System and Method For Component Carrier Reallocation

• US 20100251054A1
• Filed: 03/30/2010
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: YU, Yi, CAI, Zhijun
• Granted Patent: US 8,971,242 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/748
• 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 1/1887 Scheduling and prioritising arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1893 Physical mapping arrangements physical resource mapping in general H04L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0078 Timing of allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0096 Indication of changes in allocation

Abstract

A method for supporting Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission during component carrier (CC) reallocation. The method includes starting a HARQ process using a first CC, allocating a second CC, mapping the HARQ process from the first CC to the second CC, and transmitting remaining HARQ data associated with the HARQ process using the second CC. Also included is a method for supporting HARQ transmission during CC reallocation comprising starting a HARQ process using a first CC, determining to allocate a second CC, waiting until completion of the HARQ process using the first CC before allocating the second CC, and beginning another HARQ process on the second CC. Included is a method comprising starting a HARQ process using a first CC, allocating a second CC, discontinuing transmission using the first CC before completion of the HARQ process, and restarting new data using the second CC.

Claims

1. A method for supporting Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission during component carrier (CC) reallocation comprising:

starting a HARQ process using a first CC;

allocating a second CC;

mapping the HARQ process from the first CC to the second CC; and

transmitting remaining HARQ data associated with the HARQ process using the second CC.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting information about the mapping between the first CC and the second CC.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein information about the mapping between the first CC and the second CC is represented using a mapping table.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the information between the first CC and the second CC is represented using a list of ordered CCs.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the information between the first CC and the second CC is transmitted using a signaling protocol.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the signaling protocol is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the signaling protocol is a Media Access Control (MAC) signaling.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein mapping information between the first CC and the second CC is transmitted using a semi-static configuration.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the quantity of the assigned CCs may be less than or equal to the quantity of the corresponding newly reassigned CCs, and wherein no HARQ data is discarded.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the quantity of the assigned CCs may be larger than the quantity of the corresponding newly reassigned CCs, and wherein at least some HARQ data transmitted using an unmapped CC is discarded.

11. A method for supporting Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission during component carrier (CC) reallocation comprising:

starting a HARQ process using a first CC;

determining to allocate a second CC;

waiting until completion of the HARQ process using the first CC before allocating the second CC; and

beginning another HARQ process on the second CC.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

anticipating a subset of assigned CCs that will not be used for future transmissions; and

not using the anticipated subset of assigned CCs for transmitting HARQ data before reallocating the CCs.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising transmitting information about the second CC.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the information about the second CC is transmitted using a signaling protocol.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the information about the second CC is transmitted using a semi-static configuration.

16. A method for supporting Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission during component carrier (CC) reallocation comprising:

starting a HARQ process using a first CC;

allocating a second CC;

discontinuing transmission using the first CC before completion of the HARQ process; and

restarting transmission using a new HARQ process using the second CC.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising transmitting information about the second CC.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the information about the second CC is transmitted using a signaling protocol.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the information about the second CC is transmitted using a semi-static configuration.

20. A method for supporting Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission during component carrier (CC) reallocation comprising:

receiving HARQ data associated with a HARQ process using a first CC;

receiving information about the mapping between the first CC and a second CC; and

receiving remaining HARQ data associated with the HARQ process using the second CC.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising receiving information about the mapping between the first CC and the second CC.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the information about the mapping between the first CC and the second CC is received using a signaling protocol, a semi-static configuration, or both.

23. A method for supporting Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission during component carrier (CC) reallocation comprising:

receiving HARQ data associated with a HARQ process using a first CC;

receiving information about a second CC;

discarding any received HARQ data associated with the HARQ process; and

receiving retransmitted data using the second CC.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising receiving information about the second CC.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the information about the second CC is received using a signaling protocol, a semi-static configuration, or both.

26. An access node to promote Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission during component carrier (CC) reallocation comprising:

a processor configured to;

start a HARQ process using a first CC;

allocate a second CC;

map the HARQ process from the first CC to the second CC; and

transmit remaining HARQ data associated with the HARQ process using the second CC.

27. An access node to promote Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission during component carrier (CC) reallocation comprising:

a processor configured to;

start a HARQ process using a first CC;

determine to allocate a second CC;

wait until completion of the HARQ process using the first CC before allocating the second CC; and

begin another HARQ process on the second CC.

28. An access node to promote Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission during component carrier (CC) reallocation comprising:

a processor configured to;

start a HARQ process using a first CC;

allocate a second CC;

discontinue transmission using the first CC before completion of the HARQ process; and

restart transmitting data using the second CC.

29. A user equipment (UE) to promote Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission during component carrier (CC) reallocation comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive HARQ data associated with a HARQ process using a first CC;

receive information about the mapping between the first CC and a second CC; and

receive remaining HARQ data associated with the HARQ process using the second CC.

30. A user equipment (UE) to promote to Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) transmission during component carrier (CC) reallocation comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive HARQ data associated with a HARQ process using a first CC;

receive information about a second CC;

discard any received HARQ data associated with the HARQ process; and

receive retransmitted data using the second CC.