Systems and methods for control plane for d2d communications

Abstract

System and method embodiments are provided for controlling and managing in-network device-to-device (D2D) communications. In an embodiment, a method for a UE performing device-to-device (D2D) communication includes generating a D2D buffer status report (BSR) for a D2D communication link between the UE and a second UE that provides information related to an amount of D2D data available for transmission, wherein the D2D BSR comprises a D2D BSR logical channel identifier (LCID); transmitting the D2D BSR in a control element; receiving, a resource allocation for the D2D link; and transmitting D2D data over the allocated resources.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for managing a device-to-device (D2D) communication, the method comprising:
 transmitting D2D configuration information to a user equipment (UE);   receiving a D2D buffer status report (BSR) for a D2D link, wherein the D2D BSR comprises an amount of D2D data available for transmission at the UE and comprises a first logical channel identifier (LCID) for the D2D BSR;   allocating resources for the D2D link; and   transmitting a resource allocation to the UE.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the D2D configuration information further comprises transmitting a group ID associated with the D2D link. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving, from the UE, a cellular BSR, wherein the cellular BSR comprises a second LCID different than the first LCID for the D2D BSR. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of D2D data available for transmission is for transmission of the D2D data on the D2D link. 
     
     
         5 . A method for managing a D2D communication at an eNB, the method comprising:
 receiving information about a D2D UE group communication, wherein the information comprises a D2D group ID for a D2D communication link of a D2D group, an identity of a D2D group master, and information related to at least one of a plurality of eNBs managing the D2D communication link;   determining that the eNB is the D2D group master; and   communicating a resource allocation to at least one of a plurality of eNBs for at least one D2D UE in the D2D group.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 updating the D2D group.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein updating the D2D group comprises:
 updating information about a UE handing off to a new cell.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein updating the D2D group further comprises:
 receiving an update from at least one server.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one server is selected from a central controller and a proximity server. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one server is the D2D group master. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 requesting of the at least one of the plurality of eNBs to transmit a report comprising information of D2D buffer status report (BSR) for UEs in the D2D group.   
     
     
         12 . A wireless device performing device-to-device (D2D) communication, comprising:
 a memory storage comprising instructions; and   one or more processors in communication with the memory storage, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:   transmit D2D configuration information to a user equipment (UE);   receive a D2D buffer status report (BSR) for a D2D link, wherein the D2D BSR comprises an amount of D2D data available for transmission at the UE and comprises a first logical channel identifier (LCID) for the D2D BSR;   allocate resources for the D2D link; and   transmit a resource allocation to the UE.   
     
     
         13 . The wireless device of  claim 12 , wherein transmitting the D2D configuration information further comprises transmitting a group ID associated with the D2D link. 
     
     
         14 . The wireless device of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to further:
 receive, from the UE, a cellular BSR, wherein the cellular BSR comprises a second LCID different than the first LCID for the D2D BSR.   
     
     
         15 . The wireless device of  claim 12 , wherein the amount of D2D data available for transmission is for transmission of the D2D data on the D2D link. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus comprising:
 a memory storage comprising instructions; and   one or more processors in communication with the memory storage, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:   receive information about a D2D UE group communication, wherein the information comprises a D2D group ID for a D2D communication link of a D2D group, an identity of a D2D group master, and information related to at least one of a plurality of eNBs managing the D2D communication link;   determine that the apparatus is the D2D group master; and   communicate a resource allocation to at least one of a plurality of eNBs for at least one D2D UE in the D2D group.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:
 update the D2D group.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein updating the D2D group comprises:
 updating information about a UE handing off to a new cell.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein updating the D2D group further comprises:
 receiving an update from at least one server.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 request of the at least one of the plurality of eNBs to transmit a report comprising information of D2D buffer status report (BSR) for UEs in the D2D group.