Systems And Methods Of Recommending A Data Rate In A Wireless Communications System

A method, performed by a wireless device, for recommending a data rate on an uplink communication channel between the wireless device and a network node in a wireless communications system, the method comprising:

• determining to request that the network node recommend a data rate on the uplink communication channel for the wireless device;
• generating a first information element that indicates the request, wherein the first information element includes a first index that indicates a desired data rate, wherein the first index is an index to a table of data rates on the uplink communication channel;
• transmitting the first information element that indicates the request via a protocol layer on the uplink communication channel;
• receiving, in response to the transmitting the first information element and from the network node, a second information element that indicates the recommended data rate for the wireless device on the uplink communication channel, the second information element being received via the protocol layer on a downlink communication channel;
• extracting a second index that indicates the recommended data rate from the second information element, wherein the second index is an index to the table of data rates on the uplink communication channel;
• and
• determining the recommended data rate based on the second index.

A wireless device for recommending a data rate on an uplink communication channel between the wireless device and a network node in a wireless communications system, the wireless device comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the wireless device is operative to:
• determine to request that the network node recommend a data rate on the uplink communication channel for the wireless device;
• generate a first information element that indicates the request, wherein the first information element includes a first index that indicates a desired data rate, wherein the first index is an index to a table of data rates on the uplink communication channel;
• transmit the first information element that indicates the request via a protocol layer on the uplink communication channel;
• receive, in response to the transmitting the first information element and from the network node, a second information element that indicates the recommended data rate for the wireless device on the uplink communication channel, the second information element being received via the protocol layer on a downlink communication channel;
• extract a second index that indicates the recommended data rate from the second information element, wherein the second index is an index to the table of data rates on the uplink communication channel;
• and
• determine the recommended data rate based on the second index.

A method, performed by a network node, for recommending a data rate on an uplink communication channel between the network node and a wireless device in a wireless communications system, the method comprising:

• receiving, from the wireless device, a first information element that indicates a request for the recommended data rate by the wireless device on the uplink communication channel, the first information element being sent via the protocol layer on the uplink communication channel;
• extracting a first index that indicates a desired data rate from the first information element, wherein the first index is an index to a table of data rates on the uplink communication channel;
• determining the desired data rate based on the first index;
• responsive to the receiving the first information element, determining a recommended data rate for the wireless device on the uplink communication channel based on the desired data rate;
• generating a second information element that indicates the recommended data rate;
• and
• transmitting, to the wireless device, the second information element via the protocol layer on a downlink communication channel;
• wherein the generating the second information element includes:
• determining a second index that indicates the recommended data rate, wherein the second index is an index to the table of data rates on the uplink communication channel;
• and
• inserting the second index into the second information element.

A network node for recommending a data rate on an uplink communication channel between the network node and a wireless device in a wireless communications system, the network node comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the network node is operative to:
• receive, from the wireless device, a first information element that indicates a request for the recommended data rate by the wireless device on the uplink communication channel, the first information element being sent via the protocol layer on the uplink communication channel;
• extract a first index that indicates a desired data rate from the first information element, wherein the first index is an index to a table of data rates on the uplink communication channel;
• determine the desired data rate based on the first index;
• responsive to the receiving the first information element, determine a recommended data rate for the wireless device on the uplink communication channel based on the desired data rate;
• and
• generate a second information element that indicates the recommended data rate, wherein the second information element is sent via a protocol layer on a downlink communication channel to the wireless device;
• wherein the generating the second information element includes:
• determining a second index that indicates the recommended data rate, wherein the second index is an index to the table of data rates on the uplink communication channel;
• and
• inserting the second index into the second information element.