CN115066933A - Method for controlling channel monitoring - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method of reducing power usage in a mobile station due to monitoring a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). The mobile station may switch between different PDCCH monitoring actions associated with different sets of PDCCH monitoring parameters or PDCCH skipping parameters.

Description

Method of Control Channel Monitoring

technical field

The present disclosure generally relates to a method of monitoring a control channel by a mobile station.

Background technique

With the development of wireless communication technology, the performance indicators such as transmission rate, delay, throughput, and reliability of wireless communication systems have been greatly improved by using technologies such as high frequency band, large bandwidth, and multi-antenna arrangement. On the other hand, in order to achieve high-performance wireless transmission, terminals, such as mobile stations, need to perform more complex processing to meet performance requirements, such as monitoring a larger control channel bandwidth, and encoding more complex control information and data information. and decoding processing. The power consumption of the mobile station affects the user experience. Accordingly, there is a need to provide power saving solutions for mobile stations within wireless communication systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a method of communicating between a wireless access node and a mobile station includes the mobile station according to a first Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring parameter set associated with a first A PDCCH monitoring behavior operates. The method also includes switching the mobile station from operating in accordance with the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to operating in accordance with the second PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with the second PDCCH monitoring parameter set. Each of the first PDCCH monitoring parameter set and the second PDCCH monitoring parameter set may define a unique pattern that defines one or more monitoring time slots within a monitoring period in which the mobile station monitors downlink control information ( Downlink Control Information, DCI) message PDCCH.

In another embodiment, another method of communicating between a wireless access node and a mobile station includes the mobile station operating in accordance with a first PDCCH monitoring activity associated with a first set of PDCCH monitoring parameters. The method also includes switching the mobile station between operating in accordance with the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and operating in accordance with the second PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with the PDCCH skip parameter set. The first set of PDCCH monitoring parameters may define a unique pattern that defines one or more monitoring time slots within a monitoring period in which the radio access node monitors the PDCCH for DCI messages. The skip parameter set may define at least one skip period during which the mobile station does not monitor the PDCCH for DCI messages.

Other aspects and alternatives to the above-described embodiments and implementations thereof are described in greater detail in the following drawings, specification, and claims.

Description of drawings

1 illustrates an example system diagram including a mobile station and a wireless access node in accordance with various embodiments.

2 shows an example timing diagram illustrating example PDCCH monitoring behavior without DRX configuration in accordance with various embodiments.

3 shows another example timing diagram illustrating example PDCCH monitoring behavior with DRX configuration in accordance with various embodiments.

4 provides an example flow diagram illustrating a method of communicating between a wireless access node and a mobile station in accordance with various embodiments.

5 shows another example timing diagram illustrating various aspects of PDCCH skipping behavior in accordance with various embodiments.

6 provides an example flow diagram illustrating another method of communicating between a wireless access node and a mobile station in accordance with various embodiments.

Detailed ways

A wireless access network provides a network connection between mobile stations and an information or data network, such as a voice communication network or the Internet. Example radio access networks may be based on cellular technologies, which may also be based on, for example, 4G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G, New Radio (NR)) and/or unlicensed band access (New Radio Unlicense, NR-U) technology and/or format.

1 illustrates an example system diagram including a mobile station 102 and a wireless access node 104 in accordance with various embodiments. Mobile station 102 may include User Equipment (UE) (and may be referred to herein as UE), which may further include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, laptop, or capable of Other mobile devices that communicate wirelessly. Mobile station 102 may include transceiver circuitry 106 coupled to antenna 108 to enable wireless communication with wireless access node 104 . Transceiver circuitry 106 may also be coupled to processor 110, which may also be coupled to memory 112 or other storage device. The memory 112 may store therein instructions or code that, when read and executed by the processor 110, cause the processor 110 to implement the various methods described herein.

Similarly, wireless access node 104 may include a base station or other wireless network access point capable of wirelessly communicating with one or more mobile stations over a network. For example, in various embodiments, the radio access node 104 may include a 4G LTE base station, a 5G NR base station, a 5G central cell base station, a 5G distributed cell base station, or a generation NodeB (gNB), an enhanced NodeB (enhanced NodeB) B, eNB) or other base stations. Wireless access node 104 may include transceiver circuitry 114 coupled to antenna 116 , which may include antenna towers 118 in various manners to enable wireless communication with mobile station 102 . Transceiver circuitry 114 may also be coupled to one or more processors 120, which may also be coupled to memory 122 or other storage devices. Memory 122 may store therein instructions or code that, when read and executed by processor 120, cause processor 120 to implement the various methods described herein.

The radio access network may provide or employ various transmission formats and protocols for the transmission of wireless messages between the mobile station 102 and the wireless access node 104 . In existing Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5G New Radio (NR) access technology communication systems, the mobile station 102 (eg, User Equipment (UE)) needs to know the physical uplink shared channel used to transmit the Physical Uplink Shared Channel. , PUSCH) uplink scheduling grant information and downlink scheduling allocation information for receiving Physical Downlink Shared Channel (Physical Downlink Shared Channel, PDSCH). This information is included in Downlink Control Information (DCI) and sent by the radio access node (eg, base station or gNB) on the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) in a different DCI format to the mobile station (eg, base station or gNB) , UE). Therefore, the mobile station should monitor the PDCCH first.

The UE needs to keep monitoring the PDCCH at the PDCCH monitoring occasion to avoid missing any data scheduling information. The PDCCH monitoring timing is determined by the parameters of the periodicity ks, the duration Ts in the periodicity, and the offset Os associated with the start position of the periodicity. These parameters can be configured in the SearchSpace Information Element (IE) in Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. Figure 2 shows a timing diagram illustrating an example PDCCH monitoring behavior (without DRX configuration) with ks=2 slots, Ts=1 slot and Os=0. According to example PDCCH monitoring behavior, PDCCH monitoring occasions 202 are shown spaced apart from time slots in which monitoring does not occur.

The UE may monitor the PDCCH on the control resource set (CORESET) in the PDCCH monitoring occasion defined by the search space set. The relevant monitoring parameters of PDCCH may be included in the SearchSpace field of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, where the searchSpaceId and controlResourceSetId information elements (IEs) may indicate the search space set index and CORESET of this SearchSpace suitable for PDCCH monitoring. The searchSpaceType IE in the SearchSpace field indicates the search space type in DCI format carried by the PDCCH that the UE should monitor. In various methods, the common search space (CSS)/UE specific search space (USS) corresponds to the different DCI formats to be detected, while the UE specific search space may contain fewer DCI formats, of which DCI formats 0_0 or 1_0 also belong to CSS.

则UE确定在编号为n_f的帧中编号为

的时隙中存在PDCCH监控时机。对于从时隙

开始的Ts个连续时隙，UE监控搜索空间集s中的PDCCH，并且对于接下来的ks–Ts个连续时隙，不监控搜索空间集s中的PDCCH。在本公开中，PDCCH监控频率是指PDCCH监控持续时间Ts与PDCCH监控周期性ks的比值，具体地说是Ts/ks。In various methods, the duration IE of RRC signaling is a duration of Ts<ks, instructing the UE to monitor the number of time slots for the PDCCH in the search space set s. The monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset IE indicates the PDCCH monitoring period of the ks slot and the PDCCH monitoring offset of the Os slot. The monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot IE indicates the symbol of the CORESET within the slot used for PDCCH monitoring. The specific PDCCH monitoring timing can be obtained in the following manner. For the search space set s, if

Then the UE determines that in the frame numbered n _f the number is

There is a PDCCH monitoring opportunity in the time slot of . For slave time slot

The UE monitors the PDCCH in the search space set s for the first Ts consecutive time slots, and does not monitor the PDCCH in the search space set s for the next ks - Ts consecutive time slots. In the present disclosure, the PDCCH monitoring frequency refers to the ratio of the PDCCH monitoring duration Ts to the PDCCH monitoring periodicity ks, specifically Ts/ks.

In various examples, also shown in FIG. 3, the mobile station may implement a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode to achieve power savings. The basic mechanism of DRX is to configure the DRX cycle for the mobile station. The drx-ondurationTimer starts at the beginning of the DRX cycle during which the mobile station is in the DRX active time and continues to monitor the PDCCH. If the mobile station successfully decodes the PDCCH during the DRX active time, the mobile station remains awake during the active time and starts the inactivity timer configured by the drx-inactivityTimer parameter. The mobile station may return to sleep during periods other than active time. During periods other than active time, the mobile station does not monitor the PDCCH, thus reducing power consumption. However, according to the previous solution, during the DRX active time, the mobile station continues to monitor the PDCCH, which does not save power. The PDCCH monitoring behavior of the mobile station still consumes a lot of unnecessary power during the active time. For example, in a sparse traffic model, especially for the longer active time of the DRX configuration, more power for monitoring the PDCCH is wasted.

Other power saving solutions have been proposed. For example, during active time, the mobile station may be configured with at least one minimum applicable scheduling offset (ie, K0min and/or K2min), and the DCI may indicate an index of the configured value. If the indicated value of K0min and/or K2min is greater than 0, the power consumption of PDCCH monitoring can be reduced by relaxing the PDCCH processing time, and additional power saving gain can be achieved by the mobile station. Similarly, an indication of a dormant-like behavior transition on the Scell may trigger the UE to perform dormant behavior on some Scells of the Scell group. However, there are many PDCCH-only monitoring activities that consume unnecessary power during active hours.

The methods provided in this disclosure describe a power saving method in which the mobile station 102 reduces PDCCH periodic monitoring behavior (eg, the frequency of PDCCH monitoring) by switching PDCCH monitoring parameters. These exemplary power saving techniques can reduce UE power consumption compared to traditional PDCCH monitoring methods.

Switching PDCCH monitoring behavior between at least two PDCCH monitoring parameter sets

In various embodiments, mobile station 102 (eg, UE 102) may switch PDCCH monitoring behavior between two or more PDCCH monitoring parameter sets. FIG. 4 provides an example flow diagram illustrating a method 400 of communicating between a wireless access node 104 and a mobile station 102 to implement such a PDCCH monitoring behavior switching function, according to various embodiments. At step 402, the mobile station operates according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with the first PDCCH monitoring parameter set. At step 404, the mobile station 102 switches from operating in accordance with the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a second PDCCH monitoring parameter set. In this embodiment, each of the first PDCCH monitoring parameter set and the second PDCCH monitoring parameter set defines a unique pattern that defines one or more monitoring occasions within a monitoring period (eg, ks), Wherein the mobile station 102 monitors the PDCCH of the DCI message.

In various embodiments, the mobile station 102 receives an indication from the radio access node 104 to switch to the second PDCCH monitoring activity, and then switches to the second PDCCH monitoring activity in response to receiving the indication to switch to the second PDCCH monitoring activity. In various embodiments, receiving the indication to switch to the second PDCCH monitoring activity includes the mobile station 102 receiving a DCI message from the radio access node 104, the DCI message including a message portion indicating that the mobile station 102 is to use the second PDCCH monitoring activity. In various embodiments, the portion of the message indicating that the mobile station is to monitor behavior using the second PDCCH includes at least a portion of the existing message field of the DCI in some specific state being reinterpreted. In one example, a message field of DCI format 0_1 or 1_1 reinterpreted or repurposed from another purpose is a minimum applicable scheduling offset message field or a resource allocation message field. A particular state may be that some existing fields of DCI format 0_1 or 1_1 are set to all "0" or all "1". In various embodiments, if the higher layer parameter maxNrofCodeWordsScheduledByDCI is equal to 2, the existing fields may include at least the "frequency domain resource allocation" and/or "time domain resource allocation" field of DCI format 0_1 or 1_1, the field of DCI format 0_1 or 1_1 "Modulation and Coding Scheme", "New Data Indicator", "Redundancy Version" and/or "HARQ Process Number" fields, "Modulation and Coding Scheme" for Transport Block 2 of DCI Format 1_1, "New Data Indicator" , "Redundancy Version" and/or "HARQ Process Number" fields. For example, if in DCI format 1_1, the "Time Domain Resource Allocation" field is set to all "1", the "HARQ Process Number" field is set to all "0", and the fields of transport block 2, including "Modulation and Coding" The "scheme" field is set to all "1" and the "redundancy version" field is set to all "0", then the minimum applicable scheduling offset field can be reinterpreted as an indication of the PDCCH monitoring behavior switching function. Where the maxNrofCodeWordsScheduledByDCI parameter is equal to 2. If the higher layer parameter configures the UE to be able to switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior, if this field is set to "0", the UE switches to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior, otherwise, the UE switches to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. If the higher layer parameters do not configure the UE to be able to switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior, this field is set to 0 bits, or the UE shall ignore the indication of this field, or the UE expects this field to not be reinterpreted.

In some embodiments, each of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior defines an associated unique in terms of monitoring periodicity (ks), monitoring duration (Ts) and monitoring offset (Os). model. The monitoring period (ks) defines the duration of the monitoring period as ks time slots, and the monitoring duration (Ts) defines the duration of Ts consecutive time slots where monitoring occurs, where Ts≤ks, the monitoring offset (Os ) defines the start of the monitoring period, and the remaining time slots of the monitoring period that are not within Ts consecutive time slots (eg, ks-Ts time slots) define time slots in which monitoring does not occur.

In some implementations, the mobile station 102 may receive definitions of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior from the radio access node via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In some examples, the UE may be configured with N search space sets, which may be configured by higher layer signaling such as radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In some examples, N can be an integer no greater than 10 and no less than 2, and in other examples, N can be an integer no less than 1. The set of search spaces may be divided into M groups, where in one example, M is an integer not less than 2, and in another example, M is an integer not less than 1. Note that all search space sets in a group may correspond to one PDCCH monitoring parameter set. One search space set may be included in at least two groups, or one search space set may be included in only one of the M search space set groups.

In some implementations, the lowest PDCCH monitoring empty ratio (eg, Ts/ks) corresponding to all search space sets in a search space group is not less than a minimum threshold. In some implementations, the minimum threshold is not less than 1/T _{drx-onDurationTimer} . In some implementations, the lowest PDCCH monitoring frequencies corresponding to at least two search space set groups are different. In some examples, a search space set group with a smaller group index includes a search space set configuration corresponding to a smaller PDCCH monitoring frequency. Thus, in one example, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a pattern with a lower monitoring slot frequency than the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. In some implementations, the lowest PDCCH monitoring frequency corresponding to all search space sets in a group is not greater than a maximum threshold. In some examples, the maximum threshold is not greater than one. The maximum PDCCH monitoring frequencies corresponding to at least two search space set groups may be different. A search space set group with a larger group index may include a search space set configuration corresponding to a larger PDCCH monitoring frequency.

For example, the lowest PDCCH monitoring frequency may be 1/4 of the PDCCH monitoring parameter set corresponding to all search space sets in the first search space set group, while the lowest PDCCH monitoring frequency may be corresponding to all search space sets in the second search space set group 1/2 of the PDCCH monitoring parameter set of the space set. In another example, the maximum PDCCH monitoring frequency may be 1/2 of the PDCCH monitoring parameter set corresponding to all search space sets in the first search space set group, and the maximum PDCCH monitoring frequency may be corresponding to the second search space One of the PDCCH monitoring parameter sets corresponding to all search space sets in the set group. Many other examples are also possible.

In various embodiments, the mobile station 102 may switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior to a default PDCCH monitoring parameter set. As such, one of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior or the second PDCCH monitoring behavior may be the default PDCCH monitoring behavior of the mobile station 102 , and in certain examples, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior may be the default monitoring behavior of the mobile station 102 . In various examples, the mobile station 102 may receive the first PDCCH monitoring behavior or the second PDCCH monitoring behavior as the default PDCCH monitoring behavior from the radio access node 104 via radio resource control (RRC) signaling or another higher layer signaling One of the definitions.

In some implementations, the UE is configured with a default search space set group through higher layer parameters. The default search space set group can contain at least one search space set. The PDCCH monitoring frequency in the PDCCH monitoring parameter set corresponding to all search space sets in the default search space set group may have a minimum threshold (eg, not less than 1/T _{drx-onDurationTimer} ). Conversely, in some implementations, the PDCCH monitoring frequency in the PDCCH monitoring parameter set corresponding to all search space sets in the default search space set group may have a maximum threshold (eg, not greater than 1, or corresponding to the current search space set configuration PDCCH monitoring frequency). In some implementations, when the timer expires and the UE is not monitoring the PDCCH, the UE determines to monitor the PDCCH in the PDCCH monitoring occasion determined by the default set of search spaces. In some implementations, if the duration parameter of the default search space set is not equal to 0, when the timer expires and the UE is not monitoring the PDCCH, the UE determines to monitor the PDCCH in the PDCCH monitoring occasion determined by the default search space set. In some implementations, the UE determines to monitor the PDCCH in a PDCCH monitoring occasion determined by a default set of search spaces indicated by a specific DCI format or higher layer parameter.

In other embodiments, the UE may switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior by selecting a search space set from all search space sets in the active BWP and then monitoring the PDCCH in the PDCCH monitoring occasion determined by the selected search space set. In some implementations, the UE may be configured with N search space sets through RRC signaling. For example, in some embodiments, N is an integer not greater than 10 and not less than 1.

Included below are descriptions of various examples of indications that may be provided to the mobile station 102 (eg, UE) to indicate which PDCCH monitoring behavior to use. Such an indication may be an explicit indication (eg, an explicit indication provided within the signaling to inform the UE of the PDCCH monitoring behavior to utilize), or an implicit indication (eg, a timer). In some embodiments, the timer is started or restarted by receiving a PDCCH with data scheduling. In some embodiments, the timer is started or restarted by receiving a PDCCH without data scheduling. In some embodiments, the timer is started or restarted by receiving the PDCCH in the USS.

In some embodiments, the UE is configured with a search space set group switching function through higher layer parameters. In some implementations, the UE may report its available PDCCH monitoring activities to the radio access node 104 . In some embodiments, the search space set group switching function may be indicated by a DCI message. For example, the search space set switching function may be indicated by a DCI format with data scheduling. For example, the search space set group switching function may be indicated by DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1 with data scheduling. In another example, the search space set group switching function is indicated by DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1 scheduling new transmissions. In other examples, the search space set function is indicated by an additional field of the DCI message with DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1. The additional fields of DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1 have a width of, for example, 2 bits at most. In some embodiments, the search space set function is indicated by reinterpreting or retargeting one or more existing fields of messages having DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1 DCI. For example, a reinterpreted or retargeted field may be a field indicating the minimum applicable scheduling offset (eg, K0min or K2min). In some implementations, the search space set group switching function is indicated by a DCI message with a DCI format without data scheduling. For example, the search space set group switching function may be indicated by DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1 without data scheduling. In some implementations, the search space set function is indicated by reinterpreting or retargeting some existing fields of DCI messages with DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1. In some examples, the reinterpreted or retargeted field of DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1 is a field indicating time domain resource allocation. In some implementations, the reinterpreted or repurposed field is a field that indicates the minimum applicable scheduling offset. In some implementations, the reinterpreted or repurposed field is a field that indicates temporal resource allocation.

In some embodiments, the field indicating the minimum applicable scheduling offset for DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1 is reinterpreted or repurposed into a search space set group switching function configured by specific higher layer parameters. In some examples, if no higher layer parameter indicating the minimum applicable scheduling offset (eg, the minimum value of K0 or K2) is configured for the UE and some existing fields are set to a certain state, then DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1 The field indicating the minimum applicable scheduling offset is reinterpreted or repurposed into a search space set group switching function. In some implementations, the field indicating the minimum applicable scheduling offset of DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1 is reinterpreted if the UE is configured with a higher layer parameter indicating a specific timer associated with search space set group switching Or repurpose it into a search space set switching function.

In some embodiments, the fields of DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1 indicating time-domain resource allocation are reinterpreted or repurposed into a search space set group switching function configured by specific higher layer parameters. In some examples, this field is reinterpreted as a search space set group switching function if no higher layer parameters indicating time domain resource allocation are configured for the UE. In some implementations, if the UE is configured with a higher layer parameter indicating a specific timer associated with search space set group switching, this field is reinterpreted as a search space set group switching function.

In some implementations, when some predefined fields are set to predefined states, the fields are reinterpreted as PDCCH monitoring parameter switching functions.

In some embodiments, the mobile station 102 (eg, UE) may utilize an implicit indication (eg, a timer) to perform PDCCH monitoring behavior switching. In various embodiments, the UE starts or restarts a timer, the value of which is indicated by a higher layer parameter. Then, after a predefined Q slots or symbols after a slot in which a particular type of DCI format is monitored or received by the UE, the UE uses a search space set group with a larger group index (eg, a higher monitoring frequency) to monitor the PDCCH. The predefined Q slots may depend on the reported UE capabilities. If the UE is configured with a minimum applicable scheduling offset of "1", the predefined Q slots may be determined by the application delay of the minimum applicable scheduling offset. In some examples, the predefined Q slots associated with the indication of "1" of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator are denoted as Q1, while the indication of "0" of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator is "The associated predefined Q slots are denoted Q2. In some implementations, Q1 is larger than Q2.

In some implementations, the UE starts or restarts a timer indicated by a higher layer parameter, and after the timer expires and the UE does not monitor the PDCCH after a predefined Q slots or symbols The PDCCH is monitored in the search space set of the index (eg, lower monitoring frequency). The predefined Q slots may depend on the reported UE capabilities. If the UE is configured with a minimum applicable scheduling offset of "1", the predefined Q slots may be determined by the application delay of the minimum applicable scheduling offset. The predefined Q slots associated with an indication of "1" of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator may be denoted as Q1, while those associated with an indication of "0" of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator The predefined Q slots may be denoted as Q2. In some implementations, Q1 is not smaller than Q2.

In light of these disclosures, the methods discussed above can be further defined. In various embodiments, the mobile station 102 may start or restart a timer in response to receiving a DCI signal intended for the mobile station, and switch to operating in accordance with the second PDCCH monitoring behavior for the duration of the timer. In a particular example, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a pattern with a lower monitoring slot frequency (eg, a lower monitoring frequency) than the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. In certain approaches, after the timer expires, the mobile station 102 may switch back to operating in accordance with the first PDCCH monitoring behavior. In some methods, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior is the mobile station's default PDCCH monitoring behavior, while in other methods, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is the mobile station's default PDCCH monitoring behavior.

In another example, the mobile station 102 may start or restart a timer and allow the timer to expire. Mobile station 102 may determine that a DCI signal intended for mobile station 102 has not been received for the duration of the timer. In response, the mobile station 102 may restart the timer and switch to operating in accordance with the second PDCCH monitoring behavior for the next duration of the timer. As long as the mobile station 102 does not receive a DCI signal, the mobile station 102 may repeat this process up to the maximum number of cycles. In various examples, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a pattern with a higher monitoring slot frequency than the second PDCCH monitoring behavior.

In some implementations, the UE monitors DCI format 0_1 or 1_1 in one of the search space set groups. In some embodiments, the UE does not wish to monitor the data carried by P-RNTI, RA-RNTI, TC-RNTI, SI-RNTI, PS-RNTI, INT-RNTI, SFI-RNTI, SP-CSI-RNTI, TPC-PUCCH- PDCCH in DCI format scrambled by at least one of RNTI, TPC-PUSCH-RNTI and TPC-SRS-RNTI. In some embodiments, the UE desires to monitor the PDCCH carrying the DCI format with the UE-specific search space type. In some embodiments, the search space set group switching function is only used to trigger the UE to monitor the PDCCH carrying DCI formats 0_1 or 1_1 scrambled by at least one of C-RNTI, MCS-C-RNTI, CS-RNTI. In some examples, when the UE is performing a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) procedure, a Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) procedure, or a Beam Failure Detection (BFD) procedure At least one time, the UE does not expect to monitor the PDCCH in the PDCCH monitoring occasion determined by the switched search space set group.

In various embodiments, for cross-carrier scheduling, the UE may monitor the PDCCH in a search space set, which may include a search space set group in a Pcell or PScell and a search space set group in cross-carrier with data scheduling The set of search spaces in . For cross-carrier scheduling, the UE may perform search space set group switching in Pcell or PScell and cross-carrier with data scheduling. In some implementations, the default set of search spaces is configured per bandwidth part (BWP).

In some examples, the supported maximum number of search space sets in each search space set group is equal among the groups. In some implementations, the maximum supported number of search space sets in each search space set group is less than the maximum number of search space sets in the active BWP.

The number of search space sets in each search space set group can be different, and/or the maximum number of search space sets in each search space set group can be different. In some examples, the maximum number of search space sets in the search space set group with the lower index is less than the maximum number of search space sets in the search space set group with the larger index. In some examples, the supported maximum number of CORESETs associated with search space sets in each search space set group is no greater than the maximum number of CORESETs in the active BWP. In some examples, the maximum number of CORESETs associated with the search space sets in each search space set group may vary. In some examples, the maximum number of CORESETs associated with the search space sets in the search space set group with the lower index is less than the maximum number of search space sets in the search space set group with the larger index. In some examples, the search space set in any search space set group is not a recovery search space set or a search space set with ID=0. In some examples, the CORESET associated with a search space set in any search space set group is not a CORESET with CORESET ID=0.

PDCCH monitoring parameter adaptation

In various embodiments, the PDCCH monitoring behavior may be changed by changing one or more individual parameters of the PDCCH monitoring parameter set. For example, the radio access node 104 may manipulate one or more PDCCH monitoring parameters to cause the mobile station 102 to switch from operating in accordance with a first PDCCH monitoring behavior to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior. In some embodiments, a scaling factor is utilized to vary one or more PDCCH monitoring parameters. In this way, the method disclosed above can be further defined. According to various embodiments, the mobile station 102 may receive from the radio access node 104 a scaling factor for at least one parameter of the associated mode of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior. Switching from the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior then includes applying a scaling factor to at least one parameter of the associated pattern of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to create the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. The at least one parameter of the associated mode of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior may include monitoring periodicity (ks), monitoring duration (Ts) and/or monitoring offset (Os).

In some embodiments, the UE is configured with a set of scaling factors for PDCCH monitoring periodicity (ks) through a specific DCI format or higher layer signaling. The set of scale factors may include at least one offset value.

In some implementations, the scale factor includes at least one value of, eg, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, or 1/5. Other scale factors are also possible. In some embodiments, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring periodicity by multiplying the periodicity by the scaling factor indicated by the specific DCI format message. In some embodiments, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring periodicity by multiplying the periodicity by a scaling factor indicated by the specific DCI format message and higher layer parameters. In some implementations, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring periodicity by dividing the periodicity by a scaling factor indicated by the specific DCI format message and higher layer parameters. In some implementations, when a higher layer parameter or signaling indicates that the PDCCH monitoring periodic switching is configured for the UE, the UE receives the PDCCH monitoring periodic switching indicated by a specific DCI format. In some examples, a scaling factor is configured according to each BWP. In some implementations, the indication of the scale factor is an existing field of a reinterpretation or retargeting of a particular DCI format message. The specific DCI format may be a DCI format with data scheduling, and may be DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1.

In various embodiments, the set of scale factors includes at least one scale factor. In some examples, the scale factors in the scale factor set may be no less than one, and in other examples, no greater than one. The set of scale factors can be configured by high-level parameters. In some implementations, the scale factor value is indicated by a specific DCI format or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE). The specific DCI format may be DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1. In some approaches, the scale factors in the scale factor set are no greater than a maximum threshold, where the maximum threshold may be no less than the DRX onDuration timer. In some examples, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring periodicity by subtracting the scale factor indicated by the specific DCI format message. In some examples, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring periodicity by multiplying the periodicity by a scaling factor indicated by the specific DCI format message and higher layer parameters. In some implementations, when the UE is configured with higher layer parameters or signaling indicating PDCCH monitoring periodic switching, the UE receives PDCCH monitoring periodic switching indicated by a specific DCI format message. The PDCCH monitoring scale factor can be configured according to the BWP. The indication of the scale factor for the PDCCH monitoring periodicity may be a reinterpretation or retargeting of an existing field of a specific DCI format. In some embodiments, the specific DCI format is a DCI format with data scheduling.

In various embodiments, the UE is configured with a set of scaling factors for monitoring the search space set duration (Ts) parameter through a specific DCI format or higher layer signaling. The set of scale factors may include at least one offset value.

In some examples, the scale factor includes at least one value of, eg, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, or 1/5. Other scale factors are also possible. In some embodiments, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring duration by multiplying the duration by the scaling factor indicated by the specific DCI format message. In some embodiments, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring duration by multiplying the duration by a scaling factor indicated by the specific DCI format message and higher layer parameters. In some examples, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring duration by dividing the duration by a scaling factor indicated by the specific DCI format message and higher layer parameters. In some examples, the UE receives a PDCCH monitoring duration switch indicated by a specific DCI format when a higher layer parameter or signaling indicates that a PDCCH monitoring duration switch is configured for the UE. In some examples, the scaling factor for the duration is configured per BWP. In some implementations, the indication of the scale factor for the duration is an existing field of the reinterpretation or retargeting of a particular DCI format message. The specific DCI format may be a DCI format with data scheduling, and may be DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1.

In various embodiments, the set of scale factors includes at least one scale factor. In some examples, the scale factors in the scale factor set may be no less than one, and in other examples, no greater than one. The set of scale factors can be configured by high-level parameters. In some implementations, the scale factor value is indicated by a specific DCI format or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE). The specific DCI format may be DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1. In some approaches, the scale factors in the scale factor set are no greater than a maximum threshold, where the maximum threshold may be no less than the DRX onDuration timer. In some examples, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring duration by subtracting the periodic offset indicated by the specific DCI format message. In some implementations, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring duration by multiplying the duration by a scaling factor indicated by the specific DCI format message and higher layer parameters. In some implementations, when the UE is configured with higher layer parameters or signaling indicating PDCCH monitoring duration switching, the UE receives the PDCCH monitoring duration switching indicated by the specific DCI format message. The scaling factor for the PDCCH monitoring duration may be configured per BWP. In some implementations, the indication of the scale factor for the PDCCH monitoring duration may be a reinterpretation or retargeting of an existing field for a particular DCI format. In some embodiments, the specific DCI format is a DCI format with data scheduling.

In various embodiments, the UE is configured with a set of offsets for the offset parameter Os in the Search Space Set IE through a specific DCI format or higher layer signaling. In some implementations, the set of offsets for Os may include at least one offset value.

According to various examples, the offset value is an integer in units of time slots or ms. The UE may switch the Os parameter by adding or subtracting the offset value for the Os indicated by the specific DCI format message. The UE can also switch Os by adding or subtracting the offset indicated by the specific DCI format message and higher layer parameters. The offset set may include at least one offset value. In some examples, the offset value in the offset set is not less than 1, and in other examples, is not greater than the value of the PDCCH monitoring periodicity (ks). The offset set can be configured by high-level parameters. The offset value may be indicated by a specific DCI format message or MAC CE. The specific DCI format may be DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1. In some examples, the offset values in the offset set are not greater than a maximum threshold. In various implementations, the maximum threshold is not less than the DRX onDuration timer, or not less than the value of the PDCCH monitoring periodicity (ks). In some examples, when the UE is configured with higher layer parameters or signaling indicating the switching of the Os parameter, the UE receives the switching of the Os parameter indicated by the specific DCI format message. The offset used for Os can be configured according to BWP. In some examples, the indication of the offset for Os is a reinterpreted or repurposed existing field of the particular DCI format. In some examples, the specific DCI format is a DCI format with data scheduling.

In some embodiments, the PDCCH monitoring parameter switching indication, such as PDCCH monitoring periodicity ks, duration Ts and PDCCH monitoring offset Os, is configured by higher layer parameters. The UE may determine a specific offset value according to an index indicated by level 1 (L1) signaling and a set of scale factors or offset values associated with corresponding parameter switching behaviors configured by higher layer parameters.

Bundle PDCCH monitoring behavior with other power saving functions

In some embodiments, the PDCCH monitoring behavior may be bundled with the wake-up indication. For example, when DCI format 2_6 triggers the UE to monitor PDCCH for the next "DRX On" duration (active time), the UE can switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior by selecting search space set 1 or new search space set group 1. Similarly, when the DCI format 2_6 triggers the UE not to monitor the PDCCH for the next "DRX On" duration, the UE can switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior by selecting a search space set 2 or a new search space set group 2. In some embodiments, if the UE does not receive a wake-up signal within the DRX cycle due to missing detection of DCI formats 2-6, the UE may perform PDCCH monitoring behavior according to the default configuration of the wake-up indication. In some embodiments, if the UE does not detect a wake-up signal within the DRX cycle, the UE shall perform PDCCH monitoring behavior by selecting search space set 2 or search space set group 2. In some embodiments, if the UE does not detect a wake-up signal within the DRX cycle, the UE shall perform the current PDCCH monitoring behavior.

In some embodiments, the PDCCH monitoring behavior switching function is indicated by DCI formats 2-6 for the UE. In some embodiments, the field of the PDCCH monitoring behavior switching function of DCI formats 2-6 follows the field of the sleep-like behavior switching function on the UE's Scell. In some embodiments, the field of the PDCCH monitoring behavior switching function of DCI formats 2-6 follows the field of the UE's wake-up function.

In some examples, search space set 1 is the default search space set and may have a lower frequency of PDCCH monitoring in all search space sets of an active BWP. The PDCCH monitoring frequency may be less than the minimum monitoring threshold. In various methods, the minimum monitoring threshold is not less than 1 (the maximum value of ks) and/or not more than 1/2. In a specific example, the minimum threshold is not greater than 1/T _{drx-onDurationTimer} . In other examples, search space set 1 may have a higher or highest PDCCH monitoring frequency among all search space sets of an active BWP.

In some examples, search space set 2 is the default search space set and may have a larger frequency of PDCCH monitoring in all search space sets of active BWPs. The PDCCH monitoring frequency may be greater than the maximum monitoring threshold. In various methods, the maximum monitoring threshold is not greater than 1 and/or not less than 1/2. In a specific example, the minimum threshold is not less than 1/T _{drx-onDurationTimer} . In other examples, search space set 2 may have a lower or lowest PDCCH monitoring frequency among all search space sets of an active BWP.

Search space set 1 and search space set 2 may be different search space sets with different indices for one UE of the active BWP. In another approach, Search Space Set 1 and Search Space Set 2 are the same set of search spaces, but with modified PDCCH monitoring parameters for the active BWP, eg, Duration, monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset, or monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot.

In some embodiments, search space set group 1 is the default search space set group and may include search space sets with a lower frequency of PDCCH monitoring among all search space sets of an active BWP. The PDCCH monitoring frequency may be less than the minimum monitoring threshold. In various methods, the minimum monitoring threshold is not less than 1 (the maximum value of ks) and/or not more than 1/2. In a specific example, the minimum threshold is not greater than 1/T _{drx-onDurationTimer} . In other examples, search space set 1 may include the search space set with a higher or highest PDCCH monitoring frequency among all search space sets of an active BWP.

In some embodiments, search space set group 2 is the default search space set group and may include search space sets with a larger frequency of PDCCH monitoring among all search space sets of an active BWP. The PDCCH monitoring frequency may be greater than the maximum monitoring threshold. In various methods, the maximum monitoring threshold is not greater than 1 and/or not less than 1/2. In a specific example, the minimum threshold is not less than 1-T _{drx-onDurationTimer} . In other examples, search space set 2 may include the search space set with the lower or lowest PDCCH monitoring frequency among all search space sets of the active BWP.

Search space set group 1 and search space set group 2 may be different search space sets with different indices for one UE of the active BWP. In another approach, search space set group 1 and search space set group 2 include the same search space set, where, for example, the same search space set is not smaller than the search space set in search space set group 1 with the least frequency of PDCCH monitoring And/or the same search space set is not larger than the search space set with the highest frequency of PDCCH monitoring in search space set group 2.

Therefore, the method disclosed above can be further defined. According to various embodiments, the mobile station 102 (eg, UE) receives an indication to switch to a second PDCCH monitoring activity, including the mobile station 102 receiving a wake-up indication for a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode cycle instructing the mobile station to wake up for the next DRX cycle . In various approaches, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a pattern with a higher monitoring slot frequency (eg, a higher monitoring frequency) than the second PDCCH monitoring behavior (and vice versa).

In some embodiments, PDCCH monitoring behavior may be bundled with cross-slot scheduling. For example, when the minimum applicable scheduling offset (eg, K0min or K2min) is indicated by DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 0_1 as a value greater than 0, the UE may switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior to search space set 1 or search space set group 1. The UE may also switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior to search space set 2 or search space set group 2 when the minimum applicable scheduling offset is indicated by DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 0_1 as a value equal to 0.

In some embodiments, the UE may perform PDCCH monitoring handover behavior when the minimum applicable scheduling offset is indicated by DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 0_1 as a value greater than 0. In some embodiments, when the minimum applicable scheduling offset (eg, K0min) is greater than the minimum threshold 1, the UE may switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior to search space set 1 or search space set group 1. Similarly, in some embodiments, when the minimum applicable scheduling offset K0min is less than the minimum threshold 2, the UE may switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior to search space set 2 or search space set group 2. In some embodiments, minimum threshold 1 may be greater than minimum threshold 2, and minimum threshold 2 may not be less than zero. In some embodiments, the minimum applicable scheduling offset K0min is configured by higher layer parameters.

From the above, the methods disclosed above can be further defined. According to various embodiments, the mobile station 102 (eg, UE) receiving an indication to switch to a second PDCCH monitoring activity may include receiving either a receive message on the PDCCH and a scheduled time slot on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) The change in the value of the PDSCH minimum applicable scheduling offset (K0) between the received messages, similarly, may include the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) minimum between the received message on the PDCCH and the scheduling slot on the PUSCH A change in the value of the scheduling offset (K2) may be applied. In certain methods, receiving a change in the value of K0 or K2 includes receiving an increase in the value of at least one of K0 or K2 above a minimum applicable scheduling offset threshold. In various methods, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior has a pattern with a lower monitoring slot frequency (eg, a lower monitoring frequency) than the first PDCCH monitoring behavior. Similarly, receiving a change in the value of K0 or K2 may include receiving a decrease in the value of K0 or K2 below a minimum applicable scheduling offset threshold. In various methods, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior has a pattern with a higher monitoring slot frequency (eg, a higher monitoring frequency) than the first PDCCH monitoring behavior.

In some embodiments, the PDCCH monitoring behavior may be bundled with a dormant-like behavior transition on the Scell. For example, when the number of Scells with sleep-like behavior indicated by DCI format 2_6, DCI format 1_0 or DCI format 1_1 is greater than the threshold Nd, the UE may switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior to search space set 1 or search space set group 1. In some examples, when the number of Scells with non-sleep-like behavior indicated by DCI format 2_6, DCI format 1_0 or DCI format 1_1 is greater than the threshold Nd, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring behavior to search space set 2 or search space set group 2. In some examples, Nd is not less than 1 and not greater than the total number of Scells in the scheduled Scell group.

Switching PDCCH monitoring behavior between PDCCH search space set switching behavior and PDCCH skipping behavior

In some embodiments, the mobile station 102 (eg, UE) may perform PDCCH skipping behavior for the skip duration. 5 shows an example timing diagram illustrating various aspects of PDCCH skipping behavior in accordance with various embodiments. A series of units are shown, such as timeslots or times. After a skip trigger event (eg, receipt of a DCI message indicating to the UE to use PDCCH skipping behavior), the UE may perform PDCCH skipping for a skip period of unit duration (eg, slot, time, etc.). Optionally, an application delay may be applied after the skip trigger event (eg, after receiving DCI) and before performing PDCCH skipping for the skip period, during which the mobile station 102 continues to monitor the PDCCH. The PDCCH skipping behavior may be associated with a PDCCH skipping parameter set, which may include one or more parameters indicating the PDCCH skipping behavior. One such parameter is the PDCCH skip period, which may be the number of units (or times) that the mobile station 102 does not monitor the PDCCH. It can be an integer greater than or equal to 0 (eg 1). A unit may include a slot, a PDCCH monitoring occasion, a PDCCH monitoring periodicity, or a (sub)frame, or milliseconds, or a PDCCH monitoring duration.

In some embodiments, the mobile station 102 (eg, UE) may switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior of the mobile station 102 between the PDCCH search space set switching behavior (described in detail above) and the PDCCH skipping behavior. Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the PDCCH monitoring behavior includes at least one of the following behaviors: search space set switching behavior; search space set selection behavior; search space set group switching behavior; PDCCH monitoring parameter switching behavior; PDCCH monitoring parameter modification behavior; and PDCCH skipping behavior.

In some embodiments, higher layer parameters (eg, included in RRC) configure the UE's PDCCH monitoring behavior to switch between PDCCH search space set/group switching behavior and PDCCH skipping behavior.

In other embodiments, the UE switches or performs specific PDCCH monitoring behaviors according to an indication in Layer 1 (L1) signaling (eg, an indication with a DCI message).

In other embodiments, the UE switches or performs specific PDCCH monitoring behaviors according to parameters indicated in L1 signaling (eg, DCI) corresponding to PDCCH monitoring behaviors configured by higher layer signaling (eg, RRC). For example, in some embodiments, when a higher layer parameter configures the PDCCH skipping behavior for the UE, the UE performs the PDCCH skipping behavior indicated by the DCI format 0_1 or 1_1 message for a predefined skip duration. In some methods, when the higher layer parameters configure the PDCCH skipping behavior for the UE, the UE also performs the search space set or search space set group switching behavior indicated by the DCI format 0_1 or 1_1 message.

In some implementations, the PDCCH skip parameter set is configured by higher layer parameters, and the UE determines the value of the PDCCH skip parameter according to an index indicated by L1 signaling (eg, DCI). In some examples, the bit width of the index of the PDCCH skip parameter set indicated by L1 signaling (eg, DCI) is not greater than 2. In some examples, the L1 signaling is DCI format 0_1 or 1_1 with data scheduling. In some examples, L1 signaling is DCI format 0_1 or 1_1 with no data scheduling and with predefined fields set to all '0' or all '1'. In some examples, the predefined fields are a frequency domain resource allocation field, a time domain resource allocation field, an MCS index field, and/or a HARQ process number field.

In various embodiments, the indications that may be provided in the DCI for performing or switching PDCCH skipping behavior may be the same or similar to the indications discussed above for PDCCH search space switching behaviors. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the methods discussed above for PDCCH monitoring handover can also be applied to handover to or parameters of the PDCCH skipping behavior.

In some embodiments, the UE may report its characteristics associated with PDCCH monitoring behavior for power saving. The UE may report or send the preferred PDCCH monitoring behavior to the radio access node 104 . The UE may then perform PDCCH monitoring using parameters indicated by L1 signaling (eg, DCI) corresponding to the characteristics of the reported PDCCH monitoring behavior.

In some embodiments, the parameters of the PDCCH skipping behavior include an offset (eg, an offset) for determining the start position of the skip period and/or for triggering the UE not to monitor for the duration of the skip period The duration of the skip period of the PDCCH.

In some embodiments, the UE may skip PDCCH monitoring starting from slot n, eg, where the PDCCH skip parameter does not include a predefined offset. The slot n may be the Sk slot or the slot after ms from the next slot where the UE receives DCI. Sk can be the application delay, where the unit is defined as timeslots or ms. Sk may be the UE capabilities reported by the UE to the radio access node 104. In some approaches, if both cross-slot scheduling and PDCCH skipping behavior are indicated in the same DCI, Sk is not less than the application delay of the minimum applicable scheduling offset.

In some embodiments, the parameters of the PDCCH skipping behavior may include the same parameters as the Search Space Set IE. For example, the parameters may include PDCCH monitoring duration Ts, offset Os and periodicity ks. In some implementations, the duration (Ts) of the PDCCH skipping behavior is set to zero. In some embodiments, if the duration (Ts) of the corresponding monitoring parameter set is equal to 0, the UE performs a PDCCH monitoring behavior that only continues the PDCCH periodicity (ks). In some embodiments, if the PDCCH monitoring duration (Ts) of the monitoring parameter set corresponding to the triggered PDCCH monitoring behavior is equal to 0, the UE may fall back to performing the most recent PDCCH monitoring after the entire PDCCH monitoring period (ks) Behavior.

In some examples, the duration of the PDCCH skip period is an integer no greater than the "DRX On" duration timer configured by higher layer parameters. In other examples, the duration of the PDCCH skip period is an integer no greater than the DRX inactivity timer configured by higher layer parameters. In some implementations, the unit of the duration of the PDCCH skip period is time slots or milliseconds (ms).

From the above, the methods disclosed above can be further defined. FIG. 6 provides a diagram illustrating the communication between the wireless access node 104 and the mobile station 102 to implement such PDCCH monitoring behavior switching functionality (eg, between spatial set switching and PDCCH monitoring skipping) in accordance with various embodiments ) of a method 600 of an example flow diagram. At step 602, the mobile station 102 operates according to a first PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a first PDCCH monitoring parameter set. At step 604, the mobile station 102 switches from operating in accordance with the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with the PDCCH skip parameter set. In this embodiment, the first set of PDCCH monitoring parameters defines a unique pattern that defines one or more monitoring time slots or occasions within a monitoring period (eg, ks) in which the mobile station 102 monitors the PDCCH for DCI messages . However, the skip parameter set defines at least one skip period during which the mobile station does not monitor the PDCCH for DCI messages.

In some embodiments, the mobile station 102 performs the handover in response to receiving a DCI message that includes an indication to operate in accordance with the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. In another embodiment, the mobile station 102 may receive higher layer signaling (eg, RRC) that configures at least a PDCCH skip parameter set for the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. In this embodiment, the mobile station 102 performs the handover in response to receiving a DCI message including an indication to operate according to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior, which may include an index of a PDCCH skip parameter set indicating the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. The skip parameter set of the second PDCCH monitoring behavior may also include at least one of the duration of the skip period indicating an offset of the start position of the skip period.

In another embodiment, the mobile station 102 sends an indication of the preferred PDCCH monitoring behavior to the wireless access node 104, the behavior including at least a second PDCCH monitoring behavior (eg, PDCCH skipping behavior). The mobile station 102 then switches from operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior in response to receiving the DCI message including an indication corresponding to the preferred PDCCH monitoring behavior (the second PDCCH monitoring behavior).

In some embodiments, for cases where specific fields are reinterpreted as indications of PDCCH monitoring parameters or behavior switching functions for the UE, some existing fields or predefined fields may be set to some specific states as presented in this disclosure . In some embodiments, if the higher layer parameter maxNrofCodeWordsScheduledByDCI is equal to 2, these existing fields may include at least the "frequency domain resource allocation" and/or "time domain resource allocation" fields of DCI format 0_1 or 1_1, the fields of DCI format 0_1 or 1_1 "Modulation and Coding Scheme", "New Data Indicator", "Redundancy Version" and/or "HARQ Process Number" fields, "Modulation and Coding Scheme" for Transport Block 2 of DCI Format 1_1, "New Data Indicator" , "Redundancy Version" and/or "HARQ Process Number" fields. For example, if in DCI format 1_1, the "Time Domain Resource Allocation" field is set to all "1", the "HARQ Process Number" field is set to all "0", and the fields of transport block 2, including "Modulation and Coding" The "scheme" field is set to all "1" and the "redundancy version" field is set to all "0", then the minimum applicable scheduling offset field can be reinterpreted as an indication of the PDCCH monitoring behavior switching function. Where the maxNrofCodeWordsScheduledByDCI parameter is equal to 2. If the high layer parameter configures the UE to be able to switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior, if this field is set to "0", the UE switches to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior, otherwise, the UE switches to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. If the higher layer parameters do not configure the UE to be able to switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior, this field is set to 0 bits, or the UE shall ignore the indication of this field, or the UE expects this field to not be reinterpreted.

In some embodiments, the application delay of the PDCCH monitoring parameter or behavior switching function is not less than the application delay of the function indicated by the same L1 signaling or performed simultaneously by the UE. In some embodiments, the function includes cross-slot scheduling, ie the minimum value of K0 or K2 is greater than zero. In some embodiments, these functions include BWP switching functions. In some embodiments, these functions include sleep-like behavior transition functions on the Scell.

UE capability to report PDCCH monitoring behavior

In some embodiments, the UE reinterprets specific fields of the DCI format based on reported parameters or signaling. As described above, the UE may report the preferred PDCCH monitoring behavior configuration according to specific UE capabilities. In some examples, the UE reports supported PDCCH monitoring behavior according to specific UE capabilities. In other examples, the UE reports whether the UE supports the PDCCH monitoring parameter switching function according to specific UE capabilities. In other examples, the UE reports whether the UE supports the search space set switching function according to specific UE capabilities. In other examples, the UE reports whether the UE supports the search space set group switching function according to specific UE capabilities. In other examples, the UE reports whether the UE supports PDCCH skipping behavior according to specific UE capabilities. In some examples, UE features corresponding to at least one of the aforementioned UE capabilities or higher layer parameters are supported by UE support Release 16. In some implementations, UE features corresponding to the aforementioned UE capabilities or higher layer parameters are supported by UE support Release 17 and newer.

From the above, the methods disclosed above can be further defined. According to various embodiments, the mobile station 102 (eg, UE) transmits to the radio access node 104 at least one of the preferred or supported modes of operation including at least one of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. The mobile station 102 may then receive definitions of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior from the radio access node 104 according to the preferred or supported mode of operation.

In various embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the mobile station 102 includes a processor 110 and a memory 112, wherein the processor 110 is configured to read computer code from the memory 112 to implement the operations disclosed above in connection with the mobile station 102 of any method or embodiment. Similarly, the wireless access node 104 includes a processor 120 and a memory 122, wherein the processor 120 is configured to read computer code from the memory 122 to implement any of the methods and embodiments disclosed above in relation to the operation of the wireless access node 104 . Furthermore, in various embodiments, a computer program product includes a non-transitory computer readable program medium (eg, memory 112 or 122 ) having computer code stored thereon. When executed by a processor (eg, processor 110 or 120), the computer code causes the processor to implement a method corresponding to any of the embodiments disclosed above.

Various embodiments and solutions are disclosed above. These solutions may include one or more of the following:

1. The UE monitors the PDCCH in the PDCCH monitoring occasion determined by the search space set of the search space set group. The number of search space sets is not less than 1.

2. The search space set group is indicated by the DCI format with data scheduling. Wherein, if the minimum applicable scheduling offset is not configured by RRC signaling, the indication of the search space set group is reinterpreted by the existing field of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator of DCI format 0_1 or 1_1.

3. The search space set group is indicated by the DCI format without data scheduling. Wherein the indication of the search space set group is reinterpreted by the time domain resource allocation of DCI format 0_1 or 1_1 or the existing field of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator.

4. The search space set group switching function is indicated by the DCI format of the UE specific search space type.

5. In some approaches, the search space set group switching function may not be used for PDCCH monitoring with at least one of the following events:

1) consists of P-RNTI, RA-RNTI, TC-RNTI, SI-RNTI, PS-RNTI, INT-RNTI, SFI-RNTI, SP-CSI-RNTI, TPC-PUCCH-RNTI, TPC-PUSCH-RNTI and At least one scrambled DCI format in the RNTI of the TPC-SRS-RNTI;

2) perform at least one of PRACH, RLM or BFD procedures;

3) DCI format 0_0 or 1_0;

4) The minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator is set to "0" indicated by DCI format 0_1 or 1_1.

6. The maximum number of search space sets in each search space set group can vary. The maximum number of search space sets in a search space set group with a lower index may be less than the maximum number of search space sets in a search space set group with a larger index.

7. The maximum number of CORESETs associated with search space sets in each search space set group may vary. The maximum number of CORESETs associated with a search space set in a search space set group with a lower index may be less than the maximum number of CORESETs in a search space set group with a larger index.

In other embodiments, the UE switches or performs specific PDCCH monitoring behaviors according to a timer.

In other embodiments, the indication of PDCCH search space set/group switching behavior and the indication of PDCCH skipping behavior are jointly coded.

In other embodiments, the UE is only allowed to perform PDCCH skipping behavior when it switches to multiple PDCCH search space sets/groups.

In other embodiments, the UE is not allowed to perform PDCCH skipping behavior when switching to multiple PDCCH search space sets/groups.

In other embodiments, the UE switches or performs specific PDCCH monitoring behaviors according to at least one of the following:

DRX cycle type, DRX group, OndurationTimer, DRXInactivityTimer.

In one example, the DRX cycle types include short DRX cycles and/or long DRX cycles. In some examples, whether the UE is allowed to perform PDCCH search space set/group switching behavior or PDCCH skipping behavior depends on whether a short DRX cycle or a long DRX cycle is used.

In one example, the DRX group includes a first DRX group and/or a second DRX group. In some examples, whether the UE is allowed to perform PDCCH search space set/group switching behavior or PDCCH skipping behavior depends on whether the first DRX group or the second DRX group is used. Wherein the first and second DRX groups have the same parameters except OndurationTimer and/or DRXInactivityTimer.

Various technical advantages are realized in accordance with the various methods and embodiments disclosed above. Primarily, additional power savings is achieved by reducing the amount of time the mobile station 102 needs to monitor the PDCCH.

The above specification and drawings provide specific example embodiments and implementations. The described subject matter, however, may be embodied in a variety of different forms, and therefore, the subject matter covered or claimed is intended to be construed as not limited to any example embodiments set forth herein. It is intended to provide a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter. Wherein, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as a method, apparatus, component, system or non-transitory computer readable medium for storing computer code. Accordingly, embodiments may, for example, take the form of hardware, software, firmware, storage media, or any combination thereof. For example, the above-described method embodiments may be implemented by a component, device or system including a memory and a processor by executing computer code stored in the memory.

Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have more subtle meanings in the context than those explicitly stated. Likewise, the phrase "in one embodiment/implementation" used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and the phrase "in another embodiment/implementation" used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. For example, it is intended that the claimed subject matter includes combinations of all or part of the example embodiments.

Typically, terms can be understood, at least in part, from their contextual usage. For example, terms such as "and", "or" or "and/or" as used herein can include a variety of meanings that can depend, at least in part, on the context in which the terms are used. Generally, "or" if used in relation to a list, such as A, B, or C, means A, B, and C, here in the inclusive sense, and A, B, or C, here in the exclusive sense. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "one or more", depending at least in part on context, may be used to describe any feature, structure or characteristic in the singular or a combination of features, structures or characteristics in the plural . Similarly, terms such as "a," "an," or "the" can be understood to convey singular usage or to convey plural usage, depending at least in part on the context. Furthermore, the term "based on" may be understood as not necessarily intended to convey an exclusive set of factors, but may allow for the presence of additional factors that are not necessarily explicitly described, again, depending at least in part on the context.

Throughout this specification, reference to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present approach should be or be included in any single implementation thereof. Conversely, language referring to features and advantages is understood to mean that a particular feature, advantage or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present approach. Thus, discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages and characteristics of the present solution may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. From the description herein, one of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that the present solution may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be identified in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the present solution.

Claims (42)

1. A method of communicating between a wireless access node and a mobile station, the method comprising: operating by the mobile station in accordance with a first PDCCH monitoring activity associated with a first Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring parameter set; and Switching by the mobile station from operating in accordance with the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a second PDCCH monitoring parameter set. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the first PDCCH monitoring parameter set and the second PDCCH monitoring parameter set defines a unique pattern that defines at least one monitoring time slot within a monitoring period, wherein the mobile station Monitors the PDCCH for Downlink Control Information (DCI). 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the mobile station from the radio access node, an indication to switch to the second PDCCH monitoring activity; wherein the switching to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior occurs in response to receiving an indication to switch to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving the indication includes receiving, by the mobile station, a DCI from the wireless access node, the DCI including a message portion indicating that the mobile station is to monitor behavior using the second PDCCH. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the portion of the message indicating that the mobile station is to monitor behavior using the second PDCCH includes at least a portion of a message field repurposed from another destination. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said message field repurposed from another destination includes a minimum applicable scheduling offset message field, a resource allocation message field or a HARQ process number or a field of a transport block including a modulation and coding scheme and a redundancy version field at least one. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a mode with a lower monitoring slot frequency than the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Definitions of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior are received by the mobile station from the radio access node via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior each define the associated monitoring periodicity (ks), monitoring duration (Ts), and monitoring offset (Os). unique mode, wherein the monitoring period (ks) defines the duration of the monitoring period as ks time slots, wherein the monitoring duration (Ts) defines the duration of Ts consecutive time slots in which monitoring occurs, where Ts≤ks, where the monitoring offset (Os) defines the start of the monitoring period, and Wherein the remaining time slots of the monitoring period that are not within the Ts consecutive time slots define time slots in which monitoring does not occur. 10. The method of claim 9, The unit of each of the parameters configured by the high-level parameters is milliseconds. 11. The method of claim 1, One of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior or the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is the default PDCCH monitoring behavior of the mobile station. 12. The method of claim 1, The first PDCCH monitoring behavior is the default PDCCH monitoring behavior of the mobile station. 13. The method of any one of claims 11 to 12, further comprising: A definition of one of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior or the second PDCCH monitoring behavior as a default PDCCH monitoring behavior is received by the mobile station via radio resource control (RRC) signaling from the radio access node. 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: In response to receiving a DCI signal intended for the mobile station: start or restart a timer; and Switching to operating in accordance with the second PDCCH monitoring behavior for the duration of the timer. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a mode with a lower monitoring slot frequency than the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. 16. The method of any one of claims 14 to 15, further comprising: After the timer expires, switch back to operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior. 17. The method of any one of claims 14 to 15, further comprising: After one monitoring period, if the monitoring duration of the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is equal to 0, switch back to operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior. 18. The method of any one of claims 12 to 17, The first PDCCH monitoring behavior is the default PDCCH monitoring behavior of the mobile station. 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising: start the timer; allowing the timer to expire; In response to determining that a DCI signal intended for the mobile station has not been received for the duration of the timer: restarting the timer; and Switching to operating in accordance with the second PDCCH monitoring behavior for the next duration of the timer. 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising: start the timer; allowing the timer to expire; In response to determining that the DCI signal instructs the mobile station to perform another PDCCH monitoring activity for the duration of the timer: restarting the timer; and Switch to operating in accordance with the PDCCH monitoring behavior for the next duration of the timer. 21. The method of any one of claims 19 to 20, wherein the first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a mode with a higher monitoring slot frequency than the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. 22. The method of claim 1, further comprising: a scaling factor of at least one parameter of the associated mode of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior received by the mobile station from the radio access node; The switching from the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes: The scaling factor is applied to at least one parameter of an associated pattern of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to obtain the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. 23. The method of claim 22, Wherein the at least one parameter of the associated mode of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior includes at least one of monitoring periodicity (ks), monitoring duration (Ts), or monitoring offset (Os). 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the monitoring period (ks) defines the duration of the monitoring period as ks time slots, wherein the monitoring duration (Ts) defines the duration of Ts consecutive time slots in which monitoring occurs, where Ts≤ks, where the monitoring offset (Os) defines the start of the monitoring period, Wherein the remaining time slots of the monitoring period that are not within the Ts consecutive time slots define time slots in which monitoring does not occur. 25. The method of claim 3, Wherein receiving the indication of switching to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes receiving a wake-up indication of a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode cycle instructing the mobile station to wake up in the next DRX cycle. 26. The method of claim 25, Wherein the first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a mode with a higher monitoring slot frequency than the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. 27. The method of claim 25, further comprising: If the mobile station does not receive DCI formats 2-6, the mobile station switches to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. 28. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving an indication of switching to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes receiving a PDSCH minimum applicable scheduling offset between receiving a message on the PDCCH and a scheduling slot on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) (K0) changes in value. 29. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving an indication to switch to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes receiving a PUSCH minimum applicable schedule between receiving the message on the PDCCH and a scheduling slot on the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) Change in the value of the offset (K2). 30. The method of any one of claims 28 to 29, wherein receiving a change in the value of at least one of the K0 or the K2 includes receiving an increase in the value of the at least one of the K0 or the K2 above a minimum applicable scheduling offset threshold, and wherein the second PDCCH monitoring behavior has a mode with a lower monitoring slot frequency than the first PDCCH monitoring behavior. 31. The method of any one of claims 28 to 29, wherein receiving a change in the value of at least one of the K0 or the K2 includes receiving a decrease in the value of the at least one of the K0 or the K2 below a minimum applicable scheduling offset threshold, and wherein the second PDCCH monitoring behavior has a mode with a higher monitoring slot frequency than the first PDCCH monitoring behavior. 32. The method of any one of claims 30 to 31, The minimum applicable scheduling offset threshold is not less than 0. 33. The method of claim 1, wherein the second PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with the second PDCCH monitoring parameter set is used to monitor the DCI format of the USS of the mobile station. 34. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting by the mobile station to the radio access node at least one of a preferred or supported mode of operation comprising at least the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior; and Definitions of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior are received by the mobile station from the radio access node. 35. A method of communicating between a wireless access node and a mobile station, the method comprising: operating by the mobile station according to a first PDCCH monitoring activity associated with a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring parameter set; and switching by the mobile station from operating in accordance with the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a PDCCH skip parameter set; wherein the first PDCCH monitoring parameter set defines a unique pattern defining one or more monitoring time slots within a monitoring period, wherein the radio access node monitors the PDCCH for downlink control information (DCI) ,and Wherein the PDCCH skip parameter set defines at least one skip period during which the mobile station does not monitor the PDCCH of the DCI. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein switching from operating in accordance with the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes switching in response to receiving a DCI message including an indication of operating in accordance with the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. 37. The method of claim 35, further comprising: Receive high-layer signaling of a PDCCH skip parameter set that configures at least the second PDCCH monitoring behavior; wherein switching from operating in accordance with the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes switching in response to receiving a DCI message including an indication of operating in accordance with the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the DCI message including the indication to operate according to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes an index of a PDCCH skip parameter set indicating the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. 39. The method of claim 37, wherein the PDCCH skip parameter set of the second PDCCH monitoring behavior further includes at least one of the duration of the skip period indicating an offset of the start position of the skip period. 40. The method of claim 35, further comprising: sending, by the mobile station to the radio access node, an indication of a preferred PDCCH monitoring behavior including the second PDCCH monitoring behavior; wherein switching from operating in accordance with the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes switching in response to receiving a DCI message including an indication corresponding to the preferred PDCCH monitoring behavior. 41. A mobile station comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to read computer code from the memory to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 40. 42. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable program medium having computer code stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement any one of claims 1 to 40 method described in item.

Images