US 8,948,113 B2 · Dynamic bundling in LTE using explicit signalling

Abstract

The teachings herein disclose methods (600, 700) and apparatuses (36, 50) for dynamically rescheduling retransmissions from a selected Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest, “HARQ”, process, based on temporarily remapping the selected HARQ process to one or more subframes (12) that are by default scheduled for another HARQ process running synchronously with the first HARQ process. One advantage of dynamic rescheduling is that a retransmission for a given HARQ process can be accelerated in time, as compared to when the retransmission would occur absent the remapping. In another advantageous aspect, in at least some embodiments, the control signalling (20) for dynamic rescheduling is included in the Downlink Control Information, “DCI”, used to send scheduling grants for the HARQ processes, such that dynamic rescheduling uses control signalling (20) that is compatible with existing scheduling grant signalling.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A method at a base station in a wireless communication network that provides communication services to a wireless device supporting multiple Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) processes, wherein each HARQ process has its own scheduled subframes according to a default mapping of respective HARQ processes to respective subframes, and wherein the method comprises:

deciding to dynamically reschedule a retransmission from a first one of the HARQ processes;
dynamically rescheduling the retransmission from the first HARQ process by sending control signalling to the wireless device that temporarily remaps one or more scheduled subframes from a remaining one of the HARQ processes to the first HARQ process as rescheduled subframes to be used by the first HARQ process for the retransmission;
receiving the retransmission from the wireless device in the one or more rescheduled subframes;
and
processing the retransmission as part of the first HARQ process.

2 more elements

A base station configured for use in a wireless communication network that provides communication services to a wireless device supporting multiple Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) processes, wherein each HARQ process has its own scheduled subframes according to a default mapping of respective HARQ processes to respective subframes, and wherein the base station comprises:

a wireless communication interface configured to transmit downlink signals to the wireless device and to receive uplink signals from the wireless device;
and
one or more processing circuits operatively associated with the wireless communication interface and configured to:
decide to dynamically reschedule a retransmission from a first one of the HARQ processes;
dynamically reschedule the retransmission from the first HARQ process by sending control signalling to the wireless device that temporarily remaps one or more scheduled subframes from a remaining one of the HARQ processes to the first HARQ process as rescheduled subframes to be used by the first HARQ process for the retransmission;
receive the retransmission from the wireless device in the one or more rescheduled subframes;
and
process the retransmission as part of the first HARQ process.

5 more elements

A method at a wireless device supporting multiple Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) processes for communication with a wireless communication network, wherein each HARQ process has its own scheduled subframes according to a default mapping of respective HARQ processes to respective subframes, and wherein the method comprises:

receiving control signalling from the wireless communication network that indicates a dynamic rescheduling of a retransmission for a first one of the HARQ processes;
determining from the control signalling a temporary remapping of one or more scheduled subframes from a remaining one of the HARQ processes to the first HARQ process as rescheduled subframes to be used by the first HARQ process for the retransmission;
sending the retransmission for the first HARQ process on the rescheduled subframes.

A wireless device configured to support multiple Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) processes for communication with a wireless communication network, wherein each HARQ process has its own scheduled subframes according to a default mapping of respective HARQ processes to respective subframes, and wherein the wireless device comprises:

a wireless communication interface configured to receive downlink signals from the wireless communication network, and to send uplink signals to the wireless communication network;
and
one or more processing circuits operatively associated with the wireless communication interface and configured to:
receive control signalling from the wireless communication network that indicates a dynamic rescheduling of a retransmission for a first one of the HARQ processes;
determine from the control signalling a temporary remapping of one or more scheduled subframes from a remaining one of the HARQ processes to the first HARQ process as rescheduled subframes to be used by the first HARQ process for the retransmission;
send the retransmission for the first HARQ process on the rescheduled subframes.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dynamic bundling in LTE using explicit signalling

Life of this patent

Dynamic bundling in LTE using explicit signalling

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26