Terminal, communication device, and communication method

Abstract

In the terminal, the communication device, and the communication method of the present application, the terminal includes a receiver that receives configuration information indicating a plurality of cases through higher layer signaling, and receives information indicating one of the plurality of cases through dynamic signaling, the plurality of cases being a plurality of cases configured separately for the terminal, each of the plurality of cases including one or more control channel regions; and a circuit that monitors a control channel in the one or more control channel regions included in the one case.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application filed on March 24, 2017, with application number 201780088213.6, entitled "Base Station, Terminal and Communication Method", and filed by Panasonic Corporation (USA). Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to base stations, terminals, and communication methods. Background Technology

[0003] The communication system of the so-called fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G) is under research. In 5G, research has been conducted on the flexible provision of functions for use cases with increased communication traffic, use cases with increased numbers of connected terminals, and use cases requiring high reliability and / or low latency. Three representative use cases are enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communication (mMTC), and ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC). The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), an international standards organization, has studied further evolution of the communication system from two aspects: further evolution of the LTE system and new radio access technology (RAT) (see, for example, non-patent literature (hereinafter referred to as "NPL")1).

[0004] Citation List

[0005] Non-patent literature

[0006] NPL 1

[0007] RP-161596, "Revision of SI: Study on New Radio Access Technology," NTTDOCOMO, September 2016

[0008] NPL 2

[0009] R1-1702764, "Discussion on group common PDCCH", Panasonic, February 2017 Summary of the Invention

[0010] In the new RAT, research has been conducted on configuring the terminal (User Equipment: UE) using multiple sets of control resources (hereinafter referred to as "CORSETs") within the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) region, which is a control signaling channel mapping Downlink Control Indicators (DCIs). However, in the new RAT, sufficient research has not been conducted on methods for the UE to monitor (blindly decode) the search space within multiple CORSETs and detect DCIs.

[0011] One non-limiting and exemplary embodiment of this disclosure helps to provide base stations, terminals and communication methods that allow the UE to monitor search spaces in multiple CORSETs and appropriately detect DCIs.

[0012] A terminal according to one aspect of this disclosure includes: a receiver that receives configuration information indicating multiple scenarios via higher-layer signaling and information indicating one of the multiple scenarios via dynamic signaling, the multiple scenarios being multiple scenarios configured separately for the terminal, each of the multiple scenarios including one or more control channel regions; and a circuit that monitors control channels in the one or more control channel regions included in the one scenario.

[0013] A communication apparatus according to one aspect of this disclosure includes: circuitry for selecting one of a plurality of states, the plurality of states being configured separately for each terminal, each of the plurality of states comprising one or more control channel regions; and a transmitter for transmitting configuration information indicating the plurality of states via higher-layer signaling and for transmitting information indicating the selected state via dynamic signaling.

[0014] A communication method according to one aspect of this disclosure includes the following steps: receiving configuration information indicating multiple situations via higher-layer signaling, the multiple situations being multiple situations configured separately for each terminal, each of the multiple situations including one or more control channel regions; receiving information indicating one of the multiple situations via dynamic signaling; and monitoring control channels in the one or more control channel regions included in the one situation.

[0015] A communication method according to one aspect of this disclosure includes the following steps: selecting one of a plurality of cases, wherein the plurality of cases are configured separately for each terminal, each of the plurality of cases comprising one or more control channel regions; transmitting configuration information indicating the plurality of cases via higher-layer signaling; and transmitting information indicating the selected case via dynamic signaling.

[0016] A base station according to one aspect of this disclosure includes: a circuit that selects one of a plurality of conditions, each condition indicating a combination of control channel areas to be monitored by the terminal in a plurality of control channel areas; and a transmission unit that indicates configuration information of the plurality of conditions via higher-layer signaling and indicates the selected condition via dynamic signaling.

[0017] A terminal according to one aspect of this disclosure includes: a receiving unit that receives higher-layer signaling containing configuration information indicating multiple situations, each situation indicating a combination of multiple control channel regions to be monitored by the terminal, and receives dynamic signaling indicating one of the multiple situations; and circuitry that detects control information directed to the terminal in a control channel region, the control channel region corresponding to one of the multiple situations indicated by the dynamic signaling.

[0018] A communication method according to one aspect of this disclosure includes: selecting one of a plurality of cases, each case indicating a combination of control channel areas to be monitored by the terminal in a plurality of control channel areas; indicating configuration information of the plurality of cases via higher-layer signaling; and indicating the selected case via dynamic signaling.

[0019] A communication method according to one aspect of this disclosure includes: receiving high-level signaling containing configuration information indicating multiple situations, each situation indicating a combination of control channel areas to be monitored by a terminal in multiple control channel areas; receiving signaling dynamically indicating one of the multiple situations; and detecting control information pointing to the terminal in a control channel area, the control channel area corresponding to one of the multiple situations indicated by the dynamic signaling.

[0020] Note that the above-described comprehensive or specific aspects may be implemented by a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program or recording medium, or any combination of such systems, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program and recording medium.

[0021] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the UE monitors the search space in multiple CORSETs and can appropriately detect DCI.

[0022] The specification and accompanying drawings make further advantages and effects of one aspect of this disclosure clear. These advantages and / or effects are provided by some embodiments and features disclosed in the specification and accompanying drawings, but it is not necessary to provide all of these advantages and / or effects in order to obtain one or more of the same features. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1A This is a diagram showing an example of CORSET's configuration;

[0024] Figure 1BThis is a diagram showing another configuration example of CORSET;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing a partial configuration of a base station according to Embodiment 1;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing a partial configuration of the terminal according to Embodiment 1;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a base station according to Embodiment 1;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the terminal according to Embodiment 1;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a timing diagram illustrating an operational example of the base station and terminal according to Embodiment 1;

[0030] Figure 7A This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of CORSET according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1;

[0031] Figure 7B This is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of CORSET according to configuration example 1 of embodiment 1;

[0032] Figure 8A This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of CORSET according to Configuration Example 2 of Embodiment 1; and

[0033] Figure 8B This is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of CORSET according to configuration example 2 of embodiment 1. Detailed Implementation

[0034] In the following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] [CORSET's Assumption]

[0036] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, assume the following scenarios: multiple CORSETs to be mapped are separated from each other in the frequency domain (Frequency Division Multiplexing: FDM); CORSETs are separated from each other in the time domain (Time Division Multiplexing: TDM); and CORSETs overlap in the frequency domain, time domain, or both.

[0037] In addition, each CORSET contains multiple control channel elements (CCEs), such as CCE#0 to CCE#X.

[0038] Primarily, there are two types of CORSETs: a CORSET to which UE-specific control signals are mapped (referred to as a "UE-specific CORSET"); and a CORSET to which control signals for multiple UEs are mapped (referred to as a "group common CORSET"). In a group common CORSET, for example, control signals indicating information common to multiple UEs are mapped, such as RACH responses, power control, paging indications, and the allocation of System Information Blocks (SIBs). These control signals are primarily mapped to a search space in LTE known as the "common search space."

[0039] In addition, in the UE-specific CORSET, a CCE number is defined for the search space in which each UE monitors the DCI, so that it can be discovered, for example, by identifying the UE's ID (e.g., Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) or slot number).

[0040] In the new RAT, research has been conducted on configuring the UE using multiple CORSETs as described above. The UE monitors the search space thus configured in the multiple CORSETs within the UE and detects the DCI pointing to the UE.

[0041] However, in this case, when the UE monitors multiple CORSETs configured in the UE in each time slot, the number of candidates for the PDCCH region that maps the DCI increases, leading to problems such as increased power consumption of the UE or an increased probability of false detection.

[0042] In this regard, a method for the UE to monitor multiple CORSETs and appropriately detect DCI will be described below, which also reduces the UE's power consumption and the probability of false detection.

[0043] [Overview of Communication Systems]

[0044] The communication system according to each embodiment of the present disclosure includes a base station 100 and a terminal 200 (UE).

[0045] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating a partial configuration of a base station 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 In the base station 100 shown, the DCI generation unit 102 selects one of several cases, each case indicating a combination of CORSETs that the terminal 200 needs to monitor in multiple control channel areas (CORSETs). The transmission unit 106 indicates the configuration information of the various cases through higher-layer signaling and indicates the selected case through dynamic signaling.

[0046] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating a portion of the configuration of a terminal 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 In the terminal 200 shown, the receiving unit 201 receives higher-layer signaling containing configuration information indicating various scenarios, each scenario indicating a combination of CORSETs that the terminal 200 needs to monitor in multiple control channel areas (CORSETs), and receives dynamic signaling indicating one of the scenarios. The DCI receiving unit 203 detects the control information (DCI) of the terminal 200 pointing to the DCI receiving unit 203 in the CORSET corresponding to the scenario indicated by the dynamic signaling.

[0047] (Example 1)

[0048] [Base station configuration]

[0049] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of base station 100 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 4 The base station 100 includes a CORSET configuration unit 101, a DCI generation unit 102, an error correction coding unit 103, a modulation unit 104, a signal distribution unit 105, a transmission unit 106, a reception unit 107, a signal demultiplexing unit 108, a demodulation unit 109, and an error correction decoding unit 110.

[0050] CORSET configuration unit 101 uses CORSET to configure each terminal 200 (UE). For example, the CORSET configuration (definition) includes the number of physical resource blocks (PRBs), PRB numbers, symbol numbers, the number of symbols mapped to each CORSET, the ID used to scramble the CORSET, the mapping method of Resource Element Groups (REGs) (centralized or distributed), and information about quasi-collocation (QCL), etc. The CORSET configuration can be indicated to the terminal 200 via, for example, higher-layer signaling (which may be the same signaling used for configuration information in the cases described below, or it may be different signaling).

[0051] Furthermore, the CORSET configuration unit 101 determines the combination of CORSETs that the terminal 200 needs to monitor from among a plurality of CORSETs configured in the terminal 200. Then, the CORSET configuration unit 101 generates higher-layer signaling (System Information Block (SIB) or Radio Resource Control (RRC)) containing information indicating various conditions, each indicating the determined combination of CORSETs (hereinafter referred to as "condition configuration information"). The CORSET configuration unit 101 outputs the higher-layer signaling to the error correction coding unit 103 and the condition configuration information to the DCI generation unit 102 and the signal dispatch unit 105.

[0052] The DCI generation unit 102 selects (determines) from a variety of cases that correspond to the CORSET to be monitored by the terminal 200, for example, based on information such as the amount of data or control signal (not shown) per time slot, which is indicated by case configuration information received from the CORSET configuration unit 101, and generates bit information (hereinafter referred to as "case information") corresponding to the selected case.

[0053] The generated situation information (bit information) is mapped to, for example, a group common PDCCH (see NPL 2), a group common CORSET that can be received by multiple UEs, or a control signal that correctly transmits signals to multiple UEs using a single PDCCH, as in LTE DCI format 3 / 3A. Each of these control signals is a different DCI from the downlink control signal (DCI) used to indicate DL dispatch information or UL dispatch information to terminal 200, which will be described below.

[0054] The DCI generation unit 102 outputs a DCI containing situation information to the signal dispatch unit 105. For example, it generates a control signal containing situation information in each time slot or subframe and instructs it to the terminal 200. Hereinafter, the control signal to be dynamically indicated in each time slot or subframe may be referred to as "dynamic signaling" in order to distinguish the control signal from higher-layer signaling (semi-static indication).

[0055] Additionally, the DCI generation unit 102 generates a DCI containing resource allocation information for downlink (DL) data signals or uplink (UL) data signals (DL dispatch information or UL dispatch information), and outputs the DCI to the signal dispatch unit 105. Furthermore, the DCI generation unit 102 outputs DL dispatch information to the signal dispatch unit 105 and sends UL dispatch information from the generated DCI to the signal demultiplexing unit 108.

[0056] Error correction coding unit 103 applies error correction coding to the transmitted data signal (DL data signal) and the higher-level signaling (situation configuration information) received from CORSET configuration unit 101, and outputs the coded signal to modulation unit 104.

[0057] The modulation unit 104 applies modulation processing to the signal received from the error correction coding unit 103 and outputs the modulated signal to the signal distribution unit 105.

[0058] The signal dispatch unit 105 dispatches the signal (DL data signal and / or situation configuration information) received from the modulation unit 104 to DL resources based on the DL dispatch information received from the DCI generation unit 102. Furthermore, the signal dispatch unit 105 maps the DCI to a CORSET (i.e., the CORSET that the terminal 200 wants to monitor) corresponding to a situation indicated by the DCI received from the DCI generation unit 102 (the situation selected by the DCI generation unit 102) among various situations, indicated by situation configuration information received from the CORSET configuration unit 101. A transmission signal is formed in the manner described above. The resulting transmission signal is output to the transmission unit 106.

[0059] The transmitting unit 106 applies radio transmission processing, such as up-conversion, to the transmitted signal received from the signal distribution unit 105, and transmits the resulting signal to the terminal 200 via an antenna.

[0060] The receiving unit 107 receives the signal transmitted from the terminal 200 via the antenna, applies radio reception processing such as down-conversion to the received signal, and outputs the resulting signal to the signal demultiplexing unit 108.

[0061] The signal demultiplexing unit 108 demultiplexes the UL data signal from the received signal received from the receiving unit 106 based on the UL assignment information received from the DCI generation unit 102, and outputs the UL data signal to the demodulation unit 109.

[0062] The demodulation unit 109 applies demodulation processing to the signal received from the signal demultiplexing unit 108 and outputs the resulting signal to the error correction decoding unit 110.

[0063] Error correction decoding unit 110 decodes the signal received from demodulation unit 109 to obtain the received data signal (UL data signal) from terminal 200.

[0064] [Terminal Configuration]

[0065] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of terminal 200 according to this embodiment. Figure 5In the terminal 200, there are receiving unit 201, signal demultiplexing unit 202, DCI receiving unit 203, demodulation unit 204, error correction decoding unit 205, configuration information receiving unit 206, error correction coding unit 207, modulation unit 208, signal distribution unit 209, and transmitting unit 210.

[0066] The receiving unit 201 receives the received signal via an antenna, applies reception processing such as down-conversion to the received signal, and then outputs the resulting signal to the signal demultiplexing unit 202. The received signal includes, for example, DL data signals, higher-layer signaling (containing situation configuration information), or dynamic signaling (containing situation information).

[0067] Signal demultiplexing unit 202 demultiplexes the received signal from receiving unit 201 to a resource that may have been allocated control signals containing situation information, and outputs the demultiplexed signal to DCI receiving unit 203. Note that, as described above, the situation information is mapped to, for example, a group common PDCCH, a group common CORSET that can be received by multiple UEs, or control signals (dynamic signaling) that correctly transmit signals to multiple UEs using a single PDCCH, as in LTE DCI format 3 / 3A.

[0068] The signal demultiplexing unit 202, based on the situation information and information indicating various situations (combinations of CORSETs) received from the DCI receiving unit 203 and the configuration of each CORSET received from the configuration information receiving unit 206, identifies the resource corresponding to the CORSET (the CORSET to be demultiplexed) that the terminal 200 of the signal demultiplexing unit 202 needs to monitor, then demultiplexes the signal mapped to the identified resource, and outputs the signal to the DCI receiving unit 203. Furthermore, based on the DL dispatch information received from the DCI receiving unit 203, the signal demultiplexing unit 202 demultiplexes DL data signals or higher-layer signaling from the received signal, and outputs the signal to the demodulation unit 204.

[0069] DCI receiving unit 203 detects situation information from the signal received from signal demultiplexing unit 202 (a signal mapped to a resource that may have been assigned control signals containing situation information), and outputs the detected situation information to signal demultiplexing unit 202. DCI receiving unit 203 attempts to decode the signal received from signal demultiplexing unit 202 that is mapped to the resource corresponding to CORSET, thereby detecting (receiving) DCI. DCI receiving unit 203 outputs UL assignment information indicated by the received DCI to signal assignment unit 209, and outputs DL assignment information to signal demultiplexing unit 202.

[0070] The demodulation unit 204 demodulates the signal received from the signal demultiplexing unit 202 and outputs the demodulated signal to the error correction decoding unit 205.

[0071] Error correction decoding unit 205 decodes the demodulated signal received from demodulation unit 204, outputs the received data signal obtained therefrom, and outputs the higher-layer signaling obtained therefrom to configuration information receiving unit 206.

[0072] The configuration information receiving unit 206 identifies the combination of CORSETs and the configuration of each CORSET for each terminal 200 based on the situational configuration information or CORSET configuration information contained in the higher-layer signaling output from the error correction decoding unit 205. The configuration information receiving unit 206 outputs the identified information to the signal demultiplexing unit 202.

[0073] Error correction coding unit 207 applies error correction coding to the transmitted data signal (UL data signal) and outputs the coded data signal to modulation unit 208.

[0074] The modulation unit 208 modulates the data signal received from the error correction coding unit 207 and outputs the modulated data signal to the signal distribution unit 209.

[0075] The signal dispatch unit 209 identifies the resources to which UL data has been dispatched based on the UL dispatch information received from the DCI receiving unit 203. The signal dispatch unit 209 dispatches the data signal received from the modulation unit 208 to the identified resources and outputs the result signal to the transmitting unit 210.

[0076] The transmitting unit 210 applies transmission processing such as up-conversion to the signal received from the signal distribution unit 209 and transmits the resulting signal via the antenna.

[0077] [Operation of Base Station 100 and Terminal 200]

[0078] The following text will provide a detailed description of the operation of the base station 100 and terminal 200, each configured as described above.

[0079] Figure 6 This is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of base station 100 and terminal 200.

[0080] Base station 100 is configured with CORSET and multiple conditions, each condition indicating a combination of CORSETs that terminal 200 should monitor (ST 101). Base station 100 uses higher-layer signaling to send condition configuration information indicating the multiple conditions configured therefrom to terminal 200 (ST 102).

[0081] Next, base station 100 selects from a variety of scenarios configured in ST 101 the scenario corresponding to the CORSET that terminal 200 actually wants to monitor (ST 103). Then, base station 100 sends dynamic signaling containing scenario information indicating the selected scenario to terminal 200 (ST 104). Base station 100 maps DCI (such as resource allocation information) to the CORSET (not shown) corresponding to the selected scenario.

[0082] Meanwhile, based on the situation configuration information contained in the higher-layer signaling received in ST 102 and the situation information contained in the dynamic signaling received in ST 104, terminal 200 identifies the CORSET to be monitored (ST 105). More specifically, terminal 200 identifies the CORSET corresponding to one of the various situations indicated by the situation configuration information as the CORSET to be monitored by the terminal.

[0083] Terminal 200 monitors the identified CORSET and detects the DCI (ST 106) pointing to the terminal.

[0084] The following is a description of a specific operation example according to this embodiment.

[0085] Base station 100 is configured with multiple scenarios and uses higher-layer signaling (SIB or dedicated RRC) to indicate multiple scenarios. Each scenario indicates a combination of CORSETs that terminal 200 should monitor simultaneously, as shown below.

[0086] Case 1: CORSET A

[0087] Case 2: CORSET B

[0088] Case 3: Corset A, Corset B, and Corset C

[0089] Scenario 4: No monitoring

[0090] As mentioned above, a case can contain a single CORSET, multiple CORSETs, or no monitoring (no monitoring is performed). Furthermore, different cases may contain the same CORSET.

[0091] Next, base station 100, for example, in each time slot or each subframe (or at each other timing), selects one of cases from cases 1 to 4 that corresponds to the CORSET that terminal 200 wants to monitor, and uses two bits contained in the dynamic signaling to indicate the selected case to terminal 200.

[0092] Terminal 200 monitors the CORSET corresponding to the dynamic signaling indication in cases 1 to 4 indicated by higher-layer signaling, and detects the DCI pointing to the terminal.

[0093] Note that for dynamic signaling indicating a situation, the following assumptions are made: the dynamic signaling is mapped to a group common CORSET or a predetermined resource (e.g., the Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH) in LTE). When dynamic signaling is mapped to a group common CORSET, terminal 200 can monitor the group common CORSET and detect the dynamic signaling indicating the situation. Conversely, when dynamic signaling is mapped to a predetermined resource, terminal 200 can detect the dynamic signaling on that resource, regardless of the CORSET mapping.

[0094] In this way, base station 100 can flexibly configure each terminal 200 using, for example, the CORSET to be monitored by terminal 200 in each time slot or subframe for each terminal 200. Therefore, terminal 200 only needs to monitor the CORSET corresponding to the situation indicated by base station 100, and does not need to monitor all CORSETs. Thus, additional unnecessary monitoring processing of CORSET performed by terminal 200 can be prevented, and power consumption and error detection of terminal 200 can be reduced.

[0095] Note that when a group common PDCCH or a PDCCH mapped to a group common CORSET that can be received by multiple UEs is used to indicate a case for which the base station 100 selects, the base station 100 may use different CORSETs (number or combination of CORSETs) corresponding to each case indicated by higher-layer signaling to configure each terminal 200.

[0096] The following text provides a description of configuration examples 1 and 2 for cases where the configuration of CORSET differs for each terminal 200 and for each situation.

[0097] <Configuration Example 1>

[0098] Figure 7A Exemplary CORSETs corresponding to cases 1 to 4 configured for terminals 200 (UEs A, B, and C) are shown.

[0099] exist Figure 7A In the configuration, UE A is configured with CORSET A, UE B is configured with CORSET A and CORSET B, and UE C is configured with CORSET A, CORSET B and CORSET C.

[0100] exist Figure 7A In scenario 1, each UE monitors one CORSET A.

[0101] exist Figure 7A In scenario 2, each UE monitors CORSET A and CORSETB in the CORSET configured in each UE. Note that since UE A does not have CORSET B configured, UE A monitors CORSET A.

[0102] exist Figure 7A In scenario 3, each UE monitors CORSET A, CORSET B, and CORSET C in the CORSETs configured in the UE. Note that since UE A is not configured with CORSET B or C, UE A monitors CORSET A. Meanwhile, since UE B is not configured with CORSET C, UE B monitors both CORSET A and CORSET B.

[0103] exist Figure 7A In scenario 4, each UE does not monitor any CORSET.

[0104] When Figure 7A When configured as shown, base station 100 uses, for example, a group common PDCCH or a PDCCH mapped to a group common CORSET that can be received by multiple UEs to switch between each terminal 200 (UE).

[0105] Therefore, base station 100 can change all CORSETs used for multiple UEs.

[0106] like Figure 7B As shown, suppose, for example, CORSET A, CORSET B, and CORSET C are mapped in units of symbols.

[0107] In this case, when base station 100 indicates Figure 7A In case 1, the number of symbols used by all UEs in the CORSET is 1, when base station 100 indicates... Figure 7A In scenario 2, the number of symbols used by all UEs in the CORSET is 2, when base station 100 indicates... Figure 7A In case 3, the number of symbols of CORSET used by all UEs is 3.

[0108] More specifically, the number of symbols of the CORSET to be used by all UEs can be switched depending on the situation to be indicated. For example, when the number of UEs to be connected is small, the base station 100 can perform operation 1, which indicates that the number of symbols of the CORSET is small, and when the number of UEs to be connected is large, the base station 100 can perform operation 3, which indicates that the number of symbols of the CORSET is large.

[0109] <Configuration Example 2>

[0110] Figure 8A The CORSET corresponding to cases 1 to 4 configured in terminal 200 (UE A, B and C) is shown.

[0111] exist Figure 8A In the configuration, UE A is configured with CORSET A and CORSET D, UE B is configured with CORSET B and CORSET D, and UEC is configured with CORSET C and CORSET D.

[0112] exist Figure 8A In scenario 1, UE A monitors CORSET A, but UEs B and C do not monitor any CORSET.

[0113] exist Figure 8A In scenario 2, UE B monitors CORSET B, but UEs A and C do not monitor any CORSET.

[0114] exist Figure 8A In scenario 3, UE C monitors CORSET C, but UEs A and B do not monitor any CORSET.

[0115] exist Figure 8A In scenario 4, all UEs monitor CORSET D.

[0116] When Figure 8A In the configuration shown, base station 100 can change the UE monitoring CORSET in each time slot or each subframe by switching between the cases of each terminal 200 (UE).

[0117] like Figure 8B As shown, assume that CORSET A, CORSET B, and CORSET C are mapped in a frequency-multiplexed manner, and that CORSET D is mapped over a wide region of the frequency domain that includes, for example, CORSET A, CORSET B, and CORSET C.

[0118] In this situation, base station 100 can perform an operation that causes base station 100 to indicate the status corresponding to the connected UE (UE A, B, or C) when the number of UEs connected to it is small. Figure 8A (Any of cases 1 to 3) indicates case 4 when the number of UEs to be connected is large.

[0119] Operational examples have been described so far.

[0120] Note that although the above descriptions have given the scenarios in which base station 100 instructs terminal 200 to simultaneously monitor CORSETs via higher-layer signaling for each situation, base station 100 can also instruct terminal 200 on the configuration (definition) of CORSETs via higher-layer signaling, in addition to these scenarios. The definition of a CORSET can be included in the same signaling as the signaling indicating the CORSET scenario, or it can be indicated as a different signaling before the signaling indicating the scenario. The definition of a CORSET includes the number of PRBs, PRB numbers, symbol numbers, the number of symbols mapped to the CORSET, the ID used for scrambling the CORSET, the mapping method of REGs (centralized or distributed), and information about quasi-co-location (QCL), etc.

[0121] As described above, in this embodiment, the base station 100 indicates configuration information for multiple scenarios via higher-layer signaling, each scenario indicating a combination of CORSETs that the terminal 200 wants to monitor. The base station 100 selects one scenario from the multiple scenarios for use by the terminal 200 and indicates the selected scenario via dynamic signaling. In other words, the indication of the CORSETs that the terminal 200 wants to monitor is made through a combination of higher-layer signaling and dynamic signaling.

[0122] At the same time, the terminal 200 monitors the configuration information indication of the higher layer signaling indication and the CORSET corresponding to the dynamic signaling indication in various situations, and detects the DCI (control information) pointing to the terminal.

[0123] Therefore, base station 100 can flexibly change the CORSET that terminal 200 monitors, for example, in each time slot or each subframe, by dynamically signaling the CORSET status of terminal 200. Alternatively, to change the CORSET that terminal 200 monitors, base station 100 can use DCI to indicate the status, instead of indicating the CORSET every time it changes. This reduces the signaling overhead of DCI.

[0124] Terminal 200 monitors the CORSET corresponding to the situation indicated by dynamic signaling, and does not monitor CORSETs not included in this situation. Therefore, terminal 200 does not need to monitor multiple CORSETs configured in terminal 200 in each time slot, thereby avoiding unnecessary monitoring of CORSETs, thus reducing the power consumption of terminal 200 and also reducing the probability of false detection.

[0125] As described above, according to Embodiment 1, each UE monitors multiple CORSETs and can appropriately detect DCI, while reducing the power consumption of the UE and also reducing the probability of false detection.

[0126] (Example 2)

[0127] Note that the base station and terminal according to Embodiment 2 include the basic configuration common to the base station 100 and terminal 200 according to Embodiment 1, therefore, they will be combined here. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Provide a description.

[0128] In Example 2, a description of the operating rules will be given in the case where the terminal 200 does not receive dynamic signaling (DCI) indicating the CORSET in each time slot or each subframe.

[0129] Note that the scenario in which terminal 200 does not receive the DCI indicating the CORSET condition is, for example, the scenario in which base station 100 does not send the DCI indicating the CORSET condition, or the scenario in which the terminal fails to detect the DCI (false detection) even though the base station sends the DCI indicating the CORSET condition.

[0130] In cases where terminal 200 does not receive a DCI, defining operating rules allows base station 100 to perform operations such as not sending a DCI indicating that a change from a specified value is not required. In cases where the control signal area used to indicate the situation is small, base station 100 can advantageously send another signal by not sending the DCI.

[0131] In the following text, operational examples 2-1 and 2-2 according to Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0132] <Operation Example 2-1>

[0133] [Option 1]

[0134] If terminal 200 does not receive a DCI indicating CORSET, base station 100 instructs terminal 200 to monitor CORSET via higher-layer signaling.

[0135] In higher-level signaling, in addition to cases 1 to 4 illustrated in Example 1 above, for example, another case can be configured as case 5, in which the terminal 200 does not receive DCI (no DCI reception).

[0136] Case 1: CORSET A

[0137] Case 2: CORSET B

[0138] Case 3: Corset A, Corset B, and Corset C

[0139] Scenario 4: No monitoring

[0140] Case 5 (No DCI reception): CORSET C.

[0141] Note that the CORSET in case 5 is not limited to CORSET C (the same CORSET as in other cases), but can also be another CORSET. In this way, the case used when the terminal 200 does not receive DCI can be a different case from the CORSET in cases 1 to 4 or the same CORSET. Therefore, the CORSET to be monitored when the terminal 200 does not receive DCI can be flexibly configured.

[0142] For example, suppose base station 100 does not use the group common PDCCH as described above, a PDCCH mapped to the group common CORSET that can be received by multiple UEs, or a control signal that correctly transmits signals to multiple UEs using a single PDCCH as in LTE DCI format 3 / 3A. In this case, base station 100 can map the DCI containing resource allocation information, etc., to the CORSET corresponding to situation 5. Therefore, even if terminal 200 does not receive the DCI containing situation information, terminal 200 can detect the DCI (resource allocation information, etc.) by monitoring the CORSET corresponding to situation 5 indicated by higher-layer signaling.

[0143] [Option 2]

[0144] Base station 100 and terminal 200 specify at least one of a variety of situations (e.g., situations 1 to 4 described in embodiment 1) indicated by higher layer signaling (e.g., situation 1) as the CORSET that terminal 200 will monitor in the event that terminal 200 has not received a DCI indicating the CORSET situation.

[0145] Therefore, if terminal 200 does not receive a DCI indicating a CORSET, no new signaling is needed at higher layers to indicate the CORSET that terminal 200 should monitor.

[0146] For example, when no situation information is sent as described in Option 1, the base station 100 can map the DCI containing resource allocation information, etc., to a specified CORSET. Therefore, even if the terminal 200 does not receive the DCI containing situation information, the terminal 200 can detect the DCI (resource allocation information, etc.) by monitoring the specified CORSET.

[0147] [Option 3]

[0148] Terminal 200 monitors all CORSETs configured in the terminal when it does not receive a DCI indicating a CORSET.

[0149] Therefore, even if the terminal 200 fails to receive the DCI despite the base station 100 sending a DCI indicating a CORSET, the terminal 200's monitoring of all CORSETs increases the likelihood that the terminal 200 will successfully receive another DCI directed to it.

[0150] [Option 4]

[0151] Terminal 200 monitors the specified CORSET when it does not receive a DCI indicating the CORSET.

[0152] For example, if terminal 200 does not receive a DCI indicating a CORSET, terminal 200 can monitor a group common CORSET, a CORSET with the smallest CORSET number, or a CORSET with the smallest number of symbols among the symbols mapped to the CORSET. Note that a CORSET with the smallest CORSET number can be set as a group common CORSET.

[0153] For example, in the case where base station 100 does not send situation information as described in option 1, base station 100 can map the DCI containing resource allocation information, etc., to a specified CORSET. Therefore, even if terminal 200 does not receive the DCI containing situation information, terminal 200 can detect the DCI (resource allocation information, etc.) by monitoring the specified CORSET.

[0154] Note that when monitoring group common CORSETs in the case where terminal 200 does not receive DCI containing situation information, terminal 200 may only monitor group common CORSETs of DCIs that are shared information for multiple UEs, such as RACH response, power control, paging indication and SIB allocation, or it may also monitor UE-specific DCIs.

[0155] Therefore, when the terminal 200 does not receive a DCI indicating a CORSET, the number of CORSETs that the terminal 200 needs to monitor can be suppressed to a small or small range. Furthermore, when the CORSET with the minimum number of symbols is set as the CORSET that the terminal 200 needs to monitor, the number of symbols to which the control signal might not allocate data can be reduced when the terminal 200 does not receive a DCI indicating a CORSET.

[0156] In the event that the terminal 200 does not receive a DCI indicating a CORSET, the CORSET that the terminal 200 needs to monitor is not limited to a group common CORSET, a CORSET with the smallest CORSET number, or a CORSET with the smallest number of symbols among the symbols mapped to the CORSET.

[0157] [Option 5]

[0158] In the case where the terminal 200 does not receive a DCI indicating the CORSET in the time slot or subframe, the terminal 200 configures the CORSET to be monitored according to the type of the time slot or subframe.

[0159] The type of time slot or subframe mentioned here refers to a time slot or subframe used for UL, DL, or other purposes (e.g., time slots for switching between DL and UL, D2D, MTC, eIMTA, and URLLC). Additionally, the type of time slot or subframe can be defined as the number of DL symbols (DL length) within the time slot or subframe.

[0160] The combination of time slots or subframe types for the CORSET that terminal 200 wants to monitor can be configured as follows:

[0161] DL slots: CORSET A and CORSET B

[0162] Main UL centric slot: CORSET B

[0163] UL slots only: No monitoring

[0164] UL / DL switching time slot: CORSET C

[0165] Note that the term "main UL slot" refers to a slot in which DL control signals are mapped to the beginning of the slot and UL data or control signals are mapped to the end of the slot. Furthermore, the term "UL slot only" refers to a slot in which all symbols of the slot are assigned to UL.

[0166] More specifically, a large number of CORSETs are configured in the DL time slots because the number of symbols to which DL control signals are mapped is large in these time slots, while a small number of CORSETs are configured in the main UL time slots or UL / DL switching time slots because the number of symbols to which DL control signals are mapped is small compared to the DL time slots. Meanwhile, since no symbols to which DL control signals are mapped are found in the UL time slots, these time slots are configured to be "not monitored".

[0167] In addition, the configuration of the CORSET to be monitored can be indicated by higher-level signaling or can be specified in the case where the terminal 200 fails to receive the DCI indicating the CORSET.

[0168] Additionally, options 1 to 4 can be switched based on the type of time slot or subframe. Furthermore, cases 1 to 4 described in Example 1 can be switched based on the type of time slot or subframe.

[0169] Therefore, terminal 200 can change the CORSET to be monitored based on the type of time slot or subframe. This is effective, for example, when the number of required CORSETs varies depending on the type of time slot or subframe.

[0170] For example, if the terminal 200 fails to receive the DCI even though the base station 100 sends a DCI indicating the CORSET, the terminal 200 can estimate the CORSET used by the base station 100 to indicate the DCI based on the type of time slot or subframe, thereby increasing the probability that the terminal 200 will successfully receive another DCI directed to the terminal 200.

[0171] Furthermore, for example, when no situation information is transmitted as described in Option 1, the base station 100 can map the DCI containing resource allocation information, etc., to the CORSET corresponding to the type of time slot or subframe. Therefore, even if the terminal 200 does not receive the DCI containing situation information, the terminal 200 can detect the DCI (resource allocation information, etc.) by monitoring the CORSET corresponding to the time slot or subframe.

[0172] Options 1 through 5 of Operation Example 2-1 have been described so far.

[0173] <Operation Example 2-2>

[0174] In terminal 200, there may be a configuration in which terminal 200 does not receive dynamic signaling containing CORSET information in any time slot or subframe (group common PDCCH, PDCCH mapped to group common CORSET and which can be received by multiple UEs, or control signal that correctly sends signals to multiple UEs using a PDCCH as in LTE DCI format 3 / 3A).

[0175] Specifically, when the reception quality of terminal 200 is poor, configuring terminal 200 to receive multiple DCIs causes the DCIs to consume a large amount of resources. Furthermore, when the reception quality of terminal 200 is poor, the probability of incorrect detection or false detection of DCIs by terminal 200 increases.

[0176] In this regard, base station 100 can assign UEs with poor reception quality to a different group than UEs with good reception quality, and configure the group to which the UE with poor reception quality belongs to not receive dynamic signaling indicating CORSET.

[0177] When terminal 200 is configured not to receive dynamic signaling containing CORSET status information, options 3 or 5, as described in Operation Example 2-1, can be applied. Therefore, although terminal 200 does not receive status information, terminal 200 monitors the CORSET that can be mapped to the DCI (Resource Allocation Information, etc.) for that terminal, and thus can detect the DCI.

[0178] Operational examples 2-1 and 2-2 according to Embodiment 2 have been described so far.

[0179] As described above, in the case where base station 100 is configured not to send dynamic signaling indicating the CORSET situation in each time slot or each subframe (e.g., such as group common PDCCH), or in the case where although base station 100 sends dynamic signaling indicating the CORSET situation in each time slot or each subframe, but terminal 200 fails to receive the dynamic signaling, terminal 200 monitors the search space in the multiple CORSETs thus configured and can appropriately detect DCI.

[0180] Embodiments of this disclosure have been described so far.

[0181] Note that in the above embodiments, a scenario in which two bits contained in the DCI are used to indicate four scenarios by indicating the scenarios through higher-layer signaling has been described. However, this disclosure is not limited to this scenario. Furthermore, the number of scenarios indicated by higher-layer signaling can be any number other than four. More than two bits contained in the DCI can be used to indicate the scenarios, and one bit can be used to indicate two scenarios.

[0182] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, regarding the frequency domain (PRB#), physical mapping has been described as an example; however, this disclosure can also be applied to logical mapping. In the case of logical mapping, the logical mapping is changed to physical mapping, such that consecutive frequency domains in the logical mapping are mapped to physically distant locations. Therefore, frequency diversity effects can be obtained in this case.

[0183] Furthermore, the aforementioned DCI can be transmitted on the PDCCH sent during data distribution (UE-specific DCI) to terminal 200 (UE) or on another PDCCH sent using the group common control resource set. When transmitting DCI on the group common PDCCH, overhead can be reduced since multiple UEs receive the same configuration. Furthermore, when transmitting DCI on each PDCCH, individual configurations can be set for each terminal. Additionally, DCI can be transmitted on another resource, not limited to the group common resource set and the UE-specific control resource set.

[0184] In addition, different items such as the Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH), the Physical Slot Format Indicator Channel (PSFICH), or PDCCH type 0 can be used to define the group common PDCCH.

[0185] Furthermore, the group's public control resource set can be referred to as the public control resource set, the group's public search space, or the public search space.

[0186] Furthermore, MAC signaling can replace higher-layer signaling. With MAC signaling, the frequency of changes to UE configurations can increase compared to RRC signaling.

[0187] This disclosure can be implemented in software, hardware, or software working in conjunction with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each of the above embodiments can be implemented in part or in whole by an LSI such as an integrated circuit, and each process described in each embodiment can be controlled in part or in whole by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. An LSI can be formed as a separate chip, or it can be formed as a chip to include some or all of the functional blocks. An LSI can include data inputs and outputs coupled thereto. Depending on the level of integration, the LSI herein may be referred to as an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra-LSI. However, the technology for implementing integrated circuits is not limited to LSIs and can be implemented using dedicated circuitry, general-purpose processors, or special-purpose processors. Furthermore, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) that can be programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a reconfigurable processing unit in which the connections and settings of circuit cells disposed within the LSI can be reconfigured, can be used. This disclosure can be implemented as digital or analog processing. If future integrated circuit technology replaces the LSI due to advancements in semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies, future integrated circuit technology can be used to integrate the functional blocks. Biotechnology can also be applied.

[0188] The base station according to this disclosure includes: a circuit for selecting one of a plurality of cases, each case indicating a combination of control channel areas to be monitored by the terminal in a plurality of control channel areas; and a transmission unit for indicating configuration information of the plurality of cases via higher-layer signaling and indicating the selected case via dynamic signaling.

[0189] In the base station according to this disclosure, the transmitting unit indicates a control channel region for situations where the terminal does not receive the dynamic signaling via higher-layer signaling, the control channel region being an area to be monitored by the terminal.

[0190] In the base station according to this disclosure, the control channel area to be monitored by the terminal is designated for situations where the terminal does not receive the dynamic signaling.

[0191] In the base station according to this disclosure, the designated control channel region is at least one of the plurality of control channel regions.

[0192] In a base station according to this disclosure, the designated control channel region is a control channel region that has the minimum control channel region number or the minimum number of symbols mapped to the symbols of the control channel region.

[0193] In a base station according to this disclosure, the designated control channel region is associated with the type of time slot in which the dynamic signaling is not received.

[0194] The terminal according to this disclosure includes: a receiving unit that receives high-level signaling containing configuration information indicating multiple situations, each situation indicating a combination of control channel regions to be monitored by the terminal in multiple control channel regions, and receives dynamic signaling indicating one of the multiple situations; and circuitry that detects control information pointing to the terminal in a control channel region, the control channel region corresponding to one of the multiple situations indicated by the dynamic signaling.

[0195] The communication method according to this disclosure includes: selecting one of a plurality of cases, each case indicating a combination of control channel areas to be monitored by the terminal in a plurality of control channel areas; and indicating configuration information of the plurality of cases by higher-layer signaling, and indicating the selected case by dynamic signaling.

[0196] The communication method according to this disclosure includes: receiving high-level signaling containing configuration information indicating multiple situations, each situation indicating a combination of control channel areas to be monitored by a terminal in multiple control channel areas; and receiving dynamic signaling indicating one of the multiple situations; and detecting control information pointing to the terminal in a control channel area, the control information area corresponding to one of the multiple situations indicated by the dynamic signaling.

[0197] Industrial application

[0198] The aspects disclosed herein are useful in mobile communication systems.

[0199] Reference Symbol List

[0200] 100 base stations

[0201] 101CORSET Configuration Unit

[0202] 102 DCI generation units

[0203] Error correction coding units 103 and 207

[0204] 104, 208 modulation units

[0205] Signal dispatching units 105 and 209

[0206] Transmitting units 106 and 210

[0207] Receiver units 107 and 201

[0208] Signal demultiplexing units 108 and 202

[0209] 109, 204 demodulation units

[0210] 110, 205 error correction and decoding units

[0211] 200 terminals

[0212] 203DCI receiver unit

[0213] 206 Configuration Information Receiving Unit

Claims

1. A terminal, characterized in that, include: The receiver receives configuration information via higher-layer signaling indicating a combination of configurations for the terminal, the combination including a combination of one or more control channel areas to be monitored by the terminal, and the combination being specific to the terminal and different from a combination configured for another terminal. as well as Information indicating one of the multiple combinations is received via dynamic signaling; as well as The circuit monitors the control channels in one or more control channel regions included in the combination.

2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein, In the absence of the dynamic signaling received by the terminal, the one or more control channel areas that the terminal needs to monitor are indicated by the higher-layer signaling.

3. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein, In the event that the terminal does not receive the dynamic signaling, one or more control channel areas to be monitored by the terminal are specified.

4. The terminal according to claim 3, wherein, The specified one or more control channel regions are included in one of the multiple combinations.

5. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein, The higher-layer signaling is Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, and the dynamic signaling is downlink control information signaling in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

6. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein, The higher-level signaling is dedicated radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

7. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more control channel regions included in the aforementioned combination are configured for the terminal.

8. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein, The information indicating the combination is received using the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) for multiple terminals.

9. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein, The information indicating the combination is received using the Group Common Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), the Group Common Control Resource Set, or the Common Search Space.

10. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The circuit selects one of a plurality of combinations configured for a terminal, the plurality of combinations including a combination of one or more control channel regions to be monitored by the terminal, and the combination being specific to the terminal and different from a combination configured for another terminal; and The transmitter sends configuration information indicating the various combinations via higher-layer signaling, and sends information indicating the selected combination via dynamic signaling.

11. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein, The one or more control channel areas that are not sent by the dynamic signaling are indicated by the higher-layer signaling.

12. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein, The one or more control channel regions are designated without the transmission of the dynamic signaling.

13. The communication device according to claim 12, wherein, The specified one or more control channel regions are included in one of the multiple combinations.

14. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein, The higher-layer signaling is Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, and the dynamic signaling is downlink control information signaling in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

15. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein, The higher-level signaling is dedicated radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

16. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein, The one or more control channel regions included in the aforementioned combination are configured for the terminal.

17. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein, The information indicating the combination is transmitted using the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) for multiple terminals.

18. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein, The information indicating the combination is transmitted using the Group Common Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), the Group Common Control Resource Set, or the Common Search Space.

19. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Configuration information indicating multiple combinations for a terminal configuration is received via higher-layer signaling. These multiple combinations include a combination of one or more control channel regions to be monitored by the terminal, and the combination is specific to the terminal and different from the combination configured for another terminal. Receive information indicating one of the multiple combinations via dynamic signaling; and Monitor the control channels in one or more control channel regions included in the combination.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Select one of a plurality of combinations for terminal configuration, the plurality of combinations including a combination of one or more control channel regions to be monitored by the terminal, and the combination being specific to the terminal and different from a combination configured for another terminal; Configuration information indicating the various combinations is sent via higher-level signaling; and The selected combination of information is sent via dynamic signaling.

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