Method and apparatus for managing scheduling requests in an unlicensed frequency band

A method for managing scheduling requests in an unlicensed frequency band of a wireless network by a base station, the method comprising:

• transmitting a first configuration message to a user equipment that allocates a first uplink control channel resource for a first logical channel or a first logical channel group on a first multiple-access channel in the unlicensed frequency band, the first logical channel or first logical channel group being associated with a first priority level;
• transmitting a second configuration message to the user equipment that allocates a second uplink control channel resource for a second logical channel or a second logical channel group on a second multiple-access channel in the unlicensed frequency band, the second logical channel or second logical channel group being associated with a second priority level;
• receiving, from the user equipment, a first scheduling request via the second uplink control channel resource;
• and
• receiving, from the user equipment, a second scheduling request via the first uplink control channel resource at a future scheduling request-transmission occasion, the future scheduling request-transmission occasion occurring before expiry of a timer at the user equipment for the second logical channel.

A mobile communication device comprising:

• a radio frequency transceiver;
• and
• a processor and memory system to implement a scheduling request-manager application for managing scheduling requests in an unlicensed frequency band and configured to:
• receive a first configuration message allocating a first uplink control channel resource for a first logical channel on a first multiple-access channel in the unlicensed frequency band;
• receive a second configuration message allocating a second uplink control channel resource for a second logical channel on a second multiple-access channel in the unlicensed frequency band;
• determine, for a scheduling request-transmission occasion, that the first multiple-access channel is busy and the second multiple-access channel is idle, and in response to the determination:
• transmit a scheduling request via the second uplink control channel resource;
• initiate a second timer for the second logical channel, the second timer defining a duration of time in which the mobile communication device is prohibited from transmitting one or more additional scheduling requests via the second uplink control channel resource;
• ascertain a first priority level of the first logical channel;
• and
• based on the first priority level, enable the scheduling request-manager application to transmit a second scheduling request via the first uplink control channel resource at a future scheduling request-transmission occasion by not applying a first timer for the first logical channel.