PDCP Discard Report for XR Uplink Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Extended Reality (XR) services in mobile networks face challenges in managing data bursts, which require timely scheduling and resource allocation to avoid excessive resource waste, especially due to stringent delay budgets and high power consumption in 5G systems.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced for a terminal in a mobile communication system to receive Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages with Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) parameters, establish Data Radio Bearers (DRBs), start discard timers for Service Data Units (SDUs), and transmit PDCP discard reports, optimizing uplink transmission periods and resource allocation to reduce power consumption and maintain performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If data bursts are transmitted without discard timer mechanism, then transmission continuity is maintained, but power consumption increases and resource waste occurs due to excessive data retention
Solution Approach 1:
The discard timer is started in advance when an SDU is received, before the data needs to be discarded. This preliminary timing action ensures that old data is automatically discarded after a predetermined period without blocking new data transmission, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The PDCP discard report provides feedback to the network about discarded SDUs, enabling the network to adjust scheduling decisions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize power consumption by discarding old data while maintaining efficient resource allocation based on actual network conditions.
2Loss of energy
If discard timer is implemented for each SDU, then power consumption is reduced by discarding old data, but device complexity increases due to timer management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The discard timer mechanism is segmented at the PDCP layer for each SDU, allowing independent timing management. This segmentation enables precise control of data retention periods without requiring complex centralized management, reducing overall system complexity while achieving effective power savings.
3Measurement precision
If PDCP discard report is transmitted for every discarded SDU, then scheduling accuracy is improved, but uplink overhead increases consuming valuable resources
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reporting every single discarded SDU, the mechanism reports aggregated discard information (first COUNT and number of discarded SDUs). This partial reporting approach maintains sufficient scheduling accuracy while significantly reducing uplink overhead and conserving valuable transmission resources.
4Productivity
If discard timer expiry is used to trigger reporting, then resource allocation is optimized, but delay budget may be exceeded due to reporting timing
Solution Approach 1:
The discard timer is configured to expire before the actual data discard time, allowing the network to receive discard reports in advance. This preliminary timing action enables the network to adjust scheduling decisions before the delay budget is exceeded, optimizing resource allocation while maintaining timely data delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for supporting XR services is provided. The method of a terminal includes receiving from a base station a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, wherein the RRC message comprises a set of Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) parameters for a Data Radio Bearer (DRB), establishing the DRB based on the set of PDCP parameters, starting a discard timer for a Service Data Unit (SDU) of the DRB, discarding one or more SDUs of the DRB upon expiry of the discard timer and transmitting to the base station a PDCP discard report in case that the set of PDCP parameters for the DRB comprises a parameter related to the PDCP discard report. The PDCP discard report comprises a first field related to COUNT of a first discarded SDU.