Communication method, first-type terminal, network device, system, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication method, a first-type terminal, a network device, a system, and a storage medium. The method comprises: in a first cell-specific search space (CSS), on the basis of specific information of a first-type terminal, detecting and receiving downlink control information (DCI) sent by a network device, wherein the first CSS is used by the network device to send the DCI to a second-type terminal. The present disclosure can reduce terminal energy consumption while meeting scheduling requirements of different types of terminals, thereby facilitating the development of LPWA technology, and providing high availability.

Description

Communication methods, Type I terminals, network devices, systems, and storage media Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to communication methods, first-type terminals, network devices, systems, and storage media. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) terminals can achieve wide coverage and support multiple application scenarios. This type of terminal includes, but is not limited to, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, monitoring devices, wearable devices, etc. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To save terminal power consumption, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, a first type of terminal, a network device, a system, and a storage medium.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method being executed by a first type of terminal, the method comprising:

[0005] Within the first cell-specific search space (CSS), downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network device is detected and received according to the exclusive information of the first type of terminal; wherein, the first cell-specific search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send DCI to the second type of terminal.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method being performed by a network device, the method comprising:

[0007] Within the first cell-specific search space (CSS), downlink control information (DCI) is sent so that a first type of terminal can detect and receive the DCI according to its proprietary information; wherein, the first cell-specific search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send the DCI to a second type of terminal.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a first type of terminal is provided, comprising:

[0009] The transceiver module is configured to detect and receive downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network device within the first cell exclusive search space (CSS) according to the exclusive information of the first type of terminal; wherein, the first cell exclusive search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send DCI to the second type of terminal.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0011] The transceiver module is configured to send downlink control information (DCI) within the first cell exclusive search space (CSS), so that a first type of terminal can detect and receive the DCI according to the exclusive information of the first type of terminal; wherein, the first cell exclusive search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send the DCI to a second type of terminal.

[0012] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a first type of terminal is provided, comprising:

[0013] One or more processors;

[0014] The processor is used to execute the method described in any one of the first aspects.

[0015] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0016] One or more processors;

[0017] The processor is used to execute the communication method described in any one of the second aspects.

[0018] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising:

[0019] A first type of terminal, the first type of terminal being configured to implement the communication method described in any one of the first aspects;

[0020] A network device configured to implement the communication method described in any one of the second aspects.

[0021] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided that stores instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform a communication method as described in any one of the first or second aspects.

[0022] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, is used to implement the communication method described in any one of the first or second aspects.

[0023] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first type of terminal can detect and receive DCI within the dedicated search space (CSS) of the first cell according to the dedicated information of the terminal of that type. This satisfies the scheduling needs of different types of terminals, saves terminal energy consumption, promotes the development of LPWA technology, and has high availability.

[0024] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0026] Figure 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 is an exemplary interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3A is one of the exemplary flowcharts of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 3B is a second exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 4A is an exemplary block diagram of a terminal provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 4B is an exemplary block diagram of a network device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 5A is an exemplary schematic diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 5B is an exemplary schematic diagram of a chip provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0034] This disclosure provides a communication method, a first type of terminal, a network device, a system, and a storage medium.

[0035] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication method, which is executed by a first type of terminal. The method includes: within a first cell-specific search space (CSS), detecting and receiving downlink control information (DCI) sent by a network device according to the exclusive information of the first type of terminal; wherein the first cell-specific search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send DCI to a second type of terminal.

[0036] In the above embodiments, the scheduling needs of different types of terminals are met while saving terminal energy consumption, which is conducive to promoting the development of LPWA technology and has high availability.

[0037] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the exclusive information of the first type of terminal includes at least one of the following: a first period, which is the period during which the first type of terminal detects and receives the DCI; a first aggregation level AL, which is the AL during which the first type of terminal detects and receives physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidates; and at least one first PDCCH candidate, which is at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL that the first type of terminal needs to detect and receive.

[0038] In the above embodiments, the exclusive information of the first type of terminal may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the above, which can satisfy the purpose of the first type of terminal to detect and receive DCI in the first CSS, and avoid affecting the detection and reception of DCI by other types of terminals in the first CSS, thus achieving high availability.

[0039] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining N based on a first type; wherein N is a positive integer; determining the first period based on a second period and N; wherein the second period is the transmission period of the first cell-specific search space CSS.

[0040] In the above embodiments, the first type of terminal can determine the first period in the above manner, so that a larger period can be used to detect and receive DCI without reducing the channel transmission bandwidth, thus balancing terminal performance and transmission performance.

[0041] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first AL includes one second AL or a combination of multiple second ALs; wherein the second AL is the AL corresponding to the PDCCH candidate contained in the first cell-specific search space CSS.

[0042] In the above embodiments, the first AL may include one second AL or a combination of multiple second ALs, reducing the number of ALs detected by the first type of terminal, allowing the first type of terminal to detect and receive DCI in a simplified search space, which is conducive to promoting the development of LPWA technology.

[0043] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining Q based on a first type; wherein Q is a positive integer; and determining the at least one first PDCCH candidate based on Q PDCCH candidates among at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL.

[0044] In the above embodiments, the first type of terminal can use the above method to determine the first PDCCH candidate, reduce the number of PDCCH candidates detected for each AL in the first CSS, take into account the performance of the first type of terminal, and have high availability.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the step of detecting and receiving downlink control information (DCI) according to the exclusive information of the first type of terminal includes at least one of the following: detecting and receiving the DCI in the first cell exclusive search space (CSS) according to the first period; detecting and receiving PDCCH candidates in the first cell exclusive search space (CSS) according to each first AL; and detecting and receiving at least one first PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL in the first cell exclusive search space (CSS).

[0046] In the above embodiments, the first type of terminal can use one or more of the above methods to detect and receive DCI, which saves the energy consumption of the first type of terminal and has high availability.

[0047] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication method executed by a network device. The method includes: sending downlink control information (DCI) within a first cell exclusive search space (CSS) to enable a first type of terminal to detect and receive the DCI according to the exclusive information of the first type of terminal; wherein the first cell exclusive search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send the DCI to a second type of terminal.

[0048] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the exclusive information of the first type of terminal includes at least one of the following: a first period, which is the period during which the first type of terminal detects and receives the DCI; a first aggregation level AL, which is the AL during which the first type of terminal detects and receives physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidates; and at least one first PDCCH candidate, which is at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL that the first type of terminal needs to detect and receive.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first period is determined based on the second period and N; wherein, the second period is the transmission period of the first cell-specific search space CSS, the N is determined based on the first type, and the N is a positive integer.

[0050] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first AL includes one or more second ALs; wherein the second AL is the AL corresponding to the PDCCH candidate contained in the first cell-specific search space CSS.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the at least one first PDCCH is determined based on Q PDCCH candidates from at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL; wherein, Q is determined based on a first type, and Q is a positive integer.

[0052] Thirdly, this disclosure provides a method for communicating with a first type of terminal, including: a transceiver module configured to detect and receive downlink control information (DCI) sent by a network device within a first cell exclusive search space (CSS) according to the exclusive information of the first type of terminal; wherein, the first cell exclusive search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send DCI to a second type of terminal.

[0053] Fourthly, this disclosure provides a network device, including: a transceiver module configured to send downlink control information (DCI) within a first cell exclusive search space (CSS), so that a first type of terminal detects and receives the DCI according to the exclusive information of the first type of terminal; wherein, the first cell exclusive search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send the DCI to a second type of terminal.

[0054] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a first type of terminal, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processors are configured to execute the communication method described in any one of the first aspects.

[0055] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processors are configured to perform the communication method described in any one of the second aspects.

[0056] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system comprising: a first type terminal configured to perform the communication method described in any one aspect; and a network device configured to perform the communication method described in any one aspect.

[0057] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in either the first or second aspect.

[0058] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, is used to implement the communication method described in any one of the first or second aspects.

[0059] It is understood that the aforementioned first-type terminal, network device, communication system, and storage medium are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0060] This disclosure provides embodiments of a communication method, a first type of terminal, a network device, a system, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information transmission method," "information processing method," etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms "communication device" and "information transmission device," "information processing device," etc., can be used interchangeably; and the terms "information transmission system," "information processing system," "communication system," etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0061] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0062] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0063] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0064] In this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the aforementioned," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular or a plural expression.

[0065] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0066] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0067] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0068] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0069] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0070] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0071] In some embodiments, the apparatus and device may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. In some cases, they may also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "entity", "body", etc.

[0072] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0073] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0074] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0075] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102.

[0077] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, for example, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0078] In one example, terminal 101 can be a first-type terminal, such as an LPWA terminal. Of course, terminal 101 can also be a second-type terminal, such as a high-end terminal.

[0079] In some embodiments, network device 102 may include at least one of access network device 102-1 and core network device 102-2.

[0080] In some embodiments, the access network device 102-1 is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: an evolved Node B (eNB), a next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next-generation Node B (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open RAN, a cloud RAN, a base station in other communication systems, and an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0081] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0082] In some embodiments, the access network device 102-2 may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. By adopting the CU-DU structure, the protocol layer of the access network device can be separated. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0083] In some embodiments, the core network device 102-2 may be a single device, including a first network element, a second network element, etc., or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including all or part of the first network element, the second network element, etc. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), 5G Core Network (5GCN), and Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0084] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0085] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1 are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1, or may include other main bodies outside of FIG1. ​​The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0086] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0087] In some embodiments, considering business needs and specific application scenarios, LPWA terminals often possess only weaker hardware capabilities to control costs and energy consumption. Due to these differences in hardware capabilities, LPWA terminals and high-end terminals often cannot share the same technologies. For example, LPWA terminals support significantly less bandwidth than high-end terminals, and their processing power is much weaker.

[0088] Due to the limitations of LPWA terminal hardware capabilities, the following two technical approaches can be adopted to support LPWA terminals:

[0089] Technical route 1 involves designing independent protocols. For example, defining systems independent of high-end terminals for Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) devices and enhanced Machine-Type Communication (eMTC) devices, and deploying them independently.

[0090] Technical approach 2 involves restricting and simplifying existing systems to adapt them to LPWA terminals. For example, based on 5G systems, it provides relevant configurations and methods to ensure that RedCap and / or eRedCap terminals can smoothly access public networks, based on the capabilities of Reduced Capability (RedCap) and / or Enhanced Reduced Capability (eRedCap) terminals.

[0091] Technical route 1 leads to protocol fragmentation, resulting in additional network deployment costs and limiting the application scenarios and scope of LPWA devices. Technical route 2, due to compatibility considerations, only allows for minor modifications and limitations to the protocol, failing to fully leverage the technical characteristics of LPWA terminals or adequately meet their performance requirements.

[0092] In some embodiments, the upper limits of blind detection (BD) and / or control channel element (CCE) detection of a terminal in a cell are defined by a protocol. Specifically, for Release-15 (Rel-15) terminals, their BD and / or CCE detection capabilities are defined by slot. Specifically, the BD and CCE detection capabilities are determined as shown in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. In Tables 1 and 2, for a single serving cell, with a downlink bandwidth portion having a subcarrier spacing configuration μ∈{0,1,2,3}, the maximum number of PDCCH candidates detected per slot is... The maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs in each time slot is

[0093] Table 1

[0094] Table 2

[0095] For version 16 (Release-16, Rel-16) terminals, their BD and / or CCE detection capabilities can be defined according to a duration (span). Specifically, the BD and CCE detection capabilities are determined as shown in Tables 3 and 4, respectively. In Table 3, for a single serving cell, with a downlink bandwidth portion having a subcarrier spacing configuration μ∈{0,1}, the maximum number of PDCCH candidates detected per span for the (x,y) combination is... In Table 4, for a single serving cell, the maximum number of non-overlapping CCEs per time slot in the downlink bandwidth portion with subcarrier spacing configuration μ∈{0,1,2,3} is:

[0096] Table 3

[0097] Table 4

[0098] For a single serving cell, a terminal supports a maximum of 3+1 different downlink control information payloads (DCI payload sizes), that is:

[0099] Downlink Control Information (DCI) scrambled with Cell-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) can have up to three different sizes;

[0100] DCIs scrambled with other Radio Network Temporary Identifiers (RNTIs) have at most one additional size.

[0101] In some embodiments, multiple cell-specific search spaces (CSSs) can be defined. CSSs are used to send cell-level control information, the specific information of which depends on the type of CSS. For example, the CSS types include:

[0102] Type 0 - Physical Downlink Control Channel (CSS) is used to transmit DCI for System Information (SI).

[0103] Type 0A - Physical Downlink Control Channel (CSS) is used to transmit DCI for scheduling Other System Information (OSI).

[0104] Type 1 - Physical Downlink Control Channel (CSS) is used for the DCI of the Random Access Response (RAR).

[0105] Type 2 - Physical Downlink Control Channel (CSS) is used for scheduling the DCI for paging.

[0106] Before the base station provides additional configuration, its configuration and detection period are determined by the information carried by the Synchronization Signal and PBCH block (SSB). Generally, the detection period is 20 milliseconds (ms).

[0107] The number of Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) candidates and the aggregation level (AL) included in the CSS are determined by Table 5:

[0108] Table 5

[0109] In some embodiments, the detection and reception process of PDCCH consumes a large amount of detection resources and capabilities on the terminal side, which places a huge burden on the LPWA terminal and seriously affects the cost of LPWA devices.

[0110] For cell-specific search spaces, terminals need to perform blind PDCCH checks according to a predefined or configured period. Additionally, base stations can selectively send unicast DCIs (Distributed Unicast Citations) to individual terminals within the CSS (Search Space). If LPWA terminals need to consistently perform blind PDCCH checks according to the aforementioned period and search space configuration, it poses a significant challenge to their processing capabilities.

[0111] To save terminal power consumption and promote the development of LPWA technology, this disclosure provides the following communication methods, terminals, network devices, systems, and storage media.

[0112] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0113] In step S2101, the first type of terminal 101 determines the exclusive information of the first type of terminal.

[0114] In some embodiments, the first type of terminal 101 may be, for example, an LPWA terminal.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first type of terminal can also be other low-power terminals, such as IoT devices, passive IoT devices, wearable devices, etc. The second type of terminal can be a regular terminal.

[0116] In some embodiments, the capabilities of the first type of terminal are lower than those of the second type of terminal. The second type of terminal may be, for example, a high-end terminal, a regular terminal, etc., and this disclosure does not limit it.

[0117] In some embodiments, the specific information of the first type of terminal may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a first cycle; a first AL; at least one first PDCCH candidate.

[0118] In one example, the first cycle is the cycle in which the first type of terminal 101 detects and receives the DCI.

[0119] For example, the first type terminal 101 can determine N based on its own terminal type, i.e., the first type, and further, it can determine the first period based on the second period and N.

[0120] For example, the first type of terminal 101 can determine N based on its own terminal capabilities, and further, it can determine the first period based on the second period and N.

[0121] For example, the first type of terminal 101 can determine N based on its own terminal type and terminal capabilities, and further, it can determine the first period based on the second period and N.

[0122] The second cycle is the transmission cycle of the first CSS.

[0123] For example, the first CSS can be used by network device 102 to send DCI to a second type of terminal.

[0124] For example, the first CSS is a community-specific search space shared by multiple types of terminals.

[0125] For example, the first CSS is the CSS shared by the first type of terminal and the second type of terminal.

[0126] For example, the first CSS can be used by network device 102 to send DCI to multiple types of terminals. These multiple types of terminals include, but are not limited to, the first type of terminal and the second type of terminal described in this disclosure.

[0127] The above is merely an illustrative example. The type of the first CSS in this disclosure may be, for example, the aforementioned Type0-PDCCH CSS, Type0A-PDCCH CSS, Type1-PDCCH CSS, Type2-PDCCH CSS, etc. This disclosure does not limit the specific type of the first CSS.

[0128] For example, the specific time-domain and frequency-domain location of the first CSS transmission can be configured by the network device 102 or determined based on a predefined method, and this disclosure does not limit it.

[0129] For example, the second period P can be configured by network device 102 or determined based on a predefined method, such as by a protocol, which is not limited in this disclosure.

[0130] For example, the second period P may occupy one or more consecutive time units, and the time unit may refer to a frame, subframe, time slot, sub-time slot, symbol, etc. This disclosure does not limit the specific length of the second period.

[0131] Where N can be a positive integer, such as 1, 2, 3, etc., and the specific value can depend on the terminal type and / or terminal capabilities.

[0132] The first type of terminal 101 can determine the first period based on its terminal type (i.e., the first type) and / or the different terminal capabilities it possesses, according to different N values. The first period can be (P×N).

[0133] In one example, the first AL is the AL that the first type of terminal 101 detects and receives as a candidate for the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

[0134] For example, the first AL may include one second AL or a combination of multiple second ALs. The second AL is the AL corresponding to the PDCCH candidate included in the first CSS. The first CSS has already been described in the foregoing embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0135] For example, if the second AL is 4, 8, or 16, then the first AL can be 4, or 8, or 16, or a combination of multiple ALs, such as 8 and 16. This disclosure does not limit the way the first AL is determined.

[0136] In one example, at least one first PDCCH candidate is at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL that the first type of terminal needs to detect and receive.

[0137] For example, a first-type terminal can determine Q based on its own terminal type, such as the first type, where Q can be a positive integer. Further, the first-type terminal 101 can determine Q PDCCH candidates from at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL as at least one first PDCCH candidate.

[0138] For example, a first-type terminal can determine the first Q PDCCH candidates from at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL as at least one first PDCCH candidate. Here, Q can be determined based on the type of the first terminal, such as the first type or terminal capabilities; this disclosure does not limit the method of determining the value of Q.

[0139] For example, Q can be greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to the total number of PDCCH candidates corresponding to each AL. For instance, when AL = 4, the number of PDCCH candidates is 4, and Q can be 1, 2, 3, or 4. When AL = 8, the number of PDCCH candidates is 2, and Q can be 1 or 2. When AL = 16, the number of PDCCH candidates is 1, and Q can be 1.

[0140] The above is merely an illustrative example, and this disclosure does not limit the content of the exclusive information of the first type of terminal.

[0141] In step S2102, network device 102 sends DCI.

[0142] In some embodiments, a first-type terminal 101 receives the DCI.

[0143] In some embodiments, network device 102 can transmit DCI normally within the first CSS.

[0144] In one example, network device 102 may send DCI to first type terminal 101 and / or second type terminal within the first CSS.

[0145] In one example, the first type of terminal 101 can be, for example, an LPWA terminal, and the second type of terminal can be, for example, a high-end terminal.

[0146] In one example, the first type of terminal can also be other low-power terminals, such as IoT devices, passive IoT devices, wearable devices, etc. The second type of terminal can be a regular terminal.

[0147] In one example, the capabilities of the first type of terminal are lower than those of the second type of terminal.

[0148] The above is merely an illustrative example, and this disclosure does not limit the specific types of the first type of terminal and the second type of terminal.

[0149] In some embodiments, network device 102 sends DCI when it is necessary to schedule at least one type of terminal, for example, when it is necessary to schedule a first type of terminal.

[0150] In some embodiments, network device 102 may send DCI within the first CSS regardless of the terminal type, based on its own implementation and / or its own policies.

[0151] In some embodiments, network device 102 may send the DCI in order to balance terminal performance and transmission performance.

[0152] The above is merely an illustrative example, and this disclosure does not limit the timing or event that triggers network device 102 to send DCI.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first type of terminal 101 may detect and receive DCI within the first CSS, according to the specific information of the first type of terminal.

[0154] In some embodiments, the exclusive information of the first type of terminal includes a first period (P×N). The first type of terminal 101 can determine the time domain position for detecting and receiving DCI according to the first period (P×N) within the first CSS, at the time domain position of the first CSS transmission, so as to detect and receive DCI at the determined time domain position.

[0155] It is understandable that, when N is greater than 1, the time-domain location for detecting and receiving DCI determined by the first type of terminal 101 is a subset of the time-domain location for the first CSS transmission.

[0156] In one example, network device 102 can transmit DCI normally within the first CSS according to the second cycle. Correspondingly, the second type of terminal can detect and receive DCI according to the second cycle P, while the first type of terminal detects and receives DCI according to the larger first cycle (P×N). Using this method to transmit and receive DCI does not affect the configuration and structure of the first CSS, nor does it affect the detection and reception of DCI by the second type of terminal.

[0157] In some embodiments, the specific information of the first type of terminal includes a first AL, and the first type of terminal 101 can detect and receive PDCCH candidates according to each first AL within a first CSS.

[0158] For example, detect and receive PDCCH candidates according to AL=4, or detect and receive PDCCH candidates according to AL=8 and AL=16.

[0159] This disclosure does not limit the type of the first CSS, nor does it limit the DCI format transmitted within the first CSS.

[0160] Using this method to transmit and receive DCI will not affect the configuration and structure of the first CSS, nor will it affect the detection and reception of DCI by the second type of terminal.

[0161] In some embodiments, the exclusive information of the first type of terminal includes at least one first PDCCH candidate. The first type of terminal 101 can detect and receive Q PDCCH candidates from at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL within the first CSS.

[0162] In the absence of the first AL in the exclusive information, the first type of terminal can detect and receive Q PDCCH candidates from at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each second AL, i.e., the AL corresponding to the PDCCH candidate contained in the first cell exclusive search space CSS.

[0163] Using this method to transmit and receive DCI will not affect the configuration and structure of the first CSS, nor will it affect the detection and reception of DCI by the second type of terminal.

[0164] In some embodiments, the exclusive information of the first type of terminal may include at least two of the above information, and the first type of terminal 101 may detect and receive DCI in a combination manner.

[0165] In one example, the exclusive information of the first type of terminal includes the first period and the first AL. Then the first type of terminal 101 can detect and receive PDCCH candidates in the first CSS according to the first period (P×N) and the first AL.

[0166] For example, N can be greater than or equal to 1, and the first AL can be 8. In this case, the first type terminal 101 can detect and receive PDCCH candidates within the first CSS according to the first period (P×N) and AL=8.

[0167] In one example, the exclusive information of the first type of terminal includes a first period and at least one first PDCCH. Then, the first type of terminal 101 can detect and receive Q PDCCH candidates from at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL (e.g., the second AL) within the first CSS according to the first period (P×N).

[0168] For example, N can be greater than or equal to 1, AL can be 4, 8 and 16, and Q can be 3, 1 and 1 respectively. For AL=4, the first type terminal 101 can detect and receive the first 3 of the 4 PDCCH candidates in the first CSS according to the first period (P×N). For AL=8, the first type terminal 101 can detect and receive the first of the 2 PDCCH candidates in the first CSS according to the first period (P×N). For AL=16, the first type terminal 101 can detect and receive the PDCCH candidate in the first CSS according to the first period (P×N).

[0169] In one example, the exclusive information of the first type of terminal includes a first AL and at least one first PDCCH. Then, the first type of terminal 101 can detect and receive Q PDCCH candidates from at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each first AL within the first CSS.

[0170] For example, the first AL can be 8 and Q can be 1. In this case, the first type terminal 101 can detect and receive the first PDCCH candidate among the two corresponding PDCCH candidates in the first CSS according to the second period P.

[0171] In one example, the exclusive information of the first type of terminal includes a first cycle, a first AL and at least one first PDCCH. Then, the first type of terminal 101 can detect and receive Q PDCCH candidates from at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each first AL within the first CSS according to the first cycle.

[0172] For example, if N is greater than or equal to 1, the first AL can be 4 and Q is 2. In this case, the first type terminal 101 can detect and receive the first 2 PDCCH candidates out of the corresponding 4 PDCCH candidates within the first CSS according to the first period (P×N).

[0173] The above is merely an illustrative example, and this disclosure does not limit the method by which the first type of terminal detects and receives DCI within the first CSS.

[0174] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0175] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transfer,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0176] In some embodiments, “get,” “obtain,” “get,” “receive,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” and “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation, among other meanings.

[0177] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0178] In some embodiments, the communication method involved in this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2102. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, step S2102 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, and steps S2101 to S2102 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0179] In some embodiments, steps S2101 to S2102 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0180] In some embodiments, the execution order of steps S2101 to S2102 is not limited.

[0181] In the above embodiments, the scheduling needs of different types of terminals are met while saving terminal energy consumption, which is conducive to promoting the development of LPWA technology and has high availability.

[0182] Figure 3A is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3A, this embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method that can be executed by a first type terminal 101, and the method includes:

[0183] Step S3101: Obtain DCI.

[0184] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3101 can be found in optional implementations of step S2102 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0185] In some embodiments, terminal 101 receives DCI sent by network device 101, but is not limited thereto. Terminal 101 may also receive DCI sent by other entities, such as relay devices or other devices. In this case, step S3101 can be omitted.

[0186] In some embodiments, terminal 101 obtains the DCI specified by the protocol, in which case step S3101 is omitted.

[0187] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 obtains the DCI from the upper layer(s), in which case step S3101 is omitted.

[0188] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 performs processing to obtain the DCI, in which step S3101 is omitted.

[0189] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 autonomously implements the function indicated by the DCI, or the above function is the default or default, in which case step S3101 is omitted.

[0190] In the above embodiments, the scheduling needs of different types of terminals are met while saving terminal energy consumption, which is conducive to promoting the development of LPWA technology and has high availability.

[0191] Figure 3B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3B, the present disclosure relates to a communication method that can be executed by a network device 102, and the method includes:

[0192] Step S3201: Send DCI.

[0193] In some embodiments, network device 102 sends DCI to first type terminal 101.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first type of terminal 101 receives DCI.

[0195] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3201 can be found in optional implementations of step S2102 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0196] In the above embodiments, the scheduling needs of different types of terminals are met while saving terminal energy consumption, which is conducive to promoting the development of LPWA technology and has high availability.

[0197] The above process is further illustrated with examples below.

[0198] In this embodiment of the disclosure, during cell search, a first type of terminal (LPWA terminal) and a second type of terminal (high-end terminal) share a CSS. The first type of terminal can detect DCI with a larger period and / or a simplified search space configuration. During cell search, network devices, such as base stations, transmit the DCI of the first type of terminal with a larger period and / or a simplified search space configuration.

[0199] Terminal side:

[0200] During the Cell search process, Type 1 terminals (LPWA terminals) and Type 2 terminals (high-end terminals) share the CSS and detect DCI according to a larger cycle and / or simplified search space configuration.

[0201] Method 1: The first type of terminal uses a larger cycle to detect and receive DCI within the CSS shared by the second type of terminal.

[0202] The larger cycle is a cycle that is larger than the shared CSS transmission cycle.

[0203] This disclosure does not limit the method for determining the transmission period of the shared CSS or the specific period.

[0204] This disclosure does not limit the type of the shared CSS.

[0205] The shared CSS is a cell-specific search space.

[0206] This disclosure does not impose any limitation on the DCI format type transmitted within the shared CSS.

[0207] In this embodiment of the disclosure, assuming the shared CSS transmission period is P, the period for the first type of terminal to detect and receive DCI within the CSS is (P×N).

[0208] N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0209] Furthermore, N is related to the type or capability of the first type of terminal.

[0210] Specifically, different types of first-class terminals or terminals with different capabilities determine their respective actual periods for detecting the CSS according to different N values.

[0211] The specific temporal location of the shared CSS transmission is determined by the configuration provided by the base station or by predefined rules.

[0212] Specifically, the first type of terminal selects the corresponding subset within the time domain position of the CSS transmission according to a larger period (P×N) to detect and receive DCI.

[0213] This method does not affect the configuration, composition, or detection and reception of the shared CSS by the second type of terminal.

[0214] Method 2: The first type of terminal detects and receives PDCCH candidates according to a specific aggregation level within the shared CSS.

[0215] Specifically, the first type of terminal detects and receives PDCCH candidates within the shared CSS according to a predefined aggregation level or centralized aggregation level.

[0216] For example, the PDCCH candidate in the shared CSS has three options: AL=4, AL=8, and AL=16. For the first type of terminal, it detects and receives the PDCCH candidate only when AL=16, or when AL=8, or when AL=4, or when any combination of AL=16, AL=8, and AL=4 (for example, detecting and receiving AL=16 and AL=8).

[0217] This disclosure does not impose any limitations on the period for the first type of terminal to detect and receive the CSS, or on the number of PDCCH candidates corresponding to each aggregation level that needs to be detected.

[0218] This disclosure does not limit the type of the shared CSS.

[0219] This disclosure does not impose any limitation on the DCI format type transmitted within the shared CSS.

[0220] This method does not affect the configuration, composition, or detection and reception of the shared CSS by the second type of terminal.

[0221] Method 3: The first type of terminal detects and receives a specific PDCCH candidate corresponding to each aggregation level within the shared CSS.

[0222] Specifically, the first type of terminal detects the first Q PDCCH candidates corresponding to each AL within the shared CSS.

[0223] Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0224] The Q can be determined by the sub-type of the first type of terminal or the terminal capability.

[0225] This method does not affect the configuration, composition, or detection and reception of the shared CSS by the second type of terminal.

[0226] Method 4: The first type of terminal detects and receives DCI within the shared CSS according to any combination of methods 1 to 3.

[0227] For example, the first type of terminal detects and receives DCI within the shared CSS according to a larger period and a specific AL.

[0228] For example, the first type of terminal detects received DCI within the shared CSS according to a larger period and a specific PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL.

[0229] For example, the first type of terminal detects and receives DCI within the shared CSS according to a larger period, a specific AL and a specific PDCCH candidate corresponding to the AL.

[0230] Base station side:

[0231] During the Cell search process, the first type of terminal (LPWA terminal) and the second type of terminal (high-end terminal) share the CSS, and the base station sends the DCI of the first type of terminal according to a larger period and / or a simplified search space configuration.

[0232] Method 1: The base station transmits DCI normally within the shared CSS. The first type of terminal uses a larger period to detect and receive DCI within the shared CSS of the second type of terminal.

[0233] The larger cycle is a cycle that is larger than the shared CSS transmission cycle.

[0234] This disclosure does not limit the method for determining the transmission period of the shared CSS or the specific period.

[0235] This disclosure does not limit the type of the shared CSS.

[0236] The shared CSS is a cell-specific search space.

[0237] This disclosure does not impose any limitation on the DCI format type transmitted within the shared CSS.

[0238] In this embodiment of the disclosure, assuming the shared CSS transmission period is P, the period for the first type of terminal to detect and receive DCI within the CSS is (P×N).

[0239] N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0240] Furthermore, N is related to the type or capability of the first type of terminal.

[0241] Specifically, different types of first-class terminals or terminals with different capabilities determine their respective actual periods for detecting the CSS according to different N values.

[0242] The specific temporal location of the shared CSS transmission is determined by the configuration provided by the base station or by predefined rules.

[0243] Specifically, the first type of terminal selects the corresponding subset within the time domain position of the CSS transmission according to a larger period (P×N) to detect and receive DCI.

[0244] This method does not affect the configuration, composition, or detection and reception of the shared CSS by the second type of terminal.

[0245] Method 2: The base station transmits DCI normally within the shared CSS, and the first type of terminal detects and receives PDCCH candidate according to a specific aggregation level within the shared CSS.

[0246] Specifically, the first type of terminal detects and receives PDCCH candidates within the shared CSS according to a predefined aggregation level or centralized aggregation level.

[0247] For example, the PDCCH candidate in the shared CSS has three options: AL=4, AL=8, and AL=16. For the first type of terminal, it detects and receives the PDCCH candidate only when AL=16, or when AL=8, or when AL=4, or when any combination of AL=16, AL=8, and AL=4 (for example, detecting and receiving AL=16 and AL=8).

[0248] This method does not impose any limitations on the period during which the first type of terminal detects and receives the CSS, or on the number of PDCCH candidates corresponding to each aggregation level that needs to be detected.

[0249] This disclosure does not limit the type of the shared CSS.

[0250] This disclosure does not impose any limitation on the DCI format type transmitted within the shared CSS.

[0251] This method does not affect the configuration, composition, or detection and reception of the shared CSS by the second type of terminal.

[0252] Method 3: The base station transmits DCI normally within the shared CSS, and the first type of terminal detects and receives the specific PDCCH candidate corresponding to each aggregation level within the shared CSS.

[0253] Specifically, the first type of terminal detects the first Q PDCCH candidates corresponding to each AL within the shared CSS.

[0254] Q is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0255] The Q can be determined by the sub-type of the first type of terminal or the terminal capability.

[0256] This method does not affect the configuration, composition, or detection and reception of the shared CSS by the second type of terminal.

[0257] Method 4: The base station normally transmits DCI within the shared CSS, and the first type of terminal detects and receives DCI within the shared CSS according to any combination of methods 1-3.

[0258] For example, the first type of terminal detects and receives DCI within the shared CSS according to a larger period and a specific AL.

[0259] For example, the first type of terminal detects received DCI within the shared CSS according to a larger period and a specific PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL.

[0260] For example, the first type of terminal detects and receives DCI within the shared CSS according to a larger period, a specific AL and a specific PDCCH candidate corresponding to the AL.

[0261] This disclosure also proposes an apparatus (also referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0262] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0263] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0264] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The terminal 4100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4A, the terminal 4100 may include a transceiver module 4101.

[0265] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 4101 is used to detect and receive downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network device within the first cell-specific search space (CSS) according to the exclusive information of the first type of terminal; wherein, the first cell-specific search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send DCI to the second type of terminal.

[0266] Optionally, the transceiver module 4101 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (such as step S2102, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal 4100 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0267] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The network device 4200 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4B, the network device 4200 may include a transceiver module 4201.

[0268] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 4201 is configured to send downlink control information (DCI) within a first cell-specific search space (CSS) so that a first type of terminal can detect and receive the DCI according to the exclusive information of the first type of terminal; wherein, the first cell-specific search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send the DCI to a second type of terminal.

[0269] Optionally, the transceiver module 4201 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (such as step S2102, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device 4200 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0270] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0271] Alternatively, the transceiver module can be interchanged with the transceiver.

[0272] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 5100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 5100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 5100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0273] As shown in Figure 5A, the communication device 5100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 includes one or more processors 5101. The processor 5101 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 5100 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 5101 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 5100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0274] In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 further includes one or more transceivers 5102. When the communication device 5100 includes one or more transceivers 5102, the transceiver 5102 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step S2102, but not limited thereto) in the above method, such as sending and / or receiving, and the processor 5101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., step S2101, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, sending unit, transmitter, sending circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0275] In some embodiments, the communication device 5100 further includes one or more memories 5103 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 5101 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 5103 to cause the communication device 5100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 5103 may also be located outside the communication device 5100. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 5100 may include one or more interface circuits 5104. Optionally, the interface circuit 5104 is connected to the memory 5103 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 5103 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 5103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 5104 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 5103 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 5101.

[0276] The communication device 5100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 5100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 5100 may not be limited by FIG. 5A. The communication device may be a standalone device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0277] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of chip 5200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 5100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of chip 5200 shown in Figure 5B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0278] Chip 5200 includes one or more processors 5201. Chip 5200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0279] In some embodiments, chip 5200 further includes one or more interface circuits 5202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 5200 further includes one or more memories 5203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 5203 may be located outside of chip 5200. Optionally, the interface circuit 5202 is connected to the memories 5203, and the interface circuit 5202 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memories 5203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 5202 can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memories 5203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 5202 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memories 5203 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 5201.

[0280] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 5202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., step S2102, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 5202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method refers, for example, to the interface circuit 5202 performing data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 5201, the chip 5200, the memory 5203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 5201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., step S2101, but not limited thereto).

[0281] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0282] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0283] This disclosure also proposes a program product, including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the storage medium.

[0284] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0285] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a first type of terminal, and the method includes: Within the first cell-specific search space (CSS), downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network device is detected and received according to the exclusive information of the first type of terminal; wherein, the first cell-specific search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send DCI to the second type of terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The specific information for the first type of terminal includes at least one of the following: The first cycle is the cycle during which the first type of terminal detects and receives the DCI; The first aggregation level AL is the AL that the first type of terminal detects and receives as a candidate for the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). At least one first PDCCH candidate, wherein the at least one first PDCCH candidate is at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL that the first type of terminal needs to detect and receive.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the first type, determine N; where N is a positive integer; The first period is determined based on the second period and the N; wherein the second period is the transmission period of the first cell-specific search space CSS.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The first AL includes one or more second ALs; wherein the second AL is the AL corresponding to the PDCCH candidate contained in the first cell-specific search space CSS.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the first type, Q is determined; where Q is a positive integer; The at least one first PDCCH candidate is determined based on Q PDCCH candidates from at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, The step of detecting and receiving downlink control information (DCI) according to the specific information of the first type of terminal includes at least one of the following: According to the first cycle, the DCI is detected and received within the first cell's dedicated search space (CSS). For each of the first ALs, PDCCH candidates are detected and received within the first cell-specific search space (CSS). Within the first cell-specific search space (CSS), at least one first PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL is detected and received.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is performed by a network device, and the method includes: Within the first cell-specific search space (CSS), downlink control information (DCI) is sent so that a first type of terminal can detect and receive the DCI according to its proprietary information; wherein, the first cell-specific search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send the DCI to a second type of terminal.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The specific information for the first type of terminal includes at least one of the following: The first cycle is the cycle during which the first type of terminal detects and receives the DCI; The first aggregation level AL is the AL that the first type of terminal detects and receives as a candidate for the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). At least one first PDCCH candidate, wherein the at least one first PDCCH candidate is at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL that the first type of terminal needs to detect and receive.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first period is determined based on the second period and N; wherein, the second period is the transmission period of the first cell-specific search space CSS, and N is determined based on the first type, and N is a positive integer.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The first AL includes one or more second ALs; wherein the second AL is the AL corresponding to the PDCCH candidate contained in the first cell-specific search space CSS.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, The at least one first PDCCH is determined based on Q PDCCH candidates from at least one PDCCH candidate corresponding to each AL; wherein, Q is determined based on a first type, and Q is a positive integer.

12. A first type of terminal, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is configured to detect and receive downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network device within the first cell exclusive search space (CSS) according to the exclusive information of the first type of terminal; wherein, the first cell exclusive search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send DCI to the second type of terminal.

13. A network device, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is configured to send downlink control information (DCI) within the first cell exclusive search space (CSS), so that a first type of terminal can detect and receive the DCI according to the exclusive information of the first type of terminal; wherein, the first cell exclusive search space (CSS) is used by the network device to send the DCI to a second type of terminal.

14. A first type of terminal, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The processor is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-6.

15. A network device, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The processor is used to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 7-11.

16. A communication system, characterized in that, include: A first type of terminal, configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1-6; A network device configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 7-11.

17. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, it causes the communication device to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-6 or 7-11.

18. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, characterized in that, When executed by a processor, the computer program is used to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1-6 or 7-11.

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