Method, apparatus, and computer program product for alternative quality of service profile notification handling

A method, apparatus, and computer program product provide for generating and providing a signaling indicator to manage quality of service notifications in a network. In the context of a method, the method receives a signaling indicator from a user device. The signaling indicator includes data associated with one or more preferences of the user device. The method further receives a quality of service notification associated with the user device. The method also determines, based on the signaling indicator, whether to provide the quality of service notification to the user device.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates to wireless communications, and more particularly, to managing quality of service notifications in a wireless network.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunication networks, such as the fifth generation of mobile networks (5G networks) are expected to be the next major phase of mobile telecommunication standards and to bring many improvements in mobile network user experience. For instance, 5G networks should provide new technical solutions allowing a greater throughput, lower latency, higher reliability, higher connectivity and higher mobility range. In addition to these improvements in terms of performance, 5G networks are also expected to extend the flexibility in the network usage and to allow providing users with a wider range of use cases and business models.

The 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) is a standards organization which develops protocols for mobile telephony and is known for the development and maintenance of various standards including second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and fifth generation (5G) standards.

In wireless telecommunication networks, quality of service (QoS) is the description or measurement of the overall performance of the wireless telecommunication service, particularly the performance seen by users of the network. Additionally, QoS may refer to traffic prioritization and resource reservation control mechanisms and define the ability to provide different priority to different applications, users, data flows, and/or to guarantee a certain level of performance to a data flow.

Under current 3GPP standards, recent contributions include non-access stratum (NAS) signaling to user equipment (UE) in order to inform the UE of changes to QoS parameters (e.g., during times at which QoS parameters and/or profiles are changed by the network). This NAS signaling is to be provided via the signal radio bearer 2 (SRB2) channel of the network. However, certain issues may arise with this configuration. From a radio perspective, this configuration may bring about additional signaling overhead, which should be limited. From an application perspective, explicit notifications of changes to QoS transmitted by the network to the UE may not always be necessary, such that the application may not require the notification or alternatively, the UE may comprise mechanisms for internal deduction of the change in QoS and may provide internal feedback. Additionally, from a transmission perspective, providing signaling over SRB2 may be inefficient as SRB2 is considered a lower priority channel than others and thus, the notifications may not always be transmitted.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for generating and providing a signaling indicator to manage quality of service notifications in a network. Benefits of certain embodiments may include one or more of a reduction in signaling overhead, increased network bandwidth and less processing consumption at a user device by limiting unnecessary notifications to the user device, as well as increased transmission reliability and/or latency by utilizing a control protocol data unit in accordance with service data access protocol (SDAP) in instances in which higher priority than SRB2 is required.

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for generating and providing a signaling indicator to manage quality of service notifications in a network. Benefits of this design include a reduction in signaling overhead, increased network bandwidth and less processing consumption at a user device by limiting unnecessary notifications to the user device, as well as increased transmission reliability and/or latency by utilizing a control protocol data unit in accordance with service data access protocol (SDAP) in instances in which higher priority than SRB2 is required.

In one aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises receiving a signaling indicator from a user device, wherein the signaling indicator comprises data associated with one or more preferences of the user device. The method further comprises receiving a quality of service notification associated with the user device. The method further comprises determining, based on the signaling indicator, whether to provide the quality of service notification to the user device. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator and quality of service notification are received at a session management function module. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session modification request. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator and quality of service notification are received at a base station node. In some embodiments, the base station node comprises a next generation radio access network node (NG-RAN). In some embodiments, the quality of service notification is received from a session management function module.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting data associated with the one or more preferences of the signaling indicator to a session management function module. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a radio resource control connection establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a quality of service flow. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a dedicated radio bearer. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is inferred using a reflective mapping. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received in response to reception of a quality of service notification at the user device. In some embodiments, the method further comprises, in an instance in which it is determined that the user device is to receive the quality of service notification, providing the quality of service notification to the user device. In some embodiments, the quality of service notification is provided to the user device via a control protocol data unit in accordance with service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). In some embodiments, the quality of service notification is provided to the user device via a control protocol data unit in accordance with service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) in an instance in which the quality of service notification is associated with a priority level of a logical channel exceeding a priority level associated with signal radio bearer 2 (SRB2) channel.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises, in an instance in which it is determined that the user device is to not receive the quality of service notification, determining not to provide the quality of service notification to the user device. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received at a session management function module via a next generation application protocol (NGAP) message relaying the signaling indicator received at a base station node. In some embodiments, the one or more preferences of the user device indicates a preference that at least one of (i) quality of service notifications associated with a particular quality of service flow, (ii) quality of service notifications that relate to one or more quality of service flows associated with a particular dedicated radio bearer, or (iii) quality of service notifications that relate to all quality of service flows associated with a particular protocol data unit session are not to be transmitted to the user device.

In another aspect, an apparatus method is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive a signaling indicator from a user device, wherein the signaling indicator comprises data associated with one or more preferences of the user device. The at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive a quality of service notification associated with the user device. The at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine, based on the signaling indicator, whether to provide the quality of service notification to the user device. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator and quality of service notification are received at a session management function module. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session modification request. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator and quality of service notification are received at a base station node. In some embodiments, the base station node comprises a next generation radio access network node (NG-RAN). In some embodiments, the quality of service notification is received from a session management function module.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit data associated with the one or more preferences of the signaling indicator to a session management function module. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a radio resource control connection establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a quality of service flow. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a dedicated radio bearer. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is inferred using a reflective mapping. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received in response to reception of a quality of service notification at the user device. In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to, in an instance in which it is determined that the user device is to receive the quality of service notification, provide the quality of service notification to the user device. In some embodiments, the quality of service notification is provided to the user device via a control protocol data unit in accordance with service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). In some embodiments, the quality of service notification is provided to the user device via a control protocol data unit in accordance with service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) in an instance in which the quality of service notification is associated with a priority level of a logical channel exceeding a priority level associated with signal radio bearer 2 (SRB2) channel.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to, in an instance in which it is determined that the user device is to not receive the quality of service notification, determine not to provide the quality of service notification to the user device. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received at a session management function module via a next generation application protocol (NGAP) message relaying the signaling indicator received at a base station node. In some embodiments, the one or more preferences of the user device indicates a preference that at least one of (i) quality of service notifications associated with a particular quality of service flow, (ii) quality of service notifications that relate to one or more quality of service flows associated with a particular dedicated radio bearer, or (iii) quality of service notifications that relate to all quality of service flows associated with a particular protocol data unit session are not to be transmitted to the user device.

In another aspect, a computer program product is provided comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having program code portions stored thereon, the program code portions configured, upon execution, to receive a signaling indicator from a user device, wherein the signaling indicator comprises data associated with one or more preferences of the user device. The program code portions are further configured, upon execution, to receive a quality of service notification associated with the user device. The program code portions are further configured, upon execution, to determine, based on the signaling indicator, whether to provide the quality of service notification to the user device. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator and quality of service notification are received at a session management function module. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session modification request. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator and quality of service notification are received at a base station node. In some embodiments, the base station node comprises a next generation radio access network node (NG-RAN). In some embodiments, the quality of service notification is received from a session management function module.

In some embodiments, the program code portions are further configured, upon execution, to transmit data associated with the one or more preferences of the signaling indicator to a session management function module. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a radio resource control connection establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a quality of service flow. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a dedicated radio bearer. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is inferred using a reflective mapping. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received in response to reception of a quality of service notification at the user device.

In some embodiments, the program code portions are further configured, upon execution, to, in an instance in which it is determined that the user device is to receive the quality of service notification, provide the quality of service notification to the user device. In some embodiments, the quality of service notification is provided to the user device via a control protocol data unit in accordance with service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). In some embodiments, the quality of service notification is provided to the user device via a control protocol data unit in accordance with service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) in an instance in which the quality of service notification is associated with a priority level of a logical channel exceeding a priority level associated with signal radio bearer 2 (SRB2) channel. In some embodiments, the program code portions are further configured, upon execution, to, in an instance in which it is determined that the user device is to not receive the quality of service notification, determine not to provide the quality of service notification to the user device. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received at a session management function module via a next generation application protocol (NGAP) message relaying the signaling indicator received at a base station node. In some embodiments, the one or more preferences of the user device indicates a preference that at least one of (i) quality of service notifications associated with a particular quality of service flow, (ii) quality of service notifications that relate to one or more quality of service flows associated with a particular dedicated radio bearer, or (iii) quality of service notifications that relate to all quality of service flows associated with a particular protocol data unit session are not to be transmitted to the user device.

In a further aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising means for receiving a signaling indicator from a user device, wherein the signaling indicator comprises data associated with one or more preferences of the user device. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving a quality of service notification associated with the user device. The apparatus further comprises means for determining, based on the signaling indicator, whether to provide the quality of service notification to the user device. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator and quality of service notification are received at a session management function module. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session modification request. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator and quality of service notification are received at a base station node. In some embodiments, the base station node comprises a next generation radio access network node (NG-RAN). In some embodiments, the quality of service notification is received from a session management function module.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for transmitting data associated with the one or more preferences of the signaling indicator to a session management function module. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a radio resource control connection establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a quality of service flow. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received via an access stratum message during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a dedicated radio bearer. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is inferred using a reflective mapping. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received in response to reception of a quality of service notification at the user device. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for, in an instance in which it is determined that the user device is to receive the quality of service notification, providing the quality of service notification to the user device. In some embodiments, the quality of service notification is provided to the user device via a control protocol data unit in accordance with service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). In some embodiments, the quality of service notification is provided to the user device via a control protocol data unit in accordance with service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) in an instance in which the quality of service notification is associated with a priority level of a logical channel exceeding a priority level associated with signal radio bearer 2 (SRB2) channel.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for, in an instance in which it is determined that the user device is to not receive the quality of service notification, determining not to provide the quality of service notification to the user device. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is received at a session management function module via a next generation application protocol (NGAP) message relaying the signaling indicator received at a base station node. In some embodiments, the one or more preferences of the user device indicates a preference that at least one of (i) quality of service notifications associated with a particular quality of service flow, (ii) quality of service notifications that relate to one or more quality of service flows associated with a particular dedicated radio bearer, or (iii) quality of service notifications that relate to all quality of service flows associated with a particular protocol data unit session are not to be transmitted to the user device.

In another aspect, a method is provided. The method comprises generating, at a user device, a signaling indicator comprising data associated with one or more preferences of the user device. The method further comprises causing transmission of the signaling indicator to a network element. In some embodiments, the network element comprises a session management function module. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is transmitted via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a protocol data unit session establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a protocol data unit session modification request. In some embodiments, the network element comprises a base station node. In some embodiments, the base station node comprises a next generation radio access network node (NG-RAN). In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a radio resource control connection establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a quality of service flow. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a dedicated radio bearer. In some embodiments, the one or more preferences of the user device indicates a preference that at least one of (i) quality of service notifications associated with a particular quality of service flow, (ii) quality of service notifications that relate to one or more quality of service flows associated with a particular dedicated radio bearer, or (iii) quality of service notifications that relate to all quality of service flows associated with a particular protocol data unit session are not to be transmitted to the user device.

In another aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising processing circuitry and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least to generate, at a user device, a signaling indicator comprising data associated with one or more preferences of the user device. The at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the apparatus to cause transmission of the signaling indicator to a network element. In some embodiments, the network element comprises a session management function module. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is transmitted via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a protocol data unit session establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a protocol data unit session modification request. In some embodiments, the network element comprises a base station node. In some embodiments, the base station node comprises a next generation radio access network node (NG-RAN). In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a radio resource control connection establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a quality of service flow. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a dedicated radio bearer. In some embodiments, the one or more preferences of the user device indicates a preference that at least one of (i) quality of service notifications associated with a particular quality of service flow, (ii) quality of service notifications that relate to one or more quality of service flows associated with a particular dedicated radio bearer, or (iii) quality of service notifications that relate to all quality of service flows associated with a particular protocol data unit session are not to be transmitted to the user device.

In another aspect, a computer program product is provided comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having program code portions stored thereon, the program code portions configured, upon execution, to generate, at a user device, a signaling indicator comprising data associated with one or more preferences of the user device. The program code portions are further configured, upon execution, to cause transmission of the signaling indicator to a network element. In some embodiments, the network element comprises a session management function module. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is transmitted via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a protocol data unit session establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a protocol data unit session modification request. In some embodiments, the network element comprises a base station node. In some embodiments, the base station node comprises a next generation radio access network node (NG-RAN). In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a radio resource control connection establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a quality of service flow. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a dedicated radio bearer. In some embodiments, the one or more preferences of the user device indicates a preference that at least one of (i) quality of service notifications associated with a particular quality of service flow, (ii) quality of service notifications that relate to one or more quality of service flows associated with a particular dedicated radio bearer, or (iii) quality of service notifications that relate to all quality of service flows associated with a particular protocol data unit session are not to be transmitted to the user device.

In another aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising means for generating, at a user device, a signaling indicator comprising data associated with one or more preferences of the user device. The apparatus further comprises means for causing transmission of the signaling indicator to a network element. In some embodiments, the network element comprises a session management function module. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is transmitted via a non-access stratum message during a protocol data unit session. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a protocol data unit session establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a protocol data unit session modification request. In some embodiments, the network element comprises a base station node. In some embodiments, the base station node comprises a next generation radio access network node (NG-RAN). In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a radio resource control connection establishment. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a quality of service flow. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator is generated and transmitted during a radio resource control reconfiguration associated with a dedicated radio bearer. In some embodiments, the one or more preferences of the user device indicates a preference that at least one of (i) quality of service notifications associated with a particular quality of service flow, (ii) quality of service notifications that relate to one or more quality of service flows associated with a particular dedicated radio bearer, or (iii) quality of service notifications that relate to all quality of service flows associated with a particular protocol data unit session are not to be transmitted to the user device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘module’ refers to hardware or a combination of hardware and software in which the execution of the software directs operation of the hardware.

As described above, a 3GPP system architecture working group, SA2, has developed agreed upon alternative QoS profiles. Mechanisms related to alternative QoS profiles have previously been contained within the network, however recent standard additions relate to triggering NAS signaling to user equipment (e.g., user devices). In particular, change request S2-1912776 reads that “the SMF module uses NAS signaling (sent transparently through the RAN) to inform the UE about changes in the QoS parameters that the NG-RAN is currently fulfilling for the QoS flow after notification control or handover related signaling has occurred.” NAS signaling is sent on the signal radio bearer 2 (SRB2) channel, however, SRB2 has a lower priority than other signal radio bearers, such as signal radio bearer 1 (SRB1).

These new additions to the standard bring challenges such as additional signaling overhead, unnecessary data transmissions and load on the network by transmitting all QoS notifications, and priority issues which may lead to necessary notifications failing to be transmitted.

FIG.1depicts an example of a portion of a 5G wireless network100deployed in accordance with some example embodiments. The 5G wireless network100may include user equipment (UE), such as a user device102, configured to wirelessly couple (e.g., via an air interface) to a radio access network (RAN) being served by a wireless access point, such as a base station106, wireless local area network access point, home base station, and/or other type of wireless access point. While certain embodiments described herein relate to 5G networks, it is to be appreciated that networks other than 5G networks may be used.

The network100may include the core network108, which may include a core access and mobility management function (AMF). The AMF may be used for various network tasks such as registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, and/or other various functions relating to security and access management and authorization. The network100and/or core network may further include features such as a session management function (SMF) module. The SMF module may be used for various responsibilities such as creating, updating, and/or removing Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions and managing session context with the User Plane Function (UPF) of the network. The SMF may also use the non-access stratum (NAS), a functional layer used to manage the establishment of communication sessions and to maintain continuous communications with UE, in order to inform the user device of changes in QoS parameters which the RAN may be currently fulfilling.

In some embodiments, the network100and/or the core network may include devices having functions supporting a home public land mobile network (HPLMN) and corresponding functions for “home” wireless local area network (WLAN) access, offloading, and/or non-3GPP access. These devices may include a unified data management (UDM) module, a unified data repository, an over-the-air function (OTAF) module, and/or other non-illustrated features such as a home policy control function (PCF), a home network slice selection function (NSSF), an authentication server function (AUSF), an application function (AF), a home user plane function (H-UPF), and a data network (DN).

One example of an apparatus200that may be configured to function as and/or be embodied by the SMF module, base station106, user device102, and/or the like is depicted inFIG.2. As shown inFIG.2, the apparatus includes, is associated with or is in communication with processing circuitry22, a memory24and a communication interface26. The processing circuitry may be in communication with the memory device via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus. The memory device may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory device may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processing circuitry). The memory device may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the memory device could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processing circuitry. Additionally, or alternatively, the memory device could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processing circuitry.

In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry22may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device24or otherwise accessible to the processing circuitry. Alternatively, or additionally, the processing circuitry may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processing circuitry may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processing circuitry may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an executor of instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and/or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processing circuitry may be a processor of a specific device (e.g., an image or video processing system) configured to employ an embodiment of the present invention by further configuration of the processing circuitry by instructions for performing the algorithms and/or operations described herein. The processing circuitry may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processing circuitry.

Referring now toFIG.3, a method300performed by the SMF module or, in some embodiments, the base station106, is depicted. As shown in block301, the SMF module and/or base station106includes means, such as the processing circuitry22, the communication interface26or the like, for receiving a signaling indicator. For example, the SMF module and/or base station106may receive the signaling indicator from the UE, such as user device102. The signaling indicator may be generated at the user device102and by the user device.

In some embodiments, the signaling indicator may comprise data associated with one or more preferences of the user device102, such as preferences related to reception of quality of service notifications. As an example, the signaling indicator may comprise data and/or instructions to allow the user device102to control whether quality of service notifications (e.g., a notification of changes to QoS parameters, a notification of a QoS profile change such as an alternative QoS profile, and/or the like) are transmitted to the user device or not. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator may be included as a portion of a message transmitted by the user device102via the access stratum (AS) or non-access stratum (NAS) during a protocol data unit (PDU) session. In this regard, the base station106may receive the signaling indicator in an instance in which the user device102transmits the signaling indicator via the AS. The SMF module may receive the signaling indicator in an instance in which the user device102transmits the signaling indicator via the NAS.

In some embodiments, the signaling indicator may be received at the base station106during a particular event. For example, the signaling indicator may be received at the base station106via the AS during a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment at the user device102. In another example, the signaling indicator may be received at the base station106via the AS during an RRC reconfiguration associated with a QoS flow or newly added or modified dedicated radio bearer (DRB). In a further example, the signaling indicator may be received at the base station106via the AS during a reflective mapping by the network. In this regard, the signaling indicator may be inferred by the network using a reflective mapping.

In some embodiments, the signaling indicator may be received at the SMF module via the NAS during a particular event. For example, the signaling indicator may be received at the SMF module via the NAS during a PDU session establishment. In another example, the signaling indicator may be received at the SMF module via the NAS during a PDU session modification request.

In some embodiments, the signaling indicator may be received at the SMF module and/or base station106via the AS or the NAS in response to reception of a quality of service notification at the user device102. In this regard, reception of a quality of service notification by the user device102may act as a trigger for the user device102to transmit the signaling indicator.

In some embodiments, the signaling indicator may be received (e.g., at the SMF module) via a next generation application protocol (NGAP) message that may serve to relay the signaling indicator when received at the base station node106.

As shown in block302, the SMF module and/or base station106includes means, such as the processing circuitry22, the communication interface26or the like, for receiving a quality of service notification associated with the user device. For example, the SMF module may receive a QoS notification from an element in the network100, such as from the NG-RAN and/or the like. In another example, the base station106, such as communication interface26, processing circuitry22and/or the like, may receive a QoS notification from an element in the network100, such as from the SMF module and/or the like. As described above, the QoS notification may comprise a change in one or more QoS parameters related to the user device102and/or a change in a QoS profile related to the user device102.

As shown in block303, the SMF module and/or base station106includes means, such as the processing circuitry22, the communication interface26or the like, for determining whether to provide the quality of service notification to the user device. For example, the SMF module and/or base station106, such as communication interface26, processing circuitry22and/or the like, may determine whether to provide the quality of service notification to the user device upon receiving a quality of service notification as described above in operation302. In this regard, the determination may be based on the signaling indicator received from the user device102. In some embodiments, the determination may be made based on the signaling indicator and the quality of service notification. For example, the signaling indicator may indicate that a QoS notification should be provided to the user device in an instance in which the QoS notification is associated with a certain type of change (e.g., a change in one or more predefined QoS parameters, a change in one or more predefined QoS profiles, and/or the like). As another example, the signaling indicator and associated preferences may indicate that QoS notifications associated with a particular QoS flow, QoS notifications that relate to one or more QoS flows associated with (e.g., mapped to) a particular DRB, and/or QoS notifications that relate to all QoS flows associated with (e.g., mapped to) a particular PDU session are not to be transmitted to the user device102. As a further example, the signaling indicator may indicate that no QoS notifications should be transmitted to the user device102.

In some embodiments, upon the base station receiving a signaling indicator from a user device102, the base station106may transmit data associated with one or more preferences of the received signaling indicator to the SMF module in order to directly inform the SMF of the QoS preferences of the user device102, such that the SMF module may subsequently transmit only QoS notifications in accordance with the preferences of the signaling indicator. In this regard, only QoS notifications that are desired by the user device need be transmitted to the base station for subsequent transmission to the user device, thereby alleviating impact on the network and at the user device102by not transmitting unnecessary QoS notifications.

Following operation303, in an instance in which it is determined that the user device is to receive the quality of service notification, the SMF module and/or base station106includes means, such as the processing circuitry22, the communication interface26or the like, for providing the quality of service notification to the user device. In this regard, the SMF module and/or base station106, such as communication interface26, processing circuitry22and/or the like, may transmit the quality of service notification to the user device102. In some embodiments, the quality of service notification may be transmitted via SRB2. Similarly, in an instance in which it is determined that the user device is not to receive the quality of service notification, the SMF module and/or base station106includes means, such as the processing circuitry22, the communication interface26or the like, for determining to not provide the quality of service notification to the user device. In this regard, the SMF module and/or base station106, such as communication interface26, processing circuitry22and/or the like, may cancel the transmission of the quality of service notification (e.g., remove and/or delete the notification, transmit the notification back to the origin of the notification, and/or the like).

In some embodiments, a control protocol data unit (PDU) may be introduced in accordance with a Service Data Access Protocol (SDAP). SDAP may be responsible for QoS Flow handling across the 5G air interface. In particular, SDAP may map a specific QoS Flow within a PDU Session to a corresponding Data Radio Bearer which has been established with an appropriate level of QoS. In this regard, the control PDU may be used to provide the quality of service notification to the user device rather than SRB2.

In some embodiments, the quality of service notification may be provided to the user device via the control PDU in an instance in which the QoS notification is associated with a priority level of a logical channel exceeding a priority level associated with the SRB2 channel. In this regard, the SMF module and/or base station106includes means, such as the processing circuitry22, the communication interface26or the like, for determining whether to transmit the QoS notification to the user device via SRB2 or the control PDU (SDAP) based on a priority level of a logical channel associated with the QoS notification.

Referring now toFIG.4, a method400performed by the user device102is depicted. As shown in block401, the user device102includes means, such as the processing circuitry22, the communication interface26or the like, for generating a signaling indicator comprising data associated with one or more preferences of the user device. In this regard, the one or more preferences may comprise preferences associated with receiving quality of service notifications. In some embodiments, the signaling indicator may be generated during, or in response to, a particular event. As described above, the event may comprise one or more of the following: a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment with the user device102, an RRC reconfiguration associated with a QoS flow or newly added or modified dedicated radio bearer (DRB), a reflective mapping, a quality of service notification at the user device102, a PDU session establishment, a PDU session modification request, and/or the like.

As shown in block402, the user device102includes means, such as the processing circuitry22, the communication interface26or the like, for transmitting the signaling indicator to a network element. In some embodiments, the particular network element to which the signaling indicator is transmitted may be based on the type of event. For example, in some embodiments, the network element may be a session management function module. In another embodiment, the network element may be a base station node (e.g., a next generation radio access node (NG-RAN)).

As described above, a method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for generating and providing a signaling indicator to manage quality of service notifications in a network. Benefits of this design include a reduction in signaling overhead, increased network bandwidth and less processing consumption at a user device by limiting unnecessary notifications to the user device, as well as increased transmission reliability and improved latency by utilizing a control protocol data unit in instances in which higher priority than SRB2 is required.

Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.