WO2020014855A1

WO2020014855A1 - Methods, devices and computer readable medium for early data transmission

Info

Publication number: WO2020014855A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/095920
Authority: WO
Inventors: Srinivasan Selvaganapathy; Rapeepat Ratasuk; Haitao Li; Jussi-Pekka Koskinen
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2018-07-17
Filing date: 2018-07-17
Publication date: 2020-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2021-01-17
Also published as: CN112703793B; CN112703793A

Abstract

A method, device and computer readable medium for early data transmission are disclosed. According to the method, the network device may decode more than one data packets with different TBSs for early data transmission, so that more than one terminal device succeed in the contention resolution when each of the terminal devices transmit different data packet with different TBSs for EDT transmission, thereby the signaling being reduced.

Description

METHODS, DEVICES AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM FOR EARLY DATA TRANSMISSION

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to communication techniques, and more particularly, to methods, devices and computer readable medium for early data transmission.

BACKGROUND

In communication systems, it usually needs to establish a radio resource control (RRC) connection between the terminal device and the network device before data packets are transmitted to and from the terminal device. The establishment of the RRC connection consumes quite lots of signaling. Recently, early data transmission (EDT) has been proposed. The EDT has a transport block size (TBS) limit which is broadcasted by the network. In EDT, a small amount of data can be transmitted without the establishment of the RRC connection. The network device may decode more than one data packet from different terminal devices, but the network device may only transmit one ACK to a terminal device and other terminal devices need to start a new random access procedure. However, the random access procedure consumes power of the terminal device and also increases signaling.

SUMMARY

In general, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for early data transmission and the corresponding network device and terminal device.

In a first aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide a network device. The terminal device comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program codes. The at least one memory and the computer codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the network device at least to: receive, from a first terminal device, a first data packet; receive, from a second terminal device, a second data packet; and at least in response to successfully decoding the first data packet, transmit, to the first and second terminal devices, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted to the second terminal device.

In a second aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide a terminal device. The network device comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program codes. The at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to at least to: transmit, to a network device, a data packet; receive, from the network device, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted, the first downlink signaling associated with decoding the data packet; and monitor the second control information based on the first control information.

In a third aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method implemented at a network device for communication. The method comprises: receiving, from a first terminal device, a first data packet. The method also comprises receiving, from a second terminal device, a second data packet. The method further comprises: at least in response to successfully decoding the first data packet, transmitting, to the first and second terminal devices, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted to the second terminal device.

In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method implemented at a terminal device for communication. The method comprises: transmitting, to a network device, a data packet. The method also comprises receiving, from the network device, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted, and the first downlink signaling associated with decoding the data packet. The method further comprises monitoring the second control information based on the first control information.

In a fifth 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 method according to the firs aspect of the present disclosure.

In a sixth aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide a further computer readable medium. The further 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 method according the second aspect of the present disclosure.

In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide an apparatus for communication. The apparatus comprises means for performing the method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure.

In an eight aspect, embodiments of the disclosure provide a further apparatus for communication. The apparatus comprises means for performing the method according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure.

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

Some example embodiments will now be described 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 flowchart of a method implemented at a network device for communication according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating interactions among terminal devices and network devices according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating interactions among terminal devices and network devices according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a terminal device for communication according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 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

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) , Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-LOT) 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.

The term “network device” includes, but not limited to, a base station (BS) , a gateway, a 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 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” 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 discussed above, in EDT, a small amount of data can be transmitted. The network device may broadcast maximum TBS size in system information which is to be used as uplink grant size in random access response (RAR) . To avoid unnecessary padding at the terminal device when it transmits smaller data packet than the maximum TBS, smaller TBS transmission should be supported. The EDT uplink grant shall allow the terminal device to choose an appropriate TBS, modulation coding scheme (MCS) , repetitions from a set of TBSs provided based on the uplink data. It assumes that 8 possible candidate values for the maximum TBS broadcasted in system information. It also assumes that for each maximum TBS broadcasted, up to 4 possible TBSs are allowed.

In random access procedure, more than one terminal device may select the same preamble as part of the procedure and the network device allocates single uplink grant for this preamble. All of the terminal devices attempt to transmit uplink using the uplink grant. In case if the network device receives only one of the uplink packets transmitted from the terminal devices, the contention is resolved and the terminal device knows about whether its uplink is received or not on reception of Message 4 (Msg 4) which comprises the contention resolution identifier received in uplink for Message 3 (Msg3) . The terminal device for which the contention resolution identifier does not match will restart the random access procedure.

When the network device’s uplink allocation is larger where the competing terminal device may transmit different sizes of packets, the impact of collision may be less if the competing terminal device selects different sizes of packets since they will, for example, use different number of repetitions or have different starting times. In such scenarios, it is possible to decode both terminal devices to avoid one of the terminal devices re-initiating the random access procedure.

However, even if the network device may be able to decode the uplink data packets from more than one terminal device in the EDT random access procedure, in the conventional technologies, the uplink packet data can be ACKed (either explicitly via for example, acknowledgement information or implicitly via for example contention resolution message or uplink allocation) only for one terminal device and the other UE needs to start new random access procedure. This is not optimal because random access procedure together with data transmission in Msg3 consumes power of terminal devices and network resources. The signaling load is also increased.

In order to at least in part solve above and other potential problems, embodiments of the present disclosure provide solutions for early data transmission. Now some example embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purpose as the present disclosure extends beyond theses limited embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The communication system 100, which is a part of a communication network, comprises a network device 120 and terminal devices 110-1, 110-2, ..., and 110-N, which can be collectively referred to as “terminal device (s) ” 110. It is to be understood that the number of network devices and terminal devices shown in FIG. 1 is given for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations. The communication system 100 may comprise any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices. 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.

Communications in the communication system 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol (s) , comprising, 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, comprising 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.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device may decode more than one data packets with different TBSs for early data transmission, so that more than one terminal device succeed in the contention resolution when each of the terminal devices transmit different data packet with different TBSs for EDT transmission, thereby the signaling being reduced.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method 200 implemented at a network device for communication according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 200 may be implemented at the network device 120 as shown in FIG. 1.

At block 210, the network device 120 receives a first data packet from the terminal device 110-1. At block 220, the network device 120 receives a second data packet from the terminal device 110-2. In some embodiments, the first data packet may have a first TBS and the second data packet may have a second TBS. The first TBS may be different from the second TBS.

In some embodiments, the network device 120 may broadcast system information to the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2. The system information may indicate maximum TBS.

In an example embodiment, the network device 120 may transmit information indicating different starting time for different TBSs to the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2. The network device 120 may indicate the starting time based on preamble contention/collision rates. For example, the network device 120 may indicate that the smallest TBS transmission and the largest TBS transmission start from the first uplink subframe. Regarding the TBS which is in between the smallest and largest TBSs, the network device 120 may determine that starting position based on continuous resource allocation from the end of resource allocation.

Only for the purpose of illustrations, the TBSs are 328, 560 and 1000 with number of repetition as 32 and resource unit (RU) as 6. The total subframes allocated in uplink grant are 192 (i.e., 32*6) . The repetition adapted for TBS of 328 is 12 and the repetition adapted for TBS of 560 is 20. The terminal device (for example, the terminal device 110-1) may select 560 as TBS and start transmission at 72 ^nd subframe (i.e., 192-20*6) . With this scheme, the transmission of the TBS of 328 is from the 1 ^st sbuframe to the 71 ^st subframe and the transmission of the TBS if 560 is from the 72 ^nd subframe to the 192 ^nd subframe. In this way, the network device 120 may successfully decode the transmission of the two TBSs since there is no overlapping in the transmission.

In a further example embodiment, the network device 120 may decode the first and second data packets. For example, the network device 120 may check the presence of a reference signal or transmission (e.g. through energy detection) at different subframes of RU or at different subframes to determine the presence of different TBS transmission. If the network device 120 determines that the second data packet exits based on the reference signal or transmission, the network device 120 may decode the second data packet. If only a data packet with small TBS is transmitted alone, the network device 120 may not find reference signals or transmission in part of RU corresponds to other TBS.

At block 230, if the network device 120 successfully decodes the first data packet transmitted from the terminal device 110-1, the network device 120 transmits, to the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2, first downlink signaling. In some embodiments, the first downlink signaling may be for resource allocation for the terminal device 110-1. The first downlink signaling includes an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted to the terminal device 110-2. The downlink signaling may be for downlink resource allocation for Msg4 transmission.

In an example embodiment, the network device 120 may successfully decode the first data packet and fail to decode the second data packet before transmitting the first downlink signaling. For example, the network device 120 may decode the first data packet firstly if the first data packet has a smaller TBS. The network device 120 may transmit an ACK for the terminal device 110-1 and a NACK for the terminal device 110-2 in the first downlink signaling. The first downlink signaling may also include a parameter indicating that the second downlink signaling to be transmitted.

For example, the first downlink signaling may include a parameter “extended contention resolution” to indicate that if a terminal device fails in contention resolution in the first downlink signaling, the terminal device needs to wait for the second downlink signaling. In some embodiments, the parameter “extended contention resolution” may be transmitted in RRC signaling.

Alternatively or in addition, the first downlink signaling may include a new Cell-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) for the terminal device 110-1. In this way, the terminal device 110-2 may continue checking for downlink reception using the temporary C-RNTI. The new C-RNTI may be transmitted in RRC signaling (for example, Message 4) .

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating interactions 300 among the terminal device and the network device according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

The network device 120 may decode 3010 the first and second data packets. If the network device 120 detects the presence of the second data packet but fails to decode the second data packet, the network device 120 may transmit 3020 the first downlink signaling to the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2. The first downlink signaling may indicate an ACK for the terminal device 110-1 and a NACK for the terminal device 110-2. The first downlink signaling may include a contention-resolution-id, for example, an identifier of the terminal device 110-1. Alternatively or in addition, the first downlink signaling may also a parameter “extended contention resolution” to indicate that if a terminal device fails in contention resolution in the first downlink signaling, the terminal device needs to wait for the second downlink signaling. As discussed above, the downlink signaling may include a new C-RNTI for the terminal device 110-1.

In some embodiments, the downlink signaling may refer to signaling downlink control information (DCI) signaling. The DCI may include information about multiple decoding. Alternatively or in addition, the downlink signaling may refer to RRC signaling. For example, the ACK for the terminal device 110-1 may be transmitted in the DCI signaling and the parameter “extended contention resolution” may be transmitted in the RRC signaling. It should be noted that the downlink signaling may be any suitable signaling.

The terminal device 110-2 may retransmit 3030 the second data packet. The network device may transmit 3040 the second downlink signaling. The downlink signaling may indicate an ACK for the terminal device 110-2. The first downlink signaling may include a contention-resolution-id, for example, an identifier of the terminal device 110-2.

In an example embodiment, the network device 120 may successfully decode the first and second data packets before transmitting the first downlink signaling. The network device 120 may determine the TBS of the first and second data packets. If the TBS of the first data packet (referred to as “the first TBS” ) is smaller than the TBS of the second data packet (referred to as “the second TBS” ) , the network device 120 may determine that the terminal device 110-1 succeeds in this resource contention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating interactions 400 among the terminal device and the network device according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

The network device 120 may decode 4010 the first and second data packets. If the network device 120 successfully decode the first and second data packets and the first data packet has a smaller TBS than that of the second data packet, the network device 120 may transmit 4020 the first downlink signaling to the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2. The first downlink signaling may indicate an ACK for the terminal device 110-1. The first downlink signaling may include a contention-resolution-id, for example, an identifier of the terminal device 110-1. Alternatively or in addition, the first downlink signaling may also a parameter “extended contention resolution” to indicate that if a terminal device fails in contention resolution in the first downlink signaling, the terminal device needs to wait for the second downlink signaling. As discussed above, the first downlink signaling may include a new C-RNTI for the terminal device 110-1.

he network device may transmit 4030 the second control information to the terminal device 110-2. The second downlink signaling may indicate an ACK for the terminal device 110-2. The second downlink signaling may include a contention-resolution-id, for example, an identifier of the terminal device 110-2. Alternatively or in addition, the second downlink signaling may also a parameter “extended contention resolution” to indicate that if a terminal device fails in contention resolution in the first downlink signaling, the terminal device needs to wait for the second downlink signaling. As discussed above, the second downlink signaling may include a new C-RNTI for the terminal device 110-2.

In some embodiments, the network device 120 may determine a TBS of a further data packet without decoding the data packet, the network device 120 may transmit third control information indicating the TBS and resource allocation for retransmission of the TBS. For example, the network device 120 may indicate the TBS when it transmits the third downlink signaling for HARQ-NACK with pointer to the resource allocation of uplink grant to enable terminal devices of other TBS to stop retransmission.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for performing the method 200 (for example, the network device 120) 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, from a first terminal device, a first data packet; means for receiving, from a second terminal device, a second data packet; and means for at least in response to successfully decoding the first data packet, transmitting, to the first and second terminal devices, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted to the second terminal device.

In some embodiments, the first data packet has a first transport block size, TBS, and the second data packet has a second TBS which is different from the first TBS.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprise: means for decoding the first data packet; and means for in response to determining, based on a reference signal on an uplink, a presence of the second data packet, decoding the second data packet.

In some embodiments, the means for transmitting the first downlink signaling comprises: means for in response to successfully decoding the first data packet and failing to decode the second data packet, transmitting an ACK for the first terminal device and a NACK for the second terminal device; and means for transmitting a parameter indicating the second downlink signaling to be transmitted.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from the second terminal device, the second packet data for the second time; and means for transmitting the second downlink signaling indicating an ACK for the second terminal device and resource allocation for the second terminal device.

In some embodiments, the means for transmitting the first downlink signaling comprises: means for in response to decoding the first and second data packets successfully; means for comparing a first TBS for the first data packet with a second TBS for the second data packet; means for in response to the first TBS being less than the second TBS, transmitting an ACK for the first terminal device; and means for transmitting a parameter indicating the second downlink signaling to be transmitted.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting the second downlink signaling indicating an ACK for the second terminal device and resource allocation for the second terminal device.

In some embodiments, the means for transmitting the first downlink signaling comprises: means for transmitting, to the first terminal device, the downlink signaling including a Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) for the first terminal device.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for receiving, from a third terminal device, a third data packet with a third TBS; means for in response to determining the third TBS without decoding the third data packet, transmitting third downlink signaling indicating the third TBS and resource allocation for retransmission with the third TBS.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting information indicating different starting position for different data packets with different TBSs for early data transmission.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method 500 implemented at a terminal device for communication according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

At block 510, the terminal device 110-2 transmits a data packet to the network device 120. At block 520, the terminal device receives first downlink signaling from the network device 120. The first downlink signaling is for resource allocation. The first downlink signaling includes an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted.

At block 530, the terminal device 110-2 monitor the second control information from the network device 120 based on the first downlink signaling.

In some embodiments, if the terminal device 110-2 receives an NACK from the network device 120, the terminal device 110-2 may retransmit the data packet to the network device.

In some embodiments, if the terminal device 110-2 receives the first downlink signaling indicating an NACK and a first TBS, the terminal device 110-2 may determine whether its TBS matches with the transmitted first TBS. For example, the terminal device 110-2 may determine whether to check for downlink control information or the Msg 4 based on downlink signaling (for example, RRC signaling) . The downlink control information may be transmitted on narrowband physical data control channel (NPDCCH) and the RRC signaling may be transmitted on narrowband physical data shred channel (NPDSCH) .

If the terminal device 110-2 determines that its TBS does not match with the transmitted first TBS, the terminal device 110-2 may stop waiting for the second downlink signaling and restart the random access procedure. That is to say, if the TBS of the terminal device 110-2 matches with the transmitted first TBS, it means that the network device 120 has detected the presence of the TBS of the terminal device 110-2. The terminal device 110-2 only needs to monitor the second downlink signaling for resource allocation.

In some embodiments, an apparatus for performing the method 500 (for example, the terminal device 110) may comprise respective means for performing the corresponding steps in the method 500. 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 network device, a data packet; means for receiving, from the network device, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted, the first downlink signaling associated with decoding the data packet; and means for monitoring the second control information based on the first control information.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for in response to receiving the first downlink signaling indicating an NACK, retransmitting the data packet.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: means for in response to receiving the first downlink signaling indicating an NACK and a first transport block size, TBS, determining whether a second TBS of the transmitted data packet match with the first TBS in the first downlink signaling; and means for in response to the second TBS not matching with the first TBS, stopping monitoring the second control information.

Table 1 below shows an example format of the downlink signaling sent as DCI.

Table 1

Table 2 below shows an example format of the downlink signaling sent in the RRC message.

Table 2

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of a device 600 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 600 may be implemented at the network device 120. The device 600 may also be implemented at the terminal devices 110-1 and 110-2. As shown, the device 600 comprises one or more processors 610, one or more memories 620 coupled to the processor (s) 610, one or more transmitters and/or receivers (TX/RX) 640 coupled to the processor 610.

The processor 610 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network, and may comprise 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 600 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 620 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 620 stores at least a part of a program 630. The TX/RX 640 is for bidirectional communications. The TX/RX 640 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 630 is assumed to comprise program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 610, enable the device 600 to operate in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, as discussed herein with reference to Figs. 2 to 5. That is, embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 610 of the device 600, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media and the like.

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 comprised 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 network device, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program codes;

the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device at least to:

receive, from a first terminal device, a first data packet;

receive, from a second terminal device, a second data packet; and

at least in response to successfully decoding the first data packet, transmit, to the first and second terminal devices, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted to the second terminal device.
The device of claim 1, wherein the first data packet has a first transport block size, TBS, and the second data packet has a second TBS which is different from the first TBS.
The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to:

decode the first data packet; and

in response to determining, based on a reference signal on an uplink, a presence of the second data packet, decode the second data packet.
The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to transmit the first downlink signaling further comprising:

in response to successfully decoding the first data packet and failing to decode the second data packet, transmit an ACK for the first terminal device and a NACK for the second terminal device; and

transmit a parameter indicating the second downlink signaling to be transmitted.
The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to:

receive, from the second terminal device, the second packet data for the second time; and

transmit the second downlink signaling indicating an ACK for the second terminal device and resource allocation for the second terminal device.
The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to transmit the first downlink signaling further comprising:

in response to decoding the first and second data packets successfully, compare a first TBS for the first data packet with a second TBS for the second data packet;

in response to the first TBS being less than the second TBS, transmit an ACK for the first terminal device; and

transmit a parameter indicating the second downlink signaling to be transmitted.
The device of Claim 6, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to:

transmit the second downlink signaling indicating an ACK for the second terminal device and resource allocation for the second terminal device.
The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to transmit the first downlink signaling further comprising:

transmitting, to the first terminal device, the downlink signaling including a Cell-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) for the first terminal device.
The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to:

receiving, from a third terminal device, a third data packet with a third TBS;

in response to determining the third TBS without decoding the third data packet, transmitting third downlink signaling indicating the third TBS and resource allocation for retransmission with the third TBS.
The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to:

transmitting information indicating different starting position for different data packets with different TBSs for early data transmission.
The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second downlink signaling comprises at least one of: downlink control information (DCI) signaling and radio resource control (RRC) signaling.
A network device, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program codes;

the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device at least to:

transmit, to a network device, a data packet;

receive, from the network device, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted, the first downlink signaling associated with decoding the data packet; and

monitor the second control information based on the first control information.
The device of claim 12, the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to:

in response to receiving the first downlink signaling indicating an NACK, retransmit the data packet.
The device of claim 12, the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the device to:

in response to receiving the first downlink signaling indicating an NACK and a first transport block size, TBS, determine whether a second TBS of the data packet match with the first TBS; and

in response to the second TBS not matching with the first TBS, stop monitoring the second control information.
The device of claim 11, wherein the first and second downlink signaling comprises at least one of: downlink control information (DCI) signaling and radio resource control (RRC) signaling.
A communication method, comprising:

receiving, from a first terminal device, a first data packet;

receiving, from a second terminal device, a second data packet; and

at least in response to successfully decoding the first data packet, transmitting, to the first and second terminal devices, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted to the second terminal device.
The method of claim 16, wherein the first data packet has a first transport block size, TBS, and the second data packet has a second TBS which is different from the first TBS.
The method of claim 16, further comprising:

decoding the first data packet; and

in response to determining, based on a reference signal on an uplink, a presence of the second data packet, decoding the second data packet.
The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the first downlink signaling comprises:

in response to successfully decoding the first data packet and failing to decode the second data packet, transmitting an ACK for the first terminal device and a NACK for the second terminal device; and

transmitting a parameter indicating the second downlink signaling to be transmitted.
The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving, from the second terminal device, the second packet data for the second time; and

transmitting the second downlink signaling indicating an ACK for the second terminal device and resource allocation for the second terminal device.
The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the first downlink signaling comprises:

in response to decoding the first and second data packets successfully;

comparing a first TBS for the first data packet with a second TBS for the second data packet;

in response to the first TBS being less than the second TBS, transmitting an ACK for the first terminal device; and

transmitting a parameter indicating the second downlink signaling to be transmitted.
The method of claim 21, further comprising:

transmitting the second downlink signaling indicating an ACK for the second terminal device and resource allocation for the second terminal device.
The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the first downlink signaling comprises:

transmitting, to the first terminal device, the downlink signaling including a Cell-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) for the first terminal device.
The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving, from a third terminal device, a third data packet with a third TBS;

in response to determining the third TBS without decoding the third data packet, transmitting third downlink signaling indicating the third TBS and resource allocation for retransmission with the third TBS.
The method of claim 16, further comprising:

transmitting information indicating different starting position for different data packets with different TBSs for early data transmission.
The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second downlink signaling comprises at least one of: downlink control information (DCI) signaling and radio resource control (RRC) signaling.
A communication method, comprising:

transmitting, to a network device, a data packet;

receiving, from the network device, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted, the first downlink signaling associated with decoding the data packet; and

monitoring the second control information based on the first control information.
The method of claim 27, further comprising:

in response to receiving the first downlink signaling indicating an NACK, retransmitting the data packet.
The method of claim 27, further comprising:

in response to receiving the first downlink signaling indicating an NACK and a first transport block size, TBS, determining whether a second TBS of the data packet match with the first TBS; and

in response to the second TBS not matching with the first TBS, stopping monitoring the second control information.
The method of claim 27, wherein the first and second downlink signaling comprises at least one of: downlink control information (DCI) signaling and radio resource control (RRC) signaling.
An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for receiving, from a first terminal device, a first data packet;

means for receiving, from a second terminal device, a second data packet; and

means for at least in response to successfully decoding the first data packet, transmitting, to the first and second terminal devices, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted to the second terminal device.
An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for transmitting, to a network device, a data packet;

means for receiving, from the network device, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted, the first downlink signaling associated with decoding the data packet; and

means for monitoring the second control information based on the first control information.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following:

receiving, from a first terminal device, a first data packet;

receiving, from a second terminal device, a second data packet; and

at least in response to successfully decoding the first data packet, transmitting, to the first and second terminal devices, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted to the second terminal device.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the following:

transmitting, to a network device, a data packet;

receiving, from the network device, first downlink signaling, the first downlink signaling including an indication that second downlink signaling is to be transmitted, the first downlink signaling associated with decoding the data packet; and

monitoring the second control information based on the first control information.