Methods and apparatus, including for search space switching for ultra-reliable low latency communications

Abstract

A first uplink cancellation configuration for a downlink bandwidth part is received (302). Based on the first uplink cancellation configuration, a first reference time duration associated with a first set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a first set of search spaces is determined (304). A second reference time duration associated with a second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a second set of search spaces is determined (306). Reception of uplink cancellation indications is monitored (308) in at least one search space. Depending on which of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces being monitored is identified as including an uplink cancellation indication, a particular one of the reference time durations is selectively used (310) in relation to the received uplink cancellation indication.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus, such as supporting ultra-reliable low latency communications, including configurations for search space switching between multiple search space sets for monitoring reception of uplink cancellation indications. BACKGROUND

[0002] Currently, user equipment, such as wireless communication devices, use wireless signals to communicate with other communication devices, such as within a network environment that can include one or more cells within which various communication connections can be supported with the network and other devices operating within the network. The network environment often involves one or more sets of standards, each of which defines various aspects of any communication connections made within the network environment when using the corresponding standard. Examples of developed and / or existing standards include New Radio Access Technology (NR), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and / or Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE).

[0003] To better support applications that can have more time sensitive communications, where both reliability and latency are issues, there is an increasing focus on a type of communication identified as ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC). Traditionally, however, data reliability and latency can be traded off in favor of one or the other. Increasingly, applications want to improve performance related to both of these factors at the same time.

[0004] When ultra-reliable low latency communications have been identified as needed, there is an impetus to support the communications with as little latency as possible. In shared spectrum operations, resources are constantly being allocated to various user equipment operating within the shared spectrum. When a request for resources to support ultra-reliable low latency communications is received, some of the resources in the shared spectrum will likely already be assigned to user equipment to support communications that can not be time sensitive. In some of these instances, an uplink cancellation indication can be sent to release the assigned resources so that they can be made available for ultra-reliable low latency communications. However, the possibility of monitoring for reception of the uplink cancellation indication is costly in terms of resources, such as processing resources as well as power resources, where more frequent monitoring can incur higher costs.

[0005] The present inventors have recognized that it can be desirable to be able to define a respective uplink cancellation configuration for each of a plurality of different search space sets, which can vary the nature of monitoring associated with each of the respective search space sets, including potential differences in monitoring periodicity, reference time duration, and correspondence to one or more associated physical downlink control channel monitoring occasions, which in turn can help better manage resource requirements associated with monitoring for uplink cancellation indications for each of the respective search space sets, as well as manage the ability to support ultra-reliable low latency communications therein. SUMMARY

[0006] A method in a user equipment is provided. The method includes receiving a first uplink cancellation configuration for a downlink bandwidth part. Based on the first uplink cancellation configuration, determining a first reference time duration associated with a first set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a first set of search spaces. Determining a second reference time duration associated with a second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a second set of search spaces. Monitoring for reception of uplink cancellation indications in at least one of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces. Selectively using a particular one of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration in relation to a received uplink cancellation indication depending on which of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces being monitored is identified as including the received uplink cancellation indication. The particular one is the first reference time duration if the indication is received in the first set of search spaces. The particular one is the second reference time duration if the indication is received in the second set of search spaces.

[0007] According to another possible embodiment, a user equipment is provided. The user equipment includes a transceiver that receives a first uplink cancellation configuration for a downlink bandwidth part. The user equipment further includes a controller that determines a first reference time duration associated with a first set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a first set of search spaces based on the first uplink cancellation configuration and determines a second reference time duration associated with a second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a second set of search spaces. A reception of an uplink cancellation indication is monitored in at least one of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces. A particular one of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration is selectively used in relation to the received uplink cancellation indication depending on which of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces being monitored is identified as including the received uplink cancellation indication. The particular one is the first reference time duration if the indication is received in the first set of search spaces. The particular one is the second reference time duration if the indication is received in the second set of search spaces.

[0008] According to another possible embodiment, a method in a network entity is provided. The method includes transmitting one or more uplink cancellation configurations for a downlink bandwidth part including at least a first uplink cancellation configuration from which a first reference time duration associated with a first set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a first set of search spaces can be determined and a second reference time duration associated with a second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a second set of search spaces can be determined. A reception of an uplink cancellation indication is transmitted in at least one of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces. A particular one of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration can be selectively used in relation to the received uplink cancellation indication depending on which of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces includes the received uplink cancellation indication. The particular one is the first reference time duration if the indication is transmitted in the first set of search spaces. The particular one is the second reference time duration if the indication is transmitted in the second set of search spaces.

[0009] According to yet another possible embodiment, a network entity is provided. The network entity comprises a controller, and a transceiver that transmits one or more uplink cancellation configurations for a downlink bandwidth part including at least a first uplink cancellation configuration from which a first reference time duration associated with a first set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a first set of search spaces can be determined and a second reference time duration associated with a second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a second set of search spaces can be determined, and receives an uplink cancellation indication in at least one of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces. Depending on which one of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces includes the received uplink cancellation indication, a particular one of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration can be selectively used in relation to the received uplink cancellation indication. The particular one is the first reference time duration if the indication is transmitted in the first set of search spaces. The particular one is the second reference time duration if the indication is transmitted in the second set of search spaces.

[0010] These and other features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following description of one or more preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary network environment in which the present application is adapted for operation;

[0012] Figure 2 is a time domain mapping of a set of first time domain resources and a set of second time domain resources corresponding to first and second search spaces, respectively, each including one or more monitoring occasions;

[0013] Figure 3 is a flowchart in a user equipment associated with switching between different search space groups to monitor uplink cancellation indications related to ultra-reliable low-latency communications;

[0014] Figure 4 is a flowchart in a network entity associated with switching between different search space groups to transmit uplink cancellation indications related to ultra-reliable low-latency communications; and

[0015] Figure 5 is an exemplary block diagram of an apparatus according to a possible embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] While the disclosure is susceptible to various forms of embodiments, it is presently preferred to describe the presently preferred embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to limit the application to the specific embodiments described.

[0017] Embodiments provide a method and apparatus for monitoring uplink cancellation indication, such as supporting ultra-reliable low latency communication, including search space switching.

[0018] Figure 1 is an example block diagram of a system 100 according to possible embodiments. The system 100 can include a wireless communication device 110, such as a user equipment (UE), a base station 120, such as an enhanced node B (eNB) or a next generation node B (gNB), and a network 130. The wireless communication device 110 can be a wireless terminal, a portable wireless communication device, a smart phone, a cellular telephone, a flip phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, a selective call receiver, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or any other device capable of transmitting and receiving communication signals over a wireless network.

[0019] The network 130 can include any type of network capable of transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, the network 130 can include a wireless communication network, a cellular telephone network, a time division multiple access (TDMA) based network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) based network, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) based network, a long term evolution (LTE) network, a fifth generation (5G) network, a third generation partnership project (3GPP) based network, a satellite communication network, a high altitude platform network, the Internet, and / or other communication network.

[0020] In shared spectrum operation (e.g., operation through shared spectrum channel access), a UE can be provided with a first set of search spaces and a second set of search spaces for physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring in Type 3 common search space (CSS) and UE-specific search space (USS). DCI format 2-0 can be used to switch between the sets of search spaces to be monitored and manage which set of search spaces to be monitored. Further, once the UE is instructed to start monitoring search space set 1, a timer can start and the timer value can be decreased in each slot. Once the timer expires, the UE stops monitoring search space set 1 and switches back to monitoring search space set 0. One purpose of search space switching is to enable power saving (e.g., mini-slot monitoring when the UE needs to monitor frequently, and slot monitoring when the UE does not need to monitor frequently. For example, outside of channel occupancy time and within channel occupancy time or before receiving a downlink burst in a fixed frame period of a frame-based equipment protocol for new radio unlicensed (NRU) operation or operation through shared spectrum channel access). The search spaces can be monitored in both search space sets; however, the benefit of power saving can be reduced (e.g., because the PDCCH is always monitored in the search spaces, and if the search spaces are monitored with a relatively short search space monitoring periodicity in one search space and a relatively larger search space monitoring in the other search space for a first period of time, and compared to a case where the PDCCH is monitored in the search spaces for the first period of time).

[0021] A UL cancellation indication (UL CI) is an indication to a UE to stop its uplink transmission (e.g., physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or sounding reference signal (SRS)) on the resources indicated by the UL CI. This feature is useful to stop a UE’s enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) / low priority transmission to allow another UE’s ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) / high priority transmission. In order to determine which resources to cancel, the UE needs to determine a reference time duration. Once the reference time duration is determined, the indication indicates which time and frequency resources within the reference time duration need to be cancelled. The reference time duration is equal to the UL CI monitoring periodicity (where the search space monitoring periodicity for monitoring the UL CI), for monitoring periodicity greater than 1 slot (or for monitoring one slot by a single PDCCH monitoring occasion within a slot), and if the UL CI monitoring periodicity is not greater than one slot (and there is more than one PDCCH monitoring occasion within a slot), the reference time duration is determined by the UL CI configuration (e.g., provided by timeDurationforCI in timeFrequencyRegion of UplinkCancellation RRC information element). The UL CI is indicated in Type 3 CSS in DCI format 2-4.

[0022] For operation in shared spectrum with different search space groups (when search space switching is configured), the question is whether the UE should always monitor UL CI in the search space or in the search space of one search space group or in the search space of the first search space group and in the search space of the second search space group (with different monitoring periodicity). In the current specification, there is one UL CI configuration per bandwidth part (BWP). In order to determine the reference duration correctly, when the UL CI is monitored at least in the first search space of the first search space group and the second search space of the second search space group, where the first search space has a monitoring periodicity not greater than a slot and the second search space has a periodicity longer than a slot; the UE needs a mechanism to determine the reference time duration for UL CI operation in each search space.

[0023] At least one aspect of this disclosure provides a mechanism to determine the reference time duration for UL CI operation in different search spaces with different monitoring periodicity (at least one search space with periodicity longer than a slot and another search space with periodicity not greater than a slot).

[0024] The time / frequency resources corresponding to a search space and its associated control resource set (CORESET) are higher layer configured, resulting in higher layer configuration of PDCCH monitoring occasions.

[0025] Search space switching, search space configuration, and UL CI details are provided in various 3GPP standards. Various examples of sections of 3GPP standards that can be of interest include the discussion of search space set switching in TS 38.213, entitled Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; NR; Physical Layer Procedures for Control. The same 3GPP standard also includes sections that can be of interest regarding cancellation indications, as well as regarding UE procedures for determining physical downlink control channel assignments. Further 3GPP standard sections that can be of interest include the discussion of search space configuration in TS 38.331, entitled Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC) Protocol Specification. The same 3GPP standard also includes a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) configuration section that can be of interest.

[0026] In this section of the written description, examples of various embodiments are provided to enable UL CI monitoring in different search spaces with different monitoring periodicities. In particular, at least for the case where one search space has a slot monitoring periodicity and another search space has a slot monitoring periodicity that is not greater than one slot. For example, when

[0027] • the PDCCH monitoring periodicity for a first search space set with downlink control information (DCI) format 2_4 is one slot, and there is more than one PDCCH monitoring occasion in a slot,

[0028] • the PDCCH monitoring periodicity for a second search space set with DCI format 2_4 is greater than one slot.

[0029] One use case includes when search space group switching is configured, different search spaces belong to different search space groups in a shared spectrum.

[0030] If one UL CI configuration is configured for different search spaces with different search space monitoring periodicities, there can be limitations. For example, if a reference time duration for a first search set is determined based on timeDurationForCI = n2 (e.g., the reference time duration is RRC configured to be 2 symbols), then at most timeGranularityForCI can be 1 or 2 (e.g., the 2 symbols of the reference time duration can be grouped in a single group corresponding to timeGranularityForCI = 1, or the 2 symbols of the reference time duration can be grouped as two groups (each group having one symbol of the reference time duration) corresponding to timeGranularityForCI = 2). However, if a second reference time duration for a second search space set is determined based on a second search space monitoring periodicity (e.g., 8 slots); then having 1 or 2 groups of symbols as indicated by timeGranularityForCI can not be a good choice as it can provide a coarse time granularity. For example, timeGranularityForCI = 2 splits / groups the first 4 slots of the 8 slots duration as a first partition, and the last 4 slots of the 8 slots duration as a second partition, and 1 bit in the UL CI indicates whether UL transmissions in the first partition (comprising 4 slots) need to be cancelled, and a second bit in the UL CI indicates whether UL transmissions in the second partition (comprising 4 subsequent slots) need to be cancelled. In contrast, if the second search space set can be associated to a second UL CI configuration with different parameter values than in the first UL CI configuration, then a better / finer cancellation indication can be possible. For example, for the second search space set with a periodicity of 8 slots, timeGranularityForCI = 4 results in having 4 partitions instead of two, and 4 bits instead of 2 bits (each partition corresponding to each partition) can indicate whether UL transmissions in each partition need to be cancelled.

[0031] In an embodiment, the first search space set is associated with a first UL cancellation configuration, and the second search space set is associated with a second UL cancellation configuration.

[0032] In an embodiment, if the first search space set and the second search space set have different monitoring periodicities, the first search space set is associated with the first UL cancellation configuration and the second search space set is associated with the second UL cancellation configuration. In some examples, the second UL cancellation configuration is configured if the group index provided for a search space set configured for monitoring PDCCH candidates of DCI format 2_4 (provided by searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16 of the search space set) indicates a second search space group (e.g., a value of 1 in searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16 of the search space). In some examples, the second UL cancellation configuration is configured if the group index provided for a first search space set configured for monitoring PDCCH candidates of DCI format 2_4 (provided by searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16 of the search space set) and the group index provided for a second search space set configured for monitoring PDCCH candidates of DCI format 2_4 are different.

[0033] In an embodiment, a first search space set is associated with a UL cancellation configuration and a second search space set is associated with the same UL cancellation configuration, however, some parameters needed for determining resources / transmissions to be cancelled in UL cancellation indication associated with the first search space set can be different from parameters needed for determining resources / transmissions to be cancelled in UL cancellation indication associated with the second search space set. For example, some of the following parameters can be different. In an example, timeDurationForCI in UL cancellation configuration can only apply to search space set with one slot monitoring periodicity which has more than one PDCCH monitoring occasion within a slot. In another example, some of the UL CI configuration parameters (such as the parameters shown below) can be provided more than once in UL CI configuration and apply to different search space sets where UL CI is monitored. For example, UL CI configuration can have two parameters (such as timeGranularityForCI-A and timeGranularityForCI-B take different values and timeGranularityForCI-A can apply to search space sets with first monitoring periodicity and / or number of PDCCH monitoring occasions within a slot and timeGranularityForCI-B can apply to search space sets with second monitoring periodicity and / or number of PDCCH monitoring occasions within a slot). Alternatively, some parameters of UL CI configuration can take multiple values, for example, a UE can be configured with timeGranularityForCI = {timeGranularityForCI-A, timeGranularityForCI-B}, where timeGranularityForCI-A can apply to search space sets with first monitoring periodicity and / or number of PDCCH monitoring occasions within a slot and timeGranularityForCI-B can apply to search space sets with second monitoring periodicity and / or number of PDCCH monitoring occasions within a slot. In one example, timeGranularityForCI-A is used for search space sets of a first search space group (configured for monitoring PDCCH candidates of DCI format 2_4) and timeGranularityForCI-B is used for search space sets of a second search space group (for monitoring PDCCH candidates of DCI format 2_4).In another example, the UL CI configuration can have two parameters (such as timeFrequencyRegion and timeFrequencyRegion2 with different parameter combinations, and timeFrequencyRegion can apply to search space sets (configured PDCCH candidates for monitoring DCI format 2_4) with a first monitoring periodicity and / or number of PDCCH monitoring occasions within a slot, and timeFrequencyRegion2 can apply to search space sets with a second monitoring periodicity and / or number of PDCCH monitoring occasions within a slot. In one example, timeFrequencyRegion is for search space sets of a first search space group (configured PDCCH candidates for monitoring DCI format 2_4), and timeFrequencyRegion2 is for search space sets of a second search space group (configured PDCCH candidates for monitoring DCI format 2_4). In one example, the frequencyRegionForCI2 parameter in timeFrequencyRegion2 can be omitted and not configured, and the UE assumes the same value as the frequencyRegionForCI parameter in timeFrequencyRegion. In some examples, the parameter timeGranularityForCI-B or timeFrequencyRegion2 parameter is configured if the group index provided for a search space set configured PDCCH candidates for monitoring DCI format 2_4 (provided by searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16 of the search space set) indicates the second search space group (e.g., the value in searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16 for the search space is 1). In some examples, the parameter timeGranularityForCI-B or timeFrequencyRegion2 parameter is configured if the group index is provided for a first search space set configured PDCCH candidates for monitoring DCI format 2_4 (provided by searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16 of the search space set) and is different for a second search space set configured PDCCH candidates for monitoring DCI format 2_4.

[0034] Uplink cancellation configuration

[0035]

[0036]

[0037]

[0038]

[0039] The following embodiments can be correlated or independent of each other.

[0040] In a first embodiment, the UE

[0041] • receives a first UplinkCancellation configuration for a downlink bandwidth part; and

[0042] • receives a second UplinkCancellation configuration for a downlink bandwidth part;

[0043] • the UE determines a first reference time duration associated with a first set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a first set / first search space set of search spaces based on the first UplinkCancellation configuration;

[0044] • the UE determines a second reference time duration associated with a second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a second set / second search space set of search spaces; wherein

[0045] o the second reference time duration is determined based on a PDCCH monitoring periodicity associated with the second set of search spaces.

[0046] • the UE monitors a first set of PDCCH candidates to detect a DCI format corresponding to an uplink cancellation operation (DCI format 2-4) in the first set of search spaces;

[0047] • the UE monitors a second set of PDCCH candidates to detect a DCI format in the second set of search spaces;

[0048] • the UE receives an indication (UL cancellation indication) of a DCI format 2_4 of a serving cell in the first set of search spaces or the second set of search spaces;

[0049] • the UE cancels an UL transmission on the serving cell if the indication indicates a time domain resource from a time domain (set of symbols) with an associated reference time duration and a resource associated with the UL transmission overlap; wherein

[0050] o if the indication is received in the first set of search spaces, the associated reference time duration is the first reference time duration; and

[0051] o if the indication is received in the second set of search spaces, the associated reference time duration is the second reference time duration;

[0052] The UL transmission can include at least one of a PUSCH transmission or an SRS transmission. An uplink cancellation operation can be performed for the UL transmission in the shared spectrum. The first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces can be monitored in the shared / unlicensed spectrum.

[0053] The first reference time duration can be less than a slot duration (e.g., 2 or 4 or 7 symbols).

[0054] There can be more than one PDCCH monitoring occasion associated with the first set of search spaces in a slot.

[0055] The first UplinkCancellation configuration can be provided by a UplinkCancellation Information Element in a PDCCH-Config Information Element of a downlink BWP.

[0056] The first set of search spaces can be associated with a first searchSpaceGroupID and the first set of search spaces can be associated with a second searchSpaceGroupID.

[0057] The device can start monitoring the first set of search spaces when / after the device stops monitoring the second set of search spaces; and start monitoring the second set of search spaces when / after the device stops monitoring the first set of search spaces.

[0058] The UE can receive a PDCCH such as a group common PDCCH (e.g., with DCI format 2_0) indicating whether to monitor the first set of search spaces or the second set of search spaces.

[0059] In an embodiment, the first UplinkCancellation configuration and the second UplinkCancellation configuration can be the same and there is only one (at most one) PDCCH monitoring occasion within a slot for each of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces if the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration are longer than a slot duration or the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration have a slot duration.

[0060] In an embodiment, a maximum monitoring periodicity of a search space in the second set of search spaces can be less than a threshold. The threshold can be greater than 10 (or 5) slots. The maximum monitoring periodicity of a search space in the second set of search spaces can be greater than the maximum monitoring periodicity of a search space in the third set of search spaces; wherein the second set of search spaces can be associated with the shared spectrum and the third set of search spaces is not associated with the shared spectrum (or is associated with the licensed spectrum); and the device monitors the set of third PDCCH candidates to detect a DCI format corresponding to an uplink cancellation operation (DCI format 2-4) in the third set of search spaces operating with the licensed spectrum;

[0061] In an embodiment, the first UplinkCancellation configuration and the second UplinkCancellation configuration are the same, and the field in the UplinkCancellation configuration can be forced to be present if the periodicity of at least one search space in which DCI format 2-4 is monitored is not greater than a slot.

[0062] In an embodiment, if the first set of search spaces has a monitoring periodicity not greater than a slot, a first reference time duration is determined based on a field in the UplinkCancellation configuration (such as timeDurationForCI); and when the second set of search spaces has a monitoring periodicity greater than a slot, a second reference time duration is determined based on the monitoring periodicity of the second set of search spaces.

[0063] The first reference time duration can be further determined based on a PDCCH monitoring periodicity associated with the first set of search spaces.

[0064] In an embodiment, the UL cancellation indication can be received only in the first set of search spaces or can be received only in the second set of search spaces.

[0065] In an embodiment, if a search space set is configured in two search space groups (e.g., when the UE is provided (a) a first group index of a respective Type3-PDCCH CSS set or USS set for PDCCH monitoring on a serving cell by searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16 and (b) a second group index of a respective Type3-PDCCH CSS set or USS set for PDCCH monitoring on a serving cell by searchSpaceGroupIdList-r16, the UE can be configured with a parameter in the respective search space set or in the UL CI configuration, if the UE is configured with UL CI, wherein based on the parameter the UE can determine PDCCH monitoring occasions for UL CI monitoring in the respective search space set when the UE can be monitored in the first search space group and / or when the UE is monitored in the second search space group. For example, Figure 2 FIG. 13 illustrates a time domain mapping 1300 of a first set of time domain resources and a second set of time domain resources respectively corresponding to a first and a second search space each including one or more monitoring occasions, wherein a monitoring occasion is identified by an element in the time domain mapping including parallel diagonal hatching. In Figure 2 In an embodiment, the UE can monitor UL CI according to one UL CI configuration in a search space set, and the search space set belongs to two groups of search space sets. However, the monitoring periodicity of UL CI monitoring in the search space set during time T2 is different from the monitoring periodicity of UL CI monitoring in the search space set during time T1, e.g., the monitoring periodicity of UL CI monitoring in the search space set during time T2 is “n” times of the monitoring periodicity of UL CI monitoring in the search space set during time T1; and “n” is indicated in the UL CI configuration or “n” is derived according to a higher layer parameter of search space switching such as searchSpaceSwitchingTimer.

[0066] In an embodiment,

[0067] • If the device does not monitor PDCCH according to the first set of search spaces: if the value of the search space set switching field is 0, the UE starts monitoring PDCCH according to the first set of search spaces on the serving cell at the first time slot that is at least P switch symbols after the last symbol of the detected PDCCH with DCI format 2-0, and stops monitoring PDCCH according to the second set of search spaces;

[0068] • If the device does not monitor PDCCH according to the second set of search spaces: If the value of the search space set switching field is 1, the UE starts monitoring PDCCH according to the second set of search spaces on the serving cell at the first slot that is at least P switch symbols after the last symbol of the detected PDCCH with DCI format 2-0, and stops monitoring PDCCH according to the first set of search spaces, and the device sets the timer value to the value provided by searchSpaceSwitchingTimer-r16;

[0069] • If the device monitors PDCCH according to the second set of search spaces on the serving cell, the device starts monitoring PDCCH according to the first set of search spaces on the serving cell at the start of the first slot that is at least P switch symbols after the slot in which the timer expires or after the last symbol of the remaining channel occupancy duration of the serving cell indicated by DCI format 2-0, and stops monitoring PDCCH according to the second set of search spaces.

[0070] The above embodiments can also be applicable to any group common DCI format (e.g., instead of DCI format indicating UL CI), such as DCI format 2-0, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6.

[0071] When monitoring search spaces of only one search group; and when the search space group to be monitored is indicated by receiving a DCI (e.g., DCI format 2-0) indicating the search group index or by the expiry of a timer, UL de- monitoring is enabled in the search spaces of different search space groups.

[0072] The present disclosure provides mechanisms for determining the reference time duration of UL CI operation in different search spaces with different monitoring periodicities (at least one with a larger than slot periodicity and another search space with no larger than one slot periodicity).

[0073] Figure 3A flowchart 300 is illustrated in a user equipment associated with switching between different search space sets to monitor uplink cancellation indications related to ultra-reliable low latency communications. According to at least one embodiment, the method can include receiving 302 a first uplink cancellation configuration for a downlink bandwidth part. Based on the first uplink cancellation configuration, a first reference time duration associated with a first set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a first set of search spaces can be determined 304. A second reference time duration associated with a second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a second set of search spaces can be determined 306. Reception of uplink cancellation indications can be monitored 308 in at least one of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces. Depending on which of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces monitored is identified as including a received uplink cancellation indication, a particular one of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration is selectively used 310 in relation to the received uplink cancellation indication. The particular one is the first reference time duration if the indication is received in the first set of search spaces, and the particular one is the second reference time duration if the indication is received in the second set of search spaces.

[0074] In some instances, the determination of the second reference time duration associated with the second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in the second set of search spaces is derived at least in part from the received first uplink cancellation configuration. In some of these instances, the first uplink cancellation configuration can include a plurality of sets of parameters respectively associated with determining each of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration.

[0075] In some instances, the determination of the second reference time duration associated with the second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in the second set of search spaces is derived from a second uplink cancellation configuration for the received downlink bandwidth part, where the second uplink cancellation configuration is independent of the first uplink cancellation configuration. In some of these instances, the second reference time duration can be determined based on a physical downlink control channel monitoring periodicity associated with the second set of search spaces based on the second uplink cancellation configuration for the received downlink bandwidth part.

[0076] In some instances, the uplink cancellation indications can be included as part of a downlink control information format in at least one of a set of physical downlink control channel candidates detected in at least one of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces being monitored.

[0077] In some instances, the method can further include canceling the uplink transmission on the serving cell if the uplink cancellation indication identifies time domain resources that overlap with at least some of the set of resources associated with the uplink transmission from the time region associated with the particular one of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration.

[0078] In some instances, the uplink cancellation operation can be performed for uplink transmissions in a shared spectrum.

[0079] In some instances, the first reference time duration can be less than a slot duration. In some of these instances, there can be more than one physical downlink control channel monitoring occasion associated with the first set of search spaces in a slot.

[0080] In some instances, the second reference time duration can be equal to or greater than a slot duration. In some of these instances, a number of physical downlink control channel monitoring occasions associated with the second set of search spaces can be equal to or less than a number of slots.

[0081] In some instances, the method can further include receiving a physical downlink control channel with downlink control information indicating whether to monitor the first set of search spaces or the second set of search spaces.

[0082] In some instances, the device can start monitoring the first set of search spaces when the device stops monitoring the second set of search spaces; and the device can start monitoring the second set of search spaces when the device stops monitoring the first set of search spaces.

[0083] In some cases, the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces can be monitored in a shared / unlicensed spectrum.

[0084] Figure 4A flow diagram 400 in a network entity associated with switching between different search space groups to transmit uplink cancelation indications related to ultra-reliable low latency communications is illustrated. According to at least one embodiment, the method can include transmitting 402 one or more uplink cancelation configurations for a downlink bandwidth part, including at least a first uplink cancelation configuration according to which a first reference time duration associated with a first set of uplink cancelation indications detected in a first set of search spaces can be determined, and a second reference time duration associated with a second set of uplink cancelation indications detected in a second set of search spaces can be determined. An uplink cancelation indication can be transmitted 404 in at least one of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces. Depending on which of the first set of search spaces and the second set of search spaces includes the received uplink cancelation indication, a particular one of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration can be selectively used 406 in relation to the received uplink cancelation indication. The particular one is the first reference time duration if the indication was transmitted in the first set of search spaces. The particular one is the second reference time duration if the indication was transmitted in the second set of search spaces.

[0085] It should be appreciated that, although specific steps are illustrated in the figures, various

[0086] Figure 5 is an example block diagram of an apparatus 500, such as a wireless communication device 110, in accordance with possible embodiments. The apparatus 500 can include a housing 510, a controller 520 within the housing 510, audio input and output circuitry 530 coupled to the controller 520, a display 540 coupled to the controller 520, a transceiver 550 coupled to the controller 520, an antenna 555 coupled to the transceiver 550, a user interface 560 coupled to the controller 520, a memory 570 coupled to the controller 520, and a network interface 580 coupled to the controller 520. The apparatus 500 can perform the methods described in all embodiments.

[0087] The display 540 can be a viewfinder, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a plasma display, a projection display, a touchscreen, or any other device that displays information. The transceiver 550 can include a transmitter and / or a receiver. The audio input and output circuitry 530 can include a microphone, a speaker, a transducer, or any other audio input and output circuitry. The user interface 560 can include a keypad, a keyboard, buttons, a touchpad, a joystick, a touchscreen display, another additional display, or any other device that can be used to provide an interface between a user and the electronic device. The network interface 580 can be a universal serial bus (USB) port, an Ethernet port, an infrared transmitter / receiver, an IEEE 1394 port, a WLAN transceiver, or any other device that can connect the apparatus to a network, a device, or a computer that can send and receive data communication signals. The memory 570 can include random access memory, read only memory, optical memory, solid state memory, flash memory, removable memory, a hard drive, a cache, or any other memory that can be coupled to the apparatus.

[0088] The apparatus 500 or the controller 520 can implement any operating system, such as Microsoft Windows®, Linux®, Unix®, Apple Mac OS®, Google Android®, or any other operating system. The apparatus operating software can be written in any programming language, such as C, C++, Java, or Visual Basic. The apparatus software can also run on an application framework, such as, for example, the.NET® framework, the Java® framework, or any other application framework. The software and / or operating system can be stored in the memory 570 or elsewhere in the apparatus 500. The apparatus 500 or the controller 520 can also implement the disclosed operations using hardware. For example, the controller 520 can be any programmable processor. The disclosed embodiments can also be implemented on a general-purpose or a special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller, peripheral integrated circuit elements, an application-specific integrated circuit or other integrated circuits, hardware / electronic logic circuits such as a discrete element circuit, a or Android TM or any other operating system. The apparatus operating software can be written in any programming language, such as C, C++, Java, or Visual Basic. The apparatus software can also run on an application framework, such as, for example, the.NET® framework, the Java® framework, or any other application framework. The software and / or operating system can be stored in the memory 570 or elsewhere in the apparatus 500. The apparatus 500 or the controller 520 can also implement the disclosed operations using hardware. For example, the controller 520 can be any programmable processor. The disclosed embodiments can also be implemented on a general-purpose or a special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller, peripheral integrated circuit elements, an application-specific integrated circuit or other integrated circuits, hardware / electronic logic circuits such as a discrete element circuit, a framework, framework or any other application framework. The software and / or operating system can be stored in the memory 570 or elsewhere in the apparatus 500. The apparatus 500 or the controller 520 can also implement the disclosed operations using hardware. For example, the controller 520 can be any programmable processor. The disclosed embodiments can also be implemented on a general-purpose or a special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller, peripheral integrated circuit elements, an application-specific integrated circuit or other integrated circuits, hardware / electronic logic circuits such as a discrete element circuit, a

[0089] The methods of the present disclosure can be implemented on a programmed processor. However, the controller, flow charts, and modules can also be implemented on general purpose or special purpose computers, programmed microprocessors or microcontrollers and peripheral integrated circuit elements, integrated circuits, hardware electronic or logical circuits such as discrete element circuits, programmable logic devices, or the like. In general, any device that resides on any of the devices illustrated in the flow charts that can implement a finite state machine capable of implementing the flow charts shown in the figures can be utilized to implement the processor functions of the present disclosure.

[0090] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alternatives, modifications and variations to the embodiments described herein will be obvious. For instance, various components of the embodiments can be interchanged, added or removed in other embodiments. In addition, not all of the elements of each figure are necessary for operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art of the disclosed embodiments will be able to make and use the teachings of the present disclosure by simply employing the elements of the independent claims. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0091] In this document, relational terms such as“first,”“second,” and the like can be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The phrase“and / or” is defined as meaning and / or, including multiple aspects. The terms“comprises,”“comprising,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by“a” or“an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. Additionally, the term another is defined as at least a second or more. The terms“including,”“having,” and the like are defined as“including” but not to the exclusion of adding or having other elements not specifically recited. Furthermore, the Background section is written as an inventor’s own understanding of the context of some embodiments at the time of filing and includes the inventor’s own recognition of any problems in the prior art and / or problems encountered in the inventor’s own work.

Claims

1. A method in a user equipment, the method comprising: Receive the first uplink unconfiguration for the downlink bandwidth portion; Based on the first uplink cancellation configuration, a first reference time duration is determined to be associated with a first set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a first set of search spaces, wherein the first set of uplink cancellation indications indicates which resource was cancelled within the first reference time duration, and the first set of search spaces has a monitoring periodicity that is less than the time slot duration. A second reference time duration is determined to be associated with a second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a second set of search spaces, wherein the second set of uplink cancellation indications indicates which resource was cancelled within the second reference time duration, and the second set of search spaces has a monitoring periodicity longer than the time slot duration; Monitoring the reception of uplink cancellation indications in at least one of the first set and the second set of the search space; as well as Depending on which of the first set and the second set of the search spaces being monitored is identified as including the received uplink cancellation indication, a particular one of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration is selectively used in relation to the received uplink cancellation indication. If the instruction is received in the first set of the search space, then the specific one is the duration of the first reference time; and If the instruction is received in the second set of the search space, then the specific one is the duration of the second reference time.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The determination of the duration of the second reference time associated with the second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in the second set of the search space is derived at least in part from the received first uplink cancellation configuration.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The first uplink deconfiguration can include a set of multiple parameters that are respectively associated with a determination of each of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The determination of the duration of the second reference time associated with the second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in the second set of the search space is derived from the received second uplink cancellation configuration for the downlink bandwidth portion, wherein the second uplink cancellation configuration is separate from the first uplink cancellation configuration.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The duration of the second reference time is determined periodically based on physical downlink control channel monitoring associated with the second set of the search space, and the second set of the search space is based on the received second uplink deconfiguration for the downlink bandwidth portion.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The uplink cancellation indication is included as part of the downlink control information format, which includes at least one set of physical downlink control channel candidates detected in at least one of a first set and a second set of the search space being monitored.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising canceling the uplink transmission on the serving cell if the uplink cancellation indication identifies at least some overlapping time-domain resources from a set of resources associated with the uplink transmission in a time region associated with a particular one of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Perform uplink cancellation operation on uplink transmissions in the shared spectrum.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The duration of the first reference time is less than the duration of the time slot.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, There is one or more physical downlink control channel monitoring opportunities associated with the first set of the search space in the time slot.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The duration of the second reference time is equal to or greater than the duration of the time slot.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The number of physical downlink control channel monitoring opportunities associated with the second set of the search space is equal to or less than the number of time slots.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a physical downlink control channel having downlink control information, the downlink control information indicating whether to monitor a first set of the search space or a second set of the search space.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein, When the device stops monitoring the second set of the search space, the device starts monitoring the first set of the search space; and when the device stops monitoring the first set of the search space, the device starts monitoring the second set of the search space.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first set and the second set of the search space are monitored in the shared / unlicensed spectrum.

16. A user equipment, comprising: A transceiver that receives a first uplink deconfiguration for a portion of the downlink bandwidth; as well as A controller, based on the first uplink cancellation configuration, determines a first reference time duration associated with a first set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a first set of search spaces, and determines a second reference time duration associated with a second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in a second set of search spaces, wherein the first set of uplink cancellation indications indicates which resource was cancelled within the first reference time duration, and the first set of search spaces has a monitoring periodicity shorter than the time slot duration, and wherein the second set of uplink cancellation indications indicates which resource was cancelled within the second reference time duration, and the second set of search spaces has a monitoring periodicity longer than the time slot duration; Specifically, uplink cancellation indication reception is monitored in at least one of the first set and the second set of the search space; and Depending on which of the first set and the second set of the search spaces being monitored is identified as including the received uplink cancellation indication, a particular one of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration is selectively used in relation to the received uplink cancellation indication. If the indication is received in the first set of the search space, then the specific one is the duration of the first reference time; and If the instruction is received in the second set of the search space, then the specific one is the duration of the second reference time.

17. The user equipment according to claim 16, wherein, The determination of the duration of the second reference time associated with the second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in the second set of the search space is derived at least in part from the received first uplink cancellation configuration.

18. The user equipment according to claim 17, wherein, The first uplink deconfiguration can include a set of multiple parameters that are respectively associated with a determination of each of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration.

19. The user equipment according to claim 16, wherein, The determination of the duration of the second reference time associated with the second set of uplink cancellation indications detected in the second set of the search space is derived from the second uplink cancellation configuration for the downlink bandwidth portion received via the transceiver, wherein the second uplink cancellation configuration is separate from the first uplink cancellation configuration.

20. The user equipment of claim 16, further comprising canceling the uplink transmission on the serving cell if the uplink cancellation indication identifies at least some overlapping time-domain resources from a set of resources associated with the uplink transmission in a time region associated with a particular one of the first reference time duration and the second reference time duration.

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