A.3 Monitoring of DL packet drop in NG-RAN

28.5523GPP5G performance measurementsManagement and orchestrationRelease 18TS

Keeping track of DL packet drops in the NG-RAN is essential, since for certain services packets that are dropped along the way through the system may have a noticeable impact on the end user. DL packet drop measurements can be useful for evaluation, optimization and for performance assurance of the network. Subcounters per QoS Level as well as per supported S-NSSAI is helpful for operator to pinpoint the reason for high packet drop rate.

For gNBs that are deployed in a split architecture, e.g. when parts of a gNB are deployed in a virtualized environment, the DL packet drops may occur in two parts; the gNB CU-UP and the gNB DU. Therefore, it is important to measure this separately.