WO2014161168A1

WO2014161168A1 - Method and apparatus for buffer status reporting in a dual connectivity environment

Info

Publication number: WO2014161168A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/073694
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jukka Tapio Ranta; Wei Bai; Na WEI; Xinying Gao; Haiming Wang
Original assignee: Broadcom Corporation
Priority date: 2013-04-03
Filing date: 2013-04-03
Publication date: 2014-10-09

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in order to enhance buffer status reporting in a dual connectivity environment. In a first embodiment, the method establishes a resource quota configuration to use for allocating resources for each of the links connected to a communication device. In a second embodiment, the method may receive a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, and transmitting a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR. In a third embodiment, the method may provide the communication device with the resource quota for each link to optimize the BSR. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BUFFER STATUS REPORTING IN A DUAL

CONNECTIVITY ENVIRONMENT

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to communications technology and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus enabling enhanced buffer status reporting in a dual connectivity environment.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Due to the boom of the wireless Internet, it is expected that the requirement for wireless data service will keep on soaring in the future. Among those advanced technologies proposed to meet the challenging request, reducing the cell size is one of the most prominent ones. Therefore, the local area (LA) extension has become the research hotspot in long term evolution (LTE).

[0003] Dual connectivity is a new concept for LA networks. The basic idea is to let user equipment (UE) connect to a macro enhanced Node B (eNB) and a LA eNB simultaneously, so that the macro eNB can control the mobility of the UE to avoid too many handovers causing excessive signaling when the UE moves among different LA cells. At the same time, the macro eNB could offload most of the data transmission to the LA cells so that the UE can enjoy the high data rate provided by a LA cell and very low transmission power due to the short distance. This concept is sometimes also called inter- eNB carrier aggregation (CA) (which is, in principle, a different technique), user/control (U/C)-plane split, multi-streaming etc. Current 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standardization progress also shows that dual connectivity is an important topic for 3 GPP Release 12.

[0004] In the dual connectivity case, the radio bearers (RBs) are configured into two links. There are some alternatives to this configuration, most for offloading purposes (e.g., a respective signaling radio bearer (SRB) and data radio bearer (DRB) split into the macro link and the LA link, or SRB plus some DRBs using the macro link and only DRBs using the LA link), and some for reliability concerns (e.g., one RB in the macro link and the same RB ready in LA link). It is also possible to limit the SRB/DRB allocation so that each SRB/DRB is configured to only one of the available links, but not on both simultaneously. However, it is also possible to have no such limitations and allow data transmission of any SRB/DRB on both links in parallel, more or less simultaneously and independently of each other.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided according to one embodiment of the present invention in order to enhance buffer status reporting in a dual connectivity environment. The buffer status reporting concepts of the present invention solve various problems encountered in the parallel transmission of data on two links.

[0006] In one embodiment, a method is provided for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device. The method includes receiving a buffer status report (BSR) from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of an amount of data, causing the first link to transmit a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link, and receiving data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0007] The resource quota may be based on at least one of available resources in each link of the plurality of links, and load management between the plurality of links. In addition, the resource quota is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links. In one embodiment, the resource quota may be static. In another embodiment, the resource quota may be semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device. In yet another embodiment, the resource quota is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes

communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change. In addition, the communication device may comprise a mobile phone.

[0008] In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first link to receive a buffer BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of an amount of data, transmit a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link, and receive data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant

[0009] In another embodiment, a computer readable medium is provided for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device. The computer program product comprising at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the first link to receive a buffer BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of an amount of data, transmit a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link, and receive data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant

[0010] In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device. The apparatus may include means for receiving a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of an amount of data, means for transmitting a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link, and means for receiving data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant

[0011] In another example embodiment, a method is provided for use in

communication device connected to a plurality of links. The method includes generating a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, causing the communication device to transmit the BSR to the first link, receiving, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link, and causing the communication device to transmit data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant. [0012] In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links. The apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the communication device to generate a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, transmit the BSR to the first link, receive, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link, and transmit data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0013] In another embodiment, a computer readable medium is provided for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links. The computer program product includes at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the communication device to generate a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, transmit the BSR to the first link, receive, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link, and transmit data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0014] In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links. The apparatus includes means for generating a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, means for transmitting the BSR to the first link, means for receiving, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link, and means for transmitting data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0015] In another example embodiment, a method is provided for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device. The method includes receiving a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, cause the first link to transmit a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link, and receiving data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0016] The resource quota may be based on at least one of available resources in each link of the plurality of links, and load management between the plurality of links. In addition, the resource quota is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links. In one embodiment, the resource quota may be static. In another embodiment, the resource quota may be semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device. In yet another embodiment, the resource quota is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes

communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change. The resource scheduling grant may allocate sufficient resources to complete transmission of the first amount of data, and allocates, based on the resource quota, sufficient resources to transmit a portion of the second amount of data. In addition, the communication device may comprise a mobile phone.

[0017] In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first link to receive a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, transmit a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link, and receive data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0018] In another embodiment, a computer readable medium is provided for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device. The computer program product comprising at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the first link to receive a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, transmit a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link, and receive data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0019] In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device. The apparatus may include means for receiving a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, means for transmitting a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link, and means for receiving data from the

communication device based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0020] In another example embodiment, a method is provided for use in

communication device connected to a plurality of links. The method includes receiving a signal from one of the plurality of links, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage, and generating a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink

transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link. The method further includes causing the communication device to transmit the BSR to the first link, receiving, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR, and causing the communication device to transmit data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0021] In one embodiment, the method may include determining a value of a buffer size of the BSR, wherein the value equals the first amount + (the resource quota for the first link) x (the second amount) / 100. In another embodiment, the signal may comprise a MAC control element (CE) signal or a radio resource control (RRC) signal. [0022] In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links. The apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the communication device to receive a signal from one of the plurality of links, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage, generate a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link, transmit the BSR to the first link; receive, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR, and transmit data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0023] In another embodiment, a computer readable medium is provided for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links. The computer program product includes at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the communication device to receive a signal from one of the plurality of links, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage, generate a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link, transmit the BSR to the first link; receive, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR, and transmit data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0024] In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links. The apparatus includes means for receiving a signal from one of the plurality of links, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage, means for generating a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link, means for transmitting the BSR to the first link, means for receiving, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR, and means for transmitting data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0025] In another example embodiment, a method is provided for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device. The method includes causing the first link to transmit a signal to the communication device, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage, receiving a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link, cause the first link to transmit a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR, and receiving data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0026] The resource quota may be based on at least one of available resources in each link of the plurality of links, and load management between the plurality of links. In addition, the resource quota is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links. In one embodiment, the resource quota may be static. In another embodiment, the resource quota may be semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device. In yet another embodiment, the resource quota is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes

[0027] In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first link to transmit a signal to the communication device, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage, receive a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link, transmit a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR, and receive data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0028] In another embodiment, a computer readable medium is provided for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device. The computer program product comprising at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the first link to transmit a signal to the communication device, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage, receive a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link, transmit a resource scheduling grant to the

communication device based on the BSR, and receive data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant.

[0029] In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device. The apparatus may include means for transmitting a signal to the communication device, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage, means for receiving a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link, means for transmitting a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR, and means for receiving data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Having thus described the example embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a system having a communication device that may perform time switched transmissions in a dual connectivity environment;

[0032] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus that may be embodied by a communication device, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present invention;

[0033] Figures 3a and 3b comprise diagrams of the existing buffer status report (BSR) formats;

[0034] Figure 4 illustrates possible architecture for the radio protocol stacks in a dual connectivity environment, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating operations performed by an example link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device for allocating partial resources to logical channels for multiple links according to a resource quota

configuration, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 6a is a flow chart illustrating additional operations performed by an example link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device for enhancing BSR operations by distinguishing the logical channels configured only for one link from the logical channels configured to multiple links, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 6b is a flow chart illustrating additional operations performed by an example link for enhancing BSR operations by distinguishing the logical channels configured only for one link from the logical channels configured to multiple links, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present invention;

[0038] Figures 7a and 7b are diagrams of enhanced BSR formats, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present invention; [0039] Figures 8a, 8b, and 8c are diagrams of additional enhanced BSR formats, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present invention;

[0040] Figures 9a and 9b are diagrams of a signal format for transmitting a resource quota configuration, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 10a is a flow chart illustrating additional operations performed by an example link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device for enhanced BSR operations by sharing resource quota configuration information with a

communication device, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present invention; and

[0042] Figure 10b is a flow chart illustrating additional operations performed by an example link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device for by an example link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device for enhanced BSR operations by sharing resource quota configuration information with a

communication device, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0044] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to all of the following: (a)hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) to combinations of circuits and

software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of

processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require

software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not

physically present.

[0045] This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or application specific integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

[0046] Although the method, apparatus and computer program product may be implemented in a variety of different system architectures, one example of a system that may be specifically configured in order to implement an example embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1.

[0047] Referring now to Figure 1 , a system is shown that supports communications between a plurality of communication devices 102 (one of which is illustrated by way of example) and a network 106, such as an 802.1 1 network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE- Advanced (LTE- A) network, a Global Systems for Mobile

communications (GSM) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, e.g., a Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) network, a CDMA2000 network or the like, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network or other type of network, via an access point 104.

[0048] The network 106 may include a collection of various different nodes, devices or functions that may be in communication with each other via corresponding wired and/or wireless interfaces. For example, the network may include one or more cells, which may include LA cells (small cells) such as femto cells, pico cells, or micro cells, and may also include macro cells. Each cell may include an access point 104 and may serve a respective coverage area. The access point 104 could be, for example, part of one or more cellular or mobile networks or public land mobile networks (PLM s). In turn, other devices such as processing devices (e.g., personal computers, server computers or the like) may be coupled to the communication device 102 and/or other communication devices via the network.

[0049] A communication device, such as the communication device 102 (also known as user equipment (UE), a mobile terminal or the like), may be in communication with other communication devices or other devices via the access point 104 of a cell and, in turn, the network 106. In some cases, the communication device 102 may include an antenna for transmitting signals to and for receiving signals from an access point 104. The communication device 102 may in some instances have dual connectivity, meaning that it is simultaneously connected to multiple access points 104, as shown in the example of Figure 1. As is described herein the communication device 102 and/or the access point 104 may take the form of a transmitter and/or receiver.

[0050] In some example embodiments, the communication device 102 may be a mobile communication device such as, for example, a mobile telephone, portable digital assistant (PDA), pager, laptop computer, STA, or any of numerous other hand held or portable communication devices, computation devices, content generation devices, content consumption devices, or combinations thereof. However, as is described herein, the communication device 102 may also take the form of a communications enabled appliance, such as a thermostat configured to connect with an access point 104. Other such devices that are configured to connect to the network include, but are not limited to a refrigerator, a security system, a home lighting system, and/or the like. As such, the communication device 102 may include one or more processors that may define processing circuitry and a processing system, either alone or in combination with one or more memories. The processing circuitry may utilize instructions stored in the memory to cause the communication device 102 to operate in a particular way or execute specific functionality when the instructions are executed by the one or more processors. The communication device 102 may also include communication circuitry and corresponding hardware/software to enable communication with other devices and/or the network 106. Regardless of the type of communication device, the communication device may communicate with a given cell via an access point 104, such as a base station, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a relay node or an 802.1 1 or other type of access point. [0051] The communication device 102 and a network entity, such as an eNB, or link, that manages the access point 104 of a cell, may each embody or otherwise be associated with an apparatus 200 that is generally depicted in Fig. 2 and that may be configured to perform various operations in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention as described below, such as in conjunction with Figs. 6b and 10b from the perspective of a communication device 102, and Figs. 5, 6a, and 10a from the perspective of a network entity. However, it should be noted that the components, devices or elements described below may not be mandatory and thus some may be omitted in certain embodiments. Additionally, some embodiments may include further or different components, devices or elements beyond those shown and described herein.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 2, the apparatus 200 may include or otherwise be in communication with a processing system including, for example, processing circuitry 202 that is configurable to perform actions in accordance with example embodiments described herein. The processing circuitry may be configured to perform data processing, application execution and/or other processing and management services according to an example embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the apparatus or the processing circuitry may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus or the processing circuitry may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus or the processing circuitry may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present invention on a single chip or as a single "system on a chip." As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0053] In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 202 may include a processor 204 and memory 206 that may be in communication with or otherwise control a communication interface 208 and, in some cases in which the apparatus is embodied by the communication device 102, a user interface 210. As such, the processing circuitry may be embodied as a circuit chip (e.g., an integrated circuit chip) configured (e.g., with hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software) to perform operations described herein. However, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry may be embodied as a portion of mobile terminal or the access point.

[0054] The user interface 210 (if implemented) may be in communication with the processing circuitry 202 to receive an indication of a user input at the user interface and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical or other output to the user. As such, the user interface may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen, a microphone, a speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms. The apparatus 200 need not always include a user interface. For example, in instances in which the apparatus is embodied as an access point 104 of a cell, the apparatus may not include a user interface. As such, the user interface is shown in dashed lines in Fig. 2.

[0055] The communication interface 208 may include one or more interface mechanisms for enabling communication with other devices and/or networks. In some cases, the communication interface may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from to a network 106 and/or any other device or module in communication with the processing circuitry 202, such as between the communication device 102 and the access point 104. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and support hardware and/or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network and/or a communication modem or other hardware/software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet or other methods.

[0056] In an example embodiment, the memory 206 may include one or more non- transitory memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions or the like for enabling the apparatus 200 to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention. For example, the memory could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 204. Additionally or alternatively, the memory could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor. As yet another alternative, the memory may include one of a plurality of databases that may store a variety of files, contents or data sets. Among the contents of the memory, applications may be stored for execution by the processor in order to carry out the functionality associated with each respective application. In some cases, the memory may be in communication with the processor via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus.

[0057] The processor 204 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processor may be embodied as various processing means such as one or more of a microprocessor or other processing element, a coprocessor, a controller or various other computing or processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or the like. In an example embodiment, the processor may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 206 or otherwise accessible to the processor. As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the processor may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry - in the form of processing circuitry) capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the operations described herein.

[0058] The existing buffer status reporting procedure is described in the 3 GPP standard TS 36.321. The medium access control (MAC) control elements (CE) are used to report the amount of data in those UE buffers that are used to store data to be transmitted in the uplink direction. The status reports are processed by the eNB MAC which allocates sufficient uplink resources to the UE for transmitting the data.

[0059] Figures 3a (short BSR MAC CE) and 3b (long BSR MAC CE) are copies from TS 36.321 and are the BSRs used today. The buffers are divided into four groups depending on the urgency and priority of the corresponding logical channels. However, although the buffer status information is divided into groups, the groups don't reflect the distribution of the logical channels when simultaneously communicating using a macro eNB and a LA eNB. [0060] Accordingly, the BSR procedures described in TS 36.321 are designed to serve one transmission link only and provide insufficient means to handle two or more transmission paths. Accordingly, in a dual connectivity environment, the network has to coordinate the resource allocations in the two MAC entities in some way.

[0061] When two transmission links are active at the same time, the buffer status report (BSR) is transmitted to both the macro eNB and the LA eNB. Focusing on the non-ideal backhaul case in which legacy carrier aggregation and co-operative multipath (CoMP) cannot be used, this means that the MAC entities in these two eNBs are not normally connected to each other. Even if they were, there would be some delay in the inter-MAC communication and extra implementation effort would be necessary to arrange such a connection, so it would be better to keep the two MAC entities independent of each other. Accordingly, each eNB does not know how many uplink resources the other eNB has allocated, is allocating, or will allocate to the UE for transmitting the data. This problem can be overcome using embodiments of the present invention described herein.

[0062] Figure 4 illustrates a possible architecture for the radio protocol stacks in a dual connectivity environment. Other alternatives exist, but their properties are practically the same from the BSR point of view. As shown in Figure 4, the macro eNB and the LA eNB are usually physically not in the same place, so easy communication between them is not possible.

[0063] For ease of the following explanation, in the context of a dual connectivity environment, the following are referred to as data classes in the BSR. They are simply defined as follows:

[0064] Class M: The data in those UE buffers that contain data belonging to the logical channels that are configured so that all data will be transmitted in the uplink shared channel of the macro eNB only.

[0065] Class L: The data in those UE buffers that contain data belonging to the logical channels that are configured so that all data will be transmitted in the uplink shared channel of the LA eNB only. [0066] Class C: The data in those UE buffers that contain data belonging to the logical channels that are configured so that the data may be transmitted in the uplink shared channel of either the macro eNB or the LA eNB or both. Resource Quota Management

[0067] Resource quota management is used in the present invention to coordinate allocation of the different classes of resources from each of links connected to a UE. In general, to properly allocate resources, a central point in the network develops resource quotas for each of the links connected to the UE. The central point may be a separate network node or may be included in one of the existing nodes, either as a separate logical entity or included in one of the existing entities. To give some examples (referring to Figure 4), the network PDCP may act as the central node, as it is the lowermost common node in the architecture in Figure 4. The macro eNB MAC may act as the "master MAC" and it may configure the quotas for the "slave MAC" in the LA eNB MAC.

[0068] The task of the central point is to determine the portion of the data that the UE should transmit via each of the uplink paths. This determination may be based on the available resources in each eNB and on the load management between the macro layer and the LA layer of the network. After the central point has made its decision, it transmits the resource quotas to each eNB MAC, because the MAC layer of each eNB is generally responsible for granting the uplink resources to the UE.

[0069] The resource quotas may be static, semi-static, or dynamic. In other words, the frequency with which the quotas are changed may long or short. Of course, a static quota is absolutely fixed. In contrast, a semi-static quota may, for instance, be set when any time dual connection with the two eNBs is started for a given UE. Moreover, a dynamic resource quota may enable the quota to be updated each time a new logical channel is set up, another UE starts to use dual connection in the same LA eNB, or the traffic volumes change over time.

[0070] Given the above context, three variants of signaling are defined herein to help the network grant uplink resources of two eNBs providing dual connectivity to a UE when the network uses a quota-based uplink resource sharing between the two eNBs. Variant 1

[0071] In a first embodiment of the enhanced BSR format, each eNB allocates partial resources to the logical channels configured to both eNBs according to its resource quota configuration. The method is not accurate, but the error is small if most of the data is transmitted in parallel on both eNBs.

[0072] Referring now to Figure 5, this embodiment for enhanced buffer status reporting in a dual connectivity environment is shown. Figure 5 illustrates operations performed by a method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment from the perspective of a network entity, such as a link having an access point 104, which may be one of a plurality of network entities having connectivity with a UE. In operation 502, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as communication interface 208 or the like, for receiving a BSR requesting uplink transmission of an amount of data. In this regard, the UE uses the existing BSR format, and may send the BSR to the eNB of each link.

[0073] Thereafter, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as the processing circuitry 202, the processor 204, or the like, for generating a resource scheduling grant to allocate resources to the UE. In this regard, the apparatus 200 allocates partial resources according to its resource quota configuration. Then, in operation 504, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as the processing circuitry 202, the processor 204, or the like, for transmitting a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR and a resource quota.

[0074] After transmitting the resource scheduling grant, in operation 506 the apparatus 200 may include means, such as communication interface 208 or the like, for receiving data based on the resource scheduling grant transmitted in operation 504.

[0075] This method may not be as accurate as Variants 2 and 3 presented below, but the error rate is small if most of the data is transmitted in parallel on both eNBs in a dual connectivity environment. In particular, in Variant 1 the network does not have an exact knowledge of how much data there is in classes M, L, and C, so there remains a chance that one of the eNBs will allocate too many uplink resources for one of classes M or L and too few for the other. This risk grows if the amount of data in class C happens to be (temporarily) very small. However, Variant 1 is simple in the sense that it does not require changes in the air interface. [0076] In contrast, in Variants 2 and 3 , it is possible to allocate exactly the right amount of uplink resources to each eNB, because, as will be described below, the UE reports the exact amounts of data in classes M, L, and C. The LA eNB, for example, will then allocate the uplink resources so that class L is given the full amount and class C is given the amount according to the quota.

Variant 2

[0077] In a second embodiment of the enhanced BSR format, the UE uses an enhanced BSR format to distinguish the logical channels configured only for that very eNB (class L or M) from the logical channels configured to both eNBs (class C).

Accordingly, each eNB allocates full resources to class L or M data, and partial resources to class C data, according to its resource quota configuration.

[0078] This embodiment for enhanced buffer status reporting in a dual connectivity environment is shown with reference to Figures 6a and 6b. Figure 6a illustrates operations performed by a method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment from the perspective of a network entity, such as a link having an access point 104, which may be one of a plurality of network entities having connectivity with a UE.

[0079] In operation 602, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as

communication interface 208 or the like, for receiving a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links. In this regard, Variant 2 uses an enhanced BSR to convey this more accurate request information.

[0080] For the sake of description, the following description of the Variant 2 enhanced BSR will assume that the apparatus 200 represents the LA eNB, and therefore may request transmission of class L and class C data. However, the apparatus 200 may just as easily represent the link containing the macro eNB, in which case the BSR would request class M transmissions instead of class L transmissions.

[0081] Figures 7a and 7b illustrate the simplest alternative for the extension of the BSR in Variant 2. The idea is just to duplicate the message fields of the current BSR so that class L and class C buffers can be reported separately. In Figure 7a, which depicts the extended short BSR MAC CE by duplicating the message fields of the existing short BSR (shown in Figure 3a), the logical channel group id (LCG ID) is only needed once, so a reserved field is used instead in the second octet. Similarly, Figure 7b depicts the extended long BSR MAC CE, which duplicates the message fields of the current long BSR (shown in Figure 3b).

[0082] However, there is some pressure to use some short forms for special cases, because the BSR is getting quite large. The logical channel groups (LCG) were originally introduced to keep the BSR as short as possible, and grouping is a natural approach in order to remove the need to report the buffer sizes for each logical channel separately. Therefore, for many cases, the extended BSR shown in Figure 7b will be larger than the message needed to report the logical channels separately if the number of logical channels is small.

[0083] Accordingly, the format represented in figure 8 a responds to this concern. Field N is the number of logical channels whose buffer sizes are reported with this message, so the length of the message is variable. The division to groups or classes (M, L, or C) is naturally not necessary, because each logical channel is reported separately and the network knows their classes. In some embodiments, the UE may use this format only when there are three or less logical channels with pending data. In other embodiments, the UE may use this format at any time and report just the logical channels with the highest priority. In some such embodiments, there may, however, be a limitation to how large a portion of the data may not be reported.

[0084] Yet another BSR approach is possible, however. Figures 8b and 8c represent short and long versions of the format, and the percentage of the data belonging to class C is simply added at the ends of the existing BSR formats. In practice, this amount of data will be enough for the eNB to determine the correct uplink grants for the UE. At the very least, this format guarantees that class L and M requirements are never under-resourced because of insufficient information in the BSR.

[0085] Returning now to Figure 6a, the BSR received in operation 602 may comprise one of these enhanced BSRs that enable the apparatus 200 to identify a distinction between class L and class C data. In this regard, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as the processing circuitry 202, the processor 204, or the like, for generating the resource scheduling grant to allocate sufficient resources to complete transmission of the first amount of data, and to allocate, based on the resource quota, sufficient resources to transmit a portion of the second amount of data.

[0086] Accordingly, in operation 604, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as communication interface 208 or the like, for transmitting a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link. After transmitting the resource scheduling grant, in operation 606 the apparatus 200 may include means, such as communication interface 208 or the like, for receiving data based on the resource scheduling grant transmitted in operation 604.

[0087] Turning now to Figure 6b, operations performed by a method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment from the perspective of an apparatus 200 that may be embodied by or otherwise associated with a UE in a dual connectivity environment, such as communication device 102. In operation 608, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as the processing circuitry 202, the processor 204, or the like, for generating a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links.

[0088] In operation 610, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as

communication interface 208 or the like, for transmitting the BSR to the first link. As described in connection with operation 602 above, Variant 2 uses an enhanced BSR to convey this more accurate request information.

[0089] In operation 612, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as

communication interface 208 or the like, for receiving, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link. This resource scheduling grant is discussed previously in connection with operation 604.

[0090] Finally, in operation 614, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as the communication interface 208 or the like, for transmitting data based on the resource scheduling grant received in operation 612.

Variant 3 [0091] In a third embodiment of the enhanced BSR format, the resource quota sharing percentages of the two eNBs is initially signaled to the UE. As a result, the existing BSR format can be used, because the UE can internally include the correct data amounts in each BSR (e.g., the full amount of class L data and a portion of class C data). However, in Variant 3 , a new signaling message is needed to pass the information of the resource quotas of each eNB to the UE. This signal may be transmitted as a MAC CE signal or a RRC signal.

[0092] Figure 9a represents the simpler format to be used for such signaling. For any given link, the resource quota of an eNB is simply given as a percentage of the full allocation. Of course, it is also possible to use some other encoding for the quota rather than simply using the number representing the percentage directly, as discussed below in connection with operation 1002. In some embodiments, the size of the message may vary, but typically the quota would be for class C in the eNB that sent the MAC CE. There is a field "ID" in the format for the possibility to signal the quota of the other eNB to the UE, in case such an arrangement is desirable. In such a case, that field can be removed.

[0093] Figure 9b represents an extended version of the quota information message. There, the quotas of both eNBs are sent to the UE in a single message that can be delivered by either eNB. Various naming schemes may be considered in this regard (e.g., "this" and "the other," "macro" and "LA," "master" and "slave," etc.). In Figure 9b, the fields "R" represent reserved bits that are not needed. In addition, the sizes of the field may also be different.

[0094] The UE, in Variant 3, may use the quota information in generating the BSRs represented in Figures 1 and 2. For each group in the BSR for the LA eNB, for instance, the buffer size field is based on the amount of data which is calculated using the following formula:

Reported_buffer_size = buffer _size _Jor_class_L + quota x buffer _size _Jor_class_C / 100

In this equation, the quota is assumed to be an integer representing the percentage of the full amount. [0095] Figure 10a illustrates operations performed by a method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment from the perspective of a network entity, such as a link having an access point 104, which may be one of a plurality of network entities having connectivity with a UE.

[0096] In operation 1002, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as

communication interface 208 or the like, for transmitting a signal to the communication device, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage. In this regard, the percentage represents a fraction of the full allocation necessary to transmit all of the class C data indicated in the BSR. Although described as a percentage, any other equivalent encoding may be used (e.g., an integer percentage, a decimal percentage, an integer fraction, an expression that may compute to the expression, etc.), provided that the communication device is able to decode and interpret the resource quota from the signal. The resource quota for each of the plurality of links is determined in the manner described previously.

[0097] In operation 1004, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as

communication interface 208 or the like, for receiving a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link. In this regard, the BSR may be a traditional format, such as those described in Figures 3a and 3b.

[0098] The apparatus 200 may include means, such as the processing circuitry 202, the processor 204, or the like, for generating the resource scheduling grant to allocate sufficient resources to complete transmission of the first amount of data, and to allocate, based on the resource quota, sufficient resources to transmit a portion of the second amount of data. Although the BSR may be of a traditional format, because the communication device is aware of the resource quota, the class C data requests will abide by the resource quota configuration previously transmitted to the communication device.

[0099] Accordingly, in operation 1006, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as communication interface 208 or the like, for transmitting a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR. After transmitting the resource scheduling grant, in operation 1008 the apparatus 200 may include means, such as communication interface 208 or the like, for receiving data based on the resource scheduling grant transmitted in operation 1006.

[00100] Turning now to Figure 10b, operations performed by a method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment from the perspective of an apparatus 200 that may be embodied by or otherwise associated with a UE in a dual connectivity environment, such as communication device 102. In operation 1010, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as communication interface 208 or the like, for receiving a signal from one of the plurality of links, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage.

[00101] In operation 1012, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as the processing circuitry 202, the processor 204, or the like, for generating a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link.

[00102] In operation 1014, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as

communication interface 208 or the like, for transmitting the BSR to the first link.

Subsequently, in operation 1016, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as communication interface 208 or the like, for receiving, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR.

[00103] Finally, in operation 1018, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as the communication interface 208 or the like, for transmitting data based on the resource scheduling grant received in operation 1016.

[00104] As described above, embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus enabling more accurate radio channel resource allocation for simultaneous uplink transmission in a dual connectivity environment.

[0100] As noted above, Figures 5, 6a, 6b, 10a, and 10b are flowcharts illustrating the operations performed by a method, apparatus and computer program product, such as apparatus 200 of Figure 2, from the perspective of the mobile terminal 102 and a network entity, such as the access point 104, respectively, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry and/or other device associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory 206 of an apparatus employing an embodiment of the present invention and executed by a processor 204 of the apparatus. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus provides for implementation of the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage memory produce an article of manufacture, the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. As such, the operations of Figures 5, 6a, 6b, 10a, and 10b, when executed, convert a computer or processing circuitry into a particular machine configured to perform an example embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the operations of Figures 5, 6a, 6b, 10a, and 10b define algorithms for configuring a computer or processing circuitry 202, e.g., processor, to perform example embodiments. In some cases, a general purpose computer may be provided with an instance of the processor which performs the algorithms of Figures 5, 6a, 6b, 10a, and 10b to transform the general purpose computer into a particular machine configured to perform the example embodiments.

[0101] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or

combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0102] In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified as described below. Moreover, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may optionally be included as shown, for example by the dashed lines in Figure 2. It should be appreciated that each of the modifications, optional additions or amplifications below may be included with the operations above either alone or in combination with any others among the features described herein.

[0103] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device, the method comprising:

receiving a buffer status report (BSR) from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of an amount of data;

causing the first link to transmit a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link; and receiving data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant.

2. The method according to Claim 1 , wherein the resource quota is based on at least one of:

available resources in each link of the plurality of links; and load management between the plurality of links.

3. The method according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the resource quota is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links.

4. The method according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the resource quota is static.

5. The method according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the resource quota is semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device.

6. The method according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the resource quota is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change.

7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication device comprises a mobile phone.

8. An apparatus for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first link to:

receive a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of an amount of data;

transmit a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link; and

receive data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant.

9. The apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the resource quota is based on at least one of:

10. The apparatus according to Claims 8 or 9, wherein the resource quota is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links.

11. The apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the resource quota is static.

12. The apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the resource quota is semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device.

13. The apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the resource quota is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change.

14. The apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 13, wherein the

communication device comprises a mobile phone.

15. A computer program product for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device, the computer program product comprising at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the first link to:

16. The computer program product according to Claim 15, wherein the resource quota is based on at least one of:

17. The computer program product according to Claims 15 or 16, wherein the resource quota is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links.

18. The computer program product according to any of Claims 15 to 17, wherein the resource quota is static.

19. The computer program product according to any of Claims 15 to 17, wherein the resource quota is semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device.

20. The computer program product according to any of Claims 15 to 17, wherein the resource quota is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change.

21. The computer program product according to any of claims 15 to 20, wherein the communication device comprises a mobile phone.

22. An apparatus for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a BSR from the communication device, wherein the

BSR requests uplink transmission of an amount of data;

means for transmitting a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link; and

means for receiving data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant.

23. The apparatus according to Claim 22, wherein the resource quota is based on at least one of:

24. The apparatus according to Claims 22 or 23, wherein the resource quota is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links.

25. The apparatus according to any of Claims 22 to 24, wherein the resource quota is static.

26. The apparatus according to any of Claims 22 to 24, wherein the resource quota is semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device.

27. The apparatus according to any of Claims 22 to 24, wherein the resource quota is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change.

28. The apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 27, wherein the

communication device comprises a mobile phone.

29. A method for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links, the method comprising:

generating a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links;

causing the communication device to transmit the BSR to the first link; receiving, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link; and

causing the communication device to transmit data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant.

30. An apparatus for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the communication device to: generate a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links;

transmit the BSR to the first link;

receive, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link; and

transmit data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant.

31. A computer program product for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links, the computer program product comprising at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the communication device to:

generate a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links;

transmit the BSR to the first link;

transmit data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant.

32. An apparatus for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links, the apparatus comprising:

means for generating a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links;

means transmitting the BSR to the first link; and

means for receiving, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link; and

means for transmitting data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant.

33. A method for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device, the method comprising:

receiving a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links;

cause the first link to transmit a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR and a resource quota for the first link; and

receiving data from the communication device based on the resource scheduling grant.

34. The method according to Claim 33, wherein the resource quota is based on at least one of:

35. The method according to Claims 33 or 34, wherein the resource quota is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links.

36. The method according to any of Claims 33 to 35, wherein the resource quota is static.

37. The method according to any of Claims 33 to 35, wherein the resource quota is semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device.

38. The method according to any of Claims 33 to 35, wherein the resource quota is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change.

39. The method according to any of claims 33 to 38, wherein the resource scheduling grant allocates sufficient resources to complete transmission of the first amount of data, and allocates, based on the resource quota, sufficient resources to transmit a portion of the second amount of data.

40. The method according to any of claims 33 to 39, wherein the

communication device comprises a mobile phone.

41. An apparatus for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first link to:

receive a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links;

42. The apparatus according to Claim 41, wherein the resource quota is based on at least one of:

43. The apparatus according to Claims 41 or 42, wherein the resource quota is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links.

44. The apparatus according to any of Claims 41 to 43, wherein the resource quota is static.

45. The apparatus according to any of Claims 41 to 43, wherein the resource quota is semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device.

46. The apparatus according to any of Claims 41 to 43, wherein the resource quota is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change.

47. The apparatus according to any of claims 41 to 46, wherein the resource scheduling grant allocates sufficient resources to complete transmission of the first amount of data, and allocates, based on the resource quota, sufficient resources to transmit a portion of the second amount of data.

48. The apparatus according to any of claims 41 to 47, wherein the communication device comprises a mobile phone.

49. A computer program product for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device, the computer program product comprising at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the first link to:

50. The computer program product according to Claim 49, wherein the resource quota is based on at least one of:

51. The computer program product according to Claims 49 or 50, wherein the resource quota is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links.

52. The computer program product according to any of Claims 49 to 51 , wherein the resource quota is static.

53. The computer program product according to any of Claims 49 to 51 , wherein the resource quota is semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device.

54. The computer program product according to any of Claims 49 to 51 , wherein the resource quota is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change.

55. The computer program product according to any of claims 49 to 54, wherein the resource scheduling grant allocates sufficient resources to complete transmission of the first amount of data, and allocates, based on the resource quota, sufficient resources to transmit a portion of the second amount of data.

56. The computer program product according to any of claims 49 to 55, wherein the communication device comprises a mobile phone.

57. An apparatus for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links;

58. The apparatus according to Claim 57, wherein the resource quota is based on at least one of:

59. The apparatus according to Claims 57 or 58, wherein the resource quota is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links.

60. The apparatus according to any of Claims 57 to 59, wherein the resource quota is static.

61. The apparatus according to any of Claims 57 to 59, wherein the resource quota is semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device.

62. The apparatus according to any of Claims 57 to 59, wherein the resource quota is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change.

63. The apparatus according to any of claims 57 to 62, wherein the resource scheduling grant allocates sufficient resources to complete transmission of the first amount of data, and allocates, based on the resource quota, sufficient resources to transmit a portion of the second amount of data.

64. The apparatus according to any of claims 57 to 63, wherein the

communication device comprises a mobile phone.

65. A method for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from one of the plurality of links, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage;

generating a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link;

causing the communication device to transmit the BSR to the first link; receiving, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR; and

66. The method according to Claim 65, further comprising:

determining a value of a buffer size of the BSR, wherein the value equals the first amount + (the resource quota for the first link) x (the second amount) / 100.

67. The method according to Claims 65 or 66, wherein the signal comprises control element (CE) signal or a radio resource control (RRC) signal.

68. An apparatus for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the communication device to:

receive a signal from one of the plurality of links, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage;

generate a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link;

transmit the BSR to the first link;

receiving, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the

BSR; and

transmit data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant.

69. The apparatus according to Claim 68, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the communication device to:

determine a value of a buffer size of the BSR, wherein the value equals the first amount + (the resource quota for the first link) x (the second amount) / 100.

70. The apparatus according to Claims 68 or 69, wherein the signal comprises a MAC CE signal or a RRC signal.

71. A computer program product for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links, the computer program product comprising at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the communication device to: receive a signal from one of the plurality of links, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage;

transmit the BSR to the first link;

receive, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR; and

transmit data to the first link based on the resource scheduling grant.

72. The computer program product according to Claim 71 , wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, further cause the communication device to:

73. The computer program product according to Claims 71 or 72, wherein the signal comprises a MAC CE signal or a RRC signal.

74. An apparatus for use in a communication device connected to a plurality of links, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a signal from one of the plurality of links, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage;

means for generating a BSR for a first link of the plurality of links, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link; means for transmitting the BSR to the first link;

means for receiving, from the first link, a resource scheduling grant based on the BSR; and

75. The apparatus according to Claim 74, further comprising:

means for determining a value of a buffer size of the BSR, wherein the value equals the first amount + (the resource quota for the first link) x (the second amount) / 100.

76. The apparatus according to Claims 74 or 75, wherein the signal comprises a MAC CE signal or a RRC signal.

77. A method for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device, the method comprising:

causing the first link to transmit a signal to the communication device, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage;

receiving a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link;

causing the first link to transmit a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR; and

78. The method according to Claim 77, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is based on at least one of:

79. The method according to Claims 77 or 78, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links.

80. The method according to any of Claims 77 to 79, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is static.

81. The method according to any of Claims 77 to 79, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device.

82. The method according to any of Claims 77 to 79, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change.

83. The method according to any of claims 77 to 82, wherein the resource scheduling grant allocates sufficient resources to complete transmission of the first amount of data, and allocates, based on the resource quota, sufficient resources to transmit a portion of the second amount of data.

84. The method according to any of claims 77 to 83, wherein the

communication device comprises a mobile phone.

85. An apparatus for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first link to: transmit a signal to the communication device, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage;

receive a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link;

transmit a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR; and

86. The apparatus according to Claim 85, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is based on at least one of:

87. The apparatus according to Claims 85 or 86, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links.

88. The apparatus according to any of Claims 85 to 87, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is static.

89. The apparatus according to any of Claims 85 to 87, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device.

90. The apparatus according to any of Claims 85 to 87, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change.

91. The apparatus according to any of claims 85 to 90, wherein the resource scheduling grant allocates sufficient resources to complete transmission of the first amount of data, and allocates, based on the resource quota, sufficient resources to transmit a portion of the second amount of data.

92. The apparatus according to any of claims 85 to 91, wherein the communication device comprises a mobile phone.

93. A computer program product for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device, the computer program product comprising at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause the first link to:

transmit a signal to the communication device, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage;

94. The computer program product according to Claim 93, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is based on at least one of:

95. The computer program product according to Claims 93 or 94, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links.

96. The computer program product according to any of Claims 93 to 95, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is static.

97. The computer program product according to any of Claims 93 to 95, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device.

98. The computer program product according to any of Claims 93 to 95, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change.

99. The computer program product according to any of claims 93 to 98, wherein the resource scheduling grant allocates sufficient resources to complete transmission of the first amount of data, and allocates, based on the resource quota, sufficient resources to transmit a portion of the second amount of data.

100. The computer program product according to any of claims 93 to 99, wherein the communication device comprises a mobile phone.

101. An apparatus for use in a first link of a plurality of links connected to a communication device, the apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting a signal to the communication device, the signal including a resource quota for each of the plurality of links, wherein the resource quota comprises a percentage; means for receiving a BSR from the communication device, wherein the BSR requests uplink transmission of a first amount of data using only the first link, and requests uplink transmission of a second amount of data using any of the plurality of links, wherein the second amount is based on a resource quota for the first link;

means for transmitting a resource scheduling grant to the communication device based on the BSR; and

102. The apparatus according to Claim 101 , wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is based on at least one of:

103. The apparatus according to Claims 101 or 102, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is determined by one link of the plurality of links and transmitted to the other links of the plurality of links.

104. The apparatus according to any of Claims 101 to 103, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is static.

105. The apparatus according to any of Claims 101 to 103, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is semi-static, and may be set when the plurality of links are connected to the communication device.

106. The apparatus according to any of Claims 101 to 103, wherein the resource quota for each of the plurality of links is dynamic, and is modifiable when a new logical channel is created, when another communication device establishes

communication with one or more of the plurality of links, or when network traffic volumes change.

107. The apparatus according to any of claims 101 to 106, wherein the resource scheduling grant allocates sufficient resources to complete transmission of the first amount of data, and allocates, based on the resource quota, sufficient resources to transmit a portion of the second amount of data.

108. The apparatus according to any of claims 101 to 107, wherein the communication device comprises a mobile phone.