DE102004037815A1 - Mobile radio equipment has Automatic Repeat Request unit as Medium Access Control unit send buffer memory filling status information to transmit control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile radio equipment has an Automatic Repeat Request unit using Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (307) as Medium Access Control unit that is used to record the Medium Access Control Buffer memory filling status and send (302, 303) this information to the transmit control unit. Independent claims are included for procedures used by the mobile phone equipment to control memory filling.

Description

The The invention relates to a mobile radio device and a method for controlling mobile transmitter resources in a mobile device.

A such mobile communication device and such a method are in Frame of the mobile radio system UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) known.

One UMTS mobile system usually has a core network (CN), a mobile access network (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network, UTRAN) as well as a variety of mobile terminals (User Equipment, UE). According to UMTS is a transmission mode provided, referred to as FDD mode (Frequency Division Duplex), in whose framework a separate signal transmission in uplink direction (uplink direction - also called as uplink - called a signal transmission direction from a mobile terminal to a respective base station in the mobile radio access network) and in downlink direction (downlink direction - also referred to as downlink) a signal transmission direction from one each assigned to the mobile terminal Base station in the mobile access network to the mobile terminal) is done by a separate assignment of frequencies or frequency ranges.

For transmission of data between a mobile terminal and a respective base station a mobile radio cell is according to UMTS one Air interface defined, which is divided into three protocol layers. An overview and a detailed description of the air interface protocol layers according to UMTS to be found in [1].

The Standardization Body 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) develops, as described in [2], an improvement in packet data transmission over the dedicated transport channel DCH (Dedicated Channel) according to UMTS in Uplink for the UMTS FDD mode.

One of the three protocol layers of the UMTS air interface is known as the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol layer. The RRC protocol layer is for the establishment, degradation, and reconfiguration of physical channels, transport channels, logical channels, signaling radio bearers, and radio bearers, as well as negotiating all parameters of the layer's protocol layers 1 and layer 2 responsible according to UMTS. For this purpose, the units of the RRC layer in the mobile radio terminal and the mobile radio network control unit exchange corresponding RRC messages via the signaling radio bearers, as described in [3].

To the Purpose of the management, generally the management of mobile transmitter resources in the mobile terminal in the context of uplink packet data transmission It is known that the mobile radio terminal of a mobile network control unit (Radio Network Controller, RNC) at RRC protocol layer level information about reports the traffic in a transport channel. This takes place by means of so-called Measurement Report messages. In In this context, as shown in the following Table 1, the currently competent Mobile network control unit Data buffer levels, i. of the level the data buffer of the RLC units for the relevant transport channel displayed. In other words this means that according to [3] the Mobile network control unit transmitted at RRC layer level will, how many to be transferred Data is currently in the buffer memories of the RLC units of the respective Mobile terminal are located.

Under Mobile broadcasting resources are particular in this context the transmission power of the mobile terminal, the number and the spreading factor the assigned CDMA codes.

Table 1 shows an example of such a measurement result list as described in [3]: Table 1

With the aid of this information, the mobile radio network control unit can make corresponding configurations of the mobile radio terminal in order to restrict or increase, for example, the usable transport formats of a mobile radio terminal or a handover to another mobile radio cell Reconfiguration of the dedicated physical channels or one RRC state change, in particular from a first RRC state CELL DCH to a second RRC state CELL FACH perform.

The Table 1 shown in Table 1 is thus of a RRC unit in the mobile terminal correspond to the RRC unit in the Mobile network control unit and for each radio bearer (RB) the respective RLC data buffer fill level is sent displayed. The values can either as an absolute value (RLC Buffer Payload), as an average value (Average of RLC Buffer Payload) or as a deviation from a defined one Value (Variance of RLC Buffer Payload).

In the standardization body 3GPP is currently improving the packet data transfer via dedicated transport channels the uplink, i.e. For the uplink direction at the UMTS air interface for the FDD mode, in terms of increasing data throughput and the transmission speed worked. For a better distinction from the already existing one dedicated transport channel DCH became a new dedicated Transport channel named Enhanced Dedicated Channel (E-DCH) introduced. The essential features of this new transport channel include the application of a hybrid automatic repeat request method (HARQ method) based on the N-channel Stop & Wait method, one from the base station, also called NodeB in UMTS, controlled scheduling as well as frame lengths of less than or equal to 10 ms.

At the N-channel Stop & Wait HARQ method is a transmission security procedure, in a mobile terminal a number is configured by N so-called HARQ processes, being a HARQ process one instance of the Stop & Wait procedure represents. The data is sent to the network per HARQ process and cached until acknowledged by the network over correctly received Data (acknowledgment, ACK) is received. Otherwise, i. in the Case of incorrectly received data (Negative Acknowledgment, NACK), the data is sent to the network repeatedly.

At the NodeB controlled scheduling is a procedure in which the scheduling in the mobile terminal, i. the selection of a suitable one Transport format from a set of defined transport formats for the E-DCH transport channel, in the way to control, at which the NodeB in dependence from the traffic situation in the respective radio cell a mobile terminal the use Transport formats from the set of defined transport formats for the E-DCH transport channel temporary restrict can.

It but so far has not been decided on how in detail the data over the new transport channel E-DCH transmit the UMTS air interface should be. A possible solution It consists of putting the data up according to their priorities various data buffer memories, so-called priority queues (PQ), split, which then prefers according to their importance or less preferably processed and thus transmitted.

As discussed above, becomes a transmission protection method (HARQ), where the network is the mobile terminal a confirmation of correct or incorrectly received data. Also for this Function includes the mobile terminal various data buffer memory, around the dates until confirmation to cache the correct reception.

Both Functions are redefined within the MAC protocol layer provided partial protocol layer, i. a so-called medium Access Control Enhanced Uplink (MAC-e) entity running on both the terminal side as well as network side, i. is implemented.

On the network side is the communication protocol according to MAC-e by leading entity in the NodeB, i. in the UMTS base station.

at the transmission the data over the transport channel E-DCH may, for example, due to poor transmission conditions on the UMTS air interface come to the fact that the HARQ entity in the MAC-e layer over a longer one Period only negative receive messages NACK receives. In this Case it can happen that the data buffers are the priority Queues and the HARQ units reach their maximum value and no more data in the Data buffers can be cached and thus have to be discarded.

The level of the data buffer memory of the priority queues and the HARQ units in the mobile radio terminal is not according to the prior art to the network, in particular the mobile to It is therefore not considered in the configuration or reconfiguration of the entities of the protocol layers and the transmission resources of the mobile radio terminal.

According to the state The technique, as described in [3], only the level the data buffer of the RLC protocol layer signaled to the network.

A possible solution would therefore, that due to the level the data buffer of the RLC entities will be reconfigured is made.

This but would be disadvantageous, because very late, i.e. after "overflow" the data buffer in the MAC layer an overflow the data buffer of the RLC layer could be detected. First after detecting an overflow the data buffer in the RLC layer would allow it to the network signal. That would there are too much delays in the response to data buffer overflows in the Mobile radio terminal come.

Further would be this solution disadvantageous, since the network in particular the mobile access network, no information about it gets at which point of the transmission chain, i.e. in particular, in which of the units of the RLC layer, the MAC-d layer or the MAC-e layer, it to transmission problems comes. Therefore, no specific and to the particular situation customized new configuration of the individual entities be made.

Of the Invention is based on the problem, a mobile device and a method for controlling mobile radio transmitter resources in specify a mobile device, which problems as early as possible in the levels of the Data buffer in the mobile device recognizes and more accurate and better adapted situation a re-configuration of the mobile device allows.

The Problem is by a mobile device as well as by a method for controlling mobile transmitter resources in a mobile device solved with the features according to the independent claims.

preferred Further developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

A Mobile radio device has a transmission control device for controlling Wireless transmission resources the mobile device. Furthermore, one with the transmission control device coupled medium access control unit provided, in other words a control unit, arranged and responsible for one or more communication protocols at the level of the Medium Access Control protocol layer. The medium access control unit At least one medium access control buffer is allocated. The medium access control unit is set up such that the level of the at least one Medium access control buffer memory is determined and a level representing Information transmitted to the transmission control device becomes.

at a method for controlling mobile station transmitter resources in one Mobile device is from a medium access control unit the level at least one medium access control buffer, which of the medium access control unit is assigned determined. Furthermore, the determined level representing Information transmitted to a transmission control device of the mobile device. From the transmission control device are using the level representing Information the mobile radio transmitter resources used by the mobile device controlled.

clear the invention can be seen in that as part of the transmission of data, in particular of data packets from the mobile radio device to the mobile network, in particular to the base station, especially preferably to the UMTS base station, i. the NodeB, in other words the data transmission in the uplink direction, a device and a method of signaling the traffic volume in the mobile terminal, in general the mobile device is provided. It will / will be the level the data buffer of the priority queues or / and HARQ units the medium access control protocol layer, generally the level the data buffer in the Medium Access Control protocol layer, for the purpose of fast and efficient data transmission over dedicated transport channels of the UMTS air interface determined and handed over to the transmitting control device.

Compared to the In the prior art, the continued reporting of fill levels or of a predefinable Exceed threshold Levels of Data buffers in the mobile device already on level the medium access control protocol layer, not just how according to the state the technique at the level of the RLC protocol layer.

In order to It is possible in a very simple and cost-effective way, essential earlier Problems when transferring from data from the mobile device to the mobile network to detect and respond, for example by handover into another mobile cell or reconfiguring the amount of to be used transport formats.

Further It is now due to availability of information about the levels of the Buffer memory at both the medium access control protocol layer level and optionally at the RLC protocol layer level Analysis of the states the individual units in the mobile device, resulting in a much more accurate fault diagnosis and control of Mobile Broadcasting Resources in the mobile device leads.

The relate to embodiments of the invention described below both the mobile device and in a corresponding manner the method for controlling the mobile radio transmitter resources in a mobile radio device.

According to one Embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the medium access control unit a medium access sub-control unit and an automatic repeat request control unit. According to this Embodiments of the invention are a plurality of medium access control buffer memories provided, wherein at least a first medium access control buffer memory the medium access sub-control unit and at least one second medium control buffer the automatic repeat request control unit is assigned. The Medium access sub-control unit is configured such that they fill the level the at least one first medium access control buffer memory determines and the level representing Information transmitted to the transmission control device. Additionally or Alternatively, the Automatic Repeat Request control unit can be set up, the level of the at least one second medium access control buffer determine and fill level representing the second medium access control buffer Information to the transmitting control device to convey.

clear is it according to this Embodiment of the invention now makes it possible, even a MAC protocol layer, which in turn has several protocol layer entities, for example a MAC-e protocol layer entity and a HARQ unit, which is also in the MAC protocol layer is arranged, with regard to the levels of these units each allocated buffer memories, which are called priority queues Buffer memory and / or the buffer memory allocated to the HARQ units, to monitor and thus very specific to the respective state changes to be able to react and assign each required mobile transmitter resources can.

According to one Another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the Automatic Repeat Request Control Unit is set up to perform a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) method.

In the mobile device may store a plurality of medium access control buffers be provided, wherein each medium access control buffer memory for temporarily storing data of different priority is. In other words this means that data of different given priority one this priority associated medium access control buffer memory is supplied and via this according to one predetermined scheduling algorithm is read out and taking into account the priority assigned to the respective buffer memory becomes.

By this embodiment of the invention will be improved in terms of data priority and optimized data transfer allows.

The medium access control unit is preferably set up such that it only transmits the information representing the fill level to the transmission control device when the fill level has exceeded a predetermined threshold value. In this way, the data stream between the units of the MAC protocol layer and the RRC protocol layer and by means of this information of a critical buffer memory level reported to the network is notified of the actual required reduced.

The Medium access control unit is preferably arranged such that the threshold is expressed as an integer multiple of data units, that from the medium access control unit are processed, is given. In this way one becomes the size of each Monitoring adapted to processing packet data units the buffer reached.

The Mobile radio device can be set up so that it level of the at least one medium access buffer and determines the level representing Information in addition to a mobile network control unit, according to UMTS as RNC unit (Radio Network Controller), and / or to a Mobile base station transmitted.

The Mobile network control unit and / or the mobile radio base station choose considering the transmitted level information new transmission parameters to be used, for example, a new transport format to be used and transmitted this to the transmission control device of the mobile device.

The Transmitter control device is preferably set up, the mobile radio transmitter resources the mobile device dependent from a control signaling from the mobile network controller and / or from the mobile base station.

• • der Füllstand zumindest eines Teil der, vorzugsweise jedes Medium-Zugriffs-Steuerungs-Pufferspeichers,
• • die Summe der Füllstände zumindest eines Teils der, vorzugsweise aller, Medium-Zugriffs-Steuerungs-Pufferspeicher,
• • die Summe der Füllstände zumindest eines Teils der, vorzugsweise aller, ersten Medium-Zugriffs-Steuerungs-Pufferspeicher und die Summe der Füllstände zumindest eines Teils der, vorzugsweise aller, zweiten Medium-Zugriffs-Steuerungs-Pufferspeicher, und/oder
• • die Summe der Füllstände zumindest eines Teils der, vorzugsweise aller, Medium-Zugriffs-Steuerungs-Pufferspeicher, die auf einen gemeinsamen Medium-Zugriffs-Steuerungs-Datenfluss-Kanal gemultiplext sind.

The information representing the level may be at least one of the following information:

• The level of at least part of, preferably each medium access control, buffer memory,
• The sum of the levels of at least part of, preferably all, medium access control buffer memories,
• The sum of the levels of at least a portion of, preferably all, first medium access control buffers and the sum of the levels of at least a portion of, preferably all, second medium access control buffers, and / or
• The sum of the levels of at least a portion of, preferably all, medium access control buffers multiplexed onto a common medium access control data flow channel.

The the level of the at least one medium access control buffer memory representing Information can be given in response to the occurrence of a given Event transmitted to the transmission control device, clearly preferably at predetermined times, in particular periodically, in other words after expiration of predetermined, constant time intervals.

to additional Reduction of over transmitted the air interface, the level representing the buffer memory Information is provided, a difference information which a difference of the level the at least one medium access control buffer and a predetermined one Filling level value or a difference in level the at least one medium access control buffer and a previously determined and to the transmission control device transmitted level value represents to the transmission control device to convey.

The Mobile radio device is preferably set up as a mobile radio terminal, which is particularly preferred, data according to one or more protocols a cellular mobile radio system to receive and send.

Especially Preferably, the mobile radio terminal is set up for communication in a UMTS mobile radio system, in other words, the mobile radio terminal is set up, Data according to one or multiple protocols of a UMTS mobile system to receive and send.

clear the signaling of the traffic volume in the mobile device according to the invention is based on the data buffer levels in the MAC protocol layer, preferred in the priority queues and the HARQ entity of the MAC-E protocol layer.

When configuring the entities in the MAC-e protocol layer by units of the Mobile Access Network (UTRAN), a threshold is defined at which the units in the MAC-e protocol layer in the mobile terminal indicate the respective data buffer fill level the mobile access to signal network.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of this invention this threshold based on multiples of a defined Data unit (N * 300 bits) defined. The signaling of the data buffer filling level upon reaching and / or overwriting a certain threshold is then also on this Base.

embodiments The invention is illustrated in the figures and will be described below explained in more detail.

Show it

1 a communication system according to an embodiment of the invention;

2 a representation of a protocol structure of the UMTS air interface;

3 a representation of the units in a MAC-E protocol layer according to a first embodiment of the invention;

4 a representation of the units in a MAC-E protocol layer according to a second embodiment of the invention;

5 a representation of an example of the time evolution of a level in a data buffer memory.

1 shows a UMTS mobile radio system 100 for the sake of simplicity, in particular, the components of the UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), which comprises a plurality of Radio Network Subsystems (RNS). 101 . 102 each having means of a so-called Iu interface 103 . 104 with the core UMTS network (CN) 105 are connected. A mobile network subsystem 101 . 102 each has a wireless network controller (RNC) 106 . 107 on and one or more UMTS base stations 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 which according to UMTS are also called NodeB.

Within the mobile access network, the mobile network control units are 106 . 107 the individual mobile network subsystems 101 . 102 by means of a so-called Iur interface 112 connected with each other. Any mobile network control unit 106 . 107 monitors in each case the assignment of mobile radio resources of all mobile radio cells in a mobile radio network subsystem 101 . 102 ,

A UMTS base station 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 is in each case by means of a so-called Iub interface 113 . 114 . 115 . 116 with a mobile station network control unit assigned to the base station 106 . 107 connected.

Every UMTS base station 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 vividly biases one or more mobile radio cells (CE) within a mobile radio network subsystem 101 . 102 on. Between a respective UMTS base station 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 and a subscriber device 118 (User Equipment, UE), hereinafter also referred to as mobile radio terminal, in a mobile radio cell, message signals or data signals by means of an air interface, referred to as UMTS Uu-air interface 117 , preferably transmitted according to a multiple access transmission method.

For example, according to the UMTS FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) mode, a separate signal transmission in uplink and downlink direction (uplink: signal transmission from the mobile terminal 118 to the respective UMTS base station 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 ; Downlink: Signal transmission from the respective assigned UMTS base station 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 to the mobile terminal 118 ) achieved by a corresponding separate allocation of frequencies or frequency ranges.

Multiple subscribers, in other words several activated or in the mobile network access network registered mobile devices 118 in the same mobile radio cell are preferably by means of orthogonal codes, in particular according to the so-called CDMA method (Code Division Multiple Access) voneinan the signal technically separated.

In this context, it should be noted that in 1 for the sake of simplicity, only one mobile terminal 118 is shown. In general, however, are any number of mobile terminals 118 in the mobile radio system 100 intended.

The communication of a mobile terminal 118 with another communication device can be constructed by means of a complete mobile communication link to another mobile terminal, alternatively to a landline communication device.

As in 2 is the UMTS air interface 117 logically divided into three protocol layers (in 2 symbolized by a protocol layer arrangement 200 ). The units (entities) which ensure and realize the functionality of the respective protocol layers described below are both in the mobile radio terminal 118 as well as in the UMTS base station 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 or in the respective mobile network control unit 106 . 107 , implemented.

In 2 is the protocol structure 200 from the point of view of the dedicated transport channel DCH (Dedicated Channel).

In the 2 The lowest layer shown is the physical layer PHY 201 which according to the OSI reference model (Open System Interconnection) according to ISO (International Standardization Organization) the protocol layer 1 represents.

The above the physical layer 201 arranged protocol layer is the data link layer 202 , according to OSI reference model protocol layer 2 , which in turn has several sub-protocol layers, namely the medium access control protocol layer (MAC protocol layer) 203 , the radio link control protocol layer 204 (RLC protocol layer), the Packet Data Convergence Protocol protocol layer 205 (PDCP protocol layer), as well as the broadcast / multicast control protocol layer 206 (BMC protocol layer).

The top layer of the UMTS air interface Uu is the cellular network layer (according to the OSI reference protocol layer protocol 3 ), comprising the mobile radio resource control unit 207 (Radio Resource Control protocol layer, RRC protocol layer).

Each protocol layer 201 . 202 . 203 . 204 . 205 . 206 . 207 The protocol layer above it offers its services via predefined, defined service access points.

The service access points are provided with common and unique names, such as logical channels, for better understanding of the protocol layer architecture 208 between the MAC protocol layer 203 and the RLC protocol layer 204 , Transport channels 209 between the physical layer 201 and the MAC protocol layer 203 , Radio Bearer (RB) 210 between the RLC protocol layer 204 and the PDCP protocol layer 205 or the BMC protocol layer 206 , as well as Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB) 213 between the RLC protocol layer 204 and the RRC protocol layer 207 ,

In the 2 illustrated protocol structure 200 According to UMTS, it is not only divided horizontally into the protocol layers and units of the respective protocol layers described above, but also vertically into a so-called control protocol level 211 (Control-Plane, C-Plane), which parts of the physical layer 201 , Parts of the MAC protocol layer 203 , Parts of the RLC protocol layer 204 as well as the RRC protocol layer 207 contains and the user log level 212 (User-Plane, U-Plane), which parts of the physical layer 201 , Parts of the MAC protocol layer 203 , Parts of the RLC protocol layer 204 , the PDCP protocol layer 205 and the BMC protocol layer 206 contains.

By means of the units of the control protocol level 211 Only control data required to set up, break down and maintain a communication link is transmitted, whereas the user-level units 212 the actual user data are transported.

Details of the protocol layer arrangement 200 are described in [1].

Each protocol layer or entity (entity) of a respective protocol layer has certain predefined given functions as part of a mobile communication.

On the transmitter side, the task is the physical layer 201 or units of the physical layer 201 , the secure transmission of the MAC protocol layer 203 coming data over the air interface 117 to ensure. The data in this context are based on physical channels (not shown in FIG 2 ). The physical layer 201 offers its services the MAC protocol layer 203 via transport channels 209 which determines how and with what characteristic the data over the air interface 117 to be transported. The essential functions of the units of the physical layer 201 include channel coding, modulation and CDMA code spreading. The physical layer performs in the same way 201 or the entities of the physical layer 201 on the receiver side, the CDMA code despreading, the demodulation and the decoding of the received data and then passes them to the MAC protocol layer 203 for further processing.

The MAC protocol layer 203 or the units of the MAC protocol layer 203 provides or provides their services to the RLC protocol layer 204 using logical channels 208 as service access points, which characterize which type of file is the transported data. The task of the MAC protocol layer 203 in the transmitter, ie in data transmission in the uplink direction in the mobile radio terminal 118 , in particular, lies in the data being sent to a logical channel 208 above the MAC protocol layer 203 abut on the transport channels 209 the physical layer 201 map. The physical layer 201 offers the transport channels 209 For this purpose, discrete transmission rates. Therefore, it is an important feature of the MAC protocol layer 203 or the entities of the MAC protocol layer 203 in the mobile terminal 118 in the transmission case, the selection of a suitable transport format (TF) for each configured transport channel as a function of the respectively current data transmission rate and the respective data priority of the logical channels 208 pointing to the respective transport channel 209 are shown, as well as the available transmission power of the mobile terminal 118 (UE). Among other things, in a transport format it is determined how many MAC data packet units, referred to as transport block, per transmission time length TTI (Transmission Time Interval) over the transport channel 209 to the physical layer 201 in other words, be transmitted. The permissible transport formats and the permissible combinations of transport formats of the various transport channels 209 be the mobile terminal 118 from the mobile network control unit 106 . 107 signaled in the establishment of a communication connection. In the receiver, the units of the MAC protocol layer 203 on the transport channels 209 received transport blocks back to the logical channels 208 divided up.

The MAC protocol layer or the units of the MAC protocol layer 203 usually has three logical units. The so-called MAC-D unit (MAC-D unit) treats the payload data and the control data which are sent via the dedicated dedicated channels DCH (dedicated control channel) and DCH (dedicated control channel) to the dedicated transport channels DCH (dedicated channel ). The MAC-c-sh unit (MAC control / shared unit) handles the payload data and the control data of logical channels 208 on the common transport channels 209 , such as the common transport channel RACH (Random Access Channel) in the uplink direction or the common transport channel FACH (Forward Access Channel) are mapped in the downlink direction. The MAC-b unit (MAC broadcast unit) treats only the mobile radio cell-relevant system information, which is mapped via the logical channel BOCH (Broadcast Control Channel) to the transport channel BCH (Broadcast Channel) and broadcast to all mobile radio terminals 118 be transmitted in the respective mobile radio cell.

• • Transparent Mode (TM),
• • Unacknowledged Mode (UM), oder
• • Acknowledged Mode (AM).

Using the RLC protocol layer 204 or by means of the units of the RLC protocol layer 204 become the RRC protocol layer 207 their services by means of Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB) 213 as service access points and the PDCP protocol layer 205 and the BMC protocol layer 206 by means of radio bearer (RB) 210 offered as service access points. The Signaling Radio Bearer and the Radio Bearer characterize how the RLC protocol layer 204 to deal with the data packets. This is done, for example, by the RRC protocol layer 207 The transmission mode is defined for each configured Signaling Radio Bearer or Radio Bearer. According to UMTS, the following transmission modes are provided:

• Transparent Mode (TM),
• • Unacknowledged Mode (UM), or
• • Acknowledged Mode (AM).

The RLC protocol layer 204 is modeled so that there is one stand-alone RLC entity per radio bearer or signaling radio bearer. Furthermore, the task of the RLC protocol layer or its Enti would do 204 in the transmitting device, the user data and the signaling data of radio bearers or Signaling Radio Bearern split into data packets or put together. The RLC protocol layer 204 transfers the data packets resulting after the division or merging to the MAC protocol layer 203 for further transport or further processing.

The PDCP protocol layer 205 or the units of the PDCP protocol layer 205 is or are set up for the transmission or for the reception of data of the so-called packet-switched domain (packet-switching domain, PS domain). The main function of the PDCP protocol layer 205 is the compression or decompression of the IP header information (Internet Protocol header information).

The BMC protocol layer 206 or their entities is or are used to transmit or receive via the air interface so-called cell broadcast messages.

The RRC protocol layer 207 or the entities of the RRC protocol layer 207 is or are for the construction and the dismantling and reconfiguration of physical channels, transport channels 209 , logical channels 208 , Signaling Radio Bearers 213 and Radio Bearers 210 as well as for negotiating all parameters of the protocol layer 1 ie the physical layer 201 and the protocol layer 2 , responsible. This is done by exchanging the RRC units, ie the units of the RRC protocol layer 207 in the mobile network control unit 106 . 107 and the respective mobile terminal 118 via the Signaling Radio Bearers 213 corresponding RRC messages. Details of the RRC layer are described in [3].

As described above, the mobile terminal 118 his assigned mobile network control unit 106 . 107 at the RRC level, communicate information (the so-called Measurement Report messages) about the traffic volume of a transport channel for the purpose of managing the mobile radio resources. The Serving Mobile Radio Network Controller (SRNC) displays the RLC data buffer levels of that transport channel, indicating how much data is currently in each RLC data buffer of the mobile device 118 are located.

With the help of this information, the serving mobile network control unit 106 . 107 then corresponding configurations of the mobile terminal 118 make, for example, the usable transport formats of a mobile terminal 118 or to perform a handover to another mobile radio cell, a reconfiguration of the dedicated physical channels or an RRC state change from a first state CELL DCH to a second state CELL FACH.

In the standardization body 3GPP is currently improving the packet data transfer via dedicated transport channels the uplink for the UMTS FDD mode worked.

In this context, a dedicated transport channel called Enhanced-DCH (E-DCH) is provided. The key features of this new transport channel include the application of a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) based on Nchannel Stop & Wait, a UMTS base station controlled scheduling, and frame lengths of less than or equal to 10 ms. By means of the HARQ transmission protection method is the mobile terminal 118 from the network a confirmation of correctly or incorrectly received data transmitted. This feature includes the mobile device 118 various data buffers to latch the data until the acknowledgment of correct reception. Furthermore, according to the current proposal in the context of the Enhanced DCH transport channel, the data is allocated according to their priorities to different data buffer memories, so-called priority queues, the data being buffered in the data buffer memories according to their importance, ie their prioritization and thus according to their Caching in the respective buffer memory of a given priority are preferred or less preferably processed.

Both functions come in a new sub-layer of the MAC protocol layer 203 implemented according to a first embodiment in 3 as MAC-e (MAC enhanced uplink) part protocol layer 300 which is also both terminal-side, ie in the mobile terminal 118 , as well as on the network side, ie in a UMTS base station 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 , is implemented. The MAC e-part protocol layer 300 gets its data from the MAC-d-part protocol layer via so-called MAC-d-flows 301 . 302 and transmits its data again via the E-DCH transport channel 303 to the physical layer 201 ,

The MAC e-part protocol layer 300 or whose entities communicate or communicate with For example, for the purpose of configuration, with the RRC protocol layer 207 via the MAC Control access point 304 ,

In the MAC-d-part protocol layer, one or more logical channels become a MAC-d flow 301 . 302 multiplexed, with each MAC-d flow 301 . 302 a priority is assigned in the MAC-d sub-protocol layer, by means of which the Priority Queue Distribution function is implemented in a priority queue distribution unit 305 in the MAC e-part protocol layer 300 the distribution of the data to the data buffer 306 with the different priorities, ie for processing with data of different priorities in each case a data buffer memory, wherein in a data buffer memory each data of a priority are cached makes.

In the data buffer of the priority queues 306 The data is then buffered until it is provided by a HARQ unit 307 be retrieved for transmission.

According to the N-channel Stop & Wait HARQ method, the HARQ unit exists 307 from a number of N so-called HARQ processes, where a HARQ process represents one instance of the Stop & Wait method. Pro HARQ process takes the HARQ unit 307 a number of packet data units (PDUs) according to their priority from the data buffers of the priority queues 306 and forwards them via the E-DCH transport channel to the physical layer where they are then transmitted via dedicated physical channels over the air interface to the network.

The HARQ unit 307 stores the packet data units (PDUs) transmitted per HARQ process in a corresponding HARQ buffer memory (not shown) until the successful transmission has been acknowledged by the network.

One with the HARQ unit 307 coupled TF selection unit 308 is responsible for selecting the transmission format suitable for the transmission per HARQ process.

In the MAC e-part protocol layer 300 are done by using the RRC protocol layer 207 configured a lot of different transport formats that make up the TF selection unit 308 selects a suitable one for each transmission time interval (TTI) and HARQ process.

The setting of the MAC e-part protocol layer 300 takes place by means of the RRC protocol layer on the part of the mobile network control unit 106 . 107 , As part of the configuration of the MAC e-part protocol layer units 300 in the mobile terminal 118 and in the UMTS base station 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 becomes a threshold for one or more data buffer levels in the priority queues 306 and / or in the HARQ unit 307 associated buffer defined when reaching or exceeding the MAC e-part protocol layer 300 in the mobile terminal 118 the respective data buffer level to the network, in particular to the RRC protocol layer 207 , should signal.

According to the embodiments According to the invention it is preferred that the threshold value for a respective Data buffer based on multiples of a given, defined data unit (for example, N 300 bits) is defined. The signaling of the data buffer filling level when reaching the predetermined Threshold then also takes place on this basis.

For the illustrated embodiments, a transmission scenario is assumed in which a user of a mobile radio terminal 118 Uses two parcel services in the uplink in parallel, for example for Interactive Play on the Internet and streaming of video data. This packet data is from the mobile terminal 118 via the E-DCH transport channel 303 to the network, ie to the serving mobile network control unit 106 and the base station 109 over the air interface 117 ,

When establishing the communication connection are the mobile terminal 118 configuration messages via the RRC protocol layer 207 implemented in both the mobile network control unit 106 as well as in the mobile terminal 118 , sent with their help the RRC protocol layer 207 in the mobile terminal 118 configured the underlying protocol layers.

According to this embodiment, the entity of the MACe sub-protocol layer 300 two MAC-d flows 301 . 302 configured, pointing to a MAC-d flow 301 . 302 in each case only one logical channel is multiplexed and the data of the packet services are transmitted to the respectively assigned logical channel. Furthermore, per MAC-d flow 301 . 302 one priority queue each 306 and four in the HARQ unit HARQ processes configured with one HARQ buffer each. Furthermore, a plurality of different transport formats are configured for the E-DCH transport channel, which make up the transport format selection unit 308 (TF-Selection) has to select a suitable transport format for each transmission time interval (TTI) and HARQ process.

Further, the MAC e-part protocol layer becomes 300 a threshold for at least a portion of, preferably for, all data buffers, ie at least a portion of the data buffers within the priority queues, as well as at least part of the HARQ unit 307 communicated associated data buffer memory, wherein from reaching or exceeding the respective threshold, the MAC e-part protocol layer 300 the RRC protocol layer in the mobile terminal 118 It should inform that a certain amount of data in one of the data buffer memories of the MAC e-part protocol layer 300 are cached for transmission.

According to these embodiments The invention sets the threshold at 3000 Kbytes.

It It should be noted in this context that the thresholds are adjusted as required, depending on the priority, or also according to others Criteria may be set differently from buffer memory to buffer memory can, alternatively you can all thresholds are equal be.

The control of whether one or more thresholds for reporting the respective level of the data buffer is achieved is based on the data of each individual data buffer of the priority queues 306 or the HARQ unit 307 ,

The RRC protocol layer 207 in the mobile terminal 118 receives the sum of the data in all Priority Queue data buffers and HARQ data buffers when the respective threshold value is reached or exceeded.

This information becomes the RRC protocol layer 207 via the MAC Control access point 304 communicated, whereupon the RRC protocol layer 207 generates a corresponding message and to the corresponding RRC protocol layer 207 in the mobile network control unit 106 sends.

According to these exemplary embodiments of the invention, it is provided that the information on reaching or exceeding the threshold values is also available at the level of the MAC protocol layer 203 and / or at the physical layer level 201 to the respective UMTS base station 109 in the mobile access network.

The control in the mobile terminal 118 Whether the threshold for reporting (reporting) the fill levels of each data cache to the Mobile Access Network can be achieved in a number of ways, including:

• Monitor the data of each data buffer of the priority queues 306 or each individual data buffer of the HARQ unit 307 ;
• • Monitoring the sum of data across all Priority Queue buffers 306 and the buffer memory of the HARQ unit;
• • Monitoring the sum of data in the Priority Queue buffers 306 and separately, monitoring the sum of the data in the buffers of the HARQ unit 307 ;
• • Monitoring the sum of the data in the data buffer of the priority queues 306 which are multiplexed on the same MAC-d-Flow.

The Signaling of the level of the respective or the plurality of data buffer memory can in corresponding Manner, in particular by:

• • Signaling the data of each data buffer of the Priority Queue buffer 306 and the HARQ unit's cache 307 ;
• • Signaling the sum of the data in all priority queue buffers 306 and the HARQ entity cache of the HARQ entity 307 ;
• • Signaling the sum of the data in the priority queues 306 and separately, the sum of the data in the HARQ unit 307 or their entities; such as
• • Signaling the sum of the data in the data buffers of the Priority Queue buffers 306 that on the same MAC-d flow are multiplexed.

In a preferred alternative, it is provided that the mobile radio access network, ie the mobile network control unit 106 . 107 or the UMTS base station 108 . 109 . 110 . 111 not the absolute value of the level of the data buffer or the data buffer is transferred, but only the offset based on the predetermined threshold value. It is advantageous in this case that the size of the messages to be transmitted is reduced.

The Signaling may be in an alternative embodiment of the invention also periodically, i. at defined predefined times transmit the mobile access network become.

The control of whether the threshold for reporting the respective fill level of the data buffer memories has been reached is made in accordance with these embodiments of the invention on the basis of the data of each individual data buffer memory of the priority queues 306 or the HARQ unit 307 , The RRC protocol layer 207 If the predetermined threshold value is reached or exceeded, the sum of the data in all data buffers of the priority queues is reached 306 and the HARQ unit 307 communicated. This variant is particularly advantageous since the problems of each individual data buffer are taken into account in this case, and nevertheless the overall situation in the data buffer memories of the MAC-e-part protocol layer 300 in a new configuration of the mobile terminal 118 or the respective MAC e-part protocol layer 300 can be taken into account.

To further explain the invention, it is now assumed that it is in the transmission of the data via the E-DCH transport channel 303 problems due to poor transmission conditions.

The HARQ unit 307 then receives negative acknowledgments (NACK) for the Protocol Data Units (PDUs) transmitted by the HARQ process, whereupon the data buffers of the HARQ unit 307 and the priority queues 306 in the MAC e-part protocol layer 300 gradually fill up.

At the time t _x , as in a data buffer fill level diagram 500 in 5 is shown, the level of the data buffer X reaches the priority queues 306 in the MAC e-part protocol layer 300 that of the RRC protocol layer 207 in the mobile terminal 118 previously configured threshold 501 , If the threshold is exceeded 501 sends the MAC e-part protocol layer 300 on the one hand, a notification to the RRC protocol layer 207 in the mobile terminal 118 in that the previously configured threshold in the data buffer X has been exceeded and, on the other hand, as described above, the sum of the data in the data buffers of all priority queues 306 and the HARQ unit 307 ,

The RRC protocol layer 207 in the mobile terminal 118 then generates a Measurement Report message to the RRC protocol layer 207 in the serving mobile network control unit 106 sends.

Among other things, the measurement report message contains the information that the threshold value 501 has been exceeded in the data buffer X as well as information about how much data in all data buffers of the priority queues 306 and the HARQ unit 307 the MAC e-part protocol layer 300 for transmission, in other words, the level of the data buffer of the MAC e-part protocol layer 300 representing information.

The general structure of such a message is given in Table 2.

Tabelle 2

Table 2

Illustratively, this message differs from the message described above in Table 1 according to the prior art in that the data buffer fill levels in a variable form of the serving mobile network control unit 106 can be signaled: per MAC-d flow by the parameter "Traffic Volume Measurement Results per MAC-d flow", per priority queue by the parameter "Traffic Volume Measu Results Per Priority Queue ", per HARQ buffer by the parameter" Traffic Volume Measurement Results per HARQ Buffer ", as well as the sum of the data buffer levels of all priority queues and HARQ buffers together through the parameter" MAC-e Buffer Payload ".

Upon receiving the Measurement Report message in the RRC protocol layer 207 in the serving mobile network control unit 106 out of this is a re-configuration of the mobile terminal 118 in which it is the MAC-e entity in the corresponding UMTS base station 109 as well as in the mobile radio terminal 118 For example, other transport formats for transmission over the E-DCH transport channel 303 which allows transmission of larger amounts of data per time interval (TTI) or makes a handover to another mobile cell in which there are better transmission conditions.

In addition to signaling at the RRC protocol layer level, it is advantageous to have the threshold crossing information 501 in the data buffer X as well as the overall level of the data buffer memories of the MAC e-part protocol layer 300 also at the level of the MAC protocol layer 203 or at the physical layer level 201 to the respective UMTS base station 109 transferred to. Upon receiving this message, the base station can 109 based on the application of the NodeB controlled scheduling method, for example, temporarily limit the use of transport formats from the set of defined transport formats for the E-DCH transport channel to other mobile terminals, so as to temporarily improve the transmission situation for the mobile terminal considered here.

According to these embodiments The invention has different definitions for priority queues intended.

As in 3 every priority queue can be displayed 306 fixed to a MAC-d flow 301 . 302 and there are N priority queues per MAC-d flow 306 for the different priorities. N in this case corresponds to the number of priorities of the logical channels 208 which are multiplexed on the respective MAC-d-Flow.

Alternatively, it may be provided as in 4 shown is that every priority queue 306 Data from all MAC-d flows 301 . 302 and in this case there are N priority queues 306 common to all MAC-d flows. N in this case corresponds to the number of different priorities of the logical channels 208 that are multiplexed on the MAC-d flows.

In a third alternative embodiment of the priority queues 306 It is envisaged that a priority queue is provided for each defined traffic class (traffic class). There are N priority queues 306 for all MAC-d flows 301 . 302 together, as in 4 shown. In this case, N corresponds to the number of traffic classes, ie the traffic classes, for example N = 4 for the case where the four traffic classes "Conversational", "Streaming", "Interactive" and "Background" are defined.

The MAC-d-part protocol layer in this case shares the MACe-part protocol layer 300 Information about the priorities of the logical channels 208 that are multiplexed on a MAC-D flow using which the Priority Queue Distribution unit 305 in the MAC e-part protocol layer 300 then the distribution of the data to the individual priority queues 306 performs.

• • Mit der Signalisierung des Datenpufferspeicher-Füllstandes kann das Mobilfunk-Zugangsnetzwerk ein effizientes Mobilfunk-Ressourcen-Management für die zukünftige Datenübertragung über den E-DCH-Transportkanal 303 durchführen.
• • Das Mobilfunk-Netzwerk erhält durch die erfindungsgemäße Signalisierung Informationen, in welcher Protokollschicht bzw. Teil-Protokollschicht und in welcher Entität es zu Übertragungsproblemen kommt und kann dadurch zielgerichtet eine Neu-Konfiguration des Mobilfunk-Endgerätes bzw. der Entitäten in einer Protokollschicht oder sogar in einer Teil-Protokollschicht vornehmen.
• • Ferner ist die erfindungsgemäße Vorgehensweise sehr einfach zu implementieren.

In summary, according to the invention, a plurality of advantages are achieved:

• • Data buffer fill level signaling allows the mobile access network to provide efficient mobile resource management for future data transmission over the E-DCH transport channel 303 carry out.
• The mobile radio network receives information by the signaling according to the invention in which protocol layer or sub-protocol layer and in which entity there are transmission problems and can thereby purposefully reconfigure the mobile radio terminal or the entities in a protocol layer or even in make a partial protocol layer.
• Furthermore, the procedure according to the invention is very simple to implement.

In This document cites the following publications:

• [1] 3GPP TS 25.301, Technical Specification, Third Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Radio Interface Protocol Architecture (Release 1999);
• [2] RP-040081, Proposed Work Item on FDD Enhanced Uplink, TSG-RAN Meeting # 23, Phoenix, USA, 10-12. March 2004;
• [3] 3GPP TS 25.331, Technical Specification, Third Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; RRC Protocol Specification (Release 1999).

100

mobile system

101

Mobile network subsystem

102

Mobile network subsystem

103

Iu interface

104

Iu interface

105

Mobile core network

106

Mobile network control unit

107

Mobile network control unit

108

UMTS base station

109

UMTS base station

110

UMTS base station

111

UMTS base station

112

Lur interface

113

Lub interface

114

Lub interface

115

Lub interface

116

Lub interface

117

Uu interface

118

Mobile radio terminal

200

Protocol layer arrangement

201

physical layer

202

Data link layer

203

MAC protocol layer

204

RLC protocol layer

205

PDCP protocol layer

206

BMC protocol layer

207

RRC protocol layer

208

logically channel

209

transport channel

210

radio Bearer

211

Control level

212

User-level

213

signaling Radio Bearer

300

MAC-e sub-layer protocol

301

MAC-d Flow

302

MAC-d Flow

303

E-DCH transport channel

304

MAC Control Service Access Point

305

Priority Queue Distribution Unit

306

Priority queue

307

HARQ unit

308

Transport format selection unit

500

Data buffer filling level diagram

501

threshold

Claims (18)

Mobile radio device, comprising: • a transmission control device for controlling mobile radio transmission resources of the mobile radio device, • a medium access control unit coupled to the transmission control device, • having at least one medium access control buffer memory, which the medium access Associated with the control unit, wherein the medium access control unit is set up, the level of the at least one Medi to detect access control buffer memory and to communicate a level representing information to the transmission control device. Mobile radio device according to claim 1, • in the the medium access control unit is a medium access sub-control unit and an automatic repeat request control unit, • in the a plurality of medium access control buffer memories are provided, wherein at least a first medium access control buffer associated with the medium access sub-control unit, and wherein at least one second medium access control buffer of the automatic repeat request control unit assigned, • in which the medium access sub-control unit is set up level the at least one first medium access control buffer memory to determine and a level representing To communicate information to the transmitting control device, and / or wherein the automatic repeat request control unit is set up is, the level of the at least one second medium access control buffer memory and one the level representing Information to the transmitting control device to convey. Mobile radio device according to claim 2, wherein the automatic repeat request control unit is set up to perform a hybrid automatic repeat request method. Mobile radio device according to one of claims 1 to 3, with a plurality of medium access control buffer memories, wherein each medium access control buffer for temporarily storing data of different priority is. Mobile radio device according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the medium access control unit is set up, the level representing Only to transmit information to the transmitting control device, when the level has exceeded a predetermined threshold. Mobile radio device according to claim 5, wherein the medium access control unit is set up such that the threshold value is an integer Multiple of data units received from the medium access control unit are processed, is given. Mobile radio device according to one of claims 1 to 6, set up the level the at least one medium access control buffer to determine and the level representing Information in addition to a mobile network controller and / or to a mobile radio base station to transmit. Mobile radio device according to claim 7, wherein the transmission control device is set up, the mobile radio transmitter resources of the mobile device dependent from control signaling from the mobile network controller and / or from the mobile radio base station. Mobile radio device according to one of claims 2 to 8, where the level representing information at least one of the following information is: • the level each medium access control buffer, • the sum the levels at least a part of the medium access control buffer memories, • the sum the levels at least a portion of the first medium access control buffers and the sum of the levels at least a part of the second medium access control buffer memories, • the sum the levels at least a part of the medium access control buffer memory, which multiplexed a common medium access control data flow channel are. Mobile radio device according to one of claims 1 to 9, set up the level the at least one medium access control buffer representing Information in response to a given event to the transmission controller to convey. Mobile radio device according to claim 10, set up, the level the at least one medium access control buffer representing Information at predetermined times, in particular periodically, to transmit to the transmission control device. Mobile radio device according to one of claims 1 to 11, arranged, difference information, which is a difference of the level of the at least one medium access control buffer memory and a predetermined fill level value or a difference of the fill level of the at least one medium access control buffer memory and a fill level previously determined and transmitted to the transmit controller, to transmit to the transmit controller. Mobile radio device according to one of claims 1 to 12, set up as a mobile terminal. Mobile radio device according to claim 13, arranged, Data according to one To receive and access the protocol of a cellular mobile radio system send. Mobile radio device according to claim 14, arranged, Data according to one Protocol of a UMTS mobile radio system to receive and send. Method for controlling mobile radio transmitter resources in a mobile radio device, • by a medium access control unit the level at least one medium access control buffer, which is the medium access control unit assigned is determined, and • one of which has been determined level representing Information transmitted to a transmission control device of the mobile device becomes, • at that of the transmission control device using the level representing Information the mobile radio transmitter resources used by the mobile device to be controlled. Method according to claim 16, where the level of the at least one medium access control buffer will and the level representing Information in addition transmitted to a mobile network controller and / or to a mobile radio base station becomes. Method according to claim 17, in which the mobile radio transmitter resources of the mobile device dependent from a control signaling from the mobile network controller and / or be controlled by the mobile radio base station.