Enhancement on blind decoding

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium for blind decoding. A method comprises: receiving, at a first apparatus and from a second apparatus, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) configuration comprising a baseline aggregation level (AL) configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, performing the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, performing the blind detection based on the baseline AL configuration.

Description

ENHANCEMENT ON BLIND DECODINGFIELDS

[0001] Various example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses and computer readable storage medium of blind decoding.BACKGROUND

[0002] Terminal devices (e.g., UEs) monitor physical control channel (PDCCH) for Downlink control information (DCI) for UL scheduling or UL grants. DCI carries information about control channel element (CCE) indices belonging to a control resource set (CORESET). Until the UE is able to decode the DCI, the PDCCH location will be unknown. UE is only aware of search space (SS) where the PDCCH is located, such that the UE will have to attempt decoding several possible DCI formats or locations within the configured search space set in order to determine if there is a CORESET match. These decoding attempts constitute the blind decoding / detection procedure. Partially due to the multitude of blind decodes to be attempted, this procedure substantially contributes to UE power consumption.SUMMARY

[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, configuration comprising a baseline aggregation level, AL, configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to based on a switching condition; perform, based on the baseline AL configuration, blind detection on the PDCCH; and in accordance with a determination that the switching condition is met based at least on a result of the blind detection in a time interval, perform blind detection on the PDCCH based on the additional AL configuration. i

[0004] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: transmit, to a first apparatus, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to based on a switching condition; schedule DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline aggregation level; and in accordance with a determination that the switching condition is met based at least on a response to the DCI from the first apparatus in the time interval, schedule the DCI based on the additional AL configuration.

[0005] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, at a first apparatus and from a second apparatus, a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, configuration comprising a baseline aggregation level, AL, configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to based on a switching condition; performing, based on the baseline AL configuration, blind detection on the PDCCH; and in accordance with a determination that the switching condition is met based at least on a result of the blind detection in a time interval, performing blind detection on the PDCCH based on the additional AL configuration.

[0006] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: transmitting, at a second apparatus and to a first apparatus, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to based on a switching condition; scheduling DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline aggregation level; and in accordance with a determination that the switching condition is met based at least on a response to the DCI from the first apparatus in the time interval, scheduling the DCI based on the additional AL configuration.

[0007] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, configuration comprising a baseline aggregation level, AL, configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to based on a switching condition; means for performing, based on the baseline AL configuration, blind detection on the PDCCH; and means for in accordance with a determination that the switching condition is met based at least on a result of the blinddetection in a time interval, performing blind detection on the PDCCH based on the additional AL configuration.

[0008] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, at a second apparatus and to a first apparatus, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to based on a switching condition; means for scheduling DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline aggregation level; and means for in accordance with a determination that the switching condition is met based at least on a response to the DCI from the first apparatus in the time interval, scheduling the DCI based on the additional AL configuration.

[0009] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus at least to: receive, from a second apparatus, a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, configuration comprising a baseline aggregation level, AL, configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, perform the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, perform the blind detection based on the baseline AL configuration.

[0010] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second apparatus at least to: transmit, to a first apparatus, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, schedule DCI based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, schedule the DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline aggregation level configuration.

[0011] In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: receiving, at a first apparatus and from a second apparatus, a physicaldownlink control channel, PDCCH, configuration comprising a baseline aggregation level, AL, configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, performing the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, performing the blind detection based on the baseline AL configuration.

[0012] In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method. The method comprises: transmitting, at a second apparatus and to a first apparatus, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, scheduling DCI based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, scheduling the DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline aggregation level configuration.

[0013] In an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first apparatus. The first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, configuration comprising a baseline aggregation level, AL, configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; means for in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, performing the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and means for in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, performing the blind detection based on the baseline AL configuration.

[0014] In a twelfth aspect of the present, there is provided a second apparatus. The second apparatus comprises: means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; means for in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, scheduling DCI based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and means for in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, scheduling the DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline aggregation level configuration.

[0015] In a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the third aspect or the ninth aspect.

[0016] In a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the fourth aspect or the tenth aspect.

[0017] It is to be understood that the Summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a signaling flow of communication in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates an example timeline of mapping of PDCCH AL used by a network device to the monitored PDCCH AL at a terminal device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a device that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Principle of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Embodiments described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

[0030] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0031] References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0032] It shall be understood that although the terms “first,” “second” and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by theseterms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0033] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0034] As used herein, unless stated explicitly, performing a step “in response to A” does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after “A” occurs and one or more intervening steps may be included.

[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and / or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0036] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):(i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0037] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0038] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, the sixth generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

[0039] As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node suchas a femto, a pico, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-ground network device such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology. In some example embodiments, radio access network (RAN) split architecture comprises a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node comprises a Mobile Terminal (IAB-MT) part that behaves like a UE toward the parent node, and a DU part of an IAB node behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.

[0040] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customerpremises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. The terminal device may also correspond to a Mobile Termination (MT) part of an IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms “terminal device”, “communication device”, “terminal”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0041] As used herein, the term “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing a communication, for example, a communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as a resource in time domain, a resource in frequency domain, a resource in space domain, a resource in code domain, or any otherresource enabling a communication, and the like.

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication environment 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. The communication environment 100 includes a first apparatus 110 and a second apparatus 120. A serving area provided by the second apparatus is called a cell. In the example of FIG. 1, the second apparatus 120 may provide one or more cells, for example, a cell 102 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may be or may be included in a terminal device (e.g., a UE) and the second apparatus 120 may be or may be included in a network device (which may be shorted as the network, e.g., a gNB) serving the terminal device.

[0044] In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described with the first apparatus 110 operating as a terminal device (e.g., a UE) and the second apparatus 120 operating as a network device (e.g., a gNB). However, in some example embodiments, operations described in connection with a terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other apparatus, and operations described in connection with a network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other device.

[0045] In some example embodiments, if the first apparatus 110 is a terminal device and the second apparatus 120 is a network device, a link from the second apparatus 120 to the first apparatus 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL), while a link from the first apparatus 110 to the second apparatus 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL). In DL, the second apparatus 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or a transmitter) and the first apparatus 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or a receiver). In UL, the first apparatus 110 is a TX device (or a transmitter) and the second apparatus 120 is a RX device (or a receiver).

[0046] Communications in the communication environment 200 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s), including, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G), and the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division MultipleAccess (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0047] Based on the channel history and available resources, a network node (e.g., gNB) may adaptively choose a proper aggregation Level (AL) for DCI to adjust the code rate. In particular, AL is the number of CCEs that are allocated to a DCI signal. A doubling in AL implies a doubling of allocated frequency or time resources. Accordingly, a lower AL (e.g., AL1) may be used for PDCCH in case where the channel quality is good, while a higher AL (e.g., AL8) may be used in case where UE is located at the cell edge.

[0048] UE may be configured with a plurality of search spaces corresponding to a plurality of ALs (e.g., one or more of AL1, AL2, AL4, AL8, and AL 16), which is collectively referred to as a search space set.

[0049] Search spaces are indicated by contiguous CCEs that the UE is expected to monitor for scheduling grants. Each search space comprises a group of consecutive CCEs which could be allocated to a PDCCH called a PDCCH candidate.

[0050] There are two categories of search spaces, Common Search Space (CSS) and UE-specific Search Space (USS). A common search space is shared across all UEs, and a UE -specific Search Space is applicable to each UE. A UE will decode PDCCH candidates in these two categories of search spaces to detect its DCI. Table 1 lists the number of ALs and corresponding CCEs as specified in 3GPP TS 38.211.

[0051] Table 1. The number of ALs and CCEs as specified in 3GPP TS 38.211

[0052] According to 3GPP TS 38.213, Section 10,

[0053] For adding a configuration in pdcch-Config for a search space set with a limited set of Als which the UE has to monitor for some time interval, (if the level of change in its radio channel conditions after that DCI are below a configured threshold)

[0054] The gain in going from AL1 to AL16 can be estimated as 10Zo^10(16) = 12.0412 dB = 12 dB . When the number of CCEs and / or channel bandwidth is larger, there is also better frequency diversity such that the performance higher ALs is even more improved.

[0055] The network node may adopt an outer loop link adaptation mechanism to adjust the AL for a target PDCCH DCI error rate (as estimated based on e.g., UE Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) rate). Hence, the AL is not just selected based on the LI or channel quality indication (CQI). As such, the AL used at a given CQI may be raised or lowered by this outer loop link adaptation mechanism.

[0056] The UE makes blind decoding attempts on its search space(s) with all of the possible ALs which are configured, up to the maximum possible, e.g. maximum number of blind decodes required is limited. That is, the network device can configure which AL and blind decodes that the UE should check. The set of ALs and blind decodes to be checked are configured semi-statically. This means that, for example, in cell edge conditions, for example, the UE is at the cell edge, the UE still performs blind decoding with the configured lower AL, such as ALL

[0057] For the DL reception of PDCCH at the UE, there may be an additional load of blind decoding attempts needed during some specific subset of the slots, as the UE needs to perform additional decodes during that slot.

[0058] On the other hand, the network node may dynamically adapt the AL used, e.g. during each DCI transmitted to a UE in RRC CONNECTED mode, based on that UE’s changing conditions or history. However, the network node may also or instead dynamically compensate with the transmission power, e.g. instead of solely using adifferent, AL as implied by the CQI or UEs history, as the network node can use a relatively higher (or lower) transmission power with a lower (or higher) AL. For example, for a UE in RRC CONNECTED mode and in good radio frequency (RF) condition, the network node may use a higher AL with a lower transmission power. In another example, for a UE in RRC CONNECTED mode and in poor RF condition, the network node may use a lower AL with higher transmission power.

[0059] The above network strategy relies upon the UE indeed performing all the configured blind decodes, that is, the UE cannot autonomously decide to only perform the blind decodes for ALs which most “match” its DCI AL history as that would fail if the network node were using network transmission power-based compensation as discussed above.

[0060] However, for a UE at a given CQI level, if the network node is not adapting the DCI transmission power, the AL used for the next DCI is more likely to be similar to the AL used for the other recent DCI to that UE. As previously discussed, PDCCH monitoring is almost the largest contributor to UE power consumption, e.g., in RRC CONNECTED mode. In various data activities, ranging from high data activity to low data activity and from instant messaging to VoIP, most of UE’ s power is consumed for PDCCH monitoring. However, the UE cannot know if the network node will or will not use network transmission power-based compensation to compensate for using a higher or lower AL.

[0061] In accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a solution for blind decoding. In this solution, an enhanced mechanism is enabled for UE to dynamically adjust AL or AL set used for PDCCH reception based on at least the AL for previous DCIs the UE has successfully decoded. The network device may configure the UE with rules for refining the UE blind decode by limiting, adapting or shifting the AL or AL set. As a result, the number of blind decodes that need to be performed by the UE can be reduced, while the number of “relevant” blind decodes that UE performs is increased. In this way, the UE battery life is improved, and the system performance is not degraded. Moreover, increased number of blind decodes at the AL desired by the network device can increase the PDCCH efficiency, utilization, and decrease the PDCCH CCE / BD blocking probability without exceeding the UE blind decode budget.

[0062] Reference is now made to FIG. 2 to illustrate example embodiments. FIG. 2illustrates a signaling flow 200 of communication in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of discussion, the signaling flow 200 will be discussed with reference to FIG. 1, for example, by involving the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120.

[0063] It is to be understood that the operations at the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 12 may be coordinated. In other words, the second apparatus 120 and the first apparatus 110 should have a common understanding about configurations, parameters and so on. Such a common understanding may be implemented by any suitable interactions between the second apparatus 120 and the first apparatus 110 or both the second apparatus 120 and the first apparatus 110 applying the same rule, policy, and / or the like.

[0064] In the following, although some operations are described from a perspective of the first apparatus 110, it is to be understood that the corresponding operations should be performed by the second apparatus 120. Similarly, although some operations are described from a perspective of the second apparatus 120, it is to be understood that the corresponding operations should be performed by the first apparatus 110. Merely for brevity, some of the same or similar contents are omitted here.

[0065] In the following discussions, the first apparatus 110 is in RRC CONNECTED mode. In operation, the second apparatus transmits (202), to the first apparatus 110, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to based on a switching condition. Correspondingly, the first apparatus receives (204) the PDCCH configuration from the second apparatus 120. In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may then store the additional AL configuration.

[0066] In some example embodiments, the PDCCH configuration may be received in one of the following: a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message, a system information block (SIB), a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) or DCI. As an example, the RRC reconfiguration message may include a legacy part of PDCCH configuration comprising CORESETS, search space sets, and ALs for different DCI formats in addition to an AL switching timer, and a new part of PDCCH configuration that comprises the search space AL switch configuration (e.g., SearchSpaceALSwitchConfig), a deprioritized AL set (e.g., DePriortizeALSet) with the corresponding DCI AL History thresholds and an AL switching timer for switching backand forth between different AL configurations. As another example, DCI is used for switching among different PDCCH configurations, and in this case, those PDCCH Configurations were previously setup over RRC.

[0067] The additional AL configuration may be a search space AL switch configuration provided for PDCCH blind detection optimization. The activation of the additional AL configuration enables the usage of DCI AL history appropriate or consistent ALs, rather than using network transmission power adaptation.

[0068] The UE can adaptively activate the baseline AL configuration or the additional ALs based on the switching condition. That is, the switching condition may be related to policy rules for DCI AL history appropriate / consistent AL, which will be discussed in detail later.

[0069] In a case where the baseline AL configuration is activated, the first apparatus 110 may monitor all of the configured ALs regardless of its DCI history. In a case where the additional AL configuration is activated, the first apparatus 110 may be allowed to switch to a target AL level that is, for example, limited to a reduced range of ALs, under a certain switching condition. The switching condition may involve radio conditions, channel history and so on.

[0070] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration may be added to the PDCCH configuration comprising parameters for switching between the baseline set of ALs (e.g., baseline AL Set) and a reduced range of ALs (e.g., AltALSet). By way of example, the additional AL configuration may comprise at least one threshold of DCI AL history, at least one alternative set or prioritization of ALs, at least one deprioritized set or de-prioritization of ALs for activation of search space set switch to ones where the target AL is defined per network policy rules, an AL switching timer, and so on. In other words, the parameters of the additional AL configuration may indicate the switching condition.

[0071] In this way, the network can configure the UE with parameters indicating that the network will use DCI AL history appropriate / consistent AL, and thus the UE does not need to monitor or decode ALs which are not sufficiently consistent with or similar to the UE’s DCI AL history where the prior DCI was sufficiently recent, and in sufficiently similar radio frequency (RF) condition (e.g., CQI / L1 conditions). The UE may determine or derive a reduced AL range which are considered DCI AL history appropriate / consistentat each time slot from the configured parameters of the additional AL configuration.

[0072] The second apparatus 120 schedules (206) DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline AL configuration. Accordingly, the first apparatus 110 performs (208) blind detection on the PDCCH based on the baseline AL configuration. In some example embodiments, as part of RRC CONNECTED mode operations, the first apparatus 110 may deliver (210) data transfer on UL grant scheduled per baseline AL configuration.

[0073] Moreover, he first apparatus 110 may also perform continuous LI -measurements for PDCCH link quality and report (212) to the second apparatus 120 via a CSI report. Accordingly, the second apparatus 120 may receive (214) the LI -measurements via the CSI report, and then evaluate responses (e.g., HARQ response) from the first apparatus 110 to the DCI / UL grants.

[0074] During the RRC CONNECTED mode operations, the first apparatus 110 may determine (216) whether the switching condition is met based at least on a result of the blind detection in a time interval. For example, the time interval may be the last or recent time interval.

[0075] As the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120 have the same knowledge of the additional AL configuration and thus the analogous determination will be made at the network side from the first apparatus 110’s response to the DCI in the time interval, i.e., the second apparatus 120 may determine (218) whether the switching condition is met based at least on a response to the DCI from the first apparatus 110 in the time interval.

[0076] If the switching condition is not met, the second apparatus 120 may continue to schedule DCI based on the baseline AL configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, in this case, the flow 200 is back to operation 206. Accordingly, the first apparatus 110 may also continue to perform blind detection on the PDCCH based on the baseline AL configuration, and the flow 200 is back to operation 208.

[0077] If the switching condition is met, the second apparatus 120 schedules (220) the DCI based on the additional AL configuration. Accordingly, the first apparatus 110 performs (222) blind detection on the PDCCH based on the additional AL configuration. That is, the first apparatus 110 switches from the baseline AL configuration to use the additional AL configuration for blind detection optimization by considering the history ofALs recently used in DCI for the first apparatus 110.

[0078] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration may comprise a threshold number of DCI. If the number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, the first apparatus 110 may determine that the switching condition is met. For example, if the threshold number of prior DCI to the first apparatus 110 that are within a given AL range is exceeded, then the first apparatus 110 may implicitly switch to monitor PDCCH with a reduced AL range that corresponds to that the DCI AL history of the first apparatus 110.

[0079] Such switching may comprise further switching among different search spaces, e.g., a subset of the search space corresponding to a subset of the ALs configured in the baseline AL configuration. By way of example, to reduce the number of BD performed by the first apparatus 110, the legacy applicable search space(s) for that first apparatus 110 may be masked to eliminate or skip BD for the inappropriate ALs in those search spaces. Search spaces are configured to allow for a smaller number of blind decoding attempts at the first apparatus 110. The second apparatus 120 may configure the first apparatus 110 with search space sets Sj, j E {1, ..,10], so that that the first apparatus 110 may switch the BD among these Sj, based on the configured switching conditions or thresholds. Such search spaces may have a smaller number of BDs overall, and a smaller set of ALs over which the first apparatus 110 has to attempt to significantly reduce the UE power consumption. In some example embodiments, although such search spaces have a similar number of BDs overall, and a smaller set of ALs, they may include more BD per AL which the first apparatus 110 has to attempt to reduce the BD blocking probability at the AL.

[0080] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration may comprise a threshold number of DCI and a threshold level of change in radio condition. The first apparatus 110 may determine whether the number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number. If the number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, the first apparatus 110 may determine whether a level of change in the radio condition after the DCI is successfully decoded is above the threshold level. If the level of change in the radio condition is below the threshold level, the first apparatus 110 may determine that the switching condition is met. In this case, the first apparatus 110 can autonomously decide to perform the blind decodesfor ALs which most “match” its DCI AL history.

[0081] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration may comprise a baseline set of ALs, and the additional AL configuration may comprise at least one threshold AL range (e.g., DCIALHistoryThresholdRange). The first apparatus 110 may determine whether one of the at least one threshold AL range is satisfied on an AL range corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval. If one of the at least one threshold AL range is satisfied on an AL range corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, the first apparatus 110 may perform the blind detection on the PDCCH based on an additional AL configuration comprising at least one of an alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH and / or a deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH. The first apparatus 110 may then switch to monitor PDCCH with the additional AL configuration corresponding to the AL of the recently received DCI. The first apparatus 110 may deprioritize or skip monitoring ALs which are in the deprioritized set of ALs.

[0082] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration may further comprise: at least one alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to at least one threshold AL range; and / or at least one deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to the at least one threshold AL range. For example, the at least one alternative set of ALs and / or at least one deprioritized set of ALs may correspond to a threshold range of maximum or minimum AL used by DCI during the last time interval.

[0083] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration may further comprise at least one rule associated with the at least one threshold AL range. The first apparatus 110 may determine an AL to be excluded from the alternative set of ALs based on one of the following rules• the AL is above a first threshold number,• the AL is below a first threshold number,• the AL is more than an offset smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to any DCI successfully decoded in a recent time interval,• the AL is more than an offset larger than the maximum AL corresponding to any DCI successfully decoded in a recent time interval,• the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or• the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0084] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 may determine an AL to be included in the deprioritized set of ALs based on one of the following rules:• the AL is above a second threshold number,• the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or• the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0085] In the above embodiments, the second apparatus 120 configures the first apparatus 110 with rules for each threshold AL range, thus the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120 can construct the same alternative AL set (i) and / or deprioritized AL set (i) to be used for each threshold AL range.

[0086] The alternative AL set (i) and / or the deprioritized AL set (i) corresponds to the threshold AL range (i) on maximum or minimum AL used by DCI during the last time interval. This de-prioritization may change the order in which ALs for each search space are mapped so as to effectively change the priority among those ALs.

[0087] Accordingly, in a case where the threshold AL range is satisfied on maximum or minimum AL used by DCI during the last time interval, the first apparatus 110 and the second apparatus 120 may both update the set of ALs used for PDCCH monitoring or scheduling. In an example, the alternative AL set (i) corresponding to the threshold AL range (i) may be used. The second apparatus 120 instead uses the ALs for PDCCH in the alternative AL set (i) corresponding to the threshold AL range (i). Accordingly, the first apparatus 110 instead monitors PDCCH with the ALs in the alternative AL set (i).

[0088] Additionally, or alternatively, the deprioritized AL set (i) corresponding to the threshold AL range (i) may be used. The second apparatus 120 deprioritizes or skips using the ALs in the deprioritized AL set (i). Accordingly, the first apparatus 110 deprioritizes or skips monitoring PDCCH with the ALs in the deprioritized AL set (i).

[0089] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration may further comprise capability information of the first apparatus 110 for handling PDCCH candidates in a slot as a function of slot numerology (p).

[0090] The enhancement and modification of PDCCH configuration according to the example embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in tables 2 to 4 below.Table 2Table 3Table 4

[0091] In a sub-process 230, a timer is introduced to enable reverting to the baselineAL configuration for use after a longer interval without new DCI / AL observations. To this end, the additional AL configuration may further comprise an AL switching timer. Upon the second apparatus 120 and the first apparatus 110 switch to use the ALs based on the additional AL configuration at 220 and 222, they start (232, 234) the AL switching timer respectively.

[0092] Similarly, the first apparatus 110 may deliver (236) data transfer on UL grant scheduled per additional AL configuration. The first apparatus 110 may also perform continuous LI -measurements for PDCCH link quality and report (238) to the second apparatus 120 via the CSI report. Accordingly, the second apparatus 120 may receive (240) the LI -measurements via the CSI report, and then evaluate responses from the first apparatus 110 to the DCI / UL grants.

[0093] The first apparatus 110 determines (242) whether the AL switching timer expires. Similarly, the second apparatus 120 also determines (244) whether the AL switching timer expires.

[0094] If the AL switching timer does not expire, the second apparatus 120 continues to schedule DCI based on the additional AL configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, in this case, the flow 200 is back to operation 222. Accordingly, the first apparatus 110 may also continue to perform blind detection on the PDCCH based on the additional AL configuration, and the flow 200 is back to operation 220.

[0095] If the AL switching timer expires, which indicates DCI detection failures over scheduled DCI / grants are exceeded or no DCI / grants are scheduled towards the first apparatus 110 over a threshold number of DL transmission slots. In this case, the first apparatus 110 switches to PDCCH reception with the baseline set of ALs.

[0096] In the above case, the expiration of timer indicates that the threshold DTX counts over scheduled grants over PDCCH occasions are exceeded or no DCI / grants are scheduled towards the first apparatus 110 over the threshold number of DL transmission slots. The second apparatus 120 switches back to use the baseline AL configuration. The second apparatus 120 then schedules (246) the DCI based on the additional AL configuration. Accordingly, the first apparatus 110 performs (248) blind detection on the PDCCH based on the baseline AL configuration. The first apparatus 110 may the deliver (250) data transfer on UL grant scheduled per baseline AL configuration.

[0097] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration comprises a baseline set of ALs, and the additional AL configuration comprises a set of threshold AL ranges. If the first apparatus 110 determines a first threshold AL range in the set of threshold AL ranges is satisfied on a first AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a first time interval for blind detection, the first apparatus 110 performs the blind detection on the PDCCH based on a first alternative set of ALs correspond to the first threshold AL range while starting the AL switching timer. The first apparatus 110 may then determine whether the predetermined condition is met before the AL switching timer expires. The predetermined condition may be, for example, the switching condition as described above. If the predetermined condition is met and a second threshold AL range is satisfied on a second AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a second time interval for blind detection, the first apparatus 110 performs the blind detection on the PDCCH based on a second alternative set of ALs corresponding to the second threshold AL range while restarting the AL switching timer.

[0098] In the above embodiments, if the first apparatus 110 determines that the predetermined condition is not met until the AL switching timer expires, the first apparatus 110 performs the blind detection on the PDCCH based on the baseline AL configuration.

[0099] Subsequently, if the predetermined condition is met, the first apparatus 110 performs the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer.

[0100] In some example embodiments, a duration of the AL switching timer is associated with a change in radio condition measured by the first apparatus 110. The length of the AL switching timer may further be autonomously selected based upon the amount of change in the CQI / L1 measurements, such that, for example, if the CQI / L1 measurements changed more than a threshold amount, then the AL switching timer has a shorter value, such that in step 222, the first apparatus 110 will more quickly fall back to PDCCH reception based on the baseline set of ALs.

[0101] It should be understood that some of the operations shown in flow 200 are depicted in an illustrative order. In some cases, such operations can be carried out in a different order or in parallel. For example, the operation 232 can be performed once the first apparatus 110 switch to use the additional AL configuration at operation 222.Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

[0102] With the enhanced mechanism for PDCCH configuration and blind decoding, the gNB and UE are aligned to switch AL sets between the baseline configuration and alternative new search space AL switch configuration as the AL switching timers and thresholds to control the switches of DCI history -based AL are common to both sides. As the gNB is likely to avoid implementing DCI transmission power-based adaptation, the number of blind decodes is reduced. For example, UE does not need to monitor certain higher ALs if the UE recently received DCI with sufficiently low ALs or consistent with the network configured policy, thereby saving the UE energy.

[0103] Moreover, the BD blocking probability can be reduced as more blind decode options are possible for the network at a desired or appropriate AL for the UE. The network still has the option to use power boosting on DCI as only the rate of change of the AL selected over a shorter time interval is limited. For example, if the network is limited in PDCCH CCE, then the network slowly begins to use smaller and smaller AL with DCI to the UE.

[0104] FIG. 3 illustrates an example timeline of mapping 300 of PDCCH AL used by a network device to the monitored PDCCH AL at a terminal device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The network device may be a gNB, for example, the second apparatus 120 and the terminal device may be a UE, for example, first apparatus 110 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 3, during the initial time interval prior to Tl, a baseline AL set corresponding to the baseline AL configuration is utilized between the network device and the terminal device.

[0106] At Tl, both the terminal device and the network device have accumulated a threshold number of DCI AL observations (as indicated by the double-headed arrow before Tl), for example, a number of DCI that is recently successfully received, such that the set of ALs to be monitored is adapted to focus on smaller ALs as per shading immediately after Tl as shown in FIG. 3. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the set of ALs to be monitored after Tl may be updated to be AL= 1, 2, 4.

[0107] At T2, both the terminal device and the network device have accumulated a threshold number of DCI AL observations (as indicated by the double-headed arrowbefore T2), such that the set of ALs to be monitored is adapted to focus on somewhat higher ALs as per shading immediately after T2 as shown in FIG. 3. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the set of ALs to be monitored after T2 may be updated to be AL= 1, 2, 4, 8.

[0108] In a similar fashion, from T2 to T7, the set of ALs to be monitored can be adaptively updated to match the DCI AL history. As shown in FIG. 3, after T7, there are no DCI successfully delivered to the terminal device (as indicated by the double-headed arrow after T7), such that the corresponding AL switching timer expires at T8. As a result, the terminal device and network device revert to utilize the baseline AL set.

[0109] At T9, both the terminal device and the network device have again accumulated a threshold number of DCI AL observations (as indicated by the double-headed arrow before T9), such that the set of ALs to be monitored is adapted to again focus on more recent ALs, as per shading immediately after T9 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0110] In the example shown in FIG. 3, each search space corresponding to an AL at each time interval may vary from the number of blind decodes.

[0111] With the enhanced PDCCH configuration, the terminal device knows that the network will not try to transmit with higher transmit power while using a much lower AL than the prior DCIs, and the network will not try to transmit with lower transmit power while using a much higher AL than the prior DCIs.

[0112] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method 400 implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 400 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0113] At block 410, the first apparatus 110 receives, from the second apparatus 120, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to based on a switching condition.

[0114] At block 420, the first apparatus 110 performs, based on the baseline AL configuration, blind detection on the PDCCH.

[0115] At block 430, the first apparatus 110 determines whether the switching condition is met based at least on a result of the blind detection in a time interval.

[0116] In accordance with a determination that the switching condition is met, at block440, the first apparatus 110 performs blind detection on the PDCCH based on the additional AL configuration.

[0117] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number. In accordance with a determination that a number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, the first apparatus 110 determines that the switching condition is met.

[0118] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number and a threshold level of change in radio condition. In accordance with a determination that a number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, the first apparatus 110 determines whether a level of change in the radio condition after the DCI is successfully decoded is above the threshold level. In accordance with a determination that the level of change in the radio condition is below the threshold level, the first apparatus 110 determines that the switching condition is met.

[0119] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration comprises a baseline set of ALs, and the additional AL configuration comprises at least one threshold AL range. In accordance with a determination that one of the at least one threshold AL range is satisfied on an AL range corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, the first apparatus performs the blind detection on the PDCCH based on an additional AL configuration comprising at least one of an alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH and / or a deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH.

[0120] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to at least one threshold AL range; and / or at least one deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to the at least one threshold AL range.

[0121] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one rule associated with the at least one threshold AL range. The first apparatus 110 further determines an AL to be excluded from the alternative set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a first threshold number, the AL is below a first threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximumAL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 further determines an AL to be included in the deprioritized set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a second threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises a timer for switching between the baseline AL configuration and the additional AL configuration.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises capability information of the first apparatus for handling PDCCH candidates in a slot as a function of slot numerology.

[0125] In some example embodiments, the PDCCH configuration is received in one of the following: a RRC reconfiguration message, a SIB, a MAC CE or DCI.

[0126] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus 120 comprises a network device.

[0127] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 500 implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 500 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0128] At block 510, the second apparatus 120 transmits, to the first apparatus 110, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to based on a switching condition.

[0129] At block 520, the second apparatus 120 schedules DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline aggregation level configuration.

[0130] At block 530, the second apparatus 120 determines whether the switching condition is met based at least on a response to the DCI from the first apparatus 110 in the time interval.

[0131] In accordance with a determination that the switching condition is met based at least on a response to the DCI from the first apparatus 110 in the time interval, at block540, the second apparatus 120 schedules the DCI based on the additional AL configuration.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number. In accordance with a determination that a number of DCI successfully decoded in a time interval is above the threshold number, the second apparatus 120 determines that the switching condition is met.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number and a threshold level of change in radio condition. In accordance with a determination that a number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, the second apparatus 120 determines whether a level of change in the radio condition after the DCI is successfully decoded is above the threshold level. In accordance with a determination that the level of change in the radio condition is below the threshold level, the second apparatus 120 determines that the switching condition is met.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration comprises a baseline set of ALs, and the additional AL configuration comprises at least one threshold AL range. In accordance with a determination that one of the at least one threshold AL range is satisfied on an AL range corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, the second apparatus 120 schedules the DCI on the PDCCH based on an alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH and / or a deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises: at least one alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to at least one threshold AL range; and / or at least one deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to the at least one threshold AL range.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one rule associated with the at least one threshold AL range. The second apparatus 120 determines an AL to be excluded from the alternative set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a first threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 determines an AL to be included in the deprioritized set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a second threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises a timer for switching between the baseline AL configuration and the additional AL configuration.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises capability information of the first apparatus for handling PDCCH candidates in a slot as a function of slot numerology.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the PDCCH configuration is received in one of the following: a RRC reconfiguration message, a SIB, a MAC CE, or DCI.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus 120 comprises a network device.

[0142] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 600 will be described from the perspective of the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0143] At block 610, the first apparatus 110 receives, from the second apparatus 120, a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, configuration comprising a baseline aggregation level, AL, configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer.

[0144] At block 620, the first apparatus 110 determines whether a predetermined condition is met.

[0145] In accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is met, at block 630, the first apparatus 110 performs the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer.

[0146] At block 640, the first apparatus 110 determines whether the AL switching timer expires.

[0147] In accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, the first apparatus 110 performs the blind detection based on the baseline AL configuration.

[0148] In some example embodiments, a duration of the AL switching timer is associated with a change in radio condition measured by the first apparatus.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration comprises a set of ALs corresponding to a set of search spaces for monitoring on the PDCCH, and the additional AL configuration comprises a subset of the ALs. The first apparatus 110 performs, based on the additional AL configuration, the blind detection in a subset of the search spaces corresponding to the subset of the ALs.

[0150] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration comprises a baseline set of ALs, and the additional AL configuration comprises a set of threshold AL ranges. In accordance with a determination that a first threshold AL range is satisfied on a first AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a first time interval for blind detection, the first apparatus 110 performs the blind detection on the PDCCH based on a first alternative set of ALs correspond to the first threshold AL range while starting the AL switching timer. The first apparatus 110 determines whether the predetermined condition is met before the AL switching timer expires. In accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is met and a second threshold AL range is satisfied on a second AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a second time interval for blind detection, the first apparatus 110 performs the blind detection on the PDCCH based on a second alternative set of ALs corresponding to the second threshold AL range while restarting the AL switching timer.

[0151] In some example embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is not met until the AL switching timer expires, the first apparatus 110 performs the blind detection on the PDCCH based on the baseline AL configuration.

[0152] In some example embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is met, the first apparatus 110 performs the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises: at least one alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH correspondingto at least one threshold AL range; and / or at least one deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to the at least one threshold AL range.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one rule associated with the at least one threshold AL range. The first apparatus 110 determines an AL to be excluded from the alternative set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a first threshold number, the AL is below a first threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0155] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 further determines an AL to be included in the deprioritized set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a second threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0156] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number, and the predetermined condition comprises a number of DCI successfully decoded in a time interval being above the threshold number.

[0157] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number and a threshold level of change in radio condition. In accordance with a determination that a number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, the first apparatus 110 determines whether a level of change in the radio condition after the DCI is successfully decoded is above the threshold level. In accordance with a determination that the level of change in the radio condition is below the threshold level, the first apparatus 110 determines that the predetermined condition is met.

[0158] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises capability information of the first apparatus for handling PDCCH candidates in a slot as a function of slot numerology.

[0159] In some example embodiments, the PDCCH configuration is received in one of the following: a RRC reconfiguration message, a SIB, a MAC CE, or DCI.

[0160] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus 120 comprises a network device.

[0161] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second apparatus in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described from the perspective of the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0162] At block 710, the second apparatus 120 transmits, to the first apparatus 110, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer.

[0163] At block 720, the second apparatus 120 determines whether a predetermined condition is met.

[0164] In accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, at block 730, the second apparatus 120 schedules DCI based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer.

[0165] At block 740, the second apparatus 120 determines whether the AL switching timer expires.

[0166] In accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, at block 850, the second apparatus 120 schedules the DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline aggregation level configuration.

[0167] In some example embodiments, a duration of the AL switching timer is associated with a change in radio condition measured by the first apparatus.

[0168] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration comprises a set of ALs corresponding to a set of search spaces, and the additional AL configuration comprises a subset of the ALs. The second apparatus 120 schedules, based on the additional AL configuration, the DCI in a subset of the search spaces corresponding to the subset of the ALs.

[0169] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration comprises a baseline set of ALs, and the additional AL configuration comprises a set of threshold AL ranges. In accordance with a determination that a first threshold AL range is satisfied on a first AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a first time interval forblind detection, the second apparatus 120 schedules the DCI on the PDCCH based on a first alternative set of ALs correspond to the first threshold AL range while starting the AL switching timer. The second apparatus 120 determines whether the predetermined condition is met before the AL switching timer expires. In accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is met and a second threshold AL range is satisfied on a second AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a second time interval for blind detection, the second apparatus 120 schedules the DCI on the PDCCH based on a second alternative set of ALs corresponding to the second threshold AL range while restarting the AL switching timer.

[0170] In some example embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is not met until the AL switching timer expires, the second apparatus 120 schedules the DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline AL configuration.

[0171] In some example embodiments, in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is met, the second apparatus 120 schedules the DCI based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer.

[0172] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to at least one threshold AL range; and / or at least one deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to the at least one threshold AL range.

[0173] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one rule associated with the at least one threshold AL range. The second apparatus 120 determines an AL to be excluded from the alternative set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a first threshold number, the AL is below a first threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0174] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus 120 determines an AL to be included in the deprioritized set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a second threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0175] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number, and the predetermined condition comprises a number of DCI successfully decoded in a time interval being above the threshold number.

[0176] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number and a threshold level of change in radio condition. In accordance with a determination that a number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, the second apparatus 120 determines whether a level of change in the radio condition after the DCI is successfully decoded is above the threshold level. In accordance with a determination that the level of change in the radio condition is below the threshold level, the second apparatus 120 determines that the predetermined condition is met.

[0177] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises capability information of the first apparatus for handling PDCCH candidates in a slot as a function of slot numerology.

[0178] In some example embodiments, the PDCCH configuration is transmitted in one of the following: a RRC reconfiguration message, a SIB, a MAC CE, or DCI.

[0179] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus 110 comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus 120 comprises a network device.

[0180] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 400 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 400. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0181] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, configuration comprising a baseline aggregation level, AL, configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to based on a switching condition; means for performing, based on the baseline AL configuration, blind detection on the PDCCH; and means for in accordance with a determination that the switching condition is met based at least on a result of the blind detection in a time interval,performing blind detection on the PDCCH based on the additional AL configuration.

[0182] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number. In accordance with a determination that a number of downlink control information, DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, the first apparatus 110 determines that the switching condition is met.

[0183] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number and a threshold level of change in radio condition, and the first apparatus further comprises means for in accordance with a determination that a number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, determining whether a level of change in the radio condition after the DCI is successfully decoded is above the threshold level; and means for in accordance with a determination that the level of change in the radio condition is below the threshold level, determining that the switching condition is met.

[0184] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration comprises a baseline set of ALs, and the additional AL configuration comprises at least one threshold AL range, and the means for performing blind detection on the PDCCH based on the additional AL configuration comprises means for in accordance with a determination that one of the at least one threshold AL range is satisfied on an AL range corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, performing the blind detection on the PDCCH based on an additional AL configuration comprising at least one of an alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH and / or a deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH.

[0185] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to at least one threshold AL range; and / or at least one deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to the at least one threshold AL range.

[0186] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one rule associated with the at least one threshold AL range, and the first apparatus further comprises means for determining an AL to be excluded from the alternative set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a first threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfullydecoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0187] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for determining an AL to be included in the deprioritized set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a second threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0188] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises a timer for switching between the baseline AL configuration and the additional AL configuration.

[0189] In some example embodiments, wherein the additional AL configuration further comprises capability information of the first apparatus for handling PDCCH candidates in a slot as a function of slot numerology.

[0190] In some example embodiments, the PDCCH configuration is received in one of the following: a RRC reconfiguration message, a SIB, a MAC CE or DCI.

[0191] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0192] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 500 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 500. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0193] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, at a second apparatus and to a first apparatus, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to based on a switching condition; means for scheduling DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline aggregation level; and means for in accordance with a determination that the switching condition is met based at least on a response to the DCI from the first apparatus in the time interval, scheduling the DCI based on the additionalAL configuration.

[0194] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number, and the second apparatus further comprises means for in accordance with a determination that a number of DCI successfully decoded in a time interval is above the threshold number, determining that the switching condition is met.

[0195] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number and a threshold level of change in radio condition, and the second apparatus further comprises means for in accordance with a determination that a number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, determining whether a level of change in the radio condition after the DCI is successfully decoded is above the threshold level; and means for in accordance with a determination that the level of change in the radio condition is below the threshold level, determining that the switching condition is met.

[0196] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration comprises a baseline set of ALs, and the additional AL configuration comprises at least one threshold AL range, and the means for scheduling the DCI based on the additional AL configuration is configured to in accordance with a determination that one of the at least one threshold AL range is satisfied on an AL range corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, schedule the DCI on the PDCCH based on an alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH and / or a deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH.

[0197] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to at least one threshold AL range; and / or at least one deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to the at least one threshold AL range.

[0198] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one rule associated with the at least one threshold AL range, and wherein the second apparatus further comprises means for determining an AL to be excluded from the alternative set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a first threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximumAL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0199] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for determining an AL to be included in the deprioritized set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a second threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0200] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises a timer for switching between the baseline AL configuration and the additional AL configuration.

[0201] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises capability information of the first apparatus for handling PDCCH candidates in a slot as a function of slot numerology.

[0202] In some example embodiments, the PDCCH configuration is received in one of the following: a RRC reconfiguration message, a SIB, a MAC CE, or DCI.

[0203] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0204] In some example embodiments, a first apparatus capable of performing any of the method 600 (for example, the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 600. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The first apparatus may be implemented as or included in the first apparatus 110 in FIG. 1.

[0205] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, configuration comprising a baseline aggregation level, AL, configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; means for in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, performing the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and means for in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, performing the blind detection based on the baselineAL configuration.

[0206] In some example embodiments, a duration of the AL switching timer is associated with a change in radio condition measured by the first apparatus.

[0207] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration comprises a set of ALs corresponding to a set of search spaces for monitoring on the PDCCH, and the additional AL configuration comprises a subset of the ALs, and wherein the means for performing the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration is configured to perform, based on the additional AL configuration, the blind detection in a subset of the search spaces corresponding to the subset of the ALs.

[0208] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration comprises a baseline set of ALs, and the additional AL configuration comprises a set of threshold AL ranges, and the means for performing blind detection on the PDCCH based on the additional AL configuration is configured to in accordance with a determination that a first threshold AL range is satisfied on a first AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a first time interval for blind detection, perform the blind detection on the PDCCH based on a first alternative set of ALs correspond to the first threshold AL range while starting the AL switching timer; determine whether the predetermined condition is met before the AL switching timer expires; and in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is met and a second threshold AL range is satisfied on a second AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a second time interval for blind detection, perform the blind detection on the PDCCH based on a second alternative set of ALs corresponding to the second threshold AL range while restarting the AL switching timer.

[0209] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is not met until the AL switching timer expires, performing the blind detection on the PDCCH based on the baseline AL configuration.

[0210] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is met, performing the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer.

[0211] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises: at least one alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to at least one threshold AL range; and / or at least one deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to the at least one threshold AL range.

[0212] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one rule associated with the at least one threshold AL range, and wherein the first apparatus further comprises means for determining an AL to be excluded from the alternative set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a first threshold number, the AL is below a first threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0213] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for determining an AL to be included in the deprioritized set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a second threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0214] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number, and the predetermined condition comprises a number of DCI successfully decoded in a time interval being above the threshold number.

[0215] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number and a threshold level of change in radio condition, and the first apparatus further comprises means for in accordance with a determination that a number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, determining whether a level of change in the radio condition after the DCI is successfully decoded is above the threshold level; and means for in accordance with a determination that the level of change in the radio condition is below the threshold level, determining that the predetermined condition is met.

[0216] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises capability information of the first apparatus for handling PDCCH candidates ina slot as a function of slot numerology.

[0217] In some example embodiments, the PDCCH configuration is received in one of the following: a RRC reconfiguration message, a SIB, a MAC CE, or DCI.

[0218] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and a second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0219] In some example embodiments, a second apparatus capable of performing any of the method 700 (for example, the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1) may comprise means for performing the respective operations of the method 700. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in the second apparatus 120 in FIG. 1.

[0220] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; means for in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, scheduling DCI based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and means for in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, scheduling the DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline aggregation level configuration.

[0221] In some example embodiments, a duration of the AL switching timer is associated with a change in radio condition measured by the first apparatus.

[0222] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration comprises a set of ALs corresponding to a set of search spaces, and the additional AL configuration comprises a subset of the ALs, and the means for scheduling the DCI based on the additional AL configuration is configured to schedule, based on the additional AL configuration, the DCI in a subset of the search spaces corresponding to the subset of the ALs.

[0223] In some example embodiments, the baseline AL configuration comprises a baseline set of ALs, and the additional AL configuration comprises a set of threshold AL ranges, and the means for scheduling the DCI on the PDCCH based on the additional AL configuration is configured to in accordance with a determination that a first threshold ALrange is satisfied on a first AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a first time interval for blind detection, schedule the DCI on the PDCCH based on a first alternative set of ALs correspond to the first threshold AL range while starting the AL switching timer; determine whether the predetermined condition is met before the AL switching timer expires; and in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is met and a second threshold AL range is satisfied on a second AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a second time interval for blind detection, schedule the DCI on the PDCCH based on a second alternative set of ALs corresponding to the second threshold AL range while restarting the AL switching timer.

[0224] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is not met until the AL switching timer expires, scheduling the DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline AL configuration.

[0225] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is met, scheduling the DCI based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer.

[0226] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises: at least one alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to at least one threshold AL range; and / or at least one deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to the at least one threshold AL range.

[0227] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one rule associated with the at least one threshold AL range, and wherein the second apparatus further comprises means for determining an AL to be excluded from the alternative set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a first threshold number, the AL is below a first threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0228] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for determining an AL to be included in the deprioritized set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a second threshold number, the AL is smaller than theminimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

[0229] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number, and the predetermined condition comprises a number of DCI successfully decoded in a time interval being above the threshold number.

[0230] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number and a threshold level of change in radio condition, and the second apparatus further comprises means for in accordance with a determination that a number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, determining whether a level of change in the radio condition after the DCI is successfully decoded is above the threshold level; and means for in accordance with a determination that the level of change in the radio condition is below the threshold level, determining that the predetermined condition is met.

[0231] In some example embodiments, the additional AL configuration further comprises capability information of the first apparatus for handling PDCCH candidates in a slot as a function of slot numerology.

[0232] In some example embodiments, the PDCCH configuration is transmitted in one of the following: a radio resource control, RRC, reconfiguration message, a SIB, a MAC CE, or DCI.

[0233] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0234] FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of a device 800 that is suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 800 may be provided to implement a communication device, for example, the first apparatus 110 or the second apparatus 120 as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the device 800 includes one or more processors 810, one or more memories 820 coupled to the processor 810, and one or more communication modules 840 coupled to the processor 810.

[0235] The communication module 840 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 840 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interfacesmay represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 840 may include at least one antenna.

[0236] The processor 810 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 800 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

[0237] The memory 820 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 824, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), an optical disk, a laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random-access memory (RAM) 822 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

[0238] A computer program 830 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 810. The instructions of the program 830 may include instructions for performing operations / acts of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 830 may be stored in the memory, e.g., the ROM 824. The processor 810 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 830 into the RAM 822.

[0239] The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 830 so that the device 800 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 7. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0240] In some example embodiments, the program 830 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 800 (such as in the memory 820) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 800. The device 800 may load the program 830 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 822 forexecution. In some example embodiments, the computer readable medium may include any types of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0241] FIG. 9 shows an example of the computer readable medium 900 which may be in form of CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 900 has the program 830 stored thereon.

[0242] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, and other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. Although various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0243] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer readable medium, such as a non- transitory computer readable medium. The computer program product includes computerexecutable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, to carry out any of the methods as described above. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0244] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may beprovided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

[0245] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

[0246] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0247] Further, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, although several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Unless explicitly stated, certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in a plurality of embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0248] Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A first apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to: receive, from a second apparatus, a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, configuration comprising a baseline aggregation level, AL, configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, perform the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, perform the blind detection based on the baseline AL configuration.

2. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein a duration of the AL switching timer is associated with a change in radio condition measured by the first apparatus.

3. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the baseline AL configuration comprises a set of ALs corresponding to a set of search spaces for monitoring on the PDCCH, and the additional AL configuration comprises a subset of the ALs, and wherein the first apparatus is caused to perform the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration by: performing, based on the additional AL configuration, the blind detection in a subset of the search spaces corresponding to the subset of the ALs.

4. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the baseline AL configuration comprises a baseline set of ALs, and the additional AL configuration comprises a set of threshold AL ranges, and the first apparatus is caused to perform blind detection on the PDCCH based on the additional AL configuration by: in accordance with a determination that a first threshold AL range is satisfied on a first AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a first time interval for blind detection, performing the blind detection on the PDCCH based on a first alternative set of ALs correspond to the first threshold AL range while starting the AL switching timer;49determining whether the predetermined condition is met before the AL switching timer expires; and in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is met and a second threshold AL range is satisfied on a second AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a second time interval for blind detection, performing the blind detection on the PDCCH based on a second alternative set of ALs corresponding to the second threshold AL range while restarting the AL switching timer.

5. The first apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first apparatus is further caused to: in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is not met until the AL switching timer expires, perform the blind detection on the PDCCH based on the baseline AL configuration.

6. The first apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first apparatus is further caused to: in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is met, perform the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer.

7. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the additional AL configuration further comprises: at least one alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to at least one threshold AL range; and / or at least one deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to the at least one threshold AL range.

8. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one rule associated with the at least one threshold AL range, and wherein the first apparatus is further caused to: determine an AL to be excluded from the alternative set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a first threshold number, the AL is below a first threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, orthe AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

9. The first apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first apparatus is further caused to: determine an AL to be included in the deprioritized set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a second threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

10. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number, and the predetermined condition comprises a number of downlink control information, DCI, successfully decoded in a time interval being above the threshold number.

11. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number and a threshold level of change in radio condition, and the first apparatus is further caused to: in accordance with a determination that a number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, determine whether a level of change in the radio condition after the DCI is successfully decoded is above the threshold level; and in accordance with a determination that the level of change in the radio condition is below the threshold level, determine that the predetermined condition is met.

12. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the additional AL configuration further comprises capability information of the first apparatus for handling PDCCH candidates in a slot as a function of slot numerology.

13. The first apparatus of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the PDCCH configuration is received in one of the following: a radio resource control, RRC, reconfiguration message, a system information block, SIB, a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, or DCI.

14. The first apparatus of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and a second apparatus comprises a network device.

15. A second apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to: transmit, to a first apparatus, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, schedule DCI based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, schedule the DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline aggregation level configuration.

16. The second apparatus of claim 15, wherein a duration of the AL switching timer is associated with a change in radio condition measured by the first apparatus.

17. The second apparatus of claim 15, wherein the baseline AL configuration comprises a set of ALs corresponding to a set of search spaces, and the additional AL configuration comprises a subset of the ALs, and wherein the second apparatus is caused to schedule the DCI based on the additional AL configuration by: scheduling, based on the additional AL configuration, the DCI in a subset of the search spaces corresponding to the subset of the ALs.

18. The second apparatus of claim 1, wherein the baseline AL configuration comprises a baseline set of ALs, and the additional AL configuration comprises a set of threshold AL ranges, and the second apparatus is caused to schedule the DCI on the PDCCH based on the additional AL configuration by: in accordance with a determination that a first threshold AL range is satisfied on a first AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a first time interval for blind detection, scheduling the DCI on the PDCCH based on a first alternative set of ALs correspond to the first threshold AL range while starting the AL switching timer;determining whether the predetermined condition is met before the AL switching timer expires; and in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is met and a second threshold AL range is satisfied on a second AL range corresponding to DCI successfully decoded in a second time interval for blind detection, scheduling the DCI on the PDCCH based on a second alternative set of ALs corresponding to the second threshold AL range while restarting the AL switching timer.

19. The second apparatus of claim 18, wherein the second apparatus is further caused to: in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is not met until the AL switching timer expires, schedule the DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline AL configuration.

20. The second apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second apparatus is further caused to: in accordance with a determination that the predetermined condition is met, scheduling the DCI based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer.

21. The second apparatus of claim 15, wherein the additional AL configuration further comprises: at least one alternative set of ALs for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to at least one threshold AL range; and / or at least one deprioritized set of ALs to be deprioritized for monitoring on the PDCCH corresponding to the at least one threshold AL range.

22. The second apparatus of claim 15, wherein the additional AL configuration further comprises at least one rule associated with the at least one threshold AL range, and wherein the second apparatus is further caused to: determine an AL to be excluded from the alternative set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a first threshold number, the AL is below a first threshold number,the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

23. The second apparatus of claim 22, wherein the second apparatus is further caused to: determine an AL to be included in the deprioritized set of ALs based on one of the following rules: the AL is above a second threshold number, the AL is smaller than the minimum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval, or the AL is larger than the maximum AL corresponding to the DCI successfully decoded in the time interval.

24. The second apparatus of claim 15, wherein the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number, and the predetermined condition comprises a number of DCI successfully decoded in a time interval being above the threshold number.

25. The second apparatus of claim 15, wherein the additional AL configuration comprises a threshold number and a threshold level of change in radio condition, and the second apparatus is further caused to: in accordance with a determination that a number of DCI successfully decoded in the time interval is above the threshold number, determine whether a level of change in the radio condition after the DCI is successfully decoded is above the threshold level; and in accordance with a determination that the level of change in the radio condition is below the threshold level, determine that the predetermined condition is met.

26. The second apparatus of claim 15, wherein the additional AL configuration further comprises capability information of the first apparatus for handling PDCCH candidates in a slot as a function of slot numerology.

27. The second apparatus of any of claims 15 to 26, wherein the PDCCH configuration is transmitted in one of the following: a radio resource control, RRC, reconfiguration message, a SIB, a MAC CE, or DCI.

28. The second apparatus of any of claims 15 to 26 wherein the first apparatus comprises a terminal device, and the second apparatus comprises a network device.

29. A method comprising: receiving, at a first apparatus and from a second apparatus, a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, configuration comprising a baseline aggregation level, AL, configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, performing the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, performing the blind detection based on the baseline AL configuration.

30. A method comprising: transmitting, at a second apparatus and to a first apparatus, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, scheduling DCI based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, scheduling the DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline aggregation level configuration.

31. A first apparatus comprising: means for receiving, from a second apparatus, a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, configuration comprising a baseline aggregation level, AL, configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer;means for in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, performing the blind detection based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and means for in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, performing the blind detection based on the baseline AL configuration.

32. A second apparatus comprising: means for transmitting, to a first apparatus, a PDCCH configuration comprising a baseline AL configuration and an additional AL configuration indicating at least one AL to be switched to and an AL switching timer; means for in accordance with a determination that a predetermined condition is met, scheduling DCI based on the additional AL configuration while starting the AL switching timer; and means for in accordance with a determination that the AL switching timer expires, scheduling the DCI on the PDCCH based on the baseline aggregation level configuration.

33. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing an apparatus at least to perform the method of claim 29 or the method of claim 30.56

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