Method and apparatus for assigning hybrid -automatic repeat request processes

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSIGNING HYBRID-AUTOMATIC REPEAT REQUEST PROCESSES

[0002]

[0003]

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is related to a wireless communication system including at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), at least one NodeB and a radio network controller (RNC).

is related to a method and apparatus (ARQ)Zhybrid automatic repeat reques ; (H-ARQ) processes in the WTRU for supporting enhanced uplink (EU) transmissions.

More particularly, the present invention br assigning automatic repeat request e goals, scheduling and assigning of UL

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Methods for improving uplink (UL) coverage, throughput and transmission latency are being investigi .ted in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In order to achieve thes physical resources will be moved from the RNC to the Node-B.

[0006] The Node-B can make decisions and manage UL radio resources on a short-term basis better than the RNC. However, the RNC still retains coarse overall control of the cell with EU services so that the RNC can perform functions such as call admission control and congbstion control.

[0007] A new medium access conti •01 (MAC) entity called MAC-e is created in a WTRU and the Node-B to handle the transmission and reception of enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) transmissions. There may be several independent uplink transmissions processed between the WTRU and UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) within a common time interval. One example of this is MAC layer H-ARQ or MAC layer ARQ operation where each individual transmission may require a different number of transmissions to be successfully received by the UTRAN. Proper assignment of data blocks to ARQ/H-ARQ processes for transmission is necessary for operation of the EU services. This function includes rules for retransmit( between different logical channels and related parameters.

ing failed transmissions, prioritization provisioning of quality of service (QoS)

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for assigning an ARQ/H-ARQ process in a WTRU for supporting EU transmissions. After parameters associated with the ARQ/H-ARQ processes are configured, the WTRU assigns an ARQ/H-ARQ process For a selected data. After transmitting the data, the WTRU determines whethe r feedback information for the data has been received. The WTRU releases the ARQ/H-ARQ process if an acknowledgement (ACK) message has been received, and retransmits the data if a non-acknowledgement (NACK) message or no feedback information has been received in a predetermined time period while incrementing a transmission counter in the WTRU. When a transmis may discard the data or reinitiate the transmission. An ARQ/H-ARQ process assigned for transmission of lower priority data may be preempted for transmission of higher priority data when there is no available ARQ/H-ARQ sion limit has been reached, the WTRU process.

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] A more detailed understand ing of the invention may be had from the following description of a preferred emb< ׳diment, given by way of example and to be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system operating in accordance with the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2A is a flow diagram of an EU transmission process implemented by the system of Figure 1 for assigning an ARQ or H-ARQ process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2B is a flow diagram of an EU feedback reception process implemented by the system of Figure 1

[0015] Figure 3A is a flow diagram of an EU transmission process implemented by the system of Figure 1 for assigning an ARQ or H-ARQ process using preemption and re-initiation procedures in accordance with another

WO 2005/112331

PCI7US2005/015723 embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016] Figure 3B is a flow diagraijn of an EU feedback reception process implemented by the system of Figure 1.

THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS WTRU includes but is not limited to a

The features of the present invention may be incorporated into an in a circuit comprising a multitude of

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF

[0018] Hereafter, the terminology user equipment (UE), a mobile station, aifixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, or any other type of device capable of operating in a wireless environment. When referred to hereafter, the terminology Node-B includes but is not limited to a base station, a site controller, an access point or any other type of interfacing device in a wireless environment.

[0019] integrated circuit (IC) or be configured interconnecting components.

[0020] Hereafter, for simplicity, the present invention will be explained with reference to H-ARQ operation. However, it should be noted that the present invention is equally applicable to ARQ operation without affecting the functionality of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system 100 operating in accordance with the presen|t invention. The system 100 includes at least one WTRU 102, at least one Node-B 104 and an RNC 106. The RNC 106 controls overall EU operation by configuring EU parameters for the Node-B 104 and the WTRU 102, such as priority of each TrCH, MAC-d flow or logical channel mapped on an E-DCH, maximum number of transmissions for each TrCH or logical channel, maximum allowed EU transmit power or available channel resources per Node-B 104. The WTRU 1 the UL EU channel 110 and receives channel allocation information via the DL EU signaling channel 112. The WTRU 102 transmits E-DCH data via a UL EU channel 110 to the Node-B 104 in accordance with the channel allocation information- The Node-B 104 sends feedback information on the data block via the DL EU signaling channel 112 to th J WTRU 102.

sends a channel allocation request via

WO 2005/112331 to the selected data and releasing H[0022] In accordance with the present invention, the assignment of an HARQ process for supporting a data transmission is controlled by the WTRU 102. The Node-B 104 provides allocation of p lysical resources for which the WTRU 102 determines what data will be transmitted using which H-ARQ process. The WTRU 102 includes a pool of H-ARQ processes 114, a controller 116 and a transmission counter 118.

[0023] The controller 116 controls the overall assignment of H-ARQ processes including selecting data for transmission based on priority, assigning one of the available H-ARQ processes 11

ARQ processes 114 when the data trans: mission is successfully completed.

[0024] The transmission counter 1] 8 indicates the number of transmissions for a given H-ARQ process, which is equivalent to a receive sequence number (RSN). The transmission counter 1181 may also be used to as a new data indicator (NDI).

[0025] In one embodiment, a preemption procedure is used to manage EDCH transmissions, whereby the assignment of the H-ARQ processes is based on absolute priority. The highest priority cl number within the same priority transmissions. The transmission of a data block is also subject to a maximum number of H-ARQ transmissions for each E-DCH TrCH, or each logical channel mapped to an E-DCH TrCH. An H-ARQ process servicing a lower priority data transmission may he superceded by a higher priority data transmission.

[0026] In another embodiment, a le-initiation procedure is used to manage E-DCH transmissions, whereby if at least one of a transmission time limit and a maximum number of tra nsmi ssi on s ha 3 been reached, the lower priority data transmission may be reassigned to an H-ARQ process.

[0027] Figure 2A is a flow diagram of an EU transmission process 200 implemented by the system 100 of Figure 1 for assigning H-ARQ processes 114 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. When a radio access bearer (RAB) is configured to operate on an E-DCH, parameters related to assigning H-ARQ processes 114 in the V ^rTRU 102 are configured by the RNC106 ass traffic and the earliest transmission class takes precedence over other

WO 2005/112331 to support EU data transmissions (step 202). The parameters include, but are not limited to, priority of each logical cha mel, MAC-d flow or TrCH mapped to an

E-DCH, and maximum number of H-ARQ transmissions for each TrCH, MAC-d flow or logical channel mapped to an E-DCH.

[0028] For each transmit time interval (TTI) at step 204, the WTRU 102 then determines whether physical resources have been allocated for the WTRU 102 for supporting EU operation (step 206). If physical resources have not been allocated at step 206, the process 200 :^,etums to step 204 until the next TTI occurs. If physical resources have beer allocated at step 206, the WTRU 102 selects a data block for transmission (step 208). For new data transmissions, the highest priority data block is selected for each assigned H-ARQ process. In step 210, the WTRU 102 then determines a transmission status of the selected data. The transmission status is set as either new transmission or retransmission. [0029] If, in step 210, the WTRU status of the selected data is retransmit sion, the same H-ARQ process 114 that was used for the previous transmission remains assigned to the data block, the transmission counter 118 in the WTRU transmission is set to old data to indicate that the assigned H-ARQ.process 114 retransmits data identical to what was transmitted previously, in order to allow for combining at the Node-B 104 (step 212). The process 200 then returns to step 204 until the next TTI occurs.

[0030] If, in step 210, the WTRU

102 determines that the transmission

102 is incremented, and an NDI of the

102 determines that the transmission status of the selected data block is new ransmission, the WTRU 102 assigns an available H-ARQ process 114 to the selected data block and sets an NDI to indicate new data (step 214). The data block is then transmitted using the assigned H-ARQ process and the transmission counter 118 in the WTRU 102 is incremented (step 216). The process 200 then returns to step 204 until the next TTI occurs.

[0031] Figure 2B is a flow diagrar 1 of an EU feedback reception process 250 implemented by the system 100 of Figure 1. In step 252, the WTRU 102 determines whether feedback informatit >n for a previously transmitted data block

WO 2005/112331 has been received. If the WTRU 102 received an ACK message, the corresponding H-ARQ process 114 is released and is available for supporting another data transmission (step 254). If the WTRU 102 received a NACK message of a feedback timeout occurs, the WTRU 102 determines whether the transmission counter 118 in the WTEU 102 has reached a predetermined maximum number of H-ARQ transmiss: ons (step 256).

If the number of H-ARQ transmissions indicated by the 102 has not reached a predetermined

MAC layer and releases the associated

[0032] transmission counter 118 in the WTRU maximum number at step 256, the transmission status of the data block is set as a “retransmission” (step 258).

[0033] If the maximum number of iH־ARQ transmissions is reached at step

256, the WTRU discards the data at the

H-ARQ process (step 260).

[0034] Figure 3A is a flow diagriim of an EU transmission process 300 implemented by the system 100 of Figure 1 for assigning H-ARQ processes 114 using preemption and re-initiation procedures in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. When a RAB is configured to operate on an E-DCH, parameters related to assigning H-ARQ processes 114 in the WTRU 1

102 are configured by the RNC 106 to support EU data transmissions (step 302). [0035] For each transmit time interval (TTI) at step 304, the WTRU 102 then determines whether physical resources have been allocated for the WTRU 102 for supporting EU operation (step !306). A priority class is configured for each logical channel, MAC-d flow or TrCH mapped to an E-DCH, whereby the highest priority data block is always serviced first. If physical resources have not been allocated at step 306, the process 300 returns to step 304 until the next TTI occurs. If physical resources have bee: 1 allocated at step 306, the WTRU 102 selects for transmission the data bloci having the highest priority from all possible data that can be transmitted in unsuccessful transmissions and interrupted transmissions), (step 308). If several data blocks having the same highest priority are available for transmission, the WTRU 102 may prioritize the data block having the earliest sequence number or the current TTI, (i.e., new data, previous

WO 2005/112331 tl already assigned for lower priority data the data block having the highest number of transmissions. This operation assists “first-in first-out” (FIFO) processing and minimizes the delay for any data transmission. In step 310, the WTRU 102 then determines a transmission status of the selected data. The transmission status is set as either new transmission, retransmission or interrupted transmission.

[0036] If the data block has not been previously transmitted, or anH-ARQ transmission is restarted, the transmission status is set as a new transmission in step 310. If the data block has been transmitted but was not successfully delivered, (and not interrupted by a higher priority data block), the transmission status of the data is set as a retransmission at step 310. The WTRU 102 may optionally implement preemption of an H-ARQ process assigned to support higher priority data. An H-ARQ process which needs to be transmitted may be pi׳ eempted with higher priority data when there is no other H-ARQ process available. If the H-ARQ process assigned to the data block is preempted, the lower priority data is blocked from transmission in the current TTI and the transmission status of the blocked data is set as an interrupted transmission at step 310.:

[0037] If, in step 310, the WTRU 102 determines that the transmission status of the selected data is retransmii sion, the same H-ARQ process 114 that was used for the previous transmission remains assigned to the data block, a transmission counter 118 is incremented and an NDI of the transmission is set to old data to indicate that the assigned H-ARQ process 114 retransmits data identical to what was transmitted previously, in order to allow for combining at the Node-B 104 (step 312). The process 300 then returns to step 304 until the next TTI occurs.

[0038] If, in step 310, the WTRU status of the selected data block is determines whether there are any H-ARQ processes 114 available (step 314). If an H-ARQ process is available, (or a process supporting lower priority data is available), one of the available H-ARQ processes 114 is selected (step 316). If the transmission status of the selected data

102 determines that the transmission new transmission, the WTRU 102 block is a new transmission, the WTRU

WO 2005/112331 then returns to step 304 until the next

102 selects an available H-ARQ process 114 (step 316). The WTRU 102 assigns the selected H-ARQ process 114 to the selected data block and sets an NDI to indicate new data (step 318). The da ;a block is then transmitted using the assigned H-ARQ process and the transmission counter 118 in the WTRU 102 is incremented (step 320). The process 300 TTI occurs.

[0039] If, in step 310, the WTRU 102 determines that the transmission status of the selected data block is interrupted transmission, (which is the case for which preemption is permitted), the WTRU 102 determines whether there are any H-ARQ processes 114 available (stej 322). If there are no H-ARQ processes 114 available at step 322, transmissim of a lower priority data block is interrupted and a transmission status of׳ he interrupted lower priority data is set to interrupted transmission (step 324►. The H-ARQ process 114 previously assigned for the lower priority data is assigned for the currently selected data block and an NDI is set to indicate new data (step 318). The data block is then transmitted using the assigned H-ARQ process and the transmission counter 118 in the WTRU 102 is incremented (step 320). The process 300 then returns to step 304 until the next TTI occurs.

[0040] Figure 3B is a flow diagram

If the WTRU 102 received a NACK of an EU feedback reception process 350 implemented by the system 100 of Figure 1. In step 352, the WTRU 102 determines whether feedback information for a previously transmitted data block has been received. If the WTRU 102 received an ACK message, the corresponding H-ARQ process 114 is released and is available for supporting another data transmission (step 354).

message or a feedback timeout occurs, t he WTRU 102 determines whether the number of H-ARQ transmissions indicated by the transmission counter 118 in the WTRU 102 has reached a predetermined maximum number of H-ARQ transmissions (step 356).

[0041] . If the maximum number of H-ARQ transmissions has not been reached at step 356, the transmission status of the data block is set as a “retransmission” (step 358).

I

PCI7US2005/015723

If the maximum number of H-ARQ transmissions is reached at step

362. In the first option 360, the WTRU

[0042]

356, the WTRU 102 has two options 360

102 discards the data block at the MAC layer and releases the assigned H-ARQ process 114. In the second option 362, the WTRU 102 may set the transmission status of the data block as a restarted transmission and starts a new transmission for the data block. The transmission counter 118 is then set to zero and the NDI is set to “new data” (step 2(64).

[0043] Although the features ant. elements of the present invention are described in the preferred embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the preferred embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements of the present invention.