Uplink Least Slack Time Scheduling for XR Services in 5G Advanced Networks

In this paper we propose to use a Least Slack Time delay scheduler inspired by task scheduling in CPU multi-processor environment to be utilized in 5G Advanced network uplink scheduling to support future XR services. We evaluate this delay aware scheduler using the latest features introduced in NR evolution, specifically the DSR and PDU Set discarding. The network system evaluations show that utilizing the delay scheduler gives significant improvements in the ability of the network to support delay critical XR services in uplink. In a dense urban scenario where 9 cells are populated with XR UEs a 15% increase in XR capacity is seen compared to a proportional fair scheduler. At very high traffic loads up to 99% increase in satisfaction of XR users are shown while the XR packet delays can be reduced with up to 33%.