Patent Description:
Wireless communication systems are rapidly growing in usage. Further, wireless communication technology has evolved from voice-only communications to also include the transmission of data, such as Internet and multimedia content. Thus, improvements in the field are desired. Patent application publication <CIT> relates to an apparatus of a New Radio (NR) User Equipment (UE), the apparatus including baseband circuitry including a radio frequency (RF) interface and one or more processors coupled to the RF interface and configured to execute the instructions to: encode a plurality of Transport Blocks (TBs) and encode a first uplink transmission using the TBs and in a grant-free mode to a NR evolved Node B (gNodeB); decode a downlink control information (DCI) from the gNodeB; based on the DCI, encode a second uplink transmission using the TBs to the gNodeB, wherein the second uplink transmission is one of in a grant-free mode and in a grant-based mode, and wherein the DCI includes information on an identification (ID) for a hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledge feedback (HARQ) process (HARQ process ID) corresponding to the second uplink transmission, the HARQ process ID being based on a resource configuration index corresponding to the second uplink transmission; and send the TBs, the first encoded uplink transmission, and the second encoded uplink transmission to the RF interface. Patent application publication <CIT> relates to a wireless communication network including a base station and a relay station, the base station configured to transmit, in a subframe, a plurality of transport blocks for a plurality of Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) processes to the relay station.

The present invention provides a user equipment device, a baseband processor and a method of wireless communication as set out in the appended independent claims. Embodiments relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods to disable a HARQ feedback in a semi-static way, to ensure a semi-static message of disabling the HARQ feedback is reliably received, and to perform HARQ optimization by increasing HARQ process numbers without increasing a bit field size of "HARQ process number" in downlink control information (DCI).

In accordance with the present invention, a wireless device is configured to perform methods to receive a first set and a second set of HARQ process numbers, the first set and the second set of HARQ process numbers corresponding to a first set and a second set of HARQ processes respectively, each HARQ process in the first set of HARQ processes is configured to enable a HARQ feedback. The wireless device is further configured to perform methods to receive a Radio Resource Control - RRC - configuration message or a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element - MAC CE - message to semi-statically enable or disable HARQ feedback for the HARQ processes in the second set of HARQ processes. The wireless device is further configured to receive a DCI, wherein a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) is scrambled with cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits of the DCI, the DCI including information to specify whether to disable or enable HARQ feedback for a specific downlink - DL - transmission. The wireless device is further configured to determine a HARQ process number in the first set or the second set of HARQ process numbers based on the RNTI or a field in the DCI. The wireless device is further configured to configure the HARQ process to disable or enable a HARQ-based transmission from the UE in response to the RRC configuration message or the MAC CE message and in response to determining the HARQ process number is in the second set of HARQ process numbers.

The techniques described herein may be implemented in and/or used with a number of different types of devices, including but not limited to cellular phones, tablet computers, wearable computing devices, portable media players, and any of various other computing devices.

The following is a glossary of terms used in this disclosure:
Memory Medium-Any of various types of non-transitory memory devices or storage devices. The term "memory medium" is intended to include an installation medium, e.g., a CD-ROM, floppy disks, or tape device; a computer system memory or random access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; a non-volatile memory such as a Flash, magnetic media, e.g., a hard drive, or optical storage; registers, or other similar types of memory elements, etc. The memory medium may include other types of non-transitory memory as well or combinations thereof. In addition, the memory medium may be located in a first computer system in which the programs are executed, or may be located in a second different computer system which connects to the first computer system over a network, such as the Internet. In the latter instance, the second computer system may provide program instructions to the first computer for execution. The term "memory medium" may include two or more memory mediums which may reside in different locations, e.g., in different computer systems that are connected over a net- work. The memory medium may store program instructions (e.g., embodied as computer programs) that may be executed by one or more processors.

Carrier Medium-a memory medium as described above, as well as a physical transmission medium, such as a bus, network, and/or other physical transmission medium that conveys signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals.

Programmable Hardware Element-includes various hardware devices comprising multiple programmable function blocks connected via a programmable interconnect.

Computer System-any of various types of computing or processing systems, including a personal computer system (PC), mainframe computer system, workstation, network appliance, Internet appliance, personal digital assistant (PDA), television system, grid computing system, or other device or combinations of devices. In general, the term "computer system" can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.

User Equipment (UE) (or "UE Device")-any of various types of computer systems devices which are mobile or portable and which performs wireless communications. Examples of UE devices include mobile telephones or smart phones (e.g., iPhone™, Android™-based phones), portable gaming devices (e.g., Nintendo DS™, PlayStation Portable™, Gameboy Advance™, iPhone™), laptops, wearable devices (e.g. smart watch, smart glasses), PDAs, portable Internet devices, music players, data storage devices, or other handheld devices, etc. In general, the term "UE" or "UE device" can be broadly defined to encompass any electronic, computing, and/or telecommunications device (or combination of devices) which is easily transported by a user and capable of wireless communication.

Base Station-The term "Base Station" has the full breadth of its ordinary meaning, and at least includes a wireless communication station installed at a fixed location and used to communicate as part of a wireless telephone system or radio system.

Processing Element-refers to various elements or combinations of elements that are capable of performing a function in a device, such as a user equipment or a cellular network device. Processing elements may include, for example: processors and associated memory, portions or circuits of individual processor cores, entire processor cores, processor arrays, circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), programmable hardware elements such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), as well any of various combinations of the above.

Channel-a medium used to convey information from a sender (transmitter) to a receiver.

Band-The term "band" has the full breadth of its ordinary meaning, and at least includes a section of spectrum (e.g., radio frequency spectrum) in which channels are used or set aside for the same purpose.

Automatically-refers to an action or operation performed by a computer system (e.g., software executed by the computer system) or device (e.g., circuitry, programmable hardware elements, ASICs, etc.), without user input directly specifying or performing the action or operation. Thus, the term "automatically" is in contrast to an operation being manually performed or specified by the user, where the user provides input to directly perform the operation.

Approximately-refers to a value that is almost correct or exact.

Concurrent-refers to parallel execution or performance, where tasks, processes, or programs are performed in an at least partially overlapping manner.

Various components may be described as "configured to" perform a task or tasks.

The communication area (or coverage area) of the base station may be referred to as a "cell. " The base station 102A and the UEs <NUM> may be configured to communicate over the transmission medium using any of various radio access technologies (RATs), also referred to as wireless communication technologies, or telecommunication standards, such as GSM, UMTS (associated with, for example, WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces), LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), <NUM> new radio (<NUM> NR), HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc. Note that if the base station 102A is implemented in the context of LTE, it may alternately be referred to as an 'eNodeB' or 'eNB'. Note that if the base station 102A is implemented in the context of <NUM> NR, it may alternately be referred to as 'gNodeB' or 'gNB.

In some embodiments, base station 102A may be a next generation base station, e.g., a <NUM> New Radio (<NUM> NR) base station, or "gNB". In some embodiments, a gNB may be connected to a legacy evolved packet core (EPC) network and/or to a NR core (NRC) network. In addition, a gNB cell may include one or more transition and reception points (TRPs).

Note that a UE <NUM> may be capable of communicating using multiple wireless communication standards. For example, the UE <NUM> may be configured to communicate using a wireless networking (e.g., Wi-Fi) and/or peer-to-peer wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi peer-to-peer, etc.) in addition to at least one cellular communication protocol (e.g., GSM, UMTS (associated with, for example, WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces), LTE, LTE-A, <NUM> NR, HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc.). The UE <NUM> may also or alternatively be configured to communicate using one or more global navigational satellite systems (GNSS, e.g., GPS or GLONASS), one or more mobile television broadcasting standards (e.g., ATSC-M/H or DVB-H), and/or any other wireless communication protocol, if desired. Other combinations of wireless communication standards (including more than two wireless communication standards) are also possible.

<FIG> illustrates user equipment <NUM> (e.g., one of the devices 106A through 106N) in communication with a base station <NUM>, according to some embodiments. The UE <NUM> may be a device with cellular communication capability such as a mobile phone, a hand-held device, a computer or a tablet, or virtually any type of wireless device.

The UE <NUM> may include one or more antennas for communicating using one or more wireless communication protocols or technologies. In some embodiments, the UE <NUM> may be configured to communicate using, for example, CDMA2000 (1xRTT/1xEV-DO/HRPD/eHRPD) or LTE using a single shared radio and/or GSM or LTE using the single shared radio. The shared radio may couple to a single antenna, or may couple to multiple antennas (e.g., for MIMO) for performing wireless communications. In general, a radio may include any combination of a baseband processor, analog RF signal processing circuitry (e.g., including filters, mixers, oscillators, amplifiers, etc.), or digital processing circuitry (e.g., for digital modulation as well as other digital processing). Similarly, the radio may implement one or more receive and transmit chains using the aforementioned hardware. For example, the UE <NUM> may share one or more parts of a receive and/or transmit chain between multiple wireless communication technologies, such as those discussed above.

<FIG> illustrates an example simplified block diagram of a communication device <NUM>, according to some embodiments. It is noted that the block diagram of the communication device of <FIG> is only one example of a possible communication device. According to embodiments, communication device <NUM> may be a user equipment (UE) device, a mobile device or mobile station, a wireless device or wireless station, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop, notebook, or portable computing device), a tablet and/or a combination of devices, among other devices. As shown, the communication device <NUM> may include a set of components <NUM> configured to perform core functions. For example, this set of components may be implemented as a system on chip (SOC), which may include portions for various purposes. Alternatively, this set of components <NUM> may be implemented as separate components or groups of components for the various purposes. The set of components <NUM> may be coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to various other circuits of the communication device <NUM>.

As shown, the SOC <NUM> may include processor(s) <NUM>, which may execute program instructions for the communication device <NUM> and display circuitry <NUM>, which may perform graphics processing and provide display signals to the display <NUM>. The processor(s) <NUM> may also be coupled to memory management unit (MMU) <NUM>, which may be configured to receive addresses from the processor(s) <NUM> and translate those addresses to locations in memory (e.g., memory <NUM>, read only memory (ROM) <NUM>, NAND flash memory <NUM>) and/or to other circuits or devices, such as the display circuitry <NUM>, short range wireless communication circuitry <NUM>, cellular communication circuitry <NUM>, connector I/F <NUM>, and/or display <NUM>. The MMU <NUM> may be configured to perform memory protection and page table translation or set up. In some embodiments, the MMU <NUM> may be included as a portion of the processor(s) <NUM>.

As noted above, the communication device <NUM> may be configured to communicate using wireless and/or wired communication circuitry. In some embodiments, the communication device <NUM> may be configured to receive a first set and a second set of HARQ process numbers, where the first set and the second set of HARQ process numbers correspond to a first set and a second set of HARQ processes respectively, where each HARQ process in the first set of HARQ processes is configured to enable a HARQ feedback, and where each HARQ process in the second set of HARQ processes is configured to disable or enable a HARQ feedback. The wireless device may also be configured to receive a data transmission in a HARQ process in the first set or the second set of HARQ processes. Further, the wireless device may be configured to determine whether to transmit a HARQ feedback based on whether the HARQ feedback is enabled or disabled.

In some embodiments, the communication device <NUM> may be configured to receive a grant configuration or a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS), where the grant configuration or the SPS may include a flag indicating whether a HARQ-based retransmission is disabled. The wireless device may also be configured to receive a data transmission and to receive a blind data retransmission. Further, the wireless device may be configured to determine whether to disable a HARQ feedback based on the flag indicating whether a HARQ-based retransmission is disabled.

In some embodiments, the communication device <NUM> may be configured to receive a first set and a second set of HARQ process numbers, where the first set and the second set of HARQ process numbers may correspond to a first set and a second set of HARQ processes respectively. The wireless device may also be configured to receive a DCI, wherein a RNTI is scrambled with cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits of the DCI. Further, the wireless device may be configured to determine a HARQ process number in the first set or the second set of HARQ process numbers based on the RNTI or a field in the DCI.

In some embodiments, the communication device <NUM> may be configured to receive a first signal assigning a traffic stream to a first HARQ process. The wireless device may also be configured to transmit the traffic stream in the first HARQ process. The wireless device may also be configured to receive a second signal to suspend the traffic stream on the first HARQ process. The wireless device may also be configured to receive a third signal to reactive the traffic stream in a second HARQ process. Further, the wireless device may be configured to transmit the traffic stream in the second HARQ process.

As described herein, the communication device <NUM> may include hardware and software components for implementing the above features for disabling a HARQ feedback and/or performing HARQ optimization operations. The processor <NUM> of the communication device <NUM> may be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein, e.g., by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively (or in addition), processor <NUM> may be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Alternatively (or in addition) the processor <NUM> of the communication device <NUM>, in conjunction with one or more of the other components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein.

Further, as described herein, cellular communication circuitry <NUM> and short range wireless communication circuitry <NUM> may each include one or more processing elements. In other words, one or more processing elements may be included in cellular communication circuitry <NUM> and, similarly, one or more processing elements may be included in short range wireless communication circuitry <NUM>. Thus, cellular communication circuitry <NUM> may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) that are configured to perform the functions of cellular communication circuitry <NUM>. In addition, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.) configured to perform the functions of cellular communication circuitry <NUM>. Similarly, the short range wireless communication circuitry <NUM> may include one or more ICs that are configured to perform the functions of short range wireless communication circuitry <NUM>. In addition, each integrated circuit may include circuitry (e.g., first circuitry, second circuitry, etc.) configured to perform the functions of short range wireless communication circuitry <NUM>.

The network port <NUM> may be configured to couple to a telephone network and provide a plurality of devices, such as UE devices <NUM>, access to the telephone network as described above in <FIG> and <FIG>.

In addition, a UE capable of operating according to <NUM> NR may be connected to one or more TRPs within one or more gNB s.

<FIG> illustrates an example simplified block diagram of cellular communication circuitry, according to some embodiments. It is noted that the block diagram of the cellular communication circuitry of <FIG> is only one example of a possible cellular communication circuit. According to embodiments, cellular communication circuitry <NUM> may be included in a communication device, such as communication device <NUM> described above. As noted above, communication device <NUM> may be a user equipment (UE) device, a mobile device or mobile station, a wireless device or wireless station, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop, notebook, or portable computing device), a tablet and/or a combination of devices, among other devices.

The cellular communication circuitry <NUM> may couple (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, such as antennas <NUM> a-b and <NUM> as shown (in <FIG>). In some embodiments, cellular communication circuitry <NUM> may include dedicated receive chains (including and/or coupled to, e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly. For example, as shown in <FIG>, cellular communication circuitry <NUM> may include a modem <NUM> and a modem <NUM>. Modem <NUM> may be configured for communications according to a first RAT, e.g., such as LTE or LTE-A, and modem <NUM> may be configured for communications according to a second RAT, e.g., such as <NUM> NR.

In some embodiments, receive circuitry <NUM> may be in communication with downlink (DL) front end <NUM>, which may include circuitry for receiving radio signals via antenna <NUM> a.

In some embodiments, receive circuitry <NUM> may be in communication with DL front end <NUM>, which may include circuitry for receiving radio signals via antenna <NUM> b.

In some embodiments, the cellular communication circuitry <NUM> may be configured to perform methods to receive a first set and a second set of HARQ process numbers, where the first set and the second set of HARQ process numbers correspond to a first set and a second set of HARQ processes respectively, where each HARQ process in the first set of HARQ processes is configured to enable a HARQ feedback, and where each HARQ process in the second set of HARQ processes is configured to disable or enable a HARQ feedback. The wireless device may be further configured to receive a data transmission in a HARQ process in the first set or the second set of HARQ processes. The wireless device may be further configured to determine whether to transmit a HARQ feedback based on whether the HARQ feedback is enabled or disabled.

In some embodiments, the cellular communication circuitry <NUM> may be configured to perform methods to receive a grant configuration or a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS), where the grant configuration or the SPS include a flag indicating whether a HARQ-based retransmission is disabled. The wireless device may be further configured to receive a data transmission. The wireless device may be further configured to receive a blind data retransmission. The wireless device may be further configured to determine whether to disable a HARQ feedback based on the flag indicating whether a HARQ-based retransmission is disabled.

In some embodiments, the cellular communication circuitry <NUM> may be configured to perform methods to receive a first set and a second set of HARQ process numbers, the first set and the second set of HARQ process numbers corresponding to a first set and a second set of HARQ processes respectively. The wireless device may be further configured to receive a DCI, wherein a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) is scrambled with cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits of the DCI. The wireless device may be further configured to determine a HARQ process number in the first set or the second set of HARQ process numbers based on the RNTI or a field in the DCI.

In some embodiments, the cellular communication circuitry <NUM> may be configured to perform methods to receive a first signal assigning a traffic stream to a first HARQ process. The wireless device may be further configured to transmit the traffic stream in the first HARQ process. The wireless device may be further configured to receive a second signal to suspend the traffic stream on the first HARQ process. The wireless device may be further configured to receive a third signal to reactive the traffic stream in a second HARQ process. The wireless device may be further configured to transmit the traffic stream in the second HARQ process.

As described herein, the modem <NUM> may include hardware and software components for implementing the above features or for disabling a HARQ feedback and/or performing HARQ optimization operations, as well as the various other techniques described herein. The processors <NUM> may be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein, e.g., by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively (or in addition), processor <NUM> may be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Alternatively (or in addition) the processor <NUM>, in conjunction with one or more of the other components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein.

As described herein, the modem <NUM> may include hardware and software components for implementing the above features for disabling a HARQ feedback and/or performing HARQ optimization operations, as well as the various other techniques described herein. The processors <NUM> may be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein, e.g., by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively (or in addition), processor <NUM> may be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Alternatively (or in addition) the processor <NUM>, in conjunction with one or more of the other components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein.

The propagation delays in some areas (e.g., non-terrestrial networks) are much longer, for example, in ocean, mountain areas, and deserts where there is no base station nearby. The propagation delays may range from several milliseconds to hundreds of milliseconds. In such areas, HARQ round-trip time (RTT) can be long. For example, in downlink (DL) transmission, a base station may send data to a UE. The UE may not be able to decode the data. The UE may need to hold the HARQ buffer to wait for retransmission. However, the HARQ RTT may be very long, which may cause problems in the wireless communication.

Some mechanisms of more delay-tolerant retransmission have been studied. There are some proposals of disabling of HARQ. For example, HARQ may be disabled via DCI in new/re-interpreted field, or new Uplink Control Information (UCI) feedback for reporting DL transmission disruption and or requesting DL scheduling changes. There are also some proposals of HARQ optimization to increase throughput. For example, greater than <NUM> HARQ process identifications (IDs) with uplink (UL) HARQ feedback enabled via Radio Resource Control (RRC). With regards to HARQ enhancements for soft buffer management and stop-and-wait time reduction, several options were considered, such as pre-active/pre-emptive HARQ to reduce stop-and-wait time, enabling / disabling of HARQ buffer usage configurable on a per UE and per HARQ process, or HARQ buffer status report from the UE. The number of HARQ processes with additional considerations for HARQ feedback, HARQ buffer size, RLC feedback, and RLC ARQ buffer size may need further improvement.

There may be a need to develop a detailed scheme to disable HARQ feedback in either semi-static way or in dynamic way. For example, it is advantageous to ensure the semi-static message of disabling HARQ feedback is reliably received. For another example, the signaling scheme to dynamically disable HARQ feedback needs to be developed. In addition, there may be a need to develop the DCI design when HARQ feedback is disabled. Furthermore, there may be a need to develop the signaling scheme to increase the HARQ process numbers without increasing the bit field size of "HARQ process number" in DCI.

<FIG> is a signal flow diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of multi-fold enabling/disabling HARQ feedback, according to some embodiments. In order to address long HARQ RTT delay and increase throughput, a solution of multi-fold enabling/disabling HARQ feedback is disclosed herein, as illustrated in <FIG>. In this solution, HARQ feedback may be disabled or enabled in multiple layers. Though a downlink (DL) transmission is illustrated as an example in <FIG>, this solution may also be applied to an uplink (UL) transmission. In some embodiments, two sets of HARQ process numbers may be configured by a base station <NUM>, as illustrated at <NUM>. A UE <NUM> may receive a first set and a second set of HARQ process numbers <NUM>. The first set and the second set of HARQ process numbers <NUM> may correspond to a first set and a second set of HARQ processes respectively. Each HARQ process in the first set of HARQ processes is configured to enable a HARQ feedback, and each HARQ process in the second set of HARQ processes is configured to disable or enable a HARQ feedback. In each HARQ process in the first set of HARQ processes, the HARQ feedback is always on. In each HARQ process in the second set of HARQ processes, the HARQ feedback is flexible, may be on or off.

In some embodiments, the number of HARQ processes in the first set (Set <NUM>) is X, while the number of HARQ processes in the second set (Set <NUM>) is N-X, where N is either <NUM> or <NUM> or other numbers, probably based on UE capability. The number of HARQ processes in the first set may depend on UE capability or quality of service (QoS). For a UE with more capability, X is larger; for a UE with less capability, X is smaller. For data with higher reliability requirements, X is larger; for data with less reliability requirements, X is smaller.

In some embodiments, an RRC configuration message or a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (MAC CE) message <NUM> may semi-statically enable or disable a HARQ feedback for the HARQ processes in the second set of HARQ processes. As illustrated in <FIG>, the UE106 may receive the RRC message or the MAC CE message <NUM> through a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), where each HARQ process in the second set of HARQ processes may be configured to disable or enable the HARQ feedback by the RRC message or the MAC CE message <NUM>.

For DL transmission, the RRC message or the MAC CE message <NUM> may be sent from the base station <NUM>. The RRC message or the MAC CE message <NUM> needs to be reliably sent to the UE <NUM> such that the UE <NUM> knows which HARQ process has a feedback disabled. In some embodiments, the message of RRC/MAC CE <NUM> to semi-statically enable or disable the HARQ feedback is sent using a HARQ process whose number is in the first set of HARQ process numbers (i.e., HARQ feedback is always on for the transmission).

In some embodiments, the message of RRC/MAC CE <NUM> to semi-statically enable or disable the HARQ feedback may be sent using a HARQ process whose number is in the second set of HARQ process numbers. Higher layer confirmation of this RRC/MAC CE message may be needed. In some embodiments, the RRC/MAC CE message <NUM> may indicate a timing of the HARQ feedback enabling or disabling. For example, the RRC/MAC CE message <NUM> may indicate a starting time, an ending time, a duration of the HARQ feedback being enabled or disabled. If the HARQ feedback/retransmission is switched from being enabled to being disabled, then a regular HARQ feedback/retransmission still applies to the RRC/MAC CE message. If the HARQ feedback/retransmission is switched from being disabled to enabled, a timer may be configured. Then, the HARQ feedback/retransmission may apply after a configured time period by the timer.

In some embodiments, for a HARQ process in the second set of HARQ processes with semi-statically enabled HARQ feedback, DCI <NUM> may be configured to disable a HARQ feedback for a DL transmission. As illustrated in <FIG>, the UE <NUM> may receive the DCI <NUM> through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). This applies for downlink transmissions and uplink transmissions. For uplink transmission, the base station <NUM> may disable the HARQ feedback by always toggling a new data indicator (NDI) in DCI <NUM>.

DCI signaling <NUM> may be used to dynamically disable the HARQ feedback. In some embodiments, field reinterpretation may be used to indicate the HARQ feedback is disabled. For example, in DCI format 1_0, the field "PDSCH-to-HARQ_feedback timing indicator" may have a code point to indicate the HARQ feedback is disabled when a higher layer flag is set to True. If a higher layer flag (i.e., "HARQ-disabling") is set to "True", then the <NUM>-bit field (e.g., from "<NUM>" to "<NUM>") may directly indicate the slot offset between PDSCH and HARQ feedback is from <NUM> to <NUM>, where the all "<NUM>" field may indicate HARQ feedback is disabled. If a higher layer flag (i.e., "HARQ-disabling") is set to "False", then the <NUM>-bit field may directly indicate the slot offset between PDSCH and HARQ feedback is from <NUM> to <NUM>. In DCI format 1_1, the higher layer parameter "dl-DataToUL-ACK" may have an entry to indicate the HARQ feedback is disabled. This feature may be enabled if a higher layer flag (i.e., "HARQ-disabling") is set to "True". At <NUM>, the UE may determine whether to disable a HARQ feedback. The UE may transmit the HARQ feedback <NUM> if the HARQ feedback is enabled.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) indicating whether a HARQ feedback is enabled or disabled. RNTI based indication may be used to indicate the HARQ feedback is enabled or disabled. In some embodiments, two different RNTIs may be used to indicate whether HARQ feedback is enabled or disabled. If the first RNTI is used, the HARQ feedback is enabled; if the second RNTI is used, the HARQ feedback is disabled.

In some embodiments, RNTI scrambled on different positions of DCI cyclic redundancy check (CRC) may be used to indicate whether a HARQ feedback is enabled or disabled. Only last <NUM> DCI CRC bits are not distributed, which can be used for scrambling. If last <NUM> DCI CRC bits are scrambled by RNTI, as illustrated at <NUM>, then HARQ feedback is enabled. If second last <NUM> DCI CRC bits are scrambled by RNTI, as illustrated at <NUM>, then HARQ feedback is disabled.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of an example of a method of multi-fold enabling/disabling HARQ feedback, according to some embodiments. In this method, HARQ feedback may be disabled or enabled in multiple layers, thereby increasing throughput. Though downlink (DL) transmission is illustrated as an example in <FIG>, this method may also be applied to uplink (UL) transmission. The method shown in <FIG> may be used in conjunction with any of the systems, techniques, or devices shown in the above Figures, among other techniques and devices. In various embodiments, some of the method elements shown may be performed concurrently, in a different order than shown, or may be omitted. Additional method elements may also be performed as desired. As shown, this method may operate as follows.

At <NUM>, a wireless device, such as UE <NUM>, may receive a first set and a second set of HARQ process numbers. For example, referring back to <FIG>, two sets of HARQ process numbers may be configured by a base station <NUM>, as illustrated at <NUM>. A UE <NUM> may receive a first set and a second set of HARQ process numbers <NUM>. The first set and the second set of HARQ process numbers <NUM> may correspond to a first set and a second set of HARQ processes respectively. Each HARQ process in the first set of HARQ processes is configured to enable a HARQ feedback, and each HARQ process in the second set of HARQ processes is configured to disable or enable a HARQ feedback. In each HARQ process in the first set of HARQ processes, the HARQ feedback is always on. In each HARQ process in the second set of HARQ processes, the HARQ feedback is flexible, may be on or off.

At <NUM>, the UE may receive a data transmission in a HARQ process in the first set or the second set of HARQ processes. In some embodiments, the number of HARQ processes in the first set (Set <NUM>) is X, while the number of HARQ processes in the second set (Set <NUM>) is N-X, where N is either <NUM> or <NUM> or other integer numbers, probably based on UE capability. The number of HARQ processes in the first set may depend on UE capability or quality of service (QoS). For a UE with more capability, X is larger; for a UE with less capability, X is smaller. For data with higher reliability requirements, X is larger; for data with less reliability requirements, X is smaller.

In some embodiments, an RRC configuration message or an MAC CE message may semi-statically enable or disable a HARQ feedback for the HARQ processes in the second set of HARQ processes. For example, referring back to <FIG>, the UE106 may receive the RRC message or the MAC CE message <NUM> through a PDSCH, where each HARQ process in the second set of HARQ processes may be configured to disable or enable the HARQ feedback by the RRC message or the MAC CE message <NUM>.

In some embodiments, DCI signaling may be used to dynamically disable the HARQ feedback. For example, field reinterpretation may be used to indicate the HARQ feedback is disabled. In some embodiments, two different RNTIs may be used to indicate whether HARQ feedback is enabled or disabled. If the first RNTI is used, the HARQ feedback is enabled; if the second RNTI is used, the HARQ feedback is disabled. In some embodiments, RNTI scrambled on different positions of DCI CRC may be used to indicate whether a HARQ feedback is enabled or disabled.

At <NUM>, the wireless device may determine whether to transmit a HARQ feedback based on whether the HARQ feedback is enabled or disabled.

In some embodiments, a wireless device (e.g., such as UE <NUM>) may perform a method of multi-fold enabling/disabling HARQ feedback. In some embodiments, the wireless device, e.g., such as UE <NUM>, may include at least an antenna, a radio coupled to (and/or in communication with) the antenna, and a processing element coupled to (and/or in communication with) the radio. In some embodiments, the method may include program instructions executable by the processing element (and/or processing circuitry) of the wireless device. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a first set and a second set of HARQ process numbers, the first set and the second set of HARQ process numbers correspond to a first set and a second set of HARQ processes respectively, where each HARQ process in the first set of HARQ processes is configured to enable a HARQ feedback, and where each HARQ process in the second set of HARQ processes is configured to disable or enable a HARQ feedback. The method may further include receiving a data transmission in a HARQ process in the first set or the second set of HARQ processes. The method may further include determining whether to transmit a HARQ feedback based on whether the HARQ feedback is enabled or disabled.

<FIG> is a signal flow diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of a solution of indication of HARQ enabling/disabling, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, whether a HARQ-based retransmission is enabled or disabled may be indicated in an uplink configured grant configuration and/or a downlink semi-persistent scheduling (SPS). For DL transmission from a base station <NUM>, a UE <NUM> may buffer soft data in a HARQ buffer if the UE <NUM> does not decode the data. The UE <NUM> may wait for the base station <NUM> to retransmit so that soft combining may be used. In this solution, the UE <NUM> may release the HARQ buffer after an initial transmission and a blind retransmission, without waiting a long time of receiving an uplink grant DCI with a NDI toggling of the same HARQ process. In this way, since the UE <NUM> is allowed to release the HARQ buffer, the UE <NUM> may start buffering new data when more new data is coming during the period. The HARQ-based retransmission enabling or disabling includes both a HARQ buffer clearness and a HARQ feedback transmission. If the HARQ-based retransmission is disabled, there is no HARQ feedback, and no HARQ buffer maintenance. For a DL transmission, if HARQ-based retransmission is disabled, then the UE <NUM> does not send HARQ-ACK bits and the base station <NUM> does not perform retransmissions based on the UE's HARQ-NACK. Also, both the UE <NUM> and the base station <NUM> can clear up their HARQ buffers as no retransmissions are happening.

In some embodiments, the information element (IE) of a configured grant configuration ("ConfiguredGrantConfig") may include a flag indicating whether HARQ-based retransmission is disabled. The scheme may apply to both SPS, type <NUM> configured grant and type <NUM> configured grant. For example,
<IMG>
<IMG>.

The flag may be per HARQ process, i.e., each allocated HARQ process in a configured grant or SPS may be associated with a single flag indicating whether HARQ-based retransmission is disabled. For example,
<IMG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the base station <NUM> may configure IE of a configured grant configuration to include the flag indicating whether HARQ-based retransmission is disabled at <NUM>. The base station <NUM> may configure a DL SPS to include a flag indicating whether HARQ-based retransmission is disabled. The base station <NUM> may send the configured grant configuration and/or SPS <NUM> to the UE <NUM>. The base station <NUM> may send a data transmission <NUM> to the UE <NUM>. The base station <NUM> may send a blind transmission <NUM> to the UE <NUM>. At <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may release the HARQ buffer after the initial transmission <NUM> and the blind retransmission <NUM>, based on the SPS <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram <NUM> of an example of a method of indication of a HARQ-based retransmission, according to some embodiments. In this method, whether the HARQ-based retransmission is enabled or disabled may be indicated in an uplink configured grant configuration and/or a downlink SPS. The method shown in <FIG> may be used in conjunction with any of the systems, techniques, or devices shown in the above Figures, among other techniques and devices. In various embodiments, some of the method elements shown may be performed concurrently, in a different order than shown, or may be omitted. Additional method elements may also be performed as desired. As shown, this method may operate as follows.

At <NUM>, a wireless device, such as UE <NUM>, may receive a configured grant configuration and/or SPS from a base station. The base station <NUM> may send a data transmission <NUM> to the UE <NUM>. The base station <NUM> may send a blind transmission <NUM> to the UE <NUM>. At <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may release the HARQ buffer after the initial transmission <NUM> and the blind retransmission <NUM>, based on the configured grant configuration/SPS <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the wireless device (e.g., UE <NUM>) may receive a data transmission from the base station.

At <NUM>, the wireless device (e.g., UE <NUM>) may receive a blind data retransmission from the base station.

At <NUM>, the wireless device (e.g., UE <NUM>) may determine whether to disable a HARQ feedback based on the flag indicating whether a HARQ-based retransmission is disabled.

In some embodiments, the wireless device may determine to disable the HARQ feedback based on the flag indicating the HARQ-based retransmission is disabled, and release a HARQ buffer based on the determining to disable the HARQ feedback.

In order to address the problems of long HARQ RTT delay, HARQ optimization may be used to increase throughput. For example, greater than <NUM> HARQ process IDs may be used with UL HARQ feedback enabled via Radio Resource Control (RRC). If UE capability is greater than <NUM> HARQ process IDs, greater than <NUM> HARQ process IDs may be used. The <NUM>-bit HARQ process ID field in DCI may be kept, with HARQ process IDs based on one of a slot number, a virtual process ID based HARQ re-transmission timing restrictions, a reuse HARQ process ID within round-trip delay (RTD) time window, and a re-interpretation of existing DCI fields with assistance information from higher layers.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of HARQ optimization based on RNTI. In order to address the issues due to long HARQ RTD, the number of HARQ processes may be increased from <NUM> to <NUM>, while a <NUM>-bit "HARQ process #" field may be kept in DCI.

An RNTI based HARQ process number indication may be used. In some embodiments, two different RNTIs, a first RNTI and a second RNTI, may be used to indicate different ranges of HARQ process numbers. For example, if the first RNTI is used, a first set of HARQ process numbers (e.g., HARQ process IDs from <NUM> to <NUM>) may be indicated by the "HARQ process #" field in DCI; if the second RNTI is used, the second set of HARQ process numbers (e.g., HARQ process IDs from <NUM> to <NUM>) may be indicated by "HARQ process #" field in DCI. The second RNTI may be used based on UE capability.

In some embodiments, RNTI scrambled on different positions of DCI CRC may be used to indicate different ranges of HARQ process numbers. For example, if last <NUM> DCI CRC bits are scrambled by RNTI, then the HARQ process number is from <NUM> to <NUM>, as illustrated at <NUM>. If second last <NUM> DCI CRC bits are scrambled by RNTI, then the HARQ process number is from <NUM> to <NUM>, as illustrated at <NUM>.

Either of the above embodiments can be applied to either dynamic grants, SPS or configured grants.

A HARQ process number may be indicated with DCI fields re-interpretation. In some embodiments, one bit in a <NUM>-bit redundancy version (RV) field in DCI may be used to indicate HARQ process number range. If up to <NUM> HARQ process numbers are enabled (via high layer signaling), then the least significant bit (LSB) (or most significant bit (MSB)) of RV may be used together with the <NUM>-bit "HARQ process number" field to indicate the HARQ process number.

The remaining <NUM>-bit "RV" field in DCI may be used to indicate the RV of <NUM> or <NUM>. No RV of <NUM> or <NUM> may be supported. It may be reasonable as the required soft buffer size increases (or doubled) with the number of HARQ processes. To maintain the overall soft buffer size, the buffer size per HARQ process may be reduced.

In some embodiments, a virtual resource block-to-physical resource block mapping (VRB-to-PRB mapping) field in DCI may be used to indicate the HARQ process number range. For example, if up to <NUM> HARQ process numbers are enabled (via high layer signaling), then the "VRB-to-PRB mapping" field may be used together with the <NUM>-bit "HARQ process number" field to indicate the HARQ process number. The VRB-to-PRB mapping is always non-interleaved.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram <NUM> of an example of a method of HARQ optimization, according to some embodiments. In this method, a HARQ process number is determined based on an RNTI or a field re-interpretation in the DCI. The method shown in <FIG> may be used in conjunction with any of the systems, techniques, or devices shown in the above Figures, among other techniques and devices. In various embodiments, some of the method elements shown may be performed concurrently, in a different order than shown, or may be omitted. Additional method elements may also be performed as desired. As shown, this method may operate as follows.

At <NUM>, a wireless device, such as a UE <NUM>, may receive a first set and a second set of HARQ process numbers, where the first set and the second set of HARQ process numbers correspond to a first set and a second set of HARQ processes respectively. In some embodiments, a HARQ process in the first set of HARQ processes has an identification number from <NUM> to <NUM>, and wherein a HARQ process in the second set of HARQ processes has an identification number from <NUM> to <NUM>.

At <NUM>, the wireless device (e.g., UE <NUM>) may receive a DCI through PDCCH, wherein an RNTI is scrambled with CRC bits of the DCI.

At <NUM>, the wireless device (e.g., UE <NUM>) may determine a HARQ process number in the first set or the second set of HARQ process numbers based on the RNTI or a field in the DCI.

At <NUM>, in some embodiments, two different RNTIs to indicate different ranges of HARQ process numbers. The first set or the second set of HARQ process numbers may be indicated by a "HARQ process number" field in the DCI based on whether the RNTI includes a first RNTI or a second RNTI. The HARQ process number in the first set or the second set of HARQ process numbers may be determined based on whether the RNTI includes a first RNTI or a second RNTI.

At <NUM>, in some embodiments, the HARQ process number in the first set or the second set of HARQ process numbers is determined based on positions of the CRC bits with which the RNTI is scrambled.

At <NUM>, in some embodiments, the HARQ process number in the first set or the second set of HARQ process numbers is determined based on a redundancy version field in the DCI.

At <NUM>, in some embodiments, the HARQ process number in the first set or the second set of HARQ process numbers is determined based on a VRB-to-PRB mapping field in the DCI.

<FIG> illustrates an example of traffic stream HARQ assignment, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, UE traffic stream may have a configuration to allow for <NUM> classes of HARQ processes: dedicated HARQ processes, multiplexed/shared HARQ processes and no-HARQ processes. For example, a base station (e.g., <NUM>) may configure a UE (e.g., <NUM>) with dedicated HARQ processes, multiplexed/shared HARQ processes and no HARQ processes. Dedicated processes may have unique HARQ ID and buffer. Shared/Multiplexed processes may share HARQ ID, and may have overflow buffer. No HARQ processes may have no HARQ ID and no buffer (best effort).

Referring to <FIG>, as an example, the UE (e.g.,<NUM>) may have a total of <NUM> traffic streams: traffic steams <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM>). The UE may be configured to have a total of <NUM> HARQ processes (<NUM>-<NUM>) with <NUM> dedicated HARQ processes (<NUM>-<NUM>), <NUM> Shared/Multiplexed HARQ processes (<NUM>-<NUM>) and <NUM> No HARQ processes (<NUM>-<NUM>). As illustrated in <FIG>, traffic streams <NUM>-<NUM> have dedicated HARQ processes <NUM>-<NUM>; traffic streams <NUM>-<NUM> have share HARQ processes <NUM>-<NUM>; traffic streams <NUM>-<NUM> have no HARQ processes <NUM>-<NUM>. The base station may receive information from the UE indicating type of HARQ processes requested.

<FIG> illustrate an example of dynamically enabling/disabling of HARQ process, according to some embodiments. <FIG> is a signal flow diagram <NUM> illustrating the example of dynamically enabling/disabling of HARQ process, according to some embodiments. Referring to <FIG>, dynamically switching HARQ process ID may be used to enable multiplexing multiple traffic streams on a limited number of HARQ processes. In some embodiments, a base station (e.g., <NUM>) may assign a UE (e.g., <NUM>) traffic stream a shared HARQ process and dynamically disable/enable/transfer the traffic stream at a future time. This may allow the base station to multiplex multiple traffic streams on a limited number of HARQ processes.

The UE may receive a DCI <NUM> assigning a traffic stream <NUM> to a shared HARQ process <NUM>.

In scheduling request <NUM>, the UE may indicate traffic is "HARQ-pausable", which means traffic latency requirements may allow its retransmissions to be sent at large intervals. The amount of time may be signaled by the UE. For example, logical channel may be used to indicate the traffic type.

The UE may transmit data transmission <NUM> using parameters of the HARQ process <NUM>.

The UE may receive a signal (e.g. a DCI, e.g., a GC-DCI)<NUM> to move the traffic stream <NUM> on the HARQ process <NUM> to a "suspended state". A "suspended state" index may be used to enable the base station/UE to identify the specific HARQ process. The "suspended state buffer" (e.g., <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>) may be a smaller buffer than the HARQ buffer (e.g., <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>). The "suspended state buffer" may contain (a) the bits for a single redundancy version (b) the uncoded bits.

At a later time, the base station may assign the traffic stream with a new HARQ process <NUM>.

The UE may receive a signal (e.g. a DCI) <NUM> to move the traffic stream <NUM> from the "suspended state" to an "active state". For example, the HARQ process ID in the new active state may be the same as the original HARQ process ID. For another example, the HARQ process ID in the new active state may be different from the original HARQ process ID. The UE may use the suspended state buffer index as the "new" HARQ index.

The UE may resume HARQ retransmissions <NUM> for the traffic stream <NUM>.

The UE may discard the traffic stream/suspended state buffer at <NUM>. For example, the UE may discard the traffic stream/suspended state buffer autonomously after a configured, signaled or pre-determined time limit. For another example, the UE may receive signaling from the base station to discard specific "suspended states", e.g., on successful decoding, after a time limit.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram <NUM> of an example of a method of dynamically enabling/disabling of a HARQ process, according to some embodiments. In this method, HARQ process ID may be dynamically switched to enable multiplexing multiple traffic streams on a limited number of HARQ processes. The method shown in <FIG> may be used in conjunction with any of the systems, techniques, or devices shown in the above Figures, among other techniques and devices. In various embodiments, some of the method elements shown may be performed concurrently, in a different order than shown, or may be omitted. Additional method elements may also be performed as desired. As shown, this method may operate as follows.

At <NUM>, a wireless device, such as UE <NUM>, may receive a first signal assigning a traffic stream to a first HARQ process. In some embodiments, the first HARQ process is a shared HARQ process, in which the UE shares a HARQ identification with other UEs.

At <NUM>, the wireless device may transmit the traffic stream in the first HARQ process.

At <NUM>, the wireless device may receive a second signal to suspend the traffic stream on the first HARQ process. In some embodiments, the traffic stream is moved to a suspended state while being suspended, and wherein a buffer of the suspended state is smaller than a HARQ buffer.

At <NUM>, the wireless device may receive a third signal to reactive the traffic stream in a second HARQ process.

At <NUM>, the wireless device may transmit the traffic stream in the second HARQ process. In some embodiments, a HARQ process identification in the second HARQ process is different than a HARQ process identification in the first HARQ process. In some embodiments, a HARQ process identification in the second HARQ process is same as a HARQ process identification in the first HARQ process.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer- readable memory medium may be configured so that it stores program instructions and/or data, where the program instructions, if executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method described herein.

In some embodiments, a device (e.g., a UE <NUM>) may be configured to include a processor (or a set of processors) and a memory medium, where the memory medium stores program instructions, where the processor is configured to read and execute the program instructions from the memory medium, where the program instructions are executable to implement any of the various method embodiments described herein. The device may be realized in any of various forms.

Claim 1:
A user equipment device - UE - (<NUM>), comprising:
at least one antenna (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
at least one radio (<NUM>), wherein the at least one radio is configured to perform cellular communication;
one or more processors (<NUM>) coupled to the at least one radio, wherein the one or more processors and the at least one radio are configured to perform voice and/or data communications, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to:
receive (<NUM>) a first set and a second set of hybrid automatic repeat request - HARQ - process numbers, the first set and the second set of HARQ process numbers corresponding to a first set and a second set of HARQ processes respectively, each HARQ process in the first set of HARQ processes is configured to enable a HARQ feedback;
receive (<NUM>) a Radio Resource Control - RRC - configuration message or a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element - MAC CE - message to semi-statically enable or disable HARQ feedback for the HARQ processes in the second set of HARQ processes;
receive (<NUM>) a downlink control information - DCI - wherein a radio network temporary identifier - RNTI - is scrambled with cyclic redundancy check - CRC - bits of the DCI, the DCI including information to specify whether to disable or enable HARQ feedback for a specific downlink - DL - transmission;
determine a HARQ process number in the first set or the second set of HARQ process numbers based on at least one of the RNTI or a field in the DCI; and
configure (<NUM>) the HARQ process to disable or enable a HARQ-based transmission from the UE in response to the RRC configuration message or the MAC CE message and in response to determining the HARQ process number is in the second set of HARQ process numbers.