WO2021205384A1

WO2021205384A1 - Apparatus and method for monitoring pdcch candidates

Info

Publication number: WO2021205384A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/052935
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hossein Bagheri; Vijay Nangia; Hyejung Jung
Original assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
Priority date: 2020-04-09
Filing date: 2021-04-09
Publication date: 2021-10-14

Abstract

A transceiver can indicate (610) a capability to monitor PDCCH according to one or more of (X, Y) combinations associated with a SCS configuration. A controller can monitor (670) PDCCH candidates in a number of cells in first PDCCH monitoring occasions. A number of PDCCH candidates of a first set of spans may not be larger than a first number of PDCCH candidates and an associated number of non-overlapping CCEs of the first set of spans may not be larger than a first number of non-overlapped CCEs. The controller can monitor (680) PDCCH candidates in a number of cells in second PDCCH monitoring occasions. A number of PDCCH candidates of a second set of spans may not be larger than a second number of PDCCH candidates and an associated number of non-overlapped CCEs of the second set of spans may not be larger than a second number of non-overlapping CCEs.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING PDCCH CANDIDATES BACKGROUND 1. Field [0001] The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for monitoring PDCCH candidates. 2. Introduction [0002] Presently, wireless communication devices, such as UEs, communicate with other communication devices using wireless signals. To support URLLC Rel-16, more PDCCH monitoring opportunities (in terms of number of non-overlapping CCEs or number of blind decodes (BDs) in a slot) compared to that of Rel-15 are needed to ensure the latency requirements for some of the URLLC use cases are satisfied. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0003] In order to describe the manner in which advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a description of the disclosure is rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings depict only example embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope. The drawings may have been simplified for clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. [0004] FIG.1 is an example block diagram of a system according to a possible embodiment; [0005] FIG.2 is an example illustration of grouping of DL cells based on the starting symbol of the first span of each cell according to a possible embodiment; [0006] FIG.3 is an example illustration of different spans in different CCs according to a possible embodiment; [0007] FIG.4 is an example illustration of virtual CC formation and virtual spans according to a possible embodiment; [0008] FIG.5 is an example illustration showing how a fraction of spans in set of CCs are aligned according to a possible embodiment; [0009] FIG.6 is an example flowchart illustrating the operation of a wireless communication device according to a possible embodiment; [0010] FIG.7 is an example flowchart illustrating the operation of a wireless communication device according to a possible embodiment; and [0011] FIG.8 is an example block diagram of an apparatus according to a possible embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0012] Embodiments provide an apparatus and method for communicating on a wireless network. At least some embodiments can provide an apparatus and method for monitoring PDCCH candidates. At least some embodiments can provide span based PDCCH monitoring for ultra-reliable low-latency communication. [0013] According to a possible embodiment, a transceiver can indicate a capability to monitor PDCCH according to one or more of (X, Y) combinations associated with a SCS configuration. A controller can monitor PDCCH candidates in a number of cells in first PDCCH monitoring occasions. A number of PDCCH candidates of a first set of spans may not be larger than a first number of PDCCH candidates and an associated number of non- overlapping CCEs of the first set of spans may not be larger than a first number of non- overlapped CCEs. The controller can monitor PDCCH candidates in a number of cells in second PDCCH monitoring occasions. A number of PDCCH candidates of a second set of spans may not be larger than a second number of PDCCH candidates and an associated number of non-overlapped CCEs of the second set of spans may not be larger than a second number of non-overlapping CCEs. [0014] FIG.1 is an example block diagram of a system 100 according to a possible embodiment. The system 100 can include a UE 110, at least one network entity 120 and 125, and a network 130. The UE 110 can be a wireless wide area network device, a user device, a wireless terminal, a portable wireless communication device, a smartphone, a cellular telephone, a flip phone, a personal digital assistant, a smartwatch, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a selective call receiver, an IoT device, or any other user device that is capable of sending and receiving communication signals on a wireless network. The at least one network entity 120 and 125 can be a wireless wide area network base station, can be a NodeB, can be an eNB, can be a gNB, such as a 5G NodeB, can be an unlicensed network base station, can be an access point, can be a base station controller, can be a network controller, can be a TRP, can be a different type of network entity from the other network entity, and/or can be any other network entity that can provide wireless access between a UE and a network. [0015] The network 130 can include any type of network that is capable of sending and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, the network 130 can include a wireless communication network, a cellular telephone network, a TDMA-based network, a CDMA-based network, an OFDMA-based network, an LTE network, a NR network, a 3GPP- based network, a 5G network, a satellite communications network, a high-altitude platform network, the Internet, and/or other communications networks. [0016] In operation, the UE 110 can communicate with the network 130 via at least one network entity 120. For example, the UE 110 can send and receive control signals on a control channel and user data signals on a data channel. [0017] To manage the PDCCH monitoring complexity, limits on number of PDCCH candidates/blind decodes and/or number of non-overlapping CCEs are defined per span (or set of symbols) per slot, wherein a ‘span’ or ‘PDCCH monitoring span’ is defined based on PDCCH monitoring occasions within a slot (and also across slots), considering a gap between (the beginning of) any two spans. A set of spans in a DL BWP of a carrier is defined via a pair of numbers (X, Y), wherein ‘X’ defines a minimum gap between the start of any two spans of the set of spans and ‘Y’ defines the maximum duration of a span in terms of symbols (see TR 38.822 feature 3-5b or R1-2001484). The UE is not expected or does not monitor more PDCCH candidates or more non-overlapping CCEs in each scheduling cell/scheduled cell more than what is derived based on the limits on number of PDCCH candidates and/or number of non-overlapping CCEs, respectively. [0018] In case of carrier aggregation, different component carriers may have different sets of spans, and currently it is being discussed in 3GPP community how to distribute PDCCH candidates/blind decodes/non-overlapping CCEs across different spans of different component carriers. Two scenarios are identified in RAN1 meeting 100e, referred to as ‘aligned spans’ and ‘non-aligned spans’ (see R1-2001409), wherein the spans across two component carriers with the same (X,Y) combination and same subcarrier spacing (SCS) are called non-aligned, e.g., (as one possible definition) when the gap between the end of a span of a first CC (component carrier) and the beginning of a span of a second CC is less than ‘X’ symbols when the two spans are not fully overlapped/do not start at the same symbol; in another possible definition when the start symbol of a span of a first CC (component carrier) and the start symbol of an overlapping span of a second CC are not aligned, and the spans across two component carriers with the same (X,Y) combination and same subcarrier spacing (SCS) are called aligned, e.g., when the gap between the end of a span of a first CC (component carrier) and the beginning of a span of a second CC is zero symbols when the two spans are fully overlapped/start at the same symbol (this could be one definition of aligned spans, there are illustrations in the disclosure which shows aligned spans e.g., spans which start at the same symbol or spans which end at the same symbol; and non-aligned spans could be spans that are not aligned; also there are example illustrations in this document to show them). It is expected that the PDCCH candidates or blind decodes or non- overlapping CCEs distribution limits across different spans of different component carriers be different based on whether the spans of different component carriers are aligned or not. [0019] For enhanced monitoring PDCCH occasions, the following is considered as working assumption in 3GPP for Rel-16 NR URLLC for the aligned spans, although ‘aligned spans’ are not defined yet in the working assumption:

o The associated combination (X, Y) is the combination (X, Y) associated with largest maximum number of ^^ if the UE indicates a

capability to monitor PDCCH according to multiple (X, Y) combinations and a configuration of search space sets to the UE results in a separation of any two consecutive PDCCH monitoring spans that is equal to or larger than the value of X for two or more of the (X, Y) combinations.

o^{is the number serving cells configured with Rel-16 PDCCH}

monitoring capability with SCS configuration j. o If a UE is configured with multiple carriers with a mix of Rel-15 and Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring capability, ^{is replaced by}

o The associated combination (X, Y) is the combination (X, Y) associated with largest maximum number of if the UE indicates a

capability to monitor PDCCH according to multiple (X, Y) combinations and a configuration of search space sets to the UE results in a separation of any two consecutive PDCCH monitoring spans that is equal to or larger than the value of X for two or more of the (X, Y) combinations. [0020] In addition, the following proposals were discussed in RAN1100e meeting: Proposal #1: If a UE is configured with downlink cells with Rel-16

PDCCH monitoring capability with an associated combination (X, Y) and SCS configuration µ, where the UE is not required to monitor

more than non-overlapping CCEs for any set of spans across the active

DL BWP(s) of scheduling cell(s) from the

downlink cells if the spans on different downlink cells from the downlink cells are not aligned, with at

most one span per scheduling cell for each set, where

monitoring capability with SCS configuration j. o If a UE is configured with multiple carriers with a mix of Rel-15 and Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring capability, is replaced by

o The associated combination (X, Y) is the combination (X, Y) associated with largest maximum number of ^ , if the UE indicates a

capability to monitor PDCCH according to multiple (X, Y) combinations and a configuration of search space sets to the UE results in a span pattern with a separation of any two consecutive PDCCH monitoring spans that is equal to or larger than the value of X for two or more of the (X, Y) combinations. Proposal #2: If a UE is configured with downlink cells with Rel-16

more than candidates for any set of spans across the active DL

BWP(s) of scheduling cell(s) from the ^ downlink cells if the spans on

different downlink cells from the downlink cells are not aligned, with at

most one span per scheduling cell for each set, where

o is the number serving cells configured with Rel-16 PDCCH

monitoring capability with SCS configuration j. o If a UE is configured with multiple carriers with a mix of Rel-15 and Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring capability, s replaced by

o The associated combination (X, Y) is the combination (X, Y) associated with largest maximum number of ^ if the UE indicates a

capability to monitor PDCCH according to multiple (X, Y) combinations and a configuration of search space sets to the UE results in a span pattern with a separation of any two consecutive PDCCH monitoring spans that is equal to or larger than the value of X for two or more of the (X, Y) combinations. [0021] Proposals #1 and #2 have certain deficiencies w.r.t. the case of aligned spans, e.g., for full utilization of the BD and/or PDCCH candidate and/or CCE budget, the budget is to be uniformly distributed across spans of different CCs of the same SCS and (X, Y) if all of the budget to be used/allocated. In addition, if there are many CCs with multiple spans per slot for each CC, the UE needs to check number of BDs and/or PDCCH candidates and/or non- overlapping CCEs over many sets of possible spans with one span per each CC (for example, in case of 3CCs with (X=2, Y=2), the UE may need to check number of BDs and/or PDCCH candidates and/or non-overlapping CCEs for 7^3=343 span sets, e.g., one set of spans is{span 1 of CC1}, {span 3 of CC2},{span 4 of CC3}). [0022] At least some embodiments of this disclosure provide methods for PDCCH candidates and/or blind decodes and/or non-overlapping CCEs distribution limits when different spans of different component carriers are not aligned. In particular, at least some embodiments of this disclosure suggest for the case of (X=2,Y=2), group the CCs in two groups. For the 1^st group of CCs, the first span in the slot starts from the first symbol of the slot (the first span might be empty based on the search space configuration). For the 2^nd group of CCs, the first span in the slot starts from the second symbol of the slot (the first span might be empty based on the search space configuration). Define a first limit

CCs of the first group. Define a second limit ^ s ^

based on a cardinality or number of CCs of the first group and a cardinality or number of CCs of the second group, and/or grouping spans of different carriers in a way which takes into account aligned spans in each group. For the cases of (X=4,Y=3), and (X=7,Y=3) follow proposal 1 and 2 above. Or alternatively, similar principles of the design for (X=2, Y=2) can be applicable. [0023] The time/frequency resources corresponding to search spaces and their associated CORESETs are higher layer configured, leading to higher layer configuration of PDCCH monitoring occasions. [0024] For PDCCH monitoring Occasions, increasing PDCCH monitoring occasions within a slot reduces scheduling delay of URLLC operation. Lower SCS (e.g., 15 KHz) may need more frequent monitoring occasions to satisfy a target latency requirement. To assist with pipelining operation and/or to reduce UE complexity, instead of per-slot constraints on maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs or maximum number of blind decodes monitored, a number of PDCCH candidates per-half a slot or per a set of symbols constraints can be defined. The same or different constraints (in terms of numbers of non-overlapping CCEs and/or number of BDs) as used per slot in Rel-15 can be applied to per half-a-slot or per-set-of-symbols as discussed in [2]. It is also discussed in [2] that for counting the number of non-overlapping CCEs and/or BDs per half-a-slot or per-set-of-symbols, the beginning or the ending symbols of each monitoring occasion can be used as a way to count those CCEs and/or BDs in each half-a-slot or a set-of-symbols as RRC configuration of the search spaces may lead to some search spaces cross the half-slot or set-of-symbol boundary. [0025] In Rel-15, for each search space set index, based on the RRC parameter monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot, the beginning of each PDCCH monitoring occasion (first symbols for the reception of PDCCH candidates) in a slot is determined. [0026] Table 10.1-2 provides the maximum number of monitored PDCCH candidates, for a DL BWP with SCS configuration µ for a UE per slot for operation with a

single serving cell. [0027] Table 10.1-3 provides the maximum number of non-overlapped CCE ^C for a DL BWP with SCS configuration ^µ that a UE is expected to monitor corresponding PDCCH candidates per slot for operation with a single serving cell. [0028] CCEs for PDCCH candidates are non-overlapped if they correspond to different CORESET indexes, or different first symbols for the reception of the respective PDCCH candidates. Table 10.1-2: Maximum number

of monitored PDCCH candidates per slot for a DL BWP with SCS configuration µ∈ { 0,1,2,3 } for a single serving cell.

Table 10.1-3: Maximum number of non-overlapped CCEs per slot for a DL

BWP with SCS configuration µ∈ { 0,1,2,3 } for a single serving cell.

[0029] According to TS 38.213, Rel-15, for each DL BWP configured to a UE in a serving cell, a UE can be provided by higher layer signalling with P≤ 3 CORESETs. For each CORESET, the UE is provided the following by ControlResourceSet: a CORESET index ^p ,0≤ p < 12 , by controlResourceSetId; a DM-RS scrambling sequence initialization value by pdcch-DMRS-ScramblingID; a precoder granularity for a number of REGs in the frequency domain where the UE can assume use of a same DM-RS precoder by precoderGranularity; a number of consecutive symbols provided by duration; a set of resource blocks provided by frequencyDomainResources; CCE-to-REG mapping parameters provided by cce-REG- MappingType; an antenna port quasi co-location, from a set of antenna port quasi co- locations provided by TCI-State, indicating quasi co-location information of the DM-RS antenna port for PDCCH reception in a respective CORESET; an indication for a presence or absence of a transmission configuration indication (TCI) field for DCI format 1_1 transmitted by a PDCCH in CORESET ^p , by TCI-PresentInDCI. [0030] When precoderGranularity = allContiguousRBs, a UE does not expect to be configured a set of resource blocks of a CORESET that includes more than four sub-sets of resource blocks that are not contiguous in frequency; and any RE of a CORESET to overlap with any RE determined from lte-CRS-ToMatchAround or with any RE of a SS/PBCH block. [0031] For each CORESET in a DL BWP of a serving cell, a respective frequencyDomainResources provides a bitmap. The bits of the bitmap have a one-to-one mapping with non-overlapping groups of 6 consecutive PRBs, in ascending order of the PRB index in the DL BWP bandwidth of N PRBs with starting common RB position ^N

^{where the first common RB of the first group of 6 PRBs has common RB index}

[0032] For each DL BWP configured to a UE in a serving cell, the UE is provided by higher layers with S ≤ 10 search space sets where, for each search space set from the S search space sets, the UE is provided the following by SearchSpace: a search space set index s , 0≤ s < 40 , by searchSpaceId; an association between the search space set s and a CORESET ^p by controlResourceSetId; a PDCCH monitoring periodicity of k _s slots and a PDCCH monitoring offset of ⁰ _s slots, by monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset; a PDCCH monitoring pattern within a slot, indicating first symbol(s) of the CORESET within a slot for PDCCH monitoring, by monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot; a duration of T_s < k _s slots indicating a number of slots that the search space set s exists by duration; a number of PDCCH candidates

per CCE aggregation level L by aggregationLevel1, aggregationLevel2, aggregationLevel4, aggregationLevel8, and aggregationLevel16, for CCE aggregation level 1, CCE aggregation level 2, CCE aggregation level 4, CCE aggregation level 8, and CCE aggregation level 16, respectively; an indication that search space set s is either a CSS set or a USS set by searchSpaceType. Also, if search space set s is a CSS set, the UE is provided the following by SearchSpace: an indication by dci-Format0-0-AndFormat1-0 to monitor PDCCH candidates for DCI format 0_0 and DCI format 1_0; an indication by dci-Format2-0 to monitor one or two PDCCH candidates for DCI format 2_0 and a corresponding CCE aggregation level; an indication by dci-Format2-1 to monitor PDCCH candidates for DCI format 2_1; an indication by dci-Format2-2 to monitor PDCCH candidates for DCI format 2_2; an indication by dci-Format2-3 to monitor PDCCH candidates for DCI format 2_3. If search space set ^s is a USS set, the UE is provided by SearchSpace an indication by dci- Formats to monitor PDCCH candidates either for DCI format 0_0 and DCI format 1_0, or for DCI format 0_1 and DCI format 1_1 [0033] If the monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot indicates to a UE to monitor PDCCH in a subset of up to three consecutive symbols that are same in every slot where the UE monitors PDCCH for all search space sets, the UE does not expect to be configured with a PDCCH SCS other than 15 kHz if the subset includes at least one symbol after the third symbol. [0034] A UE does not expect to be provided a first symbol and a number of consecutive symbols for a CORESET that results to a PDCCH candidate mapping to symbols of different slots. [0035] A UE does not expect any two PDCCH monitoring occasions on an active DL BWP, for a same search space set or for different search space sets, in a same CORESET to be separated by a non-zero number of symbols that is smaller than the CORESET duration. [0036] According to TS 38.331:

[0037] And for CORESET:

[0038] For span gap between PDCCH monitoring Occasions, according to TR 38.822, UE feature 3-5b, all PDCCH monitoring occasions can be any OFDM symbol(s) of a slot for Case 2 with a span gap. [0039] PDCCH monitoring occasions of FG-3-1 (see TR 38.822), plus additional PDCCH monitoring occasion(s) can be any OFDM symbol(s) of a slot for Case 2, and for any two PDCCH monitoring occasions belonging to different spans, where at least one of them is not the monitoring occasions of FG-3-1, in same or different search spaces, there is a minimum time separation of X OFDM symbols (including the cross-slot boundary case) between the start of two spans, where each span is of length up to Y consecutive OFDM symbols of a slot. Spans do not overlap. Every span is contained in a single slot. The same span pattern repeats in every slot. The separation between consecutive spans within and across slots may be unequal but the same (X, Y) limit must be satisfied by all spans. Every monitoring occasion is fully contained in one span. In order to determine a suitable span pattern, first a bitmap b(l), 0<=l<=13 is generated, where b(l)=1 if symbol l of any slot is part of a monitoring occasion, b(l)=0 otherwise. The first span in the span pattern begins at the smallest l for which b(l)=1. The next span in the span pattern begins at the smallest l not included in the previous span(s) for which b(l)=1. The span duration is max{maximum value of all CORESET durations, minimum value of Y in the UE reported candidate value} except possibly the last span in a slot which can be of shorter duration. A particular PDCCH monitoring configuration meets the UE capability limitation if the span arrangement satisfies the gap separation for at least one (X, Y) in the UE reported candidate value set in every slot, including cross slot boundary. [0040] For the set of monitoring occasions which are within the same span: Processing one unicast DCI scheduling DL and one unicast DCI scheduling UL per scheduled CC across this set of monitoring occasions for FDD; Processing one unicast DCI scheduling DL and two unicast DCI scheduling UL per scheduled CC across this set of monitoring occasions for TDD; Processing two unicast DCI scheduling DL and one unicast DCI scheduling UL per scheduled CC across this set of monitoring occasions for TDD. [0041] The number of different start symbol indices of spans for all PDCCH monitoring occasions per slot, including PDCCH monitoring occasions of FG-3-1, is no more than floor(14/X) (X is minimum among values reported by UE). [0042] The number of different start symbol indices of PDCCH monitoring occasions per slot including PDCCH monitoring occasions of FG-3-1, is no more than 7. [0043] The number of different start symbol indices of PDCCH monitoring occasions per half-slot including PDCCH monitoring occasions of FG-3-1 is no more than 4 in SCell. [0044] The (X, Y) UE capability can be one of set1, set2, or set3: (X, Y): set1 = (7, 3); set2 = (4, 3) and (7, 3); and set3 = (2, 2) and (4, 3) and (7, 3). [0045] From 38.213, for a UE procedure for determining physical downlink control channel assignment, a set of PDCCH candidates for a UE to monitor is defined in terms of PDCCH search space sets. A search space set can be a CSS set or a USS set. A UE monitors PDCCH candidates in one or more of the following search spaces sets a Type0-PDCCH CSS set configured by pdcch-ConfigSIB1 in MIB or by searchSpaceSIB1 in PDCCH-ConfigCommon or by searchSpaceZero in PDCCH-ConfigCommon for a DCI format with CRC scrambled by a SI-RNTI on the primary cell of the MCG, a Type0A-PDCCH CSS set configured by searchSpaceOtherSystemInformation in PDCCH-ConfigCommon for a DCI format with CRC scrambled by a SI-RNTI on the primary cell of the MCG, a Type1-PDCCH CSS set configured by ra-SearchSpace in PDCCH-ConfigCommon for a DCI format with CRC scrambled by a RA-RNTI, a MsgB-RNTI, or a TC-RNTI on the primary cell, a Type2- PDCCH CSS set configured by pagingSearchSpace in PDCCH-ConfigCommon for a DCI format with CRC scrambled by a P-RNTI on the primary cell of the MCG, a Type3-PDCCH CSS set configured by SearchSpace in PDCCH-Config with searchSpaceType = common for DCI formats with CRC scrambled by INT-RNTI, SFI-RNTI, TPC-PUSCH-RNTI, TPC- PUCCH-RNTI, TPC-SRS-RNTI, CI-RNTI, or PS-RNTI and, only for the primary cell, C- RNTI, MCS-C-RNTI, or CS-RNTI(s), and a USS set configured by SearchSpace in PDCCH- Config with searchSpaceType = ue-Specific for DCI formats with CRC scrambled by C- RNTI, MCS-C-RNTI, SP-CSI-RNTI, CS-RNTI(s), SL-RNTI, SL-CS-RNTI, or SL-L-CS- RNTI. [0046] For a DL BWP, if a UE is not provided searchSpaceSIB1 for Type0-PDCCH CSS set by PDCCH-ConfigCommon, the UE does not monitor PDCCH candidates for a Type0- PDCCH CSS set on the DL BWP. The Type0-PDCCH CSS set is defined by the CCE aggregation levels and the number of PDCCH candidates per CCE aggregation level given in Table 10.1-1. If the active DL BWP and the initial DL BWP have same SCS and same CP length and the active DL BWP includes all RBs of the CORESET with index 0, or the active DL BWP is the initial DL BWP, the CORESET configured for Type0-PDCCH CSS set has CORESET index 0 and the Type0-PDCCH CSS set has search space set index 0. [0047] For a DL BWP, if a UE is not provided searchSpaceOtherSystemInformation for Type0A-PDCCH CSS set, the UE does not monitor PDCCH for Type0A-PDCCH CSS set on the DL BWP. The CCE aggregation levels and the number of PDCCH candidates per CCE aggregation level for Type0A-PDCCH CSS set are given in Table 10.1-1. [0048] For a DL BWP, if a UE is not provided ra-SearchSpace for Type1-PDCCH CSS set, the UE does not monitor PDCCH for Type1-PDCCH CSS set on the DL BWP. If the UE has not been provided a Type3-PDCCH CSS set or a USS set and the UE has received a C-RNTI and has been provided a Type1-PDCCH CSS set, the UE monitors PDCCH candidates for DCI format 0_0 and DCI format 1_0 with CRC scrambled by the C-RNTI in the Type1- PDCCH CSS set. [0049] If a UE is not provided pagingSearchSpace for Type2-PDCCH CSS set, the UE does not monitor PDCCH for Type2-PDCCH CSS set on the DL BWP. The CCE aggregation levels and the number of PDCCH candidates per CCE aggregation level for Type2-PDCCH CSS set are given in Table 10.1-1. [0050] If a UE is provided a zero value for searchSpaceID in PDCCH-ConfigCommon for a Type0/0A/2-PDCCH CSS set, the UE determines monitoring occasions for PDCCH candidates of the Type0/0A/2-PDCCH CSS set as described in Clause 13, and the UE is provided a C-RNTI, the UE monitors PDCCH candidates only at monitoring occasions associated with a SS/PBCH block, where the SS/PBCH block is determined by the most recent of a MAC CE activation command indicating a TCI state of the active BWP that includes a CORESET with index 0, as described in [6, TS 38.214], where the TCI-state includes a CSI-RS which is quasi-co-located with the SS/PBCH block, or a random access procedure that is not initiated by a PDCCH order that triggers a contention-free random access procedure. [0051] If a UE monitors PDCCH candidates for DCI formats with CRC scrambled by a C- RNTI and the UE is provided a non-zero value for searchSpaceID in PDCCH- ConfigCommon for a Type0/0A/2-PDCCH CSS set, the UE determines monitoring occasions for PDCCH candidates of the Type0/0A/2-PDCCH CSS set based on the search space set associated with the value of searchSpaceID. [0052] The UE may assume that the DM-RS antenna port associated with PDCCH receptions in the CORESET configured by pdcch-ConfigSIB1 in MIB, the DM-RS antenna port associated with corresponding PDSCH receptions, and the corresponding SS/PBCH block are quasi co-located with respect to average gain, QCL-TypeA, and QCL-TypeD properties, when applicable [6, TS 38.214], if the UE is not provided a TCI state indicating quasi co- location information of the DM-RS antenna port for PDCCH reception in the CORESET. The value for the DM-RS scrambling sequence initialization is the cell ID. A SCS is provided by subCarrierSpacingCommon in MIB. [0053] For single cell operation or for operation with carrier aggregation in a same frequency band, a UE does not expect to monitor a PDCCH in a Type0/0A/2/3-PDCCH CSS set or in a USS set if a DM-RS for monitoring a PDCCH in a Type1-PDCCH CSS set does not have same QCL-TypeD properties [6, TS 38.214] with a DM-RS for monitoring the PDCCH in the Type0/0A/2/3-PDCCH CSS set or in the USS set, and if the PDCCH or an associated PDSCH overlaps in at least one symbol with a PDCCH the UE monitors in a Type1-PDCCH CSS set or with an associated PDSCH. [0054] If a UE is provided one or more search space sets by corresponding one or more of searchSpaceZero, searchSpaceSIB1, searchSpaceOtherSystemInformation, pagingSearchSpace, ra-SearchSpace, and a C-RNTI, an MCS-C-RNTI, a CS-RNTI, a SL- RNTI, a SL-CS-RNTI, or a SL-L-CS-RNTI, then the UE monitors PDCCH candidates for DCI format 0_0 and DCI format 1_0 with CRC scrambled by the C-RNTI, the MCS-C- RNTI, or the CS-RNTI in the one or more search space sets in a slot where the UE monitors PDCCH candidates for at least a DCI format 0_0 or a DCI format 1_0 with CRC scrambled by SI-RNTI, RA-RNTI, MsgB-RNTI, or P-RNTI. [0055] If a UE is provided, one or more search space sets by corresponding one or more of searchSpaceZero, searchSpaceSIB1, searchSpaceOtherSystemInformation, pagingSearchSpace, ra-SearchSpace, or a CSS set by PDCCH-Config, and a SI-RNTI, a P- RNTI, a RA-RNTI, a MsgB-RNTI, a SFI-RNTI, an INT-RNTI, a TPC-PUSCH-RNTI, a TPC-PUCCH-RNTI, or a TPC-SRS-RNTI, then, for a RNTI from any of these RNTIs, the UE does not expect to process information from more than one DCI format with CRC scrambled with the RNTI per slot. Table 10.1-1: CCE aggregation levels and maximum number of PDCCH candidates per CCE aggregation level for CSS sets configured by searchSpaceSIB1

[0056] For each DL BWP configured to a UE in a serving cell, the UE can be provided by higher layer signalling with ^^^^ ≤ 3 CORESETs if CORESETPoolIndex is not provided, or if a value of CORESETPoolIndex is same for all CORESETs if CORESETPoolIndex is provided; ^^^^ ≤ 5 CORESETs if CORESETPoolIndex is not provided for a first CORESET, or is provided and has a value 0 for a first CORESET, and is provided and has a value 1 for a second CORESET. [0057] For each CORESET, the UE is provided the following by ControlResourceSet: a CORESET index p , by controlResourceSetId, where 0≤ p < 12 if CORESETPoolIndex is not provided, or if a value of CORESETPoolIndex is same for all CORESETs if CORESETPoolIndex is provided; 0 < ^^^^ < 16 if CORESETPoolIndex is not provided for a first CORESET, or is provided and has a value 0 for a first CORESET, and is provided and has a value 1 for a second CORESET. The UE is also provided the following by ControlResourceSet a DM-RS scrambling sequence initialization value by pdcch-DMRS- ScramblingID; a precoder granularity for a number of REGs in the frequency domain where the UE can assume use of a same DM-RS precoder by precoderGranularity; a number of consecutive symbols provided by duration; a set of resource blocks provided by frequencyDomainResources; CCE-to-REG mapping parameters provided by cce-REG- MappingType; an antenna port quasi co-location, from a set of antenna port quasi co- locations provided by TCI-State, indicating quasi co-location information of the DM-RS antenna port for PDCCH reception in a respective CORESET; if the UE is provided by simultaneousTCI-CellList a number of lists of cells for simultaneous TCI state activation, the UE applies the antenna port quasi co-location provided by TCI-States with same activated tci- StateID value to CORESETs with index ^^^^ in all configured DL BWPs of all configured cells in a list determined from a serving cell index provided by a MAC CE command. The UE is also provided the following by ControlResourceSet an indication for a presence or absence of a transmission configuration indication (TCI) field for a DCI format, other than DCI format 1_0, that schedules PDSCH receptions or indicates SPS PDSCH release and is transmitted by a PDCCH in CORESET p , by tci-PresentInDCI or tci-PresentInDCI-ForDCIFormat1_2. [0058] When precoderGranularity = allContiguousRBs, a UE does not expect to be configured a set of resource blocks of a CORESET that includes more than four sub-sets of resource blocks that are not contiguous in frequency; any RE of a CORESET to overlap with any RE determined from lte-CRS-ToMatchAround, or from LTE-CRS-PatternList-r16, or with any RE of a SS/PBCH block. [0059] For each CORESET in a DL BWP of a serving cell, a respective frequencyDomainResources provides a bitmap. If a CORESET is not associated with any search space set configured with freqMonitorLocation-r16, the bits of the bitmap have a one- to-one mapping with non-overlapping groups of 6 consecutive PRBs, in ascending order of the PRB index in the DL BWP bandwidth of RBs with starting common RB position

where the first common RB of the first group of 6 PRBs has common RB index 6 ⋅ if rb-offset is not provided, or the first common RB of the first group of 6 PRBs

has common RB index is provided by rb-offset. If a

CORESET is associated with at least one search space set configured with

[0060] For a CORESET other than a CORESET with index 0, if a UE has not been provided a configuration of TCI state(s) by tci-StatesPDCCH-ToAddList and tci-StatesPDCCH- ToReleaseList for the CORESET, or has been provided initial configuration of more than one TCI states for the CORESET by tci-StatesPDCCH-ToAddList and tci-StatesPDCCH- ToReleaseList but has not received a MAC CE activation command for one of the TCI states as described in [11, TS 38.321], the UE assumes that the DM-RS antenna port associated with PDCCH receptions is quasi co-located with the SS/PBCH block the UE identified during the initial access procedure; if a UE has been provided a configuration of more than one TCI states by tci-StatesPDCCH-ToAddList and tci-StatesPDCCH-ToReleaseList for the CORESET as part of Reconfiguration with sync procedure as described in [12, TS 38.331] but has not received a MAC CE activation command for one of the TCI states as described in [11, TS 38.321], the UE assumes that the DM-RS antenna port associated with PDCCH receptions is quasi co-located with the SS/PBCH block or the CSI-RS resource the UE identified during the random access procedure initiated by the Reconfiguration with sync procedure as described in [12, TS 38.331]. [0061] For a CORESET with index 0, the UE assumes that a DM-RS antenna port for PDCCH receptions in the CORESET is quasi co-located with the one or more DL RS configured by a TCI state, where the TCI state is indicated by a MAC CE activation command for the CORESET, if any, or a SS/PBCH block the UE identified during a most recent random access procedure not initiated by a PDCCH order that triggers a contention- free random access procedure, if no MAC CE activation command indicating a TCI state for the CORESET is received after the most recent random access procedure. [0062] For a CORESET other than a CORESET with index 0, if a UE is provided a single TCI state for a CORESET, or if the UE receives a MAC CE activation command for one of the provided TCI states for a CORESET, the UE assumes that the DM-RS antenna port associated with PDCCH receptions in the CORESET is quasi co-located with the one or more DL RS configured by the TCI state. For a CORESET with index 0, the UE expects that QCL- TypeD of a CSI-RS in a TCI state indicated by a MAC CE activation command for the CORESET is provided by a SS/PBCH block. If the UE receives a MAC CE activation command for one of the TCI states, the UE applies the activation command in the first slot that is after slot where k is the slot where the UE would transmit a PUCCH

with HARQ-ACK information for the PDSCH providing the activation command and µ is the SCS configuration for the PUCCH. The active BWP is defined as the active BWP in the slot when the activation command is applied. [0063] For each DL BWP configured to a UE in a serving cell, the UE is provided by higher layers with S ≤ 10 search space sets where, for each search space set from the S search space sets, the UE is provided the following by SearchSpace: a search space set index s , 0< s < 40 , by searchSpaceId; an association between the search space set _s and a CORESET p by controlResourceSetId; a PDCCH monitoring periodicity of k _s slots and a PDCCH monitoring offset of o _s slots, by monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset; a PDCCH monitoring pattern within a slot, indicating first symbol(s) of the CORESET within a slot for PDCCH monitoring, by monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot; a duration of T_s < k _s slots indicating a number of slots that the search space set s exists by duration; a number of PDCCH candidates

per CCE aggregation level L by aggregationLevel1, aggregationLevel2, aggregationLevel4, aggregationLevel8, and aggregationLevel16, for CCE aggregation level 1, CCE aggregation level 2, CCE aggregation level 4, CCE aggregation level 8, and CCE aggregation level 16, respectively; an indication that search space set s is either a CSS set or a USS set by searchSpaceType. If search space set s is a CSS set , UE is provided the following by SearchSpace: an indication by dci-Format0-0-AndFormat1-0 to monitor PDCCH candidates for DCI format 0_0 and DCI format 1_0; an indication by dci-Format2-0 to monitor one or two PDCCH candidates for DCI format 2_0 and a corresponding CCE aggregation level; an indication by dci-Format2-1 to monitor PDCCH candidates for DCI format 2_1; an indication by dci-Format2-2 to monitor PDCCH candidates for DCI format 2_2; an indication by dci-Format2-3 to monitor PDCCH candidates for DCI format 2_3; an indication by dci-Format2-4 to monitor PDCCH candidates for DCI format 2_4; an indication by dci-Format2-6 to monitor PDCCH candidates for DCI format 2_6; if search space set s is a USS set, the UE is provided the following by SearchSpace an indication by dci-Formats to monitor PDCCH candidates either for DCI format 0_0 and DCI format 1_0, or for DCI format 0_1 and DCI format 1_1, or an indication by dci-Formats-Rel16 to monitor PDCCH candidates for DCI format 0_0 and DCI format 1_0, or for DCI format 0_1 and DCI format 1_1, or for DCI format 0_2 and DCI format 1_2, or, if a UE indicates a corresponding capability, for DCI format 0_1, DCI format 1_1, DCI format 0_2, and DCI format 1_2, or for DCI format 3_0, or for DCI format 3_1, or for DCI format 3_0 and DCI format 3_1. The UE is also provided the following by SearchSpace: a bitmap by freqMonitorLocation-r16, if provided, to indicate one or more RB sets for the search space set ^^^^, where the MSB ^^^^ in the bitmap corresponds to RB set ^^^^ − 1 in the DL BWP. For RB set ^^^^ indicated in the bitmap, the first PRB of the frequency domain monitoring location confined within the RB set is given by where is the index of first PRB of the RB set ^^^^, and

is provided by rb-offset or if rb-offset is not provided. The frequency

domain resource allocation pattern for each monitoring location is determined based on the first bits in frequencyDomainResources provided by the associated CORESET

configuration. [0064] If the monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot indicates to a UE to monitor PDCCH in a subset of up to three consecutive symbols that are same in every slot where the UE monitors PDCCH for all search space sets, the UE does not expect to be configured with a PDCCH SCS other than 15 kHz if the subset includes at least one symbol after the third symbol.

[0065] A UE does not expect to be provided a first symbol and a number of consecutive symbols for a CORESET that results to a PDCCH candidate mapping to symbols of different slots.

[0066] A UE does not expect any two PDCCH monitoring occasions on an active DL BWP, for a same search space set or for different search space sets, in a same CORESET to be separated by a non-zero number of symbols that is smaller than the CORESET duration.

[0067] A UE determines a PDCCH monitoring occasion on an active DL BWP from the PDCCH monitoring periodicity, the PDCCH monitoring offset, and the PDCCH monitoring pattern within a slot. For search space set s , the UE determines that a PDCCH monitoring occasion(s) exists in a slot with number [4, TS 38.211] in a frame with number n_f if

The UE monitors PDCCH candidates for search space set s for

T_s consecutive slots, starting from slot

, and does not monitor PDCCH candidates for search space set s for the next k_s -T_s consecutive slots.

[0068] A USS at CCE aggregation level L ∈ {1, 2, 4, 8, 16} is defined by a set of PDCCH candidates for CCE aggregation level L .

[0069] If a UE is configured with CrossCarrierSchedulingConfig for a serving cell the carrier indicator field value corresponds to the value indicated by CrossCarrierSchedulingConfig. [0070] For an active DL BWP of a serving cell on which a UE monitors PDCCH candidates in a USS, if the UE is not configured with a carrier indicator field, the UE monitors the PDCCH candidates without carrier indicator field. For an active DL BWP of a serving cell on which a UE monitors PDCCH candidates in a USS, if a UE is configured with a carrier indicator field, the UE monitors the PDCCH candidates with carrier indicator field.

[0071] A UE does not expect to monitor PDCCH candidates on an active DL BWP of a secondary cell if the UE is configured to monitor PDCCH candidates with carrier indicator field corresponding to that secondary cell in another serving cell. For the active DL BWP of a serving cell on which the UE monitors PDCCH candidates, the UE monitors PDCCH candidates at least for the same serving cell.

[0072] For a search space set s associated with CORESET P , the CCE indexes for aggregation level L corresponding to PDCCH candidate

of the search space set in slot

[0073] A UE that is configured for operation with carrier aggregation, and indicates support of search space sharing through searchSpaceSharingCA-UL or through searchSpaceSharingCA-DL, and has a PDCCH candidate with CCE aggregation level L in CORESET P for a first DCI format scheduling PUSCH transmission, other than DCI format 0 0, or for a second DCI format scheduling PDSCH reception or SPS PDSCH release, other than DCI format 1_0, having a first size and associated with serving cell n_CI,2 , can receive a corresponding PDCCH through a PDCCH candidate with CCE aggregation level L in CORESET P for a first DCI format or for a second DCI format, respectively, having a second size and associated with serving cell n_CI,1 if the first size and the second size are same.

[0074] A UE expects to monitor PDCCH candidates for up to 4 sizes of DCI formats that include up to 3 sizes of DCI formats with CRC scrambled by C-RNTI per serving cell. The UE counts a number of sizes for DCI formats per serving cell based on a number of configured PDCCH candidates in respective search space sets for the corresponding active DL BWP.

[0075] A UE does not expect to detect, in a same PDCCH monitoring occasion, a DCI format with CRC scrambled by a SI-RNTI, RA-RNTI, MsgB-RNTI, TC-RNTI, P-RNTI, C-RNTI, CS-RNTI, or MCS-RNTI and a DCI format with CRC scrambled by a SL-RNTI or a SL-CS- RNTI for scheduling respective PDSCH and PSSCH receptions on a same serving cell. [0076] A PDCCH candidate with index for a search space set s _j using a set of CCEs in

a CORESET p on the active DL BWP for serving cell is not counted for monitoring if

there is a PDCCH candidate with index for a search space set or if there is a

PDCCH candidate with index , in the CORESET p on the active DL

BWP for serving cell n _CI using a same set of CCEs, the PDCCH candidates have identical scrambling, and the corresponding DCI formats for the PDCCH candidates have a same size; otherwise, the PDCCH candidate with index is counted for monitoring.

[0077] Table 10.1-2 provides the maximum number of monitored PDCCH candidates, per slot for a UE in a DL BWP with SCS configuration µ for operation with a

single serving cell. Table 10.1-2: Maximum number Mmax,slot, µ P_DCCH of monitored PDCCH candidates per slot for a DL BWP with SCS configuration µ∈ { 0,1,2,3 } for a single serving cell

[0078] Table 10.1-2A provides the maximum number of monitored PDCCH candidates, per span for a UE in a DL BWP with SCS configuration μ for operation with a

single serving cell.

Table 10.1-2A: Maximum number of monitored PDCCH candidates in a span for combination (X, Y) for a D

L BWP with SCS configuration ^^^^ ∈ ^{ ^^^^, ^^^^^} for a single serving cell

[0079] Table 10.1-3 provides the maximum number of non-overlapped CCEs, or a

DL BWP with SCS configuration µ that a UE is expected to monitor corresponding PDCCH candidates per slot for operation with a single serving cell. [0080] CCEs for PDCCH candidates are non-overlapped if they correspond to different CORESET indexes, or different first symbols for the reception of the respective PDCCH candidates. Table 10.1-3: Maximum number

of non-overlapped CCEs per slot for a DL BWP with SCS configuration µ∈ { 0,1,2,3 } for a single serving cell

[0081] Table 10.1-3A provides the maximum number of non-overlapped CCEs,

for a DL BWP with SCS configuration ^^^^ that a UE is expected to monitor corresponding PDCCH candidates per span for operation with a single serving cell.

Table 10.1-3A: Maximum number

of non-overlapped CCEs in a span for combination (X, Y) for a DL BWP with SCS configuration or a single serving cell

[0082] A UE can indicate a capability to monitor PDCCH according to one or more of the combinations (X, Y) = (2, 2), (4, 3), and (7, 3) per SCS configuration of ^^^^ = 0 and ^^^^ = 1. If the UE indicates a capability to monitor PDCCH according to multiple (X, Y) combinations and a configuration of search space sets to the UE for PDCCH monitoring on a cell results to a separation of every two consecutive PDCCH monitoring spans that is equal to or larger than the value of ^^^^ for two or more of the multiple combinations ⁽X, Y⁾, the UE is expected to monitor PDCCH on the cell according to the combination ⁽X, Y⁾ associated with the largest

[0085] If a UE is configured with downlink cells using Rel-15 PDCCH

monitoring capability and with associated PDCCH candidates monitored in the active DL BWPs of the scheduling cell(s) using SCS configuration

a DL BWP of an activated cell is the active DL BWP of the activated cell,

and a DL BWP of a deactivated cell is the DL BWP with index provided by firstActiveDownlinkBWP-Id for the deactivated cell, the UE is not required to monitor more than ^

PDCCH candidates or more than

non-overlapped CCEs per slot on the active

DL BWP(s) of scheduling cell(s) from the ^{DL DL} downlink cells. If a UE is

configured with downlink cells using both Rel-15 PDCCH monitoring capability and Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring capability,

[0086] For each scheduled cell, the UE is not required to monitor on the active DL BWP with SCS configuration µ of the scheduling cell from the ^ downlink cells more than

PDCCH candidates or more than non-

overlapped CCEs per slot. [0087] For each scheduled cell, the UE is not required to monitor on the active DL BWP with SCS configuration ^^^^ of the scheduling cell from the downlink cells more than

non-overlapped CCEs per slot; more than ^^

PDCCH candidates or more than ^ non-overlapped CCEs per slot

for CORESETs with same CORESETPoolIndex value. [0088] If a UE is configured only with ^ downlink cells using Rel-16 PDCCH

m^{onitoring capability, and with ^ downlink cells using combination}

(_{X, Y) for PDCCH monitoring, and having active DL BWPs using SCS configuration ^^^^,} a DL BWP of an activated cell is the active DL BWP of the

activated cell, and a DL BWP of a deactivated cell is the DL BWP with index provided by firstActiveDownlinkBWP-Id for the deactivated cell, the UE is not required to monitor more than PDCCH candidates or

more than _{non-overlapped}

CCEs per span on the active DL BWP(s) of scheduling cell(s) from the downlink

cells if the spans on all scheduling cells from the downlink cells are aligned, where

is a number of configured cells using Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring capability with

SCS configuration j . If a UE is configured with downlink cells using both Rel-15 PDCCH monitoring capability and Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring capability, s replaced by

[0089] A UE does not expect to be configured CSS sets that result to corresponding total, or per scheduled cell, numbers of monitored PDCCH candidates and non-overlapped CCEs per slot that exceed the corresponding maximum numbers per slot. [0090] For same cell scheduling or for cross-carrier scheduling where a scheduling cell and scheduled cell(s) have DL BWPs with same SCS configuration µ , a UE does not expect a number of PDCCH candidates, and a number of corresponding non-overlapped CCEs per slot on a secondary cell to be larger than the corresponding numbers that the UE is capable of monitoring on the secondary cell per slot. [0091] For cross-carrier scheduling, the number of PDCCH candidates for monitoring and the number of non-overlapped CCEs per slot are separately counted for each scheduled cell. [0092] For all search space sets within a slot n , denote by S _css a set of CSS sets with cardinality of a set of USS sets with cardinality of ^J _uss . The location of USS sets is according to an ascending order of the search space set index.

[0093] Denote by M( L ) S_css( _i ) , 0≤i < I _css , the number of counted PDCCH candidates for monitoring for CSS set S_css( i ) and by the number of counted PDCCH

candidates for monitoring for USS set S_uss( j ) . [0094] For the CSS sets, a UE monitors PDCCH candidates requiring a

total of C CSS P_DCCH non-overlapping CCEs in a slot. [0095] The UE allocates PDCCH candidates for monitoring to USS sets for the primary cell having an active DL BWP with SCS configuration µ in a slot if the UE is not provided PDCCHMonitoringCapabilityConfig for the primary cell or if the UE is provided PDCCHMonitoringCapabilityConfig = R15 PDCCH monitoring capability for all serving cells, or in a span if the UE is provided PDCCHMonitoringCapabilityConfig = R16 PDCCH monitoring capability for the primary cell, according to the following pseudocode. If for the USS sets for scheduling on the primary cell the UE is not provided CORESETPoolIndex for first CORESETs, or is provided CORESETPoolIndex with value 0 for first CORESETs, and is provided CORESETPoolIndex with value 1 for second CORESETs, and if

the following pseudocode applies only to

USS sets associated with the first CORESETs. A UE does not expect to monitor PDCCH in a USS set without allocated PDCCH candidates for monitoring. [0096] Denote by the set of non-overlapping CCEs for search space set _{S ( j )}

_uss and by he cardinality of V_CCE(S _uss( j )) where the non-overlapping CCEs for

search space set S_uss( j ) are determined considering the allocated PDCCH candidates for monitoring for the CSS sets and the allocated PDCCH candidates for monitoring for all

[0097] If a UE is configured for single cell operation or for operation with carrier aggregation in a same frequency band, and monitors PDCCH candidates in overlapping PDCCH monitoring occasions in multiple CORESETs that have same or different QCL-TypeD properties on active DL BWP(s) of one or more cells, then the UE monitors PDCCHs only in a CORESET, and in any other CORESET from the multiple CORESETs having same QCL- TypeD properties as the CORESET, on the active DL BWP of a cell from the one or more cells. The CORESET corresponds to the CSS set with the lowest index in the cell with the lowest index containing CSS, if any; otherwise, to the USS set with the lowest index in the cell with lowest index. The lowest USS set index is determined over all USS sets with at least one PDCCH candidate in overlapping PDCCH monitoring occasions. For the purpose of determining the CORESET, a SS/PBCH block is considered to have different QCL-TypeD properties than a CSI-RS. For the purpose of determining the CORESET, a first CSI-RS associated with a SS/PBCH block in a first cell and a second CSI-RS in a second cell that is also associated with the SS/PBCH block are assumed to have same QCL-TypeD properties. The allocation of non-overlapping CCEs and of PDCCH candidates for PDCCH monitoring is according to all search space sets associated with the multiple CORESETs on the active DL BWP(s) of the one or more cells. The number of active TCI states is determined from the multiple CORESETs. [0098] If a UE is configured for single cell operation or for operation with carrier aggregation in a same frequency band, and monitors PDCCH candidates in overlapping PDCCH monitoring occasions in multiple CORESETs where none of the CORESETs has TCI-states with 'QCL-TypeD', then the UE is required to monitor PDCCH candidates in overlapping PDCCH monitoring occasions for search space sets associated with different CORESETs. [0099] For a scheduled cell and at any time, a UE expects to have received at most 16 PDCCHs for DCI formats 1_0 or 1_1 with CRC scrambled by C-RNTI, CS-RNTI, or MCS- C-RNTI scheduling 16 PDSCH receptions for which the UE has not received any corresponding PDSCH symbol and at most 16 PDCCHs for DCI formats 0_0 or 0_1 with CRC scrambled by C-RNTI, CS-RNTI, or MCS-C-RNTI scheduling 16 PUSCH transmissions for which the UE has not transmitted any corresponding PUSCH symbol. [00100] If a UE is not provided PDCCHMonitoringCapabilityConfig, and is not configured for NR-DC operation and indicates through pdcch-BlindDetectionCA a capability to monitor PDCCH candidates for

downlink cells and the UE is configured with

downlink cells or

uplink cells, or is configured with NR-DC operation and for a cell group with downlink cells or uplink cells, then the UE expects to have respectively

received at most 1

PDCCHs for DCI formats with CRC scrambled by a C-RNTI, or a CS-RNTI, or a MCS-C-RNTI scheduling 16⋅ N cap c_ells PDSCH receptions for which the UE has not received any corresponding PDSCH symbol over all downlink cells; DCI formats

with CRC scrambled by a C-RNTI, or a CS-RNTI, or a MCS-C-RNTI scheduling 1

PUSCH transmissions for which the UE has not transmitted any corresponding PUSCH symbol over all uplink cells.

[00101] If a UE is configured to monitor a first PDCCH candidate for a DCI format 0_0 and a DCI format 1_0 from a CSS set and a second PDCCH candidate for a DCI format 0_0 and a DCI format 1_0 from a USS set in a CORESET with index zero on an active DL BWP, and the DCI formats 0_0/1_0 associated with the first PDCCH candidate and the DCI formats 0_0/1_0 associated with the second PDCCH candidate have same size, and the UE receives the first PDCCH candidate and the second PDCCH candidate over a same set of CCEs, and the first PDCCH candidate and the second PDCCH candidate have identical scrambling, and the DCI formats 0_0/1_0 for the first PDCCH candidate and the DCI formats 0_0/1_0 for the second PDCCH candidate have CRC scrambled by either C-RNTI, or MCS-C-RNTI, or CS- RNTI, then the UE decodes only the DCI formats 0_0/1_0 associated with the first PDCCH candidate. [00102] If a UE detects a DCI format with inconsistent information, the UE discards all the information in the DCI format. [00103] A UE configured with a bandwidth part indicator in a DCI format determines, in case of an active DL BWP or of an active UL BWP change, that the information in the DCI format is applicable to the new active DL BWP or UL BWP, respectively, as described in Clause 12. [00104] For unpaired spectrum operation, if a UE is not configured for PUSCH/PUCCH transmission on serving cell c ₂ , the UE does not expect to monitor PDCCH on serving cellc ₁ if the PDCCH overlaps in time with SRS transmission (including any interruption due to uplink or downlink RF retuning time [10, TS 38.133]) on serving cell c ₂ and if the UE is not capable of simultaneous reception and transmission on serving cell c ₁ and serving cell c ₂ . [00105] If a UE is provided resourceBlocks and symbolsInResourceBlock in RateMatchPattern, or if the UE is additionally provided periodicityAndPattern in RateMatchPattern, the UE can determine a set of RBs in symbols of a slot that are not available for PDSCH reception as described in [6, TS 38.214]. If a PDCCH candidate in a slot is mapped to one or more REs that overlap with REs of any RB in the set of RBs in symbols of the slot, the UE does not expect to monitor the PDCCH candidate. [00106] To support URLLC Rel-16, more PDCCH monitoring opportunities (in terms of number of non-overlapping CCEs or number of blind decodes (BDs) and/or PDCCH candidates in a slot) compared to that of Rel-15 are needed to ensure the latency for some of the URLLC use cases. [00107] In an embodiment, for the case of (X=2, Y=2), group the CCs in two groups. For the 1^st group of CCs, the first span in the slot starts from the first symbol of the slot (the first span might be empty based on the search space configuration). For the 2^nd group of CCs, the first span in the slot starts from the second symbol of the slot (the first span might be empty based on the search space configuration). Define a first limit ^^

CCs of the first group. Define a second limit

Y=3), proposals 1 and 2 discussed above can be followed. [00108] To support URLLC Rel-16, more PDCCH monitoring opportunities (in terms of number of non-overlapping CCEs or number of blind decodes (BDs)/PDCCH candidates in a slot) compared to that of Rel-15 are needed to ensure the latency target for some of the URLLC use cases. [00109] In an embodiment, for the case of (X=2, Y=2), group the CCs in two groups. For the 1^st group of CCs, the first span in the slot starts from the first symbol of the slot (the first span might be empty based on the search space configuration). For the 2^nd group of CCs, the first span in the slot starts from the second symbol of the slot (the first span might be empty based on the search space configuration). Define a first limit ^ second limit

(X=7,Y=3), proposals 1 and 2 discussed above can be followed. [00110] FIG.2 is an example illustration 200 of grouping of DL cells based on the starting symbol of the first span of each cell according to a possible embodiment. Each span for each CC is represented by a colour. Spans of the first CC, represented by A1, A2, …, A7; Spans of the 2^nd CC are represented by B1, B2,…, B7, and so on. [00111] In an embodiment, it is ensured that for any set of symbols, such as ‘X’ symbols (‘X’ is determined from (X, Y) pair) from the start of a span, the CCE/BD budget is not exceeded across all DL cells. Below, CCE(S) represents the number of non-overlapping CCEs corresponding to span S, and Q represents the CCE budget/limit across cells. In an example, the following checks/inequalities need to be satisfied: CCE(A1)+CCE(B1)+CCE(C1)+CCE(D1)<=Q CCE(A2)+CCE(B2)+CCE(C1)+CCE(D1)<=Q CCE(A2)+CCE(B2)+CCE(C2)+CCE(D2)<=Q [00112] In another example, the following checks/inequalities need to be satisfied: CCE(Ai)+CCE(Bi)+CCE(Cj)+CCE(Dj)<=Q; for i={1,2,…,7}; and j={1,2,…,7} for each i [00113] There is no need to check/satisfy CCE budget for different span combinations within each group of cells. For example, there is no need to check the following equations: CCE(A1)+CCE(B2)+CCE(C1)+CCE(D1)<=Q CCE(A3)+CCE(B7)+CCE(C2)+CCE(D1)<=Q [00114] In another example, there is no need to satisfy inequalities/UE would not do the following checks: CCE(Ai)+CCE(Bj)+CCE(Ck)+CCE(Dl)<=Q; for i,j,k,l={1,2,…,7}; and ‘i’ is different than ‘j’; and/or ‘k’ is different than ‘l’ [00115] Similarly, limits on BD and/or number of PDCCH candidates can be checked/ensured. [00116] FIG.3 is an example illustration 300 of different spans in different CCs according to a possible embodiment. CC1 and CC2 can have aligned spans and CC3 and CC4 can have spans that are not aligned with spans in CC1 and CC2. It can be observed that in the illustration 300, span C3 is aligned with spans A3 and B3; also spans A4, B4, and C4 are aligned; whereas spans C1 and D1 are not aligned with spans A1, and B1. The grouping is only done at the first span of a slot, such as in the illustration 300. In the example the illustration 300, the CCs in the first group of CCs (CC1 and CC2) have aligned spans (aligned first spans A1 and B1) and the CCs in the second group (CC3 and CC4) with aligned first spans C1 and D1 but have non-aligned spans with the spans (A1 and B1) of the first group. For the CCs in the first group, the CCE and/or BD and/or PDCCH candidate budget is distributed according to the number of downlink cells within the first group. For the CCs in the second group, the CCE and/or BD and/or PDCCH candidate budget is distributed according to the number of downlink cells within the second group. [00117] FIG.4 is an example illustration 400 of virtual CC formation and virtual spans V1, V2, ..., V7 according to a possible embodiment. In an embodiment, for a slot, the UE determines whether all spans for a subset of CCs are aligned, and determines the cardinality of the subset For example, in the illustration 400 above, CC1 and CC2

form the subset, N1=2. Also, the UE considers the remaining cells have

non-aligned spans within a slot. For example, in the illustration 400 above, CC3 and CC4 have non-aligned spans, N2=2. Additionally, the set of N1 CCs with aligned spans form a virtual CC (e.g., in the example of the illustration 400, the virtual CC has 7 spans in a slot, called V1, V2,…V7) , Vi = Ai = Bi for i={1,2,…,7}, as shown in the illustration 400. [00118] If a UE is configured with downlink cells with Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring

capability with an associated combination (X, Y) and SCS configuration µ, where the UE is not required to monitor more than C non-

overlapping CCEs for any set of spans across the active DL BWP(s) of scheduling cell(s) f^{rom the N}

^{downlink cells and the virtual cell(or any cell from the} d_{ownlink cells) if the spans on different downlink cells from the N}

downlink cells and the virtual cell (or any cell from the downlink cells)are not

aligned, with at most one span per scheduling cell for each set of spans, where

[00119] In an example, “any set of spans across the active DL BWP(s) of scheduling cell(s) from the N downlink cells and the virtual cell”, excludes some of the potential span

combinations (e.g., {A1, B2, C1, D1} is not considered a set of spans across the active DL BWP(s) of scheduling cell(s) from the N^{DL,(X,Y),2,μ} c_ells,r16 downlink cells and the virtual cell, and hence “CCE(A1)+CCE(B2)+CCE(C1)+CCE(D1)<=Q” is not needed for the example in the illustration 200). [00120] In an embodiment, If a UE is configured with downlink cells with Rel-16

PDCCH monitoring capability with an associated combination (X, Y) and SCS configuration µ^{, where and if the spans on all downlink cells from the}

D^{L (X Y) 1 downlink cells are aligned, the UE is not required to monitor more than}

n_{on-overlapping CCEs for any set of spans across the active DL BWP(s) of}

^{scheduling cell(s) from the N downlink cells and a (or any) downlink cell from the}

d_{ownlink cells if the spans on downlink cells from the downlink cells}

are not aligned, with at most one span per scheduling cell for each set of spans, where

[00121] In an embodiment related to the above embodiment, there could be more than one group of CCs having aligned spans within CCs of each group. For example, the illustration 200 has two groups of CCs which have aligned spans within each group of CCs. The following rule can be applicable to the example of the illustration 200 as well: [00122] If a UE is configured with downlink cells with Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring

capability with an associated combination (X, Y) and SCS configuration µ, where and if the spans on all downlink cells from the N

downlink cells are aligned, and if the spans on all downlink cells from the N

downlink cells are aligned, the UE is not required to monitor more than non-

overlapping CCEs for any set of spans across the active DL BWP(s) of scheduling cell(s) from a/any downlink cell from the N downlink cells and a/any downlink cell from

the downlink cells if the spans on downlink cells from the N downlink

cells are not aligned, with at most one span per scheduling cell for each set of spans, where

[00123] WithinN downlink cells, the CCE budget can be freely distributed. In a

related example corresponding to the illustration 200,

a^{nd for each span Ai, or Bi or Ci, or Di the CCE limit is minimum of}

[00124] FIG.5 is an example illustration 500 showing how a fraction of spans in set of CCs are aligned according to a possible embodiment. In an example related to the illustration 500 with three CCs, spans A3, B3, and C3 are aligned, also spans A4, B4, and C4 are aligned and so on. In an embodiment, the UE needs to ensure the CCE budget/limit across spans of cells by meeting the following conditions: CCE(A1)+CCE(B1)+CCE(C1) <=Q; CCE(A2)+CCE(B2)+CCE(C1) <=Q; CCE(Ai)+CCE(Bi)+CCE(Ci) <=Q, i>2. [00125] In another example related to the illustration 500 with three CCs, the UE needs to ensure the CCE budget/limit across spans of cells by meeting the following conditions (essentially, non-aligned span distribution is applied also for span 3 in each CC, but afterwards, it is considered as aligned spans): CCE(A1)+CCE(B1)+CCE(C1)<=Q; CCE(A2)+CCE(B2)+CCE(C1)<=Q; CCE(A2)+CCE(B2)+CCE(C1)<=Q; CCE(A2)+CCE(B2)+CCE(C3)<=Q; CCE(Ai)+CCE(Bi)+CCE(Ci)<=Q, i>2. [00126] The following rule can be applied: If a UE is configured with downlink

cells with Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring capability with an associated combination (X, Y) and SCS configuration µ, where and if at least ‘K’( out of ‘T’)

consecutive spans per CC per slot on all downlink cells from the downlink cells

are aligned, the UE is not required to monitor more than non-overlapping CCEs

for any set of spans, assuming the ‘K-2‘ spans in the middle of the ‘K’ consecutive spans form a single span or if the ‘K’ spans are the last ‘K‘ spans of a slot, assuming the last ‘K- 1’spans of the ‘K’ consecutive spans form a single span, across the active DL BWP(s) of s^{cheduling cell(s) from the N downlink cells if the spans on downlink cells from the}

N_DL,(X,Y),μ _{cells,r16 downlink cells are not aligned, with at most one span per scheduling cell for each} set of spans, where

[00127] and for the set of ‘K-2’ spans (or ‘K-1’ spans if the ‘K’ spans are the last ‘K‘ spans of a slot), the UE is not required to monitor more than

non-overlapping CCEs per span on the active DL BWP(s) of scheduling cell(s) from the N downlink cells if the

‘K-2’ spans on all downlink cells from the N downlink cells are aligned, where

[00128] where s the number serving cells configured with Rel-16 PDCCH

monitoring capability with SCS configuration j. If a UE is configured with multiple carriers w^{ith a mix of Rel-15 and Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring capability, s replaced by}

T_{he associated combination (X, Y) is the combination (X, Y) associated with}

largest maximum number of C if the UE indicates a capability to monitor PDCCH

according to multiple (X, Y) combinations and a configuration of search space sets to the UE results in a separation of any two consecutive PDCCH monitoring spans that is equal to or larger than the value of X for two or more of the (X, Y) combinations. [00129] In the illustration 500, the last 5 spans are aligned for CC1, CC2, and CC3. (‘K’ in the above rule is 5). In an embodiment, for a slot, the UE determines whether all spans for a subset of CCs are aligned, and determines the cardinality of the subset For

example, in the illustration 200 above, CC1 and CC2 form the subset, N1=2. Also, the UE considers the remaining cells have non-aligned spans within a slot. For

example, in the illustration 200 above, CC3 and CC4 have non-aligned spans, N2=2. Additionally, for the N1 cells, the UE uses approach 1 below and for N2 cells, the UE uses the second approach below. [00130] If a UE is configured with downlink cells with Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring

capability with an associated combination (X, Y) and SCS configuration µ, where

^{[00131] According to a first approach, the UE is not required to monitor more than}

_{non-overlapping CCEs per span on the active DL BWP(s) of scheduling cell(s)} from the downlink cells if the spans on all downlink cells from the

downlink cells are aligned, where

[^{00132] According to a second approach, the UE is not required to monitor more than} n_{on-overlapping CCEs for any set of spans across the active DL BWP(s) of}

scheduling cell(s) from the downlink cells if the spans on different downlink cells

from the N downlink cells are not aligned, with at most one span per scheduling cell

for each set, where

a^{nd where NDL,j} c_ells,r16 ^{is the number serving cells configured with Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring} capability with SCS configuration j and N f a UE is

configured with multiple carriers with a mix of Rel-15 and Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring capability, N is replaced by N The associated combination (X, Y) is the

combination (X, Y) associated with largest maximum number of C

f the UE indicates a capability to monitor PDCCH according to multiple (X, Y) combinations and a configuration of search space sets to the UE results in a separation of any two consecutive PDCCH monitoring spans that is equal to or larger than the value of X for two or more of the (X, Y) combinations. [00133] If a UE is configured with ownlink cells with Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring

overlapping CCEs per span on the active DL BWP(s) of scheduling cell(s) from the downlink cells if the spans on all downlink cells from downlink

cells are aligned, where

[00134] Also, the UE is not required to monitor more than C non-overlapping

CCEs per span on the active DL BWP(s) of scheduling cell(s) from the N downlink

cells if the spans on all downlink cells from the downlink cells are aligned, where

w^{here is the number serving cells configured with Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring}

capability with SCS configuration j. The first span of

the downlink cells in a slot starts from the [or a] first symbol of the slot. The first

span of the downlink cells in a slot starts from the [or a] second symbol of the

slot. If a UE is configured with multiple carriers with a mix of Rel-15 and Rel-16 PDCCH m^{onitoring capability, is replaced by ^ The associated combination (X, Y)}

is the combination (X, Y) associated with largest maximum number o if the UE

indicates a capability to monitor PDCCH according to multiple (X, Y) combinations and a configuration of search space sets to the UE results in a separation of any two consecutive PDCCH monitoring spans that is equal to or larger than the value of X for two or more of the (X, Y) combinations. [00135] In one embodiment,

[00136] In another embodiment, s derived based on ^

[00137] In another embodiment, (X=2, Y= 2). [00138] In another embodiment, grouping into two groups of ^^ cells is

indicated according to a UE capability and/or RRC signalling. [00139] In another embodiment, grouping is done if s larger than a threshold

and/or the reported (e.g., Rel-16). PDCCH monitoring UE capability ^^ is less than a threshold.

[00140] In an embodiment, for same cell scheduling or for cross-carrier scheduling where a scheduling cell and scheduled cell(s) have DL BWPs with same SCS configuration μ , a UE does not expect a number of PDCCH candidates, and a number of corresponding non- overlapped CCEs per span on a secondary cell or per span on a secondary cell

of ^ downlink cells to be larger than the corresponding numbers that the UE is

capable of monitoring on the secondary cell per span, respectively. [00141] In another embodiment, if UE is configured with downlink cells

using Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring capability, the Pcell has to be configured with Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring capability. [00142] Similar embodiments are applicable for the number of PDCCH candidates instead of/in addition to the limits on the number of CCEs. [00143] FIG.6 is an example flowchart 600 illustrating the operation of a wireless communication device, such as the UE 110, according to a possible embodiment. At 610, a capability to monitor PDCCH according to one or more of (X, Y) combinations associated with a SCS configuration, µ, can be indicated, such as sent, transmitted, or otherwise indicated. An (X, Y) combination can be a combination of X and Y values. X can define a minimum duration of symbols between the start of any two consecutive spans of symbols and each span can be of a duration up to a number of consecutive symbols determined based on Y values of the one or more of (X, Y) combinations. A span can be a group of PDCCH candidates in a slot and a slot can contain multiple spans. The span duration can be determined based on Y values by having each span of a length up to Y consecutive symbols, by being determined based on max{maximum value of all CORESET durations, minimum value of Y in the UE reported candidate value} except possibly the last span in a slot which can be of shorter duration, or by any other way of determining a span duration based on Y values. [00144] At 620, a configuration for a number, of downlink cells to monitor PDCCH

using the capability to monitor PDCCH according to the one or more of (X, Y) combinations can be received. At 630, a particular (X, Y) combination of the one or more of (X, Y) combinations can be determined. The particular (X, Y) combination can be determined for each (X, Y) combination of the one or more of (X, Y) combinations. At 640, a set of spans defined by the particular (X, Y) combination can be determined for each of the

downlink cells. [00145] At 650, a first set of spans of the set of spans corresponding to a first subset of cells including a number, N1, of cells, of the ^ downlink cells and a second set of spans of the

set of spans corresponding to a second subset of cells including a number, N2, of cells, of the downlink cells can be determined. The second subset can be different than the first

subset. The first subset of cells and the second subset of cells can operate with carrier aggregation. r16 in can refer to Release 16. According to a possible implementation,

determining the second set of spans can include determining at most one span per cell. [00146] At 660, a first number, M1, of PDCCH candidates and a first number, C1, of non- overlapped CCEs for the first set of spans across a DL BWP of the N1 downlink cells can be determined and a second number, M2, of PDCCH candidates and a second number, C2, of non-overlapped CCEs for the second set of spans across a DL BWP of the N2 downlink cells can be determined. Non-overlapping CCEs can be CCEs that have resources that do not overlap in the time and frequency domain. Overlapping CCEs can use at least some of the same REs and non-overlapping CCEs may not use any common REs. The first number, C1, of non-overlapped CCEs can be associated with the first number, M1, of PDCCH candidates and the second number, C2, of non-overlapped CCEs can be associated with the second number, M2, of PDCCH candidates. [00147] At 670, PDCCH candidates can be monitored in the N1 cells in first PDCCH monitoring occasions. A number of PDCCH candidates of the first set of spans may not be larger than M1 and an associated number of non-overlapping CCEs of the first set of spans may not be larger than the first number, C1, of non-overlapped CCEs. [00148] At 680, PDCCH candidates can be monitored in the N2 cells in second PDCCH monitoring occasions. A number of PDCCH candidates of the second set of spans may not be larger than M2 and an associated number of non-overlapped CCEs of the second set of spans may not be larger than the second number, C2, of non-overlapping CCEs. The first PDCCH monitoring occasions can be the same as or different from the second PDCCH monitoring occasions. [00149] According to a possible implementation, M1 can be determined based on a parameter M and N1. M2 can be determined based on the parameter M and N2. The parameter M can represent a maximum number of monitored PDCCH candidates per span for the particular (X, Y) combination per cell. [00150] According to a possible example of the above implementation, the particular (X, Y) combination can be an (X, Y) combination for which a configuration of search space sets for PDCCH monitoring results in a separation of every two consecutive spans that is equal to or larger than the value of X, and is associated with the largest M. For example, if the UE indicates a capability to monitor PDCCH according to multiple (X, Y) combinations and a configuration of search space sets to the UE for PDCCH monitoring on a cell results in a separation of every two consecutive PDCCH monitoring spans that is equal to or larger than the value of ^^^^ for two or more of the multiple combinations ⁽X, Y⁾, the UE is expected to monitor PDCCH on the cell according to the combination ⁽X, Y⁾ associated with the largest maximum number

[00151] According to a possible implementation, the first set of spans can include spans including at least a common symbol in all the N1 cells of the first subset. The first set of spans can also comprise spans that start from or end at a common symbol in all the N1 cells of the first subset. According to a possible example, the common symbol can be a first common symbol, the second set of spans can include spans including at least a second common symbol in all the N2 cells of the second subset. The first and the second common symbols can be different. [00152] According to a possible implementation, M1=M2, and C1=C2. According to a possible implementation, a PDCCH in each PDCCH monitoring occasion can be contained in one span. According to a possible implementation, the set of spans can be within Y symbols. [00153] According to a possible implementation, a determination can be made that a downlink cell belongs to the first subset of cells if any span of at least a particular number, K, of consecutive spans in a first cell of the downlink cell per slot comprises at least a common symbol when a span of a second cell of the N1 cells includes at least the common symbol. The K consecutive spans can be out of T consecutive spans, such as within a particular time window. [00154] According to a possible implementation, the first set of spans can be determined for every X symbols. A first X symbols can start at a first symbol with a PDCCH monitoring occasion and a next X symbols can start at a first symbol with a PDCCH monitoring occasion that is not included in the first X symbols. [00155] FIG.7 is an example flowchart 700 illustrating the operation of a wireless communication device, such as the network entity 120, according to a possible embodiment. At 710, a capability to monitor PDCCH according to one or more of (X, Y) combinations associated with a SCS configuration, μ, can be received. An (X, Y) combination can be a combination of X and Y values. X can define a minimum duration of symbols between the start of any two consecutive spans of symbols and each span can be of a duration up to a number of consecutive symbols determined based on Y values of the one or more of (X, Y) combinations. At 720, a configuration for a number, of downlink cells to monitor

PDCCH using the capability to monitor PDCCH according to the one or more of (X, Y) combinations can be transmitted. [00156] At 730, PDCCH candidates can be transmitted in N1 cells in first PDCCH monitoring occasions. A number of PDCCH candidates of the first set of spans may not be larger than a first number, M1, of PDCCH candidates and an associated number of non-overlapping CCEs of the first set of spans may not be larger than a first number, C1, of non-overlapped CCEs. [00157] At 740, PDCCH candidates can be transmitted in N2 cells in second PDCCH monitoring occasions. A number of PDCCH candidates of the second set of spans may not be larger than a second number, M2, of PDCCH candidates and an associated number of non- overlapped CCEs of the second set of spans may not be larger than a second number, C2, of non-overlapping CCEs. [00158] The first number, M1, of PDCCH candidates and the first number, C1, of non- overlapped CCEs can be based on a first set of spans across a DL BWP of the N1 downlink cells. The second number, M2, of PDCCH candidates and an associated second number, C2, of non-overlapped CCEs can be based on a second set of spans across a DL BWP of the N2 downlink cells. The first number, C1, of non-overlapped CCEs can be associated with the first number, M1, of PDCCH candidates and the second number, C2, of non-overlapped CCEs can be associated with the second number, M2, of PDCCH candidates. [00159] The first set of spans can be based on spans of the set of spans corresponding to a first subset of cells including a number, N1, of cells, of the downlink cells. The second set

of spans can be based on spans of the set of spans corresponding to a second subset of cells including a number, N2, of cells, of the downlink cells. The second subset of cells can

be different than the first subset of cells. A particular (X, Y) combination can be based on the one or more of (X, Y) combinations. A set of spans defined by the particular (X, Y) combination can be based on each of the downlink cells. The flowchart 700 can also

perform other reciprocal operations of the flowchart 600. [00160] It should be understood that, notwithstanding the particular steps as shown in the figures, a variety of additional or different steps can be performed depending upon the embodiment, and one or more of the particular steps can be rearranged, repeated or eliminated entirely depending upon the embodiment. Also, some of the steps performed can be repeated on an ongoing or continuous basis simultaneously while other steps are performed. Furthermore, different steps can be performed by different elements or in a single element of the disclosed embodiments. Additionally, a network entity, such as a base station, transmission and reception point, mobility management entity, or other network entity, can perform reciprocal operations of a UE. For example, the network entity can transmit signals received by the UE and can receive signals transmitted by the UE. The network entity can also process and operate on sent and received signals. [00161] FIG.8 is an example block diagram of an apparatus 800, such as the UE 110, the network entity 120, or any other wireless communication device disclosed herein, according to a possible embodiment. The apparatus 800 can include a housing 810, a controller 820 coupled to the housing 810, audio input and output circuitry 830 coupled to the controller 820, a display 840 coupled to the controller 820, a memory 850 coupled to the controller 820, a user interface 860 coupled to the controller 820, a transceiver 870 coupled to the controller 820, at least one antenna port 875, such as at least one antenna, coupled to the transceiver 870, and a network interface 880 coupled to the controller 820. The apparatus 800 may not necessarily include all of the illustrated elements for different embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus 800 can perform the methods described in all the embodiments. [00162] The display 840 can be a viewfinder, an LCD, an LED display, an OLED display, a plasma display, a projection display, a touch screen, or any other device that displays information. The transceiver 870 can be one or more transceivers that can include a transmitter and/or a receiver. The audio input and output circuitry 830 can include a microphone, a speaker, a transducer, or any other audio input and output circuitry. The user interface 860 can include a keypad, a keyboard, buttons, a touch pad, a joystick, a touch screen display, another additional display, or any other device useful for providing an interface between a user and an electronic device. The network interface 880 can be a USB port, an Ethernet port, an infrared transmitter/receiver, an IEEE 1394 port, a wireless transceiver, a WLAN transceiver, or any other interface that can connect an apparatus to a network, device, and/or computer and that can transmit and receive data communication signals. The memory 850 can include a RAM, a ROM, an EPROM, an optical memory, a solid-state memory, a flash memory, a removable memory, a hard drive, a cache, or any other memory that can be coupled to an apparatus. [00163] The apparatus 800 or the controller 820 may implement any operating system, such as Microsoft Windows®, UNIX®, LINUX®, Android^TM, or any other operating system. Apparatus operation software may be written in any programming language, such as C, C++, Java, or Visual Basic, for example. Apparatus software may also run on an application framework, such as, for example, a Java® framework, a .NET® framework, or any other application framework. The software and/or the operating system may be stored in the memory 850, elsewhere on the apparatus 800, in cloud storage, and/or anywhere else that can store software and/or an operating system. For example, coding for operations can be implemented as firmware programmed into ROM. The apparatus 800 or the controller 820 may also use hardware to implement disclosed operations. For example, the controller 820 may be any programmable processor. Furthermore, the controller 820 may perform some or all of the disclosed operations. For example, at least some operations can be performed using cloud computing and the controller 820 may perform other operations. At least some operations can also be performed computer executable instructions executed by at least one computer processor. Disclosed embodiments may also be implemented on a general-purpose or a special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microprocessor, peripheral integrated circuit elements, an application-specific integrated circuit or other integrated circuits, hardware/electronic logic circuits, such as a discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device, such as a programmable logic array, field programmable gate-array, or the like. In general, the controller 820 may be any controller or processor device or devices capable of operating an apparatus and implementing the disclosed embodiments. Some or all of the additional elements of the apparatus 800 can also perform some or all of the operations of the disclosed embodiments. [00164] In operation, the apparatus 800 can perform the methods and operations of the disclosed embodiments. The transceiver 870 can transmit and receive signals, including data signals and control signals that can include respective data and control information. The controller 820 can generate and process the transmitted and received signals and information. [00165] In operation according to a possible embodiment, the transceiver 870 can indicate a capability to monitor PDCCH according to one or more of (X, Y) combinations associated with a SCS configuration, µ. An (X, Y) combination can be a combination of X and Y values. X can define a minimum duration of symbols between the start of any two consecutive spans of symbols and each span can be of a duration up to a number of consecutive symbols determined based on Y values of the one or more of (X, Y) combinations. [00166] The transceiver 870 can receive a configuration for a number, of downlink

cells to monitor PDCCH using the capability to monitor PDCCH according to the one or more of (X, Y) combinations. The controller 820 can determine a particular (X, Y) combination of the one or more of (X, Y) combinations. [00167] The controller 820 can determine a set of spans defined by the particular (X, Y) combination for each of the ^ downlink cells. The controller 820 can determine a first

set of spans of the set of spans corresponding to a first subset of cells including a number, N1, of cells, of the downlink cells. The controller 820 can determine a second set of spans

of the set of spans corresponding to a second subset of cells including a number, N2, of cells, of the downlink cells, where the second subset is different than the first subset.

[00168] The controller 820 can determine a first number, M1, of PDCCH candidates and a first number, C1, of non-overlapped CCEs for the first set of spans across a DL BWP of the N1 downlink cells. The controller 820 can determine a second number, M2, of PDCCH candidates and a second number, C2, of non-overlapped CCEs for the second set of spans across a DL BWP of the N2 downlink cells. [00169] The controller 820 can monitor PDCCH candidates in the N1 cells in first PDCCH monitoring occasions. A number of PDCCH candidates of the first set of spans may not be larger than M1 and an associated number of non-overlapping CCEs of the first set of spans may not be larger than the first number, C1, of non-overlapped CCEs. The controller 820 can monitor PDCCH candidates in the N2 cells in second PDCCH monitoring occasions. A number of PDCCH candidates of the second set of spans may not be larger than M2 and an associated number of non-overlapped CCEs of the second set of spans may not be larger than the second number, C2, of non-overlapping CCEs. [00170] According to a possible implementation, the controller 820 can determine wherein M1 based on a parameter M and N1. The controller 820 can determine M2 based on the parameter M and N2. The parameter M can represent a maximum number of monitored PDCCH candidates per span for the particular (X, Y) combination per cell. According to a possible example of this implementation, the particular (X, Y) combination can be an (X, Y) combination for which a configuration of search space sets for PDCCH monitoring results in a separation of every two consecutive spans that is equal to or larger than the value of X, and is associated with the largest M. [00171] According to a possible implementation, the first set of spans can include spans including at least a common symbol in all the N1 cells of the first subset. According to a possible example of the above implementation, the first set of spans can include spans that start from or end at a common symbol in all the N1 cells of the first subset. According to a possible implementation, the common symbol can be a first common symbol. The second set of spans can include spans including at least a second common symbol in all the N2 cells of the second subset. The first and the second common symbols can be different. [00172] According to a possible implementation, M1=M2 and C1=C2. According to a possible implementation, the controller 820 can determine the second set of spans by determining at most one span per cell. [00173] According to a possible embodiment, downlink cells with SCS ^^^^, and with applicable span defined by combination (X, Y) with Rel-16 PDCCH monitoring capability are divided into two groups. Within the first group, the first span in a slot for all CCs start from a first symbol in the slot. Within the second group, the first span in a slot for all CCs start from a second symbol in the slot. The CCE/BD/number of PDCCH candidates distributed across the CCs of the first group and the second group based on the number of CCs in each group. [00174] According to a possible embodiment a method can be performed at a device. The method can include receiving search space configurations for PDCCH monitoring for “N” DL scheduling cells. The method can include determining a span pattern defined by a pair of (X, Y) for each of the DL cells according to a UE capability signalling, wherein each span pattern consists of “W” spans per slot (e.g., W=14/X). The method can include determining a first set of limits on the number of candidates and number of non-overlapping CCEs per span. The method can include determining a first group of the DL cells, wherein the first group comprises N1 cells. The method can include determining a second group of the DL cells, wherein the second group comprises N2 cells. The method can include determining a first number of PDCCH candidates associated with a first number of non-overlapping CCEs based on N1 cells and the first set of limits on the number of candidates and number of non- overlapping CCEs. The method can include determining a second number of PDCCH candidates associated with a second number of non-overlapping CCEs based on N2 cells and the second set of limits on the number of candidates and number of non-overlapping CCEs. The method can include monitoring PDCCH candidates in each of the N1 cells, wherein the number of PDCCH candidates or the associated number of non-overlapping CCEs per span is not larger than the first number of PDCCH candidates associated with the first number of non-overlapping CCEs. The method can include monitoring PDCCH candidates in each of the N2 cells, wherein the number of PDCCH candidates or the associated number of non- overlapping CCEs per span is not larger than the second number of PDCCH candidates associated with the second number of non-overlapping CCEs. The first span of the CCs of the first group starts from a first OFDM symbol of a slot. The first span of the CCs of the second group starts from a second OFDM symbol of a slot. The first OFDM symbol is different than the second OFDM symbol. [00175] According to a possible embodiment a method can be performed at a device. The method can include receiving search space configurations for PDCCH monitoring for “N” DL scheduling cells. The method can include determining a span pattern defined by a pair of (X,Y) for each of the DL cells according to a UE capability signalling, wherein each span pattern consists of “W” spans per slot (e.g., W=14/X). The method can include determining one or more subsets of “N” DL scheduling cells, wherein the CCs within each subset have aligned spans in a slot. The method can include determining a plurality of sets of spans, wherein each set of spans, include [at most] one span per CC. The method can include determining a set of limits on the number of candidates and number of non-overlapping CCEs applicable to each of the set of spans. The plurality of sets of spans exclude any set of spans formed with non-aligned spans from a subset of “N” DL scheduling cells. The method can include monitoring PDCCH candidates in each of the cells, wherein the number of PDCCH candidates or the associated number of non-overlapping CCEs per span is not larger than the number of PDCCH candidates associated with the number of non-overlapping CCEs. [00176] According to a possible implementation of the above embodiment, a first subset of “N” DL scheduling cells, include the CCs having the first span of the CCs of the first subset starting from a first OFDM symbol of a slot. According to a possible implementation of the above embodiment, the CCs within each subset have aligned spans in a slot if spans occupying at least a particular symbol start from/end at a common symbol in all the CCs of the subset. [00177] At least some methods of this disclosure can be implemented on a programmed processor. However, the controllers, flowcharts, and modules may also be implemented on a general purpose or special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit elements, an integrated circuit, a hardware electronic or logic circuit such as a discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device, or the like. In general, any device on which resides a finite state machine capable of implementing the flowcharts shown in the figures may be used to implement the processor functions of this disclosure. [00178] At least some embodiments can improve operation of the disclosed devices. Also, while this disclosure has been described with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added, or substituted in the other embodiments. Also, all of the elements of each figure are not necessary for operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art of the disclosed embodiments would be enabled to make and use the teachings of the disclosure by simply employing the elements of the independent claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. [00179] In this document, relational terms such as "first," "second," and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The phrase "at least one of," "at least one selected from the group of," or "at least one selected from" followed by a list is defined to mean one, some, or all, but not necessarily all of, the elements in the list. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "a," "an," or the like does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. Also, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. The terms "including," "having," and the like, as used herein, are defined as "comprising." Furthermore, the background section is not admitted as prior art, is written as the inventor's own understanding of the context of some embodiments at the time of filing, and includes the inventor's own recognition of any problems with existing technologies and/or problems experienced in the inventor's own work. List of Abbreviations 3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project 5G Fifth Generation ACK Acknowledgement A-CSI Aperiodic CSI BWP Bandwidth Part CA Carrier Aggregation CC Component Carrier CCCH SDU Common Control Channel Service Data Unit CCE Control Channel Element CDMA Code Division Multiple Access CORESET Control Resource Set CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check CRI CSI-RS Resource Index C-RNTI Cell RNTI CSI-RS Channel State Information Reference Signal CSI Channel State Information CSS Common Search Space DCI Downlink Control Information DL Downlink DMRS Demodulation Reference Signal eNB Enhanced NodeB FDD Frequency Division Duplex gNB New Radio NodeB HARQ-ACK Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request-Acknowledgement HST High Speed Train IoT Internet of Things LTE Long Term Evolution MAC CE Medium Access Control Control Element MCG Master Cell Group MCS Modulation and Coding Scheme MPE Maximum Permissible Exposure NACK Non-Acknowledgement NUL Non-supplementary Uplink NR New Radio OFDMA Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access PCell Primary Cell PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel PDU Protocol Data Unit PHR Power Headroom Report P-MPR Power Management Maximum Power Reduction PRACH Physical Random Access Channel PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel QCL Quasi-co-location RAR Random Access Response RLF Radio Link Failure RNTI Radio Network Temporary Identifier RRM Radio Resource Management RS Reference Signal RSRP Reference Signal Received Power SAR Specific Absorption Rate SCell Secondary Cell SCG Secondary Cell Group SCS Subcarrier Spacing SFI Slot Format Indicator SFN Single Frequency Network SpCell Special Cell (i.e. a PCell of a MCG or SCG) SS Search space SS/PBCH Synchronization Signal/Physical Broadcast Channel SSBRI SS/PBCH Block Resource Index SR Scheduling Request SP-CSI Semi-persistent CSI SPS Semi-persistent scheduling SRS Sounding Reference Signal SRI SRS Resource Indicator SUL Supplementary Uplink TB Transport block TCI Transmission Configuration Indicator TC-RNTI Temporary Cell RNTI TDD Time Division Duplex TDMA Time Division Multiple Access UCI Uplink Control Information UE User Equipment UL Uplink URLLC Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication TRP Transmission and Reception Point USS UE-specific Search Space

Claims

CLAIMS We claim: 1. An apparatus comprising: a transceiver that indicates a capability to monitor physical downlink control channel according to one or more of (X, Y) combinations associated with a subcarrier spacing configuration, μ, where an (X, Y) combination is a combination of X and Y values, where X defines a minimum duration of symbols between the start of any two consecutive spans of symbols and each span is of a duration up to a number of consecutive symbols determined based on Y values of the one or more of (X, Y) combinations, and receives configuration for a number, of downlink cells to

monitor physical downlink control channel using the capability to monitor physical downlink control channel according to the one or more of (X, Y) combinations; and a controller coupled to the transceiver, where the controller determines a particular (X, Y) combination of the one or more of (X, Y) combinations, determines a set of spans defined by the particular (X, Y) combination for each of the downlink cells,

determines a first set of spans of the set of spans corresponding to a first subset of cells including a number, N1, of cells, of the downlink cells,

determines a second set of spans of the set of spans corresponding to a second subset of cells including a number, N2, of cells, of the downlink cells, where

the second subset is different than the first subset, determines a first number, M1, of physical downlink control channel candidates and a first number, C1, of non-overlapped control channel elements for the first set of spans across a downlink bandwidth part of the N1 downlink cells, determines a second number, M2, of physical downlink control channel candidates and a second number, C2, of non-overlapped control channel elements for the second set of spans across a downlink bandwidth part of the N2 downlink cells, monitors physical downlink control channel candidates in the N1 cells in first physical downlink control channel monitoring occasions, wherein a number of physical downlink control channel candidates of the first set of spans is not larger than M1 and an associated number of non-overlapping control channel elements of the first set of spans is not larger than the first number, C1, of non-overlapped control channel elements, and monitors physical downlink control channel candidates in the N2 cells in second physical downlink control channel monitoring occasions, wherein a number of physical downlink control channel candidates of the second set of spans is not larger than M2 and an associated number of non-overlapped control channel elements of the second set of spans is not larger than the second number, C2, of non-overlapping control channel elements.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein M1 is determined based on a parameter M and N1, wherein M2 is determined based on the parameter M and N2, and wherein the parameter M represents a maximum number of monitored physical downlink control channel candidates per span for the particular (X, Y) combination per cell.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the particular (X, Y) combination is an (X, Y) combination for which a configuration of search space sets for physical downlink control channel monitoring results in a separation of every two consecutive spans that is equal to or larger than the value of X, and is associated with the largest M.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first set of spans comprises spans including at least a common symbol in all the N1 cells of the first subset.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first set of spans comprises spans that start from or end at a common symbol in all the N1 cells of the first subset.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the common symbol is a first common symbol, wherein the second set of spans comprises spans including at least a second common symbol in all the N2 cells of the second subset, and wherein the first and the second common symbols are different.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein M1=M2 and C1=C2.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines the second set of spans by determining at most one span per cell.

9. A method at a user equipment, the method comprising: indicating a capability to monitor physical downlink control channel according to one or more of (X, Y) combinations associated with a subcarrier spacing configuration, μ, where an (X, Y) combination is a combination of X and Y values, where X defines a minimum duration of symbols between the start of any two consecutive spans of symbols and each span is of a duration up to a number of consecutive symbols determined based on Y values of the one or more of (X, Y) combinations; receiving configuration for a number, of downlink cells to monitor

physical downlink control channel using the capability to monitor physical downlink control channel according to the one or more of (X, Y) combinations; determining, a particular (X, Y) combination of the one or more of (X, Y) combinations, determining a set of spans defined by the particular (X, Y) combination for each of the downlink cells;

determining a first set of spans of the set of spans corresponding to a first subset of cells including a number, N1, of cells, of the downlink cells, and

a second set of spans of the set of spans corresponding to a second subset of cells including a number, N2, of cells, of the ^ downlink cells,

where the second subset is different than the first subset; determining a first number, M1, of physical downlink control channel candidates and a first number, C1, of non-overlapped control channel elements for the first set of spans across a downlink bandwidth part of the N1 downlink cells, and a second number, M2, of physical downlink control channel candidates and a second number, C2, of non-overlapped control channel elements for the second set of spans across a downlink bandwidth part of the N2 downlink cells; monitoring physical downlink control channel candidates in the N1 cells in first physical downlink control channel monitoring occasions, wherein a number of physical downlink control channel candidates of the first set of spans is not larger than M1 and an associated number of non-overlapping control channel elements of the first set of spans is not larger than the first number, C1, of non-overlapped control channel elements; and monitoring physical downlink control channel candidates in the N2 cells in second physical downlink control channel monitoring occasions, wherein a number of physical downlink control channel candidates of the second set of spans is not larger than M2 and an associated number of non-overlapped control channel elements of the second set of spans is not larger than the second number, C2, of non-overlapping control channel elements.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein M1 is determined based on a parameter M and N1, wherein M2 is determined based on the parameter M and N2, and wherein the parameter M represents a maximum number of monitored physical downlink control channel candidates per span for the particular (X, Y) combination per cell.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the particular (X, Y) combination is an (X, Y) combination for which a configuration of search space sets for physical downlink control channel monitoring results in a separation of every two consecutive spans that is equal to or larger than the value of X, and is associated with the largest M.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the first set of spans comprises spans including at least a common symbol in all the N1 cells of the first subset.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first set of spans comprises spans that start from or end at a common symbol in all the N1 cells of the first subset.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the common symbol is a first common symbol, wherein the second set of spans comprises spans including at least a second common symbol in all the N2 cells of the second subset, and wherein the first and the second common symbols are different.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein M1=M2 and C1=C2.

16. The method according to claim 9, wherein determining the second set of spans comprises determining at most one span per cell.

17. The method according to claim 9, wherein a physical downlink control channel in each physical downlink control channel monitoring occasion is contained in one span.

18. The method according to claim 9, further comprising determining that a downlink cell belongs to the first subset of cells if any span of at least a particular number, K, of consecutive spans in a first cell of the downlink cell per slot comprises at least a common symbol when a span of a second cell of the N1 cells includes at least the common symbol.

19. The method according to claim 9, wherein the first set of spans is determined for every X symbols, and wherein a first X symbols start at a first symbol with a physical downlink control channel monitoring occasion and a next X symbols start at a first symbol with a physical downlink control channel monitoring occasion that is not included in the first X symbols.

20. The method according to claim 9, wherein the set of spans is within Y symbols.