Patent Description:
Certain abbreviations that may be found in the description and/or in the Figures are herewith defined as follows:.

In <NUM>, it is expected that the radio access network (RAN) can create and modify data radio bearers (DRB) without requiring immediate signalling from the core network. This is in contrast of <NUM>/LTE systems, where DRBs are subject of an <NUM>:<NUM> mapping between access and core network by means of the EPS bearers. In <NUM>, this <NUM>:<NUM> mapping between access and core network logical structures is dissolved, and replaced by a <NUM>:n mapping, meaning that the radio access can create and map data traffic from the core network and from the UE for a set of DRBs.

However, this new mapping structure, although allowing more flexible data handling with less signalling overhead, is currently not possible in LTE systems due to the protocol structure of the DRBs.

Further, it is noted that other radio technologies may also allow a similar use of radio bearers or such flexible use of data radio bearers between a transmitter and a receiver. This may be related to a system having access network and core/external network. But same issue may be faced also between two devices within an independent access network having no connection to core/external network. In addition, the same issue may be faced in device-to-device communication within an access network, with or without connection to core/external network.

At least the issues as indicated above are addressed in the example embodiments of the invention as described herein.

Document <CIT> inter-alia relates to a method of transferring data between a first device and a second device using a multipath TCP (MTCP) connection.

This section contains examples of possible implementations and is not meant to be limiting.

In an exemplary aspect of the invention, there is an apparatus, comprising:.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is a method performed by an apparatus, comprising:.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

An additional example embodiment is that, based on the becoming aware there is causing the second device to establish the second radio bearer. In accordance with the example embodiments of the invention the becoming aware comprises detecting that the further packets of the second traffic subflow are associated with an application that requires a higher priority. Another example embodiment includes receiving confirmation of reception of the packet data unit from the second device, wherein the confirmation of reception may be confirmation of in-order reception of the packet data unit, wherein the transmitting the further packets of the second traffic flow is based on the confirmation. In accordance with a further example embodiment, the packet data unit comprises a sequence number. In an additional example embodiment the sequence number causes in-sequence delivery of packets for the radio bearers at the second device. In another example embodiment the packet data unit causes the second device to deliver the packets belonging to the second traffic subflow to a higher layer of the second device. In yet another example embodiment of the invention the higher layer is an application layer. In still another example embodiment of the invention there is, prior to transmitting the second traffic flow to the second radio bearer of the second device, buffering the packets at the first device.

The foregoing and other aspects of embodiments of this invention are made more evident in the following Detailed Description, when read in conjunction with the attached Drawing Figures, wherein:.

In various embodiments, we propose an improved mapping structure allowing more flexible data handling with less signalling overhead in radio access.

An example embodiment of the invention addresses the QoS architecture as for example in the <NUM>th generation radio access, also called "new radio" (NR) or "NextGen" (NG) in 3GPP standardization context.

<FIG> shows packet handling from a transmitter to a receiver as performed in a <NUM>. ) Single DRB case, and in a <NUM>. ) New high priority DRB2. In this example a data radio bearer (DRB) is configured and transports data from several applications. At some point, it is detected by the transmitter that one or several applications must be prioritized and the associated data should be handled separately. This detection can happen after transmission from the to-be-prioritized applications(s) has started. Further, this detection can be done on the fly. For example when a user is browsing and/or begins an IP call. This operation can be for at least the reasons that:.

As a consequence, a new DRB is created to carry the packets of these applications. The "split" function <NUM> will split the data into two DRBs, DRB <NUM> and DRB2. The prioritized data will be routed by the split function to DRB2.

Now, due to the higher priority of DRB2, there is no guarantee that the packets of the identified applications will arrive in order at the receiving entity. This can lead to severe degradation of user experience, and violates the in-sequence delivery principle in case that this is configured for the specific service.

For example, we can assume that packets from the application that are to be prioritized are numbered e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

In a first case (i.e., single DRB case) there is only one DRB configured (at T(<NUM>)), and then all the packets are transmitted in order and received at T(<NUM>).

In a second case, a second DRB is created, and at T'(<NUM>), the packets #<NUM> and #<NUM> are handled by the new DRB.

They are received at time T'(<NUM>), before the transmission of packet #<NUM> which is still in the low priority DRB. The result is that after the merge <NUM> of DRB (T'(<NUM>)), as shown in block <NUM>, packets #<NUM> and #<NUM> are delivered to higher layers before packet #<NUM> which breaks in order delivery.

The packet #<NUM> may be received by higher layers due to the reason that queues of high priority DRB are served first in receiver side, as discussed in above embodiment. However, packets sent via the low priority DRB may experience delay also in queues in transmitter side.

It is noted that in the operations as described above:.

An example embodiment of the invention allows keeping an in-sequence delivery of packets for a subflow that needs to be sent in another DRB, without requiring another sequence number.

Before describing the example embodiments of the invention in further detail reference is now made to <FIG> illustrates a simplified block diagram illustrating some components of the wireless system shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Referring also to <FIG>, in the wireless system <NUM> a wireless network <NUM> is adapted for communication over a wireless link <NUM> with a first apparatus, such as a mobile communication device which may be referred to as an apparatus10, via second apparatus such as a network access node, e.g., a Node B (base station), and more specifically an apparatus <NUM> such as shown in <FIG>. The network <NUM> may include a network node NN <NUM> that may include MME/S-GW and/or application server (AS) functionality, and which provides connectivity with a network, such as a telephone network and/or a data communications network (e.g., the internet <NUM>). The NN <NUM> may include a WLAN access point as in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

The first apparatus <NUM> comprise a controller, such as a computer or a data processor (DP) <NUM>, a computer-readable memory medium embodied as a memory (MEM) <NUM> that stores a program of computer instructions (PROG) <NUM>. The first apparatus may include also a suitable wireless interface, such as radio frequency (RF) transceiver <NUM>, for bidirectional wireless communications with the second apparatus <NUM> using the data path <NUM>. The PROG <NUM> can include computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, such as the DP <NUM>, operates in accordance with example embodiments of the invention.

The apparatus <NUM> also includes a controller, such as a computer or a data processor (DP) <NUM>, a computer-readable memory medium embodied as a memory (MEM) <NUM> that stores a program of computer instructions (PROG) <NUM>, to perform the operations in accordance with example embodiments of the invention as described herein. In addition, a suitable wireless interface, such as RF transceiver <NUM>, for communication with the apparatus10 via one or more antennas is shown in <FIG>. However, although shown in <FIG> this wireless interface is not limiting as it may or may not be part of the apparatus <NUM> as shown. The apparatus <NUM> is coupled via a data/control path <NUM> to the NN <NUM>. The path <NUM> may be implemented as an interface, such as an S1 interface. The apparatus <NUM> may also be coupled to other apparatus <NUM> via data/control path <NUM>, which may be implemented as an interface. The other apparatus <NUM> may have similar configurations and components as the apparatus <NUM>. In addition, although not shown in <FIG>, this data/control path <NUM> can also be a wireless connection or can be a combination of wired and wireless connections.

The NN <NUM> includes a controller and/or application server, such as a computer or a data processor (DP) <NUM>, a computer-readable memory medium embodied as a memory (MEM) <NUM> that stores a program of computer instructions (PROG) <NUM> and possibly a suitable wireless interface, such as radio frequency (RF) transceiver <NUM>, for bidirectional wireless communications with the apparatus <NUM> and the apparatus <NUM> via path <NUM>.

At least one of the PROGs <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated DP, enable the device to operate in accordance with example embodiments of this invention, as will be discussed below in greater detail. That is, various example embodiments of this invention may be implemented at least in part by computer software executable by the DP <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM>; by the DP <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM>; and/or by the DP <NUM> of the NN <NUM>, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware (and firmware).

For the purposes of describing various example embodiments in accordance with this invention the apparatus <NUM> and the apparatus <NUM> may also include dedicated processors, for example Control module <NUM> and a corresponding Control module (CM) <NUM>. Control module <NUM> and Control module <NUM> may be constructed so as to operate to perform at least the flow control operations as in accordance with various example embodiments in accordance with this invention. In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention at least the Control modules <NUM> and <NUM> are configurable to perform at least the flow control operations as in accordance with various example embodiments in accordance with this invention.

The computer readable MEMs <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> 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, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The DPs <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The wireless interfaces (e.g., RF transceivers <NUM> and <NUM>) may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable communication technology such as individual transmitters, receivers, transceivers or a combination of such components.

The example embodiments of the invention may assume that at least some packets of subflow X are sent via DRB1 before noticing that the flow requires DRB2 providing better QoS [or before being able to transmit packet of the flow to DRB2]. To provide in-order reception there is at least the following:.

A first alternative (to avoid our-of-order reception):.

Example embodiments of the invention work, for example, with a case of the addition of a second DRB (DRB2) when a first DRB (DRB1) is already established.

In regards to some non-limiting related operations it is noted that:.

Further, it is noted that the transmitter may become aware that the traffic comports two subflows after already starting transmission of second subflow. This may be for at least the reasons that:.

There are several possibilities how new subflows can be detected in NB or UE:.

As currently envisioned Flow Identification Indicator (FII) can use a Traffic Mark set by the CN UP on DL UP traffic sent to the (CAF-) RAN. This marking is based on rules received from the CN CP and may e.g. identify traffic of applications detected by the CN UP function and/or traffic subject of a specific charging. The FII marking is not meant to directly control the QoS behaviour in the RAN: the QoS behaviour in the RAN is controlled by QoS rules that may refer to FII and that are sent by the CN CP to the CAF-RAN. The FII is used on NG3 on a per-packet basis. Traffic to and from a UE may be associated with the same FII.

Based on the output of application detection enforced in the CN UP functions, different PDU within the same flow (e.g. with the same <NUM> Tuple in case of a PDU session for IP traffic) may be associated by the CN UP with different FII values. This assumes the transport protocol handles different streams for this kind of traffic.

Further, in a current proposal a UE can determine the SSC mode required for an application using at least one of the following methods:.

If the app that starts a flow does not indicate the type of required session continuity, the UE may determine the required session continuity by using provisioned policy.

In accordance with example embodiments of the invention a CAF-RAN node or device can perform these operations for new flow detection. The CAF-RAN can be incorporated in any of the devices apparatus <NUM>, NN <NUM>, and/or the apparatus <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

In one possibility, detection may be performed by receiving a packet which comprises certain IP-<NUM>-tuple or marking (FII) set by CN entity. In short, DL data packet itself comprises an indication that the packet is part of flow requiring higher priority. In another possibility the CAF-RAN function can performs detection based on analytics of the application traffic based on one or more packets that identify the traffic type.

Further, detection of a new flow could be based on the analysis of several packets. The full identification of a new flow could be based on an analysis of a few consecutives packets. Note that this applies also to the case if packet marking is used: in an ongoing application flow, the application detection function (either in CN or in RAN) is able to detect the traffic type only after some time and then changes the packet marking. Then, the remaining packets of ongoing application traffic flow would need to be transferred over a new DRB.

In addition, a QoS policy can also indicate that the identified flow requires higher priority. Thus, QoS framework and RRC handling of <NUM> can support detection of flows in Network side, and DRB configuration initiated by Network, which is then transferred to the UE. In another embodiment UE may create DRB by itself dynamically.

Example embodiments of the invention work to provide a context and/or an application-aware function in RAN (e.g., in a base station). This provides the capability to separate flows based on several criteria, for example, from simple IP-<NUM>-tuple to advanced machine learning based approaches. Further, this function is able to guide RRC in NR BS to map traffic to DRBs. Additionally, this can also be done based on packet marking on RAN-CN IF, in case that such a function is (also) located in CN.

A first operation in accordance with the example embodiments, includes:.

It is noted that in the prior art there is for example an end Marker, and the use case is handover and is involving only one bearer. Whereas, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, the switch marker does not signal the end of the transmission, but only the end of part of it (the second flow). In accordance with the example embodiments, the packets continue to arrive in first RB. Which is not the case in prior art. If we apply prior art to the first option, the receiver would stop handling any packets coming from RB <NUM>.

Further, in accordance with example embodiments of the invention there is added a sequence number which is not present in prior art. This added sequence number is used because the packets may be received out of order in the receiving buffer, in case of split bearer for example. In prior art there is no possibility to have a split connection and thus out of order reception of packets.

In a second operation in accordance with example embodiments of the invention:.

A detailed implementation of the first operation is described with regards to <FIG>. In this example the transmitter is the eNB and the receiver is the UE, but the roles could be exchanged.

<FIG> illustrates a message flow in accordance with the first option of example embodiments of the invention. As shown in <FIG>:.

The PDCP layer deliver to higher layers the SDU in the same order as they have been submitted. The SN is used to reorder the packets when lower layer (RLC) can't provide this function. For normal case (single connectivity), the lower layer (RLC) provide in-order delivery. As indicated in step <NUM> above, for example in case of Handover, the PDCP layer re-orders the PDU received out of order (because of the handover), based on the PDCP sequence number. When a split bearer is set up (dual connectivity), the PDCP constantly reorder the PDCP PDU received from different radio links, based on the PDCP SN. Giving a SN to the switch marker, as in step <NUM> above, allows to be sure and stop buffering as in step <NUM> above since there is no more packet from a further subflow delivered to higher layers on first RB after the marker has been processed. This is because no packet from the further subflow is sent after the marker and that the packets are delivered in order by PDCP to higher layer.

<FIG> represents the functional view of the PDCP entity for the PDCP sublayer which shows a PDCP layer. This figure is based on the radio interface protocol architecture. With regards to <FIG>, the PDCP entities are located in the PDCP sublayer. Several PDCP entities may be defined for a UE. Each PDCP entity carrying user plane data may be configured to use header compression. Each PDCP entity is carrying the data of one radio bearer. In this version of the specification, only the robust header compression protocol (ROHC), is supported. Every PDCP entity uses at most one ROHC compressor instance and at most one ROHC decompressor instance. A PDCP entity is associated either to the control plane or the user plane depending on which radio bearer it is carrying data for. For RNs, integrity protection and verification are also performed for the u-plane. For split bearers, routing is performed in transmitting PDCP entity, and reordering is performed in the receiving PDCP entity. Further, for LWA bearers, routing is performed in the transmitting PDCP entity and reordering is performed in the receiving PDCP entity. The transmitting PDCP entity of the UE may only submit the PDCP PDUs to the associated AM RLC entity.

<FIG> shows an illustration of Packet handling in accordance with example embodiments of the invention. As shown in <FIG> at block <NUM> a new DRB is created and the split function will add the switch marker <NUM> to a packet after which DRB is going to be switched. At block <NUM> of <FIG> it is shown that the merge function will wait until the packet with the switch marker in the DRB <NUM> is processed. Then as shown in block <NUM>, in accordance with the example embodiments, all packets including the merged packets are scheduled with the DRB1 packets so that the packets are in an order of highest priority to lowest priority.

A detailed implementation of the second option in accordance with example embodiments of the invention is described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates another message flow in accordance with example embodiments of the invention. As shown in <FIG>:.

As similarly stated above, in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention as described in the options above, confirmation of in-order reception of the packet data unit may be sent by the UE <NUM>, wherein the transmitting the further packets of the second traffic flow is based on the confirmation.

In this regards, assuming that a split bearer (e.g., <NUM> radio links) in the 1st Radio Bearer the example embodiments may comprise one or more aspects of the following:.

In a scenario such as above the PDCP entity may store PDU with SN=<NUM> and wait for the PDU(SN=<NUM>) to be received before delivering PDU(SN=<NUM>) to higher layers. If a 2nd radio bearer is launched (and the 2nd subflow PDUs are delivered to higher layers) at T=<NUM>. Then PDU(SN=<NUM>) is still being transmitted. In this case the launch of 2nd radio bearer, may be triggered by T=<NUM>. This can be "in order reception" of switch marker. Or else if the "reception of switch marker" is T=<NUM>, then there is no issue with a reorder.

Further, the example embodiments may comprise one or more aspects of the following:.

The example embodiments allow to keep the in-sequence delivery of packets for a subflow that needs to be sent in another DRB, without requiring another of Sequence Number.

It is noted that in short, in option <NUM> buffering may be done in receiver, until receiving message from transmitter that ok to send packets from DRB2 receiver buffer to higher layers. In option <NUM> buffering may be done in transmitter, until receiving confirmation from receiver that ok to send packets via DRB2.

<FIG> shows another illustration of packet handling in accordance with example embodiments of the invention. As shown in <FIG> at block <NUM> a new DRB is created and as shown in block <NUM> the split function will add the switch marker to packet after which DRB is going to be switched. At block <NUM> of <FIG> it is shown that the merge function will wait until the receiver confirms the handling of packet with the switch-marker. Then as shown in block <NUM>, in accordance with the example embodiments, all packets including the merged packets are scheduled in an order of highest priority to lowest priority.

<FIG> illustrates operations which may be performed by a network device such as, but not limited to, a base station or an apparatus such as the apparatus <NUM> and/or NN <NUM> as in <FIG>. As shown in step <NUM> there is performing, by a first device, a communication comprising transmitting packets of a first traffic subflow and packets of a second traffic subflow via a first radio bearer to a second device; then as shown in step <NUM> there is detecting that further packets of the second traffic subflow are to be transmitted via a second radio bearer to the second device; then as shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is, based on the detecting, transmitting a packet data unit of the second traffic subflow via the first radio bearer to the second device, wherein the packet data unit comprises an indication of a switch of the second traffic flow to the second radio bearer, and wherein packets of the first traffic flow continues to be transmitted via the first radio bearer; and as shown in step <NUM> there is, based on the second radio bearer being established between the first device and the second device, transmitting further packets of the second traffic flow via the second radio bearer to the second device.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above, there is, based on the detecting, causing the second device to establish the second radio bearer.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the detecting comprises detecting that the further packets of the second traffic subflow are associated with an application that requires a higher priority.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, there is receiving confirmation of reception of the packet data unit from the second device, wherein the confirmation of reception may be confirmation of in-order reception of the packet data unit, wherein the transmitting the further packets of the second traffic flow is based on the confirmation.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the packet data unit comprises a sequence number.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the sequence number causes in-sequence delivery of packets for the radio bearers at the second device.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the packet data unit causes the second device to deliver the packets belonging to the second traffic subflow to a higher layer of the second device.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the higher layer is an application layer.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, prior to transmitting the second traffic flow towards the second radio bearer of the second device, the packets are buffered at the first device.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium (MEM <NUM> and/or MEM <NUM> as in <FIG>) storing program code (PROG <NUM> and/or PROG <NUM> as in <FIG>), the program code executed by at least one processor (DP <NUM> and/or DP <NUM> as in <FIG>) to perform the operations as at least described in the paragraphs above.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention as described above there is an apparatus comprising: means for performing (DP <NUM>, DP <NUM>, and/or DP <NUM>; PROG <NUM> and/or PROG <NUM>; and MEM <NUM> and/or MEM <NUM> as in <FIG>), by a first device, a communication comprising transmitting packets of a first traffic subflow and packets of a second traffic subflow via a first radio bearer to a second device; means for detecting (DP <NUM>, DP <NUM>, and/or DP <NUM>; PROG <NUM> and/or PROG <NUM>; and MEM <NUM> and/or MEM <NUM> as in <FIG>) that further packets of the second traffic subflow are to be transmitted via a second radio bearer to the second device; means based on the detecting, for transmitting (DP <NUM>, DP <NUM>, and/or DP <NUM>; PROG <NUM> and/or PROG <NUM>; and MEM <NUM>, MEM <NUM>, and/or TRANS <NUM> as in <FIG>) a packet data unit of the second traffic subflow via the first radio bearer to the second device, wherein the packet data unit comprises an indication of a switch of the second traffic flow to the second radio bearer, and wherein packets of the first traffic flow continues to be transmitted via the first radio bearer; and means based on the second radio bearer being established between the first device and the second device, for transmitting further packets of the second traffic flow via the second radio bearer to the second device.

<FIG> illustrates operations which may be performed by a device such as, but not limited to, a communication device (e.g., the apparatus <NUM> as in <FIG>). As shown in step <NUM> there is receiving, by a second device, from a first device a communication comprising packets of a first traffic subflow and packets of a second traffic subflow via a first radio bearer; as shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is receiving from the first device a packet data unit comprising an indication that further packets of the second traffic subflow are to be received via a second radio bearer, wherein the first traffic flow continues to be received via the first radio bearer ; as shown in step <NUM> there is establishing the second radio bearer between the second device and the first device ; and then as shown in step <NUM> of <FIG> there is, based on the establishing, receiving the further packets of the second traffic flow via the second radio bearer.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraph above, there is receiving instructions to establish the second radio bearer.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, there is sending confirmation of reception of the packet data unit to the first device, wherein the confirmation of reception may be confirmation of in-order reception of the packet data unit, wherein the further packets of the second traffic flow is received based on the confirmation.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the sequence number enables in-sequence delivery of packets for the radio bearers.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, the packet data unit enables the second device to deliver the packets belonging to the second traffic subflow to a higher layer of the communication device.

In accordance with the example embodiments as described in the paragraphs above, prior to receiving the packet data unit the second traffic flow is buffered at the second device, and wherein delivering the packets belonging to the traffic subflow to the higher layer is performed only after receiving the packet data unit.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium (MEM <NUM> as in <FIG>) storing program code (PROG <NUM> as in <FIG>), the program code executed by at least one processor (DP <NUM> and/or DP <NUM> as in <FIG>) to perform the operations as at least described in the paragraphs above.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention as described above there is an apparatus comprising: means for receiving (TRANS <NUM>; DP <NUM> and/or DP <NUM>; PROG <NUM>; and MEM <NUM> as in <FIG>), by a second device, from a first device a communication comprising packets of a first traffic subflow and packets of a second traffic subflow via a first radio bearer; means for receiving (TRANS <NUM>; DP <NUM> and/or DP <NUM>; PROG <NUM>; and MEM <NUM> as in <FIG>) from the first device a packet data unit comprising an indication that further packets of the second traffic subflow are to be received via a second radio bearer, wherein the first traffic flow continues to be received via the first radio bearer; means for establishing (TRANS <NUM>; DP <NUM> and/or DP <NUM>; PROG <NUM>; and MEM <NUM> as in <FIG>)the second radio bearer between the second device and the first device; and means for receiving (TRANS <NUM>; DP <NUM> and/or DP <NUM>; PROG <NUM>; and MEM <NUM> as in <FIG>) the further packets of the second traffic flow via the second radio bearer.

In accordance with the example embodiments there is an apparatus (e.g., a first device) performing a method comprising performing a communication comprising transmitting packets of a first traffic subflow and packets of a second traffic subflow via a first radio bearer to a second device; detecting that further packets of the second traffic subflow are to be transmitted via a second radio bearer to the second device; then, based on the detecting, transmitting a packet data unit via the first radio bearer to the second device, wherein the packet data unit comprises an indication of a switch of the second traffic flow to the second radio bearer, and wherein packets of the first traffic flow continues to be transmitted via the first radio bearer; and based on the second radio bearer being established between the first device and the second device, transmitting further packets of the second traffic flow via the second radio bearer to the second device.

In further example embodiments the apparatus performing a method comprising the method of the previous paragraph, there is: based on the detecting, causing the second device to establish the second radio bearer; receiving confirmation of reception of the packet data unit from the second device, wherein the confirmation of reception may be confirmation of in-order reception of the packet data unit, wherein the transmitting the second traffic flow is based on the confirmation; the packet data unit comprises a sequence number; the sequence number causes in-sequence delivery of packets for the radio bearers at the second device athe packet data unit causes the second device to deliver the packets belonging to the second traffic subflow to a higher layer of the second device; the higher layer is an application layer; and prior to transmitting the second traffic flow towards the second radio bearer of the second device, the packets are buffered at the first device.

In accordance with the example embodiments there is an apparatus (e.g., a second device) performing a method comprising receiving from a first device a communication comprising packets of a first traffic subflow and packets of a second traffic subflow via a first radio bearer; receiving from the first device a packet data unit comprising an indication that further packets of the second traffic subflow are to be received via a second radio bearer, wherein the first traffic flow continues to be received via the first radio bearer; establishing the second radio bearer between the second device and the first device; and then, based on the establishing, receiving the further packets of the second traffic flow via the second radio bearer.

In further example embodiments the apparatus performing a method comprising the method of the previous paragraph, there is: receiving instructions to establish the different radio bearer; sending confirmation of reception of the packet data unit to the first device, wherein the confirmation of reception may be confirmation of in-order reception of the packet data unit, wherein the second traffic flow is received based on the confirmation; the packet data unit comprises a sequence number; the sequence number enables in-sequence delivery of packets for the second radio bearer on a priority of the packets; the packet data unit enables the second device to deliver the packets belonging to the second traffic subflow to a higher layer of the communication device; the higher layer is an application layer; and prior to receiving the packet data unit the second traffic flow is buffered at the second device, wherein delivering the packets belonging to the traffic subflow to the higher layer is performed only after receiving the packet data unit.

It is noted that any reference to a particular user equipment (UE) and/or base station (eNB) performing an operation in accordance with the example embodiments is non-limiting. Any of the operations in accordance with the example embodiments of the invention may be performed by any suitable device or apparatus, and these suitable device or apparatus does not need to be a UE or eNB as described.

In addition, any reference to operations in accordance with the embodiments of the invention being directed to use with a particular radio network technology, e.g., <NUM>, are not limiting. The example embodiments of the invention may be performed with any current, past, or future radio network technologies.

Further, in accordance with the example embodiments the operations as performed in a system of different devices, e.g., apparatus <NUM>, NN <NUM>, and apparatus <NUM>.

In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof.

The foregoing description has provided by way of example and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the best method and apparatus presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. 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 invention will still fall within the scope of this invention.

It should be noted that the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof, mean any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements, and may encompass the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" together. The coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As employed herein two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" together by the use of one or more wires, cables and/or printed electrical connections, as well as by the use of electromagnetic energy, such as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency region, the microwave region and the optical (both visible and invisible) region, as several non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

Furthermore, some of the features of the preferred embodiments of this invention could be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description should be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, and not in limitation thereof.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may be included. Modifications, additions, or amplifications to the operations above may be performed in any order and in any combination.

Claim 1:
An apparatus comprising:
means for performing a communication comprising transmitting packets of a first traffic flow and packets of a second traffic flow via a first radio bearer to a second device, wherein the first radio bearer is a default data radio bearer;
means for becoming aware that further packets of the second traffic flow are to be transmitted via a second radio bearer to the second device;
means, based on the becoming aware, for transmitting a packet data unit via the first radio bearer to the second device, wherein the packet data unit (i) is or comprises a switch-marker signaling the end of transmitting packets of the second traffic flow via the first radio bearer and/or (ii) comprises an indication of the switch of the second traffic flow to the second radio bearer, and wherein packets of the first traffic flow continue to be transmitted via the first radio bearer;
means, based on the second radio bearer being established, for transmitting the further packets of the second traffic flow via the second radio bearer to the second device.