Device for detecting and processing PDCCH

Abstract

To provide a communication device for handling the detection of a PDCCH that reduces the power consumption of UE.SOLUTION: A communication device 20 for handling a physical downlink (DL) control channel (PDCCH) reception comprises at least one storage device 210, and at least one processing circuit 200, coupled to the at least one storage device. The at least one storage device stores instructions, and the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the instructions of changing from a first active bandwidth part BWP [BP1] of a serving cell of a network to a second active BWP [BP2] of the serving cell according to at least one first indicator; and determine whether to detect a PDCCH according to at least one search space (SS) set for the serving cell, after changing to the second active BWP.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

Background Art

[0002] A Long Term Evolution (LTE) system supporting the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP (registered trademark)) Rel-8 standard and / or 3GPP (registered trademark) Rel-9 standard has been developed by 3GPP (registered trademark) as a successor to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) in order to further enhance the performance of UMTS to meet the increasing needs of users. The LTE system includes a new radio interface and a new radio network architecture that provides high data rates, low latency, packet optimization, and improved system capacity and coverage.

[0003] As its name indicates, the Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) system is an evolution of the LTE system. The LTE-A system aims at faster switching between power states, improves the performance at the edge of the coverage of an evolved Node B (eNB), and increases peak data rate and throughput. The LTE-A system includes advanced technologies such as carrier aggregation (CA), coordinated multi-point (CoMP) transmission / reception, uplink (UL) multiple-input multiple-output (UL-MIMO), license-assisted access (LAA) (for example, using LTE).

[0004] In order to further enhance the LTE-A system, a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) has been developed. The NG-RAN includes one or more Next Generation Node Bs (gNBs) and has characteristics such as a wider operating bandwidth, different numerologies for different frequency ranges, massive MIMO, and advanced channel coding.

[0005] Power consumption remains a critical issue for user equipment (UEs). Various configurations of UEs have been discussed to reduce UE power consumption and extend UE standby / usage time. Unlike conventional proposals, the detection of the physical downlink (DL) control channel (PDCCH) is improved in this invention to reduce UE power consumption. [Overview of the project]

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for detecting and processing a physical downlink (DL) control channel (PDCCH) in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] This is achieved by a communication device for detecting and processing PDCCH according to the following independent claims. Dependent claims relate to corresponding additional developments and improvements.

[0008] As will become clearer from the detailed description to follow, the communication device for processing physical downlink (DL) control channel (PDCCH) reception described in the claims comprises at least one storage device; and at least one processing circuit coupled to the at least one storage device, the at least one storage device storing instructions. The at least one processing circuit is configured to execute the following instructions: namely, an instruction to change from a first active bandwidth portion (BWP) of a serving cell of a network to a second active BWP of the serving cell according to at least one first indicator; and an instruction to determine whether to detect a PDCCH for the serving cell after changing to the second active BWP according to at least one set of search spaces (SS). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an example of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an example of the present invention. [Figure 3]This is a flowchart of a process according to an example of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the modification of BWP according to an example of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart of a process according to an example of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of a process according to an example of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart of a process according to an example of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 10 according to an example of the present invention. Briefly, the wireless communication system 10 consists of a network and a plurality of communication devices. The wireless communication system 10 can support time-division duality (TDD) mode, frequency-division duality (FDD) mode, TDD-FDD joint operation mode, non-terrestrial network (NTN) mode, or license-assisted access (LAA) mode. That is, the network and communication devices may communicate with each other via FDD carriers, TDD carriers, authorized carriers (authorized serving cells) and / or unauthorized carriers (unauthorized serving cells). Furthermore, the wireless communication system 10 may support carrier aggregation (CA). That is, the network and communication devices may communicate with each other via a plurality of serving cells (e.g., a plurality of service carriers), which include a primary cell (e.g., a primary component carrier) and one or more secondary cells (e.g., secondary component carriers).

[0011] Figure 1 simply uses a network and communication equipment to illustrate the structure of the wireless communication system 10. In practice, the network may be a universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) including at least one Node B (NB) in a universal mobile communications system (UMTS). For example, the network may be an evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN) including at least one evolved NB (eNB) and / or at least one relay node in a long-term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, or an LTE-A evolution system. For example, the network may be a next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) including at least one next-generation Node B (gNB) and / or at least one fifth-generation (5G) base station (BS). For example, the network may be any BS conforming to a specific communication standard for communicating with communication equipment.

[0012] NR is a standard defined for 5G systems (or 5G networks) that provides a unified air interface with improved performance. gNB is being deployed to enable 5G systems that support advanced features such as Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC), and Massive Machine-Type Communication (mMTC). eMBB provides broadband services with wider bandwidth and low / medium latency. URLLC provides applications (e.g., end-to-end communication) with even higher reliability and lower latency characteristics. Examples of applications include the industrial internet, smart grids, infrastructure protection, remote surgery, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS). mMTC can support the Internet of Things (IoT) in 5G systems, including billions of connected devices and / or sensors.

[0013] Furthermore, the network may also include at least one of UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN and a core network, the core network may include network entities such as a mobility management entity (MME), a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), a self-organizing network (SON) server and / or a radio network controller (RNC). For example, after the network receives information transmitted by a communication device, the information may be processed only by UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN, and decisions corresponding to that information may be made in UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN. For example, UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN may forward the information to the core network, and after the core network processes the information, decisions corresponding to that information may be made in the core network. For example, the information may be processed by both UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN and the core network, and decisions may be made after coordination and / or cooperation between UTRAN / E-UTRAN / NG-RAN and the core network.

[0014] Communication devices may be user devices (UEs), low-cost devices (e.g., machine-type communication (MTC) devices), device-to-device communication devices (D2D), narrowband Internet of Things (IoT) (NB-IoT), mobile phones, laptops, tablet computers, e-books, portable computer systems, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the network and communication devices can be viewed as transmitters or receivers depending on the direction (i.e., transmission direction), for example, in an uplink (UL), the communication device is the transmitter and the network is the receiver, and in a downlink (DL), the network is the transmitter and the communication device is the receiver.

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 20 according to an example of the present invention. The communication device 20 may be, but is not limited to, the communication device or network shown in Figure 1. The communication device 20 may include at least one processing circuit 200 such as a microprocessor or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), at least one storage device 210, and at least one communication interface device 220. The at least one storage device 210 may be any data storage device capable of storing program code 214 accessed and executed by at least one processing circuit 200. Examples of the at least one storage device 210 include, but are not limited to, a subscriber identification module (SIM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, random access memory (RAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital general-purpose disc ROM (DVD-ROM), Blu-ray® disc ROM (BD-ROM), magnetic tape, hard disk, optical data storage device, non-volatile storage device, and non-temporary computer-readable media. At least one communication interface device 220 is preferably at least one transceiver and is used to send and receive signals (e.g., data, messages and / or packets) according to the processing results of at least one processing circuit 200.

[0016] Figure 3 is a flowchart of process 30 according to an example of the present invention. Process 30 may be used in a communication device to detect a physical DL control channel (PDCCH). Process 30 may be compiled into program code 214 and includes the following steps. Step 300: Start. Step 302: Change from the first active bandwidth portion (BWP) of the network's serving cell to the second active BWP of the serving cell according to at least one first indicator. Step 304: After changing to the second active BWP, determine whether to detect PDCCH for the serving cell according to at least one search space (SS) set. Step 306: Finished.

[0017] According to process 30, the communication device changes (e.g., switches) from the first active BWP of the serving cell of the network to the second active BWP of the serving cell according to at least one first indicator (e.g., via this). Next, after changing to the second active BWP, the communication device determines whether to detect (e.g., monitor, receive) the PDCCH for the serving cell according to at least one SS set for the serving cell. That is, the BWP switch triggers the communication device to determine whether to detect the PDCCH according to at least one SS set. Therefore, the BWP change and the adaptation of PDCCH detection (i.e., PDCCH monitoring adaptation) can operate simultaneously in the serving cell.

[0018] The implementation of process 30 is not limited to the above description. The following examples may be applied to implement process 30.

[0019] In one example, at least one first indicator is generated according to the expiration of a timer (e.g., BWP inactivity timer) of the communication device.

[0020] In one example, at least one first indicator is received in the downlink control information (DCI) from the network. In one example, the DCI includes at least one second indicator, and the communication device detects the PDCCH for the serving cell according to one of the following instructions, that is, this instruction is an instruction to detect the PDCCH for the serving cell according to at least one SS set having a group index by at least one second indicator; and an instruction to stop detecting the PDCCH for the serving cell according to at least one SS set for a period of time by at least one second indicator.

[0021] In one example, an instruction to stop detecting PDCCH for a serving cell according to at least one SS set over a period by at least one second indicator includes: when at least one SS set includes a predetermined SS set, an instruction to detect PDCCH for the serving cell according to at least one SS set over a period by at least one second indicator; and when at least one SS set is not the predetermined SS set, an instruction to stop detecting PDCCH for the serving cell according to at least one SS set over a period by at least one second indicator. In one example, the predetermined SS set may include a common search space set (CSS).

[0022] In one example, the PDCCH monitoring adaptation for the second active BWP is enabled or executed (e.g., when the DCI includes at least one second indicator). In one example, when the PDCCH monitoring adaptation for the second active BWP is disabled or not executed (e.g., even when the DCI includes at least one second indicator), the communication device ignores at least one second indicator.

[0023] In one example, when at least one SS set is configured with a group index indicated before changing to the second active BWP, the communication device detects PDCCH for the serving cell according to at least one SS set.

[0024] In one example, when at least one SS set is configured with a group index and the group index is for detecting PDCCH within the second active BWP, the communication device detects PDCCH for the serving cell according to at least one SS set.

[0025] In one example, if at least one SS set is configured with a group index and the value of the group index is a predetermined value, the communication device detects the PDCCH for a serving cell according to at least one SS set.

[0026] In one example, the second active BWP is the default BWP. In another example, the first active BWP is the inactive BWP, and the second active BWP is the first inactive BWP.

[0027] In one example, at least one first indicator includes a minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator, indicated by the DCI from the network. In one example, at least one SS set is configured with a group index, and the communication device detects the PDCCH according to at least one SS set for the serving cell when the value of the group index is equal to the value of the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicator.

[0028] In one example, at least one SS set consists of at least one identity (for example, each one). In one example, at least one value (ID value) of at least one identity is between 0 and 39 (i.e., value = 0, ..., 38 or 39). In one example, at least one SS set consists of a group index (for example, 0 or 1).

[0029] It should be noted that a BWP may be a contiguous set of physical resource blocks selected from a contiguous subset of resource blocks for a given neural network (e.g., subcarrier interval) on a serving cell. In the case of a communication device, up to four BWPs may be designated for the DL and / or UL of a serving cell. In addition, one BWP may be activated during a certain period on the serving cell, and BWP changes may be performed in accordance with instructions transmitted by the network (e.g., gNB) (e.g., in DCI) or by the expiration of a timer.

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a BWP modification according to an example of the present invention. In the case of a serving cell, the communication device may consist of multiple (e.g., up to four) BPWs, for example, BWP BP1 and BWP BP2. The communication device changes (e.g., switches) from BWP BP1 to BWP BP2 (after a period T, for example) in response to a DCI from the network or in response to the expiration of a timer (e.g., a BWP inactivity timer).

[0031] For example, the communication device may determine the group index after switching to BWP BP2 according to at least one of BWP BP1 and BWP BP2. If BWP BP2 is the default BWP, the group index may be a predetermined value (e.g., 0). If the communication device switches to BWP BP2 according to instructions in the DCI from the network, the group index may be a predetermined value (e.g., 1). If BWP BP1 is the dormant BWP and BWP BP2 is the first inactive BWP, the group index may be a predetermined value (e.g., 1). Thus, if at least one SS set is configured with the group index, the communication device may decide to detect PDCCH for a serving cell according to at least one SS set.

[0032] For example, the communication device may determine the group index according to the minimum applicable scheduling offset indicated by the network (e.g., its current state) (e.g., in accordance with the DCI and / or RRC signals). If the minimum applicable scheduling offset is the value before switching to BWP BP2 (e.g., 1), the group index may be a predetermined value (e.g., 1). If the minimum applicable scheduling offset is a value applicable after switching to BWP BP2 (e.g., 0), the group index may be a predetermined value (e.g., 0). Thus, given that at least one SS set is configured with the group index, the communication device may decide to detect PDCCH for a serving cell according to at least one SS set.

[0033] Figure 5 is a flowchart of process 50 according to an example of the present invention. Process 50 may be used in a communication device to detect PDCCH. Process 50 may be compiled into program code 214 and includes the following steps. Step 500: Start. Step 502: Perform UL transmission in the network's serving cell. Step 504: After performing UL transmission, detect the PDCCH for the serving cell according to at least one SS set. Step 506: Finished.

[0034] According to this process 50, the communication device performs UL transmission together with the network's serving cell. Next, after performing UL transmission, the communication device detects the PDCCH for the serving cell according to at least one SS set. That is, UL transmission triggers the communication device to detect the PDCCH. Thus, the problem of PDCCH detection triggered by UL transmission is solved.

[0035] The implementation of process 50 is not limited to the above description. The following examples may be applied to implement process 50.

[0036] In one example, before performing a UL transmission, the communication device receives at least one indicator in DL control information (DCI) from the network and executes an instruction to cease detecting PDCCH for a serving cell according to at least one SS set by at least one indicator. In one example, the communication device ceases detecting PDCCH for a serving cell according to one of the following instructions: an instruction to detect PDCCH for a serving cell according to at least one SS set having a group index by at least one indicator; and an instruction to cease detecting PDCCH for a serving cell according to at least one SS set for a period of time by at least one indicator. In one example, a command to stop detecting a PDCCH for a serving cell according to at least one SS set over a period of time by at least one indicator includes: a command to detect a PDCCH for a serving cell according to at least one SS set over a period of time by at least one indicator if at least one SS set is a predetermined SS set; and a command to stop detecting a PDCCH for a serving cell according to at least one SS set over a period of time by at least one indicator if at least one SS set is not a predetermined SS set. The predetermined SS set may include a CSS set.

[0037] For example, UL transmission includes a scheduling request (SR) or a physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0038] In one example, UL transmission includes Hybrid Automatic Repeating Request (HARQ) feedback. In one example, the HARQ feedback is a negative acknowledgment (NACK). In one example, the HARQ feedback corresponds to a priority index. In one example, the value of the priority index is 1.

[0039] In one example, UL transmission includes a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), where PUSCH corresponds to a priority index. In one example, the priority index value is 1.

[0040] In one example, at least one SS set consists of at least one identity. In one example, at least one value of the identity is between 0 and 39 (i.e., value = 0, ..., 38 or 39). In one example, at least one SS set consists of a group index (e.g., 0 or 1).

[0041] In one example, after receiving a PDCCH, the communication device determines whether to detect a second PDCCH for the serving cell according to at least one second SS set by at least one indicator in the DCI.

[0042] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a process according to an example of the present invention. During period T1, the communication device may detect a first PDCCH according to a first SS set having a first group index (e.g., 0), or it may not detect a first PDCCH according to a first SS set. In step 602, the network transmits at least one beam fault detection (BFD) reference signal (RS) to the communication device. After receiving at least one BFD RS, the communication device performs beam (or radio link) monitoring according to at least one BFD RS. In step 604, the communication device declares a beam fault according to the results of the beam monitoring (e.g., the link quality between the communication device and the network is below a threshold) and decides to find a new beam to trigger a link recovery procedure.

[0043] In step 612, the communication device identifies a PRACH resource according to a new beam and transmits a PRACH to the network via the PRACH resource for the link recovery procedure. After transmitting the PRACH (e.g., during period T2), the communication device may detect a second PDCCH according to a second SS set having a second group index (e.g., 1). Alternatively, the communication device may detect a second PDCCH according to a second SS set even if it is instructed not to detect a second PDCCH according to a second SS set. In step 614, the communication device regularly receives second PDCCHs according to a second SS set. After a second PDCCH is received, the communication device may determine whether to receive a third PDCCH according to a third SS set by at least one indicator, for example, by the second PDCCH or by a fourth PDCCH following the second PDCCH. In one example, after a timer expires, the communication device may determine whether to receive a third PDCCH according to a third SS set, for example, the second PDCCH.

[0044] In summary, the communication device may perform an SS set group switch / change (or ignore PDCCH monitoring instructions) after an emergency event in order to receive a rapid response from the network. For example, the emergency event may be the transmission of a PRACH for a link recovery procedure. For example, the emergency event may be the transmission of an SR to request UL resources. For example, the SR may correspond to a higher priority index (e.g., 1). For example, the emergency event may be the transmission of a HARQ feedback. For example, the HARQ feedback is a NACK. For example, the HARQ feedback may correspond to a higher priority index (e.g., 1). For example, the emergency event may be the transmission of a PUSCH. For example, the PUSCH may correspond to a higher priority index (e.g., 1).

[0045] Figure 7 is a flowchart of process 70 according to an example of the present invention. Process 70 may be used within a communication device to detect PDCCH. Process 70 may be compiled into program code 214 and includes the following steps. Step 700: Start. Step 702: At least one first indicator is received from the first serving cell of the network, and at least one first indicator indicates activation of the second serving cell of the network. Step 704: Detect the PDCCH for the second serving cell according to at least one first SS set having a first group index. Step 706: Finished.

[0046] According to process 70, the communication device receives at least one first indicator from the first serving cell of the network, and at least one first indicator indicates the activation of the second serving cell of the network. Next, the communication device detects the PDCCH for the second serving cell according to at least one first SS set having a first group index. That is, the activation of the second serving cell triggers the communication device to detect the PDCCH. Thus, cell activation / deactivation and PDCCH monitoring adaptation can be operated simultaneously in the serving cell.

[0047] The implementation of process 70 is not limited to the above description. The following examples may be applied to implement process 70.

[0048] In one example, the first group index is a predetermined value or is comprised of a network. The first group index may be used to instruct a communication device to receive a PDCCH for a second serving cell according to at least one first SS set having the first group index.

[0049] In one example, a communication device detecting a PDCCH for a second serving cell by at least one second indicator in the DCI from the network is performed by one of the following commands: a command to detect a PDCCH for a second serving cell according to at least one first SS set having a first group index by at least one first indicator; a command to detect a PDCCH for a second serving cell according to at least one second SS set having a second group index by at least one (first) indicator; and a command to cease detecting a PDCCH for a second serving cell for a period of time according to at least one third SS set by at least one (first) indicator. For example, an instruction to cease detecting a PDCCH for a second serving cell according to at least one third SS set for a period of time by at least one (first) indicator includes: an instruction to detect a PDCCH for a second serving cell according to at least one third SS set for a period of time by at least one (first) indicator when at least one third SS set is a predetermined SS set; and an instruction to cease detecting a PDCCH for a second serving cell according to at least one third SS set for a period of time by at least one (first) indicator when at least one third SS set is not a predetermined SS set.

[0050] The communication device may apply one or more of the following examples to the previous examples (e.g., processes 30, 50, and / or 70) in order to detect the PDCCH.

[0051] With respect to process 30 and related examples, the following examples may be applied to the detection of PDCCH in the second BWP after changing to the second active BWP.

[0052] For process 50 and related examples, the following examples may be applied to PDCCH detection before performing UL transmission or after receiving DCI. DCI is received after UL transmission.

[0053] For process 70 and related examples, the following examples may be applied to PDCCH detection after receiving at least one first indicator.

[0054] Those skilled in the art may easily modify the terms used in the examples (e.g., SS set, group index, indicator, serving cell) and combine the examples appropriately.

[0055] The communication device detects (e.g., monitors, receives) a PDCCH for a first serving cell of the network according to (e.g., via) at least one first SS set having a first group index. The communication device receives at least one indicator in the DCI from the network (e.g., after detecting the PDCCH). Next, after receiving the DCI, the communication device detects a PDCCH for a first serving cell of the network by at least one indicator according to one of the following instructions: an instruction to detect a PDCCH for a first serving cell by at least one indicator according to (e.g., via) at least one first SS set having a first group index; an instruction to detect a PDCCH for a first serving cell according to at least one second SS set having a second group index by at least one indicator; and an instruction to stop detecting a PDCCH for a first serving cell by at least one indicator for a first period according to at least one third SS set. In other words, depending on the received indicator, the communication device continues to detect the PDCCH with the same SS set, changes to detect the PDCCH with a different SS set, or stops detecting the PDCCH altogether. In other words, the PDCCH may be detected according to a variety of SS sets. Therefore, the power consumption of the communication device can be adaptively controlled according to at least one indicator. As a result, the power consumption problem is solved.

[0056] For example, if a PDCCH is detected for a first serving cell according to at least one first SS set having a first group index by at least one indicator, the communication device will cease detecting a PDCCH for the first serving cell according to at least one fourth SS set having a different group index.

[0057] In one example, if a PDCCH is detected for a first serving cell according to at least one second SS set having a second group index by at least one indicator, the communication device will cease detecting a PDCCH for the first serving cell according to at least one fifth SS set having a different group index.

[0058] In one example, the first period consists of higher-level signals or is represented by a DCI. The DCI may be scrambled with a Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) or a Power-Saving RNTI (PS-RNTI). The DCI may be received in a UE-specific SS (USS) set or CSS set.

[0059] In one example, the first group index is composed of even higher-level signals.

[0060] In one example, if at least one sixth SS set is not configured with a group index, the communication device determines that the sixth group index of at least one sixth SS set is the default group index.

[0061] In one example, at least one of the first SS sets is comprised of a second group index. That is, an SS set may be comprised of two group indexes.

[0062] In one example, the first group index is determined according to the CORESET pool index for CORESET associated with at least one of the first SS sets.

[0063] In one example, the communication device detects PDCCH for a first serving cell according to a predetermined SS set. If at least one indicator causes the device to stop detecting PDCCH for the first serving cell according to at least one third SS set for a first period, the communication device stops detecting PDCCH for the first serving cell according to at least one third SS set excluding the predetermined SS set. That is, PDCCH detection with respect to the predetermined SS set is not affected by at least one indicator. In one example, the predetermined SS set includes a CSS set. In another example, the predetermined SS set includes a USS set having an SS set index.

[0064] For example, if at least one indicator causes the detection of PDCCH for the first serving cell to cease for a first period according to at least one third SS set, the communication device will cease detecting PDCCH for the first serving cell. In other words, detection of all SS sets for the first serving cell may be stopped.

[0065] In one example, after a second period following the reception of at least one indicator, the communication device detects a PDCCH for the first serving cell according to at least one second SS set having a second group index by at least one indicator.

[0066] In one example, after a third period following the reception of at least one indicator, the communication device ceases detecting PDCCH for a first serving cell over a first period according to at least one first SS set having a first group index by at least one indicator.

[0067] In one example, when the timer expires, the communication device detects PDCCH for the first serving cell according to at least one 7th SS set having a default group index. In another example, the communication device stops detecting PDCCH for the first serving cell according to at least one 8th SS set having a different group index. In one example, the default group index value is 0. In another example, the timer value is not greater than the Bandwidth Part (BWP)-Inactivity Timer value for the first serving cell.

[0068] In one example, the second group index is associated with an empty SS set. In another example, when the communication device detects a PDCCH for the first serving cell according to at least one second SS set having the second group index by at least one indicator, the communication device terminates the BWP inactivity timer for the first serving cell. In another example, the communication device changes (or switches) the active BWP in response to the expiration of the BWP inactivity timer, and the active BWP is either the default BWP or the inactive BWP (e.g., configured by the network).

[0069] In one example, if at least one indicator stops detecting a PDCCH for the first serving cell over a first period, the communication device stops the BWP inactivity timer for the first serving cell.

[0070] In one example, if at least one indicator stops detecting a PDCCH for a first serving cell according to at least one third SS set for a first period, the communication device causes the active BWP to change (e.g., switch) in response to the expiration of the BWP inactivity timer. Here, the active BWP is either the default BWP or the inactive BWP (e.g., configured by the network).

[0071] In one example, at least one first SS set is configured for the BWP of the first serving cell.

[0072] In one example, at least one second SS set is configured for the BWP of the first serving cell.

[0073] In one example, the first serving cell is a scheduled cell of the second serving cell, which is configured by the network.

[0074] In one example, the communication device detects a PDCCH for at least one second serving cell according to at least one ninth SS set. Here, when detecting a PDCCH for a first serving cell according to at least one first SS set having a first group index by at least one indicator, at least one identity of at least one eighth SS set of the second serving cell includes at least one identity of at least one first SS set of the first serving cell.

[0075] In one example, the communication device stops detecting PDCCH for a first serving cell according to at least one first SS set, and stops detecting PDCCH for a second serving cell according to at least one eighth SS set, by at least one indicator.

[0076] In one example, the communication device detects PDCCH for the second serving cell according to a predetermined SS set. If at least one indicator causes the device to stop detecting PDCCH for the second serving cell according to at least one 9th SS set for a fourth period, the communication device stops detecting PDCCH for the second serving cell according to at least one 9th SS set other than the predetermined SS set.

[0077] In one example, the communication device stops detecting PDCCH for the second serving cell according to at least one eighth SS set after the fifth period has elapsed following the reception of at least one indicator. Note that the fifth period and the third period may be the same.

[0078] In one example, at least one indicator shows that PDCCH is detected for the first serving cell. In another example, at least one indicator shows that PDCCH is detected for multiple serving cells, including the first serving cell.

[0079] The “decision” action described above may be replaced by the actions of “calculate,” “calculate,” “get,” “generate,” “output,” “use,” “select / alternate,” “decide,” or “configure.” The “detection” action described above may be replaced by the actions of “monitor,” “receive,” “perceive,” or “get.” The “consequently” phrase described above may be replaced by “respond.” The “related” phrase described above may be replaced by “of” or “corresponding.” The “through” phrase described above may be replaced by “on,” “in,” or “at.”

[0080] Those skilled in the art will readily be able to combine, modify, and / or change the above description and examples. The above description, steps, and / or processes including the proposed steps can be implemented by means of hardware, software, firmware (known as a combination of a hardware device and computer instructions and data existing on the hardware device, such as read-only software), electronic systems, or a combination thereof. One example of such means may be a communication device 20.

[0081] Examples of hardware may include analog circuits, digital circuits, and / or mixed circuits. For example, hardware may include ASICs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic units, combined hardware components, or combinations thereof. In another example, hardware may include general-purpose processors, microprocessors, controllers, digital signal processors (DSPs), or combinations thereof.

[0082] Examples of software may include a set of code, a set of instructions, and / or a set of functions held (e.g., stored) in a memory unit, such as a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include SIM, ROM, flash memory, RAM, CD-ROM / DVD-ROM / BD-ROM, magnetic tape, hard disk, optical data storage device, non-volatile storage device, or a combination thereof. The computer-readable medium (e.g., memory unit) may be coupled internally (e.g., integrated) or externally (e.g., separated) to at least one processor. At least one processor, which may include one or more modules, can run (e.g., be configured to run) software in the computer-readable medium. The set of code, a set of instructions, and / or a set of functions may cause at least one processor, module, hardware, and / or electronic system to perform the relevant steps.

[0083] Examples of electronic systems may include a system-on-a-chip (SoC), system-in-package (SiP), computer-on-a-module (CoM), computer program product, apparatus, mobile phone, laptop, tablet computer, e-book, or portable computer system, and a communication device 20.

[0084] In summary, the present invention provides a communication device for managing power consumption. To control the detection of the PDCCH, an SS set index, a group index, and an indicator are considered together. Therefore, the PDCCH may be detected according to a variety of SS sets. As a result, the power consumption of the communication device can be adaptively controlled.

Claims

1. A communication device that processes physical downlink (DL) control channel (PDCCH) reception, At least one storage device, At least one processing circuit is coupled to at least one memory device, and the at least one memory device comprises at least one processing circuit that stores instructions, At least one of the processing circuits executes the following instruction, namely: A command to perform uplink (UL) transmission in a network serving cell, After executing the UL transmission, a command is given to detect the PDCCH for the serving cell according to a set of multiple search spaces (SS) and It is configured to perform, Before performing the UL transmission, the communication device, A command to receive at least one indicator of DL control information (DCI) from the aforementioned network, The system executes an instruction to cease detecting the PDCCH for the serving cell according to a plurality of SS sets by at least one of the indicators, A communication device comprising multiple SS sets, each accompanied by a group index.

2. The communication device detects the PDCCH for the serving cell in accordance with one of the following commands, i.e., the command is: A command to detect the PDCCH for the serving cell according to a plurality of SS sets having the group index by at least one of the indicators, The communication device according to claim 1, comprising: an instruction to cease detecting the PDCCH for the serving cell for a period of time according to a plurality of SS sets by at least one of the indicators.

3. An instruction to cease detecting the PDCCH for the serving cell according to a plurality of SS sets over a certain period of time by at least one of the indicators is: When the multiple SS sets are predetermined SS sets, a command to detect the PDCCH for the serving cell according to the multiple SS sets over a certain period of time by at least one indicator, The communication device according to claim 2, further comprising: an instruction by at least one indicator to cease detecting the PDCCH for the serving cell in accordance with the plurality of SS sets for a certain period of time if the plurality of SS sets are not the predetermined SS set.

4. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the UL transmission includes a scheduling request (SR) or a physical random access channel (PRACH).

5. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the UL transmission has hybrid automatic repeating request (HARQ) feedback, the HARQ feedback is a negative acknowledgment (NACK), or the HARQ feedback corresponds to a priority index.

6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the value of the priority index is 1.

7. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the UL transmission has a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and the PUSCH corresponds to a priority index.

8. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein the value of the priority index is 1.

9. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of SS sets are configured with at least one identity.

10. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, after receiving the PDCCH, the communication device determines whether or not to detect a second PDCCH for the serving cell according to at least one second SS set by at least one indicator in the DCI.

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