IAB Buffer Status Reporting With Dynamic BSR Format Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G mobile communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing buffer status reports (BSR) in Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) networks, particularly in multi-hop scenarios, which affect topology-wide fairness and resource allocation due to limited LCG groupings and increased complexity with higher frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves selecting and switching between different BSR formats based on criteria such as the number of configured LCGs, priority, required granularity, and available space, using extended formats like those with 256 LCG IDs and 8-bit fields, and employing explicit or implicit signaling to ensure interoperability among nodes with varying capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If extended BSR formats with 256 LCG IDs are used to improve reporting accuracy, then buffer status reporting accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic format selection where the BSR format (compact or extended) is chosen based on real-time conditions such as the number of active LCGs and available uplink resources. This allows the system to adapt between formats, using the simpler compact format when sufficient and the more detailed extended format when necessary, thereby balancing reporting accuracy with device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of BSR format selection based on network conditions. When the number of LCGs requiring reporting exceeds a threshold or when uplink resources are abundant, the system switches to extended formats with 256 LCG IDs and 8-bit buffer size fields. Otherwise, it uses compact formats with fewer LCG IDs, effectively managing the trade-off between precision and complexity through parameter adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple BSR formats are supported to improve adaptability, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes IAB nodes universally capable of both compact and extended BSR formats. Each node is configured with multiple LCG groupings (e.g., 8 and 256 LCGs) and can select appropriate formats based on the number of active LCGs. This multi-functionality ensures compatibility across different network scenarios while managing complexity through conditional format selection rather than universal use of the most complex format.
3Productivity
If finer granularity in BSR reporting is used to improve resource allocation, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but loss of information increases due to larger reporting overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by reporting buffer status for only the necessary number of LCGs rather than all possible LCGs. When using extended formats with 256 LCG IDs, the system reports only for LCGs that have data to transmit or meet certain thresholds, avoiding the overhead of reporting zero-buffer states for all 256 LCGs. This selective reporting maintains resource allocation efficiency while minimizing overhead.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for providing a Buffer Status Report (BSR) in a network is provided. The method comprises selecting a format of BSR from among at least two BSR formats. The format of BSR is selected based on one or more predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria may comprise one or more of: a number of configured LCGs; a number of LCGs of a certain minimum priority; and/or a required level of BSR granularity.