Patent Description:
In next-generation communication systems, flexible configuration of multiple service types is to be supported. Further, different service types correspond to different service requirements. For example, an enhanced Mobile Broad Band (eMBB) service type has major requirements focusing on aspects such as large bandwidth and high data rate; an Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) service type has major requirements focusing on high reliability and low latency; and a massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) service type has major requirements focusing on a large number of connections. However, driven by service requirements, licensed spectrum alone cannot satisfy more service requirements in the next-generation communication systems.

XIAOMI: "Discussion on the HARQ enhancement for NR-U" discusses the HARQ enhancement for NR-U. In Rel-<NUM> NR design, wherein the timing between the PDSCH and corresponding HARQ transmissions is indicated by the PDSCH-to-HARQ-timing-indicator in the scheduling DCI.

To overcome the problems in the related art, examples of the present disclosure provide an information feedback method and apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the invention, an information feedback method is provided according to claim <NUM>.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an information feedback method is provided according to claim <NUM>.

According to a third aspect of the invention, an information feedback apparatus is provided according to claim <NUM>.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided according to claim <NUM>. Dependent claims provide further embodiments of the invention.

The technical solutions of the examples of the present disclosure may include the following beneficial effects.

In the present disclosure, a terminal can determine a second transmission position for feeding back HARQ when a first transmission position obtained by the scheduling instruction for feeding back the HARQ is detected to be in a non-available state, where the first transmission position is on a first unlicensed channel resource and the second transmission position is on a second unlicensed channel resource. Further, when detecting that the second transmission position is in an available state, the terminal sends information on HARQ feedback to a base station at the second transmission position, thereby realizing information feedback on an unlicensed channel resource and improving reliability of the information feedback.

In the present disclosure, a base station can configure a scheduling instruction for a terminal and send the scheduling instruction to the terminal. Thus, the terminal can send information on HARQ feedback to the base station at a second transmission position when a first transmission position determined by the scheduling instruction is detected to be in a non-available state and the second transmission position determined for feeding back the HARQ is in an available state, where the second transmission position is on the second unlicensed channel resource. In this way, information feedback on an unlicensed channel resource is realized and reliability of the information feedback is improved.

It should be understood that the above general descriptions and subsequent detailed descriptions are merely illustrative and explanatory, and shall not constitute limitation to the present disclosure.

Examples will be described in detail herein, with the illustrations thereof represented in the drawings. When the following descriptions involve the drawings, like numerals in different drawings refer to like or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following examples do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

The terms used in the present disclosure are for the purpose of describing particular examples only, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Terms determined by "a", "the" and "said" in their singular forms in the present disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include plurality, unless clearly indicated otherwise in the context. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It is to be understood that, although terms "first," "second," "third," and the like may be used in the present disclosure to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one category of information from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, first information may be referred as second information; and similarly, the second information may also be referred as the first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when" or "upon" or "in response to determining".

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an information feedback method according to an example. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an application scenario of an information feedback method according to an example. The information feedback method is applicable to a terminal, where a base station configures a plurality of unlicensed channel resources for the terminal. As shown in <FIG>, the information feedback method includes the following steps <NUM>-<NUM>.

At step <NUM>, a scheduling instruction is received from the base station, where the scheduling instruction carries information for the terminal to determine a first transmission position for feeding back a Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ), and the first transmission position is on a first unlicensed channel resource.

In examples of the present disclosure, information feedback may refer to HARQ feedback from the terminal in response to downlink data received on the first unlicensed channel resource. A specific position at which the HARQ feedback is sent is determined by the terminal based on the scheduling instruction configured by the base station.

In an example, the information carried in the scheduling instruction for the terminal to determine the first transmission position for feeding back the HARQ may be the first transmission position on the first unlicensed channel resource, such that the terminal may directly obtain the first transmission position for feeding back the HARQ from the scheduling instruction. Alternatively, the information may be indication information indicating the first transmission position, such that the terminal may obtain the indication information from the scheduling instruction and then determine the first transmission position for feeding back the HARQ based on the indication information. A specific type of the information will not be redundantly described herein.

The first unlicensed channel resource may be an unlicensed channel resource currently used by the terminal, and the first transmission position may be a specified position on the first unlicensed channel resource, which is configured by the base station for the terminal and used for HARQ feedback.

At step <NUM>, the first transmission position for feeding back the HARQ is obtained according to the scheduling instruction, and whether the first transmission position is in an available state is detected.

In examples of the present disclosure, the first transmission position may be in an available state or may be in a non-available state. If the first transmission position is in an available state, it indicates that the terminal is capable of sending information on HARQ feedback to the base station at the first transmission position. If the first transmission position is in a non-available state, it indicates that the terminal cannot send the information on the HARQ feedback to the base station at the first transmission position.

At step <NUM>, when the first transmission position is detected to be in a non-available state, a second transmission position for feeding back the HARQ is determined, where the second transmission position is on a second unlicensed channel resource.

In examples of the present disclosure, when operating on an unlicensed spectrum, the channel occupation is unpredictable. In this way, if the terminal detects that the first transmission position is in an available state, the terminal can directly send the information on the HARQ feedback to the base station at the first transmission position; and if the terminal detects that the first transmission position is in a non-available state, the terminal further determines the second transmission position for feeding back the HARQ and sends the information on the HARQ feedback to the base station at the second transmission position. The first transmission position is on the first unlicensed channel resource and the second transmission position is on the second unlicensed channel resource. Moreover, the first unlicensed channel resource and the second unlicensed channel resource are different unlicensed channel resources.

In an example, a plurality of unlicensed channel resources configured by the base station for the terminal (for example, the first unlicensed channel resource or the second unlicensed channel resource) may include but not limited to the following three scenarios.

(<NUM>-<NUM>) A plurality of band width parts (BWPs) configured on one unlicensed carrier.

In this manner, the plurality of unlicensed channel resources configured by the base station for the terminal may be the plurality of BWPs on the unlicensed carrier. A BWP refers to contiguous resources on a band within a carrier.

(<NUM>-<NUM>) A plurality of unlicensed carriers.

In this manner, the plurality of unlicensed channel resources configured by the base station for the terminal may be the plurality of unlicensed carriers.

(<NUM>-<NUM>) A plurality of BWPs configured on a plurality of unlicensed carriers.

In this manner, the plurality of unlicensed channel resources configured by the base station for the terminal may be the plurality of BWPs on the plurality of unlicensed carriers. A BWP refers to contiguous resources on a band within a carrier.

At step <NUM>, when the second transmission position is detected to be in the available state, the information on the HARQ feedback is sent to the base station at the second transmission position.

In examples of the present disclosure, if detecting that the second transmission position is in an available state, the terminal can send HARQ backup feedback at the second transmission position; and if detecting that the second transmission position is in a non-available state, the terminal cannot send the HARQ backup feedback at the second transmission position.

As shown in <FIG>, an exemplary scenario includes a base station and a terminal. By referring to the schematic diagram of a process of information feedback in <FIG>, the base station configures two BWPs on one unlicensed carrier for the terminal, which are BWP <NUM> and BWP <NUM> respectively. BWP <NUM> is an unlicensed channel resource currently used by the terminal, and the first transmission position is a specified position on BWP <NUM> configured by the base station for the terminal to perform HARQ feedback.

The terminal performs Listen Before Talk (LBT) detection on the first transmission position on BWP <NUM>. If the detection result is failed LBT, it indicates that the first transmission position is in the non-available state, that is, the terminal will not successfully occupy the channel at the first transmission position, and the terminal further needs to determine the second transmission position for feeding back the HARQ, where the second transmission position is on BWP <NUM>.

The terminal performs LBT detection on the second transmission position on BWP <NUM>. If the detection result is successful LBT, it indicates that the second transmission position in the available state, and the terminal can send the information on the HARQ feedback to the base station at the second transmission position.

As seen in the above examples, the second transmission position for feeding back HARQ is determined when the first transmission position for feeding back the HARQ obtained according to the scheduling instruction is detected to be in the non-available state, where the first transmission position is on the first unlicensed channel resource and the second transmission position is on the second unlicensed channel resource; and when the second transmission position is detected to be in the available state, the information on the HARQ feedback is sent to the base station at the second transmission position, thereby realizing information feedback on an unlicensed channel resource and improving the reliability of the information feedback.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating another information feedback method according to the present invention. The information feedback method is applicable to a terminal. The method is based on the method shown in <FIG>. The scheduling instruction includes first time domain position information and/or first frequency domain position information configured for the terminal by the base station to indicate the second transmission position. As shown in <FIG>, when step <NUM> of determining the second transmission position for feeding back the HARQ is performed, the following step <NUM> may be included.

At step <NUM>, the second transmission position is determined according to the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information included in the scheduling instruction.

In examples of the present disclosure, the first time domain position information can be time domain position information configured for the terminal by the base station to indicate the second transmission position, and the first frequency domain position information can be frequency domain position information configured for the terminal by the base station to indicate the second transmission position.

In an example, the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information in step <NUM> may be located at a fixed or configurable location of the scheduling instruction; and the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information may have a fixed or configurable length of information bits.

As can be seen from the examples, the second transmission position may be determined according to the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information included in the scheduling instruction, such that a transmission position for the HARQ backup feedback is determined according to the scheduling instruction from the base station and the flexibility of determining the transmission position for the HARQ backup feedback is improved.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating another information feedback method according to an example. The information feedback method may be applicable to be a terminal. The method is based on the method shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, when step <NUM> of determining the second transmission position for feeding back the HARQ is performed, the following step <NUM> may be included.

At step <NUM>, the second transmission position is determined according to a set rule.

In an example of the present disclosure, the set rule may be preset by a base station according to actual situations. The terminal may automatically determine the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource according to the set rule.

In an example, the set rule may be predefined, for example, predefined in a protocol. Alternatively, the set rule may be configured by the base station for the terminal and notified to the terminal via a system message or specified signaling. The specified signaling may include at least one of the followings: (<NUM>) Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling; (<NUM>) Media Access Control - Control Element (MAC-CE) signaling; or (<NUM>) physical layer signaling.

In an example, the set rule at step <NUM> may include but not limited to the following three circumstances.

In a first circumstance, the set rule includes a first correspondence between second unlicensed channel resource and specified time length, where a specified time length refers to a time interval between the first transmission position on the first unlicensed channel resource for HARQ feedback and the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource for HARQ backup feedback.

In this circumstance, step <NUM> may include the following.

In a second circumstance, the set rule includes a second correspondence between second unlicensed channel resource and specified frequency offset value, where a specified frequency offset value refers to a frequency domain offset value between the first transmission position on the first unlicensed channel resource for HARQ feedback and the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource for HARQ backup feedback.

In a third circumstance, the set rule includes the first correspondence in the first circumstance and the second correspondence in the second circumstance.

As can be seen from the examples, the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource may be determined according to the set rule, thereby improving efficiency of determining the transmission position for the HARQ backup feedback.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating another information feedback method according to an example. The information feedback method may be applicable to a terminal. The method is based on the method shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, step <NUM> may include the following steps <NUM>-<NUM>.

At step <NUM>, if a total number of second transmission positions in the available state is one, the information on the HARQ feedback is sent to the base station at this second transmission position.

In examples of the present disclosure, no matter what method is used to determine the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource for the HARQ backup feedback, if there is only one second transmission position in the available state, the information on the HARQ feedback is sent to the base station at that second transmission position. The second transmission position is used to characterize a specified position for sending HARQ backup feedback, and second transmission positions corresponding to different unlicensed channel resources can be different.

For example, the base station configures three BWPs, e.g., BWP <NUM>, BWP <NUM> and BWP <NUM> on one unlicensed carrier for the terminal:.

At this time, the terminal can send the information on the HARQ feedback to the base station at the second transmission position on BWP <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, if the total number of second transmission positions in the available state is a plurality, a specified number of second transmission positions are selected from the plurality of second transmission positions, and the information on the HARQ feedback is sent to the base station at the selected second transmission position.

In examples of the present disclosure, no matter what method is used to determine the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource for HARQ backup feedback, if there are a plurality of second transmission positions in the available state, one or more second transmission positions may be selected, and the information on the HARQ feedback is sent to the base station at the selected second transmission positions.

In an example, the specified number in step <NUM> may be <NUM>, or may be greater than <NUM> and smaller than or equal to the total number.

At this time, the terminal may send the information on the HARQ feedback to the base station at the second transmission position on BWP <NUM> or the second transmission position on BWP <NUM>, and may also send the information on the HARQ feedback to the base station at the second transmission position on BWP <NUM> and the second transmission position on BWP <NUM>, where the second transmission position on BWP <NUM> and the second transmission position on BWP <NUM> are different transmission positions.

As can be seen from the above examples, if the total number of second transmission positions in the available state is one, the information on the HARQ feedback is sent to the base station at that second transmission position; and if the total number of second transmission positions in the available state is more than one, a specified number of second transmission positions are selected from the more than one second transmission positions and the information on the HARQ feedback is sent to the base station at the selected one or more second transmission positions, thereby providing security of information feedback and improving practicability of the information feedback.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an information feedback method according to an example. The information feedback method is applicable to a base station which configures a plurality of unlicensed channel resources for a terminal. As shown in <FIG>, the information feedback method includes the following steps <NUM>-<NUM>.

At step <NUM>, a scheduling instruction is configured for the terminal, where the scheduling instruction carries information for the terminal to determine a first transmission position for feeding back an HARQ, and the first transmission position is on a first unlicensed channel resource.

In examples of the present disclosure, information feedback may refer to HARQ feedback from the terminal in response to downlink data received on the first unlicensed channel resource. The base station informs the terminal about a specific position at which the HARQ feedback is sent via the scheduling instruction.

In an example, the information carried in the scheduling instruction for the terminal to determine the first transmission position for feeding back the HARQ may be the first transmission position on the first unlicensed channel resource, such that the terminal may directly obtain the first transmission position for feeding back the HARQ from the scheduling instruction. Alternatively, the information may be indication information indicating the first transmission position, such that the terminal may obtain the indication information from the scheduling instruction and then determine the first transmission position for feeding back the HARQ based on the indication information.

According to the present invention, the scheduling instruction in step <NUM> includes first time domain position information and/or first frequency domain position information configured for the terminal by the base station to indicate a second transmission position. In an example, the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information is located at a fixed or configurable position on the scheduling instruction; and the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information has a fixed or configurable length of information bits.

In this case, the base station configures the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information for the terminal, such that the terminal can determine a second transmission position based on the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information configured by the base station when the terminal detects that the first transmission position on the first unlicensed channel resource designated for HARQ feedback is in a non-available state.

(<NUM>-<NUM>) A plurality of BWPs configured on one unlicensed carrier.

At step <NUM>, the scheduling instruction is sent to the terminal, such that the terminal sends information on HARQ feedback to the base station at a second transmission position when the first transmission position determined by the scheduling instruction is detected to be in a non-available state and the second transmission position determined for feeding back HARQ is in an available state, where the second transmission position is on a second unlicensed channel resource.

At step <NUM>, the information on the HARQ feedback is received from the terminal.

In examples of the present disclosure, the information on the HARQ feedback sent by the terminal may be received at the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource.

As can be seen from the above examples, the scheduling instruction is configured for the terminal and sent to the terminal, such that the terminal sends the information on the HARQ feedback to the base station at the second transmission position when the first transmission position obtained by the scheduling instruction is detected to be in the non-available state and the second transmission position determined for feeding back HARQ is in the available state, where the second transmission position is on the second unlicensed channel resource. In this way, information feedback on an unlicensed channel resource is realized and reliability of the information feedback is improved.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an information feedback method according to an example. The information feedback method may be applicable to a base station which configures a plurality of unlicensed channel resources for a terminal. The method is based on the method shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the information feedback method may further include the following steps <NUM>-<NUM>.

At step <NUM>, a set rule is configured for the terminal. The set rule includes a first correspondence between second unlicensed channel resource and specified time length and/or a second correspondence between second unlicensed channel resource and specified frequency offset value. A specified time length refers to a time interval between the first transmission position on the first unlicensed channel resource for HARQ feedback and the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource for HARQ backup feedback. A specified frequency offset value refers to a frequency domain offset value between the first transmission position on the first unlicensed channel resource for HARQ feedback and the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource for HARQ backup feedback.

At step <NUM>, the set rule is added to a system message or specified signaling.

In an example, the specified signaling may include at least one of the followings: (<NUM>) RRC signaling, (<NUM>) MAC-CE signaling, or (<NUM>) physical layer signaling.

At step <NUM>, the system message or the specified signaling is sent to the terminal, such that the terminal obtains the set rule from the system message or the specified signaling.

As can be seen from the above examples, the set rule is configured for the terminal and added to the system message or the specified signaling, and then the system message or the specified signaling is sent to the terminal. Thus, the terminal can obtain the set rule from the system message or the specified signaling, and further determine the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource for HARQ backup feedback according to the set rule. In this way, reliability of information feedback is improved.

Corresponding to the above examples of the information feedback methods, the present disclosure also provides examples of information feedback apparatuses.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an information feedback apparatus according to an example. The apparatus can be applicable to a terminal for which a base station configures a plurality of unlicensed channel resources and performs the information feedback method shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the information feedback apparatus may include the following modules.

An instruction receiving module <NUM> is configured to receive a scheduling instruction from the base station, where the scheduling instruction carries information for the terminal to determine a first transmission position for feeding back an HARQ, and the first transmission position is on a first unlicensed channel resource.

A position detecting module <NUM> is configured to obtain the first transmission position according to the scheduling instruction, and detect whether the first transmission position is in an available state.

A position determining module <NUM> is configured to determine a second transmission position for feeding back the HARQ in response to detecting that the first transmission position is in a non-available state, where the second transmission position is on a second unlicensed channel resource.

An information feeding back module <NUM> is configured to send information on HARQ feedback to the base station at the second transmission position in response to detecting that the second transmission position is in the available state.

As can be seen from the examples, a second transmission position for feeding back HARQ is determined when a first transmission position obtained by the scheduling instruction for feeding back the HARQ is detected to be in a non-available state, where the first transmission position is on a first unlicensed channel resource and the second transmission position is on a second unlicensed channel resource. Further, when detecting that the second transmission position is in an available state, information on HARQ feedback is sent to a base station at the second transmission position, thereby realizing information feedback on an unlicensed channel resource and improving reliability of the information feedback.

In an example, based on the apparatus shown in <FIG>, the plurality of unlicensed channel resources include a plurality of BWPs configured on one unlicensed carrier, a plurality of unlicensed carriers, or a plurality of BWPs configured on a plurality of unlicensed carriers.

In an example, based on the apparatus shown in <FIG>, as shown in <FIG>, the scheduling instruction includes first time domain position information and/or first frequency domain position information configured for the terminal by the base station to indicate the second transmission position. The position determining module <NUM> may include:
a first determining sub-module <NUM> configured to determine the second transmission position according to the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information included in the scheduling instruction.

As can be seen from the examples, the second transmission position may be determined according to the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information included in the scheduling instruction from the base station, such that a transmission position of HARQ backup feedback is determined according to the scheduling instruction from the base station and the flexibility of determining the transmission position of the HARQ backup feedback is improved.

In an example, based on the apparatus shown in <FIG>, the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information locates at a fixed or configurable position of the scheduling instruction; and t the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information has a fixed or configurable length of information bits.

In an example, based on the apparatus shown in <FIG>, as shown in <FIG>, the position determining module <NUM> may include:
a second determining sub-module <NUM> configured to determine the second transmission position according to a set rule.

As can be seen from the examples, the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource may be determined according to the set rule, thereby improving efficiency of determining a transmission position of HARQ backup feedback.

In an example, based on the apparatus shown in <FIG>, as shown in <FIG>, the set rule includes a first correspondence between second unlicensed channel resource and specified time length, and a specified time length refers to a time interval between the first transmission position on the first unlicensed channel resource for the HARQ feedback and the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource for HARQ backup feedback, and the second determining sub-module <NUM> may include a first calculating sub-module <NUM> and a third determining sub-module <NUM>.

The first calculating sub-module <NUM> is configured to obtain second time domain position information for determining the second transmission position according to the first correspondence and/or obtain second frequency domain position information for determining the second transmission position according to a second correspondence.

The third determining sub-module <NUM> is configured to determine the second transmission position according to the obtained second time domain position information and/or the obtained second frequency domain position information.

In an example, based on the apparatus shown in <FIG>, as shown in <FIG>, the set rule further includes a second correspondence between second unlicensed channel resource and specified frequency offset value, and a specified frequency offset value refers to a frequency domain offset value between the first transmission position on the first unlicensed channel resource for the HARQ feedback and the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource for the HARQ backup feedback, and the third determining sub-module <NUM> may include a second calculating sub-module <NUM> and a fourth determining sub-module <NUM>.

The second calculating sub-module <NUM> is configured to obtain the second frequency domain position information for determining the second transmission position according to the second correspondence.

The fourth determining sub-module <NUM> is configured to determine the second transmission position according to the obtained second time domain position information and the obtained second frequency domain position information.

In an example, based on the apparatus shown in <FIG>, the set rule is predefined or configured by the base station for the terminal and notified to the terminal via a system message or specified signaling, and the specified signaling includes at least one of the followings: RRC signaling, MAC-CE signaling and physical layer signaling.

In an example, based on the apparatus shown in <FIG>, as shown in <FIG>, the information feeding back module <NUM> may include the following sub-modules.

A first feeding back sub-module <NUM> is configured to send, in response to determining that a total number of second transmission positions in the available state is one, information on HARQ feedback to the base station through the one second transmission position.

A second feeding back sub-module <NUM> is configured to select, in response to determining that the total number of second transmission positions in the available state is a plurality, a specified number of second transmission positions from the plurality of second transmission positions and send the information on the HARQ feedback to the base station at the selected second transmission position.

In an example, based on the apparatus shown in <FIG>, the specified number is <NUM>, or the specified number is greater than <NUM> and smaller than or equal to the total number.

As can be seen from the examples, if the total number of second transmission positions in the available state is one, the information on the HARQ feedback is sent to the base station at that second transmission position; and if the total number of second transmission positions in available state is more than one, a specified number of second transmission positions are selected from the more than one second transmission positions, and the information on the HARQ feedback are sent to the base station at the selected one or more second transmission positions, thereby providing security of information feedback and improving practicability of the information feedback.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an information feedback apparatus according to an example. The apparatus is applicable to a base station which configures a plurality of unlicensed channel resources for a terminal, and performs the information feedback method shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the information feedback apparatus may include the following modules.

A first configuring module <NUM> is configured to configure a scheduling instruction for the terminal, where the scheduling instruction carries information for the terminal to determine a first transmission position for feeding back an HARQ, and the first transmission position is on a first unlicensed channel resource.

A first sending module <NUM> is configured to send the scheduling instruction to the terminal, such that the terminal sends information on HARQ feedback to the base station at a second transmission position in response to determining that the first transmission position determined by the scheduling instruction is detected to be in a non-available state and the second transmission position determined for feeding back the HARQ is in an available state, where the second transmission position is on a second unlicensed channel resource.

A receiving module <NUM> is configured to receive the information on the HARQ feedback from the terminal.

As can be seen from the examples, a scheduling instruction is configured for the terminal and sent to the terminal, such that the terminal can send information on HARQ feedback to the base station at a second transmission position when a first transmission position determined by the scheduling instruction is detected to be in a non-available state and the second transmission position determined for feeding back the HARQ is in an available state, where the second transmission position is on the second unlicensed channel resource. In this way, information feedback on an unlicensed channel resource is realized and reliability of the information feedback is improved.

In an example, based on the apparatus shown in <FIG>, the scheduling instruction includes first time domain position information and/or first frequency domain position information configured for the terminal by the base station to indicate the second transmission position. In an example, the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information locates at a fixed or configurable position of the scheduling instruction; and the first time domain position information and/or the first frequency domain position information has a fixed or configurable length of information bits.

In an example, based on the apparatus shown in <FIG>, as shown in <FIG>, the apparatus further includes the following modules.

A second configuring module <NUM> is configured to configure a set rule for the terminal, where the set rule includes a first correspondence between second unlicensed channel resource and specified time length, and a specified time length refers to a time interval between the first transmission position on the first unlicensed channel resource for the HARQ feedback and the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource for HARQ backup feedback.

An adding module <NUM> is configured to add the set rule to a system message or specified signaling.

A second sending module <NUM> is configured to send the system message or the specified signaling to the terminal, such that the terminal obtains the set rule from the system message or the specified signaling.

In an example, based on the apparatus shown in <FIG>, the set rule further includes a second correspondence between second unlicensed channel resource and specified frequency offset value, and a specified frequency offset value refers to a frequency domain offset value between the first transmission position on the first unlicensed channel resource for the HARQ feedback and the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource for the HARQ backup feedback.

As can be seen from the examples, the set rule is configured for the terminal and then added to the system message or the specified signaling which is then sent to the terminal. In this case, the terminal can obtain the set rule from the system message or the specified signaling, and further determine the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource for HARQ backup feedback according to the set rule, thereby improving the reliability of information feedback.

In an example, based on the apparatus shown in <FIG>, the specified signaling may include at least one of: RRC signaling, MAC-CE signaling, or physical layer signaling.

Since the apparatus examples substantially correspond to the method examples, a reference may be made to part of the descriptions of the method examples for the related part. The apparatus examples described above are merely illustrative, where the units described as separate members may be or not be physically separated, and components displayed as units may be or not be physical units, e.g., may be located in one place, or may be distributed to a plurality of network units. Part or all of the modules may be selected according to actual requirements to implement the objectives of the solutions in the examples. Those of ordinary skill in the art may understand and carry out them without creative work.

Correspondingly, the present disclosure further provides a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a computer program. The computer program is used to implement the information feedback method according to any one of the above <FIG>.

Correspondingly, the present disclosure further provides a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a computer program. The computer program is used to implement the information feedback method according to the above <FIG>.

Correspondingly, the present disclosure further provides an information feedback apparatus, and the apparatus is applicable to a terminal for which a base station configures a plurality of unlicensed channel resources. The apparatus includes:.

<FIG> is a structural schematic diagram illustrating an information feedback apparatus according to an example. As shown in <FIG>, the information feedback apparatus <NUM> according to an example may be a terminal, such as, a computer, a mobile phone, a digital broadcast terminal, a message transceiver, a game console, a tablet device, a medical device, a fitness device and a personal digital assistant, and the like.

Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> may include one or more of components: a processing component <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a power supply 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> generally controls overall operations of the control apparatus <NUM>, such as operations associated with display, phone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component <NUM> may include one or more processors <NUM> to execute instructions to complete all or part of the steps of the above methods. In addition, the processing component <NUM> may include one or more modules which facilitate the interaction between the processing component <NUM> and other components. For example, the processing component <NUM> may include a multimedia module to facilitate the interaction between the multimedia component <NUM> and the processing component <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of the control apparatus <NUM>. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operated on the apparatus <NUM>, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, and so on. The memory <NUM> may be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage 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, a magnetic disk, or a compact disk.

The multimedia component <NUM> includes a screen that provides an output interface between the apparatus <NUM> and a user. In some examples, the screen may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel (TP). If the screen includes a touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive input signals from the user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touches, slides, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensor may not only sense the boundary of touch or slide actions but also detect the duration and pressure associated with touch or slide operations. In some examples, the multimedia component <NUM> includes a front camera and/or a rear camera. When the apparatus <NUM> is in an operation mode, such as a shooting mode or a video mode, the front camera and/or the rear camera may receive external multimedia data. Each of the front and rear cameras may be a fixed optical lens system or have a focal length and an optical zoom capability.

The audio component <NUM> is configured to output and/or input audio signals. For example, the audio component <NUM> includes a microphone (MIC) configured to receive an external audio signal when apparatus <NUM> is in an operation mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signal may be further stored in the memory <NUM> or transmitted via the communication component <NUM>. In some examples, the audio component <NUM> also includes a loudspeaker for outputting an audio signal.

The I/O interface <NUM> provides an interface between the processing component <NUM> and a peripheral interface module, which may be a keyboard, a click wheel, a button, or the like. These buttons may include, but are not limited to a home button, a volume button, a start button, and a lock button.

The sensor component <NUM> includes one or more sensors for providing a status assessment in various aspects to the apparatus <NUM>. For example, the sensor component <NUM> may detect an open/closed state of the apparatus <NUM>, and the relative positioning of components, for example, the component is a display and a keypad of the apparatus <NUM>. The sensor component <NUM> may also detect a change in position of the apparatus <NUM> or a component of the apparatus <NUM>, the presence or absence of a user in contact with the apparatus <NUM>, the orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the apparatus <NUM> and a change in temperature of the apparatus <NUM>. In some examples, the sensor component <NUM> may also include an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

The communication component <NUM> is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the apparatus <NUM> and other devices. The apparatus <NUM> may access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as Wi-Fi, <NUM> or <NUM>, or a combination thereof. In an example, the communication component <NUM> receives broadcast signals or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In an example, the communication component <NUM> also 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 ultrawideband (UWB) technology, a Bluetooth® (BT) technology, and other technologies.

In an example, 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, microcontrollers, microprocessors or other electronic elements for performing the above methods.

In an example, there is also provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions, such as a memory <NUM> including instructions, where the instructions are executable by the processor <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> to perform the method as described above. For example, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium may be a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like.

When the instructions in the storage medium are executed by the processor, the apparatus <NUM> is capable of performing any one of the information feedback methods described above.

Correspondingly, the present disclosure further provides an information feedback apparatus, and the apparatus is applicable to a base station which configures a plurality of unlicensed channel resources for a terminal. The apparatus includes:.

<FIG> is a structural schematic diagram illustrating an information feedback apparatus according to an example. 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 signal processing part specific to wireless interface. The processing component <NUM> may further include one or more processors.

One or more processors of the processing component <NUM> are configured to perform any one of the information feedback methods described above.

Other implementations of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the present disclosure herein. The present disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, modification or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles thereof and include common knowledge or conventional technical means in the related art that are not disclosed in the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
An information feedback method, comprising:
receiving (<NUM>), by a terminal, a scheduling instruction from a base station, wherein the terminal is configured with a plurality of unlicensed channel resources by the base station, the scheduling instruction carries information for the terminal to determine a first transmission position for feeding back a hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ, and the first transmission position is on a first unlicensed channel resource;
obtaining (<NUM>), by the terminal, the first transmission position according to the scheduling instruction, and detecting, by the terminal, whether the first transmission position is in an available state;
determining (<NUM>), by the terminal, a second transmission position for feeding back the HARQ in response to detecting that the first transmission position is in a non-available state, wherein the second transmission position is on a second unlicensed channel resource; and
sending (<NUM>), by the terminal, information on HARQ feedback to the base station at the second transmission position in response to detecting that the second transmission position is in the available state;
wherein determining (<NUM>), by the terminal, the second transmission position for feeding back the HARQ comprises:
determining (<NUM>) the second transmission position according to a set rule; wherein the set rule comprises a first correspondence between second unlicensed channel resource and specified time length, and a specified time length refers to a time interval between the first transmission position on the first unlicensed channel resource for the HARQ feedback and the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource for HARQ backup feedback; and
wherein determining the second transmission position on the second unlicensed channel resource according to the set rule comprises:
obtaining second time domain position information for determining the second transmission position according to the first correspondence; and
determining the second transmission position according to the obtained second time domain position information.