A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Taking the method executed by a 6G terminal as an example, the method includes: the 6G terminal configuring a first PDCCH candidate resource set and a second PDCCH candidate resource set according to configuration information from the access network equipment, wherein the second PDCCH candidate resource set intersects with 5G PDCCH resources, and selecting the PDCCH candidate resource set for monitoring PDCCH according to the instructions of the access network equipment. In this way, the access network equipment can schedule the 6G terminal to monitor PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set when it is not necessary to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal, and schedule the 6G terminal to monitor PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set when it is necessary to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal, which can improve resource utilization and avoid affecting the PDCCH scheduling of the 5G terminal.

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] The current standard defines spectrum sharing between the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system in 4th generation (4G) mobile communication systems and the New Radio (NR) system in 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems. Spectrum sharing allows the transmission of 4G and 5G data in the same frequency band through frequency division multiplexing (FDM) or time division multiplexing (TDM). Spectrum sharing enables smooth evolution between different communication standards, ensures the performance of 4G terminals, minimizes the impact on 4G terminals, and accelerates the deployment of 5G. For example, time division multiplexing can be used to transmit the 4G physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and the 5G PDCCH in different time domain resources.

[0003] However, the current standard has not yet defined a spectrum sharing scheme between 5G mobile communication systems and 6th generation (6G) mobile communication systems. How to perform 6G PDCCH scheduling has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to support 6G PDCCH scheduling, improve resource utilization, and enhance spectrum sharing efficiency.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which can be executed by a first terminal or by a module of the first terminal (e.g., a communication module, processor, circuit, chip, or chip system). The following description uses the execution of the method by the first terminal as an example. The method includes: receiving configuration information, the configuration information being used to configure a first PDCCH candidate resource set and a second PDCCH candidate resource set; receiving first information, the first information instructing monitoring of PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, or instructing monitoring of PDCCH in both the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets.

[0006] In a 5G-6G spectrum sharing scenario, the first terminal can be a 6G terminal, the second PDCCH candidate resource set can intersect with the 5G PDCCH resource, and the first PDCCH candidate resource set can not intersect with the 5G PDCCH resource. In this embodiment, "resource" can refer to time-frequency resources or time-frequency resource locations. Intersection between the second PDCCH candidate resource set and the 5G PDCCH resource can mean that the second PDCCH candidate resource set and the 5G PDCCH resource have overlapping or intersecting portions in the time-frequency domain. For example, intersection between the second PDCCH candidate resource set and the 5G PDCCH resource can mean that the second PDCCH candidate resource set and the 5G PDCCH resource have intersections in both the time and frequency domains. The absence of intersection between the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the 5G PDCCH resource can mean that the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the 5G PDCCH resource have no intersection or overlap in the time and frequency domains. For example, the absence of intersection between the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the 5G PDCCH resource can mean that the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the 5G PDCCH resource have no intersection in the frequency domain, or that the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the 5G PDCCH resource have no intersection in the time domain, or that the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the 5G PDCCH resource have no intersection in either the time domain or the frequency domain.

[0007] Using the above method, the access network device can send first information to the first terminal when it is not necessary to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal or when the resources required to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal are less than or equal to the resource threshold. This information instructs the device to monitor PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, or to monitor PDCCH in both the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets. In this way, without affecting 5G PDCCH scheduling, 5G PDCCH resources can be dynamically allocated to the first terminal, improving resource utilization and spectrum sharing efficiency. Furthermore, when the first information instructs monitoring PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the first PDCCH candidate resources can also be used for data channel transmission, further improving resource utilization and spectrum sharing efficiency.

[0008] In one possible design, the method further includes sending a second message indicating that the PDCCH should be monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0009] The above design enables access network devices to dynamically instruct the first terminal to monitor the PDCCH candidate resource set used by the PDCCH through signaling, which helps to improve resource utilization.

[0010] In one possible design, the configuration information is also used to configure a first timer; when the first information indicates that PDCCH is being monitored in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the first timer starts or restarts its timing. Optionally, during the timing of the first timer, PDCCH is monitored in the second PDCCH candidate resource set; after the first timer expires, PDCCH is monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0011] The above design allows access network devices to dynamically control whether the first terminal monitors the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set or the second PDCCH candidate resource set via a first timer. This helps align the understanding of the application's PDCCH candidate resource set between the access network devices and the first terminal, thereby improving the reliability of PDCCH transmission.

[0012] In one possible design, during the first timer's timing period, if a second message indicating that the PDCCH should be monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set is received, the first timer stops timing; and the PDCCH is monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0013] The above design allows access network devices to flexibly schedule the first terminal to monitor the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set or the second PDCCH candidate resource set, thus avoiding impacting the PDCCH scheduling of 5G.

[0014] In one possible design, the configuration information is also used to configure a second timer; when the first information indicates that PDCCH is being monitored in both the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets, the second timer starts or restarts its timing. Optionally, during the timing of the second timer, PDCCH is monitored in both the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets; after the second timer expires, PDCCH is monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0015] The above design allows access network devices to dynamically control whether the first terminal monitors the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set or the second PDCCH candidate resource set via a second timer. This helps align the understanding of the application's PDCCH candidate resource set between the access network devices and the first terminal, thereby improving the reliability of PDCCH transmission.

[0016] In one possible design, during the second timer's timing, if a second message instructing monitoring of the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set is received, the second timer stops timing; and the PDCCH is monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0017] The above design allows access network devices to flexibly schedule the first terminal to monitor the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set, or to monitor the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set, thus avoiding impacting the PDCCH scheduling of 5G.

[0018] In one possible design, the configuration information includes information about a first search space, which is used to indicate the starting symbol of a first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot and the starting symbol of a second PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot.

[0019] The above design allows for the configuration of the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set through a search space, which helps to save signaling overhead.

[0020] In one possible design, the configuration information includes information about a first search space, which indicates the starting symbol of a first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot and the offset of the starting symbol of a second PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot relative to the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot.

[0021] Optionally, the first search space is also used to indicate whether the start symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot is located before or after the start symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot.

[0022] The above design allows for the configuration of the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set through a search space, which helps to save signaling overhead.

[0023] In one possible design, the configuration information includes information about a first search space, which is used to indicate the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot; wherein, the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot is the first symbol within a time slot.

[0024] The above design allows for the configuration of the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set through a search space, which helps to save signaling overhead.

[0025] In one possible design, the configuration information includes information about a first search space and information about a second search space. The first search space is used to indicate the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot, and the second search space is used to indicate the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot.

[0026] The above design still allows for the configuration of a PDCCH candidate resource set through a search space, which is compatible with existing PDCCH candidate resource set configuration mechanisms.

[0027] In one possible design, the configuration information includes information about a first control resource set and information about a second control resource set; wherein the first control resource set is used to determine the frequency domain resources of a first PDCCH candidate resource set; and the second control resource set is used to determine the frequency domain resources of a second PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0028] The above design enables spectrum sharing between 5G and 6G through frequency division. For example, the frequency domain resources of the second PDCCH candidate resource set overlap with the frequency domain resources of the 5G PDCCH, while the frequency domain resources of the first PDCCH candidate resource set do not overlap with the frequency domain resources of the 5G PDCCH.

[0029] In one possible design, the time-frequency resources of the second PDCCH candidate resource set and the third PDCCH candidate resource set used for the second terminal to monitor the PDCCH overlap. The communication standards of the first terminal and the second terminal are different. For example, the first terminal is a 6G terminal and the second terminal is a 5G terminal, that is, the second PDCCH candidate resource set and the 5G PDCCH resources overlap.

[0030] The above design enables spectrum sharing between 5G and 6G, and the transmission of 6G PDCCH through 5G PDCCH resources is beneficial to improving resource utilization.

[0031] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which can be executed by an access network device or by a module of the access network device (e.g., a communication module, processor, circuit, chip, or chip system). The following description uses the execution of the method by an access network device as an example. The method includes: sending configuration information, which is used to configure a first PDCCH candidate resource set and a second PDCCH candidate resource set; and sending first information, which instructs monitoring of PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, or instructs monitoring of PDCCH in both the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets.

[0032] In one possible design, the method further includes sending a second message indicating that the PDCCH should be monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0033] In one possible design, the configuration information is also used to configure a first timer; when the first information indicates that a PDCCH is being monitored in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the first timer starts or restarts its timing. Optionally, during the timing of the first timer, a PDCCH is sent in the second PDCCH candidate resource set; after the first timer expires, a PDCCH is sent in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0034] In one possible design, during the first timer's timing period, if second information indicating monitoring of PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set is sent, the first timer stops timing; and the PDCCH is sent in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0035] In one possible design, the configuration information is also used to configure a second timer; when the first information indicates that PDCCH is being monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the second timer starts or restarts its timing. Optionally, during the timing of the second timer, PDCCH is transmitted in both the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets; after the second timer expires, PDCCH is transmitted in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0036] In one possible design, during the second timer's timing, if second information indicating monitoring of PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set is sent, the second timer stops timing; and the PDCCH is sent in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0037] In one possible design, the configuration information includes information about a first search space, which is used to indicate the starting symbol of a first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot and the starting symbol of a second PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot.

[0038] In one possible design, the configuration information includes information about a first search space, which indicates the starting symbol of a first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot and the offset of the starting symbol of a second PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot relative to the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot.

[0039] Optionally, the first search space is also used to indicate whether the start symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot is located before or after the start symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot.

[0040] In one possible design, the configuration information includes information about a first search space, which is used to indicate the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot; wherein, the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot is the first symbol within a time slot.

[0041] In one possible design, the configuration information includes information about a first search space and information about a second search space. The first search space is used to indicate the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot, and the second search space is used to indicate the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot.

[0042] In one possible design, the configuration information includes information about a first control resource set and information about a second control resource set; wherein the first control resource set is used to determine the frequency domain resources of a first PDCCH candidate resource set; and the second control resource set is used to determine the frequency domain resources of a second PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0043] In one possible design, the time-frequency resources of the second PDCCH candidate resource set and the third PDCCH candidate resource set used by the second terminal to monitor the PDCCH overlap, and the communication standards of the first terminal and the second terminal are different.

[0044] 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.

[0045] In one possible design, the device can be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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).

[0049] In one possible implementation, the communication device is a chip.

[0050] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes a first terminal and an access network device. The first terminal is used to implement the method described in the first aspect; the access network device is used to implement the method described in the second aspect.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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

[0055] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication network provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0056] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating 4G and 5G spectrum sharing is provided for embodiments of this application;

[0057] Figure 3 This is one of the schematic diagrams of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution of the PDCCH candidate resource set provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 8This is a schematic diagram of PDCCH monitoring provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 9 This is a second schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of cross-slot PDSCH mapping provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 11 and Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0063] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100, wherein the RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., Figure 1 110a and 110b, collectively referred to as 110, may also include at least one terminal (such as...). Figure 1 RAN100, denoted as RAN100, comprises RAN nodes 120a-120j, collectively referred to as RAN120. RAN100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image). Terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. Terminals and RAN nodes can be interconnected via wired or wireless means. Communication system 1000 may also include core network 200. RAN node 110 is connected to core network 200 via wireless or wired means. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be independent physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating the logical functions of core network equipment and RAN node. Communication system 1000 may also include Internet 300.

[0064] RAN100 can be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, an NR system, a 6th generation (6G) radio access system, or a future radio access system as defined in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). RAN100 can also include two or more of the above-mentioned different radio access systems. RAN100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN).

[0065] RAN nodes, also known as radio access network equipment, RAN entities, or access nodes, are used to help terminals access communication systems wirelessly. In one application scenario, an RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, or a base station in a future mobile communication system (such as a base station in a 6G mobile communication system). RAN nodes can also be macro base stations (such as...). Figure 1 110a in the text), can also be a micro base station or an indoor station (such as... Figure 1 110b in the middle can also be a relay node or a donor node.

[0066] In another application scenario, multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to help terminals achieve wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing different functions of the base station. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). Here, the CU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Resource Control (RRC) and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and can also perform the functions of the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP). The DU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Link Control (RANC) and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of these protocol layers, refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications. The RU can be used to implement radio frequency signal transmission and reception. The CU and DU can be two independent RAN nodes or integrated into the same RAN node, such as within a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU) or an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU can be further divided into two types of RAN nodes: CU-control plane and CU-user plane.

[0067] In different systems, RAN nodes may have different names. For example, in an O-RAN system, a CU can be called an open CU (O-CU), a DU can be called an open DU (O-DU), and an RU can be called an open RU (O-RU). The RAN nodes in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. For example, a RAN node can be a server loaded with the corresponding software modules. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the RAN nodes. For ease of description, a base station is used as an example of a RAN node in the following description.

[0068] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, capable of sending signals to or receiving signals from a base station. Terminals can also be called terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal.

[0069] Base stations and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base stations and terminals.

[0070] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative, for example, Figure 1The helicopter or drone 120i can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol; in this case, 120i is also a base station relative to 110a. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. Figure 1 The 110a and 110b in the text can be referred to as communication devices with base station functions. Figure 1 The 120a-120j in the text can be referred to as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0071] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0072] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the base station can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. This control subsystem, including base station functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal, or by a device that includes terminal functions.

[0073] In this application, the base station sends downlink signals or downlink information to the terminal, with the downlink information carried on the downlink channel; the terminal sends uplink signals or uplink information to the base station, with the uplink information carried on the uplink channel. To communicate with the base station, the terminal needs to establish a radio connection on a cell controlled by the base station. The cell with which the terminal has established a radio connection is called the terminal's serving cell. When the terminal communicates with this serving cell, it is also susceptible to interference from signals from neighboring cells.

[0074] In the embodiments of this application, the time-domain symbol can be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol or a discrete Fourier transform-spread-OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbol. Unless otherwise specified, the symbols in the embodiments of this application refer to time-domain symbols.

[0075] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, PDCCH and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) are only examples of downlink control channel and downlink data channel. In different systems and different scenarios, data channel and control channel may have different names, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0076] In the description of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. For example, "first terminal" and "second terminal" do not indicate a difference in priority or importance between the two terminals.

[0077] The communication systems and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0078] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, some terms used in this application are explained below.

[0079] 1) Spectrum sharing.

[0080] Spectrum sharing refers to allowing different radio access technologies (RATs) to share the same spectrum and dynamically allocating resources to users of different RATs. Here, resources can refer to time-frequency resources, time-domain resources, and frequency-domain resources; spectrum sharing can also be called dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS), multi-radio access technology spectrum sharing (MRSS), etc.

[0081] Taking 5G-6G spectrum sharing as an example, once the MRSS function is enabled on a carrier, both 5G and 6G terminals can access this carrier.

[0082] 2) PDCCH candidate resource configuration method.

[0083] In NR, candidate resources for PDCCHs are typically determined by two parameters: a control resource set (CORESET), which contains information such as the frequency domain resources occupied by the PDCCH and the number of consecutive symbols occupied in the time domain; and a search space set (SS set), which mainly includes information such as the PDCCH monitoring period, PDCCH monitoring offset, the number of time slots in which a candidate PDCCH appears consecutively within the PDCCH monitoring period, the starting symbol occupied by a candidate PDCCH in a time slot, and may also include the aggregation level (AL) of the PDCCH candidate, the number of PDCCH candidates at each aggregation level, and information about the CORESET associated with the SS set. In NR, each SS set can only be associated with one CORESET, while one CORESET can correspond to multiple different SS sets.

[0084] The PDCCH candidate resource set can be determined by using the SS set and a CORESET associated with the SS set. The PDCCH candidate resource set may include at least one PDCCH candidate resource. In this application, the PDCCH candidate resource can also be referred to as a candidate PDCCH, and the PDCCH candidate resource set is also referred to as a candidate PDCCH set.

[0085] It's understandable that CORESET can also be understood as control resource or control channel resource. Similarly, the search space set can be understood as the search space itself; for example, in NR, the physical layer is described as the search space set (SS set), while higher-layer parameters are the search space (e.g., radio resource control parameters are called searchspace).

[0086] 3) Sending messages.

[0087] 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.

[0088] In the early stages of 5G (also known as NR) network construction, on the one hand, operators wanted to quickly introduce 5G networks, while on the other hand, the overall penetration rate of 5G terminals was relatively low, and the growth rate of 5G traffic was inconsistent in different regions. This brought great planning difficulties to the refarming of 4G (also known as LTE) frequency bands for 5G, affecting the progress of 5G network construction.

[0089] See Figure 2 The diagram illustrates 4G and 5G spectrum sharing, which is why the standard introduces spectrum sharing between 4G and 5G. Spectrum sharing allows for the transmission of both 4G and 5G data on the same frequency band through frequency division multiplexing or time division multiplexing. Spectrum sharing enables smooth evolution between different standards, ensures the performance of 4G terminals, minimizes the impact on 4G terminals, and accelerates the pace of 5G deployment.

[0090] Taking a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 15 kHz as an example, the duration of a subframe in 4G is equal to the duration of a slot in 5G, which is 1 ms, when the SCS is 15 kHz. In 4G-5G spectrum sharing, to avoid affecting the performance of the terminal's PDCCH and to avoid the 4G common reference signal (CRS), 5G PDCCH resources are generally located in the third symbol of a 4G subframe (also called an LTE subframe), with the first two symbols reserved for 4G terminals. This leads to a reduction in the 5G control channel capacity. Furthermore, since the first three symbols of a slot cannot be used for PDSCH transmission in 5G, the resources available for PDSCH within a slot are reduced to a maximum of 11 symbols. This results in a reduction in 5G PDCCH capacity (or available resources) and PDSCH capacity, thus reducing the performance of 5G terminals in spectrum sharing.

[0091] For 6G, if the 6G PDCCH and 5G PDCCH also use time-division multiplexing for spectrum sharing, for example, if the 5G PDCCH resources are located in the first two symbols of a time slot and the 6G PDCCH resources are located in the third symbol of a time slot, there will be problems such as reduced channel capacity of 6G PDCCH and 5G PDCCH, and lower capacity of 6G PDSCH.

[0092] Using frequency division multiplexing for spectrum sharing between 6G and 5G PDCCH is considered a possible solution. In this way, both 6G and 5G PDCCH only occupy the first two symbols of a time slot, which will not consume too many resources and reduce the available resources of PDSCH.

[0093] However, with the increasing number of 5G service terminals, the capacity of 5G PDCCH is already insufficient. Allocating resources for 6G PDCCH transmission would exacerbate the capacity shortage problem for both 5G and 6G PDCCH. Additionally, there are scenarios where limited frequency domain bandwidth may prevent the effective allocation of 5G and 6G PDCCH through frequency division.

[0094] Based on this, this application provides a communication method and apparatus, aiming to fully utilize resources and improve resource sharing efficiency by dynamically sharing PDCCH resources between 5G and 6G without affecting 5G terminals. The embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0095] The communication method provided in this application can be executed by a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device can refer to the first terminal itself, or a component of the first terminal (e.g., a processor, module, chip, or chip system), or a device used in conjunction with the first terminal. The second communication device can refer to an access network device (e.g., a base station), or a component of the access network device (e.g., a processor, module, chip, chip system, scheduler), or a device used in conjunction with the access network device. The following description uses the first communication device and the second communication device as an example, representing the first terminal and the access network device respectively, to illustrate the communication method provided in this application.

[0096] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. The method includes:

[0097] S301: The access network device sends configuration information, and correspondingly, the first terminal receives the configuration information. The configuration information is used to configure the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0098] In this embodiment, "resource" can refer to time-frequency resources or time-frequency resource locations, and "PDCCH candidate resources" (such as first PDCCH candidate resources or second PDCCH candidate resources) can refer to time-frequency resources or time-frequency resource locations that can be used for PDCCH monitoring. PDCCH candidate resources can also be called candidate PDCCHs, etc. A PDCCH candidate resource set can be understood as a collection of PDCCH candidate resources; for example, a first PDCCH candidate resource set can be understood as a collection of first PDCCH candidate resources, and the first PDCCH candidate resource set may include at least one first PDCCH candidate resource.

[0099] In one possible implementation, the PDCCH candidate resource set (such as the first PDCCH candidate resource set or the second PDCCH candidate resource set) can be determined based on the search space corresponding to the PDCCH candidate resource set and the CORESET associated with the search space.

[0100] As an example, the search space can include fields or information elements such as monitoring slot period and offset (monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset), duration, symbols within a monitoring slot (monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot), and control resource set identifier (controlResourceSetId). Specifically, monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset indicates the PDCCH monitoring period (K) and PDCCH monitoring offset (O); duration indicates the number of consecutively occurring PDCCH slots within a PDCCH monitoring period (T); monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot indicates the starting symbol of the PDCCH candidate resource set within a slot; and controlResourceSetId can indicate the index of the CORESET associated with this search space. In this example, the PDCCH candidate resource set can also be replaced with the PDCCH monitoring occasion (MO), where PDCCH MO can be understood as the time-domain resource set corresponding to the PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0101] CORESET can contain fields or cells such as frequency domain resources and duration. frequency domain resources are used to indicate the frequency domain resources occupied by the PDCCH candidate resource set, and duration indicates the number of consecutive symbols, usually ranging from 1 to 3, that is, the number of consecutive symbols occupied by the PDCCH candidate resource set starting from the first symbol of the PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0102] The above is merely a possible example of search space and CORESET. This application does not limit the content or form of the content included in search space and CORESET.

[0103] The first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets can be determined through the same search space and a CORESET associated with that search space; they can also be determined through two search spaces and the same CORESET associated with those two search spaces; they can also be determined through a search space and two CORESETs associated with that search space; and of course, they can also be determined through two search spaces and CORESETs associated with each of those two search spaces, and so on. In other words, the configuration information sent by the access network device to the first terminal may include information about at least one search space and / or at least one CORESET used to determine the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets. The information about at least one search space and / or at least one CORESET can be sent to the first terminal through a single message (or signaling) or through multiple messages; this application does not limit this, and the following description uses different implementation examples.

[0104] Implementation A: The first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set are determined through a first search space and a CORESET associated with the first search space. The first search space indicates the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot, and the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot.

[0105] Unlike the current NR where a search space indicates only the start symbol of one PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot, in this embodiment, a search space can indicate the start symbols of multiple PDCCH candidate resource sets within a time slot. For example, it can indicate the start symbol of a first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot and the start symbol of a second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot. Thus, after receiving configuration information including the first search space, the first terminal can determine the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets based on the first search space and a CORESET associated with it. Regarding the CORESET, the access network device can send the CORESET information to the first terminal through the aforementioned configuration information, or it can send the CORESET information to the first terminal through other information or messages; this application does not limit this.

[0106] The following example illustrates a first search space containing the fields `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` and `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot'`, where the number of consecutive symbols indicated by the associated `CORESET` is 2, and both `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` and `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot'` are 14-bit strings. (Refer to...) Figure 4 The diagram shows the distribution of PDCCH candidate resource sets. The value of `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` is 00100000000000, indicating that the first PDCCH candidate resource set starts with symbol 2 within a time slot. The value of `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot'` is 10000000000000, indicating that the second PDCCH candidate resource set starts with symbol 0 within a time slot. Based on `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot`, `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot'`, and the number of consecutive symbols (2) indicated by `CORESET` associated with the first search space, the first terminal determines that the first PDCCH candidate resource set occupies symbols 2 and 3 within a time slot, and the second PDCCH candidate resource set occupies symbols 0 and 1 within the same time slot.

[0107] The time slots where the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set are located can be determined based on information such as the PDCCH monitoring period and PDCCH monitoring offset corresponding to the first search space.

[0108] As an example: In addition to the monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot and monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot mentioned above, the first search space may also include the fields monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset and duration. monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset can indicate the PDCCH monitoring period (K) and PDCCH monitoring offset (O), and duration is used to indicate the number of time slots (T) in which the PDCCH candidate resource set (such as the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set) appears consecutively.

[0109] Taking K=5, O=2, T=1 as an example, refer to Figure 5The diagram showing the distribution of PDCCH candidate resources illustrates that the time slots where the PDCCH candidate resource sets (including the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets) are located are: time slot 2 of system frame 0 (corresponding to the first PDCCH monitoring period), time slot 7 of system frame 0 (corresponding to the second PDCCH monitoring period), time slot 2 of system frame 1 (corresponding to the third PDCCH monitoring period), time slot 7 of system frame 1 (corresponding to the fourth PDCCH monitoring period), and so on. (Combined with the above...) Figure 4 The symbols occupied by the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets in a time slot are shown. It can be seen that in the first PDCCH monitoring period, the first PDCCH candidate resource set occupies symbols 2 and 3 in time slot 2 of system frame 0, and the second PDCCH candidate resource set occupies symbols 0 and 1 in time slot 2 of system frame 0. Similarly, in the second PDCCH monitoring period, the first PDCCH candidate resource set occupies symbols 2 and 3 in time slot 7 of system frame 0, and the second PDCCH candidate resource set occupies symbols 0 and 1 in time slot 7 of system frame 0.

[0110] The frequency domain resources occupied by the first PDCCH candidate resource set or the second PDCCH candidate resource set can be determined based on the frequency domain resources indicated by the CORESET associated with the first search space.

[0111] As an example: CORESET includes the frequencyDomainResources field, which defines the frequency domain resource size of CORESET, typically 45 bits. Each bit represents 6 physical resource blocks (PRBs), starting from PRB0. The highest bit represents the lowest frequency in the downlink bandwidth part (BWP) of the first terminal application. The PRB indexes are in ascending order from bottom to top. Bits belonging to CORESET should be set to 1. The PRB corresponding to the bit set to 1 is the frequency domain resource occupied by the first PDCCH candidate resource set or the second PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0112] In this way, the first PDCCH candidate resource set or the second PDCCH candidate resource set can be determined through the first search space and the CORESET associated with the first search space.

[0113] It is understandable that the above Figure 4Taking slot-based monitoring of PDCCH as an example, this means that there is one start symbol for a first PDCCH candidate resource set or one start symbol for a second PDCCH candidate resource set within a slot. In some embodiments, mini-slot-based monitoring of PDCCH can also be performed, meaning that there are multiple start symbols for first PDCCH candidate resource sets or multiple start symbols for second PDCCH candidate resource sets within a slot.

[0114] Reference Figure 6 The diagram showing the distribution of PDCCH candidate resource sets illustrates that the first search space includes the fields `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` and `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot'`. The value of `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` is 00100010000000, indicating that the starting symbols of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot are symbols 2 and 6. The value of `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot'` is 10001000000000, indicating that the starting symbols of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot are symbols 0 and 4. The first terminal can determine, based on `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot`, `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot'`, and the number of consecutive symbols (2) indicated by `CORESET` associated with the first search space, that the first PDCCH candidate resource set occupies symbols 2 and 3, and symbols 6 and 7 within a time slot, while the second PDCCH candidate resource set occupies symbols 0 and 1, and symbols 4 and 5 within the same time slot.

[0115] Implementation B: The first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set are determined through a first search space and a CORESET associated with the first search space. The first search space indicates the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot, and the offset of the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot relative to the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot.

[0116] Unlike the current NR standard, where a search space only indicates the start symbol of a PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot, in this embodiment, a search space can indicate not only the start symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot, but also the offset of the start symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot relative to the start symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot. Thus, after receiving configuration information including the first search space, the first terminal can determine the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets based on the first search space and a CORESET associated with it. Regarding the CORESET, the access network device can send the CORESET information to the first terminal through the aforementioned configuration information, or it can send the CORESET information to the first terminal through other information or messages; this application does not limit this.

[0117] The following example uses the fields `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` and `offset` in the first search space. `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` has a value of 00100000000000, indicating that the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot is symbol 2. `offset` has a value of -2, indicating that the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource within a time slot is shifted forward by 2 symbols relative to the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource within a time slot, which is symbol 0. Based on `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot`, `offset`, and the number of consecutive symbols (2) indicated by `CORESET` associated with the first search space, the first terminal can determine that the first PDCCH candidate resource occupies symbols 2 and 3 within a time slot, and the second PDCCH candidate resource occupies symbols 0 and 1 within the same time slot.

[0118] It is understandable that the offset (as mentioned above) of the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot relative to the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot can be a positive integer or a negative integer. A negative integer can indicate the number of symbols shifted forward relative to the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot, while a positive integer can indicate the number of symbols shifted backward relative to the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot.

[0119] In addition, the offset (as mentioned above) of the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot relative to the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot can be a positive integer or an absolute value. The first search space can also indicate whether the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot is before or after the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot, thereby indicating the direction of the offset.

[0120] In some embodiments, the first search space may not indicate the offset of the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot relative to the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot. This offset can be pre-configured or pre-defined through protocols, for example, the offset of the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot relative to the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot can be fixed at n, where n can be the number of consecutive symbols indicated by the CORESET associated with the first search space. The starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot can be determined according to f2 = f1 - n, where f2 represents the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot and f1 represents the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot. This allows for better compatibility with existing methods of configuring PDCCH candidate resource sets through search spaces.

[0121] The time slots containing the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets can be determined based on information such as the PDCCH monitoring period and PDCCH monitoring offset corresponding to the first search space. The frequency domain resources occupied by the first or second PDCCH candidate resource set can be determined based on the frequency domain resources indicated by the CORESET associated with the first search space. Specific implementation details can refer to Implementation A above and will not be elaborated further.

[0122] Implementation C: The first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set are determined through a first search space and a CORESET associated with the first search space. The first search space indicates the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot, and the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot is the first symbol within that time slot (e.g., symbol 0).

[0123] In implementation C, the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot can be defined or configured as the first symbol within that time slot through protocol predefinition, access network device preconfiguration, etc. Apart from the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot, for information such as the PDCCH monitoring period, the second and first PDCCH candidate resource sets can reuse the configuration of the first search space and a CORESET associated with the first search space, all determined through the first search space and a CORESET associated with the first search space.

[0124] As an example: The first search space includes the field `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot`, with a value of 00100000000000, indicating that the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource within a time slot is symbol 2. Based on `monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot` and the number of consecutive symbols (2) indicated by `CORESET` associated with the first search space, the first terminal can determine that the first PDCCH candidate resource set occupies symbols 2 and 3 within a time slot. Furthermore, based on predefined or pre-configured protocols, the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot is the first symbol within that time slot, and the number of consecutive symbols (2) indicated by `CORESET` associated with the first search space, the second PDCCH candidate resource set occupies symbols 0 and 1 within the same time slot.

[0125] The time slots containing the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets can be determined based on information such as the PDCCH monitoring period and PDCCH monitoring offset corresponding to the first search space. The frequency domain resources occupied by the first or second PDCCH candidate resource set can be determined based on the frequency domain resources indicated by the CORESET associated with the first search space. Specific implementation details can refer to Implementation A above and will not be elaborated further.

[0126] Implementation D: The first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set are determined through a first search space and a second search space, as well as the same CORESET associated with the first search space and the second search space. The first search space indicates the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot, and the second search space indicates the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot.

[0127] In implementation D, the configuration information sent by the access network device to the first terminal may include information from a first search space and information from a second search space. The first and second search spaces can respectively indicate the start symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot and the start symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot. Such a search space is used to configure a PDCCH candidate resource set, which is more compatible with existing methods of configuring PDCCH candidate resource sets using search spaces.

[0128] The implementation of how to determine the first PDCCH candidate resource set or the second PDCCH candidate resource set can be referred to the implementation of determining the first PDCCH candidate resource set based on the first search space and the CORESET associated with the first search space in the above implementation A, and will not be repeated here.

[0129] Implementation E: The first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set can be determined by the first search space and the first CORESET and the second CORESET. The first CORESET is used to determine the frequency domain resources of the first PDCCH candidate resource set; the second CORESET is used to determine the frequency domain resources of the second PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0130] In implementation E, the configuration information sent by the access network device to the first terminal may include information about the first CORESET and information about the first search space. The first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set may both correspond to the first search space, but they correspond to the first CORESET and the second CORESET, respectively. That is, the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set correspond to the same time-domain resources, but different frequency-domain resources.

[0131] As an example: The first search space includes the field monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot. The first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set can both determine the starting symbol in a time slot based on monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot in the first search space. That is, the starting symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot and the starting symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot can be the same. The time slots where the first PDCCH candidate resource and the second PDCCH candidate resource are located can also be determined based on the PDCCH monitoring period, PDCCH monitoring offset and other information corresponding to the first search space. The specific implementation can be referred to the introduction in Implementation A above and will not be repeated here.

[0132] The frequency domain resources occupied by the first PDCCH candidate resource set can be determined based on the first CORESET, and the frequency domain resources occupied by the second PDCCH candidate resource set can be determined based on the second CORESET. (Refer to...) Figure 7 The diagram showing the distribution of PDCCH candidate resource sets illustrates that, taking the symbols occupied by the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set in one time slot as symbol 0 and symbol 1, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first PDCCH candidate resource set are the shaded areas corresponding to the first CORESET (i.e., CORESET#1), and the frequency domain resources occupied by the second PDCCH candidate resource set are the shaded areas corresponding to the second CORESET (i.e., CORESET#2).

[0133] It should be noted that the above implementations A-E are merely examples of configuring the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set. This application does not limit the way the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set are configured.

[0134] S302: The access network device sends first information to the first terminal, and the first terminal receives the first information accordingly. The first information indicates that PDCCHs should be monitored in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, or indicates that PDCCHs should be monitored in both the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets.

[0135] In this embodiment of the application, the access network device can enable the sharing of PDCCH resources between different communication standards by configuring a first PDCCH candidate resource set and a second PDCCH candidate resource set for the first terminal, and indicating the PDCCH candidate resource set used by the first terminal.

[0136] Taking a first terminal corresponding to a first communication standard, namely 6G, and sharing PDCCH resources between 5G and 6G as an example, the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set can satisfy the following conditions: the first PDCCH candidate resource set has no intersection with the 5G PDCCH resources, while the second PDCCH candidate resource set has an intersection with the 5G PDCCH resources. In this way, the access network equipment can, under conditions such as not needing to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal or the resources required to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal being less than or equal to the resource threshold, instruct the first terminal to monitor PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set through the first information, or monitor PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set. This allows the 6G first terminal to dynamically use 5G PDCCH resources, thereby improving resource utilization and spectrum sharing efficiency.

[0137] In this context, 5G PDCCH resources can refer to resources that can be used to send PDCCH to 5G terminals. These could include resources defined or pre-configured for protocols, or sets of PDCCH candidate resources scheduled for 5G terminals to monitor PDCCH. For example, if the second terminal is a 5G terminal, and the PDCCH candidate resource set scheduled for monitoring PDCCH on the second terminal is the third PDCCH candidate resource set, the intersection between the second and third PDCCH candidate resource sets could mean that their time-frequency resources overlap.

[0138] Taking the example of a first terminal dynamically monitoring the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set or the second PDCCH candidate resource set according to the instructions of the access network equipment.

[0139] In one possible implementation, the access network device can dynamically instruct the first terminal to monitor the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set or the second PDCCH candidate resource set via information (or signaling).

[0140] Taking the first terminal as a 6G terminal, and the second PDCCH candidate resource set overlapping with the 5G PDCCH resources as an example, the access network device can send first information to the first terminal, instructing the first terminal to monitor the PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, or send second information to the first terminal, instructing the first terminal to monitor the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set. The first terminal can determine the PDCCH candidate resource set for monitoring the PDCCH based on the first or second information from the access network device. The first information (or second information) can be sent via signaling such as the MAC control element (CE), downlink control information (DCI), or system information block (SIB).

[0141] As an example: Reference Figure 8The illustrated PDCCH monitoring diagram shows that the access network device is a 5G-6G supported access network device (e.g., the access network device has a 5G-6G shared scheduler), or a 6G access network device but has a communication connection with a 5G access network device. It can obtain the PDCCH scheduling information for the 5G terminal (e.g., the access network device does not have a 5G scheduler, but the 5G scheduler is connected to the 6G scheduler of the access network device, and the communication latency is low). When the access network device does not need to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal, or when the resources required to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal are less than or equal to the resource threshold, it can send a first message to the first terminal instructing the first terminal to monitor PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set. After receiving the first message, the first terminal monitors PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set. After sending the first message to the first terminal, if there is a PDCCH that needs to be sent to the first terminal, the access network device can send the PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set. Subsequently, if there are situations where it is necessary to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal or the resources required to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal exceed the resource threshold, the access network device can send a second message to the first terminal to instruct the first terminal to monitor PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set. After receiving the second message, the first terminal monitors PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set. After sending the second message to the first terminal, if there is a PDCCH that needs to be sent to the first terminal, the access network device can send PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0142] It is understood that the first information can instruct the monitoring of PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set by indicating the start symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot, the search space corresponding to the second PDCCH candidate resource set, or the CORESET corresponding to the second PDCCH candidate resource set; similarly, the second information can instruct the monitoring of PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set by indicating the start symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot, the search space corresponding to the first PDCCH candidate resource set, or the CORESET corresponding to the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0143] As an example: For the above implementation AD, the first information may carry the information of the start symbol (such as symbol 0) of the second PDCCH candidate resource set in a time slot, instructing the first terminal to monitor the PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set; for the above implementation D, the first information may carry the index of the search space (such as the second search space) corresponding to the second PDCCH candidate resource set, instructing the first terminal to monitor the PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set; for the above implementation E, the first information may carry the index of the CORESET (such as the second CORESET) corresponding to the second PDCCH candidate resource set, instructing the first terminal to monitor the PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0144] In another possible implementation, the first terminal can monitor the PDCCH by default in the first PDCCH candidate resource set, and the access network device can dynamically instruct the first terminal device to monitor the PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0145] Taking the first terminal as a 6G terminal, and the second PDCCH candidate resource set overlapping with the 5G PDCCH resources as an example, the first terminal monitors the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set by default. When the first terminal receives the first information from the access network device indicating to monitor the PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the first timer starts or restarts. Similarly, after the access network device sends the first information, it can also start or restart the first timer. During the first timer's duration (or before the first timer expires, expires, or is active), the first terminal monitors the PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set. If there is a PDCCH that needs to be sent to the first terminal, the access network device sends the PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set. After the first timer expires (or expires), the first terminal resumes monitoring the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set. Similarly, after the first timer expires, if there is a PDCCH that needs to be sent to the first terminal, the access network device sends the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0146] The first timer can be configured through configuration information sent from the access network device to the first terminal, such as carrying the timing duration of the first timer in the configuration information. Alternatively, the first timer can be predefined or preconfigured by the protocol, such as predefining the timing duration of the first timer. This application does not limit the configuration method of the first timer.

[0147] In some embodiments, during the first timer's timing period, if the first terminal receives second information from the access network device instructing the first PDCCH candidate resource set to monitor the PDCCH, the first terminal can stop the first timer and resume monitoring the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set to avoid affecting the 5G PDCCH transmission.

[0148] Additionally, it is understandable that during the period when the first terminal is monitoring the PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the first PDCCH candidate resource set is not used for PDCCH transmission. The access network equipment and the first terminal can use the first PDCCH candidate resources for the transmission of channels or signals such as PDSCH to improve spectrum utilization.

[0149] The following example illustrates how a first terminal dynamically monitors the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set or in the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets, according to the instructions of the access network equipment.

[0150] Taking the first terminal as a 6G terminal, and the second PDCCH candidate resource set overlapping with the 5G PDCCH resources as an example, the access network device can send a first message to the first terminal, instructing the first terminal to monitor the PDCCH in the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets, or send a second message to the first terminal, instructing the first terminal to monitor the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set. The first terminal can determine the PDCCH candidate resource set for monitoring the PDCCH based on the first or second message from the access network device. The first message (or second message) can be sent via MAC CE, DCI, or SIB1 signaling.

[0151] As an example: If the access network device is a 5G-6G supported access network device, or a 6G access network device but has a communication connection with a 5G access network device, it can obtain the PDCCH scheduling information for the 5G terminal. When the access network device does not need to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal, or the resources required to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal are less than or equal to the resource threshold, it can send a first message to the first terminal instructing the first terminal to monitor PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set. After receiving the first message, the first terminal monitors PDCCH in both the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets. After sending the first message to the first terminal, if there is a PDCCH that needs to be sent to the first terminal, the access network device can send the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set and / or the second PDCCH candidate resource set. Subsequently, if there are situations where it is necessary to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal or the resources required to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal exceed the resource threshold, the access network device can send a second message to the first terminal to instruct the first terminal to monitor PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set. After receiving the second message, the first terminal monitors PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set. After sending the second message to the first terminal, if there is a PDCCH that needs to be sent to the first terminal, the access network device can send PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0152] It is understood that the first information can instruct the monitoring of PDCCH in the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets by indicating the start symbol of the second PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot, the search space corresponding to the second PDCCH candidate resource set, or the CORESET corresponding to the second PDCCH candidate resource set; similarly, the second information can instruct the monitoring of PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set by indicating the start symbol of the first PDCCH candidate resource set within a time slot, the search space corresponding to the first PDCCH candidate resource set, or the CORESET corresponding to the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0153] In another possible implementation, the first terminal can monitor the PDCCH by default in the first PDCCH candidate resource set, and the access network device can dynamically instruct the first terminal device to monitor the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0154] Taking the first terminal as a 6G terminal and the second PDCCH candidate resource set overlapping with the 5G PDCCH resource set as an example, the first terminal monitors the PDCCH by default in the first PDCCH candidate resource set. When the first terminal receives the first information from the access network device indicating that it should monitor the PDCCH in the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets, the second timer starts or restarts. Similarly, after the access network device sends the first information, it can also start or restart the second timer on the access network device side. During the second timer's countdown period (or before the second timer expires, expires, or is active), the first terminal monitors the PDCCH in the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets. If there is a PDCCH that needs to be sent to the first terminal, the access network device sends the PDCCH in the first and / or second PDCCH candidate resource sets. After the second timer expires (or fails), the first terminal resumes monitoring the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set. Similarly, after the second timer expires, if there is a PDCCH that needs to be sent to the first terminal, the access network device sends the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0155] The second timer can be configured through configuration information sent from the access network device to the first terminal, such as carrying the timing duration of the second timer in the configuration information. Alternatively, the second timer can be predefined or preconfigured by the protocol, such as predefining the timing duration of the second timer. This application does not limit the configuration method of the second timer.

[0156] In some embodiments, during the second timer's timing, if the first terminal receives an instruction from the access network device to monitor the second information of the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set, the first terminal can stop the second timer and resume monitoring the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set to avoid affecting the 5G PDCCH transmission.

[0157] The above method can support the transmission of 6G terminal PDCCH using 5G PDCCH resources, which is beneficial to improving resource utilization.

[0158] In some embodiments, if the 5G and 6G PDCCHs share spectrum using time-division multiplexing, the access network equipment can also dynamically instruct the 6G terminal to transmit PDSCH across time slots to improve resource utilization. Taking a 6G terminal as the first terminal as an example, Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method includes:

[0159] S901: The access network device sends third information to the first terminal, and the first terminal receives the third information accordingly. The third information indicates the activation of cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping.

[0160] The maximum number of symbols N for cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping can be determined based on the number of consecutive symbols indicated by the 5G CORESET; alternatively, it can be configured by the access network device. For example, the access network device can also send configuration information to the first terminal, indicating the maximum number of symbols N for cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping. N can be 1, 2, or 3, etc.

[0161] In some embodiments, before sending the third information to the first terminal, the access network device may also determine whether the first terminal supports cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping. Whether the first terminal supports cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping can be determined by the access network device based on the capability information reported by the first terminal, or by obtaining the first terminal's subscription data through a unified data management (UDM) network element and determining whether the first terminal supports cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping based on the information recorded in the subscription data. This application does not limit the method by which the access network device determines whether the first terminal supports cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping.

[0162] As an example: After establishing a connection with the access network device, the first terminal can send capability information to the access network device. This capability information includes whether it supports cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping. Upon receiving the capability information from the first terminal, if the access network device includes information supporting cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping, it can determine that the first terminal supports cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping. In cases where it is not necessary to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal, or the resources required to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal are less than or equal to a resource threshold, the access network device can send third information to the first terminal to activate cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping.

[0163] In one possible implementation, if the third information does not indicate the number of symbols mapped across time slots in the PDSCH, the first terminal may default the number of symbols X mapped across time slots to the maximum number of symbols N mapped across time slots in the PDSCH. If the third information indicates the number of symbols X mapped across time slots in the PDSCH, the first terminal may determine the number of symbols mapped across time slots in the PDSCH to be X, where X is an integer less than or equal to N.

[0164] The third information can be sent through signaling such as MAC CE, DCI, and SIB. For example, when the third information is sent through DCI, the number of symbols X mapped across time slots of PDSCH can be indicated by the time domain resource assignment (TDRA) field in DCI.

[0165] It is understandable that when the third information is represented by the TDRA in the DCI of the scheduled PDSCH, there is no pre-activation of the cross-time slot PDSCH mapping. Instead, the number of symbols / symbol length of the scheduled PDSCH is calculated through the TDRA indicated by the DCI, thereby determining whether the scheduled PDSCH is a cross-time slot scheduled PDSCH.

[0166] S902: The first terminal receives PDSCH across time slots.

[0167] During the cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping activation period, access network devices can send PDSCH across time slots, and the first terminal can receive PDSCH across time slots.

[0168] Alternatively, if the DCI of the PDSCH scheduling determines that it is a cross-timeslot scheduling, the first terminal receives the PDSCH across time slots.

[0169] Reference Figure 10 The diagram shows a cross-slot PDSCH mapping. The number of consecutive symbols indicated by 5G CORESET is 2. During the cross-slot PDSCH mapping activation period, the access network device can send PDSCH to the first terminal not only from the 5th symbol to the last symbol in slot A (such as symbol 4 to symbol 13), but also from the first two symbols in slot A+1 (such as symbol 0 and symbol 1).

[0170] In one possible implementation, when it is necessary to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal or when the resources required to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal exceed the resource threshold, the access network device can send a fourth message to the first terminal. The fourth message indicates to deactivate the cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping. After deactivating the cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping, the access network device does not schedule PDSCH across time slots, and the first terminal does not receive PDSCH across time slots.

[0171] Alternatively, the access network device can configure a third timer for the first terminal. When the first terminal receives the third information indicating the activation of cross-timeslot PDSCH mapping, it starts or restarts the third timer. During the timer's countdown period (or effective period), the first terminal receives PDSCH across time slots, and the access network device can send PDSCH across time slots. After the third timer expires, the first terminal stops receiving PDSCH across time slots, and the access network device does not send PDSCH across time slots.

[0172] During the third timer's countdown, if the access network device sends a fourth message indicating deactivation to the first terminal, the access network device can control the third timer to stop counting down and not send PDSCH across time slots. Similarly, if the first terminal receives a fourth message indicating deactivation of PDSCH mapping across time slots, the first terminal can also control the third timer to stop counting down and not receive PDSCH across time slots. The configuration method for the third timer can refer to the configuration methods for the first or second timer described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0173] pass Figure 9 The communication method shown can utilize 5G PDCCH resources for 6G PDSCH transmission when there is no need to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal or when the resources required to send PDCCH to the 5G terminal are less than or equal to the resource threshold. This is beneficial for improving resource utilization and spectrum sharing efficiency.

[0174] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the access network device (such as a base station) and the first terminal include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0175] Figure 11 and Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the first terminal or access network device in the above method embodiments, and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can be as follows: Figure 1 The terminal 120 shown can also be as follows: Figure 1 The access network device 110 shown can also be a module (such as a chip) applied to a terminal or access network device.

[0176] Please see Figure 11 , Figure 11 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 can be used to execute the steps executed by the first terminal or access network device in the above embodiments. Please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments for details.

[0177] like Figure 11As shown, the communication device 1100 includes a processing unit 1110 and an interface unit 1120, wherein the processing unit 1110 may be a processor or a processing circuit, and the interface unit 1120 may be a transceiver unit or an input / output interface. The communication device 1100 can be used to implement the steps executed by the first terminal or access network device in the above embodiments.

[0178] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the steps performed by the first terminal in the above embodiments:

[0179] Interface unit 1120 is used to receive configuration information, which is used to configure the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set;

[0180] Processing unit 1110 is used to determine a first PDCCH candidate resource set and a second PDCCH candidate resource set based on configuration information;

[0181] Interface unit 1120 is also configured to receive first information, the first information indicating that PDCCH is monitored in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, or indicating that PDCCH is monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0182] In one possible design, the configuration information is also used to configure a first timer; when the first information indicates that the PDCCH is being monitored in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the first timer starts or restarts its timing.

[0183] In one possible design, during the first timer's countdown, the PDCCH is monitored in the second PDCCH candidate resource set; after the first timer expires, the PDCCH is monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0184] In one possible design, during the first timer's timing period, if the interface unit 1120 receives second information indicating that the PDCCH is being monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set, the first timer stops timing; and the PDCCH is then monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0185] In one possible design, the configuration information is also used to configure a second timer; when the first information indicates that PDCCH is being monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the second timer starts or restarts its timing.

[0186] In one possible design, during the second timer's timing, PDCCH is monitored in both the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set; after the second timer expires, PDCCH is monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0187] In one possible design, during the second timer's timing, if the interface unit 1120 receives second information indicating that the PDCCH is being monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set, the second timer stops timing; and the PDCCH is being monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0188] In one possible design, the time-frequency resources of the second PDCCH candidate resource set and the third PDCCH candidate resource set used by the second terminal to monitor the PDCCH overlap, and the communication standards of the first terminal and the second terminal are different.

[0189] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the steps performed by the access network device in the above embodiments:

[0190] Processing unit 1110 is used to determine configuration information, which is used to configure the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set;

[0191] Interface unit 1120 is used to send configuration information and send first information, the first information indicating that PDCCH is monitored in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, or indicating that PDCCH is monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0192] In one possible design, the configuration information is also used to configure a first timer; when the first information indicates that the PDCCH is being monitored in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the first timer starts or restarts its timing.

[0193] In one possible design, PDCCH is sent in the second PDCCH candidate resource set during the first timer's countdown; after the first timer expires, PDCCH is sent in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0194] In one possible design, during the first timer's timing period, if the interface unit 1120 sends second information indicating that it is monitoring the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set, the first timer stops timing; and the PDCCH is sent in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0195] In one possible design, the configuration information is also used to configure a second timer; when the first information indicates that PDCCH is being monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the second timer starts or restarts its timing.

[0196] In one possible design, during the second timer's countdown, PDCCH is sent in both the first and second PDCCH candidate resource sets; after the second timer expires, PDCCH is sent in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0197] In one possible design, during the second timer's timing, if the interface unit 1120 sends second information indicating that it is monitoring the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set, the second timer stops timing; and the PDCCH is sent in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

[0198] In one possible design, the time-frequency resources of the second PDCCH candidate resource set and the third PDCCH candidate resource set used by the second terminal to monitor the PDCCH overlap, and the communication standards of the first terminal and the second terminal are different.

[0199] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 1110 and the interface unit 1120, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 3 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown.

[0200] like Figure 12 As shown, this application also provides a communication device 1200, including a processor 1210 and potentially a communication interface 1220. The processor 1210 and the communication interface 1220 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the communication interface 1220 can be a transceiver, input / output interface, input interface, output interface, interface circuit, etc. Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a memory 1230 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1210, or storing input data required by the processor 1210 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1210 executes instructions. The memory 1230 can be a physically independent unit, or it can be coupled to the processor 1210, or the processor 1210 may include the memory 1230.

[0201] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the steps executed by the first terminal or access network device in the above embodiments, the processor 1210 can be used to implement the function of the processing unit 1110, and the communication interface 1220 can be used to implement the function of the interface unit 1120.

[0202] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a first terminal, the first terminal chip implements the functions of the first terminal in the above method embodiments. The first terminal chip receives information from the access network device, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the first terminal, and then sent to the first terminal chip by these modules. The first terminal chip sends information to the access network device, which can be understood as the information being first sent to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the first terminal, and then sent to the access network device by these modules.

[0203] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to access network equipment (such as a base station), the access network equipment chip implements the functions of the access network equipment in the above method embodiments. The access network equipment chip receiving information from the first terminal can be understood as the information being first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the access network equipment, and then sent to the access network equipment chip by these modules. The access network equipment chip sending information to the first terminal can be understood as the information being forwarded to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the access network equipment, and then sent to the first terminal by these modules.

[0204] In this application, entity A sends information to entity B, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Similarly, entity B receives information from entity A, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Entities A and B can be access network devices or first terminals, or modules within those devices. The sending and receiving of information can be between the access network device and the first terminal; it can also be between two access network devices, such as a CU and a DU; or it can be between different modules within a single device, such as between a first terminal chip and other modules of the first terminal, or between an access network device chip and other modules within the access network device.

[0205] In this application embodiment, the processor (e.g., processor 1210) 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, microprocessor, microcontroller, graphics processor, field-programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, artificial intelligence processor, or neural network processor. 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 in the processor.

[0206] In this embodiment, the memory (e.g., memory 1230) may include, but is not limited to, cache, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory, synchronous dynamic random access memory, hard disk or solid-state drive, erasable programmable read-only memory, or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed 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.

[0207] 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 an access network device or terminal. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can exist as discrete components in the access network device or terminal.

[0208] 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, an access network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transmitted from one access network device, terminal, computer, server, or data center to another access 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.

[0209] 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.

[0210] Additionally, it should be understood that 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 scheme described as "exemplary" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the term "exemplary" is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner.

[0211] 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 by comprising: Executed by the first terminal or a module applied to the first terminal, including: Receive configuration information, which is used to configure a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidate resource set and a second PDCCH candidate resource set; Receive first information, the first information indicating to monitor PDCCH in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, or indicating to monitor PDCCH in both the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The configuration information is also used to configure the first timer; When the first information indicates that PDCCH is being monitored in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the first timer starts or restarts its timing.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, During the first timer's timing period, PDCCH is monitored in the second PDCCH candidate resource set; After the first timer expires, PDCCH is monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

4. The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein, If, during the first timer's timing period, a second message indicating that the PDCCH should be monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set is received, the first timer stops timing. PDCCH is monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, The configuration information is also used to configure a second timer; When the first information indicates that PDCCH is being monitored in both the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the second timer starts or restarts its timing.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, During the second timer's timing period, PDCCH is monitored in both the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set; After the second timer expires, PDCCH is monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein, If, during the second timer's timing, a second message indicating that the PDCCH should be monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set is received, the second timer stops timing. PDCCH is monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

8. A communication method characterized by comprising: include: Send configuration information, which is used to configure the first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set; Send a first message, which indicates that PDCCHs are monitored in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, or indicates that PDCCHs are monitored in both the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The configuration information is also used to configure the first timer; When the first information indicates that PDCCH is being monitored in the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the first timer starts or restarts its timing.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, During the first timer's countdown, a PDCCH is sent in the second PDCCH candidate resource set; After the first timer expires, the PDCCH is sent in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein, If, during the first timer's timing period, a second message indicating that the PDCCH is being monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set is sent, the first timer stops timing. Send the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein, The configuration information is also used to configure a second timer; When the first information indicates that PDCCH is being monitored in both the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set, the second timer starts or restarts its timing.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, During the second timer's timing period, PDCCH is sent in both the first PDCCH candidate resource set and the second PDCCH candidate resource set; After the second timer expires, the PDCCH is sent to the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein, If, during the second timer's timing period, a second message indicating that the PDCCH is being monitored in the first PDCCH candidate resource set is sent, the second timer stops timing. Send the PDCCH in the first PDCCH candidate resource set.

15. The method of any one of claims 1-14, wherein, The second PDCCH candidate resource set and the third PDCCH candidate resource set used by the second terminal to monitor the PDCCH have overlapping time and frequency resources, and the communication standards corresponding to the first terminal and the second terminal are different.

16. A communications device, characterized by 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 1-15 through logic circuits or executing instructions.

17. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-15.

18. A computer program product, characterised in that, It includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-15.

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