Multi-slot blind detection limit

Abstract

To facilitate more flexible blind detection, the UE may be configured to receive PDCCHs in a set of consecutive time slots, where the set of consecutive time slots includes at least two time slots. The UE may also be configured to perform blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit and a second PDCCH blind detection limit, where the first PDCCH blind detection limit may be a single time slot limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit may be a multi-time slot limit.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit and priority of the following applications: U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 050,694, filed on Jul. 10, 2020, and entitled "MULTI - SLOT BLIND DETECTION LIMITS", and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 356,975, filed on Jun. 24, 2021, and entitled "MULTI - SLOT BLIND DETECTION LIMITS", the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0003] In general, the present disclosure relates to communication systems, and more particularly, to wireless communication networks that utilize blind detection of the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. A typical wireless communication system may 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.

[0005] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at the municipal, national, regional, and even global levels. An example of a telecommunication standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of the continuous evolution of mobile broadband released by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements related to latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., Internet of Things (IoT)), and other requirements. 5G NR includes services associated with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine - type communication (mMTC), and ultra - reliable low - latency communication (URLLC). Some aspects of 5G NR may be based on the 4G Long - Term Evolution (LTE) standard. Further improvements to 5G NR technology are needed. These improvements may also be applicable to other multiple access technologies and telecommunication standards that employ these technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A brief overview of one or more aspects is presented below to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This overview is not an extensive overview of all expected aspects and is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor to 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 follows.

[0007] To facilitate more flexible blind detection, a user equipment (UE) may be configured to receive PDCCHs in a set of consecutive time slots. The set of consecutive time slots may include at least two time slots. The UE may also be configured to perform blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit and a second PDCCH blind detection limit. The first PDCCH blind detection limit may be a single - time - slot limit. The second PDCCH blind detection limit may be a multi - time - slot limit.

[0008] To achieve the foregoing and related purposes, the one or more aspects include the features that are fully described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. However, these features are only indicative of some of the various ways in which the principles of the respective aspects may be employed, and the description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and an access network.

[0010] Figure 2A is a diagram showing an example of a first frame in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2B is a diagram showing an example of DL channels within a subframe in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2C is a diagram showing an example of a second frame in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2D is a diagram showing an example of UL channels within a subframe in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a base station and a UE in an access network.

[0015] Figure 4 shows example PDCCHs and example blind detection limits with different aggregation levels.

[0016] Figure 5A 、5B 5C shows an example discard of PDCCH.

[0017] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication at a UE.

[0018] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication at a UE.

[0019] Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware implementation for an example apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following detailed description presented in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may 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 such concepts.

[0021] Certain aspects of a telecommunications system will now be presented with reference to various apparatuses and methods. These apparatuses and methods will be described in the following detailed description and are illustrated in the drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to herein as “elements”). These elements can be implemented using either electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0022] As an example, an element, any portion of an element, or any combination of multiple elements can be implemented as a “processing system” including one or more processors. Examples of processors include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor, a system on a chip (SoC), a baseband processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), a state machine, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system can execute software. Software should 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, executable programs, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., regardless of whether it is referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0023] Thus, in one or more exemplary embodiments, the described functionality can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality can be stored on a computer-readable medium or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of these types of computer-readable media, or any other medium that can be used to store computer-executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

[0024] While aspects and implementations are described herein by way of illustration of some examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional implementations and use cases can appear in many different arrangements and scenarios. The innovative concepts described herein can be implemented on many different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and packaging arrangements. For example, implementations and / or uses can be implemented via integrated chip embodiments and other non-module-component-based devices (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial devices, retail / purchasing devices, medical devices, devices supporting artificial intelligence (AI), etc.). While some examples may or may not be specific to a use case or application, a wide variety of applicability of the described innovative concepts can occur. The scope of implementations can extend from chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip-level implementations and further to aggregated, distributed, or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices or systems that incorporate one or more aspects of the described innovative concepts. In some practical settings, devices incorporating the described aspects and features may also include additional components and features for implementing and practicing the claimed and described aspects. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily includes several components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antennas, RF chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders / summers, etc.). It is anticipated that the innovative concepts described herein can be practiced in a variety of different devices, chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, aggregated or non-aggregated components, end-user devices, etc., having different sizes, shapes, and structures.

[0025] Figure 1FIG. is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and an access network 100. The wireless communication system (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes a base station 102, a UE 104, an evolved packet core (EPC) 160, and another core network 190 (e.g., a 5G core (5GC)). The base station 102 may include macro cells (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cells (low-power cellular base stations). Macro cells include base stations. Small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

[0026] The base stations 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with the EPC 160 via a first backhaul link 132 (e.g., the S1 interface). The base stations 102 configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as next-generation RAN (NG-RAN)) may interface with the core network 190 via a second backhaul link 184. In addition to other functions, the base station 102 may also perform one or more of the following functions: transmission of user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and device tracking, radio access network information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via the EPC 160 or the core network 190) via a third backhaul link 134 (e.g., the X2 interface). The first backhaul link 132, the second backhaul link 184, and the third backhaul link 134 may be wired or wireless.

[0027] Base station 102 can communicate wirelessly with UE 104. Each base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographical coverage area 110. There can be overlapping geographical coverage areas 110. For example, small cell 102′ can have a coverage area 110′ that overlaps with the coverage areas 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network including both small cells and macro cells can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. The heterogeneous network can also include a Home evolved Node B (eNB) (HeNB), which can provide services to a restricted group called a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG). The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 can include an uplink (UL) (also known as the reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or a downlink (DL) (also known as the forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 can use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link can be through one or more carriers. Base station 102 / UE 104 can use a spectrum with a bandwidth of up to Y MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400, etc. MHz) per carrier allocated in carrier aggregation of up to Yx MHz (x component carriers) for transmission in each direction. The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. The allocation of carriers can be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers can be allocated for DL than for UL). The component carriers can include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier can be referred to as the Primary Cell (PCell), and the secondary component carriers can be referred to as Secondary Cells (SCells).

[0028] Certain UEs 104 can communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication links 158. The D2D communication links 158 can use DL / UL WWAN spectrum. The D2D communication links 158 can use one or more sidelink channels, such as the Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), Physical Sidelink Discovery Channel (PSDCH), Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), and Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH). D2D communication can be through various wireless D2D communication systems, such as, for example, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[0029] The wireless communication system may also include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154, e.g., in an unlicensed spectrum such as 5 GHz. When communicating in an unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) before communicating to determine whether the channel is available.

[0030] The small cell 102' may operate in a licensed spectrum and / or an unlicensed spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed spectrum, the small cell 102' may adopt NR and use the same unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz, etc.) as used by the Wi-Fi AP 150. The small cell 102' adopting NR in the unlicensed spectrum may enhance the coverage of the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network.

[0031] The electromagnetic spectrum is generally subdivided into various categories, frequency bands, channels, etc. based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating frequency bands have been identified as the frequency range names FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz). Although a part of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, FR1 is generally (interchangeably) referred to as the "sub-6 GHz" band in various documents and articles. A similar naming issue sometimes occurs with respect to FR2. Although FR2 is different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz - 300 GHz) identified by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as the "millimeter wave" band, FR2 is generally (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles.

[0032] The frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are generally referred to as mid-band frequencies. Recent 5G NR research has identified the operating frequency bands of these mid-band frequencies as the frequency range name FR3 (7.125 GHz – 24.25 GHz). The frequency bands falling within FR3 may inherit the characteristics of FR1 and / or FR2, and thus can effectively extend the characteristics of FR1 and / or FR2 to the mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operation above 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating frequency bands have been identified as the frequency range names FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz – 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz – 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz – 300 GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0033] In view of the above aspects, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if terms such as "sub-6GHz" are used herein, they can generally represent frequencies that can be less than 6GHz, can be within FR1, or can include mid-band frequencies. Additionally, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if terms such as "millimeter wave" are used herein, they can generally represent frequencies that can include mid-band frequencies, can be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1 and / or FR5, or can be within the EHF band.

[0034] Base station 102 (whether it is a small cell 102' or a large cell (e.g., a macro base station)) can include and / or be referred to as an eNB, a g Node B (gNB), or another type of base station. Certain base stations (e.g., gNB 180) can operate in the traditional sub 6GHz spectrum, in millimeter wave frequencies, and / or in near millimeter wave frequencies to communicate with UE 104. When gNB 180 operates at millimeter wave frequencies or near mmW frequencies, gNB 180 can be referred to as a millimeter wave base station. Millimeter wave base station 180 can utilize beamforming 182 with UE 104 to compensate for path loss and short range. Base station 180 and UE 104 can each include multiple antennas, such as antenna elements, antenna panels, and / or antenna arrays, to facilitate beamforming.

[0035] Base station 180 can transmit a beamformed signal to UE 104 in one or more transmission directions 182'. UE 104 can receive the beamformed signal from base station 180 in one or more reception directions 182". UE 104 can also transmit a beamformed signal to base station 180 in one or more transmission directions. Base station 180 can receive the beamformed signal from UE 104 in one or more reception directions. Base station 180 / UE 104 can perform beam training to determine the optimal reception and transmission directions for each of base station 180 / UE 104. The transmission direction and reception direction of base station 180 can be the same or can be different. The transmission direction and reception direction of UE 104 can be the same or can be different.

[0036] The EPC 160 may 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 may communicate with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. The MME 162 is a control node that processes signaling between the UE 104 and the EPC 160. Generally, the MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted through the Serving Gateway 166, which itself is connected to the PDN Gateway 172. The PDN Gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The PDN Gateway 172 and the BM-SC 170 are connected to an IP service 176. The IP service 176 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a PS streaming service, and / or other IP services. The BM-SC 170 may provide functions for MBMS user service provision and delivery. The BM-SC 170 may serve as an entry point for content provider MBMS transmissions, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services within a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. The MBMS Gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS traffic to base stations 102 belonging to a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area for a particular broadcast service, and may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and collecting charging information related to eMBMS.

[0037] The core network 190 may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a Session Management Function (SMF) 194, and a User Plane Function (UPF) 195. The AMF 192 may communicate with a Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. The AMF 192 is a control node that processes signaling between the UE 104 and the core network 190. Generally, the AMF 192 provides QoS flow and session management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted through the UPF 195. The UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The UPF 195 is connected to an IP service 197. The IP service 197 may include the Internet, an intranet, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a Packet Switched (PS) Streaming (PSS) service, and / or other IP services.

[0038] A base station may include and / or be referred to as a gNB, Node B, eNB, access point, base transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), transmission reception point (TRP), or some other suitable term. Base station 102 provides an access point for UE 104 to EPC 160 or core network 190. Examples of UE 104 include cellular phones, smart phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, global positioning systems, multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, tablet computers, smart devices, wearable devices, vehicles, electricity meters, air pumps, large or small kitchen appliances, healthcare devices, implants, sensors / brakes, displays, or any other similar functional device. Some UEs 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking meters, air pumps, toasters, vehicles, heart monitors, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, cell phone, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable term. In some scenarios, the term UE may also apply to one or more companion devices, such as in a device constellation. One or more of these devices may access the network jointly and / or separately.

[0039] Referring again to Figure 1 , in some aspects, UE 104 may be configured to receive PDCCHs in a set of consecutive time slots and perform blind detection 198 on a plurality of PDCCHs received in the set of consecutive time slots based on a set of blind detection limitations. The set of blind detection limitations includes at least a first PDCCH blind detection limitation that is single-slot-limited and a second PDCCH blind detection limitation that is multi-slot-limited.

[0040] Although the following description may focus on 5G / NR, the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar fields, such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

[0041] Figure 2A FIG. 200 is an example of a first subframe within a 5G NR frame structure. Figure 2B FIG. 230 is an example of DL channels within a 5G NR subframe. Figure 2C FIG. 250 is an example of a second subframe within a 5G NR frame structure. Figure 2DFIG. 280 is an example diagram showing the UL channels within a 5G NR subframe. The 5G NR frame structure can be of the frequency division duplexing type (FDD), where for a specific set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), the subframes within that set of subcarriers are dedicated to DL or UL; or the 5G NR frame structure can be of the time division duplexing type (TDD), where for a specific set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), the subframes within that set of subcarriers are dedicated to both DL and UL. In the example provided by Figure 2A , 2C , the 5G NR frame structure is assumed to be of the TDD type, where subframe 4 is configured with slot format 28 (mostly DL), where D is DL, U is UL, X is flexible for use between DL / UL, and subframe 3 is configured with slot format 1 (all UL). Although subframes 3 and 4 are shown with slot formats 1 and 28 respectively, any specific subframe can be configured with any of the various available slot formats 0 - 61. Slot formats 0 and 1 are all-DL and all-UL respectively. The other slot formats 2 - 61 include a mixture of DL symbols, UL symbols, and flexible symbols. The UE is configured with a slot format by receiving a slot format indicator (SFI) (dynamically via DL control information (DCI) or semi-statically / statically via radio resource control (RRC) signaling). Note that the following description also applies to the 5G NR frame structure of the TDD type.

[0042] Figures 2A - 2D FIG. shows the frame structure, and aspects of the present disclosure can be applicable to other wireless communication technologies, which may have different frame structures and / or different channels. A frame (10 ms) can be divided into 10 equally sized subframes (1 ms). Each subframe can include one or more slots. A subframe can also include mini-slots, which can include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Depending on whether the cyclic prefix (CP) is normal or extended, each slot can include 14 or 12 symbols. For normal CP, each slot can include 14 symbols, and for extended CP, each slot can include 12 symbols. The symbols on the DL can be cyclic prefix orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CP-OFDM) symbols. The symbols on the UL can be CP-OFDM symbols (for high throughput scenarios) or discrete Fourier transform (DFT) spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (also known as single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols) (for power-constrained situations; limited to single-stream transmission). The number of slots within a subframe is based on the CP and numerology. Numerology defines the subcarrier spacing (SCS), and effectively defines the slot length / duration, which is equal to 1 / SCS.

[0043]

[0044] For normal CP (14 symbols / slot), different numerology μ from 0 to 4 allows 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 slots per subframe respectively. For extended CP, numerology 2 allows 4 slots per subframe. Thus, for normal CP and numerology μ, there are 14 symbols per slot and 2 μ slots per subframe. The subcarrier spacing can be equal to 2 μ *15 kHz, where μ is numerology from 0 to 4. Thus, numerology μ = 0 has a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz and numerology μ = 4 has a subcarrier spacing of 240 kHz. The symbol length / duration is inversely proportional to the subcarrier spacing. Figures 2A - 2D An example of normal CP and numerology μ = 2 is provided, where there are 14 symbols per slot and 4 slots per subframe. The slot duration is 0.25 ms, the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz, and the symbol duration is approximately 16.67 μs. Within a set of frames, there can be one or more different bandwidth parts (BWPs) that are frequency division multiplexed (see Figure 2B ). Each BWP can have a specific numerology and CP (normal or extended).

[0045] A resource grid can be used to represent the frame structure. Each slot includes a resource block (RB) (also known as a physical RB (PRB)) that extends over 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0046] As Figure 2A shown, some REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RS) for the UE. The RS can include demodulation RS (DM-RS) (although indicated as R for a specific configuration, other DM-RS configurations are possible) and channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The RS can also include beam measurement RS (BRS), beam refinement RS (BRRS), and phase tracking RS (PT-RS).

[0047] Figure 2BIllustrates an example of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame. The Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) carries DCI in one or more Control Channel Elements (CCEs) (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 CCEs), each CCE including 6 Resource Element Groups (REGs), and each REG including 12 consecutive Resource Elements (REs) within an OFDM symbol of an RB. The PDCCH within a BWP can be referred to as a Control Resource Set (CORESET). The UE is configured to monitor PDCCH candidates in the PDCCH search space (e.g., common search space, UE-specific search space) during PDCCH monitoring occasions on the CORESET, where the PDCCH candidates have different DCI formats and different aggregation levels. Additional BWPs can be located at higher and / or lower frequencies on the channel bandwidth. The Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS) can be within symbol 2 of a specific subframe of a frame. The UE 104 uses the PSS to determine subframe timing / symbol timing and the physical layer identity. The Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) can be within symbol 4 of a specific subframe of a frame. The UE uses the SSS to determine the physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine the Physical Cell Identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the DM-RS. The Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) carrying the Master Information Block (MIB) can be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a Synchronization Signal (SS) / PBCH block (also referred to as an SS block (SSB)). The MIB provides the number of RBs in the system bandwidth and the System Frame Number (SFN). The Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not sent via the PBCH (such as System Information Blocks (SIBs)), and paging messages.

[0048] As Figure 2C shown, some REs carry DM-RS for channel estimation at the base station (although indicated as R for one specific configuration, other DM-RS configurations are possible). The UE can send DM-RS for the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and DM-RS for the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RS can be sent in the previous one or two symbols of the PUSCH. Depending on whether a short PUCCH or a long PUCCH is sent and depending on the specific PUCCH format used, the PUCCH DM-RS can be sent in different configurations. The UE can send a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS). The SRS can be sent in the last symbol of a subframe. The SRS can have a comb structure, and the UE can send the SRS on one of the combs. The SRS can be used by the base station for channel quality estimation to enable frequency-dependent scheduling on the UL.

[0049] Figure 2DIllustrated is an example of each UL channel within a subframe of a frame. The PUCCH may be located at the position indicated in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as a scheduling request, a channel quality indicator (CQI), a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), a rank indicator (RI), and a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) acknowledgement (ACK) (HARQ-ACK) feedback (i.e., one or more HARQ ACK bits, which indicate one or more ACKs and / or negative ACKs (NACKs)). The PUSCH carries data and may additionally be used to carry a buffer status report (BSR), a power headroom report (PHR), and / or UCI.

[0050] Figure 3 Is a block diagram of communication between a base station 310 and a UE 350 in an access network. In the DL, IP packets from the EPC 160 may be provided to a controller / processor 375. The controller / processor 375 implements layer 3 and layer 2 functions. Layer 3 includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and layer 2 includes a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a media access control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 375 provides RRC layer functions associated with the broadcast of system information (e.g., MIB, SIB), 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 for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions associated with the transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and re-ordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with the mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0051] The transmit (TX) processor 316 and the receive (RX) processor 370 implement the layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 316 processes the mapping to the signal constellation 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 encoded and modulated symbols can then be divided into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to OFDM subcarriers, multiplexed with reference signals (e.g., pilots) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined together using the inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to generate a physical channel carrying a stream of time-domain OFDM symbols. The OFDM stream is space precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from the channel estimator 374 can be used to determine the encoding and modulation schemes, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimates can be derived from reference signals and / or channel state feedback that can be sent from the UE 350. Each spatial stream can then be provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX can modulate a radio frequency (RF) carrier with the corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0052] At the UE 350, each receiver 354RX receives signals via its respective antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to the receive (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and the RX processor 356 implement the layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 350, they can be combined by the RX processor 356 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX processor 356 then uses the fast Fourier transform (FFT) to convert the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency-domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted by the base station 310. These soft decisions can be based on the channel estimates computed by the channel estimator 358. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by the base station 310 on the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to the controller / processor 359 that implements layer 3 and layer 2 functions.

[0053] The controller / processor 359 may be associated with a memory 360 that stores program code and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 359 provides demultiplexing between the transport channel and the logical channel, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the EPC 160. The controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using the ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operations.

[0054] Similar to the functions described in connection with DL transmission by the base station 310, the controller / processor 359 provides RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression, and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and re-ordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with the mapping between the logical channel and the transport channel, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0055] Channel estimates derived by the channel estimator 358 based on reference signals or feedback transmitted by the base station 310 may be used by the TX processor 368 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 368 may be provided to different antennas 352 via separate transmitters 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0056] In a manner similar to that described in connection with the receiver function at the UE 350, UL transmission is processed at the base station 310. Each receiver 318RX receives signals via its corresponding antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to the RX processor 370.

[0057] The controller / processor 375 may be associated with a memory 376 that stores program code and data. The memory 376 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 375 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, control signal processing between the transport channel and the logical channel to recover IP packets from the UE 350. The IP packets from the controller / processor 375 may be provided to the EPC 160. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection using the ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operations.

[0058] At least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 may be configured to perform aspects related to Figure 1 the blind detection 198.

[0059] In a wireless communication system, a PDCCH carrying DCI within one or more CCEs may be sent from a base station to a UE. The base station may send multiple PDCCH candidates (which may also be referred to as "PDCCHs"). The sent PDCCH may or may not be for or related to the UE. Since the location of the PDCCH related to the UE is not provided to the UE, the UE may perform blind decoding of the PDCCH to find a subset of the PDCCHs related to the UE among the sent PDCCHs.

[0060] The PDCCH to be blindly decoded (and monitored) by the UE is carried by a search space. Each search space may be a common search space jointly monitored by a group of UEs in a cell, or a UE-specific search space monitored by a single UE. Each search space may be associated with a search space index number, and a later search space within a single time slot or several time slots may be assigned a larger index number. The PDCCH may be associated with the CCEs of the associated CORESET (i.e., including the CCEs of the associated CORESET, or otherwise referred to as being mapped to the CCEs of the associated CORESET or carried by the CCEs of the associated CORESET). One PDCCH may be mapped to one or more CCEs, and the number of CCEs associated with the PDCCH may be referred to as the aggregation level associated with the PDCCH. As Figure 4 shown, the PDCCHs 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, and 412 within time slot #1 are each associated with two CCEs. As a result, the PDCCHs 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, and 412 have an aggregation level of 2. The PDCCHs 422, 424, and 426 within time slot #2 are each associated with four CCEs. As a result, the PDCCHs 422, 424, and 426 have an aggregation level of 4.

[0061] In some wireless communication systems, each time slot defines a limit on the total number of PDCCH blind decodings and a limit on the total number of CCEs covered by the monitored PDCCH. For example, it can be defined that for 15 / 30 / 60 / 120 kHz subcarrier spacings, the total number of blind decodings in a time slot is limited to 44 / 36 / 22 / 20, and the total number of CCEs in a time slot is limited to 56 / 56 / 48 / 32. If the UE exceeds the blind detection limit, the UE can abandon the blind detection or can skip the monitoring of the PDCCH with the last / maximum index and the associated search space.

[0062] For higher frequencies and larger subcarrier spacings (corresponding to shorter symbols), the available time for the processing of the PDCCH becomes shorter, which puts pressure on the blind detection limit. As mentioned above, for 15 / 30 / 60 / 120 kHz subcarrier spacings, the blind detection limit can be 44 / 36 / 22 / 20 decodings. This limit on the single time slot limit on blind detection may reduce the flexibility of the base station for PDCCH scheduling and may increase the blocking probability.

[0063] Depending on the configuration of the search space and its period (and time offset), the number of PDCCHs that can be monitored (and the number of CCEs covered by it) may vary from one time slot to another. Therefore, the UE can distribute the complexity of PDCCH monitoring across multiple time slots by taking advantage of the more flexible PDCCH blind detection limits provided herein (e.g., if the minimum scheduling offset limits K0min and K2min configurable for the BWP allow for a delay in PDCCH processing).

[0064] In some aspects, a set of blind detection limits on the number of PDCCH blind decodings and the number of CCEs covered by the PDCCH can be defined for a set of n consecutive time slots. As Figure 4As shown, the blind detection limit set may at least include a single-slot blind detection limit 430 for n = 1 and multi-slot blind detection limits for n > 1 (such as the blind detection limit 432 for two consecutive slots n = 2). In some aspects, there may be additional blind detection limits, such as the blind detection limit 434 for four consecutive slots (n = 4). In some aspects, even though the multi-slot blind detection limit may not be proportional to the subcarrier spacing, the multi-slot blind detection limit may depend on the subcarrier spacing. The limit on blind decoding (or the CCEs covered thereby) for n consecutive slots may be less than n times the corresponding limit for a single slot. For example, the multi-slot blind detection limit for 4 consecutive slots may be 88, while for a 60 kHz subcarrier spacing, the single-slot blind detection limit 430 for each of the 4 adjacent slots may be 30. In some aspects, the multi-slot blind detection limit may be for consecutive slots within the same subframe or across different subframes. For example, for consecutive slots across different subframes, there may be an exemplary multi-slot blind detection limit 436.

[0065] If the UE exceeds the multi-slot blind detection limit, the last search space (i.e., the search space with the largest index) may be discarded, e.g., by the UE skipping the monitoring or blind decoding of the search space. For example, as Figure 5A shown in Example 500, if the multi-slot blind detection limit for 4 consecutive slots is 88 and the number of PDCCHs in each of Slots 1, 2, 3, and 4 is 20, 20, 30, and 20, respectively, the UE may discard the last two search spaces associated with the PDCCHs (e.g., skip the blind decoding of the last two search spaces).

[0066] If the UE exceeds the blind detection limit related to the number of CCEs, a subset of PDCCH candidates with an aggregation level (AL) greater than a specific threshold may be discarded. Refer to Figure 5BExample 550, the number of CCEs carrying PDCCH in time slots 1, 2, 3, and 4 is 40, 80, 60, 40. The aggregation levels for time slots 1, 3, and 4 are 2, and the aggregation level for time slot 2 is 4. The multi-time slot blind detection limit for 4 consecutive time slots can define that the number of CCEs within 4 time slots cannot exceed 192. The UE can prioritize PDCCH candidates with a lower AL. After considering time slot 1 with 40 CCEs, time slot 4 with 60 CCEs and 40 CCEs, 140 out of the 192 limits are used, and the UE can be left with 52 remaining blind detections for time slot 2. Thus, 28 CCEs associated with time slot 2 can be discarded. As a result, if the AL threshold is 2, the subset of PDCCHs associated with time slot 2 (such as the last 7 PDCCHs) will be discarded. In some aspects, the discarding of PDCCH candidates with a high AL can start from the search space with the lowest priority or the largest index.

[0067] In some aspects, if the UE will pass the limits for multiple n values (e.g., n = 1 and n = 4), the UE can discard or skip the search space for the smaller n value, and after discarding the search space according to the limit for the smaller n value, can re-check and perform the blind detection for the larger n value accordingly. For example, as Figure 5C shown in Example 580, the multi-time slot blind detection limit for 4 consecutive time slots can be 88, and the single-time slot blind detection limit can be 30, while the number of PDCCHs per time slot in time slots 1, 2, 3, and 4 is 19, 32, 19, and 19. The UE can first perform discarding based on n = 1 by checking the single-time slot limit 30. Based on the single-time slot limit 30, the UE can discard the search space associated with 2 PDCCHs (such as the last 2 PDCCHs) on time slot 2, such that a total of 30 PDCCH blind detections are associated with time slot 2, satisfying the single-time slot blind detection limit. After discarding for the smaller n value (n = 1 in the shown example), the UE can re-determine whether the blind detection limit for the larger n value is exceeded. In Figure 5C the shown example, after the UE discards the search space associated with 2 PDCCHs on time slot 2 based on the single-time slot limit, the UE can perform blind decoding on a total of 19 + 30 + 19 + 19 = 87 PDCCHs within 4 consecutive time slots, which satisfies the multi-time slot blind detection limit of 88 defined for 4 consecutive time slots. Thus, the UE will not perform further discarding.

[0068] Figure 6 is a flowchart 600 of a method for wireless communication. The method can be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104; apparatus 802). The method can provide more flexible blind detection, which in turn can improve communication efficiency (such as by reducing the blocking probability).

[0069] At 602, the UE may receive PDCCH in a set of consecutive time slots. The set of consecutive time slots may include at least two time slots. For example, as Figures 5A - 5C shown, the UE may receive PDCCH in a set of consecutive time slots 1, 2, 3, and 4. In some aspects, the reception at 602 may be performed by Figure 8 the receiving component 830.

[0070] At 604, the UE may perform blind detection on each PDCCH (i.e., each PDCCH candidate) received in the set of consecutive time slots, based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit and a second PDCCH blind detection limit. For example, as Figures 5A - 5C shown, the UE may perform blind detection on each PDCCH received in a set of consecutive time slots 1, 2, 3, and 4. In some aspects, 604 may be performed by the PDCCH decoding component 840. The first PDCCH blind detection limit may be a single time slot limit. The second PDCCH blind detection limit may be a multi-time slot limit.

[0071] Figure 7 FIG. 700 is a flowchart of a method of wireless communication. The method may be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104; apparatus 802). The method may provide more flexible blind detection, which in turn may improve communication efficiency (such as by reducing the blocking probability).

[0072] At 702, the UE may receive PDCCH in a set of consecutive time slots. The set of consecutive time slots may include at least two time slots. For example, as Figures 5A - 5C shown, the UE may receive PDCCH in a set of consecutive time slots 1, 2, 3, and 4. In some aspects, the reception at 604 may be performed by Figure 8 the receiving component 830.

[0073] At 704, the UE may perform blind detection on each PDCCH (i.e., each PDCCH candidate) received in the set of consecutive time slots, based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit and a second PDCCH blind detection limit. For example, as Figures 5A - 5C shown, the UE may perform blind detection on each PDCCH received in a set of consecutive time slots 1, 2, 3, and 4. In some aspects, 704 may be performed by the PDCCH decoding component 840. The first PDCCH blind detection limit may be a single time slot limit. The second PDCCH blind detection limit may be a multi-time slot limit.

[0074] In some aspects, the UE may determine a first PDCCH blind detection limit for each time slot in a set of consecutive time slots. In some aspects, the first PDCCH blind detection limit may define at least one of a limit on the number of blind decodings or a limit on the number of CCEs that are subject to blind detection within a time slot. In some aspects, the first PDCCH blind detection limit determined by the UE may be a predetermined PDCCH blind detection limit. For example, the UE may determine the first PDCCH blind detection limit for each time slot in a set of consecutive time slots by accessing a predetermined first PDCCH blind detection limit in a configuration.

[0075] In some aspects, the UE may determine a second PDCCH blind detection limit for a set of consecutive time slots. In some aspects, the second PDCCH blind detection limit may define at least one of a limit on the number of blind decodings or a limit on the number of CCEs that are subject to blind detection within a defined number of time slots. In some aspects, the second PDCCH blind detection limit determined by the UE may be a predetermined PDCCH blind detection limit. For example, the UE may determine the second PDCCH blind detection limit for each time slot in a set of consecutive time slots by accessing a predetermined second PDCCH blind detection limit in a configuration.

[0076] In some aspects, the second PDCCH blind detection limit may be based on the subcarrier spacing of the received PDCCH. In some aspects, the set of consecutive time slots includes n time slots, where n≥2 and D 2 <D 1 *n, where D 1 is the first PDCCH blind detection limit and D 2 is the second PDCCH blind detection limit (and where * represents the multiplication symbol). For example, if the subcarrier spacing is 60 kHz, the second PDCCH blind detection limit may define that the number of blind decoding attempts by the UE within 4 consecutive time slots is limited to less than 88 attempts. The first PDCCH blind detection limit may define the blind decoding attempts within each of the 4 consecutive time slots as less than 30 attempts (i.e., 88<30*4) or any number greater than 22.

[0077] In some aspects, the UE may determine a third or more additional predetermined PDCCH blind detection limits for a certain number of consecutive time slots between 1 and n. For example, in addition to the first PDCCH blind detection limit for each time slot and the second PDCCH blind detection limit for 4 consecutive time slots, the UE may determine a third PDCCH blind detection limit for every 2 consecutive time slots.

[0078] The received PDCCH may be associated with one or more of a Type 0-PDCCH common search space set, a Type 1-PDCCH common search space set, a Type 2-PDCCH common search space set, a Type 3-PDCCH common search space set, or a UE-specific search space set.

[0079] As part of 704, in some aspects, at 706, the UE discards at least one of a search space or a PDCCH candidate based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit before discarding at least one of a search space or a PDCCH candidate based on a second PDCCH blind detection limit. For example, referring back Figure 5C , if the first PDCCH blind detection limit defines that the UE is restricted to 30 blind decodings within a single time slot and the second PDCCH blind detection limit defines that the UE is restricted to 88 blind decodings within 4 consecutive time slots, and if the UE determines that the UE will perform blind decoding of 19 PDCCHs in time slots 1, 3, and 4 and 32 PDCCHs in time slot 2 out of the four consecutive time slots, then the UE may determine that the 32 PDCCHs in time slot 2 exceed the first PDCCH blind detection limit and may discard the search space associated with 2 of the 32 PDCCHs in time slot 2 (such as the last 2 PDCCHs). Then, the UE may determine that: after discarding the search space associated with the 2 PDCCHs in time slot 2, the UE will perform blind decoding of 19 + 19 + 30 + 19 = 87 PDCCHs within the four consecutive time slots 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the number of PDCCH blind decodings is within the second PDCCH blind detection limit of 88 blind decodings.

[0080] Similarly, if there are third or more blind detection limits, the UE may first discard at least one of a search space or a PDCCH candidate based on the PDCCH blind detection limit for a smaller number of time slots, and then discard based on the PDCCH blind detection limit for a larger number of time slots. For example, the UE may first discard at least one in the search space based on the first PDCCH blind detection limit that defines the limit for each time slot, then discard based on the third PDCCH blind detection limit that defines the limit for every two consecutive time slots, and then discard based on the second PDCCH blind detection limit that defines the limit for every four consecutive time slots.

[0081] As part of 704, in some aspects, at 708, the UE determines that the number of blind decodings within a set of consecutive time slots will be greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit. For example, referring backFigure 5A , the UE can determine that the UE will perform blind decoding on 20 PDCCHs in time slots 1, 2, and 4, and perform blind decoding on 30 PDCCHs in time slot 3 within four consecutive time slots. Therefore, the UE can determine that the number of blind decodings within four consecutive time slots 1 - 4 will be 20 + 20 + 30 + 20 = 90, which is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit of 88 time slots.

[0082] As part of 704, in some aspects, at 710, when the determined number of blind decodings is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit, the UE discards the search space associated with at least one of the last search space or the maximum index. For example, referring back to Figure 5A , the UE can discard the search space associated with the last two PDCCHs in time slot 4 because these two search spaces are the last search spaces (i.e., the search spaces with the maximum index) among the search spaces associated with 90 PDCCHs.

[0083] As part of 704, in some aspects, at 712, the UE determines that the number of CCEs within a set of consecutive time slots is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit. For example, referring back to Figure 5B , the UE can determine that the number of CCEs within 4 consecutive time slots is 220, which exceeds the limit of 192 CCEs defined by the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

[0084] As part of 704, in some aspects, at 714, the UE discards a subset of PDCCH candidates with an AL greater than the AL threshold based on the search space associated with at least one of the lowest priority or the maximum index. For example, referring back to Figure 5B , the AL threshold can be 2, and the PDCCH within time slot 2 has an AL greater than the AL threshold of 2. As a result, the UE can discard 7 out of 20 PDCCHs within time slot 2 to meet the limit of 192 CCEs defined by the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

[0085] Figure 8FIG. 800 is an example of a hardware implementation of an illustrated apparatus 802. The apparatus 802 is a UE and includes a cellular baseband processor 804 (also referred to as a modem) coupled to a cellular RF transceiver 822 and one or more subscriber identity module (SIM) cards 820, an application processor 806 coupled to a secure digital (SD) card 808 and a screen 810, a Bluetooth module 812, a wireless local area network (WLAN) module 814, a global positioning system (GPS) module 816, and a power supply 818. The cellular baseband processor 804 communicates with the UE 104 and / or the BS 102 / 180 via the cellular RF transceiver 822. The cellular baseband processor 804 may include a computer-readable medium / memory. The computer-readable medium / memory may be non-transitory. The cellular baseband processor 804 is responsible for general processing, including executing software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory. When executed by the cellular baseband processor 804, the software causes the cellular baseband processor 804 to perform the various functions described above. The computer-readable medium / memory may also be used to store data manipulated by the cellular baseband processor 804 when executing the software. The cellular baseband processor 804 further includes a receiving component 830, a communication manager 832, and a transmitting component 834. The communication manager 832 includes one or more of the components shown. In some aspects, the receiving component 830 may be configured to receive PDCCHs in a set of consecutive time slots transmitted by a base station, e.g., as described in 602 of Figure 6 and Figure 7 702 of Figure 3 The components within the communication manager 832 may be stored in the computer-readable medium / memory and / or configured as hardware within the cellular baseband processor 804. The cellular baseband processor 804 may be a component of the UE 350 and may include at least one of a memory 360 and / or a TX processor 368, an RX processor 356, and a controller / processor 359. In one configuration, the apparatus 802 may be a modem chip and include only the baseband processor 804, and in another configuration, the apparatus 802 may be an entire UE (e.g., see

[0086] 350 of Figure 6 and include the additional modules of the apparatus 802 described above. Figure 7 The communication manager 832 includes a PDCCH decoding component 840 configured to perform blind detection on each PDCCH received in a set of consecutive time slots based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit and a second PDCCH blind detection limit, e.g., as described in 604 of

[0087] and 704 of Figures 6 - 7 The apparatus may include additional components that perform each block of the algorithms in the above-described flowcharts of Figures 6 - 7Each block in the above flowchart can be performed by a component, and the apparatus can include one or more of these components. These components can be one or more hardware components, specifically configured to execute the process / algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to execute the process / algorithm, stored in a computer-readable medium for the processor to implement, or some combination of the above various ways.

[0088] In one configuration, the apparatus 802 and in particular the cellular baseband processor 804 includes units for receiving PDCCH in a set of consecutive time slots, the set of consecutive time slots including at least two time slots.

[0089] The cellular baseband processor 804 further includes a unit for determining a second PDCCH blind detection limit for the set of consecutive time slots. The second PDCCH blind detection limit is a multi-time slot limit. The cellular baseband processor 804 further includes a unit for performing blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots based on the first PDCCH blind detection limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

[0090] In some aspects, the second PDCCH blind detection limit is based on the subcarrier spacing of the received PDCCH.

[0091] In some aspects, the set of consecutive time slots includes n time slots, where n ≥ 2, and D 2 <D 1 *n, where D 1 is the first PDCCH blind detection limit, and D 2 is the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

[0092] In some aspects, each of the first PDCCH blind detection limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit is associated with at least one of a limit on the number of blind decodings or a limit on the number of CCEs subject to blind detection.

[0093] In some aspects, the unit for performing blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots is configured to determine that the number of blind decodings within the set of consecutive time slots will be greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit. The unit for performing blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots may also be configured to discard the search space associated with at least one of the last search space or the maximum index when the determined number of blind decodings is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

[0094] In some aspects, the unit for performing blind detection on each PDCCH received in a set of consecutive time slots is configured to determine that the number of CCEs within the set of consecutive time slots is greater than a second PDCCH blind detection limit. The unit for performing blind detection on each PDCCH received in a set of consecutive time slots may also be configured to discard PDCCH candidates having an AL greater than an AL threshold based on a search space associated with at least one of the lowest priority or the largest index.

[0095] In some aspects, the unit for performing blind detection on each PDCCH received in a set of consecutive time slots is configured to discard at least one of a search space or PDCCH candidates based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit before discarding at least one of a search space or PDCCH candidates based on a second PDCCH blind detection limit.

[0096] The foregoing unit may be one or more of the foregoing components of apparatus 802 configured to perform the functions described by the foregoing unit. As described above, apparatus 802 may include TX processor 368, RX processor 356, and controller / processor 359. Thus, in one configuration, the foregoing unit may be TX processor 368, RX processor 356, and controller / processor 359, which are configured to perform the functions described by the foregoing unit.

[0097] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the disclosed process / flowchart is an illustration in an exemplary manner. Based on design preferences, it should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the process / flowchart can be rearranged. Additionally, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The appended method claims present the elements of the various blocks in an example order and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0098] The foregoing 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 general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, where the use of the singular form in reference to an element is not intended to mean "one and only one" (unless specifically so stated) but rather "one or more." Terms such as "if," "when," and "while" are to be construed as meaning "under the condition that" rather than implying a direct temporal relationship or reaction. That is, these phrases (e.g., "when") do not mean that an action will occur in response to or during the occurrence of that action, but rather that the action will occur if a certain condition is met, without requiring a specific or immediate time limitation for the occurrence of that action. 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" means 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 A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "any combination of A, B, C, or any thereof" include any combination of A, B, and / or C and may include multiple A's, multiple B's, or multiple C's. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "any combination of A, B, C, or any thereof" can be only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, where any such combination can include one or more members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later become known to those of ordinary skill in the art are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered 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," etc. may not be used in place of the word "unit." Thus, no claim element is to be construed as a functional module unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "unit for...".

[0099] The following aspects are illustrative only and may be combined with other aspects described or taught herein and are not limited thereto.

[0100] Aspect 1 is a method for wireless communication of a UE, including: receiving a PDCCH in a set of consecutive time slots, the set of consecutive time slots including at least two time slots; and performing blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit and a second PDCCH blind detection limit, the first PDCCH blind detection limit being a single-time slot limit, and the second PDCCH blind detection limit being a multi-time slot limit.

[0101] Aspect 2 is the method according to Aspect 1, wherein the second PDCCH blind detection limit is based on the subcarrier spacing of the received PDCCH.

[0102] Aspect 3 is the method according to any one of Aspects 1-2, wherein the set of consecutive time slots includes n time slots, where n≥2, and D 2 <D 1 *n, where D 1 is the first PDCCH blind detection limit, and D 2 is the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

[0103] Aspect 4 is the method according to any one of Aspects 1-3, wherein the first PDCCH blind detection limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit are each associated with at least one of a limit on the number of blind decodings or a limit on the number of CCEs subjected to the blind detection.

[0104] Aspect 5 is the method according to any one of Aspects 1-4, wherein performing the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots includes: determining that the number of blind decodings within the set of consecutive time slots will be greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and if the determined number of blind decodings is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit, discarding the blind detection of the search space associated with at least one of the last search space or the maximum index.

[0105] Aspect 6 is the method according to any one of Aspects 1-5, wherein performing the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots includes: determining that the number of CCEs within the set of consecutive time slots is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and discarding the blind detection of the PDCCH candidate having an AL greater than the AL threshold based on the search space associated with at least one of the lowest priority or the maximum index.

[0106] Aspect 7 is the method according to any one of Aspects 1-6, wherein performing the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots includes: discarding the blind detection of at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidates based on the first PDCCH blind detection limit before discarding at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidates based on the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

[0107] Aspect 8 is a device for wireless communication, the device being a UE, including: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to: receive PDCCHs in a set of consecutive time slots, the set of consecutive time slots including at least two time slots; and perform blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit and a second PDCCH blind detection limit, the first PDCCH blind detection limit being a single time slot limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit being a multi-time slot limit.

[0108] Aspect 9 is the device according to Aspect 8, wherein the second PDCCH blind detection limit is based on the subcarrier spacing of the received PDCCH.

[0109] Aspect 10 is the device according to any one of Aspects 8-9, wherein the set of consecutive time slots includes n time slots, where n≥2, and D 2 <D 1 *n, where D 1 is the first PDCCH blind detection limit and D 2 is the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

[0110] Aspect 11 is the device according to any one of Aspects 8-10, wherein the first PDCCH blind detection limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit are each associated with at least one of a limit on the number of blind decodings or a limit on the number of CCEs subject to the blind detection.

[0111] Aspect 12 is the device according to any one of Aspects 8-11, wherein, in order to perform the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots, the at least one processor is further configured to: determine that the number of blind decodings within the set of consecutive time slots will be greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and if the determined number of blind decodings is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit, discard the blind detection of the search space associated with at least one of the last search space or the maximum index.

[0112] Aspect 13 is the apparatus according to any one of aspects 8 - 12, wherein, in order to perform the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots, the at least one processor is further configured to: determine that the number of CCEs within the set of consecutive time slots is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and discard the blind detection of PDCCH candidates having an AL greater than the AL threshold based on a search space associated with at least one of the lowest priority or the largest index.

[0113] Aspect 14 is the apparatus according to any one of aspects 8 - 13, wherein, in order to perform the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots, the at least one processor is further configured to: discard the blind detection of at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidates based on the first PDCCH blind detection limit before discarding at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidates based on the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

[0114] Aspect 15 is a device for wireless communication, the device being a UE, comprising: a unit for receiving a PDCCH in a set of consecutive time slots, the set of consecutive time slots including at least two time slots; and a unit for performing a blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit and a second PDCCH blind detection limit, the first PDCCH blind detection limit being a single - time - slot limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit being a multi - time - slot limit.

[0115] Aspect 16 is the apparatus according to aspect 15, wherein the second PDCCH blind detection limit is based on the sub - carrier spacing of the received PDCCH.

[0116] Aspect 17 is the apparatus according to any one of aspects 15 - 16, wherein the set of consecutive time slots includes n time slots, where n≥2, and D 2 <D 1 *n, where D 1 is the first PDCCH blind detection limit and D 2 is the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

[0117] Aspect 18 is the apparatus according to any one of aspects 15 - 17, wherein the first PDCCH blind detection limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit are each associated with at least one of a limit on the number of blind decodings or a limit on the number of CCEs subjected to the blind detection.

[0118] Aspect 19 is the apparatus according to any one of aspects 15 - 18, wherein the unit for performing the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots is configured to: determine that the number of blind decodings within the set of consecutive time slots will be greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and if the determined number of blind decodings is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit, discard the blind detection for the search space associated with at least one of the last search space or the maximum index.

[0119] Aspect 20 is the apparatus according to any one of aspects 15 - 19, wherein the unit for performing the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots is configured to: determine that the number of CCEs within the set of consecutive time slots is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and discard the blind detection for the PDCCH candidate having an AL greater than the AL threshold based on the search space associated with at least one of the lowest priority or the maximum index.

[0120] Aspect 21 is the apparatus according to any one of aspects 15 - 20, wherein the unit for performing the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots is configured to: discard the blind detection for at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidate based on the first PDCCH blind detection limit before discarding at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidate based on the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

[0121] Aspect 22 is a computer - readable medium storing computer - executable code that, when executed by a processor of a UE, causes the processor to: receive PDCCHs in a set of consecutive time slots, the set of consecutive time slots including at least two time slots; and perform blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit and a second PDCCH blind detection limit, the first PDCCH blind detection limit being a single - time - slot limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit being a multi - time - slot limit.

[0122] Aspect 23 is the computer - readable medium according to aspect 22, wherein the second PDCCH blind detection limit is based on the sub - carrier spacing of the received PDCCH.

[0123] Aspect 24 is the computer - readable medium according to any one of aspects 22 - 23, wherein the set of consecutive time slots includes n time slots, where n≥2, and D 2 <D 1 *n, where D 1 is the first PDCCH blind detection limit, D 2is the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

[0124] Aspect 25 is the computer-readable medium according to any one of aspects 22-24, wherein each of the first PDCCH blind detection limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit is associated with at least one of a limit on the number of blind decodings or a limit on the number of CCEs subject to the blind detection.

[0125] Aspect 26 is the computer-readable medium according to any one of aspects 22-25, wherein, in order to perform the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots, the code further causes the processor of the UE, when executed by the processor of the UE: determine that the number of blind decodings within the set of consecutive time slots will be greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and if the determined number of blind decodings is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit, discard the blind detection of the search space associated with at least one of the last search space or the maximum index.

[0126] Aspect 27 is the computer-readable medium according to any one of aspects 22-26, wherein, in order to perform the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots, the code further causes the processor of the UE, when executed by the processor of the UE: determine that the number of CCEs within the set of consecutive time slots is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and discard the blind detection of the PDCCH candidate having an AL greater than the AL threshold based on the search space associated with at least one of the lowest priority or the maximum index.

[0127] Aspect 28 is the computer-readable medium according to any one of aspects 22-27, wherein, in order to perform the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots, the code further causes the processor of the UE, when executed by the processor of the UE: discard the blind detection of the at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidate based on the first PDCCH blind detection limit before discarding at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidate based on the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method for a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a set of consecutive time slots, the set of consecutive time slots including at least two time slots; and Perform blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit and a second PDCCH blind detection limit, where the first PDCCH blind detection limit is a single time slot limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit is a multi - time slot limit, wherein each of the first PDCCH blind detection limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit is associated with at least one of a limit on the number of blind decodings or a limit on the number of control channel elements (CCEs) subject to the blind detection, wherein the set of consecutive time slots includes n time slots, where n≥2, and D 2 <D 1 *n, where D 1 is the first PDCCH blind detection limit, and D 2 is the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the second PDCCH blind detection limit is based on the subcarrier spacing of the received PDCCH.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, performing the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots includes: determining that the number of blind decodings within the set of consecutive time slots will be greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and if the determined number of blind decodings is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit, discarding the blind detection of the search space associated with at least one of the last search space or the maximum index.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, performing the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots includes: determining that the number of control channel elements (CCEs) within the set of consecutive time slots is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and discarding the blind detection of PDCCH candidates with an aggregation level (AL) greater than the AL threshold based on the search space associated with at least one of the lowest priority or the maximum index.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, performing the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots includes: before discarding at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidate based on the second PDCCH blind detection limit, discarding the blind detection of at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidate based on the first PDCCH blind detection limit.

6. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus being a user equipment (UE), comprising: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to: receive a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a set of consecutive time slots, the set of consecutive time slots including at least two time slots; and Perform blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit and a second PDCCH blind detection limit, where the first PDCCH blind detection limit is a single-time-slot limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit is a multi-time-slot limit, and where the first PDCCH blind detection limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit are each associated with at least one of a limit on the number of blind decodings or a limit on the number of control channel elements (CCEs) subject to the blind detection. The set of consecutive time slots includes n time slots, where n ≥ 2, and D 2 <D 1 *n, where D 1 is the first PDCCH blind detection limit and D 2 is the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, the second PDCCH blind detection limit is based on the subcarrier spacing of the received PDCCH.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, to perform the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots, the at least one processor is further configured to: determine that the number of blind decodings within the set of consecutive time slots will be greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and if the determined number of blind decodings is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit, discard the blind detection of the search space associated with at least one of the last search space or the maximum index.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, to perform the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots, the at least one processor is further configured to: Determine that the number of control channel elements (CCEs) within the set of consecutive time slots is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and Discard the blind detection of PDCCH candidates with an AL greater than the AL threshold based on a search space associated with at least one of the lowest priority or the largest index.

10. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, To perform the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots, the at least one processor is further configured to: Before discarding at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidate based on the second PDCCH blind detection limit, discard the blind detection of at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidate based on the first PDCCH blind detection limit.

11. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus being a user equipment (UE), comprising: A unit for receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a set of consecutive time slots, the set of consecutive time slots including at least two time slots; and A unit for performing blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit and a second PDCCH blind detection limit, where the first PDCCH blind detection limit is a single time slot limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit is a multi-time slot limit, wherein each of the first PDCCH blind detection limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit is associated with at least one of a numerical limit on blind decoding or a numerical limit on control channel elements (CCEs) subject to the blind detection, wherein the set of consecutive time slots includes n time slots, where n ≥ 2, and D 2 < D 1 *n, where D 1 is the first PDCCH blind detection limit, and D 2 is the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The second PDCCH blind detection limit is based on the subcarrier spacing of the received PDCCH.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The unit for performing the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots is configured to: Determine that the number of blind decodings within the set of consecutive time slots will be greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and If the determined number of blind decodings is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit, discard the blind detection of the search space associated with at least one of the last search space or the largest index.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The unit for performing the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots is configured to: Determine that the number of control channel elements (CCEs) within the set of consecutive time slots is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and Discard the blind detection of PDCCH candidates with an AL greater than the AL threshold based on a search space associated with at least one of the lowest priority or the largest index.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The unit for performing the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots is configured to: Before discarding at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidate based on the second PDCCH blind detection limit, discard the blind detection of at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidate based on the first PDCCH blind detection limit.

16. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code that, when executed by a processor of a user equipment (UE), causes the processor to: Receive a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a set of consecutive time slots, the set of consecutive time slots including at least two time slots; and Perform blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots based on a first PDCCH blind detection limit and a second PDCCH blind detection limit, where the first PDCCH blind detection limit is a single-slot limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit is a multi-slot limit. Wherein, The first PDCCH blind detection limit and the second PDCCH blind detection limit are each associated with at least one of a limit on the number of blind decodings or a limit on the number of control channel elements (CCEs) subject to the blind detection, where the set of consecutive time slots includes n time slots, where n ≥ 2, and D 2 < D 1 *n, where D 1 is the first PDCCH blind detection limit, and D 2 is the second PDCCH blind detection limit.

17. The computer-readable medium according to claim 16, Wherein, The second PDCCH blind detection limit is based on the subcarrier spacing of the received PDCCH.

18. The computer-readable medium according to claim 16, Wherein, To perform the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots, the code further causes the processor, when executed by the processor of the UE: Determine that the number of blind decodings within the set of consecutive time slots will be greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and If the determined number of blind decodings is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit, discard the blind detection of the search space associated with at least one of the last search space or the maximum index.

19. The computer-readable medium according to claim 16, Wherein, To perform the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots, the code further causes the processor, when executed by the processor of the UE: Determine that the number of control channel elements (CCEs) within the set of consecutive time slots is greater than the second PDCCH blind detection limit; and Based on the search space associated with at least one of the lowest priority or the maximum index, discard the blind detection of the PDCCH candidates with an aggregation level (AL) greater than the AL threshold.

20. The computer-readable medium according to claim 16, Wherein, To perform the blind detection on each PDCCH received in the set of consecutive time slots, the code further causes the processor, when executed by the processor of the UE: Before discarding at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidate based on the second PDCCH blind detection limit, discard the blind detection of the at least one of the search space or the PDCCH candidate based on the first PDCCH blind detection limit.

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