Phase control signal detection

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, method, device, and computer-readable storage medium for phased signal detection in a frame period. In an example embodiment, a first device performs detection of a first signal from a second device in at least a first search space set during a frame period. The first device determines whether the first signal is detected in at least the first search space set during the frame period. If it is determined that the first signal is detected in at least the first search space set, the first device performs detection of a second signal from the second device in at least a second search space set associated with the first search space set during the frame period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of communications, and more particularly, to an apparatus, method, device, and computer-readable storage medium for phased signal detection in a frame period. Background Art

[0002] In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standardization, access to unlicensed spectrum based on New Radio (NR) is specified. In Unlicensed NR (NR-U), fixed timing for transmission and reception on unlicensed spectrum is provided for Frame-based Equipment (FBE). FBE can include both network equipment such as base stations and terminal equipment such as User Equipment (UE).

[0003] FBE operation needs to be consistent with regulatory requirements. According to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) Broadband Radio Access Network (BRAN) regulations, FBE needs to implement Listen-Before-Talk (LBT)-based Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) to detect the presence of other Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) transmissions on the operating channel. Currently, the frame structure (FS) based on FBE is under development. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Generally, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus, method, device, and computer-readable storage medium for phased signal detection in a frame period.

[0005] In a first aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the first device to perform detection of a first signal from a second device in at least a first search space set during a frame period. The first device is caused to determine whether the first signal is detected in at least the first search space set during the frame period. The first device is further caused to, in response to determining that the first signal is detected in at least the first search space set, perform detection of a second signal from the second device in at least a second search space set associated with the first search space set during the frame period.

[0006] In a second aspect, a method is provided. In the method, a first device performs detection of a first signal from a second device in at least a first search space set during a frame period. The first device determines whether the first signal is detected in at least the first search space set during the frame period. If it is determined that the first signal is detected in at least the first search space set, the first device performs detection of a second signal from the second device in at least a second search space set associated with the first search space set during the frame period.

[0007] In a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus, which includes a module for performing the method according to the second aspect.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium, which includes program instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed by a processor of a device, the device is caused to execute the method according to the second aspect.

[0009] It should be understood that the summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Through the following description, other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 A conventional FBE framework is shown;

[0012] Figure 2 A conventional FBE-based frame structure (FS) is shown;

[0013] Figure 3 An example environment in which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented is shown;

[0014] Figure 4 A flowchart of an example method according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0015] Figure 5 An example SS set configuration within a frame period according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0016] Figure 6 An example SS set configuration within two consecutive frame periods according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0017] Figure 7 A simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0018] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0019] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the description of these exemplary embodiments is only for the purpose of illustration and to assist those skilled in the art in understanding and implementing the present disclosure, and does not imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways other than the ways described below.

[0020] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0021] As used herein, the term "terminal device" or "user equipment" (UE) refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication with each other or with a base station. The communication may involve transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic signals, radio waves, infrared signals, and / or other types of signals suitable for transmitting information over the air. In some example embodiments, the UE may be configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human-machine interaction. For example, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to a request from the network side, the UE may transmit information to the base station according to a predetermined schedule.

[0022] Examples of UEs include, but are not limited to, smart phones, wireless-enabled tablets, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop mounted devices (LMEs), wireless client devices (CPEs), sensors, metering devices, personal wearable devices such as watches, and / or vehicles capable of communication. For the purpose of discussion, some example embodiments will be described with reference to the UE as an example of a terminal device, and the terms "terminal device" and "user equipment" (UE) may be used interchangeably in the context of this disclosure. The UE may also correspond to the mobile terminal (MT) part of an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node (also referred to as a relay node).

[0023] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a device through which services can be provided to terminal devices in a communication network. As an example, the network device may include a base station. As used herein, the term "base station" (BS) refers to a network device through which services can be provided to terminal devices in a communication network. The base station may include any suitable device through which a terminal device or UE can access the communication network. Examples of base stations include relays, access points (APs), transmission points (TRPs), Node Bs (NodeB or NB), evolved Node Bs (eNodeB or eNB), New Radio (NR) Node Bs (gNB), remote radio modules (RRUs), radio heads (RHs), remote radio heads (RRHs), low-power nodes such as femtos, picos, etc. A relay node may correspond to the distributed unit (DU) part of an IAB node.

[0024] As used herein, the term "search space set" (SS set) refers to a set of time-domain resources or locations for a receiver to monitor or detect signals from a transmitter. The receiver may be implemented by a terminal device or a network device, and the transmitter may also be implemented by a terminal device or a network device. In some example embodiments, the search space set indicates all possible locations of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for a terminal device to detect. Each search space may be associated with a CORESET (control resource set), and the CORESET may define, for example, resource elements (such as OFDM symbols, subcarriers) available for the associated search space set.

[0025] As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0026] (a) A pure hardware circuit implementation (such as an implementation using only analog and / or digital circuitry), and

[0027] (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (where applicable): (i) a combination of (one or more) analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and (ii) any portion of (one or more) hardware processors (including digital signal processors), software, and (one or more) memories that work together to cause a device (such as a mobile phone or a server) to perform various functions, and

[0028] (c) (One or more) hardware circuitry and / or (one or more) processors, such as (one or more) microprocessors or a portion of (one or more) microprocessors, which require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may be absent when not needed for operation.

[0029] The definition of the circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also encompasses an implementation of only hardware circuitry or a processor (or processors) or a portion of a hardware circuitry or a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuitry also encompasses a baseband integrated circuit or a processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular base station, or other computing or base stations.

[0030] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "comprising" and its variants are to be understood as open terms meaning "including but not limited to". The term "based on" is to be understood as "at least partially based on". The terms "one embodiment" and "embodiment" are to be understood as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" is to be understood as "at least one other embodiment". Other definitions (explicit and implicit) may be included below.

[0031] As used herein, the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, and these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element, without departing from the scope of the example embodiments. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0032] As specified, the FBE needs to perform LBT to detect the presence of other RLAN transmissions on the operating channel during the fixed frame period (FFP). Figure 1 An example FBE framework 100 is shown. In this example, two consecutive FFP 105-1 and 105-2 (collectively referred to as FFP 105 or individually referred to as FFP 105) are shown. It should be understood that the detection can be performed in any suitable number of FFP.

[0033] The initiating device (terminal device or network device) can occupy the channel at the start of the FFP 105 after a single-LBT-based CCA 120 and initiate a transmission from the start of the FFP 105. Within the FFP 105, the initiating device can perform multiple communications in different directions. In the case where the initiating device is a network device, the initiating device can authorize one or more associated response devices (such as terminal devices) to transmit on the current operating channel within the current FFP 105. The operation of the FBE framework has a periodic timing, and its period is equal to the FFP 105.

[0034] According to the ETSI regulatory requirements, the FFP 105 can be in the range of 1 to 10 ms, and the FFP 105 can change no more than once every 200 ms. In addition, as shown, it is required that within each FFP 105, the channel occupancy time (COT) 110 obtained by the initiating device is not greater than 95% of the FFP 105. At the tail of each FFP 105, there is an idle period 115 remaining, and the idle period 115 is not less than 5% of the FFP 105, at least 100 μs.

[0035] Figure 2 An exemplary FBE-based FS 200 is shown, which may be followed by an NR Node B (or gNB) operating on the 5 GHz unlicensed band. An example configuration of the FBE-based FS 200 is shown in Table 1.

[0036] Table 1

[0037] FFP (ms) 4 Sub - carrier spacing (SCS) (kHz) 30 Number of time slots per sub - frame 2 Number of time slots per FFP 8 Number of time slots in COT (95%) 7.6 Number of complete time slots in COT 7 Number of available symbols in the last time slot 8.4 Number of available complete symbols in the last time slot 8 Number of guard period (GP) symbols in the idle period (5%) 6

[0038] As shown, in the FBE-based FS 200, the FFP 105 is 4 ms and includes eight 0.5-ms time slots 205, and each time slot 205 includes 14 symbols 210. In the case where 95% of the FFP 105 is configured as the COT 110, the COT 110 occupies seven full time slots 205 and eight full symbols 210 of the last time slot 205, and the idle period 115 occupies six symbols 210 of the last time slot 205.

[0039] In the NR network, the FBE-based FS can be indicated to the UE by the gNB through parameters such as the offset and period of the FFP, for example, by using high-layer signaling such as the System Information Block (SIB) or layer 1 (L1) signaling such as Dedicated Control Information (DCI).

[0040] For NR-U, it is agreed to be based on the FBE operation in the specification (such as the ETSI BRAN specification). If, as defined in the ETSI rules, the gNB acts as the initiating device and the UE acts as the responding device, the gNB can obtain the COT by performing a single LBT, and all downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmissions can be transmitted within the COT obtained by the gNB.

[0041] In NR-U specifications such as 3GPP TR 38.889, the FBE operation is specified to include the following:

[0042] · The gNB obtains a Category 2 (Cat 2) COT immediately before the FFP.

[0043] · Within the COT obtained by the gNB, if the switching gap from the received transmission does not exceed 16 us, the gNB and the associated UE can use Category 1 (Cat 1).

[0044] · Within the COT obtained by the gNB, if the switching gap is greater than 16 us, the gNB and the associated UE shall use Cat 2.

[0045] Typically, in Licensed-Assisted Access (LAA) of Long-Term Evolution (LTE) Unlicensed (LTE-U), the UE monitors the DL control channel at the slot boundary (twice per 1ms subframe, e.g., in the case of 30kHz subcarrier spacing) so that the base station can initiate the COT with a granularity of 0.5ms without using a reservation signal. Currently, in NR-U, there are exceptions, i.e., the gNB can use more frequent COT start positions. For example, according to 3GPP specifications, the gNB can use a 30kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS) and up to 7 start positions within a slot (i.e., one start position per 1 / 14ms).

[0046] In terms of spectrum utilization, a higher SCS or shorter slot duration and more start positions within a slot can allow the gNB to access available channels faster and thus achieve higher transmission efficiency by minimizing the transmission of reservation signals. On the other hand, the UE needs to monitor the DL control channel more frequently. However, monitoring the DL control channel is power-consuming. In addition, in fact, a large number of control channel decodings occur in subframes or slots where the UE does not receive an authorization or scheduling because the gNB may not be able to access the channel even due to LBT failure. It is desired to reduce UE complexity (and power consumption) by reducing DL burst or PDCCH monitoring when not needed.

[0047] For load-based devices (LBEs) with demand-driven (but not fixed) timing for transmission and reception on unlicensed spectrum, several methods for saving UE power in DL burst monitoring have been discussed. One method is to use Wi-Fi as a preamble. By detecting the preamble at the beginning of a subframe or slot, the UE can determine whether the channel is captured by the base station. Another method is based on the broadband demodulation reference signal (DMRS) in NR-U. However, the UE still needs to frequently monitor DL bursts outside the COT.

[0048] For LBE-based NR-U, an adaptation between three phases (referred to as Phase A, Phase B, and Phase C) is proposed. Phase A is outside the channel occupancy of the gNB, where the UE can determine the presence of the gNB's DL transmission. Phase B is the start of the gNB's channel occupancy (e.g., the initial slot). Phase C is the remaining part of the gNB's channel occupancy (e.g., other slots except the initial slot). For example, 3GPP specifications (such as 3GPP TR 38.889) allow the dynamic change of the time domain time instance in which the expected UE receives the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), modification to achieve gapless Discovery Reference Signal (DRS) transmission in the time domain, and indication of the time domain COT structure.

[0049] To dynamically switch the blind decoding (BD) operation and allow different PDCCH monitoring configurations. The UE can switch between two PDCCH configurations at the first and last slot boundaries of the COT (for more frequent and less frequent detection). The UE can determine the specific monitoring configuration to apply based on, for example, an explicit indication via DCI or an implicit indication based on the relationship with the start of the detected DL burst or configured window. The following proposals are being discussed to enable the UE to change the monitoring behavior of the PDCCH or group common PDCCH (GC-PDCCH) where the monitoring behavior may occur based on control resource set (CORESET) and search space parameters:

[0050] · Indication, for example, via DCI content or DCI cyclic redundancy check (CRC) pass

[0051] Indication performed by

[0052] · Correlation with the detection of DL bursts, including:

[0053] ○ Before and after the end of the first (or initial) slot of the detected burst

[0054] ○ Before and after the end of the DL burst

[0055] ○ Timer after DCI detection

[0056] · End of DL burst

[0057] · Timer after DCI detection

[0058] · Based on configuration

[0059] However, for UE-based LBE, even though there is no DL transmission in the FFP, frequent monitoring will still be performed, even if it is useless. The inventors note that in a scenario where there are no LBE-based devices, FBE operation can reduce the UE monitoring complexity for detecting DL transmissions based on the characteristics of FBE-based FS in NR-U. For example, as described above, according to regulatory requirements, the initiating device (e.g., gNB) can only occupy the channel at the start of the FFP of a single LBT, and the transmission can be initiated at the start of the FFP. This means that if the gNB does not acquire the channel at the start of the FFP, it will not initiate any transmission in the FFP, including DL burst transmission.

[0060] Example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a phased monitoring scheme based on a novel search space design in a frame period (e.g., FFP). The scheme defines search space dependencies between different types of search space (SS) sets within a frame period. Using this scheme, at least two different types of SS sets are configured to have dependencies within one frame period. Different types of SS sets can be configured with different monitoring granularities or periods. One type of SS set is first monitored in the frame period. If a signal is detected in at least one such type of SS set within the frame period, signal detection is initiated in another type of SS set associated with at least one SS set within the frame period.

[0061] For ease of discussion, in some example embodiments, the SS set detected first is referred to as an independent SS set, and the SS set detected second is referred to as a dependent SS set. For example, in a scenario where a UE detects the start of a COT obtained by a gNB, the UE can first perform a blind detection of the start of the COT from the start of the frame period (e.g., FFP) in at least one independent SS set. If the start of the COT is detected in one of the independent SS sets, the UE starts monitoring in the dependent SS sets associated with the independent SS set until the end of the COT within the frame period. If the UE detects that the gNB does not acquire a channel at the start of the frame period during the monitoring opportunity of the independent SS, the UE can stop monitoring DL transmissions, which will help reduce the monitoring complexity and power consumption at the UE.

[0062] Figure 3 An example environment 300 is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The environment 300, which can be part of a communication network, includes two devices 310 and 320, which are respectively referred to as a first device 310 and a second device 320, and can communicate with each other or communicate with other devices via each other.

[0063] The first device 310 and the second device 320 can be implemented by any suitable device in the communication network. In some example embodiments, the first device 310 can be implemented by a terminal device, and the second device 320 can be implemented by a network device, and vice versa. In some other example embodiments, both the first device 310 and the second device 320 can be implemented by a terminal device or a network device. For purposes of discussion only, in some example embodiments, a terminal device will be taken as an example of the first device 310, and a network device will be taken as an example of the second device 320.

[0064] It should be understood that only two devices are shown in the environment 300 for illustrative purposes only, and no limitation on the scope of the present disclosure is implied. Any suitable number of devices, including network devices or terminal devices, can be included in the environment 300.

[0065] Communication can follow any suitable communication standard or protocol that already exists or will be developed in the future, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), 5th Generation (5G) New Radio (NR), Wi-Fi, and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) standards, and employ any suitable communication technology, including for example Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), Code Division Multiplexing (CDM), Bluetooth, ZigBee, and Machine-Type Communication (MTC), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Massive Machine-Type Communication (mMTC), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC), Carrier Aggregation (CA), Dual Connectivity (DC), and New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U) technologies.

[0066] The first device 310 and the second device 320 can operate on unlicensed spectrum and / or licensed spectrum. In various example embodiments, the first device 310 and the second device 320 can communicate within a frame period. The frame period can be fixed, such as the FFP 105 as Figure 1 and 2 shown. The frame period can also be dynamically configured.

[0067] At least two types of SS sets, including a standalone SS set and a dependent SS set, are configured for communication between the first device 310 and the second device 320 within the frame period. The first device 310 first detects signals from the second device 320 in one or more standalone SS sets within the frame period. If a signal is detected in at least one of the standalone SS sets, the first device 310 detects another signal from the second device 320 in one or more dependent SS sets associated with at least one of the standalone SS sets within the frame period. If no signal is detected, the first device 310 will not initiate monitoring in any of the dependent SS sets until the next monitoring opportunity in the standalone SS set and further until the next frame period. In this way, the first device 310 conditionally monitors the (multiple) dependent SS sets based on the monitoring output in the (multiple) standalone SS sets, which will be beneficial for reducing UE monitoring complexity and power saving.

[0068] Figure 4 A flowchart of an example method 400 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The method 400 can be implemented by Figure 3 the first device 310 as shown. For purposes of discussion, method 400 will be described with reference to Figure 3 this.

[0069] At block 405, the first device 310 performs detection of a signal (referred to as the first signal) from the second device 320 in at least one SS set (referred to as the first SS set) during a frame period. The first SS set can be a stand-alone SS set or a secondary SS set that will be relied upon by other secondary SS sets. The frame period can be fixed in timing, such as the FFP 105 as shown in Figure 1 and 2 . Alternatively or additionally, the frame period can be configured dynamically or semi-statically. The UE can also be configured with multiple SS sets associated with different fixed frame periods. For example, respectively, one SS set can be associated with an FFP of 8 ms, while another SS set can be associated with an FFP of 2 ms.

[0070] The first signal can include any suitable signal transmitted on unlicensed or licensed spectrum (or frequency band). In some example embodiments, for example, the first signal can indicate that the channel is occupied by the second device 320 on unlicensed spectrum. For example, the first signal can indicate the start of a COT acquired by the second device 320.

[0071] The first signal can include unicast or broadcast signaling, or be in the form of a sequence. As an example, the first signal can include a signal transmitted on the PDCCH or GC-PDCCH. As another example, the first signal can include sequences such as wideband DMRS (WB-DMRS) and Wi-Fi such as a preamble to further reduce the power consumption of the first device 310. The first signal can also include signals transmitted on the PDCCH and GC-PDCCH. In another example, the first signal can be a combination of a WB-DMRS sequence and a signal transmitted on the PDCCH.

[0072] The detection of the first signal can include blind detection in at least the first SS set during the frame period. In addition to the first SS set, the first device 310 can also perform detection of the first signal in other SS sets during the frame period. It is also possible that only the first SS set is configured during the frame period. In this case, the first device 310 only monitors the first signal from the second device 320 in the first SS set during the frame period.

[0073] The first SS set and other SS sets can be configured for a frame period configuration (referred to as the first frame period configuration). Different frame periods can have different frame period configurations. Multiple consecutive frame periods can have the same frame period configuration. If the first frame period configuration is changed to a different second frame period configuration, the detection in the first SS set can be stopped, and the detection of the first signal can be performed in one or more SS sets associated with the second frame period configuration. In another example, multiple SS sets associated with different frame period configurations are monitored in parallel.

[0074] The SS sets for the detection of the first signal can be associated with different services. For example, the first SS set can be associated with one service such as the eMBB service. One or more additional SS sets can also be configured for the detection of the first signal. Thus, the first device 310 can perform the detection of the first signal in one or more additional SS sets during the frame period while performing the detection in the first SS set. The additional SS sets can be associated with one or more different additional services, such as the URLLC service and other services. Different SS sets associated with different services can have monitoring opportunities with different granularities. For example, a service with a higher latency requirement can be associated with an SS set with a smaller granularity to ensure a higher latency requirement.

[0075] At block 410, the first device 310 determines whether the first signal is detected in at least the first SS set during the frame period. At block 415, if it is determined that the first signal is detected in at least the first SS set, the first device 310 detects an additional signal (referred to as the second signal) from the second device 320 in at least an SS set (referred to as the second SS set) associated with the first SS set during the frame period. There can be multiple SS sets (including the second SS set) associated with the first SS set. In this case, the first device 310 performs the detection of the second signal in multiple SS sets during the frame period.

[0076] The second signal can include any suitable signal associated with the first signal. In an example embodiment where the first signal indicates the start of a COT acquired by the second device 320, the second signal can include DCI. In this case, after the first device 310 detects the start of the COT acquired by the second device 320, the first device 310 can monitor the DCI in the second SS set until the end of the COT within the frame period for unicast or broadcast DCI delivery. In other words, the detection of the second signal can correspond to the monitoring of DCI.

[0077] In addition to the first SS set, the second SS set can also be associated with one or more additional SS sets for the detection of the first signal during the frame period. For example, if multiple SS sets are configured for the detection of the first signal during the frame period, the second SS set can be associated with all or at least a subset of the first multiple SS sets.

[0078] Figure 5 An example SS set configuration 500 within a frame period 505 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0079] In this example, the frame period 505 is composed of as Figure 1 and 2The FFP 105 implementation shown, the FFP 105 includes 8 time slots 205, and each time slot 205 includes 14 symbols 210. For the frame period 505, the first SS set 510 is configured to be associated with the second SS set 515 and the additional SS set 520, labeled as SS set #1, SS set #2, and SS set #3 respectively. The first SS set 510 is configured to have a half time slot period in the first two time slots 205 from the start of the frame period 505. In this example, the first signal is implemented by a signal transmitted on the PDCCH or GC-PDCCH. Therefore, in the first SS set 510, the GC-PDCCH radio network temporary identity (RNTI) or cell-RNTI (C-RNTI) can be used to detect PDCCH candidates.

[0080] As Figure 5 shown, the second SS set 515 occupies one symbol 210 with a double time slot period on all time slots 205, and the additional SS set 520 occupies two symbols 210 with a single time slot period on all time slots 205. The second SS set 515 is configured to have a GC-PDCCH RNTI, and the additional SS set 520 is configured to have a C-RNTI for signal detection.

[0081] The positions or monitoring opportunities of the first SS set, the second SS set, and the other SS sets can be obtained by the first device in any suitable manner. In some example embodiments, the positions of the SS sets can be indicated by parameters such as offsets (e.g., starting positions in the time domain), periods (e.g., time slot periods), and durations (e.g., number of symbols). These parameters can indicate the absolute positions of the SS sets in the time domain, for example, by subframe numbers, time slot numbers, and symbol numbers, or their moduli.

[0082] Alternatively or additionally, these parameters such as offsets, periods, and durations can indicate the relative positions of the SS sets with respect to the frame period. For example, the offset of the SS set can be indicated relative to the start of the frame period. In addition, the SS sets can be periodically repeated within the frame period in a given monitoring pattern. Therefore, the number of repetitions or / and the monitoring pattern of the SS sets can be indicated with respect to the frame period.

[0083] The monitoring positions of the corresponding SS sets can be pre-configured or dynamically configured in the network. For example, the first device 310 can receive an indication of the SS set configuration from the network side via the second device 320. In an example embodiment where the first device 310 is implemented by a terminal device and the second device 320 is implemented by a network device, for example, the first device 310 can receive the indication from the second device 320 via a high-layer signaling such as radio resource control (RRC) signaling. The second device 320 can also use other signaling to indicate the SS set configuration to the first device 310.

[0084] In some example embodiments, similar to the SS set configuration, the association between an independent SS set (such as a first SS set) and a dependent SS set (such as a second SS set) can also be pre-configured in the network or indicated dynamically. Thus, the first device 310 can obtain the association from the network side via the second device 320. For example, the first device 310 can receive an indication of the association between the first SS set and the second SS set from the second device 320.

[0085] Bit information indication can be used to indicate the association. For example, if the second SS set is associated with all SS sets configured for the detection of the first signal within a frame period, the association can be indicated by only one bit used to indicate the link of the second SS set to all SS sets for the detection of the first signal. Alternatively or additionally, a bitmap can be used to indicate the link of the second SS set to all or only a subset of the first plurality of SS sets.

[0086] In some example embodiments, in the case of monitoring the first signal in parallel in the first SS set and one or more additional SS sets associated with different services within a frame period, if it is determined at block 410 that the first signal is detected in the first SS set at block 410, the first device 310 can stop detecting the first signal in the additional SS sets until the next frame period.

[0087] This stop can be implemented by default. Alternatively or additionally, this stop can be triggered based on explicit signaling. For example, if data of only one service is to be transmitted to the first device 310, and the first device 310 receives an indication to stop detecting at least the first signal in the SS sets associated with different services, the first device 310 can stop detecting the first signal in the other SS sets associated with different services. The indication can indicate to stop detecting other signals or information that can be transmitted in parallel with the first signal. The indication to stop can be implemented by explicit signaling (such as DCI) transmitted in the first SS set associated with the service and / or the second SS set associated with the first SS set.

[0088] If the first device 310 determines at block 410 that the first signal is not detected in the first SS set, the first device 310 will suspend detection or monitoring in any SS set configured within the frame period until the next frame period. Thus, complexity and power consumption can be reduced at the first device 310. Additionally, in example embodiments where the SS set configuration is associated with service and frame period configurations, the search space dependency provides flexibility for monitoring using diverse services or FBE configurations. An indication can also be implicitly provided by determining that the first signal is detected from one of the multiple SS sets while monitoring multiple SS sets with different frame period configurations in parallel.

[0089] Reference will be made toFigure 6 Discuss an example monitoring behavior at the first device 310, Figure 6 FIG. 600 shows an example SS set configuration according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0090] In Figure 6 , two consecutive frame periods 605 and 610 are shown to have the same SS set configuration. Similar to the frame period 505, the frame periods 605 and 610 are implemented by the FFP 105 as shown in Figure 1 and 2 . The SS set configuration within the two frame periods 605 and 610 is the same as the SS set configuration 500 shown in Figure 5 and will not be described further.

[0091] In the previous frame period 605, the first device 310 monitors a first SS set 615 labeled as SS set #1 (having a configuration similar to the first SS set 510 shown in Figure 5 ) to detect a first signal indicating the start of a COT acquired by the second device 320. In this frame period 605, the first device 310 does not detect the first signal in the first SS set 615. Therefore, the first device 310 does not monitor a second SS set 620 labeled as SS set #2 and SS set #3 (having a configuration similar to the second SS set 515 shown in Figure 5 ) and an additional SS set 625 (having a configuration similar to the additional SS set 520 shown in Figure 5 ).

[0092] In a later frame period 610, the first device 310 misses the first signal at the first monitoring opportunity 630, but finds the first signal in the first SS set 615 at the second monitoring opportunity 635. Therefore, the first device 310 determines that the start of the COT is detected, and then the first device 310 starts monitoring the second SS set 620 and the additional SS set 625 from the monitoring opportunities 640 and 645 until the end of the COT within the later frame period 610. In addition, the first device 310 can monitor the DL time slots until the end of the COT in the later frame period 610. The DL time slots can be indicated by the second device 320, for example, through a slot format indication (SFI) carried in the GC-PDCCH. In addition, the first device 310 pauses the detection of the first signal until the next frame period (not shown) to reduce complexity and power consumption.

[0093] Figure 7 FIG. 700 is a simplified block diagram of a device 700 suitable for implementing the example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 700 can be implemented at or as part of the first device 310 shown in Figure 3 .

[0094] As shown in the figure, device 700 includes a processor 710, a memory 720 coupled to the processor 710, a communication module 730 coupled to the processor 710, and a communication interface (not shown) coupled to the communication module 730. The memory 720 stores at least a program 740. The communication module 730 is used for two-way communication, for example, via multiple antennas. The communication interface can represent any interface required for communication.

[0095] Assume that the program 740 includes program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 710, enable the device 700 to operate according to the example embodiments of the present disclosure, as referred to herein Figures 1 - 6 discussed. The example embodiments herein can be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 710 of the device 700, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 710 can be configured to implement various example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0096] The memory 720 can be of any type suitable for a local technical network and, by way of non-limiting example, can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a semiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system, an optical memory device and system, a fixed memory, and a removable memory. Although only one memory 720 is shown in the device 700, there can be several physically distinct memory modules in the device 700. The processor 710 can be of any type suitable for a local technical network and, by way of non-limiting example, can include one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 700 can have multiple processors, such as an application-specific integrated circuit chip that is subordinate in time to a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0097] When the device 700 acts as the first device 310 or a part of the first device 310, the processor 710 and the communication module 730 can cooperate to implement the method 400 as referred to above Figures 1 - 6 described. All the operations and features described above with reference to Figures 1 - 6 equally apply to the device 700 and have similar effects. For simplicity, the details will be omitted.

[0098] Generally, the various example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special-purpose circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although the various aspects of the example embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that, by way of non-limiting example, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, special-purpose circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0099] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions included in program modules, that are executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the method 400 as described above with reference to Figures 1 - 6 Description of the method 400. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various example embodiments, the functions of the program modules may be combined or split as needed among the program modules. The machine-executable instructions of the program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, the program modules may be located in local and remote storage media.

[0100] The program code for performing the methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0101] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier such that a device, apparatus, or processor can execute the various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media.

[0102] A computer-readable medium can be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer-readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer floppy disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0103] Moreover, although operations are described in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed to obtain the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Also, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular example embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate example embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented separately or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple example embodiments.

[0104] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the above specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

[0105] Various example embodiments of these techniques have been described. As a supplement or alternative to the foregoing, the following embodiments are described. The features described in any of the following examples can be used in conjunction with any of the other examples described herein.

[0106] In some aspects, a first device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to: perform detection of a first signal from a second device in at least a first search space set during a frame period; determine whether the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set during the frame period; and in response to determining that the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set, perform detection of a second signal from the second device in at least a second search space set associated with the first search space set during the frame period.

[0107] In some example embodiments, the at least first search space set is configured for a first frame period configuration.

[0108] In some example embodiments, the first device is further caused to: in response to receiving an indication of a change from the first frame period configuration to a different second frame period configuration, stop detecting the first signal in the at least first search space set configured for the first frame period configuration and perform detection of the first signal in one or more search space sets configured for the second frame period configuration.

[0109] In some example embodiments, the first search space set is associated with a service.

[0110] In some example embodiments, the first device is caused to perform the detection of the first signal by: performing the detection of the first signal from the second device in the first search space set associated with the service and one or more additional search space sets associated with one or more different additional services during the frame period.

[0111] In some example embodiments, the first device is further caused to: stop detecting the first signal in the one or more additional search space sets associated with the one or more different additional services in response to at least one of: determining that the first signal is detected in at least the first search space set associated with the service, and receiving an indication to stop detecting at least the first signal in search space sets associated with different services during the frame period.

[0112] In some example embodiments, the at least second search space set is further associated with one or more additional search space sets for detecting the first signal during the frame period.

[0113] In some example embodiments, the first device is further caused to: stop detecting the first signal in the at least first search space set during the frame period in response to determining that the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set.

[0114] In some example embodiments, the first signal at least indicates that the channel is occupied by the second device during the frame period.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the first device is caused to perform the detection of the second signal by: performing the detection of the second signal from the second device in the second search space until the end of the channel occupancy time during the frame period.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the first device is further caused to: receive an indication of an association between one or more sets of search spaces configured for detection of the first signal and one or more sets of search spaces configured for detection of the second signal from the second device.

[0117] In some example embodiments, the first device is further caused to: receive an indication of at least one of the following from the second device: an offset of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set relative to a start of the frame period, a period of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set within the frame period, and a duration of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set.

[0118] In some example embodiments, the frame period includes a fixed frame period.

[0119] In some example embodiments, the first device includes a terminal device, and the second device includes a network device.

[0120] In some aspects, a method implemented at a first device includes: performing detection of a first signal from a second device in at least a first search space set during a frame period; determining whether the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set during the frame period; and in response to determining that the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set, performing detection of a second signal from the second device in at least a second search space set associated with the first search space set during the frame period.

[0121] In some example embodiments, the at least first search space set is configured for a first frame period configuration.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the method further includes: in response to receiving an indication of a change from the first frame period configuration to a different second frame period configuration, stopping the detection of the first signal in the at least first search space set configured for the first frame period configuration and performing the detection of the first signal in one or more search space sets configured for the second frame period configuration.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the first search space set is associated with a service.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the method further includes: performing the detection of the first signal from the second device in the first search space set associated with the service and in one or more additional search space sets associated with one or more different additional services during the frame period.

[0125] In some example embodiments, the method further includes: stopping the detection of the first signal in the one or more additional search space sets associated with the one or more different additional services in response to at least one of: determining that the first signal is detected in the first search space set associated with the service, and receiving an indication to stop the detection of at least the first signal in the search space sets associated with different services during the frame period.

[0126] In some example embodiments, the at least second search space set is further associated with one or more additional search space sets for the detection of the first signal during the frame period.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the method further includes: stopping the detection of the first signal in the at least first search space set during the frame period in response to determining that the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the first signal at least indicates that the channel is occupied by the second device during the frame period.

[0129] In some example embodiments, performing the detection of the second signal includes: performing the detection of the second signal from the second device in the second search space until the end of the channel occupancy time during the frame period.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the method further includes: receiving an indication of the association between the one or more search space sets configured for the detection of the first signal and the one or more search space sets configured for the detection of the second signal from the second device.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the method further includes: receiving an indication of at least one of the following from the second device: an offset of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set relative to the start of the frame period, a period of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set within the frame period, and a duration of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the frame period includes a fixed frame period.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the first device includes a terminal device, and the second device includes a network device.

[0134] In some aspects, a device includes: a module for performing detection of a first signal from a second device in at least a first search space set during a frame period; a module for determining whether the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set during the frame period; and a module for performing detection of a second signal from the second device in at least a second search space set associated with the first search space set during the frame period in response to determining that the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the at least first search space set is configured for a first frame period configuration.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the device further includes: a module for stopping the detection of the first signal in the at least first search space set configured for the first frame period configuration and performing the detection of the first signal in one or more search space sets configured for the second frame period configuration in response to receiving an indication of a change from the first frame period configuration to a different second frame period configuration.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the first search space set is associated with a service.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the device further includes a module for performing the detection of the first signal from the second device in the first search space set associated with the service and one or more additional search space sets associated with one or more different additional services during the frame period.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the device further includes: a module for stopping the detection of the first signal in the one or more additional search space sets associated with the one or more different additional services in response to at least one of: determining that the first signal is detected in the first search space set associated with the service, and receiving an indication for stopping the detection of at least the first signal in the search space sets associated with different services during the frame period.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the at least second search space set is further associated with one or more additional search space sets for the detection of the first signal during the frame period.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the device further includes: a module for stopping the detection of the first signal in the at least first search space set during the frame period in response to determining that the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the first signal at least indicates that the channel is occupied by the second device during the frame period.

[0143] In some example embodiments, the module for performing the detection of the second signal includes: a module for performing the detection of the second signal from the second device in the second search space until the end of the channel occupancy time within the frame period.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes: a module for receiving an indication of an association between one or more search space sets configured for the detection of the first signal and one or more search space sets configured for the detection of the second signal from the second device.

[0145] In some example embodiments, the apparatus further includes: a module for receiving an indication of at least one of the following from the second device: an offset of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set relative to the start of the frame period, a period of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set within the frame period, and a duration of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the frame period includes a fixed frame period.

[0147] In some example embodiments, the first device includes a terminal device, and the second device includes a network device.

[0148] In some aspects, a computer-readable storage medium includes program instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform a method according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A first device, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the first device to: perform detection of a first signal from a second device in at least a first search space set within a frame period; determine whether the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set within the frame period; and in response to determining that the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set, perform detection of a second signal from the second device in at least a second search space set associated with the first search space set within the frame period; wherein the at least first search space set is configured for a first frame period configuration, and in response to receiving an indication of a change from the first frame period configuration to a different second frame period configuration, stop detecting the first signal in the at least first search space set configured for the first frame period configuration and perform detection of the first signal in one or more search space sets configured for the second frame period configuration; wherein the first search space set is associated with a service, and perform detection of the first signal from the second device in the first search space set associated with the service and one or more additional search space sets associated with one or more different additional services within the frame period; and stop detecting the first signal in the one or more additional search space sets associated with the one or more different additional services in response to at least one of the following: determining that the first signal is detected in the first search space set associated with the service, and receiving an indication to stop detecting at least the first signal in search space sets associated with different services within the frame period.

2. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the at least second search space set is further associated with one or more additional search space sets for detecting the first signal within the frame period.

3. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is further caused to: in response to determining that the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set, stop detecting the first signal in the at least first search space set within the frame period.

4. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first signal at least indicates that a channel is occupied by the second device within the frame period.

5. The first device according to claim 4, wherein the first device is caused to perform detection of the second signal by: performing detection of the second signal from the second device in the second search space until the end of the channel occupancy time within the frame period.

6. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is further caused to: Receive an indication of the association between one or more search space sets configured for the detection of the first signal and one or more search space sets configured for the detection of the second signal from the second device.

7. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is further caused to: Receive an indication of at least one of the following from the second device: The offset of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set relative to the start of the frame period, The period of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set within the frame period, and The duration of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set.

8. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the frame period includes a fixed frame period.

9. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device includes a terminal device and the second device includes a network device.

10. A method implemented at a first device, comprising: Performing detection of a first signal from a second device in at least a first search space set within a frame period; Determining whether the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set within the frame period; and In response to determining that the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set, performing detection of a second signal from the second device in at least a second search space set associated with the first search space set within the frame period; wherein the at least first search space set is configured for a first frame period configuration, and in response to receiving an indication of a change from the first frame period configuration to a different second frame period configuration, stopping the detection of the first signal in the at least first search space set configured for the first frame period configuration and performing the detection of the first signal in one or more search space sets configured for the second frame period configuration; wherein the first search space set is associated with a service, and performing the detection of the first signal from the second device in the first search space set associated with the service and one or more additional search space sets associated with one or more different additional services within the frame period; and Stopping the detection of the first signal in the one or more additional search space sets associated with the one or more different additional services in response to at least one of the following: Determining that the first signal is detected in the first search space set associated with the service, and Receiving an indication for stopping the detection of at least the first signal in the search space sets associated with different services within the frame period.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least second search space set is further associated with one or more additional search space sets for the detection of the first signal within the frame period.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: In response to determining that the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set, stop detecting the first signal in the at least first search space set during the frame period.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first signal at least indicates that the channel is occupied by the second device during the frame period.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein performing the detection of the second signal comprises: Performing the detection of the second signal from the second device in the second search space until the end of the channel occupancy time within the frame period.

15. The method according to claim 10, further comprises: Receiving an indication of the association between one or more search space sets configured for the detection of the first signal and one or more search space sets configured for the detection of the second signal from the second device.

16. The method according to claim 10, further comprises: Receiving an indication of at least one of the following from the second device: The offset of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set relative to the start of the frame period, The period of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set within the frame period, and The duration of at least one of the first search space set and the second search space set.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the frame period comprises a fixed frame period.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device, and the second device comprises a network device.

19. An apparatus, comprises: A module for performing the detection of the first signal from the second device in at least a first search space set during a frame period; A module for determining whether the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set during the frame period; and A module for performing the detection of the second signal from the second device in at least a second search space set associated with the first search space set during the frame period in response to determining that the first signal is detected in the at least first search space set; wherein at least the first search space set is configured for a first frame period configuration, and the apparatus further comprises: A module for stopping the detection of the first signal in the at least first search space set configured for the first frame period configuration and performing the detection of the first signal in one or more search space sets configured for the second frame period configuration in response to receiving an indication of a change from the first frame period configuration to a different second frame period configuration; wherein the first search space set is associated with a service, and the apparatus further comprises: The apparatus further comprises a module for performing the detection of the first signal from the second device in the first search space set associated with the service and one or more additional search space sets associated with one or more different additional services during the frame period; and A module for stopping the detection of the first signal in the one or more additional search space sets associated with one or more different additional services in response to at least one of the following: determining that the first signal is detected in the first search space set associated with the service, and receiving an indication to stop the detection of at least the first signal in the search space sets associated with different services during the frame period.

20. A computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18.

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