Early information downlink channel for wireless networks

Abstract

A method includes receiving a master information block (MIB) from a cell of a network node, the MIB including a first indication of a first physical downlink channel and a second indication of a second physical downlink channel for system information block (SIB) acquisition, determining at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel based on the second indication, monitoring the at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel, and receiving the second physical downlink channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This manual relates to wireless communication. Background Technology

[0002] A communication system can be a facility that enables communication between two or more nodes or devices (such as fixed or mobile communication devices). Signals can be carried on wired or wireless carrier waves.

[0003] An example of a cellular communication system is the architecture standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Recent developments in this field are often referred to as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology. E-UTRA (Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) is the air interface for the 3GPP's LTE upgrade path for mobile networks. In LTE, base stations or access points (APs), referred to as enhanced node APs (eNBs), provide radio access within a coverage area or cell. In LTE, mobile devices or mobile stations are referred to as user equipment (UEs). LTE has included several improvements or developments. All aspects of LTE continue to improve.

[0004] 5G New Radio (NR) development is part of the ongoing evolution of mobile broadband to meet 5G requirements, similar to the early evolution of 3G and 4G wireless networks. Furthermore, in addition to mobile broadband, 5G also targets emerging use cases. The goal of 5G is to deliver significant improvements in wireless performance, which can include new levels of data rates, latency, reliability, and security. 5G NR can also be extended to efficiently connect massive Internet of Things (IoT) networks and can provide new types of mission-critical services. For example, ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) devices may require high reliability and very low latency. 6G and other networks are also under development. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A method may include: receiving a master information block (MIB) from a cell of a network node by a user equipment, the MIB including a first indication of a first physical downlink channel and a second indication of a second physical downlink channel for acquisition of a system information block (SIB); determining at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel based on the second indication; monitoring at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel; and receiving the second physical downlink channel.

[0006] One method may include: transmitting a master information block (MIB) to a user equipment, the MIB including a first indication of a first physical downlink channel and a second indication of a second physical downlink channel for acquisition of a system information block (SIB); and transmitting the second physical downlink channel.

[0007] An apparatus may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive a Master Information Block (MIB) from a cell of a network node, the MIB including a first indication of a first physical downlink channel and a second indication of a second physical downlink channel for System Information Block (SIB) acquisition; determine at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel based on the second indication; monitor the at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel; and receive the second physical downlink channel.

[0008] An apparatus may include at least one processor, which causes the apparatus to at least: transmit a master information block (MIB) to a user equipment, the MIB including a first indication of a first physical downlink channel and a second indication of a second physical downlink channel for acquisition of a system information block (SIB); and transmit the second physical downlink channel.

[0009] Other example embodiments are provided or described for each example method, including: components for performing any example method; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause a computing system to perform any example method; and means including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, which are configured to utilize the at least one processor to cause the means to at least perform any example method.

[0010] Details of one or more examples of embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features will be apparent from the specification, drawings, and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a wireless network according to an example embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the synchronization signal and the PBCH block.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the time and frequency relationship between CORESET and PDSCH and SSB.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an apparatus (e.g., a UE, user equipment, or other device) according to an example embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an apparatus (e.g., a UE, user equipment, or other device) according to an example embodiment.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating operations according to an example embodiment.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between CORESET and CORESET0 in the early information.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the timing of time slot monitoring determined according to an example embodiment.

[0019] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the timing of time slot monitoring determined according to an example embodiment.

[0020] Figure 10 This is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., UE, user equipment, AP, BS, eNB, gNB, RAN node, network node, transmit / receive point (TRP) or other node) 1300 according to an example embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of wireless network 130. Figure 1 In the wireless network 130, user equipment 131, 132, 133, and 135 (which may also be referred to as mobile stations (MS) or user equipment (UE)) can connect to (and communicate with) a base station (BS) 134 (which may also be referred to as an access point (AP), enhanced node B (eNB), gNB, or network node). The terms user equipment and user equipment (UE) are used interchangeably. A BS may also include or be referred to as a RAN (radio access network) node and may include portions of the BS or RAN node, such as (e.g., in the case of a split BS or a split gNB, such as a central unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU)). At least some of the functions of a BS (e.g., an access point (AP), base station (BS), or (e) node B (eNB), gNB, RAN node) can also be performed by any node, server, or host operatively coupled to a transceiver (such as a remote radio head). BS (or AP) 134 provides wireless coverage within cell 136, including coverage to user equipment (or UE) 131, 132, 133, and 135. Although only four user equipment (or UE) are shown connected to or attached to BS 134, any number of user equipment can be provided. BS 134 is also connected to core network 150 via S1 interface 151. This is merely a simplified example of a wireless network, and other examples can be used.

[0022] A base station (e.g., such as BS 134) is an example of a radio access network (RAN) node within a wireless network. A BS (or RAN node) can be or may include (or may alternatively be referred to as) such as an access point (AP), gNB, eNB, or portions thereof (such as a central / centralized unit (CU) and / or distributed unit (DU) in the case of splitting a BS or gNB) or other network nodes.

[0023] Some functions of a communication network can be performed, at least in part, in a central / centralized unit (CU, e.g., server, host, or node) that is operatively coupled to a distributed unit (DU), e.g., a radio head / node. Therefore, a 5G network architecture can be based on a so-called CU-DU split. A gNB-CU (central node) can control multiple spatially separated gNB-DUs, at least acting as a transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) node. In some examples, a gNB-DU (also called a DU) can include, for example, a Radio Link Control (RLC), Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and a Physical (PHY) layer, while a gNB-CU (also called a CU) can include layers above the RLC layer, such as the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Radio Resource Control (RRC), and Internet Protocol (IP) layer. Other functional splits are also possible.

[0024] According to illustrative examples, a BS node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU…) or radio access network (RAN) can be part of a mobile telecommunications system. The RAN (radio access network) can include one or more BS or RAN nodes implementing radio access technologies, for example, to allow one or more UEs to access the network or core network. Therefore, for example, the RAN (RAN node, such as BS or gNB) can reside between one or more user equipments or UEs and the core network. According to example embodiments, each RAN node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU…) or BS can provide one or more wireless communication services for one or more UEs or user equipments, for example, to allow the UE to wirelessly access the network via the RAN node. Each RAN node or BS can perform or provide wireless communication services, such as allowing the UE or user equipment to establish a wireless connection to the RAN node, and sending and / or receiving data from one or more UEs. For example, after establishing a connection to the UE, the RAN node or network node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU…) can forward data received from the network or core network to the UE, and / or forward data received from the UE to the network or core network. RAN nodes or network nodes (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, etc.) can perform a wide variety of other radio functions or services, such as broadcasting control information to UEs (e.g., system information or on-demand system information), paging UEs when data to be delivered to them is available, assisting UEs in handover between cells, scheduling resources for uplink data transmission from (multiple) UEs and downlink data transmission to (multiple) UEs, sending control information to configure one or more UEs, etc. These are just a few examples of one or more functions that a RAN node or BS can perform.

[0025] User equipment or user node (user terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile terminal, handheld wireless device, etc.) can refer to portable computing devices that operate with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including but not limited to the following types of devices: mobile station (MS), mobile phone, cellular phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), cell phone, device using a wireless modem (alarm or measuring device, etc.), laptop and / or touchscreen computer, tablet computer, tablet phone, game console, laptop, vehicle, sensor and multimedia device, as an example, or any other wireless device. It should be understood that user equipment can also be (or may include) a virtually exclusive uplink-only device, an example of which is a camera or camcorder that uploads images or video clips to the network.

[0026] Furthermore, user nodes may include user equipment (UE), user terminals, mobile terminals, mobile stations, mobile nodes, subscriber equipment, subscriber nodes, subscriber terminals, or other user nodes. For example, a user node may be used to wirelessly communicate with one or more network nodes (e.g., gNB, eNB, BS, AP, CU, DU, CU / DU) and / or with one or more other user nodes, regardless of the technology or radio access technology (RAT). In LTE (as an illustrative example), the core network 150 may be referred to as the evolved packet core network (EPC), which may include a mobility management entity (MME) capable of handling or assisting user equipment mobility / handover between BSs, one or more gateways capable of forwarding data and control signals between the BS and a packet data network or the Internet, and other control functions or blocks. Other types of wireless networks (such as 5G, which may be referred to as New Radio (NR)) may also include a core network.

[0027] Furthermore, the technologies described in this paper can be applied to various types of user equipment or data service types, or to user equipment that can have multiple applications running on it, which can be different data service types. New Radio (5G) development can support a variety of different applications or data service types, such as: Machine-Type Communication (MTC), Enhanced Machine-Type Communication (eMTC), Internet of Things (IoT) and / or Narrowband IoT user equipment, Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), and Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC). Many of these new 5G (NR) related applications often require higher performance than previous wireless networks.

[0028] The Internet of Things (IoT) can refer to a growing group of objects that possess internet or network connectivity, enabling them to send and receive information from other network devices. For example, many sensor-type applications or devices can monitor physical conditions or states and, for instance, send reports to servers or other network devices when events occur. Machine-to-machine (MTC) communication can be characterized, for example, by the fully automated generation, exchange, processing, and actuation of data between intelligent machines with or without human intervention. Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) can support data rates significantly higher than those currently available in LTE.

[0029] Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) is a new type of data service or a new use case that can be supported by New Radio (5G) systems. This enables emerging new applications and services such as industrial automation, autonomous driving, vehicle safety, and eHealth services. As an illustrative example, 3GPP aims to provide connections with reliability corresponding to a block error rate (BLER) of 10⁻⁵ and U-plane (user / data plane) latency of up to 1 ms. Therefore, for example, URLLC user equipment / UEs may require significantly lower block error rates and low latency (with or without the need for high reliability) than other types of user equipment / UEs. Thus, for example, a URLLC UE (or URLLC applications on a UE) may require much shorter latency compared to an eMBB UE (or an eMBB application running on a UE).

[0030] The techniques described herein can be applied to a wide variety of wireless technologies or wireless networks, such as 5G (New Radio (NR)), centimeter wave (cmWave) and / or millimeter wave (mmWave) band networks, IoT, MTC, eMTC, eMBB, URLLC, 6G, etc., or any other wireless network or wireless technology. These example networks, technologies, or data service types are provided as illustrative examples only.

[0031] The New Radio (NR) user plane protocol stack can include five layers implemented in the UE and gNB. At the bottom of the stack, the Physical Layer (PHY) provides transport services to the higher layers and can correspond to Layer 1 of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. The next four layers above the PHY can include the Media Access Control (MAC) layer, the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and the Service Data Application Protocol (SDAP) layer. These four protocols can together constitute Layer 2 or the Data Link Layer of the OSI model.

[0032] The NR control plane protocol stack can use the same or similar protocol layers as the NR user plane protocol stack, such as PHY, MAC, RLC, and PDCP. Instead of SDAP at the top of the stack in the NR user plane protocol stack, the NR control plane stack uses RRC and Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocols at the top of the NR control plane protocol stack.

[0033] One or more channels can be used to perform functions associated with the NR control plane and / or user plane protocol stack. Information can be transmitted through channels between the RLC, MAC, and physical (PHY) layers of the NR protocol stack. Logical channels can be used between the RLC and MAC layers and can be classified as control channels carrying control and configuration information in the NR control plane, or as traffic channels carrying data in the NR user plane. Logical channels can be classified as dedicated logical channels for a specific UE, or as common logical channels that can be used by more than one UE. Logical channels can be defined by the type of information they carry.

[0034] A PHY can use physical channels to transfer information between processing levels. A physical channel can have an associated set of time-frequency resources for carrying information from one or more transport channels. The PHY can generate control information to support lower-level operations and provide control information to lower levels of the PHY via physical control channels (referred to as L1 / L2 control channels). A set of physical channels and physical control channels defined by the NR can include the following: • Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), used to carry MIBs from the BCH; • Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), used to carry downlink data and signaling messages from DL-SCH, as well as paging messages from PCH; • Physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for carrying downlink control information (DCI), which may include downlink scheduling commands, uplink scheduling grants and uplink power control commands; • Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), used to carry uplink data and signaling messages from UL-SCH, and in some cases uplink control information (UCI), as described below; • The Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) for carrying the UCI may include Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) acknowledgments, Channel Quality Indicator (CQI), Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI), Rank Indicator (RI), and Scheduling Request (SR); and • Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) for random access.

[0035] The physical layer can generate physical signals to support its low-level operations. Physical layer signals defined by NR can include: Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS), Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), and Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PT-RS).

[0036] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the synchronization signal and PBCH block. As an example, such as... Figure 2 As described, a synchronization signal block (SSB) can include a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal (PSS, SSS), each occupying, for example, one symbol and 127 subcarriers, and the PBCH spans three OFDM symbols and 240 subcarriers, but on a single symbol, such as... Figure 2 As shown, an unused portion is left in the middle of the SSS. For a 3MHz channel bandwidth, the PBCH can be further equally punched from both edges to span 144 subcarriers. The possible time position of the SSB within a half-frame can be determined by the subcarrier spacing, and the period of the half-frame for transmitting the SSB can be configured by the network. During the half-frame, different SSBs can be transmitted in different spatial directions (e.g., using different beams, spanning the cell's coverage area).

[0037] Multiple SSBs can be transmitted within the frequency span of a carrier. The Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) of an SSB transmitted at different frequency locations may or may not be unique; for example, different SSBs in the frequency domain may have different PCIs.

[0038] A base station or gNB can configure one or more search spaces for a user equipment (UE), each search space being associated with a CORESET. A CORESET can include multiple time-frequency resources in which the UE attempts to decode DCI using one or more search spaces. The CORESET and search spaces define the resources and timing in which the UE attempts blind decoding to find downlink control information. Search spaces can be UE-specific or common search spaces (e.g., usable by multiple UEs).

[0039] CORESETs can be configured for Bandwidth Parts (BWPs). Different BWPs can have their own (multiple) CORESETs. A base station can transmit DCIs via PDCCH on one or more CORESETs. Base stations can configure CORESETs in the time-frequency domain. In one example, the first and second CORESETs can appear at the first symbol of a time slot. The first CORESET can overlap with the second CORESET in the frequency domain. The third CORESET can appear at the third symbol of a time slot. The fourth CORESET can appear at the seventh symbol of a time slot. CORESETs can have different numbers of resource blocks in the frequency domain.

[0040] In one example, for a CORESET, an associated CCE-to-REG mapping may exist. The CCE-to-REG mapping can be used for DCI transmission and PDCCH processing on the CORESET. The CCE-to-REG mapping can be an interleaved mapping (e.g., for providing frequency diversity) or a non-interleaved mapping (e.g., for facilitating interference coordination and / or frequency-selective transmission on the control channel). The base station can perform different or the same CCE-to-REG mappings on different CORESETs. A CORESET can be associated with a CCE-to-REG mapping via RRC configuration. A CORESET can be configured with antenna port quasi-co-location (QCL) parameters. The antenna port QCL parameters can indicate the QCL information for the demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) used for PDCCH reception in the CORESET. The cell can transmit CORESET0 (e.g., CORESET#0) and Type 0-PDCCH CSS configuration (search space zero or search space 0) to the UE (e.g., via MIB). The UE can monitor the defined search space for PDCCH candidates scrambled by SI-RNTI to obtain SIB1. The PDCCH can instruct the scheduling of the PDSCH carrying SIB1. The SSB, CORESET0, and the PDSCH carrying SIB1 can follow one of three multiplexing modes, which are relayed to the UE via the MIB, for example... Figure 3 As shown.

[0041] Figure 3 This is a graph showing the time and frequency relationship between CORESET0 and PDSCH of SIB1 and SSB. Figure 3 The example shown illustrates the general time-frequency relationship between SIB1's CORESET0 and PDSCH and SSB, but actual durations and application bandwidth may differ. Figure 3 In the examples, mode 1 can depict time-domain multiplexing, mode 2 can depict time-domain and frequency-domain multiplexing, and mode 3 can depict frequency-domain multiplexing.

[0042] 5G Master Information Block (MIB) can be used as SSB ( Figure 2The portion of the MIB is transmitted on the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). The MIB may include important or basic information that the UE needs to acquire for further access to other cell configurations. For example, the MIB may provide information on how to acquire the System Information Block 1 (SIB1) of the cell. Therefore, the PBCH carries the Master Information Block (MIB). The MIB includes SIB1 configuration information, which serves as an index to a predefined table. From this table, the UE can obtain information about the search space for CORESET#0 and SIB1. Within the search space, the UE decodes PDCCH candidates to find the DCI. The UE can then receive or acquire the scheduling information for SIB1 carried by the PDSCH within the DCI of the PDCCH. Based on this scheduling information, the UE can acquire SIB1 via the PDSCH. As mentioned above, SIB1 may include, for example, important or critical system information. This multi-step process (e.g., including decoding or receiving the PDCCH with scheduling information, and then using the scheduling information obtained from the SIB1 PDCCH to receive SIB1 via the PDSCH carrying SIB1) may consume a significant amount of the UE's time and energy resources before the UE can acquire this important or critical system information or data. Optionally or additionally, the maximum size of the SIB may be limited, for example, to 2976 bits in NR. If the SIB1 size has already reached its maximum capacity, or if a higher coding rate used to achieve higher capacity would affect the decoding performance of the UE at the cell edge, this could lead to further delays in the UE acquiring critical data. For example, it might be desirable to allow the UE to acquire at least some types of data or important system information through a faster or more efficient process that does not require acquiring the SIB1. For example, some types of data or system information could indicate that the UE should not acquire the SIB1 (e.g., in cases where the UE may be denied access to the cell, or where other information indicates that the UE should not acquire the SIB1 of the cell). In such cases, it might be advantageous to provide a more efficient technique that allows the UE to acquire some types of data or important system information faster than acquiring the SIB1, or that does not require acquiring the SIB1 at all.

[0043] Therefore, according to the example embodiment, in addition to the SIB1 PDCCH (the PDCCH used to acquire SIB1) and / or other SIBs, an Early Information Physical Downlink Channel (EI-PDCH) is also provided. The EI-PDCH can be or may include a physical downlink channel that may include data or system information, and EI-PDCH data can be directly obtained or received by decoding or receiving the EI-PDCH based on the EI-PDCH configuration information provided in the MIB. The EI-PDCH is referred to as the Early Information Physical Downlink Channel, for example, because the EI-PDCH can be used to provide the UE with early data (or early system information) (e.g., earlier than the UE typically acquires SIB1 via the PDSCH). This is because the UE can directly acquire data from the EI-PDCH, whereas the UE needs to perform one or more additional operations to acquire SIB1 data (e.g., obtain SIB1 scheduling information from the PDCCH, and then obtain SIB1 from the PDSCH carrying SIB1). Therefore, when acquiring SIB1, the UE obtains scheduling information (not data or system information) from the DCI of the PDCCH used for SIB1, and must obtain system information or data from SIB1 in the PDSCH carrying SIB1. In contrast, according to the example embodiment, the UE can directly obtain data from the EI-PDCH (e.g., because the EI-PDCH carries or provides data / data information or system information, while the PDCCH or DCI typically provides control information such as scheduling information). Furthermore, to obtain data from the EI-PDCH, the additional steps (performed when acquiring SIB1) are unnecessary or unnecessary: ​​obtaining scheduling information from the PDCCH and then receiving data from another channel / PDSCH based on that scheduling information, making the EI-PDCH a more efficient channel or mechanism for transmitting critical or important data (data information) or system information to the UE. Obtaining data via the EI-PDCH can be faster and / or more efficient for the UE compared to obtaining data or system information via an SIB such as SIB1. In one example, DCI can be used to provide scheduling information, power control information, early paging information, resource availability, etc. in the uplink and downlink.

[0044] Example implementations can improve system performance by indicating early information to the UE via the MIB before acquiring SIB1. For example, the solution may include indicating early information via the MIB from a physical downlink channel (e.g., a second physical downlink channel (PDCH) or early information EI-PDCH).

[0045] Example embodiments may include enhanced signaling between the UE and the network to enable the UE (or user equipment) to receive indications of early information. For example, the EI-PDCH indication (provided by the MIB) may include configuration information, such as indicating a CORESET and / or (multiple) search spaces available for decoding and / or receiving the EI-PDCH. In addition to the SIB1 PDCCH (or the first physical downlink channel), an EI-PDCH (or a second physical downlink channel) may also be provided. Furthermore, example embodiments may improve system performance by eliminating the need for the user equipment to acquire unnecessary SIBs, reducing the frequency of SIB acquisition, reducing the number of notifications, reducing signaling for system information modification, and / or so on.

[0046] In an example embodiment, the early information (in EI-PDCH) may include at least one of the following: indicating a dynamic spectrum sharing cell, a reduced bandwidth cell, a reduced capacity cell, indicating a cell in a sleep or power-saving state, and / or so on.

[0047] In an example embodiment, SI acquisition may include acquiring MIB, SIB, and / or the like. In the example, the user equipment's reception of the SI may be performed via broadcast, multicast, unicast, anycast, geographic broadcast, and / or the like.

[0048] Various example embodiments are described, for example, relating to or used for: a UE receiving a master information block (MIB) from a cell of a network node, the MIB including a first indication of a first physical downlink channel and a second indication of a second physical downlink channel for acquisition of a system information block (SIB), determining at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel based on the second indication, monitoring at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel, and receiving the second physical downlink channel.

[0049] In the illustrative example, the first physical downlink channel may be the PDCCH used for SIB1 acquisition. Furthermore, in the illustrative example, the second physical downlink channel (second PDCH) may be or may include an Early Information-PDCH (EI-PDCH) that provides or carries data or information. For example, the EI-PDCH (or the second physical downlink channel) may be or may include, for example, a data channel (such as PDSCH), a control channel (such as PDCCH (which also includes or carries data)), or other channels provided for the transmission of data (data information) or system information.

[0050] Figure 4This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an apparatus (e.g., a UE, user equipment, or other device) according to an example embodiment. Operation 410 includes receiving a Master Information Block (MIB) from a cell of a network node, the MIB including a first indication of a first physical downlink channel and a second indication of a second physical downlink channel for acquisition by a System Information Block (SIB). Operation 420 includes determining at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel based on the second indication. Operation 430 includes monitoring at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel. And, operation 440 includes receiving the second physical downlink channel.

[0051] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein at least one search space for a second physical downlink channel includes at least one second search space, and wherein a first indication of a first physical downlink channel indicates a first CORESET and a first search space associated with the first CORESET; a second indication of a second physical downlink channel indicates a second CORESET and at least one second search space; and wherein determining at least one search space for a second physical downlink channel includes selecting at least one second search space.

[0052] about Figure 4 The method may further include: decoding a second physical downlink channel based on a second CORESET and at least one second search space.

[0053] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein the second CORESET for the second physical downlink channel is the same as the first CORESET for the first physical downlink channel.

[0054] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein at least one second search space for the second physical downlink channel is the same as the first search space for the first physical downlink channel.

[0055] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein the second CORESET is at least one of the following: of the same size and adjacent to the first CORESET in frequency, of the same size and directly below the first CORESET in frequency, of the same size and directly above the first CORESET in frequency, of the same size and having the same starting frequency as the first CORESET, of a smaller size and having the same starting frequency as the first CORESET, or of a different size and being adjacent to or included in the same frequency range as the first CORESET in frequency.

[0056] about Figure 4 The method may further include determining whether SIB needs to be received based on the second physical downlink channel.

[0057] about Figure 4 The method may further include: decoding the second physical downlink channel before decoding the first physical downlink channel.

[0058] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein each second physical downlink channel is scrambled using a predetermined Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI).

[0059] about Figure 4 The method may further include: obtaining information within a second physical downlink channel, the information including at least one of the following: an indication of the cell's energy-saving status; time slot information indicating discontinuous transmission (DTX) information; time slot information indicating unlicensed access time slot availability; an indication of whether system information is on demand; elements or portions of system information (SI); elements of unified access control (UAC); and / or an indication or configuration of multiple RAT spectrum sharing (MRSS).

[0060] about Figure 4 The method may further include: determining whether to receive a second physical downlink channel based on the capabilities of the user equipment.

[0061] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein a second indication indicates a plurality of second physical downlink channels, the method comprising: monitoring at least one search space for each of the plurality of second physical downlink channels, and receiving each of the plurality of second physical downlink channels.

[0062] about Figure 4 The method may further include: determining which of a plurality of second physical downlink channels to receive or decode based on the capabilities of the UE or user equipment.

[0063] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein the cell adopts on-demand SIB1.

[0064] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein the second physical downlink channel is encoded based on at least one of the following: Abstract Syntax Notation 1 (ASN.1) and / or a bitmap.

[0065] about Figure 4The method may further include: wherein the MIB further includes: system frame number, common subcarrier spacing (subCarrierSpacingCommon), synchronization block subcarrier offset (ssb-SubcarrierOffset), demodulation reference signal Type A demodulation reference signal position (dmrs-TypeA-Position), indication of whether the cell is prohibited and / or indication of whether intra-frequency reselection is permitted.

[0066] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein the MIB is received before the RRC connection is established.

[0067] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein the second physical downlink channel is a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) acquired when the user equipment is in an RRC idle or RRC inactive state.

[0068] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein the second physical downlink channel is beam-specific, such that different beams of the cell are associated with different second physical downlink channels.

[0069] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein the second instruction includes at least one of the following: the second instruction is included within the first instruction; or the second instruction may be derived based on the first instruction.

[0070] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein the second physical downlink channel includes at least one of the following: a second physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carrying data, and / or a physical downlink shared channel carrying data.

[0071] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein the user equipment is pre-configured to decode the second physical downlink channel.

[0072] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein the first physical downlink channel indicates the PDSCH for SIB acquisition.

[0073] about Figure 4 The method may further include: wherein the first physical downlink channel is a first PDCCH.

[0074] Figure 5This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an apparatus (e.g., a UE, user equipment, or other apparatus) according to an example embodiment. At step 10, the UE may be pre-configured to receive EI-PDCH. For example, the UE may have a specification-based predefined EI-PDCH format, configuration, and / or so on. In the example embodiment, the UE may be pre-configured with configuration information instructing the UE how to decode, monitor, and receive EI-PDCH. In one example, the pre-configuration information in the UE may be used to determine whether and / or how to receive or decode EI-PDCH. For example, if the EI-PDCH includes downlink control information (DCI) (in addition to data that may be provided as a payload), the UE or user equipment may be configured with information about the payload of the DCI for each of one or more EI-PDCH types. One or more EI-PDCHs (or EI-PDCH types) may exist that can be received or decoded by the UE or user equipment. Furthermore, for example, ASN.1 encoding (or other encodings) may be used to encode fields within the DCI. A UE or user equipment can configure an RNTI (Radio Network Temporary Identifier) ​​for each of one or more EI-PDCHs. Furthermore, each EI-PDCH (among one or more EI-PDCHs) can include a different or specific RNTI, based on which the data or payload of the EI-PDCH can be scrambled. An EI-PDCH can be, for example, a PDSCH, PDCCH, or a group common PDCCH. However, an EI-PDCH can be obtained before the user equipment or UE establishes an RRC connection with the cell or gNB.

[0075] exist Figure 5At step 20, the UE can receive / acquire the cell's MIB. The UE can decode the MIB, and based on the MIB, the UE can determine the CORESET and(s) search spaces for each of one or more EI-PDCHs. The MIB can be transmitted to the UE via the PBCH as part of the SSB. The MIB may include SIB1 configuration information (as described above) and may also include EI-PDCH configuration information for each EI-PDCH. For example, the EI-PDCH configuration information may indicate the CORESET and(s) search spaces to be monitored for decoding or receiving the EI-PDCH. For example, the EI-PDCH configuration information may indicate indexes in one or more tables, which(s) may be pre-configured. From the(s) tables, the UE or user equipment can obtain the CORESET and(s) search spaces for the EI-PDCH, as well as other parameters that may be used to obtain (e.g., receive or decode) the EI-PDCH. EI-PDCH configuration information can indicate one or more monitoring opportunities for the EI-PDCH, which can be monitored to receive or decode the EI-PDCH (and thereby obtain data or system information that can be provided within the EI-PDCH).

[0076] exist Figure 5 At step 30, the UE can determine the monitoring timing of the EI-PDCH based on MIB parameters. This determination can be based on elements or parameters of the MIB. For example, for each of one or more EI-PDCHs to be acquired or received by the UE, the UE can determine one or more monitoring timings within a search space(s) based on the EI-PDCH configuration information provided (or indicated) by the MIB. For example, the search space can indicate in which radio frames(s) or time slots(s) the UE should search for or monitor CORESET resources for the EI-PDCH.

[0077] exist Figure 5 At step 40, the UE can monitor the multiple search spaces configured in the MIB for EI-PDCH. Figure 5 At step 50, the UE can acquire the EI-PDCH and perform actions accordingly. In one example, this action may include determining whether it is necessary to acquire the cell's SIB1. In one example, the UE may determine to acquire one or more SIBs, such as SIB1, SIB2, and / or so on. In another example, the UE may determine not to acquire one or more SIBs, such as SIB1, SIB2, and / or so on.

[0078] According to the example embodiment, different EI-PDCHs can be provided via different beams; for example, EI-PDCHs can be provided or transmitted per beam. The gNB can provide information about cell status and / or configuration (e.g., dynamic information) via one or more EI-PDCHs.

[0079] Several example use cases of how EI-PDCH can be used to convey early information (e.g., important or critical data or system information) to the UE may include (these are merely illustrative examples of the types of data or system information that can be conveyed to the UE via EI-PDCCH): 1) Beam / Cell Energy Status: The EI-PDCH may include data indicating the cell's energy status, such as whether the cell is in deep sleep or fully active. If the EI-PDCH data (e.g., energy status data) indicates that the cell is in deep sleep, the UE can skip or omit acquiring the cell's SIB1 (or any SIB), and instead, reselect to a different cell. If the EI-PDCH data (e.g., energy status data) indicates that the cell is fully active, the UE can continue to acquire the cell's SIB1, and then, for example, establish a connection with that cell via a random access procedure. In another scenario, the beam's EI-PDCH may indicate that SIB1 should be acquired from another beam, or if the UE cannot acquire SIB1 from another beam, it may request SIB1 on demand on that beam.

[0080] 2) Time Slot Information: Time slot information or DTX cycle information can be provided in the EI-PDCH data. Cells using or utilizing Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) can dynamically provide their DTX transmission cycles via the EI-PDCH. Providing a cell's DTX cycle via the EI-PDCH allows any UE accessing that cell to know, for example, the QoS (Quality of Service) that will be provided for low-priority services. UEs can use this information to reselect to other cells for better service, and network energy efficiency can be improved by allowing UEs to access cells that provide better service or by avoiding access to certain cells based on their DTX cycles.

[0081] 3) Information UAC (Unified Access Control): UAC information or data (or detailed UAC information) can be provided within the EI-PDCH data. This UAC data provided via the EI-PDCH can indicate that the UE is prohibited from accessing the cell. When the UAC information or data within the EI-PDCH indicates that the UE is prohibited from accessing the cell, this can eliminate the need for the UE to acquire SIB1, thereby improving the UE's time and energy efficiency. This information (and other information that may be dynamically modified in SIB1) can allow for a reduction in the number of system information modification processes triggered by the cell.

[0082] 4) Multiple RAT Spectrum Sharing (MRSS): A cell can indicate whether it is an MRSS cell, that is, whether its spectrum resources are being shared with another RAT (Radio Access Technology) cell, and therefore some type of puncturing is required to obtain, for example, SIB1. For example, transmitting MRSS information via EI-PDCH can help the UE decode cell broadcast information and messages used during cell access.

[0083] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating operation according to an example embodiment. At step 1, gNB 610 can determine which encoding to use for different information to be relayed to a user equipment via EI-PDCH type. The base station can encode the EI-PDCH based on the determination of which encoding to use for different information relayed to UE 620. Different encodings can be used for different EI-PDCHs, or gNB (e.g., network node, BS, etc.) 610 can use or select the encoding type for encoding the EI-PDCH. At step 2, gNB 610 can transmit MIB to UE 620. For one or more EI-PDCHs, the MIB can indicate to UE 620 the EI-PDCH configuration information to be used for decoding (or receiving) the EI-PDCH. At step 3, UE 620 can determine the CORESET, search space(s), and / or monitoring timing for monitoring(multiple) EI-PDCHs. At step 4, the UE monitors(multiple) EI-PDCHs. At step 5, UE 620 receives EI-PDCH type 1. At step 6, UE 620 receives EI-PDCH type 2. At step 7, UE 620 can process the EI-PDCH; for example, UE 620 can determine, based on the data received within the EI-PDCH, whether to acquire or not acquire the SIB1 of the cell, reselect or connect to another cell, or perform other actions.

[0084] In the example embodiment, CORESET0 and search space 0 can be determined as follows. For this example, a frequency range 1 (FR1) band cell with a bandwidth of 5 or 10 MHz can be selected. In one example, Table 1 shows a set of resource blocks and time slot symbols for the CORESET used for the Type 0-PDCCH search space set. Different possibilities for CORESET0 in the above scenario can be defined as shown in Table 1, which shows 15 possible configurations. In the example embodiment, EI-PDCH can employ CORESET0.

[0085]

[0086] Table 1: A set of resource blocks and slot symbols for the CORESET used in the Type0-PDCCH search space set In an example embodiment, the EI-PDCH can be transmitted using a CORESET (CORESET0) for the Type 0-PDCCH search space set and the corresponding Type 0-PDCCH search space set, and the DCI size of the EI-PDCH can be aligned with the DCI size of the PDSCH used to schedule SIB1. In one example, the presence of the EI-PDCH can be checked / determined using the same blind decoding attempt used to check the PDCCH candidates for scheduling SIB1. In one example, two CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) checks can be performed (using SI-RNTI (System Information - Radio Network Temporary Identifier) ​​and using the RNTI used for the EI-PDCH). In one example, a single decoding attempt may be sufficient. In one example, a CRC match with one of the other RNTIs (e.g., the RNTI used for the EI-PDCH) can determine which of the two DCI types can be decoded. If the UE finds two DCIs (among the different candidates determined to be used for decoding PDCCH or EI-PDCH), the UE can continue to receive the PDSCH carrying SIB1 while interpreting the DCI of the EI-PDCH and performing actions accordingly. In one example, if the UE determines to perform an action on one of two DCIs in a given search space, the UE can perform an action on the DCI of the EI-PDCH in that cell. In another example, if the UE has decoded the DCI of the EI-PDCH in the same cell and has not yet received SIB1, the UE can receive SIB1 and schedule an action on the DCI of SIB1.

[0087] In an example embodiment, the size of the CORESET used for monitoring the EI-PDCH can be smaller than the size of CORESET0, in order to reduce the number of blind decodes required by the UE, for example, when blind decoding cannot be shared (e.g., because the EI-PDCH or PDCCH candidates have different DCI sizes, different frequency locations, or different time locations). The reduced CORESET for the EI-PDCH can be provided based on the same index used for CORESET0. In one example, the EI-PDCH CORESET can be located above CORESET0 or adjacent to CORESET0 in frequency.

[0088] Figure 7This is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the CORESET (EI-CORESET) and CORESET0 (for SIB1) according to early information (for EI-PDCH) of an example embodiment. Configuration 710 shows an EI-PDCH CORESET (EI-CORESET) of the same size as CORESET0 and directly below it in frequency. Configuration 720 shows an EI-PDCH CORESET of the same size as CORESET0 and directly above it in frequency. Configuration 730 shows an EI-PDCH CORESET of the same size as CORESET0 and with the same starting frequency. Configuration 740 shows an EI-PDCH CORESET of smaller size than CORESET0 and with the same starting frequency. For example, other configurations in which the EI-PDCH CORESET partially overlaps with CORESET0 are not excluded.

[0089] Table 2 provides example CCE aggregation levels for the SIB1 set and the number of PDCCH candidates for each CCE aggregation level.

[0090]

[0091] Table 2: CCE aggregation levels and maximum number of PDCCH candidates per CCE aggregation level for CSS collections configured via searchSpaceSIB1. As shown in Table 2, a CORESET with 16 or more CCEs (each CCE has 6 PRB / Physical Resource Blocks) allows searching for 7 PDCCH candidates. The number of CCEs in a CORESET can be calculated, for example, as the number of RBs. (Number of symbols) / 6. For example, a CORESET with 8 CCEs (24 PRBs and 2 symbols or 48 PRBs and 1 symbol) can accommodate one PDCCH candidate of aggregation level 8 and two PDCCH candidates of aggregation level 4. A CORESET with 4 CCEs (24 PRBs and 1 symbol) can accommodate one PDCCH candidate of aggregation level 4. The number of blind decoders (BDs) to be used in the search space for EI-PDCH can be specified in the same size-dependent manner, and can be adopted in the same way as... Figure 7 The example describes SIB1 scheduling the same BD as DCI. In one example, a new CORESET and search space set can be defined for EI-PDCH, or a fixed number of BDs can be used, and the aggregation level can be determined by the CORESET size.

[0092] In an example embodiment, in order to monitor search space 0 for decoding or receiving EI-PDCH, the UE can monitor two consecutive time slots, which can be determined based on the method defined in Table 3.

[0093]

[0094] Table 3: Parameters for PDCCH monitoring timing for Type 0-PDCCH CSS set - SS / PBCH blocks Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the timing of time slot monitoring determined for EI-PDCH according to an exemplary embodiment. Example Figure 8 A diagram illustrating the timing of time slot monitoring based on the time slots determined in Table 3 is provided.

[0095] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the timing of time slot monitoring for EI-PDCH as determined according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 9 An example time instance of monitoring EI-PDCH on EI-PDCH CORESET is shown. The associated search space can define the actual monitoring timing and PDCCH blind decoding (BD) candidates.

[0096] In one example, Figure 9 An example is depicted where monitoring timings can be defined for two EI-PDCHs (e.g., two EI-PDCH types, including EI-PDCH type 1 and EI-PDCH type 2). In one example, one or more EI-PDCH types may have monitoring timings with zero or overlapping search spaces with other EI-PDCH types. In one example, offsets for different encoding types of the EI-PDCH can be set separately. For example, in Figure 9 In this context, EI-PDCH type 1 can employ encoding for DCI, where the UE knows the information and fields relayed within the DCI, and EI-PDCH type 2 can employ ASN.1 encoding, which allows for greater variability in the information included in the payload.

[0097] In the example embodiment, Table 4 shows an example of an EI-PDCH CORESET based on CORESET0. In the example embodiment, the CORESET size used for monitoring EI-PDCH can be set to be smaller than CORESET0. The reduced CORESET for EI-PDCH can be provided based on the same index as shown in Table 4 for CORESET0.

[0098]

[0099] Table 4 Examples of PDCH CORESET based on early information from CORESET0 Some examples will be described: Example 1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive a Master Information Block (MIB) from a cell of a network node, the MIB including a first indication of a first physical downlink channel and a second indication of a second physical downlink channel for acquisition of a System Information Block (SIB); determine at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel based on the second indication; monitor the at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel; and receive the second physical downlink channel.

[0100] Example 2. The apparatus according to Example 1, wherein the at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel includes at least one second search space, wherein: the first indication of the first physical downlink channel indicates a first CORESET and a first search space associated with the first CORESET, the second indication of the second physical downlink channel indicates a second CORESET and the at least one second search space, and wherein determining the at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel causes the apparatus to select the at least one second search space.

[0101] Example 3. The apparatus according to Example 2, wherein the apparatus is further configured to decode the second physical downlink channel based on the second CORESET and at least one second search space.

[0102] Example 4. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 2-3, wherein the second CORESET for the second physical downlink channel is the same as the first CORESET for the first physical downlink channel.

[0103] Example 5. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 2-4, wherein at least one second search space for the second physical downlink channel is the same as the first search space for the first physical downlink channel.

[0104] Example 6. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 2-5, wherein the second core set is at least one of the following: the same size as the first core set and adjacent to the first core set in frequency; the same size as the first core set and directly below the first core set in frequency; the same size as the first core set and directly above the first core set in frequency; the same size as the first core set and having the same starting frequency as the first core set; smaller in size than the first core set and having the same starting frequency as the first core set; or different in size from the first core set and adjacent to or contained in the same frequency as the first core set.

[0105] Example 7. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-6, wherein the apparatus is further configured to determine whether the SIB needs to be received based on the second physical downlink channel.

[0106] Example 8. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-7, wherein the apparatus is further configured to decode the second physical downlink channel before decoding the first physical downlink channel.

[0107] Example 9. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-8, wherein each second physical downlink channel is scrambled using a predetermined Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI).

[0108] In an example embodiment, the second PDCH may utilize a new RNTI scrambling that may be different from the RNTI used for other SIs.

[0109] Example 10. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-9, wherein the apparatus is further configured to obtain information within the second physical downlink channel, the information including at least one of the following: an indication of the energy-saving status of the cell, time slot information indicating DTX information, time slot information indicating the availability of unlicensed access time slots, an indication of whether system information is on demand, elements or portions of SI, elements of UAC, and an indication or configuration of MRSS.

[0110] In an example embodiment, the UAC may be included in SIB1 and may provide information about access restrictions. In this example, access restrictions may apply to services, applications, user groups, user equipment groups, UE groups with specific capabilities, and / or more. In one example, an access restriction may indicate, for example, that voice calls are allowed, but delay-tolerant services may not be permitted for low-priority users.

[0111] Example 11. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-10, wherein the apparatus is further configured to determine whether to receive the second physical downlink channel based on the apparatus's capabilities.

[0112] Example 12. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-11, wherein the second indication indicates a plurality of second physical downlink channels, and wherein the apparatus is further configured to: monitor at least one search space for each of the plurality of second physical downlink channels; and receive each of the plurality of second physical downlink channels.

[0113] Example 13. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-11, wherein the second indication indicates a plurality of second physical downlink channels, and wherein the apparatus is further configured to determine, based on the apparatus's capability, which of the plurality of second physical downlink channels to receive.

[0114] Example 14. An apparatus according to any of Examples 1-13, wherein the cell employs on-demand SIB1.

[0115] Example 15. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-14, wherein the second physical downlink channel is encoded based on at least one of the following: Abstract Syntax Notation 1 (ASN.1) or Bitmap.

[0116] Example 16. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-15, wherein the MIB further includes: a system frame number, a common subcarrier spacing (subCarrierSpacingCommon), a synchronization block subcarrier offset (ssb-SubcarrierOffset), a demodulation reference signal Type A demodulation reference signal position (dmrs-TypeA-Position), an indication of whether the cell is prohibited, and an indication of whether intra-frequency reselection is permitted.

[0117] Regarding Example 16, dmrs-TypeA-Position can indicate the location of the (first) DM-RS used for downlink and uplink. IntraFreqReselection can be used to control cell selection / reselection to an intrafrequency cell when the highest-ranked cell is banned or considered banned by the UE. PDCCH Configuration SIB1 (pdcch-ConfigSIB1) can be used to determine the common CORESET, common search space, and necessary PDCCH parameters. If the ssb-SubcarrierOffset field indicates that SIB1 does not exist, the pdcch-ConfigSIB1 field can indicate whether the UE can find a frequency location with an SS / PBCH block having SIB1 or whether the network does not provide a frequency range with an SS / PBCH block having SIB1. The ssb-SubcarrierOffset information element (IE) can correspond to k SSBThis is the frequency domain offset between the SSB and the overall resource block grid, expressed in terms of the number of subcarriers. The range of values ​​for this field can be extended by adding the most significant bit encoded within the PBCH. This field can indicate that the cell does not provide SIB1 and therefore CORESET0 is not configured in the MIB. In this case, the pdcch-ConfigSIB1 field can indicate that the UE can (or cannot) find the frequency location of the SS / PBCH with the control resource set and search space for SIB1. subCarrierSpacingCommon IE can indicate the subcarrier spacing for SIB1, message 2 / 4 (Msg.2 / 4), and message B (MsgB) used for initial access, paging, and broadcast SI messages. If the UE acquires this MIB on the FR1 carrier frequency, a subcarrier spacing value of 15kHz or 60kHz (scs15or60) corresponds to 15kHz, and a subcarrier spacing value of 30kHz or 120kHz (scs30or120) corresponds to 30kHz. If the UE acquires the MIB on a carrier frequency in frequency range 2 (FR2), the value scs15or60 corresponds to 60kHz, and the value scs30or120 corresponds to 120kHz. For operations with shared spectrum channel access in FR1 and for operations in FR2-2, the subcarrier spacing of SIB1, Msg.2 / 4, and MsgB used for initial access, paging, and broadcast SI messages is the same as the subcarrier spacing used for the corresponding SSB. For operations with shared spectrum channel access, this field is instead used to derive the QCL relationship between SS / PBCH blocks.

[0118] Example 17. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-16, wherein the apparatus is further configured to receive the MIB prior to the establishment of the RRC connection.

[0119] Example 18. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-17, wherein the second physical downlink channel is a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) acquired when the apparatus is in an RRC idle or RRC inactive state.

[0120] In an example embodiment, the second PDCH (e.g., EI-PDCH) may be PDCCH, GC-PDCCH, and / or the like.

[0121] In an example embodiment, the GC-PDCCH may include a channel (e.g., a PDCCH or a separately designed channel) carrying information intended for use by a group of UEs. The GC-PDCCH can be used to carry / transmit information for the UEs to perform corresponding operations. The GC-PDCCH can be used in a method via which a group of UEs within a cell can be notified of network events, configurations, or states via different DCI formats transmitted on a PDCCH scrambled with an RNTI, which can be used by the group of UEs. For example, GC-PDCCH can be used for at least one of the following: time slot configuration via SFI-RNTI scrambled with DCI format 2_0, interrupt transmission indication via DCI format 2_1 scrambled with INT-RNTI, cancellation indication via DCI format 2_4 scrambled with CI-RNTI, group transmission power control (TPC) commands for PUCCH / PUSCH via DCI format 2_2 scrambled with tpc-PUCCH-RNTI or tpc-PUSCH-RNTI, SRS handover via DCI format 2_3 scrambled with tpc-SRS-RNTI, and / or the like. For example, if the UE is configured by the network to do so in the Type 3 PDCCH CSS search space, the UE can monitor the above. For each specified DCI format, the UE can determine the payload via configuration parameters and can know the possible contents of the DCI format.

[0122] Example 19. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-18, wherein the second physical downlink channel is beam-specific, such that different beams of the cell are associated with different second physical downlink channels.

[0123] In the example embodiment, the gNB can select and decide or determine which EI-PDCHs to transmit on which beams. The UE can perform blind decoding on all beams.

[0124] Example 20. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-19, wherein the second instruction includes at least one of the following: the second instruction is included within the first instruction, or the second instruction can be derived based on the first instruction.

[0125] Example 21. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-20, wherein the second physical downlink channel includes at least one of the following: a second physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carrying data; or a physical downlink shared channel carrying data.

[0126] Example 22. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-21, wherein the apparatus is pre-configured to decode a second physical downlink channel.

[0127] Example 23. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-22, wherein the first physical downlink channel indicates the PDSCH for acquisition by the SIB.

[0128] In an example embodiment, the first PDCH may indicate the PDSCH used for SIB1 acquisition. For example, the first PDCH may be pdcch-ConfigSIB1. pdcch-ConfigSIB1 may determine the common CORESET, common search space, and necessary PDCCH parameters. If the ssb-SubcarrierOffset field indicates that SIB1 does not exist, the pdcch-ConfigSIB1 field may indicate that the UE can find the frequency location of the SS / PBCH block with SIB1 or that the network does not provide the frequency range of the SS / PBCH block with SIB1.

[0129] Example 24. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1-23, wherein the first physical downlink channel is a first PDCCH.

[0130] Example 25. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: transmit a Master Information Block (MIB) to a user equipment, the MIB including a first indication of a first physical downlink channel and a second indication of a second physical downlink channel for acquisition of a System Information Block (SIB); and transmit the second physical downlink channel. The transmission is performed according to the second indication included in the MIB.

[0131] Example 26. A method comprising: receiving a Master Information Block (MIB) from a cell of a network node by a user equipment, the MIB including a first indication for a first physical downlink channel and a second indication for a second physical downlink channel for acquisition of a System Information Block (SIB); determining at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel based on the second indication; monitoring at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel; and receiving the second physical downlink channel.

[0132] Example 27. The method of Example 26, wherein at least one search space for a second physical downlink channel includes at least one second search space, wherein: a first indication of a first physical downlink channel indicates a first CORESET and a first search space associated with the first CORESET, a second indication of a second physical downlink channel indicates a second CORESET and at least one second search space, and wherein determining the at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel includes selecting the at least one second search space.

[0133] Example 28. The method according to Example 27 includes: decoding a second physical downlink channel based on a second CORESET and at least one second search space.

[0134] Example 29. The method of any one of Examples 26-28, wherein the second CORESET for the second physical downlink channel is the same as the first CORESET for the first physical downlink channel.

[0135] Example 30. The method of any one of Examples 26-29, wherein at least one second search space for the second physical downlink channel is the same as the first search space for the first physical downlink channel.

[0136] Example 31. The method according to any one of Examples 26-30, wherein the second CORESET is at least one of the following: the same size as the first CORESET and adjacent to the first CORESET in frequency; the same size as the first CORESET and directly below the first CORESET in frequency; the same size as the first CORESET and directly above the first CORESET in frequency; the same size as the first CORESET and having the same starting frequency as the first CORESET; smaller in size than the first CORESET and having the same starting frequency as the first CORESET; or different in size from the first CORESET and adjacent to or contained in the same frequency as the first CORESET.

[0137] Example 32. The method according to any one of Examples 26-31 further includes determining whether SIB needs to be received based on the second physical downlink channel.

[0138] Example 33. The method according to any one of Examples 26-32 further includes decoding the second physical downlink channel before decoding the first physical downlink channel.

[0139] Example 34. According to any one of Examples 26-33, each second physical downlink channel is scrambled using a predetermined Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI).

[0140] Example 35. The method according to any one of Examples 26-34 further includes obtaining information within a second physical downlink channel, the information including at least one of the following: an indication of the cell's energy-saving status, time slot information indicating discontinuous transmission (DTX) information, time slot information indicating the availability of unlicensed access time slots, an indication of whether system information is on demand, elements or portions of system information (SI), elements of unified access control (UAC), and an indication or configuration of multiple RAT spectrum sharing (MRSS).

[0141] Example 36. The method according to any one of Examples 26-35 further includes: determining whether to receive a second physical downlink channel based on the capabilities of the user equipment.

[0142] Example 37. A method according to any one of Examples 26-36, wherein the second indication indicates a plurality of second physical downlink channels, the method comprising: monitoring at least one search space for each of the plurality of second physical downlink channels, and receiving each of the plurality of second physical downlink channels.

[0143] Example 38. The method according to Examples 26-37 further includes determining which of the multiple second physical downlink channels to receive based on the capabilities of the user equipment.

[0144] Example 39. The method of any one of Examples 26-38, wherein the cell adopts on-demand SIB1.

[0145] Example 40. The method of any one of Examples 26-39, wherein the second physical downlink channel is encoded based on at least one of the following: Abstract Syntax Notation 1 (ASN.1) or Bitmap.

[0146] Example 41. The method according to any one of Examples 26-40, wherein the MIB further includes: system frame number, subCarrierSpacingCommon, ssb-SubcarrierOffset, demodulation reference signal dmrs-TypeA-Position, indication of whether the cell is prohibited, and indication of whether intra-frequency reselection is allowed.

[0147] Example 42. The method according to any one of Examples 26-41, wherein the MIB is received before the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection is established.

[0148] Example 43. The method according to any one of Examples 26-42, wherein the second physical downlink channel is a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) acquired when the user equipment is in an RRC idle or RRC inactive state.

[0149] Example 44. The method of any one of Examples 26-43, wherein the second physical downlink channel is beam-specific, such that different beams of the cell are associated with different second physical downlink channels.

[0150] Example 45. The method of any one of Examples 26-44, wherein the second instruction includes at least one of the following: the second instruction is included within the first instruction, or the second instruction may be derived based on the first instruction.

[0151] Example 46. A method according to any one of Examples 26-45, wherein the second physical downlink channel includes at least one of the following: a second physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carrying data, or a physical downlink shared channel carrying data.

[0152] Example 47. The method of any one of Examples 26-46, wherein the user equipment is pre-configured to decode the second physical downlink channel.

[0153] Example 48. The method of any one of Examples 26-47, wherein the first physical downlink channel indicates the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) for acquisition by the SIB.

[0154] Example 49. The method of any one of Examples 26-48, wherein the first physical downlink channel is the first PDCCH.

[0155] Figure 10 This is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., UE, user equipment, AP, BS, eNB, gNB, RAN node, network node, TRP, or other node) 1300 according to an example embodiment. The wireless station 1300 may include, for example, one or more (e.g., such as...) Figure 10 The two RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 1302A and 1302B shown include a transmitter for transmitting signals and a receiver for receiving signals. The wireless station also includes a processor or control unit / entity (controller) 1304 for executing instructions or software and controlling the transmission and reception of signals, and a memory 1306 for storing data and / or instructions.

[0156] Processor 1304 may also make decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets, or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and perform other tasks or functions described herein. For example, processor 1304, which may be a baseband processor, may generate messages, packets, frames, or other signals for transmission via wireless transceiver 1302 (1302A or 1302B). Processor 1304 may control the transmission of signals or messages on a wireless network and may control the reception of signals or messages via a wireless network (e.g., after down-conversion by wireless transceiver 1302). Processor 1304 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in memory or other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. Processor 1304 may be (or may include) hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor executing software or firmware, and / or any combination thereof. Using other terms, processor 1304 and transceiver 1302 together may be considered, for example, a wireless transmitter / receiver system.

[0157] Additionally, refer to Figure 10 The controller (or processor) 1308 can execute software and instructions, and can provide overall control of station 1300, and can provide... Figure 10 Control of other systems not shown, such as control of input / output devices (e.g., display, keypad), and / or software that can execute one or more applications available on the wireless station 1300, such as, for example, email programs, audio / video applications, word processors, VoIP applications, or other applications or software.

[0158] Alternatively, a storage medium containing stored instructions may be provided, which, when executed by a controller or processor, may cause processor 1304 or other controllers or processors to perform one or more of the functions or tasks described above.

[0159] According to another example embodiment, multiple RF or wireless transceivers 1302A / 1302B can receive signals or data and / or transmit or send signals or data. Processor 1304 (and possibly transceivers 1302A / 1302B) can control RF or wireless transceivers 1302A or 1302B to receive, transmit, broadcast, or transmit signals or data.

[0160] Example embodiments are provided or described for each example method, including: apparatus (e.g., Figure 10 (of 1300), including components for performing any method (e.g., Figure 10The processor 1304, RF transceiver 1302A and / or 1302B and / or memory 1306 are included; non-transitory computer-readable storage media (e.g., Figure 10 The memory 1306 includes instructions stored thereon, which are processed by at least one processor. Figure 10 The processor 1304) is configured to cause the computing system (e.g., Figure 10 (1300) executes any example method; and the device (e.g., Figure 10 The 1300 includes at least one processor (e.g., Figure 10 The processor 1304) and at least one memory including computer program code (e.g., Figure 10 The memory (1306), at least one memory (1306) and computer program code are configured to use at least one processor (1304) to cause the device (e.g., 1300) to execute at least any of the example methods.

[0161] Embodiments of the various technologies described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuits or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or combinations thereof. Embodiments can be implemented as computer program products, i.e., computer programs tangibly embodied in an information carrier (e.g., in a machine-readable storage device or in a propagating signal) for operation performed or controlled by a data processing apparatus (e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers). Embodiments can also be provided on computer-readable media or computer-readable storage media (which may be non-transitory media). Embodiments of the various technologies may also include embodiments provided via transient signals or media, and / or program and / or software embodiments downloadable via the Internet or other networks(wired and / or wireless networks). Additionally, embodiments can be provided via machine-type communication (MTC) and also via the Internet of Things (IoT).

[0162] As used herein, the term "circuit system" or "circuit" means all of the following: (a) a hardware circuit implementation only, such as an implementation in analog and / or digital circuits only; and (b) a combination of circuits and software (and / or firmware), such as (if applicable): (i) a combination of (multiple) processors or (ii) a portion of (multiple) processors / software, including (multiple) digital signal processors, software, and (multiple) memories, which work together to enable a device to perform various functions; and (c) circuits, such as (multiple) microprocessors or portions of (multiple) microprocessors, which require software or firmware to operate, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of circuit system applies to all uses of the term in this application. As another example, as used herein, the term "circuit system" will also cover an implementation of a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware only. For example, and if applicable to a particular element, the term "circuit system" will also cover a baseband integrated circuit or application processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or another network device.

[0163] Computer programs can be in the form of source code, object code, or some intermediate form, and they can be stored on some carrier, distribution medium, or computer-readable medium, which can be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers include, for example, recording media, computer memory, read-only memory, photoelectric and / or electrical carrier signals, telecommunication signals, and software distribution packages. Depending on the required processing power, a computer program can be executed in a single electronic digital computer, or it can be distributed across multiple computers.

[0164] Furthermore, embodiments of the various technologies described herein can utilize cyber-physical systems (CPS) (systems that control collaborative computing elements of physical entities). CPS enables the implementation and utilization of a large number of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in physical objects at different locations. Mobile cyber-physical systems, which are inherently mobile physical systems, are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic devices transported by humans or animals. The increasing prevalence of smartphones has increased interest in the field of mobile cyber-physical systems. Therefore, various embodiments of the technologies described herein can be provided via one or more of these technologies.

[0165] Computer programs such as those described above can be written in any programming language (including compiled or interpreted languages) and can be deployed in any form, including as standalone programs or as modules, components, subroutines, or other units or parts thereof suitable for use in a computing environment. Computer programs can be deployed to execute on a single computer, at a single site, or on multiple computers distributed across multiple sites and interconnected via a communication network.

[0166] The method steps can be executed by one or more programmable processors that execute a computer program or a portion thereof to perform a function by manipulating input data and generating output. The method steps can also be executed by special-purpose logic circuitry, and the apparatus can be implemented as special-purpose logic circuitry, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0167] Processors suitable for executing computer programs include, for example, general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer, chip, or chipset. Typically, a processor receives instructions and data from read-only memory or random access memory, or both. The elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer may also include one or more mass storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks, or operatively coupled thereto to receive data from or transfer data to or both. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by or incorporated into special-purpose logic circuitry.

[0168] To provide interaction with the user, embodiments can be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor) for displaying information to the user and a user interface (such as a keyboard and pointing device, such as a mouse or trackball) through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices can also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, the feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including sound, speech, or tactile input.

[0169] The embodiments can be implemented in a computing system that includes backend components, such as a data server, or middleware components, such as an application server, or frontend components, such as a client computer having a graphical user interface or web browser through which a user can interact with the embodiments, or any combination of such backend, middleware, or frontend components. The components can be interconnected via digital data communication (e.g., a communication network) of any form or medium. Examples of communication networks include local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), such as the Internet.

[0170] While certain features of the described embodiments have been shown as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, alterations, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and alterations falling within the true spirit of the various embodiments.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Receive a Master Information Block (MIB) from a cell of a network node. The MIB includes a first indication of a first physical downlink channel and a second indication of a second physical downlink channel for obtaining a System Information Block (SIB). At least one search space for the second physical downlink channel is determined based on the second indication; Monitor the at least one search space used for the second physical downlink channel; as well as Receive the second physical downlink channel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel includes at least one second search space, wherein: The first indication of the first physical downlink channel indicates the first CORESET and the first search space associated with the first CORESET; The second indication of the second physical downlink channel indicates the second CORESET and the at least one second search space; and The determination of the at least one search space for the second physical downlink channel causes the device to select the at least one second search space.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is further configured to: The second physical downlink channel is decoded based on the second CORESET and the at least one second search space.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the second CORESET for the second physical downlink channel is the same as the first CORESET for the first physical downlink channel.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein at least one second search space for the second physical downlink channel is the same as the first search space for the first physical downlink channel.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the second CORESET is at least one of the following: It is the same size as the first CORESET and is adjacent to the first CORESET in frequency; It is the same size as the first CORESET and is directly below the first CORESET in frequency; It is the same size as the first CORESET and is directly above the first CORESET in frequency; It has the same size as the first CORESET and the same starting frequency as the first CORESET; It has a smaller size than the first CORESET and has the same starting frequency as the first CORESET; or It is of a different size from the first CORESET and is adjacent to or included in the same frequency range as the first CORESET.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the apparatus is further configured to determine whether the SIB needs to be received based on the second physical downlink channel.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus is further configured to decode the second physical downlink channel before decoding the first physical downlink channel.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each second physical downlink channel is scrambled using a predetermined radio network temporary identifier (RNTI).

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the apparatus is further configured to obtain information within the second physical downlink channel, the information comprising at least one of the following: An indication of the energy-saving status of the community; Time slot information indicating discontinuous transmission of DTX information; Time slot information indicating the availability of time slots for unlicensed access; Does the system provide the required information? System information (SI) elements or parts; Elements of the Unified Access Control (UAC); and Instructions or configurations for multi-RAT spectrum sharing MRSS.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the apparatus is further configured to determine whether to receive the second physical downlink channel based on the capabilities of the apparatus.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second indication indicates a plurality of second physical downlink channels, and wherein the apparatus is further configured to: Monitoring at least one search space for each of the plurality of second physical downlink channels; and Receive each of the plurality of second physical downlink channels.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second indication indicates a plurality of second physical downlink channels, and wherein the apparatus is further configured to determine, based on the apparatus's capabilities, which of the plurality of second physical downlink channels to receive.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the cell employs on-demand SIB1.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the second physical downlink channel is encoded based on at least one of the following: Abstract Syntax Notation - ASN.1; or Bitmap.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the MIB further comprises: System frame number; Common subcarrier spacing; Synchronization signal block subcarrier offset; Position of the Class A demodulation reference signal; Indication regarding whether the community is prohibited; as well as Indicator whether frequency reselection is allowed.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the apparatus is further configured to receive the MIB prior to the establishment of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the second physical downlink channel is a Group Common Physical Downlink Control Channel (GC-PDCCH) acquired when the apparatus is in an RRC idle state or in an RRC inactive state.

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the second physical downlink channel is beam-specific, such that different beams of the cell are associated with different second physical downlink channels.

20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the second indication comprises at least one of the following: The second instruction is included within the first instruction; or The second instruction can be derived from the first instruction.

21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the second physical downlink channel comprises at least one of the following: The second physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carrying data; or Physical downlink shared channel carrying data.

22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the apparatus is pre-configured to decode the second physical downlink channel.

23. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the first physical downlink channel indicates a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) for acquisition by the SIB.

24. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the first physical downlink channel is a first PDCCH.

25. A method comprising: The user equipment receives a main information block (MIB) from a cell of a network node. The MIB includes a first indication of a first physical downlink channel and a second indication of a second physical downlink channel for obtaining a system information block (SIB). At least one search space for the second physical downlink channel is determined based on the second indication; Monitor the at least one search space used for the second physical downlink channel; as well as Receive the second physical downlink channel.

26. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: Transmit a Master Information Block (MIB) to the user equipment, the MIB including a first indication of a first physical downlink channel and a second indication of a second physical downlink channel for obtaining a System Information Block (SIB); and Transmit the second physical downlink channel.

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