U.S. patent application number 16/072557 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-28 for methods, systems and apparatus for scheduling of subframes and hybrid automatic repeat request (harq) feedback.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS, INC.. Invention is credited to Afshin Haghighat, Moon-il Lee, Janet A. Stern-Berkowitz.
Application Number | 20190068334 16/072557 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58018319 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190068334 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stern-Berkowitz; Janet A. ;
et al. |
February 28, 2019 |
METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR SCHEDULING OF SUBFRAMES AND
HYBRID AUTOMATIC REPEAT REQUEST (HARQ) FEEDBACK
Abstract
Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for hybrid automatic
repeat request (HARQ) processes for different transmission time
interval (TTI) lengths. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may
link a first HARQ process and a second HARQ process. The WTRU may
transmit a first transport block (TB) using the linked first HARQ
process and a first HARQ buffer. The WTRU may receive a uplink (UL)
grant and determine that the received UL grant is for a new
transmission for the linked second HARQ process. The WTRU may
release the first HARQ buffer based on a determination that the
received UL grant is for the new transmission for the linked second
HARQ process. Also, the WTRU may generate a second TB for the new
transmission and store the new TB in the first HARQ buffer. The
WTRU may transmit the second TB using the linked second HARQ
process and the first HARQ buffer.
Inventors: |
Stern-Berkowitz; Janet A.;
(Little Neck, NY) ; Haghighat; Afshin;
(Ile-Bizard, CA) ; Lee; Moon-il; (Melville,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS, INC. |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS,
INC.
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
58018319 |
Appl. No.: |
16/072557 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
February 3, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2017/016438 |
371 Date: |
July 25, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62290770 |
Feb 3, 2016 |
|
|
|
62334759 |
May 11, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 72/14 20130101;
H04L 1/1838 20130101; H04L 1/1845 20130101; H04L 1/1874 20130101;
H04L 1/1822 20130101; H04L 1/1812 20130101; H04W 72/0446 20130101;
H04L 1/1835 20130101; H04L 1/1896 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 1/18 20060101
H04L001/18; H04W 72/14 20060101 H04W072/14; H04W 72/04 20060101
H04W072/04 |
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. A method for uplink (UL) data transmission using hybrid
automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes for use in a wireless
transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the method comprising: linking, by
the WTRU, a first HARQ process and a second HARQ process, wherein
the first HARQ process is associated with a first HARQ buffer and a
first transmission time interval (TTI) length and the second HARQ
process is associated with the first HARQ buffer and a second TTI
length; transmitting, by the WTRU, a first transport block (TB)
using the linked first HARQ process and the first HARQ buffer; and
receiving, by the WTRU, a grant.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the received grant is a
received UL grant, and further comprising: determining, by the
WTRU, that the received UL grant is for a new transmission for the
linked second HARQ process; releasing, by the WTRU, the first HARQ
buffer based on a determination that the received UL grant is for
the new transmission for the linked second HARQ process;
generating, by the WTRU, a second TB for the new transmission;
storing, by the WTRU, the second TB in the first HARQ buffer; and
transmitting, by the WTRU, the second TB using the linked second
HARQ process and the first HARQ buffer.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first TB and the second TB
are medium access control (MAC) protocol data units (PDUs).
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the received grant is a
received DL grant, and further comprising: determining, by the
WTRU, that the received DL grant is for the reception of a new
transmission for the linked second HARQ process; releasing, by the
WTRU, the first HARQ buffer based on a determination that the
received DL grant is for the reception of the new transmission for
the linked second HARQ process; receiving, by the WTRU, data for a
second TB for the new transmission using the linked second HARQ
process and the first HARQ buffer; and replacing, by the WTRU, the
data in the first HARQ buffer with the data received for the second
TB.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the first TB and the second TB
are medium access control (MAC) protocol data units (PDUs).
26. The method of claim 21, wherein the first TTI length is a
normal TTI (nTTI) length and the second TTI length is a short TTI
(sTTI) length.
27. The method of claim 21, wherein the first TB contains data
associated with a first TTI and the second TB contains data
associated with a second TTI.
28. The method of claim 21, wherein the first HARQ buffer is used
for soft combining.
29. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) for uplink (UL) data
transmission using hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ)
processes, the WTRU comprising: a processor configured to link a
first HARQ process and a second HARQ process, wherein the first
HARQ process is associated with a first HARQ buffer and a first
transmission time interval (TTI) length and the second HARQ process
is associated with the first HARQ buffer and a second TTI length; a
transceiver operatively connected to the processor, the transceiver
and the processor configured to transmit a first transport block
(TB) using the linked first HARQ process and the first HARQ buffer;
and the transceiver configured to receive a UL grant.
30. The WTRU of claim 29, further comprising: the processor
configured to determine that the received UL grant is for a new
transmission for the linked second HARQ process; the processor
configured to release the first HARQ buffer based on a
determination that the received UL grant is for the new
transmission for the linked second HARQ process; the processor
configured to generate a second TB for the new transmission; the
processor operatively connected to a storage medium, the processor
and the storage medium configured to store the second TB in the
first HARQ buffer; and the transceiver and the processor configured
to transmit the second TB using the linked second HARQ process and
the first HARQ buffer.
31. The WTRU of claim 30, wherein the first TB and the second TB
are medium access control (MAC) protocol data units (PDUs).
32. The WTRU of claim 29, wherein the first TTI length is a normal
TTI (nTTI) length and the second TTI length is a short TTI (sTTI)
length.
33. The WTRU of claim 29, wherein the first TB contains data
associated with a first TTI and the second TB contains data
associated with a second TTI.
34. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) for downlink (DL) data
reception using hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes
for use in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the WTRU
comprising: a processor configured to link a first HARQ process and
a second HARQ process, wherein the first HARQ process is associated
with a first HARQ buffer and a first transmission time interval
(TTI) length and the second HARQ process is associated with the
first HARQ buffer and a second TTI length; a transceiver
operatively connected to the processor, the transceiver and the
processor configured to receive data for a first transport block
(TB) using the linked first HARQ process and the first HARQ buffer;
and the transceiver configured to receive a DL grant.
35. The WTRU of claim 34, further comprising: the processor
configured to determine that the received DL grant is for the
reception of a new transmission for the linked second HARQ process;
the processor configured to release the first HARQ buffer based on
a determination that the received DL grant is for the reception of
the new transmission for the linked second HARQ process; the
transceiver and the processor configured to receive data for a
second TB for the new transmission using the linked second HARQ
process and the first HARQ buffer; and the processor configured to
replace the data in the first HARQ buffer with the data received
for the second TB.
36. The WTRU of claim 35, wherein the first TB and the second TB
are medium access control (MAC) protocol data units (PDUs).
37. The WTRU of claim 34, wherein the first TTI length is a normal
TTI (nTTI) length and the second TTI length is a short TTI (sTTI)
length.
38. The WTRU of claim 34, wherein the first TB contains data
associated with a first TTI and the second TB contains data
associated with a second TTI.
39. The WTRU of claim 34, wherein the first HARQ buffer is used for
soft combining.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/290,770 filed Feb. 3, 2016 and U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/334,759 filed May 11, 2016, the
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With new applications emerging for cellular technology, such
as alarm reporting, automotive safety, and factory process control,
the importance of low latency cellular communications, including
machine type communications (MTC), has rapidly increased. For
example, in a long-term evolution (LTE) Advanced (LTE-A) system,
the typical 1 ms transmission time interval (TTI) and associated
latencies may no longer be sufficient. Existing applications such
as gaming and real-time applications like Voice Over LTE (VoLTE)
and video telephony/conferencing, may also benefit from reduced
latency in terms of, for example, increased perceived quality of
experience.
[0003] One or more components may contribute to the total
end-to-end delay for connected wireless transmit/receive units
(WTRUs). These components may include, for example, one or more of
scheduling grant acquisition time, TTI, processing time, and hybrid
automatic repeat request (hybrid ARQ or HARQ) round-trip time
(RTT). Shortening one or more of these components may reduce the
total end-to-end latency.
SUMMARY
[0004] Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for uplink (UL)
and downlink (DL) transmission including hybrid automatic repeat
request (HARQ) transmission corresponding to different transmission
time interval (TTI) lengths. For example, the transmission may be
based on configuring a buffer to be shared by a plurality of HARQ
processes corresponding to at least a normal transmission time
interval (nTTI) having an nTTI length and a short TTI (sTTI) having
an sTTI length that is shorter than the nTTI length.
[0005] In an example, a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may
link a first HARQ process and a second HARQ process, wherein the
first HARQ process is associated with a first HARQ buffer and a
first TTI length and the second HARQ process is associated with the
first HARQ buffer and a second TTI length. The WTRU may transmit a
first transport block (TB) using the linked first HARQ process and
the first HARQ buffer. Further, the WTRU may receive a UL grant.
Also, the WTRU may determine that the received UL grant is for a
new transmission for the linked second HARQ process. The WTRU may
then release the first HARQ buffer based on a determination that
the received UL grant is for the new transmission for the linked
second HARQ process. In addition, the WTRU may generate a second TB
for the new transmission and store the new TB in the first HARQ
buffer. Further, the WTRU may transmit the second TB using the
linked second HARQ process and the first HARQ buffer.
[0006] In an example, the first TB and the second TB may be medium
access control (MAC) protocol data units (PDUs). Further, the first
TB may contain data associated with a first TTI and the second TB
may contain data associated with a second TTI.
[0007] In an additional example, a WTRU may link a first HARQ
process and a second HARQ process, wherein the first HARQ process
is associated with a first HARQ buffer and a first TTI length and
the second HARQ process is associated with the first HARQ buffer
and a second TTI length. Further, the WTRU may receive data for a
first TB using the linked first HARQ process and the first HARQ
buffer. The WTRU may also receive a DL grant. The WTRU may then
determine that the received DL grant is for the reception of a new
transmission for the linked second HARQ process. Further, the WTRU
may release the first HARQ buffer based on a determination that the
received DL grant is for the reception of the new transmission for
the linked second HARQ process. Also, the WTRU may receive data for
a second TB for the new transmission using the linked second HARQ
process and the first HARQ buffer. Further, the WTRU may replace
the data in the first HARQ buffer with the data received for the
second TB.
[0008] In another example, the HARQ buffers may be used for soft
combining. For example, the first HARQ buffer may be used for soft
combining. In an additional example, the HARQ buffers may be
located in soft buffer memory. For example, the first HARQ buffer
may be located in soft buffer memory.
[0009] In an additional example, a WTRU may receive a time division
duplex (TDD) UL/DL subframe configuration. Further, the WTRU may
receive a DL grant with an indication to use a special subframe for
a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission. The WTRU
may then dynamically determine which subframe to switch to a
special subframe. The WTRU may switch the subframe to a special
subframe. Further, the WTRU may determine a special subframe
configuration to use for the determined special subframe. Also, the
WTRU may determine resources of the determined special subframe to
use for a PUCCH.
[0010] The WTRU may then determine PUCCH resources and PUCCH design
parameters for the PUCCH. Further, the WTRU may transmit HARQ
feedback on the PUCCH in a UL portion in the determined resources
of the determined special subframe with the determined special
subframe configuration using the determined PUCCH resources and
PUCCH design parameters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A more detailed understanding may be had from the following
description, given by way of example in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1A is a system diagram of an example communications
system in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be
implemented;
[0013] FIG. 1B is a system diagram of an example wireless
transmit/receive unit (WTRU) that may be used within the
communications system illustrated in FIG. 1A;
[0014] FIG. 1C is a system diagram of an example radio access
network and an example core network that may be used within the
communications system illustrated in FIG. 1A;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a table illustrating an example of time division
duplex (TDD) uplink(UL)/downlink (DL) configurations;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a table illustrating an example of special
subframe configurations;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a table illustrating an example of special
subframe configurations in terms of symbols;
[0018] FIG. 5A is a table illustrating an example of UL-DL
configurations for slot-based transmission time intervals
(TTIs);
[0019] FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of sending
hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback on a switched
special subframe in a configuration supporting a short TTI
(sTTI);
[0020] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of HARQ feedback
latency with and without short physical uplink control channel
(sPUCCH) transmission in uplink pilot timeslots (UpPTSs) of special
subframes;
[0021] FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of transmitting
HARQ feedback on a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) in a UL
portion in determined resources of a determined special subframe
with a determined special subframe configuration;
[0022] FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of a guard-band
physical resource block (PRB) configuration for HARQ feedback;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a TDD
configuration for guard-band PRBs (G-PRBs) based on a TDD
configuration for system bandwidth PRBs (S-PRBs);
[0024] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of timing offset
between S-PRBs and G-PRBs;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a HARQ
feedback resource determination;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of separate
HARQ processes and HARQ buffers for two TTI lengths;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of
separate HARQ processes and HARQ buffers for two TTI lengths;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of linking or
sharing HARQ processes, HARQ buffers or both between two TTI
lengths;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example timeline for
multiple TTI length usage;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of HARQ
processes, buffers or both that may be linked, shared or
overlapped;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of
linking, sharing or overlapping HARQ processes, buffers or
both;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a further example of
linking, sharing or overlapping HARQ processes, buffers or
both;
[0033] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of linking or
sharing HARQ processes, buffers or both with a dynamic indication;
and
[0034] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of HARQ buffer
sharing by different HARQ processes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] FIG. 1A is a diagram of an example communications system 100
in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented. The
communications system 100 may be a multiple access system that
provides content, such as voice, data, video, messaging, broadcast,
etc., to multiple wireless users. The communications system 100 may
enable multiple wireless users to access such content through the
sharing of system resources, including wireless bandwidth. For
example, the communications systems 100 may employ one or more
channel access methods, such as code division multiple access
(CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division
multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single-carrier
FDMA (SC-FDMA), and the like.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1A, the communications system 100 may
include wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) 102a, 102b, 102c,
102d, a radio access network (RAN) 104, a core network 106, a
public switched telephone network (PSTN) 108, the Internet 110, and
other networks 112, though it will be appreciated that the
disclosed embodiments contemplate any number of WTRUs, base
stations, networks, and/or network elements. Each of the WTRUs
102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be any type of device configured to
operate and/or communicate in a wireless environment. By way of
example, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be configured to
transmit and/or receive wireless signals and may include user
equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber
unit, a pager, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant
(PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a netbook, a personal computer, a
wireless sensor, consumer electronics, and the like.
[0037] The communications systems 100 may also include a base
station 114a and a base station 114b. Each of the base stations
114a, 114b may be any type of device configured to wirelessly
interface with at least one of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d to
facilitate access to one or more communication networks, such as
the core network 106, the Internet 110, and/or the other networks
112. By way of example, the base stations 114a, 114b may be a base
transceiver station (BTS), a Node-B, an eNode B, a Home Node B, a
Home eNode B, a site controller, an access point (AP), a wireless
router, and the like. While the base stations 114a, 114b are each
depicted as a single element, it will be appreciated that the base
stations 114a, 114b may include any number of interconnected base
stations and/or network elements.
[0038] The base station 114a may be part of the RAN 104, which may
also include other base stations and/or network elements (not
shown), such as a base station controller (BSC), a radio network
controller (RNC), relay nodes, etc. The base station 114a and/or
the base station 114b may be configured to transmit and/or receive
wireless signals within a particular geographic region, which may
be referred to as a cell (not shown). The cell may further be
divided into cell sectors. For example, the cell associated with
the base station 114a may be divided into three sectors. Thus, in
one embodiment, the base station 114a may include three
transceivers, i.e., one for each sector of the cell. In another
embodiment, the base station 114a may employ multiple-input
multiple-output (MIMO) technology and, therefore, may utilize
multiple transceivers for each sector of the cell.
[0039] The base stations 114a, 114b may communicate with one or
more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d over an air interface 116,
which may be any suitable wireless communication link (for example,
radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV),
visible light, etc.). The air interface 116 may be established
using any suitable radio access technology (RAT).
[0040] More specifically, as noted above, the communications system
100 may be a multiple access system and may employ one or more
channel access schemes, such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA,
and the like. For example, the base station 114a in the RAN 104 and
the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio
Access (UTRA), which may establish the air interface 116 using
wideband CDMA (WCDMA). WCDMA may include communication protocols
such as High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and/or Evolved HSPA
(HSPA+). HSPA may include High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)
and/or High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA).
[0041] In another embodiment, the base station 114a and the WTRUs
102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as Evolved
UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), which may establish the air
interface 116 using Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/or LTE-Advanced
(LTE-A).
[0042] In other embodiments, the base station 114a and the WTRUs
102a, 102b, 102c may implement radio technologies such as IEEE
802.16 (i.e., Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
(WiMAX)), CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1.times., CDMA2000 EV-DO, Interim
Standard 2000 (IS-2000), Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), Interim
Standard 856 (IS-856), Global System for Mobile communications
(GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSM EDGE
(GERAN), and the like.
[0043] The base station 114b in FIG. 1A may be a wireless router,
Home Node B, Home eNode B, or access point, for example, and may
utilize any suitable RAT for facilitating wireless connectivity in
a localized area, such as a place of business, a home, a vehicle, a
campus, and the like. In one embodiment, the base station 114b and
the WTRUs 102c, 102d may implement a radio technology such as IEEE
802.11 to establish a wireless local area network (WLAN). In
another embodiment, the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d
may implement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.15 to establish a
wireless personal area network (WPAN). In yet another embodiment,
the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may utilize a
cellular-based RAT (for example, WCDMA, CDMA2000, GSM, LTE, LTE-A,
etc.) to establish a picocell or femtocell. As shown in FIG. 1A,
the base station 114b may have a direct connection to the Internet
110. Thus, the base station 114b may not be required to access the
Internet 110 via the core network 106.
[0044] The RAN 104 may be in communication with the core network
106, which may be any type of network configured to provide voice,
data, applications, and/or voice over internet protocol (VoIP)
services to one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d. For
example, the core network 106 may provide call control, billing
services, mobile location-based services, pre-paid calling,
Internet connectivity, video distribution, etc., and/or perform
high-level security functions, such as user authentication.
Although not shown in FIG. 1A, it will be appreciated that the RAN
104 and/or the core network 106 may be in direct or indirect
communication with other RANs that employ the same RAT as the RAN
104 or a different RAT. For example, in addition to being connected
to the RAN 104, which may be utilizing an E-UTRA radio technology,
the core network 106 may also be in communication with another RAN
(not shown) employing a GSM radio technology.
[0045] The core network 106 may also serve as a gateway for the
WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d to access the PSTN 108, the Internet
110, and/or other networks 112. The PSTN 108 may include
circuit-switched telephone networks that provide plain old
telephone service (POTS). The Internet 110 may include a global
system of interconnected computer networks and devices that use
common communication protocols, such as the transmission control
protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP) and the internet
protocol (IP) in the TCP/IP internet protocol suite. The networks
112 may include wired or wireless communications networks owned
and/or operated by other service providers. For example, the
networks 112 may include another core network connected to one or
more RANs, which may employ the same RAT as the RAN 104 or a
different RAT.
[0046] Some or all of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d in the
communications system 100 may include multi-mode capabilities,
i.e., the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may include multiple
transceivers for communicating with different wireless networks
over different wireless links. For example, the WTRU 102c shown in
FIG. 1A may be configured to communicate with the base station
114a, which may employ a cellular-based radio technology, and with
the base station 114b, which may employ an IEEE 802 radio
technology.
[0047] FIG. 1B is a system diagram of an example WTRU 102. As shown
in FIG. 1B, the WTRU 102 may include a processor 118, a transceiver
120, a transmit/receive element 122, a speaker/microphone 124, a
keypad 126, a display/touchpad 128, non-removable memory 130,
removable memory 132, a power source 134, a global positioning
system (GPS) chipset 136, and other peripherals 138. It will be
appreciated that the WTRU 102 may include any sub-combination of
the foregoing elements while remaining consistent with an
embodiment.
[0048] The processor 118 may be a general purpose processor, a
special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital
signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a
microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs),
Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of
integrated circuit (IC), a state machine, and the like. The
processor 118 may perform signal coding, data processing, power
control, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality
that enables the WTRU 102 to operate in a wireless environment. The
processor 118 may be coupled to the transceiver 120, which may be
coupled to the transmit/receive element 122. While FIG. 1B depicts
the processor 118 and the transceiver 120 as separate components,
it will be appreciated that the processor 118 and the transceiver
120 may be integrated together in an electronic package or
chip.
[0049] The transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to
transmit signals to, or receive signals from, a base station (for
example, the base station 114a) over the air interface 116. For
example, in one embodiment, the transmit/receive element 122 may be
an antenna configured to transmit and/or receive RF signals. In
another embodiment, the transmit/receive element 122 may be an
emitter/detector configured to transmit and/or receive IR, UV, or
visible light signals, for example. In yet another embodiment, the
transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and
receive both RF and light signals. It will be appreciated that the
transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and/or
receive any combination of wireless signals.
[0050] In addition, although the transmit/receive element 122 is
depicted in FIG. 1B as a single element, the WTRU 102 may include
any number of transmit/receive elements 122. More specifically, the
WTRU 102 may employ MIMO technology. Thus, in one embodiment, the
WTRU 102 may include two or more transmit/receive elements 122 (for
example, multiple antennas) for transmitting and receiving wireless
signals over the air interface 116.
[0051] The transceiver 120 may be configured to modulate the
signals that are to be transmitted by the transmit/receive element
122 and to demodulate the signals that are received by the
transmit/receive element 122. As noted above, the WTRU 102 may have
multi-mode capabilities. Thus, the transceiver 120 may include
multiple transceivers for enabling the WTRU 102 to communicate via
multiple RATs, such as UTRA and IEEE 802.11, for example.
[0052] The processor 118 of the WTRU 102 may be coupled to, and may
receive user input data from, the speaker/microphone 124, the
keypad 126, and/or the display/touchpad 128 (for example, a liquid
crystal display (LCD) display unit or organic light-emitting diode
(OLED) display unit). The processor 118 may also output user data
to the speaker/microphone 124, the keypad 126, and/or the
display/touchpad 128. In addition, the processor 118 may access
information from, and store data in, any type of suitable memory,
such as the non-removable memory 130 and/or the removable memory
132. The non-removable memory 130 may include random-access memory
(RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of
memory storage device. The removable memory 132 may include a
subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a secure
digital (SD) memory card, and the like. In other embodiments, the
processor 118 may access information from, and store data in,
memory that is not physically located on the WTRU 102, such as on a
server or a home computer (not shown).
[0053] The processor 118 may receive power from the power source
134, and may be configured to distribute and/or control the power
to the other components in the WTRU 102. The power source 134 may
be any suitable device for powering the WTRU 102. For example, the
power source 134 may include one or more dry cell batteries (for
example, nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-zinc (NiZn), nickel metal
hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), etc.), solar cells, fuel
cells, and the like.
[0054] The processor 118 may also be coupled to the GPS chipset
136, which may be configured to provide location information (for
example, longitude and latitude) regarding the current location of
the WTRU 102. In addition to, or in lieu of, the information from
the GPS chipset 136, the WTRU 102 may receive location information
over the air interface 116 from a base station (for example, base
stations 114a, 114b) and/or determine its location based on the
timing of the signals being received from two or more nearby base
stations. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 may acquire
location information by way of any suitable location-determination
method while remaining consistent with an embodiment.
[0055] The processor 118 may further be coupled to other
peripherals 138, which may include one or more software and/or
hardware modules that provide additional features, functionality
and/or wired or wireless connectivity. For example, the peripherals
138 may include an accelerometer, an e-compass, a satellite
transceiver, a digital camera (for photographs or video), a
universal serial bus (USB) port, a vibration device, a television
transceiver, a hands free headset, a Bluetooth.RTM. module, a
frequency modulated (FM) radio unit, a digital music player, a
media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser, and
the like.
[0056] FIG. 1C is a system diagram of the RAN 104 and the core
network 106 according to an embodiment. As noted above, the RAN 104
may employ an E-UTRA radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs
102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. The RAN 104 may also
be in communication with the core network 106.
[0057] The RAN 104 may include eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c, though it
will be appreciated that the RAN 104 may include any number of
eNode-Bs while remaining consistent with an embodiment. The
eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c may each include one or more transceivers
for communicating with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air
interface 116. In one embodiment, the eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c may
implement MIMO technology. Thus, the eNode-B 140a, for example, may
use multiple antennas to transmit wireless signals to, and receive
wireless signals from, the WTRU 102a.
[0058] Each of the eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c may be associated with
a particular cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle radio
resource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling of
users in the uplink and/or downlink, and the like. As shown in FIG.
1C, the eNode-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c may communicate with one another
over an X2 interface.
[0059] The core network 106 shown in FIG. 1C may include a mobility
management entity gateway (MME) 142, a serving gateway 144, and a
packet data network (PDN) gateway 146. While each of the foregoing
elements are depicted as part of the core network 106, it will be
appreciated that any one of these elements may be owned and/or
operated by an entity other than the core network operator.
[0060] The MME 142 may be connected to each of the eNode-Bs 140a,
140b, 140c in the RAN 104 via an S1 interface and may serve as a
control node. For example, the MME 142 may be responsible for
authenticating users of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, bearer
activation/deactivation, selecting a particular serving gateway
during an initial attach of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the
like. The MME 142 may also provide a control plane function for
switching between the RAN 104 and other RANs (not shown) that
employ other radio technologies, such as GSM or WCDMA.
[0061] The serving gateway 144 may be connected to each of the
eNode Bs 140a, 140b, 140c in the RAN 104 via the S1 interface. The
serving gateway 144 may generally route and forward user data
packets to/from the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c. The serving gateway 144
may also perform other functions, such as anchoring user planes
during inter-eNode B handovers, triggering paging when downlink
data is available for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, managing and
storing contexts of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the like.
[0062] The serving gateway 144 may also be connected to the PDN
gateway 146, which may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with
access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet 110, to
facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and
IP-enabled devices.
[0063] The core network 106 may facilitate communications with
other networks. For example, the core network 106 may provide the
WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to circuit-switched networks,
such as the PSTN 108, to facilitate communications between the
WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and traditional land-line communications
devices. For example, the core network 106 may include, or may
communicate with, an IP gateway (for example, an IP multimedia
subsystem (IMS) server) that serves as an interface between the
core network 106 and the PSTN 108. In addition, the core network
106 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to the
networks 112, which may include other wired or wireless networks
that are owned and/or operated by other service providers.
[0064] Other network 112 may further be connected to an IEEE 802.11
based wireless local area network (WLAN) 160. The WLAN 160 may
include an access router 165. The access router may contain gateway
functionality. The access router 165 may be in communication with a
plurality of access points (APs) 170a, 170b. The communication
between access router 165 and APs 170a, 170b may be via wired
Ethernet (IEEE 802.3 standards), or any type of wireless
communication protocol. AP 170a is in wireless communication over
an air interface with WTRU 102d.
[0065] One or more time components may contribute to the total end
to end delay for connected WTRUs. These components may include, for
example, one or more of scheduling grant acquisition time,
transmission time interval (TTI), processing time, and hybrid-ARQ
(HARQ) round-trip time (RTT).
[0066] The transmission of a request, grant, HARQ feedback, and/or
data may be done in and/or according to the timing of blocks or
chunks, for example, subframes, which may have a fixed or known
duration (for example, 1 ms). The fixed duration may be referred to
as a TTI.
[0067] Processing time may be or may include time needed or used to
process (for example, encode and/or decode) data and/or control
signaling or information, for example, at or by a WTRU and/or an
eNode-B. Data processing time may be proportional to the transport
block (TB) size of the data.
[0068] HARQ RTT may be a function of one or more of: the time
relationship between a scheduling grant and the associated
transmission (for example, the scheduled transmission) by the
sender, the time relationship between a transmission by a sender
and when HARQ feedback (for example, acknowledgement (ACK),
negative acknowledgement (NACK), or retransmission request) from
the receiver may be transmitted, and the time relationship between
when HARQ feedback may be transmitted by the receiver and a
retransmission by the sender. For example, for an uplink (UL)
transmission in frequency division duplex (FDD), the HARQ
acknowledgement for a packet received by the eNode-B in subframe n
may be reported in subframe n+4. A retransmission, for example, if
needed by the WTRU, may be sent in subframe n+8. This may
correspond to a HARQ RTT of 8 ms. For a system employing time
division duplex (TDD), HARQ RTT may depend on the TDD configuration
(for example, the UL/downlink (DL) configuration) and may be at
least 8 ms. For an LTE DL transmission, the HARQ scheme may be
asynchronous. The HARQ feedback may be available at subframe n+k
where k may be 4 for FDD and at least 4 for TDD, for example,
depending on the TDD configuration. Retransmissions may be
scheduled in subframe n+k+k1 or later. In this case, k1 may be 4
for FDD and at least 4 for TDD, for example, depending on the TDD
configuration.
[0069] FIG. 2 is a table illustrating an example of TDD UL/DL
configurations. For TDD, multiple TDD UL/DL subframe configurations
210 may be supported and at least one of the configurations may be
used in an eNode-B. Each TDD UL/DL subframe configuration may
contain one or more downlink subframes `D`, uplink subframes `U`,
and special subframes `S`. Example TDD UL/DL subframe
configurations 210, including the types of subframes listed by
subframe number 230 and the downlink-to-uplink switch-point
periodicity 220, are shown in table 200. Special subframes may
include a DL part, a UL part and a guard period between DL and UL
parts, for example, to allow time for the transition from DL to UL.
A special subframe may be referred to as a mixed subframe and the
terms may be used interchangeably herein.
[0070] A subframe, as depicted in FIG. 2, may have a duration of 1
ms. However, it will be appreciated that a subframe is not limited
to such a duration, and may be implemented with any length of time
as a matter of design choice. Uplink-downlink subframe
configuration and uplink-downlink configuration may be used
interchangeably herein. A subframe is used herein as a non-limiting
example of a time unit. Any other time unit may be substituted for
subframe and still be consistent with this disclosure. Some example
time units include symbol, slot, timeslot, and the like.
[0071] FIG. 3 is a table illustrating an example of special
subframe configurations. As shown in table 300, each of the special
subframe configurations 310 may use a normal cyclic prefix in the
downlink 320 or an extended cyclic prefix in the downlink 360. The
downlink part of the special subframe may be referred to as the
downlink pilot timeslot (DwPTS) and the uplink part of the special
subframe may be referred to as the uplink pilot timeslot (UpPTS).
The special subframe may also include a guard period (GP).
[0072] The lengths of the parts of the special subframe may be
given as a function of a sampling time (Ts). The sampling time may
be (10 ms)/307,200, for example. However, it will be appreciated
that a sampling time is not limited thereto and other lengths of
time may be used for a Ts. In an example as shown in table 300, the
special subframe configurations 310 may use a DwPTS 330 and a UpPTS
340 when a normal cyclic prefix is used in the downlink 320 and may
use a DwPTS 370 and a UpPTS 380 when an extended cyclic prefix is
used in the downlink 360. Further, the special subframe
configurations 310 may be used with a normal cyclic prefix in the
uplink 345 or an extended cyclic prefix in the uplink 350 when
using a normal cyclic prefix in the downlink 320, and a normal
cyclic prefix in the uplink 385 or an extended cyclic prefix in the
uplink 390 when using an extended cyclic prefix in the downlink
360. Examples lengths of the parts of the respective parts of the
special subframe are shown in table 300. Further, in the example
shown in table 300, special subframe configurations 8 and 9 may not
be used with an extended cyclic prefix in the downlink 360, however
in other examples special subframe configurations 8 and 9 may be
used with an extended cyclic prefix in the downlink.
[0073] FIG. 4 is a table illustrating an example of special
subframe configurations in terms of symbols. For example, 14
symbols per 1 ms subframe may be used. The symbols may, for
example, be orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or
SC-FDMA symbols. As shown in table 400, for each special subframe
configuration 410 the length of the parts of the special subframe
may be expressed in samples 420 or in symbols 460. The special
subframe configurations may be used with a normal cyclic prefix
(CP). For example, for each special subframe configuration 410 the
special subframe's DwPTS 430, GP 450 and UpPTS 440 may be expressed
in samples 420, as shown in table 400. Also, as shown in table 400,
for each special subframe configuration 410 the length of the
special subframe's DwPTS 470, GP 490 and UpPTS 480 may be in
symbols 460. The length in symbols may be an approximation.
[0074] Various TDD configurations are provided herein. In a TDD
system, there may be one or more UL-DL configurations used in a
cell. The configurations may include a configuration (ConfigCell)
that may be cell-specific. ConfigCell may be used by some WTRUs for
one or more (or, for example, all) of subframe directions,
scheduling timing and/or HARQ timing. For some WTRUs, ConfigCell
may be used for UL scheduling timing and/or UL HARQ timing. UL
scheduling timing may be or may include the relationship between UL
grant reception and UL transmission. For example, UL scheduling
timing may be or may include the identification of which DL
subframe may be used to schedule transmission in which UL subframe.
UL HARQ timing may be or may include at least one of the
relationship between UL transmission and HARQ feedback transmission
(for example, on a physical HARQ indicator channel (PHICH)) in the
DL, and/or the relationship between HARQ feedback in the DL and a
retransmission in the UL. As used herein, the term relationship may
mean timing relationship. ConfigCell may be indicated by a cell in
broadcast signaling (for example, in a system information block
(SIB) such as SIB1).
[0075] The configurations may include a configuration (ConfigHARQD)
that may be WTRU-specific. ConfigHARQD may be used by some WTRUs
for DL HARQ timing. DL HARQ timing may be or may include the
relationship between reception in the DL and a HARQ feedback
transmission in the UL (for example, on a physical uplink control
channel (PUCCH)). ConfigHARQD may be configured in a WTRU via
dedicated signaling.
[0076] The subframe directions in ConfigCell and ConfigHARQD may
not be the same. For example, some of the UL subframes in
ConfigCell may be indicated as DL or special subframes in
ConfigHARQD. The subframes that are not the same direction in
ConfigCell and ConfigHARQD may be referred to as flexible
subframes. The configurations may include another configuration
(for example, ConfigDir) that may be used to indicate the subframe
directions to use, for example, for the flexible subframes.
ConfigDir may be provided in signaling that may be dynamic, for
example, in a downlink control information (DCI) format. ConfigDir
may be provided to the WTRU periodically.
[0077] The three configurations (i.e., ConfigCell, ConfigHARQD and
ConfigDir) may be used together to dynamically change the direction
of some subframes (for example, from UL to DL) for at least some
WTRUs. The configurations may be provided or transmitted by an
eNode-B. The configurations may be received and/or used by a
WTRU.
[0078] Reserved subframes may be provided and/or used. Subframes
may be configured in a WTRU that may be intended for at least a
particular use. Such subframes may be referred to as reserved
subframes. For example, subframes in an LTE system may be
configured and/or reserved for use for Multimedia Broadcast
Multicast Services (MBMS). These subframes may be referred to as
multicast-broadcast single-frequency network (MBSFN) subframes.
Subframes such as subframes 3, 4, 7, 8 and/or 9 shown in FIG. 2,
may be configured and/or identified as MBSFN subframes.
[0079] DL reserved subframes or MBSFN subframes may include a DL
control region and a data region. The DL control region may include
a channel that may indicate the number of symbols in the DL control
region (for example, a physical control format indicator channel
(PCFICH)). The DL control region may include one or more DL control
channels (for example, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH))
that may provide grants for DL data or UL data. The DL control
region may include one or more DL control channels (for example, a
PDCCH) that may provide a trigger or request for transmission of a
sounding reference signal (SRS) or channel state information (CSI)
feedback. The DL control region may include one or more HARQ
feedback channels (for example, a PHICH) that may be used in the DL
to indicate ACK and/or NACK for UL data reception. The control
region may include cell-specific reference signals (CRS). The data
region may not include CRS, for example, when there may be no data
transmission in the data region.
[0080] Reserved subframes, such as MBSFN subframes, may be used for
other purposes. MBSFN subframes may be used in the examples herein
as a non-limiting example of reserved subframes.
[0081] Some WTRUs may perform blind decoding in a reserved
subframe. For example. A WTRU may monitor for a DL control channel
(for example a PDCCH) in the DL control region of a reserved
subframe. A WTRU may monitor for a DL control channel (for example
an enhanced PDCCH (EPDCCH)) in the data region of a reserved
subframe. The WTRU may act in accordance with the DL control
channel (for example, a PDCCH or EPDCCH), for example, when the
WTRU successfully decodes the channel.
[0082] A node (for example, an eNode-B) or a device (for example, a
WTRU) may have at least one medium access control (MAC) entity. A
WTRU or MAC entity may have at least one HARQ entity. For example,
there may be a (for example, one) HARQ entity at the MAC entity for
a serving cell (for example, for each serving cell). For UL (for
example, for a UL direction), there may be a (for example, one)
HARQ entity at the MAC entity for a (for example, each) serving
cell with configured UL. A serving cell may be a cell with which a
WTRU may communicate and/or a cell with which a WTRU may be
connected.
[0083] A WTRU, MAC entity or HARQ entity may maintain a number of
parallel HARQ processes. A WTRU, MAC entity or HARQ entity may
maintain a number of parallel HARQ processes for at least one
transmission type or direction such as UL, DL, or sidelink (SL). In
one or more embodiments, eight (8) may be used as a non-limiting
number of HARQ processes for a transmission direction. It is
understood that any other number may be used, including zero (0),
for a transmission direction and the number of HARQ processes may
be different for different transmission directions.
[0084] A use of parallel HARQ processes may enable transmissions to
take place continuously while waiting for HARQ feedback on
successful or unsuccessful reception of previous transmissions.
[0085] A WTRU, MAC entity, and HARQ entity may be used
interchangeably herein. In one or more embodiments and examples
described herein, a MAC entity and a HARQ entity may be used as
non-limiting examples of an entity that may maintain, include,
comprise, or manage HARQ processes and/or HARQ processing.
Transmission type and transmission direction may also be used
interchangeably. In one or more embodiments and examples described
herein, UL, DL, and SL may be used as non-limiting examples of a
transmission direction or type. UL, DL, and SL may further refer to
a UL, DL, or SL channel established or used for UL, DL, or SL
transmissions. UL, DL, and SL may be substituted for each other in
one or more embodiments and examples described herein and still be
consistent with the examples provided herein.
[0086] Furthermore, a HARQ process may be associated with a HARQ
process identity or identifier that may, for example, be referred
to as a HARQ process ID. A HARQ process may be associated with a
HARQ buffer. A buffer (for example, a HARQ buffer) may be or may
comprise a soft buffer.
[0087] A soft buffer may be used for soft combining coded bits from
one or more repetitions or retransmissions of a TB of data. For
example, in wireless communication systems such as 3rd Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP) LTE cellular communication systems, data
associated with one or more received messages may be stored in
so-called soft buffer memory that may be used to store so-called
soft information associated with received bits, which may also be
referred to as soft bits. The soft information for a received bit
may contain the most likely value of the bit and/or a measure of
its reliability (for example, an estimate of the received signal
energy relative to a noise level). The term "soft information" or
"soft bit" generally refers to not making a hard decision about the
value of a bit during demodulation and/or input to a decoder, which
may also be referred to as a soft decision. These measures of
reliability may be used to enhance decoding performance. For
example, a decoded received packet and its supporting data (for
example, soft bits) may be generally stored in soft buffer memory,
for example to accommodate combining the data with retransmitted
data in the event that a determination is made that the packet was
received in error for a previous transmission or previous
retransmission. A HARQ signal may request that the data be
retransmitted so that, for example, retransmitted data may be
combined in the receiver with the originally received packet.
[0088] A retransmission of a TB may include the same or different
coded bits as the original (for example, new) transmission or
another retransmission of the TB. A buffer may be or may represent
memory, for example, an amount of memory that may be in a
denomination such as bits or bytes. The memory of a buffer may
comprise adjacent and/or non-adjacent pieces or blocks of
memory.
[0089] A shorter TTI may be used, for example to reduce total end
to end delay for connected WTRUs and/or or to reduce latency.
Shortening the TTI alone, however, may not be sufficient since HARQ
RTT may play a significant role in end-to-end latency. To shorten
the HARQ RTT, resources for feedback and retransmission may need to
be available sooner (for example, sooner than for a regular, legacy
or longer TTI). In a system in which separate carrier frequencies
may be used for UL and DL, for example, an FDD system, HARQ timing
may not be impacted by availability of resources for feedback and
retransmission. For example, UL resources for acknowledging DL
reception may be readily available. In a system in which the same
carrier frequency may be used for both UL and DL, for example, a
TDD system, the ability to shorten the HARQ timing may be impacted
by the availability of resources for feedback and retransmission.
For example, for HARQ feedback desired in the UL at n (for example,
4) times the TTI after a DL data transmission, the carrier may not
be available for use in the UL at n times the TTI. Carrier
availability may, for example, depend on the TTI and the
uplink-downlink configuration.
[0090] Scheduling and HARQ feedback timing based on using one or
more new special subframe configurations may reduce latency in an
LTE Advanced system. A new special subframe configuration may allow
one or more of the following. A new configuration may allow PUCCH
transmission and/or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)
transmission in the UL in a special subframe. Also, a new
configuration may allow multiple DL and UL parts in a special
subframe. Further, a new configuration may allow DL grants and HARQ
feedback in the same subframe. In addition, a new configuration may
allow UL grants and UL data transmission in the same subframe.
[0091] A special subframe may be a mixed UL/DL subframe. A special
subframe may be a subframe with at least one UL part and at least
one DL part. The terms part, portion, and region may be used
interchangeably herein. A special subframe may be a subframe
comprising a set of parts and/or time units (for example, time
samples, symbols, slots and the like) that may be configured and/or
used for UL and/or DL. Configuration may be semi-static or
dynamic.
[0092] Special subframes may be used, for example, with short TTIs
(sTTIs) or slot based transmission. Special subframes (for example,
additional special subframes) may be used for HARQ feedback.
Special subframes (for example, additional special subframes) may
be used to reduce the latency for HARQ feedback.
[0093] Slot based transmission may be a way to shorten a TTI (for
example, from subframe based transmission), however, shortening
(or, for example, only shortening) the TTI may not be sufficient,
for example, for reducing latency in a TDD system.
[0094] FIG. 5A is a table illustrating an example of UL-DL
configurations for slot-based TTIs. As shown in an example in table
500, each UL-DL configuration 510 may contain one or more DL or D
slots and one or more UL or U slots 515. For example, there may be
seven (7) configurations numbered 0 through 6 and there may be
twenty (20) slots, numbered 0 through 19. For these subframes,
there may be a guard period of a number of time samples or symbols,
such as shown in FIG. 4, such that a slot may not be fully utilized
in either DL and/or UL. In FIG. 5A, for DL transmission in slot 9
of configuration 4, feedback may not be transmitted until the next
occurrence of slot 3 or 4. Thus, latency reduction may be limited
by the UL-DL configuration.
[0095] Special subframes may be substituted for UL and/or DL
subframes, for example, to send HARQ feedback. Special subframes
may comprise at least one DL part and at least one UL part. Special
subframes may comprise at least one GP or gap. GP, gap, and gap
period may be used interchangeably herein. A gap may be of length 0
or greater than 0 length. A gap may be represented in time units
such as Ts or symbols.
[0096] The substitution of special subframes for DL and/or flexible
subframes may, for example, enable additional opportunities for UL
transmission. Examples of the substitution of special subframes are
provided herein. A special subframe may be substituted for one or
more of the following. A special subframe may be substituted for a
subframe that may be indicated as a UL subframe in ConfigCell (for
example, for a cell). Also, a special subframe may be substituted
for a subframe that may be indicated as a DL subframe in a
ConfigHARQD that may be configured in or received by one or more
WTRUs. Further, a special subframe may be substituted for a
subframe that may be indicated as a DL subframe in a ConfigDir that
may be configured in or received by one or more WTRUs. In addition,
a special subframe may be substituted for a subframe that may be
considered as a flexible subframe by one or more WTRUs. In another
example, a special subframe may be substituted for a subframe that
may be indicated or configured as an MBSFN subframe, for example,
in a cell. Moreover, a special subframe may be substituted for a
subframe that may be indicated or configured as an MBSFN subframes
via broadcast or dedicated signaling.
[0097] A special subframe with a first configuration may be
substituted for a special subframe with a second configuration. The
first configuration may have a same gap as the second
configuration, or the first configuration may have a smaller gap or
larger gap than the second configuration. The second configuration
may be provided in cell-specific, for example, broadcast, signaling
such as in a SIB. The first configuration may be provided in
dedicated and/or dynamic signaling. The first configuration may
have a larger UL region than the second configuration. The first
configuration may have a larger DL region than the second
configuration. The first configuration may have more DL and/or UL
regions than the second configuration.
[0098] For example, the second special subframe configuration, the
special subframe configuration that may be cell-specific, and/or
the special subframe configuration that may be provided in a SIB
may be a special subframe configuration with a large gap, for
example, special subframe configuration 0 or 5 in FIG. 4 which
shows a GP of 10 symbols and 9 symbols, respectively. A
configuration with a large gap may be indicated, for example, in a
cell that does not need a large gap. The gap may be used to allow
for delay or timing advance. A large gap may be needed or used in a
large cell. A configuration with a large gap may be indicated or
used in a small cell, for example, to enable a WTRU which may
understand a new special subframe (for example, with a larger UL
and/or DL region) to use that special subframe in place of the SIB
configured special subframe.
[0099] Substitution may be performed according to a configuration
that may be broadcast, WTRU specific, and/or WTRU-group specific. A
configuration may be provided by an eNode-B or a cell. A
configuration may be provided via physical layer signaling such as
in a DCI format. A configuration may be provided via higher layer
signaling such as radio resource control (RRC) signaling or
broadcast signaling.
[0100] A special subframe may include and/or may begin with a DL
part. A DL part may include at least part of a DL control region.
One or more of a PCFICH, PHICH, PDCCH, EPDCCH, and/or CRS may be
included in a DL control region. A DL part may be followed by a UL
part. There may be a gap, for example, with no transmission between
the DL part and the UL part. A DL part may include a DL data
region. Further, one or more of a EPDCCH and/or a physical downlink
shared channel (PDSCH) may be included in a DL data region.
[0101] An eNode-B may transmit in a DL part. An eNode-B may
transmit in a DL control region. An eNode-B may transmit at least
one of a PCFICH, PHICH, PDCCH, EPDCCH, and/or CRS in a DL part
and/or a DL control region. An eNode-B may transmit a EPDCCH and/or
PDSCH in a DL data part and/or DL data region.
[0102] A WTRU may receive in a DL part. An WTRU may receive in a DL
control region. A WTRU may monitor for and/or receive at least one
of a PCFICH, PHICH, PDCCH, EPDCCH, and/or CRS in a DL part and/or a
DL control region. An WTRU may monitor for and/or receive a EPDCCH
and/or PDSCH in a DL data part and/or DL data region.
[0103] A UL part may be used to carry UL control information such
as a PUCCH. A UL part may be used to carry UL data such as a PUSCH.
The PUCCH and/or PUSCH design may be adapted based on the special
subframe configuration, for example, based on a UL portion of the
special subframe.
[0104] A WTRU may transmit in a UL part. A WTRU may transmit at
least one of a PUCCH and/or PUSCH in a UL part. An eNode-B may
receive in a UL part. An eNode-B may receive one or more of a PUCCH
and/or PUSCH in a UL part.
[0105] In an example of special subframe configurations shown in
FIG. 4, a UL portion may be limited to 1 or 2 symbols. To use a
special subframe for a PUCCH and/or PUSCH, the UL portion may be
larger. In example configurations shown in table 400, the gap sizes
may be up to 10 symbols. The large number of symbols may correspond
to cells as large as 100 km. However, such a large number of gap
symbols may not be used for smaller cells.
[0106] Other special subframe configurations may be used. For
example, a special subframe configuration may contain at least one
or more of the following. In an example configuration, a special
subframe may contain a UL part followed by a DL part, for example,
without a gap between the UL and DL parts.
[0107] Also, in an example configuration, a special subframe may
contain a gap followed by a UL part. The gap followed by the UL
part may begin at the start of the special subframe, for example,
when the special subframe may follow a DL subframe or when the
special subframe may follow a subframe where the last part of that
subframe may be a DL part.
[0108] In addition, in an example configuration, a special subframe
may contain a DL part followed by a gap. The DL part followed by
the gap may be at the end of the special subframe, for example,
when the next subframe may be a UL subframe or when the first part
of the next subframe may be a UL p art.
[0109] Special subframes may comprise multiple instances of a DL
part, a gap, and a UL part. For example a special subframe may have
or may include two instances of a DL part, a gap, and a UL part. In
an example, at least one of the DL parts may include a control
region. In a further example, all of the DL parts may include a
control region.
[0110] A special subframe may be used to create a self-contained
subframe. In an example, a self-contained subframe may be a
subframe in which a DL grant and/or DL data may be received, for
example, by a WTRU, in a DL part of the subframe and the HARQ
feedback for the DL grant and/or DL data may be transmitted, for
example, by the WTRU, in a UL part of the subframe. The HARQ
feedback may be transmitted on a PUCCH channel in a UL part of the
subframe.
[0111] In a further example, a self-contained subframe may be a
subframe in which a UL grant may be received, for example, by a
WTRU, in a DL part of the subframe and granted resources may be in
a UL part of the subframe. In another example, a self-contained
subframe may be a subframe in which a UL grant may be received, for
example, by a WTRU, in a DL part of the subframe and the UL
transmission, for example, by the WTRU, may be in a UL part of the
subframe.
[0112] Examples herein also describe configuring a WTRU with
special subframes. A WTRU may also determine when to use a special
subframe, for example, for UL transmission such as a PUCCH or PUSCH
transmission. For example, a dynamic indication in a grant (such
as, for example, a DL grant or a UL grant) may indicate the use of
a special subframe (for example, for a PUCCH or a PUSCH
transmission), and a WTRU may determine which special subframe to
use for the UL transmission based on timing, for example, with
respect to the grant.
[0113] Special subframes may be configured and/or used, for
example, for UL transmission of PUCCH, PUSCH, and/or HARQ feedback.
A set of one or more special subframe configurations may be
provided and/or used. For example, the set may be provided via
higher layer signaling such as RRC dedicated or broadcast
signaling.
[0114] A special subframe configuration may indicate one or more of
the following for a special subframe: the number of DL, UL, and/or
gap parts in the special subframe; the positions or locations of
the DL, UL, and/or gap parts within the special subframe; the size
of DL, UL, and/or gap parts in the special subframe; an index or
other identifier for or associated with the special subframe
configuration; the purpose for which one or more DL parts of the
special subframe may be used; and/or the purpose for which one or
more UL parts of the special subframe may be used.
[0115] The purpose for which a UL and/or DL part of a special
subframe may be used may be indicated, for example, separately,
from the special subframe configuration.
[0116] A configuration (for example, a ConfigSF) may be provided
that indicates which subframes may be used as special subframes.
ConfigSF may indicate a purpose, for example, a UL purpose, for
which an indicated subframe (for example, each indicated subframe
or all indicated subframes) may be used. A UL purpose may be at
least one of HARQ feedback, PUCCH transmission, PUSCH transmission,
and/or SRS transmission. ConfigSF may indicate the special subframe
configuration, for example, by its identifier, for one or more (for
example, each or all) of the subframes indicated by ConfigSF.
[0117] ConfigSF may or may also indicate which subframes may be
used as DL subframes. In an example, ConfigSF may or may also
indicate which subframes may be completely used as DL subframes.
The subframes that may be indicated as DL subframes may be UL or
special subframes in ConfigCell.
[0118] ConfigSF may be configured via higher layer signaling such
as RRC signaling, broadcast signaling or both. ConfigSF may be
configured via physical layer signaling such as in a DCI format.
The signaling may be cell-specific, WTRU-specific, and/or
WTRU-group specific. ConfigSF may be configured and/or updated
periodically.
[0119] There may be a first ConfigSF that may be signaled, for
example, via higher layer signaling and/or semi-statically. In an
example, the first ConfigSF may be a baseline ConfigSF that may be
signaled, for example, via higher layer signaling and/or
semi-statically. There may be a second ConfigSF that may be
signaled dynamically and/or periodically. The second ConfigSF may
override the first ConfigSF.
[0120] The second ConfigSF may be applicable to and/or valid for a
length of time such as a specific length of time. A WTRU may use at
least ConfigSF to determine which subframes may be used at least
occasionally as special subframes.
[0121] A DL and/or UL grant may indicate, for example, to a WTRU,
to use a special subframe for a UL transmission or for reception of
a DL transmission. The special subframe may be one indicated in
ConfigSF. A UL transmission may be or may include transmission of
HARQ feedback in the UL, a PUCCH transmission, and/or a PUSCH
transmission. A DL transmission may be or may include transmission
of HARQ feedback in the DL (for example, on a PHICH), a PDCCH
and/or EPDCCH transmission, and/or a PDSCH transmission.
[0122] For example, a DL grant may indicate whether a special
subframe may be used for PUCCH transmission and/or for HARQ
feedback (for example, in the UL and/or on a PUCCH) for the DL
transmission. A WTRU may transmit a PUCCH and/or HARQ feedback in a
special subframe, for example based on receiving an indication to
use a special subframe for a PUCCH and/or HARQ feedback.
[0123] The subframe or special subframe to use, for example for an
UL transmission, a PUCCH transmission, and/or for HARQ feedback,
may be indicated, for example to a WTRU, and/or determined, for
example by a WTRU, according to one or more of the following: the
subframe or special subframe may be one indicated in ConfigSF;
which subframe to use as a special subframe may be indicated in the
DL grant; the special subframe may be a subframe indicated as an
MBSFN subframe, for example, in ConfigCell; the special subframe
may be the next special subframe that satisfies a criteria or the
next special subframe indicated in ConfigSF that satisfies a
criteria where the criteria may be that the start of the special
subframe or a portion (for example, a UL portion) of the special
subframe exceeds a threshold amount of time (for example, in
subframes, TTIs, symbols, time samples, timeslots, and the like)
after the time (for example, subframe, TTI, symbol, time samples,
timeslot, and the like) in which the DL grant or DL data is
received; the special subframe that may be used may begin at least
a number of, for example, n, TTIs after the subframe in which the
DL grant or DL data is received; the UL portion of the special
subframe that may be used may be in a timeslot that begins at least
a number (for example, n) TTIs after the start of the timeslot in
which the DL data is received; the special subframe may be the same
subframe as the subframe in which the DL grant is received, for
example, the current special subframe; the special subframe may be
the current special subframe, for example if the current special
subframe satisfies a criteria where the criteria may be that the
start (or a part of) of a UL portion of the current special
subframe exceeds a threshold amount of time (for example, in TTIs,
symbols, time samples, timeslots, and the like) after the time (for
example, TTI, symbol, time samples, timeslot, and the like) in
which the DL grant or DL data is received; and/or the UL portion of
the current special subframe may be used, for example, when the UL
portion may begin at least a number of, for example, n, TTIs,
symbols, and/or time samples after the time in which the DL grant
or DL data is received.
[0124] A time unit of a TTI may be in at least one of subframes,
TTIs, symbols, time samples, and/or timeslots. The DL grant may
indicate the special subframe configuration of the special subframe
that may be used for PUCCH and/or HARQ feedback.
[0125] A special subframe may be used for transmission of a PUCCH
and/or HARQ feedback. If a WTRU receives an indication, for
example, in a DL grant, that a special subframe may be used for
PUCCH transmission and/or HARQ feedback (for example, in the UL
and/or on a PUCCH), the WTRU may transmit PUCCH and/or HARQ
feedback in a special subframe. The special subframe may be a
special subframe as described herein. For example, the special
subframe may be one indicated in ConfigSF. The special subframe may
be the next special subframe that satisfies a criteria or the next
special subframe indicated in ConfigSF that satisfies a criteria.
The criteria may be as described above. The special subframe may be
the current special subframe, for example, if the current special
subframe satisfies a criteria such as one described herein.
[0126] As used in the examples herein, substitution and switched
may be used interchangeably. In an example, special subframes may
be substituted for UL and/or DL subframes, for example to send HARQ
feedback. Accordingly, in an example, a UL and/or DL subframe may
be switched to a special subframe. In another example, two DL
subframes may be switched to special subframes. In a further
example, two UL subframes may be switched to a special subframes.
In still further examples, more than two UL and/or DL subframes may
be switched to special subframes. In an example, one or more
subframes switched to special subframes may then be used to send
HARQ feedback. Further, substitution may be via configuration that
may be broadcast, WTRU specific, and/or WTRU-group specific.
Configuration may be by an eNode-B or cell. Configuration may be
via physical layer signaling such as in a DCI format. Configuration
may be via higher layer signaling such as RRC signaling or
broadcast signaling.
[0127] The WTRU may transmit the PUCCH and/or the HARQ feedback in
a UL portion of the special subframe, for example, according to the
special subframe configuration of that subframe. The location of
the PUCCH and/or HARQ feedback, for example, in time and/or
frequency, may be a function of the TTI, the location of the DL
grant and/or the location of the DL data transmission.
[0128] For a special subframe in which it may transmit the PUCCH
and/or HARQ feedback, the WTRU may use the special subframe
configuration it received, for example, in higher layer signaling,
ConfigSF, the associated DL grant, and/or other ways such as those
described in examples herein. If a WTRU receives an indication, for
example, in a DL grant, that a special subframe may be used for
PUCCH transmission and/or HARQ feedback (for example, in the UL
and/or on a PUCCH), the WTRU may monitor, attempt to receive and/or
receive a DL transmission in a DL part of the special subframe in
which it may transmit the PUCCH and/or HARQ feedback.
[0129] FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of sending HARQ
feedback on a switched special subframe in a configuration
supporting an sTTI. As shown in an example in FIG. 5B, when using a
legacy TTI with a TDD UL/DL subframe configuration, DL data may be
received by a WTRU on a DL subframe, such as subframe 520. The TTI
and the subframe may be the same length in time, such as 1 ms. The
TDD UL/DL subframe configuration may be TDD UL/DL subframe
configuration 2, in an example. The WTRU may then send HARQ
feedback for subframe 520 on a UL subframe, such as subframe 530.
In another example shown in FIG. 5B, a subframe such as subframe
520 may correspond to one legacy TTI and two sTTIs such as sTTIs
540 and 541. DL data may be received by a WTRU for an sTTI such as
sTTI 540. The WTRU may then send HARQ feedback for the sTTI 540 on
an sTTI corresponding to a UL subframe, such as sTTI 560
corresponding to UL subframe 530. Two is used as a non-limiting
example of the number of sTTIs that may correspond to a subframe
and/or to a legacy, long, or normal TTI. The WTRU may not send HARQ
feedback for the sTTI 540 on a special subframe such as special
subframe 557, for example since the UL part 558 of the special
subframe 557, which may be a legacy special subframe, may not be
long enough to support HARQ feedback transmission.
[0130] In order to improve latency, a WTRU may switch DL subframes
to be special subframes. In an example shown in FIG. 5B, DL
subframe 525 which corresponds to DL sTTI 550 and 555 may be
switched to special subframe 580. Special subframe 580 may include
at least a UL part 585 and a gap part 583. DL data may be received
by the WTRU for an sTTI, such as sTTI 570. The WTRU may then send
HARQ feedback for sTTI 570 on the UL part 585 of special subframe
580. As can be seen in FIG. 5B, latency can be improved in this way
because the WTRU may send HARQ feedback on the UL part 585 of
special subframe 580 sooner than the WTRU may send HARQ feedback in
UL sTTI 560. As further shown in an example in FIG. 5B, the HARQ
feedback may be sent in the nearest UL location, for example the
nearest UL location that may support HARQ feedback transmission, at
least four sTTIs after the receipt of the corresponding DL
data.
[0131] A PUSCH transmission may use a special subframe. The
examples described herein utilizing a special subframe for PUCCH
transmission may be applied to utilizing a special subframe for
PUSCH transmission. For example, DL grant when referring to PUCCH
transmission described herein may be replaced by UL grant for
referring to PUSCH transmission.
[0132] For example, a UL grant may indicate whether a special
subframe may be used for PUSCH transmission. The special subframe
may be the next special subframe that satisfies a criteria or the
next special subframe indicated in ConfigSF that satisfies a
criteria. The criteria may be as described for PUCCH transmission
with UL grant substituted for DL grant.
[0133] For example, the criteria may be that the start of the
special subframe or a portion (for example, a UL portion) of the
special subframe exceeds a threshold amount of time (for example,
in subframes, TTIs, symbols, time samples, timeslots, and the like)
after the time (for example, subframe, TTI, symbol, time samples,
timeslot, and the like) in which the UL grant is received.
[0134] The special subframe may be the same subframe as the
subframe in which the UL grant is received (for example, the
current special subframe). The special subframe may be the current
special subframe, for example, if the current special subframe
satisfies a criteria. The criteria may be as described for PUCCH
transmission with UL grant substituted for DL grant.
[0135] For example, the criteria may be that the start (or a part
of) of a UL portion of the current special subframe exceeds a
threshold amount of time (for example, in TTIs, symbols, time
samples, timeslots, and the like) after the time (for example, TTI,
symbol, time samples, timeslot, and the like) in which the UL grant
is received.
[0136] If a WTRU receives an indication, for example, in a UL
grant, that a special subframe may be used for PUSCH transmission,
the WTRU may transmit PUSCH in a special subframe. The special
subframe may be a special subframe as described herein. For
example, the special subframe may be the next special subframe that
satisfies a criteria or the next special subframe indicated in
ConfigSF that satisfies a criteria. The criteria may be as
described above. The special subframe may be the current special
subframe, for example, if the current special subframe satisfies a
criteria such as one described herein.
[0137] The WTRU may transmit the PUSCH in a UL portion of the
special subframe, for example, according to the special subframe
configuration of that subframe. The location of the PUSCH, for
example, in time and/or frequency, may be a function of the TTI
and/or the location of the UL grant. If a WTRU receives an
indication, for example, in a UL grant, that a special subframe may
be used for PUSCH transmission, the WTRU may monitor, attempt to
receive and/or receive a DL transmission in a DL part of the
special subframe in which it may transmit the PUSCH. When using a
special subframe for PUSCH transmission, the HARQ feedback in the
DL, for example, from the eNode-B, may be provided in a DL subframe
or a DL portion of a special subframe according to a configuration
or a rule. The UL grant (or other information in the DCI format
that may contain the UL grant) may include or identify the
configuration or rule to use. WTRU retransmission, for example, if
a NACK or no ACK is received, may be according to a configuration
or a rule. The configuration or the rule may be indicated in or
with the UL grant.
[0138] A PUCCH transmission may use special subframe UL symbols.
For example, a PUCCH transmission may use special subframe UL
symbols and/or time samples that may correspond to UpPTS symbols of
the special subframe or a UpPTS part of the special subframe. For
example, a special subframe may include or may end with a number of
symbols (for example, NS symbols) that may be UL symbols or UpPTS
symbols. The number of symbols (which may be described as the
length in symbols) may be 1 or 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 4
under UpPTS. One or more of the NS symbol(s) may be used (for
example, typically used or reserved) for SRS transmission. SRS
transmissions may be triggered by an eNode-B. SRS transmissions may
be used for UL channel measurements, for example, occasional UL
channel measurements. The resources available in the NS symbols may
not be used, for example, at least sometimes. The resources
available in the NS symbols may be utilized to create additional
PUCCH transmission opportunities in a TDD special subframe, for
example, short or shortened PUCCH (sPUCCH) transmission
opportunities. The sPUCCH transmission opportunities in a special
subframe configuration may be independent of the special subframe
configuration. sPUCCH transmission opportunities may be used for
HARQ feedback, for example, to reduce RTT latency.
[0139] An sPUCCH may, for example, be used when the symbols
available for UL transmission are fewer than used by a legacy
PUCCH. In an example, an sPUCCH may be used when an UL sTTI is used
for transmitting UL control information such as HARQ feedback. In
another example, the UL symbols available in a special subframe may
be limited to a number, for example to 1 or 2 symbols, which may be
too short for a legacy PUCCH design. As a result, an sPUCCH may be
used instead.
[0140] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of HARQ feedback
latency with and without sPUCCH transmission in UpPTSs of special
subframes. As shown in an example in diagram 600, TDD UL/DL
configuration 2 may be used with legacy PUCCH transmission 610 and
with sPUCCH transmission in UpPTS 660. sPUCCH transmission may be
allowed in a special subframe, for example, in a UpPTS of a special
subframe. HARQ feedback may be transmitted using a sPUCCH. In this
example, latency between DL reception and HARQ feedback
transmission may be reduced by 1 subframe or TTI for at least some
instances of PDSCH reception (for example, instances with HARQ
feedback delay >4 subframes or TTIs). In the example shown in
FIG. 6, k may be the time distance in number of subframes between a
PDSCH and its corresponding HARQ feedback. Using sPUCCH in a
special subframe (for example, in a UpPTS), the average k may be
reduced from 6.25 subframes or TTIs to 5.5 subframes or TTIs.
[0141] In an example shown in FIG. 6, under TDD UL/DL configuration
2 used with legacy PUCCH transmission 610, the WTRU may receive a
PDSCH 620 in DL subframe 0 and a PDSCH 630 in special subframe 1.
The WTRU may then transmit HARQ feedback for the PDSCHs, such as an
ACK or a NACK, in the next available UL subframe more than 4
subframes after the receipt of the PDSCH, which may be UL subframe
7. In this way, the WTRU may transmit an ACK or a NACK 625 for
PDSCH 620 and an ACK or a NACK 635 for PDSCH 630 in UL subframe
7.
[0142] Further, under TDD UL/DL configuration 2 used with sPUCCH
transmission in UpPTS 660, the WTRU may receive a PDSCH 670 in DL
subframe 0 and a PDSCH 680 in special subframe 1. The WTRU may then
transmit HARQ feedback, such as an ACK or a NACK, in the next
available special subframe or UL subframe more than 4 subframes
after the receipt of the PDSCH, which may be special subframe 6. In
this way, the WTRU may transmit an ACK or a NACK 675 for PDSCH 670
and an ACK or a NACK 685 for PDSCH 680 in special subframe 6. As a
result, the feedback delay may be reduced by 1 subframe by using
sPUCCH transmission in UpPTS 660 instead of legacy PUCCH
transmission 610.
[0143] For sPUCCH transmission on (or at least on) SRS resources, a
WTRU may be configured with a set of parameters. In an example, the
parameters may be or may include the set of parameters defined,
configured, and/or used for SRS. In a further example, the
parameters may be or may include a subset of the set of parameters
defined, configured, and/or used for SRS. The parameters may
include information regarding the location of the resources or
information from which the location information may be determined.
The location information may include the frequency resources, the
bandwidth, and/or the resource blocks (RBs). SRS may include
periodic and/or aperiodic SRS. SRS may include SRS of trigger type
0 and/or type 1. The set of parameters may be or may include one or
more parameters that may be independent of the SRS (type 0 and/or
type 1) parameters. For example, the set of parameters may be or
may include all of the parameters that may be independent of the
SRS (type 0 and/or type 1) parameters.
[0144] Multiple sets of parameters may be configured and/or used.
Separate parameters may be configured for and/or used by different
WTRUs or groups of WTRUs. There may be a number of (for example,
three) sets of parameters, that may, for example, be the same as
the number of (for example, three) sets of parameters configured
for SRS trigger type 1 and/or DCI Format 4. Which set of parameters
a WTRU may use may be configured or indicated semi-statically (for
example, by higher layer signaling) or dynamically (for example, by
physical layer signaling).
[0145] The availability of special subframe resources for sPUCCH
transmission may be configured, indicated, and/or granted through
higher layer signaling or physical layer signaling (for example,
via a DL control channel or DCI format). Special subframe resource
availability may become effective immediately in the same subframe
as the indication or in a later special subframe, for example, the
next special subframe or the next special subframe that may be used
for sPUCCH. Special subframe resources may be or may include UL
symbols or resources, UpPTS symbols or resources, and/or SRS
symbols or resources.
[0146] The availability and/or use of special subframe resources
for sPUCCH transmission may be a function of the frame
configuration (for example, the TDD UL/DL configuration). For
example, special subframe resources may be available and/or used
for sPUCCH transmission for all or a subset of PDSCH reception
events. Special subframe resources may be available and/or used for
sPUCCH transmission for all or a subset of PDSCH reception events
for which their corresponding HARQ feedback may experience a long
delay (for example, greater than 4 or 5 subframes). The delay may
be a function of the frame configuration. The WTRU may determine
the availability or unavailability of resources (for example,
special subframe resources) for sPUCCH transmission without
requiring any additional signaling. For example, for UL/DL
configuration 2 shown in FIG. 6, availability and/or use of special
subframes may apply (for example, may only apply) to HARQ feedback
for PDSCH 640, 690 reception in subframe 4 and PDSCH 650, 691
reception in subframe 9. Using legacy PUCCH, PDSCH 640, 650
reception in subframes 4 and 9 may experience the longest delay for
HARQ feedback, such as for HARQ feedback 645 and HARQ feedback 655,
respectively. Using sPUCCH, PDSCH 690, 691 reception in subframes 4
and 9 may experience a shorter delay for HARQ feedback, for example
by 1 subframe or 1 ms, such as for HARQ feedback 695 and HARQ
feedback 696, respectively.
[0147] SRS may be configured to span over a multiple of a number of
RBs (for example, 4 RBs) in frequency. Further, SRS may be
configured to span over any multiple of a number of RBs in
frequency. The sPUCCH may span a (for example, any) multiple of the
number of RBs (for example, 4 RBs) that may be allowed by an SRS
configuration. The SRS bandwidth may be configured as large as
needed for transmission of the sPUCCH, for example, in case of
availability of a single UL symbol in a given configuration. The
transmitted sPUCCH blocks may be rate-matched or repeated over
several RBs, for example, to achieve higher coding gain.
[0148] An sPUCCH transmission may be transmitted simultaneously
with an SRS transmission. The SRS mapping may be done on a subset
of subcarriers (for example, every second subcarrier). The unused
resources may be used to carry the sPUCCH. The sPUCCH transmission
may not be accompanied with an (for example, any) UL DMRS, for
example, since the SRS may be used for channel estimation for PUCCH
demodulation. Some of the SRS power may be shifted to the sPUCCH,
for example, in case of simultaneous transmission of SRS and
sPUCCH. The shift may improve performance.
[0149] WTRUs may use MBSFN subframes as special subframes. In an
example, MBSFN subframes may be used as special subframes by at
least some WTRUs, for example in a cell. Configuring DL subframes
that may be used as special subframes as MBSFN subframes may enable
backwards compatibility with legacy WTRUs when DL subframes are
used as special subframes. A WTRU may receive a configuration or
indication as to which MBSFN subframes may be used as special
subframes.
[0150] In the examples described herein, the terms MBSFN subframe
may be substituted for the terms special subframe and vice versa,
and still be consistent with the examples provided herein.
[0151] Some WTRUs, for example, legacy WTRU s may not expect a DL
grant, DL data, and/or CRS in an MBSFN subframe. MBSFN subframes
may be used for UL transmission, for example, in regions of the
subframe not used for DL control. MBSFN subframes may be used for
UL transmission, for example, without impacting legacy WTRUs.
[0152] Some WTRUs (for example, LTE R10 WTRUs) may blind decode for
a DL control channel in an MBSFN subframe, but may not expect CRS
in the data region of an MBSFN subframe (for example, if the WTRU
does not receive a grant in the subframe). MBSFN subframes may be
used for UL transmission, for example, without impacting WTRUs such
as these.
[0153] A WTRU may monitor and/or receive a DL control channel in an
MBSFN subframe. The DL control channel may indicate whether the
MBSFN subframe may be used as a DL subframe or a special
subframe.
[0154] A WTRU may receive an indication in a UL grant and/or DL
grant as to whether an upcoming (or the current) MBSFN subframe may
be used as a special subframe and/or for UL transmission. If the
WTRU determines that an upcoming (or the current) MBSFN subframe
may be used as a special subframe and/or for UL transmission, the
WTRU may determine which MBSFN subframe according to a criteria. If
the WTRU determines that an upcoming (or current) MBSFN subframe
may be used as a special subframe and/or for UL transmission, the
WTRU may make the UL transmission in that subframe.
[0155] For example, a DL grant may indicate whether an MBSFN
subframe may be used as a special subframe. A DL grant may be used
to indicate whether an MBSFN subframe may be used for PUCCH
transmission and/or for HARQ feedback (for example, in the UL
and/or on a PUCCH) for the DL transmission. If a WTRU determines
that an MBSFN subframe may be used for PUCCH transmission and/or
for HARQ feedback, for example, based on an indication in a DL
grant, the WTRU may transmit the PUCCH and/or HARQ feedback in the
determined subframe.
[0156] The following example procedures may be used under the
design for using MBSFN subframes as special subframes. For example,
which MBSFN subframe to use may be indicated in the DL grant. Also,
the DL grant and/or other configuration may indicate the special
subframe configuration for the MBSFN subframe. In another example,
the MBSFN subframe may be the current or next MBSFN subframe that
satisfies a criteria. The criteria may be that the start of the
MBSFN subframe or a portion (for example, a UL portion) of the
MBSFN subframe (for example, according to the special subframe
configuration for the MBSFN subframe) exceeds a threshold amount of
time after the time in which the DL grant or DL data is received.
The threshold amount of time may be expressed, for example, in
subframes, TTIs, symbols, time samples, timeslots, and the like.
The time in which the DL grant or DL data is received may be
expressed, for example, in subframes, TTIs, symbols, time samples,
timeslots, and the like.
[0157] In a further example, the MBSFN subframe that may be used
may begin at least a number of, for example, n, TTIs after the
subframe in which the DL grant or DL data is received. In an
additional example, the UL portion of the MBSFN subframe (for
example, according to the special subframe configuration for the
MBSFN subframe) that may be used may be in a timeslot that begins
at least a number (for example, n) TTIs after the start of the
timeslot in which the DL data is received.
[0158] Further, the MBSFN subframe may be the current special
subframe, for example if the current MBSFN subframe satisfies a
criteria. The criteria may be that the start (or a part of) of a UL
portion of the current MBSFN subframe (for example, according to
the special subframe configuration for the MBSFN subframe) exceeds
a threshold amount of time after the time in which the DL grant or
DL data is received. The threshold amount of time may be expressed,
for example, in subframes, TTIs, symbols, time samples, timeslots,
and the like. The time in which the DL grant or DL data is received
may be expressed, for example, in subframes, TTIs, symbols, time
samples, timeslots, and the like. In still another example, the UL
portion of the current special subframe may be used, for example,
when the UL portion may begin at least a number of, for example, n,
TTIs, symbols, and/or time samples after the time in which the DL
grant or DL data is received.
[0159] The examples described herein for PUCCH transmission, for
example, in a subframe configured as an MBSFN subframe, may be
applied to PUSCH transmission, for example, in a subframe
configured as an MBSFN subframe. In the examples, DL grant may be
replaced by UL grant without loss of functionality.
[0160] Examples of UL channel design for special subframes and
variable size UL transmission regions are provided herein. In
particular, examples of a design of PUCCH and PUSCH for variable
size UL regions for transmission, for example, as a function of the
size of the UL region, are provided. A PUCCH and/or PUSCH may be
designed according to a time that may be available for the
transmission of the channel. The design of a channel may include
the allocation of resources in time and/or frequency.
[0161] For example, a PUCCH and/or PUSCH in a special subframe may
be designed according to at least one of the number of time
samples, symbols, physical resource blocks (PRBs), and/or resource
elements (REs) in (or available in) the UL portion of the special
subframe. Further, a PUCCH and/or PUSCH in another time span may be
designed according to at least one of the number of time samples,
symbols, physical resource blocks (PRBs), and/or resource elements
(REs) in (or available in) the UL portion of the other
timespan.
[0162] A PUCCH and/or PUSCH in a special subframe may be designed
according to at least one of the number of time samples, symbols,
PRBs, and/or REs available for the UL transmission in the special
subframe. Further, a PUCCH and/or PUSCH in another time span may be
designed according to at least one of the number of time samples,
symbols, PRBs, and/or REs available for the UL transmission in the
other time span.
[0163] A PUCCH and/or PUSCH in a special subframe may be designed
according to at least one of the frequency location of the PRBs,
and/or REs available for the UL transmission in the special
subframe. Further, a PUCCH and/or PUSCH in another time span may be
designed according to at least one of the frequency location of the
PRBs, and/or REs available for the UL transmission in the other
time span.
[0164] The design parameters of a PUCCH may include one or more of
the following characteristics of the PUCCH: the frequency location;
the TTI; the number of REs; the number of PRBs; the use of
frequency hopping; and/or the starting symbol, time sample, or
other time unit, for example within the subframe. The design
parameters of a PUSCH may include one or more of the following
characteristics of the PUSCH: the TTI; the use of frequency
hopping; the starting symbol, time sample, or other time unit, for
example within the subframe; the location of a UL reference signal
(RS) (for example, a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS)); and/or
transport Block Size (TBS).
[0165] One or more of the design parameters of the PUCCH and/or
PUSCH in a special subframe may be based on or a function of the
configuration of a special subframe, for example, the configuration
of the special subframe in which the PUCCH and/or PUSCH may be or
may be intended to be transmitted. A WTRU may determine one or more
of the design parameters of the PUCCH and/or PUSCH in a special
subframe based on or as a function of the configuration of a
special subframe.
[0166] The configuration of a special subframe may include at least
one of: the size of the DL portion in terms of times samples,
symbols, and/or other time units; the size of the UL portion in
terms of times samples, symbols, and/or other time units; and/or
the size of the gap in terms of times samples, symbols, and/or
other time units.
[0167] The configuration of a special subframe may include the
allocation of PUCCH resources in the special subframe. For example,
the configuration of a special subframe may include the allocation
of PUCCH resources in one or more UL portions of the special
subframe.
[0168] In an example, a subframe may have a number of symbols 51
available for UL transmission such as PUCCH and/or PUSCH
transmission. The subframe may be configured and/or determined to
occupy or be allocated C1 subcarriers. Another subframe may have a
number of symbols S2 available for UL transmission such as PUCCH
and/or PUSCH transmission. The subframe may be configured and/or
determined to occupy or be allocated C2 subcarriers. If S1<S2,
then C1 may be greater than C2. Another time unit such as time
samples or timeslots may be substituted for symbols in the examples
described herein. More symbols for UL transmission may correspond
to fewer subcarriers or REs for UL transmission.
[0169] A WTRU may be configured with a PUCCH allocation based on a
number of symbols being allocated for the PUCCH. This may be a base
PUCCH allocation. A WTRU may determine the PUCCH allocation in a
subframe with a number (for example, a different number) of symbols
allocated for the PUCCH based on the base PUCCH allocation. The
base allocation may use S1 symbols and C1 carriers. The WTRU may
determine the allocation for another subframe that may use S2
symbols. The allocation for the other subframe may include the
number of subcarriers, for example, C2, and/or the location of the
allocation in frequency. The allocation for the other subframe may
be determined as a function of at least one of S1, S2, C1, and/or
the frequency location of the base allocation.
[0170] In the embodiments and examples described herein, PUSCH may
be substituted for PUCCH and vice versa and still be consistent
with the examples provided herein. It will also be appreciated that
any combination of the disclosed features/elements may be used in
one or more of the embodiments and examples.
[0171] FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating an example of transmitting
HARQ feedback on a PUCCH in a UL portion in determined resources of
a determined special subframe with a determined special subframe
configuration. As shown in an example in FIG. 7A, a WTRU may
receive a time division duplex (TDD) uplink(UL)/downlink (DL)
subframe configuration 710. Further, the WTRU may receive a DL
grant with an indication to use a special subframe for PUCCH
transmission 715. The WTRU may then dynamically determine which
subframe to switch to a special subframe and may switch the
subframe to a special subframe 720. Further, the WTRU may determine
a special subframe configuration to use for the determined special
subframe 725. Also, the WTRU may determine resources of the
determined special subframe to use for a PUCCH 730.
[0172] The WTRU may then determine PUCCH resources and PUCCH design
parameters for the PUCCH 735. Further, the WTRU may transmit HARQ
feedback on the PUCCH in a UL portion in the determined resources
of the determined special subframe with the determined special
subframe configuration using the determined PUCCH resources and
PUCCH design parameters 740.
[0173] In an example, the WTRU may also receive DL data in a DL
subframe. The WTRU may then transmit the HARQ feedback in the
determined special subframe at least four sTTIs after the DL
subframe.
[0174] In examples provided herein, an LTE guard-band may be used.
Specifically, a guard-band may be configured for, determined for
use for, and/or used for UL resources and/or DL resources. A
guard-band may be configured for, determined for use for, and/or
used for HARQ feedback transmission in the UL and/or DL. A
guard-band may be configured for, determined for use for, and/or
used for UL resources and/or DL resources for HARQ feedback
transmission.
[0175] The terms HARQ feedback, HARQ-ACK, HARQ indication, and
ACK/NACK indication may be used interchangeably herein.
Furthermore, a guard-band, a secondary carrier, extended carrier,
and a second frequency band may be used interchangeably herein.
[0176] FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an example of a guard-band
PRB configuration for HARQ feedback. As shown in an example in
diagram 700, PRB 760 and PRB 770 in guard-band A and PRB 780 and
PRB 790 in guard-band B may be configured and/or used. The use of a
guard-band PRB configuration and/or of guard-band PRBs may not be
limited to HARQ feedback transmission.
[0177] In examples provided herein, a guard-band PRB configuration
may be provided and/or used. A PRB in a guard-band may be referred
to as G-PRB and a PRB in a system bandwidth may be referred to as
S-PRB. The terms PRB, PRB-pair, and RB may be used interchangeably
and still be consistent with the examples provided herein.
[0178] A set of G-PRBs may be near or adjacent (for example, in
frequency or PRB) to a set of S-PRBs. In an example, the number of
S-PRBs may be determined based on an indication from a broadcasting
channel (for example, a master information block (MIB), or a SIB)
and the number of G-PRBs may be determined based on at least one of
following: an indication from a higher layer signaling; one or more
system parameters (for example, physical cell-ID, system bandwidth
and the like); and/or carrier frequency.
[0179] One or more G-PRBs may be used for a certain transmission
scheme (or mode) configuration. For example, if a WTRU is
configured with a short-TTI transmission scheme (or mode), then
G-PRBs may be used. The higher layer signaling for a short-TTI
transmission scheme may include full or partial configuration
information for G-PRBs.
[0180] Based on the physical cell-ID (PCI) detection from a
synchronization channel, and/or one or more system parameters
acquired from a broadcasting channel, the G-PRB configuration may
be determined, for example, by a WTRU.
[0181] One or more G-PRBs may be located next to the lowest S-PRB
index, highest S-PRB index, or both lowest and highest S-PRB
indices.
[0182] In examples provided herein a TDD subframe configuration may
be provided and/or used for guard-band PRBs. In an example, a TDD
configuration (for example a UL/DL subframe configuration) for
S-PRBs and for one or more G-PRBs may be independently configured.
In another example, the TDD configuration for G-PRB(s) may be
determined based on the TDD configuration for S-PRBs.
[0183] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a TDD
configuration for G-PRBs based on a TDD configuration for S-PRBs.
In an example shown in diagram 800, a first TDD configuration 810
may be used for S-PRBs and a second TDD configuration 860 may be
used for G-PRB(s), or vice versa. The first TDD configuration 810
may, for example, be TDD UL/DL configuration 0, for example per an
indication received by the WTRU. The first and second TDD
configurations may be indicated with an offset. For example, the
first TDD configuration may be indicated from a broadcasting
channel (for example, a MIB) which may be transmitted in one or
more S-PRBs, and the second TDD configuration may be indicated as
an offset from the first TDD configuration.
[0184] The second TDD configuration 860 may be determined based on
the first TDD configuration 810. As a result, one or more of
following examples may apply. For DL subframes or UL subframes, an
opposite direction subframe may be used in the second TDD
configuration based on the first TDD configuration. For example, if
a subframe n is a DL subframe in the first TDD configuration, the
subframe n is a UL subframe in the second TDD configuration. As
shown in an example in FIG. 8, DL subframes 811, 816 in the first
TDD configuration 810 may be used as UL subframes 861, 866 in the
second TDD configuration 860. Also, UL subframes 813, 814, 815,
818, 819, 820 in the first TDD configuration 810 may be used as DL
subframes 863, 864, 865, 868, 869, 860 in the second TDD
configuration 860. In another example, a special subframe for a
subframe n in the first TDD configuration may be replaced by a UL
subframe in the second TDD configuration. In an additional example,
a special subframe for a subframe n in the first TDD configuration
may be used as a special subframe in the second TDD configuration.
For example, special subframes 812, 817 in the first TDD
configuration 810 may be used as special subframes 862, 867 in the
second TDD configuration 860. Further, one or more special subframe
properties may be different for the first TDD configuration and the
second TDD configuration (for example, DwPTS, UpPTS, and/or Gap).
The UL part of the special subframe in the second TDD configuration
may have a larger number of uplink symbols (for example, SC-FDMA
symbols) than the UL part of the special subframe in the first TDD
configuration.
[0185] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of timing offset
between S-PRBs and G-PRBs. In an example shown in diagram 900, the
timing of a TDD subframe for G-PRB(s) 960 may be determined,
configured, or indicated based on the timing of a TDD subframe for
S-PRB(s) 910.
[0186] A timing offset (Toffset) may be used to determine or
configure the timing of G-PRB(s) 960, for example the timing of a
subframe for G-PRBs, based on the timing of S-PRB(s) 910, for
example the timing of a subframe for S-PRBs. The timing offset may
be determined or configured by one or more of the following
examples. Toffset may be determined based on the processing time of
the short-TTI. The processing time of the short-TTI may be
indicated in at least one of a broadcasting channel, higher layer
signaling, and a WTRU capability indication. Toffset may be
determined based on the short-TTI length. If a short-TTI length is
Nshort [ms], the Toffset may be Nshort.times.Noffset [ms]. In an
example, Toffset may be configured by higher layer signaling. In a
further example, Toffset may be larger than a subframe length, such
as, for example, 1 ms. In another example, Toffset may be blindly
detected by a WTRU. For example, a synchronization signal may be
transmitted in G-PRB(s) in a predefined time location. A WTRU may
use a synchronization signal transmitted in G-PRBs and, optionally,
a synchronization signal transmitted in S-PRBs to determine
Toffset.
[0187] In examples provided herein, HARQ feedback may use
guard-band PRBs. A PUSCH, a PDSCH or both may be transmitted in
S-PRBs and the associated HARQ feedback may be transmitted in
G-PRBs.
[0188] One or more G-PRB(s) may be used for PUCCH transmission that
may for example carry or include HARQ feedback that may be
associated with a PDSCH transmission in S-PRB(s). Further, one or
more G-PRB(s) may be used for EPDCCH transmission that may for
example carry or include HARQ feedback that may be associated with
a PUSCH transmission in S-PRB(s). The terms EPDCCH, machine-type
communications (MTC) PDCCH (M-PDCCH), short PDCCH (S-PDCCH), and
narrowband PDCCH (NB-PDCCH) may be used interchangeably herein.
HARQ feedback associated with one or more UL transmissions may be
transmitted via an E-PDCCH. For example, a DCI with a group radio
network temporary identifier (RNTI) may be transmitted, where the
DCI may carry HARQ feedback associated with one or more UL
transmissions. One or more G-PRB(s) may be used for PDSCH
transmission that may for example carry or include HARQ feedback
which may be associated with a PUSCH transmission in S-PRBs.
[0189] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a HARQ
feedback resource determination. A subset of subframes in G-PRB(s)
may be used for HARQ feedback based on the HARQ feedback resource
availability in S-PRB(s). For example, for a PDSCH (or a PUSCH)
transmission, if an associated HARQ feedback resource is available
in S-PRB(s) within a certain time window, the HARQ feedback
corresponding to the PDSCH transmission may be transmitted in
S-PRB(s). Otherwise, the associated HARQ feedback may be
transmitted in G-PRB(s).
[0190] The certain time window may be predefined. For example, if a
PDSCH is transmitted using S-PRB(s) in a subframe n and an HARQ
feedback resource is available in S-PRB(s) at the subframe n+k, the
associated HARQ feedback may be transmitted in S-PRB(s). If a HARQ
feedback resource is not available in S-PRB(s) at the subframe n+k,
the associated HARQ feedback may be transmitted in G-PRB(s). Here,
k may be a positive integer number. In addition, the certain time
window may be determined based on a TTI length, for example a short
TTI length. In an example in diagram 1000, k may be 1. As shown in
diagram 1000, a WTRU may receive and/or use a TDD UL/DL subframe
configuration for S-PRB(s) 1010. The configuration may, for
example, be TDD UL/DL configuration 0, for example, per an
indication received by the WTRU. Further, the WTRU may transmit
HARQ feedback associated with the S-PRB(s) in G-PRB(s) 1060. A WTRU
may receive a PDSCH in S-PRBs in a DL subframe such as DL subframe
1015. The S-PRB subframe that is 1 subframe after the DL subframe
1015 may be a special subframe 1020 that may not have enough UL
resources to carry HARQ feedback. The WTRU may transmit the HARQ
feedback associated with S-PRB DL subframe 1015 in G-PRB UL
subframe 1050. In another example, a WTRU may transmit a PUSCH in
S-PRB UL subframe 1030 and may receive HARQ feedback associated
with that transmission in S-PRB DL subframe 1040, for example since
a DL subframe 1040 is available 1 subframe after UL subframe 1030.
The WTRU may receive a PDSCH in S-PRB DL subframe 1040 and may
transmit the HARQ feedback associated with that DL transmission in
G-PRB subframe 1080, for example since the subframe that is 1
subframe after DL subframe 1040 may be a special subframe 1070 that
may not have enough UL resources to carry HARQ feedback.
[0191] In another example, the HARQ feedback resource may be
(implicitly or explicitly) indicated in an associated downlink
control channel which may be used for a PDSCH or a PUSCH
scheduling. For example, two types of HARQ feedback resources may
be used, predefined, or configured and one of the HARQ feedback
resource types may be indicated in the associated downlink control
channel.
[0192] For example, a first type of HARQ feedback resource may be a
HARQ feedback resource which may be located or transmitted in
S-PRB(s), and a second type of HARQ feedback resource may be a HARQ
feedback resource which may be located or transmitted in G-PRB(s).
The type of HARQ feedback resource may be determined based on one
or more of an RNTI used for the downlink control channel, an
(enhanced) control channel element ((E)CCE) index used, and/or a
PRB index used. The type of HARQ feedback resource may also be
indicated in the DCI.
[0193] In an example, a subset of subframes may be used for an sTTI
transmission in S-PRB(s) and a corresponding subset of subframes in
G-PRB(s) that may be used for HARQ feedback, for example for HARQ
feedback transmission, may be determined based on the subset of
subframes used in S-PRB(s) for an sTTI transmission.
[0194] The subset of subframes used for an sTTI transmission in
S-PRB(s) may be known to an eNode-B and/or a WTRU. For example, the
subset of subframes for sTTI may be predetermined based on the TDD
subframe configuration. The subset of subframes for sTTI may be
indicated in a broadcasting channel. The subset of subframes for
sTTI may be configured in a WTRU-specific manner via higher layer
signaling.
[0195] Examples using HARQ buffer and process handling are
described herein, including DL HARQ processing and UL HARQ
processing. For example, HARQ processing may apply in the DL. A
HARQ entity may direct HARQ information and associated TBs received
on a shared channel (for example, a DL shared channel (DL-SCH)) to
the corresponding HARQ processes, for example, at the WTRU in the
DL. At least one TB may be expected for a TTI or subframe. For
example, one TB may be expected when the physical layer is not
configured for spatial multiplexing (for example, DL spatial
multiplexing). One or two TBs may be expected when the physical
layer is configured for spatial multiplexing (for example, DL
spatial multiplexing). A TB may be received on a PDSCH.
[0196] The HARQ process associated with a TTI and/or transmission
(for example, DL transmission) may be indicated (for example, by
the eNode-B) and/or received (for example, by a WTRU) in the
received resource grant (for example, a received DL grant). The
terms grant, resource grant, and assignment may be used
interchangeably herein.
[0197] HARQ processing may apply in the UL. A HARQ entity may
identify the HARQ process(es) for which a UL transmission should
take place, for example, at a TTI such as a TTI for which a UL
grant is indicated. A HARQ entity may route one or more of the
following information to the appropriate HARQ process(es): received
HARQ feedback (for example, ACK/NACK information), modulation and
coding scheme (MCS) and/or resource(s), for example, time/frequency
resource(s) for transmission. At least some of the information may
be received from the physical layer. At least some of the
information may be received in a UL grant, for example, the UL
grant associated with the UL transmission. HARQ feedback may be
applicable to synchronous UL HARQ. HARQ feedback may not be
applicable for some UL HARQ such as asynchronous UL HARQ.
[0198] A HARQ process associated with a TTI and/or for which a
transmission may or should take place may be indicated (for
example, by the eNode-B) and/or received (for example, by a WTRU)
in the received resource grant. The received resource grant may be
a received UL grant.
[0199] There may be one or more HARQ processes associated with a
given TTI. For example, there may be one HARQ process associated
with a given TTI when the physical layer is not configured for
spatial multiplexing (for example, UL spatial multiplexing). There
may be two HARQ process associated with a given TTI when the
physical layer is configured for spatial multiplexing (for example,
UL spatial multiplexing). A TB may be transmitted on a PUSCH.
[0200] A WTRU may be configured to use a number of HARQ processes
in the UL and/or DL such as 8 HARQ processes in the UL and in the
DL. The number of HARQ processes may be used to determine the
amount of memory (for example, the amount of soft buffer memory)
the WTRU may need to maintain to support transmissions and
retransmissions. Based on the maximum TB size and the number of
HARQ processes, the WTRU may determine the maximum amount of memory
it may need to maintain to support transmissions and
retransmissions in the UL and/or the DL. The maximum TB size may be
a function of the TTI length, the allowed MCSs, and/or other
parameters.
[0201] For example, a system (for example, an LTE-A system) may use
a TTI length (for example, a first TTI length) that may be fixed or
known (for example, 1 ms). A WTRU may have a memory size that may
be associated with a number of HARQ processes (for example, 8 HARQ
processes) in the UL and/or DL. The memory size for each HARQ
process may correspond to the maximum TB size for the TTI length
that may be fixed or known.
[0202] Another TTI (for example, a second TTI) such as an sTTI may
be used by or for a WTRU, for example, to reduce latency in the
system. The second TTI may be shorter than the first TTI and may be
referred to as a short TTI (sTTI). The first TTI may be used at
least sometimes (for example, some or all of the time). The second
TTI may also be used at least sometimes (for example, some or all
of the time). The first and second TTIs may sometimes (for example,
some or all of the time) be used concurrently or in adjacent time
intervals. For example, the first TTI may be used in a first
subframe and the second TTI may be used in the next adjacent
subframe.
[0203] Examples for handling the HARQ processes and HARQ buffers
for multiple TTI lengths are provided herein. In an example,
separate HARQ processes and HARQ buffers may be used for each of
the first and second TTI lengths.
[0204] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of separate
HARQ processes and HARQ buffers for two TTI lengths. For example,
the two TTI lengths may be TTI 1 and TTI 2. As shown in the example
in 1100, separate HARQ processes and HARQ buffers may be used for
each of TTI 1 and TTI 2. For example, HARQ process buffers 1110 may
be used for TTI 1 and HARQ process buffers 1160 may be used for TTI
2. However, without reducing the number of HARQ processes, separate
processes and buffers may result in an increase in the memory that
may be needed in the WTRU. For the example in FIG. 11, memory may
be needed for the 8 HARQ processes 1110 for TTI 1 plus the 8 HARQ
processes 1160 for TTI 2. This arrangement may be wasteful of
memory, for example, when one of the TTIs (for example, TTI 1 or
TTI 2) may be used more frequently than the other TTI (for example,
TTI 2 or TTI 1) during a period of time. In the example, 8 HARQ
processes are used for TTI 1 and 8 HARQ processes are used for TTI
2. Any number of HARQ processes may be used for each of TTI 1 and
TTI 2 and still be consistent with the examples described
herein.
[0205] In an example, a number of processes may be reduced, for
example, to maintain memory size. For example, a number of HARQ
processes may be reduced to maintain memory size.
[0206] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of
separate HARQ processes and HARQ buffers for two TTI lengths. As
shown in an example in diagram 1200, HARQ process buffers 1210 may
be used for TTI 1, for example when TTI 1 may be used without TTI
2. HARQ process buffers 1260 may be used when TTI 1 and TTI 2 may
both be used. TTI 1 may be a normal TTI. TTI 2 may be an sTTI.
[0207] In the example shown in FIG. 12, a second TTI (for example,
TTI 2) may be an sTTI and may be half the length of the first TTI
(for example, TTI 1). For HARQ process buffers 1260, the number of
processes for the first TTI may be reduced to 6 and the number of
processes for the second TTI may be configured to be 4 so that an
equivalent amount of memory may be used as for the memory needed
for 8 processes for the first, longer TTI for HARQ process buffers
1210. Reducing the number of processes, for example of the first or
second TTI from 8 as in 1210 and 1110 for TTI 1 and 1160 for TTI 2,
may, however, delay new transmissions due to retransmission since
fewer buffers may be available for new data while old data is being
retransmitted. Also, fixing or semi-statically configuring the
number of HARQ processes or buffers per TTI length may result in
inefficiencies, for example, since sometimes one TTI may be used
more than another.
[0208] Thus, further alternate means for sharing the memory for
HARQ processing among the multiple TTIs are disclosed in examples
provided herein. Specifically, in one or more examples, one or more
of the memory, buffers, or processes for HARQ processing may be
shared or partitioned among two or more TTI lengths. The sharing or
partitioning may be configured and/or indicated, for example,
dynamically. It will be appreciated that TTI and TTI length may be
used interchangeably herein.
[0209] A first TTI may be or may correspond to one or more of the
following: a regular TTI, a normal TTI, a nominal TTI, a long TTI,
a longest TTI that a WTRU may use or be configured to use, a
subframe (SF), 1 ms, a set of symbols (for example, 14 symbols),
among others. The first TTI may be referred herein to as an nTTI.
The nTTI may be referred to as a normal TTI.
[0210] A second TTI may be or may correspond to one or more of the
following: a short TTI, a reduced length TTI, a TTI shorter than
nTTI, part of a subframe, less than a subframe, less than 1 ms, a
timeslot, a set of symbols (for example, a number of symbols such
as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7), among others. The second TTI may be referred
to herein as an sTTI.
[0211] A HARQ process or buffer that may be used for an nTTI may be
used for multiple sTTIs. The number of sTTIs for which a HARQ
process or buffer may be used may be a function of the sTTI length
and/or the nTTI length. For example, the number of sTTIs for which
a HARQ process or buffer may be used may be a function of TTI
length, for example sTTI length, which may be configured. A WTRU
may determine the number of sTTIs for which a HARQ process or
buffer may be used, for example, based on at least an sTTI length,
for example the longest sTTI length that may be configured. An
eNode-B may configure a WTRU to use one or more sTTIs of one or
more lengths and the WTRU may determine the number of sTTIs for
which a HARQ process or buffer may be used based on at least an
sTTI length that the WTRU may be configured to use.
[0212] The number of sTTIs for which a HARQ process or buffer may
be used may be configured by the eNode-B, for example, via higher
layer signaling such as RRC signaling. A WTRU may receive the
configuration. A WTRU may determine the number of sTTIs for which a
HARQ process or buffer may be used based on at least the
configuration.
[0213] For example, sTTI may be half the length of nTTI. One HARQ
process or buffer for one nTTI may be used for two sTTIs, for
example, when an sTTI may be half or less than half the length of
nTTI. One HARQ process or buffer for one nTTI may be used for four
sTTIs, for example, when an sTTI may be less than or equal to one
fourth the length of nTTI, such as when an sTTI may be 3 symbols
and an nTTI may be 14 symbols in length.
[0214] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of linking or
sharing HARQ processes, HARQ buffers or both between two TTI
lengths. The two TTI lengths may be nTTI and sTTI in examples
described herein. In one or more embodiments and examples described
herein, a HARQ process and a HARQ buffer may be substituted for
each other and still be consistent with the examples provided
herein. Furthermore, the phrases HARQ buffer and HARQ process
buffer may be used interchangeably herein. The term process/buffer
may be used to represent a process, a buffer or both herein. A
process/buffer may be a HARQ process/buffer.
[0215] In the example shown in diagram 1300, one nTTI HARQ buffer
may be partitioned and/or used for two sTTI HARQ buffers. There may
be one or more nTTI HARQ buffers 1310. In the example 1300, one or
more nTTI HARQ buffers 1310 may be partitioned and/or used for one
or more sTTI HARQ buffers 1360. For example, nTTI HARQ buffer 2
1320 may be partitioned and/or used for sTTI HARQ buffers 2a 1330
and 2b 1340. Further, nTTI HARQ buffer 4 1350 may be partitioned
and/or used for sTTI HARQ buffers 4a 1380 and 4b 1370.
[0216] An nTTI HARQ buffer may be used for nTTI data or sTTI data.
An nTTI HARQ buffer may not be used simultaneously for nTTI data
and sTTI data, in an example. In the example shown in FIG. 13, nTTI
HARQ buffers 2 and 4 may be used for sTTI data and the other nTTI
HARQ buffers may be used for nTTI data. A HARQ buffer may represent
memory that may be used for a HARQ process. A HARQ buffer may or
may not be in a fixed location in memory. A HARQ buffer may
comprise consecutive memory locations, non-consecutive memory
locations or both.
[0217] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example timeline for
multiple TTI length usage. In the example shown in diagram 1400,
the time period during which a transmission occurs is a subframe
which may correspond to 1 ms. A subframe is a non-limiting example
of the time period of a transmission. An nTTI may be the same
duration as the time period (for example, a subframe). An sTTI may
be shorter than the nTTI. For example, the sTTI may be half the
length of the nTTI or less than half the length of the nTTI. In the
example 1400, an sTTI may be used in subframes 2, 4 and 8, while an
nTTI may be used in each of the other subframes. In subframes 2 and
8, one sTTI may be used. In subframe 4, 2 sTTIs may be used.
[0218] For the examples shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the WTRU may use
the HARQ processes, buffers or both for the data (for example, for
transmission or reception of the data) for the subframes as
follows: nTTI in subframe #0 (SF0) may use process/buffer 0, nTTI
in SF1 may use process/buffer 1, sTTI in SF2 may use the first half
of process/buffer 2 (for example, a process/buffer 2a), nTTI in SF3
may use process/buffer 3, a first sTTI in SF4 may use the second
half of process/buffer 2 (for example, a process/buffer 2b), the
second sTTI in SF4 may use the first half of process/buffer 4 (for
example, a process/buffer 4a), nTTI in SF5 may use process/buffer
5, nTTI in SF6 may use process/buffer 6, nTTI in SF7 may use
process/buffer 7, and sTTI in SF8 may use the second half of
process/buffer 4 (for example, process/buffer 4b). Thus, sTTI data
may be transmitted/received using a next available sTTI buffer
among multiple HARQ buffers. In this manner, the buffers may be
used as needed for nTTI, sTTI or both. For N HARQ buffers, for
example N=8, transmissions/retransmissions in later subframes may
reuse the N HARQ buffers.
[0219] Examples of the linkage of sTTI and nTTI HARQ
processes/buffers are provided herein. For example, one or more
HARQ processes and/or buffers may be at least one of linked,
shared, or overlapped. For example, a first HARQ process and/or
buffer may be linked, shared, or overlapped with a second HARQ
process and/or buffer. In the embodiments and examples described
herein, the terms linked, overlapped, and shared may be substituted
for each other and still be consistent with the examples provided
herein.
[0220] FIG. 13 shows an example in which nTTI HARQ process/buffer k
may be linked, shared or overlapped with sTTI HARQ process/buffer
ka and sTTI HARQ process/buffer kb, where k=0, 1, . . . 7. For
example, nTTI HARQ process/buffer 0 may be linked, shared or
overlapped with sTTI HARQ process/buffer 0a and sTTI HARQ
process/buffer 0b. Further, nTTI HARQ process/buffer 2 may be
linked, shared or overlapped with sTTI HARQ process/buffer 2a and
sTTI HARQ process/buffer 2b. Also, nTTI HARQ process/buffer 4 may
be linked, shared or overlapped with sTTI HARQ process/buffer 4a
and sTTI HARQ process/buffer 4b. This linking, sharing or
overlapping may apply to a subset or all of the nTTI and sTTI HARQ
processes/buffers.
[0221] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of HARQ
processes, buffers or both that may be linked, shared or
overlapped. As shown in diagram 1500, a first set (for example, a
base set) of HARQ processes/buffers may be linked, overlapped, or
shared with a second set of HARQ processes/buffers. In an example,
the first set may be all or some of HARQ processes/buffers 1510 and
the second set may be all or some of HARQ processes/buffers 1560.
For example, nTTI HARQ process and/or buffer 2 may be linked,
shared, or overlapped with sTTI HARQ processes and/or buffers 4 and
5. Similarly, nTTI HARQ process and/or buffer 4 may be linked,
shared, or overlapped with sTTI HARQ processes and/or buffers 8 and
9.
[0222] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of
linking, sharing or overlapping HARQ processes, buffers or both.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a further example of linking,
sharing or overlapping HARQ processes, buffers or both. In
particular, FIGS. 16 and 17 show more examples of HARQ processes,
buffers or both that may be linked, shared, or overlapped. Some
processes may be linked to other processes. Some processes may not
be linked to other processes. Some processes may be linked to other
processes that may be linked to additional other processes. In an
example, the processes numbered 0-7 in diagram 1600 may be nTTI
processes and the other processes (for example, processes 8-15) may
be sTTI processes. In an example, HARQ processes 1610 may be nTTI
processes and HARQ processes 1660 may be sTTI processes. In diagram
1700, the processes numbered 0-5 in may be nTTI processes and the
other processes (for example, processes 0a-0d, 1a-1b, 1aa-1bb, and
8-11) may be sTTI processes. Respective buffers may be used and
divided/subdivided for use according to the assigned processes
corresponding thereto (for example, whether a process is an nTTI
process, sTTI process, or sTTI subprocess).
[0223] A WTRU may receive a configuration (for example, a
configuration message, signal or information) from a base station
(for example, an eNode-B), that may indicate that at least one HARQ
process/buffer may be linked, shared, or overlapped with another
HARQ process/buffer. The configuration may indicate that a first
HARQ process/buffer may be linked, shared, or overlapped with a
second HARQ process/buffer or one or more other HARQ
process(es)/buffer(s). For example, the configuration may indicate
that HARQ process i may be linked to HARQ processes j and k, where
i, j, and k may be integers.
[0224] The first HARQ process/buffer may be an nTTI HARQ
process/buffer and the second or the one or more other HARQ
process(es)/buffer(s) may be sTTI HARQ process(es)/buffer(s). The
second or other HARQ processes/buffers may be the same, different,
independent, dependent, and/or related from or to each other.
[0225] When a first HARQ process is linked to a second HARQ
process, the buffer that may be used for a TB for the first HARQ
process may be used for a TB for the second HARQ process. In an
example, the buffer may be a soft buffer. For example, if HARQ
process A is linked to HARQ processes B and C, use of HARQ process
B and/or C, for example indication to use HARQ process B and/or C,
may indicate that data associated with HARQ process A may be
overwritten or discarded. Data associated with HARQ process B
and/or C may use at least part of the buffer previously used for
HARQ process A. A subsequent use of HARQ process A may be
considered new data or an indication of new data for HARQ process
A. Use of HARQ process A, for example an indication to use HARQ
process A, may indicate that data associated with HARQ process B
and/or C may be overwritten or discarded. Data associated with the
subsequent HARQ process A may use the buffer or buffers previously
used for HARQ process B and/or C. A subsequent use of HARQ process
B and/or C may further be considered new data or an indication of
new data for the respective HARQ process or processes.
[0226] Examples of a determination of a HARQ process/buffer to use
are provided herein. For example, an eNode-B may manage, configure,
and/or indicate at least one HARQ process/buffer a WTRU may use for
a (for example, each) transmission, for example via signaling
transmitted to the WTRU.
[0227] A WTRU may receive an indication as to which HARQ process to
use for a transmission or reception of data. The indication may be
received, for example, dynamically, in a control channel (for
example, a DL control channel) such as a PDCCH, an EPDCCH, an
S-PDCCH (which may be referred to as an sPDCCH), an M-PDCCH (which
may be referred to as an mPDCCH), a NB-PDCCH, and the like. The
indication may be received in control information (for example, a
DL control information (DCI)) that may be carried by a control
channel. The control channel, control information or both may
provide a grant (for example that may indicate resources) for data
to transmit or receive, and the grant may include an indication as
to which HARQ process to use for a transmission or reception of
data. The indication as to which HARQ process to use may be or may
include a HARQ process ID or number.
[0228] A transmission may be in the UL or the SL. Reception may be
in the DL or the SL. Data may be used to represent at least one of
a TB, multiple TBs, a DL channel, or a UL channel. A DL channel
may, for example, be a PDSCH or a short PDSCH (sPDSCH). A UL
channel may be a PUSCH or a short PUSCH (sPUSCH). Reception of/on a
channel may include combining repetitions of/on a channel, for
example, when operating with coverage enhancements. Transmission
of/on a channel may include transmitting repetitions of/on a
channel, for example, when operating with coverage
enhancements.
[0229] In an example, a WTRU may receive an indication (for
example, via a message, a signal, a control channel or control
information such as in a DCI format) to use a HARQ process or HARQ
buffer that may be at least one of linked, shared, or overlapped
with another HARQ process or buffer. The indication may be received
in a control channel and/or control information (for example, a
DCI) that may include a grant for resources such as UL or DL
resources. An eNode-B may provide the indication. A WTRU may
receive the indication, for example from the eNode-B. The WTRU may
use the indication for processing and configuration.
[0230] An eNode-B may provide and/or a WTRU may receive at least
one of the following indications (for example, in a DL control
channel or in a DCI that may include a grant such as a DL or UL
grant): an indication of a process/buffer to use; an indication of
the process/buffer to use for data (for example, DL data or UL
data) associated with a grant (for example, a DL grant or UL
grant)); an indication of a process/buffer to use for a data
associated with a grant that may be linked, shared, or overlapped
with another process/buffer; an indication of a base process/buffer
(for example, an nTTI process/buffer); an indication of a
process/buffer (for example, a sTTI process/buffer) that may be
linked, shared or overlapped with a base process/buffer; an
indication of a sub-buffer or sub-process to use, for example, for
sTTI transmission and/or reception; an indication of a TTI length
for the data; an indication that a TTI for the data may be an sTTI
or an nTTI; and an indication of whether the data for the
process/buffer is new data or retransmitted data (for example, a
new data indicator (NDI) may be toggled to indicate new data. The
NDI may be provided in the grant. The NDI may be provided in or
with the indication as to which HARQ process to use.
[0231] A WTRU may determine that one or more HARQ processes and/or
buffers may be linked, shared, or overlapped with one or more other
HARQ processes and/or buffers, for example, based on at least
signaling and/or configuration that may be semi-static and/or
dynamic. The signaling and/or configuration may be received from an
eNode-B.
[0232] Hereinafter, a HARQ process which may be associated with a
first TTI length may be referred to as an nHARQ, and a HARQ process
which may be associated with a second TTI length may be referred to
as an sHARQ. The first TTI length may be longer than the second TTI
length. A soft buffer size for nHARQ may be larger than that for
sHARQ. One or more sHARQs may be linked, shared, or overlapped with
an nHARQ. One or more sets of sHARQs may be linked with an nHARQ
(for example, a single nHARQ). A set of sHARQs that may be linked
with an nHARQ may be dynamically indicated from/by a DCI. One or
more sets of sHARQs may be predefined, configured, or determined
based on a TTI length, for example the TTI length associated with
the sHARQ. One or more sets of sHARQs may be determined based on a
WTRU capability.
[0233] A WTRU may receive a DCI associated with a DL, UL, or SL
transmission and the DCI may include a HARQ process ID or number
and HARQ linkage information. For example, a WTRU may receive a DCI
for a UL transmission with a first TTI length and the DCI may
indicate an nHARQ ID or number (for example, a HARQ process ID or
number for a first TTI length) and one or more sHARQ IDs or numbers
which may be linked. It will be appreciated that the terms process
ID or process number may be used interchangeably herein.
[0234] The first type HARQ process number (for example, nHARQ
number) may be used for a data transmission and retransmission (for
example, saved or to be saved in a soft buffer).
[0235] The second type HARQ process number(s) (for example, sHARQ
numbers) may be used to flush the buffer. For example, the soft
buffer(s) associated with the second type HARQ process numbers may
be flushed and used for the first type HARQ process number (for
example, nHARQ number). The second type HARQ process numbers may be
indicated in a bit field in the DCI. The number of second type HARQ
processes may be determined (for example, by the eNode-B and/or
WTRU) based on the first TTI length and/or the second TTI length.
For example, if the first TTI length is double that of the second
TTI length, two second type HARQ processes may be indicated from
the DCI.
[0236] The presence of the second type HARQ process numbers (for
example, sHARQ numbers) may be determined based on one or more of
following: a DCI type, an RNTI type, a higher layer configuration,
a TTI length associated with a HARQ process, and a transmission
scheme associated with the HARQ process.
[0237] A DCI type may be used. For example, a first DCI type may
include the first type HARQ process number only and a second DCI
type may include the first type HARQ process number and the second
type HARQ process number(s). A WTRU may monitor for the first DCI
type and the second DCI type in a WTRU-specific search space.
[0238] An RNTI type may be used. For example, a DCI with a first
RNTI type (for example, a cell RNTI (C-RNTI)) may include the first
type HARQ process number only. A DCI with a second RNTI type (for
example, HARQ-C-RNTI (H-C-RNTI)) may include the first and second
type HARQ process number(s).
[0239] A WTRU may monitor for, receive, decode, and/or attempt to
decode a first DCI type in a first subset of subframes and monitor
for, receive, decode, and/or attempt to decode a second DCI type in
a second subset of subframes. The first subset of subframes and the
second subset of subframes may be non-overlapped. Alternatively,
the first subset of subframes and the second set of subframes may
be partially or fully overlapped.
[0240] The subset of subframes for the first DCI type and/or the
second DCI type may be determined based on a subframe number and/or
system frame number (SFN).
[0241] The first DCI type may be monitored/received in a first
subset of PDCCH candidates and the second DCI type may be
monitored/received in a second subset of PDCCH candidates. The
first subset of PDCCH candidates and the second subset of PDCCH
candidates may be non-overlapped.
[0242] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of linking or
sharing HARQ processes, buffers or both with a dynamic indication.
In an example shown in diagram 1800, a WTRU may receive a first
type DCI which does not indicate any second HARQ process numbers
when nHARQ 0 may be indicated and the WTRU may receive a second
type DCI which may indicate second HARQ process numbers (for
example, sHARQ 0 and sHARQ 2) when nHARQ1 may be indicated, and so
forth. As shown in FIG. 18, nHARQ1, nHARQ3, nHARQ4 and nHARQ6 are
each linked to two sHARQs that may be indicated in the second type
DCI. The second type DCI may be received in an sTTI or nTTI.
[0243] The linkage, sharing, and/or overlapping of HARQ processes
and/or buffers may be a function of the sTTI length or lengths that
may be used. The WTRU may determine the linkage, sharing, and/or
overlapping of HARQ processes and/or buffers based on the sTTI
length or lengths that may be used, for example, based on the
longest sTTI length that may be used. The sTTI length or lengths
that may be used may be configured, for example, by an eNode-B. The
sTTI length or lengths that may be used may be WTRU-specific.
[0244] Examples of DL operation with HARQ processes are provided
herein. A DL procedure (for example, MAC procedure) that may be
related to HARQ processes and/or HARQ buffers may be used and/or
modified according to one or more embodiments described herein.
[0245] An example procedure, which may be referred to as example
Procedure 1, for DL data reception at the WTRU may include one or
more of the following operations. It will be appreciated that one
or more of the following operations may be performed serially,
concurrently, or in an overlapping manner, and, unless explicitly
stated, no inference should be drawn regarding the order of
performance of the operations, portions thereof, or the performance
of the operations exclusively without the occurrence of intervening
or intermediate operations.
[0246] Example Procedure 1 may include one or more of the following
operations. The WTRU may receive a DCI indicating a DL grant with
HARQ process A identified. There may be one TB (for example, there
may be no use of spatial diversity). The WTRU may determine whether
the data is a new transmission or a retransmission. For example,
the WTRU may determine if an NDI has been toggled compared to a
value of the previous received transmission corresponding to the
TB. The WTRU may determine that the data is a new transmission, for
example, if the WTRU determines that NDI has been toggled. The WTRU
may attempt to decode the received data, for example, if the WTRU
determines the data is a new transmission. The WTRU may replace the
data in the soft buffer for the TB with the data the WTRU attempted
to decode, for example, if the WTRU did not successfully decode the
data. The WTRU may combine the received data with the data
currently in the buffer for the TB and attempt to decode the
combined data, for example, if the WTRU determines the data is a
retransmission. The WTRU may send an ACK or NACK, for example,
based on whether or not it successfully decoded the data. The WTRU
may send the ACK or NACK to the eNode-B
[0247] At the end of example Procedure 1, there may be data in the
soft buffer for the HARQ Process A TB. The WTRU may keep the data
in the buffer until the WTRU receives an indication to use the
buffer for new data, for example, as described for example
Procedure 1. Alternatively, the WTRU may reuse the memory
associated with the buffer, for example, for the same or another
HARQ process, once it has determined that it successfully decoded
the data for HARQ Process A.
[0248] Example Procedure 1 may be modified for the use of linked
HARQ processes. The linked HARQ processes may be those described
herein.
[0249] Further, a determination of whether data for a TB associated
with a HARQ process may be new data may be based on at least
whether a transmission was received for a linked HARQ process since
receiving a previous transmission corresponding to the TB. It will
be appreciated that one or more of the following operations may be
performed serially, concurrently, or in an overlapping manner, and,
unless explicitly stated, no inference should be drawn regarding
the order of performance of the operations, portions thereof, or
the performance of the operations exclusively without the
occurrence of intervening or intermediate operations.
[0250] For example, a WTRU may perform one or more of the following
operations. A WTRU may receive a DCI indicating a DL grant for HARQ
process A for which there may be one TB.
[0251] The WTRU may determine that a HARQ process linked to HARQ
process A, such as HARQ process B or C, received a transmission
since the previous received transmission corresponding to this
TB.
[0252] The WTRU may consider or determine the NDI to have been
toggled and/or may consider or determine this transmission to be a
new transmission. The WTRU may make this determination based at
least on its determination that a HARQ process linked to HARQ
process A received a transmission since the previous received
transmission corresponding to this TB. The WTRU may make this
determination independent of whether the NDI was actually toggled
since the previous received transmission corresponding to this
TB.
[0253] The WTRU may release at least some or all of the buffer
memory associated with a HARQ process when a linked HARQ process
receives new data. Release of the memory may be for another use
such as use for another HARQ process that may be a linked HARQ
process. For example, the WTRU may release at least some or all of
the buffer memory associated with HARQ Process A when the WTRU
receives new data for a HARQ process linked to HARQ Process A, such
as HARQ process B or C. Additionally or alternatively, the WTRU may
release at least some or all of the buffer memory associated with
HARQ Process B and/or C, for example, when the WTRU receives new
data for a HARQ process linked to HARQ Process B and/or C, such as
HARQ process A. Accordingly, a WTRU may use at least some of the
same buffer memory for linked HARQ processes.
[0254] In the examples and embodiments described herein, one TB may
be used for non-limiting exemplary purposes. The embodiments and
examples may be extended to multiple TBs and still be consistent
with the examples provided herein.
[0255] Examples of UL operation with HARQ processes are provided
herein. A UL procedure (for example, a MAC procedure) that may be
related to HARQ processes and/or HARQ buffers may be used, modified
or both.
[0256] An example procedure, which may be referred to as example
Procedure 2, for UL data transmission by the WTRU may include one
or more of the following operations. It will be appreciated that
one or more of the following operations may be performed serially,
concurrently, or in an overlapping manner, and, unless explicitly
stated, no inference should be drawn regarding the order of
performance of the operations, portions thereof, or the performance
of the operations exclusively without the occurrence of intervening
or intermediate operations. For example, a WTRU may perform one or
more of the following operations.
[0257] The WTRU may receive a DCI indicating a UL grant with HARQ
process A identified. The HARQ process may be identified, for
example, when asynchronous HARQ may be used. The HARQ process may
be identified, for example, when synchronous HARQ may be used, for
example, when the WTRU may use or be configured to use sTTI at
least sometimes. The HARQ process may be identified when the WTRU
may be configured to use sTTI at least sometimes. For example, the
HARQ process may be identified for an sTTI transmission. The HARQ
process may be identified for an nTTI transmission when the WTRU
may be configured to use sTTI at least sometimes.
[0258] The WTRU may determine whether the data, for example, data
that may be transmitted by or for the identified HARQ process, is a
new transmission or a retransmission. For example, the WTRU may
determine if an NDI (for example, in the associated HARQ
information) has been toggled compared to a value in or for the
previous transmission of this HARQ process. The WTRU may determine
that the data is a new transmission, for example, if the WTRU
determines that NDI has been toggled. Additionally or
alternatively, the WTRU may determine that the data is a new
transmission if the HARQ buffer of the identified HARQ process is
empty.
[0259] The WTRU may do one or more of the following, for example if
the WTRU determines that the data is for a new transmission. The
WTRU may obtain a TB (for example, a MAC protocol data unit (PDU)),
which may be, for example a new TB. Further, the WTRU may deliver
the TB to the identified HARQ process. Also, the WTRU may instruct
the identified HARQ process to trigger a new transmission.
[0260] The WTRU may do one or more of the following, for example,
if the WTRU determines that the data is not for a new transmission.
The WTRU may deliver the UL grant and/or the HARQ information (for
example, redundancy version) to the identified HARQ process.
Further, the WTRU may instruct the identified HARQ process to
generate a retransmission. The retransmission may be, for example,
an adaptive or non-adaptive retransmission.
[0261] The WTRU or HARQ process may transmit or retransmit the TB
of the HARQ process. The TB of the HARQ process may be, for
example, the TB in the HARQ buffer of the identified HARQ
process.
[0262] The WTRU may flush the HARQ buffer of the identified HARQ
process when the number of retransmissions reaches or exceeds a
threshold value that may be configured. In an example, in this way,
the WTRU may empty the HARQ buffer of the identified HARQ process
when the number of retransmissions reaches or exceeds a threshold
value that may be configured.
[0263] The procedures described herein may be modified for the use
of linked HARQ processes. For example, a determination of whether
data that may be transmitted by or for a first HARQ process may be
new data may be based on at least whether a transmission (for
example, a new data transmission) was requested or made for a
second HARQ process (for example, a linked HARQ process) since the
previous transmission of the first HARQ process.
[0264] A WTRU may flush at least part or all of the HARQ buffer of
a first HARQ process when a transmission (for example, a new data
transmission) is requested or made for a second HARQ process (for
example, a linked HARQ process). For example, for a first HARQ
process (for example, HARQ process A) linked to two HARQ processes
(for example, HARQ processes B and C), the WTRU may flush the HARQ
Process B buffer and the HARQ Process C buffer when a data
transmission (for example, a new data transmission) is requested
for HARQ Process A. The WTRU may flush at least part or all of the
HARQ Process buffer A when a data transmission (for example, a new
data transmission) may be requested for HARQ Process B or HARQ
Process C.
[0265] Referring to FIG. 17, the WTRU may flush the HARQ buffer of
HARQ process 0, for example, when a data transmission (for example,
a new data transmission) is requested for at least one of HARQ
processes 0a, 0b, 0c, or 0d. The WTRU may flush at least one or all
of the HARQ buffers for HARQ processes 0a, 0b, 0c, and 0d, when a
data transmission (for example, a new data transmission) is
requested for HARQ process 0. A transmission request may be made
via a DCI and/or an UL grant. The DCI may include the UL grant.
[0266] In another example, the WTRU may perform or be configured to
perform one or more of the following. The WTRU may receive a DCI
indicating an UL grant with HARQ process A identified. The WTRU may
determine whether the data, for example, that may be transmitted by
or for the identified HARQ process, is a new transmission or a
retransmission. The WTRU may determine that the data is a new
transmission, for example, if a data transmission (for example, a
new data transmission) was requested for a linked HARQ buffer or
linked HARQ process since the last transmission of the identified
HARQ process. The WTRU may determine that the data is a new
transmission, for example, if the WTRU determines that an NDI has
been toggled. The WTRU may determine that the NDI has been toggled,
for example, if a data transmission (for example, a new data
transmission) was requested for a linked HARQ buffer or linked HARQ
process since the last transmission of the identified HARQ process.
The WTRU may transmit or retransmit for the identified HARQ process
based on the determination of new transmission or
retransmission.
[0267] In the embodiments and examples described herein, the terms
flush, empty, release, reuse, and overwrite may be substituted for
each other and still be consistent with the examples provided
herein. The terms flush, empty, and/or release of a buffer or
memory may be used to mean that the memory, for example, the memory
associated with the buffer, may be used, reused, and/or
overwritten.
[0268] The buffer or memory may be associated with a first process
and may be used or reused by a second process. Overwriting may be
by data (for example, bits) for or associated with a second
process, for example, data for a buffer associated with a second
process. The second process may be the same as the first process,
for example, with new data indicated. The second process may be a
process other than the first process, for example, with new data
indicated. The second process may be a process linked to the first
process. A process may be a HARQ process. A buffer may be a HARQ
buffer. A memory may be soft buffer memory. A memory may be memory
for DL-SCH data, PDSCH, UL shared channel (UL-SCH) data, and/or
PUSCH. A buffer associated with the second process may be linked,
shared, and/or overlapped with a buffer associated with the first
process.
[0269] A WTRU may assume or may be configured to assume that it
does not need to reserve or maintain memory for data associated
with a second HARQ process, for example, when the WTRU may be using
or may be indicated to use a first HARQ process that may be linked
to the second HARQ process. In an example, the memory may be
separate or additional memory.
[0270] A WTRU may be configured to assume that it does not need to
reserve or maintain memory (for example separate or additional
memory) for data associated with a second HARQ process when the
WTRU may be using or may be indicated to use a first HARQ process
that may be linked to the second HARQ process, for example, until
the WTRU receives an indication (for example, an explicit
indication) for data transmission or reception (for example, new
data transmission or reception) for the second HARQ process. The
indication may be from an eNode-B.
[0271] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of HARQ buffer
sharing by different HARQ processes. In an example, a WTRU may
allocate a TB to a HARQ process for UL transmission. In an example
shown in diagram 1900, a WTRU may link a first HARQ process and a
second HARQ process, wherein the first HARQ process is associated
with a first HARQ buffer and a first TTI length and the second HARQ
process is associated with the first HARQ buffer and a second TTI
length 1910. The WTRU may transmit a first TB using the linked
first HARQ process and the first HARQ buffer 1920. Also, the WTRU
may receive a UL grant 1930. The WTRU may then determine that the
received UL grant is for a new transmission for the linked second
HARQ process 1940. Further, the WTRU may release the first HARQ
buffer based on a determination that the received UL grant is for
the new transmission for the linked second HARQ process 1950. In
addition, the WTRU may generate a second TB for the new
transmission 1960. In another example, the WTRU may allocate a
second TB for the new transmission. In a further example, the WTRU
may obtain a second TB for the new transmission, may assemble a
second TB for the new transmission or both. In an additional
example, the WTRU may receive a second TB for the new
transmission.
[0272] Moreover, the WTRU may store the second TB in the first HARQ
buffer 1970. Further, the WTRU may transmit the second TB using the
linked second HARQ process and the first HARQ buffer 1980.
[0273] The second TB may overwrite or replace some or all of the
first TB in the first HARQ buffer. The first HARQ buffer may, for
example be used for the second TB when the first TB is no longer
needed. The first TB may no longer be needed when it is
successfully received, for example by an eNode-B for UL
transmission or by the WTRU for DL reception. In an example, the
first TTI length may be an nTTI length and the second TTI length
may be an sTTI length or vice versa.
[0274] In an example, the first TB and the second TB may be MAC
PDUs. Further, the first TB may contain data associated with a
first TTI and the second TB may contain data associated with a
second TTI.
[0275] DL transmissions may use another example of HARQ buffer
sharing by different HARQ processes. For example, a WTRU may
allocate a TB to a HARQ process for DL reception. In an example, a
WTRU may link a first HARQ process and a second HARQ process,
wherein the first HARQ process is associated with a first HARQ
buffer and a first TTI length and the second HARQ process is
associated with the first HARQ buffer and a second TTI length.
Further, the WTRU may receive data for a first TB using the linked
first HARQ process and the first HARQ buffer. The WTRU may also
receive a DL grant. The WTRU may then determine that the received
DL grant is for the reception of a new transmission for the linked
second HARQ process. Further, the WTRU may release the first HARQ
buffer based on a determination that the received DL grant is for
the reception of the new transmission for the linked second HARQ
process. Also, the WTRU may receive data for a second TB for the
new transmission using the linked second HARQ process and the first
HARQ buffer. Further, the WTRU may replace the data in the first
HARQ buffer with the data received for the second TB.
[0276] In another example, the HARQ buffers may be used for soft
combining. For example, the first HARQ buffer may be used for soft
combining. In an additional example, the HARQ buffers may be
located in soft buffer memory. For example, the first HARQ buffer
may be located in soft buffer memory.
[0277] A WTRU may have a set of capabilities that it may signal or
send to an eNode-B. The capabilities may include its memory
capabilities, for example, in the DL, UL, and/or SL.
[0278] For example, a WTRU may have a capability for the number of
soft channel bits it may support in the DL. The number of soft
channel bits may represent the number of soft channel bits
available for HARQ processes (for example, in the DL). The number
of soft channel bits may be the number of soft channel bits
available for nTTI HARQ processing.
[0279] The WTRU may have a capability that may indicate a separate
number of soft channel bits that the WTRU may have available for
sTTI HARQ processing. Also, the WTRU may have a capability that may
indicate that the WTRU may not have additional soft channel bits
available for sTTI HARQ processing and, for example, the WTRU may
use or may need to use the bits available for nTTI HARQ processing
for sTTI HARQ processing as well.
[0280] The WTRU may use linkage, sharing, and/or overlapping of
HARQ processes and/or buffers, for example, when the WTRU does not
have additional, or enough additional, soft channel bits available
for sTTI HARQ processing. An eNode-B may configure a WTRU to use
linkage, sharing, and/or overlapping of HARQ processes and/or
buffers, for example, when the WTRU does not have additional, or
enough additional, soft channel bits available for sTTI HARQ
processing. The eNode-B may configure a WTRU to use linkage,
sharing, and/or overlapping of HARQ processes and/or buffers based
at least on its capability for bits for sTTI HARQ processing.
[0281] A WTRU may have a capability that may indicate or may be
used to determine the amount of memory that the WTRU may support in
the UL. For example, the WTRU may have a capability for Maximum
UL-SCH transport block bits transmitted within a TTI that may be
used to determine the amount of memory the WTRU may support in the
UL.
[0282] The WTRU may have a capability that may indicate that the
WTRU may not have additional memory available for sTTI HARQ
processing and, for example, the WTRU may or may need to use the
memory available for nTTI HARQ processing for sTTI HARQ processing
as well. Also, the WTRU may use linkage, sharing, and/or
overlapping of HARQ processes and/or buffers, for example, when the
WTRU does not have additional, or enough additional, memory
available for sTTI HARQ processing.
[0283] An eNode-B may configure a WTRU to use linkage, sharing,
and/or overlapping of HARQ processes and/or buffers, for example,
when the WTRU does not have additional, or enough additional,
memory available for sTTI HARQ processing. The eNode-B may
configure a WTRU to use linkage, sharing, and/or overlapping of
HARQ processes and/or buffers based at least on the WTRU's
capability for memory for sTTI HARQ processing. Configuration
and/or use of linkage, sharing, and/or overlapping of HARQ
processes and/or buffers may be separate and/or different for at
least one of UL, DL, and SL (for example, based on the WTRU's
capabilities for each).
[0284] Although features and elements are described above in
particular combinations, one of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that each feature or element can be used alone or in any
combination with the other features and elements. In addition, the
methods described herein may be implemented in a computer program,
software, or firmware incorporated in a computer-readable medium
for execution by a computer or processor. Examples of
computer-readable media include electronic signals (transmitted
over wired or wireless connections) and computer-readable storage
media. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are
not limited to, a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory
(RAM), a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices,
magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks,
magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and
digital versatile disks (DVDs). A processor in association with
software may be used to implement a radio frequency transceiver for
use in a WTRU, UE, terminal, base station, RNC, or any host
computer.
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