Patent Description:
For example, long term evolution (LTE) and <NUM> new radio (NR) communications technology expand and support diverse usage scenarios and applications with respect to current mobile network generations. In an aspect, wireless communications technology includes enhanced mobile broadband addressing human-centric use cases for access to multimedia content, services and data; ultra-reliable-low latency communications (URLLC) with strict requirements, especially in terms of latency and reliability; and massive machine type communications for a very large number of connected devices and typically transmitting a relatively low volume of non-delay-sensitive information.

As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, however, there exists a need for further improvements in communications technology and beyond. For example, users now demand even greater connectivity for their mobile devices. Reference is made to XP051450686 - 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS); Multimedia Telephony; Media handling and interaction (Release <NUM>). Reference is also made to XP051126630 - KYOCERA " Remaining issues in RAN-assisted codec rate adaptation".

Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for end-to-end rate adaptation using radio access network (RAN) assisted rate adaptation. Particularly, when a user equipment (UE) risks operating at rates greater than the guaranteed bit rates (GBR), the UE may rely on rate adaptation mechanisms to indicate when it has exceeded the supported bandwidth such that the UE may reduce its rate accordingly. Specifically, in some examples, a network device (e.g., call session control function (CSCF) and/or policy and charging rules function (PCRF)) may configure endpoints in an end-to-end communication to operate at rates that exceed GBR based on determining that all endpoints support RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. In other examples, the network device may configure maximum bit rates (MBR) that exceed GBR for only the endpoint that supports RAN assisted rate adaptation capability.

In one non-claimed example, a method and apparatus for wireless communication implemented by a network device (e.g., CSCF and/or PCRF) is disclosed. The method may include determining, at a network device, whether a first endpoint of an end-to-end communication supports RAN assisted rate adaptation capability, wherein the first endpoint includes a first UE associated with a first base station. The method may further include determining whether a second endpoint of the end-to-end communication supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability, wherein the second endpoint includes a second UE associated with a second base station. The method may further include configuring the first end point with a maximum bit rate (MBR) that exceeds a guaranteed bit rate (GBR) based on determining that either both the first endpoint and the second endpoint supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability or if the first endpoint supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability.

A method for wireless communications at a user equipment that supports a radio access network, RAN, assisted rate adaptation capability enabling the UE to operate at bit rates that exceed a guaranteed bit rate is claimed. The method includes configuring a session description protocol, SDP, parameter that indicates the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability of the UE; and receiving, at the UE, a network capability notification from a first base station associated with the UE, wherein the network capability notification indicates that the first base station also supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. The UE generates an SDP message that includes the SDP parameter; and transmits the SDP message to a second endpoint, wherein the second endpoint includes one or both of a second UE and a second base station; and wherein the SDP message from the UE indicates to the second endpoint that a first endpoint supports the RAN assisted rate capability, the first endpoint including one or more or both of the UE and the first base station.

In a further embodiment, a user equipment (UE) for wireless communications is claimed to implement the claimed method.

In a further embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium storing code for wireless communications is claimed for performing the claimed method.

In another non-claimed example, a method and apparatus for wireless communication implemented by a base station is disclosed. The method may include determining, at a base station, whether the base station supports RAN assisted rate adaptation capability, wherein the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability allows the base station to control traffic when a UE associated with the base station operates at bit rates that exceeds GBR. The method may further include transmitting a notification to the UE indicating whether the base station supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability.

As discussed above, in some instances, a UE may operate at rates (e.g., downlink and uplink) at rates that exceed the guaranteed bit rate (GBR) that may be set by the network as the bandwidth that may be supported. However, operating at rates that exceed GBR may risk packet loss or delay on the communication link due to the network's inability to handle the bit rates. When a UE risks operating at rates that exceed GBR, the UE may generally rely on rate adaptation mechanisms to indicate when the UE has exceeded the supported bandwidth. There may be multiple mechanisms that may trigger a media receiver (e.g., receiver UE) to request that the media sender (e.g., transmitting UE) reduce its rate, including for example: (<NUM>) the UE receiver may experience packet loss, jitter, or delay in excess of a predetermined threshold, (<NUM>) the UE may receive an indication that the MBR has been reduced below the current transmission rate, (<NUM>) the UE receiver may detect packets with explicit congestion notification - congestion experienced (ECN-CE) markings, and (<NUM>) the UE may receive an access node bit rate (ANBR) message indicating that the downlink (or uplink) rate needs to be reduced). In some situations, the media sender (e.g., transmitting UE) may also receive an ANBR from the corresponding base station that the transmitting UE should reduce the uplink transmission rates. As such, when determining what rate to transmit at above GBR, the UE can adjust the aggressiveness of its algorithms based on knowing which of the above mechanisms are supported by the wireless communication system (e.g., supported by the access network, the other UE, and the core network).

In current systems, however, there is no mechanism for the UE, for example, to determine whether the far endpoint (e.g., receiver UE or base station) supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation. With the lack of end-to-end information, the wireless system is unable to efficiently implement RAN assisted rate adaptation. Features of the present disclosure allow the network devices (e.g., CSCF and/or PCRF), endpoint UEs (e.g., first endpoint UE and second endpoint UE), and the endpoint base stations (e.g., first endpoint base station and second endpoint base station) in an end-to-end communication to determine whether one or more devices on the communication link support the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability by implementing a session description protocol (SDP) parameter.

Specifically, in some instances, a first endpoint (e.g., first UE and corresponding first base station) may determine whether the associated first UE and first base station supports an ANBR messages (e.g., RAN assisted rate adaptation capability). If both devices of the first endpoint support RAN assisted rate adaptation capability, the first UE may transmit an SDP message (e.g., SDP offer message) that may include an SDP parameter to the second endpoint (e.g., second UE and second base station). The SDP offer message and SDP parameter may indicate to the second endpoint that the first endpoint supports RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. In response, the second UE, as part of the second endpoint, may determine whether the second UE and the second base station also support RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. If so, the second UE may respond with SDP answer message that may include SDP parameter (e.g., a=rara parameter) back to the first UE. In between (on the communication link), the SDP offer and SDP answer messages may be received by network devices (e.g., CSCF / PCRF) that may be associated with the operator network. The network devices may determine whether the first endpoint and the second endpoint support RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. If both endpoints support RAN assisted rate adaptation capability, the network device may configure the first UEs and the second UEs to operate at MBR that exceeds the GBR. In limited examples, if only one endpoint supports RAN assisted rate adaptation capability, the network device may configure the MBR that exceeds GBR for the endpoint that supports RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. Specifically, the network devices (e.g., PCRF) may use the presence of the SDP parameter in the SDP offer or SDP Answer to determine whether the network device could set MBR that exceeds GBR with high level of confidence. For example, the network devices may set MBR much higher in cases where the presence of the SDP parameter indicates RAN assisted rate adaptation is supported throughout the system and set MBR lower if some parts of the system do not support rate adaptation. Similarly, the UE may use the presence of the SDP parameter in the SDP messages to select an adaptation algorithms when operating at rates that exceed GBR. Features of the present disclosure provide advantages over conventional systems because current systems do not allow end-to-end rate adaptation based on knowledge as to whether all endpoints support RAN assisted RATE adaptation.

Various aspects are now described in more detail with reference to the <FIG>. Additionally, the term "component" as used herein may be one of the parts that make up a system, may be hardware, firmware, and/or software stored on a computer-readable medium, and may be divided into other components.

The wireless communications system (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes base stations <NUM>, UEs <NUM>, and an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) <NUM> and a core network <NUM>.

The base stations <NUM> configured for <NUM> LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with the EPC <NUM> through backhaul links <NUM> (e.g., S1 interface). The base stations <NUM> configured for <NUM> NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may interface with core network <NUM> and/or EPC <NUM> through backhaul links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, which may be wired or wireless. In an aspect, for example, an EN-DC configuration may utilize an LTE master cell group (MCG) and EPC <NUM> to support communications between the UE <NUM> and base stations <NUM> configured for <NUM> NR. The base stations <NUM> configured for <NUM> NR may establish a backhaul link (e.g., S1 bearer) directly with the serving gateway <NUM> of the EPC or via a master eNB (i.e., a base station <NUM> configured for <NUM> LTE). Accordingly, a UE <NUM> may establish a <NUM> NR connection with a <NUM> access network even if a 5GC is not deployed. Although the following description may be focused on <NUM> NR and LTE, the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar areas, such as, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

In some examples, the wireless communications system may also include the core network <NUM> that may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, internet protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network <NUM> may allow circuit-switched connectivity to the back-end operator network (e.g., public land mobile network (PLMN) and/or packet-switched connectivity to private networks, operator's intranet or to the public internet. The core network <NUM> may also include call session control function (CSCF) which may be a collection of functional capabilities that play an essential role in the core network. Additionally or alternatively, the core network <NUM> may include policy and charging rules function (PCRF) that supports service data flow detection, policy enforcement and flow-based charging. The CSCF and PCRF may collectively may be described as "network device" for purposes of this disclosure (see <FIG>).

In one or more examples, the one or more UEs <NUM> may include communication management component <NUM> (see <FIG>) for generating session description protocol (SDP) messages (e.g., SDP offers or answers) that include parameters that indicate whether the endpoint (e.g., the UE <NUM> and the associated base station <NUM>) support RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. The UE <NUM> is able to determine whether the base station <NUM> associated with the UE <NUM> supports RAN assisted rate adaptation capability by explicit capability notification messages received from the base station <NUM>. Specifically, the base station <NUM> may include a capability management component <NUM> (see <FIG>) that generates notifications to the UE <NUM> indicating whether the base station <NUM> as one part of the end-to-end communication supports RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. Further, in some examples, the network device that may be part of the core network <NUM> may include an end-to-end rate adaptation management component <NUM> (see <FIG>) for determining whether to configure MBR that exceeds GBR for one or more endpoints in an end-to-end communication based on determination that either both or at least one endpoint (i.e., a UE <NUM> and/or base station <NUM>) supports RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. Specifically, the end-to-end rate adaptation management component <NUM> may monitor message exchange between a first endpoint (e.g., first UE <NUM> and first base station <NUM>) and a second endpoint (e.g., second UE <NUM> and second base station <NUM>) to identify RAN assisted rate adaptation capabilities of both endpoints (e.g., first and second UEs <NUM> and first and second base stations <NUM>) based on SDP offer and answer messages.

The base stations <NUM> may include macro cells (high power cellular base station) and/or small cell base stations (low power cellular base station).

For example, the small cell base station <NUM>' may have a coverage area <NUM>' that overlaps the coverage area <NUM> of one or more macro cell base stations <NUM>. A network that includes both small cell base stations and macro cell base stations may be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include Home Evolved Node Base Stations (eNBs) (HeNBs), which may provide service to a restricted group known as a closed subscriber group (CSG). The base stations <NUM> / UEs <NUM> may use spectrum up to Y MHz (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) bandwidth per carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation of up to a total of Yx MHz (x component carriers) used for transmission in each direction. Allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or less carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL).

When operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the small cell base station <NUM>' may employ NR and use the same <NUM> unlicensed frequency spectrum as used by the Wi-Fi AP <NUM>. The small cell base station <NUM>', employing NR in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, may boost coverage to and/or increase capacity of the access network.

A gNodeB (gNB) or eNodeB (eNB)<NUM> (one or both of gNB and eNB may also be referred to as "base station") may operate in millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies and/or near mmW frequencies in communication with the UE <NUM>. It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is not just limited to mmW, but may also include any other frequencies used for wireless communication. In an aspect, a gNB <NUM> operating using mmW may utilize beamforming <NUM> with the UE <NUM> to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. Additionally, UEs <NUM> performing D2D communications may operate using mmW and may also utilize beamforming <NUM>.

The EPC may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME), other MMEs <NUM>, a Serving Gateway, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway <NUM>, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC), and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway. The MME may be in communication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) <NUM>. The MME is the control node that processes the signaling between the UEs <NUM> and the EPC. Generally, the MME provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferred through the Serving Gateway, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway. The PDN Gateway provides UE IP address allocation as well as other functions. The PDN Gateway <NUM> and the BM-SC are connected to the IP Services. The IP Services may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS Streaming Service, and/or other IP services. The BM-SC may provide functions for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. The BM-SC may serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmission, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS Bearer Services within a public land mobile network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to the base stations <NUM> belonging to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area broadcasting a particular service, and may be responsible for session management (start/stop) and for collecting eMBMS related charging information.

The base station may also be referred to as a gNB, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), or some other suitable terminology. The base station <NUM> provides an access point to the EPC <NUM> for a UE <NUM>. Examples of UEs <NUM> include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitchen appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a display, or any other similar functioning device.

In some examples, the wireless communication system may be a mmW communication system. In mmW communication systems (e.g., access network <NUM>), a line of sight (LOS) may be needed between a transmitting device (e.g., base station <NUM>) and a receiving device (e.g., UE <NUM>), or between two UEs <NUM>. Frequency is very high in mmW communication systems which means that beam widths are very small, as the beam widths are inversely proportional to the frequency of the waves or carriers transmitted by an antenna of the transmitting device. Beam widths used in mmW communications are often termed as "pencil beams. " The small wavelengths may result in many objects or materials acting as obstacles including even oxygen molecules. Therefore, LOS between the transmitter and receiver may be required unless a reflected path is strong enough to transmit data. Further, in some examples, base stations may track UEs <NUM> to focus beams for communication.

During LOS situations, tracking of the UE <NUM> may be performed by the base station <NUM> or another UE <NUM> by focusing a beam onto the tracked UE <NUM>. However, if the receiving UE <NUM> is in a Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) position, then a transmitter of the base station <NUM> may need to search for a strong reflected path which is not always available. An example of a UE <NUM> being in a NLOS position may include a first UE <NUM> located within a vehicle. When the first UE <NUM> is located within the vehicle, a base station <NUM> may have difficulty retaining LOS and the difficulty of retaining LOS may further increase when the vehicle is moving.

Further, compared to lower frequency communication systems, a distance between base stations <NUM> in a mmW communication system may be very short (e.g., <NUM> - <NUM> meters between gNBs). The short distances may result in a short amount of time required for a handover between base stations <NUM>. The short distance and the fast handovers may cause difficulty to the base station <NUM> in maintaining a LOS beam on a UE <NUM> when the UE <NUM> is, for example, located within a vehicle as even small obstacles like a user's finger on the UE <NUM> or the vehicle windows or windshield act as obstacles to maintaining the LOS.

One way to overcome LOS issues is by using CV2X technologies. In CV2X technology, a vehicle can communicate with at least one of one or more cellular networks, one or more vehicles, and/or one or more cellular configured devices. To communicate with other devices the CV2X technology may use antennas that are compatible with mmW communication systems.

In certain aspects, one or more UEs <NUM> may be configured for CV2X communications between UEs <NUM>. The UEs <NUM> may include various devices related to vehicles and transportation. For example, the UEs <NUM> may include vehicles, devices within vehicles, and transportation infrastructure such as roadside devices, tolling stations, fuel supplies, or any other device that that may communicate with a vehicle. A UE <NUM> may act as either a host device or a client device for CV2X communication. A host UE <NUM> may advertise CV2X services supported by the host UE <NUM>. A client UE <NUM> may discover CV2X services supported by the host UE <NUM>. Moreover, a UE <NUM> may act as both a host and a client. For example, a vehicle may act as a host to provide speed and braking updates to surrounding vehicles and act as a client to communicate with a tolling station. Accordingly, a single UE <NUM> may include both a host discovery component and a client discovery component.

<FIG> is a call flow diagram <NUM> for end-to-end communication that allows network devices (e.g., CSCF / PCRF) to configure bit rates that exceed GBR based on whether the endpoints support RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. The call flow diagram <NUM> may include at least first end point of an end-to-end communication that may include first UE <NUM>-a and first base station <NUM>-a in communication with the first network device <NUM>-a (e.g., CSCF / PCRF A). The diagram <NUM> may also include a second end point of the end-to-end communication that may include a second UE <NUM>-b, a second base station <NUM>-b, and a second network device <NUM>-b (e.g., CSCF / PCRF B).

As noted above, in some instances, the UEs <NUM> may communicate (e.g., for downlink and uplink) at bit rates that exceed the GBR set by the network. This may be possible because although the network may provide a specified bandwidth to the UE <NUM> (e.g., GBR), the network may be configured to process rates that exceed the GBR when overall traffic allows (e.g., low demand by other UEs). As such, in some situations, the UEs <NUM> may be able to communicate at a MBR that exceeds the GBR. Doing so, however, may risk potential packet drops or delays if the network is unable to handle the greater bit rate. The RAN assisted rate adaptation technique allows to control and/or adjust the bit rates for the UE <NUM> when the UE <NUM> is operated at rates that exceed the GBR. Specifically, when the base station <NUM> experiences or detects congestion, the base station <NUM> may transmit a notification to the UE <NUM> requesting the UE <NUM> to reduce the operating rate.

In order for implementation for this functionality, however, the network may need to determine whether all end points in an end-to-end communication support the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. If one or more endpoints fails to support the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability, the network may risk packet loss or delay. As such, at block <NUM>, the base stations <NUM> (e.g., first base station <NUM>-a and second base station <NUM>-b) may respectively determine whether the base station <NUM> supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. As noted above, the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability may allow the base station <NUM> to control communication rates when the UE <NUM> associated with the base station <NUM> operates at bit rates that exceed GBR by allowing the base station <NUM> to provide explicit indication of the uplink and downlink rates that may be supported, and thus enabling faster and more accurate rate adaptation for the wireless communications system. Once, the base stations <NUM> determine that the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability is supported, the base stations <NUM>, at <NUM>, may transmit a notification to the UEs <NUM> that indicate whether the base station (e.g., first base station <NUM>-a and/or second base station <NUM>-b) supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability.

Upon receiving notification from the base stations <NUM>, the UEs <NUM>, at <NUM>, may determine whether each UE <NUM> (e.g., first UE <NUM>-a and second UE <NUM>-b) supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. Based on the determination, the second UE <NUM>-a, for example, may generate a session description protocol (SDP) parameter that indicates whether the second endpoint (e.g., second UE <NUM>-a and second base station <NUM>-b) supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. At <NUM>, the second UE <NUM>-a may transmit a SDP message that may be an example of a SDP offer message that includes the SDP parameter to the first UE <NUM>-a.

During the transmission of the SDP message, the SDP offer message may be received and detected by the first network device <NUM>-a and the second network device <NUM>-b. Accordingly, the network devices <NUM> may determine whether the second endpoint of an end-to-end communication supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability.

At <NUM>, the first UE <NUM>-a, upon receiving the SDP offer that includes the SDP parameter indicating support for the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability, may transmit a SDP answer message that also include the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability parameter indicating that the first endpoint (e.g., first UE <NUM>-a and first base station <NUM>-a) also supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. At <NUM>, the SDP answer may be detected by the first network device <NUM>-a and the second network device <NUM>-b that may determine whether the first endpoint of an end-to-end communication supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability.

At <NUM>, the network devices <NUM> may configure the first endpoint and/or the second endpoint with a MBR that exceeds a GBR based on determining that both the first end point and the second endpoint support the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. In limited examples, the network devices <NUM> may configure the MBR to exceed the GBR for the endpoint that supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability even if the second endpoint fails to support the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. For example, if the network devices <NUM> determine (based on SDP messages) that the first endpoint (e.g., first UE <NUM>-a and first base station <NUM>-a) supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability while the second endpoint (e.g., second UE <NUM>-b and the second base station <NUM>-b) fails to support the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability, the first network device <NUM>-a may configure the first endpoint with MBR that exceeds the GBR such that the first UE <NUM>-a may transmit (uplink) or receive (downlink) at rates that exceed greater than GBR. However, in this situation, the second network device <NUM>-b may elect to omit configuring the bit rates that exceed GBR for the second endpoint.

<FIG> illustrates a hardware components and subcomponents of a device that may be a UE <NUM> for implementing one or more methods (e.g., method <NUM>) described herein in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For example, one example of an implementation of the UE <NUM> may include a variety of components, some of which have already been described above, but including components such as one or more processors <NUM>, memory <NUM> and transceiver <NUM> in communication via one or more buses <NUM>, which may operate in conjunction with the communication management component <NUM> to perform functions described herein related to including one or more methods (e.g., <NUM>) of the present disclosure.

The one or more processors <NUM>, modem <NUM>, memory <NUM>, transceiver <NUM>, RF front end <NUM> and one or more antennas <NUM>, may be configured to support voice and/or data calls (simultaneously or non-simultaneously) in one or more radio access technologies. In an aspect, the one or more processors <NUM> can include a modem <NUM> that uses one or more modem processors. The various functions related to communication management component <NUM> may be included in modem <NUM> and/or processors <NUM> and, in an aspect, can be executed by a single processor, while in other aspects, different ones of the functions may be executed by a combination of two or more different processors. For example, in an aspect, the one or more processors <NUM> may include any one or any combination of a modem processor, or a baseband processor, or a digital signal processor, or a transmit processor, or a receiver processor, or a transceiver processor associated with transceiver <NUM>. In other aspects, some of the features of the one or more processors <NUM> and/or modem <NUM> associated with communication management component <NUM> may be performed by transceiver <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may be configured to store data used herein and/or local versions of application(s) <NUM> or communication management component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents being executed by at least one processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> can include any type of computer-readable medium usable by a computer or at least one processor <NUM>, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), tapes, magnetic discs, optical discs, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof. In an aspect, for example, the memory <NUM> may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores one or more computer-executable codes defining communication management component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents, and/or data associated therewith, when the UE <NUM> is operating at least one processor <NUM> to execute communication management component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents.

The transceiver <NUM> may include at least one receiver <NUM> and at least one transmitter <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> may include hardware, firmware, and/or software code executable by a processor for receiving data, the code comprising instructions and being stored in a memory (e.g., computer-readable medium). The receiver <NUM> may be, for example, a radio frequency (RF) receiver. In an aspect, the receiver <NUM> may receive signals transmitted by at least one UE <NUM>. Additionally, receiver <NUM> may process such received signals, and also may obtain measurements of the signals, such as, but not limited to, Ec/Io, SNR, RSRP, RSSI, etc. The transmitter <NUM> may include hardware, firmware, and/or software code executable by a processor for transmitting data, the code comprising instructions and being stored in a memory (e.g., computer-readable medium). A suitable example of the transmitter <NUM> may including, but is not limited to, an RF transmitter.

Moreover, in an aspect, transmitting device may include the RF front end <NUM>, which may operate in communication with one or more antennas <NUM> and transceiver <NUM> for receiving and transmitting radio transmissions, for example, wireless communications transmitted by at least one base station <NUM> or wireless transmissions transmitted by UE <NUM>. An antenna <NUM> may be one or more antennas, antenna elements and/or antenna arrays. The RF front end <NUM> may be connected to one or more antennas <NUM> and can include one or more low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) <NUM>, one or more switches <NUM>, one or more power amplifiers (PAs) <NUM>, and one or more filters <NUM> for transmitting and receiving RF signals.

In an aspect, the LNA <NUM> can amplify a received signal at a desired output level. In an aspect, the RF front end <NUM> may use one or more switches <NUM> to select a particular LNA <NUM> and its specified gain value based on a desired gain value for a particular application.

Further, for example, one or more PA(s) <NUM> may be used by the RF front end <NUM> to amplify a signal for an RF output at a desired output power level. In an aspect, the RF front end <NUM> may use one or more switches <NUM> to select a particular PA <NUM> and its specified gain value based on a desired gain value for a particular application.

Also, for example, one or more filters <NUM> can be used by the RF front end <NUM> to filter a received signal to obtain an input RF signal. In an aspect, the RF front end <NUM> can use one or more switches <NUM> to select a transmit or receive path using a specified filter <NUM>, LNA <NUM>, and/or PA <NUM>, based on a configuration as specified by the transceiver <NUM> and/or processor <NUM>.

As such, the transceiver <NUM> may be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals through one or more antennas <NUM> via the RF front end <NUM>. In an aspect, the transceiver <NUM> may be tuned to operate at specified frequencies such that transmitting device can communicate with, for example, one or more base stations <NUM> or one or more cells associated with one or more base stations <NUM>. In an aspect, for example, the modem <NUM> can configure the transceiver <NUM> to operate at a specified frequency and power level based on the configuration of the transmitting device and the communication protocol used by the modem <NUM>.

In an aspect, the modem <NUM> can be a multiband-multimode modem, which can process digital data and communicate with the transceiver <NUM> such that the digital data is sent and received using the transceiver <NUM>. In an aspect, the modem <NUM> can be multiband and be configured to support multiple frequency bands for a specific communications protocol. In an aspect, the modem <NUM> can be multimode and be configured to support multiple operating networks and communications protocols. In an aspect, the modem <NUM> can control one or more components of transmitting device (e.g., RF front end <NUM>, transceiver <NUM>) to enable transmission and/or reception of signals from the network based on a specified modem configuration. In an aspect, the modem configuration can be based on the mode of the modem314 and the frequency band in use. In another aspect, the modem configuration can be based on UE configuration information associated with transmitting device as provided by the network during cell selection and/or cell reselection.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an example method <NUM> for wireless communications in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The method <NUM> may be performed using the UE <NUM>. Although the method <NUM> is described below with respect to the elements of the UE <NUM>, other components may be used to implement one or more of the steps described herein.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes receiving, at the UE, a capability notification from a base station or a network entity associated with the UE that identifies whether the base station supports RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. Aspects of block <NUM> may be performed by transceiver <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may further optionally include determining, at the UE, whether the base station associated with the UE supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability based on the capability notification. Aspects of block <NUM> may be performed by communication management component <NUM> and more particularly the RAN assisted rate capability component <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes determining, at the UE, whether the UE supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. The RAN assisted rate adaptation capability allows the UE to operate at bit rates that exceed GBR. In some examples, determination whether the UE supports RAN assisted rate adaptation capability may be based on a determination whether the UE is configured to process access node bit rate (ANBR) messages from the base station that may instruct the UE <NUM> to reduce one or both of uplink or downlink bit rate during communication when the bit rate exceeds GBR. In some examples, the ANBR messages may be transmitted by the base station when the base station is experiencing congestion on the network. Aspects of block <NUM> may be performed by RAN assisted rate capability component <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes configuring a SDP parameter that indicates the RAN assisted rate adaptation capabilities of the UE and in some instance, the base station associated with the UE. Aspects of block <NUM> may be performed by RAN assisted rate capability component <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes transmitting a SDP message that includes the SDP parameter to a network device. In some examples, the SDP message may be an SDP offer message. In other examples, the SDP message may be SDP answer message transmitted by the UE in response to a SDP offer message received from a UE indicating that the UE and the corresponding base station support the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. Aspects of block <NUM> may be performed by transceiver <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may optionally include receiving, in response to transmission of the SDP message, a bit rate configuration message from the network device, wherein the bit rate configuration message sets a MBR to exceed the GBR. In some examples, the UE <NUM> may be a data source (e.g., media generator) and transmits the data at the bit rate set by the network device (e.g., bit rates that exceed GBR based on the bit rate configuration messages. Aspects of block <NUM> may be performed by bit rate configuration component <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a hardware components and subcomponents of a device that may be a base station <NUM> for implementing one or more methods (e.g., method <NUM>) described herein in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For example, one example of an implementation of the base station <NUM> may include a variety of components, some of which have already been described above, but including components such as one or more processors <NUM>, memory <NUM> and transceiver <NUM> in communication via one or more buses <NUM>, which may operate in conjunction with the capability management component <NUM> to perform functions described herein related to including one or more methods (e.g., <NUM>) of the present disclosure.

The one or more processors <NUM>, modem <NUM>, memory <NUM>, transceiver <NUM>, RF front end <NUM> and one or more antennas <NUM>, may be configured to support voice and/or data calls (simultaneously or non-simultaneously) in one or more radio access technologies. In an aspect, the one or more processors <NUM> can include a modem <NUM> that uses one or more modem processors. The various functions related to capability management component <NUM> may be included in modem <NUM> and/or processors <NUM> and, in an aspect, can be executed by a single processor, while in other aspects, different ones of the functions may be executed by a combination of two or more different processors. For example, in an aspect, the one or more processors <NUM> may include any one or any combination of a modem processor, or a baseband processor, or a digital signal processor, or a transmit processor, or a receiver processor, or a transceiver processor associated with transceiver <NUM>. In other aspects, some of the features of the one or more processors <NUM> and/or modem <NUM> associated with capability management component <NUM> may be performed by transceiver <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may be configured to store data used herein and/or local versions of application(s) <NUM> or capability management component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents being executed by at least one processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> can include any type of computer-readable medium usable by a computer or at least one processor <NUM>, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), tapes, magnetic discs, optical discs, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof. In an aspect, for example, the memory <NUM> may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores one or more computer-executable codes defining capability management component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents, and/or data associated therewith, when the UE <NUM> is operating at least one processor <NUM> to execute capability management component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents.

Moreover, in an aspect, transmitting device may include the RF front end <NUM>, which may operate in communication with one or more antennas <NUM> and transceiver <NUM> for receiving and transmitting radio transmissions, for example, wireless communications transmitted by at least one base station <NUM> or wireless transmissions transmitted by UE <NUM>. The RF front end <NUM> may be connected to one or more antennas <NUM> and can include one or more low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) <NUM>, one or more switches <NUM>, one or more power amplifiers (PAs) <NUM>, and one or more filters <NUM> for transmitting and receiving RF signals.

As such, the transceiver <NUM> may be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals through one or more antennas <NUM> via the RF front end <NUM>. In an aspect, the transceiver <NUM> may be tuned to operate at specified frequencies such that transmitting device can communicate with, for example, one or more UEs <NUM> or one or more cells associated with one or more base stations <NUM>. In an aspect, for example, the modem <NUM> can configure the transceiver <NUM> to operate at a specified frequency and power level based on the configuration of the transmitting device and the communication protocol used by the modem <NUM>.

In an aspect, the modem <NUM> can be a multiband-multimode modem, which can process digital data and communicate with the transceiver <NUM> such that the digital data is sent and received using the transceiver <NUM>. In an aspect, the modem <NUM> can be multiband and be configured to support multiple frequency bands for a specific communications protocol. In an aspect, the modem <NUM> can be multimode and be configured to support multiple operating networks and communications protocols. In an aspect, the modem <NUM> can control one or more components of transmitting device (e.g., RF front end <NUM>, transceiver <NUM>) to enable transmission and/or reception of signals from the network based on a specified modem configuration. In an aspect, the modem configuration can be based on the mode of the modem <NUM> and the frequency band in use. In another aspect, the modem configuration can be based on base station <NUM> configuration information associated with transmitting device as provided by the network during cell selection and/or cell reselection.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an example method <NUM> for wireless communications in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The method <NUM> may be performed by using the base station <NUM>. Although the method <NUM> is described below with respect to the elements of the base station <NUM>, other components may be used to implement one or more of the steps described herein.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include determining, at a base station, whether the base station supports RAN assisted rate adaptation capability, wherein the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability allows the base station to control traffic when a UE associated with the base station operates at bit rates that exceed GBR. Aspects of block <NUM> may be performed by capability management component <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include transmitting a notification to the UE indicating whether the base station supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. Aspects of block <NUM> may be performed by transceiver <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may optionally include receiving, in response to transmission of the SDP message, a bit rate configuration message from the network device, wherein the bit rate configuration message sets a MBR to exceed the GBR. Aspects of block <NUM> may be performed by capability management component <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a hardware components and subcomponents of a device that may be a network device <NUM> (e.g., CSCF and/or PCRF) for implementing one or more methods (e.g., method <NUM>) described herein in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For example, one example of an implementation of the network device <NUM> may include a variety of components, some of which have already been described above, but including components such as one or more processors <NUM>, memory <NUM> and transceiver <NUM> in communication via one or more buses <NUM>, which may operate in conjunction with the end-to-end rate adaptation management component <NUM> to perform functions described herein related to including one or more methods (e.g., <NUM>) of the present disclosure.

The one or more processors <NUM>, modem <NUM>, memory <NUM>, transceiver <NUM>, RF front end <NUM> and one or more antennas <NUM>, may be configured to support voice and/or data calls (simultaneously or non-simultaneously) in one or more radio access technologies. In an aspect, the one or more processors <NUM> can include a modem <NUM> that uses one or more modem processors. The various functions related to end-to-end rate adaptation management component <NUM> may be included in modem <NUM> and/or processors <NUM> and, in an aspect, can be executed by a single processor, while in other aspects, different ones of the functions may be executed by a combination of two or more different processors. For example, in an aspect, the one or more processors <NUM> may include any one or any combination of a modem processor, or a baseband processor, or a digital signal processor, or a transmit processor, or a receiver processor, or a transceiver processor associated with transceiver <NUM>. In other aspects, some of the features of the one or more processors <NUM> and/or modem <NUM> associated with end-to-end rate adaptation management component <NUM> may be performed by transceiver <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may be configured to store data used herein and/or local versions of application(s) <NUM> or end-to-end rate adaptation management component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents being executed by at least one processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> can include any type of computer-readable medium usable by a computer or at least one processor <NUM>, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), tapes, magnetic discs, optical discs, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof. In an aspect, for example, the memory <NUM> may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores one or more computer-executable codes defining end-to-end rate adaptation management component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents, and/or data associated therewith, when the UE <NUM> is operating at least one processor <NUM> to execute end-to-end rate adaptation management component <NUM> and/or one or more of its subcomponents.

The transceiver <NUM> may include at least one receiver <NUM> and at least one transmitter <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> may include hardware, firmware, and/or software code executable by a processor for receiving data, the code comprising instructions and being stored in a memory (e.g., computer-readable medium). The receiver <NUM> may be, for example, a radio frequency (RF) receiver. In an aspect, the receiver <NUM> may receive signals transmitted by at least one UE <NUM> and/or base station <NUM>. Additionally, receiver <NUM> may process such received signals, and also may obtain measurements of the signals, such as, but not limited to, Ec/Io, SNR, RSRP, RSSI, etc. The transmitter <NUM> may include hardware, firmware, and/or software code executable by a processor for transmitting data, the code comprising instructions and being stored in a memory (e.g., computer-readable medium). A suitable example of the transmitter <NUM> may including, but is not limited to, an RF transmitter.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an example method <NUM> for wireless communications in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The method <NUM> may be performed using the network device <NUM>. Although the method <NUM> is described below with respect to the elements of the network device <NUM>, other components may be used to implement one or more of the steps described herein.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include determining, at a network device, whether a first endpoint of an end-to-end communication supports radio access network (RAN) assisted rate adaptation capability, wherein the first endpoint includes a first UE associated with a first base station. Aspects of block <NUM> may be performed by end-to-end rate adaptation management component <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include determining whether a second endpoint of the end-to-end communication supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability, wherein the second endpoint includes a second UE associated with a second base station. Aspects of block <NUM> may be performed by end-to-end rate adaptation management component <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may include configuring the first end point with a MBR that exceeds a GBR based on determining that either both the first endpoint and the second endpoint supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability or if the first endpoint supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability. Aspects of block <NUM> may be performed by end-to-end rate adaptation management component <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, the method <NUM> may optionally include transmitting a configuration message to the first end point that allows the first UE and the first base station to communicate at bit rates that exceed the GBR. Aspects of block <NUM> may be performed by transceiver <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

It should be noted that the techniques described above may be used for various wireless communication networks such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably. IS-<NUM> Releases <NUM> and A are commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1X, 1X, etc. IS-<NUM> (TIA-<NUM>) is commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. An OFDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE <NUM> (Wi-Fi), IEEE <NUM> (WiMAX), IEEE <NUM>, Flash-OFDM™, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are new releases of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and GSM are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP). The techniques described herein may be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned above as well as other systems and radio technologies, including cellular (e.g., LTE) communications over a shared radio frequency spectrum band. The description below, however, describes an LTE/LTE-A system for purposes of example, and LTE terminology is used in much of the description below, although the techniques are applicable beyond LTE/LTE-A applications (e.g., to <NUM> networks or other next generation communication systems).

Claim 1:
A method for wireless communications at a first user equipment that supports a radio access network, RAN, assisted rate adaptation capability enabling the first UE to operate at bit rates that exceed a guaranteed bit rate, the method comprising:
configuring (<NUM>) a session description protocol, SDP, parameter that indicates the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability of the UE; and
receiving (<NUM>), at the first UE, a network capability notification from a first base station associated with the first UE, wherein the network capability notification indicates that the first base station also supports the RAN assisted rate adaptation capability;
generating, at the first UE, a SDP message that includes the SDP parameter; and
transmitting (<NUM>), from the first UE, the SDP message to a second endpoint, wherein the second endpoint includes one or both of a second UE and a second base station; and
wherein the SDP message from the first UE indicates to the second endpoint that a first endpoint supports the RAN assisted rate capability, the first endpoint including one or more or both of the first UE and the first base station.