Handling User Plane Congestion

Abstract

In accordance with some embodiments, when UPCON congestion is detected, service data flows (SDFs) may be adjusted to account for the problem and to avoid denial of service. In accordance with some embodiments, a priority scheme may be implemented in which certain users or certain types of data are given priority and in some cases maximum bit rates (MBRs) may be imposed for either particular users or certain types of data. Once the congestion alleviates, regular service data flows may be again permitted.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 in response to detection of radio access network user plane congestion, changing a first priority of at least one of a particular user or data type;   using a service data flow quality of service indicator to signal said priority change; and   in response to detection of the termination of said congestion, changing priority back to the first priority.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  including changing a maximum bit rate in response to said congestion. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  including providing a service data flow quality of service based rule for handling congestion. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  including providing said rule as part of PDP context or EPS bearer context. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  including specifying a maximum uncongested and congested bit rate for a service data flow. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  including using an attach procedure to signal said priority change. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  including using dedicated bearer activation to signal the priority change. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  including using dedicated bearer modification to signal the priority change. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  including using user equipment requested packet data network connectivity to signal the priority change. 
     
     
         10 . One or more non-transitory computer readable media storing instructions to implement a sequence comprising:
 signaling radio access network user plane congestion using a service data flow quality of service indicator;   reducing a bit rate in response to said service class indicator; and   applying a service data flow quality of service based rule for handling congestion.   
     
     
         11 . The medium of  claim 10 , said sequence including decreasing a maximum bit rate in response to said congestion. 
     
     
         12 . The medium of  claim 10 , said sequence including providing a service data flow quality of service based rule for handling congestion. 
     
     
         13 . The medium of  claim 12 , said sequence including providing said rule as part of PDP context or EPS bearer context. 
     
     
         14 . The medium of  claim 13 , said sequence including specifying a maximum uncongested and congested bit rate for a service data flow. 
     
     
         15 . The medium of  claim 10 , said sequence including using an attach procedure to signal said priority change. 
     
     
         16 . The medium of  claim 10 , said sequence including using dedicated bearer activation to signal the priority change. 
     
     
         17 . The medium of  claim 10 , said sequence including using dedicated bearer modification to signal the priority change. 
     
     
         18 . The medium of  claim 10 , said sequence including using user equipment requested packet data network connectivity to signal the priority change. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus comprising:
 a processor to receive an indication of user plane congestion and, in response, locate a rule for handling the congestion; and   an interface to transmit an indicator to initiate a bit rate change in response to said congestion.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , said interface to transmit an indicator to change a maximum bit rate in response to said congestion. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , said interface to transmit a service class indicator to initiate a bit rate change. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , said interface to locate a service data flow based rule for handling congestion. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , said interface to use an attach procedure to signal said priority change. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , said interface to use dedicated bearer activation to initiate the change. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , said interface to use dedicated bearer modification. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , said interface to use user equipment requested packet data network connectivity to initiate the change. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 19  including using touch screen display, keyboard, antenna, and an application processor.