Flexible bearer handling
DCFirst Claim
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1. A method performed by a network node for flexible bearer handling in a communications network, the method comprising:
- acquiring packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocol data units (PDUs);
encapsulating individual PDCP PDUs into individual frames at a protocol layer that is at least one protocol layer above a bottom-most protocol layer, wherein encapsulating said individual PDCP PDUs into said individual frames comprises mapping logic channel flows to network addresses, wherein each frame of said individual frames comprises a first signal radio bearer (SRB1), a second signal radio bearer (SRB2), a data radio bearer (DRB) or a combination of different bearers; and
switching said individual frames towards a packet switched network, the switching based at least in part on identifying a type of PDCP PDU carried by each of said individual frames, wherein switching said individual frames towards the packet switched network comprises;
forwarding said individual frames comprising the SRB1 to a radio resource control (RRC) acting-entity in the network; and
forwarding said individual frames comprising the SRB2 to an S1-AP and non-access stratum (NAS) acting-entity in the network.
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Abstract
Embodiments presented herein relate to bearer handling, and particularly to a method, a network node, a computer program, and a computer program product for flexible bearer handling in a communications network. Packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocol data units (PDUs) are acquired. Individual PDCP PDUs are encapsulated into individual frames at at least one protocol layer above a bottom-most protocol layer. The individual frames are switched towards a packet switched network.
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18 Claims
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1. A method performed by a network node for flexible bearer handling in a communications network, the method comprising:
acquiring packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocol data units (PDUs); encapsulating individual PDCP PDUs into individual frames at a protocol layer that is at least one protocol layer above a bottom-most protocol layer, wherein encapsulating said individual PDCP PDUs into said individual frames comprises mapping logic channel flows to network addresses, wherein each frame of said individual frames comprises a first signal radio bearer (SRB1), a second signal radio bearer (SRB2), a data radio bearer (DRB) or a combination of different bearers; and switching said individual frames towards a packet switched network, the switching based at least in part on identifying a type of PDCP PDU carried by each of said individual frames, wherein switching said individual frames towards the packet switched network comprises; forwarding said individual frames comprising the SRB1 to a radio resource control (RRC) acting-entity in the network; and forwarding said individual frames comprising the SRB2 to an S1-AP and non-access stratum (NAS) acting-entity in the network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A network node for flexible bearer handling in a communications network, the network node comprising:
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a processor; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium coupled to the processor, the computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the network node to; acquire packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocol data units (PDUs); encapsulate individual PDCP PDUs into individual frames at a protocol layer that is at least one protocol layer above a bottom-most protocol layer, wherein encapsulating said individual PDCP PDUs into said individual frames comprises mapping logic channel flows to network addresses, wherein each frame of said individual frames comprises a first signal radio bearer (SRB1), a second signal radio bearer (SRB2), a data radio bearer (DRB) or a combination of different bearers; and switch said individual frames towards a packet switched network, the switching based at least in part on identifying a type of PDCP PDU carried by each of said individual frames, wherein switching said individual frames towards the packet switched network comprises; forwarding said individual frames comprising the SRB1 to a radio resource control (RRC) acting-entity in the network; and forwarding said individual frames comprising the SRB2 to an S1-AP and non-access stratum (NAS) acting-entity in the network. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A non-transitory computer memory of a network node storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause performance of operations comprising:
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acquiring packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocol data units (PDUs); encapsulating individual PDCP PDUs into individual frames at a protocol layer that is at least one protocol layer above a bottom-most protocol layer, wherein encapsulating said individual PDCP PDUs into said individual frames comprises mapping logic channel flows to network addresses, wherein each frame of said individual frames comprises a first signal radio bearer (SRB1), a second signal radio bearer (SRB2), a data radio bearer (DRB) or a combination of different bearers; and switching said individual frames towards a packet switched network, the switching based at least in part on identifying a type of PDCP PDU carried by each of said individual frames, wherein switching said individual frames towards the packet switched network comprises; forwarding said individual frames comprising the SRB1 to a radio resource control (RRC) acting-entity in the network; and forwarding said individual frames comprising the SRB2 to an S1-AP and non-access stratum (NAS) acting-entity in the network. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification