Eager exporting batch span processor

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ release.
 
 ### Traces
 
+- Clarify that the BatchSpanProcessor should export batches when the queue reaches the batch size
+  ([#3024](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-specification/pull/3024))
 - Deprecate jaeger exporter, scheduled for spec removal in July 2023.
   [#2858](https://github.com/open-telemetry/opentelemetry-specification/pull/2858)
 

specification/trace/sdk.md

@@ -579,17 +579,39 @@ This is an implementation of the `SpanProcessor` which create batches of finishe
 spans and passes the export-friendly span data representations to the
 configured `SpanExporter`.
 
+The processor SHOULD export a batch when any of the following happens AND
+there is not an export currently in progress:
+
+- `scheduledDelayMillis` after the processor is constructed OR the first span
+  is received from the span processor
+- `scheduledDelayMillis` after the previous export timer ends, OR the previous
+  export completes, OR the first span is added to the queue after the previous
+  export timer ends or previous batch completes.
+- The queue contains `maxExportBatchSize` or more spans.
+
+In any of the above cases the processor MUST NOT begin an export if another
+export is in progress. If one of the above events occurs during an ongoing export
+the processor MAY do either of the following:
+
+- Export the next batch immediately when the ongoing export completes
+- Export the next batch `scheduledDelayMillis` after the ongoing export completes
+
+In any of the above cases, if the queue is empty the processor MAY export
+an empty batch OR skip the export and consider it to be completed immediately.
+
 **Configurable parameters:**
 
 * `exporter` - the exporter where the spans are pushed.
 * `maxQueueSize` - the maximum queue size. After the size is reached spans are
   dropped. The default value is `2048`.
-* `scheduledDelayMillis` - the delay interval in milliseconds between two
+* `scheduledDelayMillis` - the maximum delay interval in milliseconds between two
   consecutive exports. The default value is `5000`.
 * `exportTimeoutMillis` - how long the export can run before it is cancelled.
   The default value is `30000`.
 * `maxExportBatchSize` - the maximum batch size of every export. It must be
-  smaller or equal to `maxQueueSize`. The default value is `512`.
+  smaller or equal to `maxQueueSize`. If the queue reaches `maxExportBatchSize`
+  a batch will be exported even if `scheduledDelayMillis` milliseconds have not
+  elapsed. The default value is `512`.
 
 ## Span Exporter