Uplink

In Release 15, several key uplink enhancements were introduced, including the enforcement of Uplink Session-AMBR in the UPF and the introduction of UL AMBR on the F1 interface. New functionalities like the Uplink Classifier and Branching Point were added, alongside clarifications and corrections for procedures such as the Initial UL RRC Message Transfer. Furthermore, support for asymmetric QoS flow mapping and the indication of cells as exclusively UL or DL on F1 were standardized.

• Traffic mapping information that disallows UL packets TS 23.501CR0053
• UL Session-AMBR enforcement in UPF TS 23.501CR0758
• Addition of TDD UL/DL configuration to OTDOA assistance data TS 38.455CR0003
• Introduction of UL AMBR on F1 TS 38.473CR0068
• CR for correction on Initial UL RRC message transfer TS 38.473CR0138
• CR to 38.473 on asymmetric mapping for UL and DL QoS flow TS 38.473CR0144

+ 6 more changes

In Release 16, key uplink enhancements introduced greater flexibility for managing PDU session data paths, specifically enabling the insertion, removal, and change of an Uplink Classifier or Branching Point (UL CL/BP) controlled by an Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF). This allowed for more dynamic traffic steering and the support of new capabilities like IPv6 multi-homing for uplink traffic. Additionally, the release introduced new 5G QoS Identifiers (5QIs) specifically for an Enhanced Framework for Uplink Streaming.

• UL CL/BP controlled by I-SMF TS 23.501CR0848
• Update SM context service operation for additional PDU Session Anchor and Branching Point or UL CL controlled by I-SMF TS 29.502CR0124
• Insertion of a PSA and UL CL/BP into the data path of a PDU session with an I-SMF TS 29.502CR0160
• Removal of a PSA and UL CL/BP from the data path of a PDU session with an I-SMF TS 29.502CR0161
• Change of a PSA for IPv6 multi-homing or UL CL controlled by I-SMF TS 29.502CR0162
• Solving Editor's note on UL CL TS 29.512CR0471

+ 19 more changes

In Release 17, key uplink enhancements included the introduction of support for UL time synchronization with gPTP messages and the addition of NR Timing Advance reporting for NR UL Enhanced Cell ID. The release also introduced uplink GapFR2 capabilities and added support for uplink buffering indication during Application Server relocation. Furthermore, specific test applicability was added for new Supplemental Uplink scenarios operating alongside Uplink MIMO.

• KI#1-3, UL Sync including New QoS Flow establishment for the gPTP TS 23.501CR2620
• KI #1-1, Update for supporting UL time sync with gPTP message TS 23.501CR2635
• Introduction of support of GSMA NG.116 attributes Maximum DL/UL throughput per slice/UE TS 23.501CR2822
• Support of uplink buffering indication for Application Relocation TS 29.513CR0331
• Addition of NR Timing Advance reporting for NR UL E-CID [NRTADV] TS 38.455CR0042
• Addition of NR Timing Advance reporting for NR UL E-CID [NRTADV] TS 38.473CR0817

+ 21 more changes

In Release 18, key uplink enhancements included the introduction of PDU Set based QoS Handling for uplink transmission and separate uplink and downlink PDU set QoS parameters. The release also introduced support for Uplink Downlink transmission coordination to meet real-time latency requirements and added the NR UE Rx-Tx time difference measurement for NR UL Enhanced Cell ID. Furthermore, updates were made to the applicability of test cases for FR1 and FR2 uplink MIMO.

• Removing EN on UL scenario of Reactive RAN feedback for burst sending time adjustment TS 23.501CR3872
• Introduction of KI#6 conclusion: uplink-downlink transmission coordination TS 23.501CR3919
• PDU Set based QoS Handling for uplink transmission TS 23.501CR4744
• Encoding of UL/DL Congestion Information TS 29.244CR0790
• PDU Set QoS parameters for UL and DL traffic TS 29.502CR0736
• Protocol Description for UL traffic TS 29.502CR0737

+ 22 more changes

In Release 19, key uplink enhancements included the introduction of RAN-controlled uplink bitrate recommendations and QoS notification control for the uplink direction. The release also focused on refining test applicability and configurations, specifically for uplink MIMO operations, UL Tx Switching, and corrections to the Early UL Synchronization configuration for inter-CU link traffic monitoring. These updates provided more dynamic network control over uplink traffic and clarified implementation requirements for advanced uplink transmission features.

• RAN controlled UL bitrate recommendation TS 29.502CR0921
• QoS notification control in UL and DL direction information TS 29.512CR1376
• Support of RAN-controlled UL bitrate recommendation indication TS 29.512CR1444
• Correction on Early UL Sync Configuration IE for inter-CU LTM TS 38.473CR1670
• Update of applicability for A-MPR, A-SEM and UTRA ACLR for UL MIMO TS 38.522CR0636
• Correction of applicability for A-SE for UL MIMO TS 38.522CR0691

+ 4 more changes