Radio access network node and method performed therein

1. A method, performed in a radio access network node serving a cell in a wireless communication network, for enabling communication between a wireless device and the radio access network node; the method comprising:

determining an uplink or downlink scheduling availability for data packets for the wireless device in the cell; and

configuring the wireless device to be sufficiently active within an interval to have a transmission opportunity by setting a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration for the wireless device taking into account the uplink or downlink scheduling availability for the data packets for the wireless device in the cell;

wherein the setting the DRX configuration comprises:

offsetting the DRX configuration adjusted in time so that a wake period overlaps a subframe for scheduling uplink or downlink resources for the data packets for the wireless device; and

thereafter, based on a load in the cell:

adjusting the wake period of the DRX configuration for the wireless device; and/or

disabling the DRX configuration for the wireless device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the DRX configuration comprises the wake period for the wireless device overlapping the subframe for scheduling uplink or downlink resources for the data packets for the wireless device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the DRX configuration comprises a prolonged wake period of the DRX configuration.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the setting the DRX configuration comprises setting a DRX configuration with a wake period extending over a DRX cycle.

5. The method of claim 1 :

further comprising determining a number of uplink or downlink scheduling opportunities for the data packets for the wireless device;

wherein the setting the DRX configuration comprises setting the DRX configuration based on the determined number.

6. The method claim 1 , wherein the downlink scheduling availability for the data packets is based on availability of a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the uplink scheduling availability for the data packets is based on an uplink subframe configuration of a Time Division Duplex frame configuration.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the radio access network node uses scheduling request suppression for Voice over Long Term Evolution for the wireless device.

9. A radio access network node serving a cell in a wireless communication network, the radio access network node enabling communication between a wireless device and the radio access network node; the radio access network node comprising:

processing circuitry;

memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the processing circuitry is operative to:

determine an uplink or downlink scheduling availability for data packets for the wireless device in the cell; and

configure the wireless device to be sufficiently active within an interval to have a transmission opportunity by setting a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration for the wireless device taking into account the uplink or downlink scheduling availability for the data packets for the wireless device in the cell;

wherein the instructions are such that the radio access network node is operative to:

offset the DRX configuration adjusted in time for a wake period to overlap a subframe for scheduling uplink or downlink resources for the data packets for the wireless device; and

based on a load in the cell, adjust the wake period of the DRX configuration for the wireless device, and/or to disable the DRX configuration for the wireless device.

10. The radio access network node of claim 9 , wherein the DRX configuration comprises the wake period for the wireless device configured to overlap the subframe for scheduling uplink or downlink resources for the data packets for the wireless device.

11. The radio access network node of claim 9 , wherein the DRX configuration comprises a prolonged wake period of the DRX configuration.

12. The radio access network node of claim 9 , wherein the instructions are such that the radio access network node is operative to set a DRX configuration with a wake period extending over a DRX cycle, based on the Uplink or Downlink scheduling availability for the data packets for the wireless device in the cell.

13. The radio access network node of claim 9 , wherein the instructions are such that the radio access network node is operative to:

determine number of uplink or downlink scheduling opportunities for the data packets for the wireless device; and

set the DRX configuration based on the determined number.

14. The radio access network node of claim 9 , wherein the downlink scheduling availability for the data packets is based on availability of a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service.

15. The radio access network node of claim 9 , wherein the uplink scheduling availability for the data packets is based on an uplink subframe configuration of a Time Division Duplex frame configuration.

16. The radio access network node of claim 9 , wherein the instructions are such that the radio access network node is operative to perform a scheduling request suppression for Voice over Long Term Evolution for the wireless device.