equipment was configured to provide uplink traffic information; and initiating, based on the determination, a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the one or more pieces of uplink traffic information independently of the state of a prohibit timer governing the transmission of uplink traffic information.

[0034] According to a twentieth aspect, a user equipment may comprise means for: determining that a partial set of uplink traffic information is available; and based on determining that the partial set of uplink traffic information is available, initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information without starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message.

[0035] According to a twenty-first aspect, a user equipment may comprise means for: determining that any of uplink traffic information included in a previous user equipment assistance information message has changed since the last transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising uplink traffic information; determining that a prohibit timer is not running; determining that a complete set of the uplink traffic information are available; starting the prohibit timer based on determining that any of uplink traffic information included in a previous user equipment assistance information message has changed since the last transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising uplink traffic information, determining that a prohibit timer is not running and determining that the complete set of the uplink traffic information is available; and initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of the uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer.

[0036] According to a twenty-second aspect, a network node may comprise means for: receiving, from a user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a partial set of uplink traffic information; and determining that the user equipment did not start a prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information.

[0037] According to a twenty-third aspect, a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, may comprise means for: obtaining uplink traffic information; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; initiating a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information; obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information cannot be initiated within the delay budget; and postponing the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message to the next transmission occasion.

[0038] According to a twenty -fourth aspect, a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, may comprise means for: obtaining uplink traffic information; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that the complete set of uplink traffic information is available; initiating a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer; obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; starting the prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that the prohibit timer has expired, determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available and determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; and initiating the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information. Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0039] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the example embodiments and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate example embodiments and together with the description help to understand the example embodiments. In the drawings:

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a user equipment configured to practice one or more example embodiments.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a network node configured to practice one or more example embodiments.

[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates a signalling diagram according to an example embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates a signalling diagram according to an example embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a signalling diagram according to an example embodiment.

[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 7 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment.

[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment.

[0049] FIG. 9 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 10 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 11 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment.

[0052] FIG. 12 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment. FIG. 13 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment.

[0053] Like references are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings.

[0054] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Reference will now be made in detail to example embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms, in which the present example may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.

[0056] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a user equipment 100 configured to practice one or more example embodiments. The user equipment 100 may comprise a user node, user device, or in general a network device configured to implement functionality described herein. The user equipment 100 may comprise at least one processor 102. The at least one processor 102 may comprise, for example, one or more of various processing devices, such as for example a co-processor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like.

[0057] The user equipment 100 may further comprise at least one memory 104. The memory 104 may be configured to store, for example, computer program code or the like, for example operating system software and application software. The memory 104 may comprise one or more volatile memory devices, one or more nonvolatile memory devices, and / or a combination thereof. For example, the memory may be embodied as magnetic storage devices (such as hard disk drives, magnetic tapes, etc.), optical magnetic storage devices, or semiconductor memories (such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory), etc.). The memory 104 is provided as an example of a (non-transitory) computer readable medium. The term “non- transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0058] The user equipment 100 may further comprise a communication interface 108 configured to enable the user equipment 100 to transmit and / or receive information.

[0059] When the user equipment 100 is configured to implement some functionality, some component and / or components of the user equipment 100, such as for example the at least one processor 102 and / or the at least one memory 104, may be configured to implement this functionality. Furthermore, when the at least one processor 102 is configured to implement some functionality, this functionality may be implemented using program code 106 comprised, for example, in the at least one memory 104.

[0060] The functionality described herein may be performed, at least in part, by one or more computer program product components such as software components. According to an example embodiment, the user equipment 100 comprises a processor or processor circuitry, such as for example a microcontroller, configured by the program code 106, when executed, to execute the embodiments of the operations and functionality described herein. Program code 106 is provided as an example of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor 102, cause performance of the user equipment 100.

[0061] Alternatively, or in addition, the functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), system-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), graphics processing units (GPUs), or the like.

[0062] The user equipment 100 may be configured to perform method(s) described herein or comprise means for performing method(s) described herein. In one example, the means may comprise the at least one processor 102, the at least one memory 104 including program code 106 configured to, when executed by the at least one processor 102, cause the user equipment 100 to perform the method(s). FIG. 2 illustrates an example of network node 200 configured to practice one or more example embodiments. The network node 200 may comprise a network device, a base station, a gNB, or in general a network device configured to implement functionality described herein. The network node 200 may comprise at least one processor 202. The at least one processor 202 may comprise, for example, one or more of various processing devices, such as for example a co-processor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like.

[0063] The network node 200 may further comprise at least one memory 204. The memory 204 may be configured to store, for example, computer program code or the like, for example operating system software and application software. The memory 204 may comprise one or more volatile memory devices, one or more nonvolatile memory devices, and / or a combination thereof. For example, the memory may be embodied as magnetic storage devices (such as hard disk drives, magnetic tapes, etc.), optical magnetic storage devices, or semiconductor memories (such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory), etc.). The memory 204 is provided as an example of a (non-transitory) computer readable medium. The term “non- transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0064] The network node 200 may further comprise a communication interface 208 configured to enable the network node 200 to transmit and / or receive information.

[0065] When the network node 200 is configured to implement some functionality, some component and / or components of the network node 200, such as for example the at least one processor 202 and / or the at least one memory 204, may be configured to implement this functionality. Furthermore, when the at least one processor 202 is configured to implement some functionality, this functionality may be implemented using program code 206 comprised, for example, in the at least one memory 204.

[0066] The functionality described herein may be performed, at least in part, by one or more computer program product components such as software components. According to an example embodiment, the network node 200 comprises a processor or processor circuitry, such as for example a microcontroller, configured by the program code 206, when executed, to execute the embodiments of the operations and functionality described herein. Program code 206 is provided as an example of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor 202, cause performance of the network node 200.

[0067] Alternatively, or in addition, the functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), system-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), graphics processing units (GPUs), or the like.

[0068] The network node 200 may be configured to perform method(s) described herein or comprise means for performing method(s) described herein. In one example, the means may comprise the at least one processor 202, the at least one memory 204 including program code 206 configured to, when executed by the at least one processor 202, cause the network node 200 to perform the method(s).

[0069] In an example embodiment, the uplink traffic assistance information may be defined in the extended reality (XR) running in the radio resource control (RRC) CR as follows:

[0070] The only mandatory part in the UAI is the QFI, all other elements (jitter range, burst arrival time (BAT), traffic periodicity, capability for PDU set identification for the QFI) are optional.

[0071] In an example embodiment, the prohibit timer may always be started but ignored whenever a piece of the uplink traffic info is provided for the first time since configured (i.e., jitterRange, burstArrivalTime, trafficPeriodicity. . .). This may be implemented as follows:

[0072] 1> if configured to provide UL traffic information:

[0073] 2> if the UE did not transmit a UEAssistancelnformation message with ul-TrafficInfo since it was configured to provide UL traffic information; or

[0074] 2> if any of the UL traffic information that is now available has never been transmitted in any of the UEAssistancelnformation message containing ul- Trafficlnfo since the UE was configured to provide UL traffic information; or

[0075] 2> if any of the UL traffic information included in the previous UEAssistancelnformation has changed since the last transmission of the UEAssistancelnformation message containing ul-TrafficInfo and timer T346x is not running:

[0076] 3> start timer T346x with the timer value set to the ul-

[0077] Traffichif()l>r()hibilTimer

[0078] 3> initiate transmission of the UEAssistancelnformation message to provide UL traffic information.

[0079] Thus, for example, if user equipment determines that any of the uplink traffic information that is now available has never been transmitted in any of the UEAssistancelnformation message containing ul-TrafficInfo since the user equipment was configured to provide UL traffic information, the user equipment may start timer T346x with the timer value set to the ul-TrafficInfoProhibitTimer and transmit the UEAssistancelnformation. In another example embodiment, since not all information is contained in UAI the message, the prohibit timer is not started and UE can immediately send updated UAI once it has additional information available. This may be implemented as follows:

[0080] 1> if configured to provide UL traffic information:

[0081] 2> if the UE did not transmit a UEAssistancelnformation message with ul-TrafficInfo since it was configured to provide UL traffic information; or

[0082] 2> if any of the UL traffic information included in the previous UEAssistancelnformation has changed since the last transmission of the UEAssistancelnformation message containing ul-TrafficInfo and timer T346x is not running:

[0083] 3> if the UE has all of the UL traffic information available:

[0084] 4> start timer T346x with the timer value set to the ul- Traffichif()l>r()hibilTimer

[0085] 3> initiate transmission of the UEAssistancelnformation message to provide UL traffic information.

[0086] Thus, for example, if the user equipment determines that all of the uplink traffic information is available, the user equipment may start timer T346x with the timer value set to the ul-TrafficInfoProhibitTimerE G. 3 illustrates a signalling diagram according to an example embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, a prohibit timer is triggered only when all uplink traffic information is available.

[0087] At 302, a user equipment (UE) 100 and a network via a service cell 300 establish a connection, and the network configures the UE to send uplink traffic information using the UE assistance information (UAI) framework. In this example, extended Reality (XR) traffic information is illustrated as an example of uplink traffic information. In other examples, other types of uplink traffic information can be used.

[0088] At 304, the XR traffic information starts to be generated by an application executed by the UE 100, but at this point the UE 100 has only incomplete information.

[0089] At 306, the first burst of the XR traffic information arrives at a UE buffer. Based on the XR traffic information, the UE 100 is able to determine a burst arrival time (BAT), but the UE 100 cannot estimate other XR traffic information, for example, the periodicity and the jitter since multiple bursts are needed to estimate such information.

[0090] At 308, the UE 100 may determine the BAT, for example, based on the arrival time of the first protocol data unit (PDU) of the burst in the UE buffer. In response to determining the BAT, the UE 100 may prepare a UE assistance information (UAI) message with only the BAT field set and trigger a transmission of the UAI message.

[0091] At 310, the UE 100 may transmit the UAI message to the network through the service cell 300 of the gNB 200. As the UAI message is incomplete (i.e., it comprises only partial information of all XR traffic information, the prohibit timer is not started at this point.

[0092] At 312, when the network receives the UAI message comprising only the partial information (i.e., only the BAT in this example), the network may determine that the UE 100 has not started the prohibit timer. This means that additional assistance information will be transmitted by the UE 100 as soon as this information becomes available at the UE 100.

[0093] At 314, the XR traffic information is updated at the UE 100. For example, the UE 100 may collect enough bursts to estimate the periodicity and jitter of the XR traffic information, or the application may communicate the remaining XR traffic information to the UE 100 using, for example, a dedicated API or the RTP header extension.

[0094] At 316, the UE 100 may determine that all of the XR traffic information is now available at the UE 100.

[0095] At 318, the UE 100 may prepare a UAI message comprising all of the XR traffic information and trigger the transmission of the UAI message.

[0096] At 320, the UE 100 may transmit the UAI message to the network through the serving cell 300 of the gNB 200. As the UAI message comprises all of the XR traffic information, the prohibit timer may be started.

[0097] At 322, when the network receives the UAI message comprising all of the XR traffic information including the BAT that may have been transmitted at 310, it may determine that the UE has started the prohibit timer. This means that new assistance information will not be transmitted by the UE 100 before the prohibit timer has expired. FIG. 4 illustrates a signalling diagram according to an example embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates an example that uses a delay budget for the transmission of the UAI message. The delay budget may be measured by the UE 100.

[0098] At 400, the UE 100 and the network establish the connection and the network configures the UE 100 to send the XR traffic information using the UAI framework within a delay budget. The delay budget indicates an amount of time / delay before the UE assistance information becomes "invalid". In this example, extended Reality (XR) traffic information is illustrated as an example of uplink traffic information. In other examples, other types of uplink traffic information can be used.

[0099] At 402, the XR traffic information starts to be generated by an application executed by the UE 100, and the UE 100 has complete XR traffic information available. For example, information like the periodicity and the jitter can be provided by the application using a dedicated API or the RTP header extension.

[0100] At 404, the first burst of the XR traffic information arrives at a UE buffer. The UE 100 knows the burst arrival time (BAT) and it has a complete set of XT traffic information.

[0101] At 406, the UE 100 may determine the BAT, for example, based on the arrival time of the first PDU of the burst in the UE buffer. The UE 100 may then prepare a UAI message comprising the estimated BAT and other information, and trigger the transmission of the UAI message.

[0102] At 408, the UE 100 may transmit the UAI message to the network through the serving cell 300 of the gNB 200. As the UAI message is complete (i.e., it comprises all of the XR traffic information), the prohibit timer is started.

[0103] At 410, when the network receives the UAI message comprising a complete set of the XR traffic information, the network determines that the UE 100 has started the prohibit timer. This also means that new assistance information will not be transmitted by the UE 100 before the prohibit timer has expired and not beyond the delay budget after the expiry of the prohibit timer.

[0104] At 412, the XR traffic information is updated and the prohibit timer has expired. However, at the same time the UE 100 acknowledges that the UAI message cannot be transmitted within the delay budget. For example, the UE 100 may collect the XR traffic information from the application too late with respect to the set delay budget. At 414, the UE 100 may detect that the prohibit timer has expired.

[0105] At 416, the UE 100 may collect all of the XR traffic information, for example, using a dedicated API or by inspecting the RTP header extension of the traffic.

[0106] At 418, the UE 100 may determine that either (i) the UAI message cannot be transmitted within the delay budget or (ii) the time measured since the prohibit timer has expired is larger than the delay budget.

[0107] At 420, the UE 100 may postpone the transmission of the updated XR traffic information based on the determination process executed at 418.

[0108] At 422, after a time larger or equal to the delay budget since the time the prohibit timer was expected to expire, the network may determine that new or updated XR traffic information was unavailable at the UE 100. In an example embodiment, the network may proceed and perform optimization of certain features using the XR traffic information received from the UE 100 in the last UAI message.

[0109] At 424, as an alternative step of the step 412 and the following step 414- 422, the XR traffic information is updated, the prohibit timer has expired and the UAI message transmission can be performed within the delay budget.

[0110] At 426, the UE 100 may detect that the prohibit timer has expired.

[0111] At 428, the UE 100 may determine that it can initiate the transmission of the UAI message within the delay budget, and the UE 100 prepares the UAI message comprising the latest XR traffic information either as estimated or collected.

[0112] At 430, the UE 100 may send the UAI message comprising a complete set of XR traffic information and restart the prohibit timer.

[0113] At 432, when the network receives the UAI message comprising the complete set of XR traffic information (i.e., all fields set), the network may determine that the UE 100 has started the prohibit timer. In an example embodiment, the network may perform optimization of certain features using the updated XR traffic information received from the UE 100.

[0114] FIG. 5 illustrates a signalling diagram according to an example embodiment.

[0115] At 500, a user equipment (UE) 100 and a network via a service cell 300 establish a connection, and the network configures the UE to send uplink traffic information using the UE assistance information (UAI) framework. In this example, extended Reality (XR) traffic information is illustrated as an example of uplink traffic information. In other examples, other types of uplink traffic information can be used.

[0116] At 502, the XR traffic information starts to be generated by an application executed by the UE 100, but at this point the UE 100 has only incomplete information.

[0117] At 504, the first burst of the XR traffic information arrives at a UE buffer. Based on the XR traffic information, the UE 100 is able to determine a burst arrival time (BAT), but the UE 100 cannot estimate other XR traffic information, for example, the periodicity and the jitter since multiple bursts are needed to estimate such information.

[0118] At 506, the UE 100 may determine the BAT, for example, based on the arrival time of the first protocol data unit (PDU) of the burst in the UE buffer. In response to determining the BAT, the UE 100 may prepare an UE assistance information (UAI) message with only the BAT field set and trigger a transmission of the UAI message independently of the state of a prohibit timer governing the transmission of uplink traffic information.

[0119] At 508, the UE 100 may transmit the UAI message to the network through the service cell 300 of the gNB 200. Further, the prohibit timer is set to its initialization parameter and started at this point.

[0120] At 510, when the network receives the UAI message comprising only the partial information (i.e., only the BAT in this example), the network may determine that the UE 100 started the prohibit timer.

[0121] At 512, the network may determine that the next UAI message can be received before the prohibit timer expires as incomplete XR traffic information was received in the UAI message at 508.

[0122] At 514, the UE 100 may obtain updated XR traffic information that has never been transmitted in UAI messages.

[0123] At 516, the UE 100 may determine that new XR traffic information that has never been transmitted is now available.

[0124] At 518, the UE 100 may trigger a UAI message and determine that new XR traffic information that has never been transmitted is now available independently of the state of a prohibit timer governing the transmission of uplink traffic information. At 520, the UE 100 may transmit the UAI message to the network through the service cell 300 of the gNB 200. The UAI message may comprise only the new XR traffic information. Further, the prohibit timer is set to its initialization parameter and started at this point.

[0125] At 522, when the network receives the UAI message comprising the new XR traffic information, the network may determine that the UE 100 started the prohibit timer.

[0126] At 524, the network may determine that the next UAI message can be received after the prohibit timer expires as complete XR traffic information was received in the UAI message at 520.

[0127] At 526, the UE 100 obtains updated XR traffic information while at the same time the prohibit timer has not expired.

[0128] At 528, the UE 100 may determine that the XR traffic information and the corresponding assistance information is updated.

[0129] At 530, the UE 100 may determine that the prohibit timer has not expired.

[0130] At 532, the UE 100 may postpone the transmission of the UAI, for example, to the next transmission occasion (e.g., when the prohibit timer has expired).

[0131] At 534, alternatively to the step 526 and the subsequent steps 528-532, the UE 100 obtains updated XR traffic information and the prohibit timer has expired.

[0132] At 536, the UE 100 may determine that the XR traffic information and the corresponding assistance information is updated.

[0133] At 538, the UE 100 may determine that the prohibit timer has expired.

[0134] At 540, the UE 100 may transmit the UAI message to the network through the service cell 300 of the gNB 200. The UAI message may comprise only the new XR traffic information. Further, the prohibit timer is set to its initialization parameter and started at this point.

[0135] At 542, when the network receives the UAI message comprising the new XR traffic information, the network may determine that the UE 100 started the prohibit timer.

[0136] At 544, the network may determine that the next UAI message can be received after the prohibit timer expires as complete XR traffic information was received in the UAI messages at 508, 520 and 540.

[0137] FIG. 6 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer. The user equipment establishes a connection with the network using the radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure. At the end of this procedure the connection with the network is established, the user equipment enters in connected mode (RRC CONNECTED mode) and it is allowed to transmit / receive data. Traffic bearers and other user equipment configuration, which defines the user equipment behavior, are configured during the connection establishment procedure or later using the connection reconfiguration procedure.

[0138] At 600, it may be determined (i.e. the user equipment determines) that one or more pieces of uplink traffic information that is now available (i.e. available to the user equipment) has not been transmitted in any of user equipment assistance information messages comprising uplink traffic information since the user equipment was configured to provide uplink traffic information.

[0139] At 602, a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the one or more pieces of the uplink traffic information may be initiated based on the determination independently of the state of a prohibit timer governing the transmission of uplink traffic information. As the transmission is initiated, the user equipment assistance information message may be transmitted by the user equipment to the network (e.g., via the serving cell. In an example embodiment, independently of the state of the prohibit timer may mean that the prohibit timer running. In another example embodiment, independently of the state of the prohibit timer may mean that the prohibit timer is not running.

[0140] FIG. 7 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer. The user equipment establishes a connection with the network using the radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure. At the end of this procedure the connection with the network is established, the user equipment enters in connected mode (RRC CONNECTED mode) and it is allowed to transmit / receive data. Traffic bearers and other user equipment configuration, which defines the user equipment behavior, are configured during the connection establishment procedure or later using the connection reconfiguration procedure.

[0141] At 700, the user equipment may determine that a partial set of uplink traffic information is available. The determining may comprise determining that only a partial set of uplink traffic information is available. That is, the user equipment may determine that a partial set, but not a complete set, of uplink traffic information is available. At 702, based on determining that the partial set of uplink traffic information is available, a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information may be initiated without starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message. As the transmission is initiated, the user equipment assistance information message may be transmitted by the user equipment to a base station or a gNB.

[0142] Alternatively, if a complete set of uplink traffic information is available (i.e. not just a partial set but all uplink traffic information that is configured to be transmitted), the user equipment may start the prohibit timer. The timer may be started by the user equipment based on (e.g. in response to) determining that the complete set of uplink traffic information is available. Further, the user equipment may then transmit user equipment assistance information comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information.

[0143] FIG. 8 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer. The user equipment establishes a connection with the network using the radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure. At the end of this procedure the connection with the network is established, the user equipment enters in connected mode (RRC CONNECTED mode) and it is allowed to transmit / receive data. Traffic bearers and other user equipment configuration, which defines the user equipment behavior, are configured during the connection establishment procedure or later using the connection reconfiguration procedure.

[0144] At 800, it may be determined that any of uplink traffic information included in a previous user equipment assistance information message has changed since the last transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising uplink traffic information.

[0145] At 802, it may be determined that a prohibit timer is not running.

[0146] At 804, it may be determined that a complete set of the uplink traffic information are available. At 806, the prohibit timer may be started in response to determining that any of uplink traffic information included in a previous user equipment assistance information message has changed since the last transmission of the UE assistance information message comprising uplink traffic information, determining that a prohibit timer is not running and determining that the complete set of the uplink traffic information is available.

[0147] At 808, a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of the uplink traffic information may be initiated in response to starting the prohibit timer. As the transmission is initiated, the user equipment assistance information message may be transmitted by the user equipment to a base station or a gNB.

[0148] FIG. 9 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed by a network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information.

[0149] At 900, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a partial set of uplink traffic information may be received from a user equipment.

[0150] At 902, it may be determined that the user equipment did not start a prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information.

[0151] FIG. 10 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer. The user equipment establishes a connection with the network using the radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure. At the end of this procedure the connection with the network is established, the user equipment enters in connected mode (RRC CONNECTED mode) and it is allowed to transmit / receive data. Traffic bearers and other user equipment configuration, which defines the user equipment behavior, are configured during the connection establishment procedure or later using the connection reconfiguration procedure.

[0152] At 1000, it may be determined that any of uplink traffic information included in a previous user equipment assistance information message has changed since the last transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising uplink traffic information.

[0153] At 1000, uplink traffic information may be obtained. At 1002, it may be determined that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available.

[0154] At 1004, a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message may be started in response to determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available.

[0155] At 1006, a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information may be initiated.

[0156] At 1008, updated uplink traffic information may be obtained.

[0157] At 1010, it may be determined that the prohibit timer has expired.

[0158] At 1012, it may be determined that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available.

[0159] At 1014, it may be determined that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information cannot be initiated within the delay budget.

[0160] At 1016, the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message may be postponed to the next transmission occasion.

[0161] FIG. 11 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer. The user equipment establishes a connection with the network using the radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure. At the end of this procedure the connection with the network is established, the user equipment enters in connected mode (RRC CONNECTED mode) and it is allowed to transmit / receive data. Traffic bearers and other user equipment configuration, which defines the user equipment behavior, are configured during the connection establishment procedure or later using the connection reconfiguration procedure.

[0162] At 1100, uplink traffic information may be obtained.

[0163] At 1102, it may be determined that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available.

[0164] At 1104, a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message may be started in response to determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available. At 1106, a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information may be initiated in response to starting the prohibit timer.

[0165] At 1108, updated uplink traffic information may be obtained.

[0166] At 1110, it may be determined that the prohibit timer has expired.

[0167] At 1112, it may be determined that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available.

[0168] At 1114, it may be determined that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget.

[0169] At 1116, the prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message may be started in response to determining that the prohibit timer has expired, determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available and determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget.

[0170] At 1118, the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information may be initiated. As the transmission is initiated, the user equipment assistance information message may be transmitted by the user equipment to a base station or a gNB.

[0171] FIG. 12 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed by a network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information.

[0172] At 1200, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information may be received from a user equipment.

[0173] At 1202, it may be determined that the user equipment started the prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information.

[0174] At 1204, it may be determined that the delay budget has passed since the time the prohibit timer was expected to expire.

[0175] At 1206, it may be determined that a user equipment assistance information message was unavailable at the user equipment. FIG. 13 illustrates example of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed by a network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information.

[0176] At 1300, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information may be received from a user equipment.

[0177] At 1302, it may be determined that the user equipment started the prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information.

[0178] At 1304, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information within the delay budget may be received from the user equipment.

[0179] At 1306, it may be determined that the user equipment started the prohibit timer.

[0180] One or more of the examples and example embodiments may enable a solution in which new assistance information is transmitted by the user equipment as soon as it becomes available even if the prohibit timer has been started for example by an earlier transmission of partial assistance information. In particular, the user equipment may not have all the traffic information available when it triggers UAI for XR. Starting a prohibit timer immediately would then mean the user equipment either has to delay sending the UAI, which can mean network does not get the information in time, or sending only partial information, which can mean that the network does not know all the relevant information. This can lead to inefficient network operation and optimization. One or more of the examples and example embodiments may avoid these issues by allowing the user equipment to send the assistance information, which has never been transmitted in earlier UAI messages, as soon as it becomes available without waiting that the prohibit timer expires. One or more of the examples and example embodiments may avoid these issues by enabling the user equipment to start the prohibit timer only after all the uplink assistance information has been transmitted.

[0181] Additionally, the prohibit timer set only a maximum frequency (or equivalently a minimum period) for the transmission of consecutive UAI messages, but other implementation-specific user equipment conditions may prevent the transmission of the UAI when the prohibit timer expires. Therefore, the network may wait indefinitely for the UAI and this could result in inefficient operations if optimization based on UAI reporting are performed. One or more of the examples and example embodiments may avoid these issues by setting a delay budget for the transmission of the assistance information when the prohibit timer expires. This way the network waits for the assistance information until at most the time indicated by the delay budget since the prohibit timer was expected to expire.

[0182] Further features of the methods directly result from the functionality of the network node or the user equipment, as described throughout the description, claims, and drawings, and are therefore not repeated here. An apparatus may be configured to perform or cause performance of any aspect of the method(s) described herein. Further, a computer program or a computer program product may comprise instructions for causing, when executed by an apparatus, the apparatus to perform any aspect of the method(s) described herein. Further, an apparatus may comprise means for performing any aspect of the method(s) described herein. According to an example embodiment, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform any aspect of the method(s).

[0183] Any range or device value given herein may be extended or altered without losing the effect sought. Also, any embodiment may be combined with another embodiment unless explicitly disallowed.

[0184] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples of implementing the claims and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

[0185] It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to 'an' item may refer to one or more of those items.

[0186] The steps or operations of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of any of the example embodiments described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other example embodiments described to form further example embodiments without losing the effect sought.

[0187] The term 'comprising' is used herein to mean including the method, blocks, or elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional blocks or elements.

[0188] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0189] Although subjects may be referred to as ‘first’ or ‘second’ subjects, this does not necessarily indicate any order or importance of the subjects. Instead, such attributes may be used solely for the purpose of making a difference between subjects.

[0190] As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable) :(i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims.

[0191] As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device. It will be understood that the above description is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from scope of this specification.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, the user equipment comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least to perform: determining that one or more pieces of uplink traffic information that is now available has not been transmitted in any of user equipment assistance information messages comprising uplink traffic information since the user equipment was configured to provide uplink traffic information; and initiating, based on the determination, a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the one or more pieces of uplink traffic information independently of the state of a prohibit timer governing the transmission of uplink traffic information.

2. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to perform: obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information cannot be initiated within the delay budget; and postponing the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message to the next transmission occasion.

3. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to perform:obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; starting the prohibit timer based on determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; and initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer.

4. The user equipment according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the uplink traffic information comprises extended reality traffic information.

5. A user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, the user equipment comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least to perform: determining that a partial set of uplink traffic information is available; and based on determining that the partial set of uplink traffic information is available, initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information without starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message.

6. The user equipment according to claim 5, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to perform: determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available;starting the prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; and initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer.

7. The user equipment according to claim 6, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to perform: obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information cannot be initiated within the delay budget; and postponing the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message to the next transmission occasion.

8. The user equipment according to claim 6, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to perform: obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; starting the prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that the prohibit timer has expired, determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available, and determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance informationmessage comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; and initiating a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information.

9. The user equipment according to any one of claims 5 - 8, wherein the uplink traffic information comprises extended reality traffic information.

10. A user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, the user equipment comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least to perform: determining that any of uplink traffic information included in a previous user equipment assistance information message has changed since the last transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising uplink traffic information; determining that a prohibit timer is not running; determining that a complete set of the uplink traffic information is available; starting the prohibit timer based on determining that any of uplink traffic information included in a previous user equipment assistance information message has changed since the last transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising uplink traffic information, determining that a prohibit timer is not running and determining that the complete set of the uplink traffic information is available; and initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of the uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer.

11. A network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information, comprising: at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to perform: receiving, from a user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a partial set of uplink traffic information; and determining that the user equipment did not start a prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information.

12. The network node according to claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to perform: receiving, from the user equipment, one or more user equipment assistance information messages comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information, wherein one user equipment assistance information message comprises the complete set of uplink traffic information, or a plurality of user equipment assistance information messages together comprise the complete set of uplink traffic information; and determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information.

13. The network node according to claim 12, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to perform: determining that the delay budget has passed since the time the prohibit timer was expected to expire; and determining that a user equipment assistance information message was unavailable at the user equipment.

14. The network node according to claim 12, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to perform:receiving, from the user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information within the delay budget; and determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer.

15. The network node according to any one of claims 11 - 14, wherein the uplink traffic information comprises extended reality traffic information.

16. A user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, the user equipment comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least to perform: obtaining uplink traffic information; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; initiating a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information; obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information cannot be initiated within the delay budget; and postponing the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message to the next transmission occasion.

17. A user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, wherein a delay budget isassociated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, the user equipment comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment to at least to perform: obtaining uplink traffic information; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; initiating a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer; obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; starting the prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that the prohibit timer has expired, determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available and determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; and initiating the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information.

18. A network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information, wherein a delay budget is associated with receiving the user equipment assistance information, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to perform:receiving, from a user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information; determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information; determining that the delay budget has passed since the time the prohibit timer was expected to expire; and determining that a user equipment assistance information message was unavailable at the user equipment.

19. A network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information, wherein a delay budget is associated with receiving the user equipment assistance information, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to perform: receiving, from a user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information; determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information; receiving, from the user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information within the delay budget; and determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer.

20. A method performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, the method comprising: determining that one or more pieces of uplink traffic information that is now available has not been transmitted in any of user equipment assistance information messages comprising uplink traffic information since the user equipment was configured to provide uplink traffic information; andinitiating, based on the determination, a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the one or more pieces of the uplink traffic information independently of the state of a prohibit timer governing the transmission of uplink traffic information.

21. A method performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, the method comprising: determining that a partial set of uplink traffic information is available; and based on determining that the partial set of uplink traffic information is available, initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information without starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message.

22. A method performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, the method comprising: determining that any of uplink traffic information included in a previous user equipment assistance information message has changed since the last transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising uplink traffic information; determining that a prohibit timer is not running; determining that a complete set of the uplink traffic information are available; starting the prohibit timer based on determining that any of uplink traffic information included in a previous user equipment assistance information message has changed since the last transmission of the UE assistance information message comprising uplink traffic information, determining that a prohibit timer is not running and determining that the complete set of the uplink traffic information is available; and initiating a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of the uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer.

23. A method performed by a network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information, the method comprising: receiving, from a user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a partial set of uplink traffic information; and determining that the user equipment did not start a prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information.

24. A method performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, the method comprising: obtaining uplink traffic information; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; initiating a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information; obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information cannot be initiated within the delay budget; and postponing the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message to the next transmission occasion.

25. A method performed by a user equipment configured to send user equipment assistance information in a connected mode with a traffic bearer, wherein a delay budget is associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information, the method comprising: obtaining uplink traffic information;determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; starting a prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; initiating a transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information based on starting the prohibit timer; obtaining updated uplink traffic information; determining that the prohibit timer has expired; determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available; determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; starting the prohibit timer associated with transmitting the user equipment assistance information message based on determining that the prohibit timer has expired, determining that a complete set of uplink traffic information is available and determining that a transmission of a user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information can be initiated within the delay budget; and initiating the transmission of the user equipment assistance information message comprising the complete set of uplink traffic information.

26. A method performed by a network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information, wherein a delay budget is associated with receiving the user equipment assistance information, the method comprising: receiving, from a user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information; determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information; determining that the delay budget has passed since the time the prohibit timer was expected to expire; and determining that a user equipment assistance information message was unavailable at the user equipment.

27. A method performed by a network node configured to receive user equipment assistance information, wherein a delay budget is associated with receiving the user equipment assistance information, the method comprising: receiving, from a user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information; determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer based on receiving the user equipment assistance information message comprising the partial set of uplink traffic information; receiving, from the user equipment, a user equipment assistance information message comprising a complete set of uplink traffic information within the delay budget; and determining that the user equipment started the prohibit timer.

28. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to carry out the method of any of claims 20 - 27.

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