JP7118350B2 - Flexible indication of performance combinations supported by wireless communication devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to methods and corresponding devices for controlling transmissions in wireless communication networks.

In a wireless communication network, such as a cellular network based on the LTE (Long Term Evolution) radio access technology specified by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), a wireless communication device (also called user equipment or "UE") is a wireless communication device (e.g., It can have many different capabilities (related to modem attributes). In order to make the wireless communication network aware of the capabilities supported by a given UE, the UE indicates its capabilities to the wireless communication network, which is typically achieved when the UE registers with the wireless communication network. Performance may be indicated in different formats, for example, by parameters or indicators listed within one or more information elements of the message.

Generally, a UE indicates multiple different capabilities that may be associated with a particular function, such as different modulation and demodulation formats, maximum data demodulation rate, 3GPP published version, frequency band support, or inter-device communication relaying or support. can do. However, for some performances, combined utilization may be difficult or not possible to implement under certain operating conditions. For example, if a UE is being used as a relay station for connections to another UE, there may be baseband operations that may be difficult to combine. This may, as an example, have the effect that the performance that can be supported on the direct link from the wireless communication network to the UE depends on whether the sidelinks to one or more other UEs are active, This can lead to fairly frequent changes in the performance that can actually be supported on the direct link.

In existing technology, however, UE capabilities are dictated to the network fairly statically, which means that there are only limited possibilities to handle frequent changes in supported capabilities. For example, the capability may be indicated at initial network registration, and in some handover scenarios may be in response to the network sending a UE capability inquiry. In order to initiate performance information update from the UE side, the UE may need to re-register with the network.

Qualcomm, RP-160270, 3GPP RAN meeting #71, Gothenburg, Sweden, March 7-10, 2016, 3GPP contribution "Motivation for WI proposal on Multi-profile UE capability for LTE", Multiple capabilities for UE It is proposed to set profiles, each profile defining a set of supported capabilities. The UE can then use RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling to suggest the profile to the eNB (Evolved Node B), the eNB selects the profile and uses RRC signaling to The specified profile can be indicated to the UE. However, this approach may not be flexible enough to deal with scenarios where, for example, support for a given combination changes depending on additional conditions, such as the UE's currently utilized link configuration.

Accordingly, a need exists for techniques that enable efficient indication of the supported capabilities of a UE or similar wireless communication device to a wireless communication network.

According to one embodiment, a method is provided. According to the method, the wireless communication device provides a first indication to the wireless communication network. The first indication indicates a set of at least two capabilities of the wireless communication device. Additionally, the wireless communication device determines whether the wireless communication device supports a combination of two or more of the capabilities and provides a second indication to the wireless communication network. The second indication indicates whether the performance combination is supported by the wireless communication device. In this way, even if each capability is supported independently, it effectively takes into account that under certain conditions it may be difficult or impossible to implement concurrent support of several capabilities. can be done.

According to one embodiment, the wireless communication device may determine that support for the combination of capabilities by the wireless communication device has changed and send a third indication to the wireless communication network. The third indication indicates modified support for performance combinations. A wireless communication device can accomplish this while maintaining a wireless connection to a wireless communication network. Accordingly, changes in combinatorial support can be dynamically considered without disrupting connectivity of the wireless communication device to the wireless communication network.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a wireless communication device determines whether a combination of capabilities is supported by the wireless communication device as a function of the current operating conditions of the wireless communication device. In this way, the operating conditions of the wireless communication device can be dynamically taken into account.

According to further embodiments, a method is provided. According to the method, a base station of the wireless communication network receives a first indication from the wireless communication device. The first indication indicates a set of at least two capabilities of the wireless communication device. Additionally, the base station receives a second indication from the wireless communication device. A second indication indicates whether a combination of at least two of the capabilities is supported. The base station controls at least one wireless transmission of the wireless device in response to the first indication and the second indication. In this way, even if each capability is supported in isolation, it effectively takes into account that under certain conditions, it may be difficult or impossible to implement concurrent support of certain capabilities. A base station can utilize features based on the supported combinations when controlling wireless transmissions of wireless communication devices.

According to one embodiment, the base station receives the third indication from the wireless communication device. The third indication indicates that support for the combination of capabilities by the wireless communication device has changed. This can be accomplished while maintaining a wireless connection to the wireless communication device. Thus, when controlling the wireless transmission of a wireless communication device, the base station can dynamically consider changes in support of combinations without disrupting the connectivity of the wireless communication device to the wireless communication network.

According to a further embodiment, a wireless communication device is provided. A wireless communication device includes a wireless interface for connecting to a wireless communication network. Further, the wireless communication device comprises one or more processors, the one or more processors comprising:
providing a first indication to the wireless communication network, the first indication indicating a set of at least two capabilities of the wireless communication device;
determining whether a wireless communication device supports two or more combinations of capabilities;
providing a second indication to the wireless communication network, the second indication being configured to indicate whether the combination of capabilities is supported by the wireless communication device;

At least one processor of the wireless communication device may be configured to perform steps as performed by the wireless communication device in the methods described above.

In particular, at least one processor of the wireless communication device determines that support for a combination of capabilities by the wireless communication device has changed while maintaining a wireless connection to the wireless communication network; Sending to the network, a third indication may be set to send indicating altered support for the combination of performance.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one processor of the wireless communication device may be configured to determine whether the combination of capabilities is supported by the wireless communication device as a function of current operating conditions of the wireless communication device.

According to a further embodiment a base station for a wireless communication network is provided. A base station provides a wireless interface to wireless communication devices. Further, the base station comprises one or more processors, the one or more processors:
receiving a first indication from the wireless communication device indicating a set of at least two capabilities of the wireless communication device;
receiving a second indication from the wireless communication device, the second indication indicating whether a combination of two or more of the capabilities is supported by the wireless communication device;
and controlling at least one wireless transmission of the wireless communication device in response to the first indication and the second indication.

At least one processor of the base station may be configured to perform steps as performed by the base station in the methods described above.

In particular, the at least one processor of the base station, while maintaining a wireless connection to the wireless communication device, receives a third indication from the wireless communication device, wherein the third indication indicates performance improvement by the wireless communication device. It can be set to receive an indication that the combination's support has changed.

According to a further embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes wireless communication devices and base stations. A wireless communication device is configured to provide a first indication to a base station. The first indication indicates a set of at least two capabilities of the wireless communication device. Additionally, the wireless communication device is configured to determine whether the wireless communication device supports a combination of two or more of the capabilities and provide a second indication to the base station. The second indication indicates whether the performance combination is supported by the wireless communication device. The base station receives the first indication and the second indication and is configured to control at least one wireless transmission of the wireless communication device in response to the first indication and the second indication. A wireless communication device may be configured to operate as described in the above embodiments.

In the above embodiments of the method, wireless communication device, base station, and system, the second indication indicates, for at least one preset combination of capabilities, whether the preset combination is supported; At least one indicator may be included. By presetting indicators and combinations, support for combinations can be signaled with low overhead. Such preset combinations may be stored as part of the factory settings and/or operator defined settings of the wireless communication device.

Further, the second indication may include an indication of at least one limit for the preset set of performance combinations. In particular, the second indication includes a first restriction restricting the preset set of performances to a first subset of combinations and a second restriction further restricting the first subset of combinations to a second subset of combinations. may contain instructions for the limitation of Accordingly, a hierarchical organization of supported combinations can be assumed and efficiently signaled by indicating limits from a preset set. The preset set may be based on factory default settings of the wireless communication device and/or operator-defined settings of the wireless communication device.

Further, the first indication and the second indication may be sent in different messages from the wireless communication device to the wireless communication network, particularly the base station mentioned above.

Additionally, the second indication may be sent by physical layer control signaling and/or medium access control layer control signaling.

The above and further embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 schematically illustrates a wireless communication network system according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. Fig. 4 schematically shows a bitmap used according to one embodiment of the present invention to indicate a set of UE capabilities; FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a process according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 illustrates a further example of a process according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 schematically illustrates a bitmap used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention to indicate a set of UE capabilities and supported combinations of capabilities from this set; FIG. 5 illustrates a further example of a process according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a set of performance combination limits used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 illustrates a further example of a process according to an embodiment of the present invention in which supported combinations of performance are indicated based on the limits of FIG. 7; 4 is a flow chart to illustrate one method according to one embodiment of the invention, which may be implemented by a wireless communication device; Figure 4 is a flow chart to illustrate a further method according to an embodiment of the invention, which may be implemented by a base station; 1 schematically illustrates a processor-based implementation of a wireless communication device, according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. Figure 2 schematically illustrates a processor-based implementation of a base station according to one embodiment of the invention;

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below. It should be understood that the following description is given only to illustrate the principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims appended hereto and is not intended to be limited by the exemplary embodiments described below.

The illustrated embodiments relate to efficiently handling support for multiple capabilities of wireless communication devices, hereinafter referred to as UEs, in a wireless communication network. The wireless communication network may be a cellular network based on LTE wireless access technology. However, other wireless communication technologies can be used as well. Accordingly, in the following description, "wireless communication" may correspond to wireless communication, but is not limited to wireless communication. This is a first indication by which the UE may indicate multiple sets of supported capabilities, and whether the UE supports one or more combinations of two or more capabilities from the set. can be achieved by using a second indication, which is a means by which the In this way, scenarios can be efficiently addressed in which the possibility of utilizing one capability depends on the utilization of one or more other capabilities. These two indications may be sent in one message or may be sent in multiple messages.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates one exemplary scenario in which these concepts may be utilized. The scenario of FIG. 1 requires UE 100 , further UE 110 , IoT device 120 and base station 150 . Wireless communication between the UE 100, the further UE 110, the IoT device 120 and the base station 150 may be based on LTE radio access technology. However, it should be understood that other radio access technologies or wireless communication technologies, such as 5G (5th generation) radio access technology or NR (New Radio) technology may be utilized as well. In the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that UE 100 may be utilized as a relay station for establishing links between base station 150 and further UEs 110 and/or links between base station 150 and IoT devices. In the following, the link between the base station 150 and the UE 100 is also called "direct link" and the link between the UE 100 and further UEs 110 or IoT devices 120 is called "sidelink". Some capabilities of UE 100 may relate to the direct link, while other capabilities of UE 100 may relate to sidelinks. Since the direct link and sidelink of UE 100 generally utilize the same radio circuitry, there may be restrictions on simultaneous use of the sidelink and direct link. Specifically, the performance associated with direct links may depend on whether one or more sidelinks are activated (or the performance utilized for such sidelinks). Examples according to which such different capabilities and their supported combinations can be effectively indicated from UE 100 to base station 150 are described in more detail below.

FIG. 2 shows an example bitmap 200 that may be used by UE 100 to indicate its capabilities to the wireless communication network. UE 100 may send bitmap 200 to base station 150 to indicate its capabilities to the wireless communication network. This may be achieved as soon as the UE 100 first registers with the wireless communication network. However, in some scenarios, bitmap 200 may be sent at a later time. For example, the UE 100 may transmit bitmaps while maintaining a connection to the wireless communication network, eg, to indicate updates of its capabilities. As shown, bitmap 200 indicates whether and optionally in which manner a subset of one or more bits from which a given performance is supported by UE 100. Contains multiple bits. For example, a single bit of '1' may indicate that the performance is supported. A subset of bits may be one or more options that support a certain performance, a level of support (e.g., distinguishing between no support, basic support, and full support), and/or performance-related one or It may indicate one of multiple parameters (eg, maximum supported bitrate when using performance). The mapping of performance to bit positions within bitmap 200 may be preconfigured within UE 100 and base station 150 . Such preset settings may be based on telecommunications standards and may be based on factory default settings or operator-defined settings. Thus, support for a given performance may be indicated in binary fashion (e.g., by a single bit indicating either "supported" or "unsupported"), but e.g., the level of support, It may be indicated by multiple bits to indicate the option to be selected or one or more parameters related to performance.

FIG. 3 shows an example process that may be implemented by UE 100 and base station 150 to indicate the capabilities of UE 100 and supported combinations of those capabilities.

As indicated by 301, the UE 100 may first perform registration with a wireless communication network and/or setup of a connection with the wireless communication network. During or in response to this process, UE 100 may send an indication of its capabilities to base station 150 as indicated by message 302 . For example, message 302 may include a bitmap as described with respect to FIG. In the example shown, the UE 100 is assumed to indicate multiple capabilities, ie sets of capabilities. By way of example, these capabilities may include support for the aforementioned relaying over one or more sidelinks, support for dual connectivity, i.e. simultaneous utilization of connections to different base stations of a wireless communication network, or carrier aggregation. Support may include simultaneous use of multiple carriers to establish a connection to a wireless communication network.

As indicated by block 303 , UE 100 may then determine which combination of capabilities indicated by message 302 are supported by UE 100 . This determination may depend on the current operating conditions of the UE 100. For example, if the UE 100 is currently configured to act as a relay station to a further UE 110 or IoT device 120, eg, as shown in FIG. 1, this limits the use of dual connectivity or carrier aggregation. obtain.

UE 100 then indicates the result of the determination to base station 150 as indicated by message 304 . Specifically, message 304 indicates which combination of capabilities indicated by message 302 is currently supported by UE 100 . Here, a combination of two of these performances can be considered. However, it is also possible to consider combinations of more than two performances. Supported combinations may be indicated by additional bitmaps. For example, it is possible to preconfigure a set of possible combinations, a subset of one or more bits from a further bitmap determines whether certain combinations of performance are supported by the UE 100, and also Optionally, it can indicate how certain combinations of capabilities are supported by the UE 100 . For example, a single bit of '1' may indicate that the combination is supported. A subset of bits relates to multiple options that support certain combinations, levels of support (e.g., distinguishing between no support, basic support, and full support), and/or supported combinations. It may indicate one of one or more parameters (eg, maximum supported bitrate when using a combination). The mapping of combinations to bit positions within the bitmap may be pre-configured within UE 100 and base station 150 . Such preset settings may be based on telecommunications standards and may be based on factory default settings or operator-defined settings. By using bitmaps to indicate supported combinations, lower layer signaling can be used to indicate supported combinations. For example, supported combinations may be indicated by physical layer control signaling and/or by MAC (medium access control) layer signaling. However, the supported combinations are indicated, e.g., in the RRC message, e.g., in the form of a table that explicitly identifies two or more of the capabilities and how those capabilities can be combined. Note that a more flexible scheme could also be used. Thus, support for a given combination of capabilities may be indicated in binary fashion (e.g., by a single bit indicating either "supported" or "unsupported"), but e.g. Multiple bits may be indicated to indicate one or more parameters related to a combination of levels, selected options, or performance.

Base station 150 may then control wireless communication for UE 100 based on the supported capabilities indicated by message 302 and the supported combinations indicated by message 304 . As indicated by 305 , this may entail controlling wireless communication between UE 100 and base station 150 . However, this may still require controlling other wireless communications, such as sidelink transmissions to and from the UE100.

In the example of FIG. 3, the UE 100 capabilities and supported combinations are indicated in separate messages. This can be particularly beneficial in scenarios where the performance of the UE 100 is static, for example determined by the hardware characteristics of the UE 100, but depending on how the different performance is actually utilized, the performance Possible combinations can change dynamically. However, in some scenarios it is also possible to indicate the capabilities of the UE 100 and the combinations supported within the same message. A corresponding example is shown in FIG.

Also in the example of FIG. 4, the UE 100 may first perform registration with and/or setup of a connection with the wireless communication network, as indicated by 401 .

UE 100 is assumed to have multiple capabilities, ie, a set of capabilities. These capabilities may include support for the aforementioned relaying over one or more sidelinks, support for dual connections, or support for carrier aggregation. As indicated by block 402, the UE 100 may then determine which combinations of its capabilities are supported by the UE 100. This determination may depend on the current operating conditions of the UE 100. For example, if the UE 100 is currently configured to act as a relay station to a further UE 110 or IoT device 120, eg as shown in FIG. 1, this limits the use of dual connectivity or carrier aggregation. can.

UE 100 may then send to base station 150 an indication of its capabilities and an indication of supported combinations of these capabilities, as indicated by message 403 . For example, message 403 may include a bitmap as described with respect to FIG. Additionally, message 403 indicates to base station 150 the outcome of the determination of block 402 . That is, message 403 also indicates which combination of capabilities indicated by message 403 are supported by UE 100 . Here, a combination of two of these performances can be considered. However, it is also possible to consider combinations of more than two performances. Supported combinations may be indicated by additional bitmaps or in the form of extensions to the bitmap used to indicate supported capabilities. An example of an extension bitmap 500 that may be used for the latter option is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, a bitmap 500 indicates whether, and optionally, in what manner, one or more subsets of bits from which a given performance is supported by the UE 100. contains multiple bits that indicate whether For example, a single bit of '1' may indicate that the performance is supported. A subset of bits may be one or more options that support a certain performance, a level of support (e.g., distinguishing between no support, basic support, and full support), and/or performance-related one or It may indicate one of multiple parameters (eg, maximum supported bitrate when using performance). The mapping of performance to bit positions within bitmap 500 may be preconfigured within UE 100 and base station 150 . Such preset settings may be based on telecommunications standards and may be based on factory default settings or operator-defined settings. In addition, bitmap 500 includes one or more bits that each indicate whether or not certain combinations of performance are supported. The mapping of combinations to bit positions within bitmap 500 may be preconfigured within UE 100 and base station 150 . Such preset settings may be based on telecommunications standards and may be based on factory default settings or operator-defined settings. Utilization of a single bitmap to indicate both supported capabilities and supported combinations of these capabilities may allow low signaling overhead to be achieved. This can be beneficial if frequent dynamic signaling of changes in both supported performance and supported combinations is required. However, it utilizes a more flexible scheme of indicating capabilities and supported combinations within the same message, e.g., in the form of a table that explicitly identifies capabilities and how they can be combined. Note that it is also possible to

Base station 150 may then control wireless communication for UE 100 based on the supported capabilities and supported combinations indicated by message 403 . As indicated by 404 , this may entail controlling wireless communication between UE 100 and base station 150 . However, this may still require controlling other wireless communications, such as sidelink transmissions to and from the UE100.

As noted above, the supported combinations may dynamically depend on the current operating conditions of the UE 100. Accordingly, the UE 100 can iteratively re-determine which combinations of capabilities are supported and provide corresponding indications of the supported combinations to the wireless communication network. An example of a corresponding process is shown in FIG.

In the example of FIG. 6, the UE 100 may first perform registration with the wireless communication network and/or setup of a connection with the wireless communication network. During or in response to this process, UE 100 may itself send an indication of its performance to base station 150 as indicated by message 602 . For example, message 602 may include a bitmap as described with respect to FIG. In the example shown, the UE 100 is assumed to indicate multiple capabilities, or sets of capabilities. By way of example, these capabilities may include support for the aforementioned relaying over one or more sidelinks, support for dual connectivity, or support for carrier aggregation.

As indicated by block 603 , UE 100 may then determine which combination of capabilities indicated by message 602 are currently supported by UE 100 . This determination depends on the current operating conditions of the UE 100. For example, if the UE 100 is currently configured to operate, for example, as a relay station to further UEs 110 or IoT devices 120, as shown in FIG. 1, this limits the use of dual connectivity or carrier aggregation. can.

UE 100 then indicates to base station 150 the results of the block 603 determination, as indicated by message 604 . Specifically, message 604 indicates which combination of capabilities indicated by message 602 is currently supported by UE 100 . Message 604 may be similar to message 304 and details regarding how supported combinations may be indicated within message 604 can therefore be understood from the above description of message 304 .

Base station 150 may control wireless communication for UE 100 based on supported capabilities indicated by message 602 and supported combinations indicated by message 604 . As indicated by 605 , this may entail controlling wireless communication between UE 100 and base station 150 . However, this may still require controlling other wireless communications, such as sidelink transmissions to and from the UE100.

At some point, UE 100 may then determine that the supported combination of capabilities has changed, as indicated by block 606 . Similar to the block 603 determination, the block 606 determination is based on considering the current operating conditions of the UE 100 . A change in the supported combinations may, for example, be due to the UE 100 beginning active use of certain capabilities or the UE 100 suspending active use of certain capabilities.

UE 100 then indicates to base station 150 the results of the block 606 determination, as indicated by message 607 . Specifically, message 607 indicates which combination of capabilities indicated by message 602 is currently supported by UE 100 . Message 607 may be similar to message 304 and details regarding how supported combinations may be indicated in message 607 can therefore be understood from the discussion above regarding message 304 .

Base station 150 may then control wireless communication for UE 100 based on the supported capabilities indicated by message 602 and the supported combinations indicated by message 607 . As indicated by 608 , this may entail controlling wireless communication between UE 100 and base station 150 . However, this may still require controlling other wireless communications, such as sidelink transmissions to and from the UE100.

In some scenarios, supported combinations may still be dictated by restrictions on a preset set of combinations. These restrictions may be introduced hierarchically, ie one restriction may define a subset of combinations and one or more further restrictions may be used to further restrict this subset. Possible limits can be preset as well. For example, such presets may be based on telecommunications standards, and may be based on factory default settings and operator-defined settings. By starting with a pre-set set of combinations and defining possible limits, the position on the downgrade path from the maximum possible set of combinations can very efficiently address general dependencies of performance on each other. can be expressed as An example of how the set of combinations and possible restrictions can be organized is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, a bitmap 700 indicates a set of capabilities (in this example designated by A, B, C, D, E, F, G, . . . ) supported by UE 100. can be used to indicate Additionally, a maximum set of combinations of these performances is defined. For example, this maximum set of combinations may include all possible combinations. The maximum set of combinations may correspond to legacy settings of supported combinations for which no explicit indication is required from the UE 100 . Limits are defined starting from the maximum set of combinations. Each restriction excludes one or more combinations from the maximum set of possible combinations, thereby defining a corresponding subset of possible combinations. In the example of FIG. 7, the first restriction (restriction 1) defines that the combination of performance A and performance B is not supported. A second restriction (restriction 2) defines that the combination of performance A and performance E is not supported. A third restriction (restriction 3) defines that the combination of performance A and performance C is not supported. The first restriction, the second restriction, and the third restriction are first hierarchical level restrictions that may alternatively be applied. Furthermore, in addition to the first restriction, a fourth restriction may be applied that defines that the combination of performance C and performance D is also not supported (so that the combination of performance A and performance B and performance C and performance D effectively defines that combinations of are not supported). Furthermore, in addition to the third restriction, a fifth restriction may apply that also defines that the combination of performance C and performance D is not supported (thereby resulting in the combination of performance A and performance C and performance C and performance effectively defines that combinations of D are not supported). The fourth and fifth restrictions are second hierarchical level restrictions that may be applied in addition to the corresponding restrictions at the first hierarchical level.

A limit on the maximum set of possible combinations can be utilized to efficiently direct dynamic changes in supported combinations. In particular, even with a large set of supported capabilities and a large number of possible combinations, the actually supported combinations can be efficiently dictated simply by identifying the limits that apply to the largest set possible. For example, a limit can be identified by an index. An example of the corresponding process is shown in FIG.

In the example of FIG. 8, the UE 100 may first perform registration with the wireless communication network and/or setup of a connection with the wireless communication network. During or in response to this process, UE 100 may send an indication of its capabilities to base station 150 as indicated by message 802 . For example, message 802 may include a bitmap as described with respect to FIG. In the example shown, the UE 100 is assumed to indicate support for at least capabilities A, B, C, and D.

As indicated by block 803 , UE 100 may determine which combination of capabilities indicated by message 802 are currently supported by UE 100 . This determination depends on the current operating conditions of the UE 100 and corresponds to identifying which limit (eg limit 3) to apply to the maximum set of possible combinations.

UE 100 then indicates to base station 150 the results of the block 803 determination, as indicated by message 804 . Specifically, message 804 indicates what restrictions apply to the maximum set of possible combinations. Message 804 may also indicate multiple restrictions that apply. In the example shown, message 804 is assumed to indicate that limit 3 applies to the maximum set of possible combinations.

Base station 150 may then control wireless communication for UE 100 based on the supported capabilities indicated by message 802 and the supported combinations indicated by message 804 . As indicated by 805 , this may entail controlling wireless communication between UE 100 and base station 150 . However, this may still require controlling other wireless communications, such as sidelink transmissions to and from the UE100.

At this point, UE 100 may then determine that the supported combination of capabilities has changed, as indicated by block 806 . Similar to the block 803 determination, the block 806 determination is based on considering the current operating conditions of the UE 100 . A change in the supported combinations may, for example, be by the UE 100 starting to actively utilize certain capabilities, or by the UE 100 suspending active utilization of certain capabilities. The determination of step 806 then corresponds to identifying which constraints apply to the maximum set of possible combinations. This may require identifying one or more additional restrictions that apply and one or more restrictions that no longer apply. In the example of FIG. 8, it is assumed that the UE 100 now identifies that in addition to restriction 3, restriction 5 applies.

UE 100 then indicates to base station 150 the results of the block 806 determination, as indicated by message 807 . Specifically, message 807 then indicates the limits (limits 3 and 5 in the example shown) that apply to the maximum set of possible combinations.

Base station 150 may then control wireless communication for UE 100 based on the supported capabilities indicated by message 802 and the supported combinations indicated by message 807 . As indicated by 808 , this may entail controlling wireless communication between UE 100 and base station 150 . However, this may still require controlling other wireless communications, such as sidelink transmissions to and from the UE100.

FIG. 9 depicts a flow chart illustrating one method that may be used to control wireless communications within a wireless communications network, eg, a cellular network. The method of FIG. 9 enables a wireless communication device, such as the UE 100 described above, to implement the concepts described above. If a processor-based implementation of the wireless communication device is utilized, at least a portion of the steps of the method may be performed and/or controlled by one or more processors of the wireless communication device.

At step 910, the wireless communication device provides a first indication to the wireless communication network. The first indication indicates a set of at least two capabilities of the wireless communication device. Capabilities may be selected from a group of standardized capabilities, such as UE capabilities specified by 3GPP. By way of example, the first indication may be sent by way of a bitmap containing at least one bit for each possible performance, shown by way of example in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, or FIG.

At step 920, the wireless communication device determines whether the wireless communication device supports a combination of two or more capabilities. In some cases, utilization of one capability can block certain hardware resources of the wireless communication device such that those resources cannot be used for another capability, which means that these It means that the two capabilities cannot be actively used at the same time. In other cases, simultaneous utilization of two or more capabilities may be possible. This may also depend on how these capabilities are utilized. Accordingly, the determination of step 920 may depend on the current operating conditions of the wireless communication device.

At step 930, the wireless communication device provides a second indication to the wireless communication network. The second indication indicates whether the performance combination is supported by the wireless communication device. In other words, the second indication may indicate the outcome of the determination of step 920 . Based on one or more of the indicated capabilities and/or indicated supported combinations of capabilities, the wireless communication device can then perform at least one wireless transmission. This can be accomplished under the control of a wireless communication network.

The second indication may include at least one indicator for the preset combination of performances indicating whether the preset combination is supported. For example, the indicator may be a flag within a bitmap to indicate support for multiple possible combinations. In some cases, this bitmap may be an extension of the bitmap as used in step 910 to indicate the capabilities of the wireless communication device. A corresponding example of an expanded map is shown in FIG. In addition to or as an alternative to the flag, the second indication may be the level of support for the preset combination of performances, the selected option to support the preset combination of performances, and/or the level of support for the preset combination of performances. may include a subset of bits that indicate one or more parameters for a preset combination.

In some scenarios, the second indication may include an indication of at least one limit for a preset set of performance combinations. Where multiple restrictions are indicated, these restrictions may be organized in a hierarchical fashion. For example, the second indication may include a first restriction restricting the preset set of performances to a first subset of combinations, and a second restriction further restricting the first subset of combinations to a second subset of combinations. may contain instructions for the limitation of Corresponding examples showing the use of constraints to dictate supported combinations are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. The possible combinations and limits may be standardized or, alternatively, preset within the wireless communication device.

The first and second instructions may be sent from the wireless communication device to the wireless communication network in different messages, eg, as shown in FIGS. However, it is equally possible to send the first indication and the second indication in the same message, for example as shown in FIG. In some scenarios, the second indication may be sent via physical layer control signaling and/or medium access control layer control signaling. However, other methods of indicating combinatorial support, eg, RRC signaling, can be utilized as well.

In some scenarios, the wireless communication device may also determine that there is a change in support of the combination of capabilities by the wireless communication device as indicated by the second indication. In this case, the wireless communication device can send the third instruction to the wireless communication network. The third indication indicates modified support for performance combinations. This can be accomplished while maintaining a wireless connection to the wireless communication network. Examples of corresponding processes are shown in FIGS. Determining changes in support for performance combinations may be performed in a similar manner as determining supported combinations based, for example, on the current operating conditions of the wireless communication device. Combinatorial modified support may be indicated in the same manner as described above with respect to combinatorial support.

FIG. 10 depicts a flow chart illustrating one method that may be used to control wireless transmissions within a wireless communication network, eg, a cellular network. According to the method of FIG. 10, a base station of a wireless communication network, eg, base station 150 discussed above, may implement concepts such as those described above. If a processor-based implementation of the base station is utilized, at least a portion of the steps of the method may be performed and/or controlled by one or more processors of the base station.

At step 1010, the base station receives a first indication from a wireless communication device, eg, UE 100 described above. The first indication indicates a set of at least two capabilities of the wireless communication device. These capabilities may be selected from a group of standardized capabilities, such as UE capabilities specified by 3GPP. By way of example, the first indication may be received by a bitmap containing at least one bit for each possible performance, eg, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, or FIG.

At step 1020, the base station receives a second indication from the wireless communication device. The second indication indicates whether a combination of at least two of the capabilities indicated in step 1010 are supported by the wireless communication device. In other words, the second indication may indicate the result of determination as described with respect to step 920 .

The second indication may include, for the preset combination of performances, at least one indicator of whether the preset combination is supported. For example, such an indicator may be a flag or part of a bitmap to indicate support for multiple possible combinations. In some cases, this bitmap may be an extension of the bitmap used in step 1010 to indicate the capabilities of the wireless communication device. A corresponding example of an expanded map is shown in FIG. In addition to or as an alternative to the flag, the second indication may be a level of support for the preset combination of performances, a selected option for support of the preset combination of performances, and/or a supported set of performances. may include a subset of bits that indicate one or more parameters for a preset combination.

In some scenarios, the second indication may include an indication of at least one limit for a preset set of performance combinations. Where multiple restrictions are indicated, these restrictions may be organized hierarchically. For example, the second indication may include a first restriction restricting the preset set of performances to a first subset of combinations, and a second restriction further restricting the first subset of combinations to a second subset of combinations. may contain instructions for the limitation of Corresponding examples showing the use of constraints to dictate supported combinations are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. The possible combinations and limits may be standardized or, alternatively, preset within the wireless communication device.

The first and second instructions may be sent from the wireless communication device to the base station in different messages, eg, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8. FIG. However, it is equally possible to send the first indication and the second indication in the same message, as shown in FIG. In some scenarios, the second indication may be sent via physical layer control signaling and/or medium access control layer control signaling. However, other methods of indicating combinatorial support, eg, RRC signaling, can be utilized as well.

In some scenarios, the base station may also receive a third indication from the wireless communication device. The third indication indicates that there is a change in performance combination support. This can be accomplished while maintaining a wireless connection to the wireless communication network. Examples of corresponding processes are shown in FIGS. Combinatorial modified support may be indicated in the same manner as described above with respect to combinatorial support.

At step 1030, the base station controls at least one wireless transmission of the wireless communication device. This is accomplished in response to the first indication received at step 1010 and the second indication received at step 1020 . For example, this may require activating or deactivating certain wireless features of the wireless communication device that utilize the indicated capabilities.

9 and 10 may be combined, for example, in a system including at least one wireless communication device operating according to the method of FIG. 9 and at least one base station operating according to the method of FIG. Please understand.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram to schematically illustrate a processor-based implementation of a wireless communication device that can be utilized to implement the above concepts. A wireless communication device may correspond to, for example, a UE, such as UE 100 described above.

As shown, the wireless communication device includes a wireless interface 1110, eg, a radio interface. Wireless communication devices can utilize wireless interface 1110 to connect to the wireless communication network, eg, through the base stations of the wireless communication network such as base station 150 .

Additionally, one or more processors 1140 and memory 1150 are provided in the wireless communication device. Wireless interface 1110 and memory 1150 are coupled to processor 1140 using, for example, one or more internal bus systems of the wireless communication device.

Memory 1150 contains program code modules 1160 , 1170 comprising program code that is executed by processor 1140 . In the example shown, these program code modules include communications control module 1160 and performance management module 1170 .

Communication control module 1160 may implement functionality to control wireless transmissions based on one or more capabilities of the wireless communication device. Performance management module 1170 implements the functionality described above to indicate capabilities to the wireless communication network, determine one or more supported combinations of capabilities, and indicate the supported combinations to the wireless communication network. can be done.

The structure shown in FIG. 11 is merely an example, and the wireless communication device may include other elements not shown, such as structures for implementing known functionality of a UE or other type of wireless communication device. or program code modules.

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram to schematically illustrate a processor-based implementation of a base station that can be used to implement the above concepts. A base station may correspond to, for example, base station 150 described above.

As shown, the base station includes a wireless interface 1210, eg, a radio interface. A base station can utilize wireless interface 1210 to connect to at least one wireless communication device, eg, a UE such as UE 100 .

Additionally, one or more processors 1240 and memory 1250 are provided at the base station. Wireless interface 1210 and memory 1250 are coupled to processor 1240 using, for example, one or more internal bus systems of the base station.

Memory 1250 includes program code modules 1260 , 1270 comprising program code that is executed by processor 1240 . In the example shown, these program code modules include communications control module 1260 and performance management module 1270 .

Communication control module 1260 may implement functionality to control wireless transmissions of certain wireless communication devices based on one or more capabilities of the wireless communication device. Performance management module 1270 may implement the above functionality of receiving from a wireless communication device an indication of the wireless communication device's capabilities and supported combinations of one or more of these capabilities.

that the structure shown in FIG. 12 is merely an example and that the base station may include other elements not shown, such as structures or program code modules for implementing known functionality of the base station. Please understand.

It should be appreciated that the concepts described above are susceptible to various modifications. For example, these concepts may apply with respect to various types of wireless communication technologies and devices. Moreover, these concepts can be applied with respect to various types of performance.
<Further embodiment of the present invention>
[Embodiment 1]
a wireless communication device (100) providing a first indication to a wireless communication network, said first indication indicating a set of at least two capabilities of said wireless communication device (100); providing instructions for
determining whether said wireless communication device (100) supports a combination of two or more of said capabilities;
said wireless communication device (100) providing a second indication to said wireless communication network, said second indication indicating whether said combination of capabilities is supported by said wireless communication device (100); providing said second instruction indicating whether
A method, including
[Embodiment 2]
Determining by said wireless communication device (100) that support for said combination of capabilities of said wireless communication device (100) has changed while maintaining a wireless connection to said wireless communication network; sending to a wireless communication network, wherein the third indication indicates the altered support for the performance combination;
3. The method of embodiment 1, comprising:
[Embodiment 3]
said wireless communication device (100) determining whether said combination of capabilities is supported by said wireless communication device (100) according to current operating conditions of said wireless communication device (100);
3. A method according to embodiment 1 or 2.
[Embodiment 4]
wherein the second indication includes, for the preset combination of performances, at least one indicator indicating whether the preset combination is supported;
4. A method according to any one of embodiments 1-3.
[Embodiment 5]
wherein the second indication includes at least one limit indication for a preset set of performance combinations;
5. A method according to any one of embodiments 1-4.
[Embodiment 6]
The second indication includes a first restriction restricting the preset set of performances to a first subset of combinations, and a second restriction further restricting the first subset of combinations to a second subset of combinations. including 2 limitation instructions,
6. A method according to embodiment 5.
[Embodiment 7]
said first instruction and said second instruction are sent in the same message or in different messages from said wireless communication device (100) to said base station wireless communication network;
7. A method according to any one of embodiments 1-6.
[Embodiment 8]
said second indication is sent by physical layer control signaling and/or medium access control layer control signaling;
8. A method according to any one of embodiments 1-7.
[Embodiment 9]
a base station (150) of a wireless communication network receiving from said wireless communication device (100) a first indication indicative of a set of at least two capabilities of said wireless communication device (100);
said base station (150) receiving a second indication from said wireless communication device (100), said second indication indicating that a combination of two or more of said capabilities is said wireless communication device ( 100) indicating whether it is supported by
controlling, by said base station (150), at least one wireless transmission of said wireless communication device (100) in response to said first indication and said second indication;
A method, including
[Embodiment 10]
While maintaining a wireless connection to the wireless communication device (100), the base station (150) receives a third instruction from the wireless communication device (100), the third instruction comprising: 10. The method of embodiment 9, comprising: receiving an indication that support of said capability combination by said wireless communication device (100) has changed.
[Embodiment 11]
wherein the second indication includes, for the preset combination of performances, at least one indicator indicating whether the preset combination is supported;
11. A method according to embodiment 9 or 10.
[Embodiment 12]
wherein the second indication includes at least one limit indication for a preset set of performance combinations;
12. A method according to any one of embodiments 9-11.
[Embodiment 13]
The second indication includes a first restriction restricting the preset set of performances to a first subset of combinations, and a second restriction further restricting the first subset of combinations to a second subset of combinations. including 2 limitation instructions,
13. A method according to embodiment 12.
[Embodiment 14]
said first indication and said second indication are transmitted from said wireless communication device (100) to said base station (150) in the same message or in different messages;
14. A method according to any one of embodiments 9-13.
[Embodiment 15]
said second indication is sent by physical layer control signaling and/or medium access control layer control signaling;
13. The method of any one of embodiments 8-12.
[Embodiment 16]
A wireless communication device (100) comprising:
a wireless interface (1110) for connecting to a wireless communication network;
one or more processors (1140), the one or more processors (1140) comprising:
Providing a first indication to the wireless communication network, the first indication indicating a set of at least two capabilities of the wireless communication device (100). When,
determining whether the wireless communication device (100) supports a combination of two or more of the capabilities;
providing a second indication to said wireless communication network, said second indication indicating whether said combination of capabilities is supported by said wireless communication device (100). A wireless communication device (100) configured to:
[Embodiment 17]
17. The wireless communication device (100) of embodiment 16, wherein said at least one processor (1140) is configured to perform the steps of the method of any one of embodiments 1-8.
[Embodiment 18]
A base station (150) for a wireless communication network, comprising:
a wireless interface (1210) for connecting to a wireless communication device (100);
one or more processors (1240), the one or more processors (1240) comprising:
receiving a first indication from the wireless communication device (100) indicating a set of at least two capabilities of the wireless communication device (100);
receiving a second indication from said wireless communication device (100), said second indication whether a combination of two or more of said capabilities is supported by said wireless communication device (100); receiving the second indication indicating whether
controlling at least one wireless transmission of said wireless communication device (100) in response to said first instruction and said second instruction;
a base station (150) configured to perform
[Embodiment 19]
wherein the at least one processor (1240) is configured to perform the steps of the method according to any one of embodiments 9-15;
19. A base station (150) according to embodiment 18.
[Embodiment 20]
a system,
Wireless communication device (100) and base station (150)
with
the wireless communication device (100) comprising:
providing a first indication to said base station (150), said first indication indicating a set of at least two capabilities of said wireless communication device (100); and
determining whether the wireless communication device (100) supports a combination of two or more of the capabilities;
providing a second indication to the base station (150), the second indication indicating whether the combination of capabilities is supported by the wireless communication device (100); is set to provide instructions for and to
The base station (150)
receiving the first instruction and the second instruction;
controlling at least one wireless transmission of said wireless communication device (100) in response to said first indication and said second indication;
The system is set to

Claims (20)

a wireless communication device (100) providing a first indication to a wireless communication network, said first indication indicating a set of at least two capabilities of said wireless communication device (100); providing instructions for
determining whether the wireless communication device (100) supports a combination of two or more of the set of at least two capabilities;
wherein said wireless communication device (100) provides a second indication to said wireless communication network, said second indication comprising two or more of said capabilities of said set of at least two capabilities; providing said second indication indicating whether a combination is supported by said wireless communication device (100);
A method, including Determining by said wireless communication device (100) that support for said combination of capabilities of said wireless communication device (100) has changed while maintaining a wireless connection to said wireless communication network; sending to a wireless communication network, wherein the third indication indicates the modified support for the combination of two or more of the capabilities of the set of at least two capabilities. and sending
2. The method of claim 1, comprising: The wireless communication device (100) determines, depending on current operating conditions of the wireless communication device (100), that the combination of two or more of the at least two sets of capabilities is the wireless communication device ( 100) to determine if supported by
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2. the second indication includes, for a preset combination of the capabilities of the at least two sets of capabilities, at least one indicator indicating whether the preset combination is supported;
4. A method according to any one of claims 1-3. wherein said second indication comprises at least one restriction indication for a preset set of combinations of two or more of said performances among said at least two sets of performances;
5. A method according to any one of claims 1-4. said second indication comprises: a first restriction restricting said preset set of said performances of said at least two sets of performances to a first subset of combinations; and said first subset of combinations. to a second subset of combinations;
6. The method of claim 5. said first instruction and said second instruction are sent in the same message or in different messages from said wireless communication device (100) to said wireless communication network;
7. A method according to any one of claims 1-6. said second indication is sent by physical layer control signaling and/or medium access control layer control signaling;
8. A method according to any one of claims 1-7. a base station (150) of a wireless communication network receiving from said wireless communication device (100) a first indication indicative of a set of at least two capabilities of said wireless communication device (100);
said base station (150) receiving a second indication from said wireless communication device (100), said second indication comprising two or more of said capabilities of said set of at least two capabilities; receiving said second indication indicating whether a combination of is supported by said wireless communication device (100);
controlling, by said base station (150), at least one wireless transmission of said wireless communication device (100) in response to said first indication and said second indication;
A method, including While maintaining a wireless connection to the wireless communication device (100), the base station (150) receives a third instruction from the wireless communication device (100), the third instruction comprising: Receiving said third indication indicating that support by said wireless communication device (100) of said combination of two or more of said sets of at least two capabilities has changed.
10. The method of claim 9, comprising: wherein the second indication includes, for a preset combination of the capabilities of the at least two sets of capabilities, at least one indicator indicating whether the preset combination is supported;
11. A method according to claim 9 or 10. wherein said second indication comprises an indication of at least one limit for a preset set of said performance combinations among said at least two performance sets;
12. A method according to any one of claims 9-11. said second indication comprises: a first restriction restricting said preset set of said performances of said at least two sets of performances to a first subset of combinations; and said first subset of combinations. to a second subset of combinations;
13. The method of claim 12. said first indication and said second indication are transmitted from said wireless communication device (100) to said base station (150) in the same message or in different messages;
14. A method according to any one of claims 9-13. said second indication is sent by physical layer control signaling and/or medium access control layer control signaling;
13. A method according to any one of claims 9-12. A wireless communication device (100) comprising:
a wireless interface (1110) for connecting to a wireless communication network;
one or more processors (1140), the one or more processors (1140) comprising:
Providing a first indication to the wireless communication network, the first indication indicating a set of at least two capabilities of the wireless communication device (100). When,
determining whether the wireless communication device (100) supports a combination of two or more of the set of at least two capabilities;
providing a second indication to said wireless communication network, said second indication that said combination of two or more of said capabilities of said set of at least two capabilities is said wireless communication device (100) ), providing said second indication of whether it is supported by
A wireless communication device (100) configured to: Said at least one processor (1140) is configured to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8
17. The wireless communication device (100) of claim 16. A base station (150) for a wireless communication network, comprising:
a wireless interface (1210) for connecting to a wireless communication device (100);
one or more processors (1240), the one or more processors (1240) comprising:
receiving a first indication from the wireless communication device (100) indicating a set of at least two capabilities of the wireless communication device (100);
receiving a second indication from said wireless communication device (100), said second indication that said combination of two or more of said sets of at least two capabilities is said wireless communication device (100), receiving the second indication indicating whether or not supported by
controlling at least one wireless transmission of said wireless communication device (100) in response to said first instruction and said second instruction;
A base station (150) configured to perform: said at least one processor (1240) is configured to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 9 to 15,
The base station (150) of claim 18. a system,
Wireless communication device (100) and base station (150)
with
the wireless communication device (100) comprising:
providing a first indication to said base station (150), said first indication indicating a set of at least two capabilities of said wireless communication device (100); and
determining whether the wireless communication device (100) supports a combination of two or more of the set of at least two capabilities;
providing a second indication to said base station (150), said second indication that said combination of two or more of said sets of at least two capabilities is said wireless communication device (100) providing said second indication of whether it is supported by
is set to do
The base station (150)
receiving the first instruction and the second instruction;
controlling at least one wireless transmission of said wireless communication device (100) in response to said first indication and said second indication;
The system is set to

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