The present invention relates to control signalling in communication networks and systems. In particular, although not necessarily exclusively, the present invention is concerned with reserving PUCCH resource for HARQ-ACK feedback, and concatenating HARQ-ACK bits, in wireless communication systems that support flexible-TDD UL-DL configuration.

Background Art

[0002]

The following abbreviations may be found herein:

[0003]

LTE wireless communication systems aim to provide enhanced services by means of higher data rates and lower latency with reduced cost. One benefit of deploying LTE TDD systems is to enable asymmetric UL-DL allocations in a radio frame. Typically if more data is to be sent in DL, there can be a higher number of DL subframes in a radio frame to

accommodate that greater data volume. In LTE TDD systems, the asymmetric resource allocation is realized by providing seven different semi-statically configured UL-DL subframe configurations for a given radio frame, as specified in Table 4.2-2 of 3GPP TS 36.211 v 10.5.0 (2012-06) which is extracted below.

[0004]

These allocations, it can be seen, can provide between 40% and 90% DL subframes, and in conventional practice the UL-DL configuration in use is informed to the UE (and changed) only via system information on the broadcast channel. The UL-DL configuration is only configured semi-statically and so may not adapt to the instantaneous traffic situation. This is inefficient in terms of resource utilization, particularly in small cells/cells with a small number of users where the traffic situation can often change rapidly.

[0005]

To address this inefficiency, a flexible TDD configuration study item for LTE-A Release 11 was completed. Evaluations in the study item revealed possibly significant performance benefits by allowing TDD UL-DL reconfiguration based on traffic adaptation in small cells. The studies also recommend interference mitigation scheme(s) for systems with TDD UL-DL reconfiguration.

[0006]

As with asymmetric UL-DL configuration and flexible TDD allocation, there are several challenges to overcome before any implementation may be considered viable. One particular challenge is to allow the reconfiguration of TDD UL-DL configuration on at most a radio frame basis without significant impact on the current 3 GPP specification, and to allow coexistence with legacy (i.e. Rel. 8, 9, 10) UEs. It is thought that providing an improved method for PUCCH resource allocation, and for HARQ-ACK concatenation, for use in wireless communication systems that support flexible-TDD UL-DL configuration may help in this regard.

[0007]

As specified in LTE Rel. 8, 9 and 10 and further illustrated in Fig. 1, one UL subframe is responsible for carrying HARQ-ACK feedback of M DL subframes and/or special subframes, where M is the size of a DL association set as specified in Table 10.1.3.1-1 of 3GPP TS 36.213 (which is the lower table (120) in Fig. 1). In table (120), the DL association set is defined for each UL subframe for different UL-DL configurations. For instance, UL subframe #2 (124) in TDD configuration #3 (125) is responsible for DL transmission which happened k subframes earlier, where the value of k is specified in table (120) by (123), (122) and (121) - that is 7, 6 and 11 subframes earlier. As a result, UL subframe #2 (114) in Frame n+1 is responsible for carrying HARQ-ACK feedback for special subframe #1 (111) (for k = 11), DL subframe #5 (112) (for k = 7) and DL subframe #6 (113) (for k = 6) transmitted in Frame n.

[0008]

In order to aggregate reserved but unused PUCCH for PUSCH transmission, PUCCH resource for M DL subframes is interleaved. Since at most two OFDM symbols can be used for PDCCH transmission on a special subframe, PUCCH resource for special subframes is mapped later than that of normal DL subframes.

[0009]

Depicted in Fig. 2 is PUCCH resource reserved in UL subframe #2 in Rel. 10 when

UL-DL TDD configuration #3 is used. (211), (221) and (231) is the first CCE (Control Channel Element) and (212), (222) and (232) is the last CCE in PDCCH region of DL subframe #5 (210), DL subframe #6 (220) and special subframe #1 (230), respectively. There is a one-one mapping between CCE index and PUCCH index, and the PUCCH resource for these three DL subframes and special subframes is block interleaved. For instance, PUCCH with index of

(241 ) is associated with PDCCH transmission with first CCE index of 11 in DL

subframe #5 (210). PUCCH with index
(242) is associated with PDCCH transmission with first CCE index of 12 in DL subframe #5 (210).

[0010]

As one candidate solution for maintaining HARQ-timing for Flexible-TDD system, HARQ-timing of reference configuration could be followed for HARQ-ACK feedback for Flexible-TDD UEs. For instance, UL-DL TDD configuration #2 could be used as the reference configuration for UL-DL TDD configuration #0, #1, #2, #6 for DL HARQ-ACK timing. As another example, configuration #5 could be used as the reference configuration for all 7 UL-DL TDD configurations.

[0011]

As illustrated in Fig. 3, in Flexible-TDD system (310), there are at least two kinds of UEs: (i) legacy UEs (312) which are not aware of the Flexible-TDD configuration, and (ii)

Flexible-TDD UEs (313) which have knowledge of both legacy TDD configuration by detecting SIB1 information and Flexible-TDD configuration indicated by the eNB explicitly or implicitly. It is highly likely that the Flexible-TDD configuration may be different from the legacy TDD configuration. For instance with reference to Fig. 3, in subframe n-1, the legacy UE is configured with UL-DL TDD configuration #0 (320) while the Flexible-TDD UE is configured with instantaneous UL-DL configuration #2 (330). Assuming UL-DL TDD configuration #2 is used as reference configuration for HARQ-timing for Flexible-TDD UE, then on UL subframe #2, the legacy UE should feedback HARQ-ACK in UL subframe #2 (334) for DL transmission in special subframe #6 (321) and the Flexible-TDD UE should feedback HARQ-ACK for DL transmission in subframe #4 (331), #5 (332), #6 (333) and #8 (334).

[0012]

As a result, for the same UL subframe, different DL association sets are used by the legacy UE and Flexible-TDD UE. To be specific, in the above example, DL association set containing only special subframe #6 (321) is used by legacy UE and DL association set containing subframes #4 (331), #5 (332), #6 (333) and #8 (334) is used by Flexible-TDD UE. Since PUCCH is reserved according to the DL association set, if Rel. 10 resource mapping is followed directly by Flexible-TDD UE, then PUCCH collision or low PUCCH efficiency may occur.

[0013]

By way of further explanation, Option 1 (340) (overlap) in Fig. 3 depicts where the

same offset value of
is used by legacy UEs and Flexible-TDD UEs. Assuming the first CCE index of PDCCH for one legacy UE in special subframe #6 (321) and one

Flexible-TDD UE in DL subframe #4 (331 ) are both 0, then they will both be mapped to the first PUCCH in the dynamic PUCCH region (i.e. (341) for legacy UE and (342) for Flexible-TDD UE) leading to PUCCH collision. Alternatively, Option 2 (350) (no overlap) in Fig. 3 depicts where PUCCH (353) reserved for Flexible-TDD UE is adjacent to PUCCH (351) reserved for legacy UE. Two copies of PUCCH (351,352) are reserved for special subframe #6 (321,333), thus resulting in low PUCCH efficiency.

[0014]

It is therefore thought that a new PUCCH resource allocation method for Flexible-TDD UEs which reduces or avoids PUCCH collision and/or achieves higher PUCCH resource efficiency may be desirable.

[0015]

In PTL1 there is determined a first UL-DL configuration for subframes in a frame, which in various examples is fixed or dynamically allocated. A second UL-DL configuration is semi-statically allocated such as in system information. When mapping automatic repeat request signalling for a first UE which is dynamically allocated an UL-DL configuration, at least some DL subframes mapped by the second UL-DL configuration are excluded by the mapping. In one example, UL resources mapped from a first group of DL subframes are indexed according to the second configuration, and then UL resources mapped from a second group of DL subframes are indexed according to the first configuration, and the excluded DL subframes are within the first group and excluded from the second group and the automatic repeat request signalling is in an uplink resource mapped from the second group.

[0016]

As well as being fed back on PUCCH, HARQ-ACK can be transmitted on PUSCH even when PUCCH format la/ lb/3 is configured. For instance when a UE receives an UL grant and simultaneous PUSCH+PUCCH transmission is not configured, then HARQ-ACK bits are concatenated, coded and transmitted with UL data on PUSCH. If a reference configuration is followed for HARQ-timing, the concatenation of HARQ-ACK bits for Flexible-TDD system should also be specified.

[0017]

It is to be clearly understood that mere reference herein to previous or existing apparatus, systems, methods, practices, publications or other information, or to any associated problems or issues, does not constitute an acknowledgement or admission that any of those things

individually or in any combination formed part of the common general knowledge of those skilled in the field, or that they are admissible prior art.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0018]

PTL 1: WO 2012/106840

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0019]

A purpose of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication system, a base system and a method therein that are capable of reducing or avoiding PUCCH collision and/or achieving higher PUCCH resource efficiency.

Solution to Problem

[0020]

In one form, the present invention relates broadly to a method for PUCCH resource allocation in a wireless communication system that supports flexible-TDD UL-DL configuration, wherein:

different UL-DL TDD configurations are provided and the UL-DL TDD configuration used for flexible-TDD configuration can be different to the UL-DL TDD configuration used for long term UL-DL TDD configuration; and

for a given UL-DL TDD configuration, an UL subframe carries HARQ-ACK feedback of one or more DL and/or special subframes from a previous frame or current frame;

a first DL association set contains one or more DL and/or special subframes for which HARQ-ACK feedback is carried in the UL subframe for the UL-DL TDD configuration in use by a first type of UE;

a second DL association set contains one or more DL and/or special subframes for which HARQ-ACK feedback is carried in the UL subframe for a reference UL-DL TDD configuration in use by a second type of UE;

a third DL association set contains the subframes which are in the second DL association set but excludes any of those subframes which are also in the first DL association set;

the method comprising:

performing PUCCH resource allocation for subframes in the first DL association set by block interleaving and, for subframes in the third DL association set, performing PUCCH resource allocation such that the PUCCH region either follows that of the first DL association set or a specified PUCCH offset is used.

[0021]

In a slightly more specific embodiment, the invention relates to a method for PUCCH resource allocation in a wireless communication system that supports flexible-TDD UL-DL configuration, wherein:

different UL-DL TDD configurations are provided in which individual subframes are differently allocated as UL, DL or special subframes, and the UL-DL TDD configuration used for flexible-TDD configuration is the same as, or different to, the UL-DL TDD configuration used for long term UL-DL TDD configuration;

a first type of UE is aware of the long term UL-DL TDD configuration in use but is not aware of the flexible-TDD configuration in use, and a second type of UE is aware of both the long term UL-DL TDD configuration in use and the flexible-TDD configuration in use; and

for a given UL-DL TDD configuration, an UL subframe carries HARQ-ACK feedback of one or more DL and/or special subframes from a previous frame;

a first DL association set contains one or more DL and/or special subframes for which

HARQ-ACK feedback is carried in the UL subframe for the UL-DL TDD configuration in use by the first type of UE;

a second DL association set contains one or more DL and/or special subframes for which HARQ-ACK feedback is carried in the UL subframe for a reference UL-DL TDD configuration in use by the second type of UE;

a third DL association set contains the subframes which are in the second DL association set but excludes any of those subframes which are also in the first DL association set;

the method comprising:

performing PUCCH resource allocation for subframes in the first DL association set according to the Rel. 10 specification and, for subframes in the third DL association set, performing PUCCH resource allocation such that the PUCCH region either follows that of the first DL association set or a specified PUCCH offset is used.

[0022]

In some embodiments of the above form of the invention, the third DL association set may comprise a first subset containing fixed DL and/or special subframes, and a second subset containing flexible subframes. The method may then comprise performing PUCCH resource allocation for the first subset and the second subset independently. PUCCH resource allocation for subframes in the first subset may be interleaved and reserved according to Rel. 10

specification (block interleaving) and, for subframes in the second subset, PUCCH resource may be allocated to flexible subframes with a higher probability of being used as DL subframes ahead of flexible subframes with lower probability of being used as DL subframes. Alternatively, a UE-specific PUCCH offset may be indicated by RRC-signalling, and the method may then comprise configuring EPDCCH for DL transmission in flexible subframe for the second type of UE wherein PUCCH associated with the EPDCCH set is reserved for subframes with a higher probability of being used as DL subframes, followed by PUCCH for subframes with lower probability of being used as DL subframes.

[0023]

In some embodiments of the invention there may be one or more particular subframes which are DL subframes in the UL-DL TDD configuration used by the first type of UE, but the corresponding subframe(s) in the UL-DL TDD configuration used by the second type of UE is/are UL subframe(s). Where this is the case, the method may include assigning unused PUCCH resource associated with the UL-DL TDD configuration used by the first type of UE to fixed DL subframe(s) in the UL-DL TDD configuration used by the second type of UE and scheduling only the first type of UE on the fixed DL subframe(s). Also, in these embodiments, collision of transmission may be avoided by following the transmission direction of the second type of UE such that PUCCH reserved for the first type of UE is neither used by the first type of UE because no DL transmission to the first type of UE occurs in the said particular subframe(s), nor is/are the particular subframe(s) used by the second type of UE because it/they is/are UL subframe(s).

[0024]

There may also be embodiments of the invention where the third DL association set mentioned above comprises a first subset the size of which is dependent on the number of subframes in the first DL association set, a second subset which contains the remaining fixed subframes in the third DL association set, and a third subset which contains flexible subframes in the third DL association set. In these embodiments the method may comprise performing PUCCH resource allocation for the first, second and third subsets independently. PUCCH allocation for any subframes in the second subset may be interleaved and reserved according to Rel. 10 specification and, for subframes in the third subset, PUCCH resource may be allocated after the PUCCH allocation for subframes in the second subset. Furthermore, for subframes in the third subset, PUCCH resource may be allocated to flexible subframes with a higher probability of being used as DL subframes ahead of flexible subframes with lower probability of being used as DL subframes. Alternatively, for subframes in the third subset, a UE-specific PUCCH offset may be indicated by RRC-signalling, and the method may comprise configuring

EPDCCH for DL transmission in flexible subframe for the second type of UE wherein PUCCH associated with two EPDCCH set is reserved for subframes with a higher probability of being used as DL subframes, followed by PUCCH for subframes with lower probability of being used as DL subframes.

[0025]

In another form, the invention relates to a wireless communication system that supports flexible-TDD UL-DL configuration and which operates according to the method in the form of the invention described above. In this other form of the invention, the wireless communication system may include a wireless base station, one or more of the first type of UE and one or more of the second type of UE. The wireless base station may broadcast the long-term TDD UL-DL configuration to the first type of UE and the second type of UE using System Information Block Type 1 , and it may broadcast the short-term TDD UL-DL configuration to only the second type of UE in the form of Downlink Control Information transmitted on PDCCH or EPDCCH. The second type of UE may also have a TDD reconfiguration processing function which performs blind detection of the Downlink Control Information and also performs PDSCH HARQ encoding and selects the appropriate UL subframe(s) for sending PDSCH HARQ feedback to the base station.

[0026]

In yet another form, the invention relates to a method for concatenation of a

HARQ-ACK bit set used for HARQ-ACK feedback in a wireless communication system that supports flexible-TDD UL-DL configuration, wherein the HARQ-ACK bit set is divided into: a first part which is based on the value of a DL assignment index which is last detected, a second part which is generated by following a reference configuration, and a third part which is a HARQ-ACK bit for SPS PDSCH. In embodiments of this form of the invention, HARQ-ACK for dynamic PDSCH or PDCCH for DL SPS release may be set to either ACK or NACK depending on the detection result, and if there is no dynamic PDSCH or PDCCH for DL SPS release for one DL DAI value then the HARQ-ACK feedback may be set to NACK.

[0027]

In a yet further form, the invention relates to a method for concatenation of a

HARQ-ACK bit set used for HARQ-ACK feedback in a wireless communication system that supports flexible-TDD UL-DL configuration, wherein the first bit of the HARQ-ACK feedback bits set is dedicated to SPS PDSCH HARQ-ACK no matter whether SPS is activated or not, and the HARQ-ACK bit set is divided into: a first part which includes one HARQ-ACK bit for SPS PDSCH, and a second part which is for dynamic PDSCH or PDCCH for DL SPS release.

[0028]

In another form, the invention relates to a wireless communication system that supports flexible-TDD UL-DL configuration and which operates according to the method in the form of the invention described in one or other of the previous two paragraphs.

[0029]

Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0030]

According to embodiments of the above form of the invention stated above, it is possible to provide a wireless communication system, a base system and a method therein for reducing or avoiding PUCCH collision and/or achieving higher PUCCH resource efficiency.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0031]

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0032]

[Fig. 1]

Fig. 1 contains two tables. The upper table is Table 4.2-2 of 3GPP TS 36.211 v 10.5.0 (2012-06) and sets out the allocation of subframes as UL, DL or special subframes in different UL-DL TDD configurations. The lower table is Table 10.1.3.1-1 from 3 GPP TS 36.213 and sets out DL association set index K: {k0, k1, ...kM-1 for TDD systems.

[Fig. 2]

Fig. 2 schematically represents PUCCH resource mapping for TDD systems.

[Fig. 3]

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates previous ways of PUCCH resource mapping for Flexible-TDD systems, and problems therewith.

[Fig. 4]

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a Flexible-TDD wireless communication system.

[Fig. 5]

Fig. 5 is schematically represents PUCCH resource allocation for Flexible-TDD systems according to one possible embodiment of the invention referred to herein as Option-X. Note that Option-X includes Option 1 and Option 2 as illustrated in Fig. 5 and discussed below.

[Fig. 6]

Fig. 6 illustrates DL association sets for Flexible-TDD systems according to Option-X in Fig. 5.

[Fig. 7]

Fig. 7 schematically represents PUCCH resource allocation for Flexible-TDD systems according to another possible embodiment of the invention referred to herein as Option-Y. Note that Option-Y includes Option 1 and Option 2 as illustrated in Fig. 7 and discussed below in Fig. 7

[Fig. 8]

Fig. 8 illustrates DL association sets for Flexible-TDD systems according to Option-Y. [Fig. 9]

Fig. 9 illustrates HARQ-ACK bit concatenation by following a reference configuration.

[Fig. 10]

Fig. 10 illustrates an example relating to a different embodiment referred to as Option A for HARQ-ACK concatenation.

[Fig. 11]

Fig. 11 illustrates another example relating to the Option A embodiment.

[Fig. 12]

Fig. 12 illustrates an example relating to yet another embodiment referred to as Option B for HARQ-ACK concatenation.

Description of Embodiments

[0033]

The present invention may be implemented in a wireless communication system that supports Flexible-TDD UL-DL configuration, one example cell of which is shown schematically in Fig. 4. The depicted wireless communication system cell (400) consists of at least one Rel. 11 & beyond eNB (401) which is backward compatible with previous releases such as Rel. 8, Rel. 9 and Rel. 10. The eNB (401) provides wireless connectivity, network access and coverage for one or more legacy UEs (403) as well as one or more Rel. 11 & beyond UEs (404). Rel. 11 & beyond UEs are also referred to herein as Flexible-TDD UEs. The eNB (401) has a TDD

reconfiguration processing function (402) which takes the UL-DL traffic ratio observed in unrestricted timeframe into consideration when it performs a TDD configuration switching algorithm for the selection of appropriate long term and short term TDD UL-DL configuration for legacy UEs (403) and Rel. 11 & beyond UEs (404).

[0034]

The eNB (401) will broadcast a long term TDD UL-DL configuration to legacy UEs (403) and Rel. 11 & beyond UEs (404) using previously proposed SIB1 (System Information Block type 1) (406). The TDD UL-DL configuration transmitted on SIB1 is considered "long term" as the period for SIB1 update is the order of 640ms. The eNB (401) will also

communicate a short term TDD UL-DL configuration to only Rel. 11 & beyond UEs (404) using a fast signalling approach. The eNB (401) transmits the short term TDD UL-DL configuration in the form of a DCI (Downlink Control Information) that is transmitted on PDCCH or EPDCCH (Enhanced PDCCH) within common search space (407). The CRC of this DCI is scrambled with a RNTI (radio network temporary identifier) named "eIMTA-RNTI", which indicates the DCI is used for the purpose of fast TDD UL-DL reconfiguration. The TDD UL-DL

configuration included on the new DCI is considered "short term" as the period for TDD UL-DL configuration update can be as low as 10ms (i.e. radio frame basis).

[0035]

In addition to receiving and using the TDD UL-DL configuration broadcasted on SIB1, Rel. 11 & beyond UEs (404) operating within range of Rel. 11 & beyond eNB (401 ) will further have a TDD reconfiguration processing function (405) which performs blind detection of the DCI carrying the updated short term UL-DL configuration information. This function (405) will also perform PDSCH HARQ encoding and select the appropriate UL subframe(s) for sending PDSCH HARQ feedback to the eNB (401 ). This function (405) will further perform the determination of the DL subframe on which it will monitor for its UL grant and determination of DL subframe on which it will receive PHICH (physical HARQ indicator channel) carrying HARQ corresponding to UL-SCH that it sends in previously granted UL-subframe(s).

[0036]

For a legacy UE (403) operating within range of the Rel. 11 & beyond eNB (401), it shall use the TDD UL-DL configuration broadcasted on SIB1 and operate according to the legacy specifications that it complies to. The eNB (401) may not schedule legacy UE(s) (403) to perform the reception of PDSCH(s) or transmission of PUSCH(s) on the "flexible subframes".

[0037]

A first important aspect of at least some embodiments of the present invention relates to the issue of backward compatibility. As a legacy UE has no idea of the Flexible-TDD system, the PUCCH resource reservation method specified in previous Rel. 10 may be (and preferably should be) followed by legacy UEs.

[0038]

As represented in Fig. 5, UL-DL TDD configuration #3 (510) is used by legacy the UE and HARQ-ACK bits for DL subframe #1 (511), #5 (512), #6 (513) are fed back on UL subframe #2 (514) in radio Frame #n+1. The PUCCH resource (531) for the legacy UE is reserved according to the DL association set indicated as item (125) of table (120) in Fig. 1.

[0039]

A second important aspect of at least some embodiments of the present invention relates to alleviating the influence of ambiguity due to fast TDD configuration between UE and eNB. In a Flexible-TDD system, then maybe ambiguity between UE and eNB in terms of what fast TDD configuration is used for one radio frame. For instance, consider that in Radio Frame #n, the eNB may send a Flexible-TDD configuration of #3 but the UE may somehow interpret this indication as Flexible-TDD configuration #5. This ambiguity may influence the HARQ-ACK even for a subframe which is a DL subframe in both configurations. It should be noted that PUCCH resource reservation for Flexible-TDD systems may not (and preferably is not) related to actual Flexible-TDD configuration detected by a Flexible-TDD UE, but follows the predetermined reference configuration.

[0040]

A third important aspect of at least some embodiments of the present invention relates to achieving higher efficiency for PUCCH resource reservation. This aspect is addressed by the embodiments described as Option-X and Option- Y below.

Option-X

[0041]

In order to avoid reserving two copies of PUCCH resource for the same subframe, subframes which are included in the DL association set of legacy UE will not be included in the DL association set of Flexible-TDD UE.

[0042]

For the convenience of description:

- let the DL association set of a legacy UE be referred to as the "DL association set 1" or "set 1",

- let the DL association set of the reference configuration used by a Flexible-TDD UE be referred to as the "DL association set 2" or "set 2", and

- let the DL association set of a Flexible-TDD UE for PUCCH resource reservation be referred to as the "DL association set 3" or "set 3".

[0043]

As depicted in Figs. 5 and 6, assuming UL-DL TDD configuration #3 (510) is used by legacy UEs and either UL-DL TDD configuration #3,#4 or #5 (520) is used by flexible-TDD UEs, DL/special subframes #1 (511), #5 (512) and #6 (513) are included in set 1 (602) for TDD configuration #3 as specified in Fig. 1 (125). Subframes #9 (521), #0 (522), #1, #3 (523), #4 (524), #5, #6, #7 (525) and #8 (526) are included in set 2 (601) for reference configuration #5. In order to achieve higher PUCCH efficiency and avoid reserving redundant PUCCH resource for subframes #1, #5 and #6 (602), DL association set of Flexible-TDD UE, set 3 (603), includes subframes #9 (521),#0 (522), #7 (525), #8 (526), #4 (524) and #3 (523) only.

[0044]

Resource mapping for the DL association set 1 (602) is straightforward and follows the

Rel. 10 specification.

[0045]

DL association set 3 (603), on the other hand, can be further divided into two subsets; subset 3 A and subset 3B. Subset 3 A contains fixed DL/Special subframes (i.e. subframe #9, #0, #7, and #8) in subset 3A and subset 3B contains flexible subframes (i.e. subframe #3 and #4) in set 3. The PUCCH resource mapping for these two subsets are carried out independently in order to improve PUCCH efficiency. PUCCH reservation for flexible subframes (523,524) in Fig. 5 needs special treatment because PUCCH resource reserved for a flexible subframe which is used as an UL subframe will never be used for HARQ-ACK transmission. As mentioned in the Background section above, contiguous PUCCH resource which is not used for HARQ-ACK feedback can be reused for PUSCH transmission. Thus it may be reasonable to reserve one block of PUCCH resource for flexible subframe rather than interleaving with fixed DL/special subframe in the DL association set of Flexible-TDD UE.

[0046]

As illustrated in Fig. 5, in Option 1 (530) of Option-X, PUCCH resource for fixed

DL/special subframes #9 (521), #0 (522), #7 (525) and #8 (526) in the DL association set of the Flexible-TDD UE is interleaved and reserved in PUCCH region as (532) according to the Rel. 10 specification. In relation to the flexible subframes, compared to flexible subframe #4 (524), flexible subframe #3 (523) has a larger possibility of being used as an UL subframe and, as a result, it would be better to reserve PUCCH resource (533) for flexible subframe #4 first, followed by PUCCH resource (534) for flexible subframe #3.

[0047]

In Rel. 11, EPDCCH is defined for DCI transmission and UE-specific PUCCH offset is indicated by RRC-signalling. As one way to improve PUCCH efficiency, EPDCCH can be configured for DL transmission in flexible subframe for Flexible-TDD UE. As depicted in Fig. 5, in Option 2 (540) of Option-X, UE specific offset (543) is RRC-signalled and PUCCH associated with two EPDCCH set is reserved for flexible subframe #4, followed by PUCCH related to flexible subframe #3.

[0048]

If a UE is configured to receive EPDCCH on some fixed DL subframes and flexible subframes, then the PUCCH resource is reserved in the order of fixed DL subframe first and flexible later, and flexible subframe with higher probability of being used as DL subframe mapped earlier than those with lower probability.

Option-Y

[0049]

For some DL subframes of a legacy UE which are used as UL subframes by

Flexible-TDD UE, the related PUCCH reserved can be used as PUCCH for fixed DL subframe of Flexible-TDD UE and the subframe index could be different.

[0050]

As depicted with reference to example system (700) in Fig. 7, subframe #4 is used as a DL subframe (711) by the legacy UE and is used as an UL subframe (725) by the Flexible-TDD UE. Assume that collision of transmission is avoided by following the transmission direction of the Flexible-TDD UE such that the PUCCH reserved for the legacy UE is neither used by the legacy UE because no DL transmission to the legacy UE occurs in subframe #4, nor is it used by the Flexible-TDD UE because it is an UL subframe. As a result, it would be reasonable to use these PUCCH resources in order to achieve higher PUCCH resource efficiency. One way of achieving this is to assign unused PUCCH resource of legacy UEs to fixed DL subframes of Flexible-TDD UEs and schedule only legacy UEs on Fixed DL subframes.

WE CLAIMS

A method implemented in a base station used in a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the method comprising:

configuring a first type of user equipment (UE) with a first type of configuration;

configuring a second type of UE with a second type of configuration; and

receiving from a user equipment a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal according to a DL association set,

wherein the DL association set comprises:

a first DL association set for a UL-DL TDD configuration used by the first type of UE; and

a second DL association set for a reference UL-DL TDD configuration including a third DL association set for PUCCH resource mapping used by the second type of UE.

[Claim 2]

The method as in claim 1,

wherein the first type of UE comprises a legacy UE or a 3GPP Release 8, 9, and 10 UE, wherein the second type of UE comprises a flexible-TDD UE,

wherein the first type of configuration comprises a long term UL-DL TDD configuration, and

wherein the second type of configuration comprises a flexible-TDD configuration.

[Claim 3]

The method as in claim 1,

wherein the first DL association set indicates one or more subframes including at least one of a DL subframe and a special subframe for which a HARQ-ACK feedback is sent to the base station according to the UL-DL TDD configuration,

wherein the second DL association set indicates one or more subframes including at least one of a DL subframe and a special subframe for which a HARQ-ACK feedback is sent to the base station according to the reference UL-DL TDD configuration, and

wherein the third DL association set indicates one or more subframes excluding said one or more subframes indicated by the first DL association set.

[Claim 4]

The method as in claim 3, further comprising:

for said one or more subframes indicated by the first DL association set, performing

PUCCH resource allocation by block interleaving;

for said one or more subframes indicated by the third DL association set, performing PUCCH resource allocation such that a PUCCH region either follows a PUCCH region of the first DL association set or a specified PUCCH offset is used.

[Claim 5]

The method as in claim 1,

wherein the third DL association set comprises:

a first subset indicating one or more subframes including at least one of a fixed DL subframe and a special subframe; and

a second subset indicating one or more flexible subframes, and the method further comprises:

performing PUCCH resource allocation independently for said one or more subframes indicated by the first subset and for said one or more subframes indicated by the second subset.

[Claim 6]

The method as in claim 5,

wherein PUCCH resource allocation for said one or more subframes indicated by the first subset is block interleaved.

[Claim 7]

The method as in claim 5, further comprising:

allocating PUCCH resources for said one or more subframes indicated by the second subset to a first flexible subframe with a higher probability of being used as a DL subframe ahead of a second flexible subframe with lower probability of being used as a DL subframe.

[Claim 8]

The method as in claim 5,

wherein a UE-specific PUCCH offset is indicated by radio resource control (RRC)-signalling,

wherein the method comprises:

configuring an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) for DL transmission in a flexible subframe for the second type of UE, and

wherein a PUCCH associated with the EPDCCH is reserved for a subframe with a higher probability of being used as a DL subframe, followed by a PUCCH for a subframe with a lower probability of being used as a DL subframe.

[Claim 9]

The method as in claim 1,

wherein one or more DL subframes according to the UL-DL TDD configuration comprise one or more UL subframes according to the reference UL-DL TDD configuration, and wherein the method comprises:

assigning unused PUCCH resources associated with the UL-DL TDD configuration to a fixed DL subframe in the reference UL-DL TDD configuration; and

scheduling the first type of UE on the fixed DL subframe.

[Claim 10]

. The method as in claim 1 ,

wherein the third DL association set comprises:

a first subset the size of which is dependent on the number of subframes in the first DL association set;

a second subset which contains remaining fixed subframes in the third DL association set; and

a third subset which contains flexible subframes in the third DL association set, and

wherein the method comprises:

performing PUCCH resource allocation for the first, second and third subsets independently.

[Claim 11]

The method as in claim 10,

wherein PUCCH allocation for one or more subframes indicated by the second subset is block interleaved.

[Claim 12]

The method as in claim 10, further comprising:

allocating PUCCH resources for one or more subframes indicated by the third subset after the PUCCH allocation for subframes in the second subset.

[Claim 13]

The method as in claim 10, further comprising:

allocating PUCCH resources for one or more subframes indicated by the third subset to a flexible subframe with a higher probability of being used as a DL subframe ahead of a flexible subframe with a lower probability of being used as a DL subframe.

[Claim 14]

The method as in claim 10,

wherein a UE-specific PUCCH offset is indicated by radio resource control (RRC)-signalling, and

wherein the method comprises:

configuring an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) for DL transmission in a flexible subframe for the second type of UE, and

wherein a PUCCH associated with an EPDCCH set of two is reserved for a subframe with a higher probability of being used as a DL subframe, followed by a PUCCH for a subframe with a lower probability of being used as a DL subframe.

[Claim 15]

In a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the wireless communications system including a first type of user equipment (UE) and a second type of UE, a method implemented in the second type of UE, comprising:

transmitting to a base station a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal according to a DL association set,

wherein the DL association set comprises:

a first DL association set for a UL-DL TDD configuration used by the first type of UE; and

a second DL association set for a reference UL-DL TDD configuration including a third DL association set for PUCCH resource mapping used by the second type of UE, and

wherein the first type of UE is configured with a first type of configuration and the second type of UE is configured with a second type of configuration.

[Claim 16]

A method implemented in a wireless communications system that supports

flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the method comprising:

configuring a first type of user equipment (UE) with a first type of configuration;

configuring a second type of UE with a second type of configuration; and

transmitting from a user equipment to a base station a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal according to a DL association set,

wherein the DL association set comprises:

a first DL association set for a UL-DL TDD configuration used by the first type of UE; and

a second DL association set for a reference UL-DL TDD configuration including a third DL association set for PUCCH resource mapping used by the second type of UE.

[Claim 17]

A base station used in a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the base station comprising:

a controller to configure a first type of user equipment (UE) with a first type of configuration and a second type of UE with a second type of configuration; and

a receiver to receive from a user equipment a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal according to a DL association set,

wherein the DL association set comprises:

a first DL association set for a UL-DL TDD configuration used by the first type of UE; and

a second DL association set for a reference UL-DL TDD configuration including a third DL association set for PUCCH resource mapping used by the second type of UE.

[Claim 18]

In a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the wireless communications system including a first type of user equipment (UE) and a second type of UE, the second type of UE comprising: transmitter to transmit to a base station a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal according to a DL association set,

wherein the DL association set comprises:

a first DL association set for a UL-DL TDD configuration used by the first type of UE; and

a second DL association set for a reference UL-DL TDD configuration including a third DL association set for PUCCH resource mapping used by the second type of UE, and

wherein the first type of UE is configured with a first type of configuration and the second type of UE is configured with a second type of configuration.

[Claim 19]

A wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the wireless communications system

comprising:

a base station to configure a first type of user equipment (UE) with a first type of configuration and a second type of UE with a second type of configuration; and

a user equipment to transmit to the base station a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal according to a DL association set,

wherein the DL association set comprises:

a first DL association set for a UL-DL TDD configuration used by the first type of UE; and

a second DL association set for a reference UL-DL TDD configuration including a third DL association set for PUCCH resource mapping used by the second type of UE.

[Claim 20]

A method implemented in a base station used in a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the method comprising:

receiving from a user equipment a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat

request-acknowledgement) signal,

wherein a HARQ-ACK bit set in the HARQ-ACK signal comprises:

a first part based on a last detected DL assignment index;

a second part generated by following a reference configuration; and a third part for a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[Claim 21]

A method implemented in a user equipment used in a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the method comprising:

transmitting to a base station a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat

request-acknowledgement) signal,

wherein a HARQ-ACK bit set in the HARQ-ACK signal comprises:

a first part based on a last detected DL assignment index;

a second part generated by following a reference configuration; and a third part for a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[Claim 22]

A method implemented in a wireless communications system that supports

flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the method comprising:

transmitting from a user equipment to a base station a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal,

wherein a HARQ-ACK bit set in the HARQ-ACK signal comprises:

a first part based on a last detected DL assignment index;

a second part generated by following a reference configuration; and a third part for a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[Claim 23]

The method as in any of claims 20 to 22,

wherein the HARQ-ACK signal for dynamic PDSCH or physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for DL SPS release is set to either ACK (acknowledgement) or NACK (negative acknowledgement) depending on a detection result, and

wherein, if there is no dynamic PDSCH or PDCCH for DL SPS release for one DL downlink assignment index (DAI) value, the HARQ-ACK feedback is set to NACK.

[Claim 24]

A base station used in a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the base station comprising:

receiver to receive from a user equipment a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal,

wherein a HARQ-ACK bit set in the HARQ-ACK signal comprises:

a first part based on a last detected DL assignment index;

a second part generated by following a reference configuration; and a third part for a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[Claim 25]

A user equipment used in a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the user equipment comprising:

a transmitter to transmit to a base station a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal,

wherein a HARQ-ACK bit set in the HARQ-ACK signal comprises:

a first part based on a last detected DL assignment index;

a second part generated by following a reference configuration; and a third part for a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[Claim 26]

A wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the wireless communications system comprising:

a base station; and

a user equipment to transmit to the base station a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal,

wherein a HARQ-ACK bit set in the HARQ-ACK signal comprises:

a first part based on a last detected DL assignment index;

a second part generated by following a reference configuration; and

a third part for a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[Claim 27]

A method implemented in a base station used in a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the method comprising:

receiving from a user equipment a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat

request-acknowledgement) signal,

wherein a first bit of a HARQ-ACK bit set in the HARQ-ACK signal is dedicated to semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) HARQ-ACK not depending on whether SPS is activated or not, and

wherein the HARQ-ACK bit set comprises:

a first part including one HARQ-ACK bit for SPS PDSCH; and a second part for dynamic PDSCH or physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for DL SPS release.

[Claim 28]

A method implemented in a user equipment used in a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink)

configuration, the method comprising:

transmitting to a base station a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat

request-acknowledgement) signal,

wherein a first bit of a HARQ-ACK bit set in the HARQ-ACK signal is dedicated to semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) HARQ-ACK not depending on whether SPS is activated or not, and

wherein the HARQ-ACK bit set comprises:

a first part including one HARQ-ACK bit for SPS PDSCH; and

a second part for dynamic PDSCH or physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for DL SPS release.

[Claim 29]

A method implemented in a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the method comprising:

transmitting from a user equipment to a base station a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal,

wherein a first bit of a HARQ-ACK bit set in the HARQ-ACK signal is dedicated to semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) HARQ-ACK not depending on whether SPS is activated or not, and

wherein the HARQ-ACK bit set comprises:

a first part including one HARQ-ACK bit for SPS PDSCH; and a second part for dynamic PDSCH or physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for DL SPS release.

[Claim 30]

A base station used in a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the base station comprising:

receiver to receive from a user equipment a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal,

wherein a first bit of a HARQ-ACK bit set in the HARQ-ACK signal is dedicated to semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) HARQ-ACK not depending on whether SPS is activated or not, and

wherein the HARQ-ACK bit set comprises:

a first part including one HARQ-ACK bit for SPS PDSCH; and a second part for dynamic PDSCH or physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for DL SPS release.

[Claim 31]

A user equipment used in a wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the user equipment comprising:

a transmitter to transmit to a base station a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal,

wherein a first bit of a HARQ-ACK bit set in the HARQ-ACK signal is dedicated to semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) HARQ-ACK not depending on whether SPS is activated or not, and

wherein the HARQ-ACK bit set comprises:

a first part including one HARQ-ACK bit for SPS PDSCH; and a second part for dynamic PDSCH or physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for DL SPS release.

[Claim 32]

A wireless communications system that supports flexible-TDD (flexible-time division duplex) UL-DL (uplink-downlink) configuration, the wireless communications system comprising:

a base station; and

a user equipment to transmit to the base station a HARQ-ACK (hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement) signal,

wherein a first bit of a HARQ-ACK bit set in the HARQ-ACK signal is dedicated to semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) HARQ-ACK not depending on whether SPS is activated or not, and

wherein the HARQ-ACK bit set comprises:

a first part including one HARQ-ACK bit for SPS PDSCH; and a second part for dynamic PDSCH or physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for DL SPS release.