Method and apparatus for implementing a data lifespan timer for enhanced dedicated channel transmissions

• US 20050249118A1
• Filed: 04/28/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Terry, Stephen E., Zhang, Guodong
• Granted Patent: US 7,643,419 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/235
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1607 Details of the supervisory signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1812 Hybrid protocols; Hybrid automatic repeat request [HARQ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1877 for semi-reliable protocols, e.g. for less sensitive applications like streaming video buffer level management for video bitstream control arrangements H04N21/44004
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1883 using multiple timers

Abstract

A wireless communication system, which supports enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, includes a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), at least one Node-B and a radio network controller (RNC). The WTRU includes a buffer, a data lifespan timer, a data retransmission counter, a hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) process and a controller. The timer establishes a lifespan for at least one data block stored in the buffer. If physical resources have not been allocated for a data block associated with a lifespan timer that is close to expiration, the WTRU sends an urgent channel allocation request. If physical resources have been allocated, the data block is prioritized for transmission with respect to other data blocks. The data block is discarded if the lifespan timer expires or if the WTRU receives feedback information indicating that the data block was successfully received by the Node-B.

Claims

1. In a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B, a method for utilizing at least one data lifespan timer in the WTRU for supporting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, the method comprising:

(a) storing a data block in a buffer in the WTRU;

(b) activating a data lifespan timer for the data block; and

(c) discarding the data block when the data lifespan timer expires.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

(d) assigning a hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) process to support the transmission of the data block;

(e) releasing the H-ARQ process when the data lifespan timer expires; and

(f) sending a message to the Node-B indicating that the data block has been discarded and the H-ARQ process is available.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

(d) initiating a normal hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) operation for transmission of the data block if the data block was previously transmitted and the data lifespan timer is not close to expiration.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication system further includes a radio network controller (RNC), the method further comprising:

(d) the RNC configuring the data lifespan timer.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the data lifespan timer is configured for each of a plurality of transport channels (TrCHs).

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the data lifespan timer is configured for each of a plurality of logical channels.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the data lifespan timer is set based on at least one of a maximum allowed transmission latency, an established radio link control (RLC) configuration and a transport channel block error rate (BLER).

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

(d) periodically determining whether the data lifespan timer has expired.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication system further includes a radio network controller (RNC), the method further comprising:

(d) sending a message to the RNC indicating that the data lifespan timer has expired.

10. In a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B, a method for utilizing at least one data lifespan timer in the WTRU for supporting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, the method comprising:

(a) storing a data block in a buffer in the WTRU;

(b) activating a data lifespan timer for the data block; and

(c) discarding the data block before the data lifespan timer expires when the WTRU receives feedback information indicating that the data block was successfully received by the Node-B.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

(d) resetting the data lifespan timer for the data block when the WTRU receives the feedback information indicating that the data block was successfully received by the Node-B.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

(d) assigning a hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) process to support the transmission of the data block; and

(e) releasing the H-ARQ process when the WTRU receives the feedback information indicating that the data block was successfully received by the Node-B.

13. In a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B, a method for utilizing at least one data lifespan timer in the WTRU for supporting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, the method comprising:

(a) storing a data block in a buffer in the WTRU;

(b) assigning a hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) process to support the transmission of the data block;

(c) activating a data lifespan timer for the data block;

(d) if the data block was previously transmitted but was not successfully received by the Node-B, determining whether an established retransmission limit has been reached;

(e) if the retransmission limit has been reached and the lifespan timer did not expire, reinitiating the H-ARQ process; and

(f) initiating a normal H-ARQ operation for transmission of the data block if the retransmission limit was not reached and the data lifespan timer is not close to expiration.

14. In a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B, a method for utilizing at least one data lifespan timer in the WTRU for supporting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, the method comprising:

(a) storing a data block in a buffer in the WTRU;

(b) activating the data lifespan timer; and

(c) determining whether physical resources have been allocated for supporting the transmission of the data block when the lifespan timer is close to expiration.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

(d) if the physical resources have not been allocated, sending an urgent channel allocation request to the Node-B for supporting the transmission of the data block.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

(d) if the physical resources have been allocated, prioritizing the data block for transmission with respect to other data blocks.

17. In a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B, the WTRU utilizing at least one data lifespan timer for supporting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, the WTRU comprising:

(a) a buffer for storing a data block;

(b) a data lifespan timer for establishing a lifespan of the data block; and

(c) a controller in communication with the buffer and the data lifespan timer, wherein the controller discards the data block when the data lifespan timer expires.

18. The WTRU of claim 17 further comprising:

(d) a hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) process assigned by the controller to support the transmission of the data block, wherein the controller releases the H-ARQ process when the data lifespan timer expires.

19. The WTRU of claim 18 wherein the WTRU sends a message to the Node-B indicating that the data block has been discarded and the H-ARQ process is available.

20. The WTRU of claim 17 wherein the WTRU sends a message to a radio network controller (RNC) indicating that the data lifespan timer has expired.

21. The WTRU of claim 17 wherein the controller initiates a normal hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) operation for transmission of the data block if the data block was previously transmitted and the data lifespan timer is not close to expiration.

22. The WTRU of claim 17 wherein the wireless communication system further includes a radio network controller (RNC) which configures the data lifespan timer.

23. The WTRU of claim 22 wherein the data lifespan timer is configured for each of a plurality of transport channels (TrCHs).

24. The WTRU of claim 22 wherein the data lifespan timer is configured for each of a plurality of logical channels.

25. The WTRU of claim 17 wherein the controller sets the data lifespan timer based on at least one of a maximum allowed transmission latency, an established radio link control (RLC) configuration and a transport channel block error rate (BLER).

26. The WTRU of claim 17 wherein the controller periodically determines whether the data lifespan timer has expired.

27. In a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B, the WTRU utilizing at least one data lifespan timer for supporting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, the WTRU comprising:

(a) a buffer for storing a data block;

(b) a data lifespan timer for establishing a lifespan of the data block; and

(c) a controller in communication with the buffer and the data lifespan timer, wherein the controller discards the data block before the data lifespan timer expires when the WTRU receives feedback information indicating that the data block was successfully received by the Node-B.

28. The WTRU of claim 27 wherein the controller resets the data lifespan timer when the WTRU receives the feedback information indicating that the data block was successfully received by the Node-B.

29. The WTRU of claim 27 further comprising:

(d) a hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) process assigned by the controller to support the transmission of the data block, wherein the controller releases the H-ARQ process when the WTRU receives the feedback information indicating that the data block was successfully received by the Node-B.

30. In a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B, the WTRU utilizing at least one data lifespan timer for supporting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, the WTRU comprising:

(a) a buffer for storing a data block;

(b) a data lifespan timer for establishing a lifespan of the data block;

(c) a hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) process for supporting the transmission of the data block; and

(d) a controller in communication with the buffer and the data lifespan timer, wherein the controller activates the data lifespan timer and assigns the H-ARQ process to the data block, wherein (i) if the data block was previously transmitted but was not successfully received by the Node-B, the controller determines whether an established retransmission limit has been reached, (ii) if the controller determines that the retransmission limit has been reached and the lifespan timer did not expire, the controller reinitiates the H-ARQ process, and (iii) the controller initiates a normal H-ARQ operation for transmission of the data block if the retransmission limit was not reached and the data lifespan timer is not close to expiration.

31. In a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B, the WTRU utilizing at least one data lifespan timer for supporting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, the WTRU comprising:

(a) a buffer for storing a data block;

(b) a data lifespan timer for establishing a lifespan of the data block; and

(c) a controller in communication with the buffer and the data lifespan timer, wherein the controller determines whether physical resources have been allocated for supporting the transmission of the data block when the lifespan timer is close to expiration.

32. The WTRU of claim 31 wherein if the controller determines that physical resources have not been allocated, the WTRU sends an urgent channel allocation request to the Node-B for supporting the transmission of the data block.

33. The WTRU of claim 31 wherein if the controller determines that physical resources have been allocated, the controller prioritizes the data block for transmission with respect to other data blocks.

34. In a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B, the WTRU utilizing at least one data lifespan timer for supporting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, an integrated circuit (IC) in the WTRU comprising:

(a) a buffer for storing a data block;

(b) a data lifespan timer for establishing a lifespan of the data block; and

(c) a controller in communication with the buffer and the data lifespan timer, wherein the controller discards the data block when the data lifespan timer expires.

35. The IC of claim 34 further comprising:

(d) a hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) process assigned by the controller to support the transmission of the data block, wherein the controller releases the H-ARQ process when the data lifespan timer expires.

36. The IC of claim 35 wherein the WTRU sends a message to the Node-B indicating that the data block has been discarded and the H-ARQ process is available.

37. The IC of claim 34 wherein the WTRU sends a message to a radio network controller (RNC) indicating that the data lifespan timer has expired.

38. The IC of claim 34 wherein the controller initiates a normal hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) operation for transmission of the data block if the data block was previously transmitted and the data lifespan timer is not close to expiration.

39. The IC of claim 34 wherein the wireless communication system further includes a radio network controller (RNC) which configures the data lifespan timer.

40. The IC of claim 39 wherein the data lifespan timer is configured for each of a plurality of transport channels (TrCHs).

41. The IC of claim 39 wherein the data lifespan timer is configured for each of a plurality of logical channels.

42. The IC of claim 34 wherein the controller sets the data lifespan timer based on at least one of a maximum allowed transmission latency, an established radio link control (RLC) configuration and a transport channel block error rate (BLER).

43. The IC of claim 34 wherein the controller periodically determines whether the data lifespan timer has expired.

44. In a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B, the WTRU utilizing at least one data lifespan timer for supporting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, an integrated circuit (IC) in the WTRU comprising:

(a) a buffer for storing a data block;

(b) a data lifespan timer for establishing a lifespan of the data block; and

(c) a controller in communication with the buffer and the data lifespan timer, wherein the controller discards the data block before the data lifespan timer expires when the WTRU receives feedback information indicating that the data block was successfully received by the Node-B.

45. The IC of claim 44 wherein the controller resets the data lifespan timer when the WTRU receives the feedback information indicating that the data block was successfully received by the Node-B.

46. The IC of claim 44 further comprising:

(d) a hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) process assigned by the controller to support the transmission of the data block, wherein the controller releases the H-ARQ process when the WTRU receives the feedback information indicating that the data block was successfully received by the Node-B.

47. In a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B, the WTRU utilizing at least one data lifespan timer for supporting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, an integrated circuit (IC) in the WTRU comprising:

(a) a buffer for storing a data block;

(b) a data lifespan timer for establishing a lifespan of the data block;

(c) a hybrid-automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) process for supporting the transmission of the data block; and

(d) a controller in communication with the buffer and the data lifespan timer, wherein the controller activates the data lifespan timer and assigns the H-ARQ process to the data block, wherein (i) if the data block was previously transmitted but was not successfully received by the Node-B, the controller determines whether an established retransmission limit has been reached, (ii) if the controller determines that the retransmission limit has been reached and the lifespan timer did not expire, the controller reinitiates the H-ARQ process, and (iii) the controller initiates a normal H-ARQ operation for transmission of the data block if the retransmission limit was not reached and the data lifespan timer is not close to expiration.

48. In a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one Node-B, the WTRU utilizing at least one data lifespan timer for supporting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data transmissions, an integrated circuit (IC) in the WTRU comprising:

(a) a buffer for storing a data block;

(b) a data lifespan timer for establishing a lifespan of the data block; and

(c) a controller in communication with the buffer and the data lifespan timer, wherein the controller determines whether physical resources have been allocated for supporting the transmission of the data block when the lifespan timer is close to expiration.

49. The IC of claim 48 wherein if the controller determines that physical resources have not been allocated, the IC sends an urgent channel allocation request to the Node-B for supporting the transmission of the data block.

50. The IC of claim 48 wherein if the controller determines that physical resources have been allocated, the controller prioritizes the data block for transmission with respect to other data blocks.