Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of communication, in particular to a communication method and device, which are used for supporting PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) repeated transmission and improving the coverage capability of a PDCCH, and can be applied to the field of satellite communication, such as a non-terrestrial communication network NTN. The method can be executed by a terminal device, and comprises: receiving configuration information, the configuration information being used for determining a first PDCCH MO and a second PDCCH MO corresponding to a first search space set, a first candidate PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO being used for bearing a first DCI, a second candidate PDCCH in the second PDCCH MO being used for bearing a second DCI, indexes of the first candidate PDCCH and the second candidate PDCCH being the same, and indexes of the first candidate PDCCH and the second candidate PDCCH being the same; the first DCI and the second DCI have the same information; a first DCI is detected in a first PDCCH MO, and / or a second DCI is detected in a second PDCCH MO.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Satellite communication and other non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications offer advantages such as wide coverage, long communication distance, high reliability, high flexibility, high throughput, and immunity to geographical conditions, weather conditions, and natural disasters. They have been widely applied in fields such as aviation, maritime, and military communications. Introducing NTN communication into mobile communication systems, such as 5G systems, can not only provide communication services to areas difficult to cover by terrestrial networks, such as oceans and forests, but also enhance communication reliability and provide more data transmission resources. For example, it can provide more stable and higher-quality communication services for users on trains, airplanes, and other modes of transportation, supporting a larger number of user connections.

[0003] The most significant characteristic of NTN communication is the long distance between terminal devices and network equipment such as satellites, resulting in large round-trip transmission delays. Therefore, the protocol can be enhanced to adapt to the characteristics of NTN communication. For example, the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) can be enhanced to ensure the coverage capability of the PDCCH in NTN scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to support repeated PDCCH transmission and improve PDCCH coverage.

[0005] Firstly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to the terminal side. This method can be executed by a terminal device, or by components of the terminal device (such as a communication module, processor, circuit, chip, or chip system, etc.), or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device's functions. For example, the circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the terminal device can be a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip, etc. The following description uses the execution of this method by a terminal device as an example. The method includes: receiving configuration information, which is used to determine the first PDCCH monitoring occasion (MO) and the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the first search space set. The first candidate PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO is used to carry the first downlink control information (DCI), and the second candidate PDCCH in the second PDCCH MO is used to carry the second DCI. The indexes of the first candidate PDCCH and the second candidate PDCCH are the same, and the information of the first DCI and the second DCI is the same. The method also includes detecting the first DCI in the first PDCCH MO and / or detecting the second DCI in the second PDCCH MO.

[0006] Using the above method, two PDCCHMOs (such as the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO) for PDCCH retransmission can be configured in a search space set. The network side (such as the network device) can send configuration information to the terminal device to determine these two PDCCH MOs, so that the terminal device can detect the same DCI (i.e., the retransmitted PDCCH) from the network side in these two PDCCH MOs, thereby supporting PDCCH retransmission, reducing the decoding threshold of the terminal device for PDCCH, improving the coverage capability (or coverage range) of PDCCH, and supporting the correct decoding of PDCCH by the terminal device in NTN scenarios.

[0007] In one possible design, the configuration information includes a first field and a second field; wherein the first field is used to determine the first PDCCH MO; and the second field is used to determine the second PDCCH MO.

[0008] In the above design, considering that traditional terminal devices may not support PDCCH repetition, the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO can be configured through the first field and the second field, respectively. In this way, terminal devices that support PDCCH repetition can listen to PDCCH based on the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO determined by the first field and the second field, while traditional terminal devices that do not support PDCCH repetition can listen to PDCCH based on the first PDCCH MO determined by the first field, which can be compatible with traditional terminal devices listening to PDCCH.

[0009] In one possible design, the first field indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO within a time slot; the second field indicates the start symbol of the second PDCCH MO within a time slot; wherein the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO reside in the same time slot.

[0010] In the above design, the first field and the second field can respectively indicate the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO and the start symbol of the second PDCCH MO in a time slot, so that the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO can be included in a time slot at the same time, enabling PDCCH repetition in the time slot.

[0011] Furthermore, it is understandable that if multiple start symbols for the first PDCCH MO and multiple start symbols for the second PDCCH MO exist within a time slot, multiple first PDCCH MOs and multiple second PDCCH MOs can be determined within that time slot. These multiple first PDCCH MOs and multiple second PDCCH MOs can also form PDCCH MO pairs based on the positions of the start symbols within the time slot, for PDCCH retransmission (e.g., DCIs transmitting the same information). For example, the first PDCCH MO with the smallest corresponding start symbol index and the second PDCCH MO with the smallest corresponding start symbol index can form a PDCCH MO pair for PDCCH retransmission; the first PDCCH MO with the second smallest corresponding start symbol index and the second PDCCH MO with the second smallest corresponding start symbol index can also form a PDCCH MO pair for PDCCH retransmission, and so on.

[0012] In one possible design, the first PDCCH MO is in the first PDCCH listening slot set, and the second PDCCH MO is in the second PDCCH listening slot set, wherein the first PDCCH listening slot set and the second PDCCH listening slot set do not overlap; wherein, the first field indicates the first PDCCH listening period and the first PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the first PDCCH listening slot set, and the number of first slots located in the first PDCCH listening slot set within the first PDCCH listening slot set within the first PDCCH listening slot set; the second field indicates the second PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH slot offset corresponding to the second PDCCH listening slot set, and the number of second slots located in the second PDCCH listening slot set within the second PDCCH listening slot set within the second PDCCH listening slot set.

[0013] In the above design, the first field and the second field can respectively indicate the first PDCCH MO in the first PDCCH listening time slot set and the second PDCCH MO in the second PDCCH listening time slot set. The first PDCCH listening time slot set and the second PDCCH listening time slot set do not overlap, so that the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO can be distributed in different time slots, enabling PDCCH repetition between time slots.

[0014] In one possible design, the first PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH listening period are the same, the number of first time slots and the number of second time slots are the same, and the first PDCCH listening offset and the second PDCCH listening offset are different. Optionally, the difference between the first PDCCH listening offset and the second PDCCH listening offset is greater than or equal to the number of first time slots.

[0015] In the above design, the first PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH listening period corresponding to the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are constrained respectively, which can avoid the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO being in the same time slot when the PDCCH repeats between time slots.

[0016] In one possible design, the configuration information includes a third field, wherein the third field is used to determine the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO.

[0017] In the above design, a single field can be used to determine the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO. This saves signaling overhead compared to determining the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO using different fields.

[0018] In one possible design, the third field indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO within a time slot, wherein the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO reside in the same time slot.

[0019] In the above design, the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO in the time slot can be indicated by the third field, so that the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO can be included in a time slot at the same time, enabling PDCCH repetition in the time slot.

[0020] In one possible design, the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are in the third PDCCH listening slot set. The third field indicates the third PDCCH listening period and the third PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the third PDCCH listening slot set, as well as the number of third slots in the third PDCCH listening slot set within the third PDCCH listening period.

[0021] In the above design, the third field can indicate the time slot where the first PDCCH MO is located and the time slot where the second PDCCH MO is located, enabling PDCCH repetition between time slots.

[0022] In one possible design, the configuration information also includes a first control resource set index and a second control resource set index, wherein the first control resource set index is used to indicate the first control resource set and the second control resource set index is used to indicate the second control resource set; wherein the first PDCCH MO is associated with the first control resource set and the second PDCCH MO is associated with the second control resource set.

[0023] In the above design, the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO can be associated with different control resource sets, which can improve the flexibility of the control resource set configuration of the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO. At the same time, the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO can be associated with control resource sets corresponding to different frequency domain resources, which can obtain additional frequency diversity gain and enhance PDCCH coverage.

[0024] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to the network side. This method can be executed by a network device, or by a component of the network device (e.g., a communication module, circuit, processor, chip, or chip system), or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device's functions. For example, the circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the network device can be a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core. The following description uses the execution of this method by a network device as an example. The method includes: sending configuration information, which is used to determine the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the first search space set; sending a first DCI on a first candidate PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO; and sending a second DCI on a second candidate PDCCH in the second PDCCH MO. The first candidate PDCCH and the second candidate PDCCH have the same index, and the information of the first DCI and the second DCI is the same.

[0025] Using the above method, two PDCCHMOs (such as the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO) for PDCCH retransmission can be configured in a search space set. The network side (such as network devices) can send configuration information to the terminal device to determine the two PDCCH MOs, and can send DCIs with the same information (i.e., retransmitted PDCCHs) in the two PDCCH MOs. This allows the terminal device to detect DCIs with the same information in the two PDCCH MOs, thereby supporting PDCCH retransmission. This reduces the decoding threshold of the terminal device for PDCCH, improves the coverage capability (or coverage range) of PDCCH, and supports the correct decoding of PDCCH by the terminal device in NTN scenarios.

[0026] In one possible design, the configuration information includes a first field and a second field; wherein the first field is used to determine the first PDCCH MO; and the second field is used to determine the second PDCCH MO.

[0027] In one possible design, the first field indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO within a time slot; the second field indicates the start symbol of the second PDCCH MO within a time slot; wherein the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO reside in the same time slot.

[0028] In one possible design, the first PDCCH MO is in the first PDCCH listening slot set, and the second PDCCH MO is in the second PDCCH listening slot set, wherein the first PDCCH listening slot set and the second PDCCH listening slot set do not overlap; wherein, the first field indicates the first PDCCH listening period and the first PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the first PDCCH listening slot set, and the number of first slots located in the first PDCCH listening slot set within the first PDCCH listening slot set within the first PDCCH listening slot set; the second field indicates the second PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH slot offset corresponding to the second PDCCH listening slot set, and the number of second slots located in the second PDCCH listening slot set within the second PDCCH listening slot set within the second PDCCH listening slot set.

[0029] In one possible design, the first PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH listening period are the same, the number of first time slots and the number of second time slots are the same, and the first PDCCH listening offset and the second PDCCH listening offset are different. Optionally, the difference between the first PDCCH listening offset and the second PDCCH listening offset is greater than or equal to the number of first time slots.

[0030] In one possible design, the configuration information includes a third field, which is used to determine the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO.

[0031] In one possible design, the third field indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO within a time slot, wherein the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO reside in the same time slot.

[0032] In one possible design, the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are in the third PDCCH listening slot set. The third field indicates the third PDCCH listening period and the third PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the third PDCCH listening slot set, as well as the number of third slots in the third PDCCH listening slot set within the third PDCCH listening period.

[0033] In one possible design, the configuration information also includes a first control resource set index and a second control resource set index, wherein the first control resource set index is used to indicate the first control resource set and the second control resource set index is used to indicate the second control resource set; wherein the first PDCCH MO is associated with the first control resource set and the second PDCCH MO is associated with the second control resource set.

[0034] The technical effects achievable in each of the possible designs in the second aspect mentioned above can be referenced to the technical effects achievable in each of the possible designs in the first aspect mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0035] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the methods described in the first or second aspect above. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions, such as an interface unit and a processing unit.

[0036] In one possible design, the device can be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0037] In one possible design, the device includes a memory and a processor, the memory for storing instructions executed by the processor, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the device can perform the method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0038] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes an interface circuit and a processor, with the processor and the interface circuit coupled to each other. The interface circuit is used for inputting and / or outputting signals, and the processor uses logic circuits or executing instructions to implement the methods of the first or second aspect described above. It is understood that the interface circuit can be a transceiver, a transceiver device, or an input / output interface.

[0039] Optionally, the communication device may also include a memory for storing instructions executed by the processor, or storing input data required by the processor to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor executes instructions. The memory may be a physically independent unit, or it may be coupled to the processor, or the processor may include the memory (i.e., the processor and the memory are integrated together).

[0040] In one possible implementation, the communication device is a chip.

[0041] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a network device. The terminal device is used to implement the method described in the first aspect; the network device is used to implement the method described in the second aspect.

[0042] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, can implement the methods described in the first or second aspect.

[0043] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, can implement the methods described in the first or second aspect.

[0044] Eighthly, embodiments of this application also provide a chip system including a processor, the processor being coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store programs or instructions, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the methods of the first or second aspect described above can be implemented.

[0045] The technical effects achievable by aspects two through eight above are similar to those achievable by aspect one above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0047] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C This is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of PDCCHMO distribution provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 14 and Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0051] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as fourth-generation (4G) communication systems, 5G communication systems, NTN communication systems, etc., and can also be applied to future communication systems. The NTN communication system can be an NTN integrated with a 5G communication system, or an NTN integrated with a future communication system. Figure 1 The diagram shown is an architectural representation of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application. The communication system includes network devices and terminal devices, with one network device and two terminal devices (terminal device A and terminal device B) as an example. Terminal device A and terminal device B can communicate with the network device separately or simultaneously. It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the scope of the communication system. Figure 1 The number of terminal devices and network devices in the communication system shown.

[0052] The aforementioned terminal equipment can also be called a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal, etc. It is a device or equipment with wireless communication function. It can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as ships); and it can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites). Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as machine-type communication (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, and smart homes. Terminal devices can include mobile phones, subscriber units, cellular phones, smartphones, wireless data cards, personal digital assistants (PDAs), computers, tablets, modems, handsets, laptop computers, customer-premises equipment (CPE), and smart points of sale. POS machines, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, MTC devices, ground stations, etc. Additionally, in this application's embodiments, "terminal device" can also refer to a device used to implement the functions of the terminal device, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal device, where the chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0053] The aforementioned network equipment can also be called access network (AN) equipment or radio access network (RAN) equipment. It is a device or equipment that can be deployed in a radio access network to provide wireless communication functions for terminal devices. Network equipment can be base stations used for wireless communication, such as medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), evolved NodeBs (eNBs), and next-generation node Bs (gNBs). Optionally, the network equipment in this application embodiment may include various forms of base stations (BS), such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, equipment implementing base station functions in communication systems evolved after 5G, transmitting and receiving points (TRPs), transmitting points (TPs), mobile switching centers, and equipment undertaking base station functions in device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, etc. It may also include centralized units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs) in cloud radio access networks (C-RAN) systems. Furthermore, in this application embodiment, network equipment may also refer to devices used to implement the functions of network equipment, such as chip systems, which can be installed in the network equipment. The chip system may consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components. This application embodiment does not limit the specific technology or specific equipment form used in the network equipment.

[0054] Taking a satellite as an example of a network device, the specific communication scenarios applied in the embodiments of this application can be as follows: Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C As shown.

[0055] exist Figure 2AIn the scenario shown, the base station is deployed on the ground, and the satellite connects to the ground station via an air interface. The ground station can connect to the base station via a wireless or wired link. Ground-based terminal devices access the mobile communication network via the air interface (which can be of various types, such as a 5G air interface), and the satellite acts as a transmission node, forwarding information from the terminal devices.

[0056] exist Figure 2B In the scenario shown, the base station is deployed on a satellite, which connects to the ground station via a wireless link. The ground station can connect to the core network via a wireless or wired link. Ground terminal devices communicate with the satellite base station through the air interface to access the mobile communication network. The satellite, acting as a base station, connects to the ground station via the NG interface, and the ground station connects to the core network via the NG interface, which can be either wireless or wired.

[0057] Figure 2C The scene shown is Figure 2B Compared to the scenario shown, the scenario of communication between satellite base stations has been added. Specifically, satellite base stations can communicate with each other through the Xn interface.

[0058] exist Figures 2A-2C In this context, terminal devices can include various types of terminal devices that support the new air interface, such as the types of terminals listed above. Terminal devices can access the satellite network via the air interface and initiate services such as making calls and accessing the internet.

[0059] Base stations are mainly used to provide wireless access services, allocate wireless resources to accessing terminal devices, and provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols.

[0060] The core network is primarily used to provide functions such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and accounting. The core network consists of multiple functional units, which can be divided into control plane and data plane functional entities.

[0061] Ground stations are primarily responsible for relaying signaling and service data between satellites and base stations, or between satellites and the core network.

[0062] Air interface: refers to the wireless link between the terminal device and the base station.

[0063] Xn interface: This refers to the interface between satellite base stations, mainly used for signaling interactions such as handover.

[0064] NG interface: This refers to the interface between the base station and the core network, or the interface between the ground station and the core network, or the interface between the satellite base station and the ground station (in this case, the interface is a wireless link). It mainly interacts with the non-access stratum (NAS) signaling of the core network, as well as user service data.

[0065] It should be noted that, Figures 2A-2C This explanation uses a 5G communication scenario as an example. If the communication scenario is 4G, then... Figures 2A-2C The Xn interface can be the X2 interface, and the NG interface is the S1 interface.

[0066] Before introducing the embodiments of this application, some terms used in this application will be explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0067] 1) Physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

[0068] One of the functions of the PDCCH is to carry scheduling information sent from network devices to terminal devices. If a terminal device detects scheduling information in the DCI on the PDCCH, for downlink scheduling information, the terminal device can receive data through the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH); for uplink scheduling information, the terminal device can send data through the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). The PDCCH can also be used to carry control information such as uplink power control commands. PDCCHs carrying different control information can have different DCI formats, and different DCI formats can be scrambled using different radio network temporary identifiers (RNTIs).

[0069] 2) Resource configuration method for new radio (NR) PDCCH.

[0070] In the NR standard, the resource configuration of PDCCH is determined by two parameters: one is the control resource set (CORESET), which encapsulates the frequency domain resource information occupied by PDCCH and the number of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols occupied in the time domain; the other is the search space set (SS set), which mainly contains the starting OFDM symbols occupied by PDCCH transmission in the time domain, the aggregation level (AL) of the candidate PDCCHs in the SS set, the number of PDCCH candidates at each aggregation level, the PDCCH listening period of the PDCCH candidates, and the information of the CORESET associated with the SS set. In the NR standard, each SS set can only be associated with one CORESET, while one CORESET can correspond to multiple different SS sets.

[0071] The time-frequency resources occupied by an SS set and a CORESET associated with the SS set can be determined. The SS set includes at least one candidate PDCCH (i.e., includes at least one time-frequency resource for transmitting PDCCH). The candidate PDCCH in the SS set can be used for PDCCH transmission (i.e. can be used to send information carried by PDCCH (such as DCI)).

[0072] 3) CORESET configuration.

[0073] During the initial access phase of a terminal device (such as a UE), the first CORESET used for communication is generally CORESET0. CORESET0 occupies a contiguous physical resource block (PRB) in the frequency domain. CORESET0 is used to place the PDCCH payload of scheduling system messages (such as system information block (SIB)1). After the terminal device decodes the SIB system message, it can obtain other CORESET configurations through radio resource control (RRC) configuration. For example, other CORESET configurations can be a contiguous or non-contiguous frequency domain PRB resource defined by a bitmap.

[0074] Due to its larger bandwidth, NR introduces the concept of a bandwidth part (BWP). The network side can allocate BWPs of different sizes according to different services. Furthermore, a coreset is introduced on top of the BWP concept. The network side configures multiple coresets and search spaces (SS) within a BWP, and then uses a pairing of a coreset and an SS to determine a block of time-frequency domain resources for different purposes. For example, a pair of coresets and SS can be used to detect DCI format 0_0 / 1_0, and another pair of coresets and SS can be used to detect DCI format 0_1 / 1_1.

[0075] In the frequency domain, a CORESET corresponds to a set of continuous or non-continuous PRBs. The time domain resource size occupied by a CORESET is 1 to 3 OFDM symbols, and its starting position in the time domain can be flexibly configured. The resource size granularity of a CORESET is a channel control element (CCE). Each CCE occupies 6 continuous resource element groups (REGs) (continuous in the frequency domain or continuous in the time domain). One REG can be composed of one PRB in the frequency domain (i.e., 12 resource elements (REs)) and one OFDM symbol in the time domain.

[0076] On the network side, a maximum of 12 CORESETs can be configured in each cell (the 12 CORESET indices range from 0 to 11). The maximum number of CORESETs in each downlink (DL) BWP configured for the terminal device by the serving cell cannot exceed 3. Furthermore, the CORESET index (controlResourceSetId) can take values ​​from 0 to 11, where CORESET0 is determined according to the RRC parameter controlResourceSetZero.

[0077] CORESET0 is a dedicated CORESET for the type 0 common search space (CSS) and is used to schedule the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) (such as SIB1). The resource indication method of CORESET0 is derived from the high 4 bits of the PDCCH configuration SIB1 field in the master information block (MIB) message in the SSB. By reading this bit and querying the table in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) technical specification (TS) 38.213, the number of frequency domain contiguous resource blocks (RBs), the number of time domain contiguous symbols, the SSB / CORESET0 multiplexing mode, and the frequency domain PRB offset parameters occupied by CORESET0 can be determined.

[0078] Besides CORESET0, the configurations of other CORESETs originate from the RRC parameter control resource set (controlResourceSet) configuration. The CORESET configuration includes several parameters, such as:

[0079] Control Resource Set Index (controlResourceSetId): Unique among all BWPs within a serving cell;

[0080] Frequency Domain Resources: Defines the size of the frequency domain resources of the CORESET, usually 45 bits. Each bit represents 6 PRBs, starting from PRB0. The highest bit represents the lowest frequency in the configured BWP. The index is in ascending order from bottom to top. Bits belonging to the CORESET should be set to 1.

[0081] Duration: The number of consecutive symbols in the time domain of CORESET, ranging from 1 to 3;

[0082] CCE to REG mapping method (cce-REG-MappingType): Indicates the mapping method from CCE to REG.

[0083] 4) Search space configuration.

[0084] The search space can also be understood as a set of search spaces. In NR, the physical layer is described as a set of search spaces (SSset), while higher-layer parameters are search spaces (e.g., RRC parameters are searchSpace). SS sets in NR are mainly divided into two categories: one is the common SS set, which includes type 0, type 0A, type 1, type 2, or type 3 CSS sets, etc., mainly used for access, cell handover, or for receiving system information (SI), paging, random access response (RAR), and other related control information; the other is the UE-specific search space configuration, i.e., the UE-specific search space set (USSset).

[0085] For CSS set configuration, there are three configuration methods for type 0 CSS set. The first method involves the terminal device (e.g., UE) decoding the SSB to obtain the MIB, reading the lower 4 bits of the parameter PDCCH_ConfigSIB1 in the MIB, and obtaining the corresponding 8 bits from the table in 3GPP TS38.213. This configuration method is used for downlink synchronization during initial access of the terminal device, and is the PDCCH resource used before the terminal device obtains the system message (decodes SIB1). The second configuration method is RRC signaling configuration. After the terminal device successfully decodes SIB1, it can obtain the reconfiguration along with the type 0 CSS set resource through RRC configuration. For example, it can be configured through the PDCCH configuration common (PDCCH-ConfigCommon) → searchspace0 (searchSpaceZero) cell configuration in RRC signaling. This configuration also requires finding the corresponding type 0 CSS set from the table in 3GPP TS38.213. The third method involves configuring the set's update configuration. For example, it can be done through RRC signaling, such as configuring the PDCCH-ConfigCommon → Search Space SIB1 → Search Space cell in the RRC signaling. The Search Space is configured in the RRC signaling using multiple parameters (including PDCCH candidate aggregation level, number, starting symbol position for PDCCH listening, PDCCH listening period, and PDCCH listening offset, etc.). It should be noted that A→B above refers to cell B within cell A (where cell A can also be replaced with a field, parameter, or signaling). That is, cell B is contained within cell A, or cell B is carried through cell A. Configuring via A→B means configuring via cell B, and cell B is located within cell A.

[0086] Other types of common SS besides type0 CSS set (such as type0A / 1 / 2 CSS set) must be configured through RRC parameters after the terminal device (such as UE) decodes SIB1. For example, it can be configured through PDCCH-ConfigCommon → commonSearchSpaceList → SearchSpace information cell in RRC signaling.

[0087] For type3 CSS set, its configuration method belongs to the dedicated RRC signaling of terminal equipment (such as UE), for example, it can be configured through PDCCH-Config→SearchSpace information cell in RRC signaling.

[0088] USS set also needs to be configured through RRC signaling after RRC takes effect, such as through PDCCH-Config→SearchSpace cell configuration in RRC signaling.

[0089] 5) PDCCH repetition.

[0090] In discussions on multiple TRP (multi-TRP) topics in 3GPP Release 17 (R17), PDCCH transmission was enhanced for ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), supporting PDCCH repetition transmission for both type 3 CSS sets and USS sets. It supports configuring two SS sets for each type 3 CSS set or USS set, associating the two USS sets or two type 3 CSS sets using the searchspace linking index -r17 in the SS set configuration parameters. In two associated SS sets, the corresponding PDCCH candidates have the same aggregation level, and the number of PDCCH candidates with the same aggregation level is the same. Therefore, the network side can repeatedly transmit PDCCH on the associated PDCCH candidate resources in the associated SS sets using time division multiplexing (TDM) or frequency division multiplexing (FDM), or it can retransmit the PDCCH transmission at a lower code rate in the associated PDCCH, thereby enhancing link performance. By repeatedly transmitting PDCCH, the decoding threshold of the terminal equipment can be lowered, improving the decoding performance of the terminal equipment, enabling the terminal equipment to obtain DCI from the network side more accurately and reliably.

[0091] However, currently, network devices configure CSS via cell-specific RRC parameters. Type 0 / 0A / 1 / 2 CSS sets each only have one search space index (ID). If type 3 / USS CSS sets are reused to indicate two search space IDs, the existing signaling structure does not support this. Furthermore, if all types of CSS sets indicate two search space IDs, corresponding to two SS sets, it may exceed the current limit of a maximum of 10 SS sets per BWP, leading to increased memory usage, computational resources, and costs. For example, if type 0 / 0A / 1 / 2 / 3 CSS sets and USS each have one search space ID, and then each has another search space ID configured repeatedly, there will be 12 search space IDs, i.e., 12 SS sets, exceeding the limit of 10 SS sets.

[0092] In other words, the current NR standard does not support PDCCH repetition transmission associated with PDCCH candidates within the following search space sets: SS set0 (type0), searchSpaceSIB1 (type0), searchSpaceOtherSystemInformation (type0A), pagingSearchSpace (type2), random access searchSpace (ra-SearchSpace) (type1), multicast control channel (MCCH) search Space (MCCH), multicast traffic channel (MTCH) search Space (MTCH), very early paging indication (pei-SearchSpace), and small data transmission (sdt-SearchSpace). That is, the standard does not support PDCCH duplication within CSSsets such as type0, type0A, type1, and type2.

[0093] As can be seen from the above, the type0 / 0A / 1 / 2 CSS sets do not support repeated PDCCH transmission. Directly increasing the number of CSS sets will lead to increased signaling overhead and processing complexity. Therefore, how to improve the coverage of PDCCH to support long-distance communication in NTN scenarios is a problem that needs to be considered.

[0094] Based on this, this application provides a communication method and apparatus to support repeated transmission of PDCCH in CSS sets, improve PDCCH coverage, and support correct decoding of PDCCH by terminal devices in NTN scenarios. The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0095] Additionally, it should be understood that the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. For example, the first field and the second field do not indicate a difference in priority or importance between the two fields.

[0096] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. In the embodiments of this application, the term "wireless communication" can also be abbreviated as "communication", and the term "communication" can also be described as "data transmission", "information transmission" or "transmission".

[0097] In this application, "sending information" can be understood as one device sending information to another device, or as one logic module within a device sending information to another logic module. For example, "device A sending information" can be understood as device A sending information to another device (device B), or as logic module 1 in device A sending information to logic module 2 in device A. In this application, "receiving information" can be understood as one device receiving information from another device, or as one logic module within a device receiving information from another logic module. For example, "device A receiving information" can be understood as device A receiving information from another device (such as device B), or as logic module 1 in device A receiving information from logic module 2 in device A. In this application, "sending information to… (e.g., device B)" or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the destination of the information being device B. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to device B. The phrases "receiving information from... (e.g., device A)," "receiving information from... (e.g., device A)," or "receiving information sent by (e.g., device A)," or the relevant illustrations in the accompanying drawings, can be understood as indicating that the source of the information is device A, which may include receiving information directly or indirectly from device A. The information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly and will not be repeated here.

[0098] The communication method provided in this application can be executed by a first communication device and a second communication device. Here, the first communication device can refer to the terminal device itself, or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system within the terminal device that implements the method; the second communication device can refer to the network device itself, or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system within the network device that implements the method. The following description uses a terminal device and a network device as examples, respectively, to illustrate the communication method provided in this application.

[0099] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. The method includes:

[0100] S301: The network device sends configuration information, and the terminal device receives the configuration information accordingly. The configuration information is used to determine the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the first search space set.

[0101] A PDCCH MO can refer to a time-domain resource or time-domain resource location that can be used for PDCCH monitoring. A terminal device can determine a PDCCH MO within an active downlink BWP based on the PDCCH monitoring periodicity, PDCCH monitoring offset, and a PDCCH monitoring pattern within a time slot. It can be understood that a PDCCH MO is jointly determined based on a search space set and its associated CORESET, including the starting symbol and the number of consecutive symbols in the PDCCH MO. Network devices can transmit PDCCH within a PDCCH MO, and terminal devices can monitor PDCCH within a PDCCH MO. Here, a symbol can refer to an OFDM symbol, and transmitting PDCCH can also be understood as transmitting information carried by the PDCCH (such as DCI), and monitoring PDCCH can also be understood as monitoring the information carried by the PDCCH.

[0102] A search space set can be a collection of candidate PDCCHs, and a search space set can include at least one candidate PDCCH. The network device sends configuration information for a search space set to the terminal device. This configuration information can include the index of the search space set (e.g., configured via the RRC parameter or the field `searchSpaceId`), the associated CORESET index (e.g., configured via the RRC parameter or the field `controlResourceSetId`), the PDCCH listening period and PDCCH listening offset (e.g., configured via the RRC parameter or the field `monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset`), the PDCCH listening pattern within a slot (e.g., configured via the RRC parameter or the field `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot`), the number of consecutively occurring slots within a PDCCH listening period (e.g., configured via the RRC parameter or the field `duration`), the aggregation level, and the corresponding number of candidate PDCCHs (e.g., configured via the RRC parameter or the field `nrofCandidates`), among other information. The configuration information of the search space set can be used to determine this search space set. The terminal device can determine the time-frequency resources occupied by at least one candidate PDCCH in this search space set based on the configuration information of the search space set and the configuration information of the CORESET associated with this search space set. It can be understood that the above fields can also be interpreted as parameters, information cells, or control commands, etc.

[0103] In this embodiment, PDCCH repetitive transmission can be enabled by adding a PDCCH MO. In addition to the first PDCCH MO, the first search space set may also correspond to a second PDCCH MO. By transmitting the same PDCCH in both the first and second PDCCH MOs, PDCCH repetitive transmission can be achieved.

[0104] Furthermore, considering that traditional terminal devices (such as legacy UEs) may not support PDCCH repetition in the common search space, in this embodiment, the configuration information sent by the network device may include a first field and a second field. The first field can be used to determine the first PDCCH MO, and the second field can be used to determine the second PDCCH MO. Thus, terminal devices supporting PDCCH repetition can listen to the PDCCH based on the first and second PDCCH MO determined by the first and second fields, while traditional terminal devices that do not support PDCCH repetition can listen to the PDCCH based on the first PDCCH MO determined by the first field, ensuring compatibility with traditional terminal devices listening to the PDCCH. In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the terminal device is a terminal device that supports PDCCH repetition, such as an NTN terminal device.

[0105] In this context, "search space" can also be understood as a set of search spaces. In NR, the physical layer is described as a set of search spaces (SS set), while higher-level parameters are search spaces (e.g., the RRC parameter is searchSpace). Each physical layer search space set corresponds to one RRC parameter searchSpace; that is, the configuration information of the search space set corresponding to this RRC parameter can be determined through this RRC parameter. For example, CSS can be understood as a common search space or a common search space set. Similarly, USS can be understood as a UE-specific search space or a UE-specific search space set. The aforementioned configuration information can also be called search space configuration information, search space set configuration information, search space configuration, search space set configuration, etc. This application does not limit the name of the configuration information. The configuration information can be carried by one or more information elements such as PDCCH-ConfigCommon and searchSpace in RRC and other signaling, and can be used to configure the first search space set.

[0106] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the time slots where the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are located can be the same or different. The following description uses different implementation examples to illustrate this.

[0107] To achieve A (intra-slot PDCCH repetition): the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO reside in the same time slot. The first field indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO within a time slot, and the second field indicates the start symbol of the second PDCCH MO within a time slot. Thus, by using the first and second fields to indicate the start symbols of the first and second PDCCH MOs within a time slot respectively, the first and second PDCCH MOs used for PDCCH repetition transmission within a time slot can be clearly indicated.

[0108] As an example: Both the first and second fields can be a 14-bit bitmap. The 14 bits of the 14-bit bitmap can correspond one-to-one with the 14 symbols in a time slot. For example, the most significant bit (MSB) of the 14-bit bitmap (i.e., the first bit) corresponds to the first symbol in a time slot, the second most significant bit (i.e., the second bit) corresponds to the second symbol in a time slot, and so on. The least significant bit (i.e., the 14th bit) of the 14-bit bitmap corresponds to the 14th symbol in a time slot. The symbol corresponding to the bit with a value of "1" in the 14-bit bitmap is the start symbol of PDCCH MO in the time slot.

[0109] The following example illustrates the situation with the first field (or the parameter carried by the first field) being monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot, the second field (or the parameter carried by the second field) being the symbol-r19 (monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19) within the monitoring slot, and the number of consecutive symbols indicated by the CORESET associated with the first search space set (i.e., the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO) being 2.

[0110] Reference Figure 4The diagram showing the PDCCH MO distribution indicates that `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` (the first field) has a value of 100000000000000, indicating that the starting symbol of the first PDCCH MO is the first symbol within a time slot, i.e., symbol 0. `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19` (the second field) has a value of 00100000000000, indicating that the starting symbol of the second PDCCH MO is the third symbol within a time slot, i.e., symbol 2. The terminal device can determine that the first PDCCH MO occupies symbols 0 and 1 within a time slot, and the second PDCCH MO occupies symbols 2 and 3 within the same time slot, based on `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot`, `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19`, and the number of consecutive symbols (2) indicated by the associated `CORESET`.

[0111] The time slots where the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are located can be determined based on information such as the PDCCH listening period, PDCCH listening offset, and the number of time slots in which the PDCCH MO (including the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO) appears consecutively within the PDCCH listening period corresponding to the first search space set. The above information can also be indicated by configuration information.

[0112] As an example: In addition to the first and second fields mentioned above, the configuration information can also include the fields monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset and duration. monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset indicates the PDCCH monitoring period (k) corresponding to the PDCCH MO (including the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO). s ) and PDCCH listening offset (o s The duration indicates the number of consecutive time slots (T) in which the PDCCH MO (including the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO) appears within the PDCCH listening period. s ), where k s o s The unit is time slot.

[0113] In one possible implementation: the slot numbering of the PDCCH MO. System frame number n f k s o s and T sThe following conditions can be met: in It is a value related to the subcarrier spacing μ. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 15kHz, μ = 0. If the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz, i.e., μ = 1,

[0114] With k s =5, o s =2,T s For example, if the value is 1, refer to... Figure 5 The diagram showing the distribution of PDCCH MOs indicates that the time slots where the PDCCH MOs (including the first and second PDCCH MOs) are located are: time slot 2 of system frame 0 (corresponding to the first PDCCH listening period), time slot 7 of system frame 0 (corresponding to the second PDCCH listening period), time slot 2 of system frame 1 (corresponding to the third PDCCH listening period), time slot 7 of system frame 2 (corresponding to the fourth PDCCH listening period), and so on. (Combined with the above...) Figure 4 As shown by the indications of the first and second fields for the start symbols of the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH within a time slot, it can be seen that in the first PDCCH listening period, the first PDCCH MO is symbol 0 and symbol 1 in time slot 2 of system frame 0, and the second PDCCH MO is symbol 2 and symbol 3 in time slot 2 of system frame 0; similarly, in the second PDCCH listening period, the first PDCCH MO is symbol 0 and symbol 1 in time slot 7 of system frame 0, and the second PDCCH MO is symbol 2 and symbol 3 in time slot 7 of system frame 0.

[0115] Figure 4 or Figure 5 Taking the example of a time slot containing one start symbol of either the first PDCCH MO or the second PDCCH MO, it can be understood that a time slot can also contain multiple start symbols of either the first PDCCH MO or the second PDCCH MO.

[0116] As an example, refer to Figure 6The diagram showing the distribution of PDCCH MOs indicates that `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` has a value of 10001000000000, indicating that the starting symbols of the first PDCCH MO are the first and fifth symbols within a time slot, i.e., symbols 0 and 4. `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19` has a value of 00100010000000, indicating that the starting symbols of the second PDCCH MO are the third and seventh symbols within a time slot, i.e., symbols 2 and 6. The terminal device can determine, based on `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot`, `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19`, and the number of consecutive symbols (2) indicated by the associated `CORESET`, that the first PDCCH MO occupies symbols 0 and 1, and symbols 4 and 5 within a time slot; and the second PDCCH MO occupies symbols 2 and 3, and symbols 6 and 7 within a time slot.

[0117] In some implementations, if multiple start symbols for the first PDCCH MO and multiple start symbols for the second PDCCH MO exist within a time slot, the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO can also form a PDCCH MO pair based on the position of the start symbols in the time slot for repeated PDCCH transmission. For example, the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO can form a PDCCH MO pair in ascending order of the symbol index of the start symbols. That is, the first PDCCH MO corresponding to the first "1" value in monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot and the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the first "1" value in monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19 form a PDCCH MO pair for repeated PDCCH transmission; the first PDCCH MO corresponding to the second "1" value in monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot and the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the second "1" value in monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19 form a PDCCH MO pair for repeated PDCCH transmission, and so on. It can be understood that when monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot contains multiple "1" values, that is, when monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot can determine more than one first PDCCH MO within a time slot, the first PDCCH MO corresponding to the first "1" value is the first PDCCH MO with the earliest start symbol among the multiple first PDCCH MOs, the first PDCCH MO corresponding to the second "1" value is the first PDCCH MO with the second earliest start symbol among the multiple PDCCH MOs, or it can be understood as the first PDCCH MO with the earliest start symbol among the multiple PDCCH MOs other than the first PDCCH MO with the earliest start symbol, and so on for the first PDCCH MO corresponding to the third "1" value; the same applies to the second PDCCH MO determined according to monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19. The first PDCCH MO with the earliest start symbol among the plurality of first PDCCH MOs and the second PDCCH MO with the earliest start symbol among the plurality of second PDCCH MOs are used for PDCCH repetition transmission, the first PDCCH MO with the second earliest start symbol among the plurality of first PDCCH MOs and the second PDCCH MO with the second earliest start symbol among the plurality of second PDCCH MOs are used for PDCCH repetition transmission, and so on.

[0118] Still with Figure 6Taking the PDCCH MO distribution diagram shown as an example, the value of monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot is 10001000000000. The first PDCCH MO occupies symbols 0 and 1, as well as symbols 4 and 5 within one time slot. That is, monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot contains two "1" values, which can identify two first PDCCH MOs. The first PDCCH MO corresponding to the first "1" value is the first PDCCH MO with the earliest starting symbol among the two first PDCCH MOs, and the first PDCCH MO corresponding to the second "1" value is the first PDCCH MO with the second earliest starting symbol among the two first PDCCH MOs. The value of monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19 is 00100010000000. The second PDCCH MO occupies symbols 2 and 3, as well as symbols 6 and 7 within one time slot. That is, monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19 contains two "1" values, which can identify two second PDCCH MOs. MO, where the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the first "1" value is the second PDCCH MO with the earliest start symbol among the two second PDCCH MOs, and the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the second "1" value is the second PDCCH MO with the second earliest start symbol among the two second PDCCH MOs. The terminal device can form a PDCCH MO pair by combining the first PDCCH MO with the earliest start symbol among the two first PDCCH MOs and the second PDCCH MO with the earliest start symbol among the two second PDCCH MOs, in ascending order of the symbol index of the start symbol. That is, the first PDCCH MO on symbol 0 and symbol 1 and the second PDCCH MO on symbol 2 and symbol 3 are combined into a PDCCH MO pair.A PDCCHMO pair is formed by combining the first PDCCH MOs with the second earliest start symbol in the two first PDCCH MOs and the second PDCCH MOs with the second earliest start symbol in the two second PDCCH MOs. Specifically, the first PDCCH MOs on symbols 4 and 5 are combined with the second PDCCH MOs on symbols 6 and 7. The two PDCCH MO pairs can be used for PDCCH repetition transmission. For example, the first PDCCH MOs on symbols 0 and 1 are combined with the second PDCCH MOs on symbols 2 and 3 to form a PDCCH MO pair for repetition transmission of DCI A. The first PDCCH MOs on symbols 4 and 5 are combined with the second PDCCH MOs on symbols 6 and 7 to form a PDCCH MO pair for repetition transmission of DCIB. Here, DCI A and DCI B are different DCIs, that is, the DCI information of DCI A and DCI B is different, such as different DCI sizes or different DCI payloads.

[0119] Of course, all symbols occupied by the first PDCCH MO in one time slot can also be treated as a whole, and all symbols occupied by the second PDCCH MO in one time slot can be treated as a whole, for PDCCH retransmission. That is, all the "1"s contained in monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot and monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19 are used for PDCCH retransmission, for example, for transmitting DCI A.

[0120] To achieve B (inter-slot PDCCH repetition): the first PDCCH MO is in the first PDCCH listening slot set, and the second PDCCH MO is in the second PDCCH listening slot set. The first and second PDCCH listening slot sets do not overlap. The first field indicates the first PDCCH listening period and the first PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the first PDCCH listening slot set, as well as the number of first slots within the first PDCCH listening slot set during the first PDCCH listening period. The second field indicates the second PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH listening slot offset corresponding to the second PDCCH listening slot set, as well as the number of second slots within the second PDCCH listening slot set during the second PDCCH listening period. Thus, the first and second fields can respectively indicate the first and second PDCCH listening slot sets where the first PDCCH MO is located, enabling the indication of the first and second PDCCH MOs used for inter-slot PDCCH repetition transmission.

[0121] As an example: the first field (or the parameters carried by the first field) may include two parameters: monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset and duration. monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset can indicate the first PDCCH monitoring period (k) corresponding to the first PDCCH monitoring slot set where the first PDCCH MO is located. s ) and the first PDCCH listening offset (o s The duration can indicate the number of first time slots (T) located in the first PDCCH listening time slot set within the first PDCCH listening period. s The time slot (i.e., the set of first PDCCH listening slots) where the first PDCCH MO is located can be determined by the two parameters monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset and duration. The second field (or the parameters carried by the second field) can include two parameters: monitoring slot period and offset -r19 (monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset-r19) and duration -r19 (duration-r19). monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset-r19 can indicate the second PDCCH listening period (k) corresponding to the second PDCCH listening slot set where the second PDCCH MO is located. s′) and the second PDCCH listening offset (o s The duration-r19 can indicate the number of second time slots (T) located in the second PDCCH listening time slot set within the second PDCCH listening period. s The time slot (i.e., the set of second PDCCH monitoring time slots) can be determined by the two parameters monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset-r19 and duration-r19. Where k... s o s k s ′、o s The unit of ′ is time slot.

[0122] In some implementations, to avoid confusion caused by inter-slot repetition and intra-slot repetition due to the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO being in the same time slot, k s and k s ′、T s and T s ′ can be the same, o s and o s ′ different, o s with o s The difference between ′ and T is greater than or equal to T. s (or T) s This can also be understood as a constraint on network device configuration. When a terminal device is configured or instructed to repeat the PDCCH between time slots, it expects the parameter k of the configured search space set to be... s and k s Same as T s and T s Same as ′, o s and o s ′Different and o s with o s The difference between ′ and T is greater than or equal to T. s (or T) s ′).

[0123] With k s =5, o s =1,T s =2,k s ′=5、o s ′=3、T s Taking ′=2 as an example, refer to Figure 7 The diagram shown illustrates the PDCCH MO distribution. Terminal devices can adjust the distribution based on k. s =5, o s =1,T s=2 (i.e., the first field), determining that the first PDCCH MO exists in time slots 1 and 2 of system frame 0 (corresponding to the first first PDCCH listening period), in time slots 6 and 7 of system frame 0 (corresponding to the second first PDCCH listening period), in time slots 1 and 2 of system frame 1 (corresponding to the third first PDCCH listening period), and so on. This can be determined based on k. s ′=5、o s ′=3、T s =2 (i.e., the second field), which determines that the second PDCCH MO exists in time slots 3 and 4 of system frame 0 (corresponding to the first second PDCCH listening period), the second PDCCH MO exists in time slots 8 and 9 of system frame 0 (corresponding to the second second PDCCH listening period), the second PDCCH MO exists in time slots 3 and 4 of system frame 1 (corresponding to the third second PDCCH listening period), and so on.

[0124] The symbols occupied by the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO within a time slot can be determined by other fields (or parameters) in the configuration information. For example, the starting symbol of the PDCCH MO (such as the first PDCCH MO or the second PDCCH MO) corresponding to the first search space set within a time slot can be determined by other fields, as well as the number of consecutive symbols indicated by the CORESET associated with the first search space set (i.e., the number of consecutive symbols of the first PDCCH MO or the second PDCCH MO starting from their respective starting symbols).

[0125] As an example: In addition to the first and second fields, the configuration information can also include a field (or parameter) called `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot`. `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` can indicate the starting symbol of the first or second PDCCH MO within a time slot. For example, if `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` is set to 100000000000000, the time slots of the first and second PDCCH MOs are as follows: Figure 7 As shown, taking the number of consecutive symbols indicated by CORESET as 2 as an example, refer to... Figure 8The diagram showing the distribution of PDCCH MOs illustrates that, for any time slot where the first PDCCH MO is located (e.g., time slot 6 of system frame 0), the first PDCCH MO occupies the first and second symbols in that time slot, i.e., symbol 0 and symbol 1; for any time slot where the second PDCCH MO is located (e.g., time slot 8 of system frame 0), the second PDCCH MO occupies the first and second symbols in that time slot, i.e., symbol 0 and symbol 1.

[0126] The first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO located in different time slots can form a PDCCH MO pair for repeated PDCCH transmission. For example, for the first PDCCH listening period (i.e., the first k... s or k s The first PDCCH MO existing in time slot 1 of system frame 0 and the second PDCCH MO existing in time slot 3 of system frame 0 can form a PDCCH MO pair for PDCCH repetitive transmission; the first PDCCH MO existing in time slot 2 of system frame 0 and the second PDCCH MO existing in time slot 4 of system frame 0 can form a PDCCH MO pair for PDCCH repetitive transmission.

[0127] The above implementations A and B are illustrated using the example of configuration information including a first field and a second field, where the first field can be used to determine the first PDCCH MO and the second field can be used to determine the second PDCCH MO. In some implementations, a single field from the configuration information (such as a third field) can also be used to determine the first and second PDCCH MOs to save signaling overhead.

[0128] Implement C (repetition within a time slot): The first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are in the same time slot, and the third field indicates the starting symbol of the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO within a time slot.

[0129] In some implementations, in order for traditional terminal devices that do not support PDCCH repetition to be able to listen to PDCCH, the configuration information may also include a field (such as the first field) that separately indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO in a time slot, so that traditional terminal devices that do not support PDCCH repetition can listen to PDCCH based on the first PDCCH MO determined by the first field.

[0130] The following example uses configuration information that includes a first field and a third field, where the first field is "monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot" and the third field is "monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19", and the number of consecutive symbols indicated by the CORESET associated with the first search space set (i.e., the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO) is 2. Figure 9 The diagram shows a distributed PDCCH MO. The `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` (the first field) has a value of 100000000000000, indicating that the starting symbol of the first PDCCH MO is the first symbol within one time slot, i.e., symbol 0. The `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19` (the third field) has a value of 10100000000000. Each "1" value in `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot r19` corresponds to the starting symbol of a PDCCH MO. `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19` indicates that the starting symbol of the first PDCCH MO is the first symbol within one time slot (i.e., symbol 0), and indicates that the starting symbol of the second PDCCH MO is the third symbol within one time slot (i.e., symbol 2). Traditional terminal equipment can determine the first PDCCH MO based on `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` and the number of consecutive symbols (2) indicated by the associated `CORESET`. MO occupies symbols 0 and 1 within a time slot. Terminal devices supporting PDCCH repetition can determine, based on "monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19" and the number of consecutive symbols indicated by the associated CORESET (2), that the first PDCCH MO occupies symbols 0 and 1 within a time slot, and the second PDCCH MO occupies symbols 2 and 3 within the same time slot. The first PDCCH MO within a time slot and the second PDCCH MO within the same time slot can form a PDCCH MO pair for PDCCH repetition transmission.

[0131] In some implementations, the third field can indicate multiple PDCCH MOs, which can be grouped into a PDCCH MO group for repeated PDCCH transmission.

[0132] Reference Figure 10The diagram shows a distributed PDCCH MO. The `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` (the first field) has a value of 100000000000000, indicating that the starting symbol of the first PDCCH MO is the first symbol within a time slot, i.e., symbol 0. The `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19` (the third field) has a value of 10101010000000. Each "1" value in `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot r19` corresponds to the starting symbol of a PDCCH MO. `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19` indicates that the starting symbol of the first PDCCH MO is the first symbol within a time slot (symbol 0), the starting symbol of the second PDCCH MO is the third symbol within a time slot (symbol 2), the starting symbol of the third PDCCH MO is the fifth symbol within a time slot (symbol 4), and the starting symbol of the fourth PDCCH MO is... The starting symbol of an MO is the 7th symbol (i.e., symbol 6) within a time slot. Traditional terminal equipment can determine that the first PDCCH MO occupies symbols 0 and 1 within a time slot based on the number of consecutive symbols indicated by `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` and the associated `CORESET` (2). Terminal equipment supporting PDCCH repetition can determine that the first PDCCH MO occupies symbols 0 and 1 within a time slot, the second PDCCH MO occupies symbols 2 and 3 within the same time slot, the third PDCCH MO occupies symbols 4 and 5 within the same time slot, and the fourth PDCCH MO occupies symbols 6 and 7 within the same time slot based on the number of consecutive symbols indicated by `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19` and the associated `CORESET` (2). The first PDCCH MO within a time slot can be combined with the second, third, and fourth PDCCH MOs within the same time slot to form a PDCCH MO group or set for PDCCH repetition transmission. The first, second, third, and fourth PDCCH MOs can transmit the same DCI. It can be understood that "monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19" indicates the number of PDCCH repetitions, which is equal to the number of "1"s contained in "monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19".

[0133] The method for determining the time slot where the first PDCCH MO is located, and / or the time slot where the second PDCCH MO is located, can be referred to the description at point A in the implementation, and will not be repeated here.

[0134] To achieve D (inter-slot repetition): the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are in the third PDCCH listening slot set. The third field indicates the third PDCCH listening period and the third PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the third PDCCH listening slot set, as well as the number of third slots in the third PDCCH listening slot set within the third PDCCH listening period. The first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are in different slots.

[0135] In some implementations, in order for traditional terminal devices that do not support PDCCH repetition to be able to listen to PDCCH, the configuration information may also include a field (such as a first field) indicating the first PDCCH listening period and the first PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the first PDCCH listening time slot set where the first PDCCH MO is located, as well as the number of first time slots in the first PDCCH listening time slot set within the first PDCCH listening period, so as to enable traditional terminal devices that do not support PDCCH repetition to listen to PDCCH based on the first PDCCH MO determined by the first field.

[0136] As an example: the first field (or the parameters carried by the first field) may include two parameters: monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset and duration. monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset can indicate the first PDCCH monitoring period (k) corresponding to the first PDCCH monitoring slot set where the first PDCCH MO is located. s ) and the first PDCCH listening offset (o s The duration can indicate the number of first time slots (T) located in the first PDCCH listening time slot set within the first PDCCH listening period. sThe time slot (i.e., the set of first PDCCH listening slots) can be determined by the two parameters monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset and duration. The third field (or the parameters carried by the third field) can include two parameters: the listening slot period and offset -r19' (monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset-r19'), and the duration -r19' (duration-r19'). monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset-r19' can indicate the third PDCCH listening period (k) corresponding to the third PDCCH listening slot set where the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are located. s "") and the third PDCCH listening offset (o"") s The duration-r19' indicates the number of third time slots (T) located in the third PDCCH listening time slot set within the third PDCCH listening period. s The time slots containing the first and second PDCCH MOs (i.e., the set of time slots for monitoring the third PDCCH) can be determined by the two parameters monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset-r19' and duration-r19'. Among them, k s o s k s "、o" s The unit is time slot.

[0137] In some implementations, k s and k s "、o s with o″ s Same, T s "Greater than T" s This ensures that the first PDCCH MO determined by the first and third fields is the same. Where T... s Each time slot in the sequence can correspond to a different PDCCH MO. The multiple PDCCH MOs determined according to the third field include the first PDCCH MO determined according to the first field. The multiple PDCCH MOs include the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO, wherein the first PDCCH MO with the earliest starting time slot is the same as the first PDCCH MO determined according to the first field.

[0138] With k s =5, o s =2,T s =1,k s "=5、o"s =2,T s For example, if ″=2, refer to Figure 11 The diagram shown illustrates the PDCCH MO distribution. Traditional terminal devices can adjust the distribution based on k. s =5, o s =2,T s =1, indicating that the first PDCCH MO exists in time slot 2 of system frame 0, the first PDCCH MO exists in time slot 7 of system frame 0, the first PDCCH MO exists in time slot 2 of system frame 1, and so on. Terminal devices that support PDCCH repetition can determine this based on k. s "=5、o" s =2,T s =2, indicating that the first PDCCH MO exists in time slot 2 of system frame 0, the first PDCCH MO exists in time slot 7 of system frame 0, the first PDCCH MO exists in time slot 2 of system frame 1, and so on; the second PDCCH MO exists in time slot 3 of system frame 0, the second PDCCH MO exists in time slot 8 of system frame 0, the second PDCCH MO exists in time slot 3 of system frame 1, and so on.

[0139] The first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO located in different time slots can form a PDCCH MO pair for repeated PDCCH transmission. For example, for the first PDCCH listening period (i.e., the first k... s or k s The first PDCCH MO existing in time slot 2 of system frame 0 and the second PDCCH MO existing in time slot 3 of system frame 0 can form a PDCCH MO pair for PDCCH retransmission.

[0140] The method for determining the symbol of the first PDCCH MO, or the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO within the time slot, can be referred to the description at point B in the implementation, and will not be repeated here.

[0141] It is understandable that if there are multiple (first PDCCH MO or second PDCCH MO) start symbols in a time slot, that is, if there are multiple first PDCCH MOs and multiple second PDCCH MOs in a time slot, the multiple first PDCCH MOs and multiple second PDCCHs can be paired up respectively.

[0142] As an example: the configuration information also includes a field (or parameter) called `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot`, which indicates the starting symbol of the first or second PDCCH MO within a time slot. With `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` set to 10010000000000, the time slots of the first and second PDCCH MOs are as follows: Figure 11 As shown, taking the number of consecutive symbols indicated by CORESET as 2 as an example, refer to... Figure 12 The diagram showing the PDCCH MO distribution illustrates that the first PDCCH MO of symbols 0 and 1 in time slot 2 of system frame 0, and the first second PDCCH MO of symbols 0 and 1 in time slot 3 of system frame 0, can form a PDCCH MO pair for PDCCH repetition transmission; similarly, the first first PDCCH MO of symbols 0 and 1 in time slot 2 of system frame 0, and the first second PDCCH MO of symbols 3 and 4 in time slot 3 of system frame 0, can form a PDCCH MO pair for PDCCH repetition transmission; and the second first PDCCH MO of symbols 0 and 1 in time slot 7 of system frame 0, and the first second PDCCH MO of symbols 0 and 1 in time slot 8 of system frame 0, can form a PDCCH MO pair for PDCCH repetition transmission; and the second first PDCCH MO of symbols 3 and 4 in time slot 7 of system frame 0, and the second second PDCCH MO of symbols 3 and 4 in time slot 8 of system frame 0, can form a PDCCH MO pair for PDCCH repetition transmission. MO pairs are used for repeated PDCCH transmissions.

[0143] S302: The network device sends a first DCI on a first candidate PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO and a second DCI on a second candidate PDCCH in the second PDCCH MO. Correspondingly, the terminal device detects the first DCI in the first PDCCH MO and / or detects the second DCI in the second PDCCH MO. The information of the first DCI and the second DCI is the same.

[0144] In this embodiment of the application, the first search space set includes a first PDCCH MO and a second PDCCH MO. The network device can send the same DCI information in the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO to achieve PDCCH retransmission. That is, the DCI in the second PDCCH MO is a retransmission of the DCI in the first PDCCH MO, or in other words, the PDCCH in the second PDCCH MO is a retransmission of the PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO.

[0145] As an example: A network device can transmit a first DCI in a first PDCCH MO and a second DCI in a second PDCCH MO, with the information in the first and second DCIs being identical. A terminal device can detect the first DCI in the first PDCCH MO and the second DCI in the second PDCCH MO, and can perform joint decoding on the first and second DCIs, or select the DCI with higher corresponding channel quality (e.g., higher signal received power or higher signal-to-noise ratio) from the first and second DCIs for decoding, in order to more accurately obtain the load in the first and / or second DCIs.

[0146] In one possible implementation, when the network device transmits the first DCI in the first PDCCH MO and the second DCI in the second PDCCH MO, the first DCI and the second DCI can be transmitted in the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO that make up the PDCCH MO pair, respectively. This allows the terminal device to determine the time domain location of the second DCI in the second PDCCH MO based on the time domain location of the first PDCCH MO that detects the first DCI. The implementation of the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO forming the PDCCH MO pair can be referred to the description in Implementations A-D above, and will not be repeated here.

[0147] In some implementations, to ensure that the terminal device accurately obtains the information (such as the index) of the second candidate PDCCH for transmitting the second DCI in the second PDCCH MO, the index of the first candidate PDCCH for transmitting the first DCI in the first PDCCH MO can be the same as the index of the second candidate PDCCH for transmitting the second DCI in the second PDCCH MO. The index can also be replaced with a sequence number, serial number, etc.

[0148] Furthermore, the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO each include at least one candidate PDCCH, meaning the first search space set includes at least one candidate PDCCH from the first PDCCH MO and at least one candidate PDCCH from the second PDCCH MO. In the embodiments of this application, the indices corresponding to at least one candidate PDCCH and at least one candidate PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO, and the indices corresponding to at least one candidate PDCCH and at least one candidate PDCCH in the second PDCCH MO, can be determined according to the same strategy or method.

[0149] Taking the first PDCCH MO as an example, for at least one candidate PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO, it can be determined based on the PDCCH listening period, PDCCH listening offset, number of consecutively occurring time slots within a PDCCH listening period (i.e., the number of consecutively occurring time slots in the time slot where the first PDCCH MO is located within a PDCCH listening period), the starting symbol of the first PDCCH MO in a time slot, and the aggregation level and corresponding number of candidate PDCCHs corresponding to the first search space set indicated by the configuration information, as well as the configuration information of the CORESET associated with the first search space set. The configuration information of the CORESET includes a frequency domain resource indication field, frequencyDomainResources, which can be used to determine the frequency domain resource size of the CORESET. This field is usually a 45-bit bitmap, where each bit represents an RB group containing 6 RBs. The first bit (MSB / least significant bit, LSB) of this bitmap corresponds to the first RB group of the DL BWP where the CORESET is configured, the second bit corresponds to the second RB group of the DL BWP, and so on. A bit set to "1" indicates a frequency domain resource belonging to this CORESET. When no RB offset is configured (e.g., the RRC field rb-Offset), the index of the first RB group is a multiple of 6.

[0150] For example, the terminal device can determine the CCE index (i.e., the position of the starting CCE and the number of CCEs) of each candidate PDCCH within the CORESET based on the first PDCCH MO (i.e., the PDCCH listening period corresponding to the first PDCCH MO, the PDCCH listening offset, the number of consecutive time slots within a PDCCH listening period, the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO within a time slot, etc.) and the associated CORESET configuration information. The specific position of the starting CCE is determined through a search space function. The terminal device can determine the CCE position and index of each candidate PDCCH corresponding to an aggregation level using the following formula:

[0151]

[0152] in, This is the index of the candidate PDCCH with aggregation level L in the first PDCCH MO. The number of candidate PDCCHs with aggregation level L in the first PDCCH MO can be determined based on the RRC field nrofCandidates in the configuration information. The value of , The slot number where the first PDCCH MO exists. This indicates the offset corresponding to CCE. According to The CORESET index and protocol-predefined values ​​(e.g., D = 65537) determine n CI For the value of the carrier indication field, N CCE,p This represents the number of CCEs associated with the CORESET in the search space. For an explanation of the parameters in the above formula, please refer to 3GPP TS38.213v18.3.0.

[0153] After determining at least one candidate PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO and at least one candidate PDCCH in the second PDCCH MO, the network device can select candidate PDCCHs with the same index in the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO to send the same DCI information.

[0154] As an example: the first PDCCH MO includes candidate PDCCH with index 1, candidate PDCCH with index 2, ..., candidate PDCCH with index N, and the second PDCCH MO includes candidate PDCCH' with index 1, candidate PDCCH' with index 2, ..., candidate PDCCH' with index N. The network device can send the first DCI and the second DCI on candidate PDCCH and candidate PDCCH' with the same index, respectively. For example, the first DCI is sent on candidate PDCCH with index 1, and the second DCI is sent on candidate PDCCH' with index 1. The information of the first DCI and the second DCI is the same.

[0155] The above description uses the example of associating the first search space set with one CORESET, specifically the example of the first PDCCHMO and the second PDCCHMO being associated with the same CORESET. It is understandable that in some implementations, the first search space set can also be associated with multiple CORESETs, and the first PDCCHMO and the second PDCCHMO can be associated with different CORESETs to improve configuration flexibility.

[0156] As an example: the configuration information may also include a first CORESET index and a second CORESET index, the first CORESET index being used to indicate the first CORESET and the second CORESET index being used to indicate the second CORESET; the first PDCCHMO may be associated with the first CORESET and the second PDCCHMO may be associated with the CORESET.

[0157] It is understandable that the frequency domain resource size, number of consecutive symbols, and other information corresponding to the first and second CORESETs can be different.

[0158] Taking the first CORESET indicating 2 consecutive symbols and the second CORESET indicating 1 consecutive symbol as an example, refer to... Figure 13 The diagram shows the distribution of PDCCH MOs, where the first PDCCH MO is associated with the first CORESET, and the second PDCCH MO is associated with the second CORESET. The first PDCCH MO occupies two consecutive symbols, including the start symbol, within one time slot (e.g., Figure 13 Symbols 0 and 1 in the second PDCCH MO occupy one consecutive symbol (including the start symbol) within a time slot. Figure 13 Symbol 2 in the text.

[0159] Additionally, since CSS is configured in the PDCCH-ConfigCommon information cell in SIB1, an extended parameter `commonSearchSpaceListExt-r19` can be configured in PDCCH-ConfigCommon to configure the configuration parameters for the common search space set extension, such as the first search space set extension parameter mentioned above. If the network is configured with `commonSearchSpaceListExt-r19`, the number of entries and the order of the entries in this parameter are consistent with those in `commonSearchSpaceList`, as illustrated below. For example, the `commonSearchSpaceList` parameter in PDCCH-ConfigCommon in SIB1 configures four common search space sets, with the specific parameter format as follows:

[0160] commonSearchSpaceList SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..4))OF SearchSpace

[0161] searchSpaceSIB1 SearchSpaceId

[0162] searchSpaceOtherSystemInformation SearchSpaceId

[0163] pagingSearchSpace SearchSpaceId

[0164] ra-SearchSpace SearchSpaceId

[0165] The commonSearchSpaceList can be understood as containing four search space sets: searchSpaceSIB1 for PDCCH monitoring SIB1, searchSpaceOtherSystemInformation for PDCCH monitoring other system messages, pagingSearchSpace for PDCCH monitoring paging, and ra-SearchSpace for PDCCH monitoring random access responses. It is assumed that all four search space sets contain the RRC parameter monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot. A new configuration parameter, commonSearchSpaceListExt-r19, is introduced to extend the common search space sets, essentially expanding their functionality. The commonSearchSpaceListExt-r19 parameter in PDCCH-ConfigCommon also configures four common search space sets, in the same order and number as those in commonSearchSpaceList. This parameter, `commonSearchSpaceListExt-r19`, replaces the previously configured list, `commonSearchSpaceList`. For example, all entries in the list are replaced, and each SearchSpace entry is treated as a newly created entry. Therefore, the conditions and need codes applied when setting entries are reapplied, such as optional or conditional setup. The index (SearchSpaceId) of the searchspace collection contained in this field / parameter `commonSearchSpaceList-r19` must be a non-zero value, meaning it cannot be equal to 0. Specific parameters are as follows:

[0166]

[0167] This indicates that the CSS set configured in commonSearchSpaceList is extended. That is, for the same CSS, terminal devices that support processing / parsing this parameter (such as the new R19 terminal) can process / parse monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot and / or monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19, while legacy terminal devices do not support processing / parsing monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot-r19, and can only process monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot.

[0168] In another possible implementation, the newly introduced parameter can also take the following form:

[0169]

[0170] This indicates an extension to the CSS sets configured in `commonSearchSpaceList`. Specifically, for the same CSS, terminal devices that support this parameter (such as the new R19 terminal) can process / parse `monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset` and / or `monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset-r19`, while legacy terminal devices do not support `monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset-r19`, but can only process / parse `monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset`. The way new and legacy terminal devices process / parse `duration-r19` is similar, so it will not be elaborated further here.

[0171] In another possible implementation, the newly introduced parameter can also take the following form:

[0172] commonSearchSpaceList-r19 SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..4))OF SearchSpaceExt-v1900

[0173] SearchSpaceExt-v1900::=SEQUENCE{

[0174] controlResourceSetId-r19 ControlResourceSetId

[0175] }

[0176] This indicates that the CSS set configured in commonSearchSpaceList is extended. That is, for the same CSS, terminal devices that support this parameter (such as the new R19 terminal) can process / parse controlResourceSetId and / or controlResourceSetId-r19, while legacy terminal devices do not support processing / parse controlResourceSetId-r19, but can only process / parse controlResourceSetId.

[0177] The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below. Please refer to... Figure 14 , Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device may include units or modules corresponding to all or part of the steps in the above method embodiments, and may be used to execute the steps executed by the first communication device (such as a terminal device) or the second communication device (such as a network device) in the above embodiments. Please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments for details.

[0178] like Figure 14 As shown, the communication device 1400 includes a processing unit 1410 and an interface unit 1420, wherein the processing unit 1410 may be a processor or a processing circuit, and the interface unit 1420 may be a transceiver unit or an input / output interface. The communication device 1400 can be used to implement the steps performed by the first communication device in the above embodiments.

[0179] When the communication device 1400 is used to implement the steps performed by the first communication device (such as a terminal device) in the above embodiments:

[0180] Interface unit 1420 is used to receive configuration information, which is used to determine the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the first search space set. The first candidate PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO is used to carry the first DCI, and the second candidate PDCCH in the second PDCCH MO is used to carry the second DCI. The first candidate PDCCH and the second candidate PDCCH have the same index, and the information of the first DCI and the second DCI is the same.

[0181] Processing unit 1410 is used to determine the first PDCCH listening time MO and the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the first search space set according to the configuration information;

[0182] The interface unit 1420 is also used to detect the first DCI in the first PDCCH MO, and / or to detect the second DCI in the second PDCCH MO.

[0183] In one possible design, the configuration information includes a first field and a second field; wherein the first field is used to determine the first PDCCH MO; and the second field is used to determine the second PDCCH MO.

[0184] In one possible design, the first field indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO within a time slot; the second field indicates the start symbol of the second PDCCH MO within a time slot; wherein the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO reside in the same time slot.

[0185] In one possible design, the first PDCCH MO is in the first PDCCH listening slot set, and the second PDCCH MO is in the second PDCCH listening slot set, wherein the first PDCCH listening slot set and the second PDCCH listening slot set do not overlap; wherein, the first field indicates the first PDCCH listening period and the first PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the first PDCCH listening slot set, and the number of first slots located in the first PDCCH listening slot set within the first PDCCH listening slot set within the first PDCCH listening slot set; the second field indicates the second PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH slot offset corresponding to the second PDCCH listening slot set, and the number of second slots located in the second PDCCH listening slot set within the second PDCCH listening slot set within the second PDCCH listening slot set.

[0186] In one possible design, the first PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH listening period are the same, the number of the first time slot and the number of the second time slot are the same, and the first PDCCH listening offset and the second PDCCH listening offset are different.

[0187] In one possible design, the difference between the first PDCCH listening offset and the second PDCCH listening offset is greater than or equal to the number of first time slots.

[0188] In one possible design, the configuration information includes a third field, which is used to determine the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO.

[0189] In one possible design, the third field indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO within a time slot, wherein the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO reside in the same time slot.

[0190] In one possible design, the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are in the third PDCCH listening slot set. The third field indicates the third PDCCH listening period and the third PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the third PDCCH listening slot set, as well as the number of third slots in the third PDCCH listening slot set within the third PDCCH listening period.

[0191] In one possible design, the configuration information also includes a first control resource set index and a second control resource set index, wherein the first control resource set index is used to indicate the first control resource set and the second control resource set index is used to indicate the second control resource set; wherein the first PDCCH MO is associated with the first control resource set and the second PDCCH MO is associated with the second control resource set.

[0192] When the communication device 1400 is used to implement the steps performed by the second communication device (such as a network device) in the above embodiments:

[0193] Processing unit 1410 is used to determine configuration information, which is used to determine the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the first search space set;

[0194] Interface unit 1420 is used to send configuration information, and to send a first DCI on a first candidate PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO, and to send a second DCI on a second candidate PDCCH in the second PDCCH MO. The first candidate PDCCH and the second candidate PDCCH have the same index, and the information of the first DCI and the second DCI is the same.

[0195] In one possible design, the configuration information includes a first field and a second field; wherein the first field is used to determine the first PDCCH MO; and the second field is used to determine the second PDCCH MO.

[0196] In one possible design, the first field indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO within a time slot; the second field indicates the start symbol of the second PDCCH MO within a time slot; wherein the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO reside in the same time slot.

[0197] In one possible design, the first PDCCH MO is in the first PDCCH listening slot set, and the second PDCCH MO is in the second PDCCH listening slot set, wherein the first PDCCH listening slot set and the second PDCCH listening slot set do not overlap; wherein, the first field indicates the first PDCCH listening period and the first PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the first PDCCH listening slot set, and the number of first slots located in the first PDCCH listening slot set within the first PDCCH listening slot set within the first PDCCH listening slot set; the second field indicates the second PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH slot offset corresponding to the second PDCCH listening slot set, and the number of second slots located in the second PDCCH listening slot set within the second PDCCH listening slot set within the second PDCCH listening slot set.

[0198] In one possible design, the first PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH listening period are the same, the number of the first time slot and the number of the second time slot are the same, and the first PDCCH listening offset and the second PDCCH listening offset are different.

[0199] In one possible design, the difference between the first PDCCH listening offset and the second PDCCH listening offset is greater than or equal to the number of first time slots.

[0200] In one possible design, the configuration information includes a third field, which is used to determine the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO.

[0201] In one possible design, the third field indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO within a time slot, wherein the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO reside in the same time slot.

[0202] In one possible design, the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are in the third PDCCH listening slot set. The third field indicates the third PDCCH listening period and the third PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the third PDCCH listening slot set, as well as the number of third slots in the third PDCCH listening slot set within the third PDCCH listening period.

[0203] In one possible design, the configuration information also includes a first control resource set index and a second control resource set index, wherein the first control resource set index is used to indicate the first control resource set and the second control resource set index is used to indicate the second control resource set; wherein the first PDCCH MO is associated with the first control resource set and the second PDCCH MO is associated with the second control resource set.

[0204] like Figure 15As shown, this application also provides a communication device 1500, including a processor 1510 and potentially a communication interface 1520. The processor 1510 and the communication interface 1520 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the communication interface 1520 can be a transceiver, input / output interface, input interface, output interface, interface circuit, etc. Optionally, the communication device 1500 may further include a memory 1530 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1510, or storing input data required by the processor 1510 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1510 executes instructions. The memory 1530 can be a physically independent unit, or it can be coupled to the processor 1510, or the processor 1510 may include the memory 1530.

[0205] When the communication device 1500 is used to implement the steps executed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above embodiments, the processor 1510 can be used to implement the function of the processing unit 1410, and the communication interface 1520 can be used to implement the function of the interface unit 1420.

[0206] In this application embodiment, the processor (e.g., processor 1510) can be one or more central processing units (CPUs). If the processor is a CPU, it can be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU. The processor can also be one or a combination of several of the following: CPU, general-purpose processor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessor unit (MPU), microcontroller unit (MCU), graphics processing unit (GPU), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, artificial intelligence processor (AI processor), or neural processing unit (NPU). The processor can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this application embodiment. The steps of the methods disclosed in this application embodiment can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0207] In this embodiment, the memory (e.g., memory 1530) may include, but is not limited to, cache, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code having an instruction or data structure form and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in this embodiment may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions for storing computer programs or instructions, and / or data.

[0208] It is understood that the method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC can reside in a network device or a terminal device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can exist as discrete components in the network device or terminal device.

[0209] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one network device, terminal, computer, server, or data center to another network device, terminal, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0210] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0211] In the embodiments of this application, the term "exemplary" is used to indicate that it is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the term "exemplary" is intended to present the concept in a specific manner.

[0212] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive configuration information, which is used to determine the first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) listening time MO and the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the first search space set. The first candidate PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO is used to carry the first downlink control information (DCI), and the second candidate PDCCH in the second PDCCH MO is used to carry the second DCI. The first candidate PDCCH and the second candidate PDCCH have the same index, and the first DCI and the second DCI have the same information. The first DCI is detected in the first PDCCH MO, and / or the second DCI is detected in the second PDCCH MO.

2. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Send configuration information, which is used to determine the first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) listening time MO and the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the first search space set; A first downlink control information (DCI) is transmitted on a first candidate PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO, and a second DCI is transmitted on a second candidate PDCCH in the second PDCCH MO. The first candidate PDCCH and the second candidate PDCCH have the same index, and the first DCI and the second DCI have the same information.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The configuration information includes a first field and a second field; wherein... The first field is used to determine the first PDCCH MO; The second field is used to determine the second PDCCH MO.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first field indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO within a time slot; The second field indicates the start symbol of the second PDCCH MO within a time slot; The first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are located in the same time slot.

5. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first PDCCH MO is in the first PDCCH listening slot set, and the second PDCCH MO is in the second PDCCH listening slot set. The first PDCCH listening slot set and the second PDCCH listening slot set do not overlap. The first field indicates the first PDCCH listening period and the first PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the first PDCCH listening time slot set, as well as the number of first time slots located in the first PDCCH listening time slot set within the first PDCCH listening period; The second field indicates the second PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH time slot offset corresponding to the second PDCCH listening time slot set, as well as the number of second time slots located in the second PDCCH listening time slot set within the second PDCCH listening period.

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH listening period are the same, the number of the first time slots and the number of the second time slots are the same, and the first PDCCH listening offset and the second PDCCH listening offset are different.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The difference between the first PDCCH listening offset and the second PDCCH listening offset is greater than or equal to the number of the first time slots.

8. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The configuration information includes a third field, which is used to determine the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO.

9. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The third field indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO within a time slot, wherein the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are in the same time slot.

10. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are in the third PDCCH listening slot set. The third field indicates the third PDCCH listening period and the third PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the third PDCCH listening slot set, as well as the number of third slots in the third PDCCH listening slot set within the third PDCCH listening period.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The configuration information also includes a first control resource set index and a second control resource set index, wherein the first control resource set index is used to indicate the first control resource set and the second control resource set index is used to indicate the second control resource set. Wherein, the first PDCCH MO is associated with the first control resource set, and the second PDCCH MO is associated with the second control resource set.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes interface units and processing units; The interface unit is used to receive configuration information, which is used to determine the first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) listening time MO and the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the first search space set. The first candidate PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO is used to carry the first downlink control information (DCI), and the second candidate PDCCH in the second PDCCH MO is used to carry the second DCI. The first candidate PDCCH and the second candidate PDCCH have the same index, and the first DCI and the second DCI have the same information. The processing unit is configured to determine the first PDCCHMO and the second PDCCHMO corresponding to the first search space set based on the configuration information. The interface unit is further configured to detect the first DCI in the first PDCCH MO, and / or detect the second DCI in the second PDCCH MO.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes interface units and processing units; The processing unit is used to determine configuration information, which is used to determine the first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) listening time MO and the second PDCCH MO corresponding to the first search space set. The interface unit is used to send the configuration information; and to send a first downlink control information (DCI) on a first candidate PDCCH in the first PDCCH MO, and to send a second DCI on a second candidate PDCCH in the second PDCCH MO, wherein the first candidate PDCCH and the second candidate PDCCH have the same index, and the first DCI and the second DCI have the same information.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The configuration information includes a first field and a second field; wherein... The first field is used to determine the first PDCCH MO; The second field is used to determine the second PDCCH MO.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, The first field indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO within a time slot; The second field indicates the start symbol of the second PDCCH MO within a time slot; The first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are located in the same time slot.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, The first PDCCH MO is in the first PDCCH listening slot set, and the second PDCCH MO is in the second PDCCH listening slot set. The first PDCCH listening slot set and the second PDCCH listening slot set do not overlap. The first field indicates the first PDCCH listening period and the first PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the first PDCCH listening time slot set, as well as the number of first time slots located in the first PDCCH listening time slot set within the first PDCCH listening period; The second field indicates the second PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH time slot offset corresponding to the second PDCCH listening time slot set, as well as the number of second time slots located in the second PDCCH listening time slot set within the second PDCCH listening period.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, The first PDCCH listening period and the second PDCCH listening period are the same, the number of the first time slots and the number of the second time slots are the same, and the first PDCCH listening offset and the second PDCCH listening offset are different.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that, The difference between the first PDCCH listening offset and the second PDCCH listening offset is greater than or equal to the number of the first time slots.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The configuration information includes a third field, which is used to determine the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that, The third field indicates the start symbol of the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO within a time slot, wherein the first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are in the same time slot.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that, The first PDCCH MO and the second PDCCH MO are in the third PDCCH listening slot set. The third field indicates the third PDCCH listening period and the third PDCCH listening offset corresponding to the third PDCCH listening slot set, as well as the number of third slots in the third PDCCH listening slot set within the third PDCCH listening period.

22. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12-21, characterized in that, The configuration information also includes a first control resource set index and a second control resource set index, wherein the first control resource set index is used to indicate the first control resource set and the second control resource set index is used to indicate the second control resource set. Wherein, the first PDCCH MO is associated with the first control resource set, and the second PDCCH MO is associated with the second control resource set.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used for inputting and / or outputting signals, and the processor being used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-11 through logic circuits or executing instructions.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-11 to be implemented.

25. A chip system, characterized in that, The chip system includes a processor for coupling with a memory for storing computer programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-11.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-11 to be implemented.

Images