HARQ process utilization in multiple carrier wireless communications

• US 9,461,778 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2014
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pietraski, Philip J., Pelletier, Benoit, Pani, Diana, Marinier, Paul, Kim, In, Cave, Christopher, Gauvreau, Jean-Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DIEU MINH T
• Application Number:
  US14/230,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20140211722A1
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 714/749, 714/748, 714/747, 714/712, 714/713, 714/821
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1812 Hybrid protocols; Hybrid automatic repeat request [HARQ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1822 involving configuration of automatic repeat request [ARQ] with parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1861 Physical mapping arrangements for ACK signaling see also H04L5/0053
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0005 Time-frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0044 allocation of payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0053 Allocation of signaling, i.e. of overhead other than pilot signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal

Abstract

Methods and apparatus utilize hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) transmissions and retransmissions that are usable on multiple carriers, i.e. joint HARQ processes. For example, a downlink (DL) shared channel transmission of a joint HARQ process is received on one of the carriers. A first part of an identity of the joint HARQ process is determined by using HARQ process identity data received on a shared control channel. A second part of the joint HARQ process identity is determined using additional information. The joint HARQ process identity is then determined by combining the first part and the second part. A WTRU is provided that is configured to receive the DL shared channel and to make the aforementioned determinations. A variety of other methods and apparatus configurations are disclosed for utilizing joint HARQ processes, in particular in the context of DC-HSDPA.

Claims

1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the WTRU comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a first downlink control information (DCI) format that does not include component carrier information;

the receiver further configured to receive an indication that the WTRU is to receive a second DCI format that includes component carrier information; and

the receiver is further configured to receive a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) transmission via a component carrier determined from the component carrier information included in the second DCI format.

2. WTRU of claim 1 wherein a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space is associated with the second DCI format.

3. The WTRU of claim 2 wherein the PDCCH search space is a WTRU specific search space.

4. The WTRU of claim 1 wherein the first DCI format is a legacy format.

5. The WTRU of claim 1 wherein the indication is received in a configuration message.

6. A method comprising, the method comprising:

receiving a first downlink control information (DCI) format that does not include component carrier information;

receiving an indication that a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) is to receive a second DCI format that includes component carrier information; and

receiving a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) transmission via a component carrier determined from the component carrier information included in the second DCI format.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space is associated with the second DCI format.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the PDCCH search space is a WTRU specific search space.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the first DCI format is a legacy format.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the indication is received in a configuration message.

11. A eNodeB, the eNodeB comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit a first downlink control information (DCI) format that does not include component carrier information;

the transmitter further configured to transmit an indication that the WTRU is to receive a second DCI format that includes component carrier information; and

the transmitter further configured to transmit a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) transmission via a component carrier determined from the component carrier information included in the second DCI format.

12. The eNodeB of claim 11 wherein a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space is associated with the second DCI format.

13. The eNodeB of claim 12 wherein the PDCCH search space is a WTRU specific search space.

14. The eNodeB of claim 11 wherein the first DCI format is a legacy format.

15. The eNodeB of claim 11 wherein the indication is transmitted in a configuration message.

16. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the WTRU comprising:

a memory, and

a processor, the processor configured to;

receive a first downlink control information (DCI) format that does not include component carrier information;

receive an indication that the WTRU is to receive a second DCI format that includes component carrier information; and

receive a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARD) transmission via a component carrier determined from the component carrier information included in the second DCI format.

17. The WTRU of claim 16 wherein a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) search space is associated with the second DCI format.

18. The WTRU of claim 17 wherein the PDCCH search space is a WTRU specific search space.

19. The WTRU of claim 16 wherein the first DCI format is a legacy format.

20. The WTRU of claim 16 wherein the indication is received in a configuration message.