Scheduling information method and related communications devices

A mobile radio communications device arranged for delivering scheduling information to a mobile radio communications network device within a mobile radio communications network and for use in the mobile radio communications network device for UL resource allocation at the mobile radio communications device and over a plurality of radio bearers, wherein each of the plurality of radio bearers has a Prioritized Bit Rate and comprises either a Guaranteed Bit Rate or Non-Guaranteed Bit Rate radio bearer, the mobile radio communications device being arranged to estimate the average bit rate transmitted for each of the plurality of radio bearers over a time period, the device comprising:

• a rate control unit which generates rate control data responsive to a determination of at least four of:
• whether a Maximum Bit Rate has been reached for each Guaranteed Bit Rate Radio Bearer;
• whether the Prioritized Bit Rate has been reached for each Guaranteed Bit Rate Radio Bearer;
• whether at least one of the Guaranteed Bit Rate Radio Bearers has been served during the said time period;
• whether a total estimated data rate for at least one Non-Guaranteed Bit Rate Radio Bearer does not exceed an Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate value;
• whether the Prioritized Bit Rate is achieved for each Non-Guaranteed Bit Rate Radio Bearer;
• and
• whether at least one Non-Guaranteed Bit Rate Radio Bearer is served during the said time period,
• wherein the device being arranged to include the said generated rate control data within the said scheduling information.

A mobile radio communications system including at least one mobile radio communications device arranged for delivering scheduling information to a mobile radio communications network device within a mobile radio communications network and for use in the mobile radio communications network device for UL resource allocation at the mobile radio communications device and over a plurality of radio bearers, wherein each of the plurality of radio bearers has a Prioritized Bit Rate and comprises either a Guaranteed Bit Rate or Non-Guaranteed Bit Rate radio bearer, the mobile radio communications device being arranged to estimate the average bit rate transmitted for each of the plurality of radio bearers over a time period, the mobile radio communications device comprising:

• a rate control unit which generates rate control data responsive to a determination of at least four of:
• whether a Maximum Bit Rate has been reached for each Guaranteed Bit Rate Radio Bearer;
• whether the Prioritized Bit Rate has been reached for each Guaranteed Bit Rate Radio Bearer;
• whether at least one of the Guaranteed Bit Rate Radio Bearers has been served during the said time period;
• whether a total estimated data rate for at least one Non-Guaranteed Bit Rate Radio Bearer does not exceed an Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate value;
• whether the Prioritized Bit Rate is achieved for each Non-Guaranteed Bit Rate Radio Bearer;
• and
• whether at least one Non-Guaranteed Bit Rate Radio Bearer is served during the said time period,
• wherein the device is configured to include the said generated rate control data within the said scheduling information and at least one mobile radio communications network device,
• wherein the mobile radio communications network device is operable in response to the rate control data included within the scheduling information and is configured to perform:
• scheduling UL resource allocation at each mobile radio communications device with reference to the above-mentioned rate control data which is generated by the mobile radio communications device.