Methods and apparatuses for supporting multi transport block grant data transmission
A method and apparatus for supporting multi transport block grant (MTBG) data transmission in a wireless communication system, such as an LTE system. The method includes increasing the number of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes in a HARQ cycle to greater than 8, where the HARQ processes are divided into two or more HARQ process groups. The method further includes specifying a delay indicative of time between the MTBG and commence of the data transmission and another delay indicative of time between the data transmission and acknowledgement (ACK).
1. A method for supporting multi-transport block grant (MTBG) data transmissions in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:
determining a number of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes in a HARQ cycle;
upon determination that the number of HARQ processes is greater than 8 and the HARQ processes are divided into two or more HARQ process groups, specifying a first delay indicative of time between transmission of a MTBG and commencement of a data transmission; and
specifying a second delay indicative of time between the data transmission and receipt of an acknowledgement (ACK).
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first delay is explicitly specified in the MTBG.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second delay is explicitly specified in the MTBG.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a time between the ACK and a next MTBG for a next HARQ cycle is at least in part indicative of a number of HARQ processes in the next HARQ cycle.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the HARQ process group associated with the MTBG at least in part indicative of the first delay and the second delay.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data transmission is a downlink data transmission.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data transmission is an uplink data transmission.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the number of HARQ processes in a HARQ cycle is 14 or 16.
9. A user equipment (UE) comprising:
a processor; and
machine readable memory storing machine executable instructions which when executed by the processor configure the UE to:
receive a multi-transport block grants (MTBG), the MTBG including information indicative of:
a number of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes in a HARQ cycle, the HARQ processes being divided into two or more HARQ process groups when the number of HARQ processes is greater than 8;
a first delay indicative of time between transmission of a MTBG and commencement of a data transmission; and
a second delay indicative of time between the data transmission and receipt of an acknowledgement (ACK); and
the instructions which when executed by the processor further configure the UE to transmit data in accordance with the information.
10. The UE of claim 9 , wherein one or more of the first delay and the second delay are explicitly specified in the MTBG.
11. The UE of claim 9 , wherein a time between the ACK and a next MTBG for a next HARQ cycle is at least in part indicative of a number of HARQ processes in the next HARQ cycle.
12. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the HARQ process group associated with the MTBG at least in part indicative of the first delay and the second delay.
13. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the data transmission is a downlink data transmission or an uplink data transmission.
14. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the number of HARQ processes in a HARQ cycle is 14 or 16.
15. A base station comprising:
a processor; and
machine readable memory storing machine executable instructions which when executed by the processor configure the base station to:
transmit a multi-transport block grant (MTBG), the MTBG including information indicative of:
a number of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes in a HARQ cycle, the HARQ processes being divided into two or more HARQ process groups when the number of HARQ processes is greater than 8;
a first delay indicative of time between the MTBG and commencement of a data transmission, and
a second delay indicative of time between the data transmission and transmission of an acknowledgement (ACK); and
the instructions which when executed by the processor further configure the base station to receive data in accordance with the information.
16. The base station of claim 15 , wherein one or more of the first delay and the second delay are explicitly specified in the MTBG.
17. The base station of claim 15 , wherein a time between the ACK and a next MTBG for a next HARQ cycle is at least in part indicative of a number of HARQ processes in the next HARQ cycle.
18. The base station of claim 15 , wherein the HARQ process group associated with the MTBG at least in part indicative of the first delay and the second delay.
19. The base station of claim 15 , wherein the data transmission is a downlink data transmission or an uplink data transmission.
20. The base station of claim 15 , wherein the number of HARQ processes in a HARQ cycle is 14 or 16.