Inhibition of importance-based uplink data transmissions

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to importance-based barring of uplink data transmissions. A method is provided that includes receiving, at a layer of a radio protocol stack, a first uplink data unit from a higher layer of the radio protocol stack. The first uplink data units are in a set of one or more first uplink data units, and the set is marked with information including an importance value associated with the set, the importance value identifying a relative importance of the set as compared to other sets within the quality of service flow. The method includes constructing a second uplink data unit from the first uplink data unit, and the method includes constructing a second uplink data unit based on an importance value and a threshold importance value associated with the set, a determination is made to submit or buffer a second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications, and more particularly to importance-based barring of uplink data in telecommunications systems. Background Art

[0002] A telecommunication system may be considered as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities (such as user terminals, base stations, and / or other nodes) by providing carrier waves between the various entities involved in the communication path. A telecommunication system may be provided, for example, by a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. A communication session may include, for example, the communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text messaging, multimedia, and / or content data. Non-limiting examples of the services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services, and access to data network systems (e.g., the Internet).

[0003] In a wireless telecommunications system, at least a portion of a communication session between at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMNs), satellite-based communication systems, and different wireless local area networks, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs). Some wireless systems can be divided into cells and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] A user may access the telecommunications system through an appropriate communication device or terminal. The user's communication device may be referred to as a user equipment (UE) or user device. The communication device has appropriate signal receiving and sending means for enabling communications (e.g., allowing access to a communication network or communicating directly with other users). The communication device may access a carrier provided by a base station (e.g., a base station of a cell) and transmit and / or receive communications on the carrier.

[0005] Telecommunication systems and associated equipment typically operate according to a given standard or specification that specifies what the different entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how it should be achieved. Communication protocols and / or parameters to be used for the connection are also typically defined. An example of a telecommunication system is the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Other examples of telecommunication systems are Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE, and so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Summary of the invention

[0006] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to telecommunications, and more particularly, to importance-based barring of uplink data in telecommunications systems. In this regard, the present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following exemplary embodiments.

[0007] Some example implementations provide an apparatus comprising: at least one memory configured to store computer-readable program code; and at least one processing circuit configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer-readable program code to cause the apparatus to perform at least the following steps: receiving, at a layer of a radio protocol stack, a first uplink data unit from a higher layer of the radio protocol stack, the first uplink data unit being in a set of one or more first uplink data units, the set being marked with information including an importance value associated with the set, the importance value identifying a relative importance of the set compared to other sets within a quality of service flow; constructing a second uplink data unit from the first uplink data unit; and making a determination, based on the importance value associated with the set and a threshold importance value, to submit the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack or to buffer the second uplink data unit.

[0008] Some example implementations provide an apparatus comprising: a component for receiving, at a layer of a radio protocol stack, a first uplink data unit from a higher layer of the radio protocol stack, the first uplink data unit being in a set of one or more first uplink data units, the set being marked with information including an importance value associated with the set, the importance value identifying a relative importance of the set compared to other sets within a quality of service flow; a component for constructing a second uplink data unit from the first uplink data unit; and a component for making a determination, based on the importance value associated with the set and a threshold importance value, to submit the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack or to buffer the second uplink data unit.

[0009] Some example implementations provide a method comprising: receiving, at a layer of a radio protocol stack, a first uplink data unit from a higher layer of the radio protocol stack, the first uplink data unit being in a set of one or more first uplink data units, the set being marked with information including an importance value associated with the set, the importance value identifying a relative importance of the set compared to other sets within a quality of service flow; constructing a second uplink data unit from the first uplink data unit; and making a determination, based on the importance value associated with the set and a threshold importance value, to submit the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack or to buffer the second uplink data unit.

[0010] Some example implementations provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer-readable program code stored therein, the computer-readable program code causing a device to perform at least the following steps in response to execution by at least one processing circuit: receiving, at a layer of a radio protocol stack, a first uplink data unit from a higher layer of the radio protocol stack, the first uplink data unit being in a set of one or more first uplink data units, the set being marked with information including an importance value associated with the set, the importance value identifying a relative importance of the set compared to other sets within a quality of service flow; constructing a second uplink data unit from the first uplink data unit; and making a determination, based on the importance value associated with the set and a threshold importance value, to submit the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack or to buffer the second uplink data unit.

[0011] By reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, these and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent, which will be briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four or more features or elements set forth in the present disclosure, regardless of whether these features or elements are explicitly combined or otherwise recorded in the specific example embodiments described herein. The present disclosure is intended to be read as a whole, so that any separable features or elements of the present disclosure should be considered combinable in any of its aspects and exemplary embodiments, unless the context of the present disclosure clearly provides otherwise.

[0012] Therefore, it should be understood that the present disclosure is provided only for the purpose of summarizing some exemplary implementations in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-mentioned example implementations are merely examples and should not be interpreted as narrowing the scope or spirit of the present disclosure in any way. Other exemplary implementations, aspects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the principles of some of the described exemplary implementations by way of example. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Having thus generally described example implementations of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

[0014] Figure 1 A telecommunications system according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown, the telecommunications system comprising one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs) coupled to one or more external data networks;

[0015] Figure 2 illustrates a standalone 5G deployment of a PLMN according to some example implementations;

[0016] Figure 3 An overview of a portion of a 5G radio protocol stack architecture according to some example implementations is shown;

[0017] Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer of a 5G radio protocol stack according to some example implementations;

[0018] Figure 5 The format of a PDCP control protocol data unit (PDU) according to some exemplary implementations is shown;

[0019] Fig. 6A , 6B , 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 6G, 6H, 6I, 6J, and 6K are flowcharts illustrating various operations in methods according to some example implementations; and

[0020] Figure 7 Apparatus according to some example embodiments is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Some implementations of the present disclosure will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all implementations of the present disclosure are shown. In fact, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals represent the same elements throughout.

[0022] Unless otherwise stated or clear from the context, references to first, second, etc. should not be construed as implying a particular order. A feature described as being above another feature (unless otherwise specified or clear from the context) may alternatively be below, and vice versa; and similarly, a feature described as being to the left of another feature may alternatively be to the right, and vice versa. Furthermore, although reference may be made herein to quantitative measurements, values, geometric relationships, etc., unless otherwise stated, any one or more (if not all) may be absolute or approximate to account for acceptable variations that may occur, such as variations due to engineering tolerances, etc.

[0023] As used herein, unless otherwise specified or clear from the context, an "or" of a set of operands is an "inclusive or" and is thus true if and only if one or more of the operands are true, as opposed to an "exclusive or" which is false when all operands are true. Thus, for example, "[A] or [B]" is true if [A] is true, or if [B] is true, or if both [A] and [B] are true. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" mean "one or more" unless otherwise specified or clear from the context to point to the singular form. In addition, it should be understood that the terms "data", "content", "digital content", "information" and similar terms are sometimes used interchangeably unless otherwise specified. The term "network" may refer to a group of interconnected computers, including clients and servers; and within a network, these computers may be interconnected directly or indirectly in various ways, including via one or more switches, routers, gateways, access points, etc.

[0024] Reference may be made herein to terms specific to particular systems, architectures, etc., but it should be understood that example implementations of the present disclosure may be equally applicable to any of a plurality of systems, architectures, etc. For example, reference may be made to 3GPP technologies such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), UMTS, LTE, Advanced LTE, and 5GNR; however, it should be understood that example embodiments of the present disclosure may be equally applicable to non-3GPP technologies such as IEEE 802, Bluetooth, and Bluetooth Low Energy.

[0025] Further, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) a hardware-only circuit implementation (e.g., an implementation only in analog and / or digital circuits); (b) a combination of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) a hardware processor and software (including a digital signal processor), software, and any portion of memory that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions; or (c) a hardware circuit and / or processor (e.g., a microprocessor or a portion of a microprocessor) that requires software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may not be present when it is not required for operation.

[0026] The above definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or its) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example and if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuitry also covers a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0027] Figure 1 A telecommunications system 100 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. A telecommunications system generally includes one or more telecommunications networks. As shown, for example, the system includes one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs) 102, coupled to one or more other external data networks 104 - particularly including a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. Each PLMN includes a core network (CN) 106 backbone network such as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) of LTE, a 5G Core Network (5GC), etc.; and each core network and the Internet are coupled to one or more radio access networks (RAN) 108, air interfaces, etc. that implement one or more radio access technologies (RATs). As used herein, "network equipment" refers to any suitable equipment on the network side of a telecommunications network. Examples of suitable network equipment are described in more detail below.

[0028] In addition, the system includes one or more radio units, which may be variously referred to as user equipment (UE) 110, terminal equipment, terminal devices, mobile stations, etc. A UE is generally a device configured to communicate with a network device or another UE in a telecommunications network. A UE may be a portable computer (e.g., a laptop, a notebook, a tablet), a mobile phone (e.g., a cellular phone, a smart phone), a wearable computer (e.g., a smart watch), etc. In other examples, a UE may be an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Industrial IoT (IIoT device), a vehicle equipped with vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology, etc. Further, different implementations of any of these devices may be used with a UE vehicle, a high altitude platform station (HAPS), or any other such type of node associated with a ground network or any drone type radio device or a radio device in an aircraft or other air vehicle, or a radio device in a vessel such as a watercraft or a ship.

[0029] In operation, these UEs may be configured to connect to one or more of the RAN 108 according to a specific radio access technology of the RAN 108, thereby accessing a specific core network of the PLMN 102, or accessing one or more of the external data networks 104 (e.g., the Internet). The external data network may be configured to provide Internet access, operator services, third-party services, etc. For example, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has classified 5G mobile network services into three categories: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine type communications (mMTC) or massive Internet of Things (MIoT).

[0030] Examples of radio access technologies include 3GPP radio access technologies such as GSM, UMTS, LTE, Advanced LTE, and 5GNR. Other examples of radio access technologies include IEEE 802.11 technology (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.15 (including 802.15.1 (WPAN / Bluetooth), 802.15.4 (Zigbee), and 802.15.6 (WBAN)), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), etc. In general, wireless access technology may refer to any 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G or higher generation mobile communication technology and different versions thereof, as well as any other wireless radio access technology that may be arranged to interact with such mobile communication technology to provide access to the core network of a mobile network operator (MNO).

[0031] In different examples, the RAN 108 may be configured as one or more macro cells, micro cells, pico cells, femto cells, etc. The RAN may generally include one or more radio access nodes configured to interact with the UE 110. In different examples, the radio access node may be referred to as a base station (BS), an access point (AP), a base transceiver station (BTS), a node B (NB), an evolved NB (eNB), a macro BS, a NB (MNB) or an eNB (MeNB), a home BS, a NB (HNB) or an eNB (HeNB), a next generation NB (gNB), a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), etc. A network control / management entity of some type is responsible for controlling the radio access node. The network control / management entity and the radio access node may be separate or integrated into a single device. The network control / control entity may include a processing circuit configured to perform different management functions, etc. The processing circuit may be associated with a computer-readable storage medium or a database for maintaining information required for the management functions.

[0032] The RAN 108 may be centralized or distributed. In various examples, the components of the RAN may be interconnected via Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), optical fiber, dark fiber, passive wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), WDM-passive optical network (WDM-PON), optical transport network (OTN), time-sensitive network (TSN), and / or any other data link layer network that may include radio links. The RAN may be connected to the CN 106 via one or more gateways, network functions, etc.

[0033] As will be appreciated, the PLMN 102 can be deployed in many different ways. In a 4G LTE deployment, the EPC is the CN 106, and the Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) is the RAN 108; and the E-UTRAN includes one or more eNBs (radio access nodes) configured to connect the UE 110 to the E-UTRAN to thereby access the EPC. Figure 2 As shown, in a 5G deployment 200, 5GC 202 is the CN and the Next Generation (NG) Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) 204 is the RAN; the NG-RAN includes one or more gNBs 206 (radio access nodes) configured to connect UE 208 to the NG-RAN and thereby access the 5GC. The term 'gNB' in 5G may correspond to eNB in ​​4G LTE.

[0034] Some 4G LTE and 5G deployments are considered standalone (SA) deployments. Other deployments combine 4G LTE and 5G technologies and are referred to as non-standalone (NSA) deployments. In some deployments, the E-UTRAN includes one or more ng-eNBs that are configured to communicate with the 5GC and may also be configured to communicate with one or more gNBs. Similarly, in another deployment, the NG-RAN may include one or more eNBs that are configured to communicate with the EPC and may also be configured to communicate with one or more eNBs.

[0035] Figure 3An overview of a portion of a 5G radio protocol stack 300 architecture between a gNB 206 and a UE 208 is shown according to some example embodiments. As shown, the 5G radio protocol stack has two different stacks depending on the type of data handled by the stack. User data passes through a user plane (UP) stack 302, and signaling messages pass through a control plane (CP) stack 304. Both the UP and CP stacks consist of a common structure that includes layer 1 (L1) with a physical layer (PHY) 306 and layer 2 (L2) with sublayers including a medium access control (MAC) 308, a radio link control (RLC) 310, and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) 312. Layer 3 (L3) sits on top of the PHY / MAC / RLC / PDCP and includes sublayers that are different between the CP and UP. In the UP, L3 includes a sublayer called a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) 314, which is connected to a user plane function (UPF) in the 5GC 202. In the CP, L3 includes two sublayers called Radio Resource Control (RRC) 316 and Non-Access Stratum (NAS) 318, and the NAS layer is connected to the Access and Mobility Function (AMF) in the 5GC.

[0036] Typically, each layer of the 5G radio protocol stack 300 performs a specific data communication task and provides services to the layer above it. For example, RLC 310 provides its services to PDCP 312. Similarly, PDCP provides its services to SDAP 314 (in UP 302) or RRC 316 (in CP 304). The main services or functions of PDCP include, for example: header compression and decompression, transmission of user data, encryption and decryption, and timer-based SDU discard.

[0037] The process by which the layers of the 5G radio protocol stack 300 perform specific data communication tasks can be likened to placing a letter in a series of envelopes before sending it through the postal system. Each subsequent envelope adds another layer of processing or overhead information required to process the transaction. All of the envelopes together help ensure that the letter reaches the correct address and that the message received is the same as the message sent. Once the entire package is received at its destination, the envelopes are opened one by one until the letter itself appears exactly as written.

[0038] The data flow between a source and a destination (e.g., UE 208 and 5GC 202) flows from top to bottom in the source, across the communication lines, and then from bottom to top in the destination. Each time user data is passed down from one layer to the next in the source, more processing information is added. When this information is removed and processed by the peer layer in the destination, it enables different tasks to be performed (error correction, flow control, etc.).

[0039] In radio communications in a deployment such as the 5G deployment 200, node operations may be performed at least in part in a central / centralized unit (CU) (such as a server, host, or node) operably coupled to a distributed unit (DU) (such as a radio head / node). Node operations may also be distributed among multiple servers, hosts, or nodes. It should also be understood that the distribution of work between 5GC 202 operations and gNB 204 operations may vary depending on the implementation. Therefore, the 5G network architecture may be based on a so-called CU-DU split. One gNB-CU (central node) may control one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU may control multiple spatially separated gNB-DUs, which at least serve as transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) nodes. However, in some exemplary implementations, the gNB-DU (also referred to as DU) may include, for example, RLC, MAC, and PHY, while the gNB-CU (also referred to as CU) may include layers above the RLC, such as PDCP, RRC, and Internet Protocol (IP) layers. Other functional splits are also possible. It is assumed that the technician is familiar with the OSI model and the functions within each layer.

[0040] In some example implementations, a server or CU may generate a virtual network through which the server communicates with the radio node. In general, virtual networking may involve the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functions into a single software-based management entity, a virtual network. Such a virtual network may provide a flexible distribution of operations between servers and radio heads / nodes. In fact, any digital signal processing task may be performed in a CU or DU, and the boundary at which responsibilities are transferred between the CU and DU may be selected depending on the implementation.

[0041] For some time, data in the PLMN 102 has been sent in small units called "packets", which act as discrete blocks of information that carry data from one point to another. In the context of 5G and advanced networking, data is sent in protocol data units (PDUs). A PDU may include one or more headers and a service data unit (SDU), which is actually the payload of the PDU. For example, in PDCP 312, a PDU may include a PDCP header and a PDCP SDU.

[0042] Data packets, such as PDUs, are transmitted between the UE 208 and an external data network in a communication session, referred to as a PDU session, which is a communication channel established to facilitate data exchange. A PDU session may be anchored at the UPF in the 5GC 202. In this regard, a PDU session anchor (PSA) is a term sometimes used to refer to a PDU session anchor in the UPF.

[0043] Networks, including 5G, are now beginning to support interactive media services such as extended reality (XR), which includes virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). For these services, a PDU set may include one or more PDUs that are grouped together to carry one information data unit generated at the application level. In this regard, a PDU set may include PDUs that work together to convey a specific piece of information or a complete data unit (such as an image, video frame, or segment of a file) at the application layer. The PDU(s) in a PDU set may be transmitted within the same quality of service (QoS) flow.

[0044] Enhancements to support XR services include capacity enhancements using XR awareness. This awareness can be achieved via traffic assistance information (such as PDU set importance (PSI)), which can be used to discard PDU sets in the event of congestion. Some discussions focus on how and when to use PSI for discarding uplink PDUs, and include suggestions for using PDCP 312, particularly PDCP's timer-based SDU discard service. In this regard, PDCP may include functional entities such as a sending PDCP entity and a receiving PDCP entity. When a PDCP SDU is received from a higher layer (e.g., SDAP 314, RRC 316), the sending PDCP entity starts a discard timer, and when the discard timer expires, the PDCP SDU may be discarded. The duration of the discard timer can be configured by the network, which is typically configured based on a packet delay budget or a similar delay requirement portion of the QoS requirements of the radio bearer, with the logic being that once the discard timer expires, the PDCP SDU is considered outdated and unavailable from the application layer's perspective.

[0045] In more recent discussions, there seems to be a widespread assumption that upon uplink congestion detection or estimation, uplink PDUs belonging to a set of PDUs of sufficiently low importance should be discarded before the default expiration time of the PDCP discard timer (reflecting the QoS delay budget), if configured and activated. But equally common seems to be the assumption that congestion may be transient. Therefore, if the UE 208 discards an uplink PDU before it actually expires in accordance with a command from the network, the discard may ultimately prove to be unnecessary. And upon returning to a congestion-free state, if the UE does not discard the PDU prematurely, the UE will have at least some non-expired uplink PDUs for transmission.

[0046] Example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mechanism for PSI-based uplink packet handling, which the network can command to the UE (e.g., in case of uplink congestion), and which does not change the timer-based SDU discard functionality of the PDCP 312. As previously described, when the discard timer expires, the transmitting PDCP entity can discard the PDCP SDU and the corresponding PDU, and the duration of the discard timer can only be changed via RRC reconfiguration.

[0047] In contrast, according to some example implementations, whenever the network activates a mechanism for PSI-based uplink packet processing, the mechanism may prohibit or restrict uplink transmission of uplink PDUs (more specifically, submission from PDCP 312 to underlying RLC 310) based on their associated PSI values. In some examples, uplink PDUs stored at UE 208 but whose transmission is prohibited may also be excluded from uplink buffer status reported by the UE to the network, such as in a MAC buffer status report (BSR).

[0048] Since the timer-based SDU discard functionality of PDCP 312 may not be changed, uplink packets that are presented as outdated in the UE 208 buffer may still be discarded by the discard timer. When the network lifts the transmission restriction (e.g., when congestion is relieved or gNB 206 estimates that congestion will be relieved), then the packets to which the restriction was previously applied will still be transmitted as long as their discard timers (if configured) have not expired. Therefore, uplink packets may not be discarded prematurely, but only when they are actually expired. At the same time, uplink congestion can be alleviated by the UE retaining less important data for the time required by the network, after which time it may still be possible to transmit the data.

[0049] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented at a layer of a radio protocol stack, and in particular, by a transport entity of that layer. The exemplary embodiments are described below in the context of PDCP 312; and in this regard, Figure 4 4 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of PDCP, including a transmit PDCP entity 402 and a receive PDCP entity 404. On the uplink, the transmit PDCP entity may be implemented at the UE 208, and the receive PDCP entity may be implemented at the gNB 206 (or a second UE); and on the downlink, the transmit PDCP entity may be implemented at the gNB (or a second UE), and the receive PDCP entity may be implemented at the UE. In some example implementations, the mechanism of PSI-based uplink packet processing may be implemented by the transmit PDCP entity.

[0050] According to some exemplary implementations, the transmitting PDCP entity 402 of the PDCP 312 (at the UE 208) may be configured to receive a first uplink data unit from a higher layer (e.g., SDAP 314, RRC 316), in which examples the first uplink data unit is an uplink PDCP SDU. The uplink PDCP SDU may be in a set of one or more uplink PDCP SDUs, sometimes referred to as a PDU set. To this end, the uplink PDCP SDU may be marked with information including an importance value associated with the PDU set, which identifies the relative importance of the PDU set compared to other PSU sets within the QoS flow. In some specific examples, the importance value is a PSI value associated with the PDU set.

[0051] The transmitting PDCP entity 402 may be configured to construct a second uplink data unit, i.e., for example, an uplink PDCP data PDU (or sometimes more simply referred to as an uplink PDCP PDU), from the uplink PDCP SDU. The transmitting PDCP entity may be configured to determine whether to submit the uplink PDCP PDU to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack (e.g., RLC 310) or to cache the PDCP PDU based on a PSI value associated with a PDU set and a threshold PSI value (e.g., MAX_PSI), wherein the threshold PSI value may be as described in more detail below. This may not change the discard timer of the transmitting PDCP entity. In contrast, in some examples, the threshold PSI value may be provided in control data from the network, such as in the event of uplink congestion. The transmitting entity may receive control data including a threshold PSI value as a PDCP control PDU, which may also instruct the transmitting PDCP entity to implement PSI-based uplink packet processing based on the threshold PSI value.

[0052] In some examples, the transmitting PDCP entity 402 may then be configured to receive a PDCP control PDU or other control data on the downlink that includes a threshold PSI value. A determination may then be made whether to submit or buffer the uplink PDCP PDU based on the threshold PSI value included in the control data. Similarly, upon receiving the PDCP control PDU, the transmitting PDCP entity may determine any buffered (stored) uplink PDCP PDUs that are not submitted to a lower layer based on the PSI value associated with the set of PDUs that include the buffered second data unit and the threshold PSI value.

[0053] Figure 5The format of a PDCP Control PDU 500 according to some exemplary implementations is shown. As shown, the PDCP Control PDU may include a D / C field indicating whether the PDCP Control PDU is a Data PDU or a Control PDU (in this case, a Control PDU). The PDCP Control PDU may include a PDU Type field indicating the type of control information included in the PDCP Control PDU, which in this case may indicate PSI-based uplink packet processing (e.g., PSI Prohibit). And the PDCP Control PDU may include a Threshold PSI field indicating a Threshold PSI, which in the example (described below) where the Threshold PSI is a Highest PSI, may be referred to as a Highest PSI (HPSI) field.

[0054] In some examples, the threshold PSI value identifies the lowest relative importance with which a data unit submitted to a lower layer is allowed to be associated. In some of these examples, the threshold PSI value is in a range of PSI values ​​(e.g., 0 to 15), the PSI value increases with a corresponding decrease in relative importance, and the threshold PSI value is the highest PSI value with which a data unit submitted to a lower layer is allowed to be associated. Specifically, for example, the range of PSI values ​​can extend from a value of 0 indicating the highest relative importance to a value of 15 indicating the lowest relative importance. Then, when the PSI value is not greater than the threshold or is not greater than and not equal to the threshold, the PSI value associated with the PDU set may meet the threshold PSI value. Conversely, when the PSI value is greater than (or, greater than or equal to) the threshold, the PSI value may not meet the threshold PSI value.

[0055] In examples where the PSI value associated with the PDU set satisfies the threshold PSI value, a determination may be made to submit the uplink PDCP PDU, and the transmitting PDCP entity 402 may submit the uplink PDCP PDU to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack. In other examples where the PSI value associated with the PDU set does not satisfy the threshold PSI value, a determination may be made to buffer the uplink PDCP PDU, and the transmitting PDCP entity may store the uplink PDCP PDU in a transmission buffer.

[0056] In some examples, the transmitting PDCP entity 402 is also configured to start a discard timer when an uplink PDCP SDU is received. Then, when the discard timer expires, the transmitting PDCP entity may discard the uplink PDCP PDU that has not been submitted to the lower layer from the transmission buffer. However, in other examples, such as when congestion is alleviated or estimated to be alleviated, the transmitting PDCP entity may receive a PDCP control PDU or other control data including an updated threshold PSI value on the downlink before the discard timer expires. The transmitting PDCP entity may make a determination to submit the uplink PDCP PDU based on a PSI value that meets the updated threshold PSI value (e.g., the PSI value associated with the PDU set is not greater than (or, not greater than and not equal to) the updated threshold PSI value). The transmitting PDCP entity may then submit the uplink PDCP PDU (from the transmission buffer) to the lower layer of the radio protocol stack.

[0057] In some examples, PSI-based uplink packet processing may include a transmission prohibit timer indicating the duration that some PDCP PDUs are prohibited from being submitted to lower layers. The duration of the transmission prohibit timer may be shorter than the duration of the discard timer, but alternatively, the duration of the transmission prohibit timer may be longer. In some examples, the duration of the transmission prohibit timer may depend on the PSI value of the uplink PDCP SDU. In some of these examples, the duration of the transmission prohibit timer may be configured by a higher-level control plane layer (e.g., RRC 316). Similarly, in some of these examples, the duration of the transmission prohibit timer may be provided in control data from the network (e.g., in a PDCP control PDU), which may be the same or different from a PDCP control PDU including a threshold PSI value.

[0058] In some examples including a transmission inhibit timer, the threshold PSI value may identify the highest relative importance of the data units for which the transmission inhibit timer is used. In some of these examples, and where (as described above) the threshold PSI value is in a range of PSI values ​​that increase with corresponding decreases in relative importance, the threshold PSI value may be the lowest PSI value of the data units for which the transmission inhibit timer is used. When the PSI value is greater than the threshold or greater than or equal to the threshold, the PSI value associated with the PDU set may then satisfy the threshold PSI value. Conversely, when the PSI value is not greater than (or, not greater than and not equal to) the threshold, the PSI value may not satisfy the threshold PSI value.

[0059] In some examples, the transmitting PDCP entity 402 is configured to start a transmission prohibit timer when an uplink PDCP SDU is received. In some of these examples, when the PSI value associated with the PDU set does not satisfy the threshold PSI value, the PDCP transmitting entity may make a determination to buffer the uplink PDCP PDU until the transmission prohibit timer expires. In this regard, the transmitting PDCP entity may store the uplink PDCP PDU in a transmission buffer and then submit the uplink PDCP PDU (from the transmission buffer) to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack when the transmission prohibit timer expires.

[0060] Similar to before, the transmitting PDCP entity 402 may still start a discard timer when an uplink PDCP SDU is received, and discard (from the transmission buffer) uplink PDCP PDUs that are not submitted to lower layers before or after the transmission prohibit timer expires, when the discard timer expires. However, in other examples, such as when congestion is alleviated or estimated to be alleviated, the transmitting PDCP entity may receive control data (e.g., PDCP control PDU) including an updated threshold PSI value or an updated duration of the transmission prohibit timer before the discard timer expires. The transmitting PDCP entity may make a determination to submit the uplink PDCP PDU based on a PSI value that meets the updated threshold PSI value, or based on the expiration of the updated duration (and thus the transmission prohibit timer). The transmitting PDCP entity may then submit the uplink PDCP PDU (from the transmission buffer) to the lower layers of the radio protocol stack.

[0061] In various examples where the PSI value associated with the PDU set does not satisfy the threshold PSI value and it is determined that the uplink PDCP PDU is to be buffered, the uplink PDCP PDU may also be excluded from the uplink buffer status reported by the UE 208 to the network, such as in a MAC buffer status report (BSR). In this regard, the transmitting PDCP entity 402 may trigger the MAC 308 of the UE 208 to send a BSR including information about the amount of data available for transmission, wherein the amount of data does not include the uplink PDCP PDU. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitting PDCP entity may send a preemptive BSR, such as a MAC preemptive BSR, which includes information about the amount of data available for transmission, wherein the amount of data includes the uplink PDCP PDU. The preemptive BSR including the uplink PDCP PDU may be particularly useful in an example where a transmission prohibit timer is included and the duration of the transmission prohibit timer is less than the duration of the discard timer.

[0062] In some examples, UE 208 may be configured with a trigger to send a BSR after activating PSI-based uplink packet processing when the amount of uplink data available for transmission decreases or decreases sufficiently to warrant sending a new BSR.

[0063] In some examples where the UE 208 is configured to send a BSR, the UE may have additional uplink allocations, such as due to the design of the BSR table (which rounds the requested grant size toward the next data point in the BSR table), or simply an overall allocation made by the gNB 206. In some of these examples, the UE may fill this additional uplink allocation with PDCP PDUs in the PDU set that do not meet the threshold PSI value (and any other similar PDCP PDUs).

[0064] In a more specific example, the UE may calculate the buffer status for those PDCP PDUs that meet the threshold PSI value; assuming buffer size = X bytes, the UE may report the next closest value to X in the selected BSR table, which may be Y ≥ X or Y = X + a (where a ≥ 0). The gNB may receive the BSR and allocate Z bytes to the UE based on the scheduling conditions. In some scenarios, Z may be greater than or equal to Y, Z ≥ Y (Z = Y + b (where b ≥ 0)), which may be due to reasons such as physical resource block (PRB) restrictions that the allocation cannot be part of a PRB. The UE may fill the grant with X bytes, assuming that no new PDCP PDUs in the PDU set that meet the threshold PSI value enter the buffer since the BSR reporting time. In this case, the UE may end up with an additional grant of E = Z – X = X + a + b – X = a + b bytes. And the UE may fill the remainder of the grant (E bytes) with those PDCP PDUs in the PDU set that do not meet the threshold PSI value, instead of data padding.

[0065] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6K 6 is a flow chart illustrating various steps in a method 600 according to various exemplary embodiments. The method includes receiving, at a layer of a radio protocol stack, a first uplink data unit from a higher layer of the radio protocol stack, such as Fig. 6AThe method includes constructing a second uplink data unit from the first uplink data unit, as shown in block 604. And the method includes making a determination to submit the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack or to buffer the second uplink data unit based on the importance value associated with the set and a threshold importance value, as shown in block 606.

[0066] In some examples, the method 600 further includes receiving control data including the threshold importance value at the layer of the radio protocol stack, such as Figure 6B As shown in block 608. In some of these examples, at block 606, the determination to submit or buffer the second uplink data unit is based on a threshold importance value (such as included in the control data).

[0067] In some examples, method 600 also includes, when the control data is received, determining any buffered second data units that are not submitted to a lower layer based on an importance value associated with one or more sets including buffered second data unit data and a threshold importance value.

[0068] In some examples where the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to submit a second uplink data unit. In some of these examples, the method further comprises submitting the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of a radio protocol stack, such as Figure 6C As shown in box 610.

[0069] In some examples, the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy a threshold importance value, and the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit. In some of these examples, the method further includes storing the second uplink data unit in a transmission buffer, such as Fig.6D As shown in box 612.

[0070] In some examples, the method 600 further includes: when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, starting a discard timer, such as Fig. 6E In some of these examples, the method includes discarding, after the second uplink data unit is stored, the second uplink data unit that is not submitted to the lower layer from the transmission buffer when the discard timer expires, as shown in block 616.

[0071] In some examples, the method 600 further includes starting a discard timer when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, such as Fig. 6F 618 of . In some of these examples, after the second uplink data unit is stored but before the discard timer expires, the method includes receiving control data including an updated threshold importance value at the layer of the radio protocol stack, as shown in block 620. The method includes making the determination to submit the second uplink data unit based on the importance value associated with the set being not greater than, or not greater than and not equal to, the updated threshold importance value, as shown in block 622. And the method includes submitting the second uplink data unit to the lower layer of the radio protocol stack, as shown in block 624.

[0072] In some examples, the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value. In some of these examples, the method 600 further includes: when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, further starting a transmission prohibit timer, and the determining is to buffer the second uplink data unit until the transmission prohibit timer expires, such as Figure 6G As shown in block 626.

[0073] In some examples, method 600 also includes storing the second uplink data unit in a transmission buffer, such as Figure 6H And in some of these examples, the method includes submitting the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack when the transmission prohibit timer expires, as shown in block 630.

[0074] In some examples, method 600 also includes starting a discard timer when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, such as Fig.6I In some of these examples, the method includes storing the second uplink data unit in a transmission buffer, as shown in block 634. And the method includes discarding the second uplink data unit that is not submitted to the lower layer from the transmission buffer when the discard timer expires before the transmission prohibit timer expires, as shown in block 636.

[0075] In some examples, the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, and the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit. In some of these examples, the method 600 further includes sending a buffer status report including information about an amount of data available for transmission, and the amount of data does not include the second uplink data unit, such as Figure 6J As shown in box 638.

[0076] In some examples, the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, and the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit. In some of these examples, the method 600 further includes sending a preemptive buffer status report including information about an amount of data available for transmission, and the amount of data includes the second uplink data unit, such as Figure 6K As shown in block 640.

[0077] According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, telecommunication system 100 or PLMN 102 and components thereof (e.g., gNB 206 and / or UE 208) may be implemented by various means. Means for implementing the system and its components may include hardware, alone or under the direction of one or more computer programs from a computer-readable storage medium such as a computer memory (or more simply "memory"). In some examples, one or more devices may be configured to function as or otherwise implement the systems and components thereof shown and described herein. In examples involving more than one device, the various devices may be connected or communicate with each other in a variety of different ways, such as directly or indirectly via a wired or wireless network, etc.

[0078] Figure 7 An apparatus 700 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In general, an apparatus of an example embodiment of the present disclosure may include, comprise, or be embodied as one or more fixed or portable electronic devices. Examples of suitable electronic devices include wearable computers, mobile phones, portable computers, desktop computers, workstation computers, servers (server computers), etc. The apparatus may include one or more of each of a plurality of components, for example, a processing circuit 702 connected to a computer-readable storage medium 704.

[0079] Processing circuitry 702 may be comprised of one or more processors, either alone or in combination with one or more computer-readable storage media. A processing circuit is typically any piece of computer hardware capable of processing information (such as data, a computer program, and / or other suitable electronic information). A processing circuit is comprised of a collection of electronic circuits, some of which may be packaged as an integrated circuit or multiple interconnected integrated circuits (sometimes integrated circuits are more commonly referred to as "chips"). A processing circuit may be configured to execute a computer program, which may be stored on the processing circuit or in a computer-readable storage medium 704 (of the same or another device).

[0080] Depending on the specific implementation, the processing circuit 702 can be a plurality of processors, a multi-core processor, or some other type of processor. Further, the processing circuit can be implemented using a plurality of heterogeneous processor systems in which a main processor and one or more secondary processors are present on a single chip. As another illustrative example, the processing circuit can be a symmetric multiprocessor system comprising a plurality of processors of the same type. In yet another example, the processing circuit can be implemented as or otherwise include one or more ASICs, FPGAs, and the like. Therefore, although the processing circuit is capable of executing a computer program to perform one or more functions, the processing circuits of various instances are capable of performing one or more functions without the aid of a computer program. In either case, the processing circuit can be appropriately programmed to perform functions or operations according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0081] Computer-readable storage media 704 is generally any computer hardware capable of temporarily and / or permanently storing information such as, for example, data, computer programs (e.g., computer-readable program code 706), and / or other suitable information. Computer-readable storage media may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and may be fixed or removable. Examples of suitable memory include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive, flash memory, thumb drive, removable computer disk, optical disk, or some combination of the above. Computer-readable storage media are non-transient devices capable of storing information, and are distinguishable from computer-readable transmission media (such as electronic transient signals) capable of carrying information from one location to another. The term "non-transient" as used herein is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal), in contrast to the limitation on data storage persistence (e.g., RAM to ROM). Computer-readable media as described herein may generally refer to computer-readable storage media or computer-readable transmission media.

[0082] In addition to the computer-readable storage medium 704, the processing circuit 702 may also be connected to one or more interfaces for displaying, sending and / or receiving information. The interface may include a communication interface 708 and / or one or more user interfaces. The communication interface may be configured to send information to other devices, networks, etc. and / or receive information from other devices, networks, etc. The communication interface may be configured to send and / or receive information via a physical (wired) and / or wireless communication link. Examples of suitable communication interfaces include a network interface controller (NIC), a wireless NIC (WNIC), etc.

[0083] The user interface may include a display 710 and / or one or more user input interfaces 712. The display may be configured to present or otherwise display information to the user, and suitable examples of displays include liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light emitting diode (LED) displays, organic LED (OLED) displays, active matrix OLED (AMOLED), etc. The user input interface may be wired or wireless, and may be configured to receive information from the user into the device, such as for processing, storage, and / or display. Suitable examples of user input interfaces include microphones, image or video capture devices, keyboards or keypads, joysticks, touch-sensitive surfaces (separate from or integrated into the touch screen), biometric sensors, etc. The user interface may further include one or more interfaces for communicating with peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, etc.

[0084] As described above, program code instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium and executed by a processing circuit programmed thereby to implement the functions of the systems, subsystems, tools and their corresponding elements described herein. As will be appreciated, any suitable program code instructions may be loaded from a computer-readable storage medium onto a computer or other programmable device to produce a specific machine, so that the specific machine becomes a device for implementing the functions specified herein. These program code instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, which may instruct a computer, a processing circuit or other programmable device to function in a particular manner, thereby generating a specific machine or a specific product. Instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium may produce a manufactured product, wherein the manufactured product becomes a device for implementing the functions described herein. Program code instructions may be retrieved from a computer-readable storage medium and loaded into a computer, a processing circuit or other programmable device to configure a computer, a processing circuit or other programmable device to perform operations to be performed on a computer, a processing circuit or other programmable device or performed by a computer, a processing circuit or other programmable device.

[0085] The retrieval, loading, and execution of program code instructions may be performed sequentially, such that one instruction is retrieved, loaded, and executed at a time. In some exemplary embodiments, retrieval, loading, and / or execution may be performed in parallel, such that multiple instructions are retrieved, loaded, and / or executed together. The execution of program code instructions may produce a computer-implemented process such that instructions executed by a computer, processing circuit, or other programmable device provide operations for implementing the functions described herein.

[0086] The execution of instructions by a processing circuit or the storage of instructions in a computer-readable storage medium supports a combination of operations for performing specified functions. In this manner, the apparatus 700 may include a processing circuit 702 and a computer-readable storage medium 704 coupled to the processing circuit, wherein the processing circuit is configured to execute a computer-readable program code 706 stored in the computer-readable storage medium. It should also be understood that one or more functions and combinations of functions may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based computer system and / or processing circuit or a combination of dedicated hardware and program code instructions that perform the specified functions.

[0087] As explained above and reiterated below, the present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the following example implementations.

[0088] Clause 1. A device comprising: at least one memory configured to store computer-readable program code; and at least one processing circuit configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer-readable program code so that the device performs at least the following steps: receiving, at a layer of a radio protocol stack, a first uplink data unit from a higher layer of the radio protocol stack, the first uplink data unit being in a set of one or more first uplink data units, the set being marked with information including an importance value associated with the set, the importance value identifying the relative importance of the set compared to other sets within a quality of service flow; constructing a second uplink data unit from the first uplink data unit; and making a determination, based on the importance value associated with the set and a threshold importance value, to submit the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack or to buffer the second uplink data unit.

[0089] Clause 2. An apparatus according to clause 1, wherein at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the computer-readable program code so that the apparatus further performs at least the following steps: receiving control data including the threshold importance value at the layer of the radio protocol stack, and determining whether to submit or buffer the second uplink data unit is based on the threshold importance value included in the control data.

[0090] Clause 3. An apparatus according to clause 1 or clause 2, wherein, when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, it is determined that the second uplink data unit is to be buffered, and the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the computer-readable program code so that the apparatus further performs at least the following steps: storing the second uplink data unit in a transmission buffer.

[0091] Clause 4. An apparatus according to clause 3, wherein at least one processing circuit is configured to execute a computer-readable program code so that the apparatus further performs at least the following steps: at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the computer-readable program code so that the apparatus further performs at least the following steps: when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, starting a discard timer; and after the second uplink data unit is stored, when the discard timer expires, discarding a second uplink data unit that has not been submitted to the lower layer from the transmission buffer.

[0092] Clause 5. An apparatus according to clause 3 or clause 4, wherein at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the computer-readable program code so that the apparatus further performs at least the following steps: starting a discard timer when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer; and receiving control data including an updated threshold importance value at the layer of the radio protocol stack after the second uplink data unit is stored but before the discard timer expires; making the determination to submit the second uplink data unit based on the importance value associated with the set being not greater than, or not greater than and not equal to, the updated threshold importance value; and submitting the second uplink data unit to the lower layer of the radio protocol stack.

[0093] Clause 6. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, and wherein the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the computer-readable program code to cause the apparatus to further start a transmission prohibit timer when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, and the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit until the transmission prohibit timer expires.

[0094] Clause 7. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit, and the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the computer-readable program code to cause the apparatus to further perform at least the following steps: sending a buffer status report including information about the amount of data available for transmission, and the amount of data does not include the second uplink data unit.

[0095] Clause 8. A device comprising: a component for receiving, at a layer of a radio protocol stack, a first uplink data unit from a higher layer of the radio protocol stack, the first uplink data unit being in a set of one or more first uplink data units, the set being marked with information including an importance value associated with the set, the importance value identifying the relative importance of the set compared to other sets within a quality of service flow; a component for constructing a second uplink data unit from the first uplink data unit; and a component for making a determination, based on the importance value associated with the set and a threshold importance value, to submit the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack or to buffer the second uplink data unit.

[0096] Clause 9. An apparatus according to clause 8, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a component for receiving control data including the threshold importance value at the layer of the radio protocol stack, and wherein the determination as to whether to submit or buffer the second uplink data unit is made based on the threshold importance value included in the control data.

[0097] Clause 10. An apparatus according to clause 8 or clause 9, wherein, when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit, and the apparatus further comprises: a component for storing the second uplink data unit in a transmission buffer.

[0098] Clause 11. An apparatus according to clause 10, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a component for starting a discard timer when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer; and a component for discarding a second uplink data unit that is not submitted to the lower layer from the transmission buffer when the discard timer expires after the second uplink data unit is stored.

[0099] Clause 12. An apparatus according to clause 10 or clause 11, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a component for starting a discard timer when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer; and a component for receiving control data including an updated threshold importance value at the layer of the radio protocol stack after the second uplink data unit is stored but before the discard timer expires; a component for making the determination to submit the second uplink data unit based on the importance value associated with the set being not greater than, or not greater than and not equal to, the updated threshold importance value; and a component for submitting the second uplink data unit to the lower layer of the radio protocol stack.

[0100] Clause 13. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 8 to 12, wherein the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, and wherein the apparatus further includes a component for further starting a transmission prohibit timer when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, and the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit until the transmission prohibit timer expires.

[0101] Clause 14. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 8 to 13, wherein when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit, and the apparatus further comprises: a component for sending a buffer status report including information about the amount of data available for transmission, and the amount of data does not include the second uplink data unit.

[0102] Clause 15. A method comprising: receiving, at a layer of a radio protocol stack, a first uplink data unit from a higher layer of the radio protocol stack, the first uplink data unit being in a set of one or more first uplink data units, the set being marked with information including an importance value associated with the set, the importance value identifying the relative importance of the set compared to other sets within a quality of service flow; constructing a second uplink data unit from the first uplink data unit; and making a determination, based on the importance value associated with the set and a threshold importance value, to submit the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack or to buffer the second uplink data unit.

[0103] Clause 16. A method according to clause 15, wherein the method further comprises: receiving control data including the threshold importance value at the layer of the radio protocol stack, and wherein a determination as to whether to submit or buffer the second uplink data unit is made based on the threshold importance value included in the control data.

[0104] Clause 17. A method according to clause 15 or clause 16, wherein when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit, and the method further comprises: storing the second uplink data unit in a transmission buffer.

[0105] Clause 18. A method according to Clause 17, wherein the method further comprises: starting a discard timer when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer; and after the second uplink data unit is stored, when the discard timer expires, discarding the second uplink data unit that has not been submitted to the lower layer from the transmission buffer.

[0106] Clause 19. A method according to clause 17 or clause 18, wherein the method further includes: starting a discard timer when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer; and receiving control data including an updated threshold importance value at the layer of the radio protocol stack after the second uplink data unit is stored but before the discard timer expires; making the determination to submit the second uplink data unit based on the importance value associated with the set being not greater than, or not greater than and not equal to, the updated threshold importance value; and submitting the second uplink data unit to the lower layer of the radio protocol stack.

[0107] Clause 20. A method according to any one of clauses 15 to 19, wherein the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, and wherein the method further includes: when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, further starting a transmission prohibit timer, and the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit until the transmission prohibit timer expires.

[0108] Clause 21. A method according to any one of clauses 15 to 20, wherein when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit, and the method further comprises: sending a buffer status report comprising information about the amount of data available for transmission, and the amount of data does not include the second uplink data unit.

[0109] Clause 22. A computer-readable storage medium that is non-transitory and has computer-readable program code stored therein, the computer-readable program code causing the device to perform at least the following steps in response to execution by at least one processing circuit: receiving, at a layer of a radio protocol stack, a first uplink data unit from a higher layer of the radio protocol stack, the first uplink data unit being in a set of one or more first uplink data units, the set being marked with information including an importance value associated with the set, the importance value identifying the relative importance of the set compared to other sets within a quality of service flow; constructing a second uplink data unit from the first uplink data unit; and making a determination, based on the importance value associated with the set and a threshold importance value, to submit the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack or to buffer the second uplink data unit.

[0110] Clause 23. A computer-readable storage medium according to clause 22, wherein the computer-readable storage medium has additional computer-readable program code stored therein, and the additional computer-readable program code, in response to execution by the at least one processing circuit, causes the device to further perform at least the following steps: receiving control data including the threshold importance value at the layer of the radio protocol stack, and wherein a determination as to whether to submit or buffer the second uplink data unit is made based on the threshold importance value included in the control data.

[0111] Clause 24. A computer-readable storage medium according to clause 22 or clause 23, wherein when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit, and the computer-readable storage medium has additional computer-readable program code stored therein, and the additional computer-readable program code causes the device to at least further perform the following steps in response to execution by the at least one processing circuit: store the second uplink data unit in a transmission buffer.

[0112] Clause 25. A computer-readable storage medium according to clause 24, wherein the computer-readable storage medium has additional computer-readable program code stored therein, and the additional computer-readable program code causes the device to further perform at least the following steps in response to execution by the at least one processing circuit: when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, start a discard timer; and after the second uplink data unit is stored, when the discard timer expires, discard the second uplink data unit that has not been submitted to the lower layer from the transmission buffer.

[0113] Clause 26. A computer-readable storage medium according to clause 24 or clause 25, wherein the computer-readable storage medium has additional computer-readable program code stored therein, and the additional computer-readable program code causes the device to further perform at least the following steps in response to execution by the at least one processing circuit: starting a discard timer when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer; and receiving control data including an updated threshold importance value at the layer of the radio protocol stack after the second uplink data unit is stored but before the discard timer expires; making the determination to submit the second uplink data unit based on the importance value associated with the set being not greater than, or not greater than and not equal to, the updated threshold importance value; and submitting the second uplink data unit to the lower layer of the radio protocol stack.

[0114] Clause 27. A computer-readable storage medium according to any one of clauses 22 to 26, wherein the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, and wherein the computer-readable storage medium has additional computer-readable program code stored therein, the additional computer-readable program code causing the device to further start a transmission prohibit timer at least when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer in response to execution by the at least one processing circuit, and the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit until the transmission prohibit timer expires.

[0115] Clause 28. A computer-readable storage medium according to any one of clauses 22 to 27, wherein when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit, and the computer-readable storage medium has further computer-readable program code stored therein, and the further computer-readable program code causes the device to further perform at least the following steps in response to execution by the at least one processing circuit: sending a buffer status report including information about the amount of data available for transmission, and the amount of data does not include the second uplink data unit.

[0116] Clause 29. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of clauses 15 to 21.

[0117] Clause 30. A computer readable medium comprising computer readable program code which, in response to being executed by at least one processing circuit, causes an apparatus to perform the method of any of clauses 15 to 21.

[0118] Clause 31. A computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable program code which, in response to being executed by at least one processing circuit, causes an apparatus to perform the method of any of clauses 15 to 21.

[0119] Clause 32. A computer program comprising computer readable program code which, in response to being executed by at least one processing circuit, causes an apparatus to perform the method of any of clauses 15 to 21.

[0120] For those skilled in the art of the related art of the present disclosure, after benefiting from the teachings in the above description and the related diagrams, many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure set forth herein will be thought of. Therefore, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and these modifications and other embodiments should be included in the scope of the appended claims. In addition, although the above description and the related diagrams describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that different elements and / or functional combinations can be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations different from the elements and / or functions explicitly described above are also contemplated, which can be listed in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, these terms are only general and descriptive and are not used for limiting purposes.

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising: at least one memory configured to store computer readable program code; as well as at least one processing circuit configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer readable program code to cause the apparatus to at least: receiving, at a layer of a radio protocol stack from a higher layer of the radio protocol stack, a first uplink data unit, the first uplink data unit being in a set of one or more first uplink data units, the set being marked with information including an importance value associated with the set, the importance value identifying a relative importance of the set compared to other sets within a quality of service flow; constructing a second uplink data unit from the first uplink data unit; as well as Based on the importance value and a threshold importance value associated with the set, a determination is made to submit the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack or to buffer the second uplink data unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the computer readable program code to cause the apparatus to at least further perform: receiving, at the layer of the radio protocol stack, control data including the threshold importance value, and Wherein the determination to submit or buffer the second uplink data unit is made based on the threshold importance value included in the control data.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit, and the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the computer readable program code to cause the apparatus to further perform at least: The second uplink data unit is stored in a transmission buffer.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the computer readable program code to cause the apparatus to at least further perform: when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, starting a discard timer; and after the second uplink data unit is stored, When the discard timer expires, the second uplink data units that are not submitted to the lower layer are discarded from the transmission buffer.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the computer readable program code to cause the apparatus to at least further perform: when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, starting a discard timer; and after the second uplink data unit is stored but before the discard timer expires, receiving, at the layer of the radio protocol stack, control data comprising an updated threshold importance value; making the determination to submit the second uplink data unit based on the importance value associated with the set being not greater than the updated threshold importance value, or being not greater than and not equal to the updated threshold importance value; as well as The second uplink data unit is submitted to the lower layer of the radio protocol stack.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, and Wherein the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the computer readable program code to cause the apparatus to also start a transmission prohibit timer when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, and the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit until the transmission prohibit timer expires.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit, and the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the computer readable program code to cause the apparatus to further perform at least: A buffer status report is sent, the buffer status report comprising information about an amount of data available for transmission, and the amount of data excludes the second uplink data unit.

8. A method for communication, comprising: receiving, at a layer of a radio protocol stack from a higher layer of the radio protocol stack, a first uplink data unit, the first uplink data unit being in a set of one or more first uplink data units, the set being marked with information including an importance value associated with the set, the importance value identifying a relative importance of the set compared to other sets within a quality of service flow; constructing a second uplink data unit from the first uplink data unit; as well as Based on the importance value and a threshold importance value associated with the set, a determination is made to submit the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack or to buffer the second uplink data unit.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the method further comprises: receiving, at the layer of the radio protocol stack, control data including the threshold importance value, and Wherein the determination to submit or buffer the second uplink data unit is made based on the threshold importance value included in the control data.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit, and the method further comprises: The second uplink data unit is stored in a transmission buffer.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method further comprises: when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, starting a discard timer; and after the second uplink data unit is stored, When the discard timer expires, the second uplink data units that are not submitted to the lower layer are discarded from the transmission buffer.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method further comprises: when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, starting a discard timer; and after the second uplink data unit is stored but before the discard timer expires, receiving, at the layer of the radio protocol stack, control data comprising an updated threshold importance value; making the determination to submit the second uplink data unit based on the importance value associated with the set being not greater than the updated threshold importance value, or being not greater than and not equal to the updated threshold importance value; as well as The second uplink data unit is submitted to the lower layer of the radio protocol stack.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, and Wherein the method further comprises starting a transmission prohibit timer when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, and the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit until the transmission prohibit timer expires.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit, and the method further comprises: A buffer status report is sent, the buffer status report comprising information about an amount of data available for transmission, and the amount of data excludes the second uplink data unit.

15. A computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium being non-transitory and having computer readable program code stored therein, the computer readable program code in response to being executed by at least one processing circuit causing an apparatus to at least perform: receiving, at a layer of a radio protocol stack from a higher layer of the radio protocol stack, a first uplink data unit, the first uplink data unit being in a set of one or more first uplink data units, the set being marked with information including an importance value associated with the set, the importance value identifying a relative importance of the set compared to other sets within a quality of service flow; constructing a second uplink data unit from the first uplink data unit; as well as Based on the importance value and a threshold importance value associated with the set, a determination is made to submit the second uplink data unit to a lower layer of the radio protocol stack or to buffer the second uplink data unit.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the computer-readable storage medium has additional computer-readable program code stored therein, the additional computer-readable program code in response to being executed by the at least one processing circuit causing the apparatus to further perform at least: receiving, at the layer of the radio protocol stack, control data including the threshold importance value, and Wherein the determination to submit or buffer the second uplink data unit is made based on the threshold importance value included in the control data.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit, and the computer-readable storage medium has additional computer-readable program code stored therein that in response to being executed by the at least one processing circuit causes the apparatus to further perform at least: The second uplink data unit is stored in a transmission buffer.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the computer-readable storage medium has additional computer-readable program code stored therein, the additional computer-readable program code in response to being executed by the at least one processing circuit causing the apparatus to further perform at least: when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, starting a discard timer; and after the second uplink data unit is stored, When the discard timer expires, the second uplink data units that are not submitted to the lower layer are discarded from the transmission buffer.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the computer-readable storage medium has additional computer-readable program code stored therein, the additional computer-readable program code in response to being executed by the at least one processing circuit causing the apparatus to further perform at least: when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, starting a discard timer; and after the second uplink data unit is stored but before the discard timer expires, receiving, at the layer of the radio protocol stack, control data comprising an updated threshold importance value; making the determination to submit the second uplink data unit based on the importance value associated with the set being not greater than the updated threshold importance value, or being not greater than and not equal to the updated threshold importance value; as well as The second uplink data unit is submitted to the lower layer of the radio protocol stack.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, and wherein the computer-readable storage medium has additional computer-readable program code stored therein, the additional computer-readable program code in response to being executed by the at least one processing circuit causing the apparatus to also start a transmission prohibit timer when the first uplink data unit is received at the layer, and the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit until the transmission prohibit timer expires.

21. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein when the importance value associated with the set does not satisfy the threshold importance value, the determination is to buffer the second uplink data unit, and the computer-readable storage medium has additional computer-readable program code stored therein that in response to being executed by the at least one processing circuit causes the apparatus to further perform at least: A buffer status report is sent, the buffer status report comprising information about an amount of data available for transmission, and the amount of data excludes the second uplink data unit.

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