Method and apparatus for handling HARQ process of semi-persistent scheduling

Abstract

A method of handling a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) in a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes steps of configuring an SPS functionality which utilizes at least one HARQ process; receiving a first new data indicator (NDI) addressed to an SPS cell radio network temporary identifier (SPS C-RNTI) of the UE for a first HARQ process of the at least one HARQ process; and considering the next transmission to be received by the first HARQ Process as a first transmission of the first HARQ Process when receiving a second NDI addressed to a C-RNTI of the UE for the first HARQ process.

Claims

1. A method of handling a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) in a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system, the method comprising: configuring an SPS functionality, the SPS functionality utilizing at least one HARQ process; receiving a first new data indicator (NDI) addressed to an SPS cell radio network temporary identifier (SPS C-RNTI) of the UE for a first HARQ process of the at least one HARQ process; and considering a next transmission to be received by the first HARQ process as a first transmission of the first HARQ process when receiving a second NDI addressed to a C-RNTI of the UE for the first HARQ process to avoid unexpected data combination due to incorrect NDI comparison.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first transmission of the first HARQ process means a new transmission.

3. A communication device of handling a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) in a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system, the communication device comprising: a processor for executing a program; and a memory coupled to the processor for storing the program; wherein the program comprises: configuring an SPS functionality, the SPS functionality utilizing at least one HARQ process; receiving a first new data indicator (NDI) addressed to an SPS cell radio network temporary identifier (SPS C-RNTI) of the UE for a first HARQ process of the at least one HARQ process; and considering a next transmission to be received by the first HARQ process as a first transmission of the first HARQ process when receiving a second NDI addressed to a C-RNTI of the UE for the first HARQ process to avoid unexpected data combination due to incorrect NDI comparison.

4. The communication device of claim 3, wherein the first transmission of the first HARQ process means a new transmission.

5. A method of handling a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) in a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system, the method comprising: configuring an SPS functionality, the SPS functionality utilizing at least one HARQ process; receiving a pre-assigned transmission by a first HARQ process of the at least one HARQ process according to configurations of the SPS functionality; and considering a next transmission to be received by the first HARQ process as a first transmission of the first HARQ process when receiving a new data indicator (NDI) addressed to a Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) of the UE for the first HARQ process to avoid unexpected data combination due to incorrect NDI comparison.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first transmission of the first HARQ process means a new transmission.

7. A communication device of handling a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) in a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system, the communication device comprising: a processor for executing a program; and a memory coupled to the processor for storing the program; wherein the program comprises: configuring an SPS functionality, the SPS functionality utilizing at least one HARQ process; receiving a pre-assigned transmission by a first HARQ process of the at least one HARQ process according to configurations of the SPS functionality; and considering a next transmission to be received by the first HARQ process as a first transmission of the first HARQ Process when receiving a new data indicator (NDI) addressed to a Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) of the UE for the first HARQ process to avoid unexpected data combination due to incorrect NDI comparison.

8. The communication device of claim 7, wherein the first transmission of the first HARQ process means a new transmission.

9. A method of handling a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) in a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system, the method comprising: configuring an SPS functionality, the SPS functionality utilizing at least one HARQ process; receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signaling addressed to an SPS Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (SPS C-RNTI) of the UE, the PDCCH signaling indicating the UE to deactivate the SPS functionality; and avoiding unexpected data combination due to incorrect NDI comparison by flushing all HARQ buffers of the at least one HARQ process or considering all next transmission to be received by the at least one HARQ process as a first transmission.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first transmission means a new transmission.

11. A communication device of handling a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process for semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) in a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system, the communication device comprising: a processor for executing a program; and a memory coupled to the processor for storing the program; wherein the program comprises: configuring an SPS functionality, the SPS functionality utilizing at least one HARQ process; receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signaling addressed to an SPS Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (SPS C-RNTI) of the UE, the PDCCH signaling indicating the UE to deactivate the SPS functionality; and avoiding unexpected data combination due to incorrect NDI comparison by flushing all HARQ buffers of the at least one HARQ process or considering all next transmission to be received by the at least one HARQ process as a first transmission.

12. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the first transmission means a new transmission.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communications system.

(2) FIG. 2 is a function block diagram of a wireless communications device.

(3) FIG. 3 is a diagram of program of FIG. 2.

(4) FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is an exemplary illustration of the process in FIG. 4.

(6) FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of the process in FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 9 is an exemplary illustration of the process in FIG. 8.

(10) FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) Please refer to FIG. 1, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a wireless communications system 1000. The wireless communications system 1000 is preferred to be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, and is briefly composed of a network and a plurality of user equipments (UEs). In FIG. 1, the network and the UEs are simply utilized for illustrating the structure of the wireless communications system 1000. Practically, the network may comprise a plurality of base stations (Node Bs), radio network controllers and so on according to actual demands, and the UEs can be devices such as mobile phones, computer systems, etc.

(12) Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a functional block diagram of a communications device 100 in a wireless communications system. The communications device 100 can be utilized for realizing the UEs in FIG. 1, and the wireless communications system is preferably the LTE system. For the sake of brevity, FIG. 2 only shows an input device 102, an output device 104, a control circuit 106, a central processing unit (CPU) 108, a memory 110, a program 112, and a transceiver 114 of the communications device 100. In the communications device 100, the control circuit 106 executes the program 112 in the memory 110 through the CPU 108, thereby controlling an operation of the communications device 100. The communications device 100 can receive signals input by a user through the input device 102, such as a keyboard, and can output images and sounds through the output device 104, such as a monitor or speakers. The transceiver 114 is used to receive and transmit wireless signals, delivering received signals to the control circuit 106, and outputting signals generated by the control circuit 106 wirelessly. From a perspective of a communications protocol framework, the transceiver 114 can be seen as a portion of Layer 1, and the control circuit 106 can be utilized to realize functions of Layer 2 and Layer 3.

(13) Please continue to refer to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the program 112 shown in FIG. 2. The program 112 includes an application layer 200, a Layer 3 202, and a Layer 2 206, and is coupled to a Layer 1 218. The Layer 3 202 is used for performing resource control. The Layer 2 is used for performing link control. The Layer 1 218 is used for performing physical connection. A Medium Access Control (MAC) entity 222 is located at the Layer 2 206, which can perform a plurality of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes to receive packets and support a Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) functionality. When the MAC entity 222 activates the SPS functionality according to a Radio Resource Control (RRC) command of the Layer 3 202, the embodiment of the present invention provides an HARQ process handling program 220 in the program 112 for avoiding occurrence of unexpected data combination.

(14) Please refer to FIG. 4, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a process 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 40 is utilized for handling an HARQ process for SPS in a UE of a wireless communication system and can be compiled into the HARQ process handling program 220. The process 40 includes the following steps:

(15) Step 400: Start.

(16) Step 402: Configure an SPS functionality, the SPS functionality utilizing at least one HARQ process.

(17) Step 404: Receive a first new data indicator (NDI) addressed to an SPS cell radio network temporary identifier (SPS C-RNTI) of the UE for a first HARQ process of the at least one HARQ process.

(18) Step 406: Consider a next transmission to be received by the first HARQ process as a first transmission of the first HARQ process when receiving a second NDI addressed to a C-RNTI of the UE for the first HARQ process.

(19) Step 408: End.

(20) According to the process 40, the embodiment of the present invention first configures the SPS functionality, which utilizes at least one HARQ process. Then, the UE receives the first NDI addressed to its SPS C-RNTI for the first HARQ process of the at least one HARQ process. When a second NDI addressed to the UE's C-RNTI for the first HARQ process is received, the UE shall consider a next transmission to be received by the first HARQ process as a first transmission of the first HARQ process.

(21) As mentioned in the prior art, the network configures the SPS functionality such as HARQ process ID(s) reserved for SPS by RRC signaling. Besides, the resources assigned by dynamic scheduling (DS) are addressed to UE's C-RNTI, while the resources assigned by SPS are addressed to UE's SPS C-RNTI. The NDI sent by SPS, i.e. the NDI included in a PDCCH signaling addressed to UE's SPS C-RNTI is mainly used for the following two purposes: modification of SPS resources or indication of SPS retransmissions, which are well known by those skilled in the art and are not detailed herein.

(22) Therefore, when the UE sequentially receives the first NDI and the second NDI for the same HARQ process, which are included in a PDCCH signaling addressed to its SPS C-RNTI and C-RNTI, respectively, the UE according to the embodiment of the present invention considers the transmission to be received by the HARQ process as a first transmission of the HARQ process.

(23) For example, please refer to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is an exemplary illustration of the process 40. Assume that the first NDI addressed to SPS C-RNTI for an HARQ process x is received at a timing point B1, timing points E1 and F1 are pre-assigned timing for SPS, and the second NDI addressed to C-RNTI for the HARQ process x is received at a timing point C1. As mentioned above, the use of NDI in SPS is different from that in DS. Thus, the UE according to the embodiment of the present invention considers the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x at the timing point C1 as a first transmission of the HARQ process x. Besides, even the UE receives a third NDI addressed to its C-RNTI for the HARQ process x before the timing point B1, such as at a timing point A1, the UE according to the embodiment of the present invention also considers the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x at the timing point C1 as a first transmission (i.e. new transmission) of the HARQ process x. As a result, the embodiment of the present invention can avoid unexpected data combination due to incorrect NDI comparison results.

(24) Please note that, if a forth NDI addressed to UE's C-RNTI for the HARQ process x is received at a timing point D1 after reception of the second NDI, since the second NDI and the forth NDI are both assigned by DS, the UE then compares the second NDI with the forth NDI to determine whether the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x at the timing point D1 is a new transmission. If the values of the second NDI and the forth NDI are the same, the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x is a retransmission; Otherwise, if the values of the second NDI and the forth NDI are toggled, the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x is a new transmission.

(25) Similarly, please further refer to FIG. 5. Assume that the UE receives an NDI addressed to its SPS C-RNTI for the HARQ process X indicating SPS retransmission at a timing point B2. The first NDI addressed to SPS C-RNTI for the HARQ process x is received at a timing point C2, timing points F2 and G2 are pre-assigned timing for SPS, and the second NDI addressed to C-RNTI for the HARQ process x is received at a timing point D2. In this case, the UE according to the embodiment of the present invention also considers the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x at the timing point D2 as a first transmission of the HARQ process x. Besides, no matter whether the UE receives a third NDI addressed to its C-RNTI for the HARQ process x before the timing point B2, such as at a timing point A2, the UE according to the embodiment of the present invention still considers the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x at the timing point D2 as a first transmission (i.e. new transmission) of the HARQ process x. Note that, if a forth NDI addressed to UE's C-RNTI for the HARQ process x is received at a timing point E2 after reception of the second NDI, the UE then compares the second NDI with the forth NDI to determine whether the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x at the timing point E2 is a new transmission.

(26) Please refer to FIG. 6, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a process 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 60 is utilized for handling an HARQ process for SPS in a UE of a wireless communication system and can be compiled into the HARQ process handling program 220. The process 60 includes the following steps:

(27) Step 600: Start.

(28) Step 602: Configure an SPS functionality, the SPS functionality utilizing at least one HARQ process.

(29) Step 604: Receive a pre-assigned transmission by a first HARQ process of the at least one HARQ process according to configurations of the SPS functionality.

(30) Step 606: Consider a next transmission to be received by the first HARQ process as a first transmission of the first HARQ process when receiving an NDI addressed to a C-RNTI of the UE for the first HARQ process.

(31) Step 608: End.

(32) According to the process 60, the embodiment of the present invention first configures the SPS functionality, which utilizes at least one HARQ process. Then, the UE receives the pre-assigned transmission by the first HARQ process of the at least one HARQ process according to the configurations of the SPS functionality. When the NDI addressed to UE's C-RNTI for the first HARQ process is received, the UE shall consider a next transmission to be received by the first HARQ process as a first transmission of the first HARQ process.

(33) For example, please refer to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of the process 60. Assume that the pre-assigned SPS transmission is received by an HARQ process x according to the configurations of the SPS functionality at a timing point A3, and timing points C3 and F3 are pre-assigned timing reserved for SPS. When the second NDI addressed to UE's C-RNTI for the HARQ process x is received at a timing point D3, the UE according to the embodiment of the present invention considers the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x at the timing point D3 as a first transmission of the HARQ process x. Besides, no matter whether the UE receives a third NDI addressed to its C-RNTI for the HARQ process x before the timing point C3, such as at a timing point B3, the UE according to the embodiment of the present invention still considers the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x at the timing point D3 as a first transmission (i.e. new transmission) of the HARQ process x. Note that, if a forth NDI addressed to UE's C-RNTI for the HARQ process x is received at a timing point E3 after reception of the second NDI, the UE then compares the second NDI with the forth NDI to determine whether the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x at the timing point E3 is a new transmission.

(34) Please refer to FIG. 8, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a process 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 80 is utilized for handling an HARQ process for SPS in a UE of a wireless communication system and can be compiled into the HARQ process handling program 220. The process 80 includes the following steps:

(35) Step 800: Start.

(36) Step 802: Configure an SPS functionality, the SPS functionality utilizing at least one HARQ process.

(37) Step 804: Receive a first NDI addressed to a C-RNTI of the UE for a first HARQ process of the at least one HARQ process.

(38) Step 806: Compare the first NDI with a second NDI previously addressed to the C-RNTI for the first HARQ process to determine whether a transmission to be received by the first HARQ process is a new transmission, wherein the UE receives a third NDI addressed to an SPS C-RNTI of the UE for the first HARQ process or receives a pre-assigned transmission by the first HARQ process between reception of the first NDI and the second NDI.

(39) Step 808: End.

(40) According to the process 80, the embodiment of the present invention first configures the SPS functionality, which utilizes at least one HARQ process. Then, the UE receives the first NDI addressed to its C-RNTI for the first HARQ process of the at least one HARQ process. Finally, the UE compares the first NDI with a second NDI previously addressed to the C-RNTI for the first HARQ process to determine whether a transmission to be received by the first HARQ process is a new transmission. It is noted that the UE receives a third NDI addressed to its SPS C-RNTI for the first HARQ process or receives a pre-assigned SPS transmission by the first HARQ process between reception of the first NDI and the second NDI.

(41) For example, please refer to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an exemplary illustration of the process 80. Assume that the third NDI addressed to UE's SPS C-RNTI for an HARQ process x is received at a timing point B4, and timing points D4 and E4 are pre-assigned timing reserved for SPS. When the first NDI addressed to UE's C-RNTI for the HARQ process x is received at a timing point C4, the UE according to the embodiment of the present invention compares the first NDI with the second NDI previously addressed to its C-RNTI for the HARQ process x (e.g. at a timing point A4) to determine whether the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x is a new transmission. If the values of the first NDI and the second NDI are the same, the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x is a retransmission; conversely, if the values of the first NDI and the second NDI are toggled, the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x is a new transmission.

(42) Similarly, please further refer to FIG. 9. Assume that the pre-assigned SPS transmission is received by the HARQ process x according to the configurations of the SPS functionality at a timing point A5, and timing points C5 and E5 are pre-assigned timing reserved for SPS. When the first NDI addressed to UE's C-RNTI for the HARQ process x is received at a timing point D5, the UE according to the embodiment of the present invention compares the first NDI with the second NDI previously addressed to its C-RNTI for the HARQ process x (e.g. at a timing point B5) to determine whether the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x is a new transmission. If the values of the first NDI and the second NDI are the same, the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x is a retransmission; conversely, if the values of the first NDI and the second NDI are toggled, the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x is a new transmission.

(43) That means, under a situation that the SPS functionality is activated, the embodiment of the present invention only compares the received NDI with the NDI previously addressed to its C-RNTI for the same HARQ process, to avoid unexpected data combination due to incorrect NDI comparison results.

(44) It is noted that, if there does not exist the second NDI addressed to UE's C-RNTI for the HARQ process x at the timing points A4 and B5, the UE shall consider the transmission to be received by the HARQ process x as a very first transmission.

(45) Please refer to FIG. 10, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a process 90 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process 90 is utilized for handling an HARQ process for SPS in a UE of a wireless communication system and can be compiled into the HARQ process handling program 220. The process 90 includes the following steps:

(46) Step 900: Start.

(47) Step 902: Configure an SPS functionality, the SPS functionality utilizing at least one HARQ process.

(48) Step 904: Receive a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signaling addressed to an SPS C-RNTI of the UE, the PDCCH signaling indicating the UE to deactivate the SPS functionality.

(49) Step 906: Flush all HARQ buffers of the at least one HARQ process or consider all next transmissions to be received by the at least one HARQ process as a first transmission.

(50) Step 808: End.

(51) According to the process 90, the embodiment of the present invention first configures the SPS functionality, which utilizes at least one HARQ process. Then, the UE receives PDCCH signaling addressed to its SPS C-RNTI for deactivating the SPS functionality. Accordingly, the UE flushes all HARQ buffers of the at least one HARQ process or considers all next transmissions to be received by the at least one HARQ process as a first transmission.

(52) Therefore, when the PDCCH signaling addressed to UE's SPS C-RNTI for deactivating the SPS functionality is received, the UE shall flushes all HARQ buffers of the HARQ processes reserved for SPS, or consider all next transmissions to be received by the reserved HARQ process as a first transmission, to avoid unexpected data combination due to incorrect NDI comparison.

(53) In short, since the meaning of SPS NDI is different from that of DS NDI, in order to avoid meaningless NDI compassion, the embodiment of the present invention provide four possible solutions: (1) considering a downlink assignment addressed to UE's C-RNTI as a very first transmission of the HARQ process after reception of a downlink assignment addressed to UE's SPS C-RNTI; (2) considering a downlink assignment addressed to UE's C-RNTI as a very first transmission of the HARQ process after a pre-assigned SPS transmission; (3) only comparing the received NDI with the NDI previously addressed to UE's C-RNTI for the same HARQ process; and (4) flushing all HARQ buffers of the HARQ processes reserved for SPS, or considering all next transmissions to be received by the reserved HARQ process as a first transmission when the PDCCH signaling addressed to UE's SPS C-RNTI for deactivating the SPS functionality is received. As a result, the embodiment of the present invention can avoid unexpected data combination due to incorrect NDI comparison results.

(54) As mentioned above, the embodiment of the present invention provides a method of handling the HARQ operation for the SPS functionality, to avoid incorrect data combination and enhance system performance.

(55) Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.