Methods, apparatuses and computer programs

Abstract

An apparatus is provided that includes means for providing assistance information to at least one of a user plane function or a user equipment to assist protocol data unit set identification, where the assistance information indicates that an application service flow includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within a same internet protocol transport layer data flow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure relate to methods, apparatus, systems, and computer programs, and specifically, but not exclusively, to PDU set processing. Background Technology

[0002] A communication network can be viewed as a facility that enables communication between two or more communication devices or provides communication devices with access to a data network. Mobile or wireless communication networks are an example of a communication network. Services can be provided to communication devices by an application server.

[0003] Such communication networks operate according to standards provided by, for example, 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). An example of such a standard is the so-called 5G (fifth generation) standard provided by 3GPP.

[0004] A characteristic of modern communication systems is called Protocol Data Unit (PDU) set processing. For example, several PDUs belonging to the same application service flow can be mapped to a PDU set. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described with respect to certain aspects. These aspects are not intended to indicate key or essential features of embodiments of this disclosure, nor are they intended to limit its scope. Other features, aspects, and elements will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure.

[0006] According to a first aspect, an apparatus is disclosed, comprising: a component for providing auxiliary information to at least one of a user plane function or a user equipment to assist in identifying a protocol data unit set, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that an application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol transport layer data stream.

[0007] According to some examples, the apparatus also includes components for providing at least one of the following to a user plane function or a user device: information on one or more protocol data unit set categories for each media stream in one or more media streams in an application service stream; or information on one or more protocol data unit set types included in the application service stream and information on the importance of protocol data unit sets for each of the one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0008] Based on some examples, information about one or more protocol data unit set types indicates that one or more protocol data unit set types are associated with one or more protocol data unit set categories.

[0009] According to some examples, at least one of the following is provided to determine one or more protocol data unit sets: information on one or more protocol data unit set categories or information on one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0010] According to some examples, the apparatus also includes components for providing the policy control function with protocol data unit set quality of service parameters for each protocol data unit set category in one or more protocol data unit set categories or for each protocol data unit set type in one or more protocol data unit set types, for mapping one or more protocol data unit set categories or one or more protocol data unit set types to one or more quality of service streams.

[0011] According to some examples, the device includes a component for providing at least one of the following to at least one of a user plane function or a user equipment via one or more policy control functions or system management facilities: information on one or more protocol data unit set categories, information on one or more protocol data unit set types, and information on the importance of protocol data unit sets.

[0012] According to a second aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the apparatus to at least: provide auxiliary information to at least one of a user plane function or a user equipment to identify an auxiliary protocol data unit set, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that an application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol transport layer data stream.

[0013] According to some examples, the at least one processor may be configured to provide at least one of the following to a user plane function or a user equipment: information on one or more protocol data unit set categories for each media stream in one or more media streams in an application service stream; or information on one or more protocol data unit set types included in the application service stream and information on the importance of protocol data unit sets for each of the one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0014] Based on some examples, information about one or more protocol data unit set types indicates that one or more protocol data unit set types are associated with one or more protocol data unit set categories.

[0015] According to some examples, at least one of the following is provided to determine one or more protocol data unit sets: information on one or more protocol data unit set categories or information on one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0016] According to some examples, at least one processor can be configured such that the apparatus provides a policy control function with protocol data unit set quality of service parameters for each protocol data unit set category in one or more protocol data unit set categories or for each protocol data unit set type in one or more protocol data unit set types, for mapping one or more protocol data unit set categories or one or more protocol data unit set types to one or more quality of service streams.

[0017] According to some examples, at least one processor can be configured to enable the device to provide at least one of the following to at least one of a user plane function or a user equipment via one or more of a policy control function or a system management facility: information on one or more protocol data unit set categories, information on one or more protocol data unit set types, and information on the importance of protocol data unit sets.

[0018] According to a third aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: a component for receiving auxiliary information from an application function, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol Transport Layer (IPL) data stream; and a component for identifying one or more sets of protocol data units based on the auxiliary information.

[0019] According to some examples, the apparatus also includes components for receiving at least one of the following from the application function: information on one or more protocol set data categories for each media stream in one or more media streams in the application service stream; or information on one or more protocol data unit set types included in the application service stream and information on the importance of protocol data unit sets for each of the one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0020] Based on some examples, information about one or more protocol data unit set types indicates that one or more protocol data unit set types are associated with one or more protocol data unit set categories.

[0021] According to some examples, the apparatus also includes components for determining one or more protocol data unit sets based on at least one of information on one or more protocol data unit set categories or information on one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0022] According to some examples, the apparatus also includes a component for receiving information on one or more protocol data unit set quality of service parameters for each of one or more protocol data unit set categories or for each of one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0023] According to some examples, the apparatus includes components for mapping one or more Protocol Data Unit Set Categories or one or more Protocol Data Unit Set Types to one or more Quality of Service (QoS) streams, wherein the QoS streams are associated with QoS parameters provided for each of the one or more Protocol Data Unit Set Categories or for each of the one or more Protocol Data Unit Set Types.

[0024] According to some examples, the device includes a component for receiving at least one of the following from an application function via one or more policy control functions or system management facilities: information on one or more protocol data unit set categories, information on one or more protocol data unit set types, and information on the importance of protocol data unit sets.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions causing the apparatus, when executed by the at least one processor, to perform at least: receiving auxiliary information from an application function, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol Transport Layer (IPL) data stream; and identifying one or more sets of protocol data units based on the auxiliary information.

[0026] According to some examples, at least one processor may be configured to cause the device to receive from the application function at least one of the following: information on one or more protocol set data categories for each of one or more media streams in the application service stream; or information on one or more protocol data unit set types included in the application service stream and information on the importance of protocol data unit sets for each of the one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0027] Based on some examples, information about one or more protocol data unit set types indicates that one or more protocol data unit set types are associated with one or more protocol data unit set categories.

[0028] According to some examples, at least one processor can be configured to enable the device to determine one or more protocol data unit sets based on at least one of information on one or more protocol data unit set categories or information on one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0029] According to some examples, at least one processor can be configured to enable the device to receive information on one or more protocol data unit set quality of service parameters for each protocol data unit set category in one or more protocol data unit set categories or for each protocol data unit set type in one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0030] According to some examples, at least one processor can be configured to enable the apparatus to: map one or more Protocol Data Unit Set Categories or one or more Protocol Data Unit Set Types to one or more Quality of Service (QoS) streams, wherein the QoS streams are associated with QoS parameters provided for each of the one or more Protocol Data Unit Set Categories or for each of the one or more Protocol Data Unit Set Types.

[0031] According to some examples, at least one processor can be configured to enable the device to receive, via one or more of policy control functions or system management facilities, at least one of the following from an application function: auxiliary information, information on one or more protocol data unit set categories, information on one or more protocol data unit set types, and information on the importance of protocol data unit sets.

[0032] According to the fifth aspect, a method is provided, comprising: providing auxiliary information to at least one of a user plane function or a user device to identify an auxiliary protocol data unit set, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that an application service flow includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol transport layer data stream.

[0033] According to some examples, the method also includes providing at least one of the following to a user plane function or user device: information on one or more protocol data unit set categories for each media stream in one or more media streams in the application service stream; or information on one or more protocol data unit set types included in the application service stream and information on the importance of protocol data unit sets for each of the one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0034] Based on some examples, information about one or more protocol data unit set types indicates that one or more protocol data unit set types are associated with one or more protocol data unit set categories.

[0035] According to some examples, at least one of the following is provided to determine one or more protocol data unit sets: information on one or more protocol data unit set categories or information on one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0036] According to some examples, the method also includes providing the policy control function with protocol data unit set quality of service parameters for each protocol data unit set category in one or more protocol data unit set categories or for each protocol data unit set type in one or more protocol data unit set types, for mapping one or more protocol data unit set categories or one or more protocol data unit set types to one or more quality of service streams.

[0037] According to some examples, the method includes providing at least one of the following to at least one of a user plane function or user equipment via one or more policy control functions or system management facilities: information on one or more protocol data unit set categories, information on one or more protocol data unit set types, and information on the importance of protocol data unit sets.

[0038] According to a sixth aspect, a method is provided, comprising: receiving auxiliary information from an application function, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service flow includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol Transport Layer (IPL) data stream; and identifying one or more protocol data unit sets based on the auxiliary information.

[0039] According to some examples, the method includes receiving from an application function at least one of the following: information on one or more protocol set data categories for each media stream in one or more media streams in an application service stream; or information on one or more protocol data unit set types included in the application service stream and information on the importance of protocol data unit sets for each of the one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0040] Based on some examples, information about one or more protocol data unit set types indicates that one or more protocol data unit set types are associated with one or more protocol data unit set categories.

[0041] According to some examples, the method includes determining one or more protocol data unit sets based on at least one of information on one or more protocol data unit set categories or information on one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0042] According to some examples, the method includes receiving information on one or more protocol data unit set quality of service parameters for each protocol data unit set category in one or more protocol data unit set categories or for each protocol data unit set type in one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0043] According to some examples, the method includes mapping one or more protocol data unit set categories or one or more protocol data unit set types to one or more quality of service streams, wherein the quality of service streams are associated with quality of service parameters provided for each of the one or more protocol data unit set categories or for each of the one or more protocol data unit set types.

[0044] According to some examples, the method includes receiving at least one of the following from an application function via one or more policy control functions or system management facilities: information on one or more protocol data unit set categories, information on one or more protocol data unit set types, and information on the importance of protocol data unit sets.

[0045] According to a seventh aspect, a computer program is provided, including instructions for causing a device to perform at least the following operations: providing auxiliary information to at least one of a user plane function or a user equipment for identifying an auxiliary protocol data unit set, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that an application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol transport layer data stream.

[0046] According to an eighth aspect, a computer program is provided, including instructions for causing a device to perform at least the following operations: receiving auxiliary information from an application function, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol Transport Layer (IPL) data stream; and identifying one or more sets of protocol data units based on the auxiliary information.

[0047] According to a ninth aspect, a computer program is provided, including instructions stored thereon, for at least performing the following operations: providing auxiliary information to at least one of a user plane function or a user device to identify an auxiliary protocol data unit set, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that an application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol transport layer data stream.

[0048] According to a tenth aspect, a computer program is provided, including instructions stored thereon for at least performing the following operations: receiving auxiliary information from an application function, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol Transport Layer (IPL) data stream; and identifying one or more sets of protocol data units based on the auxiliary information.

[0049] According to the eleventh aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following operations: providing auxiliary information to at least one of a user plane function or a user equipment for the purpose of identifying an auxiliary protocol data unit set, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that an application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol transport layer data stream.

[0050] According to the twelfth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions is provided, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following operations: receiving auxiliary information from an application function, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol Transport Layer data stream; and identifying one or more sets of protocol data units based on the auxiliary information.

[0051] According to a thirteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions being configured to perform at least the following operations: providing auxiliary information to at least one of a user plane function or a user equipment for the purpose of identifying an auxiliary protocol data unit set, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that an application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol transport layer data stream.

[0052] According to the fourteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, including program instructions stored thereon for at least performing the following operations: receiving auxiliary information from an application function, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol Transport Layer (IPL) data stream; and identifying one or more sets of protocol data units based on the auxiliary information.

[0053] According to the fifteenth aspect, a computer-readable medium including program instructions is provided, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following operations: providing auxiliary information to at least one of a user plane function or a user equipment to identify an auxiliary protocol data unit set, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that an application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol transport layer data stream.

[0054] According to the sixteenth aspect, a computer-readable medium including program instructions is provided, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following operations: receiving auxiliary information from an application function, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol Transport Layer (IPL) data stream; and identifying one or more sets of protocol data units based on the auxiliary information.

[0055] According to the seventeenth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, including program instructions stored thereon, for at least performing the following operations: providing auxiliary information to at least one of a user plane function or a user device for identifying an auxiliary protocol data unit set, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that an application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol transport layer data stream.

[0056] According to the eighteenth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, including program instructions stored thereon, for at least performing the following operations: receiving auxiliary information from an application function, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol Transport Layer (IPL) data stream; and identifying one or more sets of protocol data units based on the auxiliary information.

[0057] Many different embodiments have been described above. It should be understood that other embodiments can be provided by any combination of two or more of the above embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0058] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described by way of non-limiting and illustrative example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 This illustrates a representation of a fifth-generation communication system; Figure 2 A representation of the current 5GS architecture for PDU set processing for XR is shown; Figure 3 This is a signaling diagram based on an example embodiment; Figure 4 A representation of a control device according to some example embodiments is shown; Figure 5 The illustration shows a method for using some example embodiments. Figure 1 The representation of a communication system device; Figure 6 This is a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment; Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment; Figure 8 A representation of an apparatus according to some example embodiments is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0059] In the following explanation, various exemplary embodiments are described with reference to communication devices capable of communicating with a communication system. Before explaining in detail embodiments of the methods and apparatus of this disclosure, please refer to… Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 Briefly explain the fifth-generation communication system (5GS), its access network and core network (5GC), and communication equipment.

[0060] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a 5G communication system (5GS) is shown. The 5GS may include a user equipment (UE) 100, an access network such as a 5G radio access network (5G-RAN) 102 or a next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN), a 5G core network (5GC) 104, and one or more application functions. Application functions may be deployed as trusted application functions in the 5GS, or they may be deployed or hosted on one or more application servers in the data network. Such application functions are untrusted application functions. The 5GS connects the UE 100 to the data network via the access network and the 5GC (e.g., the 5GC's UPF 118).

[0061] 5G-RAN 102 may include one or more radio access nodes, such as gNodeBs (GNBs). A gNB may include one or more gNodeB (GNB) distribution units connected to one or more gNodeB (GNB) central units.

[0062] 5GC 104 may include the following network functions: Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF); Network Exposure Function (NEF) 108; Network Repository Function (NRF); Policy Control Function (PCF); Unified Data Management (UDM) 110; Application Function (AF) 106; Authentication Server Function (AUSF) 112; Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 114; Session Management Function (SMF) 116; and User Plane Function (UPF) 118. Figure 1 Various interfaces (N1, N2, etc.) that can be implemented between various components of the system are also shown.

[0063] To support Extended Reality (XR) in 3GPP networks, SA2 version 18 has investigated mechanisms for integrating and differentiating PDU set processing, as described in TS23.700-60, Key Issues 4 and 5. A PDU set is one or more PDUs carrying a payload of a single information unit (e.g., a video frame or video slice for XR services) generated at the application level.

[0064] Figure 2The current 5GS architecture for PDU set processing for XR is illustrated. For downlink XR services, 3GPP supports the detection of PDU sets by the PSA (PDU Session Anchor) UPF 202 and the subsequent marking of downlink GTP-U (GPRS Tunneling Protocol User) packets sent to the NG-RAN by the UPF 202. In some examples, the PSA UPF 202 is the UPF of the N6 interface terminating the PDU session within the 5G core network. Integrated and differentiated PDU set processing is performed in the NG-RAN 210 according to the PDU set Quality of Service (QoS) parameters applicable to the PDU groups forming the PDU sets. These QoS parameters may include at least one of the following: PDU set error rate (PSER); PDU set delay budget (PSDB); and PDU set integration processing indicator (PSIHI). The PSER defines the upper limit on the rate at which a PDU set has been processed by the sender of a link layer protocol (e.g., RLC in a 3GPP-accessed RAN) but not successfully delivered to the upper layer (e.g., PDCP in a 3GPP-accessed RAN). Therefore, PSER defines an upper limit on the non-congestion-related PDU set loss rate. PSDB defines an upper limit on the latency that the PDU set may experience for transmission between the UE and the N6 endpoint at the UPF, i.e., the duration between the reception time of the first PDU (at the N6 endpoint for DL ​​or the UE for UL) and the time when all PDUs in the PDU set have been successfully received (at the UE for DL ​​or the N6 endpoint for UL). PSIHI indicates whether the application needs all PDUs in the PDU set to provide application-layer information processing.

[0065] AF 208 may send a request to NEF and / or PCF 206 providing values ​​for PDU set QoS parameters and protocol description information. This protocol description information indicates the application protocol and protocol header (e.g., Real-Time Protocol (RTP) and / or Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol (SRTP) with or without specific header extensions) and payload type (e.g., H.264) used by the application service flow sent to UPF on the downlink. This information is supplemented by Internet Protocol (IP) and transport layer service data flow identification information (e.g., User Datagram Protocol (UDP) or Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and their corresponding port numbers) and QoS requirements (such as the maximum or guaranteed bit rate required by AF 208). If PCF 206 authorizes the AF 208 request, PCF 206 incorporates the information received from AF 208 into a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule, which is then sent to SMF 204. Alternatively, the PDU set QoS parameters and protocol description can be configured more statically in 5GS.

[0066] SMF 204 can determine the QoS flow for XR service data flows. QoS (Quality of Service) defines the quality parameters that user plane services must meet, such as Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) and Non-Guaranteed Bit Rate (Non-GBR), and, in the case of PDU set-based QoS processing, one or more of the aforementioned PDU set QoS parameters PSER, PSDB, and PSIHI. A QoS flow represents the lowest granularity level of a service flow, enabling the application of QoS policies and charging. SMF 204 can send PDU set QoS parameters to NG-RAN 210 and protocol description information to PSA UPF 202. For example, SMF 204 can instruct PSA UPF 202 to perform PDU set marking and can provide PSA UPF 202 with a protocol description indicating the protocol used by the service data flow (e.g., RTP / SRTP), extended headers (e.g., RTP PDU set header extensions), and payload type (e.g., H.264). Protocol descriptions can be received in PCC rules based on information provided by AF 208 or PCF local policies. PSA UPF 202 can use protocol description information and implementation rules (e.g., PCC rules and / or PCF local policies) to detect the application protocol headers and payloads of downlink PDUs, determine PDU sets, and extract PDU set information. Alternatively, the PSA UPF 202 implementation process can be used to identify PDU sets even if the UPF has not received protocol description information (e.g., for proprietary application protocols other than RTP).

[0067] The PDU set information sent to NG-RAN 210 in the GTP-U header currently includes the following: PDU set sequence number; indication of the end (or last) PDU of the PDU set; PDU sequence numbers within the PDU set; PDU set size in bytes; and PDU set importance. In some examples, PDU set importance can identify the relative importance of the PDU set compared to other PDU sets within a QoS flow. In other examples, depending on the configuration, PDU set importance can identify the relative importance of the PDU set compared to other PDU sets across QoS flows with the same priority level.

[0068] PDU set importance is currently the only GTP-U parameter provided by the UPF, which distinguishes PDU sets based on the type of application / media layer payload / attribute they represent. For example, different importance values ​​can be assigned to PDUs carrying different PDU set types (e.g., PDUs carrying video I-frames and P-frames). In the event of congestion, NG-RAN can use PDU set importance for PDU set-level packet dropping. Therefore, 3GPP SA2 leaves uplink PDU set processing at the UE to the 3GPP RAN group.

[0069] 3GPP SA2 has agreed that the AF (Service Provider) can provide certain high-level information within the protocol description, indicating the service type contained in the service data stream used for PDU set identification and processing requests. The alternative "service protocol" definition provided by the AF is: -RTP or SRTP; - RTP or SRTP with RTP header extensions, including: - RTP header extensions for PDU set tags as defined in TS 26.522

[179] ; - Other RTP header extensions as defined in RFC 8285

[189] ; - RTP or SRTP without RTP header extensions but with RTP payload format (e.g., H.264 or H.265); - An RTP or SRTP with an RTP header extension for PDU set tags as defined in TS 26.522

[179] and with an RTP payload format (e.g., H.264 or H.265); - An RTP or SRTP with an additional RTP header extension that conforms to RFC 8285

[189] and an RTP payload format (e.g., H.264 or H.265).

[0070] Application service streams (or service data streams) can be considered as packet streams representing applications (or services) being delivered to end users (such as subscribers of applications or services). Existing technology does not define which services the AF prefers to treat as PDU sets, or which services it prefers to treat as individual PDUs, in the case of application service streams containing multiple protocols, RTP streams, and RTP payload formats. Furthermore, the AF cannot specify which PDU sets (i.e., slices, frames, etc.) the UE or UPF should consider for certain protocol descriptions. Instead, most PDU set processing is determined by the UPF implementation or specific protocols between the 5GS operator and the application provider. Additionally, the AF can request only a single set of QoS parameters (e.g., latency budget and reliability criteria (e.g., error rate)) for a given application. However, this is unsuitable for application requirements that may require different QoS characteristics due to multiplexed services.

[0071] Therefore, in 5GS, DL application service stream PDUs classified by the UPF as belonging to a PDU set are processed based on the PDU set QoS parameters and GTP-U header tags provided by the UPF. However, existing techniques have limitations in defining how to handle PDUs within the same application service stream that do not belong to a PDU set. For example, an application service stream may contain a video stream for which the UPF performs PDU set detection and determines the GTP-U header tags. However, the same application service stream may also contain other PDUs, such as RTCP PDUs (i.e., to control (multiple) RTP streams), or PDUs representing additional media components, such as audio streams that are unsuitable for or do not require PDU set classification. Typically, an application service stream may contain various PDUs that do not conform to the templates, algorithms, or other methods used by the UPF to determine whether a PDU belongs to a PDU set. These individual PDUs (e.g., PDUs that do not belong to a PDU set) can be multiplexed into a single service data stream, for example, using various IETF protocol multiplexing options that cover, for example, RTP, RTCP, STUN, DTLS-SRTP, and WebRTC data channels with multiple media streams.

[0072] Processing of PDUs that do not belong to a PDU set in 5GS has been defined in a limited manner. Currently, the AF is limited to providing protocol description information indicating the application protocol and protocol header (e.g., RTP / SRTP with a specific header extension) and payload type (e.g., H.264). However, the AF is most familiar with the application service stream. This disclosure provides mechanisms for providing additional information from the AF for optimized PDU set identification at the UPF and / or UE. For example, this disclosure addresses how the AF can provide the PCF with more, more precise, or more detailed information about the media and media components for which PDU set detection should be performed. This is especially true when multiple media components are multiplexed on a single transport layer stream. This disclosure also addresses how the AF can provide information about what constitutes a PDU set (e.g., one or more video slices, video frames, spatial layers, temporal layers, etc., in the video media components of the application stream) and what PDU set importance can be assigned to each PDU set type (e.g., a PDU set representing I-frames versus P-frames).

[0073] In existing technologies, the AF (Automatic Detection Advisor) can provide the 5GS with a protocol description and PDU set QoS parameters (e.g., PDU set latency budget (PSDB), PDU set error rate (PSER), PDU set integration processing indicator (PSIHI)), while the UPF (User Filtering Advisor) performs PDU set detection based on the information configured in the UPF. However, there is no way to correlate the PDU set QoS parameters provided by the AF with the UPF or UE PDU set detection method. For example, the AF might provide PDU set QoS parameters under the assumption that the UPF or UE detects video frames (e.g., I-frames, P-frames) as PDU sets, while the algorithm provided on the UPF might actually detect something different (e.g., video slices) as PDU sets. In this case, it might be inappropriate for the AF to provide PSER, PSDB, and PSIHI parameters. Furthermore, currently, neither the AF, the UPF (for DL), nor the UE (for UL) is aware of the mismatch between the PDU set QoS parameters provided by the AF and the UPF or UE PDU set detection method.

[0074] The identification and mapping of PDU sets can be done by the UPF in a purely implementation- or configuration-specific manner, without any input from the AF. In this case, the standalone AF cannot explicitly provide the QoS requirements for the PDU set and individual PDUs because it is unaware of how the UPF will perform the mapping to the PDU set and QoS flows. This disclosure provides a more precise solution for giving more accurate information about the AF's impact and visibility in this regard. Furthermore, if the AF provides additional and more precise information to the PCF, this enables the PCF to provide appropriate policies and select appropriate QoS parameters for each desired QoS flow.

[0075] Some embodiments disclosed herein provide an AF that provides auxiliary information to the UPF and / or UE to achieve PDU set QoS consistent with application media requirements. Providing auxiliary information in this manner enables a more precise solution for the AF impact and visibility of XR media processing within 5GS. In some examples, the auxiliary information includes information indicating that the application service flow contains multiplexing of protocol and media streams within a single IP transport layer service flow. In some examples, the auxiliary information includes an IP 5-tuple or IP 6-tuple to identify the application service flow. In some examples, the IP 5-tuple and / or IP 6-tuple includes at least one of the following: IP source address; IP destination address; transport protocol; source port; destination port; or Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP). In one example, the AF may provide auxiliary information including information about a transport flow carrying at least one of the following: RTP, RTCP, NAT Session Traversal Utility (STUN), Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS) - SRTP, and / or Stream Control Transport Protocol (SCTP) (WebRTC Data Channel) protocol over DTLS, wherein the RTP multimedia stream includes one or more audio and video streams. In another example, auxiliary information may include an IP 6-tuple for identifying the application flow, a general protocol description indicating the type of protocol multiplexing carried in the application flow, the type of media components or individual PDUs included in the application flow, and a protocol description identifying the media composition for each media component or individual PDU. In one example, the protocol description identifying the media composition may include information such as "RTP Frame Marker Header Extension for Scalable Media," "RTP PDU Set Header Extension," and "RTP H.264 Payload Format." In another example, the protocol description identifying the media composition may include information about the media composition (e.g., scalable video media with spatial and / or temporal layers).

[0076] In some examples, multiple media streams can be “components,” “protocols,” or “substreams” of the overall application service stream. In some examples, separate auxiliary information can be provided for each media stream and / or component. In some examples, media components can be video streams; audio streams; and haptic streams. In some examples, individual PDUs can be at least one of RTCP, STUN, RTCP, DTLS-SRTP, and SCTP.

[0077] In some examples, auxiliary information is sent from the AF to the UPF and / or UE via the PCF and SMF. In some examples, the PCF can use the auxiliary information to determine the service flow mapped by the SMF to the QoS flow. In some examples, the SMF provides the QoS flow to the UPF and / or UE. In some examples, the UPF and / or UE use the auxiliary information to identify or help identify PDU sets. In some examples, the auxiliary information enables the UPF and / or UE to be application-aware or more application-aware. In some examples, the UPF and / or UE use the auxiliary information to perform PDU set classification and map the PDU set to the QoS flow provided by the SMF.

[0078] Some embodiments disclosed herein provide an AF that provides the UPF and / or UE with at least one of the following: one or more PDU set categories; one or more PDU set types; and one or more PDU set importances. In some examples, the AF requests the UPF and / or UE to detect one or more PDU sets based on at least one of one or more PDU set categories, one or more PDU set types, and one or more PDU set importances. This disclosure recognizes that providing at least one of PDU set categories, PDU set types, and PDU set importances can achieve or better achieve PDU set QoS consistent with application media requirements and can provide a more precise solution for the AF impact and visibility of XR media processing within 5GS. In some examples, the PDU set category, PDU set type, and PDU set importance are used to request the type of PDU set detection and processing performed in the UPF and / or UE. In some examples, the AF may request the detection of multiple PDU set categories. In some examples, the AF may request the detection of multiple PDU set types.

[0079] In some examples, a PDU set category is a media type-specific description of what the UPF and / or UE should detect within an application service stream. For example, the AF may request the UPF and / or UE to detect one or more of the following PDU set categories for video media contained within an application stream: video slices; video frames; groups of video frames and / or pictures; temporal layers; and spatial layers. In some examples, PDU set importance is a PDU set importance specification requested by the AF to be assigned to the detected PDU sets, specific to each PDU set type. For example, PDU set importance is associated with each PDU set type. In some examples, PDU set importance is a "PDU set information" message determined at the UPF and sent to the RAN via a GTP-U header. When the UPF determines that a PDU belongs to a PDU set, it may assign PDU set importance based on pre-configuration at the UPF and / or information received from user plane packets from the application function.

[0080] In some examples, each PDU set type depends on the PDU set category. In these examples, AF provides both the PDU set category and the PDU set type, and optionally provides PDU set importance for each PDU set type. In this case, the PDU set type can be the type of PDU set within the PDU set category. For example, for the "Video Frame" category, the PDU set type can be at least one of "I-frame" and "dependent frame" (e.g., P-frame). For the "Spatial Layer" PDU set category, the PDU set type can be at least one of the following: "Base Layer"; "Enhancement Layer 1"; and "Enhancement Layer 2".

[0081] Alternatively, in some examples, the PDU set type can be independent of the PDU set category. For example, the AF may not provide the PDU set category and may only provide the PDU set type and, optionally, the PDU set importance for each PDU set type. In some examples, when the AF does not provide the PDU set category, the PDU set category will be determined by the UPF and / or the UE. For example, the AF may request the UPF and / or the UE to detect one or more of the following PDU set types contained in the application stream: video slice - region of interest = high; video slice - region of interest = medium; video slice - region of interest = low; video frame - I-frame (intra-coded picture); video frame - P-frame (predicted picture); video group of video frame / picture; video temporal base layer; video temporal enhancement layer #1; video temporal enhancement layer #2; RTP / AVP audio; and haptic data.

[0082] Tables 1-5 below show example PDU set types and PDU set importance for one or more PDU set categories that the AF may request. Table 3 below shows example PDU set types and PDU set importance for one or more PDU set categories (e.g., combinations of PDE set categories). Table 4 below shows that for some PDU set categories, there may be only one associated PDU set type. Table 5 below shows that the AF can provide PDU set categories for individual PDUs (e.g., RTCP, STUN, AVP audio, etc., and all others). Tables 6 and 7 below show example PDU set types and PDU set importance when the PDU set type is independent of the PDU set category. In the following examples, a smaller value for PDU set importance indicates higher importance. For example, a PDU set importance of "1" indicates higher importance than a PDU set importance of "2" or "3". However, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific manner in which PDU set importance is indicated.

[0083]

[0084] Table 1: PDU set types and PDU set importance for the "Video Frame" PDU set category.

[0085]

[0086] Table 2: PDU set types and PDU set importance for the "Time Layer" PDU set category.

[0087]

[0088] Table 3: PDU set type and PDU set importance for combinations of “video frame” PDU set category and “time layer” PDU set category.

[0089]

[0090] Table 4: PDU set types and PDU set importance for the "AVP Audio" PDU set category.

[0091]

[0092] Table 5: PDU set types and PDU set importance for the "Individual PDU" PDU set category.

[0093]

[0094] Table 6: PDU set types and PDU set importance, where AF does not provide PDU set categories.

[0095]

[0096] Table 7: PDU set types and PDU set importance, where AF does not provide PDU set categories.

[0097] In some examples, the AF may provide auxiliary information as well as at least one of PDU set category, PDU set type, and PDU set importance. In some examples, the AF may provide only auxiliary information. In some examples, the AF may provide only one or more PDU set categories, one or more PDU set types, and one or more PDU set importances. In some examples, when the AF provides auxiliary information as well as at least one of PDU set category, PDU set type, and PDU set importance, the AF may indicate which media components identified in the auxiliary information will be associated with which PDU set categories, PDU set types, and PDU set importances. For example, if the AF indicates in the auxiliary information that the application stream contains scalable video and audio media components, the AF may also indicate at least one of the PDU set category, PDU set type, and PDU set importance to be associated with the scalable video component and / or audio media component.

[0098] In some examples, the AF can (via the PCF) provide the SMF with one or more PDU set QoS parameters and / or one or more QoS parameters. In some examples, the AF can provide the SMF (via the PCF) with a single set of QoS parameters for each PDU set category and / or for each PDU set type. In some examples, the AF can (via the PCF) provide a separate set of QoS parameters for each PDU set category and / or each PDU set type. For example, the AF can request QoS parameters for the "video slice" PDU set category and / or PDU set type (e.g., PSER-1, PSDB-1, PSIHI-1) different from the QoS parameters for the "video frame" PDU set category and / or PDU set type (e.g., PSER-2, PSDB-2, PSIHI-2). Alternatively, in some examples, the PCF can configure one or more PDU set QoS parameters and / or one or more QoS parameters. Alternatively, in some examples, the SMF can configure one or more PDU set QoS parameters and / or one or more QoS parameters.

[0099] In some examples, the SMF can determine a QoS flow for each QoS parameter among those associated with at least one of the PDU set category and PDU set type. The SMF can provide the QoS flow to the UE and / or UPF. In some examples, the UPF and / or UE can determine the PDU set category and / or PDU set type of the received PDU. For example, the UPF and / or UE can determine the PDU set for the PDU based on the received PDU set category and / or PDU set type. In some examples, the UPF and / or UE maps one or more PDU sets (already determined based on one or more PDU set categories and / or PDU set types) to a QoS flow corresponding to the same PDU set category and / or PDU set type. In some examples, the AF can request the SMF to map multiple PDU sets (based on one or more PDU set categories and / or PDU set types) to a single QoS flow.

[0100] In some examples, certain packets within an application service flow (such as RTP packets carrying video payloads) may be considered as a PDU set in the 5GS using PDU set QoS parameters (i.e., PSDB, PSER, PSIHI). In some examples, other packets within an application service flow (such as RTCP, STUN, or DTLS packets) do not naturally form PDU sets and may be considered as separate PDUs based on "traditional" QoS parameters (such as PDB and PER). In some examples, the 5GS (UE in the uplink and UPF in the downlink) may map PDU sets to specific QoS flows with QoS parameters PSDB, PSER, PSHI, and individual PDUs to another QoS flow with QoS parameters PDB and PER, based on a request from the AF. Alternatively, individual PDUs may be associated with a PDU set having an assigned PDU set importance that distinguishes these PDUs from those belonging to the PDU set due to the media components transmitted by the PDU (see, for example, Table 5 above).

[0101] In some examples, for each PDU set category and / or PDU set type that can be mapped by UPF and / or UE to different QoS flows, AF can provide at least one of the following: (1) QoS parameters PSDB, PSER, and PSIHI for Service Data Units (SDUs) associated with IP flow 6-tuples, which match the criteria identified by the protocol description included in the auxiliary information; and / or (2) The QoS parameters PDB and PER of the SDU associated with the IP flow 6-tuple do not match the standard identified by the protocol description included in the auxiliary information (e.g., in the case where separate QoS is used for PDUs that belong to the PDU set and PDUs that do not belong to the PDU set).

[0102] Based on the criteria requested by the AF, the PCF can provide policies to the SMF. If the AF provides both of the QoS parameters (1) and (2) listed above, the SMF can request the UPF and / or the UE to map SDUs that match the criteria identified by the protocol description to QoS stream 1, and request SDUs that do not match the criteria identified by the protocol description to QoS stream 2. If the AF requests a single latency budget and error rate for all PDUs, the UPF and / or the UE can map all SDUs to a single QoS stream. Differentiated PDU set processing is provided based on the importance of the PDU set when multiplexed media and individual PDUs within the same application service stream are mapped to the same QoS stream.

[0103] Figure 3 An example of PDU set processing / determination at the UPF and / or UE is shown.

[0104] In S301, AF 308 sends at least one of the following information to PCF 306: auxiliary information; one or more PDU set categories; one or more PDU set types; and one or more PDU set importance. In some examples, AF 308 sends one or more PDU set QoS parameters to PCF 306. In some examples, AF 308 sends a separate set of PDU set QoS parameters for each of the PDU set categories and / or PDU set types. In some examples, AF 308 sends a single set of PDU set QoS parameters for each PDU set category and / or PDU set type. In some examples, AF 308 sends this information to PCF 306 via NEF.

[0105] In S302, PCF 306 creates one or more policies to send to SMF 304. In some examples, the one or more policies are based on at least one of the following: auxiliary information; one or more PDU set categories; one or more PDU set types; one or more PDU set importance; and one or more PDU set QoS parameters. In some examples, PCF 306 incorporates at least one of the following information into one or more policies to be subsequently sent to SMF 204: auxiliary information; one or more PDU set categories; one or more PDU set types; one or more PDU set importance; and one or more PDU set QoS parameters. In some examples, the one or more policies are one or more PCC rules. In some examples, the one or more QoS parameters are QoS parameters received from AF 308. In some examples, PCF 306 configures QoS parameters.

[0106] In S303, PCF 306 sends one or more policies to SMF 304.

[0107] In S304, SMF 304 creates one or more QoS flows. In some examples, SMF 304 creates one or more QoS flows based on one or more policies received from PCF 306. In some examples, SMF 304 can determine the QoS flow for each QoS parameter associated with PDU set category and / or PDU set type. In some examples, SMF 304 creates one or more QoS flows based on QoS parameters configured by AF 308. In some examples, SMF 304 creates one or more QoS flows based on QoS parameters configured by PCF 306. In some examples, SMF 304 configures QoS parameters. In some examples, SMF 304 creates one or more QoS flows based on QoS parameters configured by SMF 304.

[0108] In S305a, SMF 304 sends at least one of the following information to UPF 302: auxiliary information; one or more PDU set categories; one or more PDU set types; one or more PDU set importance; and one or more QoS flows.

[0109] In S305b, SMF 304 sends at least one of the following information to UE 300: auxiliary information; one or more PDU set categories; one or more PDU set types; one or more PDU set importance; and one or more QoS flows.

[0110] In S306a, UPF 302 determines one or more PDU sets and maps these PDU sets to one or more QoS flows. In some examples, UPF 302 determines one or more PDU sets based on at least one of the following: auxiliary information; one or more PDU set categories; one or more PDU set types; and one or more PDU set importance. In some examples, UPF 302 maps one or more PDU sets (based on the received PDU set categories and / or PDU set types) to QoS flows corresponding to the same one or more PDU set categories and / or one or more PDU set types.

[0111] In S306b, UE 300 determines one or more PDU sets and maps these PDU sets to one or more QoS flows. In some examples, UE 300 determines one or more PDU sets based on at least one of the following: auxiliary information; one or more PDU set categories; one or more PDU set types; and one or more PDU set importance. In some examples, UE 300 maps one or more PDU sets (based on the received PDU set category and / or PDU set type) to QoS flows corresponding to the same one or more PDU set categories and / or one or more PDU set types.

[0112] This disclosure illustrates how the Application Controller (AF) can inform the 5GS (Application Service Controller) of packets / PDUs within a multiplexed application service flow, and how the UPF (User Platform) and / or UE (User Equipment) should identify and process these packets / PDUs as PDU sets and assign PDU set importance. For example, providing auxiliary information to the UE and / or UPF—additional information from the AF—allows for optimized PDU set identification. Embodiments herein also allow the AF to influence how the 5GS should process other packets (e.g., individual PDUs) within an application service flow. For example, individual PDUs may be mapped to a separate QoS flow from or to the same QoS flow as PDUs carrying media components. This disclosure enables the 5GS to dynamically determine the appropriate PDU set processing for a given application service flow, rather than determining PDU sets based on static configuration, which may not be suitable for all applications. Furthermore, this disclosure enables the AF to influence latency and reliability based on application requirements. PDU set importance determined by the application layer can be used to determine PDU set processing in the RAN (Radio Region) or UE. By utilizing additional information at the UPF and / or UE (e.g., at least one of the following: auxiliary information; PDU set category; PDU set type; and PDU set importance), PDU set identification can be improved, and higher granularity regarding PDU set allocation can be achieved.

[0113] Figure 4 It shows the control Figure 1 The access network shown (e.g., Figure 1 This is an example of a control device 400 for the functions of 5G-RAN or NG-RAN. The control device 400 may include at least one random access memory (RAM) 411a, at least one read-only memory (ROM) 411b, at least one processor 412, 413, and a network interface 414. The at least one processor 412, 413 may be coupled to the RAM 411a and ROM 411b. The at least one processor 412, 413 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 415. Execution of the software code 415 may, for example, cause the device to perform operations for controlling functions of the access network. The software code 415 may be stored in the ROM 411b. The control device 400 may interconnect with another control device 400 for controlling another function of 5G-RAN or NG-RAN. In some embodiments, each function of 5G-RAN or NG-RAN is deployed or hosted on the control device 400. In alternative embodiments, two or more functions of 5G-RAN or NG-RAN may share the control device.

[0114] Figure 5 A communication device 500 (such as) is shown. Figure 1Examples of UEs shown are illustrated. Communication device 500 can be provided by any device capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples of communication device 500 include user equipment, mobile station (MS) or mobile device (such as a mobile phone or so-called smartphone), computer equipped with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., a USB dongle), personal data assistant (PDA) or tablet computer equipped with wireless communication capabilities, machine-type communication (MTC) device, Internet of Things (IoT) type communication device, or any combination thereof. Communication device 500 may include a transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving, for example, wireless signals (e.g., radio signals) carrying communication. Communication can be one or more of voice, email, text messages, multimedia data, machine data, etc.

[0115] Communication device 500 can receive wireless signals (e.g., radio signals) via air or radio interface 507 through suitable means for receiving, and can transmit wireless signals via suitable means for transmitting. Figure 5 In this diagram, the transceiver is schematically designated by block 506. Transceiver 506 may include, for example, radio components and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be located inside or outside the mobile device and may include one or more antenna elements. The antenna arrangement may be a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna.

[0116] The communication device 500 may be provided with at least one processor 501, at least one ROM 502a, at least one RAM 502b, and other possible components 503 for software and hardware assistance in performing the tasks it is designed to perform, including controlling access to the network (e.g., Figure 1 Access and communication with 5G-RAN (or NG-RAN) and other communication devices as shown. At least one processor 501 is coupled to RAM 502b and ROM 502a. At least one processor 501 can be configured to execute appropriate software code 508. Software code 508 can, for example, allow the execution of one or more operations of communication device 500. Software code 508 can be stored in ROM 502a.

[0117] The processor, ROM and RAM, transceiver, and other circuitry (e.g., modem) of the communication device may be located on a circuit board, in a chipset, or in a system-on-a-chip. This circuit board, chipset, or system-on-a-chip is indicated by reference numeral 504. The communication device 500 may optionally have a user interface, such as a keyboard 505, a touchscreen or keyboard, or combinations thereof. Optionally, depending on the type of communication device, one or more of a display, speaker, and microphone may be provided.

[0118] Figure 6This is a flowchart based on the example method. Figure 6 The flowchart is from the perspective of the device. For example, the device may include application functions.

[0119] As shown in S601, the method includes providing auxiliary information to at least one of the user plane functions or user equipment for auxiliary protocol data unit set identification, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service flow includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol transport layer data flow.

[0120] Figure 7 This is a flowchart based on the example method. Figure 7 The flowchart is from the perspective of the device. In some examples, the device may include a UPF. In some examples, the device may include a UE.

[0121] As shown at S701, the method includes receiving auxiliary information from an application function, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service flow includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol Transport Layer data stream.

[0122] In S702, the method includes identifying one or more sets of protocol data units based on auxiliary information.

[0123] Figure 8 A schematic diagram is shown of non-volatile memory media 800a (e.g., a computer disk (CD) or digital multifunction disk (DVD)) and 800b (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Memory Stick) that store instructions and / or parameters 802, which allow the processor to execute... Figure 6 and / or Figure 7 One or more steps of the method.

[0124] It should be understood that the above references to various network functions (e.g., AMF, SMF, TNF, etc.) may include means for performing at least some of the functions associated with those network functions. Furthermore, means including a network function may include a virtual network function instance of that network function.

[0125] It should be understood that the device may include or be coupled to other units or modules, such as a radio section or radio head, for transmitting and / or receiving, or for use in transmitting and / or receiving. Although the device has been described as a single entity, different modules and memories may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0126] Note that while some embodiments have been described with respect to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied to other networks and communication systems. Therefore, although some examples of wireless networks, technologies, and standards have been described above by way of example, these embodiments can be applied to any other suitable form of communication system besides those shown and described herein.

[0127] It should also be noted that although exemplary embodiments have been described above, several changes and modifications can be made to the disclosed solutions without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0128] As used herein, “at least one of the following: a list of two or more elements” and “at least one of the following: a list of two or more elements” and similar wording (where the list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”) means at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0129] Generally, various embodiments can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects of this disclosure can be implemented in hardware, while others can be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Although various aspects of this disclosure may be shown and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, these blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0130] As used herein, the term "circuit" may refer to one or more, or all of the following: (a) Hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuits only) and (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable): (i) A combination of (multiple) analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) Any part of a hardware processor having software (including (multiple) digital signal processors), software, and (multiple) memories, which work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions), and (c) (Multiple) hardware circuits and / or (multiple) processors, such as (multiple) microprocessors or a portion thereof, which require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but may be absent when the software is not required to operate. This definition of "circuit" applies to all uses of the term herein, including in any claim. As another example, as used herein, the term "circuit" also covers only hardware circuitry or a processor (or processors) or a portion thereof and its accompanying software and / or firmware implementation. The term "circuit" also covers, for example and if applicable to a particular claim element, baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or networking devices.

[0131] Embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of a mobile device (e.g., in a processor entity), or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or programs (also referred to as program products, including software routines, applets, and / or macros) may be stored in any device-readable data storage medium, and they include program instructions for performing specific tasks. A computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components configured to perform the embodiments when the program is run. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one piece of software code or a portion thereof.

[0132] Furthermore, it should be noted in this regard that any block in the logical flow shown in the accompanying drawings may represent a program step, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. Software may be stored on physical media such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media such as hard disks or floppy disks, and optical media such as DVDs and their data variants, CDs. Physical media are non-transitory media.

[0133] As used herein, the term “non-transient” refers to a limitation on the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not signaling), rather than a limitation on the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0134] The memory can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. As a non-limiting example, the data processor can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can include one or more of general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), FPGAs, gate-level circuits, and processors based on multi-core processor architectures.

[0135] The various example embodiments of this disclosure can be practiced in a variety of components, such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is primarily a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools can be used to transform logic-level designs into semiconductor circuit designs ready for etching and formation on semiconductor substrates.

[0136] The scope of protection sought by the various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure is set forth in the independent claims. Exemplary embodiments and features (if any) described in this disclosure that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

[0137] The foregoing description has provided a complete and informative description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples. However, various modifications and adjustments may become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims, given the foregoing description. Nevertheless, all such and similar modifications taught will still fall within the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims. As a non-limiting and illustrative example, another exemplary embodiment exists, which includes a combination of one or more exemplary embodiments with any other exemplary embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: A component for providing auxiliary information to at least one of a user plane function or user equipment to assist in the identification of a set of protocol data units, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service flow includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol transport layer data stream.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a component for providing at least one of the following to at least one of the user plane function or user equipment: Information regarding one or more protocol data unit set categories for each of the one or more media streams in the application service stream, or The application service flow includes information about one or more protocol data unit set types and information about the importance of the protocol data unit set for each of the one or more protocol data unit set types.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the information of the one or more protocol data unit set types indicates that the one or more protocol data unit set types are associated with one or more protocol data unit set categories.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the information of the one or more protocol data unit set categories or the information of the one or more protocol data unit set types is provided for determining one or more protocol data unit sets.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the apparatus further comprises: A component for providing the policy control function with protocol data unit set quality of service parameters for each of the one or more protocol data unit set categories or for each of the one or more protocol data unit set types, for mapping the one or more protocol data unit set categories or the one or more protocol data unit set types to one or more quality of service flows.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the apparatus includes a component for providing at least one of the following to a user plane function or user equipment via one or more of a policy control function or system management facility: information on the category of the one or more protocol data unit sets, information on the type of the one or more protocol data unit sets, and information on the importance of the protocol data unit sets.

7. An apparatus comprising: A component for receiving auxiliary information from an application function, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service stream includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol Transport Layer data stream; as well as A component used to identify one or more sets of protocol data units based on the auxiliary information.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a component for receiving at least one of the following from the application function: Information on one or more protocol set data categories for each of the one or more media streams in the application service stream, or The application service flow includes information about one or more protocol data unit set types and information about the importance of the protocol data unit set for each of the one or more protocol data unit set types.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the information of the one or more protocol data unit set types indicates that the one or more protocol data unit set types are associated with one or more protocol data unit set categories.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 or claim 9, further comprising a component for determining one or more protocol data unit sets based on at least one of the information of the one or more protocol data unit set categories or the information of the one or more protocol data unit set types.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the apparatus further comprises: A component for receiving information on one or more protocol data unit set quality of service parameters for each of the one or more protocol data unit set categories or for each of the one or more protocol data unit set types.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus comprises: A component for mapping one or more Protocol Data Unit Set Categories or one or more Protocol Data Unit Set Types to one or more Quality of Service (QoS) flows, wherein the QoS flows are associated with the QoS parameters provided for each of the one or more Protocol Data Unit Set Categories or for each of the one or more Protocol Data Unit Set Types.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the apparatus comprises: A component for receiving at least one of the following from the application function via one or more of the policy control function or system management facilities: auxiliary information, information on the category of the one or more protocol data unit sets, information on the type of the one or more protocol data unit sets, and information on the importance of the protocol data unit set.

14. A method comprising: Provide auxiliary information to at least one of the user plane functions or user equipment to assist in the identification of the protocol data unit set, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service flow includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol transport layer data stream.

15. A method comprising: Receive auxiliary information from the application function, wherein the auxiliary information indicates that the application service flow includes one or more protocols and one or more media streams within the same Internet Protocol Transport Layer data stream; as well as One or more sets of protocol data units are identified based on the auxiliary information.

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