EP4238296A1

EP4238296A1 - Methods for coordinating media sessions, related network assistance nodes, related network nodes and related wireless devices

Info

Publication number: EP4238296A1
Application number: EP21786937.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Isberg; Daniel LÖNNBLAD; Svante ALNÅS
Original assignee: Sony Group Corp; Sony Europe BV
Current assignee: Sony Group Corp; Sony Europe BV
Priority date: 2020-10-27
Filing date: 2021-10-05
Publication date: 2023-09-06
Also published as: WO2022089887A1

Abstract

A method is disclosed, performed by a network assistance node, for coordinating a plurality of media sessions between a media device and a plurality of wireless devices comprised in a set of wireless devices. The method comprises receiving control signaling indicative of priority information associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless devices. The method comprises receiving control signaling indicative of a network condition. The method comprises controlling communication of a congestion notification based on the priority information.

Description

METHODS FOR COORDINATING MEDIA SESSIONS, RELATED NETWORK ASSISTANCE NODES, RELATED NETWORK NODES AND RELATED WIRELESS DEVICES

The present disclosure pertains to the field of wireless communications. The present disclosure relates to methods for coordinating a plurality of media sessions between a media device and a plurality of wireless devices from a set of wireless devices, a related network assistance node, a related radio network node, a related wireless device and a related network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN).

BACKGROUND

Network conditions, such a network congestion, can pose challenges during streaming media session(s) from one or more wireless devices, such as media session(s) for gaming, such as media session(s) for professional live media production, such as during broadcasting of live events. A media session may experience varying network conditions, such as network congestion and/or degrading radio link. Typically, network congestion can be managed by Internet Protocol-based traffic by detecting lost packages as a sign of the network congestion. A loss of packages for a media session from one of the wireless devices (such as a camera connected wirelessly to a media device, such a media production center) covering for example the live event is detrimental to the quality of the media session(s), such as to the professional live media production and eventually to the user experience, such as for a viewer of the live media production.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for devices and methods for coordinating a plurality of media sessions between a media device and a plurality of wireless devices from a set of wireless devices, which mitigate, alleviate or address the shortcomings existing and provide an improved quality of live media session(s) during unsatisfactory network conditions (such as when the network is not able to deliver a requested condition (such a requested bandwidth) in a satisfactory manner, such as a network congestion and/or a degrading radio link). Disclosed is a method, performed by a network assistance node, for coordinating a plurality of media sessions between a media device and a plurality of wireless devices from a set of wireless devices. The method comprises receiving control signaling indicative of priority information associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless devices. The method comprises receiving control signaling indicative of a network condition. The method comprises controlling communication of a congestion notification based on the priority information.

Further, a network assistance node is provided, the network assistance node comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and an interface, wherein the network assistance node is configured to perform any of the methods disclosed herein.

It is an advantage of the present disclosure that the network assistance node can control the congestion notification based on priority information of the wireless device(s) in the media session. This allows for a more efficient and targeted use of the congestion notification towards lower prioritized wireless device(s), which may help avoiding an upcoming degraded network condition, by the lower prioritized wireless devices freeing resources for the higher prioritized wireless device(s) to maintain or improve their communication of their respective media session(s). The disclosed network assistance node is capable of supporting the higher prioritized wireless device(s) (such as “live” camera(s)) with improved or sustained network conditions, which may lead to error-free and high-quality media session(s) for the higher prioritized wireless device(s) by preventing an upcoming degraded network condition from occurring.

Disclosed is a method performed in a radio network node. The method comprises transmitting, to a network assistance node, control signaling indicative of a network condition for use in congestion notification based on priority information.

Further, a radio network node is provided, the radio network node comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the radio network node is configured to perform any of the methods disclosed herein.

The disclosed radio network node is advantageously capable of supporting the disclosed network assistance node in supporting prioritized wireless device(s) (such as “live” camera(s)) with improved or sustained network conditions, which may lead to error-free and high-quality media session(s) by preventing an upcoming degraded network condition from occurring. In other words, the higher prioritized device(s) are able to maintain the satisfactory network condition(s) at the cost of the lower prioritized wireless device(s).

A method is disclosed, performed in a wireless device. The method comprises obtaining priority information indicative of a priority order associated with the wireless device. The method comprises receiving, from a network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) a congestion notification based on the priority information.

Further, a wireless device is provided, the wireless device comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the wireless device is configured to perform any of the methods disclosed herein.

The disclosed wireless device is advantageously capable of supporting a control of the network congestion notification by the disclosed network assistance node. The disclose wireless device enables supporting prioritized wireless device(s) with improved or sustained network conditions, which may lead to an error-free and high-quality media session for prioritized wireless device(s) by preventing an upcoming degraded network condition from occurring. For example, the disclosed wireless device when lower prioritized can reduce its transmission rate and thereby provide a more favorable network condition for a higher prioritized wireless device.

Disclosed is a method performed in a network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN). The method comprises receiving control signaling indicative of a network condition for a wireless device selected based on priority information.

Further, a network node capable of managing congestion with ECN is provided, the network node capable of managing congestion with ECN comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and an interface, wherein the network node capable of managing congestion with ECN is configured to perform any of the methods disclosed herein.

The disclosed network node capable of managing congestion with ECN advantageously provides a more efficient and targeted use of the congestion notification towards lower prioritized wireless device(s), which may help avoiding an upcoming degraded network condition, by the lower prioritized wireless devices freeing resources for the higher prioritized wireless device(s) to maintain or improve their communication of their respective media session(s). The disclosed network node capable of managing congestion with ECN advantageously allows the higher prioritized wireless device(s) with improved or sustained network conditions, which may lead to error-free and high-quality media session(s) for the higher prioritized wireless device(s) by preventing an upcoming degraded network condition from occurring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of example embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example media device, and an example communication system according to this disclosure,

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example scenario where coordination of a plurality of media sessions according to this disclosure may be performed,

Fig. 3A-3D are signaling diagrams illustrating example message exchanges according to this disclosure,

Fig. 4 is a flow-chart illustrating an example method, performed in a network assistance node, for coordinating a plurality of media sessions between a media device and a plurality of wireless devices according to this disclosure,

Fig. 5 is a flow-chart illustrating an example method, performed in a radio network node according to this disclosure,

Fig. 6 is a flow-chart illustrating an example method, performed in a wireless device according to this disclosure,

Fig. 7 is a flow-chart illustrating an example method, performed by a network node capable of managing congestion with ECN according to this disclosure, Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example network assistance node according to this disclosure,

Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example radio network node according to this disclosure,

Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless device according to this disclosure, and

Fig. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example network node capable of managing congestion with ECN according to this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various examples and details are described hereinafter, with reference to the figures when relevant. It should be noted that the figures may or may not be drawn to scale and that elements of similar structures or functions are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the examples. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the disclosure or as a limitation on the scope of the disclosure. In addition, an illustrated example needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular example is not necessarily limited to that example and can be practiced in any other examples even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they merely show details which aid understanding the disclosure, while other details have been left out. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example media device 800, and an example communication system 1 comprising an example radio network node 400, an example wireless device 300, an example network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) 500, an example core network node 600 and an example network assistance node 700 according to this disclosure. As discussed in detail herein, the present disclosure relates to a communication system 1 , such as wireless communication system comprising a cellular system, for example, a 3GPP wireless communication system. The communication system 1 comprises a radio access network comprising a wireless device 300 and/or a radio network node 400. The wireless communication system 1 comprises a core network 6 comprising one or more of: an example network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) 500, an example core network node 600 and an example network assistance node 700 according to this disclosure.

A media device disclosed herein may be seen as a device configured to control, and carry out a media session with a wireless device. The media device may be seen as production media device in some examples. The media device may be seen as a media sink of media produced by a media source, such as a wireless device in some examples. In one or more examples, the media device is a functional entity which may be distributed in several physical entities, such as in a distributed network, such as a cloud network. The media device may be seen as a device (such as a server, such as a media server) configured to receive media data from a wireless device and optionally to produce media content. The media device may comprise one or more of: a media server, an application server, a production server, a media production unit, a media sink point, a content distributing device, and a media sink device. In some examples, the media device may be seen as a remote production device, or be part of a remote production workflow as used in a professional broadcast environment.

A media session disclosed herein may be seen a session for communicating media data between a wireless device and a media device. For example, a media session may be seen as a media flow. For example, during a recording of a live media event, the media event may be communicated via one or more media sessions between corresponding one or more wireless devices and a media device.

A radio network node disclosed herein refers to a radio access network, RAN, node operating in the radio access network, such as a base station, an evolved Node B, eNB, gNB in NR. In one or more examples, the radio network node is a functional unit which may be distributed in several physical units. The term radio network node 400 may be used interchangeably with the term RAN node 400. A core network node disclosed herein refers to a network node operating in the core network, such as operating in a control plane and/or in a user plane. For example, core network node 600 is configured to operate in a user plane for communicating media data to the media device 800 and to operate in a control plane for control signaling.

The wireless communication system 1 described herein may comprise one or more wireless devices 300, 300A, and/or one or more radio network nodes 400, such as one or more of: a base station, an eNB, a gNB and/or an access point.

A wireless device may refer to a mobile device and/or a user equipment, UE.

The wireless device 300, 300A may be configured to communicate with the network node 400 via a wireless link (or radio access link) 10, 10A.

The wireless device 300, 300A may be configured to communicate with the media device 800, via radio network node 400, and via wireless and/or wired links 12, 14 between the media device 800 and the radio network node 400.

A network assistance node (such as a network assistance server, for example a network assistance function) is configured to perform network assistance services to a media session. The network assistance services for example comprise one or more of: priority information, such as wireless device priority information, for example being indicative of which camera(s) is or are the live camera(s), rate control information, rate adaptation information, buffer-related information. The network assistance node may be seen as a network node operating in the core network, such as operating in a control plane and/or in a user plane. The network assistance node 700 is configured to control a network assistance to the media session between the one or more wireless devices 300 and the media device 800. The network assistance node 700 is part of a control plane.

The network assistance node 700 is configured to receive control signaling indicative of priority information associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless devices, to receive control signaling indicative of a network condition, and to control communication of a congestion notification based on the priority information.

A network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) (such as node 500 of Fig. 1) may be seen as a network node of the core network operating in the core network, such as operating in a control plane and/or in a user plane. In some example, a radio network node, such as RAN node 400, may include the functionality of network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification. A network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) may be seen as a network node configured to control the ECN, such as controlling ECN bits, such as setting ECN bits. The network node 500 may be configured to send early signaling, for example via a receiver that may transmit an echo according to ECN , to data senders to reduce the traffic (bitrate), via the use of the ECN. This may enable proactive action and may prevent congestion before it occurs. For example, ECN allows implementing dedicated bits in the IP header for explicit congestion notification. ECN bits can be used to signal that the ECN is supported by endpoints, and for a network node 500 to signal (upcoming) congestion events.

A network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) is configured to send a congestion notification to one or more devices, such as one or more wireless devices, such as a node in the uplink transmission path, such as the media device disclosed herein when deemed necessary. For example, the media device may transmit an echo according to ECN to the wireless devices without the ECN nodes involvement.

The congestion notification may for example be carried by an ECN bit, where the ECN bit being set to TRUE may indicate congestion and the ECN bit being set to FALSE may indicate no congestion. Upon the congestion notification reaching the media device 800, the ECN bit=TRUE may indicate that at least one network element along the way, such as along the transmission path from the wireless device to the media device, is experiencing unsatisfactory network conditions, such as congestion, and has set the bit to TRUE.

The network node 500 capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification may be capable of Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable Throughput, L4S. The disclosed network node 500 may be seen as adapting ECN and L4S to the use case of uplink media network assistance. The network node 500 may be a node capable of sending a congestion notification in other layers, e.g. upper layers of the communication protocol stack, for example, above the network layer (such as IP layer), for example above the transport layer (such as Transport Control protocol, TCP layer), in one or more examples. The radio network node may be capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification in some examples.

The network assistance node may be capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification in some examples. The network assistance node 700 may be capable of sending a congestion notification in upper layers, for example of the communication protocol stack, for example, above the network layer (such as IP layer), for example above the transport layer (such as Transport Control protocol, TCP layer).

The media device may be capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification in some examples.

The present disclosure provides that when a network approaches congestion, the disclosed technique allows to use congestion notification to indicate a “slow down” signal to wireless device(s) with a lower priority order. The disclosed network assistance node coordinates with the media device and is aware of which wireless devices belong to the ongoing media sessions and their changing priority order or priority levels (for example as a program is composed live by the producer). The network assistance node communicates with relevant network node(s) that can send congestion notification to targeted wireless device(s) with lower priority order. In some examples, the network assistance node communicates with relevant network node(s) that can send congestion notification to wireless device(s) belonging to a same media event in order to favor the wireless device having a currently “live” camera. In some examples, the network assistance node communicates with relevant network node(s) that can send congestion notification to wireless device(s) which are not part of the media event.

When an upcoming network congestion is detected, a congestion notification is sent to for example all wireless devices in the set 30 except to the most prioritized ones, such as wireless device 300A. For example, the wireless device to be prioritized at a certain moment is based on communication with a media device, such as a media production center.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example scenario where coordination of a plurality of media sessions between a media device 800 and a plurality of wireless devices 300, 300A from a set 30 of wireless devices, WDs may be performed. In the example scenario shown in Fig. 2, a media event, such as a media production event, such as a live event, may be streamed, such as broadcasted, via television. The media production event may for example be a sporting event, such as a soccer game, or a cultural event, such as a concert. The media event may include interactive gaming. The media session may be associated with a media production event.

It may be appreciated that a set 30 of wireless devices 300 may be associated with a cell controlled by a radio network node. For example, the set 30 of wireless devices may be located in a vicinity of the live event. For example, the set 30 of wireless devices may include one or more wireless devices associated with a certain cell, such as connected to a radio network node 400 associated with a cell, such as a cell covering the location of the media production event. The radio network node 400 may be a radio network node serving an area where the wireless devices communicating media data related to the live event are located. The set 30 of wireless devices 300 may comprise a plurality of wireless devices 300, 300A in respective media sessions, for example associated with the media production event. The plurality of wireless devices 300, 300A may herein be seen as wireless devices 300, 300A being configured to cover the live event and to transmit a respective media session, such as a media flow, to the media device 800.

The plurality of wireless devices 300, 300A may be part of a media session subset of the set 30 of wireless devices. The media session subset may herein be seen as a subset of wireless devices providing media sessions to a media device 800.

A wireless device 300, 300A from the plurality of wireless devices may comprise a camera configured to capture media data. The plurality of wireless devices may comprise a plurality of cameras, wherein each camera is configured to provide footage of the media production event to the media device in a respective media session. Each of the plurality of wireless devices 300, 300A may be configured to cover a different aspect of the live event, such as a different angle of the live event. For example, when the live event is a soccer game, a first wireless device 300A of the plurality of wireless devices may be configured to provide footage of a first goal on the soccer field while a second wireless device 300 of the plurality of wireless devices may be configured to provide footage of a corner on the soccer field. The set 30 of wireless devices may further comprise one or more wireless devices not associated with the media session, such as not related to the stream of the media production event, illustrated by wireless device 300C. The wireless device(s) 300C not associated with the media production event may for example be wireless device(s), such as User Equipment (UEs) of one or more spectators of the media production event.

For example, the one or more media sessions may be one or more media streams (such as video streams) captured by a respective wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices 300, 300A. The media sessions from the plurality of wireless devices may be transmitted to the media device 800 via the radio network node 400 and the core network node 600. The one or more media sessions may be transmitted using a user plane (UP) involving the core network node 600, such as using a session layer protocol. The one or more media sessions may be controlled and setup using a control plane (CP), for example involving the core network controlling the UP.

In one or more example embodiments, the plurality of media sessions may be streamed by the media device 800, such as in a TV production feed, according to a predetermined sequence. The media device 800 may be configured to stream at least one of the plurality of media sessions based on the predetermined sequence. In one or more example methods, the media device 800 may be a device controlled by a producer of the media stream. It may be appreciated that the producer may determine the predetermined sequence of media sessions to be streamed, for example based on which aspect of the media production event that is to be currently streamed.

The media device 800 may be configured to receive media data over the media sessions from the plurality of wireless devices 300, 300A and to stream the media sessions according to the predetermined sequence. In the example scenario shown in Fig. 2, the wireless device 300A is the wireless device providing the media session currently being streamed (as indicated by the solid arrow from the wireless device 300A to the radio network node 400, and solid arrows from the radio network node 400 to the core network node 600, and finally to the media device 800). The other wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices, such as wireless device 300 may be transmitting respective media sessions to the media center 800 via the core network node 600, however these media session may however not be currently streamed by the media device 800, and these other wireless devices may have a lower priority order.

In one or more example embodiments, the network assistance node 700 may receive control signaling 20 indicative of priority information associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless devices 300, 300A. The priority information may be indicative of a priority order associated with at least one wireless device 300A from the plurality of wireless devices 300, 300A. The priority information may be associated with an identifier of the at least one 300A of the plurality of wireless devices. The priority information may for example be based on the predetermined sequence. The priority information may for example comprise information relating to a wireless device 300A of the plurality of wireless devices, where the wireless device 300A is associated with a media session that is currently being streamed, and/or information relating to a wireless device 300A of the plurality of wireless devices associated with a media session that is scheduled to be streamed, such as being soon to be streamed. For example, the wireless device 300A transmitting the media session currently being streamed may have a higher priority than the other wireless devices 300 of the plurality of wireless devices. The priority information may change over time as the media stream, such as the live stream, is composed live by the producer of the media production event.

In one or more example embodiments, the network assistance node 700 may, based on the priority information, determine a first subset of the set of wireless devices. The first subset may comprise one or more wireless devices having a first priority order. The first priority order may for example be a priority level, such as a minimum priority level or for example, a maximum priority order. For example, it may be envisaged to devise a first priority order or a first priority level which may be for active wireless devices, such as live wireless devices, a second priority order or a second priority level which may be about to be active, such as about to go live, a third priority order or a third priority level which may be for wireless devices sending feeds at a lower quality.

The first subset may comprise one or more wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices transmitting a media session currently being streamed by the media device 800. For example, in Fig. 2, the first subset includes wireless device 300A. In one or more example embodiments, the network assistance node 700 may, based on the priority information, determine a second subset of the set of wireless devices. The second subset may comprise one or more wireless devices having a second priority order different than the first priority order. The second priority order may be lower than the first priority order. In some embodiments, the wireless devices with the lower priority order, such as with the second priority order may be identified firstly, then the wireless devices with the first priority order, such as a higher priority order can be identified secondly. The second subset illustrated in Fig. 2 includes at least wireless device 300 and wireless device 300C in some examples. In one or more example, the second subset may include all wireless devices of the set 30 other than wireless device 300A.

It may be appreciated that a network node, such as a radio network node, such as the radio network node 400 or a RAN scheduler, or a network switch, may detect a network condition. The network condition may be a network condition affecting (for example negatively affecting) a transmission of the plurality of media sessions between the media device and the plurality of wireless devices. In one or more example embodiments, the network condition may comprise a congestion, such as a current and/or an upcoming congestion in the network.

In one or more embodiments, the network condition may comprise an improved network conditions, such as a network condition affecting positively the communication, such as an decongestion in the network, for example after a congestion has occurred, and/or such as an enhanced radio link. A decongestion may herein be seen as the congestion being reduced in the network. The network node detecting an improved network condition may transmit control signaling indicative of the network condition to the network assistance node 700, which may lead an update of the congestion notification to for example fewer wireless devices.

Based on the priority information and/or the control signaling indicative of the network condition, the network assistance node 700 controls communication of a congestion notification, such as an ECN bit. In one or more example embodiments, the congestion notification 21 may be communicated from the network assistance node 700 to one or more wireless devices 300 of the set 30 of wireless devices, such as to one or more wireless devices 300 of the second subset of wireless devices. In one or more example embodiments, the congestion notification 22 may be communicated from the network assistance node 700 to one or more wireless devices 300 of the set 30 of wireless devices, such as to one or more wireless devices 300 of the second subset of wireless devices, via the network node 600 that is capable of managing congestion with ECN, and possibly via the media device 800 to the wireless device. The congestion notification 21 may comprise an indication to adjust an ongoing media session at the one or more wireless devices of the second subset. It may be appreciated that the control signaling indicative of the network condition comprises an indication of a congestion, such as a current or an upcoming congestion, in the network. It may further be appreciated, that the congestion may negatively affect the stream of the one or more media sessions. The congestion notification may in one or more example embodiments indicate to the one or more wireless devices 300, 300C of the second subset to adjust a communication parameter to improve the network condition, such as to reduce the congestion. Thereby, network conditions may be improved for the first subset of wireless devices 300A.

Thereby, the respective media sessions transmitted from the one or more wireless devices 300A comprised in the first subset may be received by the media device 800 with a reduced or minimized interruption and/or degradation of quality, such as error-free and with high-quality, regardless of the network condition. In other words, the wireless device 300A of the first subset may continue transmitting media data in its media session with a sustained or improved network condition (because an upcoming degraded network condition is avoided), since wireless device 300, 300C in the second subset may adjust their communication parameters based on the congestion notification to reduce the congestion. The wireless devices 300, 300C of the second subset may for example reduce their transmission rate, such as slow down their feeds, for example by lowering their bit rate, or by reducing the quality for upcoming transmissions, so that the wireless device 300A of the first subset, such as cameras having a media session being currently streamed, can continue the stream of their footage uninterrupted regardless of changing network conditions.

Fig. 3A is a signaling diagram 1000A illustrating an example message exchange between an example wireless device 300, an example radio network node 400, an example network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) 500, an example network assistance node 700 and an example media device 800, for coordinating a plurality of media sessions between a media device and a plurality of wireless devices from a set of wireless devices.

The network node 500 being capable of managing congestion with ECN may be a core network node having access to one or more IP headers of the media session(s) transmitted from the plurality of wireless devices and/or a RAN node having access to one or more IP headers of the media session(s) transmitted from the plurality of wireless devices. The network node 500 being capable of managing congestion with ECN may be a media device having access to one or more IP headers of the media session(s) transmitted from the plurality of wireless devices

The media device 800 may transmit to the network assistance node 700 control signaling 1002 indicative of priority information associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless devices. The priority information may be indicative of a priority order associated with at least one wireless device from the plurality of wireless devices. The priority information may be associated with an identifier of the at least one of the plurality of wireless devices.

The network assistance node 700 may receive from the radio network node 400 control signaling 1004 indicative of a network condition.

The network assistance node 700 transmits a congestion indication 1006 to the network node 500 capable of managing congestion with ECN, such as a core network node, such as the core network node 600 shown in Fig. 1 and 2. The congestion indication 1006 may be transmitted based on the priority information 1002 and the control signaling 1004 and may be indicative of the wireless device(s) 300 of the second subset disclosed herein or one or more wireless devices of the first subset which are exempted from receiving a congestion notification from the relevant node. The indication 1006 may trigger a transmission of a congestion notification by the network node 500.

The network node 500 capable of managing congestion with ECN transmits a congestion notification 1010 to one or more wireless device 300 comprised in the second subset of the set of wireless devices. The congestion notification (for example activating the ECN bits or sending the ECN information by other means, such as in other ways in the protocol stack) may indicate to one or more wireless devices 300 comprised in the second subset of the set of wireless devices to adjust a communication parameter of an ongoing media session in order to improve the network condition.

Fig. 3B is a signaling diagram 1000B illustrating an example message exchange between an example wireless device 300, an example radio network node 400, an example network assistance node 700 and an example media device 800, for coordinating a plurality of media sessions between a media device and a plurality of wireless devices from a set of wireless devices.

The network assistance node 700 capable of managing congestion with ECN transmits the congestion notification 1010 to one or more wireless device 300 comprised in the second subset of the set of wireless devices. The congestion notification may be transmitted based on the priority information 1002 and the control signaling 1004. The congestion notification may indicate to one or more wireless devices 300 comprised in the second subset of the set of wireless devices to adjust a communication parameter of an ongoing media session in order to improve the network condition. In the example message exchange shown in in signaling diagram 1000B, the network assistance node is capable of managing congestion with ECN.

Fig. 3C is a signaling diagram 1000C illustrating an example message exchange between an example wireless device 300, an example radio network node 400, an example network node capable of managing congestion with ECN 500, an example network assistance node 700 and an example media device 800, for coordinating a plurality of media sessions between a media device and a plurality of wireless devices comprised in a set of wireless devices. The media device 800 may transmit to the network assistance node 700 control signaling 1002 indicative of priority information associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless devices. The priority information may be indicative of a priority order associated with at least one wireless device from the plurality of wireless devices. The priority information may be associated with an identifier of the at least one of the plurality of wireless devices.

The network assistance node 700 transmits a congestion indication 1006 to the network node 500 capable of managing congestion with ECN, such as a core network node, such as the core network node 600 shown in Fig. 1 and 2 or a RAN node, such as the RAN node 400 shown in Fig. 1 and 2. The congestion indication 1006 may be transmitted based on the priority information 1002 and the control signaling 1004. The congestion indication 1006 may comprise one or more identifiers, identifying one or more wireless devices being comprised in the second subset of wireless devices or one or more wireless devices of the first subset which are exempted from receiving a congestion notification from the relevant node. The indication 1006 may trigger a transmission of a congestion notification by the network node 500.

The network node 500 capable of managing congestion with ECN may transmit a congestion notification 1008 indicative of the second subset to the media device 800. The congestion notification 1008 may be carried in one or more media sessions associated with the one or more identifiers derived based on the congestion indication 1006. The congestion notification 1008 may be indicated by ECN bits of an IP-header of media data of the one or more media sessions associated with the one or more wireless devices of the second subset.

The media device 800 transmits the congestion notification 101 Oto one or more wireless device 300 comprised in the second subset of the set of wireless devices. For example, the congestion notification 1010 may comprise an Echo, such as an echo of an IP packet, such an Echo according to ECN. The congestion notification 1010 may comprise an indication that congestion has been signaled from a network node in the transmission path of the media session from the one or more of the plurality of wireless devices to the media device 800. The congestion notification 1010 may indicate to one or more wireless devices 300 comprised in the second subset of the set of wireless devices to adjust a communication parameter of an ongoing media session in order to improve the network condition or to prevent loss of data (e.g. in the case of reduced throughput on a wireless connection). The media device 800 may transmit the congestion notification 1010 to one or more wireless devices 300 in the media sessions in which the congestion notification 1008 was conveyed. It may be appreciated that a detrimental network condition may include network congestion and/or a deterioration of a wireless link. For example, a deterioration of a wireless link may for example result in a radio modulation scheme that has lower throughput or perhaps retransmission which cost in capacity. For example, to address network congestion, ECN supports in reducing the network congestion as such. For example, to address a deterioration of a wireless link, ECN can help reducing the probability of dropped packets by informing the media device to reduce its bit rate, so the bit rate fits into the low-throughput channel.

Fig. 3D is a signaling diagram 1000D illustrating an example message exchange between an example wireless device 300, an example radio network node 400 an example network assistance node 700 and an example media device 800, for coordinating a plurality of media sessions between a media device and a plurality of wireless devices comprised in a set of wireless devices.

The radio network node 400 may transmit to the network assistance node 700 control signaling 1004 indicative of a network condition, such as indicative of congestion. The network assistance node 700 may transmit to the media device 800 control signaling 1005 indicative of the network condition, such as indicative of congestion, for example in data streams coming from a lower-prioritized wireless device (such as a wireless device(s) of the second subset).

The media device 800 may receive from the network assistance node 700 control signaling 1005 indicative of a network condition, such as indicative of congestion.

The media device 800 transmits the congestion notification 1010 to one or more wireless devices 300 comprised in the second subset of the set of wireless devices, such as to one or more of the plurality of wireless devices comprised in the second subset. The congestion notification 1010 may comprise an indication that congestion has been signaled from a network node in the transmission path of the media session from the one or more of the plurality of wireless devices to the media device 800. The congestion notification 1010 may comprise an indication to one or more wireless devices 300 comprised in the second subset of the set of wireless devices to adjust a communication parameter of an ongoing media session in order to improve the network condition.

Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of an example method 100, performed by a network assistance node according to the disclosure, such as network assistance node 700 of Figs. 1 , 2, 3A- D, and 8. The method 100 may be performed for coordinating a plurality of media sessions, such as media flows, between a media device (such as the media device 800 disclosed herein in Figs. 1 , 2, 3A-D, and 8), and a plurality of wireless devices from a set of wireless devices, such as a plurality of media wireless devices from the set of wireless devices.

A media wireless device may herein be seen as a wireless device providing a media session to the media device. The plurality of media sessions may be transmitted using a media session protocol. The plurality of media sessions may be associated with a media event.

The method 100 comprises receiving S102, control signaling indicative of priority information associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless devices. The priority information may be indicative of a priority order associated with at least one wireless device from the plurality of wireless devices. For example, the priority order comprises one or more priority orders, including a first priority order and/or a second priority order. The priority information may, in one or more example methods, comprise a priority order associated with wireless device identifier, such as an identifier (ID) of the at least one wireless device from the plurality of wireless devices. The control signaling may comprise one or more control messages.

The method 100 comprises receiving S104 control signaling indicative of a network condition, such as a network switch condition, a buffer condition, and/or a virtual buffer condition. In one or more example methods, the network condition comprises a network congestion. The network congestion may comprise an upcoming network congestion and/or a current network congestion. A congestion may for example be detected when a RAN-node buffer or a buffer starts to get filled in a node in a user plane. For example, a RAN-scheduler may determine based on the buffer getting filled that a congestion may occur.

In one or more example methods, the network condition may comprise an unsatisfactory network condition, such as a degrading network condition for example in view of required needs, such as a reduced radio link quality. An unsatisfactory network condition may be seen as a degrading network condition in view of the required needs, such as below a threshold indicative of a required network need, such as required bandwidth. For example, when the network constantly increases its performance with 1% per hour but the network load increases with 10% per hour. The network conditions may be unsatisfactory in view of the new load because the network conditions may still not be sufficient for the new load to be supported in a satisfactory manner.

The control signaling indicative of the network condition may be received from a network element experiencing the network condition, such as the unsatisfactory network condition, such as from a network element in a transmission path used for one or more of the plurality of media sessions between the media device and the media device. The network element in the transmission path of the media session may in one or more example methods be a RAN node, such as a RAN scheduler, and/or a network switch. A unsatisfactory network condition may comprise a reduced radio link quality between a wireless device and the radio network node, such a lower signal-to-noise ratio, such as a higher bit error rate, such as higher frame error rate. In one or more example methods, the receiving S104 comprises receiving S104A from the RAN node, control signaling indicative of the network condition. In one or more example methods, the receiving S104 comprises receiving S104B from the network switch, control signaling indicative of the network condition.

In one or more example methods, the network condition may comprise an improving network condition, such as an increased radio link quality or a reduced congestion (such as a decongestion).

The method 100 comprises controlling S106 communication of a congestion notification based on the priority information. In one or more example methods, the controlling S106 comprises determining S106A, based on the priority information, a first subset of the plurality of wireless devices, such as a first subset of the plurality of media wireless devices. The first subset comprises one or more wireless devices having a first priority order.

In one or more example methods, controlling S106 communication of the congestion notification based on the priority information comprises transmitting a congestion notification in upper layers, for example in the communication protocol stack, for example, above the network layer (such as IP layer), for example above the transport layer (such as Transport Control protocol, TCP layer).

In one or more example methods, the controlling S106 comprises determining S106B, based on the priority information, a second subset of the set of wireless devices. The second subset comprises one or more wireless devices having a second priority order different than the first priority order. In one or more example methods, the second priority order is lower than the first priority order. In other example methods, the second priority order is higher than the first priority order.

In one or more example methods, the second subset of the set of wireless devices may include one or more wireless devices of the set of wireless devices that are not associated with the media session. The one or more wireless devices of the set of wireless devices not associated with the media session may for example be wireless devices 300 that are served by a same radio network node as the plurality of wireless devices, but not providing media sessions to the media device 800.

In one or more example methods, the controlling S106 comprises triggering S106C a transmission, to at least one wireless device of the second subset, of the congestion notification. This is for example illustrated in Fig. 3C, where the network assistance node sends a congestion indication 1006 to the network node capable of managing congestion with ECN so that the network node capable of managing congestion with ECN triggers a transmission, by the media device 800, to at least one wireless device of the second subset, of the congestion notification 1010.

In one or more example methods, the controlling S106 comprises transmitting S106E the congestion notification to at least one wireless device of the second subset. The congestion notification may, in one or more example methods, be transmitted directly to the at least one wireless device of the second subset by the network assistance node, such as shown in the signaling diagram 1000B in Fig. 3B. In one or more example methods, the network assistance node may be capable of managing congestion with ECN and may transmit directly the congestion notification to the at least one wireless device of the second subset. For example, the congestion notification may be indicated directly, such as by the radio network node, in a data stream towards the at least one wireless device.

In one or more example methods, the triggering S106C comprises triggering S106CA a transmission of the congestion notification via a network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification, ECN, such as a network node with access to ECN bits in an IP header. This may correspond to the signaling diagram 1000A in Fig. 3A and 1000C of Fig. 3C.

In one or more example methods, the network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification, ECN is the media device. In one or more example methods, the triggering S106C comprises triggering a transmission of the congestion notification via the media device. This is illustrated in Fig. 3C for example.

In one or more example methods, the congestion notification comprises an explicit congestion notification. The explicit congestion notification may be an ECN bit in the IP- header. Upon the network condition indicating an unsatisfactory network condition, such as a congestion or a reduced radio link quality, the ECN bit may be activated for the targeted wireless device(s) (such as of the second subset). For example, upon the network condition indicating an improving network condition, an increased radio link quality or a reduced or no congestion, the ECN bit may be changed to deactivated for one or more of the targeted wireless device, for example which were previously notified using ECN.

In one or more example methods, the congestion notification comprises an indication to adjust an ongoing media session at the one or more wireless devices of the second subset. The indication to adjust may for example comprise an indication to adjust a communication parameter of the ongoing media session. The communication parameter may for example be a QoS (Quality of Service) parameter. For example, the communication parameter may include one or more of: a bit rate, one or more bearer properties (e.g. QoS class, for example based on a request for modifying bearer properties) in terms of throughput, latency, and/or a reliability of the transmission, such as of the transmission of the ongoing media session.

In one or more example methods, the indication to adjust comprises a flag indicating to adjust the ongoing media session. For example, the flag may be seen as an implicit signaling of the congestion notification. For example, the flag may indicate that an upcoming network condition is detrimental to the one or more wireless devices of the first subset.

In one or more example methods, such as upon the network condition indicating an improving network condition (for example after network congestion has occurred), the indication to adjust the ongoing media session may indicate to one or more of the wireless devices in the second set that the one or more wireless device may increase the bit rate and benefit from an improved quality of transmission.

In one or more example methods, the controlling S106 comprises refraining S106D from triggering a transmission of the congestion notification to any of the wireless devices of the first subset. The congestion notification may thus be sent to all wireless devices except the wireless devices of the first subset, such as the wireless devices being the most prioritized, such as having the highest priority. The one or more wireless devices of the first subset may thus not be aware of the network condition (e.g. the upcoming network congestion which is going to be avoided by the disclosed technique) and may continue to transmit their corresponding media sessions without adjusting their transmission parameters for the media sessions. In one or more example methods, the receiving S102 comprises receiving S102A, from the media device, the control signaling indicative of priority information associated with at least one of the one or more wireless devices.

In one or more example methods, the receiving S102 comprises receiving S102B, from at least one wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices, a control signaling indicative of priority information associated with the wireless device.

Fig. 5 is a flow diagram of an example method 200, performed in a radio network node according to the disclosure, such the radio network node 400 shown in Figs. 1 , 2, 3A-3D, and 9.

The method 200 comprises transmitting S202, to a network assistance node or to a media device, control signaling indicative of a network condition for use in congestion notification based on priority information. The control signaling may be used by the network assistance node to control the communication of the congestion notification. Transmitting S202 corresponds to S104 of Fig. 4. For example, transmitting S202 the control signaling indicative of the network condition may be to a network assistance node as illustrated in Figs. 3A-C. For example, transmitting S202 the control signaling indicative of the network condition may be to a media device as illustrated in Fig. 3D.

Fig. 6 is a flow diagram of an example method 3000, performed in a wireless device according to the disclosure, such as wireless device 300 of Figs. 1 , 2, 3A-3D, and 10. The example method 3000 may be performed for supporting a media session part of a plurality of media sessions, such as for receiving network assistance of a media session.

The method 3000 comprises obtaining S302 priority information indicative of a priority order associated with the wireless device. For example, the wireless device can derive from the priority information from parameters, such as bit rate of the uplink transmissions, such as camera metadata, such as a live indicator received from the network assistance node. For example, a camera operator is told via audio from the production room that a specific media session has a high priority and a priority button could be clicked on the camera, or some signaling from the media device could change the camera settings to include the priority information as camera metadata. For example, the camera can receive tally indication, which can be used for switching on a visual "live" indicator (e.g. lamp) on the camera, can notify the camera man and can send to a network assistance node, control signaling indicative of the priority information.

In one or more example methods, the method comprises sending S303, to a network assistance node, control signaling indicative of the priority information. The wireless device may be aware of its priority status. It may be appreciated that the wireless device may be a camera and that the camera may have received an indication that its media session is currently being streamed, such as the media session of the camera being live. Based on this indication, the wireless device may determine its priority status, such as the wireless device being comprised in the first subset of wireless devices. The wireless device may signal the priority information with the media session or separate to the media session. In one or more example methods, the wireless device may send the priority information to the media device. In one or more example methods the network node may send the priority information to the network assistance node.

The method 3000 comprises receiving S304, from a network node capable of managing congestion with ECN, a congestion notification based on the priority information. Based on the congestion notification, the wireless device may adjust a communication parameter of the media session to improve a network condition, such as reduce congestion in the network. For example, the network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification, ECN may be the media device as illustrated in Figs. 3C and 3D.

Fig. 7 is a flow diagram of an example method 4000, performed in a network node capable of managing congestion with ECN according to the disclosure. The example method 4000 may be for managing network condition, such as network congestion. The network node capable of managing congestion with ECN may be a network element having access to ECN bits in an IP header, such as the radio network node 400 and/or the core network node 600 and/or a network switch and/or the media device 800.

The method 4000 comprises receiving S402 control signaling indicative of a network condition for a wireless device selected based on priority information. In one or more example methods, the control signaling may be received from the media device. In one or more example methods, the control signaling may be received from the network assistance node (as illustrated in S106CA of Fig. 4) In one or more example methods, the method 4000 comprises determining S404, based on the network condition indicated in S402, a data stream for which a congestion notification is to be activated. In one or more example methods, the method 400 comprises receiving a congestion indication (such as indication 1006 of Fig. 3A and 3C) from the network assistance node.

In one or more example methods, the method 4000 may comprise activating S406, in the determined S404 data streams, the congestion notification. Activating the congestion notification may for example comprise setting an ECN bit in the IP header to TRUE.

Fig. 8 shows a block diagram of an example network assistance node 700 according to the disclosure. The network assistance node 700 comprises memory circuitry 701 , processor circuitry 702, and an interface 703. The network assistance node 700 may be configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in Fig. 4. In other words, the network assistance node 700 may be configured for coordinating a plurality of media sessions between a media device and a plurality of wireless devices comprised in a set of wireless devices.

The network assistance node 700 is configured to communicate with a wireless device, such as the wireless device 300 disclosed herein, using a wireless communication system, such as via a radio access network, such as via a network node.

The interface 703 is configured for wired communications and/or wireless communications via a wireless communication system, such as a 3GPP system, such as a 3GPP system supporting one or more of: New Radio, NR, Narrow-band loT, NB-loT, and Long Term Evolution - enhanced Machine Type Communication, LTE-M.

The network assistance node 700 is configured to receive, for example, via the interface 703, control signaling indicative of priority information associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless devices.

The network assistance node 700 is configured to receive, for example, via the interface 703, control signaling indicative of a network condition. The network assistance node 700 is configured to control, for example via the processor circuitry 702 and/or the interface 703, communication of a congestion notification based on the priority information

Processor circuitry 702 is optionally configured to perform any of the operations disclosed in Fig. 4 (such as any one or more of S102A, S102B, S106A, S106B, S106C, S106CA). The operations of the network assistance node 700 may be embodied in the form of executable logic routines (for example, lines of code, software programs, etc.) that are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (for example, memory circuitry 701 ) and are executed by processor circuitry 702).

Furthermore, the operations of the network assistance node 700 may be considered a method that the network assistance node 700 is configured to carry out. Also, while the described functions and operations may be implemented in software, such functionality may as well be carried out via dedicated hardware or firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware and/or software.

Memory circuitry 701 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other suitable device. In a typical arrangement, memory circuitry 701 may include a non-volatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for processor circuitry 702. Memory circuitry 701 may exchange data with processor circuitry 702 over a data bus. Control lines and an address bus between memory circuitry 701 and processor circuitry 702 also may be present (not shown in Fig. 8). Memory circuitry 701 is considered a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Memory circuitry 701 may be configured to store information such as wireless device status, information indicative of network conditions, priority information, congestion notifications, communication parameters in a part of the memory.

Fig. 9 shows a block diagram of an example radio network node 400 according to the disclosure. The radio network node 400 comprises memory circuitry 401 , processor circuitry 402, and a wireless interface 403. The radio network node 400 may be configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in Fig. 5. In other words, the radio network node 400 may be configured to transmit to a network assistance node, control signaling indicative of a network condition for use in congestion notification based on priority information.

The radio network node 400 is configured to communicate with a wireless device, such as the wireless device 300 disclosed herein, using a wireless communication system.

The wireless interface 403 is configured for wireless communications via a wireless communication system, such as a 3GPP system, such as a 3GPP system supporting one or more of: New Radio, NR, Narrow-band loT, NB-loT, and Long Term Evolution - enhanced Machine Type Communication, LTE-M.

Processor circuitry 402 is optionally configured to perform any of the operations disclosed in Fig. 5. The operations of the radio network node 400 may be embodied in the form of executable logic routines (for example, lines of code, software programs, etc.) that are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (for example, memory circuitry 401) and are executed by processor circuitry 402).

Furthermore, the operations of the radio network node 400 may be considered a method that the radio network node 400 is configured to carry out. Also, while the described functions and operations may be implemented in software, such functionality may as well be carried out via dedicated hardware or firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware and/or software.

Memory circuitry 401 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other suitable device. In a typical arrangement, memory circuitry x01 may include a non-volatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for processor circuitry 402. Memory circuitry 401 may exchange data with processor circuitry 402 over a data bus. Control lines and an address bus between memory circuitry 401 and processor circuitry 402 also may be present (not shown in Fig. 9). Memory circuitry 401 is considered a non-transitory computer readable medium. Memory circuitry 401 may be configured to store information such as network conditions, priority information, congestion notifications in a part of the memory.

Fig. 10 shows a block diagram of an example wireless device 300 according to the disclosure. The wireless device 300 comprises memory circuitry 301 , processor circuitry 302, and a wireless interface 303. The wireless device 300 may be configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in Fig. 6. In other words, the wireless device 300 may be configured to obtain, such as from memory circuity 301 and/or processor circuitry 302, priority information indicative of a priority order associated with the wireless device.

The wireless device 300 may be configured to receive, such as via wireless interface 303, from a network node capable of managing congestion with ECN, a congestion notification based on the priority information.

The wireless device 300 is configured to communicate with a network node, such as the network node 400 disclosed herein, using a wireless communication system.

The wireless device 300 is optionally configured to send (such as via the wireless interface 303), to a network assistance node, control signaling indicative of the priority information.

The wireless interface 303 is configured for wireless communications via a wireless communication system, such as a 3GPP system, such as a 3GPP system supporting one or more of: New Radio, NR, Narrow-band loT, NB-loT, and Long Term Evolution - enhanced Machine Type Communication, LTE-M.

The wireless device 300 is optionally configured to perform any of the operations disclosed in Fig. 6 (such as S303). The operations of the wireless device 300 may be embodied in the form of executable logic routines (for example, lines of code, software programs, etc.) that are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (for example, on the memory circuitry 301) and are executed by processor circuitry 302.

Furthermore, the operations of the wireless device 300 may be considered a method that the wireless device 300 is configured to carry out. Also, while the described functions and operations may be implemented in software, such functionality may as well be carried out via dedicated hardware or firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware and/or software.

Memory circuitry 301 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other suitable device. In a typical arrangement, memory circuitry 301 may include a non-volatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for processor circuitry 302. Memory circuitry 301 may exchange data with processor circuitry 302 over a data bus. Control lines and an address bus between memory circuitry 301 and processor circuitry 302 also may be present (not shown in Fig. 10). Memory circuitry 301 is considered a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Memory circuitry 301 may be configured to store information such as priority information, and/or congestion notification in a part of the memory.

Fig. 11 shows a block diagram of an example network node 500 capable of managing congestion with ECN according to the disclosure. The network node 500 comprises memory circuitry 501 , processor circuitry 502, and an interface 503. The network node 500 may be configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in Fig. 7. In other words, the network node 500 may be configured to receive control signaling indicative of a network condition for a wireless device selected based on priority information.

The network node 500 is configured to communicate with a wireless device, such as the wireless device 300 disclosed herein, using a wireless communication system.

The interface 503 is configured for wired communications (such as IP based communications) and/or for wireless communications via a wireless communication system, such as a 3GPP system, such as a 3GPP system supporting one or more of: New Radio, NR, Narrow-band loT, NB-loT, and Long Term Evolution - enhanced Machine Type Communication, LTE-M.

The network node 500 is configured to receive (for example, via the wireless interface 503) control signaling indicative of a network condition for a wireless device selected based on priority information. The network node 500 is optionally configured to determine based on the network condition indicated in a data stream for which a congestion notification is to be activated.

Processor circuitry 502 is optionally configured to perform any of the operations disclosed in Fig. 7 (such as S404). The operations of the network node 500 may be embodied in the form of executable logic routines (for example, lines of code, software programs, etc.) that are stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium (for example, memory circuitry 501 ) and are executed by processor circuitry 502.

Furthermore, the operations of the network node 500 may be considered a method that the network node 500 is configured to carry out. Also, while the described functions and operations may be implemented in software, such functionality may as well be carried out via dedicated hardware or firmware, or some combination of hardware, firmware and/or software.

Memory circuitry 501 may be one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other suitable device. In a typical arrangement, memory circuitry 501 may include a non-volatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for processor circuitry 502. Memory circuitry 501 may exchange data with processor circuitry 502 over a data bus. Control lines and an address bus between memory circuitry 501 and processor circuitry 502 also may be present (not shown in Fig. 11). Memory circuitry 501 is considered a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Memory circuitry 501 may be configured to store information, such as, network conditions, priority information and information about data streams for a congestion notification in a part of the memory.

Examples of methods and products (network assistance node, radio network node, wireless device and network node capable of managing congestion with ECN) according to the disclosure are set out in the following items: Item 1 . A method, performed by a network assistance node, for coordinating a plurality of media sessions between a media device and a plurality of wireless devices from a set of wireless devices, wherein the method comprises: receiving (S102), control signaling indicative of priority information associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless devices, receiving (S104), control signaling indicative of a network condition, and controlling (S106) communication of a congestion notification based on the priority information.

Item 2. The method according to item 1 , wherein the controlling (S106) comprises determining (S106A), based on the priority information, a first subset of the plurality of wireless devices, wherein the first subset comprises one or more wireless devices having a first priority order.

Item 3. The method according to item 2, wherein the controlling (S106) comprises determining (S106B), based on the priority information, a second subset of the set of wireless devices, wherein the second subset comprises one or more wireless devices having a second priority order different than the first priority order.

Item 4. The method according to item 3, wherein the second priority order is lower than the first priority order.

Item 5. The method according to any one of the previous items, wherein the controlling (S106) comprises triggering (S106C) a transmission, to at least one wireless device of the second subset, of the congestion notification.

Item 6. The method according to item 5, wherein the triggering (S106C) comprises triggering (S106CA) a transmission of the congestion notification via a network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification, ECN.

Item 7. The method according to any one of the previous items, wherein the congestion notification comprises an explicit congestion notification. Item 8. The method according to any one of the items 1 to 7, wherein the controlling (S106) comprises refraining (S106D) from triggering a transmission of the congestion notification to any of the wireless devices of the first subset.

Item 9. The method according to any one of the items 1 to 8, wherein the congestion notification comprises an indication to adjust an ongoing media session at the one or more wireless devices of the second subset.

Item 10. The method according to item 9, wherein the indication to adjust comprises an indication to adjust a communication parameter of the ongoing media session.

Item 11. The method according to any one of items 9 and 10, wherein the indication to adjust comprises a flag indicating to adjust the ongoing media session.

Item 12. The method according to any one of the previous items, wherein the priority information is indicative of a priority order associated with at least one wireless device from the plurality of wireless devices.

Item 13. The method according to any one of the previous items, wherein the receiving (S102) comprises receiving (S102A), from the media device, the control signaling indicative of priority information associated with at least one of the one or more wireless devices.

Item 14. The method according to any one of the previous items, wherein the receiving (S102) comprises receiving (S102B), from at least one wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices, a control signaling indicative of priority information associated with the wireless device.

Item 15. The method according to any one of the previous items, wherein the receiving (S104) comprises receiving (S104A) from a Radio Access Network, RAN, node, control signaling indicative of the network condition.

Item 16. The method according to any one of the previous items, wherein the receiving (S104) comprises receiving (S104B) from a network switch, control signaling indicative of the network condition. Item 17. The method according to any one of the previous items, wherein the network condition comprises a network congestion.

Item 18. The method according to item 17, wherein the network congestion comprises an upcoming network congestion.

Item 19. The method according to any one of the previous items, wherein the network condition comprises an unsatisfactory network condition.

Item 20. A method, performed in a radio network node, the method comprising: transmitting (S202), to a network assistance node, control signaling indicative of a network condition for use in congestion notification based on priority information.

Item 21. A method, performed in a wireless device, the method comprising: obtaining (S302) priority information indicative of a priority order associated with the wireless device, and receiving (S304), from a network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification, ECN, a congestion notification based on the priority information.

Item 22. The method according to item 21 , wherein the method comprises: sending (S303), to a network assistance node, control signaling indicative of the priority information.

Item 23. A method, performed in a network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification, ECN, the method comprising: receiving (S402) control signaling indicative of a network condition for a wireless device selected based on priority information.

Item 24. The method according to item 23, wherein the method comprises: determining (S404), based on the network condition indicated in (S402), a data stream for which a congestion notification is to be activated.

Item 25. A network assistance node comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and an interface, wherein the network assistance node is configured to perform any of the methods according to any of items 1-19.

Item 26. A radio network node comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the radio network node is configured to perform any of the methods according to item 20.

Item 27. A wireless device comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and a wireless interface, wherein the wireless device is configured to perform any of the methods according to any of items 21-22.

Item 28. A network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification, ECN, comprising memory circuitry, processor circuitry, and an interface, wherein the network node capable of managing congestion with ECN is configured to perform any of the methods according to any of items 23 to 24.

The use of the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. does not imply any particular order, but are included to identify individual elements. Moreover, the use of the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. does not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Note that the words “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth”, “primary”, “secondary”, “tertiary” etc. are used here and elsewhere for labelling purposes only and are not intended to denote any specific spatial or temporal ordering. Furthermore, the labelling of a first element does not imply the presence of a second element and vice versa.

It may be appreciated that Figs. 1-11 comprises some circuitries or operations which are illustrated with a solid line and some circuitries or operations which are illustrated with a dashed line. Circuitries or operations which are comprised in a solid line are circuitries or operations which are comprised in the broadest example. Circuitries or operations which are comprised in a dashed line are examples which may be comprised in, or a part of, or are further circuitries or operations which may be taken in addition to circuitries or operations of the solid line examples. It should be appreciated that these operations need not be performed in order presented. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that not all of the operations need to be performed. The example operations may be performed in any order and in any combination.

It is to be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed.

It is to be noted that the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the examples may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

The various example methods, devices, nodes and systems described herein are described in the general context of method steps or processes, which may be implemented in one aspect by a computer program product, embodied in a computer- readable medium, including computer-executable instructions, such as program code, executed by computers in networked environments. A computer-readable medium may include removable and non-removable storage devices including, but not limited to, Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVD), etc. Generally, program circuitries may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform specified tasks or implement specific abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program circuitries represent examples of program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes.

Although features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed disclosure, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed disclosure. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed disclosure is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

Claims

38

1 . A method, performed by a network assistance node, for coordinating a plurality of media sessions between a media device and a plurality of wireless devices from a set of wireless devices, wherein the method comprises: receiving (S102), control signaling indicative of priority information associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless devices, receiving (S104), control signaling indicative of a network condition, and controlling (S106) communication of a congestion notification based on the priority information.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the controlling (S106) comprises determining (S106A), based on the priority information, a first subset of the plurality of wireless devices, wherein the first subset comprises one or more wireless devices having a first priority order.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the controlling (S106) comprises determining (S106B), based on the priority information, a second subset of the set of wireless devices, wherein the second subset comprises one or more wireless devices having a second priority order different than the first priority order, wherein the second priority order is lower than the first priority order.

4. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the controlling (S106) comprises triggering (S106C) a transmission, to at least one wireless device of the second subset, of the congestion notification.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the triggering (S106C) comprises triggering (S106CA) a transmission of the congestion notification via a network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification, ECN.

6. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the congestion notification comprises an explicit congestion notification. 39 The method according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the controlling (S106) comprises refraining (S106D) from triggering a transmission of the congestion notification to any of the wireless devices of the first subset. The method according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the congestion notification comprises an indication to adjust an ongoing media session at the one or more wireless devices of the second subset. The method according to claim 8, wherein the indication to adjust comprises one or more of: an indication to adjust a communication parameter of the ongoing media session, and a flag indicating to adjust the ongoing media session. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the priority information is indicative of a priority order associated with at least one wireless device from the plurality of wireless devices. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein receiving (S102) comprises one or more of: receiving (S102A), from the media device, the control signaling indicative of priority information associated with at least one of the one or more wireless devices, and receiving (S102B), from at least one wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices, a control signaling indicative of priority information associated with the wireless device. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein receiving (S104) comprises one or more of: receiving (S104A) from a Radio Access Network, RAN, node, control signaling indicative of the network condition, and 40 receiving (S104B) from a network switch, control signaling indicative of the network condition.

13. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the network condition comprises a network congestion.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the network congestion comprises an upcoming network congestion.

15. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the network condition comprises an unsatisfactory network condition.

16. A method, performed in a radio network node, the method comprising: transmitting (S202), to a network assistance node, control signaling indicative of a network condition for use in congestion notification based on priority information.

17. A method, performed in a wireless device, the method comprising: obtaining (S302) priority information indicative of a priority order associated with the wireless device, and receiving (S304), from a network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification, ECN, a congestion notification based on the priority information.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the method comprises: sending (S303), to a network assistance node, control signaling indicative of the priority information.

19. A method, performed in a network node capable of managing congestion with Explicit Congestion Notification, ECN, the method comprising: receiving (S402) control signaling indicative of a network condition for a wireless device selected based on priority information.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the method comprises: determining (S404), based on the network condition indicated in (S402), a data stream for which a congestion notification is to be activated.