FIELD

The present application relates to a method, apparatus, system and computer program and in particular but not exclusively to adapting data packet generation at an application.

BACKGROUND

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user terminals, base stations and/or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path. A communication system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication sessions may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, audio files or streaming, video files or streaming, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia files or streaming, and/or content data and so on. Non-limiting examples of services provided comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.

In a wireless communication system at least a part of a communication session between at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples of the wireless communication systems comprise public land mobile networks (PLMN), satellite based communication systems and different wireless local/short-range networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN). Some wireless systems can be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular communication systems.

A user can access the communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal. A communication device of a user may be referred to as user equipment (UE) or user device. A communication device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other users. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a station, for example a base station of a cell, and transmit and/or receive communications on the carrier.

The communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and/or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. One example of a communications system is UTRAN (3G radio). Other examples of communication systems are the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology and so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

SUMMARY

According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: sending, to an application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application; receiving, from the application and based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, the one or more data packets; and sending, to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the matching one or more data packets based on radio resource configuration information received from the radio network.

The means may be for: determining the preferred arrival time window and periodicity based on the radio resource configuration information and a processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity may comprise at least one of: an absolute time window and/or periodicity; a time window and/or periodicity relative to a current burst arrival time and/or periodicity; or the radio resource configuration information and the processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The means may be for: receiving, from the one or more access nodes of the radio network, the radio resource configuration information.

The radio resource configuration information may comprise at least one of: a time division duplex configuration; or uplink configured grant resource information.

The means may be for: receiving, from the application, information indicating a capability of the application for adapting data packet generation, wherein sending to the application the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity is performed in response to receiving the information indicating the capability of the application for adapting data packet generation. Receiving the one or more data packets may comprise receiving the one or more data packets which match the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity.

The means may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.

According to an aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: receiving, from a user equipment, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets at the user equipment; determining, based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets; and sending, to the user equipment and based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets.

The means may be for: sending, to the user equipment, information indicating a capability for adapting data packet generation, wherein receiving the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity is based on the indicated capability information.

According to an aspect, there is provided a system comprising a user equipment and an application, wherein: the user equipment comprises means for sending, to the application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application; the application comprises computer program code for determining, based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets; and sending, to the user equipment, based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets; and the user equipment comprises means for sending, to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the one or more data packets.

The user equipment may comprise means for determining the preferred arrival time window and periodicity based on radio resource configuration information for the apparatus and a processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity may comprise at least one of: an absolute time window and/or periodicity; a time window and/or periodicity relative to a current time window and/or periodicity; or the radio resource configuration information for the apparatus and the processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The user equipment may comprise means for receiving, from the one or more access nodes of the radio network, the radio resource configuration information.

The radio resource configuration information may comprise at least one of: a time division duplex configuration; or uplink configured grant resource information.

The application may comprise means for sending, to the user equipment, information indicating a capability of the application for adapting data packet generation; and the user equipment may comprise means for determining the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity based on the indicated capability.

The application may comprise computer program code for sending the one or more data packets to the user equipment during a downlink timeslot of a time division duplex cycle, and the user equipment may comprise means for sending the one or more data packets to the one or more access nodes of the radio network in an uplink timeslot of the time division duplex cycle following the downlink timeslot.

The application may be implemented in one of: the user equipment; or an apparatus external to the user equipment.

The user equipment means may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the performance of the user equipment.

According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: send, to an application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application; receive, from the application and based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, the one or more data packets; and send, to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the matching one or more data packets based on radio resource configuration information received from the radio network. The at least one memory and at least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to: determine the preferred arrival time window and periodicity based on the radio resource configuration information and a processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity may comprise at least one of: an absolute time window and/or periodicity; a time window and/or periodicity relative to a current burst arrival time and/or periodicity; or the radio resource configuration information and the processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The at least one memory and at least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to: receive, from the one or more access nodes of the radio network, the radio resource configuration information.

The radio resource configuration information may comprise at least one of: a time division duplex configuration; or uplink configured grant resource information.

The at least one memory and at least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to: receive, from the application, information indicating a capability of the application for adapting data packet generation, wherein the at least one memory and at least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to send, to the application, the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity in response to receiving the information indicating the capability of the application for adapting data packet generation.

Receiving the one or more data packets may comprise receiving the one or more data packets which match the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity.

According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a user equipment, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets at the user equipment; determine, based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets; and send, to the user equipment and based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets. The at least one memory and at least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to: send, to the user equipment, information indicating a capability for adapting data packet generation, wherein the at least one memory and at least one processor may be configured to cause the apparatus to receive the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity based on the indicated capability information.

According to an aspect, there is provided a system comprising a user equipment and an application, wherein: the user equipment comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to: send, to the application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application; the application comprises computer program code for causing the application to: determine, based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets; and send, to the user equipment, based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets; and the at least one memory and at least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to: send, to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the one or more data packets.

The at least one memory and at least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to: determine the preferred arrival time window and periodicity based on radio resource configuration information for the apparatus and a processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity may comprise at least one of: an absolute time window and/or periodicity; a time window and/or periodicity relative to a current time window and/or periodicity; or the radio resource configuration information for the apparatus and the processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The at least one memory and at least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to receive, from the one or more access nodes of the radio network, the radio resource configuration information.

The radio resource configuration information may comprise at least one of: a time division duplex configuration; or uplink configured grant resource information. The application may comprise computer program code for causing the application to send, to the user equipment, information indicating a capability of the application for adapting data packet generation; and the at least one memory and at least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to determine the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity based on the indicated capability.

The application may comprise computer program code for causing the application to send the one or more data packets to the user equipment during a downlink timeslot of a time division duplex cycle, and the at least one memory and at least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to send the one or more data packets to the one or more access nodes of the radio network in an uplink timeslot of the time division duplex cycle following the downlink timeslot.

The application may be implemented in one of: the user equipment; or an apparatus external to the user equipment.

According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: sending, to an application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application; receiving, from the application and based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, the one or more data packets; and sending, to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the matching one or more data packets based on radio resource configuration information received from the radio network.

The method may comprise: determining the preferred arrival time window and periodicity based on the radio resource configuration information and a processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity may comprise at least one of: an absolute time window and/or periodicity; a time window and/or periodicity relative to a current burst arrival time and/or periodicity; or the radio resource configuration information and the processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The method may comprise: receiving, from the one or more access nodes of the radio network, the radio resource configuration information. The radio resource configuration information may comprise at least one of: a time division duplex configuration; or uplink configured grant resource information.

The method may comprise: receiving, from the application, information indicating a capability of the application for adapting data packet generation, wherein sending to the application the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity is performed in response to receiving the information indicating the capability of the application for adapting data packet generation.

Receiving the one or more data packets may comprise receiving the one or more data packets which match the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity.

According to an aspect there is provided a method comprising: receiving, from a user equipment, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets at the user equipment; determining, based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets; and sending, to the user equipment and based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets.

The method may comprise: sending, to the user equipment, information indicating a capability for adapting data packet generation, wherein receiving the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity is based on the indicated capability information.

According to an aspect, there is provided a method comprising: sending, from a user equipment to an application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application; determining, by the application and based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets; sending, from the application to the user equipment and based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets; and sending, from the user equipment to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the one or more data packets.

The method may comprise: determining, by the user equipment, the preferred arrival time window and periodicity based on radio resource configuration information for the apparatus and a processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission. The information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity may comprise at least one of: an absolute time window and/or periodicity; a time window and/or periodicity relative to a current time window and/or periodicity; or the radio resource configuration information for the apparatus and the processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The method may comprise: receiving, by the user equipment from the one or more access nodes of the radio network, the radio resource configuration information.

The radio resource configuration information may comprise at least one of: a time division duplex configuration; or uplink configured grant resource information.

The method may comprise: sending, from the application to the user equipment, information indicating a capability of the application for adapting data packet generation; and determining, by the user equipment, the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity based on the indicated capability.

The method may comprise: sending, from the application, the one or more data packets to the user equipment during a downlink timeslot of a time division duplex cycle, and sending, from the user equipment, the one or more data packets to the one or more access nodes of the radio network in an uplink timeslot of the time division duplex cycle following the downlink timeslot.

The application may be implemented in one of: the user equipment; or an apparatus external to the user equipment.

According to an aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: sending, to an application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application; receiving, from the application and based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, the one or more data packets; and sending, to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the matching one or more data packets based on radio resource configuration information received from the radio network. The program instructions may be for causing the apparatus to perform: determining the preferred arrival time window and periodicity based on the radio resource configuration information and a processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity may comprise at least one of: an absolute time window and/or periodicity; a time window and/or periodicity relative to a current burst arrival time and/or periodicity; or the radio resource configuration information and the processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The program instructions may be for causing the apparatus to perform: receiving, from the one or more access nodes of the radio network, the radio resource configuration information.

The radio resource configuration information may comprise at least one of: a time division duplex configuration; or uplink configured grant resource information.

The program instructions may be for causing the apparatus to perform: receiving, from the application, information indicating a capability of the application for adapting data packet generation, wherein sending to the application the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity is performed in response to receiving the information indicating the capability of the application for adapting data packet generation.

Receiving the one or more data packets may comprise receiving the one or more data packets which match the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity.

According to an aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, from a user equipment, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets at the user equipment; determining, based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets; and sending, to the user equipment and based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets.

The program instructions may be for causing the apparatus to perform: sending, to the user equipment, information indicating a capability for adapting data packet generation, wherein receiving the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity is based on the indicated capability information.

According to an aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing a user equipment and an application to perform at least: sending, from the user equipment to an application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application; determining, by the application and based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets; sending, from the application to the user equipment and based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets; and sending, from the user equipment to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the one or more data packets.

The program instructions may be for causing the user equipment to perform: determining, by the user equipment, the preferred arrival time window and periodicity based on radio resource configuration information for the apparatus and a processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity may comprise at least one of: an absolute time window and/or periodicity; a time window and/or periodicity relative to a current time window and/or periodicity; or the radio resource configuration information for the apparatus and the processing time for the apparatus to prepare the one or more data packets for transmission.

The program instructions may be for causing the user equipment to perform: receiving, by the user equipment from the one or more access nodes of the radio network, the radio resource configuration information.

The radio resource configuration information may comprise at least one of: a time division duplex configuration; or uplink configured grant resource information.

The program instructions may be for causing the user equipment and the application to perform: sending, from the application to the user equipment, information indicating a capability of the application for adapting data packet generation; and determining, by the user equipment, the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity based on the indicated capability. The program instructions may be for causing the user equipment and the application to perform: sending, from the application, the one or more data packets to the user equipment during a downlink timeslot of a time division duplex cycle, and sending, from the user equipment, the one or more data packets to the one or more access nodes of the radio network in an uplink timeslot of the time division duplex cycle following the downlink timeslot.

The application may be implemented in one of: the user equipment; or an apparatus external to the user equipment.

According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to any of the preceding aspects.

In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the embodiments described above.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a representation of a network system according to some example embodiments;

Figure 2 shows a representation of a control apparatus according to some example embodiments;

Figure 3 shows a representation of an apparatus according to some example embodiments;

Figure 4 shows methods according to some examples;

Figure 5 shows a method according to some examples;

Figure 6 shows a method according to some examples; and

Figure 7 shows an example buffering latency comparison with and without traffic adaption.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following certain embodiments are explained with reference to mobile communication devices capable of communication via a wireless cellular system and mobile communication systems serving such mobile communication devices. Before explaining in detail the exemplifying embodiments, certain general principles of a wireless communication system, access systems thereof, and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figures 1 , 2 and 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system (5GS). The 5GS may be comprised by a terminal or user equipment (UE), a 5G radio access network (5GRAN) or next generation radio access network (NG-RAN), a 5G core network (5GC), one or more application function (AF) and one or more data networks (DN).

The 5G-RAN may comprise one or more gNodeB (GNB) or one or more gNodeB (GNB) distributed unit (DU) functions connected to one or more gNodeB (GNB) centralized unit (CU) functions. The 5GC may comprise the following entities: Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF); Network Exposure Function; Network Repository Function (NRF); Policy Control Function (PCF); Unified Data Management (UDM); Application Function (AF); Authentication Server Function (AUSF); an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF); and Session Management Function (SMF).

Figure 2 illustrates an example of a control apparatus 200 for controlling a function of the 5GRAN or the 5GC as illustrated on Figure 1. The control apparatus may comprise at least one random access memory (RAM) 211 a, at least on read only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, 213 and an input/output interface 214. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 211 b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 215. The software code 215 may for example allow to perform one or more steps to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b. The control apparatus 200 may be interconnected with another control apparatus 200 controlling another function of the 5GRAN or the 5GC. In some embodiments, each function of the 5GRAN or the 5GC comprises a control apparatus 200. In alternative embodiments, two or more functions of the 5GRAN or the 5GC may share a control apparatus.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of a terminal or a user equipment (UE) 300, such as the terminal illustrated on Figure 1. The terminal 300 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples comprise a user equipment, a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), a mobile communication device, a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine-type communications (MTC) device, an Internet of things (loT) type communication device or any combinations of these or the like. The terminal 300 may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications. The communications may be one or more of voice, audio files or streaming, video files or streaming, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia files or streaming, data, machine data, UE control data, and so on.

The terminal 300 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 307 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 3 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 306. The transceiver apparatus 306 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

The terminal 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301 , at least one memory, for example, at least one ROM 302a and/or at least one RAM 302b and other possible components 303 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The at least one processor 301 is coupled to the at least one memory, (the at least one RAM 302b and/or the ROM 302a). The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 may for example allow to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 308 may be stored in the least one ROM 302a.

The processor, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board, circuitry and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 304. The device may optionally have a user interface such as key pad 305, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of the device.

In some examples, one or more applications may be run on the user equipment (UE). Packets produced by an application may be sent to the UE for transmission to the network, and packets received by the UE from the network may be sent to an application.

An application may generate periodic traffic streams, i.e. the application may generate a packet or a burst of packets periodically, for instance every 2 or 5 or 10 ms, or a stream of packets/data. Some applications may have extremely strict latency requirements for end-to- end network delays, e.g. 2 ms. Some of the applications may be very strict that the delay of every burst needs to be constant, while other applications may tolerate jitter as long as the bursts arrive before the end-to-end delay bound. Examples include but are not limited to applications used in industrial automation, and also consumer applications such as audio, video, gaming, XR or tactile communications.

According to 3GPP Rel-17, periodic delay-critical streams can be supported for IP and Ethernet via generalized Time Sensitive Communication (TSC) mechanisms. In some cases an Application Function (AF) may provide Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, such as maximum delay, for TSC QoS flows/traffic flows directly to the 5GS. In addition, for periodic traffic flows, the AF may provide the periodicity, burst size and, in some examples, the burst arrival time for the 5GS Ingress (UE or UPF depending on the flow direction). Thus, in some examples, the sender transmission time may not be provided by the network but may be decided by the application itself.

A critical part of the end-to-end network is the 5G RAN. The RAN may introduce a significant part of the end-to-end delay for the traffic streams and may also be a bottleneck from the capacity perspective. Even if simple prioritization and overbooking may work in the other parts of the network, in the RAN the dedicated resources (e.g., uplink (UL) configured grant (CG) resource) may be reserved for periodic delay-critical streams, especially considering the traffic with both latency and reliability requirements.

When Time Division Duplex (TDD) is used on a specific 5G NR radio band, the radio transmissions in uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) alternate with a repeating cycle. While there may be some flexibility to adjust the cycle time and durations of the uplink and downlink transmission slots within it, at least some parts of the cycle may be statically reserved for a specific direction. To avoid interference, this may not even happen at the granularity of a single cell or single gNB, but may be common for a larger area. For example, a regulated TDD operation pattern may be with DL:UL ratio as 4:1 and operators may not be allowed to change such ratio at all depending on e.g. regulation requirements.

Thus, in practice, TDD cycles and the direction of the time slots may not be adjusted based on individual traffic streams according to their burst arrival time, but rather the burst arrival times of the individual streams may need to be adjusted to the TDD cycles and the direction of the timeslots in order to achieve improved or optimal performance. Some proposed solutions are targeted for an application to adapt downstream scheduling in order for 5GS to meet really low latency (e.g. 2 msecs) requirement. However, although the focus may be on downstream scheduling, any optimization on upstream scheduling may not be precluded if similar enhancement as for downstream scheduling applies.

Thus there may be a need of improvement or optimization on upstream scheduling. Some examples may address these issues.

Reference is made to Figure 4, which shows methods according to some examples.

At 400, a method comprises sending, to an application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application.

At 402, the method comprises receiving, from the application and based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, the one or more data packets.

At 404, the method comprises sending, to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the matching one or more data packets based on radio resource configuration information received from the radio network.

At 406, a method comprises receiving, from a user equipment, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets at the user equipment.

At 408, the method comprises determining, based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets.

At 410, the method comprises sending, to the user equipment and based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets.

At 412, a method comprises sending, from a user equipment to an application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application. At 414, the method comprises determining, by the application and based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets.

At 416, the method comprises sending, from the application to the user equipment and based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets.

At 418, the method comprises sending, from the user equipment to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the one or more data packets based on radio resource configuration information received from the radio network.

Thus some examples may provide UE implementation based solutions for efficiently handling UL transmission scheduling. More particularly, some examples may enable an application at UE side to adapt the UL traffic flow generation behaviour to achieve an improved or optimal end user experience.

Some examples may assume that UL CG resource is allocated and an initial allocation is based on information received from the network - for example burst arrival time (BAT) information from a Time Sensitive Communication Time Synchronization Function (TSCTSF). In addition, some examples may also assume that the UE knows the adaption capability and/or restrictions on the application side.

Reference is made to Figure 5, which shows a method according to some examples. In the example of Figure 5, the UE may compare between an allocated UL CG resource and the burst arrival time/periodicity information at the AS (Access Stratum) layer.

At step 500, the UE obtains information indicating an UL traffic flow periodicity and packet arrival time from the application; and also obtains UL resource allocation information from the RAN.

The UE may obtain the burst arrival time and/or periodicity information from the application layer or from network side. For example, the UE may determine the burst arrival time and/or periodicity information at radio protocol layer - for example based on the delivered application packet, the radio protocol layer will learn such information; or from Device Side TSN Translator (DS-TT). At step 502, the UE determines whether there is a mismatch between the application data packet generation and the UL resource allocation leading to an unacceptable buffering latency (e.g. the buffering latency is above a threshold).

The determination may be performed at the radio protocol layer e.g. physical layer (PHY) or another AS (Access Stratum) layer. The UE may compare timing and periodicity information of the CG resource and the UL traffic flow arrival time/periodicity.

That is to say, the UE may compare between actual UL resource timing with the expected arrival time for the packets from the application or application layer within the bursts.

Based on the comparison, the UE may determine whether there is mismatch resulting in an unacceptably large buffering latency (e.g. the buffering latency is larger than a threshold).

At step 504, if the determination at 502 is that the buffering latency is acceptable (e.g. the latency is below the threshold), then no indication is sent to the application or the application layer.

At step 506, if the determination at 502 is that the buffering latency is not acceptable (e.g. the latency is above the threshold), then:

• The UE determines a burst arrival time window (e.g. absolute time or relative time compared to the delivered packet) and/or periodicity;

• The UE sends a notification to the application layer with the determined burst arrival time window and/or periodicity; and

• The application layer adjusts the traffic generation based on the notification.

The notification may be for adjusting the traffic generation at the application. The notification may include for example an offset compared to the burst arrival time and/or a new periodicity and/or burst arrival time window. The notification may be in a format of absolute burst arrival time and/or the periodicity. The notification may be sent from PHY or another AS layer and may be sent to the application via an upper layer. In some examples, the threshold may be UE internal parameter. In other examples, the UE may derive the threshold from QoS parameters or receiving the threshold from one network entity.

The application may receive the notification and may adjust the traffic generation accordingly to match with the allocated resource. Reference is made to Figure 6, which shows a method according to some examples. In the example of Figure 6, the UE may report information to the application layer for adjusting traffic/packet generation. The application may adjust the traffic/packet generation pattern based on the received information.

At step 600, the UE receives, from the application, information indicating a capability of adaptation at the application layer. The information may for example indicate that the application is able to adjust or adapt the application traffic generation/delivery. The UE may also receive resource allocation information from the RAN.

At step 602, the UE determines a preferred BAW (burst arrival time window) and/or periodicity of UL traffic/packets from the application. The UE may determine the preferred BAW and/or periodicity based on radio resource information (e.g. TDD configuration, PHY resource configuration etc.) and UE (and DS-TT if present) processing time (in case with UL, a time in which the user equipment is processing the received packets from application to prepare the packets for transmission over air interface, which in some examples may be referred to as a UE-DS-TT residence time).

At step 604, the UE sends, to the application layer, information indicating the preferred BAW and/or periodicity determined at step 602. The information may be sent from the UE AS layer to the NAS layer and finally to the application layer.

At step 606, the application layer determines a traffic/packet generation pattern according to the information indicating the preferred BAW and/or periodicity.

At step 608, the application layer transmits the traffic/packets based on the pattern determined at step 606.

At step 609, the UE maps the application data/traffic to the allocated UL resource.

At step 610, the UE sends data to the RAN using the allocated UL resource.

In some examples, the UE AS layer may send the information including PHY resource configuration (e.g. TDD configuration, UL resource etc.) and UE processing time (e.g. UE-DS- TT residence time) to the application. Based on the available PHY resource information and the reported UE processing time, the application may derive the optimal packet generation pattern (time window and periodicity) and transmit the stream packets accordingly.

Thus, in some examples, the application layer may adjust the traffic/packet generation and transmission pattern according to information received from the UE. This may allow for a reduction in buffering time for the traffic/packets.

For example, reference is made to Figure 7, which shows an example buffering latency comparison with and without traffic adaption. In the example of Figure 7, an UL timeslot 702a, 702b, 702c, is followed by a DL timeslot 704a, 704b, where the TDD DL:UL ratio assumed to be 4:1.

In a worst case scenario, packets 700 may arrive at the UE from the application layer right after the scheduled UL time slot 702a (e.g. at or near the start of DL timeslot 704a), and so the packet(s) are held in the buffer until the next UL time slot 702b where they can be sent.

By adapting the packet generation and transmission pattern, the application layer can send the packet(s) 700 to the UE to arrive right before the scheduled UL time slot 702b, thereby reducing the time the packet(s) are held in the buffer.

This may avoid any buffer capacity issues, and there may be no or minimal queuing delay due to system load. Additionally, scheduling delays may be reduced or ignored, due to the arrival time of the packet(s) at the UE.

It should be noted that the methods disclosed above can be applied to frequency division duplex (FDD) or other flexible duplex systems as well.

In some examples, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: sending, to an application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application; receiving, from the application and based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, the one or more data packets; and sending, to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the matching one or more data packets based on radio resource configuration information received from the radio network.

In some examples, the apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: send, to an application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application; receive, from the application and based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, the one or more data packets; and send, to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the matching one or more data packets based on radio resource configuration information received from the radio network.

In some examples, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for: receiving, from a user equipment, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets at the user equipment; determining, based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets; and sending, to the user equipment and based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets.

In some examples, the apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a user equipment, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets at the user equipment; determine, based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets; and send, to the user equipment and based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets.

In some examples, there is provided a system comprising a user equipment and an application, wherein: the user equipment comprises means for sending, to the application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application; the application comprises computer program code for determining, based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets; and sending, to the user equipment, based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets; and the user equipment comprises means for sending, to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the one or more data packets.

In some examples, the system comprises a user equipment and an application, wherein: the user equipment comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to: send, to the application, information indicating a preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity for receiving one or more data packets from the application; the application comprises computer program code for causing the application to: determine, based on the information indicating the preferred arrival time window and/or periodicity, a traffic generation pattern for generating the one or more data packets; and send, to the user equipment, based on the determined traffic generation pattern, the one or more data packets; and the at least one memory and at least one processor may be configured to cause the user equipment to: send, to one or more access nodes of a radio network, the one or more data packets.

It should be understood that the apparatuses, like the UE, may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and/or reception. Although the apparatuses have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

It is noted that whilst some embodiments have been described in relation to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems and/or standards. Therefore, although certain embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In general, the various embodiments may be implemented with various means, for example, in hardware or special purpose circuitry, processor, software, logic, memory or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented with various means, for example, in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):

(i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/fi rmware and

(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.”

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

The embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and/or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computerexecutable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media. The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

Embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the disclosure is set out by the independent claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the disclosure.

The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this disclosure will still fall within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed, there is a further embodiment comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with any of the other embodiments previously discussed.