Downlink control and data channel configuration

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to downlink control and data channel configuration. A method includes: at a first device, determining a transmission scheme for control information for a second device based on at least one multicast and broadcast service-related criterion, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service service to the second device; transmitting configuration information for enabling the second device to obtain the control information to the second device; and based on the determined transmission scheme, transmitting the control information to the second device on a control channel between the first device and the second device. In this way, the correlation between the multicast service scheduling mechanism on the downlink data channel and the control information transmission mechanism on the downlink control channel can be decoupled, thereby achieving flexible and dynamic downlink channel configuration and improving radio resource efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to methods, devices, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for downlink control and data channel configuration. Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication networks provide users of terminal devices (e.g., UEs) with access to various multimedia content and services such as voice, video, packet data, etc. In order to deliver the content to the recipient, a content provider such as a base station can transmit the content service in a unicast, multicast, groupcast or broadcast manner. Specifically, unicast technology refers to a point-to-point transmission (PTP) mechanism, in which the service is simply transmitted from a source entity to a destination, such as a specific UE. Multicast, groupcast or broadcast refers to a point-to-multipoint (PTM) mechanism, in which, for multicast / groupcast, the service is sent from the source to a user group, and for broadcast, to all users. In a multicast, groupcast or broadcast scenario, for example, evolved multicast broadcast multimedia service (eMBMS) or single cell point-to-multipoint (SC-PTM), control information can be transmitted in a semi-static or dynamic broadcast manner to schedule the service to multiple UEs. For the fifth generation new wireless communication network (which may also be referred to as 5G NR), downlink control information (DCI) common to a UE group or UE-specific control information to be transmitted on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is proposed, which are used to schedule multicast services and unicast services on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), respectively.

[0003] In traditional communication systems, the transmission method of this control information on the PDCCH corresponds to the scheduling method of multicast services on the physical downlink shared data channel (PDSCH). If the service is scheduled on the data channel in a unicast manner, that is, the service is scheduled for a single UE on the PDSCH, the relevant control information is transmitted in a UE-specific manner accordingly. For services scheduled in a multicast manner, that is, services are scheduled for a UE group on the PDSCH, the relevant control information is transmitted to the UE group in a group-common manner, for example, through semi-static broadcasting. This related signaling mechanism between the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel leads to increased complexity of the UE, especially for multicast scenarios. Summary of the invention

[0004] In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for decoupling downlink control and data channels for multicast services.

[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, enable the first device to: determine a transmission scheme for control information for a second device based on at least one multicast and broadcast service-related criterion, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service business to the second device; transmit configuration information for enabling the second device to obtain the control information to the second device; and transmit the control information to the second device and based on the determined transmission scheme on a control channel between the first device and the second device.

[0006] In a second aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the second device to: receive configuration information from a first device, the configuration information being used to enable the second device to obtain control information on a control channel between the first device and the second device, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service to the second device; and obtain control information from the first device on the control channel and based on the configuration information.

[0007] In a third aspect, a method is provided. The method includes: determining, at a first device, a transmission scheme for control information for a second device based on at least one multicast and broadcast service related criterion, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service business to the second device; transmitting to the second device configuration information for enabling the second device to obtain the control information; and transmitting to the second device and based on the determined transmission scheme, the control information on a control channel between the first device and the second device.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided. The method includes: receiving configuration information from a first device and at a second device, the configuration information being used to enable the second device to obtain control information on a control channel between the first device and the second device, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service to the second device; and obtaining control information from the first device on the control channel based on the configuration information.

[0009] In a fifth aspect, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus includes: a component for determining a transmission scheme for control information for a second apparatus based on at least one multicast and broadcast service related criterion, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service service to the second apparatus; a component for transmitting configuration information for enabling the second apparatus to obtain the control information to the second apparatus; and a component for transmitting the control information to the second apparatus and on a control channel between the first apparatus and the second apparatus based on the determined transmission scheme.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes: a component for receiving configuration information from a first device, the configuration information being used to enable the second device to obtain control information on a control channel between the first device and the second device, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service to the second device; and a component for obtaining control information from the first device on the control channel and based on the configuration information.

[0011] In a seventh aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least execute the method according to the third aspect above.

[0012] In an eighth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least execute the method according to the fourth aspect above.

[0013] It should be understood that the invention summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 An example communication environment is shown in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0016] Figure 2 shows a signaling flow for downlink control and data channel configuration according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 3 A flow chart showing a communication method according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 4 A flow chart showing a communication method according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 5 shows a simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0020] Figure 6 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium is shown in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only, and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without implying any limitation to the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure described herein can be implemented in various ways except for the way described below.

[0023] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, 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 belongs.

[0024] In this disclosure, references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc. indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an embodiment, it is claimed that it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0025] It should be understood that although the terms "first" and "second" etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish between elements. 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 exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0026] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. 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. It will also be understood that when the terms "include", "have" and / or "comprise" are used herein, these terms specify the presence of stated features, elements and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0027] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0028] (a) hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuits only) and

[0029] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable):

[0030] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware and

[0031] (ii) any portion of a hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s), software and memory(s) that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions) and

[0032] (c) Hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s) that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, such as microprocessor(s) or portions of microprocessor(s), but which may not be present when no software is needed for operation.

[0033] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to a particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0034] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that complies with any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Non-terrestrial Network (NTN), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between the terminal device and the network equipment in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocols, including but not limited to the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G) and future sixth generation (6G) communication protocols and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems, including but not limited to terrestrial communication systems, non-terrestrial communication systems or combinations thereof. In view of the rapid development of the communication field, there will certainly be future types of communication technologies and systems that can be used to implement the present disclosure. It should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned systems.

[0035] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. A network device may refer to a base station (BS) or access point (AP), for example, a NodeB (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a NR NB (also known as a gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a low-power node such as a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-terrestrial network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and the like, depending on the terminology and technology applied.

[0036] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not limitation, the terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, a user equipment (UE), a subscriber station (SS), a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS) or an access terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a tablet computer, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture terminal device such as a digital camera, a game terminal device, a music storage and playback device, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop mounted device (LME), a USB dongle, a smart device, a wireless customer enterprise device (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a helmet display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, medical equipment and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial equipment and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain environments), consumer electronic devices, equipment operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0037] In conventional communication systems such as 4G communication networks, group scheduling mechanisms are supported for broadcasting control information semi-statically or dynamically. For eMBMS and SC-PTM, due to the support for receive-only mode UEs, many restrictions are imposed on system design, such as support for devices not registered with the network, support for terminal devices in idle mode, etc., which has a significant impact on how to transmit multicast data / traffic channel (MTCH) and multicast control channel (MCCH) information on a physical downlink channel (e.g., PDSCH) or a physical multicast channel (PMCH).

[0038] As mentioned above, in traditional communication systems, there is a high correlation between the scheduling method of multicast services on the downlink shared data channel and the transmission method of related control information on the downlink control channel. This essentially means that the over-the-air (OTA) data transmission mode - which can be selected based on various radio resource efficiency criteria, but should or may not necessarily be a factor in determining how the related control information is transmitted to the UE. Moreover, the high data channel load used to schedule multicast services does not mean that the related control information will also consume a large amount of control channel resources. In other words, this correlation signaling mechanism between the downlink control channel and the downlink data channel is unnecessary and may even lead to increased complexity of the UE, especially for multicast scenarios.

[0039] The network equipment may configure dynamic uplink hybrid automatic request (UL HARQ) feedback from each UE, which requires the use of a UE-specific PDCCH for DCI configuration related to UL feedback and a group-common PDCCH for DCI configuration related to multicast PDSCH.

[0040] With the development of 5G NR technology, people are mainly concerned about the behavior of terminal devices in radio resource control connection mode (RRC_Connected), in which the terminal device is connected and tracked by the network that maintains the terminal device context, which involves significant differences from previous generations. Around this point, there is also a need to improve the delivery of multicast services, downlink data service scheduling, control channel enhancement, and related radio resource optimization. The method proposed in the present disclosure is also applicable to terminal devices in RRC_Idle or RRC_Inactive mode, whereby the terminal device may not have an active RRC connection, or have a partial RRC connection with the network.

[0041] To solve the above and other potential problems, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a dynamic scheduling and transmission mechanism for multicast services.

[0042] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of an example communication environment 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. Figure 1 As shown, a communication environment 100 as part of a communication network includes a first device 110, a second device, a third device 130, and a fourth device 140. The first device 110 may be a network device, such as a base station, and the second device 120, the third device 130, and the fourth device 140 may be terminal devices, such as UEs. In the context of the present disclosure, the second device 120, the third device 130, and the fourth device 140 may be collectively referred to as a group of terminal devices 120 to 140.

[0043] The first device 110 can communicate with a group of terminal devices 120 to 140 via a corresponding wireless communication channel between the first device 110 and a group of terminal devices 120 to 140. Control information / data is transmitted on a downlink control channel such as PDCCH, and user data / service data is transmitted on a data channel such as PDSCH. For example, the first device 110 can transmit downlink control information (DCI) on PDCCH, which includes resource allocation information, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), HARQ associated with PDSCH, and bandwidth part (BWP) of the scheduling service. In addition, the first device 110 can support MBS and deliver multicast services to a group of terminal devices 120 to 140 in a multicast or groupcast manner. By decoding the DCI, the second device 120 can then correctly receive the multicast service transmitted on the PDSCH.

[0044] As mentioned above, in a conventional communication network, the scheduling mechanism of a multicast service on a data channel is related to the transmission mechanism of control information on a control channel. In an example embodiment, the first device 110 may configure and transmit control information in a flexible and dynamic manner (e.g., in a group-common manner or in a UE-specific manner), which will be discussed in detail below.

[0045] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment, the first device 110 and a group of terminal devices 120 to 140 are respectively shown as a base station and a UE. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to any other appropriate implementation. It should be understood that Figure 1 The number of devices in the embodiment is given for the purpose of illustration and does not suggest any limitation to the present disclosure. The communication environment 100 may include any appropriate number of network devices and / or terminal devices and additional elements not shown that are suitable for implementing the implementation of the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation to the scope of the present disclosure.

[0046] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any appropriate (multiple) communication protocols, including, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), and fifth generation (5G), wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocol currently known or to be developed in the future. In addition, communications may utilize any appropriate wireless communication technology, including, but not limited to: code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division duplex (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other technology currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0047] Figure 2 2 shows an example signaling diagram illustrating an example process 200 for downlink control and data channel configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, process 200 may involve the following: Figure 1 The first device 110 and the second device 120 are shown. It should be understood that the process 200 may include additional actions not shown and / or may omit some actions shown in the figure, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. In addition, it should be understood that although it is mainly presented as a serial execution, at least a portion of the actions of the process 200 may be performed simultaneously or in parallel. Figure 2 to be executed in the different order presented in .

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the first device 110 determines 205 a transmission scheme of control information for the second device 210 based on at least one MBS-related criterion. The control information is related to scheduling a multicast service to the second device 120, for example, DCI transmitted on a PDCCH.

[0049] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may compare the value of the MBS-related criterion with a threshold value of the corresponding MBS-related criterion. If the value of the MBS-related criterion exceeds a threshold value that may be preconfigured or predetermined by the first device, the first device 110 may determine that the control information will be transmitted in a group-common manner, i.e., on a common set of physical resources allocated for a group of terminal devices 120 to 140. If the value of the MBS-related criterion does not exceed the threshold value, the first device 110 may determine that the control information will be transmitted in a UE-specific manner, i.e., on a separate set of physical resources allocated for the second device 120. In the following description, the group-common manner and the UE-specific manner may also be referred to as a first transmission scheme and a second transmission scheme of the control information, respectively.

[0050] The MBS-related criteria may include at least one of a traffic load of a control channel, an uplink feedback configuration requirement, a mobility condition of the second device 120, a radio resource utilization of a control channel, a number of a group of terminal devices 120 to 140, or a BWP of the second device 120. As an example, the traffic load of the control channel (which may include a unicast traffic load and other common traffic loads related to system information, paging, random access) may indicate an overhead of a downlink control channel for transmitting control information. If the traffic load is significantly higher than a threshold of the traffic load, the first device 110 may transmit the control information in a semi-static manner (such as semi-persistent scheduling) or a broadcast manner (e.g., using a system information block (SIB) configured for a group of terminal devices 120 to 140). If the traffic load of the control channel is medium, the first device 110 may determine to use a second transmission scheme for the control information, i.e., scrambling the DCI using the G-RNTI, even when the data channel load is not heavy and / or there is no significant benefit in using multicast for the data channel. This may be the case where the first device 110 has a large amount of URLLC traffic or other types of traffic that causes significant control channel loading without significant impact on the data channel.

[0051] As another example, uplink feedback configuration requirements may be considered when the first device 110 determines a transmission scheme for control information. For example, the first device 110 may configure dynamic UL HARQ feedback from each of a group of terminal devices 120 to 140 by using UE-specific resources on the PDCCH for DCI configuration related to UL feedback and group common resources on the PDCCH for DCI configuration related to multicast PDSCH.

[0052] If there are a considerable number of terminal devices configured with UL HARQ feedback configuration, the total amount of bits and related physical resources, for example, the control channel element (CCE) required for UL HARQ feedback may be determined as an exemplary criterion for determining whether to use the first transmission scheme or the second transmission scheme.

[0053] Another exemplary criterion may be whether the currently active BWP of the terminal device (e.g., UE) is the same as the BWP for scheduling MBS PDSCH resources. In the case where the BWP of the second device 120 is not the same as the BWP for scheduling MBS PDSCH resources, the second transmission scheme may be selected by the first device 110. This enables the network device (e.g., gNB) to instruct the terminal device (e.g., UE) to switch its BWP and configure multicast MBS PDSCH resources simultaneously on the same DC.

[0054] One of the key enhancements in 5G NR for multicast broadcast services is the dynamic switching between point-to-point (PTP) and point-to-multipoint (PTM) services. For mobility purposes, flexible PDCCH configuration enables seamless mobility of terminal devices 120 to 140. In a multi-cell scenario or a switching or mobility scenario, the first device 110 may transmit MBS-related criteria via the Xn interface. The MBS-related criteria may be configured by the first device 120 and may be weighted according to their importance. Additionally or alternatively, more than one threshold associated with the MBS-related criteria may be utilized when determining the transmission scheme for the control information.

[0055] The first device 110 may determine a transmission scheme per multicast service, which may be identified based on different identifiers, such as a group radio network temporary identifier (G-RNTI) associated with a group of terminal devices 120 to 140 or a single cell radio network temporary identifier (SC-RNTI) associated with the second device 120. Additionally or alternatively, the first device 110 may determine a transmission scheme per time slot based on MBS-related criteria, thereby making the scheduling and transmission mechanisms more flexible and configurable. It should be understood that the G-RNTI given here is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure to any specific identifier described. Any other form of public identifier for a specific PTM service may be applied.

[0056] In the case where the first device 110 determines that the transmission scheme is the first transmission scheme, that is, in the case where the control information is transmitted on a separate set of resources for the second device 120, the first device 110 may send 210 a first message to the second device 120, indicating that the control information is transmitted on a separate set of physical resources, and the multicast service traffic is transmitted on a common set of physical resources allocated for a group of terminal devices 120 to 140. For example, the first device 110 may send the first message via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. Upon receiving the first message, the second device 120 may know the transmission scheme.

[0057] The first device 110 sends 215 configuration information to the second device 120 so that the second device 120 obtains control information. The configuration information may be identifier priority information indicating a prioritized identifier for obtaining control information. Thus, the configuration information may instruct the second device 120 by configuring a C-RNTI and a G-RNTI for blind decoding of DCI information having the same search space index. Using the identifier priority information, the first device 110 may indicate that one of the C-RNTI or G-RNTI with a higher priority is first used to blindly decode the DCI information on the PDCCH, and only if the DCI information is not decoded using the RNTI with a higher priority, the other RNTI with a lower priority is used to blindly decode the DCI information.

[0058] In some example embodiments, the identifier priority information may be included in a search space configuration transmitted by the first device 110, which is either an existing search space configuration or a multicast-specific search space configuration to be defined in the future. The prioritized identifier may be a 0-2 bit indicator and include one of a common identifier for identifying a group of terminal devices 120 to 140 or a specific identifier for identifying the second device 120. For example, the common identifier may be a G-RNTI and the specific identifier may be a C-RNTI. In the event that the first device 110 may determine to transmit control information in a conventional manner, the first device 110 may transmit 0-bit identifier priority information to the second device, or alternatively, no identifier priority information may be transmitted to the second device 120.

[0059] In some example embodiments, the identifier priority information may include a first bit, and the value of the first bit indicates whether a public identifier or a specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain control information. For example, the first device 110 may set the value of the first bit of the identifier priority information to a first value, such as 0, indicating that the G-RNTI associated with the second device 120 is preferentially used to blindly decode the PDCCH. In this case, the second device 120 may then determine that the resources on the PDSCH are scrambled using the G-RNTI based on the reciprocity between the control information / PDCCH and the data / PDSCH.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the first device 110 may set the value of the first bit identifying the priority information to a second value, such as 1, which indicates that the C-RNTI associated with the second device 120 is preferentially used for blind decoding of the PDCCH.

[0061] In some example embodiments, the identifier priority information may include a second bit, and the value of the second bit indicates whether a common identifier or a specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain a multicast service service scheduled on a data channel such as a PDSCH. For example, the first device 110 may set the value of the second bit of the identifier priority information to a first value, such as 0, which indicates that the G-RNTI associated with the second device 120 is used to scramble the resources on the PDSCH. In this case, the second device 120 may then descramble the resources using the G-RNTI and obtain the multicast service transmitted on the PDSCH.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the first device 110 may set the value of the second bit of the identification priority information to a second value, such as 1, which indicates that the C-RNTI associated with the second device 120 is used to scramble the resources on the PDSCH. In this case, the second device 120 can then use the C-RNTI to descramble the resources and obtain the multicast service transmitted on the PDSCH. Table 1 below shows an example configuration of the described identifier priority information.

[0063] Table 1 Example configuration of identifier priority information

[0064]

[0065] Alternative configurations of the identifier priority information are shown in Table 2 below.

[0066] Table 2 Optional configuration of identification priority information

[0067]

[0068]

[0069] In some example embodiments, the first device 119 may determine the mechanism on a per-frame basis. Different transmission schemes may be enabled by adjusting the slot positions and periodicity of the search space set configuration within the frame. Specifically, the first device 110 may transmit a search space configuration including identifier priority information in a slot set to indicate whether a public identifier or a specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain control information. For example, the first device 110 may transmit a search space configuration in an odd number of slots of a specific period or duration, indicating that a public identifier (e.g., G-RNTI) is preferentially used to obtain control information. In addition, the first device 110 may transmit a search space configuration in an even number of slots of a specific period or duration, indicating that a specific identifier (e.g., C-RNTI) is preferentially used to obtain control information. Such rules may be pre-configured at both the first device 110 and the second device 120, or alternatively transmitted from the first device 110 to the second device 120.

[0070] The first device 110 transmits 220 control information on a control channel (e.g., PDCCH) based on the determined transmission scheme. The second device 120 obtains 225 control information on the control channel based on the configuration information. Then, the first device 110 may transmit a multicast service on a data channel (e.g., PDSCH) based on the control information and the configuration information. For example, the first device 110 may scramble resources of the PDSCH based on the configuration shown in Table 1 or Table 2, the second device 120 may descramble DCI information transmitted on the PDCCH based on the configuration information, and then receive the multicast service on the PDSCH based on the control information and the configuration information, as described in Table 1 or Table 2.

[0071] It should be understood that the specific implementation and configuration of the identifier priority information proposed herein are for exemplary purposes only. For the example embodiments of the present application, other implementations and configurations of messages and other signaling of messages are also possible. It should also be understood that in the example embodiments, the multicast mode is described as one of the applicable scenarios, without intending to limit the present disclosure. The solution provided herein can be applied to broadcast or any other form of PTM transmission mode.

[0072] By using the flexible and dynamic mechanism provided in the example embodiments of the present disclosure, the scheduling method of multicast services on the downlink data channel can be decoupled from the transmission method of the relevant control information on the downlink control channel. As a result, the efficiency of radio resources used to deliver multicast services can be improved, whether unicast, multicast or broadcast. The blind decoding complexity of the terminal device can be reduced because if the terminal device is only configured with a UE-specific PDCCH configuration, it is not necessary to perform blind decoding using the G-RNTI when receiving multicast services on the PDSCH. In addition, the solution of the present disclosure can also provide network devices with flexibility in PDCCH configuration for multicast services.

[0073] Figure 3 1 shows a flow chart of a communication method 300 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 300 may be implemented at a network device, for example, Figure 1 The method 300 may also involve the second device 120. It should be understood that the method 300 may include additional actions not shown and / or may omit some of the actions shown, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. In addition, it should be understood that although primarily presented herein as being performed serially, at least a portion of the actions of the process 300 may be performed simultaneously or in parallel. Figure 3 The different orders are shown in .

[0074] like Figure 3As shown, at 310, the first device 110 determines a transmission scheme of control information for the second device 120 based on at least one MBS-related criterion. The control information is related to scheduling a multicast service to the second device 120. For example, the control information may be a DCI or a SIB.

[0075] In some example embodiments, at least one MBS-related criterion may include, but is not limited to, a traffic load of a control channel, an uplink feedback configuration requirement, a mobility condition of the second device 120, a radio resource utilization rate of the control channel, the number of a group of terminal devices including the second device, etc. It should be understood that other factors may also be considered when determining a transmission scheme for control information, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0076] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may compare the value of the MBS-related criterion with a threshold value of a corresponding MBS-related criterion that may be preconfigured for the first device. As an example, if the value of the MBS-related criterion exceeds the threshold value of the multicast and broadcast service-related criterion, the first device 110 may determine to transmit the control information on a common set of physical resources allocated to a group of terminal devices 120 to 140 including the second device 120. If the value of the MBS-related criterion does not exceed the threshold value, the first device 110 may determine to transmit the control information on a separate set of physical resources allocated to the second device 120.

[0077] In the case where it is determined that the transmission scheme is the first transmission scheme for transmitting control information on a separate set of physical resources, the first device 110 may transmit a first message indicating the first transmission scheme to the second device 120. For example, the first message may indicate that the control information is transmitted on a separate set of physical resources allocated to the second device 120, and that the multicast service traffic is transmitted on a common set of physical resources allocated to a group of terminal devices 120 to 140.

[0078] At 320, the first device 110 transmits configuration information to the second device 120. The configuration information enables the second device 120 to obtain control information. In some example embodiments, the configuration information transmitted by the first device 110 may be identifier priority information indicating a prioritized identifier for obtaining control information. The prioritized identifier may include a public identifier for identifying a group of terminal devices 120 to 140 including the second device 120 or one of the specific identifiers for identifying the second device 120. For example, the public identifier may be a G-RNTI and the specific identifier may be a C-RNTI.

[0079] The identifier priority information may be a 0 to 2 bit indicator. In some example embodiments, the identifier priority information may include a first bit. The value of the first bit may indicate whether a public identifier or a specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain control information. In some example embodiments, the identifier priority information also includes a second bit. The value of the second bit may indicate whether a public identifier or a specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain a multicast service business scheduled on a data channel such as a PDSCH.

[0080] The identifier priority information may be included in a search space configuration transmitted by the first device 110. In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may transmit a search space configuration in a set of time slots that includes the identifier priority information indicating whether a common identifier or a specific identifier is prioritized for obtaining control information.

[0081] At 330, the first device 110 transmits control information on the control channel to the second device 120 based on the determined transmission scheme. For example, if the transmission scheme is a UE-specific transmission scheme, i.e., a first transmission scheme, the first device 110 may transmit control information about a separate set of physical resources allocated to the second device 120. If the transmission scheme is a group common transmission scheme, i.e., a second transmission scheme, the first device 110 may transmit control information about a common set of physical resources allocated to a group of terminal devices 120 to 140. Then, the first device 110 may transmit a multicast service traffic to the second device 120 on the data channel based on the control information and the configuration information.

[0082] The methods provided in the example embodiments of the present disclosure enable network devices (e.g., gNBs) to flexibly and dynamically configure downlink control and data channels and adjust the delivery of multicast services based on several MBS-related factors. It should be understood that the multicast mode is described as one of the applicable scenarios in the example embodiments, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The methods provided herein can be applied to broadcast or any other form of PTM transmission mode, whether currently known or developed in the future.

[0083] Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method implemented at the second device 120 . Figure 4 4 shows a flow chart of a communication method 400 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 400 may be implemented at a terminal device, for example, Figure 1 The method 400 may also involve the first device 110. It should be understood that the method 400 may include additional actions not shown and / or may omit some of the actions shown, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. In addition, it should be understood that although primarily presented herein as being performed serially, at least a portion of the actions of the process 400 may be performed simultaneously or in parallel. Figure 4The different orders are shown in .

[0084] At 410, the second device 120 receives configuration information from the first device 110. The configuration information enables the second device 120 to obtain control information on a control channel (eg, PDCCH) between the first device 110 and the second device 120. The control information is related to scheduling a multicast service traffic to the second device 120, such as DCI or SIB.

[0085] In some example embodiments, the second device 120 may receive a first message indicating a transmission scheme for the control information from the first device 110. The first message may indicate a first transmission scheme in which the control information is transmitted on a separate set of physical resources allocated for the second device 120 and the multicast service traffic is transmitted on a common set of physical resources allocated for a group of terminal devices 120 to 140.

[0086] In some example embodiments, the configuration information may be identifier priority information indicating a prioritized identifier for obtaining the control information. The prioritized identifier may include one of a public identifier for identifying a group of terminal devices including the second device or a specific identifier for identifying the second device. For example, the public identifier may be a G-RNTI associated with a group of terminal devices 120 to 140, and the specific identifier may be a C-RNTI associated with the second device 120.

[0087] In some example embodiments, the identifier priority information may be included in the search space set configuration transmitted from the first device 110. For example, the identifier priority information may include a first bit, and the value of the first bit may indicate whether a public identifier (e.g., G-RNTI) or a specific identifier (e.g., C-RNTI) is preferentially used to obtain control information.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the identifier priority information may also include a second bit, and the value of the second bit may indicate whether a public identifier or a specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain multicast service traffic scheduled on a data channel (which may be, for example, a PDSCH) between the first device 110 and the second device 120.

[0089] In some example embodiments, second device 120 may receive a search space set configuration including identifier priority information in a set of time slots indicating whether a public identifier or a specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain control information. For example, if second device 120 receives the search space set configuration in an odd time slot of a specific period or duration, second device 120 may determine that a public identifier (e.g., a G-RNTI) is preferentially used to scramble the DCI. Otherwise, if second device 120 receives the search space set configuration in an even time slot of a specific period or duration, second device 120 may determine that a specific identifier (e.g., a C-RNTI) is preferentially used to scramble the DCI.

[0090] At 420, the second device 120 obtains control information transmitted on the control channel based on the configuration information. The second device 120 may then receive a multicast service traffic on a data channel between the first device and the second device (eg, PDSCH) based on the configuration information and the control information.

[0091] It should be understood that in the example embodiments, the multicast mode is described as one of the applicable scenarios, and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. The method provided herein can be applied to broadcast or any other form of PTM transmission mode, whether currently known or developed in the future.

[0092] The method provided by the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure enables the terminal device to perform only one form of blind detection on the search space set, where the DCI related to the multicast PDSCH can be scheduled on the PDCCH. In this way, the complexity of the terminal device performing blind decoding on both the G-RNTI and the C-RNTI can be avoided.

[0093] In some example embodiments, the first device capable of executing method 300 may include a component for executing each step of method 300. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

[0094] In some exemplary embodiments, the first device includes: a component for determining a transmission scheme for control information of a second device based on at least one multicast and broadcast service-related criterion, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service business to the second device; a component for sending configuration information for enabling the second device to obtain the control information to the second device; and a component for sending control information about a control channel between the first device and the second device to the second device based on the determined transmission scheme.

[0095] In some exemplary embodiments, the multicast and broadcast service-related criteria include at least one of: traffic load of a control channel; uplink feedback configuration requirements; mobility conditions of the second device; radio resource utilization of the control channel; or the number of a group of terminal devices including the second device.

[0096] In some exemplary embodiments, the components for determining a transmission scheme for control information include: a component for determining that the control information is sent on a common set of physical resources allocated to a group of terminal devices including a second device if it is determined that the value of the multicast and broadcast service-related criterion exceeds a threshold of the multicast and broadcast service criterion preconfigured for the first device; and a component for determining that the control information is sent on a separate set of physical resources allocated to the second device based on a determination that the value of the multicast and broadcast service-related criterion does not exceed the threshold of the multicast and broadcast service criterion.

[0097] In some exemplary embodiments, the first device also includes a component for sending a first message to the second device based on a determination that the transmission scheme is the first transmission scheme, the first message indicating that control information is transmitted on a separate set of physical resources allocated to the second device, and that the multicast service is transmitted on a common set of physical resources allocated to a group of terminal devices including the second device.

[0098] In some exemplary embodiments, the component for sending configuration information includes: a component for sending identifier priority information indicating a prioritized identifier for obtaining control information, the prioritized identifier including one of a common identifier for identifying a group of terminal devices including the second device or a specific identifier for identifying the second device.

[0099] In some exemplary embodiments, the identifier priority information includes a first bit, a value of which indicates whether a public identifier or a specific identifier is preferentially used for obtaining the control information.

[0100] In some exemplary embodiments, the identifier priority information further includes a second bit, ie, a value of the second bit indicating whether a public identifier or a specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain a multicast service scheduled on a data channel between the first device and the second device.

[0101] In some exemplary embodiments, means for transmitting the identifier priority information includes means for transmitting a search space configuration including the identifier priority information to the second device.

[0102] In some exemplary embodiments, means for transmitting the search space configuration includes means for transmitting the search space configuration including identifier priority information in a set of time slots, the identifier priority information indicating whether a common identifier or a specific identifier is prioritized for obtaining control information.

[0103] In some exemplary embodiments, means for transmitting the control information comprises means for transmitting the control information in downlink control information.

[0104] In some exemplary embodiments, the means for sending the control information comprises means for sending the control information in a system information block to a group of terminal devices including the second device.

[0105] In some exemplary embodiments, the control information is transmitted in one of: a separate set of physical resources allocated for the second device; or a common set of physical resources allocated for a group of terminal devices including the second device.

[0106] In some exemplary embodiments, the first device further comprises: means for sending a multicast service traffic to the second device on a data channel between the first device and the second device based on the control information and the configuration information.

[0107] In some exemplary embodiments, the first device is a network device and the second device is a terminal device.

[0108] In some exemplary embodiments, the second device capable of executing method 400 may include components for executing the various steps of method 400. The device may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the device may be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

[0109] In some exemplary embodiments, the second device includes: a component for receiving configuration information from the first device, the configuration information being used to enable the second device to obtain control information about a control channel between the first device and the second device, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service to the second device; and a component for obtaining control information about the control channel from the first device and based on the configuration information.

[0110] In some exemplary embodiments, the second device also includes a component for receiving a first message from the first device, the first message indicating that control information is sent on a separate set of physical resources allocated to the second device, and that multicast service traffic is sent on a common set of physical resources allocated to a group of terminal devices including the second device.

[0111] In some exemplary embodiments, the component for receiving configuration information includes: a component for receiving identifier priority information indicating a prioritized identifier for obtaining control information, the prioritized identifier including one of a common identifier for identifying a group of terminal devices including the second device or a specific identifier for identifying the second device.

[0112] In some exemplary embodiments, the identifier priority information includes a first bit, a value of which indicates whether a public identifier or a specific identifier is preferentially used for obtaining the control information.

[0113] In some exemplary embodiments, the identifier priority information further includes a second bit, ie, a value of the second bit indicating whether a public identifier or a specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain a multicast service scheduled on a data channel between the first device and the second device.

[0114] In some exemplary embodiments, means for receiving identifier priority information includes means for receiving, from the first device, a search space configuration including the identifier priority information.

[0115] In some exemplary embodiments, means for receiving a search space configuration includes means for receiving a search space configuration including identifier priority information in a set of time slots, the identifier priority information indicating whether a common identifier or a specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain control information.

[0116] In some exemplary embodiments, means for receiving control information includes means for receiving control information in downlink control information.

[0117] In some exemplary embodiments, means for receiving the control information comprises means for receiving the control information in a system information block.

[0118] In some exemplary embodiments, the control information is received in one of: a separate set of physical resources allocated for the second device; and a common set of physical resources allocated for a group of terminal devices including the second device.

[0119] In some exemplary embodiments, the second device further comprises: means for receiving a multicast service traffic on a data channel between the first device and the second device based on the configuration information and the control information.

[0120] In some exemplary embodiments, the first device is a network device and the second device is a terminal device.

[0121] Figure 5 5 is a simplified block diagram of a device 500 suitable for implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 500 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as Figure 1 The first device 110 and the second device 120 are shown. As shown, the device 500 includes one or more processors 510, one or more memories 520 coupled to the processors 510, and one or more communication modules 540 coupled to the processors 510.

[0122] The communication module 540 is used for two-way communication. The communication module 540 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface required to communicate with other network elements.

[0123] The processor may be of any type suitable for the local technology network, and may include one or more of the following: as non-limiting examples, 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 500 may have multiple processors, such as application specific integrated circuit chips that are time slaved to a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0124] The memory 520 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 524, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 522 and other volatile memories that do not persist over the duration of a power outage.

[0125] Computer program 530 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by associated processor 510. Program 530 may be stored in ROM 520. Processor 510 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 530 into RAM 520.

[0126] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by a program 530, so that the device 500 may execute the reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 Any process of the present disclosure discussed. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0127] In some embodiments, the program 530 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium that may be included in the device 500 (such as in the memory 520) or in other storage devices accessible to the device 500. The device 500 may load the program 530 from the computer-readable medium to the RAM 522 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile storage device, such as a ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. Figure 6 An example of a computer readable medium 600 in the form of a CD or DVD is shown. The computer readable medium has a program 530 stored thereon.

[0128] In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated 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 may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representation, it is understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented as, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0129] 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 those included in a program module, executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the above-referenced Figure 3-4 Method 300 or 400 described. In general, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functions of program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed. The machine executable instructions of program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0130] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device so that when executed by the processor or controller, the program code enables the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be realized. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as an independent software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0131] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, etc.

[0132] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor system, device or apparatus, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of computer readable storage media would include an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer 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 disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0133] In addition, although the operations are described in a particular order, this should not be construed as requiring that the operations be performed in the particular order or sequence order shown, or requiring that all of the operations shown be performed to obtain the desired results. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these details should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Certain features described in the context of a separate embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented separately in multiple embodiments or in any appropriate sub-combination.

[0134] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Instead, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as 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 at least: determining, based on at least one multicast and broadcast service-related criterion, a transmission scheme for control information for a second device, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service traffic to the second device, wherein the transmission scheme is a first transmission scheme specific to the second device or a second transmission scheme based on a group common, wherein the at least one multicast and broadcast service-related criterion includes the number of a group of terminal devices, the group of terminal devices including the second device; transmitting, to the second device, configuration information for enabling the second device to obtain the control information, wherein the configuration information includes identifier priority information, the identifier priority information indicating prioritized identifiers for obtaining the control information; and Based on the determined transmission scheme, the control information is transmitted to the second device on a control channel between the first device and the second device.

2. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one multicast and broadcast service-related criterion further comprises at least one of the following: Traffic load of the control channel; Uplink feedback configuration requirements; a mobility condition of the second device; or Radio resource utilization of the control channel.

3. The first device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the first device determines the transmission scheme for the control information in the following manner: If it is determined that the value of the multicast and broadcast service related criterion exceeds a threshold value of the multicast and broadcast service related criterion preconfigured for the first device, determining that the control information is to be transmitted on a common set of physical resources allocated for the group of terminal devices; and If it is determined that the value of the multicast and broadcast service related criterion does not exceed the threshold of the multicast and broadcast service related criterion, it is determined that the control information is to be transmitted on a separate set of physical resources allocated for the second device.

4. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is further configured to: If it is determined that the transmission scheme is the first transmission scheme, a first message is transmitted to the second device, the first message indicating that the control information is transmitted on a separate set of physical resources allocated to the second device, and the multicast service is transmitted on a common set of physical resources allocated to the group of terminal devices. 5 . The first device according to claim 1 , wherein the prioritized identifier comprises one of: a public identifier for identifying the group of terminal devices or a specific identifier for identifying the second device. 6 . The first device according to claim 5 , wherein the identifier priority information comprises a first bit, a value of the first bit indicating whether the public identifier or the specific identifier is preferentially used for obtaining the control information.

7. The first device according to claim 6, wherein the identifier priority information further includes a second bit, the value of the second bit indicating whether the public identifier or the specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain the multicast service service scheduled on the data channel between the first device and the second device.

8. The first device according to claim 5, wherein the first device transmits the identifier priority information in the following manner: A search space configuration including the identifier priority information is transmitted to the second device.

9. The first device according to claim 8, wherein the first device transmits the search space configuration in the following manner: The search space configuration including the identifier priority information is transmitted in a group of time slots, the identifier priority information indicating whether the common identifier or the specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain the control information.

10. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device transmits the control information in the following manner: The control information is transmitted in downlink control information.

11. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device transmits the control information in the following manner: The control information is transmitted to the group of terminal devices in a system information block.

12. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first device is caused to transmit the control information in one of the following: a separate set of physical resources allocated to the second device; or A set of common physical resources allocated to the group of terminal devices.

13. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is further configured to: Based on the control information and the configuration information, the multicast service traffic is transmitted to the second device on a data channel between the first device and the second device.

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

15. A second device, comprising: at least one processor; as well as 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 second device to at least: receiving configuration information from a first device, the configuration information being used to enable the second device to obtain control information on a control channel between the first device and the second device, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service to the second device, wherein the configuration information includes identifier priority information, the identifier priority information indicating a prioritized identifier for obtaining the control information; as well as Based on the configuration information, the control information is obtained from the first device on the control channel, wherein a transmission scheme of the control information is a first transmission scheme specific to the second device or a second transmission scheme based on a group common.

16. The second device according to claim 15, wherein the second device is further configured to: A first message is received from the first device, the first message indicating that the control information is transmitted on a separate set of physical resources allocated for the second device, and the multicast service traffic is transmitted on a common set of physical resources allocated for a group of terminal devices including the second device. 17 . The second device according to claim 15 , wherein the prioritized identifier comprises one of: a public identifier for identifying a group of terminal devices including the second device or a specific identifier for identifying the second device. 18 . The second device according to claim 17 , wherein the identifier priority information comprises a first bit, a value of the first bit indicating whether the public identifier or the specific identifier is preferentially used for obtaining the control information.

19. The second device according to claim 18, wherein the identifier priority information further includes a second bit, and a value of the second bit indicates whether the public identifier or the specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain the multicast service service scheduled on the data channel between the first device and the second device.

20. The second device according to claim 17, wherein the second device receives the identifier priority information in the following manner: A search space configuration including the identifier priority information is received from the first device.

21. The second device according to claim 20, wherein the second device receives the search space configuration in the following manner: The search space configuration including the identifier priority information is received in a set of time slots, the identifier priority information indicating whether the common identifier or the specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain the control information.

22. The second device according to claim 15, wherein the second device receives the control information in the following manner: The control information is received in downlink control information.

23. The second device according to claim 15, wherein the first device receives the control information in the following manner: The control information is received in a system information block.

24. The second device of claim 15, wherein the second device is caused to receive the control information in one of the following: a separate set of physical resources allocated to the second device; or A set of common physical resources allocated to a group of terminal devices including the second device.

25. The second device according to claim 15, wherein the second device is further configured to: Based on the control information and the configuration information, the multicast service traffic is received on a data channel between the first device and the second device.

26. The second device according to claim 15, wherein the first device is a network device, and the second device is a terminal device.

27. A communication method, comprising: At the first device, determining a transmission scheme of control information for a second device based on at least one multicast and broadcast service-related criterion, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service traffic to the second device, wherein the transmission scheme is a first transmission scheme specific to the second device or a second transmission scheme based on a group common, wherein the at least one multicast and broadcast service-related criterion includes the number of a group of terminal devices, the group of terminal devices including the second device; Transmitting, to the second device, configuration information for enabling the second device to obtain the control information, wherein the configuration information includes identifier priority information, the identifier priority information indicating a prioritized identifier for obtaining the control information; as well as Based on the determined transmission scheme, the control information is transmitted to the second device on a control channel between the first device and the second device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one multicast and broadcast service-related criterion further comprises at least one of the following: Traffic load of the control channel; Uplink feedback configuration requirements; a mobility condition of the second device; or Radio resource utilization of the control channel.

29. The method according to any one of claims 27 and 28, wherein determining the transmission scheme for the control information comprises: If it is determined that the value of the multicast and broadcast service related criterion exceeds a threshold value of the multicast and broadcast service related criterion preconfigured for the first device, determining that the control information is to be transmitted on a common set of physical resources allocated for the group of terminal devices; as well as If it is determined that the value of the multicast and broadcast service related criterion does not exceed the threshold of the multicast and broadcast service related criterion, it is determined that the control information is to be transmitted on a separate set of physical resources allocated for the second device.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising: If it is determined that the transmission scheme is the first transmission scheme, a first message is transmitted to the second device, the first message indicating that the control information is transmitted on a separate set of physical resources allocated to the second device, and the multicast service is transmitted on a common set of physical resources allocated to the group of terminal devices.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the prioritized identifier comprises one of: a common identifier for identifying the group of terminal devices or a specific identifier for identifying the second device.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein: The identifier priority information includes a first bit, a value of the first bit indicating whether the public identifier or the specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain the control information.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein: The identifier priority information further includes a second bit, a value of the second bit indicating whether the public identifier or the specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain the multicast service traffic scheduled on the data channel between the first device and the second device.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein: Transmitting the identifier priority information includes: A search space configuration including the identifier priority information is transmitted to the second device.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein: Transmitting the search space configuration includes: The search space configuration including the identifier priority information is transmitted in a group of time slots, the identifier priority information indicating whether the common identifier or the specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain the control information.

36. The method of claim 27, wherein: Transmitting the control information includes: The control information is transmitted in downlink control information.

37. The method of claim 27, wherein: Transmitting the control information includes: The control information is transmitted to the group of terminal devices in a system information block.

38. The method of claim 27, wherein: The control information is transmitted in one of the following: a separate set of physical resources allocated to the second device; or A set of common physical resources allocated to the group of terminal devices.

39. The method of claim 27, further comprising: Based on the control information and the configuration information, the multicast service traffic is transmitted to the second device on a data channel between the first device and the second device.

40. The method of claim 27, wherein the first device is a network device and the second device is a terminal device.

41. A communication method, comprising: receiving, at a second device, configuration information from a first device, the configuration information being used to enable the second device to obtain control information on a control channel between the first device and the second device, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service to the second device, wherein the configuration information includes identifier priority information indicating a prioritized identifier for obtaining the control information; as well as Based on the configuration information, the control information is obtained from the first device on the control channel, wherein a transmission scheme of the control information is a first transmission scheme specific to the second device or a second transmission scheme based on a group common.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising: A first message is received from the first device, the first message indicating that the control information is transmitted on a separate set of physical resources allocated for the second device, and the multicast service traffic is transmitted on a common set of physical resources allocated for a group of terminal devices including the second device.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the prioritized identifier comprises one of: a common identifier for identifying a group of terminal devices including the second device or a specific identifier for identifying the second device.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein: The identifier priority information includes a first bit, a value of the first bit indicating whether the public identifier or the specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain the control information.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein: The identifier priority information further includes a second bit, a value of the second bit indicating whether the public identifier or the specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain the multicast service traffic scheduled on the data channel between the first device and the second device.

46. ​​The method of claim 43, wherein: Receiving the identifier priority information includes: A search space configuration including the identifier priority information is received from the first device.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein receiving the search space configuration comprises: The search space configuration including the identifier priority information is received in a set of time slots, the identifier priority information indicating whether the common identifier or the specific identifier is preferentially used to obtain the control information.

48. The method of claim 41 , wherein receiving the control information comprises: The control information is received in downlink control information.

49. The method of claim 41 , wherein receiving the control information comprises: The control information is received in a system information block.

50. The method of claim 41, wherein the control information is received in one of: a separate set of physical resources allocated to the second device; and A common physical resource set for a group of terminal devices, wherein the group of terminal devices includes the second device.

51. The method of claim 41, further comprising: Based on the control information and the configuration information, the multicast service traffic is received on a data channel between the first device and the second device.

52. The method of claim 41, wherein the first device is a network device and the second device is a terminal device.

53. A first device for communication, comprising: means for determining a transmission scheme for control information for a second device based on at least one multicast and broadcast service related criterion, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service traffic to the second device, wherein the transmission scheme is a first transmission scheme specific to the second device or a second transmission scheme based on a group common, wherein the at least one multicast and broadcast service related criterion comprises the number of a group of terminal devices, the group of terminal devices comprising the second device; means for transmitting, to the second apparatus, configuration information for enabling the second apparatus to obtain the control information, wherein the configuration information includes identifier priority information indicating prioritized identifiers for obtaining the control information; as well as Means for transmitting the control information to the second device over a control channel between the first device and the second device based on the determined transmission scheme.

54. A second device for communication, comprising: means for receiving configuration information from a first device, the configuration information being used to cause the second device to obtain control information on a control channel between the first device and the second device, the control information being related to scheduling a multicast service traffic to the second device, wherein the configuration information comprises identifier priority information indicating a prioritized identifier for obtaining the control information; as well as A means for obtaining the control information from the first device based on the configuration information on the control channel, wherein a transmission scheme of the control information is a first transmission scheme specific to the second device or a second transmission scheme based on a group common.

55. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the method according to any one of claims 27-40.

56. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the method according to any one of claims 41-52.

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