Method for control channel monitoring for switching search space set groups

Abstract

A method, system, and apparatus for control channel monitoring for switching search space set groups are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, a network node (16) is provided. The network node (16) includes processing circuitry (68) configured to: configure at least two search space set groups (SSSGs) for a wireless device (22); configure the wireless device (22) to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; and optionally cause signaling to be transmitted on a control channel in accordance with the configured switching of the control channel monitoring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for control channel monitoring for switching search space set groups. Background Art

[0002] Mobile broadband is driving the demand for large overall service capacity and enormous achievable end-user data rates in radio access networks. Future scenarios could require data rates of up to 10 Gbps in localized areas. These demands for very high system capacity and very high end-user data rates can be met by networks where the distance between access nodes ranges from a few meters in indoor deployments to approximately 50 meters in outdoor deployments—i.e., where infrastructure density is significantly higher than today's densest networks. This document refers to such networks as Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR) systems (also known as 5G). Especially for enterprise solutions, NR systems are expected to operate in unlicensed bands, in addition to traditional licensed exclusive bands.

[0003] NR parameter set and bandwidth considerations

[0004] Multiple numerology sets are supported in NR. Numerology sets are defined by subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix (CP) overhead. Multiple subcarrier spacings can be derived by scaling the basic subcarrier spacing by an integer 2^n. While very small subcarrier spacing is not assumed to be used at very high carrier frequencies, the numerology set used can be selected independently of the frequency band. Flexible network and wireless device (WD) (e.g., user equipment (UE)) channel bandwidths can be supported.

[0005] From the perspective of RAN1 specifications, in 3GPP Release 15 (Rel-15), the maximum channel bandwidth per NR carrier is 400 MHz. Note that all details of channel bandwidths up to at least 100 MHz per NR carrier may be specified in 3GPP Rel-15. At least for the single numerology case, from the perspective of RAN1 specifications, candidates for the maximum number of subcarriers per NR carrier in 3GPP Rel-15 could be 3300 or 6600. NR channel design may consider potential future extensions to these parameters in later releases to allow 3GPP Rel-15 radios to have access to NR networks on the same frequency band in later 3GPP releases.

[0006] The subframe duration is fixed at 1 millisecond (ms), and the frame length is 10 ms. Scalable numerology allows for subcarrier spacing (SCS) ranging from at least 15 kHz to 480 kHz. All numerology sets with subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz and greater (regardless of CP overhead) are aligned on symbol boundaries every 1 ms in NR carriers. More specifically, for the normal CP family, the following points can be considered.

[0007] For a subcarrier spacing of 15kHz*2n (n is a non-negative integer),

[0008] - The length of each symbol (including CP) for 15kHz subcarrier spacing is equal to the corresponding 2 of the scaled subcarrier spacing n The sum of symbols;

[0009] - Except for the first OFDM symbol in each 0.5ms, all OFDM symbols within 0.5ms have the same size;

[0010] - The first OFDM symbol within 0.5ms is 16 longer than the other OFDM symbols T s (assuming 15kHz and FFT size of 2048);

[0011] - Use 16 for the CP of the first symbol T s ;

[0012] For 15kHz*2 n ( n is a negative integer),

[0013] - The subcarrier spacing of each symbol length (including CP) is equal to 15kHz corresponding to 2 n The sum of symbols.

[0014] NR CORSET Configuration

[0015] Among other things, a control resource set (CORESET) defines: (1) the duration of the CORESET (in OFDM symbols) which determines the duration occupied by the PDCCH, and (2) the frequency domain resources occupied by the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The current Rel-15 radio resource control (RRC) configuration includes the following:

[0016] •controlResourseSetId: ID of CORSET;

[0017] frequencyDomainResources: A bitmap that indicates which groups of 6 consecutive physical resource blocks (PRBs) (RB groups) are allocated within the bandwidth part (BWP), i.e., the frequency domain resources for the PDCCH. An RB group of 6 PRBs is also called a control channel element (CCE);

[0018] •Duration: The number of OFDM symbols in the CORESET, i.e., the time domain resources used for PDCCH, etc.

[0019] NR PDCCH Search Space (SS) Configuration

[0020] PDCCH is organized into search spaces, and each search space is associated with a CORESET. The current RRC configuration may include the following:

[0021] •controlResourceSetId: a reference to the associated CORESET of the SearchSpace;

[0022] • monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset: The time slot for PDCCH monitoring configured with periodicity and offset;

[0023] • duration: the number of consecutive time slots that the SearchSpace lasts in each time domain monitoring opportunity (i.e., each period given in periodicityAndOffset);

[0024] • monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot: Symbols used for PDCCH monitoring in the slot configured for PDCCH monitoring (see monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset). The most significant (leftmost) bit indicates the first OFDM symbol in the slot;

[0025] •nrofCandidates: the number of PDCCH candidates per aggregation level (AL); and

[0026] • searchSpaceType: Indicates whether this is a common search space (present) or a radio-specific search space and the downlink control information (DCI) format to monitor.

[0027] NR in unlicensed spectrum (NR-U)

[0028] To allow a node (e.g., an NR-U gNB / radio, a Long Term Evolution License-Assisted Access (LTE-LAA) eNB / radio, or a WiFi access point / station (AP / STA)) to transmit in unlicensed spectrum (e.g., the 5 GHz band), the node typically performs a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA). This process typically involves listening for the medium to be idle for multiple time intervals. Listening for medium idleness can be performed in different ways, such as using energy detection, preamble detection, or virtual carrier sensing. The latter means that the node reads control information from other transmitting nodes that informs it when the transmission is finished. After sensing the medium to be idle, the node is typically allowed to transmit for a certain amount of time, sometimes called a Transmission Opportunity (TXOP). The length of the TXOP depends on regulations and the type of CCA being performed, but typically ranges from 1 ms to 10 ms. This duration is often referred to as the Channel Occupancy Time (COT).

[0029] In Wi-Fi, data reception confirmation (ACK) feedback is transmitted without performing a clear channel assessment. Before feedback transmission, a small duration (called SIFS) is introduced between the data transmission and the corresponding feedback, which does not include the actual sensing of the channel. In IEEE 802.11, the short interframe space (SIFS) period (16μs for 5GHz OFDM PHY) is defined as:

[0030] aSIFSTime=aRxPHYDelay+aMACProcessingDelay+aRxTxTurnaroundTime, where:

[0031] •aRxPHYDelay defines the duration that the PHY layer takes to deliver a packet to the Media Access Control (MAC) layer;

[0032] • aMACProcessingDelay defines the duration that the MAC layer takes to trigger the PHY layer to transmit a response; and / or

[0033] •aRxTxTurnaroundTime defines the duration to turn the radio from receive to transmit mode.

[0034] Therefore, the SIFS duration can be used to accommodate the hardware delay of switching the direction from receiving to transmitting.

[0035] In 3GPP NR unlicensed bands (NR-U), similar gaps can be allowed to accommodate radio turnaround time. This enables the transmission of the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) carrying uplink control information (UCI) feedback and the PUSCH carrying data and potentially UCI within the same transmit opportunity (TXOP) acquired by the initiating network node (e.g., gNB). For example, as long as the gap between downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmissions is less than or equal to 16μs, the wireless device can transmit feedback without performing a clear channel assessment before the PUSCH / PUCCH transmission. When the gap between DL and UL is greater than 25μs, the wireless device can transmit feedback after a successful 25μs CCA. Operating in this manner is often referred to as "COT sharing."

[0036] NR broadband operation and LBT bandwidth slices

[0037] Similar to NR, NR-U is expected to support transmissions with wide bandwidths (e.g., up to several hundred MHz). However, there may be different device capabilities and different radio technologies that share the same spectrum simultaneously. Especially under high load, it is unlikely that a device will be able to listen for channel idleness across the entire wide bandwidth. Therefore, it may be beneficial for NR-U to support transmissions with dynamic bandwidths, where a device can decide which portion of the supported bandwidth to use based on its listen-before-talk (LBT) results.

[0038] There are two common methods for devices to use in broadband transmission: carrier aggregation (CA) and single-carrier broadband transmission. In CA transmission (similar to LAA over LTE), a device performs LBT per component carrier (e.g., 20 MHz) and then transmits on each component carrier (CC) where LBT is successful. In single-carrier broadband transmission, a device performs LBT per LBT bandwidth slice / portion (also known as LBT bandwidth or LBT subband) (20 MHz), and aggregates resources from each idle LBT bandwidth slice into a single physical channel. Figure 1 An example of wideband operation using CA and a single system carrier bandwidth of 80 MHz is shown. Different wireless devices may operate at different maximum bandwidth sizes and transmit using different numbers of RBs depending on their LBT results. These figures consider only 80 MHz bandwidth; however, wideband operation can span beyond 80 MHz through the configuration of additional component carriers (20 MHz or wider), and the same principles as described above apply.

[0039] In principle, if a large number of CORESETs can be configured, separate CORESETs and search spaces can be configured for different LBT bandwidth slices to ensure the availability of control signaling when at least one LBT bandwidth slice is available. Figure 1 In the example shown in (b), UE2 needs to monitor both CORESET2 and CORESET3 because the channel may be available only in LBT bandwidth slice 2 or only in LBT bandwidth slice 3. Similarly, wireless device 3 may monitor all four CORESETs to obtain its PDCCH. Furthermore, configuring a wide CORESET across LBT bandwidth slices is undesirable. When a portion of the channel is busy, either the PDCCH is staggered across the LBT bandwidth slices or all PDCCH candidates are located within the available LBT bandwidth slices. Both scenarios result in lost scheduling opportunities. Therefore, there is no fundamental difference between CA and wide BWP methods in terms of the number of CORESETs and search spaces monitored by the wireless device. However, there is a difference regarding wireless device capabilities. In 3GPP NR Release 15 (Rel-15), only a maximum of three CORESETs can be configured.

[0040] Wireless device power saving mechanism

[0041] It can be appreciated that the above design, in which the wireless device searches for potential PDCCHs in several different LBT subbands, is only necessary for the beginning of the network node's (e.g., gNB's) Channel Occupancy Time (COT). This is because the network node (e.g., gNB) and the wireless device may not know in advance which LBT subband(s) the LBT procedure will successfully complete. Once the network node (e.g., gNB) completes the LBT procedure and knows where the available subbands are, it may be desirable for the wireless device to reduce the PDCCH monitoring locations after the beginning of the network node's (e.g., gNB's) COT to reduce power consumption.

[0042] Similar to the multiple monitoring locations in the frequency domain, it may also be beneficial for the wireless device to search for potential PDCCHs at several time locations (plus the start of the time slot) in the beginning of the network node (e.g., gNB) COT. This may allow the network node (e.g., gNB) to start transmitting user data to the wireless device as soon as the LBT procedure is successfully completed. Figure 2 is shown as an example. Figure 2 An example of NR-U PDSCH and PDCCH transmission and wireless device PDCCH monitoring is shown. As described in the previous paragraph, it may also be desirable for a network node (e.g., gNB) to command the wireless device to switch to a less frequent PDCCH monitoring mode in a timely manner to achieve power savings.

[0043] Current progress in 3GPP

[0044] In the 3GPP RAN1#98bis meeting, the following items were considered regarding the dynamic switching of the PDCCH monitoring search space:

[0045] consider:

[0046] • For PDCCH, at least two (FFS: more than two) search space sets may be provided to the wireless device. The wireless device may be configured to switch between these sets based on at least the indication of the following alternative (alt).

[0047] Alt 1: Implicitly, eg, after detection of [For Further Study (FFS): DL burst, (WB-)DM-RS, Group Common-PDCCH (GC-PDCCH) and / or PDCCH] and / or eg, based on information about the COT structure.

[0048] Alt 2: Explicitly in GC-PDCCH and / or PDCCH.

[0049] • A wireless device may always monitor search space sets that are not part of the configured group (eg, a common search space set), regardless of the search space set indication.

[0050] •A single search space set can be part of more than one group.

[0051] • RAN2 is responsible for optimizing signaling to minimize overhead.

[0052] Additionally, with regard to the indication of the duration of the Channel Occupancy Time (COT), the following may be specified:

[0053] Consider: Add a COT duration bit field per serving cell in GC-PDCCH, i.e. DCI format 2_0,

[0054] • The following may be configurable via RRC:

[0055] The existence of this bit field;

[0056] The location of this bit field in the DCI;

[0057] The length of this bit field in the DCI;

[0058] FFS: whether a single value will suffice, in which case the length is not configurable; and

[0059] The encoding of the bit field value, i.e., what COT duration corresponds to which bit field value.

[0060] •If the wireless device receives this bit field, the wireless device may apply the knowledge about the end of the COT at least for the purpose of UL transmission LBT category switching in the COT acquired by the gNB.

[0061] • If this field is not present, the wireless device may use the Slot Format Indicator (SFI) indication to determine the end of the COT (if SFI is available).

[0062] FFS: Details of this SFI-based mechanism.

[0063] • FFS: Encodes the duration as, for example, total length or remaining length.

[0064] • FFS: The granularity of the signaled duration. Summary of the Invention

[0065] Some embodiments advantageously provide methods, systems, and apparatus for control channel monitoring for switching search space set groups. In one embodiment, a network node is configured to: configure at least two search space set groups (SSSGs) for a wireless device; configure a timer for the wireless device to determine when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; and optionally transmit signaling on a control channel according to the timer configuration.

[0066] In one embodiment, a wireless device (WD) is configured to: receive a configuration of at least two search space set groups (SSSGs); receive a configuration of a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; monitor a first one of the at least two SSSGs; and perform one of switching to another one of the at least two SSSGs and continuing to monitor the first one based at least in part on the timer.

[0067] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method performed by a network node is provided. At least two search space set groups (SSSGs) are configured for a wireless device. The wireless device is configured to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs. Optionally, signaling is caused to be transmitted on a control channel in accordance with the configured switching of the control channel monitoring.

[0068] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, configuring the wireless device to switch control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs corresponds to: configuring the wireless device with a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, wherein the switching is configured to occur based at least on expiration of the timer. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, configuring the wireless device to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs further includes: triggering an indication of initiation of the timer, the indication being an instruction to monitor one of the at least two SSSGs.

[0069] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, a value of the timer is based on at least one of a duration of a channel occupancy time (COT), a duration of a slot format, and a periodicity of a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH). According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, configuring the wireless device to switch control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs corresponds to an indication for switching control channel monitoring. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the indication for switching control channel monitoring is based on at least signaling downlink control information (DCI) format 2_0.

[0070] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the indication for switching control channel monitoring is based on at least a value of a bit field in DCI format 2_0. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the bit field in DCI format 2_0 indicates monitoring a first SSSG of at least two SSSGs based on at least a value of the bit field being equal to 0. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the bit field in DCI format 2_0 indicates monitoring a second SSSG of at least two SSSGs based on at least a value of the bit field being equal to 1. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, configuring the at least two SSSGs for the wireless device includes: determining a timing for the wireless device to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; and signaling an indication to the wireless device, the indication being based on the timing determined for the wireless device.

[0071] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method performed by a wireless device is provided. A configuration of at least two search space set groups (SSSGs) is received. A configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs is received. In accordance with the configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, switching to one of the at least two SSSGs for control channel monitoring is performed.

[0072] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, configuring for switching control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs corresponds to configuring a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, wherein the switching is configured to occur based at least on expiration of the timer. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, configuring control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs includes triggering an indication to initiate a timer, the indication being an instruction to monitor one of the at least two SSSGs. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, a value of the timer is based at least on one of a duration of a channel occupancy time (COT), a duration of a slot format, and a periodicity of a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH).

[0073] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the configuration for switching control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs corresponds to: an indication of switching control channel monitoring. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the indication of switching control channel monitoring is based on at least detection of downlink control information DCI format 2_0. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the indication of switching control channel monitoring is based on at least a value of a bit field in DCI format 2_0.

[0074] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, a bit field in DCI format 2_0 indicates that the wireless device monitors a first SSSG of at least two SSSGs based at least on a value of the bit field being equal to 0. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, a bit field in DCI format 2_0 indicates that the wireless device monitors a second SSSG of at least two SSSGs based at least on a value of the bit field being equal to 1.

[0075] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a network node is provided. The network node includes processing circuitry configured to: configure at least two search space set groups (SSSGs) for a wireless device; configure the wireless device to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; and optionally cause signaling to be transmitted on a control channel in accordance with the configured switching of the control channel monitoring.

[0076] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, configuring the wireless device to switch control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs corresponds to configuring the wireless device with a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, wherein the switching is configured to occur based at least on expiration of the timer. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, configuring the wireless device to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs further includes triggering an indication of initiation of the timer, the indication being an instruction to monitor one of the at least two SSSGs. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the value of the timer is based at least on one of a duration of a channel occupancy time (COT), a duration of a slot format, and a periodicity of a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH).

[0077] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, configuring the wireless device to switch control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs corresponds to: an indication for switching control channel monitoring. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the indication for switching control channel monitoring is based on at least a signaling downlink control information DCI format 2_0. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the indication for switching control channel monitoring is based on at least a value of a bit field in DCI format 2_0.

[0078] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, a bit field in DCI format 2_0 indicates monitoring of a first SSSG among the at least two SSSGs based at least on a value of the bit field being equal to 0. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, a bit field in DCI format 2_0 indicates monitoring of a second SSSG among the at least two SSSGs based at least on a value of the bit field being equal to 1. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, configuring the at least two SSSGs for the wireless device includes: determining timing for the wireless device to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; and signaling an indication to the wireless device, the indication being based on the timing determined for the wireless device.

[0079] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a wireless device is provided. The wireless device includes processing circuitry configured to: receive a configuration of at least two search space set groups (SSSGs); receive a configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; and switch to one of the at least two SSSGs for control channel monitoring according to the configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs.

[0080] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the configuration for switching control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs corresponds to: configuration of a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, wherein the switching is configured to occur based at least on expiration of the timer. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs includes: an indication for triggering initiation of the timer, the indication being an instruction to monitor one of the at least two SSSGs. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the value of the timer is based on at least one of a duration of a channel occupancy time (COT), a duration of a timeslot format, and a periodicity of a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH).

[0081] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the configuration for switching control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs corresponds to: an indication of switching control channel monitoring. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the indication of switching control channel monitoring is based on at least detection of downlink control information DCI format 2_0. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the indication of switching control channel monitoring is based on at least a value of a bit field in DCI format 2_0.

[0082] According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, a bit field in DCI format 2_0 indicates that the wireless device monitors a first SSSG of at least two SSSGs based at least on a value of the bit field being equal to 0. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, a bit field in DCI format 2_0 indicates that the wireless device monitors a second SSSG of at least two SSSGs based at least on a value of the bit field being equal to 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and its attendant advantages and features will be more readily appreciated by referring to the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0084] Figure 1 Examples showing CA and single-carrier broadband transmission;

[0085] Figure 2 An example of NR-U PDSCH and PDCCH transmission and wireless device PDCCH monitoring is shown;

[0086] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example network architecture of a communication system connected to a host computer via an intermediate network according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0087] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a host computer communicating with a wireless device via a network node over an at least partially wireless connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0088] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node, and a wireless device for executing a client application at the wireless device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0089] Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node, and a wireless device for receiving user data at a wireless device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0090] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node, and a wireless device for receiving user data from a wireless device at the host computer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0091] Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node, and a wireless device for receiving user data at the host computer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0092] Figure 9 is a flow chart of an example process for configuring a unit in a network node according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0093] Figure 10 is a flow chart of another example process in a network node according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0094] Figure 11is a flow chart of an example process for switching units in a wireless device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0095] Figure 12 is a flow chart of another example process in a wireless device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0096] Considered are mechanisms for configuring switchable attributes for search space sets by indicating whether a search space is "default" or "non-default" and designing signaling to enable switching between multiple possible search space sets. Furthermore, in one embodiment, a method is provided for establishing a validity period for switchable search space sets, after which the wireless device can switch to monitoring the default search space set. Furthermore, in another embodiment, a timer can be configured for the wireless device, with a maximum timeout set. Upon being instructed to monitor a non-default search space set, the wireless device starts the timer. Once the timer reaches or exceeds the maximum timeout, the wireless device switches back to monitoring the default search space set.

[0097] Currently, the wireless device behavior is to monitor any PDCCH search space set from the moment the wireless device is configured. However, a behavior could be defined where the wireless device can switch between different sets of search space groups based on some signaling to select among the alternatives. Regardless of the specific signaling, however, it may be beneficial to design a (possibly fallback) mechanism in the event that the wireless device fails to detect signaling indicating a switch between search space groups.

[0098] Some embodiments of the present disclosure enable a wireless device to switch monitoring between different search space groups (e.g., default to non-default or non-default to default) based on a configured timer, for example, if the wireless device fails to detect a signaling indication of such an event. Furthermore, the timer configuration may be set relative to the COT duration and / or the (GC) PDCCH monitoring periodicity.

[0099] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may provide mechanisms for preserving appropriate wireless device behavior in situations where a wireless device fails to detect signaling to switch monitoring between different search space set groups (SSSGs). In the event of a detection failure, there may be a misunderstanding between the network node (e.g., gNB) and the wireless device regarding which search space groups the wireless device is monitoring. This problem may result in, among other issues, missing DCI sent in SSSGs that the wireless device is not monitoring.

[0100] Before describing the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be noted that the embodiments reside primarily in a combination of apparatus components and processing steps related to a method for controlling channel monitoring for switching search space set groups. Accordingly, conventional symbols have been used to represent components where appropriate in the figures, and only those specific details relevant to understanding these embodiments are shown to avoid obscuring the disclosure in details readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0101] As used herein, relational terms such as "first" and "second", "top" and "bottom", etc. may be used only to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element, and do not necessarily require or imply any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the concepts described herein. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "a", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well. It will be further understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprising", when used herein, specify the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0102] In the embodiments described herein, connection terms such as "in communication with..." may be used to indicate electrical or data communication, which may be achieved through, for example, physical contact, induction, electromagnetic radiation, radio signaling, infrared signaling, or optical signaling. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various components may interoperate and that modifications and variations in achieving electrical and data communication are possible.

[0103] In some embodiments described herein, terms like "coupled," "connected," and the like may be used herein to indicate a connection (although not necessarily a direct connection) and may include wired and / or wireless connections.

[0104] As used herein, the term "network node" may be any type of network node included in a radio network, which may further include any of the following: a base station (BS), a radio base station, a base transceiver station (BTS), a base station controller (BSC), a radio network controller (RNC), a gNodeB (gNB), an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB), a NodeB, a multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node (such as an MSR BS), a multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, a donor node controlling a relay, a radio access point (AP), a transmission point, a transmission node, a remote radio unit (RRU), a remote radio head (RRH), a core network node (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), a self-organizing network (SON) node, a coordination node, a positioning node, an MDT node, etc.), an external node (e.g., a third-party node, a node external to the current network), a node in a distributed antenna system (DAS), a spectrum access system (SAS) node, an element management system (EMS), etc. A network node may also include test equipment. As used herein, the term "radio node" may also be used to refer to a wireless device (WD), such as a wireless device (WD) or a radio network node.

[0105] In some embodiments, the non-limiting terms wireless device (WD) or user equipment (UE) are used interchangeably. A wireless device herein may be any type of wireless device capable of communicating with a network node or another wireless device via radio signals, such as a wireless device (WD). The wireless device may also be a radio communication device, a target device, a device-to-device (D2D) wireless device, a machine-type wireless device, or a wireless device capable of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, a low-cost and / or low-complexity wireless device, a sensor equipped with a wireless device, a tablet, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop mounted device (LME), a USB dongle, a customer premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, or a narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) device, etc.

[0106] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the general term "radio network node" is used. It can be any kind of radio network node, which can include any of the following: base station, radio base station, base transceiver station, base station controller, network controller, RNC, evolved Node B (eNB), Node B, gNB, multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), IAB node, relay node, access point, radio access point, remote radio unit (RRU), remote radio head (RRH).

[0107] In some embodiments, the terms "timer" and "timer value" may be used interchangeably.

[0108] Even though the description herein may be explained in the context of either downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) communications, it should be understood that the underlying principles disclosed may also apply to the other of these two communications. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, it is contemplated that these principles may apply to both a transmitter and a receiver. For DL ​​communications, the network node is the transmitter, while the receiver is the wireless device. For UL communications, the transmitter is the wireless device, while the receiver is the network node.

[0109] Any two or more embodiments described in this disclosure may be combined with each other in any manner.

[0110] As used herein, the term "signaling" may include any of the following: higher-layer signaling (e.g., via radio resource control (RRC)), lower-layer signaling (e.g., via a physical control channel or a broadcast channel), or a combination thereof. Signaling can be implicit or explicit. Signaling can further be unicast, multicast, or broadcast. Signaling can also be sent directly to another node or via a third node.

[0111] Generally speaking, a network, such as a signaling radio node and / or a node arrangement (e.g., a network node), can be considered to configure, in particular, transmission resources for a wireless device. Resources can generally be configured using one or more messages. Different resources can be configured using different messages and / or using messages at different layers or combinations of layers. The size of a resource can be expressed in terms of symbols and / or subcarriers and / or resource elements and / or physical resource blocks (depending on the domain), and / or the number of bits it can carry, such as the number of information or payload bits, or the total number of bits. Resource sets and / or resources within a set can belong to the same carrier and / or bandwidth portion, and / or can be located in the same time slot or adjacent time slots.

[0112] In some embodiments, it may be contemplated that control information regarding one or more resources may be transmitted in a message having a specific format. The message may include or represent bits representing payload information as well as coded bits, such as for error correction coding.

[0113] Receiving (or obtaining) control information may include receiving one or more control information messages (e.g., timer indications, DCI fields). It is contemplated that receiving control signaling may include, for example, demodulating and / or decoding and / or detecting (e.g., blindly detecting) one or more messages, particularly messages carried by the control signaling, based on an assumed set of resources that may be searched and / or listened for control information. It may be assumed that both communicating parties are aware of these configurations and may determine the resource set based on, for example, a reference size.

[0114] Signaling may generally include one or more symbols and / or signals and / or messages. A signal may include or represent one or more bits. An indication may represent signaling and / or be implemented as one or more signals. One or more signals may be contained in and / or represented by a message. Signaling, particularly control signaling, may include multiple signals and / or messages, which may be transmitted on different carriers and / or associated with different signaling procedures, e.g., representing and / or relating to one or more such procedures and / or corresponding information. An indication may include and / or be contained within signaling and / or multiple signals and / or messages, which may be transmitted on different carriers and / or associated with different acknowledgment signaling procedures, e.g., representing and / or relating to one or more such procedures. Signaling associated with a channel may be transmitted such that it represents signaling and / or information for that channel and / or such that the transmitter and / or receiver interpret the signaling as belonging to that channel. Such signaling may generally conform to the transmission parameters and / or format / formats of that channel.

[0115] An indication may generally indicate the information it represents and / or indicates, either explicitly and / or implicitly. An implicit indication may, for example, be based on the resources and / or location used for transmission. An explicit indication may, for example, be based on parameterization using one or more parameters, and / or one or more indexes corresponding to a table, and / or one or more bit patterns representing information.

[0116] Configuring Radio Nodes

[0117] Configuring a radio node, particularly a terminal or user equipment, or wireless device, may refer to adapting, causing, setting, and / or instructing the radio node to operate according to a configuration. Configuration may be performed by another device, such as a network node (e.g., a radio node of a network, such as a base station or eNodeB) or the network, in which case it may include transmitting configuration data to the radio node to be configured. Such configuration data may indicate the configuration to be configured and / or include one or more instructions related to the configuration, such as a configuration for transmitting and / or receiving on allocated resources, particularly frequency resources, or a configuration for performing certain measurements on certain subframes or radio resources. The radio node may configure itself, for example, based on configuration data received from the network or network node. The network node may use and / or be adapted to use one or more circuits thereof for configuration. Allocation information may be considered a form of configuration data. Configuration data may include and / or be represented by configuration information and / or one or more corresponding instructions and / or one or more messages.

[0118] General Configuration

[0119] Generally speaking, configuration may include determining configuration data representing the configuration and providing (e.g., transmitting) it (in parallel and / or sequentially) to one or more other nodes, which may further transmit it to the radio node (or another node, which may be repeated until it reaches the wireless device). Alternatively or additionally, configuring the radio node, for example, by a network node or other device, may include receiving configuration data and / or data related to the configuration data from another node (e.g., a network node, which may be a higher-level node in the network) and / or transmitting the received configuration data to the radio node. Thus, determining the configuration and transmitting the configuration data to the radio node may be performed by different network nodes or entities, which may be able to communicate via a suitable interface (e.g., an X2 interface in the case of LTE or a corresponding interface for NR). Configuring a terminal (e.g., a wireless device) may include scheduling downlink and / or uplink transmissions for the terminal, such as downlink data and / or downlink control signaling and / or DCI and / or uplink control or data or communication signaling, particularly acknowledgment signaling, and / or configuring resources and / or resource pools therefor. In particular, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, configuring a terminal (eg, a wireless device) may include configuring the wireless device to perform certain measurements on certain subframes or radio resources, and to report such measurements.

[0120] In the context of the present disclosure, predefined may refer to relevant information being defined, for example, in a standard, and / or being available (e.g., stored in a memory) without requiring specific configuration from the network or network node, e.g., not dependent on being configured. Configured or configurable may be considered to relate to corresponding information being set / configured, for example, by the network or network node.

[0121] It should be noted that while terminology from one particular wireless system, such as 3GPP LTE and / or New Radio (NR), may be used in this disclosure, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure to only such systems. Other wireless systems, including but not limited to Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), may also benefit from utilizing the concepts encompassed within this disclosure.

[0122] It is further noted that the functions described herein as being performed by a wireless device or network node may be distributed across multiple wireless devices and / or network nodes. In other words, it is contemplated that the functions of the network nodes and wireless devices described herein are not limited to being performed by a single physical device and may in fact be distributed across several physical devices.

[0123] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including 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. It will be further understood that the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0124] Some embodiments provide methods and apparatus for control channel monitoring for switching search space set groups.

[0125] Referring again to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements, Figure 3 FIGURE 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system 10 according to an embodiment, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network that can support standards such as LTE and / or NR (5G). The system includes an access network 12, such as a radio access network, and a core network 14. Access network 12 includes a plurality of network nodes 16a, 16b, and 16c (collectively, network nodes 16), such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs, or other types of wireless access points. Each network node defines a corresponding coverage area 18a, 18b, and 18c (collectively, coverage area 18). Each network node 16a, 16b, and 16c is connectable to core network 14 via a wired or wireless connection 20. A first wireless device (WD) 22a located in coverage area 18a is configured to wirelessly connect to or be paged by the corresponding network node 16a. A second wireless device 22b in coverage area 18b is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding network node 16b. Although multiple wireless devices 22a, 22b (collectively referred to as wireless devices 22) are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where only a single wireless device is in the coverage area or a single wireless device is connected to a corresponding network node 16. Note that although only two wireless devices 22 and three network nodes 16 are shown for convenience, the communication system may include many more wireless devices 22 and network nodes 16.

[0126] Furthermore, it is contemplated that the wireless device 22 may be in simultaneous communication with more than one network node 16 and more than one type of network node 16 and / or configured to communicate separately with these network nodes 16. For example, the wireless device 22 may have dual connectivity with a network node 16 that supports LTE and the same or different network nodes 16 that support NR. As an example, the wireless device 22 may communicate with an eNB for LTE / E-UTRAN and a gNB for NR / NG-RAN.

[0127] The communication system 10 itself may be connected to a host computer 24, which may be implemented in hardware and / or software on a standalone server, a cloud-enabled server, a distributed server, or as a processing resource in a server farm. The host computer 24 may be owned or controlled by a service provider, or may be operated by or on behalf of the service provider. Connections 26, 28 between the communication system 10 and the host computer 24 may extend directly from the core network 14 to the host computer 24, or may extend via an optional intermediate network 30. The intermediate network 30 may be a public, private, or managed network, or a combination of more than one of these networks. The intermediate network 30, if present, may be a backbone network or the Internet. In some embodiments, the intermediate network 30 may include two or more subnetworks (not shown).

[0128] Figure 3 The communication system as a whole enables connectivity between one of the connected wireless devices 22a, 22b and the host computer 24. This connectivity can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection. The host computer 24 and the connected wireless devices 22a, 22b are configured to communicate data and / or signaling via the OTT connection, using the access network 12, the core network 14, any intermediate networks 30, and possibly further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection can be transparent, in the sense that at least some of the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection passes are unaware of the routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, the network node 16 may not or need not be informed of the past routing of incoming downlink communications containing data originating from the host computer 24 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to the connected wireless device 22a. Similarly, the network node 16 does not need to be aware of the future routing of outgoing uplink communications originating from the wireless device 22a and destined for the host computer 24.

[0129] The network node 16 is configured to include a configuration unit 32 configured to: configure at least two search space set groups (SSSGs) for a wireless device; configure a timer for the wireless device for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; and optionally transmit signaling on a control channel in accordance with the configuration of the timer.

[0130] The wireless device 22 is configured to include a switching unit 34, which is configured to: receive a configuration of at least two search space set groups (SSSGs); receive a configuration of a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; monitor a first SSSG of the at least two SSSGs; and perform one of switching to another SSSG of the at least two SSSGs and continuing to monitor the first SSSG based at least in part on the timer.

[0131] Now refer to Figure 2 An example implementation of the wireless device 22, network node 16, and host computer 24 discussed in the preceding paragraphs according to an embodiment is described. In the communication system 10, the host computer 24 includes hardware (HW) 38, which includes a communication interface 40 configured to establish and maintain wired or wireless connections to interface with various communication devices of the communication system 10. The host computer 24 further includes processing circuitry 42, which may include storage and / or processing capabilities. The processing circuitry 42 may include a processor 44 and memory 46. In particular, in addition to or in lieu of a processor (such as a central processing unit) and memory, the processing circuitry 42 may include integrated circuits for processing and / or control, such as one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) and / or ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 44 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and / or read from) a memory 46, which may include any kind of volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as cache and / or buffer memory and / or RAM (random access memory) and / or ROM (read-only memory) and / or optical memory and / or EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory).

[0132] Processing circuitry 42 may be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein and / or cause such methods and / or processes to be performed, for example, by host computer 24. Processor 44 corresponds to one or more processors 44 for performing the functions of host computer 24 described herein. Host computer 24 includes memory 46 configured to store data, programming software code, and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, software 48 and / or host application 50 may include instructions that, when executed by processor 44 and / or processing circuitry 42, cause processor 44 and / or processing circuitry 42 to perform the processes described herein with respect to host computer 24. The instructions may be software associated with host computer 24.

[0133] Software 48 may be executable by processing circuitry 42. Software 48 includes a host application 50. Host application 50 may be operable to provide services to a remote user, such as wireless device 22 connected via an OTT connection 52 terminating between wireless device 22 and host computer 24. During the provision of services to the remote user, host application 50 may provide user data, which may be transmitted using OTT connection 52. "User data" may be data and information described herein as implementing the described functionality. In one embodiment, host computer 24 may be configured to provide control and functionality to a service provider and may be operated by or on behalf of the service provider. Processing circuitry 42 of host computer 24 may enable host computer 24 to observe, monitor, control, transmit to, and / or receive from network node 16 and / or wireless device 22. Processing circuitry 42 of host computer 24 may include a monitoring unit 54 configured to enable the service provider to observe, monitor, control, transmit to, and / or receive from network node 16 and / or wireless device 22.

[0134] The communication system 10 further includes a network node 16, which is disposed within the communication system 10 and includes hardware 58 that enables it to communicate with the host computer 24 and with the wireless devices 22. The hardware 58 may include a communication interface 60 for establishing and maintaining wired or wireless connections to interface with the various communication devices of the communication system 10, and a radio interface 62 for establishing and maintaining at least wireless connections 64 with the wireless devices 22 located in the coverage area 18 served by the network node 16. The radio interface 62 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers. The communication interface 60 may be configured to facilitate a connection 66 to the host computer 24. The connection 66 may be direct, or it may pass through the core network 14 of the communication system 10 and / or through one or more intermediate networks 30 external to the communication system 10.

[0135] In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 58 of the network node 16 further includes processing circuitry 68. Processing circuitry 68 may include a processor 70 and memory 72. In particular, in addition to or in lieu of a processor (e.g., a central processing unit) and memory, processing circuitry 68 may include integrated circuits for processing and / or control, such as one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) and / or ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) adapted to execute instructions. Processor 70 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and / or read from) memory 72, which may include any type of volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as cache and / or buffer memory and / or RAM (random access memory) and / or ROM (read-only memory) and / or optical memory and / or EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory).

[0136] Thus, the network node 16 further has software 74 that is stored internally, for example, in the memory 72, or in an external memory (e.g., a database, a storage array, a network storage device, etc.) accessible to the network node 16 via an external connection. The software 74 may be executable by the processing circuitry 68. The processing circuitry 68 may be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein, and / or cause such methods and / or processes to be performed, for example, by the network node 16. The processor 70 corresponds to one or more processors 70 for performing the network node 16 functions described herein. The memory 72 is configured to store data, programming software code, and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 74 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 70 and / or processing circuitry 68, cause the processor 70 and / or processing circuitry 68 to perform the processes described herein with respect to the network node 16. For example, the processing circuitry 68 of the network node 16 may include a configuration unit 32 that is configured to perform the network node methods discussed herein, such as with reference to FIG. Figure 9 and other methods discussed in the figures.

[0137] The communication system 10 further includes the already mentioned wireless device 22. The wireless device 22 may have hardware 80, which may include a radio interface 82 configured to establish and maintain a wireless connection 64 with a network node 16 serving the coverage area 18 in which the wireless device 22 is currently located. The radio interface 82 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers.

[0138] The hardware 80 of the wireless device 22 further includes processing circuitry 84. The processing circuitry 84 may include a processor 86 and a memory 88. In particular, in addition to or in lieu of a processor (e.g., a central processing unit) and memory, the processing circuitry 84 may include integrated circuits for processing and / or control, such as one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) and / or ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 86 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and / or read from) the memory 88, which may include any type of volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as cache and / or buffer memory and / or RAM (random access memory) and / or ROM (read-only memory) and / or optical memory and / or EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory).

[0139] Therefore, the wireless device 22 may further include software 90, which is stored, for example, in memory 88 located at the wireless device 22 or in external memory accessible to the wireless device 22 (e.g., a database, storage array, network storage device, etc.). The software 90 may be executable by the processing circuit 84. The software 90 may include a client application 92. The client application 92 may be operable to provide services to a human or non-human user via the wireless device 22 with the support of the host computer 24. On the host computer 24, an executing host application 50 may communicate with the executing client application 92 via an OTT connection 52 terminated between the wireless device 22 and the host computer 24. During the provision of services to the user, the client application 92 may receive request data from the host application 50 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 52 may transmit both the request data and the user data. The client application 92 may interact with the user to generate the user data it provides.

[0140] The processing circuitry 84 may be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein, and / or cause such methods and / or processes to be performed, for example, by the wireless device 22. The processor 86 corresponds to one or more processors 86 for performing the wireless device 22 functions described herein. The wireless device 22 includes a memory 88 configured to store data, programming software code, and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 90 and / or client application 92 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 86 and / or processing circuitry 84, cause the processor 86 and / or processing circuitry 84 to perform the processes described herein with respect to the wireless device 22. For example, the processing circuitry 84 of the wireless device 22 may include a switching unit 34 configured to perform the wireless device methods discussed herein, such as with reference to FIG. Figure 10 and other methods discussed in the figures.

[0141] In some embodiments, the internal workings of the network node 16, wireless device 22, and host computer 24 may be as follows: Figure 4 As shown in , and independently, the surrounding network topology can be Figure 3 Like that.

[0142] exist Figure 4 In FIG, an OTT connection 52 is abstractly drawn to illustrate communication between a host computer 24 and a wireless device 22 via a network node 16, without explicitly mentioning any intermediary devices or the exact routing of messages through these devices. The network infrastructure can determine the routing, which can be configured to be hidden from the wireless device 22, the service provider operating the host computer 24, or both. While the OTT connection 52 is active, the network infrastructure can make further decisions (e.g., based on load balancing considerations or network reconfiguration) that dynamically change the routing.

[0143] The wireless connection 64 between the wireless device 22 and the network node 16 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of over-the-top (OTT) services provided to the wireless device 22 using the OTT connection 52, in which the wireless connection 64 may form the final leg. More specifically, the teachings of some of these embodiments may improve data rates, latency, and / or power consumption, thereby providing benefits such as reduced user wait time, relaxed file size restrictions, better responsiveness, extended battery life, and the like.

[0144] In some embodiments, a measurement process may be provided for monitoring data rate, latency, and other factors improved by one or more embodiments. Optional network functionality may further be provided for reconfiguring the OTT connection 52 between the host computer 24 and the wireless device 22 in response to changes in measurement results. The measurement process and / or network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 52 may be implemented in the software 48 of the host computer 24, the software 90 of the wireless device 22, or both. In some embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or associated with the communication devices through which the OTT connection 52 passes. The sensors may participate in the measurement process by supplying values ​​for the monitored quantities exemplified above or other physical quantities based on which the software 48 or 90 may calculate or estimate the monitored quantities. Reconfiguration of the OTT connection 52 may include message formats, retransmission settings, preferred routing, and the like. This reconfiguration need not affect the network node 16 and may be performed without the network node 16's knowledge or awareness. Some such processes and functionality may be known and practiced in the art. In some embodiments, the measurements may involve proprietary wireless device signaling that facilitates the host computer 24's measurement of throughput, propagation time, latency, etc. In some embodiments, the measurements may be achieved because the software 48, 90 causes messages (particularly empty or 'dummy' messages) to be transmitted using the OTT connection 52 while it monitors propagation time, errors, etc.

[0145] Thus, in some embodiments, host computer 24 includes processing circuitry 42 configured to provide user data and communication interface 40 configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to wireless device 22. In some embodiments, cellular network also includes a network node 16 having a radio interface 62. In some embodiments, network node 16 is configured and / or processing circuitry 68 of network node 16 is configured to perform the functions and / or methods described herein for preparing / initiating / maintaining / supporting / terminating transmissions to wireless device 22, and / or preparing / terminating / maintaining / supporting / terminating receipt of transmissions from wireless device 22.

[0146] In some embodiments, host computer 24 includes processing circuitry 42 and communication interface 40 configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from wireless device 22 to network node 16. In some embodiments, wireless device 22 is configured to, and / or includes a radio interface 82 and / or processing circuitry 84 configured to, perform the functions and / or methods described herein for preparing / initiating / maintaining / supporting / terminating transmissions to network node 16 and / or preparing / terminating / maintaining / supporting / terminating receipt of transmissions from network node 16.

[0147] Although Figure 3 and Figure 4Various "units" such as configuration unit 32 and switching unit 34 are shown as being within respective processors, but it is contemplated that these units may be implemented such that a portion of the unit is stored in corresponding memory within the processing circuitry. In other words, these units may be implemented in hardware, or in a combination of hardware and software within the processing circuitry.

[0148] Figure 5 is a diagram showing a communication system (such as, for example, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a wireless device 22, which may be a reference Figure 4 Those described herein. In a first step of the method, host computer 24 provides user data (block S100). In an optional sub-step of the first step, host computer 24 provides the user data by executing a host application (such as, for example, host application 50) (block S102). In a second step, host computer 24 initiates a transmission carrying the user data to wireless device 22 (block S104). In an optional third step, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, network node 16 transmits the user data carried in the transmission initiated by host computer 24 to wireless device 22 (block S106). In an optional fourth step, wireless device 22 executes a client application (such as, for example, client application 92) associated with host application 50 executed by host computer 24 (block S108).

[0149] Figure 6 is a diagram showing a communication system (such as, for example, Figure 3 The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a wireless device 22, which may be a reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 Those described herein. In a first step of the method, host computer 24 provides user data (block S110). In an optional sub-step (not shown), host computer 24 provides the user data by executing a host application (such as, for example, host application 50). In a second step, host computer 24 initiates a transmission carrying the user data to wireless device 22 (block S112). The transmission may pass through network node 16 in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional third step, wireless device 22 receives the user data carried in the transmission (block S114).

[0150] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a communication system (such as, for example, Figure 3The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a wireless device 22, which may be a reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 Those described herein. In an optional first step of the method, the wireless device 22 receives input data provided by the host computer 24 (block S116). In an optional sub-step of the first step, the wireless device 22 executes the client application 92, which provides user data in response to the input data received from the host computer 24 (block S118). Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second step, the wireless device 22 provides the user data (block S120). In an optional sub-step of the second step, the wireless device provides the user data by executing a client application (such as, for example, the client application 92) (block S122). During the provision of the user data, the executed client application 92 may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data is provided, in an optional third sub-step, the wireless device 22 may initiate a transmission of the user data to the host computer 24 (block S124). In a fourth step of the method, the host computer 24 receives the user data transmitted from the wireless device 22 in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure (block S126).

[0151] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a communication system (such as, for example, Figure 3 The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a wireless device 22, which may be a reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 In an optional first step of the method, network node 16 receives user data from wireless device 22 (block S128), in accordance with the teachings of embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional second step, network node 16 initiates a transmission of the received user data to host computer 24 (block S130). In a third step, host computer 24 receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by network node 16 (block S132).

[0152] Figure 9is a flow chart of an example process in a network node 16 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. According to the example method, one or more blocks and / or functions and / or methods performed by the network node 16 may be performed by one or more elements of the network node 16, such as the configuration unit 32, the processor 70, the communication interface 60, the radio interface 62, etc. in the processing circuitry 68. The example method includes configuring (Block S134) at least two search space set groups (SSSGs) for the wireless device 22, such as via the configuration unit 32, the processing circuitry 68, the processor 70, the communication interface 60, and / or the radio interface 62. The method includes configuring (Block S136) a timer for the wireless device 22 for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, such as via the configuration unit 32, the processing circuitry 68, the processor 70, the communication interface 60, and / or the radio interface 62. The method includes transmitting (block S138 ) signaling according to the configuration of the timer, such as via the configuration unit 32 , the processing circuit 68 , the processor 70 , the communication interface 60 and / or the radio interface 62 , optionally on a control channel.

[0153] In some embodiments, configuration of the timer is based at least in part on at least one of a channel occupancy time (COT) duration and a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) monitoring periodicity. In some embodiments, the method further includes signaling an indication to switch PDCCH monitoring between at least two SSSGs, such as via configuration unit 32, processing circuitry 68, processor 70, communication interface 60, and / or radio interface 62. In some embodiments, the method includes signaling an indication to set or reset the timer to another value, such as via configuration unit 32, processing circuitry 68, processor 70, communication interface 60, and / or radio interface 62. In some embodiments, the signaling is via PDCCH or radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0154] Figure 10is a flow chart of another example process in a network node 16 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. According to this example method, one or more blocks and / or functions and / or methods executed by the network node 16 may be performed by one or more elements of the network node 16, such as the configuration unit 32, the processor 70, the communication interface 60, the radio interface 62, etc. in the processing circuitry 68. The example method includes configuring (Block S140) at least two search space set groups (SSSGs) for the wireless device 22, such as via the configuration unit 32, the processing circuitry 68, the processor 70, the communication interface 60, and / or the radio interface 62, as described herein. The method includes configuring (Block S142) the wireless device 22 to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, such as via the configuration unit 32, the processing circuitry 68, the processor 70, the communication interface 60, and / or the radio interface 62, as described herein. The method includes optionally causing (block S144 ) signaling on the control channel as described herein, in accordance with the configured switching of the control channel monitoring, such as via the configuration unit 32 , processing circuitry 68 , processor 70 , communication interface 60 , and / or radio interface 62 .

[0155] According to one or more embodiments, configuring the wireless device 22 to switch control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs corresponds to configuring the wireless device 22 with a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, wherein the switching is configured to occur based at least on expiration of the timer. According to one or more embodiments, configuring the wireless device 22 to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs further includes triggering an indication to initiate the timer, the indication being an instruction to monitor one of the at least two SSSGs. According to one or more embodiments, the value of the timer is based on at least one of a duration of a channel occupancy time (COT), a duration of a slot format, and a periodicity of a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH).

[0156] According to one or more embodiments, configuring the wireless device 22 to switch control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs corresponds to: an indication for switching control channel monitoring. According to one or more embodiments, the indication for switching control channel monitoring is based on at least a signaling downlink control information DCI format 2_0. According to one or more embodiments, the indication for switching control channel monitoring is based on at least a value of a bit field in the DCI format 2_0.

[0157] According to one or more embodiments, a bit field in DCI format 2_0 indicates monitoring a first SSSG of the at least two SSSGs based at least on a value of the bit field being equal to 0. According to one or more embodiments, a bit field in DCI format 2_0 indicates monitoring a second SSSG of the at least two SSSGs based at least on a value of the bit field being equal to 1. According to one or more embodiments, configuring the at least two SSSGs for the wireless device 22 includes: determining timing for the wireless device 22 to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; and signaling an indication to the wireless device 22, the indication being based on the timing determined for the wireless device 22.

[0158] Figure 11 is a flow chart of an example process in wireless device 22 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The one or more blocks and / or functions and / or methods performed by wireless device 22 may be performed by one or more elements of wireless device 22, such as switching unit 34, processor 86, radio interface 82, etc. in processing circuitry 84. The example method includes receiving (Block S146), such as via switching unit 34, processing circuitry 84, processor 86, and / or radio interface 82, a configuration of at least two search space set groups (SSSGs). The method includes receiving (Block S148), such as via switching unit 34, processing circuitry 84, processor 86, and / or radio interface 82, a configuration of a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs. The method includes monitoring (Block S150), such as via switching unit 34, processing circuitry 84, processor 86, and / or radio interface 82, a first SSSG of the at least two SSSGs. The method includes performing (block S152 ) switching to another of the at least two SSSGs and continuing to monitor one of the first SSSG based at least in part on the timer, such as via the switching unit 34 , processing circuitry 84 , processor 86 and / or radio interface 82 .

[0159] In some embodiments, the timer is configured based at least in part on at least one of a channel occupancy time (COT) duration and a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) monitoring periodicity. In some embodiments, the method further includes performing a switch to one of the at least two SSSGs and continuing to monitor the first SSSG, further based on whether the wireless device 22 detects an indication to switch PDCCH monitoring between the at least two SSSGs while the timer is running. In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving an indication to set or reset the timer to another value, such as via the switching unit 34, processing circuitry 84, processor 86, and / or radio interface 82, and setting or resetting the timer to another value based on the indication. In some embodiments, the configuration is received via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, such as via the switching unit 34, processing circuitry 84, processor 86, and / or radio interface 82.

[0160] Figure 12 is a flow chart of another example process in the wireless device 22 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more blocks and / or functions and / or methods performed by the wireless device 22 may be performed by one or more elements of the wireless device 22, such as the switching unit 34, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., in the processing circuitry 84. The example method includes receiving (Block S154) a configuration of at least two search space set groups (SSSGs), as described herein, such as via the switching unit 34, the processing circuitry 84, the processor 86, and / or the radio interface 82. The method includes receiving (Block S156) a configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, as described herein, such as via the switching unit 34, the processing circuitry 84, the processor 86, and / or the radio interface 82. The method includes switching (Block S158) to one of the at least two SSSGs for control channel monitoring in accordance with the configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, such as via the switching unit 34, the processing circuitry 84, the processor 86, and / or the radio interface 82.

[0161] According to one or more embodiments, a configuration for switching control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs corresponds to a configuration of a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, wherein the switching is configured to occur based at least on expiration of the timer. According to one or more embodiments, the configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs includes an indication for triggering initiation of the timer, the indication being an instruction to monitor one of the at least two SSSGs. According to one or more embodiments, the value of the timer is based on at least one of a duration of a channel occupancy time (COT), a duration of a slot format, and a periodicity of a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH).

[0162] According to one or more embodiments, a configuration for switching control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs corresponds to an indication for switching control channel monitoring. According to one or more embodiments, the indication for switching control channel monitoring is based at least on detection of downlink control information DCI format 2_0. According to one or more embodiments, the indication for switching control channel monitoring is based at least on a value of a bit field in DCI format 2_0. According to one or more embodiments, the bit field in DCI format 2_0 indicates that a wireless device monitors a first SSSG of the at least two SSSGs based at least on the bit field having a value of 0. According to one or more embodiments, the bit field in DCI format 2_0 indicates that a wireless device monitors a second SSSG of the at least two SSSGs based at least on the bit field having a value of 1.

[0163] Having described the general process flow of the arrangements of the present disclosure, and having provided examples of hardware and software arrangements for implementing the processes and functions of the present disclosure, the following sections provide details and examples of arrangements for control channel monitoring for switching search space set groups, which may be implemented by a network node 16, a wireless device 22, and / or a host computer 24.

[0164] Example Collection #1 (A timer is used to switch between the default and non-default search space groups)

[0165] According to a first embodiment, the network node 16 configures at least two search space set groups (SSSGs) for the wireless device 22, one of which is designated as a default search space set. The wireless device 22 monitors a search space set in the default search space set unless the network node 16 instructs it to switch to a non-default search space set based on explicit or implicit signaling.

[0166] When the wireless device 22 is instructed to monitor a non-default search space set, the wireless device 22 may start a timer for monitoring the non-default search space set. Upon expiration of the timer, the wireless device 22 switches back to monitoring the default search space set, such as via the switching unit 34, processor 86, radio interface 82, etc. in the processing circuitry 84. The network node 16 may instruct the wireless device 22 to set or reset the timer to a new value before expiration, such as via the configuration unit 32, processor 70, communication interface 60, radio interface 62, etc. in the processing circuitry 68, based on explicit or implicit signaling.

[0167] In one embodiment, the wireless device 22 sets the timer to a value configured by the network node 16 via higher layer signaling. A non-limiting example of such signaling is RRC layer signaling. In another embodiment, the wireless device 22 sets the timer to the remaining channel occupancy time signaled by the network node 16, such as via the switching unit 34, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc. in the processing circuit 84. A non-limiting example of such signaling is via the GC-PDCCH (i.e., a PDCCH carrying DCI format 2_0). In yet another embodiment, the wireless device 22 sets the timer to the duration of the slot format signaled by the network node 16 via the GC-PDCCH.

[0168] In a further embodiment, the wireless device 22 sets the timer based on other fields signaled by the network node 16 via the GC-PDCCH, such as by the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc. In a further embodiment, when the wireless device 22 receives the GC-PDCCH, such as by the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., the wireless device 22 implicitly derives the timer value and sets the timer to the periodicity of the GC-PDCCH. In the non-limiting exemplary examples of the above embodiments, the signaling of the switch to the non-default SSSG is either explicit via a bit flag in the GC-PDCCH / PDCCH, and / or implicit via detection of the GC-PDCCH / PDCCH, and / or implicit based on information provided in another field conveyed in the GC-PDCCH / PDCCH, such as the COT duration.

[0169] As a non-limiting illustrative example of embodiment #1, the maximum timer period is equal to the COT duration of the network node (e.g., gNB) 16 (indicated in the GC-PDCCH), or equal to the COT duration of the network node (e.g., gNB) 16 (indicated in the GC-PDCCH) + some offset (possibly based on the number of time slots).

[0170] As another non-limiting exemplary example of embodiment #1, the maximum timer period is equal to the periodicity of the GC-PDCCH / PDCCH (explicitly or implicitly carrying the handover indication) of the network node (e.g., gNB) 16, or equal to the periodicity of the GC-PDCCH / PDCCH (explicitly or implicitly carrying the handover indication) of the network node (e.g., gNB) 16 + a certain offset (possibly based on the number of time slots).

[0171] Example #1.1

[0172] In a variation of embodiment #1, the wireless device 22 is configured via RRC signaling, such as via the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., to determine whether to switch back to monitoring the default search space or to continue monitoring the non-default search space (or the search space group being monitored at that moment).

[0173] Example #1.2

[0174] In a variation of Embodiments #1 and #1.1, there are different SSSGs (possibly more than two) with different labels (default and non-default in the case of two SSSGs). A different timer is configured for each SSSG, and each timer is started after the wireless device 22 is instructed to monitor that specific SSSG. The behavior of the wireless device 22 can be defined according to one of the methods described in Embodiments #1, #1.1, and #1.2.

[0175] Example Collection #2 (For further embodiments of switching based on DCI format 2_0)

[0176] In this embodiment set, the instruction to switch between the default and non-default search space sets in the above embodiments by the network node 16 (such as by the configuration unit 32 in the processing circuit 68, the processor 70, the communication interface 60, the radio interface 62, etc.) is implicitly or explicitly provided via the GC-PDCCH (i.e., the DCI format 2_0 message carrying the PDCCH). It can be assumed that the wireless device 22 is configured to monitor DCI 2_0 with a periodicity of T (number of time slots) (i.e., once every T time slots). It should be noted that multiple monitoring opportunities may occur within a channel occupancy.

[0177] In some embodiments, a procedure for implicitly switching to a non-default search space, where the switching indication is based solely on the detection of DCI 2_0, may be defined as follows:

[0178] If the wireless device 22 detects DCI 2_0 in any configured monitoring occasion, then:

[0179] - The wireless device 22 switches to a non-default SSG;

[0180] - The wireless device 22 starts (or restarts) the timer T SSG ;

[0181] If the wireless device 22 does not detect DCI 2_0 during the monitoring opportunity, then:

[0182] - The wireless device 22 monitors whichever SSG it was previously monitoring, such as through the switching unit 34, processor 86, radio interface 82, etc. in the processing circuitry 84, and if the timer was already started, the timer continues to run.

[0183] In some embodiments, a procedure for explicitly switching to a non-default search space may be defined as follows, where the switching indication is based on the detection of DCI 2_0 and the value of a 1-bit flag (SSG switch bit) in DCI 2_0:

[0184] If the wireless device 22 detects DCI 2_0 with SSG Toggle Bit=1 in any configured monitoring occasion, such as through the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., then:

[0185] - The wireless device 22 switches to a non-default SSG, such as by the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc.;

[0186] - The wireless device 22 starts (or restarts) the timer T, such as through the switching unit 34, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc. in the processing circuit 84. SSG ;

[0187] If the wireless device 22 detects DCI 2_0 with SSG Toggle Bit=0, such as by the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., or the wireless device 22 does not detect DCI 2_0 during the monitoring opportunity, then:

[0188] - The wireless device 22 monitors whichever SSG it was previously monitoring, such as through the switching unit 34, processor 86, radio interface 82, etc. in the processing circuitry 84, and if the timer was already started, the timer continues to run.

[0189] In another embodiment, a procedure for explicitly switching to a non-default search space is defined as follows, where the switching indication is based on the detection of DCI 2_0 and the value of a 1-bit flag (SSG switch bit) in DCI 2_0:

[0190] If the wireless device 22 detects DCI 2_0 with SSG Toggle Bit=1 in any configured monitoring occasion, such as through the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., then:

[0191] - the wireless device 22 switches to another SSG, i.e., an SSG that it is not currently monitoring, such as via the switching unit 34 in the processing circuitry 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc.;

[0192] If the wireless device 22 switches to a non-default SSG, such as by the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., the wireless device 22 starts (or restarts) the timer T SSG ;

[0193] If the wireless device 22 detects DCI 2_0 with SSG Toggle Bit=0, such as by the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., or the wireless device 22 does not detect DCI 2_0 during the monitoring opportunity, then:

[0194] - The wireless device 22 monitors whichever SSG it was previously monitoring, such as through the switching unit 34, processor 86, radio interface 82, etc. in the processing circuitry 84, and if the timer has started, it keeps running.

[0195] In another embodiment, a procedure for explicitly switching to a non-default search space is defined as follows, where the switching indication is based on the detection of DCI 2_0 and the value of a 1-bit flag (SSG switch bit) in DCI 2_0:

[0196] If the wireless device 22 detects DCI 2_0 with SSG Toggle Bit=1 in any configured monitoring occasion, such as through the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., then:

[0197] The wireless device 22 begins or continues monitoring for a non-default SSG, such as through the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84 , the processor 86 , the radio interface 82 , or the like;

[0198] If the wireless device 22 switches to a non-default SSG, such as by the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., the wireless device 22 starts (or restarts if the timer is already running) the timer T SSG ;

[0199] If the wireless device 22 detects DCI 2_0 with SSG Toggle Bit=0 in any configured monitoring occasion, such as through the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., then:

[0200] The wireless device 22 begins or continues monitoring the default SSG, such as through the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc.

[0201] - Turn off the timer, or equivalently set the timer to 0 or the expired state;

[0202] If the wireless device 22 does not detect DCI 2_0 during the monitoring opportunity, then:

[0203] - The wireless device 22 monitors whichever SSG it was previously monitoring, such as through the switching unit 34, processor 86, radio interface 82, etc. in the processing circuitry 84, and if the timer has started, it keeps running.

[0204] In each of the above embodiments, upon expiration of the timer, the wireless device 22 switches back to monitoring the default SSG, such as through the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc. That is, the network node (e.g., gNB) 16 may know with 100% certainty that the wireless device 22 will monitor the default SSG within TSSG seconds after the last DCI 2_0 transmitted by the network node 16. This may help any of the above embodiments provide robustness against potential DCI 2_0 detection failures.

[0205] Example Collection #3 (Further example for timer configuration)

[0206] In one embodiment, the timer value TSSG is configured by RRC. The configuration may further depend on whether the COT duration field in DCI format 2_0 is configured, as follows.

[0207] - If the COT duration field in DCI 2_0 is configured, then:

[0208] - The wireless device 22 can be configured via RRC to dynamically set T SSG =X+1, where X is the COT duration indicated in the DCI 2_0 message;

[0209] - X can be in the range {1, X max}, where X max It can be greater than T, that is, the configured GC-PDCCH monitoring periodicity;

[0210] - If the COT duration field in DCI 2_0 is not configured, then:

[0211] - T SSG The semi-statically configured value of depends on the frequency with which the network node (e.g., gNB) 16 is expected to transmit the GC-PDCCH;

[0212] - If the network node (e.g., gNB) 16 transmits DCI 2_0 in each monitoring opportunity, such as through the configuration unit 32 in the processing circuit 68, the processor 70, the communication interface 60, the radio interface 62, etc., then T SSG Set to T+1 time slots;

[0213] - Otherwise, configure a larger T SSG value.

[0214] Example Collection #4 (UL LBT control within channel occupancy)

[0215] In this embodiment, control of the type of UL LBT transmitted within channel occupancy, performed by the wireless device 22, such as by the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., is addressed for two cases. The first case is when the COT duration field is configured to be transmitted in DCI format 2_0. The second case is when the COT duration field is not configured to be transmitted.

[0216] If the COT duration field in DCI 2_0 is configured, then :

[0217] The type of Category 2 (CAT2) LBT to be performed can be configured to the wireless device 22 via RRC signaling. If it is not configured with a specific type of CAT2 LBT, then a type with a duration of 25 μs can be assumed, for example. If the wireless device 22 detects DCI 2_0 in any configured monitoring opportunity, such as through the switching unit 34, processor 86, radio interface 82, etc. in the processing circuit 84, then:

[0218] For the next X time slots (where X is the indicated COT duration), the wireless device 22 , such as through the switching unit 34 , the processor 86 , the radio interface 82 , or the like in the processing circuitry 84 , may convert any UL grants (scheduled or configured uplink) assigned Category 4 (CAT4) LBT to CAT2 LBT;

[0219] If the wireless device 22 does not detect another DCI 2_0 within the duration of X time slots, such as through the switching unit 34 in the processing circuitry 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., the wireless device 22 may use CAT4 LBT for those time slots exceeding the duration of X time slots until the wireless device 22 detects another DCI 2_0 indicating a (potentially different) value of X.

[0220] In a variation of this embodiment, a specific CAT2 LBT type may be indicated in the DCI 2_0 message to the wireless device 22. The wireless device 22 then uses this indicated LBT type for all UL transmissions occurring within the indicated COT duration, such as through the switching unit 34, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc. in the processing circuitry 84.

[0221] If the COT duration field in DCI 2_0 is not configured, then :

[0222] In one embodiment, if the wireless device 22, such as through the switching unit 34, processor 86, radio interface 82, etc. in the processing circuit 84, detects DCI 2_0 in any configured monitoring opportunity, the wireless device 22, such as through the switching unit 34, processor 86, radio interface 82, etc. in the processing circuit 84, may convert CAT4 LBT to CAT2 LBT for the scheduled or configured UL transmission for the duration of the indicated SFI.

[0223] In another embodiment, an explicit 1-bit CAT4-to-CAT2 conversion field in DCI 2_0 is configured (by the network node 16) to the wireless device 22. When this field is set to 1, the wireless device 22 may convert CAT4 LBT to CAT2 LBT for scheduled or configured UL transmissions for the duration of the indicated SFI.

[0224] In another embodiment, if the 1-bit CAT4-to-CAT2 conversion field in RRC is set to 1, where the field is appended to each row of the RRC configured slot format combination table, CAT2 LBT can be used for the UL scheduled or configured grants that were originally allocated CAT4 LBT.

[0225] In another embodiment, if the LBT type indicator attached to each column of the slot format combination table allows it, a CAT2 LBT may be used for a UL scheduled or configured grant that was originally assigned a CAT4 LBT. That is, the next LBT is the one indicated in the LBT type indicator.

[0226] In the above embodiment, if the wireless device 22, such as through the switching unit 34, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc. in the processing circuit 84, does not detect another DCI 2_0 within the duration of the previously indicated SFI, the wireless device 22, such as through the switching unit 34, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc. in the processing circuit 84, may use CAT4 LBT for those time slots exceeding the previous SFI duration until the wireless device 22 detects another DCI 2_0 indicating an SFI.

[0227] Example Collection #5 (Switching between search space sets without a timer)

[0228] In this embodiment, the switching process based on explicit switching is based on the detection of DCI 2_0, and the value of the 1-bit flag (SSG switching bit) in DCI 2_0 is defined as follows:

[0229] If the wireless device 22 detects DCI 2_0 with SSG Toggle Bit=1 in any configured monitoring occasion, such as through the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., then:

[0230] The wireless device 22 begins or continues monitoring for a non-default SSG, such as through the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84 , the processor 86 , the radio interface 82 , or the like;

[0231] If the wireless device 22 detects DCI 2_0 with SSG Toggle Bit=0 in any configured monitoring occasion, such as through the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc., then:

[0232] The wireless device 22 begins or continues monitoring the default SSG, such as through the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc.

[0233] If the wireless device 22 does not detect DCI 2_0 during the monitoring opportunity, then:

[0234] - The wireless device 22 monitors whichever SSG it was previously monitoring, such as through the switching unit 34 in the processing circuitry 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc.

[0235] In this embodiment, no timer is configured or is unnecessary because the two search space sets are configured with search space sets that are common to both groups. Even when there is a mismatch between the SSSG assumptions between the network node (e.g., gNB) 16 and the wireless device 22, the PDCCH addressed to the wireless device 22 in these search space sets that are common to both groups can reach the wireless device 22. The search space sets that are common to both groups can be both common search space sets and wireless device-specific search space sets.

[0236] Example Collection #6 (COT duration field in DCI)

[0237] In this embodiment, DCI format 2_0 in 3GPP NR Rel-15 may be extended with a COT duration field. Each value of this bit field corresponds to a COT duration value. The width of the bit field may depend on the possible number of different COT duration values ​​that may be indicated to the wireless device 22. This bit field may be configured by higher layers (by the network node 16) or as a predefined value and / or table in the specification (which may be known to the network node 16 and the wireless device 22).

[0238] As a non-limiting example of this embodiment, an N-bit field may be configured where each indicated value of the COT duration is equal to the decimal value equivalent of the bit pattern, e.g., for N=3, 101 indicates a duration of 5 time slots.

[0239] Example Collection #7 (Search Space Set Group Switching Field in DCI)

[0240] In this embodiment, DCI format 2_0 in 3GPP NR Rel-15 may be extended with a search space set group switching bit flag as a field. The interpretation of the bit flag is based on the process described in Embodiment 2. This bit field may be configured by higher layers (by the network node 16) or may be configured to a predefined value and / or table in the specification (which may be known to the network node 16 and the wireless device 22).

[0241] As a non-limiting example of this embodiment, the placement of the bit flag in DCI 2_0 may be specified as a predefined position relative to other fields in the DCI, e.g., if the field is defined per serving cell, it may be at the beginning or end of the DCI, possibly placed in the order of serving cell indexes; or, for example, at the beginning or end of the SFI-index field of the corresponding serving cell to which the handover applies.

[0242] As a non-limiting example of this embodiment, the flag is specified by the RRC parameter SearchSpaceSwitchingFlag, and the placement / position of the flag is specified by the following sub-parameter positionInDCI, for example,

[0243]

[0244] Example Collection #8 (LBT category indication field in DCI)

[0245] In this embodiment, DCI format 2_0 in 3GPP NR Rel-15 may be extended with an LBT category indication field. Each value of this bit field corresponds to an LBT category that the wireless device 22 can perform. The width of the bit field may depend on the possible number of different LBT categories that the wireless device 22 can perform. This bit field may be configured by higher layers or as a predefined value and / or table in the specification.

[0246] In a non-limiting example, the duration for which the wireless device 22 can perform a specified LBT category is limited to the duration of the COT (described in the previous embodiment) or the duration of the SFI field. In a non-limiting example, the bit field size is 1, and it indicates whether the wireless device 22 can switch to one of CAT1, 16μs CAT2, or 25μs CAT LBT. Which of these values ​​to use may be predefined in the configured RRC or specification. In a non-limiting example, the bit field size is 2, and each of the bit pattern values ​​in the bit field instructs the wireless device 22 to switch to CAT1 LBT, 16μs CAT2 LBT, 25μs CAT LBT, or CAT4 LBT. In a non-limiting example, the bit field size is 2, and each of the bit pattern values ​​in the bit field instructs the wireless device 22 to switch to CAT1 LBT, 16μs CAT2 LBT, 25μs CAT LBT, or to perform the previously indicated LBT category.

[0247] In a non-limiting example, the wireless device 22 switches from a previously indicated LBT category to the LBT category indicated in this field, such as by the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc. In a non-limiting example, the wireless device 22 performs the category indicated in this field on the configured UL / DL transmission that has been configured for the wireless device 22, such as by the switching unit 34 in the processing circuit 84, the processor 86, the radio interface 82, etc. As a non-limiting example of this embodiment, this field is specified by the LBTcategoryIndication field and is placed in the DCI as specified in the RRC sub-parameter positionInDCI, for example:

[0248]

[0249] Some examples

[0250] Example A1. A network node 16 configured to communicate with a wireless device 22, the network node 16 being configured to, and / or including, a radio interface 62 and / or including a processing circuit 68 configured to:

[0251] configuring at least two search space set groups (SSSGs) for the wireless device 22;

[0252] configuring the wireless device 22 with a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs; and

[0253] Signaling is optionally transmitted on a control channel according to the configuration of the timer.

[0254] Example A2. The network node 16 of Example A1, wherein configuration of the timer is based at least in part on at least one of a channel occupancy time (COT) duration and a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) monitoring periodicity.

[0255] Example A3. The network node 16 of any of Examples A1 and A2, wherein the network node 16 and / or the radio interface 62 and / or the processing circuit 68 are further configured to:

[0256] signaling an indication to switch PDCCH monitoring between at least two SSSGs;

[0257] Signals an indication to set or reset a timer to another value.

[0258] Example A4. The network node 16 of any of Examples A1-A4, wherein the signaling is via PDCCH or radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0259] Example B1. A method implemented in a network node 16, the method comprising:

[0260] configuring at least two search space set groups (SSSGs) for the wireless device 22;

[0261] configuring the wireless device 22 with a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs; and

[0262] Signaling is optionally transmitted on a control channel according to the configuration of the timer.

[0263] Example B2. The method of Example B1, wherein configuration of the timer is based at least in part on at least one of a channel occupancy time (COT) duration and a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) monitoring periodicity.

[0264] Example B3. The method of any of Examples B1 and B2, further comprising:

[0265] signaling an indication to switch PDCCH monitoring between at least two SSSGs;

[0266] Signals an indication to set or reset a timer to another value.

[0267] Example B4. The method of any of Examples B1-B4, wherein the signaling is via PDCCH or radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0268] Example C1. A wireless device 22 configured to communicate with a network node 16, the wireless device 22 being configured to, and / or including, a radio interface 82 and / or a processing circuit 84 configured to:

[0269] receiving a configuration of at least two search space set groups (SSSGs);

[0270] receiving a configuration of a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs;

[0271] monitoring a first SSSG of at least two SSSGs; and

[0272] Switching to another SSSG of the at least two SSSGs and continuing to monitor one of the first SSSG is performed based at least in part on the timer.

[0273] Example C2. The wireless device 22 of Example C1, wherein configuration of the timer is based at least in part on at least one of a channel occupancy time (COT) duration and a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) monitoring periodicity.

[0274] Example C3. The wireless device 22 of any of Examples C1 and C2, wherein the wireless device 22 and / or the radio interface 82 and / or the processing circuit 84 are further configured to:

[0275] Performing one of switching to another SSSG of the at least two SSSGs and continuing to monitor the first SSSG is further based on whether the wireless device 22 detects an indication to switch PDCCH monitoring between the at least two SSSGs while the timer is running; and

[0276] An indication is received to set or reset the timer to another value, and based on the indication, the timer is set or reset to the other value.

[0277] Example C4. The wireless device 22 of any of Examples C1-C4, wherein the configuration is received via radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0278] Example D1. A method implemented in a wireless device 22, the method comprising:

[0279] receiving a configuration of at least two search space set groups (SSSGs);

[0280] receiving a configuration of a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between at least two SSSGs;

[0281] monitoring a first SSSG of at least two SSSGs; and

[0282] Switching to another SSSG of the at least two SSSGs and continuing to monitor one of the first SSSG is performed based at least in part on the timer.

[0283] Example D2. The method of Example D1, wherein configuration of the timer is based at least in part on at least one of a channel occupancy time (COT) duration and a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) monitoring periodicity.

[0284] Example D3. The method of any of Examples D1 and D2, further comprising:

[0285] Performing one of switching to another SSSG of the at least two SSSGs and continuing to monitor the first SSSG is further based on whether the wireless device 22 detects an indication to switch PDCCH monitoring between the at least two SSSGs while the timer is running; and

[0286] An indication is received to set or reset the timer to another value, and based on the indication, the timer is set or reset to the other value.

[0287] Example D4. The method of any of Examples D1-D4, wherein the configuration is received via radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0288] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the concepts described herein can be implemented as methods, data processing systems, computer program products, and / or computer storage media storing executable computer programs. Thus, the concepts described herein can take the form of all-hardware embodiments, all-software embodiments, or embodiments combining software and hardware aspects, all of which are generally referred to herein as "circuits" or "modules." Any process, step, action, and / or functionality described herein can be performed by, and / or associated with, corresponding modules, which can be implemented in software and / or firmware and / or hardware. In addition, the present disclosure can take the form of a computer program product on a tangible, computer-usable storage medium in which computer program code is implemented, which can be executed by a computer. Any suitable tangible computer-readable medium can be utilized, including a hard disk, CD-ROM, electronic storage device, optical storage device, or magnetic storage device.

[0289] Some embodiments are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, systems, and computer program products. It will be understood that each block in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer (thereby creating a special-purpose computer), a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, such that the instructions, executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device, create components for implementing the functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0290] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory or storage medium, thereby directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture that includes instruction components that implement the functions / actions specified in one or more boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0291] Computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions / actions specified in one or more boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0292] It is understood that the functions / actions noted in the blocks may not occur in the order noted in the operational diagrams. For example, two blocks shown in succession may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality / actions involved. While some figures include arrows on communication paths to illustrate the primary direction of communication, it is understood that communication may occur in the reverse direction of the depicted arrows.

[0293] Computer program code for performing the operations of the concepts described herein can be written in an object-oriented programming language such as Python, Java®, or C++. However, computer program code for performing the operations of the present disclosure can also be written in a conventional procedural programming language such as the "C" programming language. The program code can be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on the remote computer. In the latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer via a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or a connection can be made to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0294] Many different embodiments are disclosed herein in conjunction with the above description and accompanying drawings. It will be understood that literally describing and illustrating every combination and subcombination of these embodiments would be unduly repetitive and obfuscating. Therefore, all embodiments may be combined in any manner and / or combination, and this specification, including the accompanying drawings, should be deemed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, as well as the manner and process of making and using them, and should support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

[0295] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments described herein are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein. In addition, unless otherwise indicated above, it should be noted that all drawings are not drawn to scale. In light of the above teachings, various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method performed by a network node (16), the method comprising: configuring (S140) at least two search space set groups (SSSGs) for a wireless device (22), wherein one of the configured search space set groups includes a search space set that can be monitored during a given time period, and at least one other search space set group in the configured search space set groups cannot be monitored during the same time period; configuring (S142) the wireless device (22) to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, wherein configuring the wireless device (22) to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs corresponds to configuring the wireless device (22) with a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; and causing (S144) signaling to be transmitted on the control channel in accordance with the configured switching of the control channel monitoring, wherein the switching is configured to occur based on the indication when the wireless device detects the indication to switch control channel monitoring and to occur based on expiration of the timer when the wireless device does not detect the indication.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein Configuring the wireless device (22) to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs further includes triggering an indication of starting the timer, the indication being an instruction to monitor one of the at least two SSSGs.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The value of the timer is based on at least one of a duration of a channel occupancy time COT, a duration of a slot format, and a periodicity of a group common physical downlink control channel GC-PDCCH.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein: The indication for handover control channel monitoring is based at least on the value of a bit field in downlink control information DCI format 2_0, The bit field in the DCI format 2_0 indicates that the wireless device monitors the first SSSG of the at least two SSSGs based at least on the value of the bit field being equal to 0, and indicates that the wireless device monitors the second SSSG of the at least two SSSGs based at least on the value of the bit field being equal to 1.

5. A method performed by a wireless device (22), the method comprising: receiving (S154) a configuration of at least two search space set groups SSSG, wherein one of the configured search space set groups comprises a search space set that is monitorable during a given time period and at least one other of the configured search space set groups is not monitorable during the same time period; receiving (S156) a configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, wherein the configuration includes a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; According to the configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, switching (S158) to one of the at least two SSSGs for control channel monitoring, wherein the switching is performed based on the indication when the wireless device detects the indication to switch control channel monitoring, and the switching is performed based on expiration of the timer when the wireless device does not detect the indication.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs includes an indication triggering the start of the timer, the indication being an instruction to monitor one of the at least two SSSGs.

7. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein: The value of the timer is based on at least one of a duration of a channel occupancy time COT, a duration of a slot format, and a periodicity of a group common physical downlink control channel GC-PDCCH.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein: The indication for handover control channel monitoring is based on at least the detection of the value of a bit field in downlink control information DCI format 2_0, The bit field in the DCI format 2_0 indicates that the wireless device (22) monitors a first SSSG of the at least two SSSGs based at least on the value of the bit field being equal to 0.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein: The bit field in the DCI format 2_0 indicates, based at least on the value of the bit field being equal to 1, that the wireless device (22) monitors a second SSSG of the at least two SSSGs.

10. A network node (16), comprising: Processing circuitry (68), the processing circuitry (68) being configured to: configuring at least two search space set groups (SSSGs) for a wireless device (22), wherein one of the configured search space set groups includes a search space set that can be monitored during a given time period and at least one other search space set group in the configured search space set groups cannot be monitored during the same time period; configuring the wireless device (22) to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, wherein configuring the wireless device (22) to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs corresponds to configuring the wireless device (22) with a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; and and causing signaling to be transmitted on the control channel in accordance with a configured switch of the control channel monitoring, wherein the switch is configured to occur based on the indication when the wireless device detects the indication to switch control channel monitoring and to occur based on expiration of the timer when the wireless device does not detect the indication.

11. The network node (16) of claim 10, wherein: Configuring the wireless device (22) to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs further includes triggering an indication of starting the timer, the indication being an instruction to monitor one of the at least two SSSGs.

12. The network node (16) according to any one of claims 10-11, wherein The value of the timer is based on at least one of a duration of a channel occupancy time COT, a duration of a slot format, and a periodicity of a group common physical downlink control channel GC-PDCCH.

13. The network node (16) according to any one of claims 10-11, wherein The indication for handover control channel monitoring is based at least on the value of a bit field in downlink control information DCI format 2_0, The bit field in the DCI format 2_0 indicates monitoring the first SSSG among the at least two SSSGs based at least on the value of the bit field being equal to 0, or the bit field in the DCI format 2_0 indicates monitoring the second SSSG among the at least two SSSGs based at least on the value of the bit field being equal to 1.

14. A wireless device (22), comprising: Processing circuitry (84), the processing circuitry (84) being configured to: receiving a configuration of at least two search space set groups SSSG, wherein one of the configured search space set groups includes a search space set that is monitorable during a given time period and at least one other of the configured search space set groups is not monitorable during the same time period; receiving a configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, wherein the configuration includes a timer for determining when to switch control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs; and According to the configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs, switching to one of the at least two SSSGs for control channel monitoring, wherein the switching is performed based on the indication when the wireless device detects the indication to switch control channel monitoring, and the switching is performed based on expiration of the timer when the wireless device does not detect the indication.

15. The wireless device (22) of claim 14, wherein: The configuration for switching control channel monitoring between the at least two SSSGs includes an indication triggering the start of the timer, the indication being an instruction to monitor one of the at least two SSSGs.

16. The wireless device (22) of any one of claims 14-15, wherein: The value of the timer is based on at least one of a duration of a channel occupancy time COT, a duration of a slot format, and a periodicity of a group common physical downlink control channel GC-PDCCH.

17. The wireless device (22) of any one of claims 14-15, wherein: The indication for handover control channel monitoring is based on at least the value of a bit field in downlink control information DCI format 2_0, The bit field in the DCI format 2_0 indicates that the wireless device monitors the first SSSG among the at least two SSSGs based at least on the value of the bit field being equal to 0, or the bit field in the DCI format 2_0 indicates that the wireless device monitors the second SSSG among the at least two SSSGs based at least on the value of the bit field being equal to 1.

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