Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, which relate to the technical field of mobile communications and are used for optimizing a monitoring mechanism of a physical downlink control channel monitoring occasion and avoiding missed detection of downlink control information. On the basis of the method, a terminal apparatus may receive search space set configuration information; the terminal apparatus can also, on the basis of the search space set configuration information, determine the positions of M physical downlink control channel monitoring occasions; the terminal apparatus can also, on the basis of the positions of the M physical downlink control channel monitoring occasions, determine N physical downlink control channel monitoring time span combinations, M and N both being positive integers greater than 1; the terminal apparatus can further, on the basis of the maximum number of monitored candidate physical downlink control channels and / or the maximum number of non-overlapping channel control elements corresponding to the N physical downlink control channel monitoring time span combinations, determine a physical downlink control channel monitoring time span combination for monitoring a physical downlink control channel, and monitor the physical downlink control channel on the basis of said combination.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on September 26, 2023, with application number 202311258049.2 and invention name "A Communication Method and Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of mobile communication technologies, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0004] In a communication system, a network device can send downlink control information (DCI) to a terminal device through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). For example, the network device can configure the search space set (SS set) corresponding to each DCI to the terminal device through high-layer signaling, but does not inform the terminal device on which candidate PDCCH in the search space set the DCI will be sent. The terminal device can determine the PDCCH monitoring occasion (MO) based on the search space set, and monitor the candidate PDCCH in the PDCCH MO to see whether the DCI is carried. The terminal device will attempt to decode each candidate PDCCH to determine whether the corresponding DCI is received. This behavior is called blind detection (BD).

[0005] Currently, the monitoring mechanism of the terminal device for PDCCH MO needs to be optimized, which may lead to missed detection of DCI in some cases.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for optimizing the monitoring mechanism of PDCCH MO to avoid DCI missed detection.

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be implemented by a terminal device. The terminal device can be a terminal device or a component of a terminal device. Among them, the component in the present application may include at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, or a transceiver unit. Taking the execution subject as an example, the method can be implemented by the following steps: the terminal device receives search space set configuration information; the terminal device determines the positions of M PDCCH monitoring opportunities according to the search space set configuration information, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; the terminal device determines N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations according to the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; the terminal device determines a PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring PDCCH according to the maximum number of monitored candidate PDCCHs and / or the maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs corresponding to the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations; the terminal device can also monitor PDCCH according to the PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring PDCCH.

[0009] It can be understood that the terminal device determines N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations according to the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities, which can also be replaced by: the terminal device determines N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations according to the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities.

[0010] Based on the method shown in the first aspect, when the terminal device determines multiple PDCCH monitoring time span combinations, the PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring the PDCCH can be determined from the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations according to the maximum number of candidate PDCCHs and / or the maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs of the multiple PDCCH monitoring time span combinations, and the PDCCH is monitored according to the PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring the PDCCH. Correspondingly, the base station uses the same rules to determine the PDCCH monitoring time span combination for the terminal device to monitor the PDCCH, and sends the PDCCH through the combination. Therefore, the terminal device and the base station can reach a consensus on the PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring the PDCCH to avoid DCI missed detection.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the terminal device may also send information of at least two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations supported by the terminal device; and determine the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations based on the information of at least two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations supported by the terminal device and the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities.

[0012] Based on this implementation method, the terminal device can report the information of the PDCCH monitoring time span combination supported by itself, so that the base station can or the terminal device can configure the PDCCH monitoring time span combination supported by it to achieve reasonable and efficient determination of the information of the PDCCH monitoring time span combination.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring PDCCH is the PDCCH monitoring time span combination with the largest maximum number of corresponding monitored candidate PDCCHs among the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations; and / or, the PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring PDCCH is the PDCCH monitoring time span combination with the largest maximum number of corresponding non-overlapping CCEs among the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations.

[0014] Based on this implementation method, the PDCCH monitoring time span combination with the largest maximum number of candidate PDCCHs and / or the PDCCH monitoring time span combination with the largest maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs among the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations can be determined as the PDCCH monitoring time span combination used by the terminal device to monitor the PDCCH, so as to improve the PDCCH transmission performance.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities satisfy: the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities are located in the same time slot, the length of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities is 1 symbol or 2 symbols, and the consecutive 3 symbols in the time slot include 3 PDCCH monitoring opportunities with a length of 1 symbol, or include 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity with a length of 2 symbols and 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity with a length of 1 symbol; the next symbol of the consecutive 3 symbols does not include a PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0016] Based on this implementation method, the method shown in this application can be executed when the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities meet the conditions, so as to avoid missed DCI detection due to inconsistent understanding of the PDCCH monitoring time span combination between the terminal device and the base station in the ambiguous scenario that meets the above conditions.

[0017] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be implemented by a network device. The network device can be a network device such as a base station or a component in the network device. Taking the execution subject as an example, the method can be implemented by the following steps: the network device determines the positions of M physical downlink control channel PDCCH monitoring opportunities based on the search space set configuration information, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; the network device can also send the search space set configuration information; determine N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations based on the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; the network device can also determine the PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring PDCCH based on the maximum number of monitored candidate PDCCHs and / or the maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs corresponding to the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations; the network device can also send PDCCH based on the PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring PDCCH.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the second aspect and its various possible implementations can refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the first aspect and its possible implementations, and will not be repeated here.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the base station may also receive information about at least two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations supported by the terminal device, and determine the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations based on the information about at least two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations supported by the terminal device and the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring PDCCH is the PDCCH monitoring time span combination with the largest maximum number of corresponding monitored candidate PDCCHs among the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations; and / or, the PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring PDCCH is the PDCCH monitoring time span combination with the largest maximum number of corresponding non-overlapping CCEs among the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities satisfy: the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities are located in the same time slot, the length of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities is 1 symbol or 2 symbols, and the consecutive 3 symbols in the time slot include 3 PDCCH monitoring opportunities with a length of 1 symbol, or include 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity with a length of 2 symbols and 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity with a length of 1 symbol; the next symbol of the consecutive 3 symbols does not include a PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0022] As a possible implementation method of any aspect from the first aspect to the second aspect, the maximum number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring time span in any two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations is different, and / or the minimum time interval between adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans in any two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations is different.

[0023] As a possible implementation manner of any one of the first aspect to the second aspect, the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations include at least two of the following PDCCH monitoring time span combinations:

[0024] A PDCCH monitoring time span combination in which the minimum time interval between the start symbols of adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans is 2 symbols and the maximum number of symbols in the PDCCH monitoring time span is 2 symbols; or

[0025] A PDCCH monitoring time span combination in which the minimum time interval between the start symbols of adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans is 4 symbols and the maximum number of symbols in the PDCCH monitoring time span is 3 symbols; or

[0026] A PDCCH monitoring time span combination in which the minimum time interval between start symbols of adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans is 7 symbols and the maximum number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring time span is 3 symbols.

[0027] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be implemented by a terminal device. The terminal device may be a terminal device or a component of a terminal device. The component in this application may include at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, or a transceiver unit. Taking the execution subject as a terminal device as an example, the method can be implemented through the following steps: the terminal device receives search space set configuration information; the terminal device determines the positions of M PDCCH monitoring opportunities based on the search space set configuration information, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; the terminal device determines that the search space set configuration information is incorrect configuration information; and / or the terminal device does not monitor the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities; wherein the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities meet the following requirements: the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities are located in the same time slot, the length of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities is 1 symbol or 2 symbols, and the consecutive 3 symbols in the time slot include 3 PDCCH monitoring opportunities with a length of 1 symbol, or the consecutive 3 symbols in the time slot include 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity with a length of 2 symbols and 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity with a length of 1 symbol; the next symbol of the consecutive 3 symbols in the time slot does not include a PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0028] Based on the method shown in the third aspect, the terminal device does not expect to be configured with at least one search space set configuration information so that the terminal device can determine multiple valid PDCCH monitoring time span combinations based on different Y values. If the terminal device receives such search space set configuration information, it can be considered that the configuration information is erroneous, and / or the terminal device can discard the configuration information, that is, not monitor the PDCCH monitoring timing determined according to the configuration information.

[0029] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be implemented by a network device. The network device can be a network device such as a base station or a component in the network device. Taking the execution subject as an example, the method can be implemented by the following steps: the network device determines the positions of M physical downlink control channel PDCCH monitoring opportunities according to the search space set configuration information, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; the network device sends the search space set configuration information; wherein, the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities do not satisfy: the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities are located in the same time slot, the length of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities is 1 symbol or 2 symbols, the consecutive 3 symbols in the time slot contain 3 PDCCH monitoring opportunities with a length of 1 symbol, or the consecutive 3 symbols in the time slot contain 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity with a length of 2 symbols and 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity with a length of 1 symbol; the next symbol of the consecutive 3 symbols in the time slot does not contain a PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0030] Based on the method shown in the fourth aspect, the network device cannot configure at least one search space set configuration information to the terminal device according to the predefined configuration rules so that the terminal device can determine multiple valid PDCCH monitoring time span combinations according to different Y values.

[0031] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device can implement the method described in any of the first to fourth aspects above, and any possible designs thereof. The device has the functions of the terminal device or network device described above. The device can be, for example, a terminal device, a functional module in a terminal device, a network device, or a functional module in a network device.

[0032] In an optional implementation, the device may include a module that performs the method / operation / step / action described in any one of the first to fourth aspects. The module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In an optional implementation, the device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module, a communication module, etc.). The transceiver unit can implement a sending function and a receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the sending function, it can be called a sending unit (sometimes also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called a transceiver unit, and the functional module can implement a sending function and a receiving function; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0033] Exemplarily, when the apparatus is used to execute the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the apparatus may include a communication unit and a processing unit.

[0034] In the sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, comprising a processor for executing a computer program (or computer executable instructions) stored in a memory, so that when the computer program (or computer executable instructions) is executed, the device executes a method as in any one of the first to fourth aspects and their various possible implementations.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the processor and memory are integrated;

[0036] In another possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device.

[0037] The communication device also includes a communication interface, which is used for the communication device to communicate with other devices, such as sending or receiving data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface can be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module or other type of communication interface.

[0038] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which is used to store computer programs or instructions, which, when executed, enables the method shown in any one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0039] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the method shown in any one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0040] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device for executing the method in any one of the above-mentioned first to fourth aspects and its various possible implementations.

[0041] In a tenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a logic circuit (or, understood as, the chip system comprising a processor, which may include logic circuits, etc.), and an input / output interface. The input / output interface can be used to input messages and also to output messages. The input / output interface can be the same interface, i.e., the same interface can implement both sending and receiving functions; or, the input / output interface can include an input interface and an output interface, with the input interface being used to implement the receiving function, i.e., for receiving messages, and the output interface being used to implement the sending function, i.e., for sending messages. The logic circuit can be used to perform the operations described in any of the first to fourth aspects above, and any possible implementations thereof, other than the sending and receiving functions; the logic circuit can also be used to transmit messages to the input / output interface, or to receive messages from other communication devices via the input / output interface. The chip system can be used to implement the methods described in any of the first to fourth aspects above, and any possible implementations thereof. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete components.

[0042] Optionally, the chip system may further include a memory, which may be used to store instructions, and the logic circuit may call the instructions stored in the memory to implement corresponding functions.

[0043] In an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, which may include a terminal device and a network device. The terminal device may be configured to perform the method described in the first or third aspect above, and any possible implementation thereof, and the network device may be configured to perform the method described in the second or fourth aspect above, and any possible implementation thereof.

[0044] The technical effects brought about by the above fifth to eleventh aspects can be found in the description of the above first to fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a PDCCH MO position provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of an upper limit of blind detection capability provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG4 is a span diagram of different PDCCH blind detection span groups provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG5 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a method for determining a PDCCH MO according to SS set configuration information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a method for determining a monitoring span combination for a UE to monitor a PDCCH provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another method for determining a monitoring span combination for a UE to monitor a PDCCH provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of an unreasonable PDCCH MO position provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system used in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1 , the communication system includes a radio access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system may also include the Internet 300. The radio access network 100 may include at least one radio access network device (such as 110a and 110b in Figure 1 ) and at least one terminal (such as 120a-120j in Figure 1 ). The terminal is wirelessly connected to the radio access network device, and the radio access network device is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network. The core network device and the radio access network device may be independent, distinct physical devices, or the core network device's functions and the radio access network device's logical functions may be integrated into the same physical device, or a single physical device may integrate some of the core network device's functions and some of the radio access network device's functions. Terminals and radio access network devices may be interconnected via wired or wireless connections. Figure 1 is merely a schematic diagram. The communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1 .

[0057] Radio access network equipment is the access device that terminals use to wirelessly access a communication system. Radio access network equipment can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication systems, a next-generation base station in sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication systems, a base station in future mobile communication systems, or an access node in a WiFi system. It can also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station, such as a centralized unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The CU here implements the functions of the base station's radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and can also implement the function of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). The DU implements the functions of the base station's radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer, and can also implement some or all of the physical layer functions. For detailed descriptions of each of the above protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The wireless access network device can be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 1), a relay node, a donor node, etc. The wireless access network device can also be an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the wireless access network device. For example, the access network device can be applied to point-to-point transmission between the access network device and the UE or between UEs, multi-hop or relay transmission between a base station and the UE, dual connectivity (DC) or multi-connection between multiple base stations and UEs, and other scenarios. The present application can also be applied to transmission scenarios such as uplink, downlink, access link, backhaul link, and sidelink. For ease of description, network device is referred to as the abbreviation of wireless access network device, and base station is used as an example of wireless access network device.

[0058] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can send signals to a base station or receive signals from a base station. A terminal may also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, etc. A terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal.

[0059] Base stations and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of base stations and terminals.

[0060] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. To terminals 120j accessing the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal 120i is a base station. However, to base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that communication between 110a and 120i occurs via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, communication between 110a and 120i can also occur via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, 120i is also a base station relative to 110a. Therefore, base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be referred to as communication devices with base station functionality, while 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be referred to as communication devices with terminal functionality.

[0061] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be carried out through authorized spectrum, unauthorized spectrum, or both; communication can be carried out through spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0062] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the base station may also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes the base station functions. The control subsystem that includes the base station functions here may be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grid, industrial control, smart transportation, and smart city. The functions of the terminal may also be performed by a module (such as a chip or modem) in the terminal, or by a device that includes the terminal functions.

[0063] In this application, a base station sends downlink signals or downlink information to a terminal, and the downlink information is carried on a downlink channel; the terminal sends uplink signals or uplink information to the base station, and the uplink information is carried on an uplink channel. In order to communicate with the base station, the terminal needs to establish a wireless connection with the cell controlled by the base station. The cell with which the terminal has established a wireless connection is called the serving cell of the terminal. When the terminal communicates with the serving cell, it will also be subject to interference from signals in neighboring cells.

[0064] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) are only used as examples of downlink data channels, downlink control channels and uplink data channels, respectively. In different systems and different scenarios, data channels and control channels may have different names, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0065] The current 3GPP related technical specifications support terminal devices to monitor PDCCH with a time span (span) as the granularity (or called span level). Among them, span can be defined as a number of consecutive orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in the time slot in which the terminal device is configured to monitor PDCCH. It can be understood that one span contains at least one PDCCH monitoring occasion (PDCCH MO). The starting symbol of one span is the starting symbol of one PDCCH MO, and the ending symbol of one span is the ending symbol of one PDCCH MO. Each PDCCH MO is completely contained in one span, that is, one PDCCH MO cannot cross the boundary of the span.

[0066] The PDCCH MO represents the starting time domain position and duration of a terminal device's blind detection of the PDCCH. The PDCCH MO is determined jointly by the monitoring start position of an SS set and the control resource set (CORESET) associated with the monitored SS set. In this application, "search space (SS)" and "search space set" are interchangeable. Alternatively, it can be understood that the SS set configuration information in this application includes SS configuration information or parameters.

[0067] As shown in Figure 2, the terminal device starts monitoring an SS set from the first symbol within a slot. This SS set is bound to a CORESET with a duration of three OFDM symbols. Therefore, the PDCCH MO for monitoring this SS set is the first three symbols of the slot, namely the first, second, and third symbols. The time domain symbol interval between PDCCH MO#1 and PDCCH MO#2 is three OFDM symbols. In the various figures of this application, PDCCH MO can also be represented as MO.

[0068] In this application, the time span may also be referred to as a PDCCH monitoring time span (PDCCH monitoring span).

[0069] Compared with slot-based PDCCH monitoring, span-based PDCCH monitoring can achieve more flexible PDCCH monitoring. Generally speaking, the length of a span is much smaller than a slot. Therefore, when using span-based PDCCH monitoring, terminal devices do not need to use the same configuration for monitoring within a slot.

[0070] In this application, slot-level PDCCH monitoring or span-level PDCCH monitoring refers to the granularity of PDCCH monitoring or the granularity of the upper limit of blind detection capability. Among them, the granularity of PDCCH monitoring refers to the granularity of the upper limit of blind detection capability. The granularity of the upper limit of blind detection capability refers to the granularity applicable to the blind detection capability configured by the base station. If it is slot-level PDCCH monitoring, the upper limit of blind detection capability refers to the upper limit of blind detection capability within a slot; if it is span level, the upper limit of blind detection capability refers to the upper limit of blind detection capability within a span. In this application, the upper limit can refer to the maximum number. The maximum number can also be called the maximum number.

[0071] As shown in Figure 3, if slot-level PDCCH monitoring is used, the terminal device monitors within a single slot. The upper limit of the terminal device's blind detection capability is defined at the slot level. For example, for a cell with a 15 kHz subcarrier, the upper limit of the terminal device's blind detection capability is 44 times, defined based on a single 15 kHz subcarrier slot. In Figure 3, MO#1 to MO#4 represent four different PDCCH MOs.

[0072] If span-level PDCCH monitoring is used, the terminal device will monitor within each span within a slot. The upper limit of the terminal device's blind detection capability is defined by the span level. For example, for a cell with a 15kHz subcarrier and a span combination of (2,2), the terminal device's blind detection limit is 14 times. These 14 times are defined based on a span with a span combination of (2,2) within a 15kHz subcarrier slot. For another example, span#1 and span#2 shown in Figure 3 represent different PDCCH monitoring spans. For a cell with a 15kHz subcarrier and a span combination of (4,3), the terminal device's blind detection limit is 28 times. For span#1 and span#2 in Table 3, the upper limit of the blind detection limit for each span is 28 times.

[0073] Among them, the upper limit of blind detection capability includes the blind detection upper limit (BD limit) and the control channel element (CCE) upper limit. Among them, the blind detection upper limit refers to the maximum number of monitored PDCCH candidates (maximum number of monitored PDCCH candidates). The number of blind detections refers to the number of candidate PDCCHs to be monitored or the number of candidate PDCCHs used for monitoring or the number of monitored candidate PDCCHs. For example, the number of blind detections is 7 times, which can be understood as the number of candidate PDCCHs to be monitored is 7, or the number of candidate PDCCHs used for monitoring is 7, or the number of monitored candidate PDCCHs is 7. For span-level PDCCH monitoring, it refers to the maximum number of monitored candidate PDCCHs contained in a span. The control channel element upper limit refers to the maximum number of non-overlapped CCEs. For span-level PDCCH monitoring, it refers to the maximum number of non-overlapped CCEs contained in a span.

[0074] Currently, the relevant technical specifications of 3GPP support a variety of span combinations, or combinations, or span patterns. The span combination can be expressed as a combination (X, Y), where X represents the minimum time domain interval between the starting symbols of two adjacent spans, and the unit is, for example, an OFDM symbol. For example, X represents the maximum number of symbols between the starting symbols of every two adjacent spans. Y represents the maximum length of each span, and the unit is, for example, an OFDM symbol. For example, Y represents the maximum number of symbols for each span. Span-level PDCCH monitoring introduces three span combinations, which are respectively denoted as (X, Y) = (7, 3), (X, Y) = (4, 3), and (X, Y) = (2, 2). In this application, the separation between the first symbols of every two spans is denoted as X'.

[0075] It can be understood that in the present application, (2, 2) can be used to represent a span combination with X=2 and Y=2, that is, a PDCCH monitoring time span combination in which the minimum time interval between the start symbols of adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans is 2 symbols, and the maximum number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring time span is 2 symbols. (4, 3) can be used to represent a span combination with X=4 and Y=3, that is, a PDCCH monitoring time span combination in which the minimum time interval between the start symbols of adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans is 4 symbols, and the maximum number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring time span is 3 symbols. (7, 3) can be used to represent a span combination with X=7 and Y=3, that is, a PDCCH monitoring time span combination in which the minimum time interval between the start symbols of adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans is 7 symbols, and the maximum number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring time span is 3 symbols. Subsequently, the span combination (X, Y) is represented by (X, Y).

[0076] In addition, the relevant technical specifications of 3GPP set different capacity upper limits for different span combinations (X, Y). As shown in Table 1, the blind detection upper limits of the three span combinations (X, Y) = (7, 3), (4, 3), and (2, 2) are recorded as In addition, as shown in Table 2, the upper limit of the control channel unit of the three span combinations (X, Y) = (7, 3), (4, 3), and (2, 2) is recorded as

[0077] Table 1

[0078] Table 2

[0079] In Table 1 and Table 2, μ=0 indicates that the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz, and μ=1 indicates that the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz.

[0080] Currently in the relevant technical specifications of 3GPP, the description of the number of span time domain symbols Y is that each span contains at most Y symbols, that is, for a certain (X, Y), Y is the maximum number of consecutive OFDM symbols contained in a span. When a terminal device reports that it supports (X, Y) = {(2, 2), (4, 3)}, or reports (X, Y) = {(2, 2), (7, 3)}, or reports (X, Y) = {(2, 2), (4, 3), (7, 3)}, Y can take the value of 2 or 3. This will result in different understandings of the span combination used for PDCCH monitoring in a cell by the terminal device and the base station under certain PDCCH configurations. In this application, (X, Y) = {(X1, Y1), (X2, Y2)...} means that the UE supports all span combinations in {}.

[0081] For example, when Y can take the values ​​of 2 and 3, there may be at least two span combinations that meet the protocol constraints, that is, both span combinations can be used by the terminal device to monitor the PDCCH. At this time, if the terminal device and the base station have different understandings of the span combination, it will lead to the following problems: If the base station over-configures the PDCCH in the first span of a slot (PDCCH overbooking), it may cause PDCCH missed detection, reduce the transmission success rate, and increase transmission delay. PDCCH over-configuration means that the number of candidate PDCCHs for monitoring and / or the number of non-overlapping CCEs corresponding to the search space set configured by the base station exceeds the blind detection capability of the terminal device. For example, the first span of the span combination (2, 2) screens candidate PDCCHs based on a BD upper limit of 14 and a CCE upper limit of 18, while the first span of the span combination (4, 3) screens candidate PDCCHs based on a BD upper limit of 28 and a CCE upper limit of 36. Although the maximum number of BDs or the maximum number of CCEs in the first three symbols of (2, 2) and (4, 3) are the same, when PDCCH is over-configured, the search space set or candidate PDCCHs used by the terminal for blind detection may be different from the search space set or candidate PDCCHs used by the base station to send the PDCCH, resulting in missed PDCCH detection. This is described below in conjunction with Figure 4. The terminal device performs candidate PDCCH screening according to predefined rules in the relevant 3GPP technical specifications (e.g., the pseudocode in Section 38.213-ge0, 10.1).

[0082] For example, for the PDCCH MO shown in MO#1 to MO#4 in Figure 4, the user-specific search space set (USS) includes USS#1 and USS#2. Among them, USS#1 includes 7 blind detection times corresponding to the configured candidate PDCCH, and USS#2 includes 10 blind detection times corresponding to the configured candidate PDCCH. Among them, USS#1 and USS#2 are configured on symbol 0 and symbol 1, respectively. In addition, USS#3 includes 14 blind detection times corresponding to the configured candidate PDCCH, and is configured on symbol 2. When the terminal device understands it according to the span combination (2, 2), USS#1 on span#1 does not exceed the BD upper limit of 14, but exceeds the BD upper limit of 14 when USS#2 is included. At this time, the terminal device does not monitor USS#2 on span#1 but only monitors USS#1. It can be seen that the terminal device monitors USS#1 and USS#3 on the first 3 symbols of this slot. If the base station interprets span combination (4, 3), USS#1 in span#1 does not exceed the BD upper limit of 28, and including USS#2 does not exceed the BD upper limit either. However, including USS#3 would exceed the BD upper limit. Therefore, the base station does not send DCI on USS#3, but can send DCI on USS#1 and USS#2. Therefore, the terminal device may miss detecting the DCI sent on USS#2 in the first three symbols of this time slot. In addition, for spans other than the first span in a slot, the base station ensures that the number of blind detections does not exceed the terminal device's capabilities. If the terminal device performs blind detection according to the BD upper limit of 14 or the CCE upper limit of 18, while the base station transmits according to the BD upper limit of 28 and the CCE upper limit of 36, this will cause PDCCH detection to be missed, reducing the transmission success rate and increasing transmission latency.

[0083] The present application provides a communication method for avoiding DCI missed detection caused by inconsistent understanding of span combinations between a terminal device and a base station when the terminal device supports multiple span combinations, so as to reduce transmission delay. The execution subject of the method can be a terminal device or a module applied to a terminal device, and a network device or a module applied to a network device. The method is described below with reference to FIG5 . In FIG5 , the execution subject is taken as an example of a UE and a base station. As needed, the UE can be replaced by a terminal device or a terminal apparatus, and the base station can also be replaced by a network device, an access network device, a network apparatus or an access network apparatus, etc.

[0084] S101: UE receives SS set configuration information.

[0085] The SS set configuration information may be sent by the base station and used by the UE to determine the location of the PDCCH MO.

[0086] For example, in S101, the SS set configuration information may include any one or more of the following configurations: the index of the SS set, such as the search space identifier (for example, the RRC parameter searchSpaceID); the index of the CORESET associated with the SS set, such as the control resource set identifier (for example, the RRC parameter controlResourceSetId); the PDCCH monitoring period and time slot offset value, such as the monitoring time slot period and offset (for example, the RRC parameter monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset); the starting symbol of PDCCH monitoring within a time slot, such as the monitoring symbol within the time slot (for example, the RRC parameter monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot); the format of the monitored DCI; the type of the SS set, such as the search space type (for example, the RRC parameter searchSpaceType).

[0087] S102: The UE determines the positions of M PDCCH MOs according to the SS set configuration information, where M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0088] For example, the SS set configuration information includes the PDCCH monitoring start symbol of the SS set in a time slot and the index of the CORESET associated with the SS set. The UE can determine the position of the PDCCH MO according to the SS set monitoring start symbol and the CORESET associated with the SS set.

[0089] Taking Figure 6 as an example, the starting symbol of SS set 1 in a time slot is symbol 0, and the time domain symbol length of CORESET 1 associated with SS set 1 is 3 OFDM symbols. Therefore, based on the time domain symbol length of SS set 1 and the associated CORESET 1, the UE can determine that the corresponding PDCCH MO 1 starts at symbol 0 in the time slot and continues for 3 consecutive OFDM symbols. That is, the positions of PDCCH MO 1 are symbols 0, 1, and 2. It can also be understood that the PDCCH monitoring opportunity 1 determined by SS set 1 and CORESET 1 is located at symbols 0, 1, and 2 in the time slot. Similarly, the starting symbol of SS set 2 in a time slot is symbol 4, and the time domain symbol length of CORESET 2 associated with SS set 2 is 2 OFDM symbols. Therefore, based on SS set 2 and CORESET 2, the UE determines that PDCCH MO 2 is located at symbols 4 and 5 in the time slot.

[0090] Similar to the principle of the UE determining the positions of the M PDCCH MOs, the base station can determine the positions of the M PDCCH MOs based on the SS set configuration information. The SS set configuration information can be generated by the base station, so the base station can further determine the positions of the M PDCCH MOs after generating the SS set configuration information.

[0091] The positions of the M PDCCH MOs in this application may satisfy the following conditions 1 or 2:

[0092] Condition 1: M PDCCH MOs are located in the same time slot, the length of the M PDCCH MOs is 1 symbol or 2 symbols, the consecutive 3 symbols in the time slot contain 3 PDCCH MOs with a length of 1 symbol, the next symbol after the consecutive 3 symbols does not contain PDCCH MO, or the consecutive two symbols after the consecutive 3 symbols do not contain PDCCH MO.

[0093] The three consecutive symbols may be the first three symbols of the time slot. When condition 1 is met, the positions of the M PDCCH MOs are shown in FIG7 , whereby symbols 0 to 3 in the time slot contain three PDCCH MOs of length 1 symbol.

[0094] Condition 2: M PDCCH MOs are located in the same time slot, the length of the M PDCCH MOs is 1 symbol or 2 symbols, the consecutive 3 symbols in the time slot contain 1 PDCCH MO with a length of 2 symbols and 1 PDCCH MO with a length of 1 symbol, the next symbol after the consecutive 3 symbols does not contain PDCCH MO, or the two consecutive symbols after the consecutive 3 symbols do not contain PDCCH MO.

[0095] The three consecutive symbols may be the first three symbols of the time slot. When condition 2 is met, the positions of the M PDCCH MOs are shown in FIG8 . It can be seen that symbols 0 to 1 in the figure contain a PDCCH MO of length 2 symbols, and symbol 3 contains a PDCCH MO of length 1 symbol.

[0096] The above conditions 1 and 2 may be used as applicable conditions of the present application. For example, the base station and / or UE may implement the method shown in the embodiment of the present application after determining that the PDCCH MO satisfies condition 1 or condition 2.

[0097] It can be understood that if there is no interval of at least one symbol between three consecutive symbols containing PDCCH MO and the next PDCCH MO, then as shown in Figure 9, if Y = 3 is used to determine the span, span #1 will start with symbol 0 and end with symbol 2, meaning that span #1 contains three consecutive OFDM symbols. Span #2 is immediately adjacent to span #1, meaning that the start symbol of span #2 is the symbol following the end symbol of span #1, and there is no interval of at least one OFDM symbol between them. Therefore, the interval between the start symbols of span #1 and span #2 is 3, and the time domain length of span #1 is 3. This is the span combination (3, 3). However, this span combination is not defined in the current 3GPP technical specifications, meaning it is not a protocol-specified span combination. Therefore, terminal devices and base stations may consider the span combination determined by Y = 3 to be unreasonable, while considering the span combination determined by Y = 2 to be reasonable. This is not a scenario with span combination ambiguity. Therefore, if there is no symbol gap between three consecutive symbols containing PDCCH MO and the next PDCCH MO, it is not the scenario discussed in this application.

[0098] S103: The UE determines N PDCCH monitoring span combinations according to the positions of the M PDCCH MOs, where N is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0099] Among them, the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations are PDCCH monitoring span combinations supported by the UE. In the present application, the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations may also be referred to as valid span combinations. For example, the base station may select N PDCCH monitoring span combinations that can match the positions of the M PDCCH MOs from at least two PDCCH monitoring span combinations supported by the UE, or the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations satisfy the rules predefined in the relevant technical specifications of 3GPP (e.g., 38.213-ge0). In the present application, "select" may also be replaced by "determine."

[0100] In the present application, position matching with M PDCCH MOs may mean that the span that meets the X and Y requirements of the PDCCH monitoring span combination can meet the following requirements: the start symbol of one span is the start symbol of one PDCCH MO among the M PDCCH MOs, the end symbol of one span is the end symbol of one PDCCH MO among the M PDCCH MOs, and each PDCCH MO among the M PDCCH MOs is completely contained in one span, that is, any PDCCH MO cannot cross the boundary of the span.

[0101] Optionally, among the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations, the X values ​​of any two PDCCH monitoring span combinations are different, and / or the Y values ​​of any two PDCCH monitoring span combinations are different. That is, the maximum number of symbols of the spans in any two PDCCH monitoring span combinations is different, and / or the minimum time intervals between the start symbols of adjacent spans in any two PDCCH monitoring span combinations are different. For example, the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations include at least two span combinations of (7, 3), (4, 3), and (2, 2). For example, the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations are the three span combinations of (X, Y) = {(7, 3), (4, 3), (2, 2)}, or the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations are the two span combinations of (X, Y) = {(4, 3), (2, 2)}, or the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations are the two span combinations of (X, Y) = {(7, 3), (2, 2)}.

[0102] Taking the PDCCH MO positions shown in Figure 7 as an example, the time domain symbol length of PDCCH MO#1 is 1, and it is located at symbol 0; the time domain symbol length of PDCCH MO#2 is 1, and it is located at symbol 1; the time domain symbol length of PDCCH MO#3 is 1, and it is located at symbol 2; the time domain symbol length of PDCCH MO#4 is 2, and it is located at symbols 5 and 6; the time domain symbol length of PDCCH MO#5 is 2, and it is located at symbols 9 and 10. Assume that the PDCCH monitoring span combinations supported by the UE are (2, 2) and (4, 3), that is, the maximum time domain length of the span supported by the UE is Y=2 and / or Y=3. In S103, the UE can start from the starting symbol of the first PDCCH MO of a slot and determine the time domain position of the span according to Y=2 and Y=3 respectively. The determined span needs to meet the rules predefined by the protocol to be a valid span. For example, the protocol predefined rules may include: a span contains at least one PDCCH MO; the start symbol of a span is the start symbol of a PDCCH MO, the end symbol of a span is the end symbol of a PDCCH MO, and each PDCCH MO is completely contained within a span, that is, a PDCCH MO cannot cross the span boundary. It can be assumed that the time domain positions of the PDCCH MOs contained in each time slot are the same, or that the start symbol time interval between the first span of the next time slot and the last span of the previous time slot is at least four symbols.

[0103] Specifically, for the PDCCH MO positions shown in Figure 7, the UE can use Y = 2 to determine the span. Span #1 starts with symbol 0 and ends with symbol 1, meaning span #1 contains two PDCCH MOs, PDCCH MO #1 and PDCCH MO #2, satisfying the protocol's predefined constraints. Span #2 starts with symbol 2 and ends with symbol 2, containing one PDCCH MO, PDCCH MO #3. Similarly, span #3 and span #4 shown in Figure 7 are determined. After determining all spans within a slot, the UE can determine the span combination (X, Y) based on the time domain positions of two adjacent consecutive spans. The interval between the first symbols of span #1 and span #2 is X' = 2, so span #1 and span #2 satisfy the X of the span combination (2, 2). The interval between the first symbols of span #2 and span #3 is X' = 3, which is greater than 2, so span #2 and span #3 satisfy the X of the span combination (2, 2). The interval between the first symbols of span#3 and span#4 is X'=4, so span#3 and span#4 satisfy the X of span combinations (2, 2) and (4, 3) at the same time. In one possible scenario, the UE will also determine the satisfied span combination based on the distance between span#1 and span#3, the satisfied span combination based on the distance between span#1 and span#4, and the satisfied span combination based on the distance between span#2 and span#4. Since span#1 and span#2 only satisfy the X of span combination (2, 2), and span#2 and span#3, as well as span#3 and span#4, both satisfy the X of span combination (2, 2), then we understand that the valid span combination corresponding to this cell is (2, 2).

[0104] In addition, the UE can also use Y=3 to determine the span. Here, the starting symbol of span#1 is symbol 0 and the ending symbol is symbol 2. That is, span#1 can contain three PDCCH MOs, namely PDCCH MO#1, PDCCH MO#2, and PDCCH MO#3, satisfying the constraints predefined by the protocol. The starting symbol of span#2 is symbol 5 and the ending symbol is symbol 6, containing one PDCCH MO, namely PDCCH MO#4. The starting symbol of span#3 is symbol 9 and the ending symbol is symbol 10, containing one PDCCH MO, namely PDCCH MO#5. After determining all spans within a slot, the UE can also determine the span combination (X, Y) based on the time domain position of the span. The interval between the first symbols of span#1 and span#2 is X'=5, which is greater than 4 and greater than 2. Therefore, span#1 and span#2 satisfy the X of the span combinations (2, 2) and (4, 3). The interval between the first symbols of span#2 and span#3 is X'=4, which is equal to 4 and greater than 2. Therefore, span#2 and span#3 satisfy X for the span combinations (2, 2) and (4, 3). In one possible scenario, the UE also determines the span combination based on the distance between span#1 and span#3. The interval between the first symbols of span#1 and span#3 is X'=9, which is greater than 7, greater than 4, and greater than 2. Therefore, span#1 and span#3 satisfy X for the span combinations (2, 2), (4, 3), and (7, 3). Since span#1, span#2 and span#3 simultaneously meet X of span combinations (2, 2) and (4, 3), according to the predefined rules of the protocol, when multiple span combinations are met at the same time, the span combination (X, Y) with the largest upper limit of the corresponding blind detection capability is determined as the span combination of the cell. According to Table 1 and Table 2, the span combination with the largest upper limit of the blind detection capability among the span combinations (2, 2) and (4, 3) is the span combination (4, 3), so the UE can determine that the valid span combination corresponding to this cell is (4, 3).

[0105] Therefore, the UE can determine that there are two valid span combinations for the PDCCH MO shown in Figure 7, namely span combinations (2, 2) and (4, 3). That is, at this time, the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations are span combinations (2, 2) and (4, 3), that is, N=2.

[0106] Based on the same determination method, the UE can also determine that there are two valid span combinations for the PDCCH MO shown in Figure 8, namely span combinations (2, 2) and (7, 3). In other words, at this time, the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations are span combinations (2, 2) and (7, 3), that is, N=2.

[0107] In the same manner as the UE determines N PDCCH monitoring span combinations, the base station can determine N span combinations based on the positions of the M PDCCH MOs. Still taking Figure 7 as an example, the base station can determine the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations to be span combinations (2, 2) and (4, 3).

[0108] Optionally, before S101, S102 or S103, the UE may report to the base station the information of the span combinations supported by the UE, so that the base station learns the X information and Y information of the span combinations supported by the UE. Optionally, the information of the span combinations supported by the UE may be included in the capability information of the UE. For example, the UE may report that it supports the three PDCCH monitoring span combinations of (X, Y) = {(7, 3), (4, 3), (2, 2)}, or the UE may report that it supports the two PDCCH monitoring span combinations of (X, Y) = {(7, 3), (2, 2)}, or the UE may report that it supports the two PDCCH monitoring span combinations of (X, Y) = {(4, 3), (2, 2)}. Accordingly, the UE and / or the base station may determine N span combinations based on the information of the span combinations supported by the UE and the positions of the M PDCCH MOs determined in S102.

[0109] Exemplarily, in the information reported by the UE, one way to indicate the span combinations supported by the UE is that each span combination supported by the relevant 3GPP technical specifications corresponds to an information element (IE) field or bit or bit string, which is used to indicate whether the UE supports the corresponding span combination. Taking bits as an example, when the value of the bit corresponding to the span combination (2,2) is a numerical value indicating support (such as 0 or 1), it can be indicated that the UE supports the span combination (2,2). Taking a bit-map as an example, the information reported by the UE may be a bitmap, and the subcarrier spacing of 15kHz and 30kHz corresponds to a three-bit bitmap respectively. The leftmost or first bit (bit 0) of the bitmap represents the combination (X, Y) = (7, 3), the next bit (bit 1) represents the combination (X, Y) = (4, 3), and the rightmost bit (bit 2) represents the combination (X, Y) = (2, 2). When the bit value is 1, it indicates that the corresponding span combination is supported. When the bit value is 0, it indicates that the corresponding span combination is not supported. For example, a bitmap of "100" indicates that the UE only supports the combination (X, Y) = (2, 2).

[0110] In addition, in the present application, it is not excluded that the information reported by the UE includes the value of Y supported by the UE, such as Y=2 and Y=3.

[0111] S104: The UE determines a PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring the PDCCH according to the maximum number of monitored candidate PDCCHs and / or the maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs corresponding to the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations.

[0112] It is understood that the PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring PDCCH is used by the base station to send PDCCH (or DCI), and can also be used by the UE to monitor PDCCH. Therefore, the "PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring PDCCH" in this application can also be replaced by "PDCCH monitoring span combination used by the UE to monitor PDCCH".

[0113] Among them, the maximum number of candidate PDCCHs monitored corresponding to the PDCCH monitoring span combination may be the BD upper limit corresponding to the PDCCH monitoring span combination, which can be obtained by querying Table 1. The maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs corresponding to the PDCCH monitoring span combination may be the CCE upper limit corresponding to the PDCCH monitoring span combination, which can be obtained by querying Table 2.

[0114] As an example of S104, the UE may determine a PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring the PDCCH based on the size relationship between the maximum numbers of candidate PDCCHs corresponding to the N span combinations. For example, from the N span combinations, the PDCCH monitoring span combination with the largest maximum number of candidate PDCCHs is selected as the PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring the PDCCH. For example, when the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations are the two PDCCH monitoring span combinations (X, Y) = {(4, 3), (2, 2)}, according to Table 1, taking the BD upper limit of 15kHz subcarrier spacing as an example, the BD upper limit corresponding to the span combination (4, 3) is 28, which is greater than the BD upper limit of 14 corresponding to the span combination (2, 2). Therefore, the predefined rules in the relevant technical specifications of 3GPP may select the PDCCH monitoring span combination (4, 3) as the PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring the PDCCH.

[0115] As an example of S104, the UE may determine a PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring the PDCCH based on the size relationship between the maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs corresponding to the N span combinations. For example, from the N span combinations, the PDCCH monitoring span combination with the largest maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs is selected as the PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring the PDCCH. For example, when the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations are the two PDCCH monitoring span combinations (X, Y) = {(4, 3), (2, 2)}, according to Table 2, taking the CCE upper limit of 15kHz subcarrier spacing as an example, the CCE upper limit corresponding to the span combination (4, 3) is 36, which is greater than the CCE upper limit of 18 corresponding to the span combination (2, 2). Therefore, the predefined rules in the relevant technical specifications of 3GPP may select the PDCCH monitoring span combination (4, 3) as the PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring the PDCCH.

[0116] Taking Figure 7 as an example, based on S103, the UE can determine that the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations are span combinations (2, 2) and (4, 3). By querying Table 1, it can be seen that (2, 2) corresponds to Less than (4, 3) Therefore, the UE can determine the PDCCH monitoring span combination (4, 3) as the PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring PDCCH. In addition, by querying Table 2, it can be known that (2, 2) corresponds to Less than (4, 3) Therefore, the UE may determine the PDCCH monitoring span combination (4, 3) as the PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring the PDCCH.

[0117] Similarly, the base station can determine the PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring PDCCH, or determine the span combination used by the base station to send PDCCH based on the maximum number of monitored candidate PDCCHs and / or the maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs corresponding to the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations.

[0118] Still taking Figure 7 as an example, based on S103, the base station can determine that the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations are span combinations (2, 2) and (4, 3). By querying Table 1, it can be seen that (2, 2) corresponds to Less than (4, 3) Therefore, the UE can determine the PDCCH monitoring span combination (4, 3) as the PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring PDCCH. In addition, by querying Table 2, it can be known that (2, 2) corresponds to Less than (4, 3) Therefore, the UE may determine the PDCCH monitoring span combination (4, 3) as the PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring the PDCCH. The determination result of the PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring the PDCCH is consistent with the result of the PDCCH monitoring span combination determined by the UE for monitoring the PDCCH.

[0119] Similarly, based on the scenario shown in FIG8 , the PDCCH monitoring span combination determined by the UE and / or the base station for monitoring the PDCCH is (7, 3).

[0120] S105: The UE and the base station transmit the PDCCH according to the PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring the PDCCH.

[0121] Exemplarily, the base station sends the PDCCH according to the PDCCH monitoring span combination used by the UE to monitor the PDCCH, and correspondingly, the UE monitors the PDCCH sent by the base station according to the PDCCH monitoring span combination used to monitor the PDCCH.

[0122] Still taking FIG. 7 as an example, the base station may use the span combination (4, 3) to send the PDCCH, and correspondingly, the UE may use the span combination (4, 3) to monitor the PDCCH.

[0123] That is to say, based on the process shown in Figure 5, the UE and the base station can respectively determine a PDCCH monitoring span combination for monitoring the PDCCH from N PDCCH monitoring span combinations, and the determination result of the UE is the same as the determination result of the base station, which can avoid the UE and the base station using different PDCCH monitoring span combinations for transmission, resulting in missed detection of the terminal device DCI, thereby improving the success rate of PDCCH transmission.

[0124] As another implementation method of the process shown in Figure 5, the base station can also refer to S102 to determine the positions of the M PDCCH MOs, refer to S103 to determine the positions of the N PDCCH monitoring spans, and refer to S104 to determine the PDCCH monitoring span combination used by the UE to monitor the PDCCH, and send at least one of the positions of the M PDCCH MOs, the positions of the N PDCCH monitoring spans, and the information of the PDCCH monitoring span combination used by the UE to monitor the PDCCH (for example, the values ​​of X and Y, or the index of the PDCCH monitoring span combination) as part of the SS set configuration information to the UE. Therefore, the UE can read at least one of the positions of the M PDCCH MOs, the positions of the N PDCCH monitoring spans, and the information of the PDCCH monitoring span combination used by the UE to monitor the PDCCH in the SS set configuration information without the UE performing the corresponding determination action, which can reduce the processing overhead of the UE and can also enable the UE and the base station to reach an agreement on the PDCCH monitoring span combination used by the UE to monitor the PDCCH, thereby avoiding DCI missed detection due to the UE and the base station respectively using different PDCCH monitoring span combinations.

[0125] It can be understood that the present application does not limit the time sequence in which the base station determines the positions of the M PDCCH MOs, determines the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations, and determines the PDCCH monitoring span combinations used by the UE to monitor the PDCCH in the process of Figure 5. For example, the base station can determine the positions of the M PDCCH MOs, determine the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations, and determine at least one of the PDCCH monitoring span combinations used by the UE to monitor the PDCCH according to the SS set configuration information before sending the SS set configuration information in S101 to the UE. The base station can also determine the positions of the M PDCCH MOs, determine the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations, and determine at least one of the PDCCH monitoring span combinations used by the UE to monitor the PDCCH after sending the SS set configuration information. It can also send the SS set configuration information and determine the positions of the M PDCCH MOs, determine the N PDCCH monitoring span combinations, and determine at least one of the PDCCH monitoring span combinations used by the UE to monitor the PDCCH at the same time.

[0126] As another embodiment provided by the present application, the base station cannot configure, according to predefined configuration rules, the SS set configuration information that satisfies the PDCCH MO shown in Condition 1 or Condition 2 to the UE. For example, the PDCCH MO that satisfies Condition 1 or Condition 2 cannot be determined based on the SS set configuration information configured by the base station. Therefore, the PDCCH MO determined by the UE and the base station will not satisfy Condition 1 or Condition 2.

[0127] Accordingly, the UE does not expect to be configured with (or receive) at least one SS set configuration information so that the UE can determine multiple valid span combinations based on different Y values. At this time, when condition 1 or condition 2 in the present application is met, or when the UE determines through S102 that there are M PDCCH MOs, or when the UE determines through S103 that there are N PDCCH monitoring span combinations, the UE can determine that the SS set configuration information is incorrect configuration information, that is, the UE may not monitor the PDCCH monitoring timing determined according to the SS set configuration information, or the UE may skip PDCCH monitoring, or the UE may initiate radio resource control (RRC) connection re-establishment.

[0128] It is understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the base station and the terminal include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that, in conjunction with the units and method steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a computer software-driven hardware manner depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0129] Figures 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams of the structures of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal or base station in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above-mentioned method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be one of the terminals 120a-120j shown in Figure 1, or it can be the base station 110a or 110b shown in Figure 1, or it can be a module (such as a chip) applied to the terminal or base station.

[0130] As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1000 includes a processing unit 1010 and a transceiver unit 1020. The communication device 1000 is used to implement the functions of the UE or base station in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5 above.

[0131] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the functions of a UE in the method embodiment shown in FIG5 , the transceiver unit 1020 may be configured to receive SS set configuration information; the processing unit 1010 may be configured to execute one or more of S102 to S104 to determine a monitoring time span combination for monitoring a PDCCH and receive the PDCCH. The transceiver unit 1020 may also be configured to receive the PDCCH based on the monitoring time span combination for monitoring the PDCCH.

[0132] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the functions of a base station in the method embodiment shown in FIG5 , the transceiver unit 1020 may be configured to send SS set configuration information; the processing unit 1010 may be configured to execute one or more of S102 to S104 to determine a listening time span combination used by the UE to monitor the PDCCH and receive the PDCCH. The transceiver unit 1020 may also be configured to send the PDCCH based on the listening time span combination used by the UE to monitor the PDCCH.

[0133] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 1010 and the transceiver unit 1020 , reference may be made to the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in FIG5 .

[0134] In addition, if the UE does not expect to be configured with at least one SS set configuration information so that the UE can determine multiple valid span combinations based on different Y values, the processing unit 1010 can be used to determine that the configuration information is incorrect configuration information when the transceiver unit 1020 receives the SS set configuration information so that the UE can determine multiple valid span combinations based on different Y values, and / or, to enable the transceiver unit 1020 not to monitor the PDCCH MO corresponding to the configuration information.

[0135] Accordingly, when executing the actions of the network device, the network device cannot configure the UE with SS set configuration information that enables the UE to determine multiple valid span combinations based on different Y values ​​according to the predefined configuration rules. At this time, the processing unit 1010 of the network device can be used to determine the positions of M physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring opportunities based on the search space set configuration information, where M is a positive integer greater than 1. The transceiver unit 1020 can be used to send the search space set configuration information; wherein the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities do not satisfy: the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities are located in the same time slot, the length of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities is 1 symbol or 2 symbols, the consecutive 3 symbols in the time slot include 3 PDCCH monitoring opportunities of 1 symbol length, or the consecutive 3 symbols in the time slot include 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity of 2 symbols length and 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity of 1 symbol length; and the next symbol after the consecutive 3 symbols in the time slot does not include a PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0136] As shown in Figure 11, communication device 1100 includes a processor 1110 and an interface circuit 1120. Processor 1110 and interface circuit 1120 are coupled to each other. It will be appreciated that interface circuit 1120 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, communication device 1100 may further include a memory 1130 for storing instructions executed by processor 1110, input data required by processor 1110 to execute instructions, or data generated by processor 1110 after executing instructions.

[0137] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the method shown in FIG. 5 , the processor 1110 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 1010 , and the interface circuit 1120 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 1020 .

[0138] When the above-mentioned communication device is a chip applied to a UE, the UE chip implements the functions of the UE in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The UE chip receives information sent by the base station to the UE through other modules in the UE (such as a radio frequency module or antenna); or the UE chip sends information to other modules in the UE (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the UE to the base station.

[0139] When the above-mentioned communication device is a module applied to a base station, the base station module implements the functions of the base station in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The base station module receives information from other modules in the base station (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the UE to the base station; or, the base station module sends information to other modules in the base station (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the base station to the UE. The base station module here can be a baseband chip of a base station, or a CU, DU or other module, or a device under an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture, such as an open CU, open DU or other devices.

[0140] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0141] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions that can be executed by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disk, mobile hard disk, CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a UE. The processor and storage medium can also exist in a base station or a UE as discrete components.

[0142] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0143] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0144] Part or all of the operations and functions performed by the communication device described in the above method embodiments of the present application can be completed using a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0145] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program includes instructions for executing the above method embodiment.

[0146] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the above method embodiment.

[0147] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which may include a terminal device and a network device, for implementing the methods shown in various embodiments of the present application.

[0148] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of this application, the character " / " indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in a "division" relationship. "Including at least one of A, B and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B and C.

[0149] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

[0150] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to wireless communications between communication devices. Wireless communications between communication devices may include: wireless communications between network devices and terminals, wireless communications between network devices, and wireless communications between terminals. In the embodiments of this application, the term "wireless communications" may also be referred to as "communication," which may also be described as "data transmission," "information transmission," or "transmission."

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Receiving search space set configuration information; Determine positions of M physical downlink control channel PDCCH monitoring opportunities according to the search space set configuration information, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; Determine N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations according to the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; Determine a PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring the PDCCH according to the maximum number of monitored candidate PDCCHs and / or the maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs corresponding to the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations; The PDCCH is monitored according to the PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring the PDCCH.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send information of at least two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations supported by the terminal device; The N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations are determined according to information of at least two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations supported by the terminal device and positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The maximum number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring time spans in any two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations is different, and / or the minimum time intervals between adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans in any two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations are different.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring the PDCCH is a PDCCH monitoring time span combination with a maximum number of corresponding monitored candidate PDCCHs among the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations; and / or, The PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring the PDCCH is a PDCCH monitoring time span combination having a maximum number of corresponding non-overlapping CCEs among the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities satisfy: The M PDCCH monitoring opportunities are located in the same time slot, the length of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities is 1 symbol or 2 symbols, and 3 consecutive symbols in the time slot include 3 PDCCH monitoring opportunities with a length of 1 symbol, or include 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity with a length of 2 symbols and 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity with a length of 1 symbol; The next symbol of the three consecutive symbols does not include a PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations include at least two of the following PDCCH monitoring time span combinations: A PDCCH monitoring time span combination in which the minimum time interval between the start symbols of adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans is 2 symbols and the maximum number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring time span is 2 symbols; or, A PDCCH monitoring time span combination in which the minimum time interval between the start symbols of adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans is 4 symbols and the maximum number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring time span is 3 symbols; or, A PDCCH monitoring time span combination in which the minimum time interval between start symbols of adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans is 7 symbols and the maximum number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring time span is 3 symbols.

7. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Determine the positions of M physical downlink control channel PDCCH monitoring opportunities according to the search space set configuration information, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; Sending the search space set configuration information; Determine N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations according to the positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; Determine a PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring the PDCCH according to the maximum number of monitored candidate PDCCHs and / or the maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs corresponding to the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations; The PDCCH is sent according to the PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring the PDCCH.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receiving information of at least two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations supported by the terminal device; According to the information of at least two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations supported by the terminal device and the M PDCCH monitoring time span combinations, The location of the machine determines the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The maximum number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring time spans in any two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations is different, and / or the minimum time intervals between adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans in any two PDCCH monitoring time span combinations are different.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring the PDCCH is a PDCCH monitoring time span combination with a maximum number of corresponding monitored candidate PDCCHs among the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations; and / or, The PDCCH monitoring time span combination for monitoring the PDCCH is a PDCCH monitoring time span combination having a maximum number of corresponding non-overlapping CCEs among the N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that: The positions of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities satisfy: The M PDCCH monitoring opportunities are located in the same time slot, the length of the M PDCCH monitoring opportunities is 1 symbol or 2 symbols, and 3 consecutive symbols in the time slot include 3 PDCCH monitoring opportunities with a length of 1 symbol, or include 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity with a length of 2 symbols and 1 PDCCH monitoring opportunity with a length of 1 symbol; The next symbol of the three consecutive symbols does not include a PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that: The N PDCCH monitoring time span combinations include at least two of the following PDCCH monitoring time span combinations: A PDCCH monitoring time span combination in which the minimum time interval between the start symbols of adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans is 2 symbols and the maximum number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring time span is 2 symbols; or, A PDCCH monitoring time span combination in which the minimum time interval between the start symbols of adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans is 4 symbols and the maximum number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring time span is 3 symbols; or, A PDCCH monitoring time span combination in which the minimum time interval between start symbols of adjacent PDCCH monitoring time spans is 7 symbols and the maximum number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring time span is 3 symbols.

13. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor configured to execute a computer program or an instruction to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises modules for executing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores a computer program or an instruction. When the computer program or the instruction is executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is implemented.

16. A computer program product, characterized in that When the computer program product is executed by a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

17. A chip, characterized in that: The method comprises a logic circuit, wherein the logic circuit is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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