Drop operations and PDU set importance

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and computer programs are provided for discarding operation and protocol data unit set importance. A method includes receiving a service data unit; determining importance of a set of protocol data units including the service data units; determining whether there is at least one stored service data unit of a set of protocol data units having a lower importance than a set of protocol data units including the service data unit; and, when a timer associated with the at least one storage service data unit expires, and when an importance of a set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is lower than an importance of a set of protocol data units including service data units, discarding the at least one storage service data unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The exemplary and non-limiting exemplary embodiments relate generally to communications, and more particularly to discard operations and PDU set importance. Background Art

[0002] It is known to manage traffic flow and power consumption in communication networks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The above-described aspects and other features are explained in the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0004] Figure 1 is a block diagram of one possible non-limiting system in which example embodiments may be practiced.

[0005] Figure 2 is an example apparatus configured to implement the examples described herein.

[0006] Figure 3 A representation of an example of a non-volatile storage medium for storing instructions to implement the examples described herein is shown.

[0007] Figure 4 is an example method for implementing a send operation based on the examples described herein.

[0008] Figure 5 is an example method for implementing SDU discard operations based on the examples described herein.

[0009] Figure 6 is an example method for implementing SDU discard operations based on the examples described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Go to Figure 1 , which shows a block diagram of one possible non-limiting example in which the examples may be practiced. A user equipment (UE) 110, a radio access network (RAN) node 170 and (multiple) network elements 190 are shown. Figure 1In the example of FIG1 , user equipment (UE) 110 wirelessly communicates with wireless network 100. A UE is a wireless device that can access wireless network 100. UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected via one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver (Rx) 132 and a transmitter (Tx) 133. The one or more buses 127 can be address, data, or control buses and can include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of wires on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber, or other optical communication device. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. UE 110 includes module 140, which includes one or both of portions 140-1 and / or 140-2, which can be implemented in a variety of ways. Module 140 can be implemented in hardware as module 140-1, such as as part of one or more processors 120. Module 140-1 may also be implemented as an integrated circuit or through other hardware implementations such as a programmable gate array. In another example, module 140 may be implemented as module 140-2, which is implemented as computer program code 123 and executed by one or more processors 120. For example, one or more memories 125 and computer program code 123 may be configured to, together with one or more processors 120, cause user equipment 110 to perform one or more of the operations described herein. UE 110 communicates with RAN node 170 via wireless link 111.

[0011] In this example, RAN node 170 is a base station that provides access to wireless network 100 for wireless devices such as UE 110. RAN node 170 may be, for example, a base station for 5G, also known as New Radio (NR). In 5G, RAN node 170 may be an NG-RAN node, which is defined as a gNB or ng-eNB. A gNB is a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination towards the UE and is connected to a 5GC (such as, for example, network element(s) 190) via an NG interface (such as connection 131). An ng-eNB is a node that provides E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol termination towards the UE and is connected to the 5GC via an NG interface (such as connection 131). An NG-RAN node may include multiple gNBs, which may also include a Central Unit (CU) (gNB-CU) 196 and Distributed Unit(s) (gNB-DU), of which DU 195 is shown. Note that DU 195 may include, be coupled to, and control a Radio Unit (RU). The gNB-CU 196 is a logical node that hosts the RRC, SDAP, and PDCP protocols for a gNB, or the radio resource control (RRC) and PDCP protocols for an en-gNB, controlling the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU 196 terminates the F1 interface with the gNB-DU 195. The F1 interface is shown as reference numeral 198, although reference numeral 198 also illustrates links between remote and centralized elements of the RAN node 170, such as the link between the gNB-CU 196 and the gNB-DU 195. The gNB-DU 195 is a logical node that hosts the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers of a gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is controlled in part by the gNB-CU 196. One gNB-CU 196 supports one or more cells. A cell can be supported by one gNB-DU 195, or a cell can be supported / shared with multiple DUs under RAN sharing. The gNB-DU 195 terminates the F1 interface 198 to the gNB-CU 196. Note that the DU 195 is considered to include the transceiver 160, e.g., as part of the RU, but some examples may have the transceiver 160 as part of a separate RU, e.g., under the control of and connected to the DU 195. The RAN node 170 may also be an eNB (evolved NodeB) base station for LTE (Long Term Evolution), or any other suitable base station or node.

[0012] The RAN node 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F) 161, and one or more transceivers 160, interconnected via one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver Rx 162 and a transmitter Tx 163. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. The CU 196 may include (multiple) processors 152, one or more memories 155, and a network interface 161. Note that the DU 195 may also include its own memory / memory and (multiple) processors, and / or other hardware, but these are not shown.

[0013] RAN node 170 includes module 150, which includes one or both of portions 150-1 and / or 150-2, which can be implemented in a variety of ways. Module 150 can be implemented in hardware as module 150-1, such as as part of one or more processors 152. Module 150-1 can also be implemented as an integrated circuit or through other hardware implementations, such as a programmable gate array. In another example, module 150 can be implemented as module 150-2, which is implemented as computer program code 153 and executed by one or more processors 152. For example, one or more memories 155 and computer program code 153 are configured to, together with one or more processors 152, cause RAN node 170 to perform one or more of the operations described herein. Note that the functionality of module 150 can be distributed, such as between DU 195 and CU 196, or implemented solely in DU 195.

[0014] One or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network, such as via links 176 and 131. Two or more gNBs 170 may communicate using, for example, link 176. Link 176 may be wired or wireless or both, and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards.

[0015] The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of wires on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication equipment, a wireless channel, etc. For example, the one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) 195 for LTE or a distributed unit (DU) 195 for a gNB implementation for 5G, where other elements of the RAN node 170 may be physically located at a different location than the RRH / DU 195, and the one or more buses 157 may be implemented in part, for example, as fiber optic cables or other suitable network connections for connecting other elements of the RAN node 170 (e.g., a central unit (CU), gNB-CU 196) to the RRH / DU 195. Reference numeral 198 also indicates these suitable network link(s).

[0016] A RAN node / gNB may include one or more TRPs, to which the methods described herein may be applied. Figure 1 The RAN node 170 is shown to include two TRPs (TRP 51 and TRP 52). The RAN node 170 may host or include Figure 1 Other TRPs not shown.

[0017] The relay nodes in NR are called integrated access and backhaul nodes. The mobile terminal part of the IAB node facilitates the backhaul (parent link) connection. In other words, the mobile terminal part includes the functionality of carrying UE functions. The distributed unit part of the IAB node facilitates the so-called access link (sub-link) connection (i.e., for access link UE, and in the case of multi-hop IAB, for backhaul of other IAB nodes). In other words, the distributed unit part is responsible for certain base station functions. The IAB scenario can follow a so-called split architecture, where the central unit hosts the higher layer protocols for the UE and terminates the control plane and user plane interfaces with the 5G core network.

[0018] Note that the description herein indicates that a "cell" performs a function, but it should be clear that the device that forms the cell can perform that function. A cell constitutes part of a base station. That is, each base station can have multiple cells. For example, a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth can have three cells, each covering one-third of a 360-degree area, so the coverage area of ​​a single base station is approximately elliptical or circular. In addition, each cell can correspond to a single carrier, and a base station can use multiple carriers. So if each carrier has three 120-degree cells and there are two carriers, the base station has a total of 6 cells.

[0019] The wireless network 100 may include one or more network elements 190, which may include core network functions and provide connectivity to other networks such as a telephone network and / or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet) via one or more links 181. Such core network functions for 5G may include a location management function (LMF) and / or access and mobility management function(s) (AMFs) and / or a user plane function (UPF) and / or session management function(s) (SMFs). Such core network functions for LTE may include MME (Mobility Management Entity) / SGW (Serving Gateway) functions. Such core network functions may include SON (Self-Organizing / Optimizing Network) functions. These are merely illustrative functions that may be supported by the network element(s) 190, and it is noted that both 5G and LTE functions may be supported. The RAN node 170 is coupled to the network element 190 via a link 131. Link 131 may be implemented, for example, as an NG interface for 5G, an S1 interface for LTE, or other suitable interfaces for other standards. Network element 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N / WI / F) 180 interconnected by one or more buses 185. One or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. Computer program code 173 may include SON and / or MRO functionality 172.

[0020] Wireless network 100 can implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functions into a single, software-based managed entity or virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, which is often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization can be categorized as either external network virtualization or internal network virtualization. External network virtualization combines multiple networks or network components into virtual units, while internal network virtualization provides network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities created by network virtualization are still implemented, to some extent, using hardware such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and such virtualized entities also produce technical effects.

[0021] Computer-readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, non-volatile memory, volatile memory, fixed memory, and removable memory. Computer-readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be components for performing storage functions. Processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and, as non-limiting examples, may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Processors 120, 152, and 175 may be components for performing functions such as controlling UE 110, RAN node 170, network element(s) 190, and other functions described herein.

[0022] In general, various exemplary embodiments of the user equipment 110 may include, but are not limited to, a cellular phone with wireless communication capabilities (such as a smartphone, tablet computer, personal digital assistant (PDA)), a portable computer with wireless communication capabilities, an image capture device with wireless communication capabilities (such as a digital camera), a gaming device with wireless communication capabilities, a music storage and playback device with wireless communication capabilities, an Internet device (including an Internet device that allows wireless Internet access and browsing), a tablet computer with wireless communication capabilities, a head-mounted display (such as a display that implements virtual / augmented / mixed reality), and a portable unit or terminal that incorporates a combination of such functions. The UE 110 may also be a vehicle such as a car, or a UE installed in a vehicle, a UAV such as a drone, or a UE installed in a UAV. The user equipment 110 may be a terminal device such as a mobile phone, a mobile device, a sensor device, etc., which is a device used or not used by a user.

[0023] UE 110, RAN node 170 and / or network element(s) 190 (and associated memory, computer program code and modules) may be configured to implement (e.g., in part) the methods described herein, including discarding operations related to PDU set importance. Figure 1 The computer program code 123, module 140-1, module 140-2 and other elements / features of the illustrated UE 110 may implement the user equipment related aspects of the examples described herein. Figure 1 The computer program code 153, module 150-1, module 150-2, and other elements / features of the illustrated RAN node 170 may implement the example gNB / TRP-related aspects described herein. Figure 1The computer program code 173 and other elements / features of the illustrated network element(s) 190 may be configured to implement the example network element-related aspects described herein.

[0024] Therefore, having introduced a suitable but non-limiting technical context for the practice of the example embodiments, the example embodiments are now described in more detail.

[0025] 3GPP TSG RAN [RP-220285] has agreed on the following research items for XR:

[0026]

[0027]

[0028]

[0029] One of the goals of interest here is the one related to "Goals for XR Awareness in RAN (RAN2)". For XR awareness, 3GPP WG SA2 has agreed on the concept of PDU sets (see TR 23.700-60), the definition of which has been imported into the corresponding RANTR 38.835:

[0030]

[0031] To handle PDU aggregation, SA2 has agreed on a few things [23.700-60][38.835]: 1) First, SA2 has agreed on the concept of PDU Aggregation Importance (PSI), which is used to identify the importance of a PDU aggregation within a QoS Flow, 2) Then SA2 has agreed on the introduction of a new QoS parameter for PDU aggregation, the PDU Aggregation Delay Budget (PSDB), which represents the time between the receipt of the first PDU in a PDU aggregation and the successful delivery of the last arriving PDU in the PDU aggregation, 3) Finally, SA2 has also agreed on the concept of a PDU Aggregation Handling (PSH) Indication (alternatively called PDU Aggregation Handling Indication or PDU Aggregation Handling Indication), which indicates to the application layer whether all PDUs are required for the use of a PDU aggregation. When it is set, this indicates that all PDUs are required and, therefore, if one PDU is lost, the entire PDU aggregation becomes useless.

[0032] The agreed definition of PDU aggregate importance [38.835] mentions that the RAN can use PDU aggregate importance for PDU aggregate level packet discard in the presence of congestion, but 3GPP WG RAN2 did not discuss how to reflect this in the actual PDCP discard mechanism.

[0033] The previously filed R2-2212537 does state the following:

[0034]

[0035] However, the importance of a PDU set is only relative to other PDU sets, and if only importance is considered when setting the discard timer, discard operations may occur more frequently than necessary, thereby reducing the QoE / satisfaction of the end user. In addition, PSDB is not considered in this contribution.

[0036] XR enhancement and packet dropping

[0037] So far, XR discard operations have mainly focused on how to handle PSH in the RAN protocol and whether the existing PDCP discard timer should be set for all PDUs in the set, or only one timer should be run for the entire set to meet PSDB requirements.

[0038] When a PDCP SDU belonging to a PDU set is in the PDCP transmit buffer, and before a currently specified time point (referred to as t2), when the SDU is unconditionally discarded (i.e., the time when the current PDCP discard timer expires), the method described herein specifies that, depending on the importance of the PDU set, there is another time point t1 at which the SDU is discarded (only) if it precedes other SDUs with a higher PDU set importance in the transmit queue (i.e., it is associated with a lower PDCP count value compared to other SDUs in the buffer). Generally, the lower the importance, the earlier t1.

[0039] Furthermore, it is possible that when an SDU is between t1 and t2 and has not been discarded, it is discarded if new SDU(s) with higher PDU set importance appear in the transmission buffer.

[0040] There are different possibilities for implementing the actions for t1 and t2 in the standard: 1) a single PDCP discard timer is set to expire first at t1 and then restarted to expire at t2 (the timer duration changes from t1 to t2-t1); 2) in addition to the current PDCP discard timer being set to expire at t2 (and therefore not affected by the example described in this document), an additional new timer "early discard timer" is started at the same time and set to expire at t1.

[0041] The latter option has at least one benefit in that the current PDCP discard timer and its current expiry time range can be configured to still serve its original purpose.

[0042] By means of the present invention, importance information can be used to enhance discarding operations without generating unnecessary losses.

[0043] Proposed text for PDCP TS 38.323 (including proposals related to discard action and PDU set importance are highlighted with quotation marks (""), and deleted text is enclosed in double brackets [[ ]]):

[0044]

[0045]

[0046]

[0047]

[0048]

[0049] Figure 2 2 is an example apparatus 200 that can be implemented in hardware and configured to implement the examples described herein. Apparatus 200 includes at least one processor 202 (e.g., an FPGA and / or a CPU), one or more memories 204, the one or more memories 204 including computer program code 205 having instructions for performing the methods described herein, wherein the at least one memory 204 and the computer program code 205 are configured to, together with the at least one processor 202, cause apparatus 200 to implement circuit systems, processes, components, modules, or functions (implemented by a control module 206) to implement the examples described herein, including a discard operation and PDU set importance. Discard 230 of control module 206 can perform a discard operation, and PDU set importance 240 can implement a PDU set importance feature. Memory 204 can be non-volatile memory, transient memory, volatile memory (e.g., RAM), or non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM).

[0050] The device 200 includes a display and / or I / O interface 208, which includes user interface (UI) circuitry and elements, which can be used to display aspects or states of the methods described herein (e.g., while one of the methods is being performed or at a subsequent time), or can be used to receive input from a user, such as using a keypad, camera, touch screen, touch area, microphone, biometrics, one or more sensors, etc. The device 200 includes one or more communications, such as network (N / W) interface (I / F(s)) 210. The communication I / F(s) 210 can be wired and / or wireless and communicate over the Internet / other network(s) via any communication technology, including via one or more links 224. The link(s) 224 can be Figure 1 (Multiple) links 131 and / or 176 in. Figure 1The link(s) 131 and / or 176 in the communication I / F 210 may also be implemented using the transceiver(s) 216 and the corresponding wireless link(s) 226. The communication I / F(s) 210 may include one or more transmitters or one or more receivers.

[0051] The transceiver 216 includes one or more transmitters 218 and one or more receivers 220. The transceiver 216 and / or the communication I / F(s) 210 may include standard, well-known components such as amplifiers, filters, frequency converters, modulators (demodulators), and encoder / decoder circuitry, as well as one or more antennas, such as antenna 214 for communicating over wireless link 226.

[0052] The control module 206 of the device 200 includes one or both of parts 206-1 and / or 206-2, which can be implemented in a variety of ways. The control module 206 can be implemented in hardware as the control module 206-1, such as as part of one or more processors 202. The control module 206-1 can also be implemented as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the control module 206 can be implemented as the control module 206-2, which is implemented as computer program code (with corresponding instructions) 205 and is executed by the one or more processors 202. For example, the one or more memories 204 store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors 202, cause the device 200 to perform one or more of the operations described herein. In addition, the one or more processors 202, the one or more memories 204, and the example algorithms encoded as instructions, programs, or code (e.g., as flow charts and / or signaling diagrams) are components for performing the operations described herein.

[0053] The apparatus 200 for implementing the functionality of the control 206 may be a UE 110, a RAN node 170 (e.g., a gNB), or a network element(s) 190. Therefore, the processor 202 can correspond to (multiple) processors 120, (multiple) processors 152 and / or (multiple) processors 175, the memory 204 can correspond to one or more memories 125, one or more memories 155 and / or one or more memories 171, the computer program code 205 can correspond to computer program code 123, computer program code 153 and / or computer program code 173, the control module 206 can correspond to module 140-1, module 140-2, module 150-1 and / or module 150-2, (multiple) communication I / Fs 210 and / or transceiver 216 can correspond to transceiver 130, (multiple) antennas 128, transceiver 160, (multiple) antennas 158, (multiple) N / WI / Fs 161, and / or (multiple) N / WI / Fs 180. Alternatively, apparatus 200 and its elements may not correspond to any of UE 110, RAN node 170, or network element(s) 190 and their respective elements, as apparatus 200 may be part of a Self-Organizing / Optimizing Network (SON) node or other node, such as a node in a cloud.

[0054] The apparatus 200 may also be distributed throughout the network (eg, 100), including within and between the apparatus 200 and any network elements, such as a network control element (NCE) 190 and / or RAN node 170 and / or UE 110.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, interface 212 enables data communication and signaling between the various items of device 200. For example, interface 212 can be one or more buses, such as an address, data, or control bus, and can include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication equipment, etc. The computer program code (e.g., instructions) 205 comprising control 206 can include object-oriented software that is configured to pass data or messages between objects within the computer program code 205. Device 200 need not include each of the features described above, or may include other features. The various components of device 200 can be at least partially located in a common housing 228, or subsets of the various components of device 200 can be at least partially located in different housings, which can include housing 228.

[0056] Figure 3Schematic diagrams of non-volatile storage media 300a (e.g., a computer / compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)) and 300b (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and / or parameters 302 that, when executed by a processor, enable the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods described herein.

[0057] Figure 4 The present invention relates to an example method 400 for implementing a sending operation based on example embodiments described herein. At 410, the method includes receiving a service data unit. At 420, the method includes determining an importance of a set of protocol data units including the service data unit. At 430, the method includes determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit of the set of protocol data units: the set of protocol data units has an importance lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit. At 440, the method includes discarding the at least one storage service data unit when a timer associated with the at least one storage service data unit expires and when the importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit. The method 400 may be performed by the UE 110, the RAN node 170, the network element(s) 190, or the apparatus 200.

[0058] Figure 5 An example method 500 for implementing SDU discard operations based on example embodiments described herein is provided. At 510, the method includes determining an importance of a set of protocol data units including a service data unit. At 520, the method includes determining another importance of a set of protocol data units including at least one storage service data unit. At 530, the method includes discarding the service data unit when a timer associated with the service data unit expires and the another importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit. At 540, the method includes discarding the service data unit when the timer expires earlier than another timer for discarding the service data unit, the timer being related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit, and the another timer being unrelated to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit. Method 500 may be performed by UE 110, RAN node 170, network element(s) 190, or apparatus 200.

[0059] Figure 6An example method 600 for implementing SDU discard operations based on the examples described herein is provided. At 610, the method includes starting a timer for a service data unit. At 620, the method includes associating a count value with the service data unit. At 630, the method includes determining an importance of a set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit. At 640, the method includes detecting expiration of a timer for the service data unit. At 650, the method includes, in response to detecting expiration of the timer, determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having a higher importance than the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit. At 660, the method includes discarding the service data unit whose timer has expired in response to determining that there is at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having a higher importance than the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit. At 670, the method includes not discarding the timer-expired service data unit in response to determining that there is no at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a protocol data unit set having a higher importance than the protocol data unit set including the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit. The method 600 may be performed by the UE 110, the RAN node 170, the network element(s) 190, or the apparatus 200.

[0060] The following examples are provided and described herein.

[0061] Example 1. A device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: receive a service data unit; determine the importance of a set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit; determine whether there is at least one storage service data unit of the following set of protocol data units: the set of protocol data units has an importance lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit; and discard the at least one storage service data unit when a timer associated with the at least one storage service data unit expires and when the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the at least one storage service data unit is lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit.

[0062] Example 2. An apparatus according to Example 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: indicate to the at least one lower protocol layer the discarding of the at least one storage service data unit when the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit has been submitted to the at least one lower protocol layer.

[0063] Example 3. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 2, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: start the timer upon receiving the at least one storage service data unit, wherein the timer includes: an early discard timer.

[0064] Example 4. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determine the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit when the service data unit is received; receive the at least one storage service data unit; and determine the importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit when the at least one storage service data unit is received.

[0065] Example 5. The apparatus of any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the apparatus comprises: a transmitting packet data convergence protocol entity.

[0066] Example 6. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 4 to 5, wherein: the service data unit is received from at least one upper protocol layer; and the at least one service storage service data unit is received from the at least one upper protocol layer.

[0067] Example 7. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: associate a count value with the at least one storage service data unit; and associate another count value with the service data unit; wherein the count value is lower than the another count value to indicate that the at least one storage service data unit initially precedes the service data unit in the transmission queue, and the at least one storage service data unit is initially scheduled to be sent earlier than the service data unit.

[0068] Example 8. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: start another timer when the at least one storage service data unit is received; wherein the another timer includes: a discard timer, and the timer includes: an early discard timer; when the discard timer expires, discard the at least one storage service data unit; wherein the early discard timer expires earlier than the discard timer.

[0069] Example 9. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: discard a protocol data unit corresponding to the discarded at least one storage service data unit; and indicate the discard of the protocol data unit to at least one lower protocol layer.

[0070] Example 10. The apparatus of any of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the service data unit is a packet data convergence protocol service data unit, and the at least one storage service data unit is a packet data convergence protocol service data unit.

[0071] Example 11. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the apparatus comprises: user equipment or a network access node.

[0072] Example 12. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit is associated with a value, and the importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is associated with another value, wherein the value being higher than the other value indicates that the set of protocol data units including the service data unit has a higher importance or a lower importance than the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit.

[0073] Example 13. A device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: determine the importance of a set of protocol data units that includes a service data unit; determine another importance of a set of protocol data units that includes at least one storage service data unit; and, when a timer associated with the service data unit expires and the another importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the at least one storage service data unit is higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit, discard the service data unit; wherein the timer expires earlier than another timer for discarding the service data unit, the timer is related to the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit, and the other timer is not related to the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit.

[0074] Example 14. An apparatus according to Example 13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: indicate the discarding of the service data unit to the at least one lower protocol layer when the set of protocol data units including the service data unit has been submitted to the at least one lower protocol layer.

[0075] Example 15. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 13 to 14, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: start the timer upon receiving the service data unit, wherein the timer comprises: an early discard timer.

[0076] Example 16. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 13 to 15, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive the service data unit; when the service data unit is received, determine the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit; receive the at least one storage service data unit; and when the at least one storage service data unit is received, determine the importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit.

[0077] Example 17. The apparatus of any one of Examples 13 to 16, wherein the apparatus comprises: a transmitting packet data convergence protocol entity.

[0078] Example 18. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 16 to 17, wherein: the service data unit is received from at least one upper protocol layer; and the at least one service storage data unit is received from the at least one upper protocol layer.

[0079] Example 19. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 13 to 18, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: associate a count value with the service data unit; and associate another count value with the at least one storage service data unit; wherein the count value is lower than the another count value to indicate that the service data unit initially precedes the at least one storage service data unit in the transmission queue and that the service data unit is initially scheduled to be sent earlier than the at least one storage service data unit.

[0080] Example 20. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 13 to 19, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: start the other timer when the service data unit is received; wherein the other timer includes: a discard timer, and the timer includes: an early discard timer; and discard the service data unit when the discard timer expires.

[0081] Example 21. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 13 to 20, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: discard the protocol data unit corresponding to the discarded service data unit; and indicate the discarding of the protocol data unit to at least one lower protocol layer.

[0082] Example 22. The apparatus of any one of Examples 13 to 21, wherein the service data unit is a packet data convergence protocol service data unit, and the at least one storage service data unit is a packet data convergence protocol service data unit.

[0083] Example 23. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 13 to 22, wherein the apparatus comprises: a user equipment or a network access node.

[0084] Example 24. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 13 to 23, wherein the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit is associated with a value, and the importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is associated with another value, wherein the value being higher than the other value indicates that the set of protocol data units including the service data unit has a higher importance or a lower importance than the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit.

[0085] Example 25. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: start a timer for a service data unit; associate a count value with the service data unit; determine the importance of a set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit; detect expiration of the timer for the service data unit; in response to detecting expiration of the timer, determine whether there is at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units that has a higher importance than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; in response to determining the service data unit that expires on the timer being discarded in response to determining that there is not at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; and the service data unit that expires on the timer not being discarded or retained in response to determining that there is not at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit.

[0086] Example 26. The apparatus of Example 25, wherein the count value indicates a position of the service data unit within a transmission queue.

[0087] Example 27. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 25 to 26, wherein the timer expires earlier than another timer for discarding the service data unit, the timer is related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit, and the other timer is not related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit.

[0088] Example 28. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 25 to 27, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: indicate the discarding of the service data unit to the at least one lower protocol layer when the set of protocol data units including the service data unit has been submitted to the at least one lower protocol layer.

[0089] Example 29. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 25 to 28, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: start the timer upon receiving the service data unit, wherein the timer comprises: an early discard timer.

[0090] Example 30. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 25 to 29, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive a service data unit; when the service data unit is received, determine the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit; receive the at least one storage service data unit; and when the at least one storage service data unit is received, determine the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the at least one storage service data unit.

[0091] Example 31. The apparatus of any one of Examples 25 to 30, wherein the apparatus comprises: a transmitting packet data convergence protocol entity.

[0092] Example 32. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 30 to 31, wherein: the service data unit is received from at least one upper protocol layer; and the at least one service storage service data unit is received from the at least one upper protocol layer.

[0093] Example 33. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 25 to 32, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: associate a higher count value with the at least one storage service data unit; wherein the at least one storage service data unit is associated with a higher count value compared to the count value associated with the service data unit to indicate that the at least one storage service data unit initially lags behind the service data unit in the transmission queue and that the at least one storage service data unit is initially scheduled to be sent later than the service data unit.

[0094] Example 34. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 25 to 33, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: start another timer when the service data unit is received; wherein the another timer includes: a discard timer, and the timer includes: an early discard timer; and discard the service data unit when the discard timer expires.

[0095] Example 35. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 25 to 34, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: discard the protocol data unit corresponding to the discarded service data unit; and indicate the discarding of the protocol data unit to at least one lower protocol layer.

[0096] Example 36. The apparatus of any one of Examples 25 to 35, wherein the service data unit is a packet data convergence protocol service data unit, and the at least one storage service data unit is a packet data convergence protocol service data unit.

[0097] Example 37. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 25 to 36, wherein the apparatus comprises: a user equipment or a network access node.

[0098] Example 38. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 25 to 37, wherein the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit is associated with a value, and the importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is associated with another value, wherein the value being higher than the other value indicates that the set of protocol data units including the service data unit has a higher importance or a lower importance than the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit.

[0099] Example 39. A method comprising: receiving a service data unit; determining the importance of a set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit; determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit of the following set of protocol data units: the protocol data unit set has an importance lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit; and discarding the at least one storage service data unit when a timer associated with the at least one storage service data unit expires and when the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the at least one storage service data unit is lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit.

[0100] Example 40. A method comprising: determining an importance of a set of protocol data units including a service data unit; determining another importance of a set of protocol data units including at least one storage service data unit; and discarding the service data unit when a timer associated with the service data unit expires and the another importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit; wherein the timer expires earlier than another timer for discarding the service data unit, the timer is related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit, and the another timer is not related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit.

[0101] Example 41. A method comprising: starting a timer for a service data unit; associating a count value with the service data unit; determining an importance of a set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit; detecting expiration of the timer for the service data unit; in response to detecting expiration of the timer, determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance greater than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; discarding the timer in response to determining the presence of at least one storage service data unit the expired service data unit: the at least one storage service data unit belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit and is associated with a count value higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; and the service data unit that expires on the timer is not discarded or retained in response to determining that there is no following at least one storage service data unit, the at least one storage service data unit belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit and is associated with a count value higher than the count value associated with the service data unit.

[0102] Example 42. An apparatus comprising: a component for receiving a service data unit; a component for determining the importance of a set of protocol data units including the service data unit; a component for determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit of the following set of protocol data units: the protocol data unit set has an importance lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit; and a component for discarding the at least one storage service data unit when a timer associated with the at least one storage service data unit expires and when the importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit.

[0103] Example 43. An apparatus comprising: a component for determining the importance of a set of protocol data units including a service data unit; a component for determining another importance of a set of protocol data units including at least one storage service data unit; and a component for discarding the service data unit when a timer associated with the service data unit expires and the another importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit; wherein the timer expires earlier than another timer for discarding the service data unit, the timer is related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit, and the other timer is not related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit.

[0104] Example 44. An apparatus comprising: means for starting a timer for a service data unit; means for associating a count value with the service data unit; means for determining the importance of a set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit; means for detecting expiration of the timer for the service data unit; means for determining, in response to detecting expiration of the timer, whether there is at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units that has a higher importance than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; means for determining, in response to determining the existence of at least one storage service data unit means for discarding the service data unit upon expiration of the timer in response to determining that there is not present at least one storage service data unit: the at least one storage service data unit belongs to a set of protocol data units having higher importance than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit and is associated with a count value higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; and means for not discarding or retaining the service data unit upon expiration of the timer in response to determining that there is not present at least one storage service data unit: the at least one storage service data unit belongs to a set of protocol data units having higher importance than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit and is associated with a count value higher than the count value associated with the service data unit.

[0105] Example 45. A machine-readable, non-transitory program storage device tangibly embodying an instruction program executable by the machine, the instruction program being used to perform operations, the operations comprising: receiving a service data unit; determining an importance of a set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit; determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit of the following set of protocol data units: the protocol data unit set has an importance lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit; and discarding the at least one storage service data unit when a timer associated with the at least one storage service data unit expires and when the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the at least one storage service data unit is lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit.

[0106] Example 46. A machine-readable, non-transitory program storage device tangibly embodying an instruction program executable by the machine, the instruction program being used to perform operations, the operations comprising: determining an importance of a set of protocol data units including a service data unit; determining another importance of a set of protocol data units including at least one storage service data unit; and discarding the service data unit when a timer associated with the service data unit expires and the another importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit; wherein the timer expires earlier than another timer for discarding the service data unit, the timer is related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit, and the another timer is not related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit.

[0107] Example 47. A machine-readable, non-transitory program storage device tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine, the program of instructions for performing operations, the operations comprising: starting a timer for a service data unit; associating a count value with the service data unit; determining an importance of a set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit; detecting expiration of the timer for the service data unit; in response to detecting expiration of the timer, determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units that has a higher importance than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; in response to determining the existence of discarding the service data unit that expires on the timer in response to determining that there is not present at least one storage service data unit: the at least one storage service data unit belongs to a set of protocol data units having higher importance than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; and not discarding or retaining the service data unit that expires on the timer in response to determining that there is not present at least one storage service data unit: the at least one storage service data unit belongs to a set of protocol data units having higher importance than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit.

[0108] References to 'computers', 'processors', etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures (such as single / multi-processor architectures and sequential or parallel architectures), but also special purpose circuits such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific circuits (ASICs), signal processing devices, and other processing circuit systems. References to computer programs, instructions, code, etc. should be understood to encompass software or firmware for a programmable processor, such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device, whether instructions for a processor or configuration settings for a fixed function device, gate array, or programmable logic device, etc.

[0109] The memory described herein can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, non-volatile memory, transient memory, fixed memory, and removable memory. The memory can include a database for storing data.

[0110] As used herein, the term 'circuitry' may refer to the following: (a) a hardware circuit implementation, such as an implementation in analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) a combination of circuitry and software (and / or firmware), such as, as applicable: (i) a combination of processor(s), or (ii) portions of processor(s) / software (including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory, which work together to cause the device to perform various functions, and (c) circuitry that requires software or firmware to operate (even if the software or firmware is not physically present), such as microprocessor(s) or portions of microprocessor(s). As another example, as used herein, the term 'circuitry' would also encompass an implementation of only a processor (or processors) or portion of a processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, the term 'circuitry' would also encompass, if applicable to the particular element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or another network device.

[0111] In the figure, the lines and arrows between individual boxes represent the operational couplings between them, and the arrows represent the direction of data flow over these couplings.

[0112] It should be understood that the above description is illustrative only. Those skilled in the art may devise various alternatives and modifications. For example, the features recited in the various dependent claims may be combined with one another in any suitable combination. Furthermore, the features of the different exemplary embodiments described above may be selectively combined to form new exemplary embodiments. Therefore, this specification is intended to encompass all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0113] The following abbreviations and abbreviations that may appear in the specification and / or drawings are given below (abbreviations and abbreviations may be appended to each other or other characters using, for example, dashes, hyphens, slashes or numbers):

[0114] 3GPP: Third Generation Partnership Project

[0115] 4G: Fourth Generation

[0116] 5G: Fifth Generation

[0117] 5GC: 5G core network

[0118] ADU: Application Data Unit

[0119] AMF: Access and Mobility Management Function

[0120] AR: Augmented Reality

[0121] ASIC: Application-Specific Integrated Circuit

[0122] BSR: Buffer Status Report

[0123] CD: Compact Disc / Computer Disc

[0124] C-DRX: Connected Mode Discontinuous Reception

[0125] CG: Cloud gaming, or in some cases, configuration authorization, such as CG-PUSCHCN: Core Network

[0126] CPU: Central Processor Unit

[0127] CU: Central Unit or Centralized Unit

[0128] DAPS: Dual Active Protocol Stack

[0129] DCI: Downlink Control Information

[0130] DL: Downlink

[0131] DRB: Data Radio Bearer

[0132] DRX: Discontinuous Reception

[0133] DSP: Digital Signal Processor

[0134] DVD: Digital Versatile Disc

[0135] EHC: Ethernet Header Compression

[0136] eNB: Evolved Node B (e.g., LTE base station)

[0137] EN-DC: E-UTRAN New Radio - Dual Connectivity en-gNB: A node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination towards the UE and acts as a secondary node in EN-DC

[0138] E-UTRA: Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access, i.e., LTE radio access technology E-UTRAN: E-UTRA network

[0139] F1: Interface between CU and DU

[0140] FFS: For further study

[0141] FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array

[0142] gNB: A base station for 5G / NR, i.e., a node that provides NR user plane and control plane protocol termination towards the UE and is connected to the 5GC via the NG interface

[0143] HARQ: Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request

[0144] HFN: Hyperframe Number

[0145] IAB: Integrated Access and Backhaul

[0146] I / F: Interface

[0147] I / O: Input / Output

[0148] LMF: Location Management Function

[0149] LTE: Long Term Evolution (4G)

[0150] MAC: Media Access Control

[0151] MME: Mobility Management Entity

[0152] MR: Mixed Reality

[0153] MRO: Mobility Robustness Optimization

[0154] NB: Node B

[0155] NCE: Network Control Element ng or NG: Next Generation ng-eNB: Next Generation eNB

[0156] NG-RAN: Next Generation Radio Access Network

[0157] NR: New Radio

[0158] N / W: Network

[0159] NW: Network

[0160] PDA: Personal Digital Assistant

[0161] PDB: Packet Delay Budget

[0162] PDCCH: Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0163] PDCP: Packet Data Convergence Protocol

[0164] PDU: Protocol Data Unit

[0165] PHY: Physical layer

[0166] PSDB: PDU aggregate delay budget

[0167] PSH: PDU Set Processing

[0168] PSI: PDU Set Importance

[0169] PUSCH: Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0170] QoE: Quality of Experience

[0171] QoS: Quality of Service

[0172] R2: RAN2 (documentation)

[0173] RAM: Random Access Memory

[0174] RAN: Radio Access Network

[0175] RAN1: Radio Access Network, Working Group 1

[0176] RAN2: Radio Access Network, Working Group 2

[0177] RB: Resource Block

[0178] Rel: version

[0179] RF: Radio Frequency

[0180] RLC: Radio Link Control

[0181] ROHC: Robust Header Compression

[0182] ROM: Read-Only Memory

[0183] RP: RAN Plenary Meeting (Document)

[0184] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0185] RU: Radio Unit

[0186] Rx or RX: Receiver or Receive

[0187] SA: System aspects

[0188] SDU: Service Data Unit

[0189] SGW: Serving Gateway

[0190] SMF: Session Management Function

[0191] SN: Serial Number

[0192] SON: Self-Organizing / Optimizing Network

[0193] SP: SA plenary meeting (document)

[0194] SPS: Semi-Persistent Scheduling

[0195] SRB: Signalling Radio Bearer

[0196] TR: Technical Report

[0197] TRP: Transmission Reception Point

[0198] TS: Technical Specification

[0199] TSG: Technical Specification Group

[0200] Tx or TX: Transmitter or Transmit

[0201] UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

[0202] UE: User Equipment (e.g., wireless device, typically a mobile device)

[0203] UI: User Interface

[0204] UL: Uplink

[0205] UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

[0206] UPF: User Plane Function

[0207] USB: Universal Serial Bus

[0208] UTRA: UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access

[0209] UTRAN: UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

[0210] VR: Virtual Reality

[0211] WG: Working Group

[0212] WI: Work Item

[0213] X2: Network interface between RAN nodes and between RAN and core network

[0214] Xn: Network interface between NG-RAN nodes

[0215] XR: Extended Reality

[0216] XRM: Extended Reality and Media

Claims

1. A device comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receiving a service data unit; determining an importance of a set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit; determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit of a set of protocol data units having an importance lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit; as well as The at least one storage service data unit is discarded when a timer associated with the at least one storage service data unit expires and when the importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: When the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit has been submitted to at least one underlying protocol layer, the discarding of the at least one storage service data unit is indicated to the at least one underlying protocol layer.

3. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Upon receiving the at least one storage service data unit, starting the timer, wherein the timer comprises: Early discard timer.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determining, when the service data unit is received, the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit; receiving the at least one storage service data unit; as well as When the at least one storage service data unit is received, the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the at least one storage service data unit is determined.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device comprises: Sending Packet Data Convergence Protocol entity.

6. The device according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein: The service data unit is received from at least one upper protocol layer; and The at least one storage service data unit is received from the at least one upper protocol layer.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: associating a count value with the at least one storage service data unit; and associating another count value with the service data unit; The count value is lower than the other count value to indicate that the at least one storage service data unit initially precedes the service data unit in the transmission queue and is initially scheduled to be sent earlier than the service data unit.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: When the at least one storage service data unit is received, starting another timer; wherein the another timer comprises: a discard timer, and the timer comprises: an early discard timer; When the discard timer expires, discarding the at least one storage service data unit; The early discard timer expires earlier than the discard timer.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: discarding a protocol data unit corresponding to the discarded at least one storage service data unit; and The discarding of the protocol data unit is indicated to at least one underlying protocol layer.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the service data unit is a packet data convergence protocol service data unit, and the at least one storage service data unit is a packet data convergence protocol service data unit.

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the device comprises: User equipment, or network access node.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit is associated with a value, and the importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is associated with another value, wherein the value being higher than the other value indicates that the set of protocol data units including the service data unit has a higher importance or a lower importance than the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit.

13. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determining the importance of a set of protocol data units comprising a service data unit; determining another importance of the set of protocol data units including at least one storage service data unit; as well as discarding the service data unit when a timer associated with the service data unit expires and the further importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the at least one storage service data unit is higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit; The timer expires earlier than another timer for discarding the service data unit, the timer is related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit, and the another timer is not related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: When the set of protocol data units including the service data unit has been submitted to at least one underlying protocol layer, the discarding of the service data unit is indicated to the at least one underlying protocol layer.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Upon receiving the service data unit, starting the timer, wherein the timer comprises: Early discard timer.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receiving the service data unit; determining, when the service data unit is received, the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit; receiving the at least one storage service data unit; as well as When the at least one storage service data unit is received, the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the at least one storage service data unit is determined.

17. The device according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the device comprises: Sending Packet Data Convergence Protocol entity.

18. The device according to any one of claims 16 to 17, wherein: The service data unit is received from at least one upper protocol layer; and The at least one storage service data unit is received from the at least one upper protocol layer.

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: associating a count value with the service data unit; and associating another count value with the at least one storage service data unit; The count value is lower than the other count value to indicate that the service data unit initially precedes the at least one storage service data unit in the transmission queue and is initially scheduled to be sent earlier than the at least one storage service data unit.

20. The apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: When the service data unit is received, starting the other timer; wherein the another timer comprises: a discard timer, and the timer comprises: an early discard timer; and When the discard timer expires, the service data unit is discarded.

21. The apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: discarding the protocol data unit corresponding to the discarded service data unit; and The discarding of the protocol data unit is indicated to at least one underlying protocol layer.

22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein the service data unit is a packet data convergence protocol service data unit, and the at least one storage service data unit is a packet data convergence protocol service data unit.

23. The device according to any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the device comprises: User equipment, or network access node.

24. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 23, wherein the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit is associated with a value, and the importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is associated with another value, wherein the value being higher than the other value indicates that the set of protocol data units including the service data unit has a higher importance or a lower importance than the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit.

25. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Start the timer of the service data unit; associating a count value with the service data unit; determining an importance of a set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit; detecting expiration of the timer of the service data unit; in response to detecting expiration of the timer, determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; discarding the service data unit for which the timer expires in response to determining that there is at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; as well as The service data unit for which the timer expires is not discarded in response to determining that there is not at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the count value indicates a position of the service data unit within a transmit queue.

27. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 26, wherein the timer expires earlier than another timer for discarding the service data unit, the timer being related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit, and the another timer being independent of the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit.

28. The apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: When the set of protocol data units including the service data unit has been submitted to at least one underlying protocol layer, the discarding of the service data unit is indicated to the at least one underlying protocol layer.

29. The apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Upon receiving the service data unit, starting the timer, wherein the timer comprises: Early discard timer.

30. The apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receiving a service data unit; determining, when the service data unit is received, the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit; receiving the at least one storage service data unit; as well as When the at least one storage service data unit is received, the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the at least one storage service data unit is determined.

31. The device according to any one of claims 25 to 30, wherein the device comprises: Sending Packet Data Convergence Protocol entity.

32. The apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 31, wherein: The service data unit is received from at least one upper protocol layer; and The at least one storage service data unit is received from the at least one upper protocol layer.

33. The apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 32, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: associating a higher count value with the at least one storage service data unit; wherein the at least one storage service data unit is associated with a higher count value than the count value associated with the service data unit to indicate that the at least one storage service data unit initially lagged behind the service data unit in the transmission queue and that the at least one storage service data unit was initially scheduled to be sent later than the service data unit.

34. The apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 33, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: When the service data unit is received, starting another timer; wherein the another timer comprises: a discard timer, and the timer comprises: an early discard timer; and When the discard timer expires, the service data unit is discarded.

35. The apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 34, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: discarding the protocol data unit corresponding to the discarded service data unit; and The discarding of the protocol data unit is indicated to at least one underlying protocol layer.

36. The apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 35, wherein the service data unit is a packet data convergence protocol service data unit, and the at least one storage service data unit is a packet data convergence protocol service data unit.

37. The device according to any one of claims 25 to 36, wherein the device comprises: User equipment, or network access node.

38. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 37, wherein the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit is associated with a value, and the importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is associated with another value, wherein the value being higher than the other value indicates that the set of protocol data units including the service data unit has a higher importance or a lower importance than the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit.

39. A method comprising: receiving a service data unit; determining an importance of a set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit; determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit of a set of protocol data units having an importance lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit; as well as The at least one storage service data unit is discarded when a timer associated with the at least one storage service data unit expires and when the importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit.

40. A method comprising: determining the importance of a set of protocol data units comprising a service data unit; determining another importance of the set of protocol data units including at least one storage service data unit; as well as discarding the service data unit when a timer associated with the service data unit expires and the further importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the at least one storage service data unit is higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit; The timer expires earlier than another timer for discarding the service data unit, the timer is related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit, and the another timer is not related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit.

41. A method comprising: Start the timer of the service data unit; associating a count value with the service data unit; determining an importance of a set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit; detecting expiration of the timer of the service data unit; in response to detecting expiration of the timer, determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; discarding the service data unit for which the timer expires in response to determining that there is at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; as well as The service data unit for which the timer expires is not discarded in response to determining that there is not at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit.

42. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving a service data unit; means for determining the importance of a set of protocol data units comprising said service data unit; means for determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit of a set of protocol data units having an importance lower than said importance of said set of protocol data units comprising said service data unit; as well as Means for discarding the at least one storage service data unit when a timer associated with the at least one storage service data unit expires and when the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the at least one storage service data unit is lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit.

43. An apparatus comprising: means for determining the importance of a set of protocol data units comprising a service data unit; means for determining a further importance of a set of protocol data units comprising at least one storage service data unit; as well as means for discarding the service data unit if a timer associated with the service data unit expires and the further importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the at least one storage service data unit is higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit; The timer expires earlier than another timer for discarding the service data unit, the timer is related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit, and the another timer is not related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit.

44. An apparatus comprising: means for starting a timer for a service data unit; means for associating a count value with said service data unit; means for determining the importance of a set of protocol data units comprising said service data unit; means for detecting expiration of said timer of said service data unit; means for determining, in response to detecting expiration of the timer, whether there is at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; means for discarding the service data unit for which the timer expires in response to determining that there is at least one storage service data unit belonging to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit and associated with a count value higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; as well as Means for not discarding the service data unit for which the timer expires, in response to determining that there is not present at least one storage service data unit belonging to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit and associated with a count value higher than the count value associated with the service data unit.

45. A non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine, the program of instructions for performing operations comprising: receiving a service data unit; determining an importance of a set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit; determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit of a set of protocol data units having an importance lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit; as well as The at least one storage service data unit is discarded when a timer associated with the at least one storage service data unit expires and when the importance of the set of protocol data units including the at least one storage service data unit is lower than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit.

46. ​​A non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine, the program of instructions for performing operations comprising: determining the importance of a set of protocol data units comprising a service data unit; determining another importance of the set of protocol data units including at least one storage service data unit; as well as discarding the service data unit when a timer associated with the service data unit expires and the further importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the at least one storage service data unit is higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit; The timer expires earlier than another timer for discarding the service data unit, the timer is related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit, and the another timer is not related to the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit.

47. A non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine, the program of instructions for performing operations comprising: Start the timer of the service data unit; associating a count value with the service data unit; determining an importance of a set of protocol data units comprising the service data unit; detecting expiration of the timer of the service data unit; in response to detecting expiration of the timer, determining whether there is at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units including the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; discarding the service data unit for which the timer expires in response to determining that there is at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit; as well as The service data unit for which the timer expires is not discarded in response to determining that there is not at least one storage service data unit that belongs to a set of protocol data units having an importance higher than the importance of the set of protocol data units that includes the service data unit and is associated with a count value that is higher than the count value associated with the service data unit.

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