IP Library Granted Patent US 12,745,253
Granted Patent B2
US 12,745,253 · App. 17/961,403 · Granted Sep 22, 2026

Physical downlink control channel monitoring method and apparatus

Inventors: Fei Gao (Shanghai, CN); Shurong Jiao (Shanghai, CN); Meng Hua (Shanghai, CN)
Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
H04W72/23H04W24/08H04W72/0446H04W72/53
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,745,253
App. No.
17/961,403
Granted
Sep 22, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

This application provides a physical downlink control channel monitoring method and an apparatus. The method includes: determining that a first monitoring capability of a terminal device is used to monitor a physical downlink control channels of a cell set of the terminal device, determining N non-overlapping time units of the cell set in one slot, where a start location of each of the N time units is based on a span of a cell in the cell set, and allocating the first monitoring capability in the cell set based on the N time units to separately monitor a physical downlink control channel of each cell in the cell set, so that in a carrier aggregation (CA) scenario, the terminal can monitor a physical downlink control channel at a granularity of a span.

Claims (46)

1 . A physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring method by a terminal device, the method comprising:

determining that a first monitoring capability of the terminal device is used to monitor physical downlink control channels of a cell set comprising at least two cells of the terminal device, wherein each cell in the cell set has a same span pattern and a same subcarrier spacing, wherein the span pattern is represented as (X, Y), wherein X represents a minimum symbol spacing between start symbols of two spans, and wherein Y represents a maximum quantity of consecutive symbols comprised in the span;

determining N non-overlapping time units of the cell set in one slot, wherein a start location of each of the N non-overlapping time units is based on a span of a cell in the cell set, wherein N is a positive integer, and wherein the time unit is X symbols; and

allocating the first monitoring capability between the cells in the cell set in each of the N non-overlapping X symbols, to separately monitor PDCCHs of cells in the cell set,

wherein the allocating the first monitoring capability between the cells in the cell set meets the following condition in each of the N non-overlapping X symbols:

a sum of maximum monitoring times allocated to cells in the cell set is less than or equal to the maximum monitoring times allocated to the first cell set; and a sum of the maximum quantity of control channel elements (CCEs) allocated to the cells in the cell set is less than or equal to the maximum quantity of CCEs allocated to the first cell set.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the allocating of the first monitoring capability in the cell set in each of the N non-overlapping X symbols comprises:

allocating, in response to symbols being occupied by a first span of a first cell partially or completely overlap with a first X symbols, a part or all of the first monitoring capability to the first cell based on a quantity of all symbols occupied by a span of the first cell,

wherein the first cell is a cell in the cell set, and

wherein the first X symbols is one of the N non-overlapping X symbols.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the allocating of the first monitoring capability in the cell set in each of the N non-overlapping X symbols comprises:

allocating, in response to symbols being occupied by a span of a second cell partially or completely overlap with a second X symbols, a part or all of the first monitoring capability to the second cell based on a proportion of a quantity of symbols in an overlapping part in a quantity of symbols occupied by the span of the second cell,

wherein the second cell is a cell in the cell set, and

wherein the second X symbols is one of the N non-overlapping X symbols.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein each span of each cell in the cell set is located in one of the N non-overlapping X symbols.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first monitoring capability of the terminal device is determined based on a maximum quantity of cells supported by the terminal device to monitor a physical downlink control channel and a monitoring capability corresponding to a span pattern corresponding to the first cell set.

6 . A communication apparatus, comprising:

a memory storing instructions; and

at least one processor in communication with the memory, the at least one processor configured to execute the instructions, wherein upon execution of the instructions, the at least one processor performs a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring method, the method comprising the following:

determining that a first monitoring capability of the terminal device is used to monitor physical downlink control channels of a cell set comprising at least two cells of the terminal device, wherein each cell in the cell set has a same span pattern and a same subcarrier spacing, wherein the span pattern is represented as (X, Y), wherein X represents a minimum symbol spacing between start symbols of two spans, and wherein Y represents a maximum quantity of consecutive symbols comprised in the span;

determining N non-overlapping time units of the cell set in one slot, wherein a start location of each of the N non-overlapping time units is based on a span of a cell in the cell set, wherein N is a positive integer, and wherein the time unit is X symbols; and

allocating the first monitoring capability between the cells in the cell set in each of the N non-overlapping X symbols, to separately monitor PDCCHs of cells in the cell set,

wherein the allocating the first monitoring capability between the cells in the cell set meets the following condition in each of the N non-overlapping X symbols:

a sum of maximum monitoring times allocated to cells in the cell set is less than or equal to the maximum monitoring times allocated to the first cell set; and a sum of the maximum quantity of control channel elements (CCEs) allocated to the cells in the cell set is less than or equal to the maximum quantity of CCEs allocated to the first cell set.

7 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the allocating of the first monitoring capability in the cell set in each of the N non-overlapping X symbols comprises:

allocating, in response to symbols being occupied by a first span of a first cell partially or completely overlap with a first X symbols, a part or all of the first monitoring capability to the first cell based on a quantity of all symbols occupied by a span of the first cell, wherein the first cell is a cell in the cell set, and wherein the first X symbols is one of the N non-overlapping X symbols.

8 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the allocating of the first monitoring capability in the cell set in each of the N non-overlapping X symbols comprises:

allocating, in response to symbols being occupied by a span of a second cell partially or completely overlap with the second X symbols, a part or all of the first monitoring capability to the second cell based on a proportion of a quantity of symbols in an overlapping part in a quantity of symbols occupied by the span of the second cell, wherein the second cell is a cell in the cell set, and wherein the second X symbols is one of the N non-overlapping X symbols.

9 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein each span of each cell in the cell set is located in one of the N non-overlapping X symbols.

10 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the first monitoring capability of the terminal device is determined based on a maximum quantity of cells supported by the terminal device to monitor a physical downlink control channel and a monitoring capability corresponding to a span pattern corresponding to the first cell set.

11 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon, a computer program comprising at least one code section for distributing data, the at least one code section being executable by a terminal device for causing the terminal device to perform a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring method, the method comprising the following:

determining that a first monitoring capability of the terminal device is used to monitor physical downlink control channels of a cell set comprising at least two cells of the terminal device, wherein each cell in the cell set has a same span pattern and a same subcarrier spacing, wherein the span pattern is represented as (X, Y), wherein X represents a minimum symbol spacing between start symbols of two spans, and wherein Y represents a maximum quantity of consecutive symbols comprised in the span;

determining N non-overlapping time units of the cell set in one slot, wherein a start location of each of the N non-overlapping time units is based on a span of a cell in the cell set, wherein N is a positive integer, and wherein the time unit is X symbols; and

allocating the first monitoring capability between the cells in the cell set in each of the N non-overlapping X symbols, to separately monitor PDCCHs of cells in the cell set,

wherein the allocating the first monitoring capability between the cells in the cell set meets the following condition in each of the N non-overlapping X symbols:

a sum of maximum monitoring times allocated to cells in the cell set is less than or equal to the maximum monitoring times allocated to the first cell set; and a sum of the maximum quantity of control channel elements (CCEs) allocated to the cells in the cell set is less than or equal to the maximum quantity of CCEs allocated to the first cell set.

12 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 11 , wherein the allocating of the first monitoring capability in the cell set in each of the N non-overlapping X symbols comprises:

allocating, in response to symbols being occupied by a first span of a first cell partially or completely overlap with a first X symbols, a part or all of the first monitoring capability to the first cell based on a quantity of all symbols occupied by a span of the first cell,

wherein the first cell is a cell in the cell set, and

wherein the first X symbols is one of the N non-overlapping X symbols.

13 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 11 , wherein the allocating of the first monitoring capability in the cell set in each of the N non-overlapping X symbols comprises:

allocating, in response to symbols being occupied by a span of a second cell partially or completely overlap with a second X symbols, a part or all of the first monitoring capability to the second cell based on a proportion of a quantity of symbols in an overlapping part in a quantity of symbols occupied by the span of the second cell,

wherein the second cell is a cell in the cell set, and

wherein the second X symbols is one of the N non-overlapping X symbols.

14 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 11 , wherein each span of each cell in the cell set is located in one of the N non-overlapping X symbols.

15 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 11 , wherein the first monitoring capability of the terminal device is determined based on a maximum quantity of cells supported by the terminal device to monitor a physical downlink control channel and a monitoring capability corresponding to a span pattern corresponding to the first cell set.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 23, 2022
From: GAO, FEI; JIAO, SHURONG; HUA, MENG
To: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 061868/0101 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 202010280741.5 · Apr 10, 2020 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTCN2021081942 · Mar 20, 2021
Related Publication 20230047144A1 · Feb 16, 2023
References Cited (13)
US 20210037607A1 · Hamidi-Sepehr · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210153177A1 · Hosseini · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210227569A1 · Xu · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20220201515A1 · Chatterjee · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20230006803A1 · Shi · 2023 [cited by examiner]
CA 3000508A1 · 2017 [cited by examiner]
EP 3451553A2 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO 2020072963A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
WO WO2020066854A1 · 2020 [cited by examiner]
Huawei, “Summary of email discussion [100e-NR-L1enh_URLLC_PDCCH-03] on remaining issues on enhanced PDCCH monitoring capability,” 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 Meeting #100-e, R1-2001409, Total 43 pages, 3rd Generation Partnership P… [cited by applicant]
Ad-Doc Chair (NTT DOCOMO, Inc.), “Chairman's notes of AI 7.1.7,” 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 #96bis, Xi'an, China, R1-1905800, Total 6 pages, 3rd Generation Partnership Project, Valbonne, France (Apr. 8-12, 2019). [cited by applicant]
Huawei, “Summary #4 of 7.2.6.1 PDCCH enhancements,” 3GPP RAN WG1, Meeting #99, Reno, USA, Mobile Competence Centre, 650, Route Des Lucioles, F-06921, Sophia-Antipolis Cedex France, R1-1913541, Total 62 pages, 3rd Genera… [cited by applicant]
“3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; NR; Physical layer procedures for control (Release 16),” 3GPP TS 38.213, V16.0.0, Mobilecompetence Centre, 650, Route Des Lucioles… [cited by applicant]