Network node, first radio network node, and methods performed therein

Abstract

Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a first radio network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The first radio network node (12) receives a GTP error indication from a first network node (15); and transmits a tunnel indication to a network node (17), wherein the tunnel indication comprises information associated with the received GTP error indication.

Description

[0001] NETWORK NODE, FIRST RADIO NETWORK NODE, AND METHODS PERFORMED THEREIN

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Embodiments herein relate to a network node, a first radio network node, and methods performed therein regarding wireless communication. Furthermore, a computer program product and a computer readable storage medium are also provided herein. In particular, embodiments herein relate to handling communication such as handling connection failures in a wireless communication network.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] In a typical wireless communication network, user equipments (UE), also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (ST A) and / or wireless devices, communicate via a Radio Access Network (RAN) with one or more core networks (CN). The RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cells, with each service area or cell being served by a radio network node such as an access node, e.g., a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be called, for example, a NodeB, a gNodeB, or an eNodeB. The service area or cell is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node operates on radio frequencies to communicate over an air interface with the UEs within range of the radio network node. The radio network node communicates over a downlink (DL) to the UE and the UE communicates over an uplink (UL) to the radio network node.

[0006] A Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation (3G) telecommunication network, which evolved from the second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). The UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) is essentially a RAN using wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) and / or High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) for communication with user equipment. In a forum known as the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), telecommunications suppliers propose and agree upon standards for present and future generation networks and investigate e.g. enhanced data rate and radio capacity. In some RANs, e.g. as in UMTS, several radio network nodes may be connected, e.g., by landlines or microwave, to a controller node, such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC), which supervises and coordinates various activities of the plural radio network nodes connected thereto. The RNCs are typically connected to one or more core networks.

[0007] Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS) have been completed within the 3GPP and coming 3GPP releases, such as New Radio (NR), are worked on. The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), also known as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network. E-UTRAN / LTE is a 3GPP radio access technology wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network. As such, the Radio Access Network (RAN) of an EPS has an essentially “flat” architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks.

[0008] With the emerging 5G technologies such as NR, the use of very many transmit- and receive-antenna elements may be of great interest as it makes it possible to utilize beamforming, such as transmit-side and receive-side beamforming. Transmit-side beamforming means that the transmitter can amplify the transmitted signals in a selected direction or directions, while suppressing the transmitted signals in other directions. Similarly, on the receive-side, a receiver can amplify signals from a selected direction or directions, while suppressing unwanted signals from other directions. NR is connected to the 5G Core Network (5GC) which comprises a number of Network Functions (NF) such as Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Access Management Function (AMF), Authentication Service Function (AUSF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Unified Data Manager (UDM), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), just to mention some. In the 5GC, NFs can discover other NFs by using a discovery service provided by the NRF.

[0009] GPRS Tunnelling Protocol version 1-user (GTPv1-U) is the protocol over N3 interface, between RAN and UPF, for user plane traffic. Error Indication is the mechanism as described in the TS29.281 v.18.0.0 for a GPRS Tunnelling Protocol -user (GTP-U) node receives a GTP- protocol data unit (G-PDU) for which there is no context exist, it shall return a GTP error indication to the originating node. Tunnelling protocol herein meaning a communication protocol which allows for the movement of data from one network to another allowing private network communications to be sent across a public network through an encapsulation process.

[0010] GTP-U error indication.

[0011] In TS 29.281 v.18.0.0, it is stated that the handling of the received error indication is specified in TS 23.527 v.18.0.0.

[0012] 1)

[0013] In TS 23.527 Subclause 5.3.3.1 v.18.0.0, it states that: if the GTP-U Error Indication was received from an UPF over an NG-U tunnel that is not an indirect forwarding tunnel, the 5G-access node (AN) shall initiate a PDU Session Resource Notify procedure and release immediately the resources of the PDU session for which the Error Indication was received.

[0014] In TS 38.413 8.2.4.2 v.18.0.0 states as below:

[0015] The PDU SESSION RESOURCE NOTIFY message shall contain the information of PDU session resources or quality of service (QoS) flows which are released or not fulfilled anymore or fulfilled again by the NG -RAN node.

[0016] For each PDU session resource which is released by the NG-RAN node, the PDU Session Resource Notify Released Transfer information element (IE) shall be included containing the release cause in the Cause IE.

[0017] In NR, GTP-U is chosen as the user plane protocol. Over control plane, between Core Network and NG-RAN node, NG Application Protocol (NGAP) is specified. Within the NG-RAN node, there are two architecture options as below: integrated NG-RAN node and split NG-RAN node with control plane and user plane separation. Multiple NG-U tunnels per PDU Session

[0018] 3GPP supports multiple NG-U tunnels, currently up to 2, per PDU session. Fig. 2 shows the Control Plane and User Plane in NR in NR-dual connectivity (DC). For one PDU session, the control plane (NG-C) is handled by master node (MN), and the user plane (NG-U) are handled by both MN and secondary node (SN), see Fig. 1.

[0019] Split NG-RAN Architecture

[0020] The overall architecture for separation of gNB-central unit (CU)-control plane (CP) and gNB-CU- user plane (UP) is shown in Fig. 2. In NG-RAN node, the gNB-CU-UP handles the N3 tunnel. The gNB-CU-CP handles the N2 interface.

[0021] SUMMARY

[0022] As part of developing embodiments herein one or more problems have been identified.

[0023] In the deployments for, for example, ultra reliable low latency communication (URLLC) service as described in TS23.501 section 5.33.2 v.18.0.0, there is no support in the current release of 3GPP specifications to handle the case that a GTP-U error indication is received in the SN, refer to Case 1 in Fig. 3, for the redundant PDU Session established in SN , or GTP-U error indication is received by the NG-RAN where GTP-U tunnels are handled by two different UPFs, refer to Case 2 in Fig. 3, for one PDU Session. Thus, Case 1 regards Two N3 tunnel, while the MN and SN NG- RAN node terminates one N3 tunnel each. Case 2 regards a PDU session has two N3 tunnel, while each N3 tunnel is terminated by different UPF. In both cases, with current 3GPP specifications, there is no way for (R)AN to notify the SMF that the PDU session or associated quality of service (QoS) flows N3 resource is released in the RAN due to GTP-U error indication received. The remote UPF fully qualified TEID (F-TEID), i.e., IP address and TEID, of the N3 tunnel as well as the error indication originating node are also not included in the message to SMF for the purpose that SMF can reestablish the redundant N3 tunnel, e.g. for URLLC services.

[0024] With current specifications, when GTP-U error indication is received at NG-RAN due to UPF failure or partial failure, the reliability of URLLC service can’t be guaranteed anyway.

[0025] Furthermore, in the NG-RAN split architecture, the GTP-U Error occurs in the gNB-CU-UP, it has to transfer the GTP-U failure to gNB-CU-CP, so that the gNB-CU-CP could report via NG-C control plane to the core network node for the appropriate handling. This handling to convey the UP GTP-U failure in gNB-CU-UP to gNB-CU-CP is not supported in the interface between gNB- CU-UP and gNB-CU-CP, in E1AP signalling.

[0026] An object of embodiments herein is to handle communication in a wireless communication network in an efficient manner.

[0027] According to an aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a first radio network node, such as a NG-RAN node, for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The first radio network node receives from a first network node, such as an UPF, a GTP error indication for a packet. The first radio network node transmits to a network node, such as an SMF, a tunnel indication, wherein the tunnel indication comprises information associated with the received GTP error indication, such as an indication of the received GTP error indication, a tunnel identifier and / or an indication of one or more associated QoS flows related to the received GTP error indication.

[0028] According to another aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a network node, such as an SMF, a second radio network node, e.g., a MN, or a control plane of a first radio network node, for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The network node receives from a first radio network node, such as a NG-RAN node, a tunnel indication, wherein the tunnel indication comprises information associated with a received GTP error indication, such as an indication of the received GTP error indication, a tunnel identifier and / or an indication of one or more associated QoS flows of a tunnel related to the received GTP error indication. The network node performs an action taking the received tunnel indication into account.

[0029] It is furthermore provided herein a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the methods herein, as performed by the first radio network node, and the network node, respectively. It is additionally provided herein a computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the methods herein, as performed by the first radio network node, and the network node, respectively.

[0030] According to another aspect the object is achieved by providing a network node and a first radio network node configured to perform the methods herein, respectively.

[0031] According to yet another aspect the object is achieved by providing a first radio network node for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The first radio network node is configured to receive from a first network node a GTP error indication for a packet. The first radio network node is further configured to transmit to a network node a tunnel indication, wherein the tunnel indication comprises information associated with the received GTP error indication such as an indication of the received GTP error indication, a tunnel identifier and / or an indication of one or more associated QoS flows related to the received GTP error indication.

[0032] According to still another aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a network node for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The network node is configured to receive from a first radio network node, a tunnel indication, wherein the tunnel indication comprises information associated with a received GTP error indication such as an indication of the received GTP error indication, a tunnel identifier and / or an indication of one or more associated QoS flows of a tunnel related to the received GTP error indication. The network node is configured to perform an action taking the received tunnel indication into account.

[0033] Embodiments herein provide a solution for the first radio network node, such as a RAN node, to report the situation when the GTP error indication is received from, for example, an UPF, such as notifying an SMF, being an example of the network node, of the event that UL payload transfer is not possible due to receiving one or more GTP error indications. With this, it also enables the network node, such as the SMF, to request either the UPF sending the GTP error indication or a new UPF to allocate a new or existing N3 UL F-TEID to receive the UL traffic from the NG-RAN, and then modify PDU session resource or re-establish, for example, by releasing first and then establishing, the PDU session resource, e.g., to establish the PDU session’s N3 tunnel to guarantee the reliability for URLLC service. Thus, embodiments herein handle an efficient communication in a wireless communication network.

[0034] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Embodiments will now be described in more detail in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0036] Fig. 1 is a schematic overview depicting interfaces according to prior art;

[0037] Fig. 2 is a schematic overview depicting a split architecture according to prior art;

[0038] Fig. 3 is a schematic overview depicting different cases;

[0039] Fig. 4 shows an overview depicting a wireless communication network according to embodiments herein;

[0040] Fig. 5 is a combined flowchart and signaling scheme according to some embodiments herein;

[0041] Fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart depicting a method performed by a first radio network node according to some embodiments herein;

[0042] Fig. 7 is a schematic flowchart depicting a method performed by a network node according to some embodiments herein;

[0043] Fig. 8 is a combined flowchart and signaling scheme according to some embodiments herein;

[0044] Fig. 9 is a combined flowchart and signaling scheme according to some embodiments herein;

[0045] Fig. 10 is a combined flowchart and signaling scheme according to some embodiments herein;

[0046] Fig. 11 is a combined flowchart and signaling scheme according to some embodiments herein;

[0047] Fig. 12 shows a block diagram depicting embodiments of a first radio network node according to embodiments herein; and Fig. 13 shows a block diagram depicting embodiments of a network node according to embodiments herein.

[0048] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Embodiments herein relate to wireless communication networks in general. Fig. 4 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communication network 1. The wireless communication network 1 comprises one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communication network 1 may use one or a number of different technologies. Embodiments herein relate to recent technology trends that are of particular interest in a New Radio (NR) context, however, embodiments are also applicable in further development of existing wireless communications systems such as e.g. LTE or Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA).

[0050] In the wireless communication network 1 , one or more UEs such as a user equipment (UE) 10 exemplified herein as a wireless device such as a mobile station, a non-access point (non- AP) station (STA), a STA and / or a wireless terminal, are comprised communicating via e.g. one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. radio access network (RAN), to one or more core networks (CN). It should be understood by the skilled in the art that “UE” is a non-limiting term which means any terminal, wireless communications terminal, user equipment, narrowband internet of things (NB- loT) device, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, Device to Device (D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station capable of communicating using radio communication with a radio network node within an area served by the radio network node.

[0051] The wireless communication network 1 comprises a first radio network node 12 or just radio network node 12, providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a first service area 11 or first cell, of a first radio access technology (RAT), such as NR, LTE, or similar. The first radio network node 12 may be a transmission and reception point such as an access node, an access controller, a base station, a NG-RAN node, e.g. a radio base station such as a gNodeB (gNB), an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), a NodeB, a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a NG-RAN-CU-UP node, base station router, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit or node capable of communicating with a UE within the area served by the first radio network node depending e.g. on the first radio access technology and terminology used. The first radio network node may be referred to as a secondary node, secondary radio network node wherein the service area may be referred to as a secondary serving cell, and the secondary node communicates with the wireless device in form of DL transmissions to the wireless device and UL transmissions from the wireless device. It should be noted that a service area may be denoted as cell, beam, beam group or similar to define an area of radio coverage. The wireless communication network 1 comprises a second radio network node 13, providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a second service area 14 or second cell, of a second radio access technology (RAT), such as NR, LTE, or similar. The second radio network node 13 may be a transmission and reception point such as an access node, an access controller, a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a gNodeB (gNB), an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), a NodeB, a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, a NG-RAN-CU-CP node, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a WLAN access point or an AP STA, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit or node capable of communicating with a wireless device within the area served by the second radio network node depending e.g. on the first radio access technology and terminology used. The second radio network node may be referred to as a master node or serving radio network node, wherein the service area may be referred to as a master cell or serving cell, and the second radio network node communicates with the UE in form of DL transmissions to the UE and UL transmissions from the UE. It should be noted that a service area may be denoted as cell, beam, beam group or similar to define an area of radio coverage.

[0052] The first RAT may be the same RAT as the second RAT or the first RAT may be a different RAT than the second RAT.

[0053] The wireless communication network 1 may further comprise a number of network nodes providing network functions (NF) or actually instantiations of NFs also referred to as NF instances, such as a first network node 15, for example, a UPF, and a second network node 16 such as an SMF. The different NF instances may have different tasks. Other functions may be for LTE such as mobility management entity (MME) or similar.

[0054] The respective node may be a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or processing resources in a server farm or same node. Embodiments herein may be implemented as physical bare metal, virtual or cloud native such as Kubernetes environment in, e.g., hyper-cloud networks.

[0055] According to embodiments herein a network node 17, such as the second network node 16,, the second radio network node 13, a MN or a control plane of the first radio network node 12, is informed by the first radio network node 12 about tunnel information associated with a GTP error indication, also referred to as GTP-U error indication.

[0056] Embodiments herein may provide one or more of the following:

[0057] • Enabling the first radio network node 12 to report to the SMF for which GTP-U tunnel, NG- U tunnel, it has received the GTP-U error indication. The first radio network node 12 node may release the NG-U tunnel resource and the QoS flows being transported over the NG-U tunnel, or it could keep the NG-U tunnel resource, wait for SMF for further actions, e.g. to release the PDU session resource and re-establish it, or to modify PDU session resource by provisioning a (new) N3 UL transport network layer (TNL) in a UPF, such as the UPF sending the GTP-ll error indication or a new UPF.

[0058] • The first radio network node 12 may indicate to the SMF if the impacted NG-U tunnel and the related QoS flows are released or kept by an explicit indication, or implicitly by including different information element (IE).

[0059] • Allowing the first radio network node 12, such as a SN, to indicate to a MN that the GTP-U error indication is received for the PDU session resource and the related PDU resource.

[0060] • In the NG-RAN node split architecture, allowing a gNB-CU-UP to indicate to a gNB-CU-CP that the given GTP-U(s) has received GTP-U error indication over NG-U interface being a User Plane Tunnel between a UPF and the NG-RAN node.

[0061] • Enabling the SMF to reestablish the given GTP-U tunnel upon the reception of the message from the first radio network node 12.

[0062] • The SMF may use the existing NG-U tunnel at the NG-RAN node, using, e.g., PDU session resource modification procedure to reestablish the NG-U tunnel. See Fig. 8 “Signal Flows 1: using “PDU Session Resource Modify Indication procedure to “modify” the failed GTP-U tunnel”.

[0063] It is understood that the existing PDU session resource management procedure, e.g. PDU Session Resource Notify I Modify Indication can be used for the first radio network node 12 to provide information to Core Network, such as AMF and / or SMF, or PDU Session resource Modify procedure for the CN to provide handling to the first radio network node 12. Other procedures or new procedures can be used for the purpose.

[0064] It is understood that not all the information elements are needed for embodiments herein to work.

[0065] Fig. 5 is combined flowchart and signalling scheme according to some embodiments herein.

[0066] Action 501. The first radio network node 12 may exchange support indications with the network node 17. For example, the first radio network node 12 may receive a support indication from the network node 17 and / or transmit a local support indication to the network node 17. The local support indication and / or the support indication may indicate support of reporting of GTP-U error indication over N2 interface, and a corresponding handling procedure.

[0067] Action 502. The first radio network node 12 receives an GTP error indication, also referred to as GTP-U error indication, from the first network node 15 such as the UPF. The GTP error indication may indicate that the first network node 15 has received a G-PDU of a failed or nonexisting tunnel session, or lost tunnel context, e.g., due to a partial failure. The tunnel may be established between a UPF and a NG-RAN node. Action 503. The first radio network node 12 further transmits a tunnel indication to the network node 17. The tunnel indication comprises information associated with the received GTP error indication, such as an indication of the received GTP error indication, a tunnel identifier and / or an indication of one or more associated QoS flows of a tunnel related to the received GTP error indication. The information may further indicate a release of the tunnel and / or one or more QoS flows or that data regarding the tunnel and / or the one or more QoS flows is kept.

[0068] Action 504. The network node 17 performs an action taking the tunnel indication into account. The network node 17 may, for example, initiate reestablishment of the tunnel.

[0069] The method actions performed by the first radio network node 12 for handling communication in the wireless communication network according to embodiments herein will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 6. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order. Actions performed in some embodiments are marked with dashed boxes.

[0070] Action 601. The first radio network node 12 may exchange support indications with the network node 17. For example, the first radio network node 12 may receive the support indication from the network node and / or transmit the local support indication to the network node 17.

[0071] Action 602. The first radio network node 12 receives the GTP error indication from the first network node 15 such as the UPF. The GTP error indication may indicate that the first network node 15 has received a G-PDll of, for example, a failed or non-existing tunnel session or lost the GTP-ll context, e.g., due to a partial failure.

[0072] Action 603. The first radio network node 12 transmits the tunnel indication to the network node 17. The tunnel indication comprises information associated with the received GTP error indication, such as the indication of the received GTP error indication, the tunnel identifier and / or the indication of one or more associated QoS flows of a tunnel related to the received GTP error indication. The information may further indicate a release of the tunnel and / or one or more QoS flows or that data regarding the tunnel and / or the one or more QoS flows is kept at the first radio network node 12. The tunnel indication may be comprised in a PDU Session Resource Notify or PDU Session Resource Modify Indication. Thus, the first radio network node 12 may transmit information indicating that the GTP-ll tunnel as well as the associated QoS flows within the PDU session are released or kept. The first radio network node 12 may transmit information indicating that the GTP-U tunnel as well as the associated QoS flows within the PDU session are released or kept due to the reception of the GTP error indication.

[0073] Action 604. The first radio network node 12 may further receive updated information from the network node 17. The updated information may comprise tunnel information for UL communication. In one embodiment, the first radio network node 12, for example, a NG-RAN node, and the SMF exchange the support of the reporting of GTP-ll error indication over the N2 interface, and the corresponding handling.

[0074] In one embodiment, the first radio network node 12 indicates to the SMF that the specified NG-U tunnel and the associated QoS flows are released within the PDU Session. The NG-ll tunnel identifier and / or the associated QoS flow list may be introduced in the related message.

[0075] The first radio network node 12 may use a PDU Session Resource Notify procedure. The SMF may decide to reestablish the tunnel for the QoS flows and the PDU sessions, see Fig. 9 “Signal Flows 2”, using PDU Session Resource Notify procedure to indicate GTP-U error indication received and RAN has released the related resource.

[0076] The first radio network node 12 may use a PDU Session Resource Modify Indication procedure to include the impacted GTP-U tunnel and indicate that the tunnel resource, as well as the QoS flows are released. The first radio network node 12 may choose to offload the impacted QoS flows to the existing NG-U tunnel.

[0077] The first radio network node 12 may indicate to the SMF that the specified NG-U tunnel is released due to the reception of the GTP-U error indication. A new indicator or a new cause value may be included.

[0078] The first radio network node 12 may indicate to the SMF that when the GTP-U error indication is received, the N3 resource DL NG-U UP TNL Information of the PDU session or QoS flows in the NG-RAN are kept so that the SMF can take action to reestablish the N3 UL NG-U UP TNL in the UPF and updates the NG-RAN with the new N3 UL NG-U UP TNL.

[0079] The first radio network node 12 may use a PDU Session Resource Modify Indication procedure, see “Signal Flow 1” in Fig. 8. The first radio network node 12 may provide information for one failed GTP-U tunnel, or a list of failed GTP-U tunnel. The first radio network node 12 may determine to move the QoS flow to existing GTP-U tunnel.

[0080] The first radio network node 12 may indicate to the SMF using the PDU Session Resource Notify procedure that the GTP-U error indication has received for the given GTP-U and the related resource are kept in NG-RAN side. See “Signal Flow 3” in Fig. 10 showing a solution using PDU Session Resource Notify procedure to indicate GTP-U error indication received and the NG-RAN has kept the related resource.

[0081] In the split NG-RAN architecture, the first radio network node 12 is exemplified as a gNB- CU-UP that indicates to a gNB-CU-CP, being an example of the network node 17, that the GTP-U error indication has been received for a given GTP-U tunnel, see Signal Flow 4, in Fig. 11, wherein the gNB-CU-UP indicates GTP-U error indication to gNB-CU-CP over E1AP interface. The gNB- CU-CP may conclude that all the GTP-U tunnel associated to the given IP address has failed. The gNB-CU-UP may indicate the GTP-ll and / or the associated QoS flow in the existing UE associated signalling to the gNB-CU-CP. In another embodiment, new messages or non UE associated signalling is used.

[0082] The first radio network node 12 may be exemplified as an SN that indicates to the MN, being an example of the network node 17, that the specified NG-ll tunnel has received a GTP-ll error indication and the GTP-ll tunnel as well as the associated QoS flows within the PDU session are released.

[0083] The SN may indicate to the MN that the specified NG-ll tunnel has received GTP-ll error indication and the GTP-ll tunnel as well as the associated QoS flows within the PDU session are kept. The SN may then wait for further instruction.

[0084] The SN may indicate to the MN that the PDU session is released due to the reception of the GTP-U error indication. A new indicator or a new cause value may be included.

[0085] The method actions performed by the network node 17, such as an SMF, for handling communication in the wireless communication network according to embodiments herein will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 7. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order. Actions performed in some embodiments are marked with dashed boxes.

[0086] Action 701. The network node 17 may exchange support indications with the first radio network node 17. For example, the network node 17 may receive the local support indication from the first radio network node 12 and / or transmit the support indication to the first radio network node 12.

[0087] Action 702. The network node 17 receives the tunnel indication from the first radio network node 12. The tunnel indication comprises information associated with the received GTP error indication, such as the indication of the received GTP error indication, the tunnel identifier and / or the indication of one or more associated QoS flows of a tunnel related to the received GTP error indication. The information may further indicate a release of the tunnel and / or one or more QoS flows or that data regarding the tunnel and / or the one or more QoS flows is kept at the first radio network node 12. The tunnel indication may be comprised in a PDU Session Resource Notify or PDU Session Resource Modify Indication. The network node 17 may receive information indicating that the GTP-U tunnel as well as the associated QoS flows within the PDU session are released or kept due to the reception of the GTP error indication.

[0088] Action 703. The network node 17 performs an action taking the tunnel indication into account. The network node 17 may for example re-establish, or trigger reestablishment, of the impacted tunnel, e.g., NG-U tunnel, or protocol data unit resources. The network node 17 may perform the action when the network node 17 receives the PDU Session Resource Notify Released Transfer from the first radio network node 12, if NG-RAN has indicated one or more of the following in the message:

[0089] GTP-ll Peer address

[0090] Remote GTP-TEID

[0091] QoS flow list associated to the GTP-ll tunnel

[0092] Indication from NG-RAN node on if the impacted GTP-ll tunnel is released at the RAN side Cause indicates GTP-ll error indication.

[0093] Action 704. The network node 17 may further transmit updated information to the first radio network node 12. The updated information may comprise tunnel information for UL communication.

[0094] The network node 17 such as the SMF may, e.g., for an LIRLLC PDU session, perform reestablishment of the impacted NG-ll tunnel comprising one or more of the following:

[0095] The SMF requests the UPF, either on the UPF where the error indication was originated or a new selected UPF, to provide a NG-U UL tunnel information. In case the first radio network node 12 indicates that the RAN side resource has kept, the SMF may also provide the NG-U DL Tunnel information.

[0096] The SMF provides, e.g., via PDU session resource Modification procedure, to the first radio network node 12 the NG-U UL NG-U UP TNL together with the NG-U DL NG-U UP TNL in the first radio network node 12 where the first radio network node 12 has received GTP-U error indication and indicated that the RAN side resource has been kept, the first radio network node 12 may use the NG-U DL tunnel identifier.

[0097] The SMF may reestablish, e.g., via PDU session resource Modification procedure or PDU session resource setup procedure, the GTP-U tunnel for the impacted QoS flows when the first radio network node 12 has indicated that the first radio network node 12 already released the tunnel information.

[0098] Fig. 8 shows Signal Flow 1 : solution using PDU Session Resource Modify Indication procedure to “modify” the failed GTP-U tunnel.

[0099] Step description:

[0100] 80. The user plane connection of an existing PDU session is activated.

[0101] 81. The UPF may have lost the GTP-U context, including the corresponding Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session, due to e.g., a partial failure.

[0102] 82. Uplink G-PDUs are sent towards the UPF by the 5G-AN. The UPF returns a GTP-U error indication if it does not have a corresponding GTP-U context (see clause 5.2).

[0103] 83. The UPF returns a GTP-U error indication if it does not have a corresponding GTP-U context 84. Upon receipt of a GTP-U error indication, the 5G-AN shall identify the related GTP-U Information and / or associated QoS flows within PDU Session Resource and send a PDU Session Resource Modify Indication to the AMF, which contains a PDU Session Resource Modify Indication Transfer IE, where the 5G-AN reports to the SMF that it has received a GTP-U error indication together with the remote F-TEID, and the 5G-AN indicates to the SMF if the NG-U tunnel resource is kept.

[0104] NOTE: A PDU session can have multiple UL GTP-U tunnels, i.e. , multiple UPF N3 UL F-

[0105] TEIDs, e.g. for a PDU session established for URLLC with redundant N3 / N9, so the 5G-AN needs to report the remote F-TEID to allow the SMF to determine which GTP-U tunnel has experienced the failure.

[0106] 85. The AMF invokes an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSmContext service operation to populate the PDU Session Resource Modify Indication Transfer IE to the SMF.

[0107] 86. Based on the information included in the PDU Session Resource Modify Indication Transfer IE, the SMF shall determine which UPF has experienced a failure so that the PFCP session associated with the concerning GTP-U context has been lost.

[0108] 87. The SMF sends PFCP Session Establishment Request message to the same UPF (which has lost the GTP-U context) or a different UPF for the PDU session, including the 5G-AN N3 DL F-TEID in the request message.

[0109] 88. The UPF responds with PFCP Session Establishment Response message with a new allocated UPF N3 UL F-TEID.

[0110] 89. The SMF sends the Nsmf_PDUSesssion_UpdateSmContext response message to the AMF including an N2 information container containing a PDU Session Resource Modify Confirm Transfer IE, where the allocated UPF N3 UL F-TEID is included.

[0111] 810. The AMF sends the PDU Session Resource Modify Confirm to the 5G-AN with the PDU Session Resource Modify Confirm Transfer IE.

[0112] 811. The 5G-AN restore the PDU session resource and is possible to send UL G-PDU towards newly allocated UPF N3 UL F-TEID.

[0113] Fig. 9 shows a Signal Flow 2: solution using PDU Session Resource Notify procedure to indicate GTP-U error indication received and RAN has released the related resource.

[0114] Step description:

[0115] 90. The user plane connection of an existing PDU session is activated.

[0116] 91. The UPF may have lost the GTP-U context, including the corresponding PFCP session, due to e.g., a partial failure.

[0117] 92. Uplink G-PDUs are sent towards the UPF by the 5G-AN. The UPF returns a GTP-U error indication if it does not have a corresponding GTP-U context (see clause 5.2). 93. The UPF returns a GTP-ll error indication if it does not have a corresponding GTP- II context (see above).

[0118] 94. Upon receipt of a GTP-U error indication, the 5G-AN shall identify the related PDU Session Resource and send a PDU Session Resource Notify to the AMF, which contains PDU Session Resource Released Transfer IE, where the 5G-AN reports to the SMF that it has received a GTP-U error indication together with the remote F-TEID, and the 5G-AN indicates to the SMF the NG-U tunnel resource is released.

[0119] NOTE: A PDU session can have multiple UL GTP-U tunnels, i.e. , multiple UPF N3 UL F- TEIDs, e.g. for a PDU session established for URLLC with redundant N3 / N9, so the 5G-AN needs to report the remote F-TEID to allow the SMF to determine which GTP-U tunnel has experienced the failure.

[0120] 95. The AMF invokes an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSmContext service operation to populate PDU Session Resorce Released Transfer IE to the SMF.

[0121] 96. Based on the information included in the PDU Session Resource Released Transfer IE, the SMF shall determine which UPF has experienced a failure so that the PFCP session associated with the concerning GTP-U context has been lost.

[0122] 97. The SMF response to the AMF the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSmContext is received by sending Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSmContext Response

[0123] 98. The SMF sends PFCP Session Establishment Request message to the same UPF (which has lost the GTP-U context) or a different UPF for the PDU session.

[0124] 99. The UPF responds with PFCP Session Establishment Response message with a new allocated UPF N3 UL F-TEID.

[0125] 910. The SMF sends the Namf_Communication_N1 N2MessageTransfer to the AMF, including an N2 information container containing a PDU Session Resource Setup Request Transfer IE, where the allocated UPF N3 UL F-TEID is included.

[0126] 911. The AMF sends the PDU Session Resource Setup Request to the 5G-AN with the PDU Session Resource Setup Request Transfer IE.

[0127] 912. The 5G-AN restore the PDU session resource and response with PDU Session Resource Setup Response to AMF, including a PDU Session Resource Setup Response Transfer IE, where the NG-RAN may include updated NG-U UP DL F-TEID

[0128] 913. The SMF forwards the PDU Session Resource Setup Response Transfer to SMF In Namf_PDUSessionUpdateSmContext Request message

[0129] 914. The SMF update UPF using PFCP Session Modification procedure including NG-U UP DL F-TEID

[0130] 915. At this point, the UE is possible to send UL G-PDU towards newly allocated UPF again. Fig. 10 shows a Signal Flow 3: solution using PDU Session Resource Notify procedure to indicate GTP-ll error indication received and RAN has kept the related resource.

[0131] Step description:

[0132] 100. The user plane connection of an existing PDU session is activated.

[0133] 101. The UPF may have lost the GTP-U context, including the corresponding PFCP session, due to e.g., a partial failure.

[0134] 102. Uplink G-PDUs are sent towards the UPF by the 5G-AN. The UPF returns a GTP-U error indication if it does not have a corresponding GTP-U context (see clause 5.2).

[0135] 103. The UPF returns a GTP-U error indication if it does not have a corresponding GTP- U context (see clause 5.2).

[0136] 104. Upon receipt of a GTP-U error indication, the 5G-AN shall identify the related PDU Session Resource and send a PDU Session Resource Notify to the AMF, which contains within PDU Session Resource Notify Transfer IE a new IE to be defined the kept GTP-U and / or associated QoS flows). The 5G-AN reports to the SMF that it has received a GTP-U error indication together with the remote F-TEID, and the 5G-AN indicates to the SMF the NG-U tunnel resource is kept.

[0137] NOTE: A PDU session can have multiple UL GTP-U tunnels, i.e. , multiple UPF N3 UL F- TEIDs, e.g. for a PDU session established for URLLC with redundant N3 / N9, so the 5G-AN needs to report the remote F-TEID to allow the SMF to determine which GTP-U tunnel has experienced the failure.

[0138] 105. The AMF invokes an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSmContext service operation to populate the information to the SMF.

[0139] 106. Based on the information, the SMF shall determine which UPF has experienced a failure so that the PFCP session associated with the concerning GTP-U context has been lost.

[0140] 107. The SMF response to the AMF the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSmContext is received by sending Nsmf:PDUSession_UpdateSmContext Response

[0141] 108. The SMF sends PFCP Session Establishment Request message to the same UPF (which has lost the GTP-U context) or a different UPF for the PDU session, including the 5G-AN N3 DL F-TEID in the request message.

[0142] 109. The UPF responds with PFCP Session Establishment Response message with a new allocated UPF N3 UL F-TEID.

[0143] 1010. The SMF sends the Namf_Communication_N1 N2MessageTransfer to the AMF, including an N2 information container containing a PDU Session Resource Modify Request Transfer IE, where the allocated UPF N3 UL F-TEID is included.

[0144] 1011. The AMF sends the PDU Session Resource Modify Request to the 5G-AN with the PDU Session Resource Modify Request Transfer IE. 1012. The 5G-AN restore the PDU session resource and response with PDU Session Resource Modify Response to AMF, including the PDU Session Resource Modify Response Transfer IE, where the NG-RAN may include updated NG-U resource information, such as QoS info.

[0145] 1013. The AMF forwards the PDU Session Resource Modify Response Transfer to SMF In Namf_PDUSessionUpdateSmContext Request message

[0146] 1014. The SMF based on received N2 PDU Session Resource Modify Response Transfer IE contents, may update UPF with PFCP Session Modification if any NG-U resources of the PDU session has been updated by NG-RAN

[0147] 1015. At this point, the UE is possible to send UL G-PDU towards newly allocated UPF N3 UL F-TEID.

[0148] Fig. 11 shows a Signal Flow 4: gNB-CU-UP indicate to gNB-CU-CP that GTP-U error indication has received for certain GTP-U tunnel.

[0149] 111. The UPF may have lost the GTP-U context, e.g., due to a partial failure.

[0150] 113. The UPF sends a GTP-U error indication to the gNB-CU-UP.

[0151] 114. gNB-CU-UP indicate to gNB-CU-CP that GTP-U error indication has received for certain GTP-U tunnel

[0152] 115. gNB-CU-CP may conclude that all the GTP-U tunnel associated to the given IP address has failed

[0153] The below are the implementation examples, underlined and italic, of the solution in different 3GPP specification.

[0154] Similar updates are needed over XnAP between radio network nodes.

[0155] Fig. 12 is a block diagram depicting the first radio network node 12 for handling communication in the wireless communication network 1 according to embodiments herein.

[0156] The first radio network node 12 may comprise processing circuitry 1201 , e.g., one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.

[0157] The first radio network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 1201 may be configured to exchange the support indications with the network node 17. The first radio network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 1201 may be configured to receive the support indication from the network node and / or transmit the local support indication to the network node 17.

[0158] The first radio network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 1201 is configured to receive the GTP error indication from the first network node 15 such as the UPF. The GTP error indication may indicate that the first network node 15 has received a G-PDll of, for example, a failed or nonexisting tunnel session, or lost the GTP-U context, e.g., due to a partial failure.

[0159] The first radio network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 1201 may be configured to transmit the tunnel indication to the network node 17. The tunnel indication comprises information associated with the received GTP error indication, such as the indication of the received GTP error indication, the tunnel identifier and / or the indication of one or more associated QoS flows of a tunnel related to the received GTP error indication. The information associated with the received GTP error indication may indicate a release of the tunnel and / or one or more QoS flows or that data regarding the tunnel and / or the one or more QoS flows is kept at the first radio network node 12. The tunnel indication may be comprised in a PDU Session Resource Notify or PDU Session Resource Modify Indication. Thus, the first radio network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 1201 may be configured to transmit information indicating that the GTP-ll tunnel as well as the associated QoS flows within the PDU session are released or kept. The first radio network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 1201 may be configured to transmit information indicating that the GTP-U tunnel as well as the associated QoS flows within the PDU session are released or kept due to the reception of the GTP error indication.

[0160] The first radio network node 12 and / or the processing circuitry 1201 may be configured to receive updated information from the network node 17. The updated information may comprise tunnel information for UL communication.

[0161] The first radio network node 12 may comprise a memory 1205. The memory 1205 comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as data packets, indications, tunnel indications, error indications, tunnel information, messages, traffic characteristics, measurement, events and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the first radio network node 12 may comprise a communication interface 1206 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and / or one or more antennas.

[0162] The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the first radio network node 12 are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program product 1207 or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first radio network node 12. The computer program product 1207 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1208, e g., a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 1208, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the first radio network node 12. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose the first radio network node 12 for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein first radio network node 12 comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said first radio network node 12 is operative to perform any of the methods herein.

[0163] Fig. 13 is a block diagram depicting the network node 17 for handling communication in the wireless communication network 1 according to embodiments herein.

[0164] The network node 17 may comprise processing circuitry 1301 , e.g., one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein. The network node 17 and / or the processing circuitry 1301 may be configured to exchange the support indications with the first radio network node 17. For example, the network node 17 and / or the processing circuitry 1301 may be configured to receive the local support indication from the first radio network node 12 and / or transmit the support indication to the network node 17.

[0165] The network node 17 and / or the processing circuitry 1301 is configured to receive the tunnel indication from the first radio network node 12. The tunnel indication comprises information associated with the received GTP error indication, such as the indication of the received GTP error indication, the tunnel identifier and / or the indication of one or more associated QoS flows of a tunnel related to the received GTP error indication. The information may indicate a release of the tunnel and / or one or more QoS flows or that data regarding the tunnel and / or the one or more QoS flows is kept at the first radio network node 12. The tunnel indication may be comprised in a PDU Session Resource Notify or PDU Session Resource Modify Indication. The network node 17 and / or the processing circuitry 1301 may be configured to receive information indicating that the GTP-U tunnel as well as the associated QoS flows within the PDU session are released or kept due to the reception of the GTP error indication.

[0166] The network node 17 and / or the processing circuitry 1301 is configured to perform an action taking the tunnel indication into account. The network node 17 and / or the processing circuitry 1301 may be configured to re-establish, or trigger reestablishment, of the impacted tunnel or protocol data unit resources. The network node 17 and / or the processing circuitry 1301 may be configured to re-establish a tunnel, and / or may request either the UPF sending the GTP error indication or a new UPF to allocate a new or existing N3 UL F-TEID to receive the UL traffic from the NG-RAN, and then to modify PDU session resource or re-establish, for example, by releasing first and then establishing, the PDU session resource, e.g., to establish the PDU session’s N3 tunnel to guarantee the reliability for URLLC service, or protocol data unit resources.

[0167] The network node 17 and / or the processing circuitry 1301 may be configured to transmit updated information to the first radio network node 12. The updated information may comprise tunnel information for UL communication, for example, related to a re-established tunnel.

[0168] The network node 17 may comprise a memory 1305. The memory 1305 comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as data packets, indications, messages, tunnel information, error indications, tunnel indications, network information, session information, configurations, information, events and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the network node 17 may comprise a communication interface 1306 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and / or one or more antennas.

[0169] The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the network node 17 are respectively implemented by means of, e.g., a computer program product 1307 or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the network node 17. The computer program product 1307 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1308, e.g., a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 1308, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the network node 17. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose the network node 17 for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein the network node 17 comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said network node 17 is operative to perform any of the methods herein.

[0170] In some embodiments a more general term “network node” or “radio network node” is used and it can correspond to any type of radio-network node or any network node, which communicates with a UE and / or with another network node.

[0171] In some embodiments the non-limiting term wireless device or user equipment (UE) is used and it refers to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and / or with another wireless device in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, proximity capable UE (aka ProSe UE), loT capable device, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles etc.

[0172] Embodiments are applicable to any RAT or multi-RAT systems, where the wireless device receives and / or transmit signals (e.g. data) e.g. NR, Wi-Fi, LTE, LTE-Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile communications / enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM / EDGE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), just to mention a few possible implementations.

[0173] As will be readily understood by those familiar with communications design, that functions means or circuits may be implemented using digital logic and / or one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other digital hardware. In some embodiments, several or all of the various functions may be implemented together, such as in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or in two or more separate devices with appropriate hardware and / or software interfaces between them. Several of the functions may be implemented on a processor shared with other functional components of a wireless device or network node, for example.

[0174] Alternatively, several of the functional elements of the processing means discussed may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware, while others are provided with hardware for executing software, in association with the appropriate software or firmware. Thus, the term “processor” or “controller” as used herein does not exclusively refer to hardware capable of executing software and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware and / or program or application data. Other hardware, conventional and / or custom, may also be included. Designers of communications devices will appreciate the cost, performance, and maintenance trade-offs inherent in these design choices.

[0175] Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual apparatuses. Each virtual apparatus may comprise a number of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the respective functional unit to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0176] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0177] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.

[0178] Modifications and other embodiments of the disclosed embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiment(s) is / are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0179] References

[0180] 1. 3GPP TS 38.413 V17.5.0 https: / / www.3gpp.org / ftp / Specs / archive / 38_series / 38.413 / 38413- h50.zip

[0181] 2. 3GPP TS 38.423 V17.5.0 https: / / www.3gpp.org / ftp / Specs / archive / 38_series / 38.423 / 38423- h50.zip

[0182] 3. 3GPP TS 37.483 V17.5.0 https: / / www.3gpp.org / ftp / Specs / archive / 38_series / 37.483 / 37483- h50.zip

[0183] 4. 3GPP TS 23.527 v.18.0.0

[0184] Embodiments:

[0185] A1. A method performed by a first radio network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising receiving (602) a GTP error indication from a first network node (15); and transmitting (603) a tunnel indication to a network node (17), wherein the tunnel indication comprises information associated with the received GTP error indication. A2. The method according to embodiment A1 , wherein the information comprises an indication of the received GTP error indication, a tunnel identifier and / or an indication of one or more associated QoS flows of a tunnel related to the received GTP error indication.

[0186] A3. The method according to any of the embodiments A1-A2, wherein the information indicates a release of the tunnel and / or one or more QoS flows or that data regarding the tunnel and / or the one or more QoS flows is kept at the first radio network node 12.

[0187] A4. The method according to any of the embodiments A1-A3, wherein the tunnel indication is comprised in a PDU Session Resource Notify or PDU Session Resource Modify Indication.

[0188] A5. The method according to any of the embodiments A1-A4, wherein the tunnel indication indicates that the tunnel as well as associated QoS flows within a PDU session are released or kept due to the reception of the GTP Error Indication

[0189] A5. The method according to any of the embodiments A1-A4, further comprising receiving (604) updated information from the network node (17).

[0190] A6. The method according to any of the embodiments A1-A5, further comprising exchanging (601) support indications with the network node (17).

[0191] B1. A method performed by a network node (17) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising receiving (702) a tunnel indication from a first radio network node (12), wherein the tunnel indication comprises information associated with a received GTP error indication; and performing (703) an action taking the tunnel indication into account.

[0192] B2. The method according to embodiment B1 , wherein the information comprises an indication of the received GTP error indication, a tunnel identifier and / or an indication of one or more associated QoS flows of a tunnel related to the received GTP error indication.

[0193] B3. The method according to any of the embodiments B1-B2, wherein the information indicates a release of the tunnel and / or one or more QoS flows or that data regarding the tunnel and / or the one or more QoS flows is kept at the first radio network node (12). B4. The method according to any of the embodiments B1-B3, wherein the tunnel indication is comprised in a PDU Session Resource Notify or Modify Indication.

[0194] B5. The method according to any of the embodiments B1-B4, wherein the tunnel indication indicates that the tunnel as well as associated QoS flows within a PDU session are released or kept due to the reception of the GTP Error Indication

[0195] B5. The method according to any of the embodiments B1-B4, further comprising transmitting (704) updated information to the first radio network node (12).

[0196] B6. The method according to any of the embodiments B1-B5, further comprising exchanging (701) support indications with the network node (17).

[0197] B7. The method according to any of the embodiments B1-B6, wherein performing the action comprises re-establishing, or triggering reestablishment, of the impacted tunnel.

[0198] C1. A first radio network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein the first radio network node (12) is configured to receive a GTP error indication from a first network node (15); and transmit a tunnel indication to a network node (17), wherein the tunnel indication comprises information associated with the received GTP error indication.

[0199] C2. The first radio network node (12) according to embodiment C1, wherein the first radio network node (12) is configured to perform the method according to any of the embodiments A2-A6.

[0200] D1. A network node (17) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein the network node is configured to receive a tunnel indication from a first radio network node (12), wherein the tunnel indication comprises information associated with a received GTP error indication; and perform an action taking the tunnel indication into account.

[0201] D2. The network node (17) according to embodiment D1, wherein the network node (12) is configured to perform the method according to any of the embodiments B2-B7.

[0202] E1. A computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the embodiments A1-A6 or B1-B7, as performed by the first radio network node, and the network node, respectively.

[0203] F1. A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the embodiments A1-A6 or B1-B7, as performed by the first radio network node, and the network node, respectively.

[0204] ABBREVIATIONS

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method performed by a first radio network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising receiving (602) a GPRS Tunnelling Protocol, GTP, error indication from a first network node (15); and transmitting (603) a tunnel indication to a network node (17), wherein the tunnel indication comprises information associated with the received GTP error indication.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information comprises an indication of the received GTP error indication, a tunnel identifier and / or an indication of one or more associated QoS flows of a tunnel related to the received GTP error indication.

3. The method according to any of the claims 1-2, wherein the information indicates a release of the tunnel and / or one or more quality of service, QoS, flows or that data regarding the tunnel and / or the one or more QoS flows is kept at the first radio network node (12).

4. The method according to any of the claims 1-3, wherein the tunnel indication is comprised in a protocol data unit, PDU, Session Resource Notify, or PDU Session Resource Modify Indication.

5. The method according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the tunnel indication indicates that the tunnel as well as associated quality of service, QoS, flows within a protocol data unit, PDU, session are released or kept due to the reception of the GTP error indication6. The method according to any of the claims 1-5, further comprising receiving (604) updated information from the network node (17).

7. The method according to any of the claims 1-6, further comprising exchanging (601) support indications with the network node (17).

8. A method performed by a network node (17) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprisingreceiving (702) a tunnel indication from a first radio network node (12), wherein the tunnel indication comprises information associated with a received GPRS Tunnelling Protocol, GTP, error indication; and- performing (703) an action taking the tunnel indication into account.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the information comprises an indication of the received GTP error indication, a tunnel identifier and / or an indication of one or more associated quality of service, QoS, flows of a tunnel related to the received GTP error indication.

10. The method according to any of the claims 8-9, wherein the information indicates a release of the tunnel and / or one or more quality of service, QoS, flows or that data regarding the tunnel and / or the one or more QoS flows is kept at the first radio network node (12).

11. The method according to any of the claims 8-10, wherein the tunnel indication is comprised in a protocol data unit, PDU, Session Resource Notify or Modify Indication.

12. The method according to any of the claims 8-11 , wherein the tunnel indication indicates that the tunnel as well as associated quality of service, QoS, flows within a protocol data unit, PDU, session are released or kept due to the reception of the GTP error indication13. The method according to any of the claims 8-12, further comprising transmitting (704) updated information to the first radio network node (12).

14. The method according to any of the claims 8-13, further comprising exchanging (701) support indications with the network node (17).

15. The method according to any of the claims 8-14, wherein performing the action comprises re-establishing, or triggering reestablishment, of the impacted tunnel or protocol data unit resources.

16. A first radio network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein the first radio network node (12) is configured toreceive a GPRS Tunnelling Protocol, GTP, error indication from a first network node (15); and transmit a tunnel indication to a network node (17), wherein the tunnel indication comprises information associated with the received GTP error indication.

17. The first radio network node (12) according to claim 16, wherein the first radio network node (12) is configured to perform the method according to any of the claims 2-7.

18. A network node (17) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein the network node is configured to receive a tunnel indication from a first radio network node (12), wherein the tunnel indication comprises information associated with a received GPRS Tunnelling Protocol, GTP, error indication; and perform an action taking the tunnel indication into account.

19. The network node (17) according to claim 18, wherein the network node (12) is configured to perform the method according to any of the claims 9-15.

20. A computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-15, as performed by the first radio network node, and the network node, respectively.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-15, as performed by the first radio network node, and the network node, respectively.

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