Power saving technology

Abstract

Techniques are described that enable a user equipment (UE) to save power consumption while monitoring a control channel. One example technique includes determining, by a communications device, a listening pattern for the control channel based on at least one of receipt of first predefined signaling and a first timer, wherein the first predefined signaling includes a search space cluster group switch indication. The technique also includes monitoring the control channel based on the listening pattern after an application duration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to digital wireless communications. Background Art

[0002] Mobile communication technology is pushing the world towards an increasingly interconnected and networked society. Compared to existing wireless networks, next-generation systems and wireless communication technologies will need to support a wider range of use cases and provide a more complex and sophisticated range of access requirements and flexibility.

[0003] Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is a wireless communication standard for mobile devices and data terminals developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). LTE Advanced (LTE-A) is a wireless communication standard that enhances the LTE standard. The fifth-generation wireless system, known as 5G, enhances the LTE and LTE-A wireless standards and is committed to supporting higher data rates, a large number of connections, ultra-low latency, high reliability, and other emerging business requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technology disclosed in this patent document can enable a communication device, user equipment (UE), or wireless access node to save power. In some embodiments, the wireless access node communicates with a mobile station. In some embodiments, the communication device determines a listening mode for a control channel based on at least one of receipt of a first predefined signaling message and a first timer, wherein the first predefined signaling message includes a search space cluster group handover indication. In such an embodiment, the communication device monitors the control channel based on the listening mode after an application duration.

[0005] In some embodiments, the mobile station determines a listening mode associated with a first PDCCH search space cluster group index. In such an embodiment, the mobile station sends a first predefined signaling including a search space cluster group switching indication and the first PDCCH search space cluster group index to the wireless access node.

[0006] In another exemplary aspect, the above method is implemented in the form of processor-executable code and stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. When the code included in the computer-readable storage medium is executed by a processor, the processor causes the processor to implement the method described in this patent document.

[0007] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a wireless access device configured or operable to perform the method described above is disclosed.

[0008] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a network device configured or operable to perform the method described above is disclosed.

[0009] The above and other aspects and embodiments thereof are described in more detail in the drawings, description and claims.

[0010] The example headings used for the following sections are intended to aid understanding of the disclosed subject matter and do not in any way limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus, one or more features of one section may be combined with one or more features of another section. In addition, 5G terminology is used for clarity of explanation, but the technology disclosed in this document is not limited to 5G technology and can be used in wireless systems implementing other protocols. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 An example of a base station (BS) and a user equipment (UE) in wireless communication is shown.

[0012] Figure 2 A discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 It shows how the UE monitors the PDCCH.

[0014] Figure 4 It shows how the UE switches the listening mode based on the search space cluster group switching indication.

[0015] Figure 5 An example placement of the search space cluster group handover indication in the secondary cell (SCell) dormancy indication field is shown.

[0016] Figure 6 An exemplary flow chart of a wireless communication method for a communication device according to various embodiments is shown.

[0017] Figure 7 An exemplary flow chart of a wireless communication method for a network device according to various embodiments is shown.

[0018] Figure 8 is a block diagram representation of a portion of an apparatus that can be used to implement the methods and / or techniques of the presently disclosed technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] With the development of wireless communication technology, the performance of wireless communication systems (such as transmission rate, delay, throughput and reliability) has been greatly improved through technologies such as high frequency bands, large bandwidths and multiple antennas. On the other hand, in order to achieve high-performance wireless transmission, user equipment (UE) is expected to perform relatively complex processing to meet performance requirements, such as detecting large control channel bandwidths, more complex control information, data information encoding, decoding processing, etc., and the UE power consumption may affect the user experience. Therefore, UE power saving is an issue that should be addressed by wireless communication systems. In the development of wireless communication technology, how to save UE power consumption and achieve a balance between system performance and UE power while meeting certain performance indicators is a problem that needs to be solved.

[0020] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G, or NR cellular network) is shown, including a base station (BS) 120 and one or more user equipment (UE / communication device / radio access node) 111, 112, and 113. In some embodiments, uplink transmissions (131, 132, 133) include uplink control information (UCI), higher-layer signaling (e.g., UE assistance information or UE capabilities), or uplink information. In some embodiments, downlink transmissions (141, 142, 143) include DCI or higher-layer signaling or downlink information. UEs can be, for example, smartphones, tablets, mobile computers, machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, terminals, mobile devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and the like.

[0021] This document uses section headings and subheadings for ease of understanding and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed techniques and embodiments to certain sections. Therefore, embodiments disclosed in different sections can be used together. In addition, this document uses examples from the 3GPP NR network architecture and 5G protocols only to facilitate understanding, and the disclosed techniques and embodiments can be practiced in other wireless systems using communication protocols other than the 3GPP protocols.

[0022] Brief Discussion

[0023] In an LTE communication system, discontinuous reception (DRX) may be used for terminal (or UE) power saving.

[0024] Figure 2An example of a DRX cycle is shown. The basic mechanism of DRX is to configure a DRX cycle for the UE. drx-ondurationTimer starts the DRX cycle. During the drx-ondurationTimer, the UE is in the "DRX on" state and continuously monitors the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and if the UE successfully decodes the PDCCH, the UE remains awake (in the "DRX on" state) and starts the inactivity timer. After the drx-ondurationTimer or drx-inactivityTimer expires, the UE can go to sleep (in the "DRX off" state). In "DRX off", the UE does not monitor the PDCCH to save power.

[0025] Active Time Description

[0026] When configuring the DRX cycle, the activation time of the serving cell in the DRX group includes the time in the following situations:

[0027] - the drx-onDurationTimer or drx-InactivityTimer configured for the DRX group is running; or

[0028] - drx-RetransmissionTimerDL or drx-RetransmissionTimerUL is running on any serving cell in the DRX group; or

[0029] -ra-ContentionResolutionTimer or msgB-ResponseWindow is running; or

[0030] - a Scheduling Request is sent on the PUCCH and is pending; or

[0031] -After successfully receiving a random access response (Random Access Response) to a random access preamble (Random Access Preamble) that was not selected by the MAC entity among the contention-based random access preambles, no PDCCH indicating a new transmission of a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) addressed to the medium access control (MAC) entity is received.

[0032] "DRX on" includes the time when drx-onDurationTimer or drx-InactivityTimer is started.

[0033] In NR, more power-saving techniques are proposed. For example, DCI format 2_6 can be used to notify one or more UEs of power-saving information outside of DRX activation time. In another example, fields in DCI formats 0_1 and 1_1 can be used to indicate the minimum applicable scheduling offset (inter-slot scheduling), etc. In another example, DCI formats 0_1, 1_1, or 2_6 can be used to indicate SCell dormancy, etc.

[0034] In 5G NR-U (unlicensed), more power saving techniques using the search space cluster group switching functionality are proposed. In some examples, the search space cluster group switching can be triggered by DCI format 2-0. In some examples, the timer can be configured using the value configured by the high-level parameter searchSpaceSwitchingTimer-r16. In some examples, the group index of the corresponding search space set by searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16 can be provided to the UE for PDCCH monitoring on the serving cell. If the UE is provided with a searchSpaceSwitchingGroupList-r16 indicating one or more serving cell groups, the search space cluster group switching procedure can be applied to all serving cells within each group. If the UE is not provided with a searchSpaceSwitchingGroupList-r16, the search space cluster group switching procedure can only be applied to the serving cell for which the searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16 is provided to the UE.

[0035] Cross-slot scheduling:

[0036] In New Radio (NR) Release-16, higher layer signaling minimumSchedulingOffsetK0 can configure one or two minimum K0 (k0min) values. In some examples, if higher layer signaling is configured, the bit width of the Minimum Applicable Scheduling Offset Indicator field in Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 1_1 can be 1 bit. In some examples, if no higher layer signaling is configured, the bit width of the Minimum Applicable Scheduling Offset Indicator field in Downlink Control Information (DCI) format 1_1 can be 0 bits.

[0037] In some examples, the higher layer signaling minimumSchedulingOffsetK2 can configure one or two minimum K2 (k2min) values. In some examples, if the higher layer signaling is configured, the bit width of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator field in DCI format 0_1 can be 1 bit. In some examples, if the higher layer signaling is not configured, the bit width of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator field in DCI format 0_1 can be 0 bit. In some embodiments, fields in DCI format 0_1 or DCI format 1_1 are used to determine (or indicate) the minimum value K0 or the minimum value K2. In some embodiments, if K0min is greater than 0, a DCI and the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) scheduled by the DCI cannot be received in one time slot. In such an embodiment, the user equipment (UE) can relax the processing time to save power. In some embodiments, if K2min is greater than 0, the scheduled physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) scheduled by the DCI and the DCI may not be received in one time slot.

[0038] In some embodiments, K0min is defined as the minimum time slot offset between a DCI and the PDSCH (physical downlink shared channel) it schedules.

[0039] In some embodiments, K2min is defined as the minimum time slot offset between a DCI and the PUSCH (physical uplink shared channel) it schedules.

[0040] In some embodiments, K0 is defined as the time slot offset between a DCI and the PDSCH (physical downlink shared channel) it schedules.

[0041] In some embodiments, K2 is defined as the time slot offset between a DCI and the PUSCH (physical uplink shared channel) it schedules.

[0042] Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) search space set configuration:

[0043] In some embodiments, for each DL BWP configured for the UE in the serving cell, the UE can be provided with S ≤ 10 search space sets by a higher layer, where for each of the S search space sets, the following can be provided to the UE through SearchSpace:

[0044] The search space set index s, 0 < s < 40, provided through searchSpaceId,

[0045] The PDCCH monitoring period of k_s time slots and the PDCCH monitoring offset of o_s time slots, provided through monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset,

[0046] The PDCCH monitoring mode within a slot (indicating one or more first symbols of the CORESET within the slot for PDCCH monitoring) is provided by monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot.

[0047] The duration of T_s < k_s slots (indicating the number of slots where the search space set s exists) is provided by duration.

[0048] Figure 3 Illustrates how a UE monitors the PDCCH. The UE monitors the control channel based on the monitoring mode. In some embodiments, the monitoring mode consists of one or more parameters that enable the UE to monitor the control channel based on these one or more parameters. In some embodiments, the monitoring mode may be associated with (or determined by) a group of search space sets for the UE to monitor the PDCCH. In some embodiments, the search space set is divided into different groups of search space clusters. In some embodiments, the UE monitors the PDCCH according to the monitoring mode associated with the group of search space clusters. In some embodiments, the number of slots for the UE to monitor the PDDCH based on a specific group of search space clusters may be less than the number of slots for the UE to monitor the PDDCH based on other different groups of search space clusters, thus saving power.

[0049] In some embodiments, the group of search space sets for the UE to monitor the PDCCH represents the monitoring mode. In some examples, the UE determines how to monitor the PDCCH based on the following parameters: monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset, monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot, and duration in each SearchSpace configuration. In a conventional system, the UE consumes a large amount of power when monitoring the PDCCH. However, if the search space set is configured to have a larger PDCCH monitoring period or a smaller PDCCH monitoring duration, the number of slots for the UE to monitor the PDDCH may be reduced, and this helps to save power. In some embodiments, if the number of symbols in a slot is reduced, it also helps to reduce power consumption.

[0050] In some embodiments, if a UE (user equipment) is in active time (e.g., DRX is on), the UE may monitor the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) during each monitoring opportunity configured by higher-layer signaling. However, if the gNodeB does not send any DCI (Downlink Control Information) via the PDCCH, the UE may expend significant power to monitor the PDCCH. In some embodiments, PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be utilized as a method for enabling the UE to reduce the number of PDCCHs monitored over a period of time (even during active time) to save power. In the present invention, a PDCCH search space cluster group switching indication may be indicated to the UE via a triggering method to save power.

[0051] Brief Description

[0052] In some embodiments, a UE may receive predefined signaling from a gNodeB (gNB). In some embodiments, the UE determines a search space cluster group based on at least one of the predefined signaling and higher-layer signaling. In some embodiments, the UE monitors the PDCCH based on the search space cluster group. In some embodiments, the predefined signaling is DCI. In some embodiments, a field in the predefined signaling is used to indicate at least one of the following: a minimum applicable scheduling offset indication, a search space cluster group switching indication, and a secondary cell (SCell) sleep indication. In some embodiments, the field used to indicate the search space cluster group switching indication is at least one of the following: a minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field, a search space cluster group switching indication field, a secondary cell (SCell) sleep indication field, a modulation and coding scheme field, a new data indicator field, a redundancy version field, a HARQ process number field, an antenna port field, and a DMRS sequence initialization field.

[0053] Figure 4 This section illustrates how a UE switches its listening mode based on a search space cluster group switching indication. In some embodiments, the UE may determine a listening mode for a control channel based on at least one of receipt of first predefined signaling and a first timer, wherein the first predefined signaling includes a search space cluster group switching indication. In such embodiments, the UE monitors the control channel based on the listening mode after an application duration. In some embodiments, the UE determines the listening mode based on one or more information fields in the first predefined signaling. In some embodiments, higher-layer signaling may include search space cluster group configuration information.

[0054] For example, in some embodiments, if the UE receives a DCI signal including a search space cluster group switching indication, and the search space cluster group switching indication indicates a new search space cluster group index that is different from the current search space cluster group index, the UE may switch the listening mode to the new listening mode indicated by the new search space cluster group index, and monitor the PDCCH according to the new listening mode indicated by the DCI after the application duration. Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the UE receives a DCI signal indicating a search space cluster group switching indication and a search space cluster group index value of "1" (in this embodiment, the value "0" represents the search space cluster group index 0, and the value "1" represents the search space cluster group index 1). In this embodiment, the UE may stop monitoring the PDCCH associated with the search space cluster group index 0, and may start monitoring the PDCCH associated with the search space cluster group index 1 after the application duration.

[0055] Search space cluster group configuration

[0056] In some embodiments, the search space cluster group is configured based on high-layer signaling. In some embodiments, the high-layer signaling includes at least one of the following: layer 3 signaling (e.g., radio resource control signal) or layer 2 signaling (e.g., medium access control (MAC) control unit signal). For example, in some embodiments, the search space cluster group can be configured based on radio resource control (RRC) signaling. In some embodiments, multiple search space sets with the same search space cluster group index are in the same search space cluster group. In some embodiments, if the search space set is not configured with a search space cluster group index, the search space cluster group index can be a default value (e.g., 0), where the default value is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than 10. In some embodiments, the search space set can be configured with multiple search space cluster group indexes. For example, the search space set can be configured with search space cluster group index 0 and search space cluster group index 1, that is, the search space set can belong to both search space cluster group 1 and search space cluster group 0.

[0057] In some embodiments, search space cluster groups are configured based on higher-layer signaling. The higher-layer signaling includes at least one of the following: a PDCCH monitoring period, a PDCCH monitoring offset, a duration, a PDCCH monitoring pattern within a timeslot, and a search space index. Search space sets are grouped by at least one of the following: a PDCCH monitoring period, a PDCCH monitoring offset, a duration, a PDCCH monitoring pattern within a timeslot, and a search space index. This approach has the benefit of eliminating the need for the gNB to send additional signaling. For example, search space sets configured with a PDCCH monitoring period greater than a first threshold can be in the same search space cluster group, while search space sets configured with a PDCCH monitoring period not greater than the first threshold can be in another search space cluster group.

[0058] For another example, search space sets configured with a duration greater than a second threshold may be in the same search space cluster group, and search space sets configured with a duration not greater than the second threshold may be in another search space cluster group.

[0059] For another example, search space sets configured with a duration greater than the second threshold and a PDCCH listening period less than the first threshold may be in the same search space cluster group, and search space sets configured with a duration not greater than the second threshold or a PDCCH listening period greater than or equal to the first threshold may be in another search space cluster group. In some embodiments, the first threshold is a positive integer, such as 100. In some embodiments, the second threshold is a positive integer, such as 20.

[0060] In some embodiments, a search space set may support search space cluster group switching and may be referred to as a first-type search space set. For example, the search space set may only be configured within a search space cluster group. In such embodiments, the first-type search space set includes at least one of the following: a UE-specific search space (USS) or a type 3 common search space (CSS).

[0061] In other embodiments, the search space set may not support search space cluster group switching and may be referred to as a second-type search space set. For example, the search space set may be configured in each search space cluster group so as not to support search space cluster group switching. In such an embodiment, the second-type search space set includes at least one of the following: Type 1 CSS, Type 0 CSS, Type 0A CSS, or Type 2 CSS.

[0062] Trigger Method

[0063] In some embodiments, the listening mode for the control channel is based on reception of a first predefined signaling. In other embodiments, the listening mode for the control channel is based on a first timer.

[0064] In other words, the PDCCH search space cluster group switching can be triggered by at least one of the following: predefined signaling, a timer, and a predefined condition. In some embodiments, the PDCCH search space cluster group switching can be triggered by predefined signaling. In some embodiments, the predefined signaling indicates at least one of the following: a search space cluster group index, enabling or disabling the search space cluster group, and a search space set switching parameter. In some embodiments, the search space set switching parameter includes at least one of the following: a scaling factor of the PDCCH listening period, a threshold of the PDCCH listening period, a threshold of the listening duration, a scaling factor of the duration, a PDCCH listening period, and a duration. The advantage of predefined signaling indicating the search space set switching parameter is that the search space set can be dynamically grouped into two groups according to the search space set switching parameter.

[0065] In some embodiments, the search space set switching parameter includes a PDCCH monitoring period. In such an embodiment, the PDCCH monitoring period of the first type of search space set is reset to the indicated PDCCH monitoring period. In some embodiments, the first type of search space set includes a USS or a Type 3 CSS.

[0066] In some embodiments, the search space set switching parameter includes a duration. In such an embodiment, the PDCCH monitoring duration of the first type of search space set is reset to the indicated PDCCH monitoring duration. In some embodiments, the first type of search space set includes a USS or a Type 3 CSS.

[0067] In some embodiments, the search space set switching parameter includes a threshold value of the PDCCH monitoring period. In such an embodiment, the UE monitors the PDCCH according to a search space set configured with a PDCCH monitoring period greater than or equal to the threshold. In some embodiments, the search space set switching parameter includes a threshold value of the PDCCH monitoring period. In such an embodiment, if the search space set is configured with a PDCCH monitoring period less than the threshold, the UE may monitor the PDCCH in the search space set according to the function {PDCCH monitoring period, threshold}. In some embodiments, this function may be a maximum function. In other embodiments, this function may be a least common multiple function. In some embodiments, this function may be an addition function.

[0068] In some embodiments, the search space set switching parameter includes a threshold value of the monitoring duration. In such an embodiment, the UE monitors the PDCCH according to the search space set configured with a PDCCH monitoring duration smaller than the threshold value.

[0069] In some embodiments, the search space set switching parameter may be a scaling factor for the PDCCH listening period. In such embodiments, if the UE receives a scaling factor for the PDCCH listening period, the PDCCH listening period for the search space sets in the search space cluster group may be multiplied by the scaling factor. In some embodiments, the search space cluster group is the USS and Type-3 CSS in the active BWP of the indicated serving cell.

[0070] In some embodiments, the search space cluster group is the set of search spaces in the active BWP for which the indication is received. In some embodiments, the search space cluster group is the USS and Type-3 CSS in the active BWP. In some embodiments, the search space cluster group is the set of search spaces in the active BWP.

[0071] In some embodiments, the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be triggered by at least one timer. In such an embodiment, the timer value may be configured by higher layer signaling. In such an embodiment, if higher layer signaling is configured, the PDCCH search space cluster group switching triggered by the timer may be enabled. In some embodiments, if higher layer signaling configures more than one search space cluster group and the search space cluster group index of the current application is of the first category, the UE may change to another search space cluster group at least after the application duration or after the timer expires. In some embodiments, the UE may decrement the timer value by 1 after each time slot based on the reference SCS configuration μ. In some embodiments, if the PDCCH search space cluster group switching is triggered based on the reception of predefined signaling, the application duration is the first application duration, and if the PDCCH search space cluster group switching is triggered based on the timer, the application duration is the second application duration, wherein the second application duration is different from the first application duration.

[0072] In some embodiments, the first type of search space cluster group is a search space cluster group with a larger period or a smaller duration or a lower index.

[0073] In some embodiments, PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be triggered by at least one predefined signaling.

[0074] For example, in some embodiments, if DCI-based PDCCH search space set switching indication is enabled and the UE does not receive predefined signaling indicating which group to apply, the default search space cluster group will be used. In some embodiments, the default search space cluster group can be configured by higher layer signaling. In some embodiments, the default search space set can be a search space cluster group with a smaller periodicity, a larger duration, or a lower index. In some embodiments, the default search space cluster group can be a search space cluster group with a larger periodicity or a smaller duration.

[0075] Enable DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching

[0076] In some embodiments, DCI-triggered PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled. In other words, in such embodiments, DCI can be used to indicate PDCCH search space cluster group switching. In some embodiments, DCI-triggered PDCCH search space cluster group switching is not enabled. In such embodiments, DCI cannot indicate PDCCH search space cluster group switching.

[0077] In some embodiments, indicating a search space cluster group switch means indicating a search space cluster group index. In some embodiments, indicating a search space cluster group switch means indicating a search space cluster group index that is different from a currently applied search space cluster group index. In some embodiments, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switch may be enabled based on at least one of: higher layer signaling, UE capabilities, DCI, radio network temporary identifier (RNTI), bandwidth part (BWP), and frequency band. DCI-based PDCCH search space set group switch is a PDCCH search space set group switch triggered by DCI. In some embodiments, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switch may be enabled based at least on higher layer signaling.

[0078] For example, higher-layer signaling is used to enable DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching. In such an embodiment, if higher-layer signaling is configured, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled; otherwise, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is disabled. In another example, higher-layer signaling is used to indicate whether DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled or disabled. In such an example, if higher-layer signaling is configured and indicates enabling DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching, DCI-based search space cluster group switching is enabled; otherwise, DCI-based search space cluster group switching is disabled.

[0079] In another example, high-layer signaling is used to enable DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching. In such an example, if the search space configured in the BWP includes more search space cluster group indices than a third threshold, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled, otherwise, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is disabled. In such an embodiment, the third threshold is a positive integer less than 6 (e.g., 1). In some embodiments, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching can be enabled based on at least UE capabilities. For example, the UE capability can be a UE report of whether the UE supports DCI-based PDCCH search space set switching. In such an example, if the UE report indicates support, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled, otherwise, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is disabled.

[0080] In some embodiments, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be enabled based on at least DCI and higher layer signaling. For example, if the DCI includes a minimum applicable scheduling offset field having a bit width greater than or equal to 1 bit and higher layer signaling configured with at least two groups in the search space cluster group, then DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled.

[0081] In some embodiments, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be enabled based at least on the DCI. For example, in such an example, if the DCI format is a first-category DCI format, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled; otherwise, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is disabled. In some embodiments, the first-category DCI format may include at least one of the following: DCI format 0_1, DCI format 1_1, DCI format 0_2, DCI format 1_2, DCI format 2_0, and DCI format 2_6. In such an embodiment, the DCI format may include a field for indicating a PDCCH search space cluster group switching.

[0082] In some embodiments, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be enabled based on at least an RNTI. In such an embodiment, if the DCI is scrambled using a first type of RNTI, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled; otherwise, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is disabled. In such an embodiment, the first type of RNTI may include at least one of the following: a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), a configured scheduling RNTI (CS-RNTI), a modulation coding scheme C-RNTI (MCS-C-RNTI), a slot format indication RNTI (SFI-RNTI), a semi-persistent channel state information RNTI (SP-CSI-RNTI), a power saving RNTI (PS-RNTI), and a specific RNTI. In some embodiments, the specific RNTI is an RNTI used for search space cluster group switching or reduced PDCCH monitoring.

[0083] In some embodiments, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be enabled based on at least an RNTI and higher layer signaling. In such an embodiment, if the DCI is scrambled using a first type of RNTI and higher layer signaling enables DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching, then DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled; otherwise, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is disabled.

[0084] In some embodiments, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be enabled based at least on DCI and higher-layer signaling. In such an embodiment, if the DCI format is a first-category DCI format and higher-layer signaling enables DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching, then DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled; otherwise, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is disabled. In such an embodiment, the first-category DCI format may include at least one of the following: DCI format 0_1, DCI format 1_1, DCI format 0_2, DCI format 1_2, DCI format 2_0, and DCI format 2_6. In such an embodiment, the DCI format includes a field for indicating a PDCCH search space cluster group switching.

[0085] In some embodiments, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be enabled based on at least the DCI and the RNTI. In such an embodiment, if the DCI format is a first-type DCI format and is scrambled with a first-type RNTI, then DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled, otherwise, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is disabled.

[0086] In some embodiments, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be enabled based at least on the BWP. In such embodiments, if the search space configured in the BWP includes more search space cluster group indices than a third threshold, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled; otherwise, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is disabled. In such embodiments, the third threshold is a positive integer value and is less than 6 (e.g., 1).

[0087] In some embodiments, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be enabled based on at least a frequency band. In some embodiments, DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be enabled in licensed bands and disabled in unlicensed bands. In some embodiments, if DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled, a field may be used to indicate the presence of PDCCH search space set switching in the DCI. In some embodiments, the predefined signaling is the DCI.

[0088] Reuse or repurpose existing fields

[0089] In some embodiments, the field used to indicate a PDCCH search space set switch may be a reused field in the DCI. For example, the DCI may include several information fields, each with its own purpose. Reusing a DCI field means repurposing an information field. For example, the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator field is used to indicate a minimum scheduling offset limit. In some embodiments, if the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator field is reused or repurposed to indicate a PDCCH search space set switch, this field may be used to indicate at least one of a PDCCH search space set switch and a minimum scheduling offset limit.

[0090] In some embodiments, at least one of the following fields may be reused (or repurposed) to indicate a PDCCH search space set switch: minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field, search space cluster group switch indication field, secondary cell (SCell) sleep indication field, modulation and coding scheme field, new data indicator field, redundant version field, HARQ process number field, antenna port field, and DMRS sequence initialization field.

[0091] In some embodiments, the minimum scheduling offset limit indicator field is reused or repurposed to indicate a PDCCH search space cluster group switch, which means that the field can be used to indicate both the minimum scheduling offset limit and the PDCH search space cluster group switch.

[0092] For example, in some embodiments, if DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled and the Minimum Scheduling Offset Restriction Indicator field is present, the Minimum Scheduling Offset Restriction Indicator field is used to indicate PDCCH search space set switching and the minimum scheduling offset restriction. In some embodiments, a value of '0' indicated by this field indicates a first-category search space cluster group, and a value of '1' indicated by this field indicates a second-category search space cluster group. In some embodiments, the first-category search space cluster group is search space cluster group index 0, and the second-category search space cluster group is search space cluster group index 1.

[0093] For another example, if DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is disabled and the minimum scheduling offset limit indicator field exists, the minimum scheduling offset limit indicator field is only used to indicate the minimum scheduling offset limit.

[0094] In another example, if DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled and minimum scheduling offset restriction is disabled (minimumSchedulingOffsetK0 or minimumSchedulingOffsetK2 is not configured), the minimum scheduling offset restriction indicator field exists and is only used to indicate PDCCH search space cluster group switching.

[0095] In another example, if DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is disabled and the minimum scheduling offset limit is disabled (minimumSchedulingOffsetK0 or minimumSchedulingOffsetK2 is not configured), the minimum scheduling offset limit indicator field does not exist. In some embodiments, the bits of the minimum scheduling offset limit field are used to indicate the PDCCH search space cluster group switching in the BWP or serving cell receiving the indication. Benefits of this technique may include: the minimum scheduling offset limit field can be present in at least DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1, and using this field may not require the addition of a new field.

[0096] In some embodiments, the field used for the SCell sleep indicator is reused or repurposed to indicate a PDCCH search space cluster group switch. A field that can be used for SCell sleep indication is referred to as an SCell sleep indicator field. Fields that can be used for SCell sleep indication include at least one of the following: a secondary cell (SCell) sleep indication field, a modulation and coding scheme field, a new data indicator field, a redundancy version field, a HARQ process number field, an antenna port field, and a DMRS sequence initialization field.

[0097] SCell Sleep Indication is used to indicate whether the SCell group switches to the sleep BWP. The UE does not monitor the PDCCH in the sleep BWP. SCell Sleep Indication – If the higher-layer parameter SCell-groups-for-dormant-in-active-time is not configured, it is 0 bit; otherwise it is a 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5-bit bitmap determined by the higher-layer parameter SCell-groups-for-dormant-in-active-time, where each bit corresponds to one of the one or more Scell ​​groups configured by the higher-layer parameter Scell-groups-for-dormant-in-active-time, where the MSB to LSB of the bitmap correspond to the first to the last configured Scell ​​groups. This field exists only when the PDCCH carrying this format is within the DRX activation time on the primary cell and the UE is configured with at least two DL BWPs on the SCell.

[0098] In some embodiments, if the one-shot HARQ-ACK request is not present or is set to "0", and all bits of the frequency domain resource allocation are set to 0 for resource allocation type 0, or set to 1 for resource allocation type 1, or set to 0 or 1 for the dynamic switching resource allocation type, then this field is reserved and the following fields are used for SCell dormancy indication, where each bit corresponds to one of the one or more configured SCells, where the MSB to LSB of the fields connected in the following order correspond to the SCell with the lowest to highest SCell index: modulation and coding scheme field for transport block 1, new data indicator field for transport block 1, redundant version field for transport block 1, HARQ process number field, one or more antenna port fields, DMRS sequence initialization field.

[0099] In some embodiments, the number of bits in the PDCCH Search Space Cluster Group Switch Indicator field is determined by higher-layer signaling. In some embodiments, each bit of the PDCCH Search Space Cluster Group Switch Indicator field may be associated with a serving cell group. In such embodiments, the bit is used to indicate a PDCCH search space cluster group switch within the associated serving cell group. In some embodiments, the PDCCH Search Space Cluster Group Switch Indicator field has only one bit. In such embodiments, the bit is used to indicate a PDCCH search space cluster group switch within the serving cell or BWP receiving the indication.

[0100] Example

[0101] In some embodiments, a field that can be used for the SCell dormancy indicator is also used to indicate a PDCCH search space cluster group switch if conditions are met. In some embodiments, the conditions are at least one of: enabling DCI-based search space cluster group switch, configuring the higher layer parameter Scell-groups-for-dormant-in-active-time, the single HARQ-ACK request is absent or set to "0", and all bits of the frequency domain resource allocation are set to 0 for resource allocation type 0, set to 1 for resource allocation type 1, or set to 0 or 1 for dynamic switching resource allocation type. In some embodiments, if the single HARQ-ACK request is not present or is set to "0", and all bits of the frequency domain resource allocation are set to 0 for resource allocation type 0, set to 1 for resource allocation type 1, or set to 0 or 1 for the dynamic switching resource allocation type, then the following fields: modulation and coding scheme field, new data indicator field, redundant version field, HARQ process number field, one or more antenna ports field and DMRS sequence initialization field are used for SCell sleep indication and PDCCH search space cluster group switching indication, where each bit of the SCell sleep indication corresponds to one of the one or more configured SCells, and each bit of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching indication corresponds to a service cell group or a service cell, and the MSB to LSB of the above fields concatenated in the following order correspond to the SCell with the lowest to highest SCell index and the PDCCH search space cluster group switching indication. In some embodiments, if the single HARQ-ACK request is not present or is set to "0", and all bits of the frequency domain resource allocation are set to 0 for resource allocation type 0, set to 1 for resource allocation type 1, or set to 0 or 1 for the dynamic switching resource allocation type, then the following fields: modulation and coding scheme field, new data indicator field, redundant version field, HARQ process number field, antenna port field and DMRS sequence initialization field are used for SCell sleep indication and PDCCH search space cluster group switching indication, where each bit of the SCell sleep indication corresponds to one of the configured SCells, and each bit of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching indication corresponds to a serving cell group or a serving cell with the above fields connected in sequence from MSB to LSB.

[0102] Figure 5 An example placement of a search space cluster group switch indication in the secondary cell (SCell) sleep indication field is shown. In some embodiments, the indication of the PDCCH search space cluster group switch is placed after the SCell sleep indication. Figure 5In the SCell sleep indicator, the SCell sleep indicator is placed in the first 4 bits, and the PDCCH search space cluster group switching indication is placed immediately after the SCell sleep indicator. In some embodiments, these bits represent the following parameters from left to right: modulation and coding scheme for transport block 1, new data indicator for transport block 1, redundancy version for transport block 1, number of HARQ processes, one or more antenna ports, and DMRS sequence initialization.

[0103] In some embodiments, if SCell dormancy indication is disabled and DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching is enabled, the SCell dormancy indication field is present and is used only to indicate a PDCCH search space cluster group switching. In some embodiments, disabling SCell dormancy indication means that the SCell dormancy indication field is absent because higher layer signaling is not configured based on information related to SCell dormancy. Benefits of this technique include: Because the SCell dormancy indicator carries HARQ-ACK, the gNB can know whether the UE has received the indication.

[0104] In some embodiments, the SCell Sleep Indicator field is reused or repurposed to indicate a PDCCH search space cluster group switch. In some embodiments, if the SCell Sleep Indicator field is not present because the SCell Sleep Indicator field is not enabled, and DCI-based PDCCH search space set switching is enabled, the SCell Sleep Indicator field is present and is only used to indicate a PDCCH search space cluster group switch.

[0105] Add a new field

[0106] In some embodiments, the PDCCH search space cluster group switching is indicated in a new field of the DCI. The bit width of the new field is determined by higher layer signaling.

[0107] Predefined signaling

[0108] In some embodiments, the predefined signaling is L1 (Layer 1) signaling. In some embodiments, the predefined signaling is high-layer signaling. In some embodiments, the predefined signaling is a DCI signal. In some embodiments, the DCI signal format is at least one of the following: DCI format 0_1, DCI format 1_1, DCI format 2_0, or DCI format 2_6. In some embodiments, if the UE simultaneously receives different indications of PDCCH search space cluster group switching from different DCIs, the UE behavior will be based on at least one of the following: according to the indication carried by DCI format 1_1; according to the indication carried by DCI format 2_0; according to the indication carried by DCI format 0_1; according to the indication carried by the DCI format with a higher priority; according to the indication with the lowest index; or ignoring all indications.

[0109] In some embodiments, the priority of the DCI format is indicated by higher layer signaling or DCI. In some embodiments, the priority of the DCI format is in the following order: DCI format 1_1 ≥ DCI format 0_1 ​​≥ DCI format 2_0. In some embodiments, the priority of the DCI format is in the following order: DCI format 2_0 ≥ DCI format 1_1 ≥ DCI format 0_1. In some embodiments, DCI format 2_6 has the highest priority. In some embodiments, the UE does not expect to receive different PDCCH search space cluster group switching indications from different DCIs at the same time. For example, in some embodiments, the UE may receive one DCI indicating search space cluster group index 0 and another DCI indicating search space cluster group index 1. In such an embodiment, if the UE does not expect to receive different indications of PDCCH search space cluster group switching from different DCIs at the same time, the UE may determine that the two DCI indications are erroneous indications and ignore the two indications.

[0110] In some embodiments, simultaneously means within one time slot or one symbol or one millisecond.

[0111] In some embodiments, the predefined signaling indicates a PDCCH search space cluster group switch in the activated BWP or serving cell receiving the indication. For example, the predefined signaling includes at least DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1, and the DCI indicates a PDCCH search space cluster group switch in the activated BWP or serving cell receiving the DCI.

[0112] In some embodiments, predefined signaling indicates a PDCCH search space cluster group switch in more than one serving cell, or in a serving cell group, or in more than one BWP. In some embodiments, the predefined signaling includes DCI format 1_1. In such embodiments, the DCI indicates a PDCCH search space cluster group switch in a serving cell group. In such embodiments, the serving cell group is configured by higher-layer signaling. In some embodiments, the predefined signaling includes DCI format 2_6. In such embodiments, the DCI indicates PDCCH search space cluster group switch information to one or more UEs.

[0113] In some embodiments, the predefined signaling cannot include both DCI format 2_0 and a second-class DCI format. In such embodiments, the second-class DCI format is at least one of the following: DCI format 0_1, DCI format 1_1, or DCI format 2_6. In some embodiments, if a UE receives an indication of a PDCCH search space cluster group switch in DCI format 2_0 and a second-class DCI format, the second-class DCI format is at least DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 0_1. In such embodiments, the UE may follow the indication in the second-class DCI format for the associated BWP or serving cell, and for the serving cell. In some embodiments, if the BWP does not receive information indicating a PDCCH search space cluster group switch in the second-class DCI, but receives an indication of a PDCCH search space cluster group switch in DCI format 2_0, the UE may follow the indication in DCI format 2_0.

[0114] In some embodiments, PDCCH search space cluster group switching triggered by DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 2_6 is disabled in unlicensed bands. In some embodiments, PDCCH search space cluster group switching triggered by DCI format 2_0 is disabled in licensed bands.

[0115] Application duration

[0116] In some embodiments, the mobile station operating in listening mode after the application duration means that the gNB switches to a search space cluster group indicated by predefined signaling or a timer after the application duration. In some embodiments, switching to means completing the switch. In some embodiments, the application duration for PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be associated with at least one of the following: application delay for a minimum scheduling offset, higher layer signaling, BWP switching delay, subcarrier spacing (SCS), a predefined value, minimum scheduling offset for K0 (K0min), minimum scheduling offset for K2 (K2min), K0, K2, K1, UE capabilities, UE type, or UE assistance information. In some embodiments, the application duration is measured in symbols, slots, or milliseconds. In some embodiments, the application duration begins at the symbol following the last symbol of the PDCCH indicating a PDCCH search space cluster group switch. In some embodiments, the application duration begins at the next slot following the slot indicating a PDCCH search space cluster group switch. In some embodiments, a PDCCH search space cluster group switch is indicated by receiving (or indicating) a PDCCH search space cluster group index. In other embodiments, the PDCCH search space cluster group switching is indicated by receiving (or indicating) a PDCCH search space cluster group index that is different from the currently applied PDCCH search space cluster group.

[0117] In some embodiments, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be associated with at least one of the application delay of the minimum scheduling offset and higher layer signaling. In some embodiments, if a first predefined condition is met, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be associated with at least the application delay of the minimum scheduling offset; otherwise, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may not be associated with the application delay of the minimum scheduling offset. In some embodiments, the first predefined condition is at least one of the following: the Minimum Applicable Scheduling Offset Indication field is used to indicate that the PDCCH search space cluster group switching is applied, and a minimum scheduling offset of K0 (K0min) or a minimum scheduling offset of K2 (K2min) is applied.

[0118] In some embodiments, higher layer signaling is configured with an initial application duration (T_duration_i) for PDCCH search space cluster group switching, which may be further determined based on an application delay of a minimum scheduling offset (T_app_min). In some embodiments, higher layer signaling is configured with an initial application duration (T_duration_i) for PDCCH search space cluster group switching for different SCSs, the associated value is the SCS, which is the same as that used for receiving the indicated BWP, and the initial application duration may be further determined based on an application delay of a minimum scheduling offset (T_app_min). In some embodiments, if a first predefined condition is met, the initial application duration may be further determined based on an application delay of a minimum scheduling offset (T_app_min).

[0119] For example, T_duration_i=operation1(T_duration_i, T_app_min), operation1 can be taking the maximum value, taking the minimum value, or addition. In some embodiments, T_duration_i and T_app_min may have different units (for example, T_duration_i is in symbols and T_app_min is in slots), which need to be changed to the same unit before finalizing (operation1). For example, T_duration_i is in symbols and T_app_min is in slots. The unit of T_duration_i can be changed to the unit of T_app_min according to operation2 (T_duration_i / Nslot). Operation2 can be rounded up or down, or the original value can be retained. Nslot is the number of symbols in a slot. For another example, T_duration_i is in symbols and T_app_min is in slots. According to T_app_min*Nslot, the unit of T_app_min is changed to the unit of T_duration_i.

[0120] In some embodiments, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be associated with at least an application delay of a minimum scheduling offset and a predefined value. In some embodiments, the predefined value includes an initial application duration (T_duration_i) for the PDCCH search space cluster group switching, which initial application duration may be further determined based on the application delay of the minimum scheduling offset (T_app_min). In some embodiments, the predefined value includes an initial application duration (T_duration_i) for the PDCCH search space cluster group switching, and if a first predefined condition is met, the initial application duration may be further determined based on the application delay of the minimum scheduling offset (T_app_min). In some embodiments, the predefined value includes an initial application duration (T_duration_i) for the PDCCH search space cluster group switching for different SCSs, the associated value is an SCS that is the same as that used for receiving the indicated BWP, and the initial application duration may be further determined based on the application delay of the minimum scheduling offset (T_app_min).

[0121] For example, T_duration_i=operation1(T_duration_i, T_app_min), operation1 can be taking the maximum value, taking the minimum value, or addition. In some embodiments, T_duration_i and T_app_min may have different units (for example, T_duration_i is in symbols and T_app_min is in slots), which need to be changed to the same unit before finalizing (operation1). For example, T_duration_i is in symbols and T_app_min is in slots. The unit of T_duration_i is changed to the unit of T_app_min according to operation2 (T_duration_i / Nslot). Operation2 can be rounded up or down, or the original value can be retained. Nslot is the number of symbols in a slot. For another example, T_duration_i is in symbols and T_app_min is in slots. According to T_app_min*Nslot, the unit of T_app_min is changed to the unit of T_duration_i.

[0122] In some embodiments, if K0min or K2min is applied, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be associated with at least one of a predetermined value, K0min, and K2min. For example, the predefined value includes an initial application duration (T_duration_i) for the PDCCH search space cluster group switching. In some embodiments, if K0min or K2min is applied, the initial application duration may be further determined based on at least the currently used K0min. In some embodiments, if K0min or K2min is not applied, the initial application duration is the final application duration. In some embodiments, the duration for applying the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be associated with at least higher layer signaling, a predefined value, K0min, and K2min.

[0123] For example, high-layer signaling configures the initial application duration (T_duration_i) for PDCCH search space cluster group switching. In some examples, if K0min or K2min is applied, the initial application duration can be further determined based on a predetermined value and the currently used K0min. In other examples, if K0min or K2min is not applied, the initial application duration is the final application duration. In some examples, the initial application duration can be modified based on the predefined value and the currently applied K0min according to operation (T_duration_i, X), where the operation can be minimum, maximum, or addition.

[0124] where K 0minOld is the currently applied K of the activated DLBWP in the scheduled cell 0min If minimumSchedulingOffsetK0 is not configured in the activated DL BWP in the scheduled cell, the value is zero. μ is a predefined value and is determined by the subcarrier spacing of the activated DL BWP in the scheduling cell in the time slot of the reception indication and is given in Table 1, μ PDCCH and μ PDSCH The subcarrier spacing configurations of the PDCCH for activating DL BWP in the scheduling cell and the PDSCH for activating DL BWP in the scheduled cell in the time slot indicated by the reception are respectively X based on the SCS of the scheduling cell in the time slot indicated by the reception.

[0125] When an indication is received outside the first three symbols of a slot, Z from Table 1 is used before determining X. μ The value of is increased by 1.

[0126] Table 1: Z μ Definition of

[0127] μ <![CDATA[Z μ ]]> 0 1 1 1 2 2 3 2

[0128] In some embodiments, the application duration of PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be associated with at least higher-layer signaling, SCS, UE capabilities, and the application delay of the minimum scheduling offset. For example, higher-layer signaling may configure the application duration of PDCCH search space cluster group switching based on the SCS and UE capabilities. Table 2 illustrates this as an example.

[0129] Table 2: Minimum application duration of PDCCH search space cluster group switching [symbol]

[0130]

[0131] Higher layer signaling cannot configure an initial application duration (T_duration_i) value that is less than the minimum value in Table 2. T_duration_i can then be modified (or determined) by the application delay (T_app_min) of the minimum scheduling offset. For example, T_duration_i = operation (T_duration_i, T_app_min), where operation can be maximum, minimum, or addition.

[0132] In some embodiments, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be associated with at least higher layer signaling and BWP switching delay.

[0133] In some embodiments, if a second predefined condition is met, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be associated with at least the BWP switching delay; otherwise, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may not be associated with the BWP switching delay. In some embodiments, the second predefined condition is at least one of: BWP switching, and the field used for the SCell dormancy indication is also used for PDCCH search space group switching.

[0134] For example, higher-layer signaling configures the application duration (T_duration_i) of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching for each SCS. In some embodiments, if the DCI carrying the indication of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching also indicates a BWP or a BWP switching in the serving cell, T_duration_i can be further determined based on the BWP switching delay (T_bwp). For example, T_duration_i = operation(T_duration_i, T_bwp), where operation is taking the maximum value, taking the minimum value, or adding. In some embodiments, if the DCI carrying the indication of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching does not indicate a BWP switching, T_duration_i does not need to be further determined.

[0135] In some embodiments, if the units of T_duration_i and T_bwp are different, they need to be aligned before further determination (calculation). In some embodiments, indicating BWP switching includes a BWP indicator indicating a BWP index different from the currently activated BWP, and an SCell dormancy indicator indicating a BWP different from the currently activated BWP.

[0136] In some embodiments, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be associated with at least K0 or K2. For example, the application duration is no less than K0 or K2 indicated by the DCI indicating the PDCCH search space cluster group switching. In other words, after receiving the scheduled PDSCH or PUSCH, the indicated PDCCH search space cluster group switching is applied.

[0137] In some embodiments, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be associated with at least K0 and K1. For example, the application duration is no less than K1 indicated by the DCI indicating the PDCCH search space cluster group switching. In other words, after the ACK / NACK is transmitted, the indicated PDCCH search space cluster group switching is applied.

[0138] K1: The time slot between the physical downlink shared channel and the hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement

[0139] As stated above, in some embodiments, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching needs to be further determined based on at least one of the following: the application delay of the minimum scheduling offset, K0min, and the BWP switching delay. In some embodiments, if the units of the application duration of the PDCCH search space group switching are different from the initial values, they need to be aligned to these units before further processing (or determination). In other embodiments, if the units of the application duration are changed before further determination, they need to be changed back after further determination. As stated above, in some embodiments, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be different under different conditions. In some embodiments, the conditions include at least one of the following: UE capability, SCS, whether BWP switching is performed, and whether K0min or K2min is applied. For example, if the third condition is met, the PDCCH search space cluster group switching application duration may need to be further determined. The third condition includes at least one of the following: application of K0min or K2min, and BWP switching.

[0140] In some embodiments, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be different for different triggering methods. For example, the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching for timer-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching may be different from the application duration of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching for DCI-based PDCCH search space cluster group switching.

[0141] In some embodiments, if the PDCCH search space cluster group switching indication uses the minimum scheduling offset indication field, the application delay (T_min) of the minimum scheduling offset indication is determined based on the original application delay (T_app_min) of the minimum scheduling offset indication and the application duration (T_duration) of the PDCCH search space cluster group switching. For example, T_min = operation (T_app_min, T_duration). In some embodiments, the operation is to take the minimum value, take the maximum value, or add. In some embodiments, the units of T_app_min and T_duration need to be aligned first. In some embodiments, the T_min unit is a time slot. In some embodiments, during the application duration, the UE does not expect to receive another PDCCH search space cluster group indication. In some embodiments, during the application duration, the UE does not expect to receive another PDCCH search space cluster group indication for the BWP or serving cell.

[0142] Figure 6An exemplary flow chart of a wireless communication method for a communication device according to various embodiments is shown. In various embodiments, as explained above, at step 602, the communication device 112 (e.g., UE 112) may determine a listening mode for a control channel based on at least one of receiving a first predefined signaling and a first timer, wherein the first predefined signaling includes a search space cluster group switching indication. At step 604, the communication device 112 monitors the control channel based on the listening mode after applying the duration.

[0143] Figure 7 An exemplary flow chart of a wireless communication method for a network device according to various embodiments is shown. In various embodiments, as described above, at step 702, the mobile station 120 may determine a listening mode associated with a first PDCCH search space cluster group index. At step 704, the mobile station 120 transmits first predefined signaling to the UE, where the first predefined signaling includes a search space cluster group switching indication and the first PDCCH search space cluster group index.

[0144] Figure 8 is a block diagram representation of a portion of an apparatus according to some embodiments of the presently disclosed technology. An apparatus 805, such as a base station or wireless device (or UE), may include processor electronics 810, such as a microprocessor that implements one or more of the techniques presented in this document. The apparatus 805 may include transceiver electronics 815 to send and / or receive wireless signals through one or more communication interfaces (such as one or more antennas 820). The apparatus 805 may include other communication interfaces for sending and receiving data. The apparatus 805 may include one or more memories (not explicitly shown) configured to store information (such as data and / or instructions). In some embodiments, the processor electronics 810 may include at least a portion of the transceiver electronics 815. In some embodiments, the apparatus 805 is used to implement at least some of the disclosed techniques, modules, or functions.

[0145] Some of the embodiments described herein are described in the general context of methods or processes, which, in one embodiment, can be implemented by a computer program product embodied in a computer-readable medium, including computer-executable instructions (such as program code) executed by a computer in a networked environment. Computer-readable media may include removable and non-removable storage devices, including but not limited to read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), compact discs (CD), digital versatile discs (DVD), etc. Therefore, computer-readable media may include non-transitory storage media. In general, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. Computer or processor executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program codes for executing the steps of the methods disclosed herein. A specific sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents an example of corresponding actions for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes.

[0146] Some of the disclosed embodiments can be implemented as devices or modules using hardware circuits, software or a combination thereof. For example, a hardware circuit implementation may include discrete analog and / or digital components that are, for example, integrated as a part of a printed circuit board. Alternatively or additionally, the disclosed components or modules may be implemented as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Some embodiments may additionally or alternatively include a digital signal processor (DSP), which is a dedicated microprocessor with an architecture optimized for the operational requirements of digital signal processing associated with the disclosed functions of the present application. Similarly, the various components or subcomponents within each module may be implemented with software, hardware or firmware. The connection between the modules and / or the components within the modules may be provided using any of the connection methods and media known in the art, including but not limited to communication using appropriate protocols over the Internet, wired or wireless networks.

[0147] Although this document contains many details, these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the claimed invention or what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to the embodiments. Certain features described in this document in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as working in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, in some cases one or more features from the claimed combination may be excluded from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variant of the sub-combination. Similarly, although operations are depicted in a particular order in the accompanying drawings, this should not be understood as requiring that the operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all of the operations shown be performed, in order to obtain the desired result.

[0148] Only a few implementations and examples are described, and other implementations, enhancements, and variations can be made based on what is described and illustrated in this disclosure.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, comprising: determining, by the communications device, a listening mode for a control channel based on at least one of reception of first predefined signaling and a first timer, wherein the first predefined signaling is downlink control information (DCI) including a minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field, the minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field including a minimum scheduling offset limit and the minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field being repurposed to further include a search space cluster group switching indication, and The control channel is monitored based on the listening mode after an application duration, wherein when the listening mode is determined based on reception of the first predefined signaling, the application duration is a first duration, and when the listening mode is determined based on the first timer, the application duration is a second duration.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the listening mode based on reception of the first predefined signaling further comprises: Determining the listening mode based on reception of the first predefined signaling is enabled. 3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the listening mode through reception of the first predefined signaling is performed based on one or more information fields in the first predefined signaling. 4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the search space cluster group switching indication comprises at least one of the following: a search space cluster group index, an enabled search space cluster group indicator, and a search space set switching parameter.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the search space set switching parameters include one or more of the following: a scaling factor of the PDCCH monitoring period, a threshold of the PDCCH monitoring period, a PDCCH monitoring offset, a threshold of the monitoring duration, a PDCCH monitoring period, a monitoring duration, a scaling factor of the monitoring duration, and a PDCCH monitoring mode within a time slot. 6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the search space cluster group switching indication is only applicable to an activated BWP or a serving cell that receives the search space cluster group switching indication.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the search space cluster group switching indication is indicated in one or more of the following: The minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field, Search space cluster group switching indication field, Secondary cell SCell sleep indication field, Modulation and coding scheme field, New Data Indicator Field, Redundant version field, HARQ process number field, Antenna Port field, and DMRS sequence initialization field. 8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field is repurposed to indicate the search space cluster group switching indication based on search space cluster group switching being enabled.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the search space cluster group switching is indicated in the secondary cell (SCell) dormancy indication field only when a condition is satisfied, wherein satisfying the condition comprises satisfying at least one of the following: DCI-based search space cluster group switching is enabled; The high-level parameter Scell-groups-for-dormancy-within-active-time is configured. One-shot HARQ acknowledgment request is absent or set to "0", and All bits of the frequency domain resource allocation are set to 0 for resource allocation type 0, set to 1 for resource allocation type 1, or set to 0 or 1 for dynamic switching resource allocation type.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein if the condition is met and the search space cluster group switching indication is indicated in the secondary cell SCell sleep indication field, the secondary cell SCell sleep indication field includes one or more bits of the search space cluster group switching indication concatenated with one or more bits of the SCell sleep indication.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the secondary cell dormancy indication field comprises one or more of the following: a modulation and coding scheme field, a new data indicator field, a redundancy version field, a HARQ process number field, an antenna port field, and a DMRS sequence initialization field.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the application duration is determined based on one or more of: Application delay of minimum scheduling offset, High-layer signaling, BWP switching delay, Subcarrier spacing SCS, predefined values, K0’s minimum scheduling offset K0min, K2min is the minimum scheduling offset of K2. K0， K2， K1， UE capabilities, UE type, and UE auxiliary information.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein if K0min or K2min is applied, the application duration is determined based on at least one of: K0min and the application delay of a minimum scheduling offset.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein if a predefined condition is met, the application duration is determined based on the application delay of the minimum scheduling offset, wherein the predefined condition is based on at least one of the following: whether the minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field is used to indicate PDCCH search space cluster group switching, whether the minimum scheduling offset K0min of K0 is applied, and whether the minimum scheduling offset K2min of K2 is applied.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the application duration is determined based on the BWP switching delay if a predefined condition is met, wherein the predefined condition is based on at least one of: whether a BWP switching occurs, and whether a field for SCell dormancy indication is used for PDCCH search space cluster group switching.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein enabling determining the listening mode based on reception of the first predefined signaling is based on one or more of: higher layer signaling, UE capabilities, downlink control information (DCI), radio network temporary identifier (RNTI), bandwidth part (BWP), and frequency band.

17. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein determining the listening mode based on reception of a first predefined signaling further comprises: If it is determined based on reception of the first predefined signaling that the listening mode is enabled, and the first predefined signaling including the search space cluster group switching indication is not received by the communication device, it is determined that the listening mode is a default listening mode. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the default listening mode is configured by higher layer signaling.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the control channel is a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

20. A wireless communication method, comprising: Determining, by the wireless access node, a monitoring mode associated with the first PDCCH search space cluster group index; as well as sending, by the wireless access node, first predefined signaling to a communication device, wherein the first predefined signaling is downlink control information (DCI) including a minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field, the minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field including a minimum scheduling offset limit and the minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field being repurposed to further include a search space cluster group switching indication, The first predefined signaling also includes a first PDCCH search space cluster group index, so that the communication device operates according to the listening mode after the application duration, wherein the application duration is the first duration when the communication device determines the listening mode based on the first predefined signaling, and is the second duration when the communication device determines the listening mode based on a first timer.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the search space cluster group switching indication is indicated in a search space cluster group switching indication field of the DCI.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the DCI further comprises at least one of the following configured to be repurposed to indicate the search space cluster group switching indication: Secondary cell SCell sleep indication field, Modulation and coding scheme field, New Data Indicator Field, Redundant version field, HARQ process number field, Antenna Port field, and DMRS sequence initialization field.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the application duration is determined based on one or more of: Application delay of minimum scheduling offset, High-layer signaling, BWP switching delay, Subcarrier spacing SCS, predefined values, K0’s minimum scheduling offset K0min, K2min is the minimum scheduling offset of K2. K0， K2， K1， UE capabilities, UE type, and UE auxiliary information.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein sending the first predefined signaling by the wireless access node further comprises: The first predefined signaling is enabled to be sent through the wireless access node.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein enabling the sending of the first predefined signaling by the radio access node is based on one or more of: higher layer signaling, UE capabilities, the downlink control information DCI, a radio network temporary identifier RNTI, a bandwidth part (BWP), and a frequency band.

26. A wireless apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising processor electronics configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 19.

27. A network apparatus for wireless communications, the apparatus comprising processor electronics configured to implement the method of any one of claims 20 to 25.

28. A non-transitory computer readable medium having code stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor electronic device, causes the processor electronic device to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 25.

29. A wireless device comprising: a transceiver electronic device configured to receive first predefined signaling from a network device, wherein the first predefined signaling is downlink control information (DCI) including a minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field, the minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field including a minimum scheduling offset limit and the minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field being repurposed to further include a search space cluster group switching indication; as well as A processor electronic device is configured to determine a listening mode for a control channel based on at least one of reception of the first predefined signaling and a first timer, and to listen to the control channel based on the listening mode after an application duration, wherein when the listening mode is determined based on reception of the first predefined signaling, the application duration is a first duration, and when the listening mode is determined based on the first timer, the application duration is a second duration.

30. The wireless device of claim 29, wherein the processor electronics are further configured to implement the wireless communication method of any one of claims 2 to 19.

31. A network device comprising: processor electronics configured to determine a listening pattern associated with a first PDCCH search space cluster group index; A transceiver electronic device, the transceiver electronic device being configured to send first predefined signaling, wherein the first predefined signaling is downlink control information (DCI) including a minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field, the minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field including a minimum scheduling offset limit and the minimum applicable scheduling offset indication field being repurposed to further include a search space cluster group switching indication, wherein the first predefined signaling also includes a first PDCCH search space cluster group index, so that the communication device operates according to the listening mode after an application duration, wherein the application duration is a first duration when the communication device determines the listening mode based on the first predefined signaling, and is a second duration when the communication device determines the listening mode based on a first timer.

32. The network device of claim 31 , wherein the processor electronics are further configured to implement the wireless communication method of any one of claims 21 to 25.

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