Method and apparatus for forwarding non-consecutive data blocks in enhanced uplink transmissions

Abstract

A method and apparatus for forwarding non-consecutive data blocks in enhanced uplink (EU) transmissions. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and one or more Node-Bs include one or more automatic repeat request (ARQ)/hybrid-ARQ (H-ARQ) processes for supporting an enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH). Data blocks transmitted by the WTRU are re-ordered in a re-ordering entity located in the Node-B(s) or a radio network controller (RNC). Once a missing data block is identified, a data forwarding timer in the Node-B(s) or RNC is initiated and subsequent WTRU transmissions are monitored to determine whether the missing data block has been discarded by the WTRU. Upon recognition of the discard of the missing data block, the non-consecutive data blocks are forwarded to higher layers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving a plurality of data blocks from a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) over an enhanced dedicated channel using a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) entity;   decoding the data blocks;   storing the decoded data blocks in a buffer;   initializing a timer in response to a determination that the stored data blocks are non-consecutive, the determination that the stored data blocks are non-consecutive indicating a missing data block; and   upon expiration of the timer, forwarding the non-consecutive data blocks from the buffer to a layer higher than a MAC layer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the storing of the decoded data blocks is performed by a Node-B. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the storing of the decoded data blocks is performed by a radio network controller. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the initializing of the timer is performed by a Node-B. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the initializing of the timer is performed by a radio network controller. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the storing of the decoded data blocks comprises storing the decoded data blocks in a reordering buffer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determination that the stored data blocks are non-consecutive is based at least in part on sequence numbers of the stored data blocks. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining whether the WTRU has discarded the missing data block,
 wherein the forwarding of the non-consecutive data blocks from the buffer to the layer higher than the MAC layer is performed upon the earlier to occur of expiration of the timer and a determination that the WTRU has discarded the missing data block.   
     
     
         9 . A wireless network device, comprising:
 circuitry configured to receive a plurality of data blocks from a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) over an enhanced dedicated channel using a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) entity;   wherein the circuitry is further configured to decode the data blocks;   wherein the circuitry is further configured to initialize a timer in response to a determination that the stored data blocks are non-consecutive, the determination that the stored data blocks are non-consecutive indicating a missing data block; and   wherein the circuitry is further configured to, upon expiration of the timer, forward the non-consecutive data blocks from the buffer to a layer higher than a MAC layer.   
     
     
         10 . The wireless network device of  claim 9 , wherein the wireless network device is a Node-B. 
     
     
         11 . The wireless network device of  claim 9 , wherein the received data blocks are medium access control (MAC) protocol data units. 
     
     
         12 . The wireless network device of  claim 9 , wherein the timer is located in the wireless network device.