WO2020093215A1

WO2020093215A1 - Method, device and computer readable medium for harq process configuration

Info

Publication number: WO2020093215A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/114021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiagang XU
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2018-11-05
Filing date: 2018-11-05
Publication date: 2020-05-14
Also published as: CN112970282A; CN112970282B; WO2020093215A9

Abstract

Disclosed is a method, device and computer readable medium for HARQ process configuration. The primary network device determines the maximum size of HARQ buffer based on processing capability of the terminal device. The terminal device determines the corresponding HARQ process based the DCI received from the primary network device or from both the primary network device and the coordinated network device.

Description

METHOD, DEVICE AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR HARQ PROCESS CONFIGURATION

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to communication techniques, and more particularly, to methods, devices and computer readable medium for HARQ process configuration.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, different communication technologies have been proposed to improve communication performances, such as, the New Radio (NR) system. For example, the 3 ^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has made significant progress for supporting operation of multi-transmission point (TRP) /beams/panels, for example, dynamic point selection (DPS) and dynamic point blanking (DPB) . Further discussions on the NR system are still needed.

SUMMARY

Generally, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for HARQ process configuration and the corresponding communication devices.

In a first aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide a network device. The network device comprises: at least on processor; and a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions therein, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the network device to: receive, at a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device. The network device is further caused to determine, based on the information, a maximum size of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) buffer to be configured at the terminal device, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicating the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store. The network device is also caused to generate downlink control information (DCI) based at least in part on the maximum size of the HARQ buffer, the DCI comprising at least one identity of the HARQ buffer. The network device is also caused to transmit the DCI to the terminal device.

In a second aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide a terminal device. The terminal device comprises: at least on processor; and a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions therein, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the terminal device to: transmit, to a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device. The terminal device is also caused to receive downlink control information (DCI) which is generated based at least in part on a maximum size of a HARQ buffer, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicating the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store. The terminal device is further caused to decode the DCI to obtain at least one identity of the HARQ buffer.

In a third aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method. The method comprises: receiving, at a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device. The method also comprise determining, based on the information, a maximum size of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) buffer to be configured at the terminal device. The maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicates the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store. The method further comprises generating downlink control information (DCI) based at least in part on the maximum size of the HARQ buffer, the DCI comprising at least one identity of the HARQ buffer. The method also comprises transmitting the DCI to the terminal device.

In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method. The method comprises: transmitting, to a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device. The method also comprises receiving downlink control information (DCI) which is generated based at least in part on a maximum size of a HARQ buffer. The maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicates the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store. The method further comprises decoding the DCI to obtain at least one identity of the HARQ buffer.

In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide an apparatus for communication. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, at a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device. The apparatus comprise means for determining, based on the information, a maximum size of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) buffer to be configured at the terminal device, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicating the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store. The apparatus also comprises means for generating downlink control information (DCI) based at least in part on the maximum size of the HARQ buffer, the DCI comprising at least one identity of the HARQ buffer. The apparatus further comprise means for transmitting the DCI to the terminal device.

In a sixth aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide an apparatus for communication. The apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device. The apparatus also comprises means for receiving downlink control information (DCI) which is generated based at least in part on a maximum size of a HARQ buffer, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicating the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store. The apparatus further comprise means for decoding the DCI to obtain at least one identity of the HARQ buffer.

In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium stores instructions thereon, the instructions, when executed by at least one processing unit of a machine, causing the machine to implement the methods according to the first and second aspects.

Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will also be apparent from the following description of specific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are presented in the sense of examples and their advantages are explained in greater detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method implemented at a communication device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a method implemented at a communication device according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4A-4C illustrate schematic diagrams of formats of DCI according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the figures, same or similar reference numbers indicate same or similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The subject matter described herein will now be discussed with reference to several example embodiments. It should be understood these embodiments are discussed only for the purpose of enabling those skilled persons in the art to better understand and thus implement the subject matter described herein, rather than suggesting any limitations on the scope of the subject matter.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a, ” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising, ” “includes” and/or “including, ” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two functions or acts shown in succession may in fact be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) , Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) , High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) , and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) , 4.5G, the future fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, and/or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system. For the purpose of illustrations, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to 5G communication system.

The term “network device” used herein includes, but not limited to, a base station (BS) , a gateway, a registration management entity, and other suitable device in a communication system. The term “base station” or “BS” represents a node B (NodeB or NB) , an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) , a NR NB (also referred to as a gNB) , a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) , a radio header (RH) , a remote radio head (RRH) , a relay, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, and so forth.

The term “terminal device” used herein includes, but not limited to, “user equipment (UE) ” and other suitable end device capable of communicating with the network device. By way of example, the “terminal device” may refer to a terminal, a Mobile Terminal (MT) , a Subscriber Station (SS) , a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS) , or an Access Terminal (AT) .

The term “circuitry” used herein may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable) :

(i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit (s) with

software/firmware and

(ii) any portions of hardware processor (s) with software (including digital signal processor (s) ) , software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

(c) hardware circuit (s) and or processor (s) , such as a microprocessor (s) or a portion of a microprocessor (s) , that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. ”

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

As mentioned above, the 3 ^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has made significant progress for supporting operation of multi-transmission point (TRP) /beams/panels, for example, dynamic point selection (DPS) and dynamic point blanking (DPB) . Although these operations are supported in NR Rel-15, they still cannot sufficiently support practical scenarios with non-ideal backhaul and improve cell-edge/cell-average performance further with more advanced network coordination. DPS/DPB targets at cell edge performance with only small/moderate cell edge performance gain. To address these limitations, some agreements have been agreed.

As mentioned above, in previous 3GPP NR meetings, it has been agreed that each of the New Radio Physical Downlink Control Channels (NR-PDCCH) schedules a respective New Radio Physical Downlink Shared Channels (NR-PDSCH) . The main motivation of introduction of multiple NR-PDCCH is to support independent of different spatial layers in Non-Coherent Joint-Transmission (NC-JT) , which supports multi-PDSCH data streams from multi-TRPs with both idea and non-ideal backhaul. And in the latest meeting, three alternatives may be selected in the next meeting, which are only one single PDCCH, only multiple PDCCH design and both. Therefore, if multiple PDCCH reception is supported in next meeting, the terminal device demodulates and detects data in multiple PDSCHs with different processes indicated in multiple PDCCH. When same processes ID is included in downlink control information (DCI) , the terminal device may be confused that which this ID refers to. Therefore, a new HARQ procedure should be designed to avoid such ambiguity.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the primary network device determines the maximum size of HARQ buffer based on processing capability of the terminal device. According embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal device determines the corresponding HARQ process based the DCI received from the primary network device or from both the primary network device and the coordinated network device.

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The communication system 100, which is a part of a communication network, comprises terminal devices 110-1, 110-2, ..., 110-N (collectively referred to as “terminal device (s) 110” where N is an integer number) , network devices 120-1, 120-2, ..., 120-M (collectively referred to as “network device (s) 120” where M is an integer number) . It should be noted that the communication system 100 may also comprise other elements which are omitted for the purpose of clarity. The network device 120 may communicate with the terminal devices 110. It is to be understood that the numbers of terminal devices and network devices shown in Fig. 1 are given for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations. The communication system 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices. As shown in Fig. 1, the terminal device 110-1 is at the edge of the coverage of the network device 120-1 and at the edge of the coverage of the network device 120-2. The terminal device 110-1 may communicate with the network device 120-1 and the network device 120-2.

The term “primary network device” used herein refers to a network device that is in charge of transmitting DCI. The term “coordinated network device” used herein refers to a network device that is controlled by the primary network device in the aspect of transmitting the DCI. Only for the purpose of illustrations, the network device 120-1 may be the primary network device and the network device 120-2 may be the coordinated network device.

Communications in the communication system 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol (s) , including, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G) , the second generation (2G) , the third generation (3G) , the fourth generation (4G) and the fifth generation (5G) and on the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and/or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: Code Divided Multiple Address (CDMA) , Frequency Divided Multiple Address (FDMA) , Time Divided Multiple Address (TDMA) , Frequency Divided Duplexer (FDD) , Time Divided Duplexer (TDD) , Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) , Orthogonal Frequency Divided Multiple Access (OFDMA) and/or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

Fig. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method 200 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 200 may be implemented at any suitable primary network devices. Only for the purpose of illustrations, the method 200 is described to be implemented at the network device 120-1.

At block 210, the network device 120-1 receives information of processing capability of the terminal device 110-1. The processing capability may be the capability of computing. The processing capability may also be the capability of storage. In some embodiments, the information of processing capability may comprise quantized information. For example, the information of processing capability may comprise a type of the terminal device 110-1.

At block 220, the network device 120-1 determines the maximum size of HARQ buffer that can be configured at the terminal device 120-1 based on the information. The term “a maximum size of the HARQ buffer” used herein refers to the number of received packets capable of being stored by that the terminal device is able to store. The network device 120-1 may transmit an indication of the maximum size of the HARQ buffer via higher layer signaling. For example, the indication of the maximum size of the HARQ buffer may be transmitted in Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

In some embodiment, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer may be 16 for the network device 120-1 and the network device 120-2, respectively. For example, the terminal device 110-1 may store the HARQ buffers in separate storage devices. In other embodiments, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer may be 32. For example, the terminal device 110-1 may store the HARQ buffers together. The size of the HARQ buffers configured at the terminal device 110-1 may be smaller than the maximum size of the HARQ buffer.

In an example embodiment, if the terminal device 110-1 is with relatively good computing capability, the network device 120-1 determines that the maximum size of the HARQ buffer may be relatively smaller. In other embodiments, if the terminal device 110-1 is with relatively good the storage capability, the network device 11 determines that the maximum size of the HARQ buffer may be relatively greater. For example, if the terminal device 110-1 has the computing capability better than the storage capability, the network device 120-1 may determine that the maximum size of the HARQ buffer is 16. It should be noted that the maximum size of the HARQ buffer may also be determined based on other conditions. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited in this aspect.

In some embodiments, if the terminal device 110-1 may update its processing capability, the network device 120-1 may determine the maximum size of the HARQ buffer again. For example, if the storage capability of the terminal device 110-1 is decreased and the computing capability of the terminal device 110-1 is increased, the network device 120-1 may re-determine the maximum size of the HARQ buffer to be 16 instead of 32.

At block 230, the network device 120-1 generates the DCI based on the maximum size of the HARQ buffer. In some embodiments, the DCI may comprise PDSCH scheduling information which is according to measurements of coordinated channel states. The DCI may comprise an identity of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-1.

In some embodiments, the network device 120-1 may also determine whether the network device 120-2 transmit its own DCI to the terminal device 110-1. The network device 120-1 may also transmit the determination to the terminal device 110-1. The determination may be transmitted via higher layer signaling, for example, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. In other embodiments, the information about whether the network device 120-2 transmitting its own DCI may be preconfigured to the terminal device 110-1.

If the network device 120-2 does not transmit its own DCI, the network device 120-1 transmits its DCI with the DCI of the network device 120-2. The network device 120-2 may transmit its own DCI to the network device 120-1. For example, the DCI may comprise the identity of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-1 and a further identity of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-2.

At block 240, the network device 120-1 transmits the DCI to the terminal device 110-1. Figs. 4A-4C illustrate some formats of the DCI according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure are described with the reference to Figs. 4A-4C for the purpose of illustrations, not limitations.

In an example embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4A, the DCI may comprise a first identity 4010 of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-1 and a second identity 4020 of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-2. The network device 120-1 may transmit the first identity 4010 of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-1 and the second identity 4020 of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-2 in a predetermined order. In this way, no extra signaling is introduced.

In some embodiments, if the HARQ buffers of the first network device 120-1 and the second network device 230-2 are stored together, which means the maximum size of the HARQ buffer is 32, the network device 120-1 may determine the identity of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-2. In other embodiment, the network device 120-1 may transmit, to the network device 120-2, the identity of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-2 which is determined by the network device 120-1.

Alternatively, the network device 120-1 may transmit an unavailable identity to the network device 120-2. For example, ifthe network device 120-1 uses the identity “2”, the network device 120-1 may transmit the identity “2” to indicate that the identity “2”is not available to the network device 120-2.

In an example embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4B, the DCI may comprise a first identity 4010 of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-1 with an indicator 4030 of the network device 120-1. The DCI may further comprise a second identity 4020 of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-2 with an indicator 4040 of the network device 120-2. In this way, the identities of different HARQ buffers can be distinguished in an efficient way.

In an example embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4C, the DCI comprise a first identity 4010 of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-1 with an indicator 4030. In some embodiments, if the HARQ buffers of the first network device 120-1 and the second network device 230-2 are stored together, which means the maximum size of the HARQ buffer is 32, the network device 120-1 may determine the identity of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-2. In this way, the new format of the DCI is compatible without changing the conventional mechanism.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for performing the method 200 (for example, the network device 120-1) may comprise respective means for performing the corresponding steps in the method 200. These means may be implemented in any suitable manners. For example, it can be implemented by circuitry or software modules.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for receiving, at a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device; means for determining, based on the information, a maximum size of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) buffer to be configured at the terminal device, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicating the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store; means for generating downlink control information (DCI) based at least in part on the maximum size of the HARQ buffer, the DCI comprising at least one identity of the HARQ buffer; and means for transmitting the DCI to the terminal device.

In some embodiments, the DCI comprises: a first identity of a first HARQ buffer of the primary network device, and a second identity of a second HARQ buffer of a coordinated network device in the CoMP system.

In some embodiments, the maximum size matches with a first predetermined maximum size, and the means for transmitting the DCI comprises: means for receiving, from the coordinated network device, the second identity; and means for transmitting the first identity and the second identity in a predetermined order.

In some embodiments, the maximum size matches with a first predetermined maximum size, and the means for transmitting the DCI comprises: means for receiving, from the coordinated network device, the second identity; and means for transmitting the first identity with an indication of the primary network device and the second identity with an indication of the coordinated network.

In some embodiments, the maximum size matches with a second predetermined maximum size, and the means for transmitting the DCI comprises: means for determining the second identity; and means for transmitting the first identity and the second identity.

In some embodiments, the DCI comprises a first identity of a first HARQ buffer related to the primary network device, and the means for transmitting the DCI comprises: means for transmitting the first identity with an indication of the primary network device.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for determining a third identity related a third HARQ buffer of a coordinated network device in the coordinated multipoint system if the maximum size matches with a second predetermined maximum size; and means for transmitting the second identity to the coordinated network device.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting, to the terminal device, an indication of the maximum size of the HARQ buffer.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for determining whether a coordinated network device in the coordinated multipoint system transmits further DCI to the terminal device; and means for transmitting, to the terminal device, the determination.

Fig. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a method 300 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 300 may be implemented at any suitable terminal devices. Only for the purpose of illustrations, the method 300 is described to be implemented at the terminal device 110-1.

At block 310, the terminal device 110-1 transmits its information of processing capability to the network device 120-1. The processing capability may be the capability of computing. The processing capability may also be the capability of storage.

At block 320, the terminal device 110-1 receives the DCI. The DCI is generated based on the maximum size of the HARQ buffer. The term “a maximum size of the HARQ buffer” used herein refers to the number of received packets capable of being stored by that the terminal device is able to store. The terminal device 110-1 may receive an indication of the maximum size of the HARQ buffer via higher layer signaling. For example, the indication of the maximum size of the HARQ buffer may be transmitted in Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

In some embodiment, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer may be 16 for the network device 120-1 and the network device 120-2, respectively. For example, the terminal device 110-1 may store the HARQ buffers in separate storage devices. In other embodiments, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer may be 32. For example, the terminal device 110-1 may store the HARQ buffers together.

At block 330, the terminal device 110-1 decodes the DCI to obtain at least one identity of the HARQ buffer. In some embodiments, the DCI may comprise PDSCH scheduling information which is according to measurements of coordinated channel states. The DCI may comprise an identity of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-1. The DCI may also comprise an identity of the HARQ buffer of the network device 120-1. In some embodiments, the terminal device 110-1 may receive the DCI from the network device 120-1 and further DCI from the network device 120-2.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 110-1 may store the decoded PDSCH data into corresponding buffers.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for performing the method 300 (for example, the terminal device 110-1) may comprise respective means for performing the corresponding steps in the method 300. These means may be implemented in any suitable manners. For example, it can be implemented by circuitry or software modules.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for transmitting, to a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device; means for receiving downlink control information (DCI) which is generated based at least in part on a maximum size of a HARQ buffer, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicating the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store; and means for decoding the DCI to obtain at least one identity of the HARQ buffer.

In some embodiments, the maximum size matches with a first predetermined maximum size, and the means for receiving the DCI: means for receiving, from the primary network device, the first identity and the second identity in a predetermined order.

In some embodiments, the maximum size matches with a first predetermined maximum size, and the means for receiving the DCI: means for receiving, from the primary network device, the first identity with an indication of the primary network device and the second identity with an indication of the coordinated network.

In some embodiments, the maximum size matches with a second predetermined maximum size, and the means for receiving the DCI: means for receiving, from the primary network device, the first identity and the second identity.

In some embodiments, the DCI comprises a first identity of a first HARQ buffer related to the primary network device, and the means for receiving the DCI: means for receiving, from the primary network device, the first identity with an indication of the primary network device; and means for receiving, from a coordinated network device in the CoMP system, the second identity with an indication of the coordinated network device.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for receiving, to the terminal device, an indication of the maximum size of the HARQ buffer.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for receiving information about whether a coordinated network device in the coordinated multipoint system transmits further DCI to the terminal device.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises: means for transmit, to the primary network device, an acknowledgement of a HARQ corresponding to the at least one identity of the HARQ buffer.

Fig. 5 is a simplified block diagram of a device 500 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 500 may be implemented at the registration management entity 530. The device 500 may also be implemented at the terminal device 110-1. The device 500 may also be implemented at the network device 120-1. As shown, the device 500 includes one or more processors 510, one or more memories 520 coupled to the processor (s) 510, one or more transmitters and/or receivers (TX/RX) 540 coupled to the processor 510.

The processor 510 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 500 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

The memory 520 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory, as non-limiting examples.

The memory 520 stores at least a part of a program 530. The TX/RX 540 is for bidirectional communications. The TX/RX 540 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, though in practice an Access Node mentioned in this application may have several ones. The communication interface may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements.

The program 530 is assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 510, enable the device 500 to operate in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, as discussed herein with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. That is, embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 510 of the device 500, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any disclosure or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments of particular disclosures. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

Various modifications, adaptations to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Any and all modifications will still fall within the scope of the non-limiting and exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, other embodiments of the disclosures set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these embodiments of the disclosure pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the disclosure are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation.

Claims

A primary network device, comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions therein, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the network device to:

receive, at a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device;

determine, based on the information, a maximum size of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) buffer to be configured at the terminal device, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicating the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store;

generate downlink control information (DCI) based at least in part on the maximum size of the HARQ buffer, the DCI comprising at least one identity of the HARQ buffer; and

transmit the DCI to the terminal device.
The primary network device of claim 1, wherein the DCI comprises:

a first identity of a first HARQ buffer of the primary network device, and

a second identity of a second HARQ buffer of a coordinated network device in the CoMP system.
The primary network device of claim 2, wherein the maximum size matches with a first predetermined maximum size, and wherein the network device is caused to transmit the DCI by:

receiving, from the coordinated network device, the second identity; and

transmitting the first identity and the second identity in a predetermined order.
The primary network device of claim 2, wherein the maximum size matches with a first predetermined maximum size, and wherein the network device is caused to transmit the DCI by:

receiving, from the coordinated network device, the second identity; and

transmitting the first identity with an indicator of the primary network device and the second identity with an indicator of the coordinated network.
The primary network device of claim 2, wherein the maximum size matches with a second predetermined maximum size, and wherein the network device is caused to transmit the DCI by:

determining the second identity; and

transmitting the first identity and the second identity.
The primary network device of claim 1, wherein the DCI comprises a first identity of a first HARQ buffer related to the primary network device, and

wherein the network device is caused to transmit the DCI by: transmitting the first identity with an indicator of the primary network device.
The primary network device of claim 1, wherein the network device is further caused to:

transmit, to a coordinated network device in the coordinated multipoint system, information related to identities of HARQ buffers, the information comprise: a third identity of a third HARQ buffer of the coordinated network device or an unavailable identity to the third HARQ buffer of the coordinated network device, the third identity being determined by the primary network device.
The primary network device of claim 1, wherein the network device is further caused to:

transmit, to the terminal device, an indication of the maximum size of the HARQ buffer.
The network device of claim 1, wherein the network device is further caused to:

determine whether a coordinated network device in the coordinated multipoint system transmits further DCI to the terminal device; and

transmit, to the terminal device, the determination.
A terminal device, comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions therein, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the terminal device to:

transmit, to a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device;

receive downlink control information (DCI) which is generated based at least in part on a maximum size of a HARQ buffer, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicating the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store; and

decode the DCI to obtain at least one identity of the HARQ buffer.
The terminal device of claim 10, wherein the DCI comprises:

a first identity of a first HARQ buffer of the primary network device, and

a second identity of a second HARQ buffer of a coordinated network device in the CoMP system.
The terminal device of claim 11, wherein the maximum size matches with a first predetermined maximum size, and wherein the terminal device is caused to receive the DCI by:

receiving, from the primary network device, the first identity and the second identity in a predetermined order.
The terminal device of claim 11, wherein the maximum size matches with a first predetermined maximum size, and wherein the terminal device is caused to receive the DCI by:

receiving, from the primary network device, the first identity with an indication of the primary network device and the second identity with an indication of the coordinated network.
The terminal device of claim 11, wherein the maximum size matches with a second predetermined maximum size, and wherein the terminal device is caused to receive the DCI by:

receiving, from the primary network device, the first identity and the second identity.
The terminal device of claim 10, wherein the DCI comprises a first identity of a first HARQ buffer related to the primary network device, and wherein the terminal device is caused to receive the DCI by:

receiving, from the primary network device, the first identity with an indication of the primary network device; and

receiving, from a coordinated network device in the CoMP system, the second identity with an indication of the coordinated network device.
The terminal device of claim 10, wherein the terminal device is further caused to:

receive, to the terminal device, an indication of the maximum size of the HARQ buffer.
The terminal device of claim 10, wherein the terminal device is further caused to:

receive information about whether a coordinated network device in the coordinated multipoint system transmits further DCI to the terminal device.
The terminal device of claim 10, wherein the terminal device is further caused to:

transmit, to the primary network device, an acknowledgement of a HARQ corresponding to the at least one identity of the HARQ buffer.
A method for communication, comprising:

receiving, at a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device;

determining, based on the information, a maximum size of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) buffer to be configured at the terminal device, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicating the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store;

generating downlink control information (DCI) based at least in part on the maximum size of the HARQ buffer, the DCI comprising at least one identity of the HARQ buffer; and

transmitting the DCI to the terminal device.
The method of claim 1, wherein the DCI comprises:

a first identity of a first HARQ buffer of the primary network device, and

a second identity of a second HARQ buffer of a coordinated network device in the CoMP system.
The method of claim 20, wherein the maximum size matches with a first predetermined maximum size, and wherein transmitting the DCI comprises:

receiving, from the coordinated network device, the second identity; and

transmitting the first identity and the second identity in a predetermined order.
The method of claim 20, wherein the maximum size matches with a first predetermined maximum size, and wherein transmitting the DCI comprises:

receiving, from the coordinated network device, the second identity; and

transmitting the first identity with an indicator of the primary network device and the second identity with an indicator of the coordinated network.
The method of claim 20, wherein the maximum size matches with a second predetermined maximum size, and wherein transmitting the DCI comprises:

determining the second identity; and

transmitting the first identity and the second identity.
The method of claim 19, wherein the DCI comprises a first identity of a first HARQ buffer related to the primary network device, and

wherein transmitting the DCI comprises: transmitting the first identity with an indicator of the primary network device.
The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmit, to a coordinated network device in the coordinated multipoint system, information related to identities of HARQ buffers, the information comprise: a third identity of a third HARQ buffer of the coordinated network device or an unavailable identity to the third HARQ buffer of the coordinated network device, the third identity being determined by the primary network device.
The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting, to the terminal device, an indication of the maximum size of the HARQ buffer.
The method of claim 19, further comprising:

determining whether a coordinated network device in the coordinated multipoint system transmits further DCI to the terminal device; and

transmitting, to the terminal device, the determination.
A method for communication, comprising:

transmitting, to a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device;

receiving downlink control information (DCI) which is generated based at least in part on a maximum size of a HARQ buffer, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicating the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store; and

decoding the DCI to obtain at least one identity of the HARQ buffer.
The method of claim 28, wherein the DCI comprises:

a first identity of a first HARQ buffer of the primary network device, and

a second identity of a second HARQ buffer of a coordinated network device in the CoMP system.
The method of claim 29, wherein the maximum size matches with a first predetermined maximum size, and wherein receiving the DCI:

receiving, from the primary network device, the first identity and the second identity in a predetermined order.
The method of claim 29, wherein the maximum size matches with a first predetermined maximum size, and wherein receiving the DCI:

receiving, from the primary network device, the first identity with an indication of the primary network device and the second identity with an indication of the coordinated network.
The method of claim 29, wherein the maximum size matches with a second predetermined maximum size, and wherein receiving the DCI:

receiving, from the primary network device, the first identity and the second identity.
The method of claim 28, wherein the DCI comprises a first identity of a first HARQ buffer related to the primary network device, and wherein receiving the DCI:

receiving, from the primary network device, the first identity with an indication of the primary network device; and

receiving, from a coordinated network device in the CoMP system, the second identity with an indication of the coordinated network device.
The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving, to the terminal device, an indication of the maximum size of the HARQ buffer.
The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving information about whether a coordinated network device in the coordinated multipoint system transmits further DCI to the terminal device.
The method of claim 28, further comprising:

transmitting, to the primary network device, an acknowledgement of a HARQ corresponding to the at least one identity of the HARQ buffer.
A computer readable medium storing instructions thereon, the instructions, when executed by at least one processing unit of a machine, causing the machine to perform the method according to any one of claims 19-27.
A computer readable medium storing instructions thereon, the instructions, when executed by at least one processing unit of a machine, causing the machine to perform the method according to any one of claims 28-36.
An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for receiving, at a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device;

means for determining, based on the information, a maximum size of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) buffer to be configured at the terminal device, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicating the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store;

means for generating downlink control information (DCI) based at least in part on the maximum size of the HARQ buffer, the DCI comprising at least one identity of the HARQ buffer; and

means for transmitting the DCI to the terminal device.
An apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting, to a primary network device in a coordinated multipoint (CoMP) system, information of processing capability of a terminal device;

means for receiving downlink control information (DCI) which is generated based at least in part on a maximum size of a HARQ buffer, the maximum size of the HARQ buffer indicating the number of received packets that the terminal device is able to store; and

means for decoding the DCI to obtain at least one identity of the HARQ buffer.