PDCP Discard Timer Control for 5G Congestion and QoS

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional SDU discarding mechanisms in 5G user plane air interface protocols do not consider congestion, leading to inefficient handling of network traffic during congested scenarios.

Innovation Solution

An information processing method that configures an association between congestion levels and PDU set attributes with discard timer lengths to manage packet discard, allowing terminals to determine appropriate discard times based on congestion and PDU set attributes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the conventional PDCP discard timer mechanism is used to manage packet discarding, then the delay requirement is met, but congestion cannot be effectively alleviated during congested scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS guaranteeVSAvoidcongestion alleviation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the discard timer length adjustable based on congestion levels. Instead of using a fixed discard timer, the system dynamically configures different timer lengths according to the terminal's congestion level, allowing the network to adapt packet discarding behavior to current network conditions and effectively alleviate congestion while maintaining QoS requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of discard timer length based on congestion level. The network device configures different discard timer lengths corresponding to different congestion levels (e.g., first congestion level with first timer length, second congestion level with second timer length), enabling flexible control of packet discarding to balance QoS guarantee and congestion alleviation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a fixed discard timer is used regardless of congestion level, then the implementation is simple, but the network cannot adapt to varying congestion conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscard mechanism complexityVSAvoidcongestion adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static fixed timer to a dynamic adaptive timer that changes based on congestion conditions. The network device monitors congestion levels and configures appropriate discard timer lengths, enabling the system to adapt to varying network conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized configuration mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of time

If packets are discarded based only on delay considerations, then the delay budget is met, but network resource utilization deteriorates during congestion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelay budgetVSAvoidnetwork resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by proactively discarding packets at the terminal side based on congestion level before they consume network resources. When congestion is detected, the terminal discards packets according to the configured discard timer, preventing further network resource consumption and improving overall network resource utilization while still meeting delay budgets for high-priority traffic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4694305A1Information processing method, information transmission method, apparatus, terminal and network device
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP4694305A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4694305A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4694305A1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

This disclosure provides an information processing method, information transmission method, apparatus, terminal and network device, and pertains to the field of communication technology. The information processing method is performed by a terminal and includes: receiving first configuration information sent by a network device, wherein the first configuration information includes an association between a first target object and a timing length of a discard timer; and determining, based on the first configuration information, the association between the first target object and the timing length of the discard timer; wherein the first target object includes at least one of the following: a congestion level of the terminal or an attribute of a PDU set.