A method performed by a network, comprising: receiving (305; 320), by the network from a first user equipment, UE, a declaration of capabilities of the first UE; sending (310; 325), by the network, to the first UE, a first search space, SS, configuration for a first component carrier in a carrier aggregation, CA, scheme; and sending (315; 330), by the network, to the first UE, a second search space configuration for a second component carrier in the carrier aggregation scheme, wherein: the first search space configuration comprises a first set of monitoring occasions, the second search space configuration comprises a second set of monitoring occasions, MOs, determining an ( X, Y) pair that is satisfied by both the first set of monitoring occasions and the second set of monitoring occasions, wherein the ( X, Y) pair refers to a span-gap span-length pair complying with the declaration of capabilities of the first UE; the method characterized by determining a union of the first set of monitoring occasions and the second set of monitoring occasions; determining a span pattern based on the union; and determining whether the ( X, Y) pair is satisfied by the span pattern, wherein the (X, Y) pair is determined to be satisfied by the span pattern when the (X, Y) pair covers by the span pattern and wherein the (X, Y) pair is determined not to be satisfied by the span pattern when the (X, Y) pair is not covered by the span pattern; implementing a control channel elements, CCE, limit, wherein the limit is based on whether the (X, Y) pair is satisfied by the span pattern. receiving (305; 320), by the network from a first user equipment, UE, a declaration of capabilities of the first UE; sending (310; 325), by the network, to the first UE, a first search space, SS, configuration for a first component carrier in a carrier aggregation, CA, scheme; and sending (315; 330), by the network, to the first UE, a second search space configuration for a second component carrier in the carrier aggregation scheme, wherein: the first search space configuration comprises a first set of monitoring occasions, the second search space configuration comprises a second set of monitoring occasions, MOs, the first search space configuration comprises a first set of monitoring occasions, the second search space configuration comprises a second set of monitoring occasions, MOs, determining an ( X, Y) pair that is satisfied by both the first set of monitoring occasions and the second set of monitoring occasions, wherein the ( X, Y) pair refers to a span-gap span-length pair complying with the declaration of capabilities of the first UE; the method characterized by determining a union of the first set of monitoring occasions and the second set of monitoring occasions; determining a span pattern based on the union; and determining whether the ( X, Y) pair is satisfied by the span pattern, wherein the (X, Y) pair is determined to be satisfied by the span pattern when the (X, Y) pair covers by the span pattern and wherein the (X, Y) pair is determined not to be satisfied by the span pattern when the (X, Y) pair is not covered by the span pattern; implementing a control channel elements, CCE, limit, wherein the limit is based on whether the (X, Y) pair is satisfied by the span pattern.