WO2025156102A1

WO2025156102A1 - Medium access control packet data unit formats for wireless communications

Info

Publication number: WO2025156102A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/073550
Authority: WO
Inventors: Li NIU; Bo Dai; Ting LU; Yuan Gao; Xiubin Sha
Original assignee: ZTE Corp
Current assignee: ZTE Corp
Priority date: 2024-01-23
Filing date: 2024-01-23
Publication date: 2025-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-23

Abstract

Techniques are described to communicate a medium access control (MAC) packet data unit (PDU). An example wireless communication method includes communicating, by a communication device, a MAC PDU comprising control information, where a MAC layer includes the control information in the MAC PDU, and where the MAC PDU has a format that is associated with a type of MAC PDU.

Description

MEDIUM ACCESS CONTROL PACKET DATA UNIT FORMATS FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document is directed generally to digital wireless communications.

BACKGROUND

Mobile telecommunication technologies are moving the world toward an increasingly connected and networked society. In comparison with the existing wireless networks, next generation systems and wireless communication techniques will need to support a much wider range of use-case characteristics and provide a more complex and sophisticated range of access requirements and flexibilities.

Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is a standard for wireless communication for mobile devices and data terminals developed by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) . LTE Advanced (LTE-A) is a wireless communication standard that enhances the LTE standard. The 5th generation of wireless system, known as 5G, advances the LTE and LTE-A wireless standards and is committed to supporting higher data-rates, large number of connections, ultra-low latency, high reliability and other emerging business needs.

SUMMARY

This patent document describes example formats for medium access control (MAC) packet data unit (PDU) . An example wireless communication method includes communicating, by a communication device, a medium access control (MAC) packet data unit (PDU) comprising control information, where a MAC layer includes the control information in the MAC PDU, and where the MAC PDU has a format that is associated with a type of MAC PDU.

In some embodiments, the control information includes access request control information that includes a random number, an identifier of the communication device, or a sequence. In some embodiments, the control information includes an acknowledgement information that includes a random number or an identifier of the communication device. In some embodiments, the control information includes an identifier of the communication device that includes a temporary identifier that is allocated by a network device. In some embodiments, the control information includes an uplink (UL) scheduling control information that includes a resource, a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) , data rate configuration for an UL PDU transmission or an UL automatic repeat request (ARQ) feedback transmission, a request for reporting the control information, scheduling new transmission or retransmission, an acknowledgement (ACK) , or a non-acknowledgement (NACK) .

In some embodiments, the control information includes an available amount of data. In some embodiments, the control information includes an inventory control information or a paging control information that include a first resource where or when the communication device transmits an access, or a second resource for contention resolution. In some embodiments, the control information includes an identifier of the communication device, or a part of the identifier of the communication device, an identifier list, a group identifier of the communication device, a list of the group identifier, a traffic type, a state of the communication device, or an access identity. In some embodiments, the control information includes a mobile originated (MO) resource that includes a time and/or frequency resource, a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) , or a data rate configuration for MO. In some embodiments, the control information includes an acknowledgement (ACK) control information or a non-acknowledgement (NACK) control information.

In some embodiments, the control information includes a request connection control information that includes an identifier of the communication device or an establishment cause. In some embodiments, the control information includes release connection control information that includes a state switch indication or a release indication. In some embodiments, the control information includes access control information that includes an access identity, a network information, a type of the communication device, a traffic for the communication device, a state of the communication device, or a mobility of the communication device. In some embodiments, the communicating by the communication device includes transmitting the MAC PDU to a network device. In some embodiments, the communicating by the communication device includes receiving the MAC PDU from a network device. In some embodiments, the type of MAC PDU includes an access MAC PDU, a confirming MAC PDU, an uplink (UL) scheduling MAC PDU, a reporting MAC PDU, an inventory or paging MAC PDU, a configuration MAC PDU, a connection request MAC PDU, a connection complete MAC PDU, a downlink (DL) feedback MAC PDU, or an UL feedback MAC PDU.

In yet another exemplary aspect, the above-described methods are embodied in the form of processor-executable code and stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The code included in the computer readable storage medium when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement the methods described in this patent document.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a device that is configured or operable to perform the above-described methods is disclosed.

The above and other aspects and their implementations are described in greater detail in the drawings, the descriptions, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows three example formats of medium access control (MAC) packet data unit (PDU) .

FIG. 2 shows three example formats of access MAC PDU.

FIG. 3 shows an example format of confirming MAC PDU.

FIG. 4 shows an example format of an uplink (UL) scheduling MAC PDU.

FIG. 5 shows an example format of reporting MAC PDU.

FIG. 6 shows an example format of inventory/paging MAC PDU.

FIG. 7 shows an example format of configuration MAC PDU.

FIG. 8 shows an example format of downlink (DL) data transfer MAC PDU.

FIG. 9 shows an example format of UL data transfer MAC PDU.

FIG. 10 shows an example format of connection request MAC PDU.

FIG. 11 shows an example format of connection complete MAC PDU.

FIG. 12 shows an example format of state indication MAC PDU.

FIG. 13 shows an example format of DL feedback MAC PDU.

FIG. 14 shows an example format of UL feedback MAC PDU.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary block diagram of a hardware platform that may be a part of a network device or a communication device.

FIG. 16 shows an example of wireless communication including a base station (BS) and user equipment (UE) based on some implementations of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 17 shows an exemplary flowchart for communicating a MAC PDU.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although existing IoT technologies such as MTC, NB-IoT and other technologies have achieved low cost, low power consumption and large connections for IoT terminals, thereby meeting the IoT communication needs in many scenarios, there are still many IoT scenarios. Network communication needs cannot be met using existing technologies, such as: harsh communication environments, extremely small terminal form requirements, and extremely low-cost IoT communication needs.

Ambient IoT refers to the use of backscattering technology and environmental energy harvesting technology to convert available signals and energy around it into electrical energy that can drive its own circuits. At the same time, it uses a communication mode with backscattering as the core to achieve transmission to the target node. Information technology. The most notable features of Ambient IoT are extremely low power consumption and low cost. It can be widely used in a variety of IoT scenarios and is a key communication technology for the future development of the IoT.

The example headings for the various sections below are used to facilitate the understanding of the disclosed subject matter and do not limit the scope of the claimed subject matter in any way. Accordingly, one or more features of one example section can be combined with one or more features of another example section. Furthermore, 5G terminology is used for the sake of clarity of explanation, but the techniques disclosed in the present document are not limited to 5G technology only, and may be used in wireless systems that implemented other protocols.

This patent document describes MAC PDUs having certain formats. In some embodiments, a MAC layer may generate the MAC PDU to include certain information (e.g., control information as explained in this patent document) . Unlike current technology where the physical (PHY) layer may generate some information, this patent document describes an improved MAC layer that can generate MAC PDU having a certain format and/or the improved MAC layer can have control information (as explained in this patent document) to be included in the MAC PDU. The format of the MAC layer may be associated with a type of MAC PDU. In other words, the MAC PDU format corresponds to a type of MAC PDU (e.g., access MAC PDU, confirming MAC PDU, UL scheduling MAC PDU, reporting MAC PDU, inventory/paging MAC PDU, configuration MAC PDU, connection request MAC PDU, connection complete MAC PDU, DL feedback MAC PDU, and/or UL feedback MAC PDU) .

I. Embodiment 1

MAC PDU may include a header, control information, data. FIG. 1 shows three example formats of medium access control (MAC) packet data unit (PDU) , where one MAC PDU format may include header and control information, another MAC PDU format may include header and data, or yet another MAC PDU format may include header, control information and data. The MAC PDU described in this patent document may be transmitted from a UE to a base station or the MAC PDU may be received by the UE from the base station.

The header may consist of the one or more of the following:

● Target identity: indicating the receiver

● Source identity: indicating the transmitter

● The type of the MAC PDU, or the type of the following control information/data

● The format of the following control information/data

● The size of the following control information/data

The header may be divided into common header and subheader.

● The common header may indicate the common information of the MAC PDU, for example: target identity, source identity, the type of the MAC PDU. The common header may be absent.

● The subheader may indicate the information of the following control information/data, for example: the type of the following control information/data, the size of the following control information/data. The subheader may be absent.

I. (a) . Control information carried in MAC PDU

The control information carried in MAC PDU may be one or more of the following:

● Access request control information: random number, UE identity (e.g., identifier of the UE) , or a sequence

● Acknowledge information: random number, UE identity

● UE identity: a temporary UE identity is allocated by the base station

● UL scheduling control information: the resource, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) , data rate configuration for the following UL PDU transmission or UL ARQ feedback transmission, the request for reporting control information, scheduling new transmission or retransmission, ACK/NACK

● reporting control information: the available amount of data

● inventory/paging control information: the resource where or when UE transmit the access, or the resource for contention resolution, for example, Q value, Q increase or decrease

● selected control information: UE ID, a part of UE ID, UE ID list, group ID, list of the group ID, the traffic type, UE state, or access identity

● Mobile originated (MO) resource: the resource (e.g., time and/or frequency resource) , MCS, data rate configuration for MO.

● ACK/NACK control information

● request connection control information: UE identity, establishment cause,

● the release connection control information: the state switch indication (that allows the UE to switch from one state to another) , the release indication (that allows the UE to release connection from the base station)

● access control information: the access identity, the network information, UE type, UE traffic, UE state, UE mobility or others

The above two or three control information may be merged into a control information.

The above a control information may be divided into multiple control information.

I. (c) . Format of MAC PDU

As further described below, the MAC PDU format that includes header and control information (the top-most format shown in FIG. 1) may be used for access MAC PDU, confirming MAC PDU, UL scheduling MAC PDU, reporting MAC PDU, inventory/paging MAC PDU, configuration MAC PDU, connection request MAC PDU, connection complete MAC PDU, DL feedback MAC PDU, UL feedback MAC PDU.

The MAC PDU format that includes header, control information, and data (the bottom-most format shown in FIG. 1) may be used for reporting MAC PDU, inventory/paging MAC PDU, DL data transfer MAC PDU, connection request MAC PDU, connection complete MAC PDU.

The MAC PDU format that includes header and data (the format in the middle of FIG. 1) may be used for DL data transfer MAC PDU.

I. (c) . (i) Access MAC PDU

In order to request the access with the network, UE may transmit the access MAC PDU to the base station.

The access request control information of access MAC PDU may be one or more of the following:

● random number: it may be produced by UE in a range.

● UE identity: it is a manufacture UE identity, or subscriber identity, or Network Unique Temporary UE identity allocated by CN, or Radio Network Temporary Identifier allocated by the base station

● a sequence: it may be a special sequence used for access

FIG. 2 shows three example formats of access MAC PDU that includes any one or more of the following:

● header: indicate the information of the MAC PDU. the header may consist of the one or more of the following:

○ target identity/cell identity: indicating the receiver

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a access MAC PDU

○ the size: indicate the size of the MAC PDU or corresponding control information

● common header: indicate the common part of the MAC PDU. the common header may consist of the one or more of the following:

○ target identity/cell identity: indicating the receiver

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a access MAC PDU

● subheader: indicate the type, or size of the corresponding of the control information or data. the subheader may consist of the one or more of the following:

○ the type: indicate the type of the corresponding part is control information

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information

● control information: the carried access request of access MAC PDU may be one or more of the following:

○ random number: it may be produced by UE in a range.

○ UE identity: it is a manufacture UE identity, or subscriber identity, or Network Unique Temporary UE identity allocated by CN, or Radio Network Temporary Identifier allocated by the base station

○ a sequence: it may be a special sequence used for access

● ending: indicate the ending point of the MAC PDU.

The above two or three subheader may be merged into a subheader. The above common header and subheader may be merged into a header. The above two or three control information may be merged into a control information. The above a control information may be divided into multiple control information.

I. (c) . (ii) . Confirming MAC PDU

In order to response and acknowledge the access request from UE, the base station may transmit the confirming MAC PDU to UE.

The control information of confirming MAC PDU may be one or more of the following:

● Acknowledge information: random number, UE identity

● UE identity: a temporary UE identity is allocated by the base station

● UL scheduling control information: the resource, MCS, data rate configuration for the following UL PDU transmission or UL ARQ feedback transmission.

FIG. 3 shows an example format of confirming MAC PDU that may include any one or more of the following:

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a confirming MAC PDU, if this is absent, the UE may determine the type according to the last transmitted MAC PDU.

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity: it may be transmitted from UE.

● subheader1: indicate the type, or size of the corresponding of the control information or data. the subheader may consist of the one or more of the following:

○ the type: indicate the type of the corresponding part is control information1

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information1

● control information1: the carried acknowledge information may be one or more of the following:

○ random number: it may be transmitted from UE.

○ UE identity: it may be transmitted from UE.

● subheader2: indicate the type, or size of the corresponding of the control information or data. the subheader may consist of the one or more of the following:

○ the type: indicate the type of the corresponding part is control information2

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information2

● control information2: the carried UE identity may be one or more of the following:

○ UE identity: Radio Network Temporary Identifier is allocated by the base station.

● subheader3: indicate the type, or size of the corresponding of the control information or data. the subheader may consist of the one or more of the following:

○ the type: indicate the type of the corresponding part is control information3

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information3

● control information3: the carried scheduling control information may be one or more of the following:

○ UL scheduling control information: the resource, MCS, data rate configuration for the following UL PDU transmission or UL ARQ feedback transmission, the request for reporting, scheduling new transmission or retransmission

● ending: indicate the ending point of the MAC PDU.

The above two or three control information may be merged into a control information. The above two or three subheader may be merged into a subheader. The above common header and subheader may be merged into a header. The above two or three control information may be merged into a control information. The above a control information may be divided into multiple control information.

I. (c) . (iii) . UL scheduling MAC PDU

In order to schedule the UL transmission from UE, the base station may transmit the UL scheduling MAC PDU to UE.

The control information of UL scheduling MAC PDU may be one or more of the following:

● UL scheduling information: including one or more of the following: the time or frequency resource, MCS, data rate configuration for the following UL PDU transmission or UL ARQ feedback transmission, the scheduled bits in a transmission occasion, the total scheduled bits

● ACK/NACK indication: indicate whether the last data has been received.

● the request for reporting: request UE to report the amount of data available for transmission in the UL buffer

● scheduling new transmission or retransmission: indication scheduling new transmission or retransmission

FIG. 4 shows an example format of UL scheduling MAC PDU that may include any one or more of the following:

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/UE identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a UL scheduling MAC PDU

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/UE identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a UL scheduling MAC PDU

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information1

● control information1: the carried UL scheduling control information of UL scheduling MAC PDU may be one or more of the following:

○ UL scheduling information: including one or more of the following: the time or frequency resource, MCS, data rate configuration for the following UL PDU transmission or UL ARQ feedback transmission., the scheduled bits in a transmission occasion, the total scheduled bits

○ ACK/NACK indication: indicate whether the last data has been received.

○ scheduling new transmission or retransmission: indicate the UL scheduling is for new transmission or retransmission.

○ the request for reporting: request UE to report the amount of data available for transmission in the UL buffer

● if the scheduling is for retransmission, UL scheduling information may be absent, UE may use the last UL scheduling information to retransmit.

● if UL scheduling information is absent, this scheduling is for retransmission.

● if UL scheduling information is present, this scheduling is for new transmission.

● ending: indicate the ending point of the MAC PDU.

I. (c) . (iv) . Reporting MAC PDU

In order to schedule the report the amount of data available for transmission in UE,

UE may transmit the reporting MAC PDU to the base station.

The control information of reporting MAC PDU may be one or more of the following:

● the available amount of data: the amount of data available for transmission in UE.

FIG. 5 shows an example format of reporting MAC PDU that may include any one or more of the following:

○ source identity/UE identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/cell identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a reporting MAC PDU, if this is absent, the base station may determine the type according to the last transmitted MAC PDU.

or data

○ source identity/UE identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/cell identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information1

● control information1: the carried available amount of data of reporting MAC PDU may be one or more of the following:

○ the available amount of data: the amount of data available for transmission in UE.

○ the type: indicate the type of the corresponding part is data

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding data

● data: data may be delivered from RRC or NAS or RLC

I. (c) . (v) . Inventory or Paging MAC PDU

In order to trigger the access of UE, the base station may transmit the inventory/paging MAC PDU to UE.

The control information of inventory/paging MAC PDU may be one or more of the following:

● the type of the inventory/paging: the inventory/paging is for all UE, or for part of UE, or for group UE, or for MO, or for MT, or for traffic type or others, the different type may correspond the different selected control information, for example: if the type of inventory/paging is for group UE, the selected control information may carry group ID.

● inventory/paging control information: including the one or more of the following: the resource where or when UE transmit the access, or the resource for contention resolution, for example, Q value, Q increase or decrease

● UL scheduling control information: the resource, MCS, data rate configuration for the following UL PDU transmission or UL ARQ feedback transmission, the request for reporting, scheduling new transmission or retransmission, ACK/NACK.

● MO resource: the resource, MCS, data rate configuration for the following access MAC PDU transmission of MO.

FIG. 6 shows an example format of inventory/paging MAC PDU that may include any one or more of the following:

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a inventory/paging MAC PDU

○ the type of the inventory/paging: the inventory/paging is for all UE, or for part of UE, or for group UE, or for MO, or for MT, or for traffic type or others, the different type may correspond the different selected control information, for example: if the type of inventory/paging is for group UE, the selected control information may carry group ID.

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a inventory/paging MAC PDU

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information1

● control information1: the carried inventory control information may be one or more of the following:

○ inventory/paging control information: the resource where or when UE transmit the access, or the resource for contention resolution, for example, Q value, Q increase or decrease

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information2

● control information2: the carried access control information may be one or more of the following:

○ access information: the selected information may consist of the one or more of the following:

■ the access identity: the allowed access identity or a list of access identity

■ the network information: such as the network identity, cell identity

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information2

● control information3: the carried selected control information may be one or more of the following:

○ selected control information: the selected information may consist of the one or more of the following:

■ UE ID, a part of UE ID, UE ID list,

■ group ID, list of the group ID,

■ device type, for example, ‘device A’ , ‘device B’ , or ‘device C’

■ the traffic type, for example, ‘Inventory’ , ‘Sensors’ , ‘Positioning’ , ‘Command’ ,

■ UE state, for example, whether UE has conflicted, where UE has access, whether UE is in mobility

■ access identity

● subheader4: indicate the type, or size of the corresponding of the control information or data. the subheader may consist of the one or more of the following:

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information3

● control information4: the carried scheduling control information may be one or more of the following:

○ UL scheduling control information: the resource, MCS, data rate configuration for the following access MAC PDU transmission.

○ MO resource: the resource, MCS, data rate configuration for the following access MAC PDU transmission of MO.

● subheader5: indicate the type, or size of the corresponding of the control information or data. the subheader may consist of the one or more of the following:

○ the type: indicate the type of the corresponding part is data

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding data

● data: data may be delivered from RRC or NAS or RLC

● ending: indicate the ending point of the MAC PDU.

I. (c) . (vi) . Configuration MAC PDU

In order to broadcast the configuration of the cell, the base station may transmit the configuration MAC PDU to UE.

The control information of configuration MAC PDU may be one or more of the following:

FIG. 7 shows an example format of configuration MAC PDU that may include any one or more of the following:

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a configuration MAC PDU

○ the size: indicate the size of the MAC PDU or corresponding control information or data

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a configuration MAC PDU

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information1

○ inventory control information: the resource where or when UE transmit the access, or the resource for contention resolution, for example, Q value, Q increase or decrease

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information2

○ access information: the access information may consist of the one or more of the following:

■ the network information: such as the network identity, cell identity

■ UE type, UE traffic, UE state, UE mobility or other: the network may select the UE with some characteristic, such as UE type, UE traffic, UE state, UE mobility or other.

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information3

● control information3: the carried scheduling information may be one or more of the following:

○ UL scheduling information: including one or more of the following: the time or frequency resource, MCS, data rate configuration for the following UL PDU transmission or UL ARQ feedback transmission

● ending: indicate the ending point of the MAC PDU.

I. (c) . (vii) . DL data transfer MAC PDU

In order to transmit data to UE, the base station may transmit the DL data transfer MAC PDU to UE.

The control information of DL data transfer MAC PDU may be one or more of the following:

● UL scheduling control information: the resource, MCS, data rate configuration for the following access MAC PDU transmission.

FIG. 8 shows an example format of DL data transfer MAC PDU that may include any one or more of the following:

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/UE identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a DL data transfer MAC PDU

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/UE identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a DL data transfer MAC PDU

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information1

● control information1: carried UL scheduling control information may be one or more of the following:

○ UL scheduling control information: the resource, MCS, data rate configuration for the following UL PDU transmission or UL ARQ feedback transmission, the request for reporting, scheduling new transmission or retransmission, ACK/NACK.

○ the type: indicate the type of the corresponding part is data

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding data

● data: data may be delivered from RRC or NAS or RLC

● ending: indicate the ending point of the MAC PDU.

I. (c) . (viii) . UL data transfer MAC PDU

In order to transmit data to the base station, UE may transmit the UL data transfer MAC PDU to the base station.

The control information of UL data transfer MAC PDU may be one or more of the following:

● available amount of data

● ACK/NACK indication: indicate whether the last data has been received.

FIG. 9 shows an example format of UL data transfer MAC PDU that may include any one or more of the following:

○ source identity/UE identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/cell identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a UL data transfer MAC PDU

○ source identity/UE identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/cell identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a UL data transfer MAC PDU

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information1

● control information1: the carried available amount of data may be one or more of the following:

○ ACK/NACK indication: indicate whether the last data has been received.

○ the type: indicate the type of the corresponding part is data

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding data

● data: data may be delivered from RRC or NAS or RLC

● ending: indicate the ending point of the MAC PDU.

I. (c) . (ix) . Connection request MAC PDU

In order to request to setup the connection with the base station, UE may transmit the connection request MAC PDU to the base station.

● the request connection control information

FIG. 10 shows an example format of connection request MAC PDU that may include any one or more of the following:

○ source identity/UE identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/cell identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a connection request MAC PDU

○ source identity/UE identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/cell identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a connection request MAC PDU

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information1

● control information1: the request connection control information may be one or more of the following:

○ the request indication: the request to setup the connection with the network

○ UE identity: such as Network Unique Temporary UE identity, random number

○ the establishment cause: the reason for connection, such as MT, MO

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information2

● control information2: the carried UL scheduling control information may be one or more of the following:

○ UL scheduling information: the resource, MCS, data rate configuration for the following UL PDU transmission or UL ARQ feedback transmission.

○ the type: indicate the type of the corresponding part is data

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding data

● data: data may be delivered from RRC or NAS or RLC

● ending: indicate the ending point of the MAC PDU.

I. (c) . (x) . Connection complete MAC PDU

In order to response the request to setup the connection from UE, the base station may transmit the connection complete MAC PDU to UE.

● the release connection control information

FIG. 11 shows an example format of connection complete MAC PDU that may include any one or more of the following:

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/UE identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a connection complete MAC PDU

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/UE identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a connection complete MAC PDU

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information1

● control information1: the release connection control information may be one or more of the following:

○ the release indication: UE may release the connection with the network

○ the state indication: UE may enter into the idle or other states

○ the type: indicate the type of the corresponding part is data

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding data

○ UL scheduling control information: the resource, MCS, data rate configuration for the following UL PDU transmission or UL ARQ feedback transmission.

○ the type: indicate the type of the corresponding part is data

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding data

● data: data may be delivered from RRC or NAS or RLC

● ending: indicate the ending point of the MAC PDU.

I. (c) . (xi) . State Indication MAC PDU

In order to indicate the state switch, the base station may indicate UE a state.

The control information of state indication MAC PDU may be one or more of the following:

● the state indication

FIG. 12 shows an example format of state indication MAC PDU that may include any one or more of the following:

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/UE identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a state indication MAC PDU

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/UE identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a state indication MAC PDU

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information1

● control information1: the state indication control information may be one or more of the following:

○ the state indication: UE may enter into the idle or other states, or UE may store the indicated state, such as UE has accessed, UE is in idle, UE is in motility state.

○ the type: indicate the type of the corresponding part is data

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding data

I. (c) . (xii) . DL feedback MAC PDU

In order to acknowledge the reception of the MAC PDU or message from the base station, such as to acknowledge the DL data transfer MAC PDU/message, connection complete MAC PDU/message, UE may transmit the DL feedback MAC PDU to the base station.

If the UE mayn’t receive the MAC PDU or message, the UE mayn’t transmit the DL feedback MAC PDU to the base station, or transmit the DL feedback MAC PDU carrying NACK to the base station. If UE mayn’t transmit the DL feedback MAC PDU or transmit the DL feedback MAC PDU carrying NACK, UE may considered the procedure unsuccessfully, wait for retransmiting the last transmitted MAC PDU and mayn’t perform the following procedure. for example, if UE mayn’t receive the connection complete MAC PDU/message, UE mayn’t transmit the DL feedback MAC PDU or transmit the DL feedback MAC PDU carrying NACK, considered the connection setup procedure unsuccessfully, or wait for retransmiting the connection request MAC PDU. if UE mayn’t receive the DL data transfer MAC PDU, UE mayn’t transmit the DL feedback MAC PDU or transmit the DL feedback MAC PDU carrying NACK, considered the transmission unsuccessfully, wait for retransmiting the DL data transfer MAC PDU and UE mayn’t transmit UL data transfer MAC PDU.

If UE may transmit the DL feedback MAC PDU carrying ACK, UE may perform the one or more of the following.

● confirming the reception

● the state switching

● confirming the process successfully

● triggering the following procedure, or the transmission of MAC PDU/message

For example, if UE may transmit the DL feedback MAC PDU for connection complete MAC PDU, UE may considered the the request for connection setup procedure successfully, enter into the state ‘UE has accessed’ . if UE may transmit the DL feedback MAC PDU for DL data transfer MAC PDU, UE may considered the transmission successfully.

FIG. 13 shows an example format of DL feedback MAC PDU that may include any one or more of the following:

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/UE identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a DL feedback MAC PDU

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/UE identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a DL feedback MAC PDU

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information1

● control information1: the carried control information May be one or more of the following:

○ ACK/NACK indication: indicate whether the last MAC PDU or message has been received. If ACK is indicated, the base station may perform the following procedure.

● ending: indicate the ending point of the MAC PDU.

I. (c) . (xiii) . UL feedback MAC PDU

In order to acknowledge the reception of the MAC PDU or message from UE, such as to acknowledge the UL data transfer MAC PDU, or connection request MAC PDU, the base station may transmit the UL feedback MAC PDU to UE.

If the base station mayn’t receive the MAC PDU or message, the base station mayn’t transmit the UL feedback MAC PDU to UE, or transmit the UL feedback MAC PDU carrying NACK to UE. If UE mayn’t receive the UL feedback MAC PDU or receive the UL feedback MAC PDU carrying NACK, UE may considered the procedure unsuccessfully, wait for retransmiting the last transmitted MAC PDU and mayn’t perform the following procedure. for example, if UE mayn’t receive the UL feedback MAC PDU for connection request MAC PDU, UE may considered the connection setup procedure unsuccessfully, wait for retransmiting the connection request MAC PDU and UE mayn’t receive connection complete MAC PDU. if UE mayn’t receive the UL feedback MAC PDU for UL data transfer MAC PDU, UE may considered the transmission unsuccessfully, wait for retransmiting the UL data transfer MAC PDU and UE mayn’t reception DL data transfer MAC PDU.

If UE may receive the UL feedback MAC PDU carrying ACK, UE may perform the one or more of the following.

● confirming the reception

● the state switching

● confirming the process successfully

● triggering the following procedure, or the transmission of MAC PDU/message

For example, if UE may receive the UL feedback MAC PDU for connection request MAC PDU, UE may considered the the request for connection setup procedure successfully, enter into the state ‘UE has accessed’ , and wait for receiving connection complete MAC PDU. if UE may receive the UL feedback MAC PDU for UL data transfer MAC PDU, UE may considered the transmission successfully, and UE may wait for the reception DL data transfer MAC PDU.

FIG. 14 shows an example format of UL feedback MAC PDU that may include any one or more of the following:

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/UE identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a UL feedback MAC PDU

○ source identity/cell identity: indicating the transmitter

○ target identity/UE identity: indicating the receiver,

○ the type of the MAC PDU: indicate this is a UL feedback MAC PDU

○ the size: indicate the size of the corresponding control information1

○ ACK/NACK indication: indicate whether the last MAC PDU or message has been received.

○ the state indication: UE may enter into the idle or other states

● ending: indicate the ending point of the MAC PDU.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary block diagram of a hardware platform 1500 that may be a part of a network device (e.g., base station) or a communication device (e.g., a user equipment (UE) ) . The hardware platform 1500 includes at least one processor 1510 and a memory 1505 having instructions stored thereupon. The instructions upon execution by the processor 1510 configure the hardware platform 1500 to perform the operations described in FIGS. 1 to 14 and 16 to 17 and in the various embodiments described in this patent document. The transmitter 1515 transmits or sends information or data to another device. For example, a network device transmitter can send a message to a user equipment. The receiver 1520 receives information or data transmitted or sent by another device. For example, a user equipment can receive a message from a network device.

The implementations as discussed above will apply to a wireless communication. FIG. 16 shows an example of a wireless communication system (e.g., a 5G or NR cellular network) that includes a base station 620 and one or more user equipment (UE) 1611, 1612 and 1613. In some embodiments, the UEs access the BS (e.g., the network) using a communication link to the network (sometimes called uplink direction, as depicted by dashed arrows 1631, 1632, 1633) , which then enables subsequent communication (e.g., shown in the direction from the network to the UEs, sometimes called downlink direction, shown by arrows 1641, 1642, 1643) from the BS to the UEs. In some embodiments, the BS send information to the UEs (sometimes called downlink direction, as depicted by arrows 1641, 1642, 1643) , which then enables subsequent communication (e.g., shown in the direction from the UEs to the BS, sometimes called uplink direction, shown by dashed arrows 1631, 1632, 1633) from the UEs to the BS. The UE may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a mobile computer, a machine to machine (M2M) device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, and so on.

FIG. 17 shows an exemplary flowchart for communicating a medium access control (MAC) packet data unit (PDU) . Operation 1702 includes communicating, by a communication device, a medium access control (MAC) packet data unit (PDU) comprising control information, where a MAC layer includes the control information in the MAC PDU, and where the MAC PDU has a format that is associated with a type of MAC PDU.

In this document the term “exemplary” is used to mean “an example of” and, unless otherwise stated, does not imply an ideal or a preferred embodiment.

Some of the embodiments described herein are described in the general context of methods or processes, which may be implemented in one embodiment by a computer program product, embodied in a computer-readable medium, including computer-executable instructions, such as program code, executed by computers in networked environments. A computer-readable medium may include removable and non-removable storage devices including, but not limited to, Read Only Memory (ROM) , Random Access Memory (RAM) , compact discs (CDs) , digital versatile discs (DVD) , etc. Therefore, the computer-readable media can include a non-transitory storage media. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-or processor-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes.

Some of the disclosed embodiments can be implemented as devices or modules using hardware circuits, software, or combinations thereof. For example, a hardware circuit implementation can include discrete analog and/or digital components that are, for example, integrated as part of a printed circuit board. Alternatively, or additionally, the disclosed components or modules can be implemented as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and/or as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) device. Some implementations may additionally or alternatively include a digital signal processor (DSP) that is a specialized microprocessor with an architecture optimized for the operational needs of digital signal processing associated with the disclosed functionalities of this application. Similarly, the various components or sub-components within each module may be implemented in software, hardware or firmware. The connectivity between the modules and/or components within the modules may be provided using any one of the connectivity methods and media that is known in the art, including, but not limited to, communications over the Internet, wired, or wireless networks using the appropriate protocols.

While this document contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of an invention that is claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this document in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination. Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.

Only a few implementations and examples are described and other implementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on what is described and illustrated in this disclosure.

Claims

A wireless communication method, comprising:

communicating, by a communication device, a medium access control (MAC) packet data unit (PDU) comprising control information,

wherein a MAC layer includes the control information in the MAC PDU, and

wherein the MAC PDU has a format that is associated with a type of MAC PDU.
The method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes access request control information that includes a random number, an identifier of the communication device, or a sequence.
The method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes an acknowledgement information that includes a random number or an identifier of the communication device.
The method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes an identifier of the communication device that includes a temporary identifier that is allocated by a network device.
The method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes an uplink (UL) scheduling control information that includes a resource, a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) , data rate configuration for an UL PDU transmission or an UL automatic repeat request (ARQ) feedback transmission, a request for reporting the control information, scheduling new transmission or retransmission, an acknowledgement (ACK) , or a non-acknowledgement (NACK) .
The method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes an available amount of data.
The method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes an inventory control information or a paging control information that include a first resource where or when the communication device transmits an access, or a second resource for contention resolution.
The method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes an identifier of the communication device, or a part of the identifier of the communication device, an identifier list, a group identifier of the communication device, a list of the group identifier, a traffic type, a state of the communication device, or an access identity.
The method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes a mobile originated (MO) resource that includes a time and/or frequency resource, a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) , or a data rate configuration for MO.
The method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes an acknowledgement (ACK) control information or a non-acknowledgement (NACK) control information.
The method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes a request connection control information that includes an identifier of the communication device or an establishment cause.
The method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes release connection control information that includes a state switch indication or a release indication.
The method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes access control information that includes an access identity, a network information, a type of the communication device, a traffic for the communication device, a state of the communication device, or a mobility of the communication device.
The method of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the communicating by the communication device includes transmitting the MAC PDU to a network device.
The method of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the communicating by the communication device includes receiving the MAC PDU from a network device.
The method of claim 1, wherein the type of MAC PDU includes an access MAC PDU, a confirming MAC PDU, an uplink (UL) scheduling MAC PDU, a reporting MAC PDU, an inventory or paging MAC PDU, a configuration MAC PDU, a connection request MAC PDU, a connection complete MAC PDU, a downlink (DL) feedback MAC PDU, or an UL feedback MAC PDU.
An apparatus for wireless communication comprising a processor, configured to implement a method recited in one or more of claims 1 to 16.
A non-transitory computer readable program storage medium having code stored thereon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to implement a method recited in one or more of claims 1 to 16.