Patent Description:
In some examples, a wireless multiple-access communication system may include a number of base stations (BSs), which are each capable of simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, otherwise known as user equipment (UEs).

<NPL>, discusses scheduling in carrier aggregation with mixed numerology and proposes capability signalling to indicate support of multiple spans for monitoring PDCCH in a slot with a defined number of supported DCI messages per span and scheduled component carrier.

The scope of protection of the present invention is defined in the appended independent claims. Optional aspects are defined in the dependent claims.

Certain aspects relate to a method of wireless communication by a user equipment (UE), as defined in claim <NUM>.

Certain aspects relate to a method of wireless communication by a network comprising one or more cells serving a user equipment (UE), as defined in claim <NUM>.

Certain aspects relate to a user equipment (UE), as defined in claim <NUM>.

Certain aspects relate to a serving cell of a network, as defined in claim <NUM>.

Certain aspects relate to a computer program, as defined in claim <NUM>.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide apparatus, methods, processing systems, and computer readable mediums for supporting control channel monitoring based on sub-carrier spacing (SCS).

In wireless communication systems that utilize carrier aggregation (CA) with cross-carrier scheduling, a cell (e.g., a base station (BS) serving the cell) known as a scheduling cell may schedule (e.g., schedule communications on one or more communication resources (e.g., time, frequency, spatial, code, etc.)) one or more other cells (e.g., one or more BSs serve the other cells, which may be the same or different than the BS serving the scheduling cell), known as scheduled cells. The scheduling cell and other cells may serve a UE, and be referred to as serving cells of the UE. The scheduling cell and other cells may use different carrier frequencies for communication, hence the term cross-carrier scheduling. In certain aspects, up to eight (<NUM>) cells may be scheduled by a scheduling cell. In these systems, the subcarrier spacing (SCS) (i.e., frequency spacing between subcarrier frequencies in a symbol) of the scheduling cell communications (e.g., uplink and/or downlink transmissions) may be the same or different from the SCS of the scheduled cell communications.

For example, the scheduling cell might have an SCS of <NUM>, whereas one or more (e.g., all) of the scheduled cells might have an SCS of <NUM>. Such a scenario where the scheduled cell has a higher SCS than the SCS of the scheduling cell may be referred to herein as higher SCS cross-carrier scheduling or higher SCS scheduling.

In another example, the scheduling cell might have an SCS of <NUM>, whereas one or more (e.g., all) of the scheduled cells might have an SCS of <NUM>. Such a scenario where the scheduled cell has a lower SCS than the SCS of the scheduling cell may be referred to herein as lower SCS cross-carrier scheduling or lower SCS scheduling.

In yet another example, the scheduling cell might have an SCS of <NUM> and one or more (e.g., all) of the scheduled cells might also have an SCS of <NUM>. Such a scenario where the scheduled cell has the same SCS as the SCS of the scheduling cell may be referred to herein as same SCS cross-carrier scheduling. Further, the scheduling cell might schedule communication on the scheduling cell itself (i.e., the scheduling cell is also the scheduled cell), which may be referred to herein as self-scheduling. Self-scheduling and same SCS cross-carrier scheduling may both be referred to as same SCS scheduling.

The scheduling cell is configured to transmit a control channel that schedules communications in the one or more scheduled cells, such as for one or more UEs. For example, in certain aspects, the control channel is a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) that is used to schedule uplink transmissions on one or more physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and/or downlink transmissions on one or more physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in the scheduled cell(s). In certain aspects, the PDCCH includes one or more downlink control indicators (DCIs). In certain aspects, each DCI indicates a grant of uplink resources (UL grant) or a grant of downlink resources (DL grant) for a UE for communicating in a particular scheduled cell.

In certain aspects, the UE monitors the control channel, receives the one or more DCIs, and decodes the one or more DCIs to determine scheduling in the one or more scheduled cells. In cases of SCS disparity (i.e., lower SCS scheduling or higher SCS scheduling), however, the SCS difference may affect the ability of the UE to timely decode the PDCCH and prepare traffic for transmission on the PUSCH and/or decode traffic on the PDSCH, such as before having to transmit a requisite acknowledgement/negative-acknowledgment (ACK/NACK) report at a specified time on one or more uplink channels.

For example, the SCS has an effect on the number of symbols, such as OFDM symbols, within a subframe. In particular, as SCS gets wider or greater, the slot length will become shorter. For example, a <NUM> SCS (i.e., spacing parameter µ = <NUM> in known spacing numerology where the SCS or frequency spacing Δf is determined by the equation Δf = <NUM>µ x <NUM>) would result in one <NUM> slot, which could also constitute an entire <NUM> subframe. Further, a <NUM> SCS (i.e., spacing parameter µ = <NUM> in known spacing numerology) would result in <NUM> slots having a duration of <NUM>/<NUM> or. <NUM> in the <NUM> subframe, corresponding to slot <NUM> through slot <NUM>.

Based on the SCS used in a scheduling cell and the SCS used in a scheduled cell, a UE may be able to support different control channel monitoring configurations. A control channel monitoring configuration may accommodate or correspond to, for example, a number (e.g., one or more) of supported spans (e.g., separate time spans as described further herein) per slot for monitoring the control channel by the UE. A control channel monitoring configuration, in addition, may accommodate or correspond to, for example, a number (e.g., one or more) of supported DCIs in the control channel per span per scheduled cell. In some examples, the number of supported DCIs refers to the number of all DCIs. In some examples, the number of supported DCIs refers to the number of unicast DCIs. In some examples, the number of supported DCIs refers to the number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL and/or the number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL.

Accordingly, certain aspects herein provide techniques for supporting different control channel monitoring configurations based on the SCS used in a scheduling cell and the SCS used in a scheduled cell. For example, certain aspects provide techniques for a UE to signal (e.g., by signaling one or more sets of UE capabilities) which control channel monitoring configuration(s) it supports for which scheduling scenario (e.g., lower SCS scheduling, higher SCS scheduling, and same SCS scheduling) to one or more serving cells. Further, certain aspects provide techniques for the UE and one or more cells to communicate in accordance with the control channel monitoring configuration(s) based on the scheduling scenario.

<FIG> illustrates an example wireless communication network <NUM> in which aspects of the present disclosure may be performed including supporting control channel monitoring based on SCS. For example, the wireless communication network <NUM> may be a New Radio (NR) or <NUM> network.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the wireless network <NUM> may include a number of base stations (BSs) <NUM> and other network entities. A BS may be a station that communicates with user equipment (UEs). Each BS <NUM> may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area. In 3GPP, the term "cell" can refer to a coverage area of a Node B (NB) and/or a Node B subsystem serving this coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used. In NR systems, the term "cell" and next generation NodeB (gNB), new radio base station (NR BS), <NUM> NB, access point (AP), or transmission reception point (TRP) may be interchangeable. In some examples, a single BS may serve multiple cells, such as on different carrier frequencies. In some examples, the base stations may be interconnected to one another and/or to one or more other base stations or network nodes (not shown) in wireless communication network <NUM> through various types of backhaul interfaces, such as a direct physical connection, a wireless connection, a virtual network, or the like using any suitable transport network.

According to certain aspects, the UEs <NUM> may be configured for supporting control channel monitoring based on SCS. As shown in <FIG>, the UE 120a includes a control channel manager 124a configured to control UE 120a to support control channel monitoring based on SCS according to aspects discussed herein.

According to certain aspects, the BSs <NUM> may be configured for supporting control channel monitoring based on SCS. As shown in <FIG>, the BS 110a includes a control channel manager 124b configured to control BS 110a to support control channel monitoring based on SCS according to aspects discussed herein.

A RAT may also be referred to as a radio technology, an air interface, etc. A frequency may also be referred to as a carrier, a subcarrier, a frequency channel, a tone, a sub-band, etc. Each frequency may support a single RAT in a given geographic area in order to avoid interference between wireless networks of different RATs.

In general, modulation symbols are sent in the frequency domain with OFDM and in the time-domain with SC-FDM. The system bandwidth may also be partitioned into sub-bands. For example, a sub-band may cover <NUM> (i.e., <NUM> resource blocks), and there may be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> sub-bands for system bandwidth of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, respectively.

A scheduling entity (e.g., a base station) allocates resources for communication among some or all devices and equipment within its service area or cell.

In <FIG>, a solid line with double arrows indicates desired transmissions between a UE and a serving BS (e.g., scheduling cell and/or scheduled cell), which is a BS designated to serve the UE on the downlink and/or uplink.

<FIG> illustrates example components of BS <NUM> and UE <NUM> (as depicted in <FIG>), which may be used to implement aspects of the present disclosure. For example, antennas <NUM>, processors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or controller/processor <NUM> of the UE <NUM> and/or antennas <NUM>, processors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or controller/processor <NUM> of the BS <NUM> may be used to perform the various techniques and methods described herein.

A transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor <NUM> may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on the data symbols, the control symbols, and/or the reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide output symbol streams to the modulators (MODs) 232a through 232t. Downlink signals from modulators 232a through 232t may be transmitted via the antennas 234a through 234t, respectively.

At the UE <NUM>, the antennas 252a through 252r may receive the downlink signals from the base station <NUM> and may provide received signals to the demodulators (DEMODs) in transceivers 254a through 254r, respectively. Each demodulator <NUM> may condition (e.g., filter, amplify, down-convert, and digitize) a respective received signal to obtain input samples. A MIMO detector <NUM> may obtain received symbols from all the demodulators 254a through 254r, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide detected symbols. A receive processor <NUM> may process (e.g., demodulate, de-interleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data for the UE <NUM> to a data sink <NUM>, and provide decoded control information to a controller/processor <NUM>.

The symbols from the transmit processor <NUM> may be precoded by a TX MIMO processor <NUM> if applicable, further processed by the demodulators in transceivers 254a through 254r (e.g., for SC-FDM, etc.), and transmitted to the base station <NUM>.

The controller/processor <NUM> and/or other processors and modules at the UE <NUM> may perform or direct the execution of processes for the techniques described herein. As shown in <FIG>, the controller/processor <NUM> of the UE <NUM> includes the control channel manager 124a. The controller/processor <NUM> and/or other processors and modules at the BS <NUM> may perform or direct the execution of processes for the techniques described herein. As shown in <FIG>, the controller/processor <NUM> of the BS <NUM> includes the control channel manager 124b.

Although shown at the controller/processor, other components of the UE <NUM> and BS <NUM> may be used for performing the operations described herein.

In certain aspects, a slot includes one or more spans (e.g., control channel symbol segments corresponding to time instances) that can be used to communicate a control channel (e.g., PDCCH). In certain aspects, a span conforms to the following properties (e.g., as described in 3GPP TS <NUM>). In certain aspects, each span has a length of up to Y consecutive symbols of a slot. In certain aspects, there is a minimum time separation of X symbols (e.g., including across slots) between the start of two spans. In certain aspects, spans do not overlap. In certain aspects, every span is contained in a single slot. In certain aspects, the same span pattern repeats in every slot. In certain aspects, the separation between consecutive spans within and across slots may be unequal but the same (X, Y) limit must be satisfied by all spans. In certain aspects, every control channel monitoring occasion is fully contained in one span.

In certain aspects, a suitable span pattern can be determined by first generating a bitmap b(l), <NUM> ≤ l ≤ <NUM>, where b(l) = <NUM> if symbol l of any slot is part of a monitoring occasion, and otherwise b(l) = <NUM>. The first span in the span pattern begins at the smallest l for which b(l) = <NUM>. The next span in the span pattern begins at the smallest l not included in the previous span(s) for which b(l) = <NUM>.

In certain aspects, the span duration is max {maximum value of all CORESET durations, minimum value of Y in the UE reported candidate values} except possibly the last span in a slot which can be of shorter duration.

In certain aspects, a UE, such as UE <NUM>, is configured to send signaling (e.g., capability signaling) to a serving cell (e.g., BS <NUM>, corresponding to a scheduling cell and/or a scheduled cell) indicating one or more monitoring configurations it supports for control channel (e.g., PDCCH) monitoring. For example, the UE is configured to send a set of UE capabilities (e.g., using RRC signaling) to the serving cell. As discussed herein, a given set of UE capabilities may correspond to one or more given scheduling scenarios (e.g., one or more of higher SCS scheduling, lower SCS scheduling, or same SCS scheduling). Accordingly, in certain aspects, UE <NUM> is configured to transmit multiple sets of UE capabilities to the serving cell, each set corresponding to one or more given scheduling scenarios (e.g., one or more of higher SCS scheduling, lower SCS scheduling, or same SCS scheduling). In certain aspects, different capabilities of a given set of UE capabilities are reported separately to the serving cell by the UE <NUM>. In certain aspects, multiple capabilities of a given set of UE capabilities are reported together to the serving cell by the UE <NUM>.

For example, a set of UE capabilities may include a first UE capability indicating a number (e.g., one or more) of spans per slot the UE is capable of monitoring the control channel. Further, the set of UE capabilities may include a second UE capability indicating one or more numbers (e.g., one or more) of DCIs the UE is capable of processing per span per scheduled cell, where the number of DCIs may refer to the number of all DCIs, the number of all unicast DCIs scheduling DL or UL, the number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL and/or number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL.

In certain aspects, for same SCS scheduling, a UE is capable of processing one unicast DCI scheduling DL (e.g., PDSCH) and one unicast DCI scheduling UL (e.g., PUSCH) per scheduled cell (e.g., component carrier (CC)) across the set of monitoring occasions in a span for frequency division duplex (FDD) communications. In certain aspects, for same SCS scheduling, a UE is capable of processing one unicast DCI scheduling DL and two unicast DCI scheduling UL per scheduled cell (e.g., component carrier (CC)) across the set of monitoring occasions in a span for time division duplex (TDD) communications. In certain aspects, for same SCS scheduling, a UE is capable of processing two unicast DCI scheduling DL and one unicast DCI scheduling UL per scheduled cell (e.g., component carrier (CC)) across the set of monitoring occasions in a span for TDD communications.

In certain aspects, a particular control channel monitoring configuration meets the limitations of a set of UE capabilities if the span arrangement satisfies the gap separation for at least one (X,Y) in the UE reported candidate value set in every slot (e.g., including across slot boundaries). For example, the UE <NUM> may report a candidate value set of (X,Y) values to the serving cell. In one example, the UE <NUM> may report a set with the following candidate value only: (<NUM>,<NUM>). In another example, the UE <NUM> may report a set with the following candidate values: (<NUM>,<NUM>) and (<NUM>,<NUM>). In yet another example, the UE <NUM> may report a set with the following candidate values: (<NUM>,<NUM>), (<NUM>,<NUM>), and (<NUM>,<NUM>).

<FIG> illustrate example span patterns in a slot. For example, <FIG> illustrates an example span pattern for a (X,Y) value equal to (X=<NUM>, Y=<NUM>). Further, <FIG> illustrates an example span pattern for a (X,Y) value equal to (X=<NUM>, Y=<NUM>). Further, <FIG> illustrates an example span pattern for a (X,Y) value equal to (X=<NUM>, Y=<NUM>).

In certain aspects, based on the set of UE capabilities reported by UE <NUM> to the serving cell for a given scheduling scenario, the UE <NUM> and scheduling cell communicate. For example, the UE <NUM> and the scheduling cell may communicate one or more DCIs in the one or more spans of a control channel monitoring configuration that correspond to the set of UE capabilities. For example, the UE <NUM> and serving cell may determine which scheduling scenario corresponds to communication of the UE <NUM> based on which cells are serving the UE <NUM>, and may accordingly determine a corresponding control channel monitoring configuration based on the corresponding set of UE capabilities reported by UE <NUM> to the serving cell.

<FIG> illustrate example scheduling scenarios. For example, <FIG> illustrates an example of self-scheduling, <FIG> illustrates an example of same SCS cross-carrier scheduling, <FIG> illustrates an example of higher SCS cross-carrier scheduling, and <FIG> illustrates an example of lower SCS cross-carrier scheduling.

In certain aspects, for lower SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> (and in a complementary fashion the scheduling cell) is configured (e.g., based on UE capability report) to support and/or perform control channel monitoring in less than or equal to the number (e.g., one or more) of spans in a slot on the scheduling cell as supported for same SCS scheduling.

In certain aspects, for lower SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> (and in a complementary fashion the scheduling cell) is configured (e.g., based on UE capability report) to support and/or perform control channel monitoring in an equal number (e.g., one or more) of spans in a slot on the scheduling cell as supported for same SCS scheduling.

In certain aspects, for lower SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> (and in a complementary fashion the scheduling cell) is configured (e.g., based on UE capability report) to support and/or perform control channel monitoring in less than the number (e.g., one or more) of spans in a slot on the scheduling cell as supported for same SCS scheduling.

In certain aspects, for same SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> (and in a complementary fashion the scheduling cell) is configured (e.g., based on UE capability report) to support and/or perform control channel monitoring in less than or equal to the number (e.g., one or more) of spans in a slot on the scheduling cell as supported for higher SCS scheduling.

In certain aspects, for same SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> (and in a complementary fashion the scheduling cell) is configured (e.g., based on UE capability report) to support and/or perform control channel monitoring in an equal number (e.g., one or more) of spans in a slot on the scheduling cell as supported for higher SCS scheduling.

In certain aspects, for same SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> (and in a complementary fashion the scheduling cell) is configured (e.g., based on UE capability report) to support and/or perform control channel monitoring in less than the number (e.g., one or more) of spans in a slot on the scheduling cell as supported for higher SCS scheduling.

In certain aspects, for lower SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> (and in a complementary fashion the scheduling cell) is configured (e.g., based on UE capability report) to support and/or perform control channel monitoring where in each of one or more spans in a slot on the scheduling cell UE <NUM> supports less than or equal to the number (e.g., one or more) of DCIs as supported for same SCS scheduling (e.g., maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL per scheduled CC for FDD, maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL per scheduled CC for TDD, maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL per scheduled CC for FDD, and/or maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL per scheduled CC for TDD).

In certain aspects, for lower SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> (and in a complementary fashion the scheduling cell) is configured (e.g., based on UE capability report) to support and/or perform control channel monitoring where in each of one or more spans in a slot on the scheduling cell UE <NUM> supports an equal number (e.g., one or more) of DCIs as supported for same SCS scheduling (e.g., maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL per scheduled CC for FDD, maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL per scheduled CC for TDD, maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL per scheduled CC for FDD, and/or maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL per scheduled CC for TDD).

In certain aspects, for lower SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> (and in a complementary fashion the scheduling cell) is configured (e.g., based on UE capability report) to support and/or perform control channel monitoring where in each of one or more spans in a slot on the scheduling cell UE <NUM> supports less than the number (e.g., one or more) of DCIs as supported for same SCS scheduling (e.g., maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL per scheduled CC for FDD, maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL per scheduled CC for TDD, maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL per scheduled CC for FDD, and/or maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL per scheduled CC for TDD).

In certain aspects, for same SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> (and in a complementary fashion the scheduling cell) is configured (e.g., based on UE capability report) to support and/or perform control channel monitoring where in each of one or more spans in a slot on the scheduling cell UE <NUM> supports less than or equal to the number (e.g., one or more) of DCIs as supported for higher SCS scheduling (e.g., maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL per scheduled CC for FDD, maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL per scheduled CC for TDD, maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL per scheduled CC for FDD, and/or maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL per scheduled CC for TDD).

In certain aspects, for same SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> (and in a complementary fashion the scheduling cell) is configured (e.g., based on UE capability report) to support and/or perform control channel monitoring where in each of one or more spans in a slot on the scheduling cell UE <NUM> supports an equal number (e.g., one or more) of DCIs as supported for higher SCS scheduling (e.g., maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL per scheduled CC for FDD, maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL per scheduled CC for TDD, maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL per scheduled CC for FDD, and/or maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL per scheduled CC for TDD).

In certain aspects, for same SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> (and in a complementary fashion the scheduling cell) is configured (e.g., based on UE capability report) to support and/or perform control channel monitoring where in each of one or more spans in a slot on the scheduling cell UE <NUM> supports less than the number (e.g., one or more) of DCIs as supported for higher SCS scheduling (e.g., maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL per scheduled CC for FDD, maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL per scheduled CC for TDD, maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL per scheduled CC for FDD, and/or maximum number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL per scheduled CC for TDD).

In certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports separate capability signaling to indicate the support of control channel monitoring for each of higher SCS scheduling, lower SCS scheduling, and same SCS scheduling. For example, in certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports and/or signals a first set of UE capabilities for higher SCS scheduling, a second set of UE capabilities for lower SCS scheduling, and a third set of UE capabilities for same SCS scheduling. For example, in certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports separate capability signaling to indicate UE <NUM> supports PDCCH monitoring in a single span in a slot on the scheduling cell for lower SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> supports PDCCH monitoring in multiple spans in a slot on the scheduling cell for a higher SCS scheduling, and UE <NUM> supports PDCCH monitoring in multiple spans in a slot on the scheduling cell for same SCS scheduling. For example, in certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports separate capability signaling to indicate UE <NUM> supports processing <NUM> DCI scheduling DL and <NUM> DCI scheduling UL for FDD in each span in a slot on the scheduling cell for lower SCS scheduling, UE <NUM> supports processing <NUM> DCIs scheduling DL and <NUM> DCIs scheduling UL for FDD in each span in a slot on the scheduling cell for a higher SCS scheduling, and UE <NUM> supports processing <NUM> DCI scheduling DL and <NUM> DCI scheduling UL for FDD in each span in a slot on the scheduling cell for same SCS scheduling.

In certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports one capability signaling to indicate the support of control channel monitoring for both lower SCS scheduling and same SCS scheduling, and a separate capability signaling to indicate the support of control channel monitoring for higher SCS scheduling. For example, in certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports and/or signals a first set of UE capabilities that applies to both lower SCS scheduling and same SCS scheduling, and a second set of UE capabilities for higher SCS scheduling. For example, in certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports separate capability signaling to indicate UE <NUM> supports PDCCH monitoring in a single span in a slot on the scheduling cell for both lower SCS scheduling and same SCS scheduling, and UE <NUM> supports PDCCH monitoring in multiple spans in a slot on the scheduling cell for a higher SCS scheduling. For example, in certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports separate capability signaling to indicate UE <NUM> supports processing <NUM> DCI scheduling DL and <NUM> DCI scheduling UL for FDD in each span in a slot on the scheduling cell for both lower SCS scheduling and same SCS scheduling, and UE <NUM> supports processing <NUM> DCIs scheduling DL and <NUM> DCIs scheduling UL for FDD in each span in a slot on the scheduling cell for a higher SCS scheduling.

In certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports one capability signaling to indicate the support of control channel monitoring for both higher SCS scheduling and same SCS scheduling, and a separate capability signaling to indicate the support of control channel monitoring for lower SCS scheduling. For example, in certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports and/or signals a first set of UE capabilities that applies to both higher SCS scheduling and same SCS scheduling, and a second set of UE capabilities for lower SCS scheduling. For example, in certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports separate capability signaling to indicate UE <NUM> supports PDCCH monitoring in multiple spans in a slot on the scheduling cell for both higher SCS scheduling and same SCS scheduling, and UE <NUM> supports PDCCH monitoring in a single span in a slot on the scheduling cell for a lower SCS scheduling. For example, in certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports separate capability signaling to indicate UE <NUM> supports processing <NUM> DCIs scheduling DL and <NUM> DCIs scheduling UL for FDD in each span in a slot on the scheduling cell for both higher SCS scheduling and same SCS scheduling, and UE <NUM> supports processing <NUM> DCI scheduling DL and <NUM> DCI scheduling UL for FDD in each span in a slot on the scheduling cell for a lower SCS scheduling.

In certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports one capability signaling to indicate the support of control channel monitoring for both lower SCS scheduling and higher SCS scheduling, and a separate capability signaling to indicate the support of control channel monitoring for same SCS scheduling. For example, in certain aspects, UE <NUM> supports and/or signals a first set of UE capabilities that applies to both lower SCS scheduling and higher SCS scheduling, and a second set of UE capabilities for same SCS scheduling.

<FIG> shows operations <NUM> of a method of wireless communication performed by a UE in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. Operations <NUM> begin at block <NUM> by a UE signaling to a serving cell one or more sets of UE capabilities of the UE. Each of the one or more sets of UE capabilities indicates a number of supported spans per slot (e.g., of the scheduling cell) for monitoring a control channel transmitted by a scheduling cell for scheduling one or more of uplink or downlink communication by the UE with one or more scheduled cells. Each of the one or more sets of UE capabilities further indicates a number of supported downlink control indicators (DCIs) in the control channel per span per scheduled cell. The one or more sets of UE capabilities are for each of: same sub-carrier spacing (SCS) scheduling comprising one or more of the control channel scheduling communication by the UE with the scheduling cell or the control channel scheduling communication by the UE with at least one scheduled cell having a same SCS as an SCS of the scheduling cell; lower SCS scheduling comprising the control channel scheduling communication by the UE with at least one scheduled cell having a lower SCS than the SCS of the scheduling cell; and higher SCS scheduling comprising the control channel scheduling communication by the UE with at least one scheduled cell having a higher SCS than the SCS of the scheduling cell.

Further, at block <NUM>, the UE monitors the control channel according to the one or more sets of UE capabilities.

<FIG> shows operations <NUM> of a method of wireless communication performed by a network (e.g., by BS, serving cell, scheduling cell, etc.) comprising one or more cells serving a user equipment (UE) in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. Operations <NUM> begin at block <NUM> by receiving, by a serving cell, signaling of one or more sets of UE capabilities of the UE. Each of the one or more sets of UE capabilities indicates a number of supported spans per slot (e.g., of the scheduling cell) for monitoring a control channel transmitted by a scheduling cell for scheduling one or more of uplink or downlink communication by the UE with one or more scheduled cells. Each of the one or more sets of UE capabilities further indicates a number of supported downlink control indicators (DCIs) in the control channel per span per scheduled cell. The one or more sets of UE capabilities are for each of: same sub-carrier spacing (SCS) scheduling comprising one or more of the control channel scheduling communication by the UE with the scheduling cell or the control channel scheduling communication by the UE with at least one scheduled cell having a same SCS as an SCS of the scheduling cell; lower SCS scheduling comprising the control channel scheduling communication by the UE with at least one scheduled cell having a lower SCS than the SCS of the scheduling cell; and higher SCS scheduling comprising the control channel scheduling communication by the UE with at least one scheduled cell having a higher SCS than the SCS of the scheduling cell.

Further, at block <NUM>, the scheduling cell communicates with the UE according to the one or more sets of UE capabilities.

In certain aspects of operations <NUM> and/or <NUM>, the one or more sets of UE capabilities comprises a separate set of UE capabilities for each of same SCS scheduling, lower SCS scheduling, and higher SCS scheduling.

In certain aspects of operations <NUM> and/or <NUM>, the one or more sets of UE capabilities comprises a first set of UE capabilities for both same SCS scheduling and lower SCS scheduling and a second set of UE capabilities for higher SCS scheduling.

In certain aspects of operations <NUM> and/or <NUM>, the one or more sets of UE capabilities comprises a first set of UE capabilities for both higher SCS scheduling and lower SCS scheduling and a second set of UE capabilities for same SCS scheduling.

In certain aspects of operations <NUM> and/or <NUM>, the one or more sets of UE capabilities comprises a first set of UE capabilities for both same SCS scheduling and higher SCS scheduling and a second set of UE capabilities for same SCS scheduling.

In certain aspects of operations <NUM> and/or <NUM>, the one or more sets of UE capabilities indicates a first number of supported spans per slot of the scheduling cell for same SCS scheduling and a second number of supported spans per slot for lower SCS scheduling, wherein the second number is less than or equal to the first number. In certain such aspects, the second number is equal to the first number. In certain such aspects, the second number is less than the first number.

In certain aspects of operations <NUM> and/or <NUM>, the one or more sets of UE capabilities indicates a first number of supported spans per slot of the scheduling cell for higher SCS scheduling and a second number of supported spans per slot for same SCS scheduling, wherein the second number is less than or equal to the first number. In certain such aspects, the second number is equal to the first number. In certain such aspects, the second number is less than the first number.

In certain aspects of operations <NUM> and/or <NUM>, the one or more sets of UE capabilities indicates a first number of supported DCIs for same SCS scheduling and a second number of supported DCIs for lower SCS scheduling, wherein the second number is less than the first number.

In certain aspects of operations <NUM> and/or <NUM>, the one or more sets of UE capabilities indicates a first number of supported DCIs for higher SCS scheduling and a second number of supported DCIs for same SCS scheduling, wherein the second number is less than the first number.

In certain aspects of operations <NUM> and/or <NUM>, each of the one or more sets of UE capabilities indicating the number of supported DCIs in the control channel per span per scheduled cell comprises each of the one or more sets of UE capabilities indicating one or more of: a number of supported DCIs in the control channel per span per scheduled cell for downlink scheduling for frequency division duplex (FDD) communication; a number of supported DCIs in the control channel per span per scheduled cell for uplink scheduling for FDD communication; a number of supported DCIs in the control channel per span per scheduled cell for downlink scheduling for time division duplex (TDD) communication; or a number of supported DCIs in the control channel per span per scheduled cell for uplink scheduling for TDD communication. The number of DCIs may refer to the number of all DCIs monitored by the UE, the number of all unicast DCIs scheduling DL or UL, the number of unicast DCIs scheduling DL and/or the number of unicast DCIs scheduling UL.

In certain aspects of operations <NUM> and/or <NUM>, the control channel comprises a physical downlink control channel, and the one or more of uplink or downlink communication comprises communication on one or more of a physical uplink shared channel or a physical downlink shared channel.

The processing system <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory <NUM> via a bus <NUM>. In certain aspects, the computer-readable medium/memory <NUM> is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that when executed by the processor <NUM>, cause the processor <NUM> to perform the operations illustrated in <FIG>, or other operations for performing the various techniques discussed herein for supporting control channel monitoring based on SCS. In certain aspects, computer-readable medium/memory <NUM> stores code <NUM> for signaling such as in block <NUM> of <FIG> and code <NUM> for monitoring such as in block <NUM> of <FIG>.

In certain aspects, the processor <NUM> has circuitry configured to implement the code stored in the computer-readable medium/memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> includes circuitry <NUM> for signaling such as in block <NUM> of <FIG> and circuitry <NUM> for monitoring such as in block <NUM> of <FIG>.

The processing system <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory <NUM> via a bus <NUM>. In certain aspects, the computer-readable medium/memory <NUM> is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that when executed by the processor <NUM>, cause the processor <NUM> to perform the operations illustrated in <FIG>, or other operations for performing the various techniques discussed herein for supporting control channel monitoring based on SCS. In certain aspects, computer-readable medium/memory <NUM> stores code <NUM> for receiving such as in block <NUM> of <FIG> and code <NUM> for communicating such as in block <NUM> of <FIG>.

In certain aspects, the processor <NUM> has circuitry configured to implement the code stored in the computer-readable medium/memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> includes circuitry <NUM> for receiving such as in block <NUM> of <FIG> and circuitry <NUM> for communicating such as in block <NUM> of <FIG>.

For example, such a computer program product may comprise a computer-readable medium having instructions stored (and/or encoded) thereon, the instructions being executable by one or more processors to perform the operations described herein, for example, instructions for performing the operations described herein and illustrated in <FIG> and/or <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A method of wireless communication by a user equipment (<NUM>), UE, the method comprising:
signaling (<NUM>) to a serving cell (<NUM>) one or more sets of UE capabilities of the UE (<NUM>), each of the one or more sets of UE capabilities indicating a number of supported spans per slot of a scheduling cell for monitoring a control channel transmitted by the scheduling cell for scheduling one or more of uplink or downlink communication by the UE (<NUM>) with one or more scheduled cells, each of the one or more sets of UE capabilities further indicating a number of supported downlink control indicators, DCIs, in the control channel per span per scheduled cell, the one or more sets of UE capabilities being for each of:
same sub-carrier spacing, SCS, scheduling in which the scheduling cell and a scheduled cell have a same SCS;
lower SCS scheduling in which a scheduled cell has a lower SCS than the scheduling cell; and
higher SCS scheduling in which a scheduled cell has a higher SCS than the scheduling cell; and
monitoring (<NUM>) the control channel according to the one or more sets of UE capabilities;
said method characterised in that the one or more sets of UE capabilities indicates a first number of supported DCIs for same SCS scheduling and a second number of supported DCIs for lower SCS scheduling, wherein the second number is less than the first number; or
in that the one or more sets of UE capabilities indicates a first number of supported DCIs for higher SCS scheduling and a second number of supported DCIs for same SCS scheduling, wherein the second number is less than the first number.