Control channel monitoring method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to wireless communication methods for reducing power usage in a mobile station due to monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). A mobile station may switch between different PDCCH monitoring behaviors associated with different PDCCH monitoring parameter sets or PDCCH skipping parameter sets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a method of monitoring a control channel by a mobile station. Background Art

[0002] With the development of wireless communication technology, the performance indicators of wireless communication systems such as transmission rate, delay, throughput, and reliability have been greatly improved by using technologies such as high frequency bands, large bandwidths, and multi-antenna arrangements. On the other hand, in order to achieve high-performance wireless transmission, terminals, such as mobile stations, need to perform more complex processing to meet performance requirements, such as monitoring a larger control channel bandwidth, and encoding and decoding more complex control information and data information. The power consumption of mobile stations affects the user experience. Therefore, it is necessary to provide power-saving solutions for mobile stations within wireless communication systems. Summary of the invention

[0003] In one embodiment, a method for communicating between a wireless access node and a mobile station includes the mobile station operating according to a first PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a first PDCCH monitoring parameter set. The method also includes the mobile station switching from operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to operating according to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a second PDCCH monitoring parameter set. Each of the first PDCCH monitoring parameter set and the second PDCCH monitoring parameter set can define a unique pattern that uniquely defines one or more monitoring time slots within a monitoring period, in which the mobile station monitors the PDCCH of a downlink control information (DCI) message.

[0004] In another embodiment, another method for communicating between a wireless access node and a mobile station includes the mobile station operating according to a first PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a first PDCCH monitoring parameter set. The method also includes the mobile station switching between operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and operating according to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a PDCCH skip parameter set. The first PDCCH monitoring parameter set may define a unique mode that defines one or more monitoring time slots within a monitoring period in which the wireless access node monitors the PDCCH for a DCI message. The skip parameter set may define at least one skip period during which the mobile station does not monitor the PDCCH for the DCI message.

[0005] Other aspects and alternatives of the above-described embodiments and their implementations are described in more detail in the following drawings, description and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 An example system diagram including a mobile station and a wireless access node according to various embodiments is shown.

[0007] Figure 2 An example timing diagram illustrating example PDCCH monitoring behavior without DRX configuration according to various embodiments is shown.

[0008] Figure 3 Another example timing diagram illustrating example PDCCH monitoring behavior with DRX configuration according to various embodiments is shown.

[0009] Figure 4 An example flow chart illustrating a method of communicating between a wireless access node and a mobile station according to various embodiments is provided.

[0010] Figure 5 Another example timing diagram illustrating various aspects of PDCCH skipping behavior according to various embodiments is shown.

[0011] Figure 6 An example flow chart illustrating another method of communicating between a wireless access node and a mobile station according to various embodiments is provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] A wireless access network provides a network connection between a mobile station and an information or data network (e.g., a voice communication network or the Internet). An example wireless access network may be based on a cellular technology, which may also be based on, for example, 4G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G, New Radio (NR) and / or Unlicensed Radio (NR-U) technology and / or format.

[0013] Figure 1An example system diagram including a mobile station 102 and a wireless access node 104 according to various embodiments is shown. The mobile station 102 may include a user equipment (UE) (and may be referred to herein as a UE), which may further include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, or other mobile devices capable of wireless communication over a network. The mobile station 102 may include a transceiver circuit 106 coupled to an antenna 108 to enable wireless communication with the wireless access node 104. The transceiver circuit 106 may also be coupled to a processor 110, which may also be coupled to a memory 112 or other storage device. The memory 112 may store therein instructions or codes that, when read and executed by the processor 110, cause the processor 110 to implement the various methods described herein.

[0014] Similarly, the wireless access node 104 may include a base station or other wireless network access point capable of wirelessly communicating with one or more mobile stations over a network. For example, in various embodiments, the wireless access node 104 may include a 4G LTE base station, a 5G NR base station, a 5G central unit base station, a 5G distributed unit base station, or a next generation base station (generation NodeB, gNB), an enhanced base station (enhanced Node B, eNB), or other base stations. The wireless access node 104 may include a transceiver circuit 114 coupled to an antenna 116, which may include an antenna tower 118 in various forms to enable wireless communication with the mobile station 102. The transceiver circuit 114 may also be coupled to one or more processors 120, which may also be coupled to a memory 122 or other storage device. The memory 122 may store instructions or codes therein, which, when read and executed by the processor 120, cause the processor 120 to implement the various methods described herein.

[0015] The wireless access network may provide or adopt various transmission formats and protocols for wireless message transmission between the mobile station 102 and the wireless access node 104. In the existing long term evolution (LTE) and 5G new radio (NR) access technology communication systems, the mobile station 102 (e.g., user equipment (UE)) needs to know the uplink scheduling grant information for sending the physical uplink shared channel (Physical Uplink Shared Channel, PUSCH) and the downlink scheduling allocation information for receiving the physical downlink shared channel (Physical Downlink Shared Channel, PDSCH). This information is included in the downlink control information (DCI) and is sent to the mobile station (e.g., UE) on the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) by the wireless access node (e.g., base station or gNB) in different DCI formats. Therefore, the mobile station should first monitor the PDCCH.

[0016] The UE needs to keep monitoring the PDCCH at the PDCCH monitoring opportunity to avoid missing any data scheduling information. The PDCCH monitoring opportunity is determined by the parameters of the periodicity ks, the duration Ts in the periodicity, and the offset Os associated with the start position of the periodicity. These parameters can be configured in the SearchSpace Information Element (IE) in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. Figure 2 A timing diagram illustrating example PDCCH monitoring behavior (without DRX configuration) with ks=2 slots, Ts=1 slot and Os=0 is shown. According to the example PDCCH monitoring behavior, PDCCH monitoring opportunities 202 are shown separated from slots where no monitoring occurs.

[0017] The UE can monitor the PDCCH on the control resource set (CORESET) in the PDCCH monitoring opportunity defined by the search space set. The relevant monitoring parameters of the PDCCH may be included in the SearchSpace field of the radio resource control (RRC) signaling, where the searchSpaceId and controlResourceSetId information elements (IEs) may indicate the search space set index and CORESET of the SearchSpace applicable to PDCCH monitoring. The searchSpaceType IE in the SearchSpace field indicates the search space type of the DCI format carried by the PDCCH that the UE should monitor. In various methods, the common search space (CSS) / UE-specific search space (USS) corresponds to different DCI formats to be detected, while the UE-specific search space may contain fewer DCI formats, where DCI format 0_0 or 1_0 also belongs to the CSS.

[0018] In various methods, the duration IE of the RRC signaling is the duration of Ts < ks, indicating the number of time slots for the UE to monitor the PDCCH in the search space set s. The monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset IE indicates the PDCCH monitoring periodicity for ks time slots and the PDCCH monitoring offset for Os time slots. The monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot IE indicates the symbols of the CORESET within the time slot for PDCCH monitoring. The specific PDCCH monitoring opportunity can be obtained as follows. For the search space set s, if then the UE determines that there is a PDCCH monitoring opportunity in the time slot numbered f in the frame numbered n. For Ts consecutive time slots starting from the time slot , the UE monitors the PDCCH in the search space set s, and for the next ks – Ts consecutive time slots, does not monitor the PDCCH in the search space set s. In the present disclosure, the PDCCH monitoring frequency refers to the ratio of the PDCCH monitoring duration Ts to the PDCCH monitoring periodicity ks, specifically Ts / ks.

[0019] In various examples, as also Figure 3 shown, the mobile station can implement discontinuous reception (DRX) mode to achieve power saving. The basic mechanism of DRX is to configure a DRX cycle for the mobile station. The drx-ondurationTimer starts at the start of the DRX cycle. During this DRX cycle, the mobile station is in the DRX active time and continues to monitor the PDCCH. If the mobile station successfully decodes the PDCCH during the DRX active time, the mobile station remains awake during the active time and starts an inactivity timer configured by the drx-inactivityTimer parameter. The mobile station can return to sleep during the period outside the active time. During the period outside the active time, the mobile station does not monitor the PDCCH, thus reducing power consumption. However, according to previous solutions, during the DRX active time, the mobile station continues to monitor the PDCCH, which does not save power. The PDCCH monitoring behavior of the mobile station still consumes a lot of unnecessary power during the active time. For example, in a sparse traffic model, especially for a longer active time configured for DRX, more power is wasted for monitoring the PDCCH.

[0020] Other power saving solutions have been proposed. For example, during active time, the mobile station can be configured with at least one minimum applicable scheduling offset (i.e., K0min and / or K2min), and the DCI can indicate the index of the configured value. If the indicated value of K0min and / or K2min is greater than 0, the power consumption of PDCCH monitoring can be reduced by relaxing the PDCCH processing time, and additional power saving gains can be achieved by the mobile station. Similarly, an indication of a sleep-like behavior transition on a Scell ​​can trigger the UE to perform sleep behavior on some Scells of the Scell ​​group. However, there are many PDCCH-only monitoring behaviors that consume unnecessary power during active time.

[0021] The method provided in this disclosure describes a power saving method in which the mobile station 102 reduces the PDCCH periodic monitoring behavior (eg, the frequency of PDCCH monitoring) by switching PDCCH monitoring parameters. Compared with conventional PDCCH monitoring methods, these exemplary power saving techniques can reduce UE power consumption.

[0022] Switching PDCCH monitoring behavior between at least two PDCCH monitoring parameter sets

[0023] In various embodiments, a mobile station 102 (eg, UE 102) may switch PDCCH monitoring behavior between two or more PDCCH monitoring parameter sets. Figure 4 An example flow chart illustrating a method 400 for communicating between a wireless access node 104 and a mobile station 102 to implement such a PDCCH monitoring behavior switching function according to various embodiments is provided. In step 402, the mobile station operates according to a first PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a first PDCCH monitoring parameter set. In step 404, the mobile station 102 switches from operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a second PDCCH monitoring parameter set. In the present embodiment, each of the first PDCCH monitoring parameter set and the second PDCCH monitoring parameter set defines a unique pattern that defines one or more monitoring occasions within a monitoring period (e.g., ks) at which the mobile station 102 monitors the PDCCH for a DCI message.

[0024] In various embodiments, the mobile station 102 receives an indication to switch to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior from the wireless access node 104, and then switches to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior in response to receiving the indication to switch to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. In various embodiments, receiving the indication to switch to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes the mobile station 102 receiving a DCI message from the wireless access node 104, the DCI message including a message portion indicating that the mobile station 102 will use the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. In various embodiments, the message portion indicating that the mobile station will use the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes at least a portion of an existing message field of the DCI in some specific state that is reinterpreted. In one example, the message field of the DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1 that is reinterpreted or repurposed from another purpose is a minimum applicable scheduling offset message field or a resource allocation message field. The specific state may be that some existing fields of the DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1 are set to all "0" or all "1". In various embodiments, if the high-level parameter maxNrofCodeWordsScheduledByDCI is equal to 2, the existing fields may include at least the "frequency domain resource allocation" and / or "time domain resource allocation" fields of DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1, the "modulation and coding scheme", "new data indicator", "redundancy version" and / or "HARQ process number" fields of DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1, and the "modulation and coding scheme", "new data indicator", "redundancy version" and / or "HARQ process number" fields of transport block 2 of DCI format 1_1. For example, if in DCI format 1_1, the "time domain resource allocation" field is set to all "1", the "HARQ process number" field is set to all "0", and the fields of transport block 2, including the "modulation and coding scheme" field is set to all "1", and the "redundancy version" field is set to all "0", the minimum applicable scheduling offset field may be reinterpreted as an indication of the PDCCH monitoring behavior switching function. Where the maxNrofCodeWordsScheduledByDCI parameter is equal to 2. If the high-level parameters configure the UE to switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior, if this field is set to "0", the UE switches to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior, otherwise, the UE switches to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. If the high-level parameters do not configure the UE to switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior, this field is set to 0 bits, or the UE will ignore the indication of this field, or the UE expects that this field will not be reinterpreted.

[0025] In some embodiments, each of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior defines an associated unique pattern according to a monitoring periodicity (ks), a monitoring duration (Ts), and a monitoring offset (Os). The monitoring periodicity (ks) defines the duration of the monitoring period as ks time slots, the monitoring duration (Ts) defines the duration of Ts consecutive time slots during which monitoring occurs, where Ts≤ks, the monitoring offset (Os) defines the start of the monitoring period, and the remaining time slots of the monitoring period that are not within Ts consecutive time slots (e.g., ks-Ts time slots) define time slots during which no monitoring occurs.

[0026] In some implementations, the mobile station 102 may receive a definition of a first PDCCH monitoring behavior and a second PDCCH monitoring behavior from a wireless access node via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In some examples, the UE may be configured to have N search space sets, which may be configured by high-layer signaling such as radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In some examples, N may be an integer not greater than 10 and not less than 2, and in other examples, N may be an integer not less than 1. The search space sets may be divided into M groups, where in one example, M is an integer not less than 2, and in another example, M is an integer not less than 1. Note that all search space sets in a group may correspond to one PDCCH monitoring parameter set. A search space set may be included in at least two groups, or a search space set may be included in only one of the M search space set groups.

[0027] In some implementations, the minimum PDCCH monitoring empty rate (e.g., Ts / ks) corresponding to all search space sets in a search space group is not less than a minimum threshold. In some implementations, the minimum threshold is not less than 1 / T drx-onDurationTimer . In some implementations, the minimum PDCCH monitoring frequencies corresponding to at least two search space set groups are different. In some examples, the search space set group with a smaller group index includes a search space set configuration corresponding to a smaller PDCCH monitoring frequency. Thus, in one example, a first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a pattern with a lower monitoring time slot frequency than a second PDCCH monitoring behavior. In some implementations, the minimum PDCCH monitoring frequency corresponding to all search space sets in a group is not greater than a maximum threshold. In some examples, the maximum threshold is not greater than 1. The maximum PDCCH monitoring frequencies corresponding to at least two search space set groups may be different. The search space set group with a larger group index may include a search space set configuration corresponding to a larger PDCCH monitoring frequency.

[0028] For example, the lowest PDCCH monitoring frequency may be 1 / 4 of the PDCCH monitoring parameter set corresponding to all search space sets in the first search space set group, and the lowest PDCCH monitoring frequency may be 1 / 2 of the PDCCH monitoring parameter set corresponding to all search space sets in the second search space set group. In another example, the maximum PDCCH monitoring frequency may be 1 / 2 of the PDCCH monitoring parameter set corresponding to all search space sets in the first search space set group, and the maximum PDCCH monitoring frequency may be 1 of the PDCCH monitoring parameter set corresponding to all search space sets in the second search space set group. Many other examples are also possible.

[0029] In various embodiments, the mobile station 102 may switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior to a default PDCCH monitoring parameter set. Thus, one of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior or the second PDCCH monitoring behavior may be the default PDCCH monitoring behavior of the mobile station 102, and in a specific example, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior may be the default monitoring behavior of the mobile station 102. In various examples, the mobile station 102 may receive a definition of one of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior or the second PDCCH monitoring behavior as the default PDCCH monitoring behavior from the wireless access node 104 via radio resource control (RRC) signaling or another higher layer signaling.

[0030] In some implementations, the UE is configured with a default search space set group through high-level parameters. The default search space set group may include at least one search space set. The PDCCH monitoring frequency in the PDCCH monitoring parameter set corresponding to all search space sets in the default search space set group may have a minimum threshold (e.g., not less than 1 / T drx-onDurationTimer ). In contrast, in some implementations, the PDCCH monitoring frequency in the PDCCH monitoring parameter set corresponding to all search space sets in the default search space set group may have a maximum threshold (e.g., not greater than 1, or corresponding to the PDCCH monitoring frequency configured for the current search space set). In some implementations, when the timer expires and the UE does not monitor the PDCCH, the UE determines to monitor the PDCCH in the PDCCH monitoring opportunity determined by the default search space set. In some implementations, if the duration parameter of the default search space set is not equal to 0, when the timer expires and the UE does not monitor the PDCCH, the UE determines to monitor the PDCCH in the PDCCH monitoring opportunity determined by the default search space set. In some implementations, the UE determines to monitor the PDCCH in the PDCCH monitoring opportunity determined by the default search space set indicated by a specific DCI format or a higher layer parameter.

[0031] In other embodiments, the UE may switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior by selecting a search space set from all search space sets in the active BWP and then monitoring the PDCCH in the PDCCH monitoring opportunity determined by the selected search space set. In some implementations, the UE may be configured with N search space sets through RRC signaling. For example, in some embodiments, N is an integer not greater than 10 and not less than 1.

[0032] The following includes descriptions of various examples of indications that may be provided to a mobile station 102 (e.g., a UE) to indicate which PDCCH monitoring behavior to use. Such indications may be explicit indications (e.g., an explicit indication provided within signaling to inform the UE of the PDCCH monitoring behavior to be utilized), or may be implicit indications (e.g., a timer). In some embodiments, the timer is started or restarted by receiving a PDCCH with data scheduling. In some embodiments, the timer is started or restarted by receiving a PDCCH without data scheduling. In some embodiments, the timer is started or restarted by receiving a PDCCH in a USS.

[0033] In some embodiments, the UE is configured with a search space set group switching function through a high-level parameter. In some implementations, the UE may report its available PDCCH monitoring behavior to the wireless access node 104. In some embodiments, the search space set group switching function may be indicated by a DCI message. For example, the search space set group switching function may be indicated by a DCI format with data scheduling. For example, the search space set group switching function may be indicated by a DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1 with data scheduling. In another example, the search space set group switching function is indicated by a DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1 that schedules a new transmission. In other examples, the search space set group function is indicated by an additional field of a DCI message with DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1. The additional field of DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1 has a width of, for example, 2 bits at most. In some embodiments, the search space set group function is indicated by reinterpreting or repurposing one or more existing fields of a message with DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1 DCI. For example, the reinterpreted or repurposed field may be a field indicating a minimum applicable scheduling offset (e.g., K0min or K2min). In some implementations, the search space set group switching function is indicated by a DCI message having a DCI format without data scheduling. For example, the search space set group switching function may be indicated by a DCI format 0_1 ​​or a DCI format 1_1 without data scheduling. In some implementations, the search space set group function is indicated by reinterpreting or repurposing some existing fields of a DCI message having a DCI format 0_1 ​​or a DCI format 1_1. In some examples, the reinterpreted or repurposed field of the DCI format 0_1 ​​or the DCI format 1_1 is a field indicating a time domain resource allocation. In some implementations, the reinterpreted or repurposed field is a field indicating a minimum applicable scheduling offset. In some implementations, the reinterpreted or repurposed field is a field indicating a time domain resource allocation.

[0034] In some embodiments, a field indicating a minimum applicable scheduling offset of DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1 is reinterpreted or repurposed into a search space set group switching function configured by a specific higher layer parameter. In some examples, if a higher layer parameter indicating a minimum applicable scheduling offset (e.g., a minimum value of K0 or K2) is not configured for the UE and some existing fields are set to a specific state, the field indicating the minimum applicable scheduling offset of DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1 is reinterpreted or repurposed into a search space set group switching function. In some implementations, if a higher layer parameter indicating a specific timer associated with a search space set group switching is configured for the UE, the field indicating the minimum applicable scheduling offset of DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1 is reinterpreted or repurposed into a search space set group switching function.

[0035] In some embodiments, a field of DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1 indicating time domain resource allocation is reinterpreted or repurposed as a search space set group switching function configured by a specific higher layer parameter. In some examples, if the higher layer parameter indicating time domain resource allocation is not configured for the UE, the field is reinterpreted as a search space set group switching function. In some implementations, if the higher layer parameter indicating a specific timer associated with the search space set group switching is configured for the UE, the field is reinterpreted as a search space set group switching function.

[0036] In some implementations, when some predefined fields are set to a predefined state, the fields are reinterpreted as a PDCCH monitoring parameter switching function.

[0037] In some embodiments, the mobile station 102 (e.g., UE) may perform PDCCH monitoring behavior switching using an implicit indication (e.g., a timer). In various embodiments, the UE starts or restarts a timer, and the value of the timer is indicated by a high-level parameter. Then, after a predefined Q time slots or symbols after a time slot in which a particular type of DCI format is monitored or received by the UE, the UE uses a search space set group with a larger group index (e.g., a higher monitoring frequency) to monitor the PDCCH. The predefined Q time slots may depend on the reported UE capabilities. If the UE is configured with a minimum applicable scheduling offset of "1", the predefined Q time slots may be determined by the application delay of the minimum applicable scheduling offset. In some examples, the predefined Q time slots associated with the indication "1" of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator are labeled as Q1, and the predefined Q time slots associated with the indication "0" of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator are labeled as Q2. In some embodiments, Q1 is larger than Q2.

[0038] In some implementations, the UE starts or restarts a timer indicated by a high-level parameter, and monitors the PDCCH in a search space set group with a smaller group index (e.g., a lower monitoring frequency) after a predefined Q time slots or symbols after the timer expires and the UE does not monitor the PDCCH time slot. The predefined Q time slots may depend on the reported UE capabilities. If the UE is configured with a minimum applicable scheduling offset of "1", the predefined Q time slots may be determined by the application delay of the minimum applicable scheduling offset. The predefined Q time slots associated with the indication "1" of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator may be labeled as Q1, and the predefined Q time slots associated with the indication "0" of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator may be labeled as Q2. In some implementations, Q1 is not smaller than Q2.

[0039] Based on these disclosures, the methods discussed above may be further defined. In various embodiments, the mobile station 102 may start or restart a timer in response to receiving a DCI signal intended for the mobile station, and switch to operating according to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior for the duration of the timer. In a specific example, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a mode with a lower monitoring timeslot frequency (e.g., a lower monitoring frequency) than the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. In some methods, after the timer expires, the mobile station 102 may switch back to operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior. In some methods, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior is the default PDCCH monitoring behavior of the mobile station, and in other methods, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is the default PDCCH monitoring behavior of the mobile station.

[0040] In another example, the mobile station 102 may start or restart a timer and allow the timer to expire. The mobile station 102 may determine that no DCI signal intended for the mobile station 102 has been received within the duration of the timer. In response, the mobile station 102 may restart the timer and switch to operating according to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior for the next duration of the timer. As long as the mobile station 102 does not receive a DCI signal, the mobile station 102 may repeat this process up to a maximum number of cycles. In various examples, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a pattern with a higher monitoring timeslot frequency than the second PDCCH monitoring behavior.

[0041] In some implementations, the UE monitors DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1 in one of the search space set groups. In some embodiments, the UE does not expect to monitor PDCCH carrying DCI format scrambled by at least one of P-RNTI, RA-RNTI, TC-RNTI, SI-RNTI, PS-RNTI, INT-RNTI, SFI-RNTI, SP-CSI-RNTI, TPC-PUCCH-RNTI, TPC-PUSCH-RNTI, and TPC-SRS-RNTI. In some embodiments, the UE expects to monitor PDCCH carrying DCI format with UE-specific search space type. In some embodiments, the search space set group switching function is only used to trigger the UE to monitor PDCCH carrying DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1 scrambled by at least one of C-RNTI, MCS-C-RNTI, CS-RNTI. In some examples, when the UE is performing at least one of a Physical Random Access Channel (IPRACH) procedure, a Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) procedure, or a Beam Failure Detection (BFD) procedure, the UE does not expect to monitor the PDCCH in the PDCCH monitoring opportunity determined by the switched search space set group.

[0042] In various embodiments, for cross-carrier scheduling, the UE may monitor the PDCCH in a search space set, wherein the search space set may include a search space set group in a Pcell or PScell ​​and a search space set in a search space set group in a cross-carrier with data scheduling. For cross-carrier scheduling, the UE may perform search space set group switching in a Pcell or PScell ​​and a cross-carrier with data scheduling. In some implementations, a default search space set is configured per bandwidth part (BWP).

[0043] In some examples, the supported maximum number of search space sets in each search space set group is equal among these groups. In some implementations, the supported maximum number of search space sets in each search space set group is less than the maximum number of search space sets in the active BWP.

[0044] The number of search space sets in each search space set group may be different, and / or the maximum number of search space sets in each search space set group may be different. In some examples, the maximum number of search space sets in the search space set group with a lower index is less than the maximum number of search space sets in the search space set group with a larger index. In some examples, the supported maximum number of CORESETs associated with the search space sets in each search space set group is not greater than the maximum number of CORESETs in the active BWP. In some examples, the maximum number of CORESETs associated with the search space sets in each search space set group may be different. In some examples, the maximum number of CORESETs associated with the search space sets in the search space set group with a lower index is less than the maximum number of search space sets in the search space set group with a larger index. In some examples, the search space sets in any search space set group are not recovery search space sets or search space sets with ID=0. In some examples, the CORESETs associated with the search space sets in any search space set group are not CORESETs with CORESET ID=0.

[0045] PDCCH monitoring parameter adaptation

[0046] In various embodiments, the PDCCH monitoring behavior can be changed by changing one or more individual parameters of the PDCCH monitoring parameter set. For example, the wireless access node 104 can manipulate one or more PDCCH monitoring parameters to switch the mobile station 102 from operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. In some embodiments, a proportional factor is used to change one or more PDCCH monitoring parameters. In this way, the method disclosed above can be further defined. According to various embodiments, the mobile station 102 can receive a proportional factor of at least one parameter of the associated mode of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior from the wireless access node 104. Then switching from the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes applying the proportional factor to at least one parameter of the associated mode of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to create a second PDCCH monitoring behavior. At least one parameter of the associated mode of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior may include a monitoring periodicity (ks), a monitoring duration (Ts) and / or a monitoring offset (Os).

[0047] In some embodiments, the UE is configured with a set of scaling factors for PDCCH monitoring periodicity (ks) through a specific DCI format or higher layer signaling. The set of scaling factors may include at least one offset value.

[0048] In some implementations, the scaling factor includes at least one value of, for example, 1 / 2, 1 / 3, 1 / 4, or 1 / 5. Other scaling factors are also possible. In some embodiments, the UE switches the periodicity by multiplying the PDCCH monitoring periodicity by the scaling factor indicated by a specific DCI format message. In some embodiments, the UE switches the periodicity by multiplying the PDCCH monitoring periodicity by the scaling factor indicated by a specific DCI format message and a high-level parameter. In some implementations, the UE switches the periodicity by dividing the PDCCH monitoring periodicity by the scaling factor indicated by the specific DCI format message and the high-level parameter. In some implementations, when a high-level parameter or signaling indicates that the UE is configured with a PDCCH monitoring periodicity switch, the UE receives the PDCCH monitoring periodicity switch indicated by the specific DCI format. In some examples, the scaling factor is configured according to each BWP. In some implementations, the indication of the scaling factor is an existing field that is reinterpreted or repurposed of a specific DCI format message. The specific DCI format may be a DCI format with data scheduling, and may be DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1.

[0049] In various embodiments, the scale factor set includes at least one scale factor. In some examples, the scale factor in the scale factor set may be not less than 1, and in other examples, may be not greater than 1. The scale factor set may be configured by a high-level parameter. In some implementations, the scale factor value is indicated by a specific DCI format or a media access control (MAC) control element (CE). The specific DCI format may be DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1. In some methods, the scale factor in the scale factor set is not greater than a maximum threshold, wherein the maximum threshold may be not less than the DRX onDuration timer. In some examples, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring periodicity by subtracting the scale factor indicated by the specific DCI format message. In some examples, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring periodicity by multiplying the PDCCH monitoring periodicity by the scale factor indicated by the specific DCI format message and the high-level parameter. In some implementations, when the high-level parameter or signaling indicating the PDCCH monitoring periodicity switching is configured for the UE, the UE receives the PDCCH monitoring periodicity switching indicated by the specific DCI format message. The PDCCH monitoring scale factor can be configured according to the BWP. The indication of the scaling factor for PDCCH monitoring periodicity may be an existing field that is reinterpreted or repurposed for a specific DCI format.In certain embodiments, the specific DCI format is a DCI format with data scheduling.

[0050] In various embodiments, the UE is configured with a set of scaling factors for monitoring the duration (Ts) parameter in the search space set through a specific DCI format or higher layer signaling. The set of scaling factors may include at least one offset value.

[0051] In some examples, the scaling factor includes at least one value such as 1 / 2, 1 / 3, 1 / 4 or 1 / 5. Other scaling factors are also possible. In some embodiments, the UE switches the duration by multiplying the PDCCH monitoring duration by the scaling factor indicated by a specific DCI format message. In some embodiments, the UE switches the duration by multiplying the PDCCH monitoring duration by the scaling factor indicated by a specific DCI format message and a high-level parameter. In some examples, the UE switches the duration by dividing the PDCCH monitoring duration by the scaling factor indicated by a specific DCI format message and a high-level parameter. In some examples, when a high-level parameter or signaling indicates that the UE is configured with a PDCCH monitoring duration switch, the UE receives the PDCCH monitoring duration switch indicated by a specific DCI format. In some examples, the scaling factor for the duration is configured according to each BWP. In some implementations, the indication of the scaling factor for the duration is an existing field that is reinterpreted or repurposed of a specific DCI format message. The specific DCI format may be a DCI format with data scheduling, and may be DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1.

[0052] In various embodiments, the scale factor set includes at least one scale factor. In some examples, the scale factor in the scale factor set may be not less than 1, and in other examples, may be not greater than 1. The scale factor set may be configured by a high-level parameter. In some implementations, the scale factor value is indicated by a specific DCI format or a media access control (MAC) control element (CE). The specific DCI format may be DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1. In some methods, the scale factor in the scale factor set is not greater than a maximum threshold, wherein the maximum threshold may be not less than a DRX onDuration timer. In some examples, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring duration by subtracting a periodic offset indicated by a specific DCI format message. In some implementations, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring duration by multiplying the PDCCH monitoring duration by a scale factor indicated by a specific DCI format message and a high-level parameter. In some implementations, when the UE is configured with a high-level parameter or signaling indicating a PDCCH monitoring duration switch, the UE receives a PDCCH monitoring duration switch indicated by a specific DCI format message. The scale factor for the PDCCH monitoring duration may be configured according to each BWP. In some implementations, the indication of the scaling factor for the PDCCH monitoring duration may be a reinterpretation or repurposed existing field of a specific DCI format.In certain embodiments, the specific DCI format is a DCI format with data scheduling.

[0053] In various embodiments, the UE is configured with a set of offsets for the offset parameter Os in the search space set IE through a specific DCI format or higher layer signaling. In some implementations, the set of offsets for Os may include at least one offset value.

[0054] According to various examples, the offset value is an integer, and the unit is time slot or ms. The UE can switch the Os parameter by adding or subtracting the offset value for Os indicated by a specific DCI format message. The UE can also switch Os by adding or subtracting the offset indicated by a specific DCI format message and a high-level parameter. The offset set may include at least one offset value. In some examples, the offset value in the offset set is not less than 1, and in other examples, not greater than the value of the PDCCH monitoring periodicity (ks). The offset set may be configured by a high-level parameter. The offset value may be indicated by a specific DCI format message or MAC CE. The specific DCI format may be DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1. In some examples, the offset value in the offset set is not greater than the maximum threshold. In various implementations, the maximum threshold is not less than the DRX onDuration timer, or not less than the value of the PDCCH monitoring periodicity (ks). In some examples, when a high-level parameter or signaling indicating an Os parameter switch is configured for the UE, the UE receives an Os parameter switch indicated by a specific DCI format message. The offset for Os may be configured according to the BWP. In some examples, the indication of the offset for Os is an existing field that is reinterpreted or repurposed for a particular DCI format. In some examples, the particular DCI format is a DCI format with data scheduling.

[0055] In some embodiments, the PDCCH monitoring parameter switching indication, such as the PDCCH monitoring periodicity ks, duration Ts and PDCCH monitoring offset Os, is configured by high-level parameters. The UE may determine a specific offset value according to an index indicated by level 1 (L1) signaling and a set of proportional factors or offset values ​​associated with the corresponding parameter switching behavior configured by high-level parameters.

[0056] Bundle PDCCH monitoring behavior with other power saving functions

[0057] In some embodiments, the PDCCH monitoring behavior can be bundled with the wake-up indication. For example, when DCI format 2_6 triggers the UE to monitor the PDCCH during the next "DRX On" duration (active time), the UE can switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior by selecting search space set 1 or a new search space set group 1. Similarly, when DCI format 2_6 triggers the UE not to monitor the PDCCH during the next "DRX On" duration, the UE can switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior by selecting search space set 2 or a new search space set group 2. In some embodiments, if the UE does not receive a wake-up signal during the DRX cycle due to missed detection of DCI format 2-6, the UE may perform the PDCCH monitoring behavior according to the default configuration of the wake-up indication. In some embodiments, if the UE does not detect a wake-up signal during the DRX cycle, the UE should perform the PDCCH monitoring behavior by selecting search space set 2 or search space set group 2. In some embodiments, if the UE does not detect a wake-up signal during the DRX cycle, the UE should perform the current PDCCH monitoring behavior.

[0058] In some embodiments, the PDCCH monitoring behavior switching function is indicated by DCI format 2-6 for the UE. In some embodiments, the field of the PDCCH monitoring behavior switching function of DCI format 2-6 is after the field of the similar sleep behavior transition function on the Scell ​​of the UE. In some embodiments, the field of the PDCCH monitoring behavior switching function of DCI format 2-6 is after the field of the wake-up function of the UE.

[0059] In some examples, search space set 1 is the default search space set and may have a lower PDCCH monitoring frequency among all search space sets of the active BWP. The PDCCH monitoring frequency may be less than the minimum monitoring threshold. In various methods, the minimum monitoring threshold is not less than 1 (the maximum value of ks) and / or not greater than 1 / 2. In a specific example, the minimum threshold is not greater than 1 / T drx-onDurationTimer In other examples, search space set 1 may have a higher or highest PDCCH monitoring frequency among all search space sets of the active BWP.

[0060] In some examples, search space set 2 is the default search space set and may have a larger PDCCH monitoring frequency among all search space sets of the active BWP. The PDCCH monitoring frequency may be greater than the maximum monitoring threshold. In various methods, the maximum monitoring threshold is not greater than 1 and / or not less than 1 / 2. In a specific example, the minimum threshold is not less than 1 / T drx-onDurationTimer In other examples, search space set 2 may have a lower or lowest PDCCH monitoring frequency among all search space sets of the active BWP.

[0061] Search space set 1 and search space set 2 may be different search space sets with different indices for one UE with active BWP. In another approach, search space set 1 and search space set 2 are the same search space sets but with modified PDCCH monitoring parameters for active BWP, e.g., Duration, monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset, or monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot.

[0062] In some embodiments, search space set group 1 is a default search space set group and may include a search space set with a lower PDCCH monitoring frequency among all search space sets of the active BWP. The PDCCH monitoring frequency may be less than the minimum monitoring threshold. In various methods, the minimum monitoring threshold is not less than 1 (the maximum value of ks) and / or not greater than 1 / 2. In a specific example, the minimum threshold is not greater than 1 / T drx-onDurationTimer In other examples, search space set 1 may include a search space set having a higher or highest PDCCH monitoring frequency among all search space sets of an active BWP.

[0063] In some embodiments, search space set group 2 is a default search space set group and may include a search space set with a larger PDCCH monitoring frequency among all search space sets of the active BWP. The PDCCH monitoring frequency may be greater than the maximum monitoring threshold. In various methods, the maximum monitoring threshold is not greater than 1 and / or not less than 1 / 2. In a specific example, the minimum threshold is not less than 1-T drx-onDurationTimer In other examples, search space set 2 may include a search space set having a lower or lowest PDCCH monitoring frequency among all search space sets of an active BWP.

[0064] Search space set group 1 and search space set group 2 may be different search space sets with different indexes for one UE with an active BWP. In another method, search space set group 1 and search space set group 2 include the same search space set, wherein, for example, the same search space set is not less than the search space set with the lowest PDCCH monitoring frequency in search space set group 1 and / or the same search space set is not greater than the search space set with the highest PDCCH monitoring frequency in search space set group 2.

[0065] Therefore, the method disclosed above can be further defined. According to various embodiments, the mobile station 102 (e.g., UE) receives an indication to switch to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior, including the mobile station 102 receiving a wake-up indication of a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode cycle indicating that the mobile station wakes up in the next DRX cycle. In various methods, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a mode with a higher monitoring time slot frequency (e.g., a higher monitoring frequency) than the second PDCCH monitoring behavior (or vice versa).

[0066] In some embodiments, the PDCCH monitoring behavior may be bundled with cross-slot scheduling. For example, when the minimum applicable scheduling offset (e.g., K0min or K2min) is indicated by DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 0_1 ​​as a value greater than 0, the UE may switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior to search space set 1 or search space set group 1. When the minimum applicable scheduling offset is indicated by DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 0_1 ​​as a value equal to 0, the UE may also switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior to search space set 2 or search space set group 2.

[0067] In some embodiments, when the minimum applicable scheduling offset is indicated by DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 0_1 ​​as a value greater than 0, the UE may perform a PDCCH monitoring switching behavior. In some embodiments, when the minimum applicable scheduling offset (e.g., K0min) is greater than a minimum threshold 1, the UE may switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior to search space set 1 or search space set group 1. Similarly, in some embodiments, when the minimum applicable scheduling offset K0min is less than a minimum threshold 2, the UE may switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior to search space set 2 or search space set group 2. In some embodiments, the minimum threshold 1 may be greater than the minimum threshold 2, and the minimum threshold 2 may not be less than 0. In some embodiments, the minimum applicable scheduling offset K0min is configured by a higher layer parameter.

[0068] According to the above, the method disclosed above can be further defined. According to various embodiments, the mobile station 102 (e.g., UE) receives an indication of switching to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior, which may include receiving a change in the value of the minimum applicable scheduling offset (K0) of the PDSCH between receiving a message on the PDCCH and a scheduling time slot on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and similarly, may include receiving a change in the value of the minimum applicable scheduling offset (K2) of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) between receiving a message on the PDCCH and a scheduling time slot on the PUSCH. In some methods, receiving a change in the value of K0 or K2 includes receiving a value of at least one of K0 or K2 to increase to above a minimum applicable scheduling offset threshold. In various methods, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior has a mode having a lower monitoring time slot frequency (e.g., a lower monitoring frequency) than the first PDCCH monitoring behavior. Similarly, receiving a change in the value of K0 or K2 may include receiving a value of K0 or K2 to decrease to below a minimum applicable scheduling offset threshold. In various methods, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior has a pattern with a higher monitoring time slot frequency (eg, a higher monitoring frequency) than the first PDCCH monitoring behavior.

[0069] In some embodiments, the PDCCH monitoring behavior can be bundled with similar sleep behavior transitions on Scells. For example, when the number of Scells with similar sleep behavior indicated by DCI format 2_6, DCI format 1_0, or DCI format 1_1 is greater than a threshold Nd, the UE can switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior to search space set 1 or search space set group 1. In some examples, when the number of Scells with non-sleep-like behavior indicated by DCI format 2_6, DCI format 1_0, or DCI format 1_1 is greater than a threshold Nd, the UE switches the PDCCH monitoring behavior to search space set 2 or search space set group 2. In some examples, Nd is not less than 1 and not greater than the total number of Scells in the scheduled Scell ​​group.

[0070] Switching PDCCH monitoring behavior between PDCCH search space set switching behavior and PDCCH skipping behavior

[0071] In some embodiments, the mobile station 102 (eg, UE) may perform PDCCH skipping behavior during the skip duration. Figure 5An example timing diagram illustrating various aspects of PDCCH skipping behavior according to various embodiments is shown. A series of units, such as time slots or time, are shown. After a skip trigger event occurs (e.g., a DCI message is received indicating the use of PDCCH skipping behavior to the UE), the UE may perform PDCCH skipping during a skip period of unit duration (e.g., time slots, time, etc.). Optionally, an application delay may be applied after the skip trigger event (e.g., after receiving the DCI) and before performing PDCCH skipping for the skip period, during which the mobile station 102 continues to monitor the PDCCH. The PDCCH skipping behavior may be associated with a PDCCH skipping parameter set, which may include one or more parameters indicating the PDCCH skipping behavior. One such parameter is the PDCCH skipping period, which may be the number of units (or times) during which the mobile station 102 does not monitor the PDCCH. It may be an integer greater than or equal to 0 (e.g., 1). A unit may include a time slot, a PDCCH monitoring opportunity, a PDCCH monitoring periodicity, or a (sub) frame, or a millisecond, or a PDCCH monitoring duration.

[0072] In some embodiments, the mobile station 102 (e.g., UE) may switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior of the mobile station 102 between the PDCCH search space set switching behavior (described in detail above) and the PDCCH skipping behavior. Therefore, according to the above embodiments, the PDCCH monitoring behavior includes at least one of the following behaviors: search space set switching behavior; search space set selection behavior; search space set group switching behavior; PDCCH monitoring parameter switching behavior; PDCCH monitoring parameter modification behavior; and PDCCH skipping behavior.

[0073] In some embodiments, higher layer parameters (eg, included in RRC) configure the UE's PDCCH monitoring behavior to switch between PDCCH search space set / group switching behavior and PDCCH skipping behavior.

[0074] In other embodiments, the UE switches or performs a specific PDCCH monitoring behavior according to an indication in layer 1 (L1) signaling (eg, an indication with a DCI message).

[0075] In other embodiments, the UE switches or performs a specific PDCCH monitoring behavior according to the parameters indicated in the L1 signaling (e.g., DCI) corresponding to the PDCCH monitoring behavior configured by the higher-level signaling (e.g., RRC). For example, in some embodiments, when the higher-level parameters configure the PDCCH skipping behavior for the UE, the UE performs the PDCCH skipping behavior indicated by the DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1 message within the predefined skipping duration. In some methods, when the higher-level parameters configure the PDCCH skipping behavior for the UE, the UE also performs the search space set or search space set group switching behavior indicated by the DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1 message.

[0076] In some implementations, the PDCCH skip parameter set is configured by a high-layer parameter, and the UE determines the value of the PDCCH skip parameter according to an index indicated by L1 signaling (e.g., DCI). In some examples, the bit width of the index of the PDCCH skip parameter set indicated by L1 signaling (e.g., DCI) is not greater than 2. In some examples, the L1 signaling is a DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1 with data scheduling. In some examples, the L1 signaling is a DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1 without data scheduling and with a predefined field set to all "0" or all "1". In some examples, the predefined field is a frequency domain resource allocation field, a time domain resource allocation field, an MCS index field, and / or a HARQ process number field.

[0077] In various embodiments, the indication that may be provided in the DCI for performing or switching the PDCCH skipping behavior may be the same or similar to the indication discussed above for the PDCCH search space switching behavior. In addition, in the above embodiments, the method for PDCCH monitoring switching discussed above may also be applicable to parameters for switching to or switching the PDCCH skipping behavior.

[0078] In some embodiments, the UE may report characteristics associated with its PDCCH monitoring behavior for power saving. The UE may report or send a preferred PDCCH monitoring behavior to the wireless access node 104. The UE may then perform PDCCH monitoring using parameters indicated by L1 signaling (e.g., DCI) corresponding to the reported characteristics of the PDCCH monitoring behavior.

[0079] In some embodiments, the parameters of the PDCCH skipping behavior include an offset (eg, an offset) for determining the start position of the skipping period and / or a duration of the skipping period for triggering the UE to not monitor the PDCCH during the duration of the skipping period.

[0080] In some embodiments, for example, in the case where the PDCCH skipping parameters do not include a predefined offset, the UE may skip PDCCH monitoring starting from slot n. Slot n may be the Sk slot or the slot after ms from the next slot in which the UE receives the DCI. Sk may be the application delay, where the unit is defined as slot or ms. Sk may be the UE capability reported by the UE to the wireless access node 104. In some methods, if both cross-slot scheduling and PDCCH skipping behavior are indicated in the same DCI, Sk is not less than the application delay of the minimum applicable scheduling offset.

[0081] In some embodiments, the parameters of the PDCCH skipping behavior may include the same parameters as the search space set IE. For example, the parameters may include the PDCCH monitoring duration Ts, the offset Os, and the periodicity ks. In some implementations, the duration (Ts) of the PDCCH skipping behavior is set to 0. In some embodiments, if the duration (Ts) of the corresponding monitoring parameter set is equal to 0, the UE performs a PDCCH monitoring behavior that only continues the PDCCH periodicity (ks). In some embodiments, if the PDCCH monitoring duration (Ts) of the monitoring parameter set corresponding to the triggered PDCCH monitoring behavior is equal to 0, the UE can fall back to performing the most recent PDCCH monitoring behavior after the entire PDCCH monitoring periodicity (ks).

[0082] In some examples, the duration of the PDCCH skip period is an integer not greater than a "DRX On" duration timer configured by a higher layer parameter. In other examples, the duration of the PDCCH skip period is an integer not greater than a DRX inactivity timer configured by a higher layer parameter. In some implementations, the duration of the PDCCH skip period is in time slots or milliseconds (ms).

[0083] In light of the above, the method disclosed above can be further defined. Figure 6An example flow chart illustrating a method 600 for communicating between a wireless access node 104 and a mobile station 102 to implement such a PDCCH monitoring behavior switching function (e.g., between a spatial set switching and a PDCCH monitoring skip) according to various embodiments is provided. In step 602, the mobile station 102 operates according to a first PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a first PDCCH monitoring parameter set. In step 604, the mobile station 102 switches from operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a PDCCH skip parameter set. In this embodiment, the first PDCCH monitoring parameter set defines a unique mode that defines one or more monitoring time slots or opportunities within a monitoring period (e.g., ks) during which the mobile station 102 monitors the PDCCH for a DCI message. However, the skip parameter set defines at least one skip period during which the mobile station does not monitor the PDCCH for a DCI message.

[0084] In some embodiments, the mobile station 102 performs switching in response to receiving a DCI message including an indication to operate according to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. In another embodiment, the mobile station 102 may receive high-level signaling (e.g., RRC) that configures at least a PDCCH skip parameter set for the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. In this embodiment, the mobile station 102 performs switching in response to receiving a DCI message including an indication to operate according to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior, and the indication may include an index of a PDCCH skip parameter set indicating the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. The skip parameter set for the second PDCCH monitoring behavior may also include at least one of the duration of the skip period indicating an offset of the start position of the skip period.

[0085] In another embodiment, the mobile station 102 sends an indication of a preferred PDCCH monitoring behavior, which includes at least a second PDCCH monitoring behavior (e.g., a PDCCH skipping behavior), to the wireless access node 104. The mobile station 102 then switches from operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior in response to receiving a DCI message including an indication corresponding to the preferred PDCCH monitoring behavior (the second PDCCH monitoring behavior).

[0086] In some embodiments, for the case where a specific field is reinterpreted as an indication of a PDCCH monitoring parameter or behavior switching function for a UE, some existing fields or predefined fields may be set to some specific states as presented in the present disclosure. In some embodiments, if the high-level parameter maxNrofCodeWordsScheduledByDCI is equal to 2, these existing fields may include at least the "frequency domain resource allocation" and / or "time domain resource allocation" fields of DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1, the "modulation and coding scheme", "new data indicator", "redundancy version" and / or "HARQ process number" fields of DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1, and the "modulation and coding scheme", "new data indicator", "redundancy version" and / or "HARQ process number" fields of transport block 2 of DCI format 1_1. For example, if in DCI format 1_1, the "Time Domain Resource Allocation" field is set to all "1", the "HARQ Process Number" field is set to all "0", and the fields of transport block 2, including the "Modulation and Coding Scheme" field, are set to all "1", and the "Redundancy Version" field is set to all "0", then the minimum applicable scheduling offset field can be reinterpreted as an indication of the PDCCH monitoring behavior switching function. Where the maxNrofCodeWordsScheduledByDCI parameter is equal to 2. If the high-level parameters configure the UE to be able to switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior, if this field is set to "0", the UE switches to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior, otherwise, the UE switches to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. If the high-level parameters do not configure the UE to be able to switch the PDCCH monitoring behavior, this field is set to 0 bits, or the UE will ignore the indication of this field, or the UE expects that this field will not be reinterpreted.

[0087] In some embodiments, the application delay of the PDCCH monitoring parameter or behavior switching function is not less than the application delay of the function indicated by the same L1 signaling or executed simultaneously by the UE. In some embodiments, the function includes cross-slot scheduling, that is, the minimum value of K0 or K2 is greater than 0. In some embodiments, these functions include BWP switching functions. In some embodiments, these functions include similar sleep behavior transition functions on Scell.

[0088] UE capability to report PDCCH monitoring behavior

[0089] In some embodiments, the UE reinterprets specific fields of the DCI format based on reported parameters or signaling. As described above, the UE may report a preferred PDCCH monitoring behavior configuration based on specific UE capabilities. In some examples, the UE reports supported PDCCH monitoring behaviors based on specific UE capabilities. In other examples, the UE reports whether the UE supports a PDCCH monitoring parameter switching function based on specific UE capabilities. In other examples, the UE reports whether the UE supports a search space set switching function based on specific UE capabilities. In other examples, the UE reports whether the UE supports a search space set group switching function based on specific UE capabilities. In other examples, the UE reports whether the UE supports PDCCH skipping behavior based on specific UE capabilities. In some examples, a UE feature corresponding to at least one of the aforementioned UE capabilities or high-level parameters is supported by the UE supporting version 16. In some implementations, a UE feature corresponding to the aforementioned UE capabilities or high-level parameters is supported by the UE supporting version 17 and later versions.

[0090] According to the above, the method disclosed above can be further defined. According to various embodiments, the mobile station 102 (e.g., UE) sends at least one of the preferred or supported operating modes including at least one of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior to the wireless access node 104. Then, the mobile station 102 can receive the definition of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior from the wireless access node 104 according to the preferred or supported operating mode.

[0091] In various embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the mobile station 102 includes a processor 110 and a memory 112, wherein the processor 110 is configured to read computer code from the memory 112 to implement any method and embodiment disclosed above related to the operation of the mobile station 102. Similarly, the wireless access node 104 includes a processor 120 and a memory 122, wherein the processor 120 is configured to read computer code from the memory 122 to implement any method and embodiment disclosed above related to the operation of the wireless access node 104. In addition, in various embodiments, the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable program medium (e.g., memory 112 or 122) having computer code stored thereon. When executed by a processor (e.g., processor 110 or 120), the computer code causes the processor to implement a method corresponding to any embodiment disclosed above.

[0092] Various embodiments and solutions are disclosed above. These solutions may include one or more of the following:

[0093] 1. The UE monitors the PDCCH in a PDCCH monitoring opportunity determined by a search space set of a search space set group, wherein the number of search space set groups is not less than 1.

[0094] 2. The search space set group is indicated by a DCI format with data scheduling. If the minimum applicable scheduling offset is not configured by RRC signaling, the indication of the search space set group is reinterpreted by the existing field of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator of DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1.

[0095] 3. The search space set group is indicated by a DCI format without data scheduling, wherein the indication of the search space set group is reinterpreted by the existing field of the time domain resource allocation or minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator of DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1.

[0096] 4. The search space set switching function is indicated by the DCI format of the UE-specific search space type.

[0097] 5. In some methods, the search space set group switching function may not be used for PDCCH monitoring with at least one of the following events:

[0098] 1) A DCI format scrambled by at least one of the RNTIs including P-RNTI, RA-RNTI, TC-RNTI, SI-RNTI, PS-RNTI, INT-RNTI, SFI-RNTI, SP-CSI-RNTI, TPC-PUCCH-RNTI, TPC-PUSCH-RNTI, and TPC-SRS-RNTI;

[0099] 2) performing at least one of PRACH, RLM or BFD procedures;

[0100] 3) DCI format 0_0 or 1_0;

[0101] 4) The minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator is set to '0' indicated by DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1.

[0102] 6. The maximum number of search space sets in each search space set group may be different. The maximum number of search space sets in a search space set group with a lower index may be smaller than the maximum number of search space sets in a search space set group with a larger index.

[0103] 7. The maximum number of CORESETs associated with the search space sets in each search space set group may be different. The maximum number of CORESETs associated with the search space sets in the search space set group with a lower index may be less than the maximum number of CORESETs in the search space set group with a larger index.

[0104] In other embodiments, the UE switches or performs specific PDCCH monitoring behavior according to a timer.

[0105] In other embodiments, the indication of the PDCCH search space set / group switching behavior and the indication of the PDCCH skipping behavior are jointly encoded.

[0106] In other embodiments, the UE is allowed to perform PDCCH skipping behavior only when the UE switches to multiple PDCCH search space sets / groups.

[0107] In other embodiments, when the UE switches to multiple PDCCH search space sets / groups, the UE is not allowed to perform PDCCH skipping behavior.

[0108] In other embodiments, the UE switches or performs a specific PDCCH monitoring behavior according to at least one of the following:

[0109] DRX cycle type, DRX group, OndurationTimer, DRXInactivityTimer.

[0110] In one example, the DRX cycle type includes a short DRX cycle and / or a long DRX cycle.In some examples, whether the UE is allowed to perform PDCCH search space set / group switching behavior or PDCCH skipping behavior depends on whether a short DRX cycle or a long DRX cycle is used.

[0111] In one example, the DRX group includes a first DRX group and / or a second DRX group. In some examples, whether the UE is allowed to perform a PDCCH search space set / group switching behavior or a PDCCH skipping behavior depends on whether the first DRX group or the second DRX group is used. Except for OndurationTimer and / or DRXInactivityTimer, the first and second DRX groups have the same parameters.

[0112] According to the various methods and embodiments disclosed above, various technical advantages are achieved. Primarily, additional power savings are achieved by reducing the amount of time required for the mobile station 102 to monitor the PDCCH.

[0113] The above description and drawings provide specific example embodiments and implementations. However, the described subject matter may be embodied in a variety of different forms, and therefore, the subject matter covered or claimed is intended to be interpreted as not being limited to any example embodiment set forth herein. It is intended to provide a reasonably broad scope for the subject matter claimed or covered. Among them, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as a method, device, component, system or non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing computer code. Accordingly, the embodiments may, for example, take the form of hardware, software, firmware, storage media or any combination thereof. For example, the above method embodiments may be implemented by a component, device or system including a memory and a processor by executing a computer code stored in a memory.

[0114] Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have more subtle meanings in context than those explicitly stated. Likewise, the phrase "in one embodiment / implementation" as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and the phrase "in another embodiment / implementation" as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. For example, it is intended that claimed subject matter include combinations of all or part of the example embodiments.

[0115] Typically, terms can be understood at least in part from their use in context. For example, terms such as "and", "or" or "and / or" used herein can include multiple meanings, which can depend at least in part on the context in which the terms are used. Typically, "or" if used in an associative list, such as A, B, or C, means A, B, and C, which are used here for inclusion, and A, B, or C, which are used here for exclusion. In addition, the term "one or more" used herein, depending at least in part on the context, can be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense, or can be used to describe a combination of features, structures, or characteristics in a plural sense. Similarly, terms such as "one", "a kind of", or "the" can be understood to convey singular usage or to convey plural usage, depending at least in part on the context. In addition, the term "based on" can be understood to not necessarily be intended to convey a set of exclusive factors, but can allow for the presence of additional factors that are not necessarily explicitly described, again, depending at least in part on the context.

[0116] Throughout the specification, references to features, advantages, or similar language do not mean that all features and advantages that can be achieved with the present solution should be or are included in any single implementation thereof. Instead, language referring to features and advantages is understood to mean that a particular feature, advantage, or characteristic described in conjunction with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present solution. Therefore, throughout the specification, discussions of features and advantages and similar language may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

[0117] Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the present solution may be combined in any suitable manner. Based on the description herein, one of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that the present solution may be practiced without one or more specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other cases, additional features and advantages may be identified in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the present solution.

Claims

1. A method for communicating between a wireless access node and a mobile station, the method comprising: operating, by the mobile station, according to a first Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) monitoring behavior associated with a first PDCCH monitoring parameter set; and switching, by the mobile station, from operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a second PDCCH monitoring parameter set; The first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior are determined from at least two candidate PDCCH monitoring parameter sets according to downlink control information (DCI) indication information or a timer trigger condition; Receiving, by the mobile station, an indication of switching to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior from the wireless access node; wherein in response to receiving an indication to switch to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior, the switching to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior occurs; Wherein receiving an indication of switching to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes receiving at least one of a change in the value of a PDSCH minimum applicable scheduling offset (K0) between receiving a message on the PDCCH and a scheduling slot on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and a change in the value of a PUSCH minimum applicable scheduling offset (K2) to bundle the PDCCH monitoring behavior with cross-slot scheduling.

2. The method according to claim 1, in, Each of the first PDCCH monitoring parameter set and the second PDCCH monitoring parameter set defines a unique pattern, the unique pattern defining at least one monitoring time slot within a monitoring period, wherein the mobile station monitors the PDCCH for downlink control information DCI.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Definitions of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior are received by the mobile station from the radio access node via radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior defines the associated unique pattern according to a monitoring periodicity (ks), a monitoring duration (Ts) and a monitoring offset (Os), The monitoring periodicity (ks) defines the duration of the monitoring period as ks time slots, The monitoring duration (Ts) defines the duration of Ts consecutive time slots during which monitoring occurs, where Ts≤ks, wherein the monitoring offset (Os) defines the start of the monitoring period, and The remaining time slots of the monitoring period that are not within the Ts consecutive time slots define time slots where no monitoring occurs.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: In response to receiving a DCI signal intended for the mobile station: Start or restart the timer; as well as Switching to operating according to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior for the duration of the timer.

6. The method according to claim 5, The first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a pattern with a lower monitoring time slot frequency than the second PDCCH monitoring behavior.

7. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 6, further comprising: After the timer expires, switch back to operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Start the timer; In response to determining that a DCI signal intended for the mobile station is not received within the duration of the timer: Switching to operating according to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior during a next duration of the timer.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Start the timer; In response to determining that the DCI signal instructs the mobile station to perform another PDCCH monitoring behavior for the duration of the timer: Restarting the timer; as well as Switch to operate according to the PDCCH monitoring behavior during the next duration of the timer.

10. The method according to claim 8, The first PDCCH monitoring behavior has a pattern with a higher monitoring time slot frequency than the second PDCCH monitoring behavior.

11. The method according to claim 1, Wherein receiving the indication of switching to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior comprises receiving a wake-up indication of a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode cycle instructing the mobile station to wake up in a next DRX cycle.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: If the mobile station does not receive DCI format 2-6, the mobile station switches to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving a change in the value of at least one of K0 or K2 comprises receiving an increase in the value of at least one of K0 or K2 above a minimum applicable scheduling offset threshold, and The second PDCCH monitoring behavior has a pattern with a lower monitoring time slot frequency than the first PDCCH monitoring behavior.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving a change in the value of at least one of K0 or K2 comprises receiving a decrease in the value of at least one of K0 or K2 to below a minimum applicable scheduling offset threshold, and The second PDCCH monitoring behavior has a pattern of monitoring time slot 3 at a higher frequency than the first PDCCH monitoring behavior.

15. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 14, The minimum applicable scheduling offset threshold is not less than 0.

16. A method for communicating between a wireless access node and a mobile station, the method comprising: operating, by the mobile station, in accordance with a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring behavior associated with a first set of PDCCH monitoring parameters; and switching, by the mobile station, from operating in accordance with the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior associated with a PDCCH skipping parameter set; The first PDCCH monitoring behavior and the second PDCCH monitoring behavior are determined from at least two candidate PDCCH monitoring parameter sets according to downlink control information (DCI) indication information or a timer trigger condition; wherein the first PDCCH monitoring parameter set defines a unique mode, the unique mode defines one or more monitoring time slots within a monitoring period, wherein the wireless access node monitors the PDCCH of the DCI, and wherein the PDCCH skip parameter set defines at least one skip period, during which the mobile station does not monitor the PDCCH of the DCI; Receiving, by the mobile station, an indication of switching to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior from the wireless access node; wherein in response to receiving an indication to switch to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior, the switching to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior occurs; Wherein receiving an indication of switching to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes receiving at least one of a change in the value of a PDSCH minimum applicable scheduling offset (K0) between receiving a message on the PDCCH and a scheduling slot on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and a change in the value of a PUSCH minimum applicable scheduling offset (K2) to bundle the PDCCH monitoring behavior with cross-slot scheduling.

17. The method according to claim 16, Wherein switching from operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior comprises switching in response to receiving a DCI message including an indication to operate according to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior.

18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: Receiving high-layer signaling of a PDCCH skip parameter set configuring at least the second PDCCH monitoring behavior; Wherein switching from operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior comprises switching in response to receiving a DCI message including an indication to operate according to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior.

19. The method according to claim 18, The DCI message including an indication to operate according to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior includes an index of a PDCCH skip parameter set indicating the second PDCCH monitoring behavior.

20. The method according to claim 18, The PDCCH skip parameter set of the second PDCCH monitoring behavior further includes at least one of the durations of the skip period indicating an offset of a start position of the skip period.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising: Sending, by the mobile station to the radio access node, an indication of a preferred PDCCH monitoring behavior including the second PDCCH monitoring behavior; Wherein switching from operating according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior comprises switching in response to receiving a DCI message including an indication corresponding to the preferred PDCCH monitoring behavior.

22. A mobile station comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to read computer code from the memory to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable program medium having computer code stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 21.

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