Blind detection method and related user equipment

Abstract

A blind detection method and related user equipment (UE), where the UE assigns a slot group comprising a plurality of consecutive slots based on an operating subcarrier spacing. The UE receives a configuration that allocates blind detection on non-overlapping CCEs in the slot group in a set of component carriers of the UE using the operating subcarrier spacing. When (a) a total number of blind detections performed by the UE in the slot group does not exceed a limit on total blind detections, and (b) a total number of non-overlapping CCEs monitored by the UE in the slot group does not exceed a limit on total number of non-overlapping CCEs, the UE performs a next set of blind detections on a next set of non-overlapping CCEs on a given component carrier of the set of component carriers in the slot group according to the configuration.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 171,631, filed April 7, 2021, entitled "UE PDCCH MULTI-SLOT MONITORING CAPABILITY FOR SINGLE-CELL AND MULTI-CELL OPERATION IN 52.6-71GHZ"; U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 250,284, filed September 30, 2021, entitled "MULTI-SLOT PDCCH MONITORING FRAMEWORK"; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 279,710, filed November 16, 2021, entitled "TYPE 1CSS WITH DEDICATED RRC CONFIGURATION, TYPE 3CSS, AND UE-SS MONITORING CAPABILITY IN MULTI-SLOT PDCCH MONITORING"; the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates generally to communication systems, and more specifically to techniques for performing blind detection at user equipment (UE). Background Technology

[0004] The statements in this section are provided only as background information in relation to the present invention and may not constitute prior art.

[0005] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication systems can employ multiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple-access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) systems.

[0006] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, and even global level. One example of such a telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is a part of a continuous mobile broadband evolution promulgated by Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with SUMMARY

[0007] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0008] In one aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus can be a base station. The base station assigns a slot group comprising a plurality of consecutive slots based on an operating subcarrier spacing. The start boundary and the end boundary of the slot group are each aligned with a boundary of a slot using a reference subcarrier spacing. The base station determines a limit of total blind decodes in the slot group performed by a UE and a limit of total non-overlapping control-channel elements (CCEs) monitored by the UE, both associated with the operating subcarrier spacing. The base station transmits a configuration assigning P blind decodes on M non-overlapping CCEs in the slot group between a set of component carriers of the UE using the operating subcarrier spacing, P being an integer not greater than the limit of total blind decodes, and M being an integer not greater than the limit of total non-overlapping CCEs.

[0009] In another aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus can be a UE. The UE assigns a slot group comprising a plurality of consecutive slots based on an operating subcarrier spacing. The start boundary and the end boundary of the slot group are each aligned with a boundary of a slot using a reference subcarrier spacing. The UE receives a configuration assigning blind decodes on non-overlapping CCEs in the slot group in a set of component carriers of the UE using the operating subcarrier spacing. When (a) a total number of blind decodes (including a next set of blind decodes) performed by the UE in the slot group on the set of component carriers does not exceed a limit of total blind decodes associated with the operating subcarrier spacing and (b) a total number of non-overlapping CCEs (including a next set of non-overlapping CCEs) monitored by the UE in the slot group on the set of component carriers does not exceed a limit of total non-overlapping CCEs associated with the operating subcarrier spacing, the UE performs the next set of blind decodes on a next set of non-overlapping CCEs on a given component carrier of the set of component carriers in the slot group according to the configuration.

[0010] According to the blind decoding method and the related user equipment proposed in the disclosure, the UE PDCCH monitoring capability in 480 kHz and 960 kHz for single cell and multi-cell operation can be promoted under the proposed concept of slot group.

[0011] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects can be employed. This description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is an example diagram illustrating a wireless communication system and an access network.

[0013] Figure 2is a diagram illustrating a base station in communication with a UE in an access network.

[0014] Figure 3 FIG. 13 illustrates an example logical architecture of a distributed access network.

[0015] Figure 4 FIG. 14 illustrates an example physical architecture of a distributed access network.

[0016] Figure 5 is an example diagram showing a DL-centric subframe.

[0017] Figure 6 is an example diagram showing a UL-centric subframe.

[0018] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating communication between a base station and a UE.

[0019] Figure 8 is a flowchart 800 of a method (procedure) for configuring blind detection.

[0020] FIG. 9(A) and FIG. 9(B) are flowcharts 900 of a method (procedure) for performing blind detection.

[0021] Figure 10 is an example diagram illustrating a hardware implementation for an apparatus employing a processing system.

[0022] Figure 11 is an example diagram illustrating a hardware implementation for another apparatus employing a processing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The detailed description set forth below, in connection with the appended drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form, in order to avoid obscuring the concepts.

[0024] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0025] By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements can be implemented as a "processing system" that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip (SoC), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system can execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0026] If implemented in software, the functions can be stored or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired computer program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or

[0027] Figure 1is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communications system and an access network 100. The wireless communications system (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes base stations 102, UEs 104, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160, and another core network 190 (e.g., a 5G Core (5GC)). The base stations 102 can include macro cells (high power cellular base stations) and / or small cells (low power cellular base stations). The macro cells include base stations. The small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

[0028] Base stations 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) can interface with the EPC 160 through backhaul links 132 (e.g., SI interface). Base stations 102 configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) can interface with core network 190 through backhaul links 184. In addition to other functions, the base stations 102 can perform one or more of the following functions: transfer of user data, radio channel ciphering and deciphering, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, distribution for non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment trace, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 can communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., through the EPC 160 or core network 190) with each other over backhaul links 134 (e.g., X2 interface). The backhaul links 134 can be wired or wireless.

[0029] The base stations 102 can wirelessly communicate with the UEs 104. Each of the base stations 102 can provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110. There can be overlapping geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell 102' can have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with one or more macrocells 102. A network that includes both small cell and macrocells can be known as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network can also include Home Evolved Node Bs (eNBs) (HeNBs), which can provide service to a restricted group known as a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication links 120 between the base stations 102 and the UEs 104 can include uplink (UL) transmissions from a UE 104 to a base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) transmissions, from a base station 102 to a UE 104. The communication links 120 can use multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication links can be through one or more carriers, and each carrier can be a band of frequency waves having a corresponding bandwidth. The communication links can use different duplexing techniques. For example, the communication links 120 can be full duplex (FD) or half duplex (HD). A FD communication link 120 can utilize the same frequency for both the UL and DL transmissions, while a HD communication link 120 can utilize separate frequencies for the UL and DL transmissions. The communication links 120 can be through one or more carriers in a carrier aggregation (CA) arrangement. The base stations 102 / UEs 104 can use spectrum up to 7 MHz in

[0030] Certain UEs 104 can communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication links 158. The D2D communication links 158 can use the DL / UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication links 158 can use one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication can be through a variety of wireless D2D communications systems, such as for example, FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[0031] The wireless communications system can also include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 in communication with Wi-Fi stations (STAs) 152 via communication links 154 in a 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum. When communicating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the STAs 152 / AP 150 can perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior to communicating in order to determine whether the channel is available.

[0032] The small cells 102' can operate in a licensed and / or an unlicensed frequency spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the small cells 102' can employ NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed frequency spectrum as used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The small cells 102' employing NR in an unlicensed frequency spectrum can expand the coverage of the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network.

[0033] The base stations 102, whether small cell 102' or large cell (e.g., macro base station), can include an eNB, gNodeB (gNB), or other types of base station. Some base stations, such as gNB 180 can operate in a traditional sub 6 GHz spectrum, in millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, and / or near mmW frequencies. When the gNB 180 operates in mmW or near mmW frequencies, the gNB 180 can be referred to as a mmW base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is part of the radio frequency (RF) in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range from 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. Radio waves in this band can be referred to as a millimeter wave. Near mmW can extend down to a frequency of 3 GHz with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, also referred to as centimeter wave. Communications using the mmW / near mmW radio frequency band (e.g., 3 GHz - 300 GHz) has extremely high path loss and a short range. The mmW base station 180 can utilize beamforming 182 with the UE 104 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range.

[0034] The base stations 180 can transmit beamformed signals to the UEs 104 in one or more transmit directions 108a. The UEs 104 can receive the beamformed signals from the base stations 180 in one or more receive directions 108b. The UEs 104 can also transmit beamformed signals to the base stations 180 in one or more transmit directions. The base stations 180 can receive the beamformed signals from the UEs 104 in one or more receive directions. The base stations 104 / UEs 104 can perform beam training to determine the best receive and transmit directions for each base station 180 / UE 104. The transmit and receive directions for the base stations 180 can or can not be the same. The transmit and receive directions for the UEs 104 can or can not be the same.

[0035] The EPC 160 can include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a Serving Gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) Gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway 172. The MME 162 can be in communication with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is the control node that processes the signaling between the UEs 104 and the EPC 160. Generally, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferred through the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation as well as other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to the IP Services 176. The IP Services 176 can include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS Streaming Service, and / or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 can provide functions for MBMS user service provisioning and

[0036] The core network 190 can include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a location management function (LMF) 198, a Session Management Function (SMF) 194, and a User Plane Function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 can be in communication with a Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. The AMF 192 is the control node that processes the signaling between the UEs 104 and the core network 190. Generally, the SMF 194 provides QoS flow and session management. All user Internet protocol (IP) packets are transferred

[0037] A base station can also be referred to as a gNB, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), an access point, a base transceiver station, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a transmit reception point (TRP), or some other suitable terminology. A base station 102 provides an access point to the EPC 160 or core network 190 for a UE 104. Examples of UEs 104 include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game console, a tablet, a smart device, a wearable device, a vehicle, an electric meter, a gas pump, a large or small kitch appliance, a healthcare device, an implant, a sensor / actuator, a display, or any other similar functional device. Some of the UEs 104 can be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., a parking meter, a gas pump, a toaster, a vehicle, a heart monitor, etc.). The UE 104 can also be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0038] Although the present disclosure can refer to 5G New Radio (NR), the present disclosure can apply to other similar areas, such as LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), CDMA, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), or other wireless / radio access technologies.

[0039] Figure 2is a block diagram of a base station 210 in communication with a UE 250 in an access network. In the DL, IP packets from the EPC 160 can be provided to a controller / processor 275. The controller / processor 275 implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality. Layer 3 includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 275 provides RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g., MIB, SIBs), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter radio access technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration and reporting of EUTRAN new radio (NR) measurements; PDCP layer functionality related to header compression / decompression, security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing / de-multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto / from transport blocks (TBs), scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0040] The transmit (TX) processor 216 and the receive (RX) processor 270 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1 includes a physical (PHY) layer that can include error detection on the transport channels, forward error correction (FEC) coding / decoding of the transport channels, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to physical channels, modulation / demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 216 handles mapping to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols can then be split into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined together using an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator 274 can be used to determine the coding and modulation schemes, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate can be derived from a reference signal and / or channel condition feedback

[0041] At the UE 250, each receiver 254RX receives a signal through its respective antenna 252. Each receiver 254RX recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the RX processor 256. The TX processor 268 and the RX processor 256 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 256 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 250. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 250, they can be combined by the RX processor 256 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 256 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time-domain to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, and the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted by the base station 210. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates computed by the channel estimator 258. The soft decisions are then decoded and de-interleaved to recover the data and control signals that were originally transmitted by the base station 210 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to the controller / processor 259, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.

[0042] The controller / processor 259 can be associated with a memory 260 that stores program codes and data. The memory 260 can be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 259 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. The controller / processor 259 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and / or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

[0043] Similar to the functionality described in connection with the DL transmission by the base station 210, the controller / processor 259 provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIBs) acquisition, RRC connections, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, and security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs into TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0044] The TX processor 268 can use channel estimates from the channel estimator 258 to select the appropriate coding and modulation schemes, and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 268 can be provided to different antenna 252 via separate transmitters 254TX. Each transmitter 254TX can modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission. The UL transmission is processed at the base station 210 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the receiver function at the UE 250. Each receiver 218RX receives a signal through its respective antenna 220. Each receiver 218RX recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to a RX processor 270.

[0045] The controller / processor 275 can be associated with a memory 276 that stores program codes and data. The memory 276 can be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 275 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 250. IP packets from the controller / processor 275 can be provided to the EPC 160. The controller / processor 275 is also responsible for error detection using an ACK and / or NACK protocol to support HARQ operations.

[0046] NR can refer to radios configured to operate according to a new air interface (e.g., different from Orthogonal Frequency Divisional Multiple Access (OFDMA) -based air interfaces) or fixed transport layer (e.g., different from Internet Protocol (IP)). NR can use OFDM with a cyclic prefix (CP) on the uplink and downlink and can include support for half-duplex operation using time division duplex (TDD). NR can include Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services for wide bandwidth (e.g., above 80 MHz), mmW, for high carrier frequency (e.g., 60 GHz), massive MTC (mMTC) for non-backwards compatible MTC techniques, and / or mission critical (MC) services for ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) services.

[0047] A single component carrier bandwidth of 100 MHz can be supported. In one example, an NR resource block (RB) can span 12 subcarriers and have a subcarrier bandwidth of 60 kHz for a 0.125 ms duration or 15 kHz for a 0.5 ms duration. Each radio frame can consist of 20 or 80 subframes (or NR slots), with a length of 10 ms. Each subframe can indicate a link direction (i.e., DL or UL) for data transmission and the link direction for each subframe can be dynamically switched. Each subframe can include DL / UL data as well as DL / UL control data. UL and DL subframes for NR can be as follows with respect to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. Figures 5 to 6 More detail is described.

[0048] An NR RAN can include a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). An NR BS (e.g., gNB, 5G Node B, Node B, transmission reception point (TRP), access point (AP)) can correspond to one or more BSs. An NR cell can be configured as an access cell (Acell) or a data only cell (Dcell). For example, a RAN (e.g., central unit or distributed unit) can configure a cell. A Dcell can be a cell for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity and can not be used for initial access, cell selection / reselection, or handover. In some cases, a Dcell can not transmit a synchronization signal (SS), in some cases, a Dcell can transmit a SS. An NR BS can transmit a downlink signal to a UE indicating a cell type. Based on the cell type indication, the UE can communicate with the NR BS. For example, the UE can determine, based on the indicated cell type, to consider the NR BS for cell selection, access, handover, and / or measurement.

[0049] Figure 3Figure illustrates an example logical architecture of a distributed RAN 300, according to aspects of the present disclosure. A 5G access node 306 can include an access node controller (ANC) 302. The ANC can be a central unit (CU) for the distributed RAN. The backhaul interface to the next generation core network (NG-CN) 304 can terminate at the ANC. The backhaul interface to neighboring next generation access nodes (NG-ANs) 310 can terminate at the ANC. The ANC can include one or more TRPs 308 (which can also be referred to as BSs, NR BSs, Node Bs, 5G NBs, APs, or some other term). As described above, a TRP can be used interchangeably with “cell.”

[0050] The TRPs 308 can be a distributed unit (DU). The TRPs can be connected to one ANC (ANC 302) or more than one ANC (not illustrated). For example, for RAN sharing, radio as a service (RaaS), and service specific ANC deployments, TRPs can be connected to more than one ANC. A TRP can include one or more antenna ports. A TRP can be configured to individually (e.g., dynamic selection) or jointly (e.g., joint transmission) serve traffic to a UE.

[0051] The local architecture of the distributed RAN 300 can be used to illustrate fronthaul definition. An architecture can be defined that supports fronthauling solutions across different deployment

[0052] The architecture can enable cooperation between TRPs 308. For example, cooperation can be preset within a TRP and / or across TRPs through the ANC 302. According to aspects, no inter-TRP interface can be needed / present.

[0053] According to aspects, a dynamic configuration of split logical functions can be present within the architecture of the distributed RAN 300. The PDCP, RLC, MAC protocols can be adaptably placed at the ANC or TRP.

[0054] Figure 4FIGURE 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100 that supports techniques for scheduling request configuration in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The system 100 can include one or more BSs 110, one or more UEs 120, and / or a core network 130. In some aspects, the system 100 can be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. The BSs 110 can communicate with the UEs 120 under the control of a base station controller (not shown), which can be an example of core network 130 but can also be located at the BS 110. BSs 110 can communicate control information and / or user data with UEs 120 under the control of a base station controller (not shown), which can be an example of core network 130 but can also be located at the BS 110.

[0055] Figure 5 FIGURE 5 illustrates an example diagram 500 showing a DL-centric subframe. The DL-centric subframe can include a control portion 502. The control portion 502 can exist in the initial or beginning portion of the DL-centric subframe. The control portion 502 can include various scheduling information and / or control information corresponding to various portions of the DL-centric subframe. In some configurations, the control portion 502 can be a physical DL control channel (PDCCH), as indicated by reference line 504. The DL-centric subframe also can include a DL data portion 506. The DL data portion 506 sometimes can be referred to as the payload of the DL-centric subframe. The DL data portion 506 can include the communication resources utilized to transmit DL data from the scheduling entity (e.g., UE or BS) to the subordinate entity (e.g., UE). In some configurations, the DL data portion 506 can be a physical DL shared channel (PDSCH). Figure 5

[0056] ​The DL-centered subframe may also include a common UL section 506. The common UL section 506 may sometimes be referred to as a UL burst, a common UL burst, and / or various other suitable terms. The common UL section 506 may include feedback information corresponding to various other sections of the DL-centered subframe. For example, the common UL section 506 may include feedback information corresponding to the control section 502. Non-limiting examples of feedback information may include ACK signals, NACK signals, HARQ indicators, and / or various other suitable types of information. The common UL section 506 may include additional or alternative information, such as information related to the random access channel (RACH) procedure, scheduling request (SR), and various other suitable types of information.

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown, the end of the DL data portion 504 can be temporally separated from the start of the common UL portion 506. This temporal separation may sometimes be referred to as a gap, guard period, guard interval, and / or various other suitable terms. This separation provides time for the switch-over from DL communication (e.g., reception operation of a subordinate entity (e.g., UE)) to UL communication (e.g., transmission of a subordinate entity (e.g., UE)). Those skilled in the art will understand that the above is merely one example of a DL-centric subframe, and alternative structures with similar characteristics may exist without departing from the aspects described in this invention.

[0058] Figure 6 Figure 600 illustrates an example subframe centered on the UL. The UL-centered subframe may include a control section 602. The control section 602 may be present in the initial or beginning portion of the UL-centered subframe. Figure 6 The control section 602 in the above reference can be similar to the one mentioned above. Figure 5 The control portion 502 is described. The UL-centric subframe may also include a UL data portion 604. The UL data portion 604 may sometimes be referred to as the payload of the UL-centric subframe. The UL portion may refer to the communication resources used to transmit UL data from a subordinate entity (e.g., the UE) to a scheduling entity (e.g., the UE or the BS). In some configurations, the control portion 602 may be a physical DL control channel (PDCCH).

[0059] like Figure 6As shown, the end of the control portion 602 can be separated in time from the beginning of the UL data portion 604. This separation in time can sometimes be referred to as a gap, guard period, guard interval, and / or various other suitable terminology. This separation provides time for the switch-over from DL communication (e.g., reception operations of the scheduling entity) to UL communication (e.g., transmission of the scheduling entity). The UL-centric subframe can also include a common UL portion 606. Figure 6 The common UL portion 506 can be similar to the common UL portion 506 described above with reference to FIG. 5. The common UL portion 606 can additionally or alternatively include information pertaining to channel quality indicators (CQIs), sounding reference signals (SRSs), and various other suitable types of information. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the foregoing is merely one example of an UL-centric subframe, and that alternative structures having similar features can exist without necessarily deviating from the aspects described herein. Figure 5 The common UL portion 506 can be similar to the common UL portion 506 described above with reference to FIG. 5. The common UL portion 606 can additionally or alternatively include information pertaining to channel quality indicators (CQIs), sounding reference signals (SRSs), and various other suitable types of information. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the foregoing is merely one example of an UL-centric subframe, and that alternative structures having similar features can exist without necessarily deviating from the aspects described herein.

[0060] In some cases, two or more subordinate entities (e.g., UEs) can communicate with each other using sidelink signals. Real-world applications of such sidelink communications can include public safety, proximity services, UE-to-network relaying, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, Internet of Everything (IoE) communications, IoT communications, mission-critical mesh, and / or various other suitable applications. Generally, a sidelink signal can refer to a signal communicated from one subordinate entity (e.g., UE1) to another subordinate entity (e.g., UE2) without relaying that communication through the scheduling entity (e.g., a UE or BS), even though the scheduling entity can be utilized for scheduling and / or control purposes. In some examples, the sidelink signals can be communicated using a licensed spectrum (unlike wireless local area networks, which typically use an unlicensed spectrum).

[0061] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a diagram 700 illustrating communications between a base station 702 and a UE 704. The base station 702 can establish component carriers 720-1, 720-2,..., 720-J,..., 720-K with the UE 704. K is an integer greater than 1. Figure 7A reference carrier 790 is also shown, which in this example has a numerology of 120 kHz (i.e., uses a reference subcarrier spacing of 120 kHz). Each of the component carriers 720-1, 720-2, …, 720-J, …, 720-K can have a numerology higher than that of the reference carrier 790 (e.g., 480 kHz, 960 kHz). In this example, the component carriers 720-1, 720-2, …, 720-J, …, 720-K have a numerology of 480 kHz. In another example, the numerologies of different component carriers can be different.

[0062] The base station 702 allocates time slots 722 on the component carriers 720-1, 720-2, …, 720-J, …, 720-K. In addition, the base station 702 partitions the time slots 722 on each component carrier into contiguous groups of time slots. For example, the time slots 722 on the component carrier 720-1 can be partitioned into time slot groups 730-1_1, 730-1_2, etc. In certain configurations, each time slot group contains a configured number of contiguous time slots based on the subcarrier spacing of the component carrier. In this example, the subcarrier spacing is 480 kHz, and one time slot group contains 4 time slots. In another example, the subcarrier spacing is 960 kHz, and one time slot group contains 8 time slots.

[0063] In certain configurations, the base station 702 determines the boundaries of the time slot groups according to the boundaries of the time slots of the reference carrier. In this example, the base station 702 can determine the time slot group boundaries based on the reference carrier 790, which will be allocated the reference time slot 792. For example, the base station 702 aligns the start boundary of the time slot group 730-1_1 with the start boundary of the reference time slot 792, and also aligns the end boundary of the time slot group 730-1_1 with the end boundary of the same reference time slot 792.

[0064] Similarly, the base station 702 can partition the time slots on the other component carriers into time slot groups. In certain configurations, the time slot groups on each component carrier are allocated according to the same pattern. In this example, the time slot groups 730-2_1 on the component carrier 720-2, the time slot groups 730-J_1 on the component carrier 720-J, and the time slot groups 730-K_1 on the component carrier 720-K have the same start and end boundaries as the time slot groups 730-1_1 on the component carrier 720-1, and are aligned with the same reference time slot 792 on the reference carrier 790.

[0065] The UE 704 can report its carrier aggregation (CA) capability as well as blind detection and CCE monitoring capability to the base station 702. For example, the UE 704 can report that it supports a maximum N cellCAP component carriers. In the first technique, the UE 704 also reports that it can perform a maximum P PDCCH slot_group,(X,Y),μ component carriers. In the first technique, the UE 704 also reports that it can perform a maximum P PDCCH max,slot_group,(X,Y),μ CCEs on a single component carrier that has a numerology corresponding to m in a slot group (e.g., slot group 730-1_1) corresponding to (X, Y). X represents the number of consecutive slots in the slot group, and Y represents the number of consecutive slots within the slot group that the UE will monitor for PDCCH. In particular, the CCEs can be non-overlapping CCEs. m is determined according to the subcarrier spacing of the component carrier as 15 x 2 μ kHz. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 480 kHz, m is 5. Each component carrier can have its own PDCCH monitoring configuration corresponding to (X, Y, m).

[0066] In the second technique, the UE 704 also reports that it can perform a maximum P PDCCH slot_group,X,μ component carriers. In the first technique, the UE 704 also reports that it can perform a maximum P PDCCH max,slot_group,X,μ CCEs on a single component carrier that has a numerology corresponding to m in a slot group (e.g., slot group 730-1_1) corresponding to X, regardless of Y.

[0067] The base station 702 can transmit to the UE 704 a configuration for scheduling monitoring of N cell DL component carriers. In the first case, N cell DL is not greater than N cell CAP , and thus the configuration is under the CA capability of the UE 704. Using the first technique, the UE 704 is limited to monitoring up to M PDCCH max,slot_group,(X,Y),μ CCEs and performing up to P PDCCH slot_group,(X,Y),μ blind decodes on a component carrier that has a numerology corresponding to m in a slot group corresponding to (X, Y) (i.e., the component carrier associated with (X, Y, m)). In one example, N cell CAP is equal to K, and N cell DL is equal to J. Thus, the UE 704 can monitor up to M PDCCH max ,slot_group,(X,Y) , m x N cell DL,(X,Y),μCCEs and performing up to P PDCCH slot_group,(X,Y),μ N cell DL,(X,Y),μ N cell DL,(X,Y),μ N cell DL N

[0068] N cell DL N cell CAP N cell CAP N cell DL N PDCCH max,slot_group,(X,Y),μ N cell DL,(X,Y),μ N cell CAP N cell DL N PDCCH slot_group,(X,Y),μ N cell DL,(X,Y),μ N cell CAP N cell DL N cell CAP N cell D N cell DL N cell CAP N

[0069] In this example of the second scenario and using the first technique, upon receiving the blind detection / CCE configuration from the base station 702, the UE 704 begins performing blind detection according to the blind detection configuration. Prior to performing the next set of blind detection on the next set of CCEs associated with (X, Y, μ), the UE 704 determines whether to perform the limit of total blind detections, the limit of total CCEs monitored, the limit of blind detections per component carrier, or the limit of CCEs monitored per component carrier, all associated with (X, Y, μ), if the next set of blind detection is performed on the next set of CCEs. If one of the limits would be exceeded if the next set of blind detection is performed on the next set of CCEs, the UE 704 drops one or more subsets of blind detections from the set of blind detections until performing the remaining blind detections in the set does not result in exceeding any of the limits. The UE 704 then performs the remaining blind detections (i.e., the blind detections that were not dropped), if any.

[0070] In the second scenario and using the second technique, the base station 702 and the UE 704 can determine that the UE 704 can monitor up to M PDCCH max,slot_group,X,μ × N cell DL,X,μ × N cell CAP / N cell DL CCEs and perform M PDCCH slot_group,X,μ × N cell DL,X,μ × N cell CAP / N cell DL blind detections across all component carriers associated with (X, Y, μ) in a set of time slots aligned with a set of time slots (e.g., time slot set 730-1_1, time slot set 730-2_1, and / or time slot set 730-K_1) scheduled. N cell CAP / N cell DL is a scaling down factor to accommodate N cell DL greater than N cell CAP . N cell DL,X,μ is a scaling down factor to accommodate N cell DL component carriers associated with (X, μ) in N

[0071] In one illustrative example using the first technique, N cell CAP is equal to J, and N cell DLequal to K. At a point in time, the UE 704 can be scheduled to perform the next set of blind detection on the next set of CCEs on component carrier 720-K associated with the value of (4, 1, 5) (i.e., (X, Y, μ)) in the time slot group 730-K_1. The UE 704 can determine whether the total blind detection that the UE 704 will perform after performing the next set of blind detection on all component carriers associated with (4, 1, 5) in the time slot groups aligned across time slot group 730-K_1 (i.e., time slot group 730-1_1,..., time slot group 730-K_1) exceeds P PDCCH slot_group,(4,1),5 × N cell DL ,(4,1),5 × J / K. If the limit is exceeded, the UE 704 can drop one or more subsets of blind detection from the set until the total blind detection does not exceed the limit.

[0072] At this point in time, the UE 704 can also determine whether the total number of CCEs that the UE 704 will monitor after performing the next set of blind detection on all component carriers associated with (4, 1, 5) in the time slot groups aligned across time slot group 730-K_1 (i.e., time slot group 730-1_1,..., time slot group 730-K_1) exceeds M PDCCH max,slot_group,(4,1),5 × N cell DL,(4,1),5 × J / K. If the limit is exceeded, the UE 704 can drop one or more subsets of blind detection from the set until the total CCE does not exceed the limit.

[0073] At this point in time, the UE 704 can also determine whether the number of blind detection that the UE 704 will perform after performing the next set of blind detection in time slot group 730-K_1 on component carrier 720-K exceeds P PDCCH slot_group,(4,1),5 . If the limit is exceeded, the UE 704 can drop one or more subsets of blind detection from the set until the number of blind detection does not exceed the limit.

[0074] The UE 704 can also determine whether the number of CCEs that the UE 704 will monitor after performing the next set of blind detection in time slot group 730-K_1 on component carrier 720-K exceeds M PDCCH max,slot_group,(4,1),5 . If the limit is exceeded, the UE 704 can drop one or more subsets of blind detection from the set until the number of CCEs does not exceed the limit.

[0075] In this example, when none of the restrictions associated with (4, 1, 5) above are exceeded, the UE 704 performs the remaining blind detection in time slot group 730-K_l on component carrier 720-K as scheduled by the blind detection configuration.

[0076] Further, the base station 702 can transmit RRC configuration to the UE 704 to configure search spaces 780 in each of the component carriers 720-1, 720-2, …, 720-J, …, 720-K. Specifically, the search spaces can be Type 1 common search spaces (CSS), Type 3 CSS, and Type 3 UE search spaces (UE-SS). The blind detection described above can be performed on CCEs within the configured search spaces 780.

[0077] In certain configurations, the base station 702 can configure the search spaces 780 at the same location within each time slot group. Taking component carrier 720-1 as an example, the base station 702 can configure the search spaces 780 at the same location within the first time slot of each time slot group 730-1_1, 730-1_2, etc.

[0078] The base station 702 can configure up to a predetermined number of DCI messages in the search spaces of each time slot group according to the subcarrier spacing of the component carrier. In certain configurations, the base station 702 can configure up to one DCI message in the time slot groups of a component carrier having a subcarrier spacing of 120 kHz, 480 kHz, or 960 kHz.

[0079] Figure 8 is a flowchart 800 of a method (procedure) for configuring blind detection. The method can be performed by a base station (e.g., base station 702). At operation 802, the base station assigns time slot groups comprising a plurality of consecutive time slots based on an operating subcarrier spacing. The start boundary and the end boundary of the time slot groups are each aligned with the boundaries of time slots using the reference subcarrier spacing. At operation 804, the base station determines a first number of component carriers that is a maximum number of component carriers configured for a UE in a carrier aggregation. At operation 806, the base station determines a second number of component carriers that have been scheduled between the base station and the UE.

[0080] At operation 808, the base station determines a restriction on total blind detection in time slot groups to be performed by the UE and a restriction on total non- overlapping CCEs monitored by the UE, both associated with the operating subcarrier spacing based on the first number and the second number. At operation 810, the base station determines a blind detection restriction for each component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing for the UE to perform blind detection. At operation 812, the base station determines a restriction on non-overlapping CCEs for each component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing for the UE to perform blind detection.

[0081] At operation 814, the base station transmits a configuration that allocates P blind decodes on M non-overlapping CCEs in a slot group in a set of component carriers of the UE using an operating subcarrier spacing. P is an integer that is not greater than a total blind decode limit. M is an integer that is not greater than a total non-overlapping CCE limit. The P blind decodes in the slot group are allocated in the set of component carriers based on the total blind decode limit and a blind decode limit of each component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing. The M non-overlapping CCEs in the slot group are allocated among the set of component carriers based on the total non-overlapping CCE limit and a non-overlapping CCE limit of each component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing.

[0082] In certain configurations, a start boundary of the slot group is aligned with a start boundary of a reference slot using a reference subcarrier spacing, and an end boundary of the slot group is aligned with an end boundary of the reference slot. In certain configurations, the same slot group is allocated on each component carrier of the set of component carriers. At operation 816, the base station configures a same predetermined number of DCI messages in the slot group on each component carrier of the set of component carriers.

[0083] FIG. 9(A) and FIG. 9(B) are a flowchart 900 of a method (procedure) for performing blind decoding. The method can be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 704). At operation 902, the UE allocates a slot group comprising a plurality of consecutive slots based on an operating subcarrier spacing. A start boundary and an end boundary of the slot group are each aligned with boundaries of a slot using a reference subcarrier spacing. At operation 904, the UE receives a configuration that allocates blind decodes on non-overlapping CCEs in the slot group in a set of component carriers of the UE using the operating subcarrier spacing.

[0084] At operation 906, the UE determines a first number of component carriers that is a maximum number of component carriers configured for the UE in a carrier aggregation. At operation 908, the UE determines a second number of component carriers that have been scheduled between the base station and the UE. At operation 910, the UE determines a blind decode limit of each component carrier using an operating subcarrier spacing for the UE to perform blind decoding. At operation 912, the UE determines a limit of non-overlapping CCEs of each component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing in a slot group to be monitored by the UE. At operation 914, the UE determines a total blind decode limit and a total non-overlapping CCE limit associated with the operating subcarrier spacing based on the first number and the second number.

[0085] At operation 916, the UE determines to transmit a same predetermined number of DCI messages on each component carrier of the component carrier group in the slot group. At operation 918, the UE determines whether a total number of blind decodes to be performed by the UE on the component carrier group in the slot group, including the next group of blind decodes, exceeds a total blind decode limit associated with the operating subcarrier spacing. When the total number of blind decodes exceeds the total blind decode limit, the UE proceeds to operation 928. When the total number of blind decodes does not exceed the total blind decode limit, at operation 920, the UE determines whether a total number of non-overlapping CCEs to be monitored by the UE on the component carrier group, including the next group of non-overlapping CCEs, exceeds a total non-overlapping CCE limit associated with the operating subcarrier spacing. When the total number of non-overlapping CCEs exceeds the total non-overlapping CCE limit, the UE proceeds to operation 928.

[0086] When the total number of non-overlapping CCEs does not exceed the total non-overlapping CCE limit, at operation 922, the UE determines whether a number of blind decodes performed by the UE on a given component carrier, including the next group of blind decodes, will exceed a blind decode limit per component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing. When the number of blind decodes exceeds the blind decode limit per component carrier, the UE proceeds to operation 928.

[0087] When the number of blind decodes does not exceed the blind decode limit per component carrier, at operation 924, the UE determines whether a number of non-overlapping CCEs monitored by the UE on the given component carrier, including the next group of non-overlapping CCEs, exceeds a non-overlapping CCE limit per component carrier. When the number of non-overlapping CCEs exceeds the limit, the UE proceeds to operation 928.

[0088] When the number of non-overlapping CCEs does not exceed the limit, at operation 926, the UE performs the next group of blind decodes on the next group of non-overlapping CCEs on a given component carrier of the group of component carriers in the slot group according to the configuration. Further, upon proceeding to operation 928 as described above, the UE drops a subset of blind decodes from the next group of blind decodes. Further, operations 918, 920, 922, 924 can be performed in any order. FIG. 9(B) illustrates only an exemplary order of those operations that are performed.

[0089] In certain configurations, a start boundary of the slot group is aligned with a start boundary of a reference slot using a reference subcarrier spacing, and an end boundary of the slot group is aligned with an end boundary of the reference slot. In certain configurations, a same slot group is allocated on each component carrier of the component carrier group. In certain configurations, multiple blind decodes are performed to decode the DCI messages.

[0090] Figure 10is a diagram 1000 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1002 employing a processing system 1014. The apparatus 1002 can be a base station. The processing system 1014 can be implemented with a bus architecture, as represented by bus 1024. The bus 1024 can include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges, depending on the specific application of the processing system 1014 and the overall design constraints. The bus 1024 links together various circuits including the one or more processors and / or hardware components, represented by the one or more processors 1004, the reception component 1064, the transmission component 1070, the slot component assignment component 1076, and the blind detection component 1078, and the computer-readable medium / memory 1006. The bus 1024 can also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, among others.

[0091] The processing system 1014 can be coupled to a transceiver 1010, which can be one or more transceivers 254. The transceiver 1010 is coupled to one or more antennas 1020, which can be the communication antennas 220.

[0092] The transceiver 1010 provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 1010 receives a signal from the one or more antennas 1020, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 1014, specifically the reception component 1064. In addition, the transceiver 1010 receives information from the processing system 1014, specifically the transmission component 1070, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas 1020.

[0093] The processing system 1014 includes one or more processors 1004 coupled to a computer- readable medium / memory 1006. The one or more processors 1004 are responsible for

[0094] In one configuration, the apparatus 1002 for wireless communication includes means for performing each of the operations described Figure 8 The aforementioned means can be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus 1002 and / or processing system 1014 of the apparatus 1002 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As one example, the reception component 1064 and / or the transmission component 1070 as well as the blind detection component 1078 and the slot component allocation component 1076 can be portions of the one or more processors 1004 and / or the one or more hardware components coupled to the one or more processors 1004.

[0095] As described above, the processing system 1014 can include the TX processor 216, the RX processor 270, and the controller / processor 275. Accordingly, in one configuration, the aforementioned means can be the TX processor 216, the RX processor 270, and the controller / processor 275 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

[0096] Figure 11 is an example diagram 1100 illustrating a hardware implementation for an apparatus 1102 employing a processing system 1114. The apparatus 1102 can be a UE. The processing system 1114 can be implemented with a bus architecture, as represented by the bus 1124. The bus 1124 can include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges, depending on the specific application of the processing system 1114 and the overall design constraints. The bus 1124 links together various circuits including the one or more processors and / or hardware components, represented by the one or more processors 1104, the reception component 1164, the transmission component 1170, the compensation component 1178, the measurement component 1176, the configuration component 1182, and the computer-readable medium / memory 1106. The bus 1124 can also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, among others.

[0097] The processing system 1114 can be coupled to a transceiver 1110, which can be one or more transceivers 254. The transceiver 1110 is coupled to one or more antennas 1120, which can be the communication antennas 252.

[0098] The transceiver 1110 provides a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The transceiver 1110 receives a signal from the one or more antennas 1120, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system 1114, specifically the reception component 1164. In addition, the transceiver 1110 receives information from the processing system 1114, specifically the transmission component 1170, and based on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas 1120.

[0099] The processing system 1114 includes one or more processors 1104 coupled to a computer- readable medium / memory 1106. The one or more processors 1104 are responsible for

[0100] In one configuration, the apparatus 1102 for wireless communication includes means for performing each of the operations of FIGs. 9(A) and 9(B). The aforementioned means can be one or more of the aforementioned components of the apparatus 1102 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means, and / or one or more of the processing system 1114 of the apparatus 1102.

[0101] As described above, the processing system 1114 can include the TX processor 268, the RX processor 256, and the communications processor 259. Accordingly, in one configuration, the aforementioned means can be the TX processor 268, the RX processor 256, and the communications processor 259 configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means.

[0102] It should be understood that the particular order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes / flow charts disclosed is an example that can be re-arranged as desired. Functionality of the blocks can be implemented in the same order as shown or in a different order. Furthermore, some blocks can be optional. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various blocks in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0103] The preceding description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects presented herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more." The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of the group consisting of A, B, and C," "one or more of the group consisting of A, B, and C," and "A, B, and / or C" include the appropriate combination of A, B, and / or C, and can include multiples of A, multiples of B, or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of the group consisting of A, B, and C," "one or more of the group consisting of A, B, and C," and "A, B, and / or C" can be A only, B only, C only, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combination can contain one or more member of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The words "module," "mechanism," "element," "device," and the like can not be a substitute for the word "means." As such, no claim element is to be construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for."

Claims

1. A method of blind detection, comprising: allocating a slot group comprising a plurality of consecutive slots based on an operating subcarrier spacing, wherein a starting boundary and an ending boundary of the slot group are both aligned with boundaries of slots using a reference subcarrier spacing; determining a limit of total blind detections in the slot group performed by a user equipment and a limit of total non-overlapping control channel elements (CCEs) monitored by the user equipment, both directly associated with the operating subcarrier spacing; and transmitting a configuration of allocating P blind detections on M non-overlapping CCEs in the slot group in a set of component carriers of the user equipment using the operating subcarrier spacing, P being an integer not greater than the limit of total blind detections, and M being an integer not greater than the limit of total non-overlapping CCEs. the starting boundary of the slot group is aligned with a starting boundary of a reference slot using the reference subcarrier spacing, and the ending boundary of the slot group is aligned with an ending boundary of the reference slot.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, the same slot group is allocated on each component carrier of the set of component carriers.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, 4.The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a first number of component carriers, the first number being a maximum number of component carriers configured for the user equipment in a carrier aggregation; and determining a second number of component carriers that have been scheduled between a base station and the user equipment, wherein the limit of total blind detections associated with the operating subcarrier spacing is determined based on the first number and the second number. 5.The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a blind detection limit of each component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing for the user equipment to perform blind detection, wherein the P blind detections in the slot group are allocated in the set of component carriers based on the limit of total blind detections and the blind detection limit of each component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing. 6.The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a limit of non-overlapping CCEs of each component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing for the user equipment to perform blind detection, wherein the M non-overlapping CCEs in the slot group are allocated in the set of component carriers based on the limit of total non-overlapping CCEs and the limit of non-overlapping CCEs of each component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing. 7.The method of claim 1, further comprising: configuring a same predetermined number of downlink control information (DCI) messages in the slot group on each component carrier in the set of component carriers. 8.A method of blind detection, comprising: allocating a slot group comprising a plurality of consecutive slots based on an operating subcarrier spacing, wherein a starting boundary and an ending boundary of the slot group are both aligned with boundaries of slots using a reference subcarrier spacing; receiving a configuration of allocating blind detections on non-overlapping control channel elements (CCEs) in the slot group in a set of component carriers of a user equipment using the operating subcarrier spacing; and transmitting a configuration of allocating P blind detections on M non-overlapping CCEs in the slot group in a set of component carriers of the user equipment using the operating subcarrier spacing, P being an integer not greater than the limit of total blind detections, and M being an integer not greater than the limit of total non-overlapping CCEs. ​ ​ when (a) a total number of blind detections including a next set of blind detections performed by the user equipment in the set of component carriers in the set of slots does not exceed a limit of total blind detections directly associated with the operating subcarrier spacing, and (b) a total number of non-overlapping CCEs including a next set of non-overlapping CCEs monitored by the user equipment in the set of component carriers in the set of slots does not exceed a limit of total non-overlapping CCEs directly associated with the operating subcarrier spacing, perform a next set of blind detections on a next set of non-overlapping CCEs on a given component carrier of the set of component carriers according to the configuration in the set of slots.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: when the total number of blind detections performed by the user equipment exceeds the limit of total blind detections or the total number of non-overlapping CCEs monitored by the user equipment exceeds the limit of total non-overlapping CCEs, dropping a subset of blind detections from the next set of blind detections.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining a first number of component carriers, the first number being a maximum number of component carriers configured for the user equipment in a carrier aggregation; determining a second number of component carriers that have been scheduled between a base station and the user equipment; and based on the first number and the second number, determining the limit of total blind detections and the limit of total non-overlapping CCEs associated with the operating subcarrier spacing.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining a limit of blind detections per component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing for the user equipment to perform blind detections, wherein the next set of blind detections in the set of slots is performed based on a number of blind detections including the next set of blind detections performed by the user equipment on the given component carrier not exceeding the limit of blind detections per component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining a limit of non-overlapping CCEs per component carrier using an operating subcarrier spacing in the set of slots that will be monitored by the user equipment, wherein the next set of blind detections in the set of slots is performed further based on a number of non-overlapping CCEs including the number of non-overlapping CCEs monitored by the user equipment on the given carrier not exceeding the limit of non-overlapping CCEs per component carrier. aligning a start boundary of the set of slots with a start boundary of a reference slot and an end boundary of the set of slots with an end boundary of the reference slot using the reference subcarrier spacing.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein, allocating a same set of slots on each component carrier of the set of component carriers.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein, 15. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining to transmit a same predetermined number of downlink control information (DCI) messages on each component carrier of the set of component carriers in the set of slots, wherein a number of blind detections is performed to decode the DCI messages.

16. An apparatus for blind detection, the apparatus being a user equipment, comprising: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to: ​ ​ allocating a set of time slots comprising a plurality of consecutive time slots based on an operating subcarrier spacing, wherein a start boundary and an end boundary of the set of time slots are both aligned with boundaries of time slots using a reference subcarrier spacing; receiving a configuration of blind detection allocation on non-overlapping control channel elements (CCEs) in the set of time slots in a set of component carriers of the user equipment using the operating subcarrier spacing; and when (a) a total number of blind detections including a next set of blind detections performed by the user equipment in the set of time slots on the set of component carriers does not exceed a limit of total blind detections directly associated with the operating subcarrier spacing and (b) a total number of non-overlapping CCEs including a next set of non-overlapping CCEs monitored by the user equipment in the set of time slots on the set of component carriers does not exceed a limit of total non-overlapping CCEs directly associated with the operating subcarrier spacing, performing a next set of blind detections on a next set of non-overlapping CCEs on a given component carrier of the set of component carriers in the set of time slots according to the configuration.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: when the total number of blind detections performed by the user equipment exceeds the limit of total blind detections or the total number of non-overlapping CCEs monitored by the user equipment exceeds the limit of total non-overlapping CCEs, dropping a subset of blind detections from the next set of blind detections.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: determining a first number of component carriers, the first number being a maximum number of component carriers configured for the user equipment in a carrier aggregation; determining a second number of component carriers that have been scheduled between a base station and the user equipment; and based on the first number and the second number, determining the limit of total blind detections and the limit of total non-overlapping CCEs associated with the operating subcarrier spacing.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: determining a limit of blind detections per component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing for the user equipment to perform blind detections, wherein the next set of blind detections in the set of time slots is performed based on a number of blind detections including the next set of blind detections performed by the user equipment on the given component carrier not exceeding the limit of blind detections per component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: determining a limit of non-overlapping CCEs per component carrier using the operating subcarrier spacing in the set of time slots to be monitored by the user equipment, wherein the next set of blind detections in the set of time slots is performed further based on a number of non-overlapping CCEs including the next set of non-overlapping CCEs monitored by the user equipment on the given component carrier not exceeding the limit of non-overlapping CCEs per component carrier.

21. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program and instructions that, when executed by an apparatus for blind detection, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 1-15. ​

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