Discontinuous reception configuration for multi-beam operation

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a discontinuous reception configuration for multi-beam operation. A method includes receiving, at a first device, configuration information from a second device indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmission beams of the second device, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers. The method also includes, based on determining that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first device, selecting a first scrambling identifier associated with the first transmission beam from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers. The method also includes monitoring, using the first scrambling identifier, first control information transmitted by the second device via the first transmission beam, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and in particular to methods, devices, apparatus, and computer-readable storage media for discontinuous reception configuration for multi-beam operation. Background Art

[0002] With the development of communication systems, more and more technologies are being proposed. For example, a new radio access system is being developed, also known as an NR system or an NR network. In order to overcome propagation losses at higher frequency bands and increase coverage at lower frequency bands, some communication systems are configured with directional beamforming transmission (and reception) by using (a large number of) antennas between communication devices. In addition, discontinuous reception (DRX) is a technology for reducing battery consumption by allowing a communication device to discontinuously receive information from another communication device. For example, when DRX is configured, a receiver (e.g., a terminal device) can occasionally wake up to monitor a channel from a network device, thereby reducing battery consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In general, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for DRX configuration for multi-beam operation. Embodiments (if any) that do not fall within the scope of the claims are to be construed as examples that are helpful for understanding the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0004] In a first aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the device to: receive configuration information indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmission beams of the second device from a second device, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers; select a first scrambling identifier associated with the first transmission beam from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers based on a determination that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first device; and monitor first control information transmitted by the second device via the first transmission beam using the first scrambling identifier, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second device.

[0005] In a second aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the device to: transmit configuration information indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmission beams of the second device to a first device, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers; generate first control information by scrambling the first control information with a first scrambling identifier in the first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with the first transmission beam based on determining that a first transmission beam in the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first device, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second device; and transmit the first scrambling control information to the first device via the first transmission beam.

[0006] In a third aspect, a method is provided. The method includes receiving, at a first device, configuration information from a second device indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmission beams of the second device, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers. The method also includes, based on determining that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first device, selecting a first scrambling identifier associated with the first transmission beam from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers. The method also includes monitoring, using the first scrambling identifier, first control information transmitted by the second device via the first transmission beam, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second device.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided. The method includes transmitting, at a second device, to a first device, configuration information indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmission beams of the second device, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers; generating, based on determining that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first device, first control information by scrambling first control information with a first scrambling identifier of the first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with the first transmission beam, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second device; and transmitting the first scrambling control information to the first device via the first transmission beam.

[0008] In a fifth aspect, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus includes means for receiving, from a second apparatus, configuration information indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmission beams of the second apparatus, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers; means for selecting a first scrambling identifier associated with the first transmission beam from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers based on a determination that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first apparatus; and means for monitoring, using the first scrambling identifier, first control information transmitted by the second apparatus via the first transmission beam, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second apparatus.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, a second apparatus is provided. The second apparatus includes means for transmitting configuration information indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmission beams of the second apparatus to a first apparatus, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers; means for generating first control information by scrambling first control information with a first scrambling identifier of the first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with the first transmission beam based on a determination that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first apparatus, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second apparatus; and means for transmitting the first scrambling control information to the first apparatus via the first transmission beam.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least execute the method according to the third aspect.

[0011] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least execute the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0012] It should be understood that the invention summary is not intended to determine the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 An example communication environment is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0015] Figure 2A An example of DRX with transmission of power saving control information is shown;

[0016] Figure 2B An example of DRX with transmission of power saving control information in a multi-beam scenario is shown;

[0017] Figure 3 Shown in Figure 1 An example of a device moving in a communication environment to trigger beam switching;

[0018] Figure 4 Another example of DRX with transmission of power saving control information in a multi-beam scenario is shown;

[0019] Figure 5 shows a signaling flow for DRX configuration according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 6 An example of DRX with WUS transmission in a multi-beam scenario according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0021] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a first device according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0022] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a second device according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0023] Figure 9 shows a simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0024] Figure 10 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium is shown, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only to illustrate and help those skilled in the art understand and implement the present disclosure, and do not represent any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in various other ways except as described below.

[0027] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0028] In this disclosure, references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," and "an example embodiment" indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment must include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with one embodiment, those skilled in the art believe that it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0029] It should be understood that although the terms "first" and "second" and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0030] The terms used herein are for describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "includes," and / or "including" when used herein specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components, etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0031] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0032] (a) a pure hardware circuit implementation (such as an implementation using only analog and / or digital circuitry), and

[0033] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (as applicable):

[0034] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and

[0035] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processor(s)) with software, software and memory(s) that work together to cause a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions, and

[0036] (c) Hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), which requires software (e.g., firmware)

[0037] The software can be operated, but it can be not saved when no operation is needed.

[0038] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to the particular claim element, the term circuitry also covers a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0039] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that complies with any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE (LTE-a), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between the terminal device and the network device in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocol, including but not limited to first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, future fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocol currently known or to be developed in the future. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communications, there will certainly be future types of communication technologies and systems that can embody the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the above-mentioned systems.

[0040] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network through which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services from the network. A network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a NodeB (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a NR NB (also known as a gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node (such as a femto, a pico), a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-terrestrial network equipment (such as a satellite network equipment, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite), an aircraft network equipment, etc., depending on the terminology and technology applied.

[0041] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. By way of example and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS), or access terminal (AT). Terminal devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablet computers, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices (such as digital cameras), gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop mounted devices (LMEs), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPE), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of industrial and / or automated process chains), consumer electronic devices, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0042] As used herein, the terms "resource," "transmission resource," "resource block," "physical resource block (PRB)," "uplink resource," or "downlink resource" may refer to any resource used to perform communication, for example, communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, a spatial domain resource, a code domain resource, or any other resource that enables communication. Hereinafter, resources in both the frequency domain and the time domain will be used as examples of transmission resources for describing some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Note that the example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0043] Figure 1 An example communication environment 100 is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The communication environment 100 includes one or more first devices 110-1, 110-2, 110-3 that may communicate with a second device 120. For purposes of discussion, the first devices 110-1, 110-2, 110-3 are collectively or individually referred to as first devices 110. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , the first device 110 is shown as a terminal device, and the second device 120 is shown as a network device serving the terminal device. Therefore, the service area of ​​the second device 120 is referred to as a cell 102.

[0044] It should be understood that the number of the first device, the second device, and the cell is for illustrative purposes only without any limitation. The communication environment 100 may include any suitable number of first devices, second devices, and cells suitable for implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the terms "cell" and "serving cell" are used interchangeably in this article. It should be understood that the types of the first device and the second device are described only for illustrative purposes. In some cases, the implementation of the first device and the second device as described herein may also be applied to a situation where the first device is a network device or any other device other than a terminal device and the second device is a terminal device or any other device other than a network device (if applicable).

[0045] Communications in the communication environment 100 may be implemented according to any suitable communication protocol(s), including but not limited to first generation (1G), second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G) cellular communication protocols, wireless local area network communication protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocol currently known or developed in the future. Furthermore, communications may utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, including but not limited to code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division duplex (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other technology currently known or developed in the future.

[0046] In operation, the second device 120 can transmit data and control information to the first device 110, and the first device 110 can also transmit data and control information to the second device 120. In the environment 100, if the first device 110 is a terminal device and the second device 120 is a network device, the link from the second device 120 to the first device 110 is called the downlink (DL), and the link from the first device 110 to the second device 120 is called the uplink (UL). In the DL, the second device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or transmitter), and the first device 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or receiver). In the UL, the first device 110 is a TX device (or transmitter), and the second device 120 is an RX device (or receiver).

[0047] The communication system 100 may use multiple beams for communication between the first device 110 and the second device 120. In order to overcome propagation losses at higher frequency bands and increase coverage at lower frequency bands, (a large number of) antennas are used between the first device 110 and the second device 120 for directional beamforming transmission (and reception). Figure 1In the example of FIG1 , the second device 120 supports transmission toward the first device 110 via transmission beams 122-1, ..., 122-N, where N is an integer greater than 1. For the purposes of discussion, transmission beams 122-1, ..., 122-N are collectively or individually referred to as transmission beams 122 or simply beams 122. As used herein, a transmission beam of a device can be a beam to be used for transmitting information, a channel, or a signal toward the device, or a beam used by the device to transmit information, a channel, or a signal.

[0048] When beamforming is deployed in the link from the second device 120 to the first device 110, the second device 120, as a transmitter, is able to generate a transmission beam toward the desired first device 110 and is ineffective in the direction of the interference source (other first devices 110). The target receiver (i.e., the first device 110) is aligned with the beam of the second device 120 through the beam management process. Figure 1 As shown, the first devices 110-1 and 110-2 are aligned with the transmission beam 122-1, and the first device 110-2 is aligned with the transmission beam 122-N. The transmission beam of the second device 120 aligned with the first device 110 is called the serving beam of the first device 110. Figure 1 In the example of FIG, transmission beam 122 - 1 is a serving beam for first devices 110 - 1 , 110 - 2 , and transmission beam 122 -N is a serving beam for first device 110 - 3 .

[0049] Discontinuous reception (DRX) can also be applied in the communication system 100 to support battery conservation of the first device 110 by reducing the time of monitoring control information from the second device 120 and entering an inactive state. Typically, based on the configured DRX cycle, the first device 110 occasionally wakes up during the on-duration (or ON-duration) and monitors the transmission of control information, such as the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). In addition to the on-duration, the first device 110 can remain in a low-power (sleep) state (referred to as the off-duration (or OFF-duration)) for the remainder of the DRX cycle. During the off-duration, the first device 110 is not expected to transmit or receive any signals.

[0050] In some cases, the sleep (OFF) duration may be extended. In particular, a power saving signal or channel has been defined to instruct the first device to wake up during the upcoming on duration, for example, when the first device is in a radio resource control (RRC) connection state with the second device. Such a power saving signal is called a wake-up signal (WUS), which can be transmitted as power saving control information. Figure 2AAs shown, there are some opportunities 210 for power saving control information before the on-duration 220 in DRX. During the opportunities 210, the second device 120 can instruct the first device 110 via dedicated control information to initiate monitoring of additional control information (e.g., PDCCH) for scheduled data within the next on-duration. The second device 120 can include a wake-up indication in the control information transmitted during the opportunities 210 to instruct the first device 110 to wake up.

[0051] During the DRX cycle, the first device 110 may attempt to receive control information in opportunity 210. Only when a wake-up indication is detected does the first device 110 wake up during the next on-duration. Otherwise, if the first device 110 does not receive control information during opportunity 210, or if the received control information does not include a wake-up indication, it may assume that there is no data to be transmitted from the second device 120 and may skip the next on-duration and return to sleep until the next DRX cycle. Thus, additional power savings may be achieved when no data is scheduled for the first device 110.

[0052] In some example embodiments, to minimize false alarms that cause first device 110 to be unnecessarily woken up, the control information sent in opportunity 210 is targeted to an identifier specific to first device 110. This identifier may be used to scramble the control information and may therefore be referred to as a scrambled identifier. First device 110 may be configured with the scrambled identifier and use it to detect control information.

[0053] exist Figure 2B In the example shown, assume that second device 120 has data 230-1 scheduled for first device 110-1. Second device 120 may transmit control information with a wake-up indication via transmission beam 122-1 (also referred to as a first transmission beam) during opportunity 210-1 in the DRX cycle. The control information is scrambled using a scrambling identifier configured for first device 110-1 for transmission beam 122-1. After detecting and receiving the control information, first device 110-1 begins an on-duration 220-1 to monitor and receive data 230-1. Second device 120 may transmit data 230-1 to first device 110-1 during on-duration 220-1. In the next DRX cycle, if no data is scheduled for first device 110-1, the control information transmitted via transmission beam 122-N during opportunity 210-2 may not include a wake-up indication, or no control information may be transmitted during opportunity 210-1. In this case, first device 110 skips the next on-duration 220-2.

[0054] In some example embodiments, the same scrambling identifier may be configured for one or more first devices 110 serving the same service beam as a second device 120. This allows the second device 120 to indicate a wake-up instruction to multiple first devices 110 configured with the same scrambling identifier by sending the same control information scrambled with the scrambling identifier. In some embodiments, one first device 110 may monitor only information targeted to itself and may be unaware of the configuration of other first devices. This allows the second device 120 to configure multiple first devices 110 with the same configuration arrangement of control information scrambled with the same scrambling identifier. Consequently, these first devices 110 may wake up simultaneously. While this configuration is generally inefficient in terms of power conservation for the first device, it can be beneficial in terms of reducing control overhead for the second device.

[0055] In some example embodiments, the serving beam of the first device 110 may be switched, which may be controlled by the second device 120. For example, the first device 110-1 moves from one location to another, such as Figure 3 As shown. The second device 120 can determine that the first device 110-2 can be better served by the transmission beam 122-N instead of the current transmission beam 122-1 based on the beam level measurement reported from the first device 110-1. The second device 120 can transmit a command to instruct the first device 110-1 to switch its serving beam to the transmission beam 122-N. Through beam switching, the time-frequency radio resource grid can be reused across different directions (transmission beams) of the second device 120 to use the same time-frequency resources to serve the first devices 110 located in these transmission beams 122 (also known as spatial multiplexing between the first devices 110).

[0056] However, the second device may typically transmit an initial configuration for the transmission of power-saving control information to one or more first devices configured with the same serving beam. The initial configuration may include at least a scrambling identifier for scrambling / descrambling the control information. If one of the target first devices among the first devices changes its serving beam to a new transmission beam, conventionally, the second device will likely maintain the initial configuration to avoid reconfiguration for the transmission of power-saving control information (which may involve an RRC-based process). As a result, the second device can still use the same scrambling identifier to process the control information transmitted to the target first device via the new transmission beam. This means that if one or more other first devices are positioned towards the transmission beam before the beam of the target first device is switched, additional control information must be sent via the new transmission beam.

[0057] Figure 4An example of DRX with transmission of power saving control information in a multi-beam scenario is shown. Before movement of a certain first device, if data 430-1 is to be scheduled for the first device, the second device may generate control information scrambled by the same scrambling identifier configured for multiple first devices in the first transmission beam. The control information includes a wake-up indication and is transmitted via the first transmission beam at opportunity 410-1 to instruct the specific first device to wake up within the on-duration 410-1. Due to the use of the same scrambling identifier, one or more other first devices may also wake up within the on-duration 420-1. If there is also data to be scheduled for another first device in the second transmission beam, the second device may scramble the control information with a different scrambling identifier configured for the other first device and transmit the control information via the second transmission beam at opportunity 410-2.

[0058] In some cases, in addition to transmitting data 430-1, the second device decides to switch the serving beam of the first device from the first transmission beam to the second transmission beam by sending a beam switch command 440 during the on-duration 420-1. In the next DRX cycle, if data 430-2 is scheduled for the first device, the second device may transmit control information scrambled with the scrambling identifier previously used for the first transmission beam. The control information is transmitted via the second transmission beam at opportunity 410-4 to indicate to the first device the start of the next on-duration 420-2. If there is data scheduled for transmission to another first device with the second transmission beam as its serving beam, the second device may transmit different control information scrambled with a different scrambling identifier via the second transmission beam at opportunity 410-5.

[0059] In this case, if there is data to be scheduled for transmission to the first device in the first transmission beam, the second device may generate the same control information as the control information transmitted in opportunity 410-4 and transmit the control information in opportunity 410-3 via the first transmission beam. That is, the second device must transmit the same control information (which is scrambled with the same scrambling identifier) ​​multiple times (via multiple beams), which may result in inefficient resource usage. Since each beam switching event in a cell may result in the transmission of additional power-saving control information, this transmission of control information is not optimal from a capacity perspective. Considering the number of possible transmission beams and the high frequency of beam switching events due to the mobility of the first device, the second device may not have sufficient resources to support the transmission of control information.

[0060] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, a solution for DRX configuration for multi-beam operation is provided. In the solution, a first device is configured with multiple configuration settings associated with multiple transmission beams of a second device. The multiple configuration settings include at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers, each scrambling identifier being associated with one of the multiple transmission beams. Depending on which of the multiple transmission beams is a serving beam configured for the first device, the second device uses the associated scrambling identifier to scramble control information, the control information being used to indicate the presence or absence of data to be transmitted by the second device. The second device transmits the scrambled control information via the serving beam configured for the first device. The first device monitors the control information using the associated scrambling identifier.

[0061] This solution allows the second device to efficiently configure control information when multiple transmission beams are configured for a link from the second device to the first device. Because configuration settings, particularly scrambling identifiers, are configured per transmission beam, the first and second devices can quickly switch between configuration settings used for transmission and reception of control information, avoiding a slow reconfiguration process.

[0062] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] Now refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 FIG. 5 shows a signaling flow 500 for DRX configuration according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 3 Describe the signaling flow 500. The signaling flow 500 involves Figure 1 The first device 110 and the second device 120 in.

[0064] As shown, the second device 120 transmits 505 configuration information, and the first device 110 receives 510 the configuration information. The configuration information is used to set or define the format of control information to be provided to the first device 110 in the DRX operation of the first device 110. Compared with the traditional configuration of the first device 110, according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the configuration information is expanded to provide configuration settings per transmission beam.

[0065] More specifically, the configuration information indicates a plurality of configuration settings (referred to as a first plurality of configuration settings) associated with the plurality of transmission beams 122 of the second device 120. Instead of configuring a single scrambling identifier for the first device 110, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first plurality of configuration settings includes at least a plurality of scrambling identifiers (referred to as a first plurality of scrambling identifiers), each of which is associated with or assigned to one of the plurality of transmission beams 122 of the second device 120.

[0066] The scrambling identifier may be used to scramble or descramble the control information so that the first device 110 configured with the scrambling identifier can detect the control information intended for it. The scrambling identifier may be set to any code, identifier, or sequence that is unique across the transmission beam 122. In some example embodiments, the scrambling identifier may include a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) assigned by the second device 120 for transmission of the control information. The RNTI may also be referred to as a PS-RNTI, where "PS" stands for power save.

[0067] The control information may explicitly indicate an association between the first plurality of scrambling identifiers and the plurality of transmission beams 122. For example, each of the first plurality of scrambling identifiers may be mapped to a beam index / identifier of the transmission beam 122.

[0068] Alternatively, the first plurality of scrambling identifiers may be implicitly associated with the plurality of transmission beams. For example, the scrambling identifiers may be associated with a search space set dedicated to transmitting control information via a given transmission beam 122. Typically, the first device 110 may be configured with a common or specific control resource set (CORESET).

[0069] In some examples, for each of up to four bandwidth parts (BWPs) on a serving cell, up to three CORESETs can be configured for each configured BWP to monitor for control information in the PDCCH. To support multi-beam operation for control information, a configuration for beamforming can be provided per CORESET based on a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state configuration. If a first device 110 monitors a search space set associated with a CORESET, the first device 110 can receive control information in the CORESET based on the TCI state configuration configured for the CORESET, such that CORESETs corresponding to different transmission beams 122 are associated with different TCI states. To receive control information at a time, one transmission beam 122 is typically used. If more than one TCI state is configured for a CORESET, the second device 120 can activate one of the TCI states, for example, using a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) activation command. Thus, by associating a scrambling identifier with a corresponding search space set, the first device 110 can implicitly determine which scrambling identifier is associated with a given transmission beam 122. In some embodiments, the first device 110 may determine the scrambling identifier associated with a given transmission beam 122 by receiving a MAC CE activation command for a TCI state corresponding to the given transmission beam 122 from the second device 120 .

[0070] In some example embodiments, second device 120 may include, for first device 110, configuration settings (and therefore scrambling identifiers) for all transmit beams 122 configured in cell 102. In some example embodiments, configuration settings (and therefore scrambling identifiers) may be provided for a subset of transmit beams 122 configured in cell 102. The subset may include transmit beams 122 that may be configured as serving beams for first device 110.

[0071] Since the configuration information is used to configure control information, in some example embodiments, second device 120 may transmit corresponding configuration information for one or more first devices 110 in DRX mode. In some example embodiments, the first device(s) 110 receiving the corresponding control information may be in RRC connected mode with second device 120. In some example embodiments, the corresponding configuration information may be provided by second device 120 via higher layer signaling (e.g., through an RRC-based procedure).

[0072] In some example embodiments, in addition to the scrambling identifier, one or more other parameters configured for transmission and monitoring of control information may also be configured per transmission beam. As some examples, the first configuration setting indicated by the configuration information may include multiple parameter sets, each parameter set including one or more information elements per transmission beam.

[0073] In some example embodiments, the parameter set may include a position parameter that indicates a bit position of a wake-up indication within the control information transmitted via a given transmission beam 122. In one example, the position parameter may include a ps-PositionDCI-2-6 parameter for indicating the bit position. In some example embodiments, the parameter set may alternatively or additionally include a time parameter that indicates a starting time point for monitoring control information transmitted via a given transmission beam 122. The starting time point may be set relative to the start of the next on-duration of the first device 110. In some example embodiments, the time parameter may be configured directly as a block number) or indirectly as an offset relative to the block number to be used in the current transmission beam when the configuration information is received. In one example, the time parameter may include a parameter "ps-Offset" for indicating the starting time point.

[0074] In some example embodiments, the parameter set may alternatively or additionally include a wake-up indication parameter for indicating to the first device 110 that it should wake up when no control information is detected outside the on-duration in a given transmission beam. If this indication is not configured, the first device 110 will not wake up if no control information is detected outside the on-duration. In one example, the wake-up indication parameter may include a parameter "ps-Wakeup" for indicating the wake-up indication parameter.

[0075] In some example embodiments, the parameter set may alternatively or additionally include one or more channel information parameters for instructing the first device 110 to transmit corresponding channel information based on whether the control information is detected via a given transmission beam 122. In an example embodiment, the channel information parameters may include a channel information parameter for instructing the first device 110 to transmit periodic reference signal received power (RSRP) reports when the on-duration (e.g., drx-onDurationTimer) has not yet begun. Such a channel information parameter may include the parameter "ps-TransmitPeriodicL1-RSRP." If this channel information parameter is not configured, the first device 110 does not transmit periodic RSRP reports when the on-duration (e.g., drx-onDurationTimer) has not yet begun. In another example embodiment, the channel information parameters may include a channel information parameter for instructing the first device 110 to transmit periodic channel state information (CSI) reports when the on-duration (e.g., drx-onDurationTimer) has not yet begun. Such a channel information parameter may include the parameter "ps-TransmitPeriodicL1-RSRP." If the channel information parameter is not configured, the first device 110 does not transmit periodic CSI report(s) if the on-duration (eg, drx-onDurationTimer) has not started.

[0076] In some example embodiments, the control information may be transmitted in DCI formats 2-6. Thus, the specific configuration settings associated with a given transmit beam 122 in the configuration information may be defined in Table 1 as follows:

[0077] Table 1

[0078]

[0079]

[0080] It will be appreciated that, in addition to or in lieu of the parameters in Table 1, one or more parameters per transmission beam may be included in the configuration information, depending on the format of the control information. In some example embodiments, the parameter set may alternatively or additionally include a parameter indicating the payload size of control information transmitted via a given transmission beam 122. The parameter indicating the payload size may include the parameter "sizeDCI-2-6." In some example embodiments, the parameter set may alternatively or additionally include a sleep indication applicable to control information transmitted via a given transmission beam 122. Multiple sleep indications indicate sleep status of at least one secondary cell (SCell) of the first device 110 outside of the DRX on-duration. Such sleep indications may also be referred to as SCell sleep indications. The sleep indications may include a conventional SCell sleep indication applicable to control information scrambled with a scrambling identifier assigned to the given transmission beam, and may additionally indicate whether the same SCell sleep indicator is applicable to control information scrambled with a different scrambling identifier. Alternatively, a sleep indication bitmap may be provided for a given transmission beam 122. Such a bitmap may also be explicitly provided in the control information to be transmitted below.

[0081] Some example embodiments of the configuration of control information have been discussed above. During DRX operation, in some cases, the second device 120 may decide to transmit control information. In some example embodiments, the control information may be used to instruct one or more first devices 110 outside the DRX active time of the DRX cycle (i.e., outside the on-duration) to wake up or not wake up during the next on-duration. Such control information is introduced to further improve power efficiency during DRX operation and may therefore also be referred to as power saving control information, wake-up control information, or wake-up signal (WUS) control information.

[0082] According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, since the first device 110 is configured with a first plurality of configuration settings of a plurality of transmission beams 122, the second device 120 that decides to transmit control information to the first device 110 determines the serving beam of the first device 110. The serving beam is a directional transmission beam 122 for transmissions toward the first device 110. The first device 110 can be configured to align with the serving beam in order to receive information transmitted in that direction. For example, for the first device 110-1, its serving beam can be Figure 1 Transmit beam 122-1 in the illustrated environment.

[0083] If the second device 120 determines that the first transmission beam in the plurality of transmission beams 122 is configured as its serving beam for the first device, the second device 120 determines a first scrambling identifier in a first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with the first transmission beam based on the control information transmitted to the first device 110. The second device 120 generates 515 control information (referred to as first control information) by scrambling the first control information with the first scrambling identifier. The first control information indicates the presence or absence of data to be transmitted by the second device 110 to the first device 110. The second device 120 transmits 520 the first scrambling control information to the first device 110 via the first transmission beam 122.

[0084] As described above, in some example embodiments, the control information may be used to instruct the first device 110 outside the DRX active time of the DRX cycle (i.e., outside the on-duration) to wake up or not wake up during the next on-duration. Depending on whether the second device 120 has data to transmit to the first device 110, the second device 120 may generate first control information to indicate whether the first device 110 is to wake up during the on-duration. In some example embodiments, the first control information may include a wake-up indication. The wake-up indication may be a one-bit indication whose value (e.g., 1) is used to instruct the first device 110 to wake up, while another value (e.g., 0) instructs the first device 110 to skip the next on-duration. In other examples, the wake-up indication may be represented in other ways to indicate whether the first device 110 needs to wake up during the on-duration.

[0085] In some example embodiments, the wake-up indication may be included in the first control information only when second device 120 has data to be transmitted to first device 110; otherwise, second device 120 may not transmit such control information to first device 110. In some example embodiments, if two or more first devices 110 are configured with the first transmission beam, then if data is to be transmitted to any of the two or more first devices 110, second device 120 may multiplex the wake-up indication into the first control information scrambled with the first scrambling identifier.

[0086] In some example embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the wake-up indication, the first control information may further include a dormancy indication for indicating dormancy of at least one secondary cell (SCell) of the first device 112 outside of the DRX on-duration. If the higher layer parameter SCell-groups-for-dormancy-outside-active-time is configured for the first device 110, the dormancy indication may be included in the first control information. Otherwise, the dormancy indication in the first control information is zero.

[0087] In some example embodiments, if a sleep indication is included, the sleep indication may be included immediately after the wake-up indication in the first control information. In some example embodiments, the sleep indication may include a bitmap, where each bit corresponds to one of the SCell groups configured for the first device 110, where the most significant bit (MSB) or least significant bit (LSB) of the bitmap corresponds to the first or last configured SCell group. The size of the bitmap may be equal to the number of configured SCell groups. For example, the bitmap may include 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 bits, which may be determined, for example, based on a higher-layer parameter SCell-groups-for-dormancy-outside-active-time.

[0088] In some example embodiments, a value of "0" for a bit of the bitmap indicates an active BWP provided by the dormant BWP for each activated SCell in the corresponding configured SCell group for the first device 110. In some example embodiments, if the current active BWP is the dormant BWP, a value of "1" for a bit of the bitmap may indicate an active BWP provided by SCell-groups-for-dormancy-outside-active-time for each activated SCell in the corresponding configured SCell group for the first device 110, or if the current active BWP is not the dormant BWP, a value of "1" for a bit of the bitmap may indicate a current active DL BWP for each activated SCell in the corresponding configured SCell group for the first device 110.

[0089] It should be understood that, in addition to the wake-up indication and the sleep indication, the first control information may also include other information to be transmitted to the first device 110 .

[0090] In some example embodiments, when scrambling the first control information, the second device 120 may scramble the cyclic redundancy check of the first control information using the first scrambling identifier. In an example embodiment in which the first device 110 is a terminal device and the second device 120 is a network device, the control information will be transmitted in the PDCCH and may therefore be referred to as downlink control information (DCI). As described above, the control information is also referred to as power saving control information or WUS control information, and the control information scrambled with the scrambling identifier (e.g., PS-RNTI) may be referred to as DCI with a CRC scrambled by the PS-RNTI (or simply DCP), or may be referred to as WUS-DCI.

[0091] In some example embodiments, in addition to the scrambling identifier, other parameters of the control information may be configured for each transmission beam. In this case, the second device 120 may generate and transmit the first control information according to one of the configuration settings (e.g., additional parameter sets) associated with the first transmission beam, including the position of the wake-up indication in the first control information, the time point for transmitting the first control information, the sleep indication, etc.

[0092] On the first device 110 side, it determines that the first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams 122 is configured as its serving beam, and therefore selects 525 a first scrambling identifier associated with the first transmission beam from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers. The first device 110 can determine the first scrambling identifier explicitly mapped to the first transmission beam 122 based on the beam index or identifier. Alternatively, if the association between the first plurality of scrambling identifiers and the transmission beam 122 is implicitly indicated via a search space set, the first device 110 can determine the active search space set, for example, based on a MAC CE activation command for a TCI state. If the TCI state corresponds to the first transmission beam, the first device 110 can determine that the first scrambling identifier is associated with the corresponding search space set.

[0093] The first device 110 monitors 530 for first control information transmitted by the second device 120 via the first transmission beam 122 using the first scrambling identifier. In some example embodiments, when monitoring the first control information, the first device 110 may be in a DRX mode. As used herein, the term "monitoring" indicates that the first device 110 attempts to receive information at a given time by searching for resources in a given search space set. For example, the first device 110 may monitor for the first control information in one or more occasions of a DRX cycle, the one or more occasions being defined for transmitting control information indicating the presence or absence of data from the second device 120. In addition, the first device 110 may align its antenna with the first transmission beam 122 and search for the first control information in the configured common or specific CORESET(s).

[0094] The first device 110 may attempt to descramble information received in the direction of the first transmission beam 122. Depending on whether the second device 120 transmits the first control information, the first device 110 may or may not detect the first control information. In addition to the use of the first scrambling identifier, the first device 110 may monitor the first control information based on one or more other parameters included in the configuration set associated with the first transmission beam 122.

[0095] If the first control information includes a wake-up indication instructing the first device 110 to wake up within the next on-duration, the first device 110 may wake up by starting the drx-onDurationTimer accordingly. Otherwise, if the wake-up indication is not included, or the wake-up indication indicates that the first device 110 does not need to wake up, the first device 110 may skip the next on-duration.

[0096] Figure 6 An example is shown in which the second device 120 has data 630-1 to be transmitted to the first device 110-1. The second device 120 may transmit control information with a wake-up indication via the transmission beam 122-1 (also referred to as the first transmission beam) during the opportunity 610-1 in the DRX cycle. The control information is scrambled with a scrambling identifier configured for the first device 110-1 for the transmission beam 122-1. After detecting and receiving the control information, the first device 110-1 begins an on-duration 640-1 to monitor and receive the data 630-1. Similarly, if the second device 120 has data to be transmitted to the first device 110-3 (not shown), it may generate and transmit control information with a wake-up indication via the transmission beam 122-1, which is the serving beam for the first device 110-3, during the opportunity 620-1.

[0097] In some cases, the serving beam of the first device 110 may change, which may be controlled by the second device 120. For example, the first device 110-1 moves from one location to another, such as Figure 3 As shown. The second device 120 may determine that the first device 110-2 may be better served by the transmission beam 122-N rather than the current transmission beam 122-1 based on the beam level measurement reported from the first device 110-1. Referring again to Figure 5 , the signaling flow 500 also includes operations of the first device 110 and the second device 120 after beam switching of the specific first device 110.

[0098] Specifically, the second device 120 transmits 535 a command to instruct the first device 110-1 to switch its serving beam from the current first transmission beam to the transmission beam 122-N. This command is called a beam switching command. For example, during the on-duration of the first device 110, the beam switching command may be transmitted via a MAC CE. Figure 6In the example of FIG. 5 , a beam switching command 650 can be transmitted to the first device 110-1 during the initial on-duration 640-1 to instruct the first device 110 to switch the serving beam to the transmission beam 122-N. The first device 110 receives 540 the beam switching command and can align with the second transmission beam. After the beam switching, if the second device 120 transmits additional control information to the first device 110, the second device 120 can utilize one of the first plurality of configuration settings associated with the second transmission beam 122.

[0099] The second device 120 generates 545 second control information by scrambling the second control information with a second scrambling identifier associated with the second transmission beam 122. The second control information indicates the presence or absence of additional data to be transmitted by the second device 120. The second device 120 transmits 550 the second control information to the first device 110 via the second transmission beam.

[0100] In some example embodiments, the second control information may be generated to include a wake-up indication based on whether the second device 120 has data to be scheduled for the first device 110. In some example embodiments, the second control information may be generated based on one or more other parameters associated with the second transmission beam in the configuration information. The generation and transmission of the second control information is similar to the first control information, except that different configuration settings associated with the second transmission beam 122 are used.

[0101] On the first device 110 side, upon receiving the beam switching command, it determines that the serving beam is to be changed to the second transmission beam 122 and therefore selects 555 a second scrambling identifier associated with the second transmission beam 122 from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers. The selection of the second scrambling identifier is similar to the selection of the first scrambling identifier. The first device 110 uses the second scrambling identifier to monitor 560 for second control information transmitted by the second device 120 via the second transmission beam 122. The first device 110 may monitor the second control information during the timing defined for power saving control information. The first device 110 may attempt to descramble information received in the direction of the second transmission beam 122 to obtain the second control information. In addition to the use of the second scrambling identifier, the first device 110 may monitor the second control information based on one or more other parameters included in the configuration set associated with the second transmission beam 122.

[0102] Still refer to Figure 6For example, if the second device 120 has data 630-2 to transmit to the first device 110-1 after its serving beam is switched to the transmission beam 122-N, the second device 120 may transmit control information with a wake-up indication via the transmission beam 122-N (also referred to as the second transmission beam) during the opportunity 620-2 in the DRX cycle. The control information is scrambled with the scrambling identifier configured for the first device 110-1 for the transmission beam 122-N. After detecting and receiving the control information, the first device 110-1 begins the on-duration 620-2 to monitor and receive the data 630-2.

[0103] Similarly, if the second device 120 has data to transmit to the first device 110-3 (not shown), it may generate the same control information scrambled with the second scrambling identifier and transmit the control information via the transmission beam 122-N, which is also the serving beam for the first device 110-3, at opportunity 620-2. If the second device 120 has data to transmit to the first device 110-2 (not shown), it may generate and transmit different control information scrambled with the first scrambling identifier and transmit the control information via the transmission beam 122-1 at opportunity 610-2.

[0104] In some example embodiments, after transmitting the initial configuration information, the second device 120 may have some methods to change or update the configuration for transmission and monitoring of control information.

[0105] In some example embodiments, the configuration information transmitted at 505 may include, in addition to the first plurality of configuration settings, a second plurality of configuration settings associated with multiple transmission beams 122. The second plurality of configuration settings may include a second plurality of scrambling identifiers and may additionally include a plurality of parameter sets associated with multiple transmission beams 122. The format of the second plurality of configuration settings may be similar to the format of the first plurality of configuration settings, but the association between the second plurality of configuration settings and the multiple transmission beams 122 may be different. For example, a first scrambling identifier may be associated with a first transmission beam 122 according to the first plurality of configuration settings and may be changed to be associated with a second transmission beam 122 according to the second plurality of configuration settings. The association with one or more other parameters in the first plurality of configuration settings may be changed within the second plurality of configuration settings.

[0106] In operation, second device 120 may dynamically indicate to first device 110 whether the first plurality of configuration settings or the second plurality of configuration settings is applicable to first device 110. In some example embodiments, such indication information may be transmitted to first device 110 via a MAC CE. First device 110 may utilize the first plurality of configuration settings or the second plurality of configuration settings to determine which configuration setting (e.g., which scrambling identifier) ​​to use for detecting control information. For example, upon detecting first control information, first device 110 may determine that the first plurality of configuration settings is applicable based on information from second device 120, and then select a first scrambling identifier from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers indicated by the first plurality of configuration settings.

[0107] It will be appreciated that although two sets of configuration settings are described as being included in the configuration information, the second device 120 may initially configure the first device 110 with more different sets of configuration settings.

[0108] In some example embodiments, second device 120 may dynamically change one or more parameters indicated in the first or second plurality of configuration settings. Specifically, second device 120 may transmit update information to first device 110 that updates a scrambling identifier associated with a current serving beam 122 (e.g., a second scrambling identifier associated with second transmission beam 122) to a different scrambling identifier (e.g., a third scrambling identifier). Upon receiving such update information, first device 110 may use the new scrambling identifier (i.e., the third scrambling identifier) ​​to detect the following control information transmitted from second device 120 via current serving beam 122. In another example, the update information from second device 120 may indicate to first device 110 that the transmission beam associated with the scrambling identifier has been updated to another transmission beam. For example, the second transmission beam associated with the second scrambling identifier is changed to a third transmission beam that may or may not be included in the previous plurality of transmission beams. In some example embodiments, the update information may be transmitted to first device 110 via a MAC CE.

[0109] In addition to (multiple) scrambling identifiers and / or (multiple) transmission beams, one or more other parameters set in the configuration information of a given transmission beam 122 may also be dynamically changed by the second device 120 via update information, including a position parameter indicating the bit position of the wake-up indication within the control information, a starting time point for monitoring the control information, and the like.

[0110] By dynamically changing the configuration settings associated with a particular transmission beam, the second device 120 can quickly reshuffle the first devices 110 configured with the same serving beam to ensure efficient use of control information. Consequently, when one or more first devices 110 switch their serving beams, resource efficiency for the transmission of control information can be maintained.

[0111] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 700 implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The method 700 is described from the perspective of the first device 110 .

[0112] At block 710, first device 110 receives configuration information from second device 120 indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmission beams of second device 120, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers. At block 720, based on determining that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for first device 110, first device 110 selects a first scrambling identifier associated with the first transmission beam from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers. At block 730, first device 110 monitors for first control information transmitted by second device 120 via the first transmission beam using the first scrambling identifier, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second device. In some example embodiments, first device 110 may monitor for the first control information in a discontinuous reception mode.

[0113] In some example embodiments, method 700 further includes selecting a second scrambling identifier associated with the second transmission beam from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers based on determining that the service beam is switched from the first transmission beam to a second transmission beam among the plurality of transmission beams; and monitoring second control information transmitted by the second device 120 via the second transmission beam based on the second scrambling identifier, the second control information indicating the presence of additional data to be transmitted by the second device.

[0114] In some example embodiments, monitoring the second control information includes: receiving update information from the second device 120 that updates the second scrambling identifier associated with the second transmission beam to a third scrambling identifier; and monitoring the second control information using the third scrambling identifier in response to receiving the update information.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the first plurality of configuration settings further include a plurality of parameter sets associated with the plurality of transmission beams, the plurality of parameter sets including at least one of: a first plurality of position parameters indicating corresponding bit positions of a wake-up indication within control information transmitted from the second device 120 via the plurality of transmission beams; a plurality of sleep indications applicable to control information transmitted by the second device 120 via the plurality of transmission beams, the plurality of sleep indications indicating sleep of at least one secondary cell of the first device 110 outside of a connection duration of discontinuous reception; a plurality of time parameters indicating corresponding starting time points for monitoring control information transmitted from the second device 120 via the plurality of transmission beams; and a plurality of payload sizes for the control information transmitted from the second device 120 via the plurality of transmission beams.

[0116] In some example embodiments, monitoring the first control information includes: selecting a first parameter set associated with the first transmission beam from a plurality of parameter sets; and monitoring the first control information based on the first parameter set.

[0117] In some example embodiments, the first control information includes at least one of: an awake indication for indicating whether the first device 110 is awake within the on-duration of the discontinuous reception, and a sleep indication for indicating sleep of at least one secondary cell of the first device 110 outside the on-duration of the discontinuous reception.

[0118] In some example embodiments, the first plurality of scrambling identifiers comprises a plurality of power save radio network temporary identifiers.

[0119] In some example embodiments, the configuration information further indicates a second plurality of configuration settings associated with the plurality of transmit beams, the second plurality of configuration settings including at least a second plurality of scrambling identifiers. In some example embodiments, selecting the first set of scrambling identifiers includes: receiving information from second device 120 indicating whether the first plurality of configuration settings or the second plurality of configuration settings is applicable to first device 110; and selecting the first scrambling identifier from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers based on determining that the first plurality of configuration settings is applicable to first device 110.

[0120] Figure 8 FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 800 implemented at the second device 120 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The method 800 is described from the perspective of the second device 120 .

[0121] At block 810, the second device 120 transmits configuration information to the first device 110 indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmission beams of the second device 120, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers. At block 820, based on determining that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first device 110, the second device 120 generates first control information by scrambling the first control information with a first scrambling identifier of the first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with the first transmission beam, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second device. At block 830, the second device 120 transmits the first scrambling control information to the first device 110 via the first transmission beam.

[0122] In some example embodiments, generating the first control information includes scrambling the control information with a first scrambling identifier based on determining that the first transmission beam is configured as a serving beam for the first device 110 and additionally determining that data is to be transmitted to the first device 110 .

[0123] In some example embodiments, method 800 further includes switching from the first transmission beam to a second transmission beam among the plurality of transmission beams based on determining the service beam, generating second control information based on a second scrambling identifier among the first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with the second transmission beam, the second control information indicating the presence of additional data to be transmitted by the second device; and transmitting the second scrambling control information to the first device 110 via the second transmission beam.

[0124] In some example embodiments, generating the second control information includes: transmitting update information to the first device 110 to update the second scrambling identifier associated with the second transmission beam to a third scrambling identifier; and scrambling the second control information with the third scrambling identifier in response to the transmission of the update information.

[0125] In some example embodiments, the first plurality of configuration settings further include a plurality of parameter sets associated with the plurality of transmission beams, the plurality of parameter sets including at least one of the following: a first plurality of position parameters indicating corresponding bit positions of a wake-up indication within control information transmitted from the second device 120 via the plurality of transmission beams; a plurality of sleep indications applicable to control information transmitted by the second device 120 via the plurality of transmission beams, the plurality of sleep indications indicating sleep of at least one secondary cell of the first device 110 outside of a connection duration of discontinuous reception; a plurality of time parameters indicating corresponding starting time points for monitoring control information transmitted from the second device 120 via the plurality of transmission beams; and a plurality of payload sizes of control information transmitted from the second device 120 via the plurality of transmission beams.

[0126] In some example embodiments, generating the first control information includes: selecting a first parameter set associated with the first transmission beam from a plurality of parameter sets; and generating the first control information based on the first parameter set.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the configuration information further indicates a second plurality of configuration settings associated with the plurality of transmit beams, the second plurality of configuration settings including at least a second plurality of scrambling identifiers. In some example embodiments, method 800 further includes transmitting to first device 110 information indicating whether the first plurality of configuration settings or the second plurality of configuration settings is applicable to first device 110. In some example embodiments, based on determining that the first plurality of configuration settings is applicable to first device 110, selecting the first scrambling identifier from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers.

[0128] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus (e.g., first device 110) capable of performing any of method 700 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 700. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as first device 110 or included in first device 110.

[0129] In some example embodiments, a first device includes means for receiving, from a second device, configuration information indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmission beams of the second device, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers; means for selecting a first scrambling identifier associated with the first transmission beam from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers based on determining that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a service beam for the first device; and means for monitoring first control information transmitted by the second device via the first transmission beam using the first scrambling identifier, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second device.

[0130] In some example embodiments, the means for monitoring comprises means for monitoring the first control information in a discontinuous reception mode.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the first device further includes a component for selecting a second scrambling identifier associated with the second transmission beam from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers based on determining that the service beam is switched from the first transmission beam to the second transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams; and a component for monitoring second control information transmitted by the second device via the second transmission beam based on the second scrambling identifier, the second control information indicating the presence of additional data to be transmitted by the second device.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the means for monitoring the second control information includes: means for receiving update information from the second device to update the second scrambling identifier associated with the second transmission beam to a third scrambling identifier; and means for monitoring the second control information using the third scrambling identifier in response to receipt of the update information.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the first plurality of configuration settings also includes a plurality of parameter sets associated with the plurality of transmission beams, the plurality of parameter sets including at least one of: a first plurality of position parameters indicating corresponding bit positions of wake-up indications within control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams; a plurality of sleep indications applicable to control information transmitted by the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, the plurality of sleep indications indicating sleep of at least one secondary cell of the first device outside of a connection duration of discontinuous reception; a plurality of time parameters indicating corresponding starting time points for monitoring control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams; and a plurality of payload sizes of control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams.

[0134] In some example embodiments, means for monitoring the first control information comprises means for selecting a first parameter set associated with the first transmission beam from a plurality of parameter sets; and means for monitoring the first control information based on the first parameter set.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the first control information includes at least one of: an awake indication for indicating whether the first apparatus awakens within the on-duration of the discontinuous reception, and a sleep indication for indicating sleep of at least one secondary cell of the first apparatus outside the on-duration of the discontinuous reception.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the first plurality of scrambling identifiers comprises a plurality of power save radio network temporary identifiers.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the configuration information further indicates a second plurality of configuration settings associated with the plurality of transmission beams, the second plurality of configuration settings including at least a second plurality of scrambling identifiers. In some example embodiments, the means for selecting the first set of scrambling identifiers includes: means for receiving information from the second apparatus indicating whether the first plurality of configuration settings or the second plurality of configuration settings is applicable to the first apparatus; and means for selecting the first scrambling identifier from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers based on determining that the first plurality of configuration settings is applicable to the first apparatus.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of method 700. In some example embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the operations of the first apparatus.

[0140] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus (e.g., second device 120) capable of performing any of method 800 may include a component for performing the corresponding operation of method 800. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the component may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as second device 120 or included in second device 120.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the second device includes means for transmitting configuration information indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmission beams of the second device to the first device, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers; means for generating first control information by scrambling the first control information with a first scrambling identifier of the first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with the first transmission beam based on determining that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a service beam for the first device, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second device; and means for transmitting the first scrambling control information to the first device via the first transmission beam.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the means for generating the first control information includes means for scrambling the control information with a first scrambling identifier based on determining that the first transmission beam is configured as a serving beam for the first device and further determining that data is to be transmitted to the first device.

[0143] In some example embodiments, the second device further includes a component for generating second control information based on a second scrambling identifier from a first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with the second transmission beam in accordance with determining that the service beam is switched from the first transmission beam to a second transmission beam from the plurality of transmission beams, the second control information indicating the presence of additional data to be transmitted by the second device; and a component for transmitting the second scrambling control information to the first device via the second transmission beam.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the means for generating the second control information includes: means for transmitting update information to the first device to update the second scrambling identifier associated with the second transmission beam to a third scrambling identifier; and means for scrambling the second control information with the third scrambling identifier in response to the transmission of the update information.

[0145] In some example embodiments, the first plurality of configuration settings further include a plurality of parameter sets associated with the plurality of transmission beams, the plurality of parameter sets including at least one of: a first plurality of position parameters indicating corresponding bit positions of a wake-up indication within control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams; a plurality of sleep indications applicable to control information transmitted by the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, the plurality of sleep indications indicating sleep of at least one secondary cell of the first device outside of a connection duration of discontinuous reception; a plurality of time parameters indicating corresponding starting time points for monitoring control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams; and a plurality of payload sizes of the control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams.

[0146] In some example embodiments, means for generating the first control information includes means for selecting a first parameter set associated with the first transmission beam from a plurality of parameter sets; and means for generating the first control information based on the first parameter set.

[0147] In some example embodiments, the configuration information further indicates a second plurality of configuration settings associated with the plurality of transmission beams, the second plurality of configuration settings including at least a second plurality of scrambling identifiers. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for transmitting to the first apparatus information indicating whether the first plurality of configuration settings or the second plurality of configuration settings is applicable to the first apparatus. In some example embodiments, the means for generating the first control information comprises means for selecting the first scrambling identifier from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers based on determining that the first plurality of configuration settings is applicable to the first apparatus.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for performing other operations in some example embodiments of method 800. In some example embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the operations of the second apparatus.

[0150] Figure 9 is a simplified block diagram of a device 900 suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 900 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 The first device 110 or the second device 120 is shown. As shown, the device 900 includes one or more processors 910, one or more memories 920 coupled to the processor 910, and one or more communication modules 940 coupled to the processor 910.

[0151] The communication module 940 is configured for bidirectional communication. The communication module 940 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. A communication interface may represent any interface necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 940 may include at least one antenna.

[0152] Processor 910 can be of any type suitable for the local technology network and, as non-limiting examples, can include one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 900 can have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-slave to a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0153] The memory 920 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 924, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disks, compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), optical disks, laser disks, and other magnetic and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 922 and other volatile memories that do not persist during power outages.

[0154] Computer program 930 includes computer-executable instructions executed by associated processor 910. Program 930 may be stored in a memory, such as ROM 924. Processor 910 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 930 into RAM 922.

[0155] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by the program 930 so that the device 900 can execute the reference Figures 5 to 8 Any process of the present disclosure discussed. Example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

[0156] In some example embodiments, the program 930 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium that may be included in the device 900 (such as in the memory 920) or in other storage devices accessible to the device 900. The device 900 may load the program 930 from the computer-readable medium into the RAM 922 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. Figure 10 An example of a computer readable medium 1000 is shown, which may be in the form of a CD, DVD, or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium has a program 930 stored thereon.

[0157] In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented using hardware, while other aspects may be implemented using firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or a controller or other computing device, or some combination thereof.

[0158] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as instructions included in a program module, which are executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor to perform the above-referenced Figures 5 to 8 Any method described herein. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functionality of program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions of program modules can be executed on local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0159] The program code for executing the disclosed method can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device so that the program code causes the function / operation specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be realized when executed by the processor or controller. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as an independent software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0160] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, etc.

[0161] Computer readable media can be computer readable signal media or computer readable storage media.Computer readable media can include but are not limited to electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor systems, devices or equipment, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.More specific examples of computer readable storage media will include electrical connections with one or more wires, portable computer floppy disks, hard disks, random access memories (RAM), read-only memories (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0162] In addition, although operations are described in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order shown or in sequence or performing all of the operations shown to obtain the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details have been included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Certain features described in the context of a separate embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0163] Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receiving, from a second device, configuration information indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmit beams of the second device, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers; Based on determining that a first transmission beam among the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first device, further determining a first scrambling identifier explicitly mapped to the first transmission beam based on at least one of a beam index and a beam identifier of the first transmission beam; as well as monitoring, using the first scrambling identifier, first control information transmitted by the second device via the first transmission beam, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second device; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: Based on determining that the serving beam is switched from the first transmission beam to a second transmission beam among the plurality of transmission beams, further determining a second scrambling identifier explicitly mapped to the second transmission beam based on at least one of a beam index and a beam identifier of the second transmission beam; as well as Based on the second scrambling identifier, second control information transmitted by the second device via the second transmission beam is monitored, the second control information indicating the presence of additional data to be transmitted by the second device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to monitor the first control information by: The first control information is monitored in a discontinuous reception mode.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to monitor the second control information by: receiving, from the second device, update information for updating the second scrambling identifier associated with the second transmission beam to a third scrambling identifier; and In response to receipt of the update information, the second control information is monitored using the third scrambling identifier.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of configuration settings further comprises a plurality of parameter sets associated with the plurality of transmit beams, the plurality of parameter sets comprising at least one of: a first plurality of position parameters indicating respective bit positions of a wake-up indication within control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, a plurality of sleep indications, applicable to control information transmitted by the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, the plurality of sleep indications indicating sleep of at least one secondary cell of the first device outside the on-duration of discontinuous reception, a plurality of time parameters indicating respective starting time points for monitoring control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, and a plurality of payload sizes of control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to monitor the first control information by: selecting a first parameter set associated with the first transmission beam from the plurality of parameter sets; and The first control information is monitored based on the first parameter set.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first control information comprises at least one of the following: a wake-up indication, used to indicate whether the first device wakes up within the on-duration of the discontinuous reception, and The sleep indication is used to indicate the sleep of at least one secondary cell of the first device outside the on-duration time of the discontinuous reception.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of scrambling identifiers comprises a plurality of power save radio network temporary identifiers.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the configuration information further indicates a second plurality of configuration settings associated with the plurality of transmit beams, the second plurality of configuration settings comprising at least a second plurality of scrambling identifiers; and wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine the first set of scrambling identifiers by: receiving, from the second device, information indicating whether the first plurality of configuration settings or the second plurality of configuration settings is applicable to the first device; and Based on determining that the first plurality of configuration settings is applicable to the first device, the first scrambling identifier is selected from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers.

9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first device comprises a terminal device, and the second device comprises a network device.

10. A second device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: transmitting, to the first device, configuration information indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmit beams of the second device, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers; generating, based on determining that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first device, first control information by scrambling first control information with a first scrambling identifier of the first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with the first transmission beam, the first control information indicating presence of data to be transmitted by the second device; as well as Transmitting the first scrambling control information to the first device via the first transmission beam; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: generating, based on a determination that the serving beam is switched from the first transmission beam to a second transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams, second control information indicating the presence of additional data to be transmitted by the second device, based on a second scrambling identifier of the first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with the second transmission beam; as well as The second scrambling control information is transmitted to the first device via the second transmission beam.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to generate the first control information by: Based on determining that the first transmission beam is configured as the serving beam for the first device and additionally determining that data is to be transmitted to the first device, the first control information is scrambled with the first scrambling identifier.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to generate the second control information by: transmitting, to the first device, update information for updating the second scrambling identifier associated with the second transmission beam to a third scrambling identifier; and In response to the transmission of the update information, the second control information is scrambled with the third scrambling identifier.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first plurality of configuration settings further comprises a plurality of parameter sets associated with the plurality of transmit beams, the plurality of parameter sets comprising at least one of: a first plurality of position parameters indicating respective bit positions of a wake-up indication within control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, a plurality of sleep indications, applicable to control information transmitted by the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, the plurality of sleep indications indicating sleep of at least one secondary cell of the first device outside the on-duration of discontinuous reception, a plurality of time parameters indicating respective starting time points for monitoring control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, and a plurality of payload sizes of control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to generate the first control information by: selecting a first parameter set associated with the first transmission beam from the plurality of parameter sets; and The first control information is generated based on the first parameter set.

15. The apparatus of any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the configuration information further indicates a second plurality of configuration settings associated with the plurality of transmit beams, the second plurality of configuration settings comprising at least a second plurality of scrambling identifiers; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: transmit to the first apparatus information indicating whether the first plurality of configuration settings or the second plurality of configuration settings is applicable to the first apparatus; and The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the device to generate first control information by: Based on determining that the first plurality of configuration settings is applicable to the first device, the first scrambling identifier is selected from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers.

16. A method for communication, comprising: receiving, at a first device, configuration information from a second device indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmit beams of the second device, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers; Based on determining that a first transmission beam among the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first device, further determining a first scrambling identifier explicitly mapped to the first transmission beam based on at least one of a beam index and a beam identifier of the first transmission beam; as well as monitoring, using the first scrambling identifier, first control information transmitted by the second device via the first transmission beam, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second device; The method further comprises: Based on determining that the serving beam is switched from the first transmission beam to a second transmission beam among the plurality of transmission beams, further determining a second scrambling identifier explicitly mapped to the second transmission beam based on at least one of a beam index and a beam identifier of the second transmission beam; as well as Based on the second scrambling identifier, second control information transmitted by the second device via the second transmission beam is monitored, the second control information indicating the presence of additional data to be transmitted by the second device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein monitoring the first control information comprises: The first control information is monitored in a discontinuous reception mode.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein monitoring the second control information comprises: receiving, from the second device, update information for updating the second scrambling identifier associated with the second transmission beam to a third scrambling identifier; as well as In response to receipt of the update information, the second control information is monitored using the third scrambling identifier.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the first plurality of configuration settings further comprises a plurality of parameter sets associated with the plurality of transmit beams, the plurality of parameter sets comprising at least one of: a first plurality of position parameters indicating respective bit positions of a wake-up indication within control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, a plurality of sleep indications, applicable to control information transmitted by the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, the plurality of sleep indications indicating sleep of at least one secondary cell of the first device outside the on-duration of discontinuous reception, a plurality of time parameters indicating respective starting time points for monitoring control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, and a plurality of payload sizes of control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein monitoring the first control information comprises: selecting a first parameter set associated with the first transmission beam from the plurality of parameter sets; as well as The first control information is monitored based on the first parameter set.

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first control information comprises at least one of the following: a wake-up indication, used to indicate whether the first device wakes up within the on-duration of the discontinuous reception, and The sleep indication is used to indicate the sleep of at least one secondary cell of the first device outside the on-duration time of the discontinuous reception.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the first plurality of scrambled identifiers comprises a plurality of power save radio network temporary identifiers.

23. The method of any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the configuration information further indicates a second plurality of configuration settings associated with the plurality of transmit beams, the second plurality of configuration settings comprising at least a second plurality of scrambling identifiers; as well as Determining the first scrambling identifier set includes: receiving, from the second device, information indicating whether the first plurality of configuration settings or the second plurality of configuration settings is applicable to the first device; as well as Based on determining that the first plurality of configuration settings is applicable to the first device, the first scrambling identifier is selected from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers.

24. A method for communication, comprising: transmitting, at the second device, to the first device, configuration information indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmit beams of the second device, the first plurality of configuration settings including at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers; generating, based on determining that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first device, first control information by scrambling first control information with a first scrambling identifier of the first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with the first transmission beam, the first control information indicating presence of data to be transmitted by the second device; as well as Transmitting the first scrambling control information to the first device via the first transmission beam; The method further comprises: generating, based on a determination that the serving beam is switched from the first transmission beam to a second transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams, second control information indicating the presence of additional data to be transmitted by the second device, based on a second scrambling identifier of the first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with the second transmission beam; as well as The second scrambling control information is transmitted to the first device via the second transmission beam.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein generating the first control information comprises: Based on determining that the first transmission beam is configured as the serving beam for the first device and additionally determining that data is to be transmitted to the first device, the first control information is scrambled with the first scrambling identifier.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein generating the second control information comprises: transmitting, to the first device, update information for updating the second scrambling identifier associated with the second transmission beam to a third scrambling identifier; as well as In response to the transmission of the update information, the second control information is scrambled with the third scrambling identifier.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the first plurality of configuration settings further comprises a plurality of parameter sets associated with the plurality of transmit beams, the plurality of parameter sets comprising at least one of: a first plurality of position parameters indicating respective bit positions of a wake-up indication within control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, a plurality of sleep indications, applicable to control information transmitted by the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, the plurality of sleep indications indicating sleep of at least one secondary cell of the first device outside the on-duration of discontinuous reception, a plurality of time parameters indicating respective starting time points for monitoring control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams, and a plurality of payload sizes of control information transmitted from the second device via the plurality of transmission beams.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein generating the first control information comprises: selecting a first parameter set associated with the first transmission beam from the plurality of parameter sets; as well as The first control information is generated based on the first parameter set.

29. The method of any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein the configuration information further indicates a second plurality of configuration settings associated with the plurality of transmit beams, the second plurality of configuration settings comprising at least a second plurality of scrambling identifiers; wherein the method further comprises: transmitting to the first device information indicating whether the first plurality of configuration settings or the second plurality of configuration settings is applicable to the first device; and The generating of the first control information includes: selecting the first scrambling identifier from the first plurality of scrambling identifiers based on determining that the first plurality of configuration settings are applicable to the first device.

30. A first apparatus for communication, comprising: means for receiving, from a second apparatus, configuration information indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmit beams of the second apparatus, the first plurality of configuration settings comprising at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers; means for further determining, based on determining that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first device, a first scrambling identifier explicitly mapped to the first transmission beam based on at least one of a beam index and a beam identifier of the first transmission beam; as well as means for monitoring, using the first scrambling identifier, first control information transmitted by the second apparatus via the first transmission beam, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second apparatus; The first device further comprises: means for further determining, based on determining that the serving beam is switched from the first transmission beam to a second transmission beam among the plurality of transmission beams, a second scrambling identifier explicitly mapped to the second transmission beam according to at least one of a beam index and a beam identifier of the second transmission beam; as well as means for monitoring second control information transmitted by the second apparatus via the second transmission beam based on the second scrambling identifier, the second control information indicating the presence of further data to be transmitted by the second apparatus.

31. A second apparatus for communication, comprising means for: means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, configuration information indicating a first plurality of configuration settings associated with a plurality of transmit beams of the second apparatus, the first plurality of configuration settings comprising at least a first plurality of scrambling identifiers; means for generating, based on determining that a first transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams is configured as a serving beam for the first apparatus, first control information by scrambling first control information with a first scrambling identifier of the first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with the first transmission beam, the first control information indicating the presence of data to be transmitted by the second apparatus; as well as means for transmitting the first scrambling control information to the first device via the first transmission beam; The device further comprises: means for generating second control information based on a second scrambling identifier of the first plurality of scrambling identifiers associated with a second transmission beam in response to determining that the serving beam is switched from the first transmission beam to a second transmission beam of the plurality of transmission beams, the second control information indicating the presence of additional data to be transmitted by the second apparatus; as well as means for transmitting the second scrambling control information to the first device via the second transmission beam.

32. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the method according to any one of claims 16 to 23 or the method according to any one of claims 24 to 29.

Images