MAC PDU Padding Region Buffer Status Report Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies for buffer status reporting in wireless communication systems inefficiently use radio resources, leading to unnecessary waste, as they do not effectively utilize remaining space in data units for padding buffer status information.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine whether to include a long or short buffer status report (BSR) in data units, optimizing the use of padding regions to minimize radio resource waste by strategically inserting BSRs within the available space of MAC PDUs, and using explicit indications to clarify the presence and type of BSRs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If buffer status reporting is performed using traditional methods, then buffer status information can be transmitted, but radio resources are unnecessarily wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio resource wasteVSAvoidbuffer status information transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the buffer status report (BSR) with the padding region of the MAC PDU. Instead of transmitting BSR as a separate control element that consumes dedicated resources, the BSR information is combined with the padding bits that would otherwise be wasted. This is achieved by encoding the BSR information within the padding region, allowing simultaneous transmission of buffer status information and efficient resource utilization without requiring additional radio resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If padding region is used to insert buffer status information, then radio resource efficiency is improved, but the complexity of determining BSR type and placement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio resource efficiencyVSAvoidBSR construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically selecting between short BSR and long BSR formats based on the available padding region size. The MAC entity evaluates the number of padding bits and chooses the appropriate BSR type (short or long) to fit within the available space. This parameter-based decision-making optimizes resource efficiency while managing complexity through standardized format selection criteria defined in the patent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining the appropriate BSR type and encoding the buffer status information into the padding region before the MAC PDU is transmitted. The MAC entity performs the BSR construction and insertion into the padding region in advance, ensuring that the buffer status information is ready and properly formatted before transmission occurs, thereby streamlining the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple BSR types are supported with explicit indications, then scheduling accuracy is improved, but the processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling accuracyVSAvoidprocessing overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing explicit indications only where necessary to distinguish between short BSR and long BSR formats. The indication mechanism is localized to the specific context of BSR transmission, using efficient signaling methods that minimize overhead. The base station interprets these localized indications to accurately determine the BSR type and extract buffer status information, achieving scheduling accuracy without excessive processing overhead across the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3048835B1Apparatus and method for constructing a data unit that includes a buffer status report
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 AMAZON TECH INC
  • EP3048835B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3048835B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3048835B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An apparatus and method for constructing a data unit that includes a buffer status report (BSR) such that when BSR triggering is performed, the size(s) of the necessary sub-header(s) are also to be considered together in addition to the BSR size. There is a checking unit that checks whether any padding region is available in a MAC PDU that was constructed, a comparing unit that compares the number of padding bits with the size of a buffer status report (BSR) plus its sub-header, and a processing unit that cooperates with the checking unit and the comparing unit to trigger a buffer status report (BSR) procedure if the number of padding bits is larger than the size of the BSR plus its sub-header, including the BSR and its sub-header in the MAC PDU, and setting an LCID in the sub-header to indicate a BSR is included, the BSR having been triggered due to padding. Using such apparatus allows the sub-header(s) to be inserted (included) into the MAC PDU (or transport block (TB) or other data unit).