Quality of service mechanism to support extended reality traffic

Abstract

In one implementation, a method of wireless communication includes receiving, by a first network function, from a second network function, a first indication to activate extended reality traffic transmission optimization, whereby efficiency of transmission of payloads of a set of protocol data units having different importance is increased; transmitting, by the first network function, to a network node, a request to activate the extended reality traffic transmission optimization after receiving the first indication; and receiving, by the first network function, from the network node, a response to the request to activate the extended reality traffic transmission optimization.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] (Technical Field) This patent document is generally directed to wireless communications. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] (Background) Mobile communication technologies are driving the world toward an increasingly connected and networked society. The rapid growth of mobile communications and technological advances have led to further demand for capacity and connectivity. Other aspects such as energy consumption, device cost, spectrum efficiency, and latency are also important for meeting the needs of various communication scenarios. Various techniques are being discussed, including new methods for providing higher service quality, longer battery life, and improved performance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0003] (Abstract) This patent document describes, among other things, techniques for quality of service (QoS) to support extended reality (XR) traffic.

[0004] In one aspect, a method of data communication is disclosed. This method includes: a first network function receiving a first indication from a second network function for activating Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, wherein Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization increases the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different priorities; the first network function transmitting a request to a network node to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization after receiving the first indication; the first network function receiving a response from the network node to the request to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization; and the first network function activating Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization in a third network function after receiving the first indication, and transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units based on the priorities of the sets of protocol data units.

[0005] In another aspect, a method for data communication is disclosed. This method includes: receiving an indication by a third network function to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, which increases the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different priorities; receiving a first network packet of a data unit set of a data unit set group, which includes multiple data unit sets, by the third network function; assigning identification of data unit sets and identification of data unit set groups by the third network function; and transmitting the assigned identification of data unit sets, the assigned identification of data unit set groups, and the corresponding network packets to network nodes by the third network function, thereby carrying out the transmission of payloads of sets of protocol data units.

[0006] In another aspect, a method for data communication is disclosed. This method includes a network node receiving an indication to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, which increases the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different importance levels; a network node detecting whether missing network packets exist; a network node determining that a set of data units containing the missing network packets has a first importance level, and canceling the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in the same data unit set as the missing network packets; or a network node determining that a set of data units containing the missing network packets has a second importance level, and canceling the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in all data unit sets within the same data unit set group as the missing network packets, wherein the second importance level is higher than the first importance level.

[0007] On another level, the method of data communication will be disclosed. The method includes: a wireless device transmitting an indication to a network device that the wireless device supports Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, which increases the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different importance levels; the wireless device receiving a notification from the network device that Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization will be activated for the wireless device after transmitting the indication; the wireless device detecting whether there are missing network packets; and, in response to the wireless device determining that the set of data units containing the missing network packets has a first importance level, canceling the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in the same data unit set as the missing network packets, or, in response to the network node determining that the set of data units containing the missing network packets has a second importance level, canceling the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in all data unit sets in the same data unit set group as the missing network packets, wherein the second importance level is higher than the first importance level.

[0008] In another exemplary aspect, a wireless communication device is disclosed, comprising a processor configured to implement the method described above.

[0009] In another exemplary aspect, a wireless communication device is disclosed, comprising memory and a processor, wherein the processor reads code from the memory and implements the method described above.

[0010] In another exemplary aspect, a computer storage medium is disclosed having code stored thereon for implementing the method described above.

[0011] These and other aspects are described in this document. The present invention provides, for example, the following: (Item 1) A method of wireless communication, The first network function receives a first indication from the second network function to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, wherein the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization increases the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different levels of importance. The first network function transmits to the network node a request to activate the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization after receiving the first indication, The first network function receives a response from the network node to the request for activating the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, After receiving the first indication via the first network function, the third network function activates the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization and transmits the payload of the set of protocol data units based on the importance of the set of protocol data units. Methods that include... (Item 2) The first network function allows the wireless device to receive a second indication that the wireless device supports the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, The first network function transmits an indication to the wireless device to activate the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization relating to the wireless device. The method described in item 1, further including the method described in item 1. (Item 3) The first network function described above is a session management function (SMF), as described in any of items 1 or 2. (Item 4) The SMF is selected by the Access and Movement Management Function (AMF) as described in item 3. (Item 5) The method according to item 4, wherein the AMF transfers the second indication to the SMF. (Item 6) The second network function is a policy control function (PCF), as described in any of items 1 or 2. (Item 7) The method according to item 6, wherein the PCF determines, based on information from local configuration or application functionality, that a protocol data unit (PDU) session is to be used for extended reality traffic. (Item 8) The method according to item 7, wherein the PCF includes extended reality information for activating the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization. (Item 9) The method according to item 8, wherein the extended reality information includes an indication for activating the extended reality traffic transmission optimization and a traffic filter for the extended reality traffic. (Item 10) The method according to item 9, wherein the traffic filter includes information on how to detect the extended reality traffic, the information including at least one of the following: IP 5-tuple information of the extended reality traffic, Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) header information, RTP payload information, RTP control protocol (RTCP) header information, Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP) header information, SRTP payload information, or SRTP control protocol (SRTCP) information. (Item 11) The method according to item 1, wherein if the network node supports the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization and receives the request, the network node indicates that the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization has been activated at the network node. (Item 12) The method according to item 11, further comprising the first network function transmitting to the third network function information for activating the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, wherein the information for activating the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization includes a traffic filter for the Extended Reality Traffic in a packet detection rule and an indication for activating the Extended Reality Traffic Optimization. (Item 13) A method of wireless communication, A third network function receives an indication to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, which increases the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units of varying importance. The third network function includes receiving a first network packet of a data unit set of a data unit set group, which includes multiple data unit sets, The third network function allocates the identification of the data unit set and the identification of the data unit set group, The third network function transmits to the network node the identification of the allocated data unit set, the identification of the allocated data unit set group, and the corresponding network packet, and transmits the payload of the set of protocol data units. Methods that include... (Item 14) The third network function determines the importance of the corresponding data unit set within the data unit set group, The third network function transmits to the network node an indication regarding the importance of the corresponding data unit set within the data unit set group. The method described in item 13, further including the method described in item 13. (Item 15) The third network function determines the importance of the corresponding data unit set within the data unit set group, The third network function determines the quality of service (QoS) flow associated with the importance of the corresponding data unit set, The third network function transmits the corresponding data unit set across the QoS flow to the network node. The method described in item 13, further including the method described in item 13. (Item 16) The network packet includes a downlink protocol data unit (PDU) as described in any of items 13 to 15. (Item 17) The method according to any one of items 13 to 16, wherein the data unit set includes a set of protocol data units (PDUs), the data unit set identifier includes a PDU set identifier (ID) for identifying the PDU set, and the data unit set group identifier includes a PDU set group ID for identifying the group of PDU sets. (Item 18) The method described in item 17, wherein the PDU set ID, the PDU set group ID, and the severity indication are transmitted in the General-Purpose Packet Radio Services (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol User Plane (GTP-U) header of the corresponding PDU. (Item 19) The severity indication is the method described in item 18, which indicates whether to cancel the transmission of the PDU in the event of congestion in the radio access network (RAN). (Item 20) A method of wireless communication, The network node receives an indication to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, which increases the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different levels of importance. The aforementioned network node detects whether or not there are any missing network packets, The network node determines that the data unit set containing the missing network packet has a first importance value, and in response, cancels the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in the same data unit set as the missing network packet; or the network node determines that the data unit set containing the missing network packet has a second importance value, and in response, cancels the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in all data unit sets within the same data unit set group as the missing network packet, wherein the second importance value has a higher importance than the first importance value. Methods that include... (Item 21) The method according to item 20, further comprising the network node determining the importance of the data unit set based on the priority of the quality of service (QoS) flow, and the network packets being transmitted over the priority. (Item 22) The aforementioned network node receives importance indications associated with the importance of network packets, The network node determines the importance of the missing network packet based on the importance indication. The method described in item 20, further including the method described in item 20. (Item 23) The network packet includes a downlink protocol data unit (PDU) as described in any of items 20 to 22. (Item 24) A method of wireless communication, A wireless device transmits an indication to a network device that the wireless device supports Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, wherein the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization increases the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different levels of importance. The wireless device receives a notification from the network device that after transmitting the indication, the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization will be activated for the wireless device. The wireless device detects whether or not there are missing network packets, The wireless device determines that the data unit set containing the missing network packet has a first importance value, and in response, cancels the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in the same data unit set as the missing network packet; or the network node determines that the data unit set containing the missing network packet has a second importance value, and in response, cancels the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in all data unit sets in the same data unit set group as the missing network packet, wherein the second importance value has a higher importance than the first importance value. Methods that include... (Item 25) The network packets include downlink packets, as described in item 24. (Item 26) The method according to item 25, wherein the data unit set includes a set of protocol data units (PDUs), the data unit set identifier includes a PDU set identifier (ID) for identifying the PDU set, and the data unit set group identifier includes a PDU set group ID for identifying a group of PDU sets. (Item 27) The method according to item 26, further comprising assigning the PDU set group ID in response to the wireless device transmitting the first protocol data unit (PDU) of the protocol data unit (PDU) set group. (Item 28) The method according to item 26, further comprising assigning the PDU set ID in response to the wireless device transmitting the first protocol data unit (PDU) of the protocol data unit (PDU) set group. (Item 29) The method according to item 26, further comprising transmitting the PDU, the PDU set group ID, the PDU set ID, and a severity indication associated with the severity of the PDU to the access stratum (AS) layer by the wireless device. (Item 30) The method according to item 24, wherein the indication that the wireless device supports the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization is carried by a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message. (Item 31) The method according to any one of items 1 to 30, wherein the first network function is a session management function (SMF), the second network function is a policy control function (PCF), and the third network function is a user plane function (UPF). (Item 32) The network node is a wireless access network (RAN) as described in any of items 1 to 30. (Item 33) The wireless device is a user equipment (UE) as described in any of items 1 to 30. (Item 34) A device for wireless communication, comprising a processor configured to perform any of the methods described in items 1 to 33. (Item 35) A device for wireless communication, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the processor reads a code from the memory and implements the method described in any of items 1 to 33. (Item 36) A non-transient computer-readable medium having code stored thereon, wherein the code, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement the method described in any of items 1 to 33. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a wireless communication system based on several exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0013] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram representation of a part of the apparatus based on several embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0014] [Figure 3]Figure 3 shows an exemplary architecture of a fifth-generation mobile network (5G) system.

[0015] [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the classification of Quality of Service (QoS) flows and their mapping to user plane markings and access network (AN) resources.

[0016] [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows examples of activating Extended Reality (XR) optimization in user equipment (UE), radio access networks (RAN), and user plane functions (UPF) based on several embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0017] [Figure 6] Figure 6A illustrates how downlink (DL) protocol data units (PDUs) with different levels of importance can be linked to the same QoS flow, based on several embodiments of the disclosed technology. Figure 6B illustrates how downlink (DL) protocol data units (PDUs) with different levels of importance can be linked to different QoS flows, based on several embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0018] [Figure 7] Figure 7A shows that, based on several embodiments of the disclosed technology, when one PDU in a higher-priority PDU set is missing, all remaining PDUs in the same PDU set group are dropped. Figure 7B shows that, based on several embodiments of the disclosed technology, when one PDU in a lower-priority PDU set is missing, all remaining PDUs in the same PDU set are dropped.

[0019] [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of a process for wireless communication based on several exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0020] [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the process for wireless communication, based on several exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0021] [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows another embodiment of the process for wireless communication based on several exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0022] [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows another embodiment of the process for wireless communication based on several exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] (Detailed explanation) Section headings in this document are used solely for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of embodiments and do not limit their scope to the sections in which they are described. Furthermore, while embodiments are described with reference to 5G embodiments, the techniques disclosed may be applicable to wireless systems using protocols other than 5G or 3GPP® protocols.

[0024] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a wireless communication system (e.g., Long-Term Evolution (LTE), 5G, or NR cellular network) including a BS120 and one or more user equipment (UEs) 111, 112, and 113. In some embodiments, uplink transmissions (131, 132, 133) may include uplink control information (UCI), upper-layer signaling (e.g., UE auxiliary information or UE capability), or uplink information. In some embodiments, downlink transmissions (141, 142, 143) may include DCI or upper-layer signaling or downlink information. The UEs may be, for example, smartphones, tablets, mobile computers, machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, terminals, mobile devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, etc.

[0025] Figure 2 is a block diagram representation of a portion of the apparatus based on several embodiments of the disclosed technology. The apparatus 205, such as a network device, base station, or wireless device (or UE), may include a processor electronic device 210, such as a microprocessor, that implements one or more of the techniques presented herein. The apparatus 205 may include a transceiver electronic device 215 for transmitting and / or receiving radio signals via one or more communication interfaces, such as an antenna 220. The apparatus 205 may include other communication interfaces for transmitting and receiving data. The apparatus 205 may include one or more memories (not explicitly shown) configured to store information such as data and / or instructions. In some implementations, the processor electronic device 210 may include at least a portion of the transceiver electronic device 215. In some embodiments, at least some of the disclosed techniques, modules, or functions are implemented using the apparatus 205.

[0026] In fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks, mobile media services, cloud AR / VR, cloud gaming, and video-based remote control for machines or drones are expected to bring an increasing amount of traffic to the 5G network. All media traffic shares some common characteristics, which can be very useful for better transmission control and efficiency. However, 5G systems (5GS) currently use general QoS mechanisms to deliver media services packet by packet without considering media information, and therefore, delivering media services is not efficient.

[0027] For example, packets within a frame are interdependent because an application needs all of them to decode the frame. Therefore, the loss of one packet will render other correlated packets useless, even if they are transmitted successfully. Extended reality (XR) applications, for instance, impose requirements in terms of media units (e.g., application data units) rather than in terms of single packet / protocol data units (PDUs).

[0028] As another example, packets within the same video stream but of different frame types (e.g., I-frames, P-frames) or even at different locations within a Group of Pictures (GoP) can have different contributions to the user experience, and therefore, QoS mechanisms need to be enhanced to handle this new type of traffic.

[0029] The disclosed technology can be implemented in several embodiments to provide a solution for enhancing existing QoS mechanisms so that RANs can deliver XR media services more efficiently.

[0030] Figure 3 shows an exemplary architecture of a fifth-generation mobile network (5G) system.

[0031] Referring to Figure 3, a fifth-generation mobile network (5G) system may include user equipment (UE), a radio access network (RAN), access and mobility management functions (AMF), session management functions (SMF), user plane functions (UPF), policy control functions (PCF), network exposure functions (NEF), and application functions (AF).

[0032] In some implementations, the RAN manages radio resources and distributes user data received via the N3 interface to or from the UE. The RAN performs mapping between dedicated radio bearers (DRBs) and QoS flows within a PDU session.

[0033] In some implementations, AMF includes the following functionalities: registration management, connection management, reachability management, and movement management. This functionality also performs access authentication and access authorization. AMF is a NAS security termination that relays SM NAS between the UE and SMF, etc.

[0034] In some implementations, the SMF includes the following functionalities: session establishment, modification, and release; UE IP address allocation and management (including discretionary authorization); selection and control of user plane (UP) functions; downlink data notification, etc. The SMF controls the UPF via N4 association. The SMF provides packet detection rules (PDRs), forwarding action rules (FARs), QoS enforcement rules (QERs) to instruct the UPF on how to detect user data traffic; usage reporting rules (URRs) to instruct the UPF on how to perform user data traffic forwarding; and QoS handling and usage reporting for user data traffic detected by using the PDRs.

[0035] In some implementations, the UPF (User Plane Facility) includes the following functionalities: acting as an anchor point for movement within / between radio access technologies (RATs), packet routing and forwarding, traffic usage reporting, QoS handling for the user plane, downlink packet buffering, and downlink data notification triggering. A GTP-U (General-Purpose Packet Radio Services (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol User Plane) tunnel is used between the RAN (Range Network) and the UPF via an N3 interface. A GTP-U tunnel is on a PDU session basis. With respect to downlink traffic, the UPF connects downlink traffic to the QoS flow within the GTP-U tunnel of the PDU session by using the FAR (Frequency Account Relay) received from the SMF (Single-Message Facility). With respect to uplink traffic, the RAN (Range Network) propagates user plane traffic to the QoS flow identified by the UE (User Entrant).

[0036] In some implementations, the PCF provides QoS policy rules to the control plane function and enforces those rules. The PCF translates AF requests into PCC rules that apply to the PDU session.

[0037] In some implementations, the NEF provides a security mechanism to a third-party AF for accessing 3GPP® networks. The NEF can authenticate and authorize application functions.

[0038] In some implementations, the AF interacts with the 3GPP® core network to provide services. Based on the operator deployment, application functions deemed trusted by the operator may be permitted to interact directly with the relevant network functions. Application functions not permitted by the operator to access network functions directly shall use the externally exposed framework via the NEF to interact with the relevant network functions.

[0039] In 5G systems, data traffic is encapsulated and transmitted within a QoS flow. A QoS flow is the finest granularity for QoS forwarding processing in a 5G system. All traffic mapped to the same 5G QoS flow receives the same forwarding processing (e.g., scheduling policy, queue management policy, rate shaping policy, RLC configuration, etc.). Providing different QoS forwarding processing requires separate 5G QoS flows.

[0040] A QoS flow can be either a guaranteed bitrate (GBR) or non-GBR, depending on its QoS profile. The QoS profile of a QoS flow is sent to (R)AN, which contains QoS parameters. QoS parameters include the 5G QoS identifier (5QI) and allocation and retention priority (ARP), and other parameters such as guaranteed flow bitrate (GFBR) and maximum flow bitrate (MFBR). The 5QI is a scalar used as a reference to specific QoS forwarding behavior (e.g., packet loss rate, packet delay budget). The 5QI can identify a set of QoS characteristics (resource type (non-GBR, GBR, delay-critical GBR), priority level, packet delay budget, packet error rate, averaging window, etc.). The 5QI can be a pre-configured 5QI or a standardized 5QI.

[0041] Each QoS profile has one corresponding QoS flow identifier (QFI). User plane traffic with the same QFI within a PDU session receives the same traffic forwarding processing (e.g., scheduling, allow thresholds). The QFI is carried within the encapsulation header on N3 (and N9) without any modification to the e2e packet header, for example. The QFI is unique within a PDU session. The QFI may be dynamically assigned or equal to 5QIs.

[0042] Figure 4 shows the classification of Quality of Service (QoS) flows and their mapping to user plane markings and access network (AN) resources.

[0043] In downlink (DL) transmission, incoming data packets are classified by the UPF based on the DL PDR's packet filter set, in order of their priority. The UPF uses QFI to communicate the classification of user plane traffic belonging to a QoS flow through N3 (and N9) user plane markings. The AN maps QoS flows to AN resources (e.g., data radio bearers in the case of 3GPP® RANs). No strict one-to-one relationship exists between QoS flows and AN resources. The AN is responsible for establishing and releasing the necessary AN resources to which QoS flows can be mapped.

[0044] In uplink (UL) transmission, the UE evaluates UL packets against the UL packet filters in the packet filter set within the QoS rule, based on the priority value of the QoS rule in ascending order, until a matching QoS rule is found (for example, its packet filter matches the UL packet). The UE uses the QFI in the corresponding matching QoS rule to associate the UL packet with a QoS flow. The UE then associates the QoS flow with an AN resource.

[0045] In XR / media services, groups of packets are used to carry the payload of a PDU set (e.g., frame, video slice / tile). A PDU set consists of one or more PDUs that carry the payload of a single unit of information generated at the application level. At the media layer, packets within such a PDU set are decoded / handled as a whole. For example, a frame / video slice can only be decoded if all or a certain amount of the packets carrying the frame / video slice are successfully delivered. On the other hand, different PDU sets may have different levels of importance. For example, an I-frame has a higher level of importance than a P-frame or B-frame. If the RAN is congested, the RAN may drop P-frames or B-frames, but ensure that I-frames are successfully delivered.

[0046] The disclosed technology can be implemented in several embodiments to provide a solution for enhancing existing QoS mechanisms so that RANs can deliver XR media services more efficiently.

[0047] In some embodiments of the disclosed technology, a PDU set ID and a PDU set group ID may be used.

[0048] In some implementations, a PDU set ID is used to identify a PDU set. All PDUs with the same PDU set ID are considered to belong to the same PDU set. This PDU set ID is used to differentiate PDUs between PDU sets. For example, each PDU in an I-frame and a B-frame within the same group is identified by a different PDU set ID. A PDU set ID is unique within a QoS flow or PDU session.

[0049] In some implementations, the PDU set group ID is used to identify a group of PDU sets. All PDUs with the same PDU set group ID are considered to belong to the same group of PDU sets. This PDU set group ID is used to identify dependencies between PDU sets. For example, PDUs in I-frames and B-frames within the same group are identified by the same PDU set group ID. The PDU set group ID is unique within a PDU session.

[0050] PDU sets within a PDU set group may have different levels of importance at the application level. UPF links PDU sets with different levels of importance to the same QoS flow, and each PDU within a PDU set may be associated with an importance indication or linked to a different QoS flow with a different priority.

[0051] In downlink (DL) transmissions, UPF marks DL PDUs using the PDU set ID and PDU set group ID in the GTP-U header. If UPF links PDU sets with different severities to the same QoS flow, UPF also marks them with severity indications in the GTP-U header.

[0052] In some embodiments of the disclosed technology, the RAN can handle the DL GTP-U as follows:

[0053] When one PDU of higher importance is missing, RAN will discard further PDUs with the same PDU set group ID in this QoS flow or in different QoS flows of the PDU session, which may, for example, affect other PDUs within the same PDU set group.

[0054] When one PDU with lower importance is missing, RAN discards any further PDUs with the same PDU set ID and the same PDU set group ID in this QoS flow. For example, this only affects PDUs within the same PDU set; PDUs in other PDU sets are unaffected.

[0055] In UL, the UE communicates the UL PDU, along with the PDU set ID, PDU set group ID, and severity indication, to the AS layer. The AS layer within the UE handles the UL PDU as follows:

[0056] When one PDU with higher importance is missing, the AS layer within the UE discards any further PDUs with the same PDU set group ID.

[0057] When one PDU with lower importance is missing, the AS layer within the UE discards any further PDUs with the same PDU set group ID and the same PDU set group ID within the same QoS flow.

[0058] Figure 5 shows examples of activating Extended Reality (XR) optimization in user equipment (UE), radio access networks (RAN), and user plane functions (UPF) based on several embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0059] The disclosed technologies can be implemented in several embodiments to activate Extended Reality (XR) traffic transmission optimization in the UE, RAN, and UPF, as will be discussed below.

[0060] 1. A Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message (e.g., DNN, PDU session ID, N1 SM container (PDU session establishment request)) is transmitted from the UE to the AMF. To establish a new PDU session, the UE generates a new PDU session ID. The UE initiates the UE Request PDU Session Establishment Procedure by transmitting a NAS message containing a PDU session establishment request within an N1 SM container. The NAS message may include a UE capability indication that the UE supports Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization. The NAS message transmitted by the UE is encapsulated by an AN within an N2 message destined for the AMF.

[0061] 2. Based on the requested Data Network Name (DNN), UE capability indication, and other information, the AMF selects an SMF that supports Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization. The AMF transmits the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request (SUPI, DNN, PDU Session ID, AMF ID, N1 SM container (PDU Session Establishment Request)). The SUPI (Subscription Persistent Identifier) ​​is used to uniquely identify the UE subscription. The AMF ID is the UE's GUAMI (Globally Unique AMF ID) used to uniquely identify the AMF servicing the UE. The AMF transmits the PDU Session ID along with the N1 SM container containing the PDU Session Establishment Request received from the UE. The AMF may also transmit the UE capability indication to the SMF.

[0062] 3. If the SMF is able to process the PDU session establishment request, the SMF will respond to the AMF by creating a session management (SM) context and providing an SM context identifier in the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext response.

[0063] 4. The SMF determines that a Policy and Charge Control (PCC) authorization is required and requests that an SM policy association be established with the PCF by calling the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create operation.

[0064] 5. The PCF performs authorization based on the UE subscription and local configuration. The PCF responds with an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create response, in which the PCF may provide policy information. The PCF may determine, based on information from the local configuration or application functionality, that this PDU session is to be used for XR traffic. In this case, the PCF includes XR information to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization in the UE, RAN, and UPF. The XR information may include an indication to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization and a traffic filter for XR traffic. The traffic filter indicates a method for detecting XR traffic, for example, IP 5-tuple information, RTP header information, RTP payload information, RTCP header information, SRTP header information, SRTP payload information, SRTCP information, etc.

[0065] 6. The SMF uses the DNN, UE capability indications received from the AMF, and XR information from the PCF to select a UPF that supports Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization. The SMF sends an N4 session establishment request to the UPF and provides packet discovery, enforcement, and reporting rules to be installed on the UPF for this PDU session. The UPF acknowledges by sending an N4 session establishment response. If core network (CN) tunnel information (tunnel information) is allocated by the UPF, the CN tunnel information is provided to the SMF in this step.

[0066] 7. Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer(PDU session ID, N2 SM information (PDU session ID, QFI, QoS profile, N3 CN tunnel information), N1 SM container (PDU session establishment acceptance)) is transmitted from SMF to AMF. The N2 SM information carries information that AMF is to forward to (R)AN, including an indication to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, N3 CN tunnel information corresponding to the core network address of the N3 tunnel corresponding to the PDU session, a QoS profile and the corresponding QFI (QoS flow identifier), and the PDU session ID. The N1 SM container contains a PDU session establishment acceptance that AMF is to provide to the UE. The PDU session establishment acceptance may also contain an indication to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization.

[0067] 8. An N2 PDU session request ((N2 SM information, NAS message (PDU session ID, N1 SM container (PDU session establishment acceptance)))) is transmitted from the AMF to the RAN. The AMF sends the NAS message containing the PDU session ID and PDU session establishment acceptance targeted to the UE, along with the N2 SM information received from the SMF in the N2 PDU session request, to the 5G access network (AN).

[0068] 9. Between the RAN and the UE, the RAN may issue AN-specific signaling exchanges with the UE, relating to the information received from the SMF. For example, in the case of a 3GPP® RAN, RRC connection reconfiguration may occur, along with the UE establishing the necessary RAN resources related to QoS rules regarding the PDU session request. The RAN forwards NAS messages (PDU session ID, N1 SM container (PDU session establishment acceptance)) to the UE. The RAN also distributes AN N3 tunnel information regarding the PDU session.

[0069] 10. The N2 PDU session response (PDU session ID, cause, N2 SM information (PDU session ID, AN tunnel information, list of accepted / rejected QFIs)) is transmitted from the RAN to the AMF. If the RAN receives an indication to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization and the RAN supports Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, the RAN transmits an indication in the N2 SM information that Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization has been activated in the RAN.

[0070] In some implementations, the access network (AN) tunnel information (tunnel information) corresponds to the access network address of the N3 tunnel corresponding to the PDU session.

[0071] 11. The Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext request (N2 SM information) is transmitted from AMF to SMF.

[0072] In some implementations, the AMF forwards the N2 SM information received from the (R)AN to the SMF. If the N2 SM information contains a list of rejected QFIs, the SMF releases the QoS profiles associated with the rejected QFIs.

[0073] 12. The SMF initiates the N4 session correction procedure using the UPF. The SMF provides AN tunnel information and corresponding forwarding rules to PSA / UPF0. If the RAN sends an indication that Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization has been activated, the SMF provides the UPF with information to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization. This information may include a traffic filter for XR traffic in the packet detection rules and an indication to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization.

[0074] After this step, the PDU session is successfully established. The UE may obtain an IP address via the user plane of the established PDU session. The UE / UPF then begins using the established user plane for uplink and downlink XR data transmission as follows:

[0075] In downlink (DL) transmission, the UPF assigns a PDU set group ID when it detects the first PDU in a PDU set group. The UPF also assigns a PDU set ID when it detects the first PDU in a PDU set. The UPF associates the DL PDUs with the QoS flow and adds the PDU set group ID and PDU set ID to the GTP-U header of the PDU. If the UPF associates DL PDUs with different severities with the same QoS flow, the UPF also adds a severity indication to the GTP-U header of the PDU. The severity indication indicates whether the PDU may be dropped in case of RAN congestion. In some implementations, the PDU set group ID, PDU set ID, and severity indication of the DL PDU are not sent to the UE.

[0076] In uplink transmission (UL), the UE assigns a PDU set group ID when it transmits the first PDU of a PDU set group. The UE also assigns a PDU set ID when it transmits the first PDU of a PDU set. The UE transmits the PDU to the AS layer along with the PDU set group ID, PDU set ID, and severity indication. The PDU set group ID, PDU set ID, and severity indication of a UL PDU are not transmitted to the RAN node.

[0077] Figure 6A shows how UPF connects Downlink (DL) Protocol Data Units (PDUs) with different priorities to the same QoS flow, based on several embodiments of the disclosed technology. Figure 6B shows how UPF connects Downlink (DL) Protocol Data Units (PDUs) with different priorities to different QoS flows, based on several embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0078] Referring to Figure 6A, PDU set group 1 has 5 PDU sets, and PDU set group 2 has 4 PDU sets. Both groups are delivered within the same QoS flow. Multiple PDUs exist within each PDU set. In both groups, PDU set 1 is more important than the other PDU sets in the group, and therefore all PDUs in PDU set 1 are marked as more important. For example, the importance indication for PDU set 1 is set to 1, while the others are set to 0. In this way, RAN can identify which PDU sets are more important.

[0079] Referring to Figure 6B, PDU set group 1 has 5 PDU sets, and PDU set group 2 has 4 PDU sets. Multiple PDUs exist within each PDU set. In both groups, PDU set 1 is more important than the other PDU sets within the group. QoS flow 1 has a higher priority than QoS flow 2, and therefore, PDUs in PDU set 1 in both groups are associated with QoS flow 1, while PDUs in the other PDU sets are associated with QoS flow 2. In this way, RAN can identify the more important PDU sets.

[0080] Figure 7A shows that, based on several embodiments of the disclosed technology, when one PDU in a higher-priority PDU set is missing, all remaining PDUs in the same PDU set group are dropped. Figure 7B shows that, based on several embodiments of the disclosed technology, when one PDU in a lower-priority PDU set is missing, all remaining PDUs in the same PDU set are dropped.

[0081] Referring to Figure 7A, when one PDU in a higher-priority PDU set is missing, RAN discards any further PDUs with the same PDU set group ID. The dropped PDUs may belong to the same QoS flow or different QoS flows within the same PDU session.

[0082] Referring to Figure 7B, when one PDU in a lower-priority PDU set is missing, RAN discards any further PDUs with the same PDU set ID within the same PDU set group. The dropped PDUs belong to the same QoS flow.

[0083] When the RAN drops DL packets, the RAN sends a report / notification to the SMF to report the number of dropped DL packets so that the SMF can report this to the billing system.

[0084] For uplink (UL) transmission, the UE implements Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization by communicating UL PDUs with PDU set ID, PDU set group ID, and importance indication to the AS layer. When one PDU in a higher-importance PDU set is missing, the AS layer within the UE discards further PDUs with the same PDU set group ID. When one PDU in a lower-importance PDU set is missing, the AS layer within the UE discards further PDUs in the same QoS flow with the same PDU set ID and the same PDU set group ID.

[0085] In some embodiments of the disclosed technology, the SMF receives an indication from the PCF to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, sends an Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization activation request to the RAN, receives the result of the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization activation from the RAN, and activates Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization in the UPF.

[0086] In addition, the SMF receives an indication from the UE for Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization support and sends an indication to the UE for activation of Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization.

[0087] In some embodiments of the disclosed technology, the UPF receives an indication from the network to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, assigns a PDU set ID and a PDU set group ID for a first downlink packet of a PDU set group, and transmits the PDU set ID and PDU set group ID to the RAN along with the downlink packet.

[0088] In addition, UPF transmits importance indications to the RAN along with the downlink packets.

[0089] In some embodiments of the disclosed technology, the RAN receives an indication from the network to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, detects that downlink packets are missing, and drops the remaining downlink packets within the same set of PDUs or within the same group of PDU sets according to the importance of the lost downlink packets.

[0090] In addition, the RAN determines the importance of missing downlink packets according to the priority of the QoS flow through which downlink packets are transmitted.

[0091] In addition, the RAN determines the importance of missing downlink packets according to the importance indication sent with the downlink packets.

[0092] In some embodiments of the disclosed technology, the UE sends an indication of Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization support to the network, receives an indication of Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization activation from the network, detects that an uplink packet is missing, and drops the remaining uplink packets within the same PDU set or the remaining uplink packets within the same PDU set group, according to the importance of the missing uplink packet.

[0093] Figure 8 shows an example of a process for wireless communication based on several exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0094] In some implementations, process 800 for wireless communication may include, in 810, a first network function receiving a first indication from a second network function to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, thereby increasing the efficiency of transmitting a payload of a set of protocol data units having different priorities; in 820, the first network function transmitting a request to a network node to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization after receiving the first indication; in 830, the first network function receiving a response from the network node to the request to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization; and in 840, the first network function, after receiving the first indication, activating Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization in a third network function and transmitting a payload of a set of protocol data units based on the importance of the set of protocol data units.

[0095] In some implementations, the first network function is the Session Management Function (SMF), the second network function is the Policy Control Function (PCF), the third network function is the User Plane Function (UPF), and the network node is the Radio Access Network (RAN).

[0096] Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the process for wireless communication, based on several exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0097] In some implementations, process 900 for wireless communication may include, at 910, receiving an indication by a third network function which activates Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, thereby increasing the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different levels of importance; at 920, receiving a first network packet of a data unit set of a data unit set group, which includes multiple data unit sets; at 930, distributing identification of data unit sets and identification of data unit set groups by a third network function; and at 940, transmitting the distributed identification of data unit sets, the distributed identification of data unit set groups, and the corresponding network packets to network nodes by a third network function, thereby carrying out the transmission of payloads of sets of protocol data units.

[0098] In some implementations, the third network function is the User Plane Function (UPF), and the network node is the Radio Access Network (RAN).

[0099] Figure 10 shows another embodiment of the process for wireless communication based on several exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0100] In some implementations, process 1000 for wireless communication may include, in 1010, receiving an indication by a network node to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, which thereby increases the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different importance levels; in 1020, detecting whether missing network packets exist by a network node; and in 1030, in response to a network node determining that a set of data units containing the missing network packets has a first importance level, canceling the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in the same data unit set as the missing network packets, or in response to a network node determining that a set of data units containing the missing network packets has a second importance level, wherein the second importance level is higher than the first importance level.

[0101] In some implementations, the network nodes are part of a Radio Access Network (RAN).

[0102] Figure 11 shows another embodiment of the process for wireless communication based on several exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0103] In some implementations, process 1100 for wireless communication involves, in 1110, the wireless device transmitting an indication to the network device that the wireless device supports Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, thereby increasing the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different priorities; in 1120, the wireless device receiving notification from the network device that Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization has been activated for the wireless device after transmitting the indication; in 1130, the wireless device detecting whether there are any missing network packets; and in 1140, The present invention may include, in response to a wireless device determining that a data unit set containing a missing network packet has a first importance value, canceling the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in the same data unit set as the missing network packet, or, in response to a network node determining that a data unit set containing a missing network packet has a second importance value, canceling the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in all data unit sets within the same data unit set group as the missing network packet, wherein the second importance value has a higher importance than the first importance value.

[0104] It should be understood that this document discloses techniques that can be embodied in various embodiments for determining downlink control information within a wireless network. The embodiments, modules, and functional operations described, disclosed, and other embodiments described herein may be implemented in digital electronic networks, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, or a combination thereof, including the structures disclosed herein and their structural equivalents. The disclosed and other embodiments may be implemented as one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer-readable medium for execution by or control of the operation of one or more computer program products, i.e., data processing devices. The computer-readable medium may be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition that produces machine-readable propagating signals, or one or more combinations thereof. The term “data processing device” includes, in examples, all devices, and machines for processing data, including a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. In addition to hardware, the device may include code that generates an execution environment for the computer program, such as processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of these. The propagating signal is an artificially generated signal, such as a mechanically generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal generated to encode information for transmission to a suitable receiver device.

[0105] Computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications, scripts, or code) can be written in any form of a programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as standalone programs or as modules, components, subroutines, or other units suitable for use within a computing environment. Computer programs do not necessarily correspond to files in a file system. A program can be stored in a single file dedicated to it, in part of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in part of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), or in multiple collaborative files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, subprograms, or parts of code). Computer programs can be deployed to run on one computer, or on multiple computers located in one place or distributed across multiple locations and interconnected by a communication network.

[0106] The processes and logic flows described in this book can be implemented by one or more programmable processors that execute one or more computer programs to perform their functions by acting on input data and generating outputs. The processes and logic flows can also be implemented by special-purpose logic networks, such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) or ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits), and the devices can also be implemented as such.

[0107] Processors suitable for executing computer programs include, in examples, one or more processors from both general-purpose microprocessors and special-purpose microprocessors, and any type of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from read-only memory or random-access memory or both. Essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also be operationally coupled to one or more mass storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks, or to receive data from there, or transmit data thereto, or both. However, a computer is not required to have such devices. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include, in examples, all forms of non-volatile memory, media, and memory devices, such as semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices, magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. Processors and memory can be complemented by or incorporated into special-purpose logic networks.

[0108] Some embodiments may preferably implement one or more of the following solutions, which are enumerated in appendix form. The following appendix is ​​supported and further explained in the embodiments described above and throughout this document. As used in the following appendix and claims, the wireless device may be user equipment, a mobile station, or any other wireless terminal, including a fixed node such as a base station. The network device includes a base station, including a next-generation node B (gNB), an extended node B (eNB), or any other device that functions as a base station.

[0109] Note 1. A wireless communication method comprising: a first network function receiving a first indication from a second network function for activating Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, which thereby increases the efficiency of transmitting a payload of a set of protocol data units having different levels of importance; the first network function transmitting a request to a network node to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization after receiving the first indication; the first network function receiving a response from the network node to the request to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization; and the first network function activating Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization in a third network function after receiving the first indication, and transmitting a payload of a set of protocol data units based on the level of importance of the set of protocol data units.

[0110] Appendix 2. The method according to Appendix 1, further comprising: receiving a second indication from a wireless device by a first network function that the wireless device supports Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization; and transmitting an indication to the wireless device by the first network function to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization relating to the wireless device.

[0111] Note 3. The first network function is the Session Management Function (SMF), as described in either of the methods in Note 1-2.

[0112] Note 4. The SMF is selected by the Access and Movement Management Function (AMF) as described in Note 3.

[0113] Note 5. The method described in Note 4, in which the AMF forwards the second indication to the SMF.

[0114] Note 6. The second network function is a policy control function (PCF), as described in either of the methods in Notes 1-2.

[0115] Note 7. The method according to Note 6, wherein the PCF determines, based on information from local configuration or application functionality, that a protocol data unit (PDU) session is to be used for extended reality traffic.

[0116] Note 8. The method according to Note 7, wherein the PCF includes extended reality information for activating Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization.

[0117] Appendix 9. The method described in Appendix 8, wherein extended reality information includes an indication for activating extended reality traffic transmission optimization and a traffic filter for extended reality traffic.

[0118] Appendix 10. The method according to Appendix 9, wherein the traffic filter includes information on how to detect Extended Reality traffic, the information including at least one of the following: Extended Reality traffic IP 5-tuple information, Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) header information, RTP payload information, RTP Control Protocol (RTCP) header information, Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP) header information, SRTP payload information, or SRTP Control Protocol (SRTCP) information.

[0119] Appendix 11. The method according to Appendix 1, wherein if a network node supports Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization and receives a request, the network node indicates that Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization has been activated on the network node.

[0120] Appendix 12. The method according to Appendix 11, further comprising transmitting information for activating Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization to a third network function by the first network function, wherein the information for activating Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization includes a traffic filter for Extended Reality Traffic in a packet detection rule and an indication for activating Extended Reality Traffic Optimization.

[0121] Note 13. A wireless communication method comprising: receiving an indication by a third network function which activates Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, thereby increasing the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different levels of importance; receiving a first network packet of a data unit set of a data unit set group, which includes a plurality of data unit sets, by a third network function; assigning identification of data unit sets and identification of data unit set groups by a third network function; and transmitting the assigned identification of data unit sets, the assigned identification of data unit set groups, and the corresponding network packets to network nodes by a third network function, thereby carrying out the transmission of payloads of sets of protocol data units.

[0122] Appendix 14. The method according to Appendix 13, further comprising determining the importance of corresponding data unit sets within a data unit set group by a third network function, and transmitting an indication regarding the importance of corresponding data unit sets within a data unit set group to a network node by a third network function.

[0123] Appendix 15. The method according to Appendix 13, further comprising: a third network function determining the importance of a corresponding data unit set within a data unit set group; a third network function determining the quality of service (QoS) flow associated with the importance of the corresponding data unit set; and a third network function transmitting the corresponding data unit set across the QoS flow to a network node.

[0124] Note 16. Network packets include downlink protocol data units (PDUs) as described in any of the methods described in Notes 13-15.

[0125] Note 17. The method according to any of the notes in Notes 13-16, wherein a data unit set includes a set of protocol data units (PDUs), a data unit set identifier includes a PDU set identifier (ID) for identifying a set of PDUs, and a data unit set group identifier includes a PDU set group ID for identifying a group of PDU sets.

[0126] Note 18. The PDU set ID, PDU set group ID, and severity indication are transmitted in the General-Purpose Packet Radio Services (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol User Plane (GTP-U) header of the corresponding PDU, as described in Note 17.

[0127] Note 19. Severity indication is the method described in Note 18, which indicates whether to cancel PDU transmission in the event of congestion in the radio access network (RAN).

[0128] Note 20. A wireless communication method comprising: receiving an indication by a network node to activate Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, which thereby increases the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different levels of importance; detecting by a network node whether missing network packets exist; and, in response to a network node determining that a set of data units containing missing network packets has a first level of importance, canceling the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in the same data unit set as the missing network packets, or, in response to a network node determining that a set of data units containing missing network packets has a second level of importance, canceling the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in all data unit sets within the same data unit set group as the missing network packets, wherein the second level of importance is higher than the first level of importance.

[0129] Appendix 21. The method according to Appendix 20, further comprising determining the importance of a data unit set based on the priority of the quality of service (QoS) flow over which network packets are transmitted by a network node.

[0130] Appendix 22. The method according to Appendix 20, further comprising: a network node receiving a severity indication associated with the severity of a network packet; and a network node determining the severity of a missing network packet based on the severity indication.

[0131] Note 23. Network packets include downlink protocol data units (PDUs) as described in any of the methods in Notes 20-22.

[0132] Note 24. A wireless communication method comprising: a wireless device transmitting an indication to a network device that the wireless device supports Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, thereby increasing the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different importance levels; the wireless device receiving a notification from the network device that Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization is activated for the wireless device after transmitting the indication; the wireless device detecting whether missing network packets exist; the wireless device determining that a set of data units containing missing network packets has a first importance level, and canceling the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in the same data unit set as the missing network packets; or, depending on a network node determining that a set of data units containing missing network packets has a second importance level, and canceling the scheduled transmission of the remaining network packets in all data unit sets in the same data unit set group as the missing network packets, wherein the second importance level is higher than the first importance level.

[0133] Note 25. Network packets include downlink packets, as described in Note 24.

[0134] Appendix 26. The method according to Appendix 25, wherein a data unit set includes a set of protocol data units (PDUs), a data unit set identifier includes a PDU set identifier (ID) for identifying a set of PDUs, and a data unit set group identifier includes a PDU set group ID for identifying a group of PDU sets.

[0135] Appendix 27. The method according to Appendix 26, further comprising assigning a PDU set group ID in response to a wireless device transmitting a first protocol data unit (PDU) of a set group of protocol data units (PDUs).

[0136] Appendix 28. The method according to Appendix 26, further comprising assigning a PDU set ID in response to a wireless device transmitting a first protocol data unit (PDU) of a set group of protocol data units (PDUs).

[0137] Appendix 29. The method according to Appendix 26, further comprising transmitting a PDU, a PDU set group ID, a PDU set ID, and a severity indication associated with the severity of the PDU to the Access Stratum (AS) layer by a wireless device.

[0138] Note 30. An indication that a wireless device supports Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization is carried by a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message, as described in Note 24.

[0139] Note 31. The method described in any of the notes 1-30, wherein the first network function is a session management function (SMF), the second network function is a policy control function (PCF), and the third network function is a user plane function (UPF).

[0140] Note 32. The network node is a radio access network (RAN) as described in any of the methods in Notes 1-30.

[0141] Note 33. A wireless device is a user equipment (UE) as described in any of the methods described in Notes 1-30.

[0142] Appendix 34. A device for wireless communication, comprising a processor configured to perform any of the methods described in Appendix 1-33.

[0143] Appendix 35. A device for wireless communication, comprising memory and a processor, wherein the processor reads code from memory and implements the method described in any of the appendices 1-33.

[0144] Appendix 36. A non-transient computer-readable medium having code stored thereon, wherein the code, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement the method described in any of the Appendices 1-33.

[0145] Some of the embodiments described herein are described in a general context of a method or process, which in one embodiment may be implemented by a computer program product embodied in a computer-readable medium, including computer-executable instructions such as program code, executed by a computer in a networked environment. The computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, removable and non-removable storage devices, including read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), etc. Thus, the computer-readable medium may include non-transient storage media. Generally, a program module may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform a particular task or implement a particular abstract data type. Computer or processor-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent embodiments of program code for performing steps of the methods disclosed herein. A particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents an embodiment of the corresponding action for implementing the function described in such step or process.

[0146] Some of the disclosed embodiments can be implemented as devices or modules using hardware circuits, software, or a combination thereof. For example, a hardware circuit implementation may include discrete analog and / or digital components integrated, for example, as part of a printed circuit board. Alternatively, or in addition, the disclosed components or modules may be implemented as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or field-programmable gate array (FPGA) devices. Some implementations may, in addition, or alternatively, include a digital signal processor (DSP), which is a specialized microprocessor with an architecture optimized for the needs of digital signal processing operations associated with the functionality disclosed herein. Similarly, various components or subcomponents within each module may be implemented in software, hardware, or firmware. Connectivity between modules and / or components within modules may be provided using any one of the connectivity methods and media known in the Art, including, but not limited to, communication over the Internet, wired, or wireless networks using appropriate protocols.

[0147] This book contains many details, but these should be interpreted not as limitations on the scope of the claimed invention or claimed content, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described herein in the context of a separate embodiment may also be implemented in a single embodiment or in combination. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented separately in multiple embodiments or in any preferred secondary combination. Furthermore, while features may be described above as acting in a combination, and may even be initially claimed as such, one or more features from the claimed combination may be removed from the combination in some implementations, and the claimed combination may be subject to secondary combinations or variations of secondary combinations. Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in a particular order or sequential order in which they are shown, or that all illustrated operations be performed, in order to achieve a desired result.

[0148] Only a few implementations and examples are described, and other implementations, enhancements, and modifications can also be made based on what is described and illustrated in this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication, The first network function receives extended reality information from the second network function, including a first indication for activating extended reality traffic transmission optimization, wherein the extended reality traffic transmission optimization increases the efficiency of transmitting payloads of sets of protocol data units having different levels of importance. The first network function selects a third network function that supports the optimization of the extended reality traffic transmission using the data network name (DNN), the capability indication of the wireless device, and the extended reality information. The first network function transmits to the network node a request to activate the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization after receiving the first indication, The first network function receives a response from the network node to the request for activating the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, After the first network function receives the first indication, the selected third network function activates the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization and transmits the payload of the set of protocol data units based on the importance of the set of protocol data units. Methods that include...

2. The first network function receives a second indication from the wireless device that the wireless device supports the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, The first network function transmits an indication to the wireless device to activate the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization relating to the wireless device. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second network function determines, based on information from a local configuration or application function, that a protocol data unit (PDU) session is to be used for extended reality traffic.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the network node supports the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization and receives the request, the network node indicates that the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization has been activated at the network node.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the first network function transmitting to the third network function information for activating the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization, wherein the information for activating the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization includes a traffic filter for Extended Reality Traffic in a packet detection rule and an indication for activating the Extended Reality Traffic Transmission Optimization.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first network function is a session management function (SMF), the second network function is a policy control function (PCF), the third network function is a user plane function (UPF), the network node is a wireless access network (RAN), and the wireless device is a user device (UE).

7. A device for wireless communication, the device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the processor reads a code from the memory and implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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