Sharing HARQ processes with multiple configured grant resources

Abstract

To provide a method, device, apparatus and computer-readable storage medium for sharing HARQ processes by multiple configured grant resources.SOLUTION: In the method, a network device transmits information concerning the multiple configured grant resources and a common pool HARQ process to a terminal device. Further, for one of the multiple configured grant resources, the terminal device selects a HARQ process from the common pool of HARQ processes. In this way, the throughput is improved and low latency for high priority data is ensured.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of communications, and more particularly to methods, devices, apparatus, and computer-readable storage media for sharing a Hybrid Automatically Repeat Request (HARQ) process by multiple configured grant resources. [Background technology]

[0002] With the development of communication systems, new technologies have been proposed. For example, to reduce waste of periodically allocated resources, communication systems allow multiple devices to share periodic resources called configured grants. A base station allocates configured grant resources to multiple terminal devices, and the terminal devices randomly use the resources when they have data to transmit. By allocating configured grant resources, communication systems eliminate packet transmission delays in scheduling request procedures and increase the utilization rate of allocated periodic radio resources. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Generally, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for sharing multiple configured grant resources and corresponding HARQ processed by communication devices.

[0004] In a first aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, causing the first device to receive information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes from a second device at the first device. The plurality of HARQ processes are shared by the plurality of configured grant resources. The first device is also configured to select a HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes in response to determining that data needs to be transmitted on one of the plurality of configured grant resources. The first device is further configured to transmit data to the second device on one of the plurality of configured grant resources using the selected HARQ process.

[0005] In a second aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, causing the second device to generate information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes at the second device. The plurality of HARQ processes are shared by the plurality of configured grant resources. The second device is also configured to transmit information to the first device. The second device is further configured to receive data from the first device on one of the plurality of configured grant resources using a HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes.

[0006] In a third aspect, a method is provided. The method includes receiving, at a first device, information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes from a second device. The plurality of HARQ processes are shared by the plurality of configured grant resources. The method also includes selecting an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes in response to determining that data needs to be transmitted on one of the plurality of configured grant resources. The method further includes transmitting data to the second device on one of the plurality of configured grant resources using the selected HARQ process.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided. The method includes generating, at a second device, information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes. The plurality of HARQ processes are shared by the plurality of configured grant resources. The method further includes transmitting the information to the first device. The method also includes receiving data from the first device on (at) one of the plurality of configured grant resources using an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes.

[0008] In a fifth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes means for receiving, at a first device, information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes from a second device. The plurality of HARQ processes are shared by the plurality of configured grant resources. The apparatus also includes means for selecting an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes in response to determining that data needs to be transmitted on one of the plurality of configured grant resources. The apparatus further includes means for transmitting data to the second device on one of the plurality of configured grant resources using the selected HARQ process.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes means for generating, at a second device, information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes. The plurality of HARQ processes are shared by the plurality of configured grant resources. The apparatus also includes means for transmitting the information to the first device. The apparatus further includes means for receiving data from the first device on (at) one of the plurality of configured grant resources using an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least a method according to any one of the third to fourth aspects above.

[0011] It should be understood that this Summary of the Invention section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily apparent through the following description.

[0012] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of interactions between devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart of a method implemented in a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart of a method implemented in a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5]1 is a flowchart of a method implemented in a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart of a method implemented in a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart of a method implemented in a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram of interactions between devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer-readable medium according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers represent the same or similar elements.

[0015] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some examples. It should be understood that these embodiments are set forth for illustrative purposes only and are intended to help those skilled in the art understand and practice the present disclosure without suggesting any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0016] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0017] References in this disclosure to "one embodiment," "one embodiment," "an exemplary embodiment," and the like indicate that the described embodiment indicates a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but do not require that all embodiments include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is believed to be within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly stated.

[0018] Terms such as "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe various elements, but it is understood that these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element can be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element can be referred to as a first element without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of the listed terms.

[0019] 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. As used herein, the terms "comprise," "includes," "have," "having," "including," and / or "comprising" specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components, etc., but are understood not to exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0020] As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., analog and / or digital circuitry-only implementations); and (b) (where applicable) (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware; and (ii) Any portion of a hardware processor (including a digital signal processor) with software, software, and memory that cooperates to cause a device, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions; A combination of hardware circuits and software such as: (c) Hardware circuits and / or processors, such as microprocessors or portions of microprocessors, that require software (e.g., firmware, etc.) for operation, although software may be absent if not necessary for operation.

[0021] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including any claims. As a further example, the term circuitry, as used in this application, encompasses a simple hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors), or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its associated software and / or firmware implementation. The term circuitry also covers, for example, baseband or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or network devices, if applicable to a particular claim element.

[0022] As used herein, the term "communications network" refers to a network conforming to any suitable wireless communication standard, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT), New Radio (NR), etc. Furthermore, communications between user equipment and network devices in a communications network may be performed according to any suitable emerging communications protocol, including, but not limited to, first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, future fifth generation (5G) communications protocols, and / or any other protocols now known or developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communications systems. Given the rapid development of communications, there are of course future types of communications technologies and systems in which the present disclosure can be embodied, which should not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure to only the systems mentioned above.

[0023] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a wireless communication network through which user equipment accesses the network and receives services therefrom. A network device can refer to a base station (BS) or access point (AP), or, depending on the terminology and technology applied, e.g., a NodeB (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also called a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a low power node such as a femto or pico, etc.

[0024] The term "terminal device" means any end device capable of wireless communication. By way of example and not limitation, a terminal device may also be called a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station (Portable Subscriber Station), mobile station (MS), or access terminal (AT).End devices include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cell phones, smartphones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable end devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture end devices such as digital cameras, gaming end devices, music storage and playback equipment, vehicle-mounted wireless end devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearables, head-mounted displays (HMDs), and the like. display), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain contexts), consumer electronics devices, devices operating in commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal device," "communication device," "terminal," "user equipment," and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0025] As mentioned above, the technique "configured grant" has been proposed. In New Radio (NR) Release 15 (Rel-15), only one configured grant (CG) can be configured per bandwidth part (BWP). Some number of HARQ processes out of 16 are configured to be used for CG via RRC signaling. The terminal device determines which HARQ process to use for a particular CG opportunity based on the slot / symbol number for both Type 1 CG (periodicity, physical resource block (PRB), and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) are all configured via radio resource control (RRC) signaling) and Type 2 CG (periodicity is configured via RRC, and PRB / MCS ​​is configured via physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) activation / deactivation). The HARQ entity is per cell / carrier, so when the terminal device switches to another BWP of the same cell / carrier, HARQ retransmissions can continue there. Table 1 below shows the contents in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 38.331 and 38.321 specifications.

[0026] [Table 1-1] [Table 1-2]

[0027] Multiple configured grants (CGs) per BWP are considered, for example, it is agreed to have different HARQ processes for these multiple configured grants, and when multiple uplink CGs or downlink Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) configurations are configured, an offset for each configuration is needed for the calculation of the HARQ process identity.

[0028] However, HARQ operation in unlicensed NR (NR-U) systems differs slightly from legacy operation because the HARQ process identity used for a CG opportunity is not determined based on timing. The selection of the HARQ process to be used for a configured grant is left to the terminal device. The terminal device then indicates the HARQ process in uplink control information (UCI).

[0029] Multiple CGs per BWP for NR-U are likely to be configured on different Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) subchannels to increase transmission probability. Because the LBT success rate can change dynamically depending on the logical channel occupancy status, semi-statically configuring a specific number of HARQ processes per CG can result in inefficient utilization of HARQ processes and a shortage of HARQ processes when the subchannel for the CG is overloaded. This results in wasted CG resources because transport blocks cannot be transmitted when all HARQ processes are waiting for retransmission when the retransmission timer is running. Therefore, a new mechanism is needed for sharing multiple HARQ processes across multiple configured grant resources.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, multiple configured grant resources share a common pool of HARQ processes. The network device transmits information about the multiple configured grant resources and the common pool HARQ processes to the terminal device. Furthermore, for one of the multiple configured grant resources, the terminal device selects an HARQ process from the common pool of HARQ processes. In this way, throughput is improved and low latency for high priority data is ensured.

[0031] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The communication system 100 includes a first device 110 and a second device 120. For illustrative purposes, hereinafter the first device 110 may be referred to as a terminal device 110, and the second device 120 may be referred to as a network device 120. It should be noted that the first device and the second device are interchangeable. For example, a procedure described as being performed in a terminal device may also be performed in a network device, and a procedure described as being performed in a network device may also be performed in a terminal device.

[0032] The link from the second device 120 to the first device 110 may be referred to as the "downlink," and the link from the first device 110 to the second device 120 may be referred to as the "uplink."

[0033] A communication system 100, which is part of a communication network, comprises terminal devices 110-1, 110-2..., 110-N (collectively referred to as "terminal devices 110," where N is an integer). The communication system 100 comprises one or more network devices, such as network device 120. It should be understood that the communication system 100 may also include other elements that are omitted for clarity. It should be understood that the number of terminal devices and network devices shown in FIG. 1 is given for illustrative purposes, without implying limitation. The terminal devices 110 and the network devices 120 can communicate with each other.

[0034] It should be understood that the number of network devices and terminal devices is for illustrative purposes only, with no limitation implied, and system 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices adapted to implement embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Communications in communication system 100 may be performed according to any suitable communication protocol, including, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols such as first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), and fifth generation (5G), wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 902.11, and / or any other protocol now known or developed in the future. Further, the communications may utilize any suitable wireless communications technology, including, but not limited to, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other technology now known or developed in the future.

[0036] 2 shows a schematic diagram of interactions 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Interactions 200 may be implemented in any suitable device. For illustrative purposes only, interactions 200 are described as being implemented in terminal device 110-1 and network device 120.

[0037] The network device 120 generates information (2005). The information indicates a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of HARQ processes. The plurality of configured grant resources share the plurality of HARQ processes. The information may include identities of the plurality of configured grant resources and identities of the plurality of HARQ processes. In this manner, sharing the plurality of HARQ processes increases throughput and allows the configured grants to use more processes than their respective fixed number. If there is no data to transmit for the configured grant, no processes are consumed.

[0038] Configured grant resources can be periodic resources shared by terminal devices. The term "configured grant (CG)" refers to grant-free resources in the uplink, meaning that pre-configured UE-specific resources are used for UE UL transmissions without dynamic scheduling / grant. HARQ can be used in stop / wait mode or selective repeat mode. Stop / wait is simpler but reduces efficiency by waiting for receiver acknowledgments. For this reason, multiple stop / wait HARQ processes are often actually performed in parallel, and while one process is waiting for an acknowledgment, another process can transmit some further data using a logical channel. Logical channels are defined by the type of information they carry.

[0039] In some embodiments, network device 120 may determine configured grant resources and allocate them to terminal device 110-1. Network device 120 may also determine the number of HARQ processes based on one or more conditions. For example, the conditions may include one or more of quality of service, traffic volume, and service type.

[0040] In some embodiments, the information may include one or more rules for determining the priority of the data to be transmitted, details of which are provided below.

[0041] Network device 120 transmits information to terminal device 110-1 (2010). In some embodiments, terminal device 110-1 may determine (2015) that data needs to be transmitted on one of a plurality of configured grant resources. For example, terminal device 110-1 may determine that a certain type of service needs to be transmitted on the configured grant resource. The data may belong to a logical channel that uses the configured grant resource. The data may arrive in a buffer of terminal device 110-1.

[0042] The terminal device 110-1 selects a HARQ process from a plurality of HARQ processes (2020). The terminal device 110-1 may determine an available HARQ process (among the plurality of HARQ processes) in the plurality of HARQ processes (2025). For example, when selecting a HARQ process for a configured grant resource, the terminal device 110-1 may determine whether a HARQ process from a common pool is available for a new transmission / retransmission based on a timer for the HARQ process. For example, the timer may be a ConfiguredGrantTimer and a CG retransmission timer status for the corresponding HARQ process. In some embodiments, multiple configured grant resources may be considered as one configured grant, so that a retransmission may occur in a different configured grant resource than the initial transmission if the resources provide the same transmission block size.

[0043] The ConfiguredGrantTimer and CG retransmission timer are maintained for each HARQ process to determine whether the HARQ process is available for new transmission / retransmission. When the CG retransmission timer is running, the terminal device 110-1 may wait for potential HARQ feedback or an uplink grant and thus cannot use the HARQ process for either automatic retransmissions or new transmissions on the CG resources. When the ConfiguredGrantTimer is running, the terminal device 110-1 may wait for a dynamic uplink grant and cannot use the HARQ process for new transmissions. The ConfiguredGrantTimer may be configured longer than the CG retransmission timer because the terminal device 110-1 should be allowed to attempt at least one retransmission on the configured grant resources before the corresponding transmission block is dropped and an ACK is expected at the terminal device 110-1.

[0044] In some embodiments, the information may explicitly indicate which of the HARQ processes can be used by one or more of the configured grant resources. Alternatively, or in addition, the information may explicitly indicate which of the HARQ processes can be used by logical channels / channel groups having a priority higher than a threshold priority and / or which of the HARQ processes can be used by logical channels / channel groups having a priority lower than a threshold priority.

[0045] In one embodiment, the terminal device 110-1 can determine the number of available HARQ processes. In a situation where the number is less than a threshold number, the terminal device 110-1 can determine the priority of the data to be transmitted. If the priority of the data exceeds the threshold priority, the terminal device 110-1 can select a HARQ process from multiple HARQ processes. The threshold number can be obtained from information. Alternatively, the threshold number can be predetermined. In this way, it is ensured that data with high priority can be transmitted. In some embodiments, the terminal device 110-1 can check the number of HARQ processes used to transmit low-priority data, i.e., data belonging to a logical channel / channel group having a priority less than a second threshold priority. In this situation, if the number of HARQ processes used to transmit low-priority data less than the threshold number is less than the threshold number, transmission of the low-priority data is permitted. "Low-priority data" or "data with low priority" refers to data belonging to a logical channel / logical channel group having a priority lower than the threshold priority. "High priority data" or "data with high priority" refers to data belonging to a logical channel / logical channel group that has a priority above a threshold priority.

[0046] In some embodiments, terminal device 110-1 may extract 2030 from the information criteria for HARQ process selection. For example, to increase the chance of having free HARQ processes for transmitting high priority data in the configured grant resources, the criteria may indicate that a subset of HARQ processes within the multiple HARQ processes for the CG may be used only for transmitting high priority data. Low priority transmissions may be limited to HARQ processes outside of that subset of the multiple HARQ processes for the CG.

[0047] The terminal device 110-1 may determine a first set of HARQ processes based on the information (2035). The first set of HARQ processes may be used for data having a priority higher than a threshold priority. Alternatively, or in addition, the terminal device 110-1 may determine a second set of HARQ processes based on the information (2040). Data having a priority below the threshold priority may use only the second set of HARQ processes. In other words, transmission in the configured grant resources of data belonging to logical channels having a priority below the threshold priority may use only the second set of HARQ processes.

[0048] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110-1 may determine the priority of the data (2045). The terminal device 110-1 may determine the service type to which the data belongs and determine the priority based on the service type. In other embodiments, the terminal device 110-1 may determine the priority of the logical channel to which the data belongs (2050). The terminal device 110-1 may determine the priority of the data based on other rules. For example, the terminal device 110-1 may determine whether the data includes any MAC control elements (CEs) related to high-priority traffic (e.g., buffer status reports for high-priority logical channels). If the data includes a MAC CE related to high-priority traffic, it may be determined that the data has high priority. Alternatively, the terminal device 110-1 may determine the priority of the data based on the buffered time of the data. For example, the terminal device 110-1 may determine how long the data has been waiting in the buffer and increase the priority of the data if the buffered time exceeds a threshold time.

[0049] In other embodiments, the priority of data can be determined based on the time remaining until the delivery deadline. For example, terminal device 110-1 can determine how much time is left until the data is due for delivery. If the remaining time is less than a threshold, the priority can be increased.

[0050] In another embodiment, the priority of data can be determined based on Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) replication. If the data is a replication, terminal device 110-1 can determine how far along it is in comparison to the counterpart leg. If the data is lagging behind the counterpart leg to a certain extent, the priority can be increased. It should be noted that the priority of data can be determined based on any suitable rule. The rule can be pre-configured. Alternatively, or in addition, the rule can be determined by network device 120 and transmitted in the information, as described above.

[0051] In this situation, the terminal device 110-1 can compare the priority of the data in one of the configured grant resources with a threshold priority. The threshold priority can be obtained from information. Alternatively, the threshold priority can be predetermined. If the priority of the data exceeds the threshold priority, the terminal device 110-1 can select an HARQ process from the first set of HARQ processes. In another embodiment, if the priority of the logical channel to which the data belongs exceeds (exceeds) the threshold priority, the terminal device 110-1 can select an HARQ process from the first set of HARQ processes.

[0052] Alternatively, if the priority of the data is less than a threshold priority, the terminal device 110-1 may select a HARQ process from the second set of HARQ processes. In other embodiments, if the priority of the logical channel to which the data belongs is less than a threshold priority, the terminal device 110-1 may select a HARQ process from the second set of HARQ processes. In some embodiments, the second set may be a subset of the first set of HARQ processes. In some embodiments, the information may indicate that a third set of HARQ processes is to be used for one of the plurality of configured grant resources. If the data is to be transmitted using one of the plurality of configured grant resources, the terminal device 110-1 may select a HARQ process from the third set of HARQ processes.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, terminal device 110-1 may select a HARQ process based on configured grant resources. For example, the information may indicate that one or more HARQ processes can be used for a particular configured grant resource. Details of an exemplary embodiment are described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8.

[0054] Terminal device 110-1 transmits 2055 data on one of the configured grant resources to network device 120. In this manner, data having a high priority can be transmitted with low latency.

[0055] 3 shows a flowchart of a method 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 300 may be implemented in any suitable device. For illustrative purposes only, the method 300 is described as being implemented in the terminal device 110-1. It should be noted that the method 440 may also be implemented in the network device 120.

[0056] In block 310, the terminal device 110-1 receives information from the network device 120. The information indicates a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of HARQ processes. The plurality of HARQ processes are shared by the plurality of configured grant resources. The information may include identities of the plurality of configured grant resources and identities of the plurality of HARQ processes. In this manner, sharing the plurality of HARQ processes increases throughput and allows the configured grants to use more processes than their respective fixed number. If there is no transmission data for the configured grant, no processes are consumed.

[0057] By way of example only, there may be two configured grant resources (e.g., CG#1 and CG#2) configured for a portion of the bandwidth of the serving cell, which may share 10 HARQ processes. It should be noted that the number of configured grant resources and HARQ processes is for illustration only and not limitation.

[0058] When the subchannel corresponding to CG#1 is overloaded, the terminal device 110-1 cannot transmit many transport blocks and therefore does not consume too many HARQ processes. During the period when the subchannel corresponding to CG#1 is not overloaded, the terminal device 110-1 can continue to use CG resources to transmit new transport blocks in different HARQ processes while waiting for HARQ feedback for other transport blocks of other HARQ processes, and therefore the terminal device 110-1 can use more HARQ processes from the common pool.

[0059] In block 320, terminal device 110-1 selects a HARQ process from multiple HARQ processes if it determines that data needs to be transmitted on one of the multiple configured grant resources. For example, terminal device 110-1 may determine that a certain type of service needs to be transmitted on the configured grant resources. The data may be transmitted on a logical channel that uses the configured grant resources.

[0060] The terminal device 110-1 may determine an available HARQ process (among the multiple HARQ processes) among the multiple HARQ processes. For example, when selecting an HARQ process for a configured grant resource, the terminal device 110-1 may determine whether an HARQ process from a common pool is available for a new transmission / retransmission based on a timer of the HARQ process.

[0061] In some embodiments, the information may explicitly indicate which of the HARQ processes can be used by the configured set of grant resources. Alternatively, or in addition, the information may explicitly indicate which of the HARQ processes can be used by logical channels / channel groups with high priority and / or which of the HARQ processes can be used by channels / channel groups with low priority.

[0062] In one embodiment, the terminal device 110-1 can determine the number of available HARQ processes. In a situation where the number is less than a threshold number, the terminal device 110-1 can determine the priority of data in one of the configured grant resources. If the priority exceeds the threshold priority, the terminal device 110-1 can select an HARQ process from the multiple HARQ processes. The threshold number can be derived from information. Alternatively, the threshold can be predetermined. In this way, it is ensured that data with high priority can be transmitted.

[0063] In some embodiments, terminal device 110-1 can extract criteria for HARQ process selection from the information. For example, to increase the chance of having a free HARQ process for transmitting high-priority services in the configured grant resources, the criteria can indicate that a subset of HARQ processes within the multiple HARQ processes for the CG can be used only for high-priority transmissions. Low-priority transmissions can be limited to HARQ processes outside of that subset.

[0064] The terminal device 110-1 may determine a first set of HARQ processes based on the information. The first set of HARQ processes may be used for configured grant resources having a priority higher than a threshold priority. Alternatively, or in addition, the terminal device 110-1 may determine a second set of HARQ processes based on the information. Data having a priority lower than the threshold priority is only permitted to use the second set of HARQ processes. The second set of HARQ processes may be a subset of the first set of HARQ processes.

[0065] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110-1 can determine a priority of the data in one of the configured grant resources based on the information. Alternatively, or in addition, the terminal device 110-1 can determine a service type to which the data belongs and determine the priority based on the service type. In other embodiments, the terminal device 110-1 can determine a priority of a logical channel to which the data belongs. A logical channel is defined by the type of information it carries.

[0066] In this situation, the terminal device 110-1 can compare the priority of the data with a threshold priority. The threshold priority can be obtained from information. Alternatively, the threshold priority can be predetermined. If the priority of the data exceeds (is above) the threshold priority, the terminal device 110-1 can select an HARQ process from the first set of HARQ processes. In another embodiment, if the priority of the logical channel to which the data belongs exceeds (is above) the threshold priority, the terminal device 110-1 can select an HARQ process from the first set of HARQ processes.

[0067] Alternatively, if the priority of the data is less than the threshold priority, terminal device 110-1 may select an HARQ process from the second set of HARQ processes. In another embodiment, if the priority of the logical channel to which the data belongs is less than the threshold priority, terminal device 110-1 may select an HARQ process from the second set of HARQ processes.

[0068] 4 shows a flowchart of a method 400 for selecting a HARQ process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, CG#1 can be used for transmission of a high-priority service (e.g., logical channel #1), and CG#2 can be used for transmission of a low-priority service (e.g., logical channel #2). A pool of N HARQ processes can be configured to ensure that CG#2 can be used in a maximum of X HARQ processes, which means that NX HARQ processes in the pool are served for CG#1. It should be noted that the numbers N and X can be any suitable integers.

[0069] In block 410, terminal device 110-1 determines that data needs to be transmitted on CG#2 (channel #2). The data may arrive in a buffer of terminal device 110-1. The data belongs to a logical channel with a priority.

[0070] In block 420, terminal device 110-1 determines whether there are any HARQ processes available for CG#2. In this example, CG#2 is only permitted to select from the second set of HARQ processes. For example, if there are no available HARQ processes, terminal device 110-1 can proceed to the next occurrence of CG#2 in block 430.

[0071] If there is an available HARQ process among the X HARQ processes, then in block 440, terminal device 110-1 selects an HARQ process from the available HARQ processes.

[0072] 5 shows a flowchart of a method 500 for selecting a HARQ process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this situation, CG#2 can select any of N HARQ processes under the condition that there are at least Y available HARQ processes. It should be noted that the numbers N, X, and Y can be any suitable integers.

[0073] In block 510, terminal device 110-1 determines that data needs to be transmitted on CG#2 (channel #2). The data may arrive in a buffer of terminal device 110-1. The data belongs to a logical channel with a priority.

[0074] In block 520, the terminal device 110-1 determines whether the number of available HARQ processes is higher than a threshold number, which may be represented as Y. The threshold number may be any suitable number. For example, if the number of available HARQ processes is less than Y, then in block 530, the terminal device 110-1 may proceed to the next occurrence of CG#2. The threshold number may be determined by a network device and transmitted to the terminal device. The threshold number may also be predetermined at the terminal device.

[0075] If the number of available HARQ processes is higher than Y, then in block 540, terminal device 110-1 selects an HARQ process from the available HARQ processes.

[0076] 6 shows a flowchart of a method 600 for selecting a HARQ process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, the maximum number of HARQ processes simultaneously used by CG#2 may be Z. It should be noted that the number Z may be any suitable integer.

[0077] In block 610, terminal device 110-1 determines that data needs to be transmitted on CG#2 (channel #2). The data may arrive in a buffer of terminal device 110-1. The data belongs to a logical channel with a priority.

[0078] In block 620, the terminal device 110-1 determines whether the number of HARQ processes used by CG#2 is higher than a threshold number, which may be represented as Z. The threshold number may be any suitable number. For example, if the number of HARQ processes used by CG#2 is higher than Z, then in block 630, the terminal device 110-1 may proceed to the next occurrence of CG#2. The threshold number may be determined by a network device and transmitted to the terminal device. The threshold number may also be predetermined in the terminal device.

[0079] If the number of HARQ processes used by CG#2 is less than Z, then in block 630, terminal device 110-1 selects an HARQ process from the available HARQ processes.

[0080] Referring back to FIG. 3 , terminal device 110-1 transmits data to network device 120 on one of a plurality of configured grant resources. In this manner, data having a high priority can be transmitted with low latency. Embodiments of the present disclosure increase throughput by allowing configured grant resources to use more than a fixed number of processes each. If there is no data to transmit for a configured grant resource, no processes are consumed. On the other hand, reserving a specific number of processes for a configured grant resource ensures low latency for high priority data.

[0081] 7 shows a flowchart of method 700 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Method 700 may be implemented in any suitable device. For illustrative purposes only, method 700 is described as being implemented in network device 120. It should be noted that method 700 may also be implemented in terminal device 110-1.

[0082] In block 710, the network device 120 generates information. The information indicates a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of HARQ processes. The plurality of configured grant resources share a plurality of HARQ processes. The information may include identities of the plurality of configured grant resources and identities of the plurality of HARQ processes. In this manner, sharing a plurality of HARQ processes increases throughput and allows configured grants to use more than a fixed number of processes each. If there is no data to transmit for a configured grant, no processes are consumed. The configured grant resources may be periodic resources shared by the terminal devices.

[0083] In some embodiments, network device 120 may determine configured grant resources and allocate them to terminal device 110-1. Network device 120 may also determine multiple HARQ processes based on one or more conditions. For example, the conditions may include one or more of quality of service, traffic volume, and service type.

[0084] In an exemplary embodiment, network device 120 may generate a threshold number of available HARQ processes. The information may indicate the threshold number. If the number of available HARQ processes is less than the threshold number, data with high priority may be guaranteed and data with low priority may be omitted. Network device 120 may generate information indicating priorities of multiple configured grant resources. Network device 120 may also generate a threshold priority for the data.

[0085] In some embodiments, network device 120 may generate information indicating a first set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes. The first set of HARQ processes may be used for transmissions having a priority higher than a threshold priority. Alternatively, or in addition, network device 120 may generate information indicating a second set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes. Transmissions having a priority less than the threshold priority may only be allowed to select from the second set of HARQ processes. In some embodiments, network device 120 may also generate a threshold priority.

[0086] At block 720, network device 120 transmits information to terminal device 110-1. In some embodiments, the information may explicitly indicate which of the HARQ processes can be used by one or more of the configured grant resources. Alternatively, or in addition, the information may explicitly indicate which of the HARQ processes can be used by channels / channel groups having higher priority and / or which of the HARQ processes can be used by channels / channel groups having lower priority.

[0087] In some embodiments, the information may include criteria for selecting an HARQ process from the information. For example, to increase the chance of having a free HARQ process for transmitting a high priority service in the configured grant resources, the criteria may indicate that a subset of HARQ processes within the multiple HARQ processes for the CG may be used only for high priority transmissions. Low priority transmissions may be restricted to HARQ processes outside of that subset.

[0088] At block 730, network device 120 receives data from terminal device 110-1 on one of the plurality of configured grant resources using an HARQ process, which may be selected from the plurality of HARQ processes by terminal device 110-1.

[0089] As mentioned above, Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of interactions 800 for selecting a HARQ process based on which CG the resource belongs to. Network device 120 transmits information to terminal device 110-1 (8005). A detailed description of the information is given with reference to Figures 2 and 3 and is omitted here for clarity. By way of example only, there may be two configured grant resources (e.g., CG#1 and CG#2) configured for the bandwidth portion of the serving cell.

[0090] The terminal device 110-1 determines that data will be transmitted in CG#1 (8010). The information may indicate that a third set of HARQ processes is used for CG#1. Thus, the terminal device 110-1 selects HARQ process #a from the third set of HARQ processes for transmission in CG#1 (8015). The terminal device 110-1 transmits data in CG#1 using HARQ process ID #a (8020). In some embodiments, the network device 120 may transmit a retransmission uplink grant for HARQ process ID #a to the terminal device 110-1 (8025). The terminal device 110-1 may retransmit data in CG#1 with HARQ process ID #a (8030). It should be noted that the information may indicate that more than one HARQ process can be used for CG#1.

[0091] The terminal device 110-1 determines that further data needs to be transmitted in CG#2 (8035). The information may indicate that a fourth set of HARQ processes is used for CG#2. Thus, the terminal device 110-1 selects HARQ process #b from the fourth set of HARQ processes for transmission in CG#2 (8040). The terminal device 110-1 transmits data in CG#2 having HARQ process ID #b (8045). The fourth set of HARQ processes may be a subset of the third set of HARQ processes.

[0092] In some embodiments, an apparatus for performing method 300 (e.g., terminal device 110-1) may comprise respective means for performing corresponding steps in method 300. These means may be implemented in any suitable manner. For example, the means may be implemented by circuitry or software modules.

[0093] In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises: means for receiving, at a first device, information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes from a second device, the plurality of HARQ processes being shared by the plurality of configured grant resources; means for selecting an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes in response to determining that data needs to be transmitted on one of the plurality of configured grant resources; and means for transmitting data to the second device on one of the plurality of configured grant resources using the selected HARQ process.

[0094] In some embodiments, the means for selecting an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes includes means for extracting, from the information, a criterion for selecting an HARQ process, and means for selecting an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes based on the criterion.

[0095] In some embodiments, the means for selecting an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes includes means for determining a set of available HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes; means for determining a number of available HARQ processes (among the plurality of HARQ processes) in the plurality of HARQ processes; means for determining a priority of one of the plurality of configured grant resources in response to the number being less than a threshold number; and means for selecting an HARQ process from the available HARQ processes in response to the priority exceeding (exceeding) the threshold priority.

[0096] In some embodiments, the means for selecting an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes includes means for determining, based on the information, a first set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes, the first set of HARQ processes to be used for data having a priority higher than a threshold priority; means for determining a priority of the data; and means for selecting an HARQ process from the first set of HARQ processes in response to the priority exceeding (exceeding) the threshold priority.

[0097] In some embodiments, the means for selecting an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes includes means for determining, based on the information, a second set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes, wherein data having a priority below a threshold priority is only allowed to use the second set of HARQ processes; means for determining a priority of the data; and means for selecting an HARQ process from the second set of HARQ processes in response to the priority being below the threshold priority.

[0098] In some embodiments, the means for determining the priority of the data includes means for determining the priority of the data based on at least one of the priority of the logical channel / logical channel group to which the data belongs, the buffered time of the data, or the priority of traffic to which a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) included in the data relates.

[0099] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for determining, based on the information, a third set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes, the third set of HARQ processes to be used for one of the plurality of configured grant resources; and means for selecting a HARQ from the third set of HARQ processes.

[0100] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for determining, based on the information, a fourth set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes, wherein the third set of HARQ processes is used for a further one of the plurality of configured grant resources, and the fourth set of HARQ processes is a subset of the third set of HARQ processes.

[0101] In some embodiments, the means for selecting an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes includes means for determining a logical channel to which the data belongs; means for determining a number of HARQ processes currently used by the channel; and means for selecting an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes in response to the number being less than a threshold number.

[0102] In some embodiments, the means for selecting an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes includes means for determining a set of available HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes based on timers of the plurality of HARQ processes, and means for selecting an HARQ process from the set of available HARQ processes.

[0103] In some embodiments, the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a network device.

[0104] In some embodiments, an apparatus for performing method 700 (e.g., network device 120) may comprise respective means for performing corresponding steps in method 700. These means may be implemented in any suitable manner. For example, the means may be implemented by circuitry or software modules.

[0105] In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises: means for generating, at a second device, information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processes, the plurality of HARQ processes being shared by the plurality of configured grant resources; means for transmitting the information to the first device; and means for receiving data from the first device on (at) one of the plurality of configured grant resources using an HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes.

[0106] In some embodiments, the means for generating the information includes means for generating criteria for selection of an HARQ process and means for adding the criteria to the information.

[0107] In some embodiments, the means for generating information includes means for generating information indicative of a threshold number of available HARQ processes (among the plurality of HARQ processes) in the plurality of HARQ processes.

[0108] In some embodiments, the means for generating information includes means for generating information indicative of a first set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes, the first set of HARQ processes being used for data having a priority higher than a threshold priority.

[0109] In some embodiments, the means for generating information includes means for generating information indicative of a second set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes, wherein data having a priority below a threshold priority is only allowed to use the second set of HARQ processes.

[0110] In some embodiments, the means for generating information includes means for generating information indicative of a third set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes, the third set of HARQ processes to be used for one of the plurality of configured grant resources.

[0111] In some embodiments, the means for generating information includes means for generating a threshold priority.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first device comprises a terminal device and the second device comprises a network device.

[0113] 9 is a schematic block diagram of a device 900 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 900 can be provided to implement a communication device, such as the network device 120 or the terminal device 110 shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the device 900 includes one or more processors 910, one or more memories 920 coupled to the processors 910, and one or more communication modules (e.g., transmitters and / or receivers (TX / RX)) 940 coupled to the processors 910.

[0114] The communication module 940 is for two-way communication. The communication module 940 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface can represent any interface necessary for communication with other network elements.

[0115] The processor 910 can be of any type suitable for a local technology network and can include, by way of non-limiting example, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 900 can have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips time-slaved to a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

[0116] The memory 920 can include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 924, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disks, compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), and other magnetic and / or optical storage devices. Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 922 and other volatile memories that do not persist while power is off.

[0117] The computer program 930 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 910. The program 930 may be stored in ROM 924. The processor 910 can load the program 930 into RAM 922 to perform any suitable operation and processing.

[0118] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by a program 930 such that the device 900 can perform any of the processes of the present disclosure described with reference to Figures 2 to 7. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

[0119] In some embodiments, the program 930 may be tangibly included in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in the device 900 (such as memory 920) or other storage accessible by the device 900. The device 900 may load the program 930 from the computer-readable medium into RAM 922 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile storage device, such as a ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. Figure 9 shows an example of a computer-readable medium 1000 in the form of a CD or DVD. The computer-readable medium has the program 930 stored on it.

[0120] In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. While various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be illustrated and described using block diagrams, flowcharts, or other graphical representations, it should be understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in, by way of non-limiting example, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing device, or some combination thereof.

[0121] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, that execute on a target real or virtual processor device to perform the method 400 or 900 described above with reference to FIGS. 2-5. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split among program modules as desired in various embodiments. The machine-executable instructions of the program modules may be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, the program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0122] Program codes for carrying out the methods of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus such that, when executed by the processor or controller, the program code performs the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine as a stand-alone software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0123] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program code or associated data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, etc.

[0124] The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the above. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the above.

[0125] Furthermore, although operations are shown in a particular order, this should not be interpreted as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order shown, or sequentially, or that all of the operations shown be performed, to achieve desirable results. Multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous in certain situations. Similarly, while details of several specific implementations are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described 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 may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0126] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure, as defined by the appended claims, is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method comprising: receiving, at a terminal device, information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) processes, the plurality of HARQ processes forming a common pool of HARQ processes shared by the plurality of configured grant resources, the plurality of configured grant resources comprising one bandwidth portion; selecting, by the terminal device, a HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes; performing, by the terminal device, an initial transmission of data using the selected HARQ process on one of the plurality of configured grant resources; and performing, by the terminal device, a retransmission using the selected HARQ process on one of the plurality of configured grant resources different from the one of the initial transmission, wherein the configured grant resources of the initial transmission and the retransmission have the same transmission block size. A method comprising:

2. selecting the HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes extracting from said information a criterion for the selection of said HARQ process; and selecting the HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes based on the criteria; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The selecting the HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes comprises: determining a set of available HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes; determining a priority of said data; and selecting the HARQ process from the set of available HARQ processes based on the priority of the data; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

4. The priority of the data is the priority of the logical channel / logical channel group to which said data belongs; the buffered time of said data, or the priority of the traffic to which the Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) included in said data relates; The method of claim 3 , wherein the determination is based on at least one of:

5. 1. A method comprising: generating, in a network device, information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request, HARQ, processes, the plurality of HARQ processes forming a common pool of HARQ processes shared by the plurality of configured grant resources, the plurality of configured grant resources comprising one bandwidth portion; transmitting, by the network device, the information to a terminal device; receiving, by the network device, from the terminal device an initial transmission of data on one of the plurality of configured grant resources using a HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes; and receiving, by the network device, from the terminal device, a retransmission on one of the plurality of configured grant resources different from the one of the initial transmission using a selected HARQ process, wherein the configured grant resources of the initial transmission and the retransmission have the same transmission block size. A method comprising:

6. generating the information generating a criterion for the selection of the HARQ process; and adding said criteria to said information; The method of claim 5 , comprising:

7. The information is a first set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes, the first set of HARQ processes being used for data having a priority higher than a threshold priority; a second set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes, wherein data having a priority lower than a threshold priority is only allowed to use the second set of HARQ processes; a third set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes, the third set of HARQ processes being used for one of the plurality of configured grant resources; a threshold number of available HARQ processes within the plurality of HARQ processes; and the threshold priority, The method of claim 5 or 6, further comprising at least one of:

8. A terminal device, at least one processor; and at least one memory containing computer program code; Equipped with The at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, in the terminal device: receiving information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) processes, the plurality of HARQ processes forming a common pool of HARQ processes shared by the plurality of configured grant resources, the plurality of configured grant resources being configured in a single bandwidth portion; selecting a HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes; performing an initial transmission of data on one of the plurality of configured grant resources using the selected HARQ process; and performing a retransmission using the selected HARQ process on one of the configured grant resources different from the one of the initial transmission, wherein the configured grant resources for the initial transmission and the retransmission have the same transmission block size; Let the terminal device do so.

9. The at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, in the terminal device: Extracting from said information criteria for the selection of said HARQ process; and selecting the HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes based on the criteria; The terminal device of claim 8 , further configured to:

10. The at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, in the terminal device: determining a set of available HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes; determining a priority for the data; and selecting the HARQ process from the set of available HARQ processes based on the priority of the data; 10. The terminal device according to claim 8 or 9, further configured to:

11. The priority of the data is the priority of the logical channel / logical channel group to which said data belongs; the buffered time of said data, or the priority of traffic to which the Medium Access Control, MAC, Control Element, CE, contained in said data relates; The terminal device of claim 10, wherein the determination is based on at least one of:

12. The terminal device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the HARQ process is selected when the data needs to be transmitted on one of the plurality of configured grant resources.

13. 1. A network device, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory containing computer program code; Equipped with The at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, cause the network device to: generating, in the network device, information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) processes, the plurality of HARQ processes forming a common pool of HARQ processes shared by the plurality of configured grant resources, the plurality of configured grant resources being configured in one bandwidth portion; transmitting the information to a terminal device; receiving, from the terminal device, an initial transmission of data on one of the plurality of configured grant resources using a HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes; and receiving a retransmission from the terminal device using a selected HARQ process on one of the configured grant resources different from the one of the initial transmission, wherein the configured grant resources for the initial transmission and the retransmission have the same transmission block size; network devices.

14. The information is a first set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes, the first set of HARQ processes being used for data having a priority higher than a threshold priority; a second set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes, wherein data having a priority lower than a threshold priority is only allowed to use the second set of HARQ processes; a third set of HARQ processes from the plurality of HARQ processes, the third set of HARQ processes being used for one of the plurality of configured grant resources; a threshold number of available HARQ processes within the plurality of HARQ processes; and the threshold priority, 14. The network device of claim 13, wherein the network device exhibits at least one of:

15. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by at least one processing unit of a terminal device, causing the terminal device to: receiving information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) processes, the plurality of HARQ processes forming a common pool of HARQ processes shared by the plurality of configured grant resources, the plurality of configured grant resources being configured in a single bandwidth portion; selecting a HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes; performing an initial transmission of data on one of the plurality of configured grant resources using the selected HARQ process; and performing a retransmission using the selected HARQ process on one of the configured grant resources different from the one of the initial transmission, wherein the configured grant resources for the initial transmission and the retransmission have the same transmission block size; A computer-readable medium that causes

16. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by at least one processing unit of a network device, causing the network device to: generating, in a network device, information indicating a plurality of configured grant resources and a plurality of Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request, HARQ, processes, the plurality of HARQ processes forming a common pool of HARQ processes shared by the plurality of configured grant resources, the plurality of configured grant resources comprising one bandwidth portion; transmitting said information to a terminal device; receiving, from the terminal device, an initial transmission of data on one of the plurality of configured grant resources using a HARQ process from the plurality of HARQ processes; and receiving, from the terminal device, a retransmission on one of the plurality of configured grant resources different from the one of the initial transmission using a selected HARQ process, wherein the configured grant resources of the initial transmission and the retransmission have the same transmission block size; A computer-readable medium for causing

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