Detection of transmission period start in new radio unlicensed spectrum

Abstract

Techniques and examples are described for efficient detection of transmission periods in new radio unlicensed spectrum (NR-U). An apparatus (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) detects, in NR-U, a presence of an indication from a base station of a wireless network. The apparatus, in response to the detection, determines that a transmission opportunity (TXOP) is after the indication. The apparatus then receives, from the base station, a downlink (DL) transmission in NR-U during the TXOP.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 654,273, filed April 6, 2018; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 768,186, filed November 16, 2018; and U.S. Application No. 16 / 377,118, filed April 5, 2019. The contents of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates generally to mobile communications, and more specifically, to the effective detection of transmission sessions in unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) of New Radio (NR). Background Technology

[0004] Unless otherwise stated herein, the methods described in this section are not prior art to the claims listed below, and are not included in this section as prior art.

[0005] In the NR-U band, devices need to perform a listen-before-talk (LBT) phase before any transmission. If no other transmission is detected during the LBT phase, the device can begin its own transmission. Therefore, when no other transmission is detected during the LBT, a device (e.g., user equipment (UE) or base station) can start its own transmission at any time. For the NR-U band, a frame boundary is established between the base station and the UE. Typically, a radio frame contains 10 subframes or time slots. Furthermore, each subframe (or time slot) typically contains 14 orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. Therefore, due to the uncertainty of the LBT, a device may potentially begin its own transmission at any symbol within a subframe. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The following overview is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. That is, it is provided to introduce the concepts, key points, benefits, and advantages of the novel and non-obvious techniques described herein. The alternative implementations are further described below in the detailed description. Therefore, the following summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to define the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] In view of the above, it is an object of the present application to provide various proposed solutions for a device (e.g., a UE) to efficiently detect the start of a downlink (DL) transmission (from a base station to the UE) period, also referred to as a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0008] In one aspect, a method can include a processor of a UE detecting a presence of an indication in a NR-U from a base station of a wireless network. The method can further include the processor determining, in response to the detection, that a TXOP follows in time the indication. The method can further include the processor receiving a DL transmission in the NR-U from the base station during the TXOP.

[0009] In one aspect, a method can include a processor of a UE detecting a leading physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a DL TXOP in a NR-U from a base station of a wireless network. The method can further include the processor receiving a DL transmission in the NR-U from the base station during the DL TXOP. In the detection, the method can include the processor performing: (i) monitoring some but not all of a plurality of OFDM symbols in each slot; or (ii) by monitoring: (a) buffering packets of a plurality of received signals; and (b) decoding a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in the buffered packets, the PDSCH preceding the leading PDCCH.

[0010] Notably, although the description provided herein can be in the context of certain radio access technologies, networks, and network topologies (e.g., 5G NR), the proposed concepts, solutions, and any variants / derivatives thereof can still be implemented in, for, and by other types of radio access technologies, networks, and network topologies, such as, but not limited to, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, LTE-Advanced Pro, and Internet-of-Thing (IOT). Thus, the scope of the present application is not limited to the examples described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the application and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the application. It is understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale as some components can be shown exaggerated or enlarged in the drawings for clarity.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example scenario in accordance with an embodiment of the application.

[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example scenario in accordance with an embodiment of the application.

[0014] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an example scenario in accordance with an embodiment of the application.

[0015] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an example scenario in accordance with an embodiment of the application.

[0016] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an example scenario in accordance with an embodiment of the application.

[0017] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an example scenario in accordance with an embodiment of the application.

[0018] Figure 7 is a block diagram of an example system in accordance with an embodiment of the application.

[0019] Figure 8 is a flow diagram of an example process in accordance with an embodiment of the application.

[0020] Figure 9 is a flow diagram of an example process in accordance with an embodiment of the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Detailed embodiments and implementations of the claimed subject matter are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments and implementations are merely examples of the claimed subject matter and can be carried out in various other ways than those specifically set forth herein. It is understood that the application can be carried out with many different forms of what is described herein, all without departing from the spirit of the present application. Rather, these exemplary embodiments and implementations are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the full scope of the application to those skilled in the art. In the following description, details of well-known features and techniques can be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments and implementations.

[0022] SUMMARY

[0023] Figure 1An example scenario 100 according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. Referring to Figure 1 Part (A) thereof, the scenario 100 can involve a user equipment (UE) 110 wirelessly communicating in NR-U with a wireless network 120 (e.g., a Fifth Generation (5G) NR mobile network) via a base station or network node 125 (e.g., a gNB or transmit-receive point (TRP)). In the scenario 100, the UE 110 can perform efficient detection of transmission periods in NR-U with the wireless network 120 via the base station 125 based on one or more of various proposed schemes according to the present application. Referring to Figure 1 Parts (A) and (B) thereof provide the following description based on one proposed scheme of the present application. In Figure 1 Part (B) thereof, the vertical axis represents the frequency domain and the horizontal axis represents the time domain.

[0024] Under the proposed scheme based on the present application, as shown in the scenario 100, the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) based detection can involve frequent monitoring with reduced complexity. Under the proposed scheme, the UE 110 can detect the start of a DL transmission opportunity (DL TXOP) by detecting a leading PDCCH in the DL TXOP. The UE 110 can be configured with a PDCCH monitoring behavior that requires the UE 110 to frequently and blindly detect PDCCH in some but not all of the 14 OFDM symbols in a given subframe or slot. Such a configuration can limit the complexity of blind detection by reducing the search space and / or the bandwidth of the control resource set (CORESET) containing the PDCCH. For example, as shown in Part (B) of Figure 1 , instead of monitoring each of the 14 OFDM symbols, under the proposed scheme the UE 110 can monitor every other OFDM symbol (e.g., OFDM symbols 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12) in the 14 OFDM symbols of a given slot to detect the PDCCH in the DL TXOP.

[0025] Figure 2 An example scenario 200 according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. Referring to Figure 2 Part (A) thereof, the scenario 100 can involve a UE 110 wirelessly communicating in NR-U with a wireless network 120 (e.g., a 5G NR mobile network) via a base station or network node 125 (e.g., a gNB or TRP). In the scenario 200, the UE 110 can perform efficient detection of transmission periods in NR-U with the wireless network 120 via the base station 125 based on one or more of various proposed schemes according to the present application. Referring to Figure 2Part (A) and Part (B) of FIG. 1 provide the following description based on one of the proposed solutions of the present disclosure. In Figure 2 In Part (B) of FIG. 1, the vertical axis represents the frequency domain, and the horizontal axis represents the time domain.

[0026] Under the proposed solution of the present disclosure, as shown in scenario 200, PDCCH-based detection can involve back tracking of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) allocation. Under the proposed solution, UE 110 can detect the start of a DL TXOP by detecting a leading PDCCH in the DL TXOP. UE 110 can be configured with a PDCCH monitoring behavior that requires UE 110 to blindly detect PDCCH only in a selected few of the 14 OFDM symbols in a given subframe or slot. Under the proposed solution, the PDSCH allocation can start from the earliest symbol of the 14 OFDM symbols that are allowed for the base station to transmit after LBT. UE 110 can buffer a sufficient amount of received signal to decode the PDSCH before the leading scheduling PDCCH.

[0027] Figure 3 An example scenario 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Referring to Figure 3 Part (A) of FIG. 1, scenario 100 can involve UE 110 wirelessly communicating with a wireless network 120 (e.g., a NR mobile network of 5G) in NR-U via a base station or network node 125 (e.g., a gNB or TRP). In scenario 300, UE 110 can perform efficient detection of transmission periods in NR-U via wireless network 120 with base station 125 based on one or more of the various proposed solutions of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 3 Part (A) and Part (B) of FIG. 1 provide the following description based on one of the proposed solutions of the present disclosure. In Figure 3 In Part (B) of FIG. 1, the vertical axis represents the frequency domain, and the horizontal axis represents the time domain.

[0028] Under the proposed solution of the present disclosure, as shown in scenario 300, preamble-based detection can involve UE 110 detecting the presence of a preamble. Under the proposed solution, a base station can transmit a preamble to UE 110 before a TXOP by a known interval (e.g., 0 when the TXOP immediately follows the preamble). The preamble can be a common preamble for all base stations for the same purpose of DL TXOP indication. The preamble can be selected from a set of preambles. For example, the selection of the preamble can signal the identity of the base station and / or the configuration of the subsequent TXOP.

[0029] Figure 4 An example scenario 400 according to embodiments of the present application is shown. Referring to part (A) of Figure 4 , the scenario 100 can involve a UE 110 in wireless communication with a wireless network 120 (e.g., a NR mobile network of 5G) in NR-U via a base station or network node 125 (e.g., a gNB or TRP). In the scenario 400, the UE 110 can perform efficient detection of transmission periods in NR-U via the base station 125 with the wireless network 120 based on one or more of the various proposed schemes according to the present application. Referring to part (A) of Figure 4 , part (A) and part (B) provide the following description based on one of the proposed schemes of the present application. In Figure 4 , part (B), the vertical axis represents the frequency domain and the horizontal axis represents the time domain.

[0030] Under the proposed schemes based on the present application, as shown in the scenario 400, a combination of the above-described PDCCH-based detection and the above-described preamble-based detection can be utilized. In a first approach, the PDCCH-based detection shown in the scenario 100 and the scenario 200 can be combined. Under the proposed schemes, a combination of PDCCH monitoring and reverse derivation of PDSCH scheduling with reduced complexity can be performed.

[0031] In a second approach, the PDCCH-based detection shown in the scenario 100 and the scenario 200 can be combined with the preamble-based detection shown in the scenario 300. Under the proposed schemes, in the case where the DL TXOP starts at a symbol that is monitored for PDCCH, no preamble can be transmitted. In addition, in the case where the DL TXOP starts at a symbol that is not monitored for PDCCH, a preamble can be transmitted before the DL TXOP. Under the proposed schemes, the UE 110 can perform the preamble-based detection in the symbols that are not monitored for PDCCH. Furthermore, the UE 110 can perform the PDCCH-based detection in the symbols that are monitored for PDCCH.

[0032] Figure 5 An example scenario 500 according to embodiments of the present application is shown. Referring to part (A) of Figure 5 , the scenario 100 can involve a UE 110 in wireless communication with a wireless network 120 (e.g., a NR mobile network of 5G) in NR-U via a base station or network node 125 (e.g., a gNB or TRP). In the scenario 500, the UE 110 can perform efficient detection of transmission periods in NR-U via the base station 125 with the wireless network 120 based on one or more of the various proposed schemes according to the present application. Referring to part (A) of Figure 5Part (A) and Part (B) provide the following description based on one proposed solution of the present disclosure. In Figure 5 In Part (B), the vertical axis represents the frequency domain, and the horizontal axis represents the time domain.

[0033] Under the proposed solution based on the present disclosure, as shown in scenario 500, regarding different PDCCH monitoring behaviors before and after the detection of the DL TXOP, the UE 110 can be configured with a first PDCCH monitoring behavior at the stage of detecting the start of the DL TXOP. In addition, under the proposed solution, the UE 110 can be configured with a second PDCCH monitoring behavior after detecting the start of the DL transmission. The configuration of the second PDCCH monitoring behavior and the configuration of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior can be pre-configured. The second PDCCH monitoring behavior can be configured after detecting the start of the DL transmission. Under the proposed solution, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can be configured via radio resource control (RRC) configuration in the detected DL TXOP. Alternatively, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can be configured via PDCCH in the detected DL TXOP. For example, the PDCCH carrying the configuration of the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can be the leading PDCCH in the detected DL TXOP.

[0034] Under the proposed solution based on the present disclosure, regarding the configuration of the PDCCH monitoring behavior, the configuration of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior as described above can include a first set of CORESET configuration and a first set of search space configuration. For the configuration of the second PDCCH monitoring behavior as described above, one of several methods can be used. In the first method, the configuration of the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can include a second set of CORESET configuration and a second set of search space configuration. In the second method, the configuration of the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can include a second set of search space configuration. In this case, the first set of CORESET configuration of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior can apply to or otherwise be used for the second PDCCH monitoring behavior. In the third method, the configuration of the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can include a second set of CORESET configuration. In this case, the first set of search space configuration of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior can apply to or otherwise be applied to the second PDCCH monitoring behavior.

[0035] Under the proposed scheme based on the present disclosure, regarding UE behavior, based on the configuration of the first PDCCH monitoring behavior, the UE 110 can detect the start of the TXOP by using one of several methods. In the first method, the UE 110 can monitor a group common PDCCH. Upon a passing of a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the group common PDCCH, the UE 110 can detect the TXOP. Otherwise, the UE 110 can monitor the group common PDCCH in the next opportunity. In the second method, the UE 110 can detect a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of the group common PDCCH. Upon detecting the PDCCH DMRS, the UE 110 can perform blind decoding on the group common PDCCH. Upon a passing of a CRC of the group common PDCCH, the UE 110 can detect the TXOP. Otherwise, the UE 110 can detect the DMRS in the next opportunity. In the third method, the UE 110 can detect a preamble before the TXOP. Upon detecting the preamble, the UE 110 can perform blind decoding on the group common PDCCH. Upon a passing of a CRC of the group common PDCCH, the UE 110 can detect the TXOP. Otherwise, the UE 110 can detect the preamble in the next opportunity. Under the proposed scheme, once the start of the TXOP is detected, the UE 110 can start monitoring other PDCCHs based on the configuration of the second PDCCH monitoring behavior described above.

[0036] Under the proposed scheme based on the present disclosure, regarding CORESET configuration, the resource element group (REG) bundle size of the first set of CORESET configurations can be greater than or equal to the REG bundle size of the second set of CORESET configurations. For example, the REG bundle size of the first set of CORESET configurations can be the entire REG. In addition, the REG bundle size of the second set of CORESET configurations can be 2, 3, or 6. Under the proposed scheme, the duration of the first set of CORESET configurations can be shorter than or equal to the duration of the second set of CORESET configurations. For example, the duration of the first set of CORESET configurations can be 1. In addition, the duration of the second set of CORESET configurations can be 1, 2, or 3. Under the proposed scheme, the bandwidth of the first set of CORESET configurations can be less than or equal to the bandwidth of the second set of CORESET configurations.

[0037] Under the proposed scheme based on the present disclosure, the monitoring periodicity of the first set of search space configurations as described above can be shorter than or equal to the monitoring periodicity of the second set of search space configurations as described above. Under the proposed scheme, the PDCCH monitoring pattern of the first set of search space configurations can be denser than or the same as the PDCCH monitoring pattern of the second set of search space configurations. Under the proposed scheme, the total number of PDCCH candidates of the first set of search space configurations can be less than or equal to the total number of PDCCH candidates of the second set of search space configurations. Under the proposed scheme, for the first set of search space configurations, one (and no more than one) aggregation level with non-zero PDCCH candidates can be configured for the group common PDCCH. For example, the number of PDCCH candidates can be one.

[0038] Figure 6 An example scenario 600 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In Figure 6 In the proposed scheme based on the present disclosure, the monitoring periodicity of the first set of search space configurations as described above can be shorter than or equal to the monitoring periodicity of the second set of search space configurations as described above. Under the proposed scheme, the PDCCH monitoring pattern of the first set of search space configurations can be denser than or the same as the PDCCH monitoring pattern of the second set of search space configurations. Under the proposed scheme, the total number of PDCCH candidates of the first set of search space configurations can be less than or equal to the total number of PDCCH candidates of the second set of search space configurations. Under the proposed scheme, for the first set of search space configurations, one (and no more than one) aggregation level with non-zero PDCCH candidates can be configured for the group common PDCCH. For example, the number of PDCCH candidates can be one.

[0039] Illustrative Embodiments

[0040] Figure 7An example system 700 is shown that includes at least example device 710 and example device 720 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Each of device 710 and device 720 can perform various functions to implement the schemes, techniques, processes, and methods described herein related to efficient detection of transmission periods in NR-U, including the various schemes proposed above with respect to various designs, concepts, schemes, systems, and methods described above and the process 700 described below. For example, device 710 can be an example implementation of UE 110, and device 720 can be an example implementation of base station 125.

[0041] Each of device 710 and device 720 can be part of an electronic device, which can be a network device or a UE (e.g., UE 110), such as a portable or mobile device, a wearable device, a wireless communication device, or a computing device. For example, each of device 710 and device 720 can be implemented in a smartphone, a smartwatch, a personal digital assistant, a digital camera, or a computing equipment such as a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a notebook computer. Each of device 710 and device 720 can also be part of a machine type device, which can be an IoT device such as a stationary or immobile device, a home device, a wired communication device, or a computing device. For example, each of device 710 and device 720 can be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart refrigerator, a smart door lock, a wireless speaker, or a home control center. When implemented in or as a network device, device 710 and / or device 720 can be implemented in a base station (e.g., base station 125), such as an eNB in an LTE, LTE-Advanced, or LTE-Advanced Pro network or a gNB or TRP in a 5G, NR, or IoT network.

[0042] In some embodiments, each of device 710 and device 720 can be implemented in the form of one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips, such as but not limited to, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more complex-instruction-set-computing (CISC) processors. In the various schemes described above, each of device 710 and device 720 can be implemented in or as a network device or a UE. Each of device 710 and device 720 can include at least some of the components shown in FIG. 7, such as processors 712 and 722, respectively. Each of device 710 and device 720 can also include one or more other components (e.g., an internal power supply, a display device, and / or a user interface device) that are unrelated to the schemes proposed by the present disclosure, and such components of device 710 and device 720 are not shown in FIG. 7 for simplicity and brevity. Figure 7 In some embodiments, each of device 710 and device 720 can be implemented in the form of one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips, such as but not limited to, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more complex-instruction-set-computing (CISC) processors. In the various schemes described above, each of device 710 and device 720 can be implemented in or as a network device or a UE. Each of device 710 and device 720 can include at least some of the components shown in FIG. 7, such as processors 712 and 722, respectively. Each of device 710 and device 720 can also include one or more other components (e.g., an internal power supply, a display device, and / or a user interface device) that are unrelated to the schemes proposed by the present disclosure, and such components of device 710 and device 720 are not shown in FIG. 7 for simplicity and brevity.Figure 7 are not shown below.

[0043] In one aspect, each of the processor 712 and the processor 722 can be implemented in the form of one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is, even though the singular term "processor" is used herein to refer to the processor 712 and the processor 722, according to the present application, each of the processor 712 and the processor 722 can include multiple processors in some implementations and a single processor in other implementations. In another aspect, each of the processor 712 and the processor 722 can be implemented in the form of hardware (and, optionally, firmware) having electronic components, including, for example and without limitation, one or more transistors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memristors, and / or one or more varactors, configured and arranged to implement specific purposes based on the present application. In other words, in at least some embodiments, each of the processor 712 and the processor 722 is a special purpose machine specially designed, arranged, and configured to perform specific tasks, including tasks related to efficient detection of transmission periods in NR-U based on various embodiments of the present application.

[0044] In some embodiments, the apparatus 710 can also include a transceiver 716 coupled to the processor 712. The transceiver 716 can be capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some embodiments, the apparatus 720 can also include a transceiver 726 coupled to the processor 722. The transceiver 726 can include a transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data.

[0045] In some implementations, the apparatus 710 can further include a memory 714 coupled to the processor 712 and accessible by the processor 712 and in which data can be stored. In some implementations, the apparatus 720 can also include a memory 724 coupled to the processor 722 and accessible by the processor 722 and in which data can be stored. Each of the memory 714 and the memory 724 can include a type of random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), thyristor RAM (T-RAM), and / or zero capacitor RAM (Z-RAM). Alternatively or additionally, each of the memory 714 and the memory 724 can include a type of read-only memory (ROM), such as mask ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), and / or electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM). Alternatively or additionally, each of the memory 714 and the memory 724 can include a type of non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), such as flash memory, solid-state storage, ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), and / or phase change memory.

[0046] Each of the apparatus 710 and the apparatus 720 can be a communication entity capable of communicating with each other using various proposed schemes based on the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes and not limitation, a description of capabilities of the apparatus 710 as a UE and the apparatus 720 as a base station of a serving cell of a wireless network (e.g., a 5G / NR mobile network) is provided below. Notably, while the example implementations described below are provided in the context of a UE, they can be implemented in and performed by a base station. Thus, while the following description of example implementations refers to the apparatus 710 as a UE (e.g., the UE 110), it equally applies to the apparatus 720 as a network node or base station, such as a gNB, TRP, or eNodeB (e.g., the base station 125) of a wireless network (e.g., the wireless network 120), such as a 5G NR mobile network.

[0047] Under the proposed scheme for efficient detection of transmission period in NR-U based on the present disclosure, the processor 712 of the apparatus 710 can detect via the transceiver 716 that there is an indication from the apparatus 720 in the NR-U. Further, the processor 712 can determine in response to the detection that the TXOP is after the indication in time. Further, the processor 712 can receive via the transceiver 716 a DL transmission in the NR-U from the apparatus 720 during the TXOP.

[0048] In some embodiments, the indication can comprise a preamble. In some embodiments, the preamble can comprise a common preamble used by a plurality of base stations of the wireless network for the same purpose of indicating a DL TXOP. In some embodiments, the preamble can indicate an identity of the apparatus 720, a configuration of the TXOP, or both.

[0049] In some embodiments, the processor 712 can further monitor via the transceiver 716 some but not all of the plurality of OFDM symbols in each slot to detect a leading PDCCH in the DL TXOP.

[0050] In some embodiments, where some but not all of the plurality of OFDM symbols in each slot are monitored, the processor 712 can monitor half of the plurality of OFDM symbols in each slot by monitoring every other OFDM symbol in the plurality of OFDM symbols in each slot.

[0051] In some embodiments, in the monitoring, the processor 712 can perform some operations. For example, the processor 712 can monitor according to a first PDCCH monitoring behavior during a phase of detecting a start of the DL TXOP. Further, the processor 712 can monitor according to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior after the phase of detecting the start of the DL TXOP, where the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is different from the first PDCCH monitoring behavior.

[0052] In some embodiments, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can be pre-configured or configured after the phase of detecting the start of the DL TXOP. Thus, where the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is configured after the phase of detecting the start of the DL TXOP, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can be configured via radio resource control (RRC) signaling or via a PDCCH in the detected DL TXOP.

[0053] In some implementations, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior can include a first set of CORESET configurations and a first set of search space configurations. Additionally, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can include one of the following three options: (i) a second set of CORESET configurations that is different from the first set of CORESET configurations and a second set of search space configurations that is different from the first set of search space configurations; (ii) the first set of CORESET configurations and the second set of search space configurations; or (iii) the second set of CORESET configurations and the first set of search space configurations.

[0054] In some implementations, a resource element group (REG) size of the first set of CORESET configurations can be greater than or equal to a REG size of the second set of CORESET configurations. Additionally, a duration of the first set of CORESET configurations can be shorter than or equal to a duration of the second set of CORESET configurations. Furthermore, a bandwidth of the first set of CORESET configurations can be less than or equal to a bandwidth of the second set of CORESET configurations.

[0055] In some implementations, a monitoring periodicity of the first set of search space configurations can be shorter than or equal to a monitoring periodicity of the second set of search space configurations. Furthermore, a PDCCH monitoring pattern of the first set of search space configurations can be denser than or equal to a PDCCH monitoring pattern of the second set of search space configurations. Moreover, a total number of PDCCH candidates of the first set of search space configurations can be less than or equal to a total number of PDCCH candidates of the second set of search space configurations.

[0056] In some implementations, while monitoring to detect a leading PDCCH according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 detecting a start of the TXOP by performing one of the following: (i) monitoring a group-common PDCCH; (ii) detecting a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of the group-common PDCCH; or (iii) detecting a preamble preceding the TXOP.

[0057] In some implementations, the processor 712 can monitor to detect a leading PDCCH in the DL TXOP via the transceiver 716. For example, the processor 712 can buffer some packets of received signals. Additionally, the processor 712 can decode a PDSCH in the buffered packets, where the PDSCH precedes the leading PDCCH.

[0058] In some embodiments, in the monitoring, the processor 712 can perform some operations. For example, the processor 712 can monitor according to a first PDCCH monitoring behavior during the stage of detecting the start of the DL TXOP. In addition, the processor 712 can monitor according to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior after the stage of detecting the start of the DL TXOP, where the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is different from the first PDCCH monitoring behavior.

[0059] In some embodiments, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can be pre-configured or configured after the stage of detecting the start of the DL TXOP. Thus, in the case that the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is configured after the stage of detecting the start of the DL TXOP, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can be configured via RRC signaling or via PDCCH in the detected DL TXOP.

[0060] In some embodiments, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior can include a first set of CORESET configurations and a first set of search space configurations. In addition, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can include one of: (i) a second set of CORESET configurations different from the first set of CORESET configurations and a second set of search space configurations different from the first set of search space configurations; (ii) the first set of CORESET configurations and the second set of search space configurations; or (iii) the second set of CORESET configurations and the first set of search space configurations.

[0061] In some embodiments, a REG size of the first set of CORESET configurations can be greater than or equal to a REG size of the second set of CORESET configurations. In addition, a duration of the first set of CORESET configurations can be shorter than or equal to a duration of the second set of CORESET configurations. Furthermore, a bandwidth of the first set of CORESET configurations can be smaller than or equal to a bandwidth of the second set of CORESET configurations.

[0062] In some embodiments, a monitoring periodicity of the first set of search space configurations can be shorter than or equal to a monitoring periodicity of the second set of search space configurations. In addition, a PDCCH monitoring pattern of the first set of search space configurations can be denser than or equal to a PDCCH monitoring pattern of the second set of search space configurations. Furthermore, a total number of PDCCH candidates of the first set of search space configurations can be smaller than or equal to a total number of PDCCH candidates of the second set of search space configurations.

[0063] In some embodiments, in monitoring to detect a leading PDCCH in accordance with the first PDCCH monitoring behavior, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 detecting a start of the TXOP by performing one of: (i) monitoring a group common PDCCH; (ii) detecting a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of the group common PDCCH; or (iii) detecting a preamble preceding the TXOP.

[0064] In another proposed scheme based on the present disclosure regarding efficient detection of transmission period in NR-U, the processor 712 of the apparatus 710 can detect, via the transceiver 716, a leading PDCCH in a DL TXOP from the apparatus 720 in NR-U. In addition, the processor 712 can receive, via the transceiver 716, a DL transmission in NR-U from the apparatus 720 during the DL TXOP.

[0065] In some embodiments, in detecting the leading PDCCH in the DL TXOP, the processor 712 can perform a first operation or a second operation. The first operation can involve the processor 712 monitoring some but not all of a plurality of OFDM symbols in each slot. The second operation can involve the processor 712 performing: (a) buffering packets of a plurality of received signals; and (b) decoding a PDSCH in the buffered packets, where the PDSCH precedes the leading PDCCH.

[0066] Illustrative processes

[0067] Figure 8 An example process 800 according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The process 800 can present aspects of implementing the various proposed designs, concepts, schemes, systems, and methods described above. More specifically, the process 800 can present aspects of the proposed concepts and schemes related to efficient detection of transmission period in NR-U. The process 800 can include one or more operations, actions, or functions shown by one or more of blocks 810, 820, and 830. While shown as discrete blocks, the various blocks of the process 800 can be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated altogether, depending on the desired implementation. Moreover, the blocks / sub-blocks of the process 800 can be performed in the order presented, in a different order, or Figure 8The order in which the process 800 is executed is not limited to the order described in this disclosure. Further, one or more blocks / substrates of the process 800 can be performed repeatedly or iteratively. The process 800 can be implemented by and / or in the apparatus 710 and the apparatus 720, and any variations thereof. For illustrative purposes only and without limiting the scope, the process 800 is described below in the context of the apparatus 710 as a UE (e.g., the UE 110) and the apparatus 720 as a base station (e.g., the base station 125) of a wireless network (e.g., the wireless network 120) such as a 5G / NR mobile network. The process 800 can begin at block 810.

[0068] At 810, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 of the apparatus 710 detecting, via the transceiver 716, a presence of an indication from the apparatus 720 in the NR-U. The process 800 can proceed from 810 to 820.

[0069] At 820, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 determining, in response to the detection, that the TXOP is after the indication in time. The process 800 can proceed from 820 to 830.

[0070] At 830, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 receiving, via the transceiver 716, a DL transmission in the NR-U from the apparatus 720 during the TXOP.

[0071] In some embodiments, the indication can comprise a preamble. In some embodiments, the preamble can comprise a common preamble used by multiple base stations of the wireless network for the same purpose of indicating a DL TXOP. In some embodiments, the preamble can indicate an identity of the apparatus 720, a configuration of the TXOP, or both.

[0072] In some embodiments, the process 800 can further involve the processor 712 monitoring, via the transceiver 716, some but not all of the multiple OFDM symbols in each slot to detect a leading PDCCH in the DL TXOP.

[0073] In some embodiments, in monitoring some but not all of the multiple OFDM symbols in each slot, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 monitoring half of the multiple OFDM symbols in each slot by monitoring every other OFDM symbol of the multiple OFDM symbols in each slot.

[0074] In some embodiments, in the monitoring, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 performing some operations. For example, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 monitoring according to a first PDCCH monitoring behavior during the stage of detecting the start of the DL TXOP. In addition, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 monitoring according to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior after the stage of detecting the start of the DL TXOP, where the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is different from the first PDCCH monitoring behavior.

[0075] In some embodiments, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can be pre-configured or configured after the stage of detecting the start of the DL TXOP. Thus, in the case that the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is configured after the stage of detecting the start of the DL TXOP, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can be configured via radio resource control (RRC) signaling or via PDCCH in the detected DL TXOP.

[0076] In some embodiments, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior can include a first set of CORESET configurations and a first set of search space configurations. In addition, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can include one of the following three options: (i) a second set of CORESET configurations, which is different from the first set of CORESET configurations, and a second set of search space configurations, which is different from the first set of search space configurations; (ii) the first set of CORESET configurations and the second set of search space configurations; or (iii) the second set of CORESET configurations and the first set of search space configurations.

[0077] In some embodiments, a resource element group (REG) size of the first set of CORESET configurations can be greater than or equal to a REG size of the second set of CORESET configurations. In addition, a duration of the first set of CORESET configurations can be shorter than or equal to a duration of the second set of CORESET configurations. Furthermore, a bandwidth of the first set of CORESET configurations can be less than or equal to a bandwidth of the second set of CORESET configurations.

[0078] In some embodiments, a monitoring periodicity of the first set of search space configurations can be shorter than or equal to a monitoring periodicity of the second set of search space configurations. In addition, a PDCCH monitoring pattern of the first set of search space configurations can be denser than or equal to a PDCCH monitoring pattern of the second set of search space configurations. Furthermore, a total number of PDCCH candidates of the first set of search space configurations can be less than or equal to a total number of PDCCH candidates of the second set of search space configurations.

[0079] In some embodiments, in monitoring to detect the leading PDCCH according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 detecting the start of the TXOP by performing one of: (i) monitoring a group common PDCCH; (ii) detecting a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of the group common PDCCH; or (iii) detecting a preamble preceding the TXOP.

[0080] In some embodiments, the process 800 can further involve the processor 712 monitoring to detect the leading PDCCH in the DL TXOP via the transceiver 716. For example, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 buffering packets of a plurality of received signals. In addition, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 decoding a PDSCH in the buffered packets, where the PDSCH precedes the leading PDCCH.

[0081] In some embodiments, in monitoring, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 performing some operations. For example, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 monitoring according to a first PDCCH monitoring behavior during a phase of detecting the start of the DL TXOP. In addition, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 monitoring according to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior after the phase of detecting the start of the DL TXOP, where the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is different from the first PDCCH monitoring behavior.

[0082] In some embodiments, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can be pre-configured or configured after the phase of detecting the start of the DL TXOP. Thus, in the case that the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is configured after the phase of detecting the start of the DL TXOP, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can be configured via RRC signaling or via a PDCCH in the detected DL TXOP.

[0083] In some embodiments, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior can include a first set of CORESET configurations and a first set of search space configurations. In addition, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior can include one of: (i) a second set of CORESET configurations different from the first set of CORESET configurations and a second set of search space configurations different from the first set of search space configurations; (ii) the first set of CORESET configurations and the second set of search space configurations; or (iii) the second set of CORESET configurations and the first set of search space configurations.

[0084] In some implementations, the REG size of the first set of CORESET configurations can be greater than or equal to the REG size of the second set of CORESET configurations. Additionally, the duration of the first set of CORESET configurations can be shorter than or equal to the duration of the second set of CORESET configurations. Furthermore, the bandwidth of the first set of CORESET configurations can be less than or equal to the bandwidth of the second set of CORESET configurations.

[0085] In some implementations, the monitoring periodicity of the first set of search space configurations can be shorter than or equal to the monitoring periodicity of the second set of search space configurations. Additionally, the PDCCH monitoring pattern of the first set of search space configurations can be denser than or equal to the PDCCH monitoring pattern of the second set of search space configurations. Furthermore, the total number of PDCCH candidates of the first set of search space configurations can be less than or equal to the total number of PDCCH candidates of the second set of search space configurations.

[0086] In some implementations, while monitoring to detect a leading PDCCH according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 detecting a start of the TXOP by performing one of: (i) monitoring a group-common PDCCH; (ii) detecting a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of the group-common PDCCH; or (iii) detecting a preamble preceding the TXOP.

[0087] Figure 9 An example process 900 according to embodiments of the application is shown. The process 900 can present aspects of implementing the various proposed designs, concepts, schemes, systems, and methods described above. More specifically, the process 900 can present aspects of the proposed concepts and schemes that relate to efficient detection of transmission periods in NR-U. The process 900 can include one or more operations, actions, or functions as shown in blocks 910 and 920, as well as one or more of sub-blocks 912, 914, and 916. Although shown as discrete blocks, individual blocks of the process 900 can be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Moreover, blocks / sub-blocks of the process 900 can be performed in the order shown in FIG. 9, or in a different order. Additionally, one or more blocks / sub-blocks of the process 900 can be performed repeatedly or iteratively. The process 900 can be implemented by or in the apparatus 710 and the apparatus 720, as well as any variations thereof. For illustrative purposes only and without limitation of scope, the process 900 is described below in the context of the apparatus 710 as a UE (e.g., the UE 110) and the apparatus 720 as a base station (e.g., the base station 125) of a wireless network (e.g., the wireless network 120) such as a 5G / NR mobile network. The process 900 can begin at block 910. Figure 9 In some implementations, the monitoring periodicity of the first set of search space configurations can be shorter than or equal to the monitoring periodicity of the second set of search space configurations. Additionally, the PDCCH monitoring pattern of the first set of search space configurations can be denser than or equal to the PDCCH monitoring pattern of the second set of search space configurations. Furthermore, the total number of PDCCH candidates of the first set of search space configurations can be less than or equal to the total number of PDCCH candidates of the second set of search space configurations.

[0086] In some implementations, while monitoring to detect a leading PDCCH according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior, the process 800 can involve the processor 712 detecting a start of the TXOP by performing one of: (i) monitoring a group-common PDCCH; (ii) detecting a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of the group-common PDCCH; or (iii) detecting a preamble preceding the TXOP.

[0087] Figure 9 An example process 900 according to embodiments of the application is shown. The process 900 can present aspects of implementing the various proposed designs, concepts, schemes, systems, and methods described above. More specifically, the process 900 can present aspects of the proposed concepts and schemes that relate to efficient detection of transmission periods in NR-U. The process 900 can include one or more operations, actions, or functions as shown in blocks 910 and 920, as well as one or more of sub-blocks 912, 914, and 916. Although shown as discrete blocks, individual blocks of the process 900 can be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Moreover, blocks / sub-blocks of the process 900 can be performed in the order shown in FIG. 9, or in a different order. Additionally, one or more blocks / sub-blocks of the process 900 can be performed repeatedly or iteratively. The process 900 can be implemented by or in the apparatus 710 and the apparatus 720, as well as any variations thereof. For illustrative purposes only and without limitation of scope, the process 900 is described below in the context of the apparatus 710 as a UE (e.g., the UE 110) and the apparatus 720 as a base station (e.g., the base station 125) of a wireless network (e.g., the wireless network 120) such as a 5G / NR mobile network. The process 900 can begin at block 910.

[0088] At 910, the process 900 can involve the processor 712 of the apparatus 710 detecting, via the transceiver 716, a leading PDCCH in a DL TXOP from the apparatus 720 in the NR-U. The process 900 can proceed from 910 to 920.

[0089] At 920, the process 900 can involve the processor 712 receiving, via the transceiver 716, a DL transmission in the NR-U from the apparatus 720 during the DL TXOP.

[0090] In some embodiments, upon detecting the leading PDCCH in the DL TXOP, the process 900 can involve the processor 712 performing a first operation or a second operation, where the first operation is represented by 912 and the second operation is represented by 914 and 916.

[0091] At 912, the process 900 can involve the processor 712 monitoring some but not all of the plurality of OFDM symbols in each slot.

[0092] At 914, the process 900 can involve the processor 712 buffering packets of the plurality of received signals. The process 900 can proceed from 914 to 916.

[0093] At 916, the process 900 can involve the processor 712 decoding a PDSCH in the buffered packets, where the PDSCH precedes the leading PDCCH.

[0094] Additional Description

[0095] The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, other distinct components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely examples, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermediate components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected", or "operably coupled", to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably couplable", to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and / or physically interacting components and / or wirelessly interactable and / or wirelessly interacting components and / or logically interacting and / or logically interactable components.

[0096] Further, with respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate the plural in to the singular and / or singular into plural without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Where appropriate, the singular has been expressly disclaimed, i.e., acclaiming a plurality including at least one of the enumerated items. It is intended that every maximum alternative of this disclosure be encompassed by this disclosure, for example, each individual number, parameter, amount, and / or range of values herein can be replaced individually or collectively by one or more ranges of values. It is intended to allow a claim to dictate as many maximum alternatives as are attendable under 35 U.S.C. § 112, para. 6.

[0097] Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, unless otherwise indicated, the herein-disclosed terminology, particularly with respect to the appended claims, is to be construed in an "open" and "inclusive" manner, e.g., the term "comprising" is to be interpreted as "including, but not limited to," the term "having" is to be interpreted as "having at least," and the like. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that, unless otherwise indicated in the claims, the mere use of the term "a" or "an" in the claims in no way limits the claim to only one of the claimed elements, even though the use of the term "a" or "an" in the claims is followed by a list of elements. For example, for ease of understanding, the appended claims can contain the use of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce a claim element. However, the use of such phrases should not be interpreted as implying that any particular claim containing such introduced claim elements is limited to containing only one of such elements, even though the claim contains the introductory phrase "one or more" or "at least one," e.g., "a" and / or "an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more," as is the case with the use of the definite article "the" to introduce a claim element. Moreover, even if a particular number of introduced claim elements is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitations are to be interpreted as meaning at least the recited number, e.g., the recitation of "two elements" without further modification is to be interpreted as meaning at least two elements or two or more elements. Furthermore, in the case of structures using language similar to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc.," as is often the case, those skilled in the art will understand that such structures are generally intended to include at least one of A, B, or C, e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include, but not be limited to, a system having A alone, a system having B alone, a system having C alone, a system having both A and B together, a system having both A and C together, a system having both B and C together, and / or a system having all of A, B, and C together, etc. In the case of structures using language similar to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc.," as is often the case, those skilled in the art will understand that such structures are generally intended to include at least one of A, B, or C, e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include, but not be limited to, a system having A alone, a system having B alone, a system having C alone, a system having both A and B together, a system having both A and C together, a system having both B and C together, and / or a system having all of A, B, and C together, etc. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that any conjunctive word and / or phrase, whether in the specification, the claims, or the drawings, that actually represents two or more alternatives, is to be understood as contemplating the possibility of including one of the terms, any of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" is to be understood as including the possibility of "A," or "B," or "A and B."

[0098] From the above, it is to be understood that various embodiments of the application have been described in this disclosure, and that modifications can be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the application. The various embodiments disclosed herein are not meant to be limiting, but rather the true scope and spirit of the application are defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of detecting a transmission period in a new radio unlicensed spectrum, comprising: receiving, by a processor of a user equipment, a downlink, DL, transmission in a new radio unlicensed spectrum, NR-U, from a base station during a transmission opportunity, TXOP; wherein a first PDCCH monitoring behavior is monitored during a phase of detecting a start of the DL TXOP, and a second PDCCH monitoring behavior is monitored after detecting the start of the DL TXOP, wherein the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is different from the first PDCCH monitoring behavior.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, detecting, by the processor, a leading physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, in a DL TXOP from a base station of a wireless network; detecting, by the processor, a presence of an indication from the base station of the wireless network in the NR-U; determining, by the processor, that the TXOP is after the indication in response to the detecting.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, the indication comprises a preamble comprising a common preamble used by a plurality of base stations of the wireless network for a same purpose of indicating a DL TXOP, wherein the preamble indicates an identity of the base station, a configuration of the TXOP, or both.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is pre-configured or configured after detecting the start of the DL TXOP, and wherein in a case that the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is configured after detecting the start of the DL TXOP, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is configured via radio resource control, RRC, signaling or via a PDCCH in a detected DL TXOP.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, the first PDCCH monitoring behavior comprises a first set of control resource set, CORESET, configuration and a first set of search space configuration, and wherein the second PDCCH monitoring behavior comprises one of: a second set of CORESET configuration different from the first set of CORESET configuration, a second set of search space configuration different from the first set of search space configuration; the first set of CORESET configuration and the second set of search space configuration; or the second set of CORESET configuration and the first set of search space configuration.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, a resource element group, REG, size of the first set of CORESET configuration is greater than or equal to a REG size of the second set of CORESET configuration, a duration of the first set of CORESET configuration is shorter than or equal to a duration of the second set of CORESET configuration, and wherein a bandwidth of the first set of CORESET configuration is smaller than or equal to a bandwidth of the second set of CORESET configuration; Alternatively, the first group of CORESET configurations has a resource element group, REG, size that is greater than or equal to a REG size of the second group of CORESET configurations, or the first group of CORESET configurations has a duration that is shorter than or equal to a duration of the second group of CORESET configurations, or the first group of CORESET configurations has a bandwidth that is smaller than or equal to a bandwidth of the second group of CORESET configurations.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein, The first group of search space configurations has a monitoring periodicity that is shorter than or equal to a monitoring periodicity of the second group of search space configurations, the first group of search space configurations has a PDCCH monitoring pattern that is denser than or the same as a PDCCH monitoring pattern of the second group of search space configurations, and wherein a total number of PDCCH candidates of the first group of search space configurations is less than or equal to a total number of PDCCH candidates of the second group of search space configurations; Alternatively, the first group of search space configurations has a monitoring periodicity that is shorter than or equal to a monitoring periodicity of the second group of search space configurations, or the first group of search space configurations has a PDCCH monitoring pattern that is denser than or the same as a PDCCH monitoring pattern of the second group of search space configurations, or a total number of PDCCH candidates of the first group of search space configurations is less than or equal to a total number of PDCCH candidates of the second group of search space configurations.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, Monitoring the PDCCH according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior includes monitoring to detect a leading PDCCH according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior, wherein monitoring to detect a leading PDCCH according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior includes detecting a start of the TXOP by performing one of: monitoring a group-common PDCCH; detecting a demodulation reference signal, DMRS, in the group-common PDCCH; or detecting a preamble preceding the TXOP.

9. A method of detecting a transmission period in new radio unlicensed spectrum, NR-U, comprising: receiving, by a processor of a user equipment, a downlink, DL, transmission in the NR-U from a base station during a TXOP; monitoring to detect a leading downlink control channel, PDCCH, in the DL TXOP by: buffering packets of a plurality of received signals; and decoding a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, in the buffered packets, the PDSCH preceding the leading PDCCH. The monitoring includes:

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, monitoring according to a first PDCCH monitoring behavior during a phase of detecting a start of the DL TXOP; and monitoring according to a second PDCCH monitoring behavior after the phase of detecting a start of the DL TXOP, wherein the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is different from the first PDCCH monitoring behavior. ​ 11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The second PDCCH monitoring behavior is pre-configured or configured after a stage of detecting a start of the DL TXOP, and wherein in case the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is configured after the stage of detecting the start of the DL TXOP, the second PDCCH monitoring behavior is configured via radio resource control, RRC, signaling or via PDCCH in a detected DL TXOP.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first PDCCH monitoring behavior comprises a first set of control resource set, CORESET, configuration and a first set of search space configuration, and wherein the second PDCCH monitoring behavior comprises one of: a second set of CORESET configuration different from the first set of CORESET configuration, a second set of search space configuration different from the first set of search space configuration; the first set of CORESET configuration and the second set of search space configuration; or the second set of CORESET configuration and the first set of search space configuration.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, A resource element group, REG, size of the first set of CORESET configuration is greater than or equal to a REG size of the second set of CORESET configuration, a duration of the first set of CORESET configuration is shorter than or equal to a duration of the second set of CORESET configuration, and wherein a bandwidth of the first set of CORESET configuration is smaller than or equal to a bandwidth of the second set of CORESET configuration; or, a REG size of the first set of CORESET configuration is greater than or equal to a REG size of the second set of CORESET configuration, or, a duration of the first set of CORESET configuration is shorter than or equal to a duration of the second set of CORESET configuration, or, a bandwidth of the first set of CORESET configuration is smaller than or equal to a bandwidth of the second set of CORESET configuration.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, A monitoring periodicity of the first set of search space configuration is shorter than or equal to a monitoring periodicity of the second set of search space configuration, a PDCCH monitoring pattern of the first set of search space configuration is denser than or same as a PDCCH monitoring pattern of the second set of search space configuration, and wherein a total number of PDCCH candidates of the first set of search space configuration is smaller than or equal to a total number of PDCCH candidates of the second set of search space configuration; or, a monitoring periodicity of the first set of search space configuration is shorter than or equal to a monitoring periodicity of the second set of search space configuration, or, a PDCCH monitoring pattern of the first set of search space configuration is denser than or same as a PDCCH monitoring pattern of the second set of search space configuration, or, a total number of PDCCH candidates of the first set of search space configuration is smaller than or equal to a total number of PDCCH candidates of the second set of search space configuration.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein, Monitoring, according to the first PDCCH monitoring behavior, to detect the leading PDCCH comprises detecting a start of the TXOP by one of: monitoring a group common PDCCH; detecting a demodulation reference signal, DMRS, in the group common PDCCH; or detecting a preamble preceding the TXOP.

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