HK1098611B - The method and wireless transmit/receive unit for channel resource allocation - Google Patents

Description

Method for channel resource allocation and wireless transmitting/receiving unit

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system including a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and at least one node-B. More particularly, the present invention is a method and apparatus for selectively enabling reception of a Downlink (DL) Enhanced Uplink (EU) signaling channel established between the WTRU and the node-B.

Background

In the R6 version of the third generation partnership project for mobile communication (3GPP), methods for improving Uplink (UL) coverage, processing power, and transmission delay are studied. To successfully implement these methods, scheduling and allocation of UL radio resources has been moved from a Radio Network Controller (RNC) to a node-B, so that the node-B can make decisions and manage UL radio resources on a short-term basis more efficiently than the RNC, even though the RNC retains full control over the node-B.

Enhanced uplink operation requires that information, such as uplink channel assignment and transmission feedback information, be transmitted to the wireless transmit/receive unit over a downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel. The wtru monitors the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel for channel allocation and reception of transmission feedback information.

There is a need for a method and apparatus for controlling the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel and which is activated only when it is needed.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for selectively enabling reception of at least one downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel during enhanced uplink operation. During enhanced dedicated channel operation, the WTRU monitors at least one downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel established between the WTRU and the node-B only when it is needed, based on the at least one establishment criteria procedure known to the WTRU. The wtru coordinates (coordination) and combines (association) the downlink signaling channel reception requirements of a plurality of channel allocation and/or data transmission processes performed by the wtru according to established standard procedures. The wtru determines whether to initiate reception of at least one specific downlink signaling channel based on the combined downlink signaling channel reception requirement.

Consistent with the present invention, the wtru need not continuously initiate reception of the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel during enhanced uplink operation. Instead, the wtru may selectively turn on or off (i.e., activate or deactivate) reception of at least one particular downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel, thereby reducing wtru processing requirements and reducing the likelihood of misinterpretation of the downlink signaling.

Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating operation of a wireless communication system consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of a method and steps for selectively enabling at least one downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel during enhanced uplink operation when the WTRU transmits a strong uplink channel assignment request and desires to receive scheduling information, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 3 is a process flow diagram of a method and steps for receiving including selectively enabling at least one downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel when the wtru is transmitting enhanced dedicated channel data and desiring to receive feedback information, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The term "wireless transmit/receive unit" hereinafter includes, but is not limited to, a User Equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, or any other type of device capable of operating in a wireless environment. The term "node B" hereafter includes but is not limited to a base station, a location controller, an access point, or any other form of interfacing device that operates in a wireless environment.

The features of the present invention may be incorporated into a circuit (IC) or be configured in a circuit comprising a plurality of interconnected components.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating operation of a wireless communication system 100 consistent with the invention. The system 100 includes a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)102, at least one node-B104, and a Radio Network Controller (RNC) 106. The wtru 102 includes an enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data buffer 112, a physical reception control entity 114, a receiver 116, a transmitter 118, a processor 120, and a criteria database 122.

The transmitter 118, located in the wtru 102, transmits an enhanced uplink channel allocation request (i.e., rate request) to the node-B104 over an uplink enhanced uplink channel 108 for Enhanced Uplink (EU) to the node-B104. The enhanced uplink channel allocation request may contain scheduling information. The scheduling information may include enhanced dedicated channel Transmission Volume Measurement (TVM) information stored in the buffer 112 of the wtru 102, as well as available enhanced uplink transmission power information.

After transmitting the enhanced uplink channel allocation request, the receiver 116 in the WTRU 102 monitors a plurality of Downlink (DL) enhanced uplink signaling channels 110 through the physical reception control entity 114₁、110₂、…、110_NTo obtain channel allocation information. The node B104 utilizes the enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 over the downlink_1-NUplink channel allocation information of one of the plurality of mobile stations in response to the uplink channel allocation request.

The system 100 is configured such that both uplink signaling and enhanced dedicated channel data are transmitted from the wtru 102 to the node-B104 over the uplink enhanced uplink channel 108. At the node B104, at least through the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NAlternatively, the transmitter 118, located in the wireless transmit/receive unit 102, transmits enhanced dedicated channel data over the assigned uplink enhanced uplink channel 108 after receiving scheduling information for channel assignment. The receiver 116 in the wtru 102 then monitors the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 for desired enhanced dedicated channel data feedback information_1-N。

In response to the received enhanced dedicated channel data, the node B104 transmits via the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NEnhanced dedicated channel data feedback information is transmitted to the wtru 102. The feedback information includes one of Acknowledgement (ACK) information or non-acknowledgement (NACK) information depending on the node-B104 success or failure in decoding the enhanced dedicated channel data transmitted by the wtru 102 over the uplink enhanced uplink channel 108. The node B104 may also further transmit channel assignment information in response to the enhanced dedicated channel data transmission. Such additional information may also be included in the feedback information or via the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NIndividual transfer.

The active enhanced uplink procedure state in the wtru 102 may be used to provide input to the physical reception control entity 114 of the wtru 102. The physical reception control entity 114 communicates with a physical layer processor to selectively enable and disable the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NIs received.

Physical reception by the wtru 102 consistent with the present inventionA control entity 114 that does not require the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 when the enhanced uplink signaling procedures known to the WTRU 102 are performed_1-NThe downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 is disabled (stopped)_1-NIs received. There is no need to receive the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 at the wtru 102_1-NThe processing requirements and power consumption of the wtru 102 may be reduced during this period, and the possibility of misinterpretation of the downlink signaling may be avoided.

Fig. 2 is a flow diagram of a process 200 of method steps for selectively enabling a receiving method of at least one downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel during an enhanced uplink transmission, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. In step 202, the rnc 106 configures the wtru 102 for enhanced dedicated channel operation, thereby establishing the uplink enhanced uplink channel 108 and the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 between the wtru 102 and the node-B104_1-N. The wtru 102 does not need to initiate its downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 immediately after configuration in the wtru 102_1-NIs received. Thus, the physical reception control entity 114 of the WTRU 102 disables the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NIs received.

Still referring to fig. 2, after configuring the wtru 102 for enhanced dedicated channel operation at step 202, the wtru 102 monitors its buffer 112 for enhanced dedicated channel data (step 204). If, at step 206, the wtru 102 determines that there is no enhanced dedicated channel data in the buffer 112, the wtru 102 continues to monitor the buffer 112 and the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 at step 204_1-NReceive, still remain disabled. If, at step 206, the wireless transmit/receive sheetThe wtru 102 determines that there is enhanced dedicated channel data (i.e., a queue) in the buffer 112 waiting to be transmitted over the uplink enhanced uplink channel 108, the wtru 102 transmits an enhanced uplink channel allocation request with or without enhanced dedicated channel data to the node-B104 over the uplink enhanced uplink channel 108, and initiates at least one downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NIs received (step 208). The wtru 102 may selectively activate the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 after a predetermined or calculated delay_1-NIs received. The enhanced uplink channel allocation request may contain scheduling information, e.g., TVM information, and available enhanced uplink transmission power information.

Operating an enhanced dedicated channel requires scheduling by the node-B and signaling radio resource allocation for the wtru 102 in response to an enhanced uplink channel allocation request transmitted by the wtru 102. Based on the established signaling procedure, the wtru 102 keeps track of (keep track of) at least one downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 based on the enhanced uplink channel allocation request indicating when transmitted by the wtru 102_1-NWhen the enhanced dedicated channel data transmission scheduling information needed or desired to include an enhanced uplink channel assignment is received from the node B (step 210).

In step 212, the wtru 102 passes the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NReceiving the required or desired scheduling information from the node B104, and then if not required by either entity, the physical reception control entity 114 disables the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NIs received. Optionally, in step 214, the wtru 102 schedules the downlink enhancements based on the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel scheduling information if periodic reception is configuredType uplink signaling channel 110_1-NIs received. The downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NIs initiated depending on which enhanced uplink signaling procedure is active in the wtru 102.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a process 300 including steps of a method of receiving selectively enabling at least one downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 1101-N when the wtru 102 transmits enhanced dedicated channel data and desires to receive feedback information, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In step 302, the rnc 106 configures the wtru 102 for enhanced dedicated channel operation, thereby establishing the uplink enhanced uplink channel 108 and the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 between the wtru 102 and the node-B104_1-N. The wtru 102 does not need to initiate its downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 immediately after the E-DCH operational configuration of the wtru 102_1-NIs received. Thus, the physical reception control entity 114 of the WTRU 102 disables the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NIs received.

Still referring to fig. 3, after the wtru 102 is configured 302 to perform an enhanced dedicated channel operation, the wtru 102 monitors its buffer 112 of enhanced dedicated channel data (step 304). If, at step 206, the wtru 102 determines that there is no enhanced dedicated channel data in the buffer 112, the wtru 102 continues to monitor the buffer 112 and the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 at step 304_1-NReceive, still remain disabled.

Steps 308, 310, 312, and 314 of the process 300 may be performed for each of a plurality of hybrid automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) processes operating in parallel in the wtru 102. If it is notIn step 306, the wtru 102 determines that there is enhanced dedicated channel data (i.e., a queue) waiting to be transmitted over the uplink enhanced uplink channel 108, and for each h-arq process, the wtru 102 transmits an enhanced uplink channel allocation request with or without enhanced dedicated channel data to the node B104 over the uplink enhanced uplink channel 108 and initiates the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NIs received (step 308). The wtru 102 may selectively initiate reception within the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 after a predetermined or calculated delay.

Based on the established signaling procedure, the wtru 102 keeps track of when it needs or expects to receive feedback information from the node-B104 for each harq process (step 310). In step 312, the wtru 102 receives feedback information from the node-B104 and disables the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 if not needed by any entity_1-NIs received. Optionally, in step 314, the wtru 102 schedules the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 according to the feedback information if configured for periodic reception_1-NIs received. Specific downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NIs initiated depending on which enhanced uplink signaling step is active in the wtru 102.

The wtru 102 keeps track of when on the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 based on information indicating when the enhanced dedicated channel data was transmitted by the wtru 102_1-NIn this regard, scheduling information is received that is needed or desired to include an enhanced uplink channel assignment. Downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NAlso for enhanced dedicated channel transmissions, is used to provide feedback information from the node B104 to the wireless transmission-A receiving unit 102. Since the feedback transmitted to the wtru is in response to a specific action of the wtru, the timing of the reception of the feedback information at the wtru can be correctly determined by the wtru. Enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 over the downlink by the node B104_1-NThe transmitted feedback information may consist of hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement and/or uplink channel allocation information. An example of the wtru receiving the feedback channel may be a hybrid automatic repeat request information channel (HICH) and a Relative Grant Channel (RGCH) or an Absolute Grant Channel (AGCH) in the third generation partnership project.

The hybrid automatic repeat request operations may or may not be synchronous. In synchronous operation, the WTRU 102 knows precisely when the WTRU 102 can pass through the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NReceives feedback (ACK or NACK), and the wtru 102 initiates the downlink eu signaling channel 110 according to a pre-configured schedule_1-NIs received. With asynchronous hybrid automatic repeat request operation, the WTRU 102 initiates the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 for a predetermined period after enhanced uplink transmission in order to receive the feedback_1-NIs received.

Channel allocation feedback may also be on the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NAnd from the node-B104 to the wtru 102. The wtru 102 may also activate the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110 for this channel assignment feedback information_1-NIs received. The enhanced uplink channel assignment procedure, which is known to the wtru 102, enables the wtru 102 to schedule the reception of this information. The channel allocation feedback may be synchronized with the h-arq feedback, transmitted during a predetermined period, or the wtru 102 may have a specific periodic repetitionIs received.

If the WTRU 102 does not transmit a channel allocation request to the node-B104, but all previously transmitted enhanced uplink data transmission requests by the WTRU 102 have been processed by the node-B104 and feedback information has been received from the node-B for all outstanding HARQ transmissions, the WTRU 102 disables the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel 110_1-NIs received.

In one embodiment, the wtru 102 transmits at least one channel allocation request to a plurality of node-bs 104 via at least one uplink channel 108, and the node-bs respond to the channel allocation request by sending respective downlink enhanced uplink signaling channels 110_1-NChannel assignment information is sent to the wtru 102.

The processor 120 in the wtru 102 coordinates and combines the downlink signaling channel reception requirements of the plurality of channel allocation steps performed by the wtru 102 according to the at least one established standard procedure stored in the standard database 122 to determine whether to initiate reception of at least one specific downlink signaling channel based on the combined downlink signaling channel reception requirements. The enhanced dedicated channel data buffer 112 is in communication with the processor 120 and arranges data included in at least one data transmission sent by the wtru 102 to the node-B104 via at least one uplink channel 108. The transmitter 118 communicates with the processor and transmits the at least one data transmission to the node B104. The receiver 116 is in communication with the processor 120 and passes through the downlink signaling channel 110_1-NData transmission feedback information is received from the node B104. The physical reception control entity 114 is in communication with the processor 120 and the receiver 116. The physical reception control entity 114 enables or disables a particular downlink signaling channel 110 based on the determination made by the processor_1-NIs received.

In another embodiment, the wtru 102 transmits at least one channel allocation request and enhanced dedicated channel data to a plurality of node-bs 104 via at least one uplink channel 108, and the node-bs respond to the receipt of the at least one channel allocation request and enhanced dedicated channel data via respective downlink signaling channels 110_1-NChannel assignment information and data feedback information associated with the enhanced dedicated channel data are transmitted to the wtru 102.

The processor 120 in the wtru 102 coordinates and merges the downlink signaling channel reception requirements of a plurality of channel allocation steps and data transmission steps performed by the wtru 102 according to the at least one established standard procedure stored in the standard database 122 to determine whether to initiate reception of at least one specific downlink signaling channel based on the merged downlink signaling channel reception requirements. The criteria database 122 is in communication with the processor 120 and provides the processor 120 with data regarding at least one established criteria procedure. The transmitter 118 is in communication with the processor and transmits the at least one channel allocation request and enhanced dedicated channel data to the node B104 over at least one uplink channel 108. The receiver 116 is in communication with the processor 120 and passes through the downlink signaling channel 110_1-NChannel assignment information is received from the node B104. The physical reception control entity 114 is in communication with the processor 120 and the receiver 116. The physical reception control entity 114 enables or disables a particular downlink signaling channel 110 based on the determination made by the processor_1-NIs received.

Although the features and elements of the present invention are described in the preferred embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the preferred embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. A method implemented in a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) for channel resource allocation, the method comprising:

transmitting an enhanced uplink channel allocation request on an Uplink (UL) Enhanced Uplink (EU) channel, wherein the allocation request includes scheduling information;

monitoring a plurality of Downlink (DL) enhanced uplink signaling channels;

receiving channel allocation information over at least one of the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channels;

disabling reception of a downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel in the event that at least one signaling process known to the wireless transmit/receive unit does not require the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel; and

managing downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel reception requirements of a plurality of channel allocation procedures performed by the wireless transmit/receive unit according to at least one established signaling procedure known to the wireless transmit/receive unit.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting uplink signaling data; and

transmitting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data over the uplink enhanced uplink channel.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel for enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data feedback information; and

receiving enhanced dedicated channel data feedback information including an acknowledgement message (ACK) or a non-acknowledgement (NACK) message over at least one of the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channels.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the scheduling information comprises any one of:

transmission amount measurement information of enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data stored in a buffer; and

available enhanced uplink transmit power information.

5. A method according to claim 2, comprising receiving channel allocation information further over the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel in response to enhanced dedicated channel data transmitted over the uplink enhanced uplink signaling channel.

6. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) configured for channel resource allocation, the WTRU comprising:

means for transmitting an enhanced uplink channel allocation request on an Uplink (UL) Enhanced Uplink (EU) channel, wherein the allocation request includes scheduling information;

means for monitoring a plurality of Downlink (DL) enhanced uplink signaling channels;

means for receiving channel allocation information over at least one of the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channels;

means for disabling reception of a downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel if the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel is not required by at least one signaling process known to the wireless transmit/receive unit; and

means for managing downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel reception requirements of a plurality of channel allocation procedures performed by the wireless transmit/receive unit according to at least one established signaling procedure known to the wireless transmit/receive unit.

7. The wireless transmit/receive unit of claim 6, further comprising:

means for transmitting uplink signaling data; and

means for transmitting enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data over the uplink enhanced uplink channel.

8. The wireless transmit/receive unit of claim 6, further comprising:

means for monitoring the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel for enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data feedback information; and

means for receiving enhanced dedicated channel data feedback information including an acknowledgement message (ACK) or a non-acknowledgement (NACK) message over at least one of the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channels.

9. The wireless transmit/receive unit of claim 6, wherein the scheduling information comprises any one of:

transmission amount measurement information of enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) data stored in a buffer; and

available enhanced uplink transmit power information.

10. A wireless transmit/receive unit according to claim 7, comprising means for receiving channel allocation information further over the downlink enhanced uplink signaling channel in response to enhanced dedicated channel data transmitted over the uplink enhanced uplink signaling channel.