Communication device and communication method

Abstract

The present invention provides a communication device and a communication method, wherein the communication device comprises: a control circuit, which generates downlink control information, wherein the downlink control information comprises a UL / DL configuration indication for indicating multiple uplink / downlink UL / DL configurations; and a sending unit, which sends the downlink control information in a common search space of one or more subframes indicated by the subframe information.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of July 29, 2013, application number: 201380078531.6, and invention name: "Wireless communication method, base station, sending point / receiving point, user equipment and system". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a wireless communication method, a base station, a sending point / receiving point, a user equipment and a wireless communication system. Background Art

[0003] eIMTA (Further enhancements to Long Term Evolution (LTE) Time Division Duplex (TDD) for Downlink-Uplink (DL-UL) Interference Management and Traffic Adaptation) is a work item (WI) topic in 3GPP LTE Release 12 and is aimed at adapting traffic by modifying TDD UL / DL configuration. One of the main focuses is to enable fast TDD UL / DL configuration for traffic adaptation. Currently, TDD UL / DL configuration information is carried in System Information Block 1 (SIB1) and the change period is 640ms. One of the discussion points is how to send TDD UL / DL configuration information in the physical layer (L1).

[0004] So far, there are generally four options for fast TDD UL / DL configuration signaling: (1) implicit signaling; (2) explicit L1 signaling of reconfiguration through common search space (CSS); (3) explicit L1 signaling through user equipment specific physical downlink control channel (UE specific PDCCH); and (4) explicit MAC signaling. Among them, option 2) is the most promising in terms of signaling overhead and is supported by almost most companies.

[0005] One problem with option (2) is how different transmission points / reception points (TP / RP) distinguish their own TDD UL / DL configurations sent in the CSS in a coordinated multi-point (CoMP) scenario, especially in CoMP scenario 4.

[0006] Specifically, Figure 1Schematically illustrates a "CoMP scenario 4" 100 in LTE, in which a macro point (also referred to as a macro base station, hereinafter referred to as a base station) 101 and three TP / RPs including pico points 102, 103, and 104 share the same common signal / channel. That is, the UE in the macro point 101 (e.g., UE 106) and the UEs in the pico points 102 to 104 (e.g., UE 105 in the pico point 104) share the same UL / DL configuration sent in the same CSS. For different TP / RPs, for example, TP / RPs 102, 103, and 104, they cannot have different TDD UL / DL configurations so as not to be able to adapt to their own uplink / downlink services respectively. All TP / RPs must share the same TDD UL / DL configuration. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention has been accomplished in consideration of the above aspects.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication method, in a wireless communication system including multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), receives an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration by a user equipment (UE), comprising the following steps, namely: a step of receiving the UL / DL configuration of the UE in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific TP / RP, wherein the UE is connected to the specific TP / RP and an association between a number index of the specific TP / RP and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication method, in a wireless communication system including multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), sends an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration by a base station, comprising the following steps, namely: sending the UL / DL configuration to a user equipment (UE) connected to a specific TP / RP in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the specific TP / RP, wherein an association between a number index of the specific TP / RP and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication method, in a wireless communication system including multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), receives an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration by a user equipment (UE), comprising the following steps, namely: a step of receiving the UL / DL configuration of the UE from a specific TP / RP in a UE-specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the specific TP / RP, wherein the UE is connected to the specific TP / RP and an association between a number index of the specific TP / RP and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication method, in a wireless communication system comprising multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), sends an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration via a TP / RP, comprising the following steps, namely: sending the UL / DL configuration to a user equipment (UE) connected to the TP / RP in a search space specific to the UE of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the TP / RP, wherein an association between a number index of the TP / RP and an index of a specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0012] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication method, in a wireless communication system including multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), receives uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration by a user equipment (UE), comprising the following steps, namely: the step of receiving the UL / DL configuration of the UE in a UE group common search space of a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific UE group, wherein the UEs are grouped into a specific UE group, and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0013] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication method, in a wireless communication system including multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), sends an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration by a base station, comprising the following steps, namely: the step of sending the UL / DL configuration to a specific user equipment (UE) group in a UE group common search space of a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific user equipment (UE) group, wherein the UE is grouped into a specific UE group, and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of a specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0014] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication method, in a wireless communication system including multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), receives uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration by a user equipment (UE), comprising the following steps, namely: the step of receiving the UL / DL configuration of the UE from the TP / RP to which the UE is connected in a UE group common search space of a UE-specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific UE group, wherein the UEs are grouped into a specific UE group, and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0015] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication method, in a wireless communication system including multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), sends uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration via TP / RP, comprising the following steps, namely: the step of sending the UL / DL configuration to UEs connected to the TP / RP in a UE group common search space of a UE-specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific user equipment (UE) group, wherein the UEs are grouped into a specific UE group, and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0016] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a user equipment (UE) receives an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration in a wireless communication system including multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), comprising: a receiver that receives the UL / DL configuration of the UE in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific TP / RP, wherein the UE is connected to the specific TP / RP and an association between a number index of the specific TP / RP and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0017] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a base station, in a wireless communication system including multiple TP / RPs, sends an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration, comprising: a transmitter, which sends the UL / DL configuration to a user equipment (UE) in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific TP / RP; wherein the UE is connected to the specific TP / RP, and an association between a number index of the specific TP / RP and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0018] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a user equipment (UE) receives an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration in a wireless communication system including multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), comprising: a receiver that receives the UE's UL / DL configuration from a specific TP / RP in a UE-specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the specific TP / RP, wherein the UE is connected to the specific TP / RP and an association between a number index of the specific TP / RP and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0019] According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a TP / RP, in a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), sends an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration, comprising: a transmitter, which sends the UL / DL configuration to a user equipment (UE) connected to the TP / RP in a search space specific to the UE of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the TP / RP, wherein an association between a number index of the TP / RP and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0020] According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a user equipment (UE) receives an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration in a wireless communication system including multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), comprising: a receiver that receives the UL / DL configuration of the UE in a UE group common search space of a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific UE group, wherein the UEs are grouped into the specific UE group, and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0021] According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a base station, in a wireless communication system including multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), sends an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration, comprising: a transmitter, which sends the UL / DL configuration to a specific user equipment (UE) group in a UE group common search space of a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a UE group, wherein the UE is grouped into a specific UE group, and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0022] According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a user equipment (UE) receives an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration in a wireless communication system including multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), comprising: a receiver that receives the UL / DL configuration of the UE from the TP / RP to which the UE is connected in a UE group common search space of a UE-specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific UE group, wherein the UEs are grouped into a specific UE group and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0023] According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a TP / RP, in a wireless communication system including multiple transmitting points / receiving points (TP / RP), sends an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration, comprising: a transmitter, which sends the UL / DL configuration to UEs connected to the TP / RP in a UE group common search space of a UE-specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific user equipment (UE) group, wherein the UEs are grouped into a specific UE group, and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0024] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication system includes: a first transmission point / reception point (TP / RP), which sends a first uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration to a user equipment (UE) under its coverage in a common search space of a first time / frequency resource associated with the first TP / RP; a second TP / RP, which sends a second UL / DL configuration to the UE under its coverage in a common search space of a second time / frequency resource associated with the second TP / RP; a base station, which sends the first uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration to the UE under its coverage in the common search space of the first time / frequency resource. A base station comprising: a first TP / RP and a second TP / RP, wherein the first TP / RP is connected to a first UE and receives the first UL / DL configuration in the common search space of the first time / frequency resources; and a second UE, which is connected to a second TP / RP and receives the second UL / DL configuration in the common search space of the second time / frequency resources; wherein the association between the number index of the TP / RP and the index of the time / frequency resource is predefined at the base station, the first TP / RP, the second TP / RP, the first UE and the second UE.

[0025] According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication system includes: a base station; a first transmitting point / receiving point (TP / RP), which sends a first uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration to a UE under its coverage in a user equipment (UE)-specific common search space of a first time / frequency resource; a second TP / RP, which sends a second UL / DL configuration to a UE under its coverage in a UE-specific common search space of a second time / frequency resource; a first UE, which is connected to the first TP / RP and receives a first UL / DL configuration from the first TP / RP in the UE-specific common search space of the first time / frequency resource; and a second UE, which is connected to the second TP / RP and receives a second UL / DL configuration from the second TP / RP in the UE-specific common search space of the second time / frequency resource; wherein the association between the number index of the TP / RP and the index of the time / frequency resource is pre-defined at the first TP / RP, the second TP / RP, the first UE and the second UE.

[0026] According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication system includes: a first transmitting point / receiving point (TP / RP), which sends a first UL / DL configuration to UEs within a communicable range of the first TP / RP in a UE group common search space of a common search space of a first time / frequency resource associated with a first user equipment (UE) group; a second TP / RP, which sends a second UL / DL configuration to UEs within a communicable range of the second TP / RP in a UE group common search space of a common search space of a second time / frequency resource associated with a second UE group; a base station, which sends the first UL / DL configuration in the UE group common search space of the common search space of the first time / frequency resource to UEs within a communicable range of the second TP / RP. Sending to UE under its coverage, and sending a second UL / DL configuration to UE within the communication range of the base station in the UE group common search space of the common search space of the second time / frequency resource; a first UE in the first UE group, which receives the first UL / DL configuration in the UE group common search space of the common search space of the first time / frequency resource; and a second UE in the second UE group, which receives the second UL / DL configuration in the UE group common search space of the common search space of the second time / frequency resource; wherein the association between the number index of the UE group and the index of the time / frequency resource is pre-defined at the base station, the first TP / RP, the second TP / RP, the first UE and the second UE.

[0027] According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication system includes: a base station; a first transmitting point / receiving point (TP / RP), which sends a first UL / DL configuration to a UE within a communicable range of the first TP / RP in a UE group common search space of a UE-specific search space of a first time / frequency resource associated with a first user equipment (UE) group; a second TP / RP, which sends a second UL / DL configuration to a UE within a communicable range of the first TP / RP in a UE group common search space of a UE-specific search space of a second time / frequency resource associated with a second UE group; a first UE in the first UE group, which receives the first UL / DL configuration from the first TP / RP in the UE group common search space of the UE-specific search space of the first time / frequency resource; and a second UE in the second UE group, which receives the second UL / DL configuration from the second TP / RP in the UE group common search space of the UE-specific search space of the second time / frequency resource; wherein the association between the number index of the UE group and the index of the time / frequency resource is pre-defined at the first TP / RP, the second TP / RP, the first UE and the second UE.

[0028] According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, a communication device includes: a control circuit, which generates downlink control information, the downlink control information including a UL / DL configuration indication for indicating multiple uplink / downlink UL / DL configurations; and a sending unit, which sends the downlink control information in a common search space of one or more subframes indicated by the subframe information.

[0029] According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, a communication method includes: generating downlink control information, the downlink control information including a UL / DL configuration indication for indicating multiple uplink / downlink UL / DL configurations; and sending the downlink control information in a common search space of one or more subframes indicated by the subframe information.

[0030] According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, a communication device includes: a control circuit, which specifies one or more subframes based on subframe information sent by high-level signaling; and a receiving unit, which receives downlink control information in a common search space of the specified one or more subframes, and the downlink control information includes a UL / DL configuration indication for indicating multiple uplink / downlink UL / DL configurations.

[0031] According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, a communication method includes: specifying one or more subframes based on subframe information sent by high-level signaling; and receiving downlink control information in a common search space of the specified one or more subframes, the downlink control information including a UL / DL configuration indication for indicating multiple uplink / downlink UL / DL configurations.

[0032] According to some aspects of the wireless communication methods, base stations, transmitting points / receiving points, user equipment and wireless communication systems of the present invention, when different TP / RPs share the same common search space, different TP / RPs can also have their own TDD UL / DL configurations to adapt to their own uplink / downlink services.

[0033] In addition, according to some aspects of the present invention, wireless communication methods, base stations, transmission points / reception points, user equipment, and wireless communication systems, different TP / RPs can have their own TDD UL / DL configurations to adapt to their own uplink / downlink services by sending TDD UL / DL configurations in UE-specific search spaces. In addition, for UEs at the edge of a TP / RP or in the overlapping area of ​​multiple TP / RPs, false detection and interference to other TP / RPs can also be reduced.

[0034] The above is a summary of the invention and therefore necessarily contains simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of details. Other modes, features, and advantages of the devices and / or methods and / or other subjects described in this specification will become apparent from the teachings set forth in this specification. The summary of the invention is provided to introduce a series of concepts in a simplified form, which are further described below in the specific embodiments. The summary of the invention is not intended to identify the key features or essential features of the subject matter claimed, nor is it intended to assist in determining the scope of the subject matter claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] These and / or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become clearer and easier to understand when the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing CoMP scenario 4 in LTE.

[0037] Figure 2 1 is a flowchart showing a wireless communication method performed by a transmission point / reception point according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless communication method performed by a user equipment according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4: is a flowchart showing a wireless communication method performed by a transmission point / reception point according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless communication method performed by a user equipment according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 6 : is a flowchart showing a wireless communication method performed by a transmission point / reception point according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless communication method performed by a user equipment according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the association between TP / RP numbers and subframe numbers in a TDD-based wireless communication system.

[0044] Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a transmission point / reception point according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Fig.10 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a user equipment according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Fig.11 : is a flowchart showing a wireless communication method performed by a transmission point / reception point according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Fig.12 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless communication method performed by a user equipment according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram showing the association between UE group numbers and subframe numbers in a TDD-based wireless communication system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof. In the accompanying drawings, unless the context otherwise indicates, the same symbols generally identify the same constituent elements. It can be easily understood that the present invention can be arranged, substituted, combined and designed in a variety of different configurations, all of which are obviously covered by the present invention and form a part of the present invention.

[0050] (First Embodiment)

[0051] Figure 2 2 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication method performed by a base station according to an embodiment of the first embodiment. Figure 3is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication method by a user equipment (UE) according to another embodiment of the first embodiment.

[0052] In a first embodiment, at a (macro) base station side, a wireless communication method is provided for sending an uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration in a common search space of a wireless communication system by a base station. Figure 2 As shown, the method comprises step 201: sending UL / DL configuration to UEs under coverage in a common search space, wherein the UL / DL configuration of the UE connected to a specific TP / RP is identified by a bit in downlink control information (DCI).

[0053] It should be noted that although Figure 2 A wireless communication method performed by a (macro) base station is described, but since the macro base station shares the CSS with different TP / RPs to send (broadcast) UL / DL configurations, the wireless communication method performed by the TP / RP is similarly performed. That is, the TP / RP sends the UL / DL configuration to the UE under coverage in the common search space, wherein the UL / DL configuration of the UE connected to the TP / RP is identified by a bit in the DCI.

[0054] On the UE side, a wireless communication method is provided for receiving UL / DL configuration in a common search space of a wireless communication system by the UE. Figure 3 As shown, the method comprises step 301: receiving a UL / DL configuration in a common search space, wherein the UL / DL configuration of the UE is identified by a bit in a DCI.

[0055] Accordingly, a TP / RP for sending UL / DL configuration in a wireless communication system is provided, which includes a transmitter that sends the UL / DL configuration to a UE under coverage in a common search space, wherein the UL / DL configuration of the UE connected to the TP / RP is identified by a bit in a DCI.

[0056] Moreover, a (macro) base station for sending UL / DL configuration in a wireless communication system is provided, which includes a transmitter, which sends the UL / DL configuration to UEs under coverage in a common search space, wherein the UL / DL configuration of the UE connected to a specific TP / RP is identified by a bit in a DCI.

[0057] Furthermore, a UE for receiving UL / DL configuration in a common search space of a wireless communication system is provided, which includes a receiver for receiving the UL / DL configuration in the common search space, wherein the UL / DL configuration of the UE is identified by a bit in a DCI.

[0058] Moreover, a wireless communication system is provided, which includes: a base station, which sends UL / DL configuration to UE under coverage in a common search space; a TP / RP, which sends UL / DL configuration to UE under coverage in a common search space; and a UE, which is connected to the TP / RP and receives the UL / DL configuration in the common search space, wherein the UL / DL configuration is identified by a bit in a DCI.

[0059] Specifically, in the first embodiment, the wireless communication method is applied to a wireless communication system including multiple TP / RPs. A (macro) base station and multiple TP / RPs share the same CSS to send UL / DL configurations of all TP / RPs.

[0060] Therefore, in order to identify the UL / DL configuration of each TP / RP so that different TP / RP can have its own UL / DL configuration, an identifier formed of bits in downlink control information (DCI) can be used.

[0061] For example, some additional bits are added directly to the DCI for identifying the UL / DL configuration. Alternatively, some fields in the DCI may be reused for this identification. The number of the added or reused bits is associated with the number of the TP / RP. Specifically, the added or reused bits are sufficient to identify each UL / DL configuration possibility for all TP / RPs.

[0062] For example, there are currently 7 TDD UL / DL configuration possibilities in LTE, which are shown in Table 1 below.

[0063]

[0064] Table 1 Uplink / downlink configuration in LTE

[0065] Among them, "D" refers to the downlink subframe, "U" refers to the uplink and downlink subframes, and "S" refers to the special subframe.

[0066] Assume there are three TP / RPs, the identifier needs to identify 7 3 = 343 possible UL / DL configurations. Therefore, at least 9 bits are required. The number of bits increases as the number of TP / RP increases. For example, assuming there are ten TP / RPs, the identifier needs to identify 7 10 = 282475249 UL / DL configurations possible, which means at least 29 bits.

[0067] According to the first embodiment of the present invention, each TP / RP may have its own UL / DL configuration indicated by an identifier in the DCI, even when different TP / RPs share the same common search space.

[0068] However, in the first embodiment, some modifications need to be made to the DCI, which means a relatively large impact on this specification. In addition, as mentioned above, if the number of TP / RP is large, the identifier may require a large number of bits. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a great effort needs to be made to the design of the DCI.

[0069] In addition, there is no split gain in the first embodiment. If there are errors in some bits, it will lead to wrong identification of all TP / RPs, and thus the system performance will be greatly affected.

[0070] In order to further reduce the standardization effort and increase the splitting gain, a third embodiment of the present invention is provided, which will be described later.

[0071] (Second Embodiment)

[0072] Figure 4 2 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication method performed by a base station according to an embodiment of the second embodiment. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication method by a user equipment (UE) according to another embodiment of the second embodiment.

[0073] In a second embodiment, at the (macro) base station or TP / RP side, such as Figure 4 As shown, the method includes step 401: sending UL / DL configuration to UEs under coverage in a UE group common search space (UE group CSS). Accordingly, at the UE side, as Figure 5 As shown, the method includes step 501: receiving UL / DL configuration in a UE group common search space.

[0074] Specifically, in this embodiment, UEs in the wireless communication system are grouped based on different TP / RPs to which the UEs are connected, for example. That is, UEs in a certain group may be connected to the same TP / RP, or to different TP / RPs. It should be noted that when UEs in a certain group are connected to the same TP / RP, the UE group CSS may represent a TP / RP-specific CSS.

[0075] In addition, UEs in the same group share the same (e)PDCCH. Therefore, compared with the CSS that is common to all UEs in the wireless communication system in the first embodiment, the UE group CSS represents a search space that is common to a certain UE group among all UEs, resulting in the UEs in a certain UE group being able to have the same TP / RP configuration. The UE group CSS can be limited to a common search space or a UE-specific search space.

[0076] According to the second embodiment of the present invention, assuming that the UEs in the group are connected to the same TP / RP, a certain TP / RP sends its own UL / DL configuration in the UE group CSS specific to this TP / RP. Therefore, the UEs connected to this TP / RP can receive their UL / DL configuration in the same UE group CSS. Therefore, each TP / RP can have its own UL / DL configuration to accommodate its own uplink / downlink traffic.

[0077] However, in the second embodiment, different UL / DL configurations may still be sent in the UE group CSS of the same subframe. Therefore, UEs, especially UEs in overlapping areas of coverage of different TP / RPs, may receive different UL / DL configurations in the same subframe, which may lead to some false detections.

[0078] In order to further reduce false detection and improve splitting gain, a fourth embodiment of the present invention, which will be described later, is provided.

[0079] (Third Embodiment)

[0080] Figure 6 2 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication method by a base station according to an embodiment of the third embodiment. Figure 7 is a diagram showing a wireless communication method by a UE according to another embodiment of the third embodiment. Similar to the case in the first embodiment, the wireless communication method is also applied to a wireless communication system including a plurality of TP / RPs.

[0081] On the (macro) base station side, in the wireless communication method according to the third embodiment, as Figure 6 As shown, the method comprises step 601: sending a UL / DL configuration to a UE connected to a specific TP / RP in a common search space (CSS) of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the specific TP / RP.

[0082] In addition, although Figure 6 Not shown, but on the TP / RP side, similarly, the method comprises the following steps: sending the UL / DL configuration to the user equipment (UE) connected to the TP / RP itself in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the TP / RP.

[0083] Specifically, the (macro) base station and TP / RP in the wireless communication system send (e.g., broadcast) UL / DL configuration in the CSS. More specifically, it sends the UL / DL configuration of the UE connected to the first TP / RP in the CSS of the first time / frequency resource, sends the UL / DL configuration of the UE connected to the second TP / RP in the CSS of the second time / frequency resource, and so on. In other words, for each TP / RP, the specific time / frequency resource associated with the TP / RP is allocated for its own UL / DL configuration transmission. For example, the association between the number index of the TP / RP and the index of the specific time / frequency resource can be hard-coded in advance. Alternatively, the association can be configured by high-layer signaling, such as radio resource control (RRC) signaling or broadcast signaling (e.g., system information block (SIB)).

[0084] The number index of the TP / RP (hereinafter also referred to as the TP / RP number) may be configured through high-layer signaling. For example, the TP / RP number may be configured through UE-specific radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In addition, the TP / RP number may only be used to receive UL / DL configurations through the UE, and may not necessarily be used to identify the TP / RP in the CoMP operation, and therefore has no impact on the current CoMP.

[0085] On the UE side, in the wireless communication method according to the third embodiment, as Figure 7 As shown, the method includes step 701: receiving the UL / DL configuration of the UE in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific TP / RP; wherein the UE is connected to the specific TP / RP, and an association between a number index of the specific TP / RP and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0086] Specifically, because a specific TP / RP and a (macro) base station broadcast the same UL / DL configuration in the same CSS, the UE can receive the UL / DL configuration of the UE under a specific TP / RP from a specific TP / RP and / or from a (macro) base station in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource.

[0087] The index of a specific time / frequency resource may include at least one of the following: a subframe number, a physical resource block (PRB) index, a control channel element (CCE) index, an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) set index, and a UE cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI).

[0088] In an example, the association may be an association between a TP / RP number in, for example, a TDD-based wireless communication system and a subframe number indicating a specific subframe assigned for UL / DL configuration transmission.

[0089] Specifically, the association may be based on mod(TP / RP number, X), where TP / RP number is the number index of the TP / RP, and X is the number of subframes available for UL / DL configuration transmission, for example, equal to 4. As known to those skilled in the art, the value of X may be configured by TP / RP according to the service type, etc. This association may be hard-coded in the standard, or may be indicated by high-layer signaling as described above.

[0090] It should be noted that the above association mod (TP / RP number, X) is only an example, and those skilled in the art can design associations based on other expressions based on the above teachings, which will also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0091] In another example, the association may be an association between a TP / RP number and a PRB or CCE index indicating a specific PRB or CCE assigned for UL / DL configuration transmission. Alternatively, the association may be an association between a TP / RP number and a (e)PDCCH set index indicating a specific (e)PDCCH set assigned for UL / DL configuration transmission.

[0092] In a further example, the association may be an association between a TP / RP number and a UE ID (C-RNTI). For example, when there are a small number of UEs in a TDD-based wireless communication system, a UE connected to a specific TP / RP may determine a specific subframe based on mod(C-RNTI,X), where C-RNTI is an identifier of the UE and X is the number of subframes available for UL / DL configuration transmission.

[0093] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the association between TP / RP numbers and subframe numbers in a wireless communication system based on TDD. Figure 8 , the upper part is a row indicating UL / DL configuration 1 as shown in Table 1. The lower part is a schematic CoMP scenario 800, which includes three TP / RPs 801-803, wherein UE 804 is connected to TP / RP 801, UE 805 is connected to TP / RP 802, and UE 806 is connected to TP / RP 806. It should be noted that in order to clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, the macro base station is not shown in this figure. According to the third embodiment, UE 804 only expects to receive its own TDD UL / DL configuration in subframe #0, UE 805 only expects to receive its own TDD UL / DL configuration in subframe #1, and UE 806 only expects to receive its own TDD UL / DL configuration in subframe #5.

[0094] Of course, the above association types are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the above association types may be combined with each other where appropriate, especially when there are a large number of TPs / RPs.

[0095] For example, Table 2 below is an example of the association between TP / RP numbers and subframe numbers in a TDD-based wireless communication system including 12 TP / RPs. Assume that a total of 4 subframes are available for UL / DL configuration transmission. Since the number of TP / RPs is greater than the available subframes, the TP / RPs need to be grouped into groups as described in the second and fourth embodiments, so that more than one (3 in this example) TP / RPs correspond to the same subframe. Therefore, for each TP / RP in a group, another index is sometimes needed to further indicate the specific time / frequency resource associated with the TP / RP.

[0096] Subframe #0 Subframe #1 Subframe #5 Subframe #6 TP / RP index of the desired receiving (group) CSS 1,2,3 4,5,6 7,8,9 10,11,12

[0097] Table 2 Configuration of (group) CSS depending on subframe

[0098] In this case, in addition to the subframe number, another index indicating the frequency position in the frequency domain, for example, a CCE index or a PRB index, may be used. The CCE index or the PRB index may be an index indicating the starting position of the CSS for UL / DL configuration transmission. Therefore, not only a specific subframe assigned to a TP / RP may be determined, but also a specific CCE or a specific PRB in a specific subframe may be determined.

[0099] Alternatively, in addition to the subframe number, similar to the first embodiment, an identifier for identifying the UL / DL configuration of the UE connected to a specific TP / RP may be used in this case. As described in the first embodiment, the identifier may be formed by bits in the downlink control information (DCI). However, compared with the identifier in the first embodiment, the number of bits of the identifier is greatly reduced. For example, in the case of Table 2, since there are a total of 12 TP / RPs, according to the first embodiment, the identifier needs to identify 712=13841287201 UL / DL configuration possibilities. However, according to the third embodiment, since the TP / RPs in different groups send UL / DL configurations in different subframes, the identifier only needs to identify the UL / DL configuration of the TP / RP in the same group, that is, 3 TP / RPs in this case. In other words, the identifier needs to identify 73=343 possibilities of UL / DL configurations. Of course, the number of bits of the identifier can be greatly reduced.

[0100] In other embodiments of the third embodiment, a UE receiving a UL / DL configuration and a TP / RP sending a UL / DL configuration are provided. The UE and the TP / RP are also applied to a wireless communication system including a plurality of TP / RPs.

[0101] Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a base station 900 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 As shown, the base station 900 includes a transmitter 901, which sends a UL / DL configuration to a UE in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific TP / RP, wherein the UE is connected to the specific TP / RP and an association between a number index of the specific TP / RP and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0102] The base station 900 according to the third embodiment may optionally include: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 910 for executing relevant programs to process various data and control the operations of corresponding units in the TP / RP 900; a ROM (Read Only Memory) 913 for storing various programs required for executing various processes and controls performed by the CPU 910; a RAM (Random Access Memory) 915 for storing intermediate data temporarily generated during the processes and controls performed by the CPU 910; and / or a storage unit 917 for storing various programs, data, etc. The above transmitter 901, CPU 910, ROM 913, RAM 915, and / or storage unit 917, etc. may be interconnected via a data and / or command bus 920 and transmit signals between each other.

[0103] The corresponding units as described above do not limit the scope of the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the functions of the above transmitter 901 can be implemented by hardware, and the above CPU 910, ROM 913, RAM 915 and / or storage unit 917 are not necessary. Alternatively, the functions of the above transmitter 901 can also be implemented by functional software in combination with the above CPU 910, ROM 913, RAM 915 and / or storage unit 917, etc.

[0104] Furthermore, although not shown, the TP / RP according to the third embodiment has Fig. 9That is, the TP / RP includes a transmitter that sends the UL / DL configuration to a user equipment (UE) in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the TP / RP, wherein the UE is connected to the TP / RP, and the association between the number index of the TP / RP and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0105] Fig.10 1 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a UE 1000 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig.10 As shown, UE 1000 includes a receiver 1001, which receives the UE's UL / DL configuration in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific TP / RP, wherein the UE is connected to the specific TP / RP and an association between a number index of the specific TP / RP and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0106] The UE 1000 according to the third embodiment may optionally include: a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1010 for executing relevant programs to process various data and control operations of corresponding units in the UE 1000; a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1013 for storing various programs required for executing various processes and controls performed by the CPU 1010; a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1015 for storing intermediate data temporarily generated during the processes and controls performed by the CPU 1010; and / or a storage unit 1017 for storing various programs, data, etc. The above receiver 1001, CPU 1010, ROM 1013, RAM 1015, and / or storage unit 1017, etc. may be interconnected via a data and / or command bus 1020 and transmit signals between each other.

[0107] The corresponding units as described above do not limit the scope of the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the functions of the above receiver 1001 can be implemented by hardware, and the above CPU 1010, ROM 1013, RAM 1015 and / or storage unit 1017 are not necessary. Alternatively, the functions of the above receiver 1001 can also be implemented by functional software in combination with the above CPU 1010, ROM 1013, RAM 1015 and / or storage unit 1017, etc.

[0108] Therefore, in another embodiment, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising: a first transmitting point / receiving point (TP / RP), which sends a first uplink / downlink (UL / DL) configuration to a user equipment (UE) under its coverage in a common search space of a first time / frequency resource associated with the first TP / RP; a second TP / RP, which sends a second UL / DL configuration to the UE under its coverage in a common search space of a second time / frequency resource associated with the second TP / RP; a base station, which sends the first uplink / downlink UL / DL configuration in the common search space of the first time / frequency resource To the UE under its coverage, and send the second UL / DL configuration to the UE under its coverage in the common search space of the second time / frequency resource; a first UE, which is connected to the first TP / RP, receives the first UL / DL configuration in the common search space of the first time / frequency resource; and a second UE, which is connected to the second TP / RP, receives the second UL / DL configuration in the common search space of the second time / frequency resource; wherein the association between the number index of the TP / RP and the index of the time / frequency resource is predefined at the base station, the first TP / RP, the second TP / RP, the first UE and the second UE.

[0109] According to the above implementation of the third embodiment, UL / DL configuration transmission depends on time / frequency resource units. For example, in a TDD-based communication system, UL / DL configuration transmission depends on subframes. Therefore, even when there are multiple TP / RPs sharing the same CSS in a CoMP scenario, each TP / RP can have its own UL / DL configuration to accommodate its own UL / DL traffic.

[0110] In addition, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, especially when there are relatively few TP / RPs in the system, there is no need to add bits to the existing CSS-based DCI or reuse some bits in the DCI to identify the UL / DL configuration. Therefore, there is less standardization work.

[0111] In addition, since different UL / D1 configurations of TP / RP are sent in different time / frequency resources, there is a splitting gain in the corresponding time domain / frequency domain.

[0112] In the above embodiments of the third embodiment, the UL / DL configuration is sent in the CSS. Alternatively, in other embodiments as described below, the UL / DL configuration can also be sent in a UE-specific search space (USS).

[0113] In this embodiment, on the UE side, the method includes the following steps: receiving the UL / DL configuration of the UE from a specific TP / RP in a UE-specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the specific TP / RP, wherein the UE is connected to the specific TP / RP and an association between a number index of the specific TP / RP and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0114] On the TP / RP side, the method of the present invention comprises the following steps: sending the UL / DL configuration to the UE connected to the TP / RP in the UE-specific search space of the specific time / frequency resource associated with the TP / RP; wherein the association between the number index of the TP / RP and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0115] Specifically, in this embodiment, the (macro) base station does not send UL / DL configuration, and each TP / RP sends its own TP / RP in the USS of the time / frequency resources associated with the TP / RP itself. The association is similar to the association described in the above embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0116] Accordingly, in this embodiment, a UE is provided, comprising a receiver, which receives the UE's UL / DL configuration from a specific TP / RP in a UE-specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the specific TP / RP, wherein the UE is connected to the specific TP / RP and an association between a number index of the specific TP / RP and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0117] Furthermore, a TP / RP is provided, comprising a transmitter which sends an UL / DL configuration to a UE connected to the TP / RP in a UE-specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the TP / RP; wherein an association between a number index of the TP / RP and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0118] Moreover, a wireless communication system is provided, which includes: a base station; a first TP / RP, which sends a first UL / DL configuration to a UE under its coverage in a UE-specific common search space of a first time / frequency resource; a second TP / RP, which sends a second UL / DL configuration to a UE under its coverage in a UE-specific common search space of a second time / frequency resource; a first UE, which is connected to the first TP / RP and receives the first UL / DL configuration from the first TP / RP in the UE-specific common search space of the first time / frequency resource; and a second UE, which is connected to the second TP / RP and receives the second UL / DL configuration from the second TP / RP in the UE-specific common search space of the second time / frequency resource; wherein the association between the number index of the TP / RP and the index of the time / frequency resource is pre-defined at the first TP / RP, the second TP / RP, the first UE and the second UE.

[0119] The structures of TP / RP and UE in this embodiment are similar to those in FIG. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The structure in the above embodiment is described and will not be described in detail here.

[0120] According to this embodiment, even when there are multiple TP / RPs in a CoMP scenario, each TP / RP may send its own UL / DL configuration in the USS to the attached UEs to accommodate its own UL / DL traffic.

[0121] In addition, according to this embodiment, even for a UE that is at the edge of the coverage of a certain TP / RP or in the overlapping area of ​​the coverage of multiple TP / RPs, since different TP / RPs send their UL / DL configurations in different time / frequency resources, it can correctly receive the UL / DL configuration from the specific TP / RP to which it is connected, thereby reducing false detection and interference caused by other TP / RPs.

[0122] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0123] Fig.11 2 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication method performed by a base station according to an embodiment of the fourth embodiment. Fig.12 1 is a diagram showing a wireless communication method performed by a UE according to another embodiment of the fourth embodiment. As in the case of the first embodiment, the wireless communication method is also applied to a wireless communication system including a plurality of TP / RPs.

[0124] On the (macro) base station side, such as Fig.11As shown, the method includes step 1101: sending the UL / DL configuration to the UE in the UE group common search space of the CSS of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific UE group, wherein the UE is grouped into a specific UE group, and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0125] Moreover, despite Fig.11 Not shown, but similarly, on the TP / RP side, the method includes the following steps: sending the UL / DL configuration to the UE in a UE group common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific UE group, wherein the UEs are grouped into a specific UE group and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0126] On the UE side, Fig.12 As shown, the method includes step 1201: receiving the UL / DL configuration of the UE in the UE group common search space of the CSS of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific UE group, wherein the UEs are grouped into the specific UE group, and an association between the number index of the specific UE group and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0127] The meaning of the UE group CSS and the related detailed process has been described in the second embodiment, and will not be described here to avoid repetition. Different from the situation in the second embodiment, in the fourth embodiment, as described above in the third embodiment, the TP / RP sends the UL / DL configuration in a specific time / frequency resource. The specific time / frequency resource is associated with a specific UE group. Therefore, the UE in the specific group can only receive its UL / DL configuration in the specific time / frequency resource.

[0128] As in the case of the third embodiment, the index may include at least one of the following: a subframe number, a physical resource block (PRB) index, a control channel element (CCE) index, an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) set index, and a UE cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI). However, unlike the association mod(TP / RP number, X) in the third embodiment, in this embodiment, the association may be based on mod(UE group number, X), where the UE group number is the number index of the UE group, and X is the number of subframes that can be used for UL / DL configuration transmission, for example, equal to 4. Similarly, the UE group number can be configured through high-layer signaling.

[0129] In this embodiment, the UE group CSS is defined in the CSS shared by the (macro) base station and the TP / RP. Since UEs in different UE groups receive UL / DL configurations in different time / frequency resources, different UE groups (which may refer to different TP / RPs) can have their own UL / DL configurations even when they share the same UE group CSS in the CSS.

[0130] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the UE group CSS may be defined in the USS. In this embodiment, as described in the second embodiment, only the TP / RP sends its own UL / DL configuration.

[0131] In detail, on the TP / RP side, the method includes the following steps: sending UL / DL configuration to UEs connected to the TP / RP in a UE group common search space of a UE specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific UE group; wherein the UEs are grouped into a specific UE group, and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0132] On the UE side, the method includes the following steps: receiving the UL / DL configuration of the UE from the TP / RP to which the UE is connected in a UE group common search space of a UE-specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific UE group, wherein the UEs are grouped into a specific UE group and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0133] In this embodiment, different TP / RPs can send their own TP / RP configurations in the USS. In addition, since different TP / RPs send their own TP / RP configurations in different time / frequency resources, even for a UE at the edge of a TP / RP's coverage or in an overlapping area of ​​coverage of multiple TP / RPs, it can correctly receive the UL / DL configuration from the specific TP / RP to which it is connected, thereby reducing false detection and interference caused by other TP / RPs.

[0134] For example, Fig.13 is a schematic diagram showing the association between UE group numbers and subframe numbers in a TDD-based wireless communication system. Fig.13, the upper part is a row indicating UL / DL configuration. The lower part is a schematic wireless communication system 1300 including two TP / RPs 1301 and 1302. Moreover, assuming that the UEs connected to the same TP / RP form a UE group, the UEs of the UE group under TP / RP 1301 (e.g., UE 1303) may only expect to receive UL / DL configuration in subframe #0 and subframe #1, and the UEs of the UE group under TP / RP 1302 (e.g., UE 1304) may only expect to receive UL / DL configuration in subframe #5 and subframe #6. Therefore, different UE groups (which may refer to different TP / RPs) may have their own UL / DL configuration, regardless of whether the UE group CSS is defined in the CSS or the USS.

[0135] In addition, it is assumed that the UL / DL configuration is transmitted in the UE group CSS in the USS. At this time, even for a UE at the edge of the coverage of a certain TP / RP or in the overlapping area of ​​the coverage of multiple TP / RPs, such as UE 1303, since the UE belongs to the UE group connected to TP / RP 1301, the UE can only expect to receive the UL / DL configuration in subframe #0 and subframe #1. Therefore, the UE's false detection and interference to other TP / RPs are reduced.

[0136] A base station or TP / RP according to an embodiment of the fourth embodiment including a transmitter may have the same configuration as the base station 900 or TP / RP according to the third embodiment, except for the following. The transmitter according to this embodiment of the fourth embodiment may send an UL / DL configuration to a UE in a UE group common search space of a CSS of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific UE group; wherein the UEs are grouped into a specific UE group, and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0137] Accordingly, a UE according to an embodiment of the fourth embodiment including a receiver may have a configuration similar to that of the UE 1000 according to the third embodiment, except for the following. The receiver according to this embodiment of the fourth embodiment may receive the UL / DL configuration of the UE in a UE group common search space of a CSS of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific UE group, wherein the UEs are grouped into the specific UE group and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0138] Accordingly, the wireless communication system according to the implementation of the fourth implementation includes: a first TP / RP, which sends a first UL / DL configuration to a UE under its coverage in a UE group common search space of a common search space of a first time / frequency resource associated with a first UE group; a second TP / RP, which sends a second UL / DL configuration to a UE under its coverage in a UE group common search space of a common search space of a second time / frequency resource associated with a second UE group; a base station, which sends the first UL / DL configuration to a UE under its coverage in a UE group common search space of a common search space of a first time / frequency resource, and A second UL / DL configuration is sent to UEs under its coverage in a UE group common search space of a common search space of a second time / frequency resource; a first UE in a first UE group receives the first UL / DL configuration in a UE group common search space of a common search space of a first time / frequency resource; and a second UE in a second UE group receives the second UL / DL configuration in a UE group common search space of a common search space of a second time / frequency resource; wherein the association between the number index of the UE group and the index of the time / frequency resource is predefined at the base station, the first TP / RP, the second TP / RP, the first UE and the second UE.

[0139] Moreover, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the TP / RP including the transmitter may have a configuration similar to the TP / RP according to the third embodiment, except for the following: The transmitter of this embodiment according to the fourth embodiment may send the UL / DL configuration to the UE connected to the TP / RP in a UE group common search space of a UE specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific UE group; wherein the UEs are grouped into the specific UE group, and the association between the number index of the specific UE group and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0140] Accordingly, a UE according to an embodiment of the fourth embodiment including a receiver may have a configuration similar to that of the UE 1000 according to the third embodiment, except for the following. The receiver according to this embodiment of the fourth embodiment may receive the UL / DL configuration of the UE from the TP / RP to which the UE is connected in a UE group common search space of a UE specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific UE group, wherein the UEs are grouped into the specific UE group and an association between a number index of the specific UE group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0141] Accordingly, the wireless communication system according to this embodiment of the fourth embodiment includes: a base station; a first TP / RP, which sends a first UL / DL configuration to a UE under its coverage in a UE group common search space of a UE-specific search space of a first time / frequency resource associated with a first UE group; a second TP / RP, which sends a second UL / DL configuration to a UE under its coverage in a UE group common search space of a UE-specific search space of a second time / frequency resource associated with a second UE group; a first UE in the first UE group, which receives the first UL / DL configuration from the first TP / RP in the UE group common search space of the UE-specific search space of the first time / frequency resource; and a second UE in the second UE group, which receives the second UL / DL configuration from the second TP / RP in the UE group common search space of the UE-specific search space of the second time / frequency resource; wherein the association between the number index of the UE group and the index of the time / frequency resource is pre-defined at the first TP / RP, the second TP / RP, the first UE, and the second UE.

[0142] Other parts and processes of the fourth embodiment are similar to those described in the second or third embodiment and will not be described here to avoid repetition.

[0143] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, at least the following wireless communication method, base station, transmission point / reception point, user equipment and wireless communication system are disclosed.

[0144] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, uplink / downlink configuration is received by a user device, and the following steps are included, namely: in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific sending point / receiving point, the uplink / downlink configuration of the user device is received, the user device is connected to the specific sending point / receiving point, and the association between the number index of the specific sending point / receiving point and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0145] According to the wireless communication method of the present disclosure, the association is hard-coded or indicated through high-layer signaling.

[0146] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, the index includes at least one of the following: a subframe number, a physical resource block index, a control channel element index, an enhanced physical downlink control channel set index, and a user equipment cell radio network temporary identifier.

[0147] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, the number index of the specific transmitting point / receiving point is associated with a subframe number indicating a specific subframe, and the specific subframe is assigned for time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission, and the association is based on mod (transmitting point / receiving point number, X), wherein the transmitting point / receiving point number is the number index of the specific transmitting point / receiving point, and X is the number of subframes that can be used for the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission.

[0148] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, the number index of the specific transmitting point / receiving point is associated with the subframe number indicating the specific subframe, and the specific subframe is assigned for time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission. When the number of transmitting points / receiving points is greater than the number of subframes that can be used for the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission, the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration is further identified by a bit in the downlink control information.

[0149] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, the number index of the specific transmitting point / receiving point is associated with the subframe number indicating the specific subframe, and the specific subframe is assigned for time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission. When the number of transmitting points / receiving points is greater than the number of subframes that can be used for the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission, the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration is further identified by at least one of the following: a physical resource block index, a control channel element index, an enhanced physical downlink control channel set index, and a user equipment cell wireless network temporary identifier.

[0150] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, uplink / downlink configuration is sent by a base station, including the following steps, namely: sending the uplink / downlink configuration to a user equipment connected to the specific sending point / receiving point in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the specific sending point / receiving point, and pre-defining the association between the number index of the specific sending point / receiving point and the index of the specific time / frequency resource.

[0151] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, receiving uplink / downlink configuration through a user equipment includes the following steps, namely: in a user equipment-specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific sending point / receiving point, receiving the uplink / downlink configuration of the user equipment from the specific sending point / receiving point, the user equipment is connected to the specific sending point / receiving point, and the association between the number index of the specific sending point / receiving point and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0152] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, uplink / downlink configuration is sent through the sending point / receiving point, including the following steps, namely: in a user equipment specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the sending point / receiving point, the uplink / downlink configuration is sent to a user equipment connected to the sending point / receiving point, and an association between the number index of the sending point / receiving point and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0153] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, receiving uplink / downlink configuration through user equipment includes the following steps, namely: in a user equipment group common search space of a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific user equipment group, receiving the uplink / downlink configuration of the user equipment, wherein the user equipment is grouped into the specific user equipment group, and an association between a number index of the specific user equipment group and an index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0154] According to the wireless communication method of the present disclosure, the association is hard-coded or indicated through high-layer signaling.

[0155] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, the index includes at least one of the following: a subframe number, a physical resource block index, a control channel element index, an enhanced physical downlink control channel set index, and a user equipment cell radio network temporary identifier.

[0156] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, the number index of the specific user equipment group is associated with a subframe number indicating a specific subframe, and the specific subframe is assigned for time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission, and the association is based on mod (user equipment group number, X), wherein the user equipment group number is the number index of the specific user equipment group, and X is the number of subframes that can be used for the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission.

[0157] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, the number index of the specific user equipment group is associated with a subframe number indicating a specific subframe, and the specific subframe is assigned for time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission. When the number of user equipment groups is greater than the number of subframes that can be used for the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission, the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration of the user equipment in the specific user equipment group is further identified by a bit in the downlink control information.

[0158] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, the number index of the specific user equipment group is associated with a subframe number indicating a specific subframe, and the specific subframe is assigned for time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission. When the number of user equipment groups is greater than the number of subframes that can be used for the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission, the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration of the user equipment in the specific user equipment group is further identified by at least one of the following: a physical resource block index, a control channel element index, an enhanced physical downlink control channel set index, and a user equipment cell wireless network temporary identifier.

[0159] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, uplink / downlink configuration is sent through a base station, including the following steps, namely: in a user equipment group common search space of a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific user equipment group, the uplink / downlink configuration is sent to the user equipment, the user equipment is grouped into the specific user equipment group, and the association between the number index of the specific user equipment group and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0160] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, receiving uplink / downlink configuration by a user equipment includes the following steps, namely: in a user equipment group common search space of a user equipment specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific user equipment group, receiving the uplink / downlink configuration of the user equipment from the sending point / receiving point to which the user equipment is connected, wherein the user equipment is grouped into the specific user equipment group, and the association between the number index of the specific user equipment group and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0161] According to the wireless communication method disclosed in the present invention, in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, uplink / downlink configuration is sent through the sending point / receiving point, including the following steps: in a user equipment group common search space of a user equipment specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific user equipment group, the uplink / downlink configuration is sent to the user equipment connected to the sending point / receiving point, the user equipment is grouped into the specific user equipment group, and the association between the number index of the specific user equipment group and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0162] According to the user equipment disclosed in the present invention, an uplink / downlink configuration is received in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, and the uplink / downlink configuration of the user equipment is received in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific sending point / receiving point, the user equipment is connected to the specific sending point / receiving point, and the association between the number index of the specific sending point / receiving point and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0163] According to the user equipment of the present disclosure, the association is hard-coded or indicated through high-layer signaling.

[0164] According to the user equipment of the present disclosure, the index includes at least one of the following: a subframe number, a physical resource block index, a control channel element index, an enhanced physical downlink control channel set index, and a user equipment cell radio network temporary identifier.

[0165] According to the user equipment disclosed in the present invention, the number index of the specific transmitting point / receiving point is associated with a subframe number indicating a specific subframe, and the specific subframe is assigned for time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission, and the association is based on mod(transmitting point / receiving point number, X), wherein the transmitting point / receiving point number is the number index of the specific transmitting point / receiving point, and X is the number of subframes that can be used for uplink / downlink configuration transmission.

[0166] According to the user equipment disclosed in the present invention, the number index of the specific transmitting point / receiving point is associated with a subframe number indicating a specific subframe, and the specific subframe is assigned for time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission. When the number of transmitting points / receiving points is greater than the number of subframes that can be used for the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission, the uplink / downlink configuration is further identified by a bit in the downlink control information.

[0167] According to the user equipment disclosed in the present invention, the number index of the specific transmitting point / receiving point is associated with a subframe number indicating a specific subframe, and the specific subframe is assigned for time division dual uplink / downlink configuration transmission. When the number of transmitting points / receiving points is greater than the number of subframes that can be used for the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission, the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration of the user equipment is further identified by at least one of the following: a physical resource block index, a control channel element index, an enhanced physical downlink control channel set index, and a user equipment cell wireless network temporary identifier.

[0168] According to the base station disclosed in the present invention, an uplink / downlink configuration is sent in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, including a transmitter, which sends the uplink / downlink configuration to a user equipment in a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific sending point / receiving point, the user equipment is connected to the specific sending point / receiving point, and the association between the number index of the specific sending point / receiving point and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0169] According to the user equipment disclosed in the present invention, in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, an uplink / downlink configuration is received, including a receiver, which receives the uplink / downlink configuration of the user equipment from a specific sending point / receiving point in a user equipment-specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the specific sending point / receiving point, the user equipment is connected to the specific sending point / receiving point, and the association between the number index of the specific sending point / receiving point and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0170] According to the sending point / receiving point of the present invention, an uplink / downlink configuration is sent in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, including a transmitter, which sends the uplink / downlink configuration to a user equipment connected to the sending point / receiving point in a user equipment-specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with the sending point / receiving point, and the association between the number index of the sending point / receiving point and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0171] According to the user equipment disclosed in the present invention, in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, an uplink / downlink configuration is received, including a receiver, which receives the uplink / downlink configuration of the user equipment in a user equipment group common search space of a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific user equipment group, the user equipment is grouped into the specific user equipment group, and the association between the number index of the specific user equipment group and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0172] According to the user equipment of the present disclosure, the association is hard-coded or indicated through high-layer signaling.

[0173] According to the user equipment of the present disclosure, the index includes at least one of the following: a subframe number, a physical resource block index, a control channel element index, an enhanced physical downlink control channel set index, and a user equipment cell radio network temporary identifier.

[0174] According to the user equipment of the present disclosure, the number index of the specific user equipment group is associated with a subframe number indicating a specific subframe, and the specific subframe is assigned for time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission, and the association is based on mod(user equipment group number, X), wherein the user equipment group number is the number index of the specific user equipment group, and X is the number of subframes that can be used for the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission.

[0175] According to the user equipment disclosed in the present invention, the number index of the specific user equipment group is associated with a subframe number indicating a specific subframe, and the specific subframe is assigned for time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission. When the number of user equipment groups is greater than the number of subframes that can be used for the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission, the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration of the user equipment in the specific user equipment group is further identified by a bit in the downlink control information.

[0176] According to the user equipment disclosed in the present invention, the number index of the specific user equipment group is associated with a subframe number indicating a specific subframe, and the specific subframe is assigned for time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission. When the number of user equipment groups is greater than the number of subframes that can be used for the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration transmission, the time division duplex uplink / downlink configuration of the user equipment in the specific user equipment group is further identified by at least one of the following: a physical resource block index, a control channel element index, an enhanced physical downlink control channel set index, and a user equipment cell wireless network temporary identifier.

[0177] According to the base station disclosed in the present invention, in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, an uplink / downlink configuration is sent, including a transmitter, which sends the uplink / downlink configuration to a user equipment in a user equipment group common search space of a common search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific user equipment group; the user equipment is grouped into the specific user equipment group, and the association between the number index of the specific user equipment group and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0178] According to the user equipment disclosed in the present invention, in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, an uplink / downlink configuration is received, including a receiver, which receives the uplink / downlink configuration of the user equipment from the sending point / receiving point to which the user equipment is connected, in a user equipment group common search space of a user equipment specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific user equipment group, the user equipment is grouped into the specific user equipment group, and the association between the number index of the specific user equipment group and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0179] According to the sending point / receiving point disclosed in the present invention, in a wireless communication system including multiple sending points / receiving points, an uplink / downlink configuration is sent, including a transmitter, which sends the uplink / downlink configuration to the user equipment connected to the sending point / receiving point in a user equipment group common search space of a user equipment specific search space of a specific time / frequency resource associated with a specific user equipment group; wherein the user equipment is grouped into the specific user equipment group, and the association between the number index of the specific user equipment group and the index of the specific time / frequency resource is predefined.

[0180] According to the wireless communication system disclosed in the present invention, it includes: a first sending point / receiving point, which sends a first uplink / downlink configuration to a user equipment within a communicable range of the first sending point / receiving point in a common search space of a first time / frequency resource associated with the first sending point / receiving point; a second sending point / receiving point, which sends a second uplink / downlink configuration to a user equipment within a communicable range of the second sending point / receiving point in a common search space of a second time / frequency resource associated with the second sending point / receiving point; a base station, which sends the first uplink / downlink configuration to a user equipment within a communicable range of the base station in the common search space of the first time / frequency resource, and in the second time / frequency resource The second uplink / downlink configuration is sent to user equipment within the communication range of the base station in the common search space of the first time / frequency resource; a first user equipment is connected to the first sending point / receiving point, and receives the first uplink / downlink configuration in the common search space of the first time / frequency resource; and a second user equipment is connected to the second sending point / receiving point, and receives the second uplink / downlink configuration in the common search space of the second time / frequency resource, and the association between the number index of the sending point / receiving point and the index of the time / frequency resource is pre-defined at the base station, the first sending point / receiving point, the second sending point / receiving point, the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0181] According to the wireless communication system disclosed in the present invention, it includes: a base station; a first sending point / receiving point, which sends a first uplink / downlink configuration to a user equipment within a communicable range of the first sending point / receiving point in a user equipment-specific public search space of a first time / frequency resource; a second sending point / receiving point, which sends a second uplink / downlink configuration to a user equipment within a communicable range of the second sending point / receiving point in a user equipment-specific public search space of a second time / frequency resource; a first user equipment, which is connected to the first sending point / receiving point and receives the first uplink / downlink configuration from the first sending point / receiving point in the user equipment-specific public search space of the first time / frequency resource; and a second user equipment, which is connected to the second sending point / receiving point and receives the second uplink / downlink configuration from the second sending point / receiving point in the user equipment-specific public search space of the second time / frequency resource; the association between the number index of the sending point / receiving point and the index of the time / frequency resource is pre-defined at the first sending point / receiving point, the second sending point / receiving point, the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0182] According to the wireless communication system disclosed in the present invention, it includes: a first sending point / receiving point, which sends a first uplink / downlink configuration to a user equipment within a communicable range of the first sending point / receiving point in a user equipment group common search space of a first time / frequency resource associated with a first user equipment group; a second sending point / receiving point, which sends a second uplink / downlink configuration to a user equipment within a communicable range of the second sending point / receiving point in a user equipment group common search space of a second time / frequency resource associated with a second user equipment group; a base station, which sends the first uplink / downlink configuration to a user equipment within a communicable range of the base station in the user equipment group common search space of the common search space of the first time / frequency resource, and sends the second uplink / downlink configuration to a user equipment within a communicable range of the second sending point / receiving point in the user equipment group common search space of the second time / frequency resource associated with the second user equipment group. A second uplink / downlink configuration is sent in the user equipment group common search space of the common search space of the source to user equipment within the communicative range of the base station; a first user equipment in the first user equipment group receives the first uplink / downlink configuration in the user equipment group common search space of the common search space of the first time / frequency resource; and a second user equipment in the second user equipment group receives the second uplink / downlink configuration in the user equipment group common search space of the common search space of the second time / frequency resource, and the association between the number index of the user equipment group and the index of the time / frequency resource is pre-defined at the base station, the first sending point / receiving point, the second sending point / receiving point, the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0183] According to the wireless communication system disclosed in the present invention, it includes: a base station; a first sending point / receiving point, which sends a first uplink / downlink configuration to a user device within a communicable range of the first sending point / receiving point in a user device group common search space of a user device specific search space of a first time / frequency resource associated with a first user device group; a second sending point / receiving point, which sends a second uplink / downlink configuration to a user device within a communicable range of the second sending point / receiving point in a user device group common search space of a user device specific search space of a second time / frequency resource associated with a second user device group; a first user device in the first user device group, which sends a second uplink / downlink configuration to a user device within a communicable range of the second sending point / receiving point in a user device group common search space of a user device specific search space of a second time / frequency resource associated with a second user device group; receiving the first uplink / downlink configuration from the first sending point / receiving point in the user equipment group common search space of the user equipment specific search space of the first time / frequency resource; and a second user equipment in the second user equipment group, receiving the second uplink / downlink configuration from the second sending point / receiving point in the user equipment group common search space of the user equipment specific search space of the second time / frequency resource, wherein the association between the numbering index of the user equipment group and the index of the time / frequency resource is predefined at the first sending point / receiving point, the second sending point / receiving point, the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0184] The above embodiments of the present invention are merely exemplary descriptions, and their specific structures and operations do not limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may reorganize the different parts and operations of the above corresponding embodiments to produce new embodiments, which also conform to the concept of the present invention.

[0185] The embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by hardware, software, and firmware or a combination thereof, and the implementation method does not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0186] The connection relationship between the corresponding functional elements (units) in the embodiments of the present invention does not limit the scope of the present invention, wherein one or more functional elements or units may contain or be connected to any other functional elements.

[0187] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that, without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, these embodiments may be changed and modified within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising: A control circuit generates downlink control information, wherein the downlink control information includes a UL / DL configuration indication for indicating a plurality of uplink / downlink UL / DL configurations; a sending unit, configured to send the downlink control information in a common search space of one or more subframes indicated by the subframe information, The subframe information indicates an association between the one or more subframes and a specific transmission / reception point TP / RP among a plurality of transmission / reception points TP / RP, and wherein the association is specific to the TP / RP.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The subframe information specifies one or more subframes to be monitored by a user equipment receiving the transmitted downlink control information.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The subframe information is sent via high-layer signaling.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more subframes are associated with a user equipment UE or a group of UEs.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of UL / DL configurations is indicated by a plurality of bits in the downlink control information.

6. A communication method, comprising: generating downlink control information, the downlink control information comprising a UL / DL configuration indication for indicating a plurality of uplink / downlink UL / DL configurations; sending the downlink control information in a common search space of one or more subframes indicated by the subframe information, The subframe information indicates an association between the one or more subframes and a specific transmission / reception point TP / RP among a plurality of transmission / reception points TP / RP, and wherein the association is specific to the TP / RP.

7. The communication method according to claim 6, wherein: The subframe information specifies one or more subframes to be monitored by a user equipment receiving the transmitted downlink control information.

8. The communication method according to claim 6, wherein: The subframe information is sent via high-layer signaling.

9. The communication method according to claim 6, wherein: The one or more subframes are associated with a user equipment UE or a group of UEs.

10. The communication method according to claim 6, wherein: Each of the plurality of UL / DL configurations is indicated by a plurality of bits in the downlink control information.

11. A communication device, comprising: A control circuit, which specifies one or more subframes based on subframe information sent through higher layer signaling; and a receiving unit, receiving downlink control information in a common search space of one or more designated subframes, wherein the downlink control information includes a UL / DL configuration indication for indicating a plurality of uplink / downlink UL / DL configurations, The subframe information indicates an association between the one or more subframes and a specific transmission / reception point TP / RP among a plurality of transmission / reception points TP / RP, and wherein the association is specific to the TP / RP.

12. The communication device according to claim 11, wherein: The subframe information specifies one or more subframes to be monitored by the communication device.

13. The communication device according to claim 11, wherein: The one or more subframes are associated with a user equipment UE or a group of UEs.

14. The communication device according to claim 11, wherein: Each of the plurality of UL / DL configurations is indicated by a plurality of bits in the downlink control information.

15. A communication method, comprising: specifying one or more subframes based on subframe information sent through higher layer signaling; as well as receiving downlink control information in a common search space of the designated one or more subframes, the downlink control information comprising a UL / DL configuration indication for indicating a plurality of uplink / downlink UL / DL configurations, The subframe information indicates an association between the one or more subframes and a specific transmission / reception point TP / RP among a plurality of transmission / reception points TP / RP, and wherein the association is specific to the TP / RP.

16. The communication method according to claim 15, wherein: The subframe information specifies one or more subframes to be monitored by a communication device that receives the downlink control information.

17. The communication method according to claim 15, wherein the one or more subframes are associated with a user equipment UE or a group of UEs.

18. The communication method according to claim 15, wherein: Each of the plurality of UL / DL configurations is indicated by a plurality of bits in the downlink control information.

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