Abstract:
A method implemented in a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) for signaling Quality of Service (QoS) information. The method includes the WTRU transmitting a first scalar value indicative of a first plurality of QoS parameters, and the WTRU receiving a second scalar value indicative of a second plurality of QoS parameters

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/866,312 filed Nov. 17, 2006, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a wireless communication system. In particular a method and apparatus are disclosed for the use of Quality of Service (QoS) profile reference values in a wireless communication system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Performance of a communications channel or system is typically expressed as a Quality of Service (QoS) value. Depending upon the communication system, QoS may relate to service performance, Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), Bit Error Ratio (BER), maximum and mean throughput rate, reliably, priority and other factors specific to each service. QoS in a Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) is typically configured using an extensive set of attributes that are transmitted over an air interface. While the use of such attributes allows for flexibility in QoS configuration, it is inefficient and uses a significant amount of overhead in configuring QoS for a radio bearer. 
         [0004]    A condensed reference value may be used for QoS. The value may be mapped to a profile of QoS attributes. However, methods to map reference values and methods to update a QoS profile are unclear. Furthermore, methods to handle QoS updates during inter-operator roaming are unclear, as each operator may have different QoS profiles and mappings. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A method and apparatus is disclosed for signaling QoS that includes a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) and a network exchanging scalar values indicative of a plurality of QoS parameters. The QoS parameters may be represented by indices and communicated between a plurality of WTRU&#39;s and a plurality of networks. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0006]    A more detailed understanding may be had from the following description, given by way of example and to be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a signaling diagram for a WTRU in an initial power-on state in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a signaling diagram for a WTRU with a QoS profile in accordance with another embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a signaling diagram for a WTRU receiving a QoS profile upgrade in accordance with an alternative embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a signaling diagram for a roaming WTRU in accordance with another alternative embodiment; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a signaling diagram for a roaming WTRU in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]    When referred to hereafter, the terminology “wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)” includes but is not limited to a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computer, or any other type of user device capable of operating in a wireless environment. When referred to hereafter, the terminology “base station” includes but is not limited to a Node-B, a site controller, an access point (AP), or any other type of interfacing device capable of operating in a wireless environment. 
         [0013]    A wireless communication system may include a plurality of wireless communication devices, such as a plurality of Node Bs, mobile stations, base stations and WTRUs, each capable of wirelessly communicating with one another. The wireless communication system may comprise any number and any combination of wireless devices. For example, the wireless communication system may include a Node B and a client device operating in an infrastructure mode, WTRUs operating in ad-hoc mode, nodes acting as wireless bridges, or any combination thereof. 
         [0014]    A QosPackageID parameter may be included in a QoS profile to allow a WTRU to synchronize QoS parameters with a network operator during a wireless communication. The QosPackageID attaches a scalar value to a set of QoS profiles agreed upon between a specific operator and a specific WTRU. A QosPackageID may be used across the operator&#39;s network or between operators. 
         [0015]    A QosServiceId parameter may also be included in a QoS profile. This parameter is a scalar value that indicates a service type, such as “voice” or “streaming video” and is a subset of the parameters represented by the QoSPackageID. Also, a QosProfileID parameter may be included in a Qos profile. This parameter is a scalar value that indicates a specific profile within a service type. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a signaling diagram for a WTRU in an initial power-on state in accordance with one embodiment. A WTRU  102  has an account configured with QoS parameters as shown in Table 1. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 QoS Parameters 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 QoSServiceID 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 1 (streaming video) 
                 2 (voice) 
                 3 (background) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 QoSProfileID 
                 1 
                 2 
                 1 
                 2 
                 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Max bitrate 
                 1 mbps 
                 500 kbps 
                 40 kbps 
                 30 kbps 
                 1 mbps 
               
               
                 Guaranteed 
                 — 
                 — 
                 20 kbps 
                 12 kbps 
                 — 
               
               
                 bitrate 
               
               
                 Transfer Delay 
                 — 
                 — 
                 40 ms 
                 25 ms 
                 — 
               
               
                 (max) 
               
               
                 Residual BER 
                 10 −3   
                 10 −4   
                 10 −4   
                 10 −3   
                 10 −3   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0017]    As shown in Table 1, the QoS parameters may be represented by a QoSService ID, which is a scalar value representing a service. QoSServiceID=1 represents streaming video, QoSServiceID=2 represents voice, and QoSService ID=3 represents background. Each service can be sub-divided into one or more QoSProfileIDs, each representing a specific profile within a service. As shown in Table 1, QoSServiceID=1, QoSProfileID=1 represents streaming video service with a maximum bit rate of 1 mpbs, and a residual bit error rate (BER) of 10 −3 . QoSServiceID=1, QoSProfileID=2 represents streaming video service with a maximum bit rate of 500 kps and a BER of 10-4. QoSServiceID=2, QoSProfileID=1 represents a voice service with maximum bit rate of 40 kps, a guaranteed bit rate of 20 kps, a maximum transfer delay of 40 ms and a residual BER of 10-4. 
         [0018]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , the WTRU  102  sends an Attach Request  110  to an eNB  104  with the variable QosPackageID=0. This is a null version ID that signifies that the WTRU  102  does not have stored QoS profiles corresponding to any QosPackageID. The eNB  104  forwards the Attach Request  110  to a mobility management entity/user plane entity (MME/UPE)  106 . The WTRU  102  is authenticated  114 , and the MME/UPE obtains the QosPackageID that the WTRU  102  uses. An Attach Accept message  116 , including a QosPackageID and QoS parameters, is sent from the MME/UPE  106  to the eNB  104  with the QosPackageID and QoS profiles similar to those shown in Table 1. The WTRU  102  receives the Attach Accept message  116  with all of the QoS profiles. The WTRU  102  sends the Attach Complete message  120  to the eNB  104 , which then forwards the Attach Complete  120  message to the MME/UPE  106 . 
         [0019]    Having performed this configuration process, the WTRU  102  and the network  108  can communicate the predefined QoS profile via the QosServiceID and QosProfileID. For instance, referring to Table 1, if a user is running a streaming download application at 384 kbps, it may request the 500 kbps streaming video profile by sending the network QosServiceID=1, QosProfileID=2. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a signaling diagram for a WTRU with a QoS profile in accordance with another embodiment. A WTRU  202  sends an attach request  210  to an eNB  204 . The attach request  210  includes a QosPackageID. The eNB  204  forwards the attach request  210  to a MME/UPE  206  and the WTRU  202  is authenticated  212 . Once the WTRU  202  is authenticated, the MME/UPE  206  sends an Attach Accept message  214  to the eNB  204 . The Attach Accept message  214  includes the QoSPackageID transmitted in the Attache Request message  210 . The eNB  204  forwards the Attach Accept message  214  to the WTRU  202 . The WTRU  202  then sends an Attach Complete message  216  to the eNB  204 . The message is forwarded to the MME/UPE  206 . In general, the network echoes the QosPackageID in the Attach Accept message  214 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a signaling diagram for a QoS profile upgrade. The WTRU  302  may, for example, upgrade to a higher streaming video speed. The account for the WTRU may be revised, as shown in Table 2. Referring to  FIG. 3 , a WTRU  302  sends an Attach Request  310  to an eNB  304 . The attach request  310  includes the current QosPackageID. The eNB  304  forwards Attach Request  310  to the MME/UPE  306 . The WTRU  302  is authenticated  312 , and the MME/UPE  306  obtains the new QosPackageID that the WTRU  302  will use. The Attach Accept message  314  is sent from the MME/UPE  306  to the eNB  304  with the new QosPackageID and differential QoS profiles. Referring to Table 2, in order to upgrade to 2 mps streaming video, the message may indicate that (QosServiceID, QosProfileID)=(1, 2) is deleted, and it will add (QosServiceID, QosProfileID)=(1, 3). As shown in Table 2, QoSServiceID=1, QoSProfileID=3 represents streaming video with a maximum bit rate of 2 mps and a residual BER of 10 −3 . Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the WTRU  302  receives the Attach Accept message  314  with the new QosPackageID and a new QoS profile. The entire profile need not be transmitted. The new profile may be transmitted differentially, such that only the difference between the profile as shown in Table 1 and the profile shown in Table 2 is transmitted. The WTRU  302  then sends the Attach Complete message  316 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 QoS Parameter upgrade 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 QosServiceID 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 1 (streaming video) 
                 2 (voice) 
                 3 (background) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 QosProfileID 
                 1 
                 3 
                 1 
                 2 
                 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Max bitrate 
                 1 mbps 
                 2 mbps 
                 40 kbps 
                 30 kbps 
                 1 mbps 
               
               
                 Guaranteed 
                 — 
                 — 
                 20 kbps 
                 12 kbps 
                 — 
               
               
                 bitrate 
               
               
                 Transfer 
                 — 
                 — 
                 40 ms 
                 25 ms 
                 — 
               
               
                 Delay (max) 
               
               
                 Residual 
                 10 −3   
                 10 −3   
                 10 −4   
                 10 −3   
                 10 −3   
               
               
                 BER 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a signaling diagram for a roaming WTRU in accordance with another alternative embodiment. A WTRU  402  gets a new profile from the operator of a roaming network  410 . The WTRU  402  sends an Attach Request  412  to an eNB  404  with the WTRU&#39;s home network QosPackageID. The eNB  404  forwards the Attach Request  412  to the MME/UPE  406 . Operator B  408  communicates with operator A  410  to exchange QoS policy for this user. As a result, operator B  408  assigns a set of QoS profiles and a QosPackageID  414  in its own network. This policy exchange may be performed, for example, through a service level agreement (SLA) between network A  410  and network B  408 . 
         [0023]    The WTRU  402  is authenticated through its home network  416 . The Attach Accept message  418  is sent from the MME/UPE  406  to the eNB  404  with the QosPackageID from operator B  408  and QoS profiles. Optionally, operator B  408  may send the QoS profiles differentially relative to the profile from operator A  410 . By way of further example, if operator B  408  supports the QoS profiles from operator A  410  for the WTRU  402  without modification, it may send a differential QoS profile (relative to the QosPackageID from operator A) indicating no changes. 
         [0024]    The WTRU  402  receives the Attach Accept message  418  with the QosPackageID and QoS profiles. The WTRU  402  then sends the Attach Complete message  420 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  shows a signaling diagram for a WTRU in a roaming environment in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment. It would be inefficient for the WTRU  502  to receive a new QoSPackageID every time the WTRU  502  attaches to operator B  508 . In order to prevent this from occurring, the WTRU  502  may store the last configuration it was sent from its most recent attachment to operator B  508 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the WTRU  502  sends an Attach Request  512  to an eNB  504  with a QosPackageID in the roaming network. The eNB  504  forwards Attach Request  512  to the MME/UPE  506 . Operator B  508  receives a message  514  with the QoS policy from operator A  510  for the user. Operator B  508  assigns a set of QoS profiles, and QosPackageID in its network. This policy exchange may, for example, be done through a service level agreement (SLA) between operator A  510  and operator B  508 . The WTRU  502  is authenticated  516  through its home network. The Attach Accept message  518  is sent from the MME/UPE  506  to the eNB  502  with the QosPackageID from operator B  508 . The WTRU  502  knows the associated QoS profiles, so there is no need to send them. If the package ID has changed, the MME/UPE  506  may also send a differential profile analogous to that shown in  FIG. 3 . The eNB  504  forwards the Attach Accept message  518  the WTRU  502 . The WTRU  502  receives the Attach Accept message  518  with the QosPackageID. The WTRU  502  sends the Attach Complete message  520  to the eNB  504 . The eNB  504  forwards the Attach Complete message  520  to the MME/UPE  506 . 
         [0026]    Although the features and elements are described in the embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements. The methods or flow charts provided may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium for execution by a general purpose computer or a processor. Examples of computer-readable storage mediums include a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatile disks (DVDs). 
         [0027]    Suitable processors include, by way of example, a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), and/or a state machine. 
         [0028]    A processor in association with software may be used to implement a radio frequency transceiver for use in a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU), user equipment (UE), terminal, base station, radio network controller (RNC), or any host computer. The WTRU may be used in conjunction with modules, implemented in hardware and/or software, such as a camera, a video camera module, a videophone, a speakerphone, a vibration device, a speaker, a microphone, a television transceiver, a hands free headset, a keyboard, a Bluetooth® module, a frequency modulated (FM) radio unit, a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display unit, a digital music player, a media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser, and/or any wireless local area network (WLAN) module.