Patent Description:
Along with development of communication technologies, 5th Generation (<NUM>) has emerged. Present service types of <NUM> at least include enhanced Mobile Broad Band (eMBB), massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) and other types. All these services are data services but have different requirements on delay and reliability. For example, a URLLC service is applied to the fields of Internet of vehicles and the like requiring low delay, has a very high requirement on timeliness, is required to be timely established and is even preemptive for a previous service. An mMTC service is usually insensitive to delay, and data may be delivered at a relatively long interval. A manner for effectively transmitting a delay-sensitive service is to improve transmission of a HARQ, for example, giving a retransmission feedback faster and more accurately. In 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) <NUM> New Radio (NR), a code block group (CBG) rather than a Transmission Block (TB) in Long Term Evolution (LTE) is retransmitted. CBG is a smaller data unit in TB.

For HARQ retransmission of multiple carriers, it is necessary to effectively code and aggregate retransmitted information of multiple component carriers (CCs) to implement unified transmission of retransmitted bits.

There may be such a condition in the future that the number of CBGs in one TB in a CC is different from the one in a different CC. For this condition, a codebook may be fed back for the CCs with the same number of CBGs in a related art, so as to reduce waste of feedback bits. However, it is necessary to feed back multiple HARQ codebooks and keep multiple counter downlink assignment indexes (DAIs) and total DAIs. If the number of CBGs in one TB increases to <NUM> in the future, it is necessary to feed back <NUM> HARQ codebooks and record the position of each CC in the <NUM> codebooks, which may increase a signaling overhead. Therefore, how to make a HARQ feedback to reduce the volume of feedback information is a technical problem that needs to be solved.

Related technology is known from R1-<NUM> titled with "On HARQ Management" and released by Ericsson at 3GPP TSG RAN1 WG1 Meeting #90bis in Prague, Czech Republic on <NUM>-<NUM> October <NUM>, as well as from R1-<NUM> titled with "Support of HARQ-ACK multiplexing/bundling for NR" and released by LG Electronics at 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 Meeting #<NUM> in Prague, Czechia on 21th-25th August <NUM>.

In view of this, the present application provides a HARQ feedback method and device, a method and device for determining data to be retransmitted, a data receiving apparatus, a data sending apparatus and a computer-readable storage medium, to reduce the volume of feedback information.

Aspects of the present disclosure are defined in the appended claims.

The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may have the following beneficial effects.

CCs may be grouped according to a binding rule, a parameter value of each CC group may be calculated, a HARQ codebooks with the number of the CC groups may be generated, and then the HARQ codebooks may be fed back to a data sender, so that the volume of feedback information can be optimized, and the volume of the feedback information can be further reduced.

The HARQ codebook fed back by a data receiver may be received, the HARQ codebook may be parsed to obtain the parameter value of each CC group, the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group may be determined, then the feedback bit information corresponding to the resource units may be restored according to the parameter value of each CC group and the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group, and finally the resource unit information of the data to be retransmitted may be determined according to the feedback bit information. In the whole implementation process, the volume of the feedback information can be smaller.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing a HARQ feedback method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The embodiment is described from the aspect of a data receiver. The data receiver may be a base station or may be UE. As shown in <FIG>, the HARQ feedback method may include the following steps.

In step S101, CCs are grouped according to a binding rule, the binding rule including the number of resource units contained in a group of CCs that are capable of being bundled.

The resource units each may include, but not limited to, a CBG. The operation that the CCs are grouped according to the binding rule may include that: the CCs are hierarchically grouped according to the binding rule, the binding rule including a range of the number of resource units contained the hierarchically grouped CCs. For example, a range of amount of resource units, for example, a range of amount of CBGs, in a first-level CC group is <NUM> to <NUM>, and a range of amount of resource units, for example, a range of amount of CBGs, in a second-level CC group is <NUM> to <NUM>.

A CC grouping process will be described below with <NUM> CCs as an example. CC0 may include <NUM> CBGs, CC1 may include <NUM> CBGs, CC2 may include <NUM> CBG, CC3 may include <NUM> CBGs, CC4 may include <NUM> CBGs, CC5 may include <NUM> CBGs, CC6 may include <NUM> CBGs and CC7 may include <NUM> CBGs, as shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the grey block represents a slot where data is transmitted. If the binding rule includes that the range of the amount of the CBGs in the first-level CC group is <NUM> to <NUM> and the range of the amount of the CBGs in the second-level CC group is <NUM> to <NUM>, the hierarchically grouped CCs are the ones as shown in <FIG>.

In step S102, a parameter value of each CC group is calculated.

The parameter value may be a total DAI. For example, a total DAI of a first CC group (or the first-level CC group) in <FIG> is calculated to be <NUM>, and a total DAI of a second CC group (or the second-level CC group) in <FIG> is calculated to be <NUM>.

In step S103, the same number of HARQ codebooks as that of CC groups are generated, a length of one of the HARQ codebooks being determined by the parameter value of each corresponding CC group and the maximum number of resource units in a single CC in the each corresponding CC group.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, two HARQ codebooks may be generated, a length of the first codebook may be <NUM>*<NUM>=14bit, and a length of the second codebook may be <NUM>*<NUM>=24bit.

In step S104, the HARQ codebooks are fed back to a data sender.

In the embodiment, the data receiver may combine multiple generated codebooks and feed them back to the data sender.

In addition, the method may further include that: a manner for determining CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group is agreed with the data sender, or the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group are sent to the data sender. It may be agreed that CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group are determined according to a data receiving sequence or in other manners.

According to the embodiments, CCs may be grouped according to a binding rule, a parameter value of each CC group may be calculated, the same number of HARQ codebooks as that of CC groups may be generated, and then the HARQ codebooks may be fed back to a data sender, so that the volume of feedback information is optimized, and the volume of the feedback information is further reduced.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing another HARQ feedback method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As shown in <FIG>, before step S101 is executed, the method may further include the following step.

In step S100, the binding rule is agreed with the data sender.

In addition, the data receiver may also determine the binding rule in other manners. For example, when the data receiver is a base station and the data sender is UE, the data receiver may configure the binding rule and send the binding rule to the data sender. When the data receiver is UE and the data sender is a base station, the data receiver may receive the binding rule from the data sender.

The data receiver may send the binding rule to the data sender through control signaling. The control signaling may include broadcast signaling, RRC upper-layer signaling, MAC-layer signaling or physical-layer signaling.

According to the embodiments, the binding rule may be agreed with the data sender, so that a condition for subsequently grouping CCs according to the binding rule can be provided.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing a method for determining data to be retransmitted according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The embodiment is described from the aspect of a data sender. The data sender may be UE or a base station. As shown in <FIG>, the method for determining data to be retransmitted may include the following steps.

In step S501, a HARQ codebook fed back by a data receiver is received.

In step S502, the HARQ codebook is parsed to obtain a parameter value of each CC group, the parameter value being determined through calculation by the data receiver after CCs are grouped according to a binding rule and the binding rule including the number of resource units contained in a group of CCs that are capable of being bundled.

The resource units each may include, but not limited to, a CBG, and the parameter value may be a total DAI.

In step S503, CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group are determined.

The CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group may be determined in multiple manners. For example, the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group may be determined in the following two manners.

Manner <NUM>): the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group are determined according to a manner, agreed with the data receiver, for determining the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group.

The data sender may agree with the data receiver that the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group are determined according to a data receiving sequence or in other manners.

Manner <NUM>): the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group are received from the data receiver.

In step S504, feedback bit information corresponding to the resource units is restored according to the parameter value of each CC group and the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group.

In step S505, resource unit information of data to be retransmitted is determined according to the feedback bit information.

According to the embodiments, a HARQ codebook fed back by the data receiver may be received, the HARQ codebook may be parsed to obtain a parameter value of each CC group, CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group may be determined, then feedback bit information corresponding to the resource units may be restored according to the parameter value of each CC group and the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group, and finally resource unit information of data to be retransmitted may be determined according to the feedback bit information. In the whole implementation process, the volume of feedback information is small.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a HARQ feedback device according to an exemplary embodiment. The device may be applied to a data receiver. As shown in <FIG>, the device includes a grouping module <NUM>, a calculation module <NUM>, a generation module <NUM> and a feedback module <NUM>.

The grouping module <NUM> is configured to group CCs according to a binding rule, the binding rule including the number of resource units contained in a group of CCs that are capable of being bundled.

The resource units each may include, but not limited to, a CBG. The grouping module <NUM> may be configured to hierarchically group the CCs according to the binding rule, the binding rule including a range of the number of resource units contained the hierarchically grouped CCs. For example, a range of amount of resource units, such as a range of amount of CBGs, in a first-level CC group is <NUM> to <NUM>, and a range of amount of resource units, such as a range of amount of CBGs, in a second-level CC group is <NUM> to <NUM>.

A CC grouping process will be described below with <NUM> CCs as an example. CC0 may include <NUM> CBGs, CC1 may include <NUM> CBGs, CC2 may include <NUM> CBG, CC3 may include <NUM> CBGs, CC4 may include <NUM> CBGs, CC5 may include <NUM> CBGs, CC6 may include <NUM> CBGs and CC7 may include <NUM> CBGs, as shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the grey block represents a slot where data is transmitted. If the binding rule may include that the range of the amount of the CBGs in the first-level CC group is <NUM> to <NUM> and the range of the amount of the CBGs in the second-level CC group is <NUM> to <NUM>, the hierarchically grouped CCs are the ones as shown in <FIG>.

The calculation module <NUM> is configured to calculate a parameter value of each CC group after the grouping module <NUM> groups the CCs.

The generation module <NUM> is configured to generate the same number of HARQ codebooks as that of CC groups after the grouping module <NUM> groups the CCs, a length of one of the HARQ codebooks being determined respectively by the parameter value of each corresponding CC group and the maximum number of resource units in a single CC in the each corresponding CC group.

The feedback module <NUM> is configured to feed back the HARQ codebooks generated by the generation module <NUM> to a data sender.

In the embodiment, the data receiver may combine multiple generated codebooks for feedback to the data sender.

According to the embodiments, CCs may be grouped according to a binding rule, a parameter value of each CC group may be calculated, the HARQ codebooks which is of the amount the same as the CC groups may be generated, and then the HARQ codebooks may be fed back to the data sender, so that the volume of feedback information is optimized, and the volume of the feedback information is further reduced.

<FIG> is a block diagram of another HARQ feedback device according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, based on the embodiment shown in <FIG>, when the data receiver is a base station and the data sender is UE, the device may further include a first predetermination module <NUM> or a configuration and sending module <NUM>.

The first predetermination module <NUM> is configured to, before the grouping module <NUM> groups the CCs according to the binding rule, agree the binding rule with the data sender.

The configuration and sending module <NUM> is configured to, before the grouping module <NUM> groups the CCs according to the binding rule, configure the binding rule and send the binding rule to the data sender.

The configuration and sending module <NUM> may send the binding rule to the data sender through control signaling. The control signaling may include broadcast signaling, RRC upper-layer signaling, MAC-layer signaling or physical-layer signaling.

According to the embodiments, the binding rule may be agreed with the data sender or the configured binding rule may be sent to the data sender, so that a condition can be provided for subsequently grouping the CCs according to the binding rule.

<FIG> is a block diagram of another HARQ feedback device according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, based on the embodiment shown in <FIG>, when the data receiver is UE and the data sender is a base station, the device may further include a second predetermination module <NUM> or a receiving module <NUM>.

The second predetermination module <NUM> is configured to, before the grouping module <NUM> groups the CCs according to the binding rule, agree the binding rule with the data sender.

The receiving module <NUM> is configured to, before the grouping module <NUM> groups the CCs according to the binding rule, receive the binding rule from the data sender.

According to the embodiments, the binding rule may be agreed with the data sender or the binding rule sent by the data sender may be received, so that a condition can be provided for subsequently grouping the CCs according to the binding rule.

<FIG> is a block diagram of another HARQ feedback device according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, based on the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the device may further include a third predetermination module <NUM> or a sending module <NUM>.

The third predetermination module <NUM> is configured to agree, with the data sender, a manner for determining CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group.

The sending module <NUM> is configured to send the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group to the data sender.

According to the embodiments, the manner for determining the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group may be agreed with the data sender, or the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group may be sent to the data sender, so that a condition can be provided for the data sender to determine resource unit information of data to be retransmitted.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device for determining data to be retransmitted according to an exemplary embodiment. The device may be applied to a data sender. As shown in <FIG>, the device includes a receiving module <NUM>, a parsing module <NUM>, a first determination module <NUM>, a restoration module <NUM> and a second determination module <NUM>.

The receiving module <NUM> is configured to receive a HARQ codebook fed back by a data receiver.

The parsing module <NUM> is configured to parse the HARQ codebook received by the receiving module <NUM> to obtain a parameter value of each CC group. The parameter value may be determined through calculation by the data receiver after CCs are grouped according to a binding rule, and the binding rule may include the number of resource units contained in a group of CCs that are capable of being bundled.

The first determination module <NUM> is configured to determine CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group.

The restoration module <NUM> is configured to restore feedback bit information corresponding to the resource units according to the parameter value, obtained by parsing of the parsing module <NUM>, in each CC group and the CC identifiers, determined by the first determination module <NUM>, sequentially included in each CC group.

The second determination module <NUM> is configured to determine resource unit information of data to be retransmitted according to the feedback bit information restored by the restoration module <NUM>.

According to the embodiments, a HARQ codebook fed back by the data receiver may be received, the HARQ codebook may be parsed to obtain a parameter value of each CC group, CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group may be determined, then feedback bit information corresponding to the resource units may be restored according to the parameter value of each CC group and the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group, and finally resource unit information of data to be retransmitted may be determined according to the feedback bit information. In the whole implementation process, the volume of feedback information can be small.

<FIG> is a block diagram of another device for determining data to be retransmitted according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, based on the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the first determination module <NUM> may include a predetermination submodule <NUM> or a receiving submodule <NUM>.

The predetermination submodule <NUM> is configured to determine the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group according to a manner, agreed with the data receiver, for determining the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group.

The data sender may agree with the data receiver that the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group are determined according to a data receiving sequence or other manners.

The receiving submodule <NUM> is configured to receive, from the data receiver, the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group.

According to the embodiments, the CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group may be determined in multiple manners, so that a condition can be provided for determining the resource unit information of data to be retransmitted.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an apparatus applicable to a HARQ feedback device or a device for determining data to be retransmitted according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, the apparatus <NUM> may be UE such as a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a messaging device, a gaming console, a tablet, a medical device, exercise equipment and a personal digital assistant.

Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> may include one or more of the following components: a processing component <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a power component <NUM>, a multimedia component <NUM>, an audio component <NUM>, an Input/Output (I/O) interface <NUM>, a sensor component <NUM>, and a communication component <NUM>.

The processing component <NUM> is typically configured to control overall operations of the apparatus <NUM>, such as the operations associated with display, telephone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component <NUM> may include one or more processors <NUM> to execute instructions to perform all or part of the steps in the abovementioned method. Moreover, the processing component <NUM> may include one or more modules which facilitate interaction between the processing component <NUM> and the other components. For instance, the processing component <NUM> may include a multimedia module to facilitate interaction between the multimedia component <NUM> and the processing component <NUM>.

When the apparatus <NUM> is applicable to the HARQ feedback device, one processor <NUM> in the processing component <NUM> may be configured to:.

When the apparatus <NUM> is applicable to the device for determining data to be retransmitted, one processor <NUM> in the processing component <NUM> may be configured to:.

The memory <NUM> is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of the apparatus <NUM>. Examples of such data may include instructions for any applications or methods operated on the apparatus <NUM>, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, video, etc. The memory <NUM> may be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile memory devices, or a combination thereof, such as a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, and a magnetic or optical disk.

The power component <NUM> is configured to provide power for various components of the apparatus <NUM>. The power component <NUM> may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generation, management and distribution of power for the apparatus <NUM>.

The multimedia component <NUM> may include a screen providing an output interface between the apparatus <NUM> and a user. In some embodiments, the screen may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and a Touch Panel (TP). If the screen includes the TP, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive an input signal from the user. The TP includes one or more touch sensors to sense touches, swipes and gestures on the TP. The touch sensors may not only sense a boundary of a touch or swipe action but also detect a duration and pressure associated with the touch or swipe action. The front camera and/or the rear camera may receive external multimedia data when the apparatus <NUM> is in an operation mode, such as a photographing mode or a video mode. Each of the front camera and the rear camera may be a fixed optical lens system or have focusing and optical zooming capabilities.

The audio component <NUM> is configured to output and/or input an audio signal. For example, the audio component <NUM> includes a Microphone (MIC), and the MIC is configured to receive an external audio signal when the apparatus <NUM> is in the operation mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signal may further be stored in the memory <NUM> or sent through the communication component <NUM>. In some embodiments, the audio component <NUM> further includes a speaker configured to output the audio signal.

The I/O interface <NUM> is configured to provide an interface between the processing component <NUM> and a peripheral interface module, and the peripheral interface module may be a keyboard, a click wheel, a button and the like.

The sensor component <NUM> may include one or more sensors configured to provide status assessment in various aspects for the apparatus <NUM>. For instance, the sensor component <NUM> may detect an on/off status of the apparatus <NUM> and relative positioning of components, such as a display and small keyboard of the apparatus <NUM>, and the sensor component <NUM> may further detect a change in a position of the apparatus <NUM> or a component of the apparatus <NUM>, presence or absence of contact between the user and the apparatus <NUM>, orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the apparatus <NUM> and a change in temperature of the apparatus <NUM>.

The communication component <NUM> is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the apparatus <NUM> and another apparatus. The apparatus <NUM> may access a communication-standard-based wireless network, such as a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) network, a 2nd-Generation (<NUM>) or 3rd-Generation (<NUM>) network or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component <NUM> receives a broadcast signal or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast management system through a broadcast channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component <NUM> further includes a Near Field Communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) technology, an Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technology, a Bluetooth (BT) technology and another technology.

In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> may be implemented by one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors or other electronic components, and is configured to execute the abovementioned method.

In an exemplary embodiment, there is also provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, such as the memory <NUM> including instructions, and the instructions may be executed by the processor <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> to implement the abovementioned method. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be a ROM, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical data storage device and the like.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an apparatus applicable to a device for determining data to be retransmitted or a HARQ feedback device according to an exemplary embodiment. The apparatus <NUM> may be provided as a base station. Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> includes a processing component <NUM>, a wireless transmission/receiving component <NUM>, an antenna component <NUM> and a wireless interface-specific signal processing part, and the processing component <NUM> may further include one or more processors.

When the apparatus <NUM> is applicable to the HARQ feedback device, one processor in the processing component <NUM> may be configured to:.

When the apparatus <NUM> is applicable to the device for determining data to be retransmitted, one processor in the processing component <NUM> may be configured to:.

In an exemplary embodiment, there is also provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, and the instructions may be executed by the processing component <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> to implement the HARQ feedback method or the method for determining data to be retransmitted. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical data storage device and the like.

The apparatus embodiments substantially correspond to the method embodiments, and thus related parts refer to part of descriptions of the method embodiments. The apparatus embodiment described above is only schematic. The units described as separate parts therein may or may not be physically separated. The parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, namely, may be located in the same place or may be distributed to multiple network units. Part or all of the modules therein may be selected according to a practical requirement to achieve the purpose of the solutions of the embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art may understand and implement without creative work.

It is to be noted that relational terminologies "first", "second" and the like in the present disclosure are adopted only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation and not always to require or imply existence of any such practical relationship or sequence between the entities or operations. Terminologies "include" and "have" or any other variation thereof is intended to cover nonexclusive inclusions, so that a process, method, object or device including a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements that are not clearly listed, or further includes elements intrinsic to the process, the method, the object or the device. Under the condition of no more limitations, an element defined by statement "including a/an. " does not exclude existence of another element that is the same in a process, method, object or device including the element.

Other implementation solutions of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the present disclosure. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

Claim 1:
A hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ, feedback method, implemented by a data receiver, the method comprising:
grouping (S101) component carriers, CCs, according to a binding rule, wherein the binding rule comprises the number of resource units contained in a group of CCs that are capable of being bundled;
calculating (S102) a parameter value of each CC group;
generating (S103) the same number of HARQ codebooks as that of CC groups, wherein a length of one of the HARQ codebooks is determined by the parameter value of a corresponding CC group and a maximum number of resource units contained in a single CC in the corresponding CC group; and
feeding back (S104) the HARQ codebooks to a data sender,
characterized in that,
grouping (S101) the CCs according to the binding rule comprises:
hierarchically grouping the CCs according to the binding rule, wherein the binding rule comprises a consecutive range of the number of resource units contained in hierarchically grouped CCs in each CC group,
the method further comprises:
agreeing (S100), with the data sender, a manner for determining CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group; or
sending CC identifiers sequentially included in each CC group to the data sender.