Data transmission

Abstract

An apparatus includes components for: determining at least one expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units to be transmitted on at least one network system; determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system; and if it is determined that at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to the at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to data transmission. Some embodiments relate to data transmission over a 5G radio access network. Background Art

[0002] A wireless network includes multiple network nodes, including terminal nodes and access nodes. Communication between the terminal nodes and the access nodes is wireless.

[0003] In some situations, it may be desirable to increase the reliability of transmission of one or more data units through a network system, such as a wireless network. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments, examples are provided as claimed in the following claims.

[0005] According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for:

[0006] determining at least one expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units to be transmitted over at least one network system;

[0007] determining whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units did not arrive as expected for transmission over at least one network system; and

[0008] If it is determined that at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system, the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to the at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system is increased.

[0009] In some examples, determining whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units did not arrive as expected for transmission over the at least one network system includes:

[0010] determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived within a time period of an associated expected arrival time; and / or

[0011] receiving one or more signals including information notifying that at least one of the one or more expected data units will not arrive as expected for transmission over at least one network system; and / or

[0012] A determination is made as to whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units has been incorrectly received.

[0013] In some examples, the component is configured to receive at least one value for a time period to be used to determine whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units did not arrive as expected for transmission over the at least one network system.

[0014] In some examples, the component is configured to:

[0015] determining a number N of consecutive expected data units that have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system;

[0016] AND at least one of the following:

[0017] If N is less than the upper limit, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system; and

[0018] If N is greater than a lower limit, the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system is increased.

[0019] In some examples, the component is configured to receive at least one upper limit value and / or at least one lower limit value.

[0020] In some examples, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system includes at least one of:

[0021] retransmitting on the network system an expected data unit received prior to an expected data unit determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system; and

[0022] Expected data units received after expected data units determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system are transmitted with greater reliability on the network systems.

[0023] In some examples, transmitting with higher reliability includes using more reliable radio resources and / or more reliable radio mechanisms to transmit subsequent data units.

[0024] In some examples, the radio resources and / or radio mechanisms include at least one of:

[0025] one or more data radio bearers;

[0026] one or more component carriers;

[0027] one or more radio link control entities;

[0028] the type of license used; and / or

[0029] copy.

[0030] In some examples, the component is configured to receive information for configuring the device to transmit, on the network system with greater reliability, an expected data unit received after an expected data unit determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system.

[0031] In some examples, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units includes: increasing the transmission reliability of the one or more data units based at least in part on N.

[0032] In some examples, the component includes:

[0033] at least one processor; and

[0034] At least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to execute.

[0035] According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments, there is provided a method comprising:

[0036] determining at least one expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units to be transmitted over at least one network system;

[0037] determining whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units did not arrive as expected for transmission over at least one network system; and

[0038] If it is determined that at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system, the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to the at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system is increased.

[0039] In some examples, determining whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units did not arrive as expected for transmission over the at least one network system includes:

[0040] determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived within a time period of an associated expected arrival time; and / or

[0041] receiving one or more signals including information notifying that at least one of the one or more expected data units will not arrive as expected for transmission over at least one network system; and / or

[0042] A determination is made as to whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units has been incorrectly received.

[0043] In some examples, the method includes receiving at least one value for a time period to be used to determine whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units did not arrive as expected for transmission over the at least one network system.

[0044] In some examples, the method includes:

[0045] determining a number N of consecutive expected data units that have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system;

[0046] AND at least one of the following:

[0047] If N is less than the upper limit, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system; and

[0048] If N is greater than a lower limit, the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system is increased.

[0049] In some examples, the method includes receiving at least one upper limit value and / or at least one lower limit value.

[0050] In some examples, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system includes at least one of:

[0051] retransmitting on the network system an expected data unit received prior to an expected data unit determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system; and

[0052] Expected data units received after expected data units determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system are transmitted with greater reliability on the network systems.

[0053] In some examples, transmitting with higher reliability includes using more reliable radio resources and / or more reliable radio mechanisms to transmit subsequent data units.

[0054] In some examples, the radio resources and / or radio mechanisms include at least one of:

[0055] one or more data radio bearers;

[0056] one or more component carriers;

[0057] one or more radio link control entities;

[0058] the type of license used; and / or

[0059] copy.

[0060] In some examples, the method includes receiving information for configuring the device to transmit, over the network system, with greater reliability, an expected data unit received after an expected data unit determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission over at least one network system.

[0061] In some examples, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units includes: increasing the transmission reliability of the one or more data units based at least in part on N.

[0062] According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to at least:

[0063] determining at least one expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units to be transmitted over at least one network system;

[0064] determining whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units did not arrive as expected for transmission over at least one network system; and

[0065] If it is determined that at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system, the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to the at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system is increased.

[0066] In some examples, determining whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units did not arrive as expected for transmission over the at least one network system includes:

[0067] determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived within a time period of an associated expected arrival time; and / or

[0068] receiving one or more signals including information notifying that at least one of the one or more expected data units will not arrive as expected for transmission over at least one network system; and / or

[0069] A determination is made as to whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units has been incorrectly received.

[0070] In some examples, the computer program includes instructions for causing the apparatus to receive at least one value for a time period to be used to determine whether at least one of the one or more expected data units did not arrive as expected for transmission over at least one network system.

[0071] In some examples, the computer program includes instructions for causing an apparatus to:

[0072] determining a number N of consecutive expected data units that have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system;

[0073] AND at least one of the following:

[0074] If N is less than the upper limit, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system; and

[0075] If N is greater than a lower limit, the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system is increased.

[0076] In some examples, the computer program includes instructions for causing an apparatus to: receive at least one upper limit value and / or at least one lower limit value.

[0077] In some examples, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system includes at least one of:

[0078] retransmitting on the network system an expected data unit received prior to an expected data unit determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system; and

[0079] Expected data units received after expected data units determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system are transmitted with greater reliability on the network systems.

[0080] In some examples, transmitting with higher reliability includes using more reliable radio resources and / or more reliable radio mechanisms to transmit subsequent data units.

[0081] In some examples, the radio resources and / or radio mechanisms include at least one of:

[0082] one or more data radio bearers;

[0083] one or more component carriers;

[0084] one or more radio link control entities;

[0085] the type of license used; and / or

[0086] copy.

[0087] In some examples, the computer program includes instructions for causing the apparatus to receive information that configures the apparatus to transmit, on a network system, with greater reliability, an expected data unit received after an expected data unit was determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system.

[0088] In some examples, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units includes: increasing the transmission reliability of the one or more data units based at least in part on N.

[0089] According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least a portion of one or more methods as disclosed and / or described herein.

[0090] Furthermore, descriptions of functions and / or actions should be considered to also disclose any components suitable and / or configured to perform that function and / or action. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0091] Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0092] Figure 1 An example of the subject matter described herein is shown;

[0093] Figure 2 Another example of the subject matter described herein is shown;

[0094] Figure 3 Another example of the subject matter described herein is shown;

[0095] Figure 4 Another example of the subject matter described herein is shown;

[0096] Figure 5 Another example of the subject matter described herein is shown;

[0097] Figure 6A shows another example of the subject matter described herein; and

[0098] Figure 6B Another example of the subject matter described herein is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0099] In the following, Figure 5 and Figure 4 The data unit 10 is shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 4 The network system 11 is shown in FIG. Figure 5 The time period 12 is shown in FIG. Figure 5 The arrival time 14 is shown in Figure 4 Signal 16 is shown in FIG.

[0100] Figure 1 An example of a network 100 is shown that includes a plurality of network nodes, including a terminal node 110, an access node 120, and one or more core nodes 129. The terminal node 110 and the access node 120 communicate with each other. The one or more core nodes 129 communicate with the access node 120.

[0101] In this example, the network 100 is a telecommunications network in which at least some of the terminal nodes 110 and access nodes 120 communicate with each other using transmission / reception of radio waves / signals.

[0102] In some examples, one or more core nodes 129 can communicate with each other. In some examples, one or more access nodes 120 can communicate with each other.

[0103] The network 100 may be a cellular network comprising a plurality of cells 122, each served by an access node 120. In this example, the interface between the terminal node 110 and the access nodes 120 defining the cells 122 is a wireless interface 124.

[0104] The access node 120 is a cellular radio transceiver. The terminal node 110 is a cellular radio transceiver.

[0105] In the example shown, the cellular network 100 is a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network, wherein the terminal node 110 is a user equipment (UE, see e.g. Figure 4 ), and the access node 120 is a base station (e.g., a gNB).

[0106] In the particular example shown, network 100 is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). E-UTRAN includes E-UTRAN NodeBs (eNBs), which provide E-UTRA user plane and control plane (e.g., RRC) protocol terminations towards UEs. eNBs 120 are interconnected via an X2 interface 126. The eNBs are also connected to a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 129 via an S1 interface 128.

[0107] In another example, network 100 is a next generation (or new radio NR) radio access network (NG-RAN). The NG-RAN includes gNodeBs (gNBs), which provide user plane and control plane (e.g., RRC) protocol terminations towards UEs. The gNBs are interconnected via an X2 / Xn interface 126. The gNBs are also connected to an access and mobility management function (AMF) via an N2 interface 128.

[0108] In an example, the network 100 may include a combination of E-UTRAN and NG-RAN.

[0109] In some examples, network 100 includes and / or can be considered to include one or more network systems 11. In an example, one or more network systems 11 can be and / or include one or more NR or 5G radio access network (RAN) systems.

[0110] In an example, a radio access network includes one or more base stations (such as gNBs) and one or more terminals (which may be mobile devices such as UEs).

[0111] Examples of the present disclosure may be applied to transmitting one or more received data units on and / or through and / or via at least one NR or 5G RAN system.

[0112] Figure 2 An example of method 200 is shown.

[0113] A reference to Figure 2 One or more of the features discussed. See, for example, Figure 4 and / or Figure 5 .

[0114] In an example, the method 200 may be performed by any suitable apparatus including any suitable means for performing the method 200. For example, as for Figure 6A and / or the device 130 described in 6B.

[0115] In an example, the method 200 may be performed by a terminal node 110 (such as a UE) and / or an access node 120 (such as a gNB). See, for example, Figure 4 .

[0116] At block 202 , the method 200 includes determining at least one expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units 10 to be transmitted over at least one network system 11 .

[0117] In an example, the one or more intended data units 10 may be transmitted through and / or via and / or using at least one network system 11 .

[0118] In some examples, transmitting on and / or through and / or via and / or using at least one network system 11 may be considered to include transmitting using one or more nodes of at least one network system 11 .

[0119] In an example, the at least one network system 11 may be any suitable network system 11 .

[0120] In some examples, at least one network system 11 may be Figure 1 At least a portion of the network 100. For example, the at least one network system 11 may be at least one NR or 5G RAN system, at least one Ethernet system, and / or at least one WiFi system, etc.

[0121] In an example, data unit 10 includes one or more signals, and / or one or more messages, and / or one or more packets, etc. Data unit 10 may include any suitable number of signals and / or messages and / or packets, etc.

[0122] That is, in an example, one or more signals and / or one or more messages and / or one or more packets may be considered as a data unit 10 .

[0123] In some examples, data unit 10 may be considered a burst and / or data and / or information.

[0124] In an example, the expected data unit 10 may be considered to be a data unit 10 that is expected to arrive at and / or be received by a node of the network 100 (such as a UE or a gNB) that performs the method 200.

[0125] In some examples, an expected data unit 10 can be considered to be a data unit 10 having an associated expected and / or scheduled arrival time 14 and / or reception time at a node of the network 100 (such as a UE or gNB) performing method 200.

[0126] In an example, the one or more expected data units 10 may be at least a portion of a data and / or information traffic and / or flow.

[0127] In some examples, the one or more expected data units 10 are at least part of a data and / or information traffic and / or flow having a deterministic and / or periodic nature.

[0128] For example, the one or more expected data units 10 may be at least a portion of a time-sensitive communication traffic and / or data stream.

[0129] In some examples, one or more expected data units 10 may be considered to constitute at least a portion of a deterministic information and / or data traffic and / or flow.

[0130] In an example, one or more expected data units 10 may be and / or may be considered to be from outside of the at least one network system 11 .

[0131] In some examples, one or more expected data units 10 may be and / or may be believed to be coming upstream from at least one network system 11 .

[0132] For example, one or more expected data units 10 may be part of a deterministic service (such as time-sensitive communication) that is expected to arrive at and / or be received by a network node (such as a UE or gNB) and transmitted via at least one network system 11 (such as at least one NR or 5G RAN system).

[0133] In examples, the expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units 10 may have any suitable form and / or include any suitable information.

[0134] In some examples, the expected arrival sequence includes a schedule of expected arrival times 14 of one or more expected data units 10 .

[0135] In some examples, the expected arrival sequence includes information about the period of one or more expected data units 10 .

[0136] Any suitable method may be used to determine at least one expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units 10 to be transmitted over at least one network system 11 .

[0137] As used herein, the term "determining" (and its grammatical variations) may include, among other things: calculating, evaluating, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database, or another data structure), ascertaining, etc. Furthermore, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), etc. Furthermore, "determining" may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, etc.

[0138] In some examples, determining at least one expected arrival sequence of the one or more expected data units 10 includes receiving information of the expected arrival sequence of the one or more expected data units 10 to be transmitted on the at least one network system 11 .

[0139] For example, the core network entity / function may provide Time Sensitive Communication Assistance Information (TSCAI) to inform the RAN of a traffic pattern of at least one traffic flow, which allows the RAN to determine at least one expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units 10 .

[0140] In an example, one or more intended data units 10 are to be transmitted to any suitable one or more destinations over at least one network system 11. In an example, the one or more destinations may be one or more nodes that are part of the at least one network system 11 and / or one or more nodes that are external to the at least one network system 11.

[0141] The one or more intended data units 10 may be transmitted for any suitable purpose. In some examples, the one or more intended data units 10 are to be transmitted over at least one network system 11 for use by at least one application.

[0142] In such an example, the application may have an associated time to live, where the time to live may be considered a time during which the application consuming the communication service may continue without expecting a data unit 10 (which may be at least one message).

[0143] With respect to periodic or deterministic traffic, the time to live may be expressed as the maximum number of consecutive incorrectly received or lost data units 10 (which may be at least one message) that the application can tolerate.

[0144] Thus, if one or more of the one or more expected data units 10 do not arrive as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11, and / or if one or more of the one or more expected data units 10 are lost in transmission on at least one network system 11, this may result in a time-to-live failure.

[0145] At block 204 , the method 200 includes determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 did not arrive as expected for transmission over the at least one network system 11 .

[0146] In some examples, determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 did not arrive as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 can be considered as determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 was lost and / or missing and / or discarded and / or damaged and / or corrupted upstream in at least one network system 11.

[0147] In some examples, determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 does not arrive as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 can be considered as determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 is lost and / or missing and / or discarded and / or damaged and / or corrupted before arriving at the at least one network system 11.

[0148] Any suitable method may be used to determine whether at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 did not arrive as expected for transmission over the at least one network system 11 .

[0149] In an example, determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 did not arrive as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 includes: determining whether the at least one expected data unit 10 did not arrive at an expected time and / or did not arrive under expected conditions and / or did not include expected information.

[0150] In some examples, determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 did not arrive as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 includes: determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 did not arrive within a time period 12 of an associated expected arrival time 14; and / or receiving one or more signals 16 that include information for notifying that at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 will not arrive as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11; and / or determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 has been incorrectly received.

[0151] In an example, any suitable method may be used to determine whether at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 has not arrived within the time period 12 of the associated expected arrival time 14 .

[0152] In some examples, a timer may be used to determine if at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 has not arrived within a time period 12 of an associated expected arrival time 14. For example, see Figure 5 , which shows an example of using time period 12.

[0153] Therefore, this can refer to Figure 5 Come to understand.

[0154] Figure 5 An example of an expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units 10 to be transmitted over at least one network system 11 is shown.

[0155] exist Figure 5 In the example of , three data units 10 , labeled B1 , B2 and B3 , are expected to arrive at times T1 , T2 and T3 , respectively.

[0156] That is to say, in Figure 5 In the example of , data unit B1 has an associated expected arrival time T1 , data unit B2 has an associated expected arrival time T2 , and data unit B3 has an associated expected arrival time T3 .

[0157] exist Figure 5 In FIG, three data units 10 are part of periodic traffic to be delivered over a network system 11 (such as an NR or 5G RAN system).

[0158] exist Figure 5 Also shown in the example of FIG. 1 are time periods 12 following the expected arrival time 14 . The time periods 12 are illustrated by arrows pointing to the right from the respective expected arrival time 14 .

[0159] In the example shown, the time periods 12 are substantially the same. However, in examples, different time periods 12 may be used for one or more expected arrival times 14.

[0160] exist Figure 5 In the example of , if the data unit 10 for transmission on the at least one network system 11 does not arrive within the associated time period 12 , it is determined that the data unit 10 for transmission on the at least one network system 11 has not arrived as expected.

[0161] For example, in Figure 5 , if data units B1 and B2 arrive within their respective time periods 12 but data unit B3 does not arrive, it is determined that data units B1 and B2 have arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11, but data unit B3 has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11.

[0162] In an example, data units 10 that do not arrive within the time period 12 may be considered missing and / or dropped and / or lost.

[0163] Any suitable time period 12 may be used. For example, a time period 12 in the range of 2 milliseconds to 10 milliseconds may be used. In some examples, a time period 12 in the range of 3.5 milliseconds to 7.5 milliseconds may be used. In some examples, a time period 12 of substantially 5 milliseconds may be used.

[0164] In an example, one or more values ​​for time period 12 may be received. For example, see Figure 4 .

[0165] Thus, in an example, the method 200 comprises receiving at least one value for a time period 12 to be used for determining whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units 10 did not arrive as expected for transmission on the at least one network system 11 .

[0166] Any suitable method may be used to receive the at least one value for the time period 12. For example, receiving the at least one value for the time period 12 may include receiving one or more signals 16.

[0167] For example, in an example of performing method 200 at a UE, the UE may receive one or more signals 16 from a gNB that include at least one value for time period 12.

[0168] In an example, any suitable method may be used to receive one or more signals 16 including information notifying that at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 will not arrive as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 .

[0169] For example, any suitable signal 16 may be used that includes any suitable information for notifying and / or communicating that at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 will not arrive as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 .

[0170] In an example, one or more signals 16 may originate and / or be transmitted from any suitable source via any number of intermediary elements (including no intermediary elements).

[0171] In some examples, one or more signals 16 are received from a core network (such as an NR or 5G core network) and / or any other suitable system.

[0172] For example, the NR or 5G core network may determine that one or more data units 10 will not arrive as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 and send one or more signals 16 including information to a network node (such as a UE) performing method 200 to notify the network node of the missing data units 10.

[0173] In an example, any suitable method may be used to determine whether at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 has been incorrectly received.

[0174] In some examples, determining whether at least one expected data unit 10 has been incorrectly received may include analyzing and / or processing and / or inspecting at least one received data unit 10 to determine whether the received data unit 10 is as expected and / or has been received correctly.

[0175] In some examples, determining whether at least one expected data unit 10 has been incorrectly received may include determining whether information in the at least one data unit 10 upon arrival is altered and / or missing and / or different than expected.

[0176] At box 206, method 200 includes: if it is determined that at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to the at least one expected data unit 10 that has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system 11.

[0177] therefore, Figure 2 A method 200 is shown, comprising:

[0178] determining at least one expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units 10 to be transmitted over at least one network system 11;

[0179] determining whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units 10 did not arrive as expected for transmission over at least one network system 11; and

[0180] If it is determined that at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11, the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to the at least one expected data unit 10 that has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system 11 is increased.

[0181] In the example, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to at least one expected data unit 10 that has not yet arrived for transmission on at least one network system 11 can be considered as increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 that are temporally adjacent to at least one expected data unit 10 that has not yet arrived as expected.

[0182] Additionally or alternatively, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to at least one expected data unit 10 that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 can be considered as increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 that are temporally adjacent to an expected arrival time 14 at which at least one expected data unit 10 has not arrived as expected.

[0183] That is, in the example, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to at least one expected data unit 10 that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 can be considered as increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to a scheduled / expected arrival time 14 in an expected arrival sequence at which at least one expected data unit 10 has not arrived as expected.

[0184] Additionally or alternatively, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to at least one expected data unit 10 that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 can be considered as increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 that are temporally adjacent to one or more expected arrival time slots in which at least one expected data unit 10 has not arrived as expected.

[0185] That is, in the example, the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to at least one expected data unit 10 that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 can be considered to increase the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to the scheduled / expected arrival time slot in which at least one expected data unit 10 has not arrived as expected in the expected arrival sequence.

[0186] For example, in Figure 5 In FIG, if data unit B2 does not arrive as expected at T2, then data units B1 and B3 may be considered to be adjacent to data unit 10 which has not arrived as expected for transmission.

[0187] Similarly, in Figure 5 In FIG, if data unit B3 does not arrive as expected at T3, then data unit B2 may be considered to be adjacent to data unit 10 which has not arrived as expected for transmission.

[0188] Any suitable method may be used to increase transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to at least one expected data unit 10 that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 .

[0189] In an example, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to at least one expected data unit 10 that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 includes at least one of:

[0190] retransmitting on the network system 11 an expected data unit 10 received prior to an expected data unit 10 determined not to have arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11; and

[0191] Expected data units 10 received after an expected data unit 10 determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network 11 are transmitted on the network system 11 with higher reliability.

[0192] Any suitable method may be used to retransmit on the network system 11 an expected data unit 10 received prior to an expected data unit 10 determined not to have arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 .

[0193] In an example, the method 200 comprises storing a copy of the data unit 10 received as intended and optionally retransmitting the stored copy.

[0194] In some examples, a copy of the most recently received data unit 10 is stored.

[0195] In some examples, the method 200 includes retransmitting the received intended data unit 10 over the network system 11 using one or more different radio resources and / or one or more different radio mechanisms.

[0196] Retransmission of an adjacent previous data unit 10 allows the data unit 10 to be transmitted at least twice and thereby enables time domain replication, which may reduce the error probability of the retransmitted data unit 10 and thereby reduce the probability of successive delivery failures of the data unit 10 on at least one network system 11.

[0197] This may, for example, enable prevention of time-to-live failures.

[0198] exist Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 5 , if the data unit B2 is determined to have not arrived as expected, the data unit B1 may be retransmitted on the at least one network system 11 .

[0199] In an example involving the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer may store a copy of a PDCP Protocol Data Unit (PDU) of a previous data unit.

[0200] If the next data unit 10 is determined not to have arrived as expected, the PDCP will again submit the stored copy of the previous data unit to the lower layers.

[0201] If dual / multi connectivity and / or carrier aggregation is activated for the PDCP entity, the transmission of the previous data unit 10 may be performed on the same radio leg as the original transmission or on another radio leg.

[0202] In an example, any suitable method may be used to transmit with greater reliability over the network system 11 an expected data unit 10 received after an expected data unit 10 determined not to have arrived as expected.

[0203] In some examples, transmitting with higher reliability includes transmitting subsequent data units 10 using more reliable radio resources and / or more reliable radio mechanisms.

[0204] In an example, using more reliable radio resources and / or a more reliable radio mechanism to transmit the subsequent data unit 10 may be considered as upgrading the radio resources and / or radio mechanism used for transmitting the subsequent data unit 10 .

[0205] In an example, the radio resources and / or mechanisms include at least one of: one or more data radio bearers; one or more radio link control (RLC) entities; one or more component carriers; the type of grant used; and / or duplication.

[0206] exist Figure 5 In the example of FIG, if data unit B2 is determined to have not arrived as expected, data unit B3 may be transmitted with higher reliability. For example, the reliability target for data unit B3 may be upgraded.

[0207] In an example involving the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), when at least one data unit 10 is determined to have not arrived as expected, the network system 11 (which may be an NR or 5G RAN system) may upgrade the radio resource or reliability target for the next data unit 10.

[0208] This may, for example, enable prevention of time-to-live failures by increasing the likelihood that at least one subsequent data unit 10 is successfully transmitted through the at least one network system 11 to prevent consecutive failures of data units 10 .

[0209] In the examples, one or more of the following may be used:

[0210] The Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer of the NR or 5G RAN may map the next data unit 10 to an alternative Data Radio Bearer (DRB) with an associated higher reliability target;

[0211] The PDCP layer of the NR or 5G RAN may perform PDCP duplication for the PDCP PDU of the next data unit 10;

[0212] The PDCP layer of the NR or 5G RAN may submit the PDCP PDU of the next data unit 10 to an RLC entity whose logical channel (LCH) mapping is restricted to higher reliability radio resources. For example, a serving cell with a lower modulation and coding scheme (MCS), a higher repetition number, a higher transmission power, and / or a better channel quality is admitted.

[0213] The PDCP layer of the NR or 5G RAN may submit the PDCP PDU of the next data unit 10 to an RLC entity whose LCH has a different set of Logical Channel Prioritization (LCP) settings, such as a higher LCH priority and / or a higher Prioritized Bit Rate (PBR);

[0214] PDCP may instruct Radio Resource Control (RRC) / Medium Access Control (MAC) to at least temporarily reconfigure radio resources, such as Configuration Grant (CG) / Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) allocated for a traffic flow (eg, a TSC traffic flow).

[0215] In some examples, method 200 includes: receiving information that is used to configure an apparatus (such as a network node) executing method 200 to transmit on the network system 11 with higher reliability an expected data unit 10 received after it is determined that the expected data unit 10 has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11.

[0216] For example, the gNB may send one or more signals 16 to the UE, which include information for configuring the UE. For example, see Figure 4 .

[0217] Examples of the present disclosure are advantageous. For example, examples of the present disclosure enable improved transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to one or more missing and / or damaged data units 10, which, for example, reduces the probability of consecutive failed data units 10.

[0218] Examples of the present disclosure reduce the likelihood or probability of failure of consecutive data units 10, which may, for example, prevent violations of one or more communication requirements, such as time-to-live violations.

[0219] Additionally or alternatively, examples of the present disclosure reduce the likelihood or probability that the number of consecutive failed data units 10 exceeds a limit. This may, for example, prevent violations of one or more communication requirements, such as time-to-live violations.

[0220] Figure 3 An example of a method 300 is shown.

[0221] In an example, the method 300 may be performed by any suitable apparatus including any suitable means for performing the method 300. For example, as directed to Figure 6A and / or the device 130 described in 6B.

[0222] In an example, the method 300 may be performed by a terminal node 110 (such as a UE) and / or an access node 120 (such as a gNB). Figure 4 .

[0223] In an example, method 300 may be considered as Figure 2 Extensions and / or variations of method 200.

[0224] At block 302 , the method 300 includes determining at least one arrival sequence of one or more expected data units 10 to be transmitted over at least one network system 11 .

[0225] In an example, block 302 may be as directed to Figure 2 as described in block 202 of FIG.

[0226] At block 304 , the method 300 includes determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 did not arrive as expected for transmission over the at least one network system 11 .

[0227] In an example, block 304 may be as directed to Figure 2 as described in block 204 of FIG.

[0228] If it is determined at block 304 that the expected data unit 10 has arrived as expected for transmission over the at least one network, the method 300 continues to block 310 and the received expected data unit 10 is transmitted over the at least one network system 11 normally.

[0229] If it is determined at block 304 that at least one of the one or more expected data units 10 did not arrive as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 , the method 300 continues to block 306 .

[0230] At block 306 , the method 300 includes determining whether a number of consecutive data units 10 that have not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system 11 is greater than a lower limit M.

[0231] Thus, in an example, the method 300 comprises determining a number N of consecutive expected data units 10 that have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 .

[0232] Any suitable method may be used to determine the number N of consecutive expected data units 10 that have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 .

[0233] In an example, a counter may be used to count the number of consecutive expected data units 10 that did not arrive as expected as described with respect to block 204 .

[0234] Any suitable value for lower limit M may be used. In some examples, lower limit M may be determined based at least in part on one or more applications associated with prospective data unit 10 .

[0235] For example, the lower bound M may be determined based at least in part on a number of consecutive missing data units 10 that would result in a time-to-live violation at one or more applications associated with the expected data units 10 .

[0236] In an example, the value of M may be in the range of 0 to 10, and / or in the range of 1 to 10, and / or in the range of 3 to 7, and / or in the range of 4 to 6, and / or in the range of 0 to 3, and / or in the range of 1 to 2.

[0237] In some examples, a value of M may be received. Thus, in an example, method 300 includes receiving a value of M. For example, method 300 may include receiving one or more signals 16 including a value of M. For example, see Figure 4 .

[0238] If it is determined at block 306 that the number of consecutive data units 10 that have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 is not greater than a lower limit M, the method continues to block 310 .

[0239] If it is determined at block 306 that the number of consecutive data units 10 that have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 is greater than a lower limit M, the method 300 continues to block 308 .

[0240] At block 308 , the method 300 includes determining whether the number of consecutive data units 10 that have not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network 11 is greater than an upper limit U.

[0241] Any suitable value for upper limit U may be used. In some examples, upper limit U may be determined based at least in part on one or more applications associated with prospective data unit 10 .

[0242] For example, the upper limit U may be determined based at least in part on a number of consecutive missing data units 10 that would result in a time-to-live violation at one or more applications associated with the expected data units 10 .

[0243] In an example, the U value may be in the range of 0 to 10, and / or in the range of 1 to 10, and / or in the range of 3 to 7, and / or in the range of 4 to 6, and / or in the range of 0 to 3, and / or in the range of 2 to 3.

[0244] In some examples, a value of U may be received. Thus, in an example, method 300 includes receiving a value of U. For example, method 300 may include receiving one or more signals 16 including a value of U. For example, see Figure 4 .

[0245] If it is determined at block 308 that the number of consecutive data units 10 that have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network 11 is less than the upper limit U, the method 300 continues to block 312 .

[0246] At block 312 , the method 300 includes increasing transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to at least one expected data unit 10 that has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system 11 .

[0247] In an example, block 312 may be as directed to Figure 2 as described in block 206 of FIG.

[0248] For example, increasing transmission reliability at block 312 may be as described for Figure 2 as described in block 206 of FIG.

[0249] In an example, one or more of blocks 306 and 308 may be omitted.

[0250] For example, if block 308 were omitted, the "yes" path out of block 306 could continue to block 312. In such an example, block 314 would be omitted.

[0251] Thus, in some examples, the method 300 includes: determining a number N of consecutive expected data units 10 that have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11; and at least one of:

[0252] If N is less than the upper limit, increasing the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to at least one expected data unit 10 that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11; and

[0253] If N is greater than a lower limit, the transmission reliability of one or more data units 10 adjacent to at least one expected data unit 10 that has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system 11 is increased.

[0254] As previously mentioned, in an example, method 300 includes receiving at least one upper limit value and / or at least one lower limit value.

[0255] In some examples, increasing the transmission reliability of the one or more data units 10 at block 312 includes increasing the transmission reliability of the one or more data units 10 based at least in part on N.

[0256] In an example, the method 300 includes determining, based at least in part on N, one or more actions to be performed to increase transmission reliability of the one or more data units 10 .

[0257] Additionally or alternatively, the method 300 includes determining, based at least in part on N, a number of actions to be performed to increase transmission reliability of the one or more data units 10 .

[0258] For example, if a data unit 10 is determined to have not arrived as expected and the lifetime for the associated application defines three consecutive errors, increasing the transmission reliability may involve taking one of the actions described with respect to block 206 and / or increasing the transmission reliability of subsequent data units 10 from a packet error rate (PER) of PER=10. -3 Increase to PER=10 -4 .

[0259] However, if there are two data units 10 that are determined not to have arrived as expected, then increasing the transmission reliability may involve taking the two actions described for block 206 and / or increasing the transmission reliability of subsequent data units 10 from PER=10 to PER=10. -3 Increase to PER=10 -6 .

[0260] If it is determined at block 308 that the number of consecutive data units 10 that have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network 11 is greater than the upper limit U, the method 300 continues to block 314 .

[0261] At block 314 , the method 300 includes stopping processing of the received expected data unit 10 .

[0262] In an example, when the number of consecutive data units 10 that have not arrived as expected is greater than U, in an example an unavoidable error (such as a time-to-live violation) has occurred and thus the method 300 may result in stopping the processing of the data units 10 .

[0263] In some examples, at block 314, method 300 includes notifying upper layers that an expected quality of service (QoS) cannot be met.

[0264] In an example, the method 300 includes receiving one or more signals 16 to configure behavior at block 314 .

[0265] In some examples, if it is determined at block 308 that the number of consecutive data units 10 that have not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network 11 is greater than an upper limit U, the method 300 continues to block 310 .

[0266] Figure 4 An example scenario is shown.

[0267] exist Figure 4 In the example of , UE 18 and gNB 20 are network (e.g., as for Figure 1 1 and 2. However, in the examples, UE 18 and gNB 20 may be and / or include any suitable network nodes.

[0268] exist Figure 4 In the example shown, UE 18 and gNB 20 can be considered to form at least part of network system 11. In the example shown, network system 11 includes an NR or 5G RAN system.

[0269] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment, the UE 18 is configured to perform at least a portion of the method as described herein. Figure 2 and / or Figure 3 The method described.

[0270] exist Figure 4 In the example of , the UE 18 receives one or more data units 10. This is shown by arrow 406 pointing to the box 400, thereby indicating that one or more data units 10 are received. Figure 4 In FIG. 4 , one or more data units 10 take the form of one or more signals 16 and arrive at the UE 18 as shown by arrow 406 .

[0271] Reference numeral 16 is generally used herein to indicate one or more signals. The one or more signals indicated by reference numeral 16 at different points may be unrelated and may include different information.

[0272] At block 400, the UE 18 performs the operations for the expected data unit 10 and the received data unit 10 (as indicated by arrow 406). Figure 2 and / or Figure 3 Method 200 and / or method 300 are described.

[0273] exist Figure 4 In the example of , one or more elements and / or one or more actions of the method performed at UE 18 are configured by gNB 20.

[0274] exist Figure 4 In this case, this is accomplished by the sending and corresponding reception of one or more signals 16.

[0275] For example, one or more signals 16 may be sent from the gNB 20 to the UE 18 prior to block 400, as indicated by arrow 402, and / or as part of block 400, as indicated by arrow 404.

[0276] The one or more signals 16 sent from the gNB 20 to the UE 18 include configuration information 22 to configure one or more elements of the method and / or one or more actions performed at the UE 18.

[0277] It should be understood that for any sending action, Figure 4 The corresponding receiving action is also shown.

[0278] Additionally or alternatively, as part of block 400 , one or more signals 16 may be transmitted between the UE 18 and the gNB 20 , as indicated by arrow 404 .

[0279] In the example, one or more signals 16 may be sent from the UE 18 to the gNB 20 before and / or during block 400. Therefore, arrows 402 and 404 are shown as double-headed arrows.

[0280] Any suitable elements and / or actions at UE 18 may be configured by gNB 20.

[0281] For example, the one or more signals 16 received at 402 and / or 404 may include configuration information 22 to configure one or more of the following:

[0282] at least one value for a time period 12 used to determine whether a data unit 10 has arrived as expected (e.g., see block 204);

[0283] at least one upper limit value U;

[0284] at least one lower limit value M;

[0285] Behavior when block 308 is determined to be positive;

[0286] behavior when it is determined that at least one data unit 10 has not arrived as expected;

[0287] Configuration information used to increase transmission reliability; etc.

[0288] In an example, the gNB 20 may receive a redundant previous data unit 10 (e.g., Figure 5 After the data unit B1 in the data unit, for the subsequent data unit 10 (for example, Figure 5 data unit B3 in the packet, if data unit B2 is missing) triggers UL RRC / MAC reconfiguration.

[0289] In the example, the receipt of duplicate / redundant data units 10 may be considered as implicit signaling for notifying the gNB 20 (or other network nodes in other examples) of data units 10 that were determined not to have arrived as expected.

[0290] In an example, the UE 18 may be configured with different configurations for default and special handling of the data unit 10 (eg, PDCP duplication, logical channel mapping, and / or different CGs, etc.).

[0291] Corresponding configurations may be used in both the gNB 20 and the UE 18 depending on whether repeated / redundant previous data units 10 are transmitted / received.

[0292] In an example, the gNB 20 may be configured to perform and / or may perform at least a portion of the methods described herein. For example, Figure 2 At least a portion of method 200 and / or Figure 3 At least a portion of method 300.

[0293] because Figure 4 One or more actions of sending at least one signal 16 are shown, thus, Figure 4 The corresponding sending / causing-to-send features / actions are also shown.

[0294] Similarly, for any feature / action that sends / results in sending, Figure 4 Corresponding receiving / causing to receive features / actions are also shown.

[0295] In addition, for any receiving / resulting in receiving feature / action, Figure 4 The corresponding sending / causing-to-send features / actions are also shown.

[0296] Examples of the present disclosure are advantageous.

[0297] For example, examples of the present disclosure enable prevention of consecutive missing and / or lost and / or corrupted data units 10 leading to communication failures.

[0298] Figure 6A An example of apparatus 130 is shown. Apparatus 130 may be a controller of a device or apparatus such as a terminal node 110 (e.g., UE 18) or an access node 120 (such as gNB 20).

[0299] The device 130 may be implemented as a controller circuit. The device 130 may be implemented solely in hardware, with certain aspects in software (including solely firmware), or may be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

[0300] like Figure 6A As shown, the device 130 may be implemented using instructions that implement the hardware functions, such as by using executable instructions of a computer program 136 in a general or special purpose processor 132, which instructions may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium (disk, memory, etc.) for execution by such processor 132.

[0301] The processor 132 is configured to read from and write to the memory 134. The processor 132 may also include an output interface via which the processor 132 outputs data and / or commands, and an input interface via which data and / or commands are input to the processor 132.

[0302] The memory 134 stores a computer program 136 comprising computer program instructions (computer program code) which, when loaded into the processor 132, controls the operation of the apparatus 130. The computer program instructions of the computer program 136 provide the means for the apparatus 130 to perform Figure 2 and / or Figure 3 and / or Figure 4 The processor 132 can load and execute the computer program 136 by reading the memory 134 .

[0303] In the example, the apparatus 130 thus comprises:

[0304] at least one processor 132; and

[0305] At least one memory 134 including computer program code

[0306] The at least one memory 134 and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor 132, cause the apparatus 130 to at least perform:

[0307] determining at least one expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units to be transmitted over at least one network system;

[0308] determining whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units did not arrive as expected for transmission over at least one network system; and

[0309] If it is determined that at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system, the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to the at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system is increased.

[0310] like Figure 6A As shown, the computer program 136 may arrive at the apparatus 130 via any suitable delivery mechanism 162. The delivery mechanism 162 may be, for example, a machine-readable medium, a computer-readable medium, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a recording medium (such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disc (DVD) or a solid-state memory), or an article of manufacture that includes or tangibly embodies the computer program 136. The delivery mechanism may be a signal configured to reliably transmit the computer program 136. The apparatus 130 may propagate or transmit the computer program 136 as a computer data signal.

[0311] Computer program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the following operations or for at least performing the following operations:

[0312] determining at least one expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units to be transmitted over at least one network system;

[0313] determining whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units did not arrive as expected for transmission over at least one network system; and

[0314] If it is determined that at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system, the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to the at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system is increased.

[0315] The computer program instructions may be included in a computer program, a non-transitory computer readable medium, a computer program product, a machine readable medium. In some, but not necessarily all, examples, the computer program instructions may be distributed across more than one computer program.

[0316] Although memory 134 is shown as a single component / circuit, it may be implemented as one or more separate components / circuits, some or all of which may be integrated / removable and / or may provide permanent / semi-permanent / dynamic / cache storage.

[0317] In an example, the memory 134 includes a random access memory 158 and a read-only memory 160. In an example, the computer program 136 may be stored in the read-only memory 160. For example, see Figure 6B .

[0318] In some examples, memory 134 may be divided into random access memory 158 and read-only memory 160 .

[0319] Although processor 132 is shown as a single component / circuit, it may be implemented as one or more separate components / circuits, some or all of which may be integrated / removable.Processor 132 may be a single-core or multi-core processor.

[0320] References to "computer-readable storage medium," "computer program product," "tangibly embodied computer program," etc., or "controller," "computer," "processor," etc., should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures, such as single / multi-processor architectures and serial (von Neumann) / parallel architectures, but also specialized circuits, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices, and other processing circuits. References to computer programs, instructions, code, etc., should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor, or firmware, such as the programmable content of a hardware device, that may include instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array, or programmable logic device, etc.

[0321] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0322] (a) hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation of analog and / or digital circuits only);

[0323] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (if applicable):

[0324] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware; and

[0325] (ii) any portion of a hardware processor with software (including a digital signal processor, software, and memory that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions); and

[0326] (c) Hardware circuits and / or processors, such as a microprocessor or portion of a microprocessor, that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but may not be present when the software is not required for operation.

[0327] This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuitry" also covers (for example, and if applicable to the specifically claimed element) a baseband integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or networking equipment.

[0328] Figure 2 and / or Figure 3 and / or Figure 4 The blocks shown may represent steps in a method and / or code segments in the computer program 136. The illustration of a particular order of blocks does not imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks, and the order and arrangement of the blocks may be changed. In addition, some blocks may be omitted.

[0329] For example, you can omit Figure 3 306 and / or 308 of FIG.

[0330] Where a structural feature has been described, it may be replaced by a component for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature, whether that function or functions are explicitly described or implicitly described.

[0331] Thus, in an example, apparatus 130 may include components for:

[0332] determining at least one expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units to be transmitted over at least one network system;

[0333] determining whether at least one expected data unit of the one or more expected data units did not arrive as expected for transmission over at least one network system; and

[0334] If it is determined that at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived as expected for transmission on at least one network system, the transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to the at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system is increased.

[0335] In an example, the apparatus 130 may be configured to perform one or more methods, or at least a portion of one or more methods, as disclosed herein.

[0336] When one or more elements are described as being "used for" one or more actions, the one or more elements should also be considered to be configured to perform the one or more actions. For example, an element used to send / transmit should also be considered to be an element configured to send / transmit, and vice versa.

[0337] The examples described above find application as components that enable: automotive systems; telecommunications systems; electronic systems, including consumer electronics; distributed computing systems; media systems for generating or rendering media content, including audio, visual and audiovisual content, and mixed, mediated, virtual and / or augmented reality; personal systems, including personal medical systems or personal health / fitness systems; navigation systems; user interfaces, also known as human-machine interfaces; networks, including cellular, non-cellular and optical networks; ad hoc networks; the Internet; the Internet of Things; virtualized networks; and related software and services.

[0338] As used herein, the term "comprising" has an inclusive, rather than exclusive, meaning. That is, any expression "X comprises Y" means that X may comprise only one Y or may comprise more than one Y. If the exclusive meaning of "comprising" is intended, this will be made clear in the context by reference to "comprising only one..." or by the use of "consisting of..."

[0339] Reference has been made to various examples in this description. The description of features or functions for an example indicates that these features or functions are present in that example. Whether explicitly stated or not, the use of the term "example" or "for example" or "may" or "could" in the text indicates that such feature or function is present in at least the example being described, whether or not described as an example, and that such feature or function may, but need not, be present in some or all other examples. Thus, an "example," "for example," or "may" or "could" refers to a specific instance within a class of examples. A property of an instance may be only a property of that instance or a property of a class of instances or a subclass of that class of instances that includes some but not all of the class of instances. Thus, features described for one example but not for another example are implicitly disclosed to be available for use in other examples as part of a working combination, but are not required to be used in other examples.

[0340] Although the examples have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0341] Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than those explicitly described above.

[0342] Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

[0343] Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features may also be present in other examples whether described or not.

[0344] As used herein, the terms "a," "an," or "the" are intended to be inclusive, rather than exclusive. That is, any reference to "X includes one or the Y" indicates "X may include only one Y" or "X may include more than one Y," unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. If the exclusive meaning of "a," "an," or "the" is intended, the context will clearly indicate this. In some contexts, "at least one" or "one or more" may be used to emphasize the inclusive meaning, but the absence of these terms should not be construed as implying any non-exclusive meaning.

[0345] The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature (or combination of features) itself, and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). Equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same manner. Equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function in substantially the same manner to achieve substantially the same result.

[0346] In this specification, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjective phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such description of characteristics with respect to the examples means that the characteristics are identical to the described characteristics in some examples and substantially the same as the described characteristics in other examples.

[0347] While an attempt has been made in the foregoing description to identify those features regarded as important, it will be understood that the applicant may seek protection by way of the claims for any patentable feature or combination of features herein before referenced and / or shown in the drawings, whether emphasized or not.

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: receiving information of an expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units to be transmitted over at least one network system, wherein the expected arrival sequence includes a schedule of expected arrival times of the one or more expected data units; determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived within a time period of an associated expected arrival time; and if it is determined that at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived within a time period of an associated expected arrival time, determining a number N of consecutive expected data units that have not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system; If N is less than an upper limit and N is greater than a lower limit, performing the following operations to increase transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system: retransmitting on the network system an expected data unit received prior to an expected data unit determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system; as well as Expected data units received after expected data units determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system are transmitted on the network system with higher reliability.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, receive at least one value for the time period to be used to determine whether at least one of the one or more expected data units did not arrive as expected for transmission on the at least one network system.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein The at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, receive at least one upper limit value and / or at least one lower limit value.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein Transmitting with higher reliability includes using more reliable radio resources and / or more reliable radio mechanisms to transmit subsequent data units.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein The radio resource and / or the radio mechanism includes at least one of the following: one or more data radio bearers; one or more component carriers; one or more radio link control entities; the type of license used; and / or copy.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, receive information for configuring the apparatus to transmit on the network system with greater reliability an expected data unit received after the expected data unit determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein Increasing the transmission reliability of the one or more data units includes increasing the transmission reliability of the one or more data units based at least in part on N.

8. A method for communication, comprising: receiving information of an expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units to be transmitted over at least one network system, wherein the expected arrival sequence includes a schedule of expected arrival times of the one or more expected data units; determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived within a time period of an associated expected arrival time; and if it is determined that at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived within a time period of an associated expected arrival time, determining a number N of consecutive expected data units that have not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system; If N is less than an upper limit and N is greater than a lower limit, performing the following operations to increase transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system: retransmitting on the network system an expected data unit received prior to an expected data unit determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system; as well as Expected data units received after expected data units determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system are transmitted on the network system with higher reliability.

9. A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer program instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to at least: receiving information of an expected arrival sequence of one or more expected data units to be transmitted over at least one network system, wherein the expected arrival sequence includes a schedule of expected arrival times of the one or more expected data units; determining whether at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived within a time period of an associated expected arrival time; and if it is determined that at least one of the one or more expected data units has not arrived within a time period of an associated expected arrival time, determining a number N of consecutive expected data units that have not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system; If N is less than an upper limit and N is greater than a lower limit, performing the following operations to increase transmission reliability of one or more data units adjacent to at least one expected data unit that has not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system: retransmitting on the network system an expected data unit received prior to an expected data unit determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system; and Expected data units received after expected data units determined to have not arrived as expected for transmission on the at least one network system are transmitted on the network system with higher reliability.

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