SDAP End-Marker Signaling for QoS Flow-to-DRB Remapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3GPP standards for New Radio (NR) wireless networks face challenges in ensuring in-order delivery of packets during QoS flow to data radio bearer (DRB) remapping, particularly in RLC unacknowledged mode, which can lead to user experience issues due to potential loss of SDAP end markers and buffering delays.

Innovation Solution

Enhanced methods for transmitting and receiving SDAP end markers with improved reliability, including hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) retransmission, PDCP duplication, and adaptive L1/L2 configurations, to ensure reliable QoS flow remapping and in-order delivery of packets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If SDAP end markers are transmitted in RLC unacknowledged mode during QoS flow remapping, then the remapping process is faster, but the reliability of packet delivery deteriorates due to potential loss of end markers

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS flow remapping speedVSAvoidEnd marker delivery reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitting UE proactively sends SDAP end marker control PDUs to indicate the last packet on the old DRB before completing the remapping. This preliminary action ensures the receiving UE is notified in advance of the mapping change, allowing it to buffer and reorder packets correctly without waiting for acknowledgment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving UE sends SDAP end marker acknowledgments back to the transmitting UE to confirm receipt of the end marker. This feedback mechanism allows the transmitting UE to verify that the remapping notification was successfully received, enabling reliable delivery confirmation in unacknowledged mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If the receiving UE buffers packets to ensure in-order delivery during remapping, then packet delivery order is improved, but buffering delays increase latency

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePacket delivery orderVSAvoidBuffering delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving UE buffers packets only temporarily upon receiving the SDAP end marker control PDU, holding them until the acknowledgment is received. This limited preliminary buffering ensures in-order delivery without prolonged delays, as the buffer is released immediately once confirmation is obtained

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The buffering behavior is dynamically adjusted based on the receipt of end marker acknowledgments. The UE buffers packets only when necessary (upon receiving end marker) and releases them immediately upon confirmation, creating a dynamic rather than static buffering strategy that minimizes latency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4156575B1Technologies for signaling related to quality of service flow to data radio bearer mapping updates
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 APPLE INC
  • EP4156575B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4156575B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4156575B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to devices and components including apparatuses, systems, and methods for technologies for signaling related to quality of service flow to data radio bearer mapping updates in wireless networks.