U.S. patent application number 16/697512 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-26 for network node, wireless device and methods therein, for scheduling one or more bearers and applying a listen-before-talk setting,.
The applicant listed for this patent is GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.. Invention is credited to JUNG-FU CHENG, SOROUR FALAHATI, HAVISH KOORAPATY, DANIEL LARSSON, AMITAV MUKHERJEE, YU YANG.
Application Number | 20200100268 16/697512 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54838401 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-26 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200100268 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MUKHERJEE; AMITAV ; et
al. |
March 26, 2020 |
NETWORK NODE, WIRELESS DEVICE AND METHODS THEREIN, FOR SCHEDULING
ONE OR MORE BEARERS AND APPLYING A LISTEN-BEFORE-TALK SETTING,
RESPECTIVELY
Abstract
Method performed by a network node (110) for scheduling one or
more bearers for transmission to or from a wireless device (120).
The wireless device (120) is serviced by the network node (110).
The network node (110) calculates (1001) a weight for each bearer
of the one or more hearers. The calculating (1001) is based on an
indication of a quality of service associated with information to
be transmitted in each bearer of the one or more bearers. The
network node (1 10) schedules (1003) the one or more bearers for
transmission to or from the wireless device (120) based on the
calculated weight. The calculated weight corresponds to a
Listen-Before-Talk, LBT, setting. The LBT setting comprises an LBT
algorithm and its corresponding one or more parameters.
Inventors: |
MUKHERJEE; AMITAV; (Fremont,
CA) ; CHENG; JUNG-FU; (Fremont, CA) ;
KOORAPATY; HAVISH; (Saratoga, CA) ; LARSSON;
DANIEL; (Stockholm, SE) ; FALAHATI; SOROUR;
(Stockholm, SE) ; YANG; YU; (Solna, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD. |
Dongguan |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
54838401 |
Appl. No.: |
16/697512 |
Filed: |
November 27, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15510746 |
Mar 13, 2017 |
10524281 |
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PCT/SE2015/051158 |
Nov 3, 2015 |
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16697512 |
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62076677 |
Nov 7, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 74/0816 20130101;
H04W 72/1236 20130101; H04W 16/14 20130101; H04W 72/0446 20130101;
H04W 72/087 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 72/12 20060101
H04W072/12; H04W 74/08 20060101 H04W074/08; H04W 72/04 20060101
H04W072/04 |
Claims
1-30. (canceled)
31. A method performed by a network node, comprising: calculating a
different weight for each of a plurality of bearers, wherein each
of the different weights is calculated based on an indication of a
quality of service associated with information to be transmitted by
each of the plurality of bearers, respectively; and scheduling,
based on the calculated weights, the plurality of bearers for
transmission to or from one or more wireless devices, wherein each
of the calculated weights corresponds to a Listen-Before-Talk (LBT)
setting, the LBT setting comprising an LBT algorithm and one or
more parameters corresponding to the LBT algorithm.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of bearers are
scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and the method
further comprises: selecting an LBT setting for transmission of the
same subframe, based on an average priority bearer weight of the
calculated weights.
33. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of bearers are
scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and the method
further comprises: selecting an LBT setting for transmission of the
same subframe, based on a weighted average priority bearer weight
of the calculated weights.
34. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of bearers are
scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and the method
further comprises: selecting an LBT setting for transmission of the
same subframe, based on a highest priority bearer weight of the
calculated weights.
35. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of bearers are
established between the network node and two or more wireless
devices that are scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and
the method further comprises: selecting an LBT setting for
transmission of the same subframe, based on a highest priority
bearer weight of the weights of the calculated weights.
36. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bearers are
established between the network node and two or more wireless
devices that are scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and
the method further comprises: selecting an LBT setting for
transmission of the same subframe, based on a highest averaged
priority bearer weight per wireless device of the two or more
wireless devices, of the calculated weights.
37. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bearers are
established between the network node and two or more wireless
devices that are scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and
the method further comprises: selecting an LBT setting for
transmission of the same subframe, based on an average priority
bearer weight of a highest priority bearer weight per wireless
device of the two or more wireless devices.
38. The method of any of claim 31, wherein the plurality of bearers
are established between the network node and two or more wireless
devices that are scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and
the method further comprises: selecting an LBT setting for
transmission of the same subframe, based on an average priority
bearer weight of the calculated weights.
39. The method of any of claim 31, wherein the plurality of bearers
are established between the network node and two or more wireless
devices that are scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and
the method further comprises: selecting an LBT setting for
transmission of the same subframe, based on a priority bearer
weight of the calculated weights.
40. The method of claim 31, wherein the transmission is in
unlicensed spectrum in at least one of: a Licensed-Assisted Access
cell in Long Term Evolution (LTE), or standalone LTE.
41. The method of claim 31, wherein the indication of quality of
service is at least one of: a quality of service determined by the
network node, or a quality of service reported by the one or more
wireless devices.
42. The method of claim 31, wherein the scheduling comprises a
multi-carrier operation, and the LBT is applied with a quality of
service independently for each carrier.
43. The method of claim 31, wherein the scheduling comprises:
scheduling data associated with a higher indication of quality of
service to be transmitted in one or more master carriers, and
scheduling data associated with a lower indication of quality of
service to be transmitted in one or more slave carriers,
transmission in the one or more slave carriers being only performed
after an outcome of a period of observation of a radio channel for
transmission is that the radio channel is idle.
44. A network node, comprising: a memory storing instructions; and
a processor configured to execute the instructions to: calculate a
different weight for each of a plurality of bearers, wherein each
of the different weights is calculated based on an indication of a
quality of service associated with information to be transmitted by
each of the plurality of bearers, respectively; and schedule, based
on the calculated weights, the plurality of bearers for
transmission to or from one or more wireless devices, wherein each
of the calculated weights corresponds to a Listen-Before-Talk (LBT)
setting, the LBT setting comprising an LBT algorithm and one or
more parameters corresponding to the LBT algorithm.
45. The network node of claim 44, wherein the plurality of bearers
are scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and the
processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
select an LBT setting for transmission of the same subframe, based
on an average priority bearer weight of the calculated weights.
46. The network node of claim 44, wherein the plurality of bearers
are scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and the
processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
select an LBT setting for transmission of the same subframe, based
on a weighted average priority bearer weight of the calculated
weights.
47. The network node of claim 44, wherein the plurality of bearers
are scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and the
processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
select an LBT setting for transmission of the same subframe, based
on a highest priority bearer weight of the calculated weights.
48. The network node of claim 44, wherein the plurality of bearers
are established between the network node and two or more wireless
devices that are scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and
the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
select an LBT setting for transmission of the same subframe, based
on a highest priority bearer weight of the weights of the
calculated weights.
49. The network node of claim 44, wherein the plurality of bearers
are established between the network node and two or more wireless
devices that are scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and
the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
select an LBT setting for transmission of the same subframe, based
on a highest averaged priority bearer weight per wireless device of
the two or more wireless devices, of the calculated weights.
50. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program code
executable by a network node, wherein the execution of the program
code causes the network node to perform operations comprising:
calculating a different weight for each of a plurality of bearers,
wherein each of the different weights is calculated based on an
indication of a quality of service associated with information to
be transmitted by each of the plurality of bearers, respectively;
and scheduling, based on the calculated weights, the plurality of
bearers for transmission to or from one or more wireless devices,
wherein each of the calculated weights corresponds to a
Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) setting, the LBT setting comprising an LBT
algorithm and one or more parameters corresponding to the LBT
algorithm.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a network node
and methods therein for scheduling one or more bearers for
transmission to or from a wireless device. The present disclosure
relates generally also to a wireless device and methods therein for
applying a Listen-Before-Talk, LBT, setting. The present disclosure
also relates generally to a computer program product, comprising
instructions to carry out the actions described herein, as
performed by the network node. The computer program product may be
stored on a computer-readable storage medium.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Communication devices such as wireless devices are also
known as e.g. User Equipments (UE), mobile terminals, terminals,
wireless terminals and/or mobile stations. Terminals are enabled to
communicate wirelessly in a cellular communications network or
wireless communication system, sometimes also referred to as a
cellular radio system or cellular networks. The communication may
be performed e.g. between two terminals, between a terminal and a
regular telephone and/or between a terminal and a server via a
Radio Access Network (RAN) and possibly one or more core networks,
comprised within the cellular communications network.
[0003] Wireless devices may further be referred to as mobile
telephones, cellular telephones, laptops, or surf plates with
wireless capability, just to mention some further examples. The
terminals in the present context may be, for example, portable,
pocket-storable, hand-held, computer-comprised, or vehicle-mounted
mobile devices, enabled to communicate voice and/or data, via the
RAN, with another entity, such as another terminal or a server.
[0004] The cellular communications network covers a geographical
area which is divided into cell areas, wherein each cell area being
served by an access node such as a base station, e.g. a Radio Base
Station (RBS), which sometimes may be referred to as e.g. evolved
NodeB "eNB", "eNodeB", "NodeB", "B node", or BTS (Base Transceiver
Station), depending on the technology and terminology used. The
base stations may be of different classes such as e.g. macro
eNodeB, home eNodeB or pico base station, based on transmission
power and thereby also cell size. A cell is the geographical area
where radio coverage is provided by the base station at a base
station site. One base station, situated on the base station site,
may serve one or several cells. Further, each base station may
support one or several communication technologies. The base
stations communicate over the air interface operating on radio
frequencies with the terminals within range of the base stations.
In the context of this disclosure, the expression Downlink (DL) is
used for the transmission path from the base station to the mobile
station. The expression Uplink (UL) is used for the transmission
path in the opposite direction i.e. from the mobile station to the
base station.
[0005] In 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term
Evolution (LTE), base stations, which may be referred to as eNodeBs
or even eNBs, may be directly connected to one or more core
networks.
[0006] 3GPP LTE radio access standard has been written in order to
support high bitrates and low latency both for uplink and downlink
traffic. All data transmission is in LTE controlled by the radio
base station.
[0007] The 3GPP initiative "Licensed Assisted Access" (LAA) intends
to allow LTE equipment to also operate in the unlicensed 5 GHz
radio spectrum. The unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum is used as a
complement to the licensed spectrum. Accordingly, devices may
connect in the licensed spectrum, primary cell or PCell, and use
carrier aggregation to benefit from additional transmission
capacity in the unlicensed spectrum, secondary cell or SCell. To
reduce the changes that may be required for aggregating licensed
and unlicensed spectrum, the LTE frame timing in the primary cell
may be simultaneously used in the secondary cell.
[0008] Regulatory requirements, however, may not permit
transmissions in the unlicensed spectrum without prior channel
sensing. Since the unlicensed spectrum may be shared with other
radios of similar or dissimilar wireless technologies, a so called
Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) method may need to be applied. Today, the
unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum is mainly used by equipment implementing
the IEEE 802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) standard. This
standard is known under its marketing brand "Wi-Fi."
[0009] In Europe, the LBT procedure is under the scope of EN
301.893 regulation. For LAA to operate in the 5GHz spectrum, the
LAA LBT procedure may conform to requirements and minimum behaviors
set forth in EN 301.893. However, additional system designs and
steps may be needed to ensure coexistence of Wi-Fi and LAA with EN
301.893 LBT procedures.
[0010] In U.S. Pat No. 8,774,209B2, "Apparatus and method for
spectrum sharing using listen-before-talk with quiet periods," LBT
is adopted by frame-based OFDM systems to determine whether the
channel is free prior to transmission. A maximum transmission
duration timer is used to limit the duration of a transmission
burst, and is followed by a quiet period.
Long Term Evolution (LTE)
[0011] LTE uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)
in the downlink and Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT)-spread OFDM,
also referred to as single-carrier Frequency Division
Multiple-Access (FDMA), in the uplink. The basic LTE downlink
physical resource may thus be seen as a time-frequency grid as
illustrated in FIG. 1, where each resource element corresponds to
one OFDM subcarrier during one OFDM symbol interval. The uplink
subframe has the same subcarrier spacing as the downlink and the
same number of Single-Carrier (SC)-FDMA symbols in the time domain
as OFDM symbols in the downlink.
[0012] In the time domain, LTE downlink transmissions may be
organized into radio frames of 10 millisecond (ms), each radio
frame consisting of ten equally-sized subframes of length
Tsubframe=1 ms, as shown in FIG. 2. For normal cyclic prefix, one
subframe consists of 14 OFDM symbols. The duration of each symbol
may be approximately 71.4 .mu.s.
[0013] Furthermore, the resource allocation in LTE is typically
described in terms of resource blocks, where a resource block
corresponds to one slot, 0.5 ms, in the time domain and 12
contiguous subcarriers in the frequency domain. A pair of two
adjacent resource blocks in time direction, 1.0 ms, may be known as
a resource block pair. Resource blocks may be numbered in the
frequency domain, starting with 0 from one end of the system
bandwidth.
[0014] Downlink transmissions may be dynamically scheduled, i.e.,
in each subframe the base may station transmit control information
about which terminals data is transmitted to and upon which
resource blocks the data is transmitted, in the current downlink
subframe. This control signaling may be typically transmitted in
the first 1, 2, 3 or 4 OFDM symbols in each subframe, and the
number n=1, 2, 3 or 4 may be known as the Control Format Indicator
(CFI). The downlink subframe may also contain common reference
symbols, which are known to the receiver and used for coherent
demodulation of, e.g., the control information. A downlink system
with CFI=3 OFDM symbols as control is illustrated in FIG. 3, where
the three OFDM symbols are indicated as control region. In the
example shown in the figure, the control signaling is transmitted
in the first OFDM symbol, as indicated.
[0015] Descriptions for the above procedures may be found for
example in 3GPP TS 36.211, V11.4.0 (2013-09), 3rd Generation
Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access
Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA);
Physical Channels and Modulation, Release 11, 3GPP TS 36.213,
V11.4.0 (2013-09), 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical
Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal
Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical layer procedures,
Release 11, and 3GPP TS 36.331, V11.5.0 (2013-09), 3rd Generation
Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access
Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Radio
Resource Control (RRC), Release 11.
[0016] From LTE Rel-11 onwards, above described resource
assignments may also be scheduled on the enhanced Physical Downlink
Control Channel (EPDCCH). For Rel-8 to Rel-10, only the Physical
Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) may be available.
[0017] The reference symbols shown in the above FIG. 3 may be the
cell specific reference symbols (CRS) and may be used to support
multiple functions, including fine time and frequency
synchronization and channel estimation for certain transmission
modes.
[0018] Carrier Aggregation
[0019] The LTE Rel-10 standard may support bandwidths larger than
20 MegaHertz (MHz). One feature on LTE Rel-10 may be to assure
backward compatibility with LTE Rel-8. This may also include
spectrum compatibility. That may imply that an LTE Rel-10 carrier,
wider than 20 MHz, may appear as a number of LTE carriers to an LTE
Rel-8 terminal. Each such carrier may be referred to as a Component
Carrier (CC). In particular, for early LTE Rel-10 deployments it
may be expected that there may be a smaller number of LTE Rel-25
10-capable terminals, compared to many LTE legacy terminals.
Therefore, it may be necessary to assure an efficient use of a wide
carrier also for legacy terminals, i.e. that it may be possible to
implement carriers where legacy terminals may be scheduled in all
parts of the wideband LIE Rel-10 carrier. The straightforward way
to obtain this may be by means of Carrier Aggregation (CA). CA may
imply that an LTE Rel-10 terminal may receive multiple CC, where
the CC have, or at least the possibility to have, the same
structure as a Rel-8 carrier. CA is illustrated in FIG. 4. Note an
aggregated bandwidth of 100 MHz is shown as an aggregation of five
component carriers, each of 20 MHz. Each of which may therefore be
handled by a terminal from an earlier release than LTE Rel-10. A
CA-capable UE may be assigned a primary cell (PCell) which may be
always activated, and one or more secondary cells (SCells) which
may be activated or deactivated dynamically.
[0020] The number of aggregated CC as well as the bandwidth of the
individual CC may be different for uplink and downlink. A symmetric
configuration refers to the case where the number of CCs in
downlink and uplink is the same whereas an asymmetric configuration
refers to the case that the number of CCs is different. The number
of CCs configured in a cell may be different from the number of CCs
seen by a terminal: A terminal may for example support more
downlink CCs than uplink CCs, even though the cell is configured
with the same number of uplink and downlink CCs.
[0021] In addition, a feature of carrier aggregation is the ability
to perform cross-carrier scheduling. This mechanism may allow a
(E)PDCCH on one CC to schedule data transmissions on another CC by
means of a 3-bit Carrier Indicator Field (CIF) inserted at the
beginning of the (E)PDCCH messages. For data transmissions on a
given CC, a UE may expect to receive scheduling messages on the
(E)PDCCH on just one CC--either the same CC, or a different CC via
cross-carrier scheduling; this mapping from (E)PDCCH to PDSCH may
also be configured semi-statically.
Quality of Service (QoS) in LTE
[0022] In LTE, each UE may run several applications of different
priorities at the same time. For example, Voice over Internet
Protocol (VoIP) and Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling may
typically have a higher priority than File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
file downloading. In order to support multiple applications with
different QoS requirements, different bearers may be set up
associated with different QoS, where different bearers may have
distinctive packet loss rate and packet delay requirements for
example. Each bearer may have a QoS Class Identifier (QCI) and may
be a Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) or Non-Guaranteed Bit Rate (Non-GBR)
bearer. The standardized 3GPP QCI for LTE is given in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 3GPP QCI for LTE Resource Packet Delay
Packet Loss QCI Type Priority Budget Rate Example Services 1 GBR 2
100 ms 10.sup.-2 Conversational Voice 2 4 150 ms 10.sup.-3
Conversational Video (Live Streaming) 3 5 300 ms 10.sup.-6
Non-Conversational Video (Buffered Streaming) 4 3 50 ms 10.sup.-3
Real Time Gaming 5 Non-GBR 1 100 ms 10.sup.-6 IMS Signaling 6 7 100
ms 10.sup.-3 Voice, Video (Live Streaming) Interactive Gaming 7 6
300 ms 10.sup.-6 Video (Buffered Streaming) 8 8 TCP-based (e.g.,
www, e- 9 9 mail, chat, ftp, p2p file sharing, progressive video,
etc.)
[0023] The QCIs may be defined with certain services in mind,
whereas QCI may have impact on how an individual packet of an
Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Radio
Access Bearer (E-RAB) is treated, by means of for instance the
Priority field. In total, 9 QCIs are standardized together with
specific values on a few parameters, resource type, priority,
packet delay budget, packet error loss rate. The standardized
parameters may be interpreted on a guideline level and the values
in the QCI Table are not requirements.
[0024] Wireless Local Area Network
[0025] In typical deployments of WLAN, Carrier Sense Multiple
Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) may be used for medium
access. This means that the channel may be sensed to perform a
Clear Channel Assessment (CCA), and a transmission may is be
initiated only if the channel is declared as Idle. In case the
channel is declared as Busy, the transmission may be deferred until
the channel is deemed to be Idle. When the range of several Access
Points (APs) using the same frequency may overlap, this means that
all transmissions related to one AP may be deferred in case a
transmission on the same frequency to or from another AP which is
within range may be detected. Effectively, this means that if
several APs are within range, they may have to share the channel in
time, and the throughput for the individual APs may be severely
degraded. A general illustration of the Listen-Before-Talk (LBT)
mechanism in Wi-Fi is shown in FIG. 5.
[0026] After a Wi-Fi station (STA) A transmits a data frame to a
station B, represented in the figure by the two wavy lines and the
indication Busy Wireless Medium (WM), station B may transmit the
ACK frame back to station A with a delay of 16 microseconds
(.mu.s), the so-called Short Inter-frame Spacing (SIFS). The SIFS
duration may be understood as representing the nominal time, in
.mu.s, that the W-Fi Medium Access Control (MAC) and PHysical Layer
(PHY) may require in order to receive the last symbol of a frame at
the air interface, process the frame, and respond with the first
symbol on the air interface of the earliest possible response
frame. Such an ACK frame may be transmitted by station B without
performing an LBT operation. To prevent another station interfering
with such an ACK frame transmission, a station may defer for a
duration of 34 .mu.s, referred to as Distributed Coordination
Function Inter-frame Spacing (DIFS), after the channel is observed
to be occupied before assessing again whether the channel is
occupied. This is represented in FIG. 5 as defer access.
[0027] Therefore, a station that wishes to transmit, may first
perform a CCA by sensing the medium for a fixed duration DIFS. If
the medium is idle, then the station may assume that it may take
ownership of the medium and begin a frame exchange sequence. If the
medium is busy, the station may wait for the medium to go idle,
defer for DIFS, and wait for a further random backoff period.
[0028] To further prevent a station from occupying the channel
continuously and thereby prevent other stations from accessing the
channel, it may be required for a station wishing to transmit again
after a transmission is completed to perform a random backoff. The
random backoff is a procedure performed based on a so called
Contention Window, wherein a random number of slots wherein the
channel is to be found idle before transmission may take place is
drawn from the range that may be specified by the Contention
Window. This number may be counted down as long as the medium is
found to be idle, and the counter may be frozen when the medium is
found to be busy. When the count goes down to zero, transmission,
e.g., of data, as shown in the Figure, may start. The Contention
Window may be increased if previous transmissions are not received
successfully by the intended recipient, or reset to a nominal value
when previous transmissions are received successfully.
[0029] The Point Coordination Function Inter-frame Spacing (PIFS)
may be used to gain priority access to the medium, and may be
shorter than the DIFS duration. Among other cases, it may be used
by STAs operating under PCF, to transmit Beacon Frames with
priority. At the nominal beginning of each Contention-Free Period
(CFP), where access to the medium is coordinated by the Point
Coordinator (PC), the PC may sense the medium. When the medium is
determined to be idle for one PIFS period, generally 25 .mu.s, the
PC may transmit a Beacon frame containing the Contention-Free (CF)
Parameter Set element and a delivery traffic indication message
element. The CF parameter set may carry parameters that may be
needed to support PCF operation. A delivery traffic indication map
may be understood as a traffic indication map which may inform the
STAs about the presence of buffered multicast/broadcast data on the
AP.
[0030] Load-Based Clear Channel Assessment in Europe Regulation EN
301.893
[0031] For a device not utilizing the Wi-Fi protocol, EN 301.893,
v. 1.7.1 provides the following requirements and minimum behavior
for the load-based clear channel assessment. An example to
illustrate the EN 301.893 is provided in FIG. 6.
[0032] 1) Before a transmission or a burst of transmissions on an
Operating Channel, the equipment may perform a Clear Channel
Assessment (CCA) check using "energy detect", as represented in the
Figure by a circled "1". The equipment may observe the Operating
Channel(s) for the duration of the CCA observation time, which may
be not less than 20 .mu.s. The CCA observation time used by the
equipment may be declared by the manufacturer. The Operating
Channel may be considered occupied if the energy level in the
channel exceeds the threshold corresponding to the power level
given in point 5 below. If the equipment finds the channel to be
clear", as represented in the Figure by a circled "1", it may
transmit immediately, ", as represented in the Figure by a circled
"2", see point 3 below.
[0033] 2) If the equipment finds an Operating Channel occupied, it
may not transmit in that channel. The equipment may perform an
Extended CCA check", as represented in the Figure by a circled "3",
in which the Operating Channel is observed for the duration of a
random factor N multiplied by the CCA observation time. N defines
the number of clear idle slots resulting in a total Idle Period
that may need to be observed before initiation of the transmission.
The value of N may be randomly selected in the range 1 . . . q
every time an Extended CCA may be required, and the value stored in
a counter. The value of q is selected by the manufacturer in the
range 4 . . . 32. This selected value may be declared by the
manufacturer, see clause 5.3.1 q. The counter may be decremented
every time a CCA slot is considered to be "unoccupied". When the
counter reaches zero, the equipment may transmit", as represented
in the Figure by a circled "2", on the right side.
[0034] The equipment may be allowed to continue Short Control
Signalling Transmissions on this channel providing it complies with
the requirements in clause 4.9.2.3.
[0035] For equipment having simultaneous transmissions on multiple,
adjacent or non-adjacent, operating channels, the equipment may be
allowed to continue transmissions on other Operating Channels,
providing the CCA check did not detect any signals on those
channels.
[0036] 3) The total time that an equipment makes use of an
Operating Channel is the Maximum Channel Occupancy Time which may
be less than ( 13/32).times.q ms, with q as defined in point 2
above, after which the device may perform the Extended CCA
described in point 2 above.
[0037] 4) The equipment, upon correct reception of a packet which
was intended for this equipment, may skip CCA and immediately, see
note 4 below, proceed with the transmission of management and
control frames (Ctrl), e.g. ACK and Block ACK frames", as
represented in the Figure by a circled "4". A consecutive sequence
of transmissions by the equipment, without it performing a new CCA,
may not exceed the Maximum Channel Occupancy Time as defined in
point 3 above.
[0038] NOTE: For the purpose of multi-cast, the ACK transmissions,
associated with the same data packet, of the individual devices are
allowed to take place in a sequence
[0039] 5) The energy detection threshold for the CCA may be
proportional to the maximum transmit power (PH) of the transmitter:
for a 23 decibel-milliwatts (dBm) Effective Isotropic Radiated
Power (e.i.r.p.) transmitter, the CCA threshold level (TL) may be
equal or lower than -73 dBm/MHz at the input to the receiver,
assuming a 0 decibel isotropic (dBi) receive antenna. For other
transmit power levels, the CCA Threshold Level (TL) may be
calculated using the formula: TL=-73 dBm/MHz+23-PH, assuming a 0
dBi receive antenna and PH specified in dBm e.i.r.p.
[0040] Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) to Unlicensed Spectrum Using
LTE
[0041] Up to now, the spectrum used by LTE is dedicated to LTE.
This has the advantage that an LTE system may not need to care
about coexistence with other non-3GPP radio access technologies in
the same spectrum and spectrum efficiency may be maximized.
However, the spectrum allocated to LTE is limited, which cannot
meet the ever increasing demand for larger throughput from
applications/services. Therefore, a new study item has been
initiated in 3GPP on extending LTE to exploit unlicensed spectrum
in addition to licensed spectrum.
[0042] With Licensed-Assisted Access to unlicensed spectrum, as
shown in FIG. 7, a UE may be connected to a PCell in the licensed
band and one or more SCells in the unlicensed band. In this
application a secondary cell in unlicensed spectrum may be denoted
as LAA secondary cell (LAA SCell). The LAA SCell may operate in
DL-only mode or operate with both UL and DL traffic. Furthermore,
in future scenarios, the LTE nodes may operate in standalone mode
in license-exempt channels without assistance from a licensed cell.
Unlicensed spectrum may, by definition, be simultaneously used by
multiple different technologies. Therefore, LAA as described above
may need to consider coexistence with other systems such as IEEE
802.11 (Wi-Fi).
[0043] To coexist fairly with the Wi-Fi system, transmission on the
SCell may conform to LBT protocols in order to avoid collisions and
causing severe interference to on-going transmissions. This may
include both performing LBT before commencing transmissions, and
limiting the maximum duration of a single transmission burst. The
maximum transmission burst duration may be specified by country and
region-specific regulations, for e.g., 4 ms in Japan and 13 ms in
Europe according to EN 301.893. An example in the context of LAA is
shown in FIG. 8, with different examples for the duration of a
transmission burst on the LAA SCell constrained by a maximum
allowed transmission duration of 4 ms. FIG. 8 is a schematic
diagram illustrating LAA to unlicensed spectrum using LTE carrier
aggregation and listen-before--talk to ensure good coexistence with
other unlicensed band technologies. In FIG. 8, the transmitted
bursts are represented with black rectangles. Each rectangle
represents a subframe. Note that before every transmitted burst in
the SCell, a listening period is performed, as indicated by the
striped areas. Bursts of 4 ms, 3 ms and 8 ms are represented in the
Figures, as examples. Because in the example of FIG. 7, the maximum
allowed transmission duration of 4 ms, the 8 ms burst is
interrupted by a listening period after the first 4 ms of the
burst.
[0044] Existing methods for LAA LTE to support LBT in unlicensed
spectrum may comprise inappropriate delays of transmission, as well
as interference problems, that result in poor performance of a
wireless communications network.
SUMMARY
[0045] It is therefore an object of embodiments herein to improve
the performance of a wireless communications network by providing
improved methods of scheduling transmissions in a wireless
communications network. It is a further object of embodiments
herein to improve the performance of a wireless communications
network by providing improved methods of performing LBT in a
wireless communications network.
[0046] According to a first aspect of embodiments herein, the
object is achieved by a method performed by a network node. The
method is for scheduling one or more bearers for transmission to or
from a wireless device. The wireless device is serviced by the
network node. The network node calculates a weight for each bearer
of the one or more bearers established between the network node and
the wireless device. The calculating is based on an indication of a
quality of service associated with information to be transmitted in
each bearer of the one or more bearers. The network node schedules
the one or more bearers for transmission to or from the wireless
device based on the calculated weight. The calculated weight
corresponds to an LBT setting. The LBT setting comprises an LBT
algorithm and its corresponding one or more parameters.
[0047] According to a second aspect of embodiments herein, the
object is achieved by a method performed by the wireless device
serviced by the network node. The method is for applying an LET
setting. The wireless device receives, from the network node, an
indication of the LBT setting. The LBT setting corresponds to the
weight to be applied by the wireless device when performing an LET.
The LBT setting comprises the LBT algorithm and its corresponding
one or more parameters. The wireless device applies the LBT setting
of the received indication when performing the LBT. The weight is
for each bearer of one or more bearers established between the
network node and the wireless device, The weight is based on the
indication of the quality of service associated with information to
be transmitted in each bearer of the one or more bearers.
[0048] According to a third aspect of embodiments herein, the
object is achieved by a network node configured to schedule one or
more bearers for transmission to or from the wireless device. The
network node is configured to service the wireless device. The
network node is further configured to calculate the weight for each
bearer of the one or more bearers configured to be established
between the network node and the wireless device. To calculate is
configured to be based on the indication of the quality of service
associated with information configured to be transmitted in each
bearer of the one or more bearers. The network node is configured
to schedule the one or more bearers for transmission to or from the
wireless device based on the calculated weight. The calculated
weight corresponds to the LBT setting. The LBT setting comprises
the LBT algorithm and its corresponding one or more parameters,
[0049] According to a fourth aspect of embodiments herein, the
object is achieved by a wireless device configured to apply the LBT
setting. The wireless device is configured to be serviced by the
network node, The wireless device is further configured to receive,
from the network node, the indication of the LBT setting. The LBT
setting corresponds to the weight to be applied by the wireless
device when performing the LBT. The LBT setting comprises the LBT
algorithm and its corresponding one or more parameters. The
wireless device is further configured to apply the LBT setting when
performing LBT. The weight is for each bearer of one or more
bearers configured to be established between the network node and
the wireless device. The weight is based on the indication of the
quality of service associated with information configured to be
transmitted in each bearer of the one or more bearers.
[0050] According to a fifth aspect of embodiments herein, the
object is achieved by a computer program, comprising instructions
which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least
one processor to carry out the method performed by the network
node.
[0051] According to a sixth aspect of embodiments herein, the
object is achieved by a computer-readable storage medium, having
stored thereon the computer program, comprising instructions which,
when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one
processor to carry out the method performed by the network
node.
[0052] According to a seventh aspect of embodiments herein, the
object is achieved by a computer program, comprising instructions
which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least
one processor to carry out the method performed by the wireless
device.
[0053] According to an eighth aspect of embodiments herein, the
object is achieved by a computer-readable storage medium, having
stored thereon the computer program, comprising instructions which,
when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one
processor to carry out the method performed by the wireless
device.
[0054] By the network node calculating the weight for each bearer
based on quality of service, the weight corresponding to an LBT
setting, and scheduling the one or more bearers for transmission
based on the calculated weight, the network node enables the
prioritization of traffic of certain bearers during LBT, based on
their associated QoS. Traffic may be then be prioritized when
performing LBT by choosing the LBT algorithm and parameters, e.g.,
shorter initial CCA sensing time, shorter extended CCA sensing
time, etc. . . . which are mapped to the calculated weight. This
leads to better and fairer sharing of the unlicensed spectrum with
other technologies such as Wi-Fi, by performing LBT, while at the
same time enabling the prioritization of information to be
transmitted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0055] Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0056] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the LTE downlink
physical resource, according to existing methods.
[0057] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an LTE time-domain
structure, according to existing methods.
[0058] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a normal downlink
subframe, according to existing methods.
[0059] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of carrier aggregation,
according to existing methods.
[0060] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the LBT mechanism in
Wi-Fi, according to existing methods.
[0061] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of LBT in EN 301.893,
according to existing methods.
[0062] FIG. 7 illustrates a CA-capable UE configured with one LAA
SCell, according to existing methods.
[0063] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of LAA to unlicensed
spectrum using LTE CA and LBT, according to existing methods.
[0064] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram depicting a wireless
communications network, according to embodiments herein.
[0065] FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in
a network node, according to embodiments herein.
[0066] FIG. 11 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in
a wireless device, according to embodiments herein.
[0067] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram illustrating
embodiments of a network node, according to embodiments herein.
[0068] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram illustrating
embodiments of a wireless device, according to embodiments
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0069] Terminologies
[0070] The following commonly terminologies are used in the
embodiments and are elaborated below:
[0071] Radio network node: In some embodiments the non-limiting
term radio network node is more commonly used and it refers to any
type of network node serving UE and/or connected to other network
node or network element or any radio node from where UE receives
signal. Examples of radio network nodes are Node B, base station
(BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNode
B, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station
controller, relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver
station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission
nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS) etc.
[0072] Network node: In some embodiments a more general term
"network node" is used and it can correspond to any type of radio
network node or any network node, which communicates with at least
a radio network node. Examples of network node are any radio
network node stated above, core network node (e.g. MSC, MME etc.),
O&M, OSS, SON, positioning node (e.g. E-SMLC), MDT etc.
[0073] User equipment: In some embodiments the non-limiting term
user equipment (UE) is used and it refers to any type of wireless
device communicating with a radio network node in a cellular or
mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device,
device to device UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to
machine communication, PDA, iPAD, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart
phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment
(LME), USB dongles etc.
[0074] The embodiments herein also apply to the multi-point carrier
aggregation systems.
[0075] Note that although terminology from 3GPP LTE has been used
in this disclosure to exemplify the embodiments herein, this should
not be seen as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein to only
the aforementioned system. Other wireless systems, including WCDMA,
WiMax, UMB and GSM, may also benefit from exploiting the ideas
covered within this disclosure.
[0076] Also note that terminology such as eNodeB and UE should be
considering non-limiting and does in particular not imply a certain
hierarchical relation between the two; in general "eNodeB" could be
considered as device 1 and "UE" device 2, and these two devices
communicate with each other over some radio channel. Herein, we
also focus on wireless transmissions in the downlink, but the
embodiments herein are equally applicable in the uplink.
[0077] In this section, the embodiments herein will be illustrated
in more detail by a number of exemplary embodiments. It should be
noted that these embodiments are not mutually exclusive. Components
from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another
embodiment and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art
how those components may be used in the other exemplary
embodiments.
[0078] There is currently no specification for LAA LTE to support
LBT with prioritized QoS in unlicensed spectrum.
[0079] FIG. 9 depicts an example of a wireless communications
network 100, sometimes also referred to as a cellular radio system,
cellular network or wireless communications system, in which
embodiments herein may be implemented. The wireless communications
network 100 may for example be a network such as a Long-Term
Evolution (LTE), e.g. LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), LTE Time
Division Duplex (TDD), LTE Half-Duplex Frequency Division Duplex
(HD-FDD), LTE operating in an unlicensed band, Wideband Code
Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Universal Terrestrial Radio
Access (UTRA) TDD, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM)
network, GSM/Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio
Access Network (GERAN) network, Ultra-Mobile Broadband (UMB), EDGE
network, network comprising of any combination of Radio Access
Technologies (RATS) such as e.g. Multi-Standard Radio (MSR) base
stations, multi-RAT base stations etc., any 3rd Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP) cellular network, WiFi networks,
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WMax), 5G system
or any cellular network or system. Thus, although terminology from
3GPP LTE may be used in this disclosure to exemplify embodiments
herein, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the
embodiments herein to only the aforementioned system.
[0080] The wireless communications network 100 comprises a
plurality of network nodes whereof the network node 110 is depicted
in FIG. 9. The network node 110 may be a transmission point such as
a radio base station, for example an eNB, an eNodeB, or an Home
Node B, an Home eNode B or any other network node capable to serve
a wireless device, such as a user equipment or a machine type
communication device in a wireless communications network.
[0081] The wireless communications network 100 covers a
geographical area which is divided into cell areas, wherein each
cell area is served by a network node, although, one network node
may serve one or several cells. In the non-limiting example
depicted in FIG. 9, the network node 110 serves a first cell 131 or
primary cell 131. The primary cell 131 is typically in licensed
spectrum. The network node 110 also serves a second cell 132,
licensed-assisted access cell 132, also referred to herein as
licensed-assisted access secondary cell 132, as defined above. The
licensed-assisted access cell 132 is in unlicensed spectrum. The
primary cell 131 and the licensed-assisted access cell 132 are used
for communication between the network node 110 and wireless device
120. The network node 100 may be of different classes, such as,
e.g., macro eNodeB, home eNodeB or pico base station, based on
transmission power and thereby also cell size. Typically, wireless
communications network 100 may comprise more cells similar to the
first cell 131 and the second cell 132, served by their respective
network node. This is not depicted in FIG. 9 for the sake of
simplicity. The network node 110 may support one or several
communication technologies, and its name may depend on the
technology and terminology used. In 3GPP LTE, the network node 110,
which may be referred to as eNodeBs or even eNBs, may be directly
connected to one or more core networks.
[0082] The wireless device 120 also referred to herein as a user
equipment or UE is located in the wireless communication network
100. The wireless device 120 may e.g. be a user equipment, a mobile
terminal or a wireless terminal, a mobile phone, a computer such as
e.g. a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) or a tablet
computer, sometimes referred to as a surf plate, with wireless
capability, or any other radio network units capable to communicate
over a radio link in a wireless communications network. Please note
the term user equipment used in this document also covers other
wireless devices such as Machine to machine (M2M) devices, even
though they do not have any user.
[0083] The wireless devices 120 is configured to communicate within
the wireless communications network 100 with the network node 110
over a first radio link 141 in the primary cell 131, and over a
second radio link 142 in the licensed-assisted access cell 132.
[0084] Any of the network node 110 and the wireless device 120 may
be referred to herein as a first node. Any of the network node 110
and the wireless device 120 may be referred to herein as a second
node, Also, any reference herein to a UE is understood to apply to
a wireless devices such as the wireless device 120. Likewise, any
reference herein to a eNB is understood to apply to a network node
such as the network node 110.
[0085] Embodiments of a method performed by the network node 110
for scheduling one or more bearers for transmission to or from the
wireless device 120, will now be described with reference to the
flowchart depicted depicted in FIG. 10. The network node 110
operates in the wireless communications network 100. The wireless
device 120 is serviced by the network node 110.
[0086] The method may comprise the following actions, which actions
may as well be carried out in another suitable order than that
described below, In FIG. 10, optional actions are indicated with
dashed boxes.
[0087] Action 1001
[0088] The network node 110 may want to prioritize traffic in
certain bearers during LBT, based on their associated QoS. Traffic
may be prioritized in LBT by choosing the LBT algorithm and
parameters, e.g., shorter initial CCA sensing time, shorter
extended CCA sensing time, etc. . . In order to enable performance
of the LBT process, either in the UL or in the DL, taking into
consideration the QoS associated with the traffic, in this Action,
the network node 110 calculates a weight, e.g., w, for each bearer
of one or more bearers established between the network node 110 and
the wireless device 120. The calculating 1001 is based on an
indication of a quality of service associated with information to
be transmitted in each bearer of the one or more bearers, For
example, the indication of quality of service may be a QCI. The
calculated weight corresponds to an LBT setting. That is, the
calculated weight may map, to the LBT setting. The LBT setting
comprises an LBT algorithm and its corresponding one or more
parameters. The alternatives for the LBT algorithms may be only one
alternative, or two or more, where each alternative may have its
corresponding set of parameters. However, different weights may
correspond to different initializations of the parameters, even
though they may belong to the same alternative for the LBT
algorithm. Examples of the one or more parameters are the initial
CCA sensing time, extended CCA (eCCA) sensing time and range of
random backoff number for eCCA, etc....
[0089] Calculating a weight corresponding to an LBT setting may
offer better control of the final LBT setting, such as, for
example, when multiple bearers are present in the same subframe,
and one LBT setting is to be used for the channel contention
process, as will be discussed later.
[0090] The indication of quality of service may be one of: a
quality of service determined by the network node 110 and a quality
of service reported by the wireless device 120, that is, e.g., sent
by the wireless device 120 to the network node 110.
[0091] Note that the weight w may be a range of values where
different weights correspond to non-overlapping ranges of values.
One example of mapping is illustrated in Table 2, where an index is
used to address each weight. For example, consider that there is
only one alternative for the LBT algorithm such as the load based
algorithm described in section "Load-based clear channel assessment
in Europe regulation EN 301.893", where for simplicity it may be
referred to as Alg1. Then, A.sub.1=A.sub.2=. . . =A.sub.m=Alg1 may
be found in the second column of Table 2. Moreover, the LBT
parameters corresponding to Alg1 may be, for example, initial CCA
sensing time, eCCA sensing time and random number range for eCC,
that are included in each set P.sub.i, i=1, . . , m. However, the
initializations for each set may be different for different
weights. The mapping table corresponding to this example is shown
in Table 3. Table 3 shows an example of mapping weight when one LBT
algorithm is available (Alg1), which is the LBT load-based
algorithm in section "Load-based clear channel assessment in Europe
regulation EN 301.893" for LAA, where A.sub.1=A.sub.2=. . .
=A.sub.m=Alg1 and P.sub.i={T.sub.0i, T.sub.1i, [X.sub.i,Y.sub.i]},
i=1, . . . m.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Table of mapping weights to LBT algorithm
and parameters LBT algorithm Weight LBT algorithm parameters
w.sub.1 A.sub.1 P.sub.1 w.sub.2 A.sub.2 P.sub.2 . . . . . . . . .
w.sub.m A.sub.m P.sub.m
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 LBT algorithm parameters LBT Initial CCA
eCCA Random number Weight algorithm sensing time sensing time range
for eCCA w.sub.1 Alg1 T.sub.01 T.sub.10 [X.sub.1, Y.sub.1] w.sub.2
Alg1 T.sub.02 T.sub.12 [X.sub.2, Y.sub.2] . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . w.sub.m Alg1 T.sub.0m T.sub.1m [X.sub.m, Y.sub.m]
[0092] In an aspect of this example, physical and Medium Access
Control (MAC) layer control messages that may not normally be
associated with a bearer may also be given a pseudo-QCI so that the
LBT procedure may accommodate the transmission of such messages
into the prioritization scheme. In an exemplary version of this
example, such messages may be given a QCI of 0 with a priority of
0, i.e., higher than any other type of services. In another
variation of the example, different control messages may have
different priorities.
[0093] Action 1002
[0094] In some embodiments, wherein the one or more bearers
comprise at least two or more bearers, the two or more bearers are
scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and wherein the
weight of each of the two or more bearers is different so that
there are weights of the two or more bearers, the network node 110
may need to choose one LBT setting that applies to the subframe.
Thus, in this Action, the network node 110 may select the LBT
setting for transmission of the same subframe. That is, The
selection of the LBT setting may be based on one of: a) an average
priority bearer weight of the weights of the two or more bearers,
and b) a weighted average priority bearer weight of the weights of
the two or more bearers. Alternatively, the selection of the LBT
setting may be based on a highest priority bearer weight of the
weights of the two or more bearers.
[0095] LBT with QoS for LAA with Multiple Bearers In a particular
embodiment, if several bearers of a wireless device, such as the
wireless device 120, are scheduled to be transmitted on subframe n
on a LAA cell in unlicensed spectrum for transmission in DL or UL,
and the weight for one or more of the bearers are different, the
LBT setting may be selected, according to Action 1002, based on the
highest priority bearer weight for the wireless device 120. In
another variation of this embodiment, the LBT setting may be
selected based on the averaged bearer weight of the wireless device
120. In a further variation of this embodiment, the LBT setting may
be selected based on a weighted average of all scheduled bearers of
the wireless device 120, i.e., w=a.sub.1w.sub.1+a.sub.2w.sub.2+. .
. +a.sub.kw.sub.k, where k is the number of distinct valid weights
for all scheduled bearers and 1=a.sub.1+a.sub.2+. . . +a.sub.k. In
some cases, the weights may be inversely proportional to the bearer
priorities, such that the LBT setting may be selected based on the
lowest priority bearer weight.
[0096] In this embodiment, if several wireless devices are
scheduled on the same subframe n on a LAA cell for transmissions in
DL and the bearer weights are different for one or more of the
scheduled wireless devices, the LBT setting may be selected based
on the weight with highest priority among all bearers of all
scheduled wireless devices in the DL on subframe n. In another
variation of this embodiment, the weight may be averaged for all
bearers belonging to one wireless device 120 and the LBT setting
may be selected based on the largest averaged weight among all
scheduled wireless devices in the DL on subframe n. In a further
variation of this embodiment, the highest weight among the bearers
for each scheduled wireless device in the DL on subframe n may be
averaged and the LBT setting may be selected based on the averaged
weight. In another variation, the weight for all bearers of all
scheduled wireless devices in the DL on subframe n may be averaged
to obtain the LBT parameter setting. In a further variation of this
embodiment, the LBT parameter setting may be chosen based on a
weighted average of all the bearer weights for all scheduled
wireless devices in the DL on subframe n.
[0097] In an aspect of this embodiment, physical and MAC layer
control messages that are not normally associated with a bearer,
targeted to one or more of wireless devices, may also be given a
pseudo-QCI, so that the LBT procedure may accommodate the
transmission of such messages into the prioritization scheme. In an
exemplary version of this embodiment, such messages may be given a
QCI of 0 with a priority of 0, i.e., higher than any other type of
services. In another variation of the embodiment, different control
messages may have different priorities.
[0098] According to the foregoing, in some embodiments, two or more
wireless devices may be scheduled for transmission on a same
subframe. The weight of each of the one or more bearers for at
least two of the two or more wireless devices may be different, so
that there may be weights of the two or more bearers of the two or
more wireless devices. In such embodiments the method may further
comprise selecting the LBT setting for transmission of the same
subframe, wherein the selection of the LBT setting is based on one
of: a) a highest priority bearer weight of the weights of the two
or more bearers of the two or more wireless devices, b) a highest
averaged priority bearer weight per wireless device of the two or
more wireless devices, of the weights of the two or more bearers,
c) an average priority bearer weight of a highest priority bearer
weight per wireless device of the two or more wireless devices, and
d) an average priority bearer weight of the weights of the two or
more bearers of the two or more wireless devices. Alternatively,
the selection of the LBT setting is based on a priority bearer
weight of the weights of the two or more bearers.
[0099] This action is optional.
[0100] Action 1003
[0101] In this Action, the network node 110 schedules the one or
more bearers for transmission to or from the wireless device 120
based on the calculated weight. That is, the network node 110 in
this Action may schedule information, e.g., data, from the one or
more bearers for transmission. The transmission may be in
unlicensed spectrum in one of: a) the Licensed-Assisted Access cell
132 in LTE, and b) standalone LTE.
[0102] LBT with QoS for LAA with Multiple Carrier Operation
[0103] In a first embodiment for multi carrier operation, all
carriers that a device may use that may be about to transmit, may
apply LBT with QoS independently per carrier. The LBT with QoS that
may be used may, for example, be the ones given in embodiments in
sections "LBT with QoS for LAA in the Downlink (DL)", "LBT with QoS
for LAA in the Uplink (UL)" and "LBT with QoS for LAA with Multiple
Bearers".
[0104] In a second embodiment for multi carrier operation, there
may be one Master carrier and at least one Slave carrier. The data
with higher QCIs may be scheduled to be transmitted on Master
carriers and lower priority data may be scheduled on slave
carriers. The device that may be about to transmit data may apply
the LBT with QoS in accordance with sections "LBT with QoS for LAA
in the Downlink (DL)", "LBT with QoS for LAA in the Uplink (UL)"
and "LBT with QoS for LAA with Multiple Bearers" on the Master
carrier. Once the LBT succeeds on the Master carrier, on slave
carriers where the device is supposed to transmit on, the device
may transmit the data by checking if the channel is idle for a
period of initial CCA duration T.sub.0 after data transmission on
the Master carrier; otherwise, the device may not use the slave
carrier for transmission. A device may either be a UE, eNB or
Relay.
[0105] According to the foregoing, in some embodiments, the
scheduling by the network node 110 according to Action 1003 may
comprise a multi-carrier operation, and the LBT may be applied with
a quality of service independently for each carrier, that is,
independently of one another.
[0106] Also according to the foregoing, in some embodiments, the
scheduling by the network node 110 according to Action 1003 may
comprise a multi-carrier operation, and data associated with a
higher indication of quality of service may be scheduled to be
transmitted in one or more master carriers, and data associated
with a lower indication of quality of service may be scheduled to
be transmitted in one or more slave carriers. Transmission in the
one or more slave carriers may be only performed after an outcome
of a period of observation of a radio channel for transmission is
that the radio channel is idle.
[0107] Action 1004
[0108] In this Action, the network node 110 may itself perform LBT,
and the network node 110 itself may therefore apply the LBT setting
corresponding to the calculated weight when performing LBT.
[0109] This action is optional.
[0110] Action 1005
[0111] If the wireless device 120 is to perform LBT, in this
Action, the network node 110 may send an indication of the LBT
setting, corresponding to the calculated weight to the wireless
device 120 to be applied by the wireless device 120 when performing
LBT. This action may be implemented by sending the indication of
the LBT setting in one example, in an UL grant. The indication of
the LBT setting may be an index.
[0112] This action is optional.
[0113] Embodiments of a method performed by the wireless device 120
serviced by the network node 110 for applying an LBT setting, will
now be described with reference to the flowchart depicted in FIG.
11.
[0114] The detailed description of some of the following
corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to
the actions described for the network node 110, and will thus not
be repeated here.
[0115] Action 1101
[0116] In this action, the wireless device 120 receives, from the
network node 110, the indication of the LBT setting corresponding
to the weight to be applied by the wireless device 120 when
performing an LBT, that is, the weight calculated by the network
node 110. As stated earlier, the LBT setting comprises the LBT
algorithm and its corresponding one or more parameters. The weight
is for each bearer of the one or more bearers established between
the network node 110 and the wireless device 120. The weight is
based on the indication of the quality of service associated with
information to be transmitted in each bearer of the one or more
bearers.
[0117] In some embodiments, the indication of the LBT setting is an
index, and the wireless device 120 may map the index to the LBT
setting.
[0118] Action 1102
[0119] In this action, the wireless device 120 applies the LBT
setting of the received indication when performing the LBT.
[0120] Embodiments herein may define a QoS framework for LBT when
LAA is operating in unlicensed spectrum in order to serve traffic
with different priorities.
[0121] According to the foregoing, in embodiments herein, for
different types of traffic on a LAA cell in unlicensed spectrum, a
weight may be calculated based on the QCI of the traffic. The
weight may then used to select the LBT settings including LBT
algorithm and corresponding parameters, for example the initial CCA
sensing time, extended CCA (eCCA) sensing time and range of random
backoff number for eCCA, etc for the load-based system as described
in section "Load-based clear channel assessment in Europe
regulation EN 301.893", to support LBT with prioritized QoS in
unlicensed spectrum.
[0122] The following advantages of embodiments herein have been
identified: LBT with QoS differentiation may be supported in
unlicensed spectrum in LTE, which leads to better and fairer
sharing of the unlicensed spectrum with other technologies such as
Wi-Fi.
[0123] In contrast to e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,774,209B2, embodiments
herein may only focus on the LBT phase of a load-based OFDM system,
and are designed to ensure fairer coexistence with other radio
access technologies such as Wi-Fi while also satisfying EN 301.893
regulations.
[0124] A description of the disclosed methods to support LBT with
different QoS requirements for LAA to unlicensed spectrum according
to embodiments herein follows with specific examples. The methods
in embodiments herein may be applicable to both LAA LTE and
standalone LTE operation in license-exempt channels.
[0125] Any reference herein to a UE is understood to apply to a
wireless device such as the wireless device 120.
[0126] Any reference herein to an eNB is understood to apply to a
network node such as the network node 110.
[0127] LBT With QoS for LAA in the Downlink (DL)
[0128] In a first example, and according to Action 1001, in DL,
when several bearers to be transmitted to a wireless device, such
as the wireless device 120, a weight w may be calculated at the eNB
for each bearer, based on the associated QCI and scheduling
algorithm, e.g., Proportional Fair or Round-robin scheduling. The
weight w may then be input to the scheduler for DL scheduling
decision for the bearer to be transmitted to the wireless device
120 according to Action 1003. If the bearer of the wireless device
120 is scheduled to be transmitted from the eNB on subframe n on a
LAA cell in unlicensed spectrum, the weight may be mapped to a
certain LBT setting including LBT algorithm and its corresponding
parameters.
[0129] The LBT setting may then be sent to the CCA logic/circuit to
be applied when doing LBT for the DL transmission on subframe n,
according to Action 1004. This may be done for example by
transmitting only the index to the weight.
[0130] LBT With QoS for LAA in the Uplink (UL)
[0131] In a second example, in UL, for a wireless device, such as
the wireless device 120 with data to be transmitted to an eNB, a
weight w may be calculated at eNB, according to Action 1001, based
on the reported QCIs from the wireless device 120 and scheduling
algorithm, e.g., Proportional Fair or Round-robin scheduling. The
weight w may then be input to the scheduler for UL scheduling
decision for the wireless device 120, according to Action 1003. If
the wireless device 120 is scheduled for UL transmission on
subframe n on a LAA cell in unlicensed spectrum, the weight may be
mapped to a certain LBT setting including LBT algorithm and its
corresponding parameters, for example, the initial CCA sensing
time, extended CCA sensing time and range of random backoff number
for eCCA, etc. for the load-based LBT algorithm, as described in
section "Load-based clear channel assessment in Europe regulation
EN 301,893". The example mapping in Table 2 for load-based LBT,
where the weight is mapped to a set of initial CCA sensing time,
eCCA sensing time and the range of the random backoff number for
eCCA, may be used for the UL. The LBT setting may then be sent to
the wireless device 120 according to Action 1005 and received by
the wireless device 120 according to Action 1101, to be applied
when doing LBT for the UL transmission on subframe n, according to
Action 1102. In one example, LBT setting may be sent to wireless
device 120 in UL grant. In another example, an index may be sent to
the wireless device 120 in the UL grant by which the wireless
device 120 may map the index to the corresponding LBT settings.
[0132] In an aspect of this example, physical and MAC layer control
messages that may not normally be associated with a bearer may also
be given a pseudo-QCI so that the LBT procedure may accommodate the
transmission of such messages into the prioritization scheme. In an
exemplary version of this example, such messages may be given a QCI
of 0 with a priority of 0, i.e., higher than any other type of
services. In another variation of the embodiment, different control
messages may have different priorities.
Embodiments herein may relate to the L1 and L2 layers.
[0133] To perform the method actions described above in relation to
FIG. 10, the network node 110 is configured to schedule the one or
more bearers for transmission to or from the wireless device 120.
The network node 110 comprises the following arrangement depicted
in FIG. 12. As already mentioned, the network node 110 is
configured to service the wireless device 120. The network node 110
is further configured to operate in the wireless communications
network 100.
[0134] The detailed description of some of the following
corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to
the actions described for the network node 110, and will thus not
be repeated here.
[0135] The network node 110 is further configured to, e.g., by
means of a calculating module 1201 configured to, calculate the
weight for each bearer of the one or more bearers configured to be
established between the network node 110 and the wireless device
120, to calculate being configured to be based on the indication of
the quality of service configured to be transmitted in each bearer
of the one or more bearers. The calculated weight corresponds to an
LBT setting, the LBT setting comprising an LBT algorithm and its
corresponding one or more parameters
[0136] The calculating module 1201 may be a processor 1207 of the
network node 110.
[0137] The indication of quality of service may be one of: the
quality of service configured to be determined by the network node
110 and the quality of service configured to be reported by the
wireless device 120.
[0138] The network node 110 is further configured to, e.g., by
means of a scheduling module 1202 configured to, schedule the one
or more bearers for transmission to or from the wireless device 120
based on the calculated weight.
[0139] The scheduling module 1202 may be the processor 1207 of the
network node 110.
[0140] The transmission may be in unlicensed spectrum in one of: a)
the Licensed-Assisted Access cell 132 in LTE and b) standalone
LTE.
[0141] In some embodiments, to schedule may comprise a
multi-carrier operation, and the LBT may be configured to be
applied with a quality of service independently for each
carrier.
[0142] In some embodiments, to schedule may comprise a
multi-carrier operation, and data associated with a higher
indication of quality of service may be scheduled to be transmitted
in one or more master carriers, and data associated with a lower
indication of quality of service may be scheduled to be transmitted
in one or more slave carriers, wherein transmission in the one or
more slave carriers may be configured to only be performed after
the outcome of a period of observation of the radio channel for
transmission is that the radio channel is idle.
[0143] The network node 110 may be further configured to, e.g., by
means of an applying module 1203 configured to, apply the LBT
setting corresponding to the calculated weight when performing
LBT.
[0144] The applying module 1203 may be the processor 1207 of the
network node 110.
[0145] The network node 110 may be further configured to, e.g., by
means of a sending module 1204 configured to, send the indication
of the LBT setting, corresponding to the calculated weight, to the
wireless device 120, to be applied by the wireless device 120 when
performing LBT.
[0146] The sending module 1204 may be the processor 1207 of the
network node 110.
[0147] In some embodiments, the one or more bearers may comprise
two or more bearers, and the two or more bearers may be configured
to be scheduled for transmission on the same subframe, and the
weight of each of the two or more bearers may be different, so that
there may be weights of the two or more bearers. In such
embodiments, the network node 110 may be further configured to,
e.g., by means of a selecting module 1205 configured to, select the
LBT setting for transmission of the same subframe, wherein the
selection of the LBT setting is based on one of: a. the average
priority bearer weight of the weights of the two or more bearers;
and b. the weighted average priority bearer weight of the weights
of the two or more bearers.
[0148] The selecting module 1205 may be the processor 1207 of the
network node 110. In some other embodiments wherein the one or more
bearers comprise two or more bearers, and the two or more bearers
are configured to be scheduled for transmission on a same subframe,
and wherein the weight of each of the two or more bearers is
different so that there are weights of the two or more bearers, the
network node 110 may be further configured to, e.g., by means of
the selecting module 1205 configured to, select the LBT setting for
transmission of the same subframe, wherein the selection of the LBT
setting is based on a highest priority bearer weight of the weights
of the two or more bearers.
[0149] In some embodiments, wherein two or more wireless devices
are scheduled for transmission on a same subframe, and wherein the
weight of each of the one or more bearers for at least two of the
two or more wireless devices is different so that there are weights
of the two or more bearers of the two or more wireless devices, the
network node 110 may be further configured to, e.g., by means of
the selecting module 1205 configured to, select the LBT setting for
transmission of the same subframe, wherein the selection of the LBT
setting is based on one of:
[0150] a. a highest priority bearer weight of the weights of the
two or more bearers of the two or more wireless devices;
[0151] b. a highest averaged priority bearer weight per wireless
device of the two or more wireless devices, of the weights of the
two or more bearers;
[0152] c. an average priority bearer weight of a highest priority
bearer weight per wireless device of the two or more wireless
devices; and
[0153] d. an average priority bearer weight of the weights of the
two or more bearers of the two or more wireless devices.
[0154] In some other embodiments wherein two or more wireless
devices are scheduled for transmission on the same subframe, and
wherein the weight of each of the one or more bearers for at least
two of the two or more wireless devices is different so that there
are weights of the two or more bearers of the two or more wireless
devices may be further configured to, e.g., by means of the
selecting module 1205 configured to, select the LBT setting for
transmission of the same subframe, wherein the selection of the LBT
setting is based on a priority bearer weight of the weights of the
two or more bearers.
[0155] The embodiments herein may be implemented through one or
more processors, such as the processor 1207 in the network node 110
depicted in FIG. 12, together with computer program code for
performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein.
That is, it will be understood that any reference herein to the
processor 1207 may be understood as a processing circuitry
comprising one or more processors. The program code mentioned above
may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in
the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for
performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the in the
network node 110. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM
disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a
memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided
as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the network node
110.
[0156] The network node 110 may further comprise a memory 1208,
comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1208 is arranged to
be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations,
schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein
when being executed in the network node 110.
[0157] The network node 110 may comprise an interface unit to
facilitate communications between the network node 110 and other
nodes or devices, e.g., the wireless device 120. The interface may,
for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and
receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a
suitable standard.
[0158] In some embodiments, the network node 110 may receive
information from the wireless device 120, through a receiving port
1209. In some embodiments, the receiving port 1209 may be, for
example, connected to one or more antennas in the network node 110.
In other embodiments, the network node 110 may receive information
from another structure in the wireless communications network 100
through the receiving port 1209. Since the receiving port 1209 may
be in communication with the processor 1207, the receiving port
1209 may then send the received information to the processor 1207.
The receiving port 1209 may also be configured to receive other
information.
[0159] The processor 1207 in the network node 110 may be further
configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the wireless
device 120, through a sending port 1210, which may be in
communication with the processor 1207, and the memory 1208.
[0160] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the
calculating module 1201, the scheduling module 1202, the applying
module 1203, the sending module 1204, the selecting module 1205,
and the other modules 1206 described above may refer to a
combination of analog and digital modules, and/or one or more
processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored
in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such
as the processor 1207, perform as described above. One or more of
these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be
included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit
(ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be
distributed among several separate components, whether individually
packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).
[0161] Also, in some embodiments, the different modules 1201-1206
described above may be implemented as one or more applications
running on one or more processors such as the processor 1207.
[0162] Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described
herein for the network node 110 may be implemented by means of a
computer program product, comprising instructions, i.e., software
code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor,
cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described
herein, as performed by the network node 110. The computer program
product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The
computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon the
computer program, may comprise instructions which, when executed on
at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry
out the actions described herein, as performed by network node 110.
In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a
non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM
disc, or a memory stick. In other embodiments, the computer program
product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program
just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal,
optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage
medium, as described above.
[0163] To perform the method actions described above in relation to
FIG. 11, the wireless device 120 is configured to apply the LBT
setting. The wireless device 120 comprises the following
arrangement depicted in FIG. 13. As already mentioned, the wireless
device 120 is configured to be serviced by the network node 110.
The wireless device 120 is further configured to operate in the
wireless communications network 100.
[0164] The detailed description of some of the following
corresponds to the same references provided above, in relation to
the actions described for the wireless device 120, and will thus
not be repeated here.
[0165] The wireless device 120 is further configured to, e.g., by
means of a receiving module 1301 configured to, receive, from the
network node 110, the indication of the LBT setting corresponding
to the weight to be applied by the wireless device 120 when
performing an LBT, wherein the LBT setting comprises an LBT
algorithm and its corresponding one or more parameters.
[0166] The receiving module 1301 may be a processor 1304 of the
wireless device 120.
[0167] The wireless device 120 is further configured to, e.g., by
means of an applying module 1302 configured to, apply the LBT
setting of the received indication when performing the LBT, wherein
the weight is for each bearer of one or more bearers configured to
be established between the network node 110 and the wireless device
120. The weight is based on an indication of a quality of service
associated with information configured to be transmitted in each
bearer of the one or more bearers.
[0168] The applying module 1302 may be the processor 1304 of the
wireless device 120.
[0169] The transmission may be in unlicensed spectrum in one of: a)
the Licensed-Assisted Access cell 132 in Long Term Evolution, LTE,
and b) standalone LTE.
[0170] In some embodiments, the indication of the LBT setting may
be an index, and the wireless device 120 may be further configured
to map the index to the LBT setting.
[0171] The embodiments herein may be implemented through one or
more processors, such as the processor 1304 in the wireless device
120 depicted in FIG. 13, together with computer program code for
performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein.
That is, it will be understood that any reference herein to the
processor 1304 may be understood as a processing circuitry
comprising one or more processors. The program code mentioned above
may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in
the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for
performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the in the
wireless device 120. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD
ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a
memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided
as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the wireless
device 120.
[0172] The wireless device 120 may further comprise a memory 1305
comprising one or more memory units. The memory 1305 is arranged to
be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations,
schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein
when being executed in the wireless device 120.
[0173] The wireless device 120 may comprise an interface unit to
facilitate communications between the wireless device 120 and other
nodes or devices, e.g., the network node 110. The interface may,
for example, include a transceiver configured to transmit and
receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a
suitable standard.
[0174] In some embodiments, the wireless device 120 may receive
information from the network node 110, through a receiving port
1306. In some embodiments, the receiving port 1306 may be, for
example, connected to the one or more antennas in the wireless
device 120. In other embodiments, the wireless device 120 may
receive information from another structure in the wireless
communications network 100 through the receiving port 1306. Since
the receiving port 1306 may be in communication with the processor
1304, the receiving port 1306 may then send the received
information to the processor 1304, respectively. The receiving port
1306 may also be configured to receive other information.
[0175] The processor 1304 in the wireless device 120 may be Further
configured to transmit or send information to e.g., the network
node 110, through a sending port 1307, which may be in
communication with the processor 1304, and the memory 1305.
[0176] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the
receiving module 1301, the applying module 1302 and the other
modules 1303 described above may refer to a combination of analog
and digital modules, and/or one or more processors configured with
software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when
executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 1304,
perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as
well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single
Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several
processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among
several separate components, whether individually packaged or
assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).
[0177] Also, in some embodiments, the different modules 1301-1303
described above may be implemented as one or more applications
running on one or more processors such as the processor 1304.
[0178] Thus, the methods according to the embodiments described
herein for the wireless device 120 may be implemented by means of a
computer program product, comprising instructions, i.e., software
code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor,
cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described
herein, as performed by the wireless device 120. The computer
program product may be stored on a computer-readable storage
medium. The computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon
the computer program, may comprise instructions which, when
executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one
processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed
by the wireless device 120. In some embodiments, the
computer-readable storage medium may be a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a
memory stick. In other embodiments, the computer program product
may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program just
described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal,
optical signal, radio signal, or the computer-readable storage
medium, as described above.
[0179] When using the word "comprise" or "comprising" it shall be
interpreted as non-limiting, i.e. meaning "consist at least
of".
[0180] The embodiments herein are not limited to the above
described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives,
modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above
embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the
invention. It is to be understood that the embodiments are not to
be limited to the specific examples disclosed, and that
modifications and other variants are intended to be included within
the scope of this disclosure. Although specific terms may be
employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense
only and not for purposes of limitation.
Examples related to embodiments herein:
[0181] Several embodiments are comprised herein. More specifically
the following are network node and wireless device related
embodiments.
[0182] The network node embodiments relate to FIGS. 10 and 12. The
wireless device embodiments relate to FIGS. 11 and 13.
[0183] A method in a network node such as the network node 110 may
comprise the actions of: [0184] calculating 1001 a weight for each
bearer of one or more bearers established between a first node,
such as the network node 110 and a second node, such as the
wireless device 120 serviced by the network node 110, the
calculating being based on an indication of quality of service. The
calculated weight may correspond, that is, may map, to an LBT
setting. The LBT setting may comprise an LBT algorithm and its
corresponding one or more parameters. The indication of quality of
service may be QCI. The indication of quality of service may be one
of: a quality of service determined by the network node 110, and a
quality of service reported by the second node, such as the
wireless device 120. The network node 110 is configured to perform
this action 1001, e.g. by means of a calculating module 1201 within
the network node 110. The calculating module 1201 may be a
processor 1207 of the network node 110, or an application running
on such processor; [0185] selecting 1002 the LBT setting for
transmission of a time and frequency resource, such as a frame. A
frame is used herein as an example of time and frequency resource.
In some embodiments, the frame is a same, or frame. In some
embodiments, two or more of the one or more bearers may be
scheduled for transmission on a same frame, and the weight of each
of the two or more bearers may be different so that there are
weights of the two or more bearers, and the method may further
comprise:
[0186] selecting the LBT setting for transmission of the same
frame, wherein the selection of the LBT setting is based on one
of:
[0187] a. a highest priority bearer weight of the weights of the
two or more bearers;
[0188] b. an average priority bearer weight of the weights of the
two or more bearers; and
[0189] c. a weighted average priority bearer weight of the weights
of the two or more bearers.
[0190] In some embodiments, two or more wireless devices may be
scheduled for transmission on a same frame, and the weight of each
of the one or more bearers for at least two of the two or more
wireless devices may be different so that there are weights of the
two or more bearers of the two or more wireless devices, and the
method may further comprise;
[0191] selecting the LBT setting for transmission of the same
frame, wherein the selection of the LBT setting is based on one
of:
[0192] a. a highest priority bearer weight of the weights of the
two or more bearers of the two or more wireless devices;
[0193] b. a highest averaged priority bearer weight per wireless
device of the two or more wireless devices, of the weights of the
two or more bearers;
[0194] c. an average priority bearer weight of a highest priority
bearer weight per wireless device of the two or more wireless
devices; and
[0195] d. an average priority bearer weight of the weights of the
two or more bearers of the two or more wireless devices.
[0196] The network node 110 is configured to perform this action
1002, e.g. by means of a selecting module 1205 within the network
node 110. The selecting module 1205 may be a processor 1207 of the
network node 110, or an application running on such processor;
[0197] scheduling 1003 the one or more bearers for transmission
based on the calculated weight, or based on the LBT setting, e.g.,
the selected LBT setting. Transmission may be to or from the
wireless device 120. The transmission may be between the first node
and the second node. The transmission may be on the LAA cell 132 in
unlicensed spectrum, e.g., on a subframe of such cell. The
scheduling may comprise multi-carrier operation, and LBT may be
applied with a quality of service, independently for each carrier.
The scheduling may comprise multi-carrier operation, and data
associated with a higher indication of quality of service may be
scheduled to be transmitted in one or more master carriers, and
data associated with a lower indication of quality of service may
be scheduled to be transmitted in one or more slave carriers,
wherein transmission in the one or more slave carriers may only be
performed after an outcome of a period of observation, e.g., a CCA,
of a radio channel for transmission is that the radio channel is
idle, after transmission in the one or more master carriers, of the
data associated with the higher indication of quality of service.
The network node 110 is configured to perform this action 1003,
e.g. by means of a scheduling module 1202 within the network node
110. The scheduling module 1202 may be a processor 1207 of the
network node 110, or an application running on such processor;
[0198] applying 1004 the LBT setting corresponding to the
calculated weight when performing LBT. The LBT may be performed for
the transmission on the LAA cell 132 in unlicensed spectrum, e.g.,
on a subframe of such cell. The network node 110 is configured to
perform this action 1004, e.g. by means of an applying module 1203
within the network node 110. The applying module 1203 may be a
processor 1207 of the network node 110, or an application running
on such processor; [0199] sending 1005 the LBT setting, or an
indication of the LBT setting, corresponding to the calculated
weight, to the second node or the wireless device 120, to be
applied by the second node or the wireless device 120,
respectively, when performing LBT. The indication of the LBT
setting may be an index, and the wireless device 120 may map the
indication to the LBT setting. The network node 110 is configured
to perform this action 1005, e.g. by means of a sending module 1205
within the network node 110. The sending module 1204 may be a
processor 1207 of the network node 110, or an application running
on such processor;
[0200] In some embodiments, the order of some or all of the above
referenced actions may differ from that described herein. Any
reference to the wireless device 120 is understood to equally apply
to the second node.
[0201] In some embodiments, one or more of the foregoing actions
may also be performed by the wireless device 120.
[0202] A method in a wireless device such as the wireless device
120 may comprise the actions of: [0203] receiving 1101 the LBT
setting, or an indication of the LBT setting, corresponding to the
calculated weight, from the network node 110 to be applied by the
wireless device 120 when performing LBT. The indication of the LBT
setting may be an index, and the wireless device 120 may map the
indication to the LBT setting. The wireless device 120 is
configured to perform this action 1101, e.g. by means of a
receiving module 1301 within the wireless device 120. The receiving
module 1301 may be a processor 1304 of the wireless device 120, or
an application running on such processor; [0204] applying 1102 the
LBT setting when performing LBT, the LBT setting corresponding to
the weight calculated by the network node 110, or the received LBT
setting from the network node 110. The wireless device 120 is
configured to perform this action 1102, e.g. by means of an
applying module 1302 within the wireless device 120. The applying
module 1102 may be a processor 1304 of the wireless device 120, or
an application running on such processor.
[0205] In some embodiments, the order of some or all of the above
referenced actions may differ from that described herein. Any
reference to the wireless device 120 is understood to equally apply
to the second node.
[0206] Embodiments herein may relate to LBT with QoS for
Licensed-Assisted Access to unlicensed spectrum.
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