Efficient rate control mac ce design for multi modal services

Abstract

A user equipment (UE) performs a method including: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control MAC CE, the rate control MAC CE including an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for a first QoS flow; determining, by the UE, a value of a number of steps and / or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE; and determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for a second QoS flow based on the determined value. The plurality of QoS flows include the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow.

Description

EFFICIENT RATE CONTROL MAC CE DESIGN FOR MULTI MODAL SERVICESCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The following applications are related: U.S. Patent Application having attorney docket no. 335830-US-PSP; U.S. Patent Application having attorney docket no. 336126-US-PSP; U.S. Patent Application having attorney docket no. 336131-US-PSP; and G.B. Patent Application having attorney docket no. 336137-GB-NP.FIELD

[0002] Various example embodiments relate generally to wireless networking and, more particularly, to configurations for efficient rate control MAC CE design for multi modal services.BACKGROUND

[0003] Wireless networking provides significant advantages for user mobility. A user’s ability to remain connected while on the move provides advantages not only for the user, but also provides greater efficiency and productivity for society as a whole. As user expectations for connection reliability, data speed, and battery life become more demanding, technology for wireless networking must also keep pace with such expectations. Accordingly, there is continuing interest in improving wireless networking technology.SUMMARY

[0004] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims.

[0005] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a user equipment (UE) includes: at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control MAC CE, the rate control MAC CE including an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for the first QoS flow; determining, by the UE, a value of a number of steps and / or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE; and determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for a second QoS flow based on the determined value.

[0006] In an aspect, the number of steps and / or the ratio of a bit rate change may be based on a bit rate table, and the bit rate table may be predefined with indices mapping to bit rate values.

[0007] In an aspect, the indication of the bit rate control parameter may include a first index value of the first bit rate value for the first QoS flow.

[0008] In an aspect, the UE may be configured to have knowledge of a second bit rate value and / or a second index value of the second bit rate value from the bit rate table for the first QoS flow.

[0009] In an aspect, the rate control MAC CE may further include a logical channel identifier (LCID) ), a multi-modal service identifier (MMSID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows, or a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map for the second QoS flow or the N QoS flow.

[0010] In an aspect, the UE may be configured to have knowledge of a third bit rate value and / or a third index value of the third bit rate value from the bit rate table for at least one of the second QoS flows.

[0011] In an aspect, the plurality of QoS flows may support an adaptive bit rate.

[0012] In an aspect, the number of steps based on the bit rate table may be determined by subtracting the first index value from the second index value.

[0013] In an aspect, when the number of steps is a positive value, the UE may move up in the bit rate table by the number of steps and selects a lower bit rate value.

[0014] In an aspect, when the number of steps is a negative value, the UE may move down in the bit rate table and select a higher bit rate value.

[0015] In an aspect, the instructions further comprise, receiving, by a user equipment (UE) from a network apparatus, an activation medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a plurality of quality of service (QoS) flows to which a rate control MAC CE applies, the plurality of QoS flows including a first QoS flow and second QoS flows;

[0016] In an aspect, determining the recommended bit rate of the second QoS flows may include: determining, by the UE, a fourth index value of a fourth bit rate value from the bit rate table by adding the number of steps into the third index value; and applying, by the UE, the fourth bit rate value according to the fourth index value from the bit rate table to at least one of the second QoS flows.

[0017] In an aspect, the ratio of the bit rate change may be determined by dividing the first bit rate value by the second bit rate value.

[0018] In an aspect, determining the recommended bit rate of the second QoS flows may include: determining a fifth bit rate value by multiplying the ratio of the bit rate change by the third bit rate value; and applying, by the UE, the fifth bit rate value to at least one of the second QoS flow.

[0019] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a method includes: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, the rate control MAC CE, the rate control MAC CE including an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for the first QoS flow; determining, by the UE, a value of a number of steps and / or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE; and determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of the second QoS flows based on the determined value.

[0020] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform a method including: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, the rate control MAC CE, the rate control MAC CE including an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for the first QoS flow; determining, by the UE, a value of a number of steps and / or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE; and determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of the second QoS flows based on the determined value.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example embodiment of wireless networking between a network system and a user equipment (UE), according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram of example components of a network system, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a single rate control MAC CE, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a single rate control MAC CE, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a single rate control MAC CE, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0027] FIGS. 6A-6C are diagrams of an example embodiment of signals and operations among a UE and a source wireless station or source node (e.g., network node (such as gNodeB (gNB))), according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating processing steps at a UE, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure; and

[0029] FIG. 8 is a diagram of an example block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., network node (such as gNodeB (gNB)), user node or UE, relay node, or other node), according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed aspects. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that aspects may be practiced without one or more of these specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with transmitters, receivers, or transceivers have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the aspects.

[0031] Reference throughout this specification to “one aspect” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one aspect” or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

[0032] Embodiments described in the present disclosure may be implemented in wireless networking apparatuses, such as, without limitation, apparatuses utilizing Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM, 2G), GSM EDGE radio access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GRPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 3G) based on basic wideband-code division multiple access (W-CDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LIE- Advanced, enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G New Radio (5G NR), 5G Advance, 6G (andbeyond) and 802.1 lax (Wi-Fi 6), among other wireless networking systems. The term ‘eLTE’ here denotes the LTE evolution that connects to a 5G core. LTE is also known as evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access (EUTRA) or as evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN).

[0033] The present disclosure may use the term “serving network device” to refer to a network node or network device (or a portion thereof) that services a UE. As used herein, the terms “transmit to,” “receive from,” and “cooperate with,” (and their variations) include communications that may or may not involve communications through one or more intermediate devices or nodes. The term “acquire” (and its variations) includes acquiring in the first instance or reacquiring after the first instance. The term “connection” may mean a physical connection or a logical connection.

[0034] The present disclosure uses 5G NR as an example of a wireless network and may use smartphones and / or extended reality headsets as an example of user equipment (UEs). It is intended and shall be understood that such examples are merely illustrative, and the present disclosure is applicable to other wireless networks and user equipment.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting an example of wireless networking between a network system 100 and a user equipment (UE) 150. The network system 100 may include one or more network nodes 120, one or more servers 110, and / or one or more network equipment 130 (e.g., test equipment). The network nodes 120 will be described in more detail below. As used herein, the term “network apparatus” may refer to any component of the network system 100, such as the server 110, the network node 120, the network equipment 130, any component(s) of the foregoing, and / or any other component(s) of the network system 100. Examples of network apparatuses include, without limitation, apparatuses implementing aspects of 5G NR, among others. The present disclosure describes embodiments related to 5GNR and embodiments that involve aspects defined by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). However, it is contemplated that embodiments relating to other wireless networking technologies are encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0036] The following description provides further details of examples of network nodes. In a 5G NR network, a gNodeB (also known as gNB) may include, e.g., a node that provides new radio (NR) user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE and that is connected via a NG interface to the 5G core (5GC), e.g., according to 3GPP TS 38.300 V16.6.0 (2021-06) section 3.2, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0037] A gNB supports various protocol layers, e.g., Layer 1 (LI) - physical layer, Layer 2 (L2), and Layer 3 (L3).

[0038] The layer 2 (L2) of NR is split into the following sublayers: Media Access Control (MAC), Radio Link Control (RLC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) and Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), where, e.g.:o The physical layer offers to the MAC sublayer transport channels;o The MAC sublayer offers to the RLC sublayer logical channels;o The RLC sublayer offers to the PDCP sublayer RLC channels;o The PDCP sublayer offers to the SDAP sublayer radio bearers;o The SDAP sublayer offers to 5GC quality of service (QoS) flows;o Control channels include broadcast control channel (BCCH) and physical control channel (PCCH).

[0039] Layer 3 (L3) includes, e.g., radio resource control (RRC), e.g., according to 3GPP TS 38.300 V16.6.0 (2021-06) section 6, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0040] A gNB central unit (gNB-CU) includes, e.g., a logical node hosting, e.g., radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocols of the gNB or RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB, that controls the operation of one or more gNB distributed units (gNB-DUs). The gNB-CU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-DU. A gNB-CU may also be referred to herein as a CU, a central unit, a centralized unit, or a control unit.

[0041] A gNB Distributed Unit (gNB-DU) includes, e.g., a logical node hosting, e.g., radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layers of the gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is partly controlled by the gNB-CU. One gNB-DU supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-CU. A gNB-DU may also be referred to herein as DU or a distributed unit.

[0042] As used herein, the term “network node” may refer to any of a gNB, a gNB-CU, or a gNB-DU, or any combination of them. A RAN (radio access network) node or network node such as, e.g., a gNB, gNB-CU, or gNB-DU, or parts thereof, may be implemented using, e.g., an apparatus with at least one processor and / or at least one memory with processor-readable instructions (“program”) configured to support and / or provision and / or process CU and / or DUrelated functionality and / or features, and / or at least one protocol (sub-)layer of a RAN (radio access network), e.g., layer 2 and / or layer 3. Different functional splits between the central and distributed units are possible. An example of such an apparatus and components will be described in connection with FIG. 8 below.

[0043] The gNB-CU and gNB-DU parts may, e.g., be co-located or physically separated. The gNB-DU may even be split further, e.g., into two parts, e.g., one including processing equipment and one including an antenna. A central unit (CU) may also be called baseband unit / radio equipment controller / cloud-RAN / virtual-RAN (BBU / REC / C-RAN / V-RAN), open-RAN (O-RAN), or part thereof. A distributed unit (DU) may also be called remote radio head / remote radio unit / radio equipment / radio unit (RRH / RRU / RE / RU), or part thereof. Hereinafter, in various example embodiments of the present disclosure, a network node, which supports at least one of central unit functionality or a layer 3 protocol of a radio access network, may be, e.g., a gNB-CU. Similarly, a network node, which supports at least one of distributed unit functionality or a layer 2 protocol of the radio access network, may be, e.g., a gNB-DU.

[0044] A gNB-CU may support one or multiple gNB-DUs. A gNB-DU may support one or multiple cells and, thus, could support a serving cell for a user equipment (UE) or support a candidate cell for handover, dual connectivity, and / or carrier aggregation, among other procedures.

[0045] The user equipment (UE) 150 may be or include a wireless or mobile device, an apparatus with a radio interface to interact with a RAN (radio access network), a smartphone, an in-vehicle apparatus, an loT device, or a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, among other types of user equipment. Such UE 150 may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory including program code; where the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform certain operations, such as, e.g., RRC connection to the RAN. An example of components of a UE will be described in connection with FIG. 5. In embodiments, the UE 150 may be configured to generate a message (e.g., including a cell ID) to be transmitted via radio towards a RAN (e.g., to reach and communicate with a serving cell). In embodiments, the UE 150 may generate and transmit and receive RRC messages containing one or more RRC PDUs (packet data units). Persons skilled in the art will understand RRC protocol as well as other procedures a UE may perform.

[0046] With continuing reference to FIG. 1, in the example of a 5G NR network, the network system 100 provides one or more cells, which define a coverage area of the network system 100.As described above, the network system 100 may include a gNB of a 5G NR network or may include any other apparatus configured to control radio communication and manage radio resources within a cell. As used herein, the term “resource” may refer to radio resources, such as a resource block (RB), a physical resource block (PRB), a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a sub-band, a frequency region, a sub-carrier, a beam, etc. In embodiments, the network node 120 may be called a base station.

[0047] FIG. 1 provides an example and is merely illustrative of a network system 100 and a UE 150. Persons skilled in the art will understand that the network system 100 includes components not illustrated in FIG. 1 and will understand that other user equipment may be in communication with the network system 100.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of example components of the network system 100 of FIG.1. A 5G NR network may be described as an example of the network system 100, and it is intended that aspects of the following description shall be applicable to other types of network systems, as well. The network system may operate in accordance with the signals and connections shown in FIG. 1 such that the UE 150 is in communication with the network system 100 through the radio access network 225. Additionally, the network system may be divided into user plane components and functions and control plane components and functions, as shown and described herein. Unless indicated otherwise, the terms “component,” “function,” and “service” may be used interchangeably herein, and they may refer to and be implemented by instructions executed by one or more processors.

[0049] Example functions of the components are described below. The example functions are merely illustrative, and it shall be understood that additional operations and functions may be performed by the components described herein. Additionally, the connections between components may be virtual connections over service-based interfaces such that any component may communicate with any other component. In this manner, any component may act as a service “producer,” for any other component that is a service “consumer,” to provide services for network functions.

[0050] For example, a core network 210 is described in the control plane of the network system. The core network 210 may include an authentication server function (AUSF) 211, an access and mobility function (AMF) 212, and a session management function (SMF) 213. The core network 210 may also include a network slice selection function (NSSF) 214, a networkexposure function (NEF) 215, a network repository function (NRF) 216, and a unified data management function (UDM) 217, which may include a uniform data repository (UDR) 224.

[0051] Additional components and functions of the core network 210 may include an application function 218, policy control function (PCF) 219, network data analytics function (NWDAF) 220, analytics data repository function (ADRF) 221, management data analytics function (MDAF) 222, and operations and management function (0AM) 223.

[0052] The user plane includes the UE 150, a radio access network (RAN) 225, a user plane function (UPF) 226, and a data network (DN) 227. The RAN 225 may include one or more components described in connection with FIG. 1, such as one or more network nodes. However, the RAN 225 may not be limited to such components. The UPF 226 provides connection for data being transmitted over the RAN 225. The DN 226 identifies services from service providers, Internet access, and third-party services, for example.

[0053] The AMF 212 processes connection and mobility tasks. The AUSF 211 receives authentication requests from the AMF 212 and interacts with UDM 217 to authenticate and validate network responses to determine successful authentication. The SMF 213 conducts packet data unit (PDU) session management and manages session context with the UPF 226.

[0054] The NSSF 214 may select a network slicing instance (NSI) and determine the allowed network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI). This selection and determination are utilized to set the AMF 212 to provide service to the UE 150. The NEF 215 secures access to network services for third parties to create specialized network services. The NRF 216 acts as a repository to store network functions to allow the functions to register with and discover each other.

[0055] The UDM 217 generates authentication vectors for use by the AUSF 211 and ADM 212 and provides user identification handling. The UDM 217 may be connected to the UDR 224 which stores data associated with authentication, applications, or the like. The AF 218 provides application services to a user (e.g., streaming services, etc.). The PCF 219 provides policy control functionality. For example, the PCF 219 may assist in network slicing and mobility management, as well as provide quality of service (QoS) and charging functionality.

[0056] The NWDAF 220 collects data (e.g., from the UE 150 and the network system) to perform network analytics and provide insight to functions that utilize the analytics in the providing of services. The ADRF 221 allows the storage, retrieval, and removal of data andanalytics by consumers. The MDAF 222 provides additional data analytics services for network functions. The OAM 223 provides provisioning and management processing functions to manage elements in or connected to the network (e.g., UE 150, network nodes, etc.).

[0057] FIG. 2 is merely an example of components of a network system, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the network system may include other components not illustrated in FIG. 2. In embodiments, the network system may not include every component illustrated in FIG. 2. In embodiments, the components and connections may be implemented with different connections than those illustrated in FIG. 2. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, diagrams illustrating a single rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) are shown. When there is congestion in the network node, it may not be sufficient and / or efficient to only adapt a bit rate of a single quality of service (QoS) flow to alleviate the congestion situation, especially when there may be multiple QoS flows offering adaptive codecs. Moreover, current solutions for adapting multiple QoS flows (e.g., multiple rate control MAC CEs or multiple rate control signaling methods) require additional MAC CE overhead to adapt each flow individually and / or lack exploitation of underlying interdependencies of multimodal flows of the same application. In order to enhance the alleviation of the congestion, bit rates for multiple QoS flows can be adapted. The single rate control MAC CE of FIG. 3 is an efficient solution to alleviating congestion for multimodal applications, which may have multiple QoS flows with interdependency on each other for the overall quality of experience (QoE) of an end user. As used herein, “congestion” may refer to a situation where network resources, such as bandwidth, processing power, and / or transmission capacity, become overloaded due to high demand, resulting in degraded performance and / or QoE. Congestion can occur in various parts of the network.

[0059] For example, a single rate control MAC CE may include a rate control MAC CE that takes into account prior knowledge about the interdependency of different quality of service (QoS) flows of the same application, rather than treating the different QoS flows in an independent manner. Specifically, with the help of the QoS flow group and / or dependency information (e.g., a multi-modal service identifier (MMSID)), which is used to indicate that the rate control MAC CE is applicable to a plurality of QoS flows with the same QoS flow group ID, different solutions based on implicit and explicit indication of rate control via MAC CE may be implemented thatexploit the underlying interdependency of multimodal flows of the same application. In aspects, one or multiple bit rate values in one rate control MAC CE are applied to multiple QoS flows, which leads to reduced signaling overhead.

[0060] With further reference to FIG. 3, a single rate control MAC CE may be applicable for a plurality of QoS flows offering adaptive codec using implicit rate control. For example, a single rate control MAC CE (e.g., a MAC CE typically used for a single QoS flow and / or without the explicit indication of a QoS flow) is sent by the network node to the UE. The UE, based on preconfigured rules and / or implementations, uses the single rate control MAC CE (e.g., an indication) and derives the rate control values, for example, as an updated recommended bit rate (RBR), for a plurality of QoS flows and / or for the QoS flows which are linked via the same identifier, such as the same MMSID and / or QoS flow group ID or logic channel group(LCG) (e.g., similar to the currently specified “Recommended Bit Rate” MAC CE, which indicates the recommended bit rate for one QoS flow).

[0061] There can be multiple QoS flows active in a UE, with a subset of QoS flows belonging to a multi-modal application. In the event of changes in network node conditions and / or congestion, the network node may want to adapt the bit rate of a plurality of QoS flows belonging to the same multi-modal application. For that purpose, certain rules and / or implementation criteria can be defined for the UE, where the UE, based on the indicated bit rate for a particular LCH / QoS flow, can drive the amount by which the bit rate of all other QoS flows should be changed. This can be achieved in different ways depending upon the configuration provided via the activation MAC CE by the network node.

[0062] For example, the UE, based on the RBR for a specific logical channel (LCH) and / or QoS flow from a rate control MAC CE, (e.g., an RBR MAC CE) can determine a bit rate change based on a number of steps (S) in a bit rate table for a type of QoS flow indicated by the network node. The UE can then use the same number of steps for changing the bit rate of all other QoS flows for which the rate control MAC CE is applicable. In another example, the UE, based on the RBR for a specific logical channel (LCH) and / or QoS flow in a rate control MAC CE, can calculate a ratio (X) by which the bit rate of an LCH and / or QoS flow has changed. The UE can then use the same ratio for all other QoS flows on which the rate control MAC CE is applicable, such as when the bit rate of an LCH and / or QoS flow is halved based on the RBR in a rate control MACCE (e.g., where X=0.5) and the UE can use the same ratio and halve the bit rate of all other QoS flows on which the MAC CE is applicable.

[0063] Generally, if a QoS flow does not offer an adaptive bit rate, a rate control MAC CE is not applied to that QoS flow.

[0064] Multiple signaling designs may be implemented to implicitly achieve the rate control for a plurality of QoS flows based on a single MAC CE. In aspects, the network node may transmit a MAC CE (e.g., the legacy MAC CE meant for a single LCH and / or QoS flow) to the UE and / or use the MAC CE for rate control of a plurality of QoS flows offering an adaptive bit rate. For example, the UE, upon receiving a rate control MAC CE for a specific LCH and / or QoS flow, determines a number of steps (S) and / or a ratio of a bit rate change (X) by which the bit rate of the indicated LCH and / or QoS flow is changed. The UE then uses the S or X for implicitly changing a bit rate of the remaining QoS flows.

[0065] In aspects, the network node can replace the logical channel ID (LCID) field of the MAC CE. As used herein, the LCID is a field indicating the identity of the logical channel for which the recommended bit rate and / or the recommended bit rate query is applicable. The length of the LCID is generally 6 bits. In aspects, the network node will replace the LCID with an MMSID (e.g., to limit the application of a rate control MAC CE to only the QoS flow of a multi-modal service), and the bit rate field can be replaced by a number of steps (S) and / or a ratio of a bit rate change (X) by which the bit rate of the QoS flows should be changed. This can result in a singlebyte MAC CE, which can be used for the rate control of multiple inter-linked QoS flows. For example, the LCID field may be replaced with a four-bit MMSID field. The MMSID field can be used by the UE to identify and / or apply rate control to a plurality of QoS flows belonging to the same multi-modal service. The number of steps (S) and / or ratio of a bit rate change (X) may be represented by a three-bit field, which can offer different degrees of rate control. For example, using three bits for X, 8 different bit rate change values can be indicated: 000=0.25; 001=0.5; 010=0.75; 011=1.25; 100=1.5; 101=1.75; 110=2; and 111=2.25. In another example, using three bits for S, one bit (U / D) is used for indicating whether the bit rate change is in the direction of increasing the bit rate (U) or decreasing the bit rate (D), and the remaining two bits are used to indicate four different scaling values (e.g., 2, 3, 4, or 5). In aspects, the U / D may use two bits. The uplink (UL) / downlink (DL) field may be represented by one bit that indicates whether the rate control is meant for the UL or the DL direction. For example, 1 indicates uplink and 0 indicatesdownlink. In aspects, the option to use a number of steps (S) or a ratio of a bit rate change (X) can be flexibly configured and activated, for example, by the activation MAC CE.

[0066] A single rate MAC CE may be applicable for a 1-1 mapping of QoS flows (e.g., a 1-1 QoS flow to data radio bearer (DRB) mapping) and / or an M-l mapping of QoS flows (e.g., an M-1 QoS flow to DRB mapping) using explicit rate control. Using the single rate MAC CE, QoS flows can be explicitly identified for application of rate control in the MAC CE via relative QoS flow identifiers (QFIs) and / or using absolute values of the QFI (e.g., assuming QoS flow level rate control), and the recommended bit rate information (e.g., RBR) for each individual QoS flow can be provided. In either mapping scenario, a rate control MAC CE may include an explicit reference to a relative QoS flow ID (QFID) for a multi-modal service, based on an MMSID and / or an absolute value of the QoS flow ID. For example, in a 1-1 QoS flow to DRB mapping, a single rate control MAC CE contains explicit references to the QoS flow (e.g., as shown by dotted arrows) of a multi-modal service on which it is to be applied (FIG. 4). In another example, in an M-l QoS flow to DRB mapping, two QoS flows (e.g., QoS Flow#l and QoS Flow#2) of a multi-modal service are mapped to a single DRB (DRB- A) (FIG. 5), and with an explicit rate control MAC CE using absolute values of QoS flow IDs, a single rate control MAC CE can be used for rate control of multiple QoS flows including the QoS flow which does not belong to the multi-modal service.

[0067] Multiple signaling designs may be implemented to achieve explicit rate control. In aspects, a MAC CE may be used for rate control of a multi-modal service by using an MMSID and / or relative QFIs. For example, a two-byte MAC CE can be used for rate control of up to 8 QoS flows (e.g., via a bit map of size 8) of a multi-modal service identified by the four-bit MMSID. Each bit in the bit map maps against a relative QoS flow ID such that the first QoS flow of the multi-modal service is mapped to the first bit (LSB) of the bit map, and so on. Using the bit map, rate control can be applied and / or not applied to each QoS flow. For bit rate value change, a number of steps (S) or a ratio of a bit rate change (X) can be used. In aspects, a MAC CE may be used for rate control of a multi-modal service (e.g., all or any set, such as a plurality of QoS flows of a UE) by using an absolute value of the QFIs. For example, a 1-byte MAC CE can be used for each QoS flow, such that the first 4 bits are used to indicate the absolute value of the QoS flow ID (QFI), offering rate control for up to 16 QoS flows. The next 3 bits can be used for the value of the bit rate change via a number of steps (S) or a ratio of a bit rate change (X). This MAC CE can be used for rate control of any one of the QoS flows, irrespective of belonging to a multi-modal service ornot. In aspects, the new rate control MAC CEs are assigned with new LCID values, which are different from the recommended bit rate MAC CEs, e.g., new LCID values ranging between 35-46, which are currently reserved for further use.

[0068] FIG. 6A is a diagram of an example embodiment of signals and operations among a UE, and a network node according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. In various embodiments, FIG. 6A shows example methods of signaling flow for implicit rate control, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. In various embodiments, the components depicted in FIG. 6A may correspond to similar components described above in FIG. 1 and 2. It will be understood that a described signal may have associated operations, and a described operation may have associated signals.

[0069] At operation 601, the network node transmits, to the UE, a message over RRC connection reconfigurations (e.g., a “RRCReonfiguration” procedure), and the UE is in connected mode. The UE receives, from the network node, the message over RRC connection reconfigurations.

[0070] At operation 602, an application function (AF) via the core network (CN) and / or the UE via a user equipment application identifier (UAI) transmits, to the network node, an MMSID. The network node receives, from the AF via the CN and / or the UE via the UAI, the MMSID.

[0071] At operation 603, the network node detects a change of situation related to congestion, such as a change in UL congestion (e.g., a presence, absence, increase, or decrease in congestion).

[0072] Operations 604-606 illustrate a first option for implicit rate control.

[0073] At operation 604, the network node transmits, to the UE, an activation MAC CE. The UE receives, from the network node, the activation MAC CE. The activation MAC CE includes an indication for the UE to use a rate control MAC CE to obtain recommended bit rate control for all the remaining active QoS flows offering adaptive codec (e.g., adaptive bit rate).

[0074] At operation 605, the network node transmits, to the UE, a rate control MAC CE (e.g., a legacy recommended bit rate (RBR) MAC CE) for a specific LCH and / or QoS flow. The UE receives, from the network node, the legacy RBR MAC CE for the specific LCH and / or QoS flow. The rate control MAC CE indicates a specific bit rate value.

[0075] At operation 606, the UE determines / and or applies, based on operation 604, the rate control logic (e.g., either the number of steps or the ratio of the change of bit rate) and uses the same for rate control of all remaining the QoS flows offering adaptive bit rate.

[0076] Operations 607-609 refer to a second option for implicit rate control.

[0077] At operation 607, the network node transmits, to the UE, an activation MAC CE. The UE receives, from the network node, the activation MAC CE. The activation MAC CE includes an indication for the UE to use a rate control MAC CE for all the QoS flows of a multi-modal service linked by the MMSID and then using either the number of steps (e.g., S, or a number of steps in a bit rate table) or the ratio (e.g., X) of the change of a bit rate indicated in the MAC CE.

[0078] At operation 608, the network node transmits, to the UE, the rate control MAC CE with a 4-bit MMSID instead of a 6-bit LCID. The UE receives, from the network node, the rate control MAC CE with the 4-bit MMSID. Depending upon operation 607, either the number of steps (S) or the ratio (X) by which the bit rate of the QoS flows of a multi-modal service needs to be changed.

[0079] At operation 609, the UE determines and / or applies, based on operations 607-608 (e.g., based on the MMSID), the rate control logic (e.g., either the number of steps or the ratio of the change of bit rate) for rate control of all QoS flows linked via the MMSID.

[0080] The operations of FIG. 6A are merely examples, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the operations may include others not illustrated in FIG. 6A. In embodiments, the operations may not include every operation illustrated in FIG. 6A. In embodiments, the operations may be implemented in a different order than that illustrated in FIG. 6A. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0081] The following describes operations from the perspective of a UE. From such a perspective, a method may include: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, the rate control MAC CE further including an identifier (e.g., FIG. 6A, operation 605); determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, N being a positive integer (e.g., FIG. 6A, operation 606); and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value (e.g., FIG. 6A, operation 606).

[0082] The following describes operations from the perspective of a network node. From such a perspective, a method may include: transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a ratecontrol medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises an identifier for at least one quality of service (QoS) flow of a plurality of QoS flows (e.g., FIG. 6A, operation 605); and causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer (e.g., FIG. 6A, operation 606).

[0083] The following describes operations from the perspective of a UE. From such a perspective, a method may include: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating at least one of a number of steps or a ratio (e.g., FIG. 6A, operation 608); determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio, wherein N is a positive integer (e.g., FIG. 6A, operation 609); and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio (e.g., FIG. 6A, operation 609).

[0084] The following describes operations from the perspective of a network node. From such a perspective, a method may include: transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating at least one of a number of steps or a ratio (e.g., FIG. 6A, operation 608); and causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio, wherein N is a positive integer (e.g., FIG. 6A, operation 609).

[0085] FIG. 6B is a diagram of an example embodiment of signals and operations among a UE, and a network node according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. In various embodiments, FIG. 6B shows example methods of signaling flow for explicit rate control, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. In various embodiments, the components depicted in FIG. 6B may correspond to similar components described above in FIG. 1 and 2.It will be understood that a described signal may have associated operations, and a described operation may have associated signals.

[0086] Operations 610-612 refer to a first option for explicit rate control.

[0087] At operation 610, the network node transmits, to the UE, an activation MAC CE. The UE receives, from the network node, the activation MAC CE. The activation MAC CE includes an indication for the UE to apply a rate control MAC CE according to a QoS flow bit map, with the bit map for relative IDs of QoS flows and a same value of steps (S) or a ratio (X) for bit rate change.

[0088] At operation 611, the network node transmits, to the UE, a rate control MAC CE with an MMSID and a bit map indicating which QoS flows of a multi-modal service the rate control is to be applied to and a number of steps (S) or a ratio (X). The UE receives, from the network node, the MAC CE with the MMSID and the bit map indicating which QoS flows of the multi-modal service the rate control is to be applied to.

[0089] At operation 612, the UE, upon receiving the rate control MAC CE, determines and / or applies the enhanced MAC CE (e.g., number of steps (S) and / or the ratio (X)) for bit rate control to adapt the bit rate of QoS flows according to the bit map.

[0090] Operations 613-614 refer to a second option for explicit rate control.

[0091] At operation 613, the network node transmits, to the UE, an activation MAC CE The UE receives, from the network node, the activation MAC CE. The activation MAC CE indicates for the UE the use of the rate control MAC CE with an absolute value of the QoS flow ID for each QoS flow and the associated value of a number of steps (S) and / or a ratio (X) of bit rate change.

[0092] At operation 614, the network node transmits, to the UE, a MAC CE with a QFI of each QoS flow for which rate control is to be applied and a specific bit rate value of the number of steps (S) and / or the ratio (X) for bit rate change based on operation 613. The UE receives, from the network node, the MAC CE with QFI of each QoS flow for which rate control is to be applied and the specific bit rate value of the number of steps (S) and / or the ratio (X) for bit rate change based on operation 613.

[0093] At operation 615, the UE, upon receiving the rate control MAC CE, determines and / or applies the enhanced MAC for rate control (e.g., QFI and the number of steps (S) and / or the ratio (X)) for bit rate control of each QoS flow explicitly.

[0094] In various embodiments, a plurality of QoS flows includes a first QoS flow and second QoS flows (e.g., N is a positive integer). When the UE determines an RBR, no determination may be made for the first QoS flow, as the bit rate in the received MAC CE is meant for the first QoS flow. Thus, the UE determines the RBR for the second QoS flows instead. As used herein, the “determining” may include both receiving and using a value.

[0095] In various embodiments, the activation MAC CE is configured to activate rules, based on which, the RBR in the rate control MAC CE is used to determine the RBR of all other QoS flows and / or indicated QoS flows. In various embodiments, the rate control MAC CE, which may typically be meant for one of the QoS flows, is then used based on the activated rules to determine the bitrates of all other QoS flows.

[0096] The operations of FIG. 6B are merely examples, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the operations may include others not illustrated in FIG. 6B. In embodiments, the operations may not include every operation illustrated in FIG. 6B. In embodiments, the operations may be implemented in a different order than that illustrated in FIG. 6B. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0097] The following describes operations from the perspective of a UE. From such a perspective, a method may include: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map (e.g., FIG. 6B, operation 611); determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer (e.g., FIG. 6B, operation 612); and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flow based on the corresponding rules (e.g., FIG.6B, operation 612).

[0098] The following describes operations from the perspective of a network node. From such a perspective, a method may include: transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a qualityof service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map (e.g., FIG. 6B, operation 611); and causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of second QoS flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer (e.g., FIG. 6B, operation 612).

[0099] FIG. 6C is a diagram of an example embodiment of signals and operations among a UE, and a network node according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. In various embodiments, FIG. 6C shows example methods of signaling flow for rate control, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. In various embodiments, the components depicted in FIG. 6C may correspond to similar components described above in FIG. 1 and 2. It will be understood that a described signal may have associated operations, and a described operation may have associated signals.

[0100] At operation 616, the network node transmits, to the UE, an activation MAC CE. The UE receives, from the network node, the activation MAC. For example, the UE may receive an activation MAC CE including an indication of a plurality of QoS flows to which a rate control MAC CE applies and the plurality of QoS flows may include a first QoS flow and second QoS flows, and N is a positive integer.

[0101] At operation 617, the network node transmits, to the UE, a rate control MAC CE. The UE receives, from the network node, the rate control MAC CE. For example, the UE may receive a rate control MAC CE including an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for the first QoS flow.

[0102] At operation 618, the UE may determine a number of steps or a bit rate ratio. For example, the UE may determine a value of at least one of a number of steps or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE.

[0103] At operation 619, the UE determines and / or applies the rate control logic. For example, the UE may determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of the second QoS flows based on the determined value of operation 618.

[0104] The operations of FIG. 6C are merely examples, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the operations may include others not illustrated in FIG. 6C. In embodiments, the operations may not include every operation illustrated in FIG. 6C. In embodiments, the operations may be implemented in a different order than thatillustrated in FIG. 6C. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0105] The following describes operations from the perspective of a UE. From such a perspective, a method may include: receiving, by a user equipment (UE) from a network apparatus, an activation medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a plurality of quality of service (QoS) flows to which a rate control MAC CE applies, the plurality of QoS flows including a first QoS flow and second QoS flows, wherein N is positive integer (e.g., FIG.6C, operation 616); receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control MAC CE, wherein the rate control MAC CE comprises an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for a first QoS flow (e.g., FIG. 6C, operation 617); determining, by the UE, a value of at least one of a number of steps or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE (e.g., FIG. 6C, operation 618); and determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of the second QoS flows based on the determined value (e.g., FIG. 6C, operation 619).

[0106] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating processing steps at a UE, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. Once a UE receives an RBR MAC CE for a specific QoS flow, based on the activation command, the UE may need to determine either a number of steps and / or difference of the index (S) or a ratio (X) of a change of bit rate. There are different steps followed by the UE for determining S and X.

[0107] At operation 701a, the network node transmits, to the UE, an activation MAC CE. The UE receives, from the network node, the activation MAC CE. For example, the UE receives an activation MAC CE that includes an indication of a plurality of QoS flows to which an RBR MAC CE applies (e.g., a first QoS flow and second QoS flows). In aspects, receiving the activation MAC CE is optional.

[0108] At operation 701b, the network node transmits, to the UE, an RBR MAC CE (e.g., a rate control MAC CE) with a new bit rate value (e.g., “index_new”). The UE receives, from the network node, the RBR MAC CE (e.g., a rate control MAC CE) with the new bit rate index. For example, the UE receives an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for the first QoS flow, such as a new value of the bit rate index for a specific QoS flow. Based on the new value, the UE determines a new bit rate value (e.g., “bit rate_new”) for a specific QoS flow. In aspects, UE has a fixed bit rate table, which is predefined with indices mapping tobit rate values. For example, the UE has prior knowledge of an index (e.g., an “index current”) of the currently applicable bit rate from the bit rate table and a currently applicable bit rate (e.g., “bit rate_current”).

[0109] At operation 702, the UE determines whether a number of steps (“S”) and / or a bit rate ratio (“X”) is configured. If S is configured, operations 703S and 704S are performed. If X is configured, operations 703X and 704X are performed.

[0110] In aspects, it is not necessary to specify “S” or “X”. For example, after receiving the updated RBR for one QoS flow, DRB, and / or LCH, the UE can calculate the changing steps or ratio which can be applied to other QoS flow(s), DRB(s), and / or LCH(s) of the same group (e.g. with the same MMSID).

[0111] In aspects, SiP-based UE implementation can be detected by monitoring the activation MAC CE and bit rate change of each of the QoS flows. Then, if an RBR MAC CE for a single QoS flow is received and the bit rate of all the QoS flows offering adaptive codecs is changed accordingly, that would indicate potential detection of the implementation method. The infringement detection follows by comparing the level of change in each of the QoS flows either in number of steps (“S”), or in terms of bit rate ratio (“X”), with that of the monitored RBR MAC CE.

[0112] Operations 703S-704S are related to S, e.g., the number of steps.

[0113] At operation 703 S, the UE determines S by subtracting the new bit rate index from the current bit rate index (e.g., “S = index current - index new” based on the rate control MAC CE).

[0114] At operation 704S, the UE determines a recommended bit rate (RBR) by a movement in steps based on S. If the value of S is positive, (e.g., new index is lower), the UE moves S steps up in the bit rate table and chooses a lower bit rate value, accordingly. If the value of S is negative (e.g., a new index is higher), the UE moves down in the bit rate table to choose a higher bit rate value. The UE uses S to adapt the bit rate of all QoS flows.

[0115] Operations 703X and 704 relate to X, e.g., the ratio of bit rate change.

[0116] At operation 703X, the UE determines X by dividing the new bit rate by the current bit rate value (e.g., “X= bit rate_new / bit rate current’ ’ based on the rate control MAC CE).

[0117] At operation 704, the UE determines a recommended bit rate (RBR) based on X, by multiplying X with the current bit rate of the QoS flows to adapts the bit rate of all QoS flows.

[0118] The operations of FIG. 7 are merely examples, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the operations may include others not illustrated in FIG. 7. In embodiments, the operations may not include every operation illustrated in FIG. 7. In embodiments, the operations may be implemented in a different order than that illustrated in FIG. 7. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0119] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., UE, user device, AP, BS, eNB, gNB, RAN node, network node, TRP, or other node) 800, according to one illustrated aspect of the present disclosure. The wireless station 1200 may include, for example, one or more (e.g., two as shown in FIG. 8) RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 802A, 802B, where each wireless transceiver includes a transmitter to transmit signals and a receiver to receive signals. The wireless station also includes a processor or control unit / entity (controller) 804 to execute instructions or software and control transmission and receptions of signals, and a memory 1206 to store data and / or instructions.

[0120] Processor 804 may also make decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and other tasks or functions described herein. Processor 804, which may be a baseband processor, for example, may generate messages, packets, frames, or other signals for transmission via wireless transceiver 802 (802A or 802B). Processor 804 may control transmission of signals or messages over a wireless network and may control the reception of signals or messages, etc., via a wireless network (e.g., after being down-converted by wireless transceiver 802, for example). Processor 804 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in memory or on other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. Processor 804 may be (or may include), for example, hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor that executes software or firmware, and / or any combination of these. Using other terminology, processor 804 and transceiver 802 together may be considered as a wireless transmitter / receiver system, for example.

[0121] In addition, referring to FIG. 8, a controller (or processor) 1208 may execute software and instructions, and may provide overall control for the station 800, and may provide control for other systems not shown in FIG. 8, such as controlling input / output devices (e.g., display, keypad),and / or may execute software for one or more applications that may be provided on wireless station 800, such as, for example, an email program, audio / video applications, a word processor, a Voice over IP application, or other application or software.

[0122] In addition, a storage medium may be provided that includes stored instructions, which when executed by a controller or processor may result in the processor 804, or other controller or processor, performing one or more of the functions or tasks described above.

[0123] According to another example embodiment, RF or wireless transceiver(s) 802A / 802B may receive signals or data and / or transmit or send signals or data. Processor 804 (and possibly transceivers 802A / 1202B) may control the RF or wireless transceiver 802A or 802B to receive, send, broadcast or transmit signals or data.

[0124] Example embodiments are provided or described for each of the example methods, including: An apparatus (e.g., 800, FIG. 8) including means (e.g., processor 804, RF transceivers 802A and / or 802B, and / or memory 806, in FIG. 8) for carrying out any of the methods; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory 806, FIG. 8) comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor (processor 804, FIG. 8), are configured to cause a computing system (e.g., 800, FIG. 8) to perform any of the example methods; and an apparatus (e.g., 800, FIG. 8) including at least one processor (e.g., processor 804, FIG. 8), and at least one memory (e.g., memory 806, FIG. 8) including computer program code, the at least one memory (806) and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor (804), cause the apparatus (e.g., 800) at least to perform any of the example methods.

[0125] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a user equipment (UE) includes: at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, the rate control MAC CE further including an identifier; determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, N being a positive integer; and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0126] In an aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the UE at least to perform: receiving, by the UE from a network apparatus, an activation MAC CE including an indication of a plurality of QoS flows to which the rate control MAC CE applies.

[0127] In an aspect, the plurality of QoS flows may include a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0128] In an aspect, the activation MAC CE may be configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0129] In an aspect, applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow may include applying the determined RBR to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate.

[0130] In an aspect, the identifier may include a logical channel identifier (LCID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows.

[0131] In an aspect, the bit rate value may be indicated by a number of steps based on a bit rate table.

[0132] In an aspect, the UE may determine the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0133] In an aspect, the bit rate value may be indicated by a ratio of a bit rate change based on a bit rate table.

[0134] In an aspect, the UE may determine the RBR based on the ratio of the bit rate change.

[0135] In an aspect, the rate control MAC CE may include a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0136] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a method includes: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, the rate control MAC CE further including an identifier; determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, N being a positive integer; and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0137] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a userequipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform a method including: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, the rate control MAC CE further including an identifier; determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, N being a positive integer; and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0138] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a network apparatus includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network apparatus at least to perform: transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, the rate control MAC CE further including an identifier for at least one quality of service (QoS) flow of a plurality of QoS flows; and causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, N being a positive integer.

[0139] In an aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the network apparatus at least to perform: transmitting, by the network apparatus to a user equipment (UE), a activation MAC CE including an indication of a plurality of QoS flows to which the rate control MAC CE applies.

[0140] In an aspect, the plurality of QoS flows may include a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0141] In an aspect, the activation MAC CE may be configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0142] In an aspect, the identifier may include a logical channel identifier (LCID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows.

[0143] In an aspect, the bit rate value may be indicated by a number of steps based on a bit rate table.

[0144] In an aspect, the UE may determine the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0145] In an aspect, the bit rate value may be indicated by a ratio of a bit rate change based on a bit rate table.

[0146] In an aspect, the UE may determine the RBR based on the ratio of the bit rate change.

[0147] In an aspect, the rate control MAC CE may include a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0148] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a method includes: transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, the rate control MAC CE further including an identifier for at least one quality of service (QoS) flow of a plurality of QoS flows; and causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, N being a positive integer.

[0149] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a network apparatus, cause the network apparatus at least to perform a method including: transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, the rate control MAC CE further including an identifier for at least one quality of service (QoS) flow of a plurality of QoS flows; and causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, N being a positive integer.

[0150] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a user equipment (UE) includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a number of steps and / or a ratio; determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the number of steps and / or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the number of steps and / or the ratio, N being a positive integer; and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the number of steps and / or the ratio.

[0151] In an aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the UE at least to perform: receiving, by the UE from a network apparatus, an activation MAC CE including an indication of a plurality of QoS flows.

[0152] In an aspect, the plurality of QoS flows may include a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0153] In an aspect, the activation MAC CE may be configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the number of steps and / or the ratio.

[0154] In an aspect, applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow may include applying the determined RBR to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate.

[0155] In an aspect, the rate control MAC CE may further include a multi-modal service identifier (MMSID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows.

[0156] In an aspect, the number of steps may be based on a bit rate table.

[0157] In an aspect, the UE may determine the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0158] In an aspect, the UE may determine the RBR based on the ratio of a bit rate change.

[0159] In an aspect, the rate control MAC CE may include a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0160] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a method includes: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a number of steps and / or a ratio; determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the number of steps and / or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the number of steps and / or the ratio, N being a positive integer; and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the number of steps and / or the ratio.

[0161] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform a method including: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a number of steps and / or a ratio; determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based onthe number of steps and / or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the number of steps and / or the ratio, N being a positive integer; and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the number of steps and / or the ratio.

[0162] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a network apparatus includes: at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network apparatus at least to perform: transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a number of steps and / or a ratio; and causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the number of steps and / or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the number of steps and / or the ratio, N being a positive integer.

[0163] In an aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the network apparatus at least to perform: transmitting, by the network apparatus to a user equipment (UE), an activation medium access control element (MAC CE), including an indication of a plurality of QoS flows.

[0164] In an aspect, the plurality of QoS flows may include a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0165] In an aspect, the activation MAC CE may be configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the number of steps and / or the ratio.

[0166] In an aspect, the rate control MAC CE may further include a multi-modal service identifier (MMSID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows.

[0167] In an aspect, the number of steps may be based on a bit rate table.

[0168] In an aspect, the UE may determine the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0169] In an aspect, the UE may determine the RBR based on the ratio of a bit rate change.

[0170] In an aspect, the rate control MAC CE may include a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0171] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a method includes: transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a number of steps and / or a ratio; and causingthe UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the number of steps and / or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the number of steps and / or the ratio, N being a positive integer.

[0172] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a network apparatus, causes the network apparatus at least to perform a method including: transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a number of steps and / or a ratio; and causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the number of steps and / or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the number of steps and / or the ratio N being a positive integer.

[0173] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a user equipment (UE) includes: at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, the rate control MAC CE further including a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map; determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, N being a positive integer; and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flow based on the corresponding rules.

[0174] In an aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the UE at least to perform: receiving, by the UE from a network apparatus, an activation MAC CE including an indication of a plurality of QoS flows.

[0175] In an aspect, the plurality of QoS flows may include a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0176] In an aspect, the activation MAC CE may be configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0177] In an aspect, applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow may include applying the determined RBR to all QoS flows supporting the adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map.

[0178] In an aspect, the bit rate value may be indicated by a number of steps based on a bit rate table.

[0179] In an aspect, the UE may determine the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0180] In an aspect, the bit rate value may be indicated by a ratio of a bit rate change based on a bit rate table.

[0181] In an aspect, the UE may determine the RBR based on the ratio of the bit rate change.

[0182] In an aspect, the rate control MAC CE may include a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0183] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a method includes: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, the rate control MAC CE further including a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map; determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, N being a positive integer; and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flow based on the corresponding rules.

[0184] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform: receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, the rate control MAC CE further including a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map; determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, N being a positive integer; and applying, bythe UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flow based on the corresponding rules.

[0185] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a network apparatus includes: at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network apparatus at least to perform: transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, the rate control MAC CE further including a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map; and causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of second QoS flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, N being a positive integer.

[0186] In an aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the network apparatus at least to perform: transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, an activation MAC CE including an indication of a plurality of QoS flows.

[0187] In an aspect, the plurality of QoS flows may include a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0188] In an aspect, the activation MAC CE may be configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0189] In an aspect, the bit rate value may be indicated by a number of steps based on a bit rate table.

[0190] In an aspect, the UE may determine the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0191] In an aspect, the bit rate value may be indicated by a ratio of a bit rate change based on a bit rate table.

[0192] In an aspect, the UE may determine the RBR based on the ratio of a bit rate change.

[0193] In an aspect, the rate control MAC CE may include a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0194] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a method includes: transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, the rate control MAC CE further including a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supportingan adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map; and causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of second QoS flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, N being a positive integer.

[0195] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a network apparatus, causes the network apparatus at least to perform: transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) including an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, the rate control MAC CE further including a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map; and causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of second QoS flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, N being a positive integer.

[0196] Further embodiments of the present disclosure include the following examples.

[0197] Example 1.1. A user equipment (UE), comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises an identifier;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer; andapplying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0198] Example 1.2. The UE of Example 1.1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from a network apparatus, a activation MAC CE comprising an indication of a plurality of QoS flows to which the rate control MAC CE applies.

[0199] Example 1.3. The UE of Example 1.2, wherein the plurality of QoS flows includes a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0200] Example 1.4. The UE as in any one of Examples 1.2 or 1.3, wherein the activation MAC CE is configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0201] Example 1.5. The UE as in any one of Examples 1.1 to 1.4, wherein applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow includes applying the determined RBR to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate.

[0202] Example 1.6. The UE of Example 1.2, wherein the identifier comprises a logical channel identifier (LCID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows.

[0203] Example 1.7. The UE as in any one of Examples 1.1 to 1.6, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a number of steps based on a bit rate table.

[0204] Example 1.8. The UE of Example 1.7, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0205] Example 1.9. The UE as in any one of Examples 1.1 to 1.8, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a ratio of a bit rate change based on a bit rate table.

[0206] Example 1.10. The UE of Example 1.9, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the ratio of the bit rate change.

[0207] Example 1.11. The UE as in any one of Examples 1.1 to 1.10, wherein the rate control MAC CE includes a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0208] Example 1.12. A method, comprising:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises an identifier;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer; and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0209] Example 1.13. A non -transitory computer readable storage mediumincluding instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform a method comprising:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises an identifier;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer; and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0210] Example 1.14. A network apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises an identifier for at least one quality of service (QoS) flow of a plurality of QoS flows; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0211] Example 1.15. The network apparatus of Example 1.14, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to a user equipment (UE), a activation MAC CE comprising an indication of a plurality of QoS flows to which the rate control MAC CE applies.

[0212] Example 1.16. The network apparatus of Example 1.15, wherein the plurality of QoS flows includes the first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0213] Example 1.17. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 1.15 or 1.16, wherein the activation MAC CE is configured to activate the corresponding rules for usingthe bit rate value.

[0214] Example 1.18. The network apparatus of Example 1.15, wherein the identifier comprises a logical channel identifier (LCID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows.

[0215] Example 1.19. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 1.14 to 1.18, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a number of steps based on a bit rate table.

[0216] Example 1.20. The network apparatus of Example 1.19, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0217] Example 1.21. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 1.14 to 1.20, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a ratio of a bit rate change based on a bit rate table.

[0218] Example 1.22. The network apparatus of Example 1.21, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the ratio of the bit rate change.

[0219] Example 1.23. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 1.14 to 1.22, wherein the rate control MAC CE includes a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0220] Example 1.24. A method comprising:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises an identifier for at least one quality of service (QoS) flow of a plurality of QoS flows; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0221] Example 1.25. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a network apparatus, cause the network apparatus at least to perform a method comprising:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises an identifier for at least one quality of service (QoS) flow of a plurality of QoS flows; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0222] Example 2.1. A user equipment (UE), comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises an identifier;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer; andapplying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0223] Example 2.2. The UE of Example 2.1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from a network apparatus, a activation MAC CE comprising an indication of a plurality of QoS flows to which the rate control MAC CE applies.

[0224] Example 2.3. The UE of Example 2.2, wherein the plurality of QoS flows includes a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0225] Example 2.4. The UE as in any one of Examples 2.2 or 2.3, wherein the activation MAC CE is configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0226] Example 2.5. The UE as in any one of Examples 2.1 to 2.4, wherein applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow includes applying the determined RBR to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate.

[0227] Example 2.6. The UE of Example 2.2, wherein the identifier comprises a logical channel identifier (LCID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows.

[0228] Example 2.7. The UE as in any one of Examples 2.1 to 2.6, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a number of steps based on a bit rate table.

[0229] Example 2.8. The UE of Example 2.7, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0230] Example 2.9. The UE as in any one of Examples 2.1 to 2.8, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a ratio of a bit rate change based on a bit rate table.

[0231] Example 2.10. The UE of Example 2.9, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the ratio of the bit rate change.

[0232] Example 2.11. The UE as in any one of Examples 2.1 to 2.10, wherein the rate control MAC CE includes a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0233] Example 2.12. A user equipment (UE), comprising:means for receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises an identifier;means for determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer; and means for applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0234] Example 2.13. A non -transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform a method comprising:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises an identifier;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer; and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of thesecond QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0235] Example 2.14. A network apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises an identifier for at least one quality of service (QoS) flow of a plurality of QoS flows; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0236] Example 2.15. The network apparatus of Example 2.14, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to a user equipment (UE), an activation MAC CE comprising an indication of a plurality of QoS flows to which the rate control MAC CE applies.

[0237] Example 2.16. The network apparatus of Example 2.15, wherein the plurality of QoS flows includes a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0238] Example 2.17. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 2.15 or 2.16, wherein the activation MAC CE is configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0239] Example 2.18. The network apparatus of Example 2.15, wherein the identifier comprises a logical channel identifier (LCID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows.

[0240] Example 2.19. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 2.14 to 2.18, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a number of steps based on a bit rate table.

[0241] Example 2.20. The network apparatus of Example 2.19, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0242] Example 2.21. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 2.14 to 2.20,wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a ratio of a bit rate change based on a bit rate table.

[0243] Example 2.22. The network apparatus of Example 2.21, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the ratio of the bit rate change.

[0244] Example 2.23. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 2.14 to 2.22, wherein the rate control MAC CE includes a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0245] Example 2.24. A network apparatus, comprising:means for transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises an identifier for at least one quality of service (QoS) flow of a plurality of QoS flows; andmeans for causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0246] Example 2.25. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a network apparatus, cause the network apparatus at least to perform a method comprising:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises an identifier for at least one quality of service (QoS) flow of a plurality of QoS flows; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0247] Example 3.1. A user equipment (UE), comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate controlparameter indicating at least one of a number of steps or a ratio; determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio, wherein N is a positive integer; and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio.

[0248] Example 3.2. The UE of Example 3.1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from a network apparatus, a activation MAC CE comprising an indication of a plurality of QoS flows.

[0249] Example 3.3. The UE of Example 3.2, wherein the plurality of QoS flows includes a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0250] Example 3.4. The UE as in any one of Examples 3.2 or 3.3, wherein the activation MAC CE is configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio.

[0251] Example 3.5. The UE as in any one of Examples 3.1 to 3.4, wherein applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow includes applying the determined RBR to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate.

[0252] Example 3.6. The UE of Example 3.2, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises a multi-modal service identifier (MMSID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows.

[0253] Example 3.7. The UE as in any one of Examples 3.1 to 3.6, wherein the number of steps are based on a bit rate table.

[0254] Example 3.8. The UE of Example 3.7, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0255] Example 3.9. The UE as in any one of Examples 3.1 to 3.8, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the ratio of a bit rate change.

[0256] Example 3.10. The UE as in any one of Examples 3.1 to 3.9, wherein the rate control MAC CE includes a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink ordownlink.

[0257] Example 3.11. A method, comprising:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating at least one of a number of steps or a ratio;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio, wherein N is a positive integer; andapplying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio.

[0258] Example 3.12. A non -transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform a method comprising:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating at least one of a number of steps or a ratio;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio, wherein N is a positive integer; andapplying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio.

[0259] Example 3.13. A network apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicatingat least one of a number of steps or a ratio; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0260] Example 3.14. The network apparatus of Example 3.13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to a user equipment (UE), an activation medium access control element (MAC CE), comprising an indication of a plurality of QoS flows.

[0261] Example 3.15. The network apparatus of Example 3.14, wherein the plurality of QoS flows includes a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0262] Example 3.16. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 3.14 or 3.15, wherein the activation MAC CE is configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio.

[0263] Example 3.17. The network apparatus of Example 3.14, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises a multi-modal service identifier (MMSID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows.

[0264] Example 3.18. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 3.13 to 3.17, wherein the number of steps are based on a bit rate table.

[0265] Example 3.19. The network apparatus of Example 3.18, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0266] Example 3.20. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 3.13 to 3.19, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the ratio of a bit rate change.

[0267] Example 3.21. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 3.13 to 3.20, wherein the rate control MAC CE includes a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0268] Example 3.22. A method, comprising:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicatingat least one of a number of steps or a ratio; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0269] Example 3.23. A non -transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a network apparatus, causes the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating at least one of a number of steps or a ratio; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio wherein N is a positive integer.

[0270] Example 4.1. A user equipment (UE), comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating at least one of a number of steps or a ratio;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio, wherein N is a positive integer; and applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio.

[0271] Example 4.2. The UE of Example 4.1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from a network apparatus, a activation MAC CE comprising an indication of a plurality of QoS flows.

[0272] Example 4.3. The UE of Example 4.2, wherein the plurality of QoS flows includes a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0273] Example 4.4. The UE as in any one of Examples 4.2 or 4.3, wherein the activation MAC CE is configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio.

[0274] Example 4.5. The UE as in any one of Examples 4.1 to 4.4, wherein applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow includes applying the determined RBR to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate.

[0275] Example 4.6. The UE of Example 4.2, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises a multi-modal service identifier (MMSID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows.

[0276] Example 4.7. The UE as in any one of Examples 4.1 to 4.6, wherein the number of steps are based on a bit rate table.

[0277] Example 4.8. The UE of Example 4.7, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0278] Example 4.9. The UE as in any one of Examples 4.1 to 4.8, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the ratio of a bit rate change.

[0279] Example 4.10. The UE as in any one of Examples 4.1 to 4.9, wherein the rate control MAC CE includes a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0280] Example 4.11. A user equipment (UE), comprising:means for receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating at least one of a number of steps or a ratio;means for determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio, wherein N is a positive integer; andmeans for applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flowof the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio.

[0281] Example 4.12. A non -transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform a method comprising:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating at least one of a number of steps or a ratio;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio, wherein N is a positive integer; andapplying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flows based on the corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio.

[0282] Example 4.13. A network apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating at least one of a number of steps or a ratio; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0283] Example 4.14. The network apparatus of Example 4.13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to a user equipment (UE), an activation medium access control element (MAC CE), comprising an indication of a plurality of QoSflows.

[0284] Example 4.15. The network apparatus of Example 4.14, wherein the plurality of QoS flows includes a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0285] Example 4.16. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 4.14 or 4.15, wherein the activation MAC CE is configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio.

[0286] Example 4.17. The network apparatus of Example 4.14, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises a multi-modal service identifier (MMSID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows.

[0287] Example 4.18. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 4.13 to 4.17, wherein the number of steps are based on a bit rate table.

[0288] Example 4.19. The network apparatus of Example 4.18, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0289] Example 4.20. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 4.13 to 4.19, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the ratio of a bit rate change.

[0290] Example 4.21. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 4.13 to 4.20, wherein the rate control MAC CE includes a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0291] Example 4.22. A network apparatus, comprising:means for transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating at least one of a number of steps or a ratio; andmeans for causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0292] Example 4.23. A non -transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a network apparatus, causes the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicatingat least one of a number of steps or a ratio; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio wherein N is a positive integer.

[0293] Example 5.1. A user equipment (UE), comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer; andapplying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flow based on the corresponding rules.

[0294] Example 5.2. The UE of Example 5.1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from a network apparatus, a activation MAC CE comprising an indication of a plurality of QoS flows.

[0295] Example 5.3. The UE of Example 5.2, wherein the plurality of QoS flows includes a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0296] Example 5.4. The UE as in any one of Examples 5.2 or 5.3, wherein the activation MAC CE is configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0297] Example 5.5. The UE as in any one of Examples 5.1 to 5.4, wherein applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow includes applying the determined RBR to all QoS flows supporting the adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map.

[0298] Example 5.6. The UE as in any one of Examples 5.1 to 5.5, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a number of steps based on a bit rate table.

[0299] Example 5.7. The UE of Example 5.6, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0300] Example 5.8. The UE as in any one of Examples 5.1 to 5.7, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a ratio of a bit rate change based on a bit rate table.

[0301] Example 5.9. The UE of Example 5.8, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the ratio of the bit rate change.

[0302] Example 5.10. The UE as in any one of Examples 5.1 to 5.9, wherein the rate control MAC CE includes a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0303] Example 5.11. A method, comprising:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer; andapplying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flow based on the corresponding rules.

[0304] Example 5.12. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer; andapplying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flow based on the corresponding rules.

[0305] Example 5.13. A network apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of second QoS flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0306] Example 5.14. The network apparatus of Example 5.13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a activation MAC CE comprising an indication of a plurality of QoS flows.

[0307] Example 5.15. The network apparatus of Example 5.14, wherein the plurality of QoS flows includes a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0308] Example 5.16. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 5.14 or 5.15, wherein the activation MAC CE is configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0309] Example 5.17. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 5.13 to 5.16, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a number of steps based on a bit rate table.

[0310] Example 5.18. The network apparatus of Example 5.17, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0311] Example 5.19. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 5.13 to 5.18, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a ratio of a bit rate change based on a bit rate table.

[0312] Example 5.20. The network apparatus of Example 5.19, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the ratio of a bit rate change.

[0313] Example 5.21. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 5.13 to 5.20, wherein the rate control MAC CE includes a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0314] Example 5.22. A method, comprising:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of second QoS flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0315] Example 5.23. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a network apparatus, causes the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of second QoS flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0316] Example 6.1. A user equipment (UE), comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer; andapplying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flow based on the corresponding rules.

[0317] Example 6.2. The UE of Example 6.1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from a network apparatus, a activation MAC CE comprising an indication of a plurality of QoS flows.

[0318] Example 6.3. The UE of Example 6.2, wherein the plurality of QoS flows includes a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0319] Example 6.4. The UE as in any one of Examples 6.2 or 6.3, wherein the activation MAC CE is configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0320] Example 6.5. The UE as in any one of Examples 6.1 to 6.4, wherein applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow includes applying the determined RBR to all QoS flows supporting the adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map.

[0321] Example 6.6. The UE as in any one of Examples 6.1 to 6.5, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a number of steps based on a bit rate table.

[0322] Example 6.7. The UE of Example 6.6, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0323] Example 6.8. The UE as in any one of Examples 6.1 to 6.7, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a ratio of a bit rate change based on a bit rate table.

[0324] Example 6.9. The UE of Example 6.8, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the ratio of the bit rate change.

[0325] Example 6.10. The UE as in any one of Examples 6.1 to 6.9, wherein the rate control MAC CE includes a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0326] Example 6.11. A user equipment (UE), comprising:means for receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map;means for determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer; and means for applying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flow based on the corresponding rules.

[0327] Example 6.12. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map;determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of N-l quality of service (QoS) flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer; andapplying, by the UE, the determined RBR to a corresponding QoS flow of the second QoS flow based on the corresponding rules.

[0328] Example 6.13. A network apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of second QoS flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0329] Example 6.14. The network apparatus of Example 6.13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a activation MAC CE comprising an indication of a plurality of QoS flows.

[0330] Example 6.15. The network apparatus of Example 6.14, wherein the plurality of QoS flows includes a first QoS flow and the second QoS flows.

[0331] Example 6.16. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 6.14 or 6.15, wherein the activation MAC CE is configured to activate the corresponding rules for using the bit rate value.

[0332] Example 6.17. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 6.13 to 6.16, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a number of steps based on a bit rate table.

[0333] Example 6.18. The network apparatus of Example 6.17, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the number of steps and the bit rate table.

[0334] Example 6.19. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 6.13 to 6.18, wherein the bit rate value is indicated by a ratio of a bit rate change based on a bit rate table.

[0335] Example 6.20. The network apparatus of Example 6.19, wherein the UE determines the RBR based on the ratio of a bit rate change.

[0336] Example 6.21. The network apparatus as in any one of Examples 6.13 to 6.20, wherein the rate control MAC CE includes a field indicating whether the RBR applies to uplink or downlink.

[0337] Example 6.22. A network apparatus, comprising:means for transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map; andmeans for causing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of second QoS flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0338] Example 6.23. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a network apparatus, causes the network apparatus at least to perform:transmitting, by the network apparatus to the UE, a rate control medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a rate control parameter indicating a bit rate value, wherein the rate control MAC CE further includes a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map and applies to all QoS flows supporting an adaptive bit rate identified by the QoS flow bit map; andcausing the UE to determine a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of second QoS flows based on the bit rate value in the rate control MAC CE and corresponding rules for using the bit rate value, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0339] Example 7.1. A user equipment (UE), comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, a rate control MAC CE, wherein the rate control MAC CE comprises an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for a first QoS flow;determining, by the UE, a value of at least one of a number of steps or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE; anddetermining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for a second QoS flow based on the determined value.

[0340] Herein, the second QoS flow is different from the first QoS flow.

[0341] Example 7.2. The UE of Example 7.1 , wherein the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio of a bit rate change are based on a bit rate table, and wherein the bit rate table is predefined with indices mapping to bit rate values.

[0342] Example 7.3. The UE as in any one of Examples 7.1 or 7.2, wherein the indication of the bit rate control parameter comprises a first index value of the first bit rate value for the first QoS flow.

[0343] Example 7.4. The UE as in any one of Examples 7.1 to 7.3, wherein the UE is configured to have knowledge of at least one of a second bit rate value or a second index value of the second bit rate value from the bit rate table for the first QoS flow.

[0344] Example 7.5. The UE as in any one of Examples 7.1 to 7.4, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises a logical channel identifier (LCID), a multi-modal service identifier (MMSID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows, or a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map.

[0345] Example 7.6. The UE as in any one of Examples 7.1 to 7.5, wherein the UE is configured to have knowledge of at least one of a third bit rate value or a third index value of the third bit rate value from the bit rate table for at least one of the second QoS flows.

[0346] Example 7.7. The UE as in any one of Examples 7.1 to 7.6, wherein the plurality of QoS flows support an adaptive bit rate.

[0347] Example 7.8. The UE as in any one of Examples 7.2 to 7.7, wherein the number of steps based on the bit rate table is determined by subtracting the first index value from the second index value.

[0348] Example 7.9. The UE of Example 7.8, wherein when the number of steps is a positive value, the UE moves up in the bit rate table by the number of steps and selects a lower bit rate value, andwherein when the number of steps is a negative value, the UE moves down in the bit rate table and selects a higher bit rate value.

[0349] Example 7.10. The UE of Example 7.1 , further comprising:receiving, by a user equipment (UE) from a network apparatus, an activation medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a plurality of quality of service (QoS) flows to which the rate control MAC CE applies, the plurality of QoS flows including the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow.

[0350] Example 7.11. The UE of Examples 7.1, 7.6, and 7.8, wherein determining the recommended bit rate of the second QoS flows includes:determining, by the UE, a fourth index value of a fourth bit rate value from the bit rate table by adding the number of steps into the third index value; andapplying, by the UE, the fourth bit rate value according to the fourth index value from the bit rate table to at least one of the second QoS flows.

[0351] Example 7.12. The UE as in any one of Examples 7.2 to 7.11 , wherein the ratio of the bit rate change is determined by dividing the first bit rate value by the second bit rate value.

[0352] Example 7.13. The UE of Examples 7.4, 7.6, and 7.12, wherein determining the recommended bit rate of the second QoS flows includes:determining a fifth bit rate value by multiplying the ratio of the bit rate change by the third bit rate value; andapplying, by the UE, the fifth bit rate value to at least one of the second QoS flow.

[0353] Example 7.14. A method, comprising:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, the rate control MAC CE, wherein the rate control MAC CE comprises an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for the first QoS flow;determining, by the UE, a value of at least one of a number of steps or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE; anddetermining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of the second QoS flows based on the determined value.

[0354] Example 7.15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform a method comprising:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, the rate control MAC CE, wherein the rate control MAC CE comprises an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for the first QoS flow;determining, by the UE, a value of at least one of a number of steps or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE; anddetermining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of the second QoS flows based on the determined value.

[0355] Example 7.16. The method of Example 7.14 and 7.15, further comprising:receiving, by a user equipment (UE) from a network apparatus, an activation medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a plurality of quality of service (QoS) flows to which a rate control MAC CE applies, the plurality of QoS flows including the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow.

[0356] Example 8.1. A user equipment (UE), comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, the rate control MAC CE, wherein the rate control MAC CE comprises an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for the first QoS flow;determining, by the UE, a value of at least one of a number of steps or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE; anddetermining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of the second QoS flows based on the determined value.

[0357] Example 8.2. The UE of Example 8.1 , wherein the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio of a bit rate change are based on a bit rate table, and wherein the bit rate table is predefined with indices mapping to bit rate values.

[0358] Example 8.3. The UE as in any one of Examples 8.1 or 8.2, wherein the indication of the bit rate control parameter comprises a first index value of the first bit rate value for the first QoS flow.

[0359] Example 8.4. The UE as in any one of Examples 8.1 to 8.3, wherein the UE is configured to have knowledge of at least one of a second bit rate value or a second index value of the second bit rate value from the bit rate table for the first QoS flow.

[0360] Example 8.5. The UE as in any one of Examples 8.1 to 8.4, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises a logical channel identifier (LCID), a multi-modal service identifier (MMSID) for at least one QoS flow of the plurality of QoS flows, or a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map.

[0361] Example 8.6. The UE as in any one of Examples 8.1 to 8.5, wherein the UE is configured to have knowledge of at least one of a third bit rate value or a third index value of the third bit rate value from the bit rate table for at least one of the second QoS flows.

[0362] Example 8.7. The UE as in any one of Examples 8.1 to 8.6, wherein the plurality of QoS flows support an adaptive bit rate.

[0363] Example 8.8. The UE as in any one of Examples 8.2 to 8.7, wherein the number of steps based on the bit rate table is determined by subtracting the first index value from the second index value.

[0364] Example 8.9. The UE of Example 8.8, wherein when the number of steps is a positive value, the UE moves up in the bit rate table by the number of steps and selects a lower bit rate value.

[0365] Example 8.10. The UE of Example 8.8, wherein when the number of steps is a negative value, the UE moves down in the bit rate table and selects a higher bit rate value.

[0366] Example 8.11. The UE of Examples 8.1, 8.6, and 8.8, wherein determining the recommended bit rate of the second QoS flows includes:determining, by the UE, a fourth index value of a fourth bit rate value from the bit rate table by adding the number of steps into the third index value; andapplying, by the UE, the fourth bit rate value according to the fourth index value from the bit rate table to at least one of the second QoS flows.

[0367] Example 8.12. The UE as in any one of Examples 8.2 to 8.11 , wherein the ratio of the bit rate change is determined by dividing the first bit rate value by the second bit rate value.

[0368] Example 8.13. The UE of Examples 8.4, 8.6, and 8.12, wherein determining the recommended bit rate of the second QoS flows includes:determining a fifth bit rate value by multiplying the ratio of the bit rate change by the third bit rate value; andapplying, by the UE, the fifth bit rate value to at least one of the second QoS flow.

[0369] Example 8.14. A user equipment (UE), comprising:means for receiving, by a user equipment (UE) from a network apparatus, an activation medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a plurality of qualityof service (QoS) flows to which a rate control MAC CE applies, the plurality of QoS flows including a first QoS flow and a second QoS flow;means for receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, the rate control MAC CE, wherein the rate control MAC CE comprises an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for the first QoS flow;means for determining, by the UE, a value of at least one of a number of steps or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE; andmeans for determining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of the second QoS flows based on the determined value.

[0370] Example 8.15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform a method comprising:receiving, by a user equipment (UE) from a network apparatus, an activation medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a plurality of quality of service (QoS) flows to which a rate control MAC CE applies, the plurality of QoS flows including a first QoS flow and a second QoS flow;receiving, by the UE from the network apparatus, the rate control MAC CE, wherein the rate control MAC CE comprises an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for the first QoS flow;determining, by the UE, a value of at least one of a number of steps or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE; anddetermining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for each of the second QoS flows based on the determined value.

[0371] The embodiments and aspects disclosed herein are examples of the present disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. For instance, although certain embodiments herein are described as separate embodiments, each of the embodiments herein may be combined with one or more of the other embodiments herein. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Like reference numerals may refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0372] The phrases “in an aspect,” “in aspects,” “in various aspects,” “in some aspects,” or “in other aspects” may each refer to one or more of the same or different aspects in accordance with this present disclosure. The phrase “a plurality of’ may refer to two or more.

[0373] In various embodiments, the terms “first message” and “second message,” as well as any subsequent messages may refer to any messages that are transmitted or received in an order and are not necessarily limited to any particular message.

[0374] The phrases “in an embodiment,” “in embodiments,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or “in other embodiments” may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. A phrase in the form “A or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B).” A phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, or C” means “(A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C) ”

[0375] Any of the herein described methods, programs, algorithms or codes may be converted to, or expressed in, a programming language or computer program. The terms “programming language” and “computer program,” as used herein, each include any language used to specify instructions to a computer, and include (but is not limited to) the following languages and their derivatives: Assembler, Basic, Batch files, BCPL, C, C+, C++, Delphi, Fortran, Java, JavaScript, machine code, operating system command languages, Pascal, Perl, PL1, Python, scripting languages, Visual Basic, metalanguages which themselves specify programs, and all first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or further generation computer languages. Also included are database and other data schemas, and any other meta- languages. No distinction is made between languages which are interpreted, compiled, or use both compiled and interpreted approaches. No distinction is made between compiled and source versions of a program. Thus, reference to a program, where the programming language could exist in more than one state (such as source, compiled, object, or linked) is a reference to any and all such states. Reference to a program may encompass the actual instructions and / or the intent of those instructions.

[0376] While aspects of the present disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the present disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the present disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular aspects. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform:receiving, by the UE from a network apparatus, a rate control MAC CE, wherein the rate control MAC CE comprises an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for a first QoS flow;determining, by the UE, a value of at least one of a number of steps or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE; anddetermining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for a second QoS flow based on the determined value.

2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the number of steps or the ratio of a bit rate change are based on a bit rate table, and wherein the bit rate table is predefined with indices mapping to bit rate values.

3. The UE as in any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the indication of the bit rate control parameter comprises a first index value of the first bit rate value for the first QoS flow.

4. The UE as in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the UE is configured to have knowledge of at least one of a second bit rate value or a second index value of the second bit rate value from the bit rate table for the first QoS flow.

5. The UE as in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rate control MAC CE further comprises a logical channel identifier (LCID), a multi-modal service identifier (MMSID) for at least one QoS flow of the first or second QoS flows, or a quality of service (QoS) flow bit map.

6. The UE as in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the UE is configured to have knowledge of at least one of a third bit rate value or a third index value of the third bit rate value from the bit rate table for the second QoS flow.

7. The UE as in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first or second QoS flows support an adaptive bit rate.

8. The UE as in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the number of steps based on the bit rate table is determined by subtracting the first index value from the second index value.

9. The UE of claim 8, wherein when the number of steps is a positive value, the UE moves up in the bit rate table by the number of steps and selects a lower bit rate value, and wherein when the number of steps is a negative value, the UE moves down in the bit rate table and selects a higher bit rate value.

10. The UE of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, by a user equipment (UE) from the network apparatus, an activation medium access control element (MAC CE) comprising an indication of a plurality of quality of service (QoS) flows to which the rate control MAC CE applies, the plurality of QoS flows including the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow.

11. The UE of one of claims 1 , 6, or 8, wherein determining the recommended bit rate of the second QoS flow includes:determining, by the UE, a fourth index value of a fourth bit rate value from the bit rate table by adding the number of steps into the third index value; andapplying, by the UE, the fourth bit rate value according to the fourth index value from the bit rate table to the second QoS flow.

12. The UE as in any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the ratio of the bit rate change is determined by dividing the first bit rate value by the second bit rate value.

13. The UE of one of claims 4, 6, or 12, wherein determining the recommended bit rate of the second QoS flows includes:determining a fifth bit rate value by multiplying the ratio of the bit rate change by the third bit rate value; andapplying, by the UE, the fifth bit rate value to the second QoS flow.

14. A method, comprising:receiving, by the UE from a network apparatus, a rate control MAC CE, wherein the rate control MAC CE comprises an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for a first QoS flow;determining, by the UE, a value of at least one of a number of steps or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE; anddetermining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for a second QoS flow based on the determined value.

15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE at least to perform a method comprising:receiving, by the UE from a network apparatus, a rate control MAC CE, wherein the rate control MAC CE comprises an indication of a bit rate control parameter indicating a first bit rate value for a first QoS flow;determining, by the UE, a value of at least one of a number of steps or a ratio of a bit rate change based on the rate control MAC CE; anddetermining, by the UE, a recommended bit rate (RBR) for a second QoS flow based on the determined value.

Images