Patent Description:
With rapid development of wireless communication technology, a 5th Generation (<NUM>) mobile communication technology appears. 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) recently researches into a <NUM> New Radio Unlicensed Spectrum (NR-U). A dominant view is that the NR-U may support independent networking. In addition, it is thought that a design in <NUM> New Radio (NR) should be inherited in the NR-U as long as it is allowable. In designing an unlicensed spectrum, a first concern is laws related to regions around the globe. For example, by Listen before Talk (LBT), it means that energy probe has to come before signal transmission. LBT has to apply if other equipment is transmitting a signal on a channel under consideration.

Applicable in both 4th Generation (<NUM>) and <NUM> mobile communication is Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS), where a resource for transmitting a regularly transmitted packet, such as of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is allocated semi-persistently. That is, once allocated, the resource appears periodically and may be used repeatedly. After SPS has been activated, a base station may perform no Downlink Control Information (DCI) scheduling. User Equipment (UE) may simply use a reserved resource.

However, given LBT, a NR-U may not be available for data transmission on an SPS occasion. Therefore, UE misses the SPS occasion. A base station may make up for the missed occasion such as by dynamic scheduling, such as dynamic scheduling using DCI. This, however, may waste a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) resource and reduce a benefit brought about by the SPS.

In related art, after a SPS occasion is taken, the SPS occasion will be given up. Data should have been transmitted for UE on the SPS occasion may have to be scheduled dynamically on an occasion yet to come. However, there is a high probability that a SPS occasion conflict may occur, thereby wasting a lot of public control channel resources.

The features of the preamble of the independent claims are known from<NPL>; further document<NPL>; and further document <CIT> discussing semi-persistent resource allocation enhancement for v2x communication, involving configuring subsequent uplink SPS occasion to user equipment.

In view of this, embodiments herein provide a method and device for indicating occupation relating to a Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) unit, a method and device for demodulating an SPS unit, a base station, User Equipment (UE), and a computer-readable storage medium, capable of sending a number of one or more alternative occasions and an interval for an SPS unit for UE through a PDCCH, allowing the UE to determine the one or more alternative occasions according to the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval, and receive the SPS unit on the one or more alternative occasions, thereby reducing public control channel resource waste.

The present invention is defined in the independent claims, and the preferable features according to the present invention are defined in the independent claims.

A technical solution herein includes beneficial effects as follows.

A number of one or more alternative occasions for an SPS unit for User Equipment (UE) is determined according to statistics on occupation of a current channel within a preset time period. An interval for the SPS unit is determined. The number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval are sent through a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Accordingly, the UE is allowed to determine the one or more alternative occasions for the SPS unit according to the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval, and receive the SPS unit on the one or more alternative occasions, reducing a number of times the SPS unit is scheduled, thereby reducing public control channel resource waste.

If an SPS unit fails to be received at an SPS occasion allocated, one or more alternative occasions for the SPS unit may be determined according to a number of the one or more alternative occasions and an interval received. The SPS unit may be received on the one or more alternative occasions, reducing a number of times a base station schedules the SPS unit, thereby reducing public control channel resource waste.

The above general description and detailed description below are but exemplary and explanatory, and do not limit the subject disclosure.

Drawings here are incorporated in and constitute part of the subject disclosure, illustrate embodiments according to the subject disclosure, and together with the subject disclosure, serve to explain the principle of the subject disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments (examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings) are elaborated below. The following description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which identical or similar elements in two drawings are denoted by identical reference numerals unless indicated otherwise. Implementations set forth in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations in accordance with the subject disclosure. Rather, they are mere examples of the device (i.e., device) and method in accordance with certain aspects of the subject disclosure as recited in the accompanying claims.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method for indicating occupation relating to an SPS unit according to the disclosure. Description in the disclosure is applied to a base station. As shown in <FIG>, the method for indicating occupation relating to an SPS unit includes an option as follows.

In S101, a number of one or more alternative occasions for an SPS unit for User Equipment (UE) is determined according to statistics on occupation of a current channel within a preset time period.

A preset time period may be set as needed. An SPS unit may be, but is not limited to, an SPS frame, an SPS time slot, etc..

In the disclosure, a number of one or more alternative occasions for an SPS unit for UE is determined according to statistics on occupation of a current channel within a preset time period. The more seriously a current channel is occupied, the more alternative occasions for an SPS unit for UE. A number of one or more alternative occasions for an SPS frame for UE may be <NUM>, <NUM>, etc..

In S <NUM>, an interval for the SPS unit is determined.

The interval may refer to an interval between a current occasion and an alternative occasion.

In S <NUM>, the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval are sent through a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

The number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval may be sent through a PDCCH in a number of modes. For example, Downlink Control Information (DCI) carrying the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval may be generated. The DCI may be sent through the PDCCH.

With the disclosure, a number of one or more alternative occasions for an SPS unit for User Equipment (UE) is determined according to statistics on occupation of a current channel within a preset time period. An interval for the SPS unit is determined. The number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval are sent through a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Accordingly, the UE is allowed to determine the one or more alternative occasions for the SPS unit according to the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval, and receive the SPS unit on the one or more alternative occasions, reducing a number of times the SPS unit is scheduled, thereby reducing public control channel resource waste.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method for indicating occupation relating to an SPS unit according to the disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, after S <NUM>, the method for indicating occupation relating to an SPS unit may further include an option as follows.

In S <NUM>, the one or more alternative occasions is determined according to the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval.

Assume that the number of the one or more alternative occasions is <NUM>. Then, there may be <NUM> alternative occasion for sending the SPS unit such as an SPS frame. Assume that the SPS unit such as an SPS frame is to be sent on a primary occasion (referred to as a occasion <NUM>), the interval is determined as σ, and a occasion <NUM>+σ is referred to as a occasion <NUM>. Then, it may be determined that the alternative occasion is the occasion <NUM>.

Assume that the number of the one or more alternative occasions is <NUM>. Then, there may be <NUM> alternative occasions for sending the SPS unit such as an SPS frame. Assume that the SPS unit such as an SPS frame is to be sent on a primary occasion (referred to as a occasion <NUM>), the interval is determined as σ, a occasion <NUM>+σ is referred to as a occasion <NUM>, and a occasion <NUM>+2σ is referred to as a occasion <NUM>. Then, it may be determined that the one or more alternative occasions are the occasion <NUM> and the occasion <NUM>.

In S <NUM>, the SPS unit may be sent on the one or more alternative occasions.

For example, an alternative occasion, i.e., a occasion <NUM>, may be determined. Then, when an SPS frame fails to be sent on a primary occasion, the SPS frame may be sent at the occasion <NUM>.

The number of the one or more alternative occasions may be greater than <NUM>. Then, when an SPS frame fails to be sent on a primary occasion, the SPS frame may be sent at a first alternative occasion. If the SPS frame fails to be sent at the first alternative occasion, the SPS frame may be sent at a second alternative occasion, and so on.

For example, it may be determined that the first alternative occasion is a occasion <NUM> and the second alternative occasion is a occasion <NUM>. Then, when the SPS frame fails to be sent on the primary occasion, the SPS frame may be sent at the occasion <NUM>. If the SPS frame fails to be sent at the occasion <NUM>, the SPS frame may be sent at the occasion <NUM>.

With the disclosure, an alternative occasion is determined. An SPS unit is sent at the alternative occasion, reducing a number of times the SPS unit is scheduled, thereby reducing public control channel resource waste.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method for indicating occupation relating to an SPS unit according to the disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the method for indicating occupation relating to an SPS unit further includes an option as follows.

In S <NUM>, if the one or more alternative occasions are occupied, the SPS unit may be sent by dynamic scheduling.

In the disclosure, after the one or more alternative occasions have been determined, if the one or more alternative occasions are occupied and there are data to be transmitted in the SPS frame, the SPS unit such as the SPS frame may be sent by dynamic scheduling.

With the disclosure, if the one or more alternative occasions are occupied, the SPS unit is sent by dynamic scheduling, thereby ensuring normal data transmission.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method for demodulating an SPS unit according to the disclosure. Description in the disclosure is applied to UE. As shown in <FIG>, the method includes an option as follows.

In S401, a number of one or more alternative occasions and an interval for an SPS unit for the UE sent by a base station through a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) are received.

The UE may receive Downlink Control Information (DCI) sent by the base station through the PDCCH. The UE may acquire the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval by demodulating the DCI.

In the disclosure, the UE may receive the DCI by performing blind detection on the PDCCH using a Semi-Persistent Scheduling Radio Network Temporary Identifier (SPS-RNTI) and a Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI).

In S402, an SPS occasion allocated to the UE is acquired by demodulating the PDCCH.

In S403, if the SPS unit is not received on the SPS occasion, the one or more alternative occasions for the SPS unit are determined according to the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval.

In S404, the SPS unit is received on the one or more alternative occasions.

If the UE fails to receive the SPS unit at the SPS occasion allocated to the UE, the UE determines the one or more alternative occasions for the SPS unit according to the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval, and receives the SPS unit on the one or more alternative occasions. Assume that there are two alternative occasions. Then, the SPS unit such as an SPS frame may be received first at an alternative occasion <NUM>. If the SPS unit such as the SPS frame fails to be received at the alternative occasion <NUM>, the SPS unit such as the SPS frame may be received at an alternative occasion <NUM>.

With the disclosure, if an SPS unit fails to be received at an SPS occasion allocated, one or more alternative occasions for the SPS unit is determined according to a number of the one or more alternative occasions and an interval received. The SPS unit is received on the one or more alternative occasions, reducing a number of times a base station schedules the SPS unit, thereby reducing public control channel resource waste.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method for demodulating an SPS unit according to the disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the method may further include an option as follows.

In S405, if the SPS unit is not received on the one or more alternative occasions, the SPS unit may be received by dynamic scheduling.

If the UE does not receive the SPS unit on the one or more alternative occasions, the UE may receive the SPS unit by dynamic scheduling, thereby ensuring normal data reception.

With the disclosure, if the SPS unit is not received on the one or more alternative occasions, the SPS unit may be received by dynamic scheduling, thereby ensuring normal data reception.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device for indicating occupation relating to an SPS unit according to the disclosure. The device is located in a base station. As shown in <FIG>, the device includes a first determining module <NUM>, a second determining module <NUM>, and a first sending module <NUM>.

The first determining module <NUM> is adapted to determining a number of one or more alternative occasions for an SPS unit for User Equipment (UE) according to statistics on occupation of a current channel within a preset time period.

The second determining module <NUM> is adapted to determining an interval for the SPS unit.

The first sending module <NUM> is adapted to sending the number of the one or more alternative occasions determined by the first determining module <NUM> and the interval determined by the second determining module <NUM> through a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

With the e disclosure, a number of one or more alternative occasions for an SPS unit for User Equipment (UE) is determined according to statistics on occupation of a current channel within a preset time period. An interval for the SPS unit is determined. The number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval are sent through a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Accordingly, the UE is allowed to determine the one or more alternative occasions for the SPS unit according to the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval, and receive the SPS unit on the one or more alternative occasions, reducing a number of times the SPS unit is scheduled, thereby reducing public control channel resource waste.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device for indicating occupation relating to an SPS unit according to the disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, based on the description shown in <FIG>, the first sending module <NUM> may include a generating sub-module <NUM> and a sending sub-module <NUM>.

The generating sub-module <NUM> may be adapted to generating Downlink Control Information (DCI) carrying the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval.

The sending sub-module <NUM> may be adapted to sending the DCI generated by the generating sub-module <NUM> through the PDCCH.

With the disclosure, DCI carrying a number of one or more alternative occasions and an interval are generated. The DCI is sent through a PDCCH. Accordingly, the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval are sent through the PDCCH.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device for indicating occupation relating to an SPS unit according to the disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, based on the description shown in <FIG>, the device further includes a third determining module <NUM> and a second sending module <NUM>.

The third determining module <NUM> may be adapted to determining the one or more alternative occasions according to the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval.

The second sending module <NUM> may be adapted to sending the SPS unit on the one or more alternative occasions determined by the third determining module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device for indicating occupation relating to an SPS unit according to the disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, based on the description shown in <FIG>, the device further includes a third sending module <NUM>.

The third sending module <NUM> may be adapted to, in response to determining that the one or more alternative occasions determined by the third determining module <NUM> are occupied, sending the SPS unit by dynamic scheduling.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device for demodulating an SPS unit according to the disclosure. The device may be located in UE. As shown in <FIG>, the device includes a first receiving module <NUM>, a demodulating module <NUM>, a determining module <NUM>, and a second receiving module <NUM>.

The first receiving module <NUM> is adapted to receiving a number of one or more alternative occasions and an interval for an SPS unit for the UE sent by a base station through a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

The demodulating module <NUM> is adapted to acquiring an SPS occasion allocated to the UE by demodulating the PDCCH through which the first receiving module <NUM> receives the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval.

The determining module <NUM> is adapted to, in response to determining that the SPS unit is not received on the SPS occasion acquired by the demodulating module <NUM>, determining the one or more alternative occasions for the SPS unit according to the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval.

The second sending module <NUM> is adapted to receiving the SPS unit on the one or more alternative occasions determined by the determining module <NUM>.

If the UE fails to receive the SPS unit at the SPS occasion allocated to the UE, the UE determines the one or more alternative occasions for the SPS unit according to the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval, and receive the SPS unit on the one or more alternative occasions. Assume that there are two alternative occasions. Then, the SPS unit such as an SPS frame may be received first at an alternative occasion <NUM>. If the SPS unit such as the SPS frame fails to be received at the alternative occasion <NUM>, the SPS unit such as the SPS frame may be received at an alternative occasion <NUM>.

With the disclosure, if an SPS unit fails to be received at an SPS occasion allocated, one or more alternative occasions for the SPS unit may be determined according to a number of the one or more alternative occasions and an interval received. The SPS unit may be received on the one or more alternative occasions, reducing a number of times a base station schedules the SPS unit, thereby reducing public control channel resource waste.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device for demodulating an SPS unit according to the disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, based on the description shown in <FIG>, the device further includes a third receiving module <NUM>.

The third receiving module <NUM> may be adapted to, in response to determining that the SPS unit is not received on the one or more alternative occasions determined by the determining module <NUM>, receiving the SPS unit by dynamic scheduling.

When the SPS unit fails to be received at any alternative occasion, the SPS unit may be received by dynamic scheduling, thereby ensuring normal data reception.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device for demodulating an SPS unit according to the disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, based on the description shown in <FIG>, the first receiving module <NUM> may include a receiving sub-module <NUM> and a demodulating sub-module <NUM>.

The receiving sub-module <NUM> may be adapted to receiving Downlink Control Information (DCI) sent by the base station through the PDCCH.

The demodulating sub-module <NUM> may be adapted to acquiring the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval by demodulating the DCI received by the receiving sub-module <NUM>.

The receiving sub-module <NUM> may be adapted to receiving the DCI by performing blind detection on the PDCCH using a Semi-Persistent Scheduling Radio Network Temporary Identifier (SPS-RNTI) and a Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI).

With the disclosure, DCI sent by a base station through a PDCCH is received. A number of one or more alternative occasions and an interval are acquired by demodulating the DCI received. Accordingly, a number of one or more alternative occasions and an interval for an SPS unit for UE sent by a base station through a PDCCH are received.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device for indicating occupation relating to an SPS unit according to the disclosure. The device <NUM> is provided as a base station. Referring to <FIG>, the device <NUM> includes a processing component <NUM>, a radio transmitting / receiving component <NUM>, an antenna component <NUM>, and a signal processing part dedicated to a radio interface. The processing component <NUM> further includes one or more processors.

A processor of the processing component <NUM> is adapted to:.

In the disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions which, when executed by the processing component <NUM> of the device <NUM>, implement a method for indicating occupation relating to an SPS unit herein. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, optical data storage equipment, etc..

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device for demodulating an SPS unit according the disclosure. For example, the device <NUM> is UE such as a mobile phone, a computer, digital broadcast UE, messaging equipment, a gaming console, tablet equipment, medical equipment, fitness equipment, a personal digital assistant, etc..

Referring to <FIG>, the device <NUM> includes at least one of a processing component <NUM>, memory <NUM>, a power supply component <NUM>, a multimedia component <NUM>, an audio component <NUM>, an Input / Output (I / O) interface <NUM>, a sensor component <NUM>, a communication component <NUM>, etc..

The processing component <NUM> generally controls an overall operation of the device <NUM>, such as operations associated with display, a telephone call, data communication, a camera operation, a recording operation, etc. The processing component <NUM> includes one or more processors <NUM> to execute instructions so as to complete all or a part of an aforementioned method. In addition, the processing component <NUM> includes one or more modules to facilitate interaction between the processing component <NUM> and other components. For example, the processing component <NUM> includes a multimedia portion to facilitate interaction between the multimedia component <NUM> and the processing component <NUM>.

A processor <NUM> of the processing component <NUM> is adapted to:.

The memory <NUM> may be adapted to storing various types of data to support the operation at the device <NUM>. Examples of such data may include instructions of any application or method adapted to operating on the device <NUM>, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, etc. The memory <NUM> may be realized by any type of transitory or non-transitory storage equipment or a combination thereof, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, a magnetic disk, a compact disk, etc..

The power supply component <NUM> may supply electric power to various components of the device <NUM>. The power supply component <NUM> may include a power management system, one or more power sources, and other components related to generating, managing, and distributing electricity for the device <NUM>.

The multimedia component <NUM> may include a screen that provides an output interface between the device <NUM> and a user. The screen may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Touch Panel (TP), etc. If the screen includes a TP, the screen may be realized as a touch screen to receive a signal input by a user. The TP may include one or more touch sensors for sensing touch, slide, and gestures on the TP. The one or more touch sensors not only may sense the boundary of a touch or slide move, but also detect the duration and pressure related to the touch or slide move. The multimedia component <NUM> may include at least one of a front camera or a rear camera. When the device <NUM> is in an operation mode such as a photographing mode or a video mode, at least one of the front camera or the rear camera may receive external multimedia data. Each of the front camera or the rear camera may be a fixed optical lens system or may have a focal length and be capable of optical zooming.

The audio component <NUM> may be adapted to outputting and / or inputting an audio signal. For example, the audio component <NUM> may include a microphone (MIC). When the device <NUM> is in an operation mode such as a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., the MIC may be adapted to receiving an external audio signal. The received audio signal may be further stored in the memory <NUM> or may be sent via the communication component <NUM>. The audio component <NUM> may further include a loudspeaker adapted to outputting the audio signal.

The I/O interface <NUM> may provide an interface between the processing component <NUM> and a peripheral interface portion. Such a peripheral interface portion may be a keypad, a click wheel, a button, etc. Such a button may include but is not limited to at least one of a homepage button, a volume button, a start button, or a lock button.

The sensor component <NUM> may include one or more sensors for assessing various states of the device <NUM>. For example, the sensor component <NUM> may detect an on/off state of the device <NUM> and relative positioning of components such as the display and the keypad of the device <NUM>. The sensor component <NUM> may further detect a change in the position of the device <NUM> or of a component of the device <NUM>, whether there is contact between the device <NUM> and a user, the orientation or acceleration / deceleration of the device <NUM>, a change in the temperature of the device <NUM>, etc. The sensor component <NUM> may include a proximity sensor adapted to detecting existence of a nearby object without physical contact. The sensor component <NUM> may further include an optical sensor such as a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) or a Charge-Coupled-Device (CCD) image sensor used in an imaging application. The sensor component <NUM> may further include an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, etc..

The communication component <NUM> may be adapted to facilitating wired or wireless communication between the device <NUM> and other equipment. The device <NUM> may access a wireless network based on a communication standard such as Wi-Fi, <NUM>, <NUM>. , or a combination thereof. The communication component <NUM> may broadcast related information or receive a broadcast signal from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. The communication component <NUM> may include a Near Field Communication (NFC) module for short-range communication. For example, the NFC module may be based on technology such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, Bluetooth (BT), etc..

In the disclosure, the device <NUM> may be realized by one or more electronic components such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Digital Signal Processing Device (DSPD), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, etc., to implement the method.

In the disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, such as memory <NUM> including instructions, may be provided. The instructions may be executed by the processor <NUM> of the device <NUM> to implement the method. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, optical data storage equipment, etc..

An apparatus embodiment herein basically corresponds to a method embodiment herein, description of which may be referred to for a related part thereof. An apparatus embodiment described herein is but schematic. Units described herein as separate parts may or may not be physically separate. A part displayed as a unit may or may not be a physical unit. That is, it may be located in one place, or distributed over multiple network units. Some or all of the modules herein may be selected as needed to achieve an effect of a solution herein. A person having ordinary skill in the art may understand and implement the above without creative effort.

Note that herein, a relation term such as "first", "second", etc., is used merely to differentiate one entity or operation from another without necessarily requiring or implying existence of such an actual relation or order between such entities. A term such as "including/comprising", "containing", or any other variant thereof is intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or equipment including a series of elements not only includes the elements, but also includes other element(s) not explicitly listed, or element(s) inherent to such a process, method, article, or equipment. Given no more limitation, an element defined by a phrase "including a. " does not exclude existence of another identical element in a process, method, article, or device that includes the element.

Other implementations of the subject disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art that has considered the specification and or practiced the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intended to cover any variation, use, or adaptation of the subject disclosure following the general principles of the subject disclosure and including such departures from the subject disclosure as come within common knowledge or customary practice in the art. The specification and the embodiments are intended to be exemplary only, with a true scope of the subject disclosure being indicated by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A method for indicating occupation relating to a Semi-Persistent Scheduling, SPS, unit, performed by a base station (<NUM>), characterized by, the method comprising:
determining (S101) a number of one or more alternative occasions for an SPS unit for User Equipment, UE, (<NUM>) according to statistics on occupation of a current channel within a preset time period;
determining (S102) an interval for the SPS unit;
sending (S103) the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval through a Physical Downlink Control Channel, PDCCH;
determining (S104) the one or more alternative occasions according to the number of the one or more alternative occasions and the interval; and
sending (S105) the SPS unit on the one or more alternative occasions;
wherein sending (S105) the SPS unit on the one or more alternative occasions comprises:
sending the SPS unit on the one or more alternative occasions in response to that the SPS unit fails to be sent on a primary occasion for the SPS unit;
wherein when the one or more alternative occasions for the SPS unit include a first alternative occasion, the interval for the SPS unit is an interval between the primary occasion and the first alternative occasion; or, when the one or more alternative occasions for the SPS unit include the first alternative occasion and a second alternative occasion, the interval for the SPS unit is an interval between the primary occasion and the first alternative occasion, and between the first alternative occasion and the second alternative occasion.