Adaptive Buffer Status Report Format Selection in LTE Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE, terminals face inefficiencies in radio resource allocation due to the lack of accurate and concise buffer status reporting, leading to wastage of radio resources and suboptimal scheduling, as existing methods do not effectively adapt to varying channel conditions and data amounts.

Innovation Solution

The method involves defining and selecting between multiple buffer status report (BSR) formats based on available radio resources and channel conditions, allowing terminals to generate and transmit either a normal or shortened BSR, optimizing the use of radio resources by including only necessary information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a terminal transmits a normal buffer status report (BSR) including information about all configured channels, then the scheduler can make accurate resource allocation decisions, but the radio resource usage increases and may exceed allocated resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuffer status reporting accuracyVSAvoidradio resource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the buffer status report into different formats (short BSR and long BSR) based on the amount of data in different logical channel groups. The terminal divides channels into groups and selectively reports only those groups containing data, rather than reporting all channels. This segmentation allows accurate buffer status reporting while minimizing radio resource consumption by including only necessary information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by having the terminal report buffer status information selectively rather than completely. The short BSR format reports only the total buffer size without per-channel details, while the long BSR format reports per-channel information only when needed. This partial reporting approach provides sufficient scheduling information while using fewer radio resources than a complete report would require.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Quantity of substance

If a terminal transmits a shortened buffer status report to minimize radio resource usage, then radio resource efficiency improves, but the scheduler receives less detailed information about channel data amounts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio resource usageVSAvoidchannel data amount details
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic BSR format selection where the terminal adapts between short and long BSR formats based on the actual buffer status. When data exists in multiple logical channel groups, the terminal uses the long BSR format to provide detailed per-channel information. When data exists in only one group or resources are limited, it uses the short BSR format. This dynamic adaptation ensures the scheduler receives appropriate levels of detail based on current conditions, balancing resource efficiency with information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the terminal always transmits complete buffer status information for all channels, then scheduling accuracy is maintained, but radio resources are wasted when channels have no data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling accuracyVSAvoidradio resource wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and reports only the necessary buffer status information rather than transmitting complete information for all channels. The terminal identifies which logical channel groups contain data and reports only those groups, extracting the essential scheduling information while omitting redundant data about empty channels. This extraction principle maintains scheduling accuracy by providing all necessary information while eliminating waste from reporting zero-data channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If the terminal adapts BSR format based on radio resource availability and channel conditions, then radio resource allocation efficiency improves, but the terminal complexity increases due to format selection logic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio resource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidterminal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the terminal pre-organize logical channels into groups and pre-determine which groups contain data before transmitting the BSR. The terminal performs preliminary buffer status assessment and format selection based on simple criteria (number of LCGs with data, available resources) rather than complex real-time analysis. This preliminary organization simplifies the adaptation process while maintaining high resource allocation efficiency, as the format selection logic depends on pre-computed buffer status information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2048904B1Method of effectively transmitting radio resource allocation request in mobile communication system
Publication Date: 2014.11.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2048904B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2048904B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2048904B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method allowing a terminal with data to be transmitted in an uplink direction to transmit a radio resource allocation request message to a base station by effectively using radio resource(s) to its maximum level is disclosed. In particular, the method allows the terminal to select a radio resource allocation request message of a proper format according to a situation of radio resource(s) or the amount of data of each channel and transmit the same to the base station.