Patent Description:
For a Machine Type Communication (MTC) system, as illustrated in <FIG>, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) release <NUM> proposes adopting one MTC Physical Downlink Control Channel (MPDCCH) to continuously schedule multiple MTC Physical Downlink Shared Channels (MPDSCH). That is, one Downlink Control Information (DCI) can be adopted to schedule multiple Transmission Blocks (TB) for transmission, which is called multi-TB scheduling.

In the MTC coverage enhancement mode A, one DCI can schedule up to <NUM> downlink TBs for transmission. In the coverage enhancement mode B, one DCI can schedule up to <NUM> downlink TBs for transmission. The content of the DCI for the multi-TB scheduling is also different from the content of the traditional DCI. For example, the DCI for the multi-TB scheduling may include the specific number of scheduled TBs, as well as the content of the traditional DCI, such as the resource allocation field, the number of Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) processes, the New Data Indicator (NDI), etc..

<NPL>, <NUM>rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), Mobile Competence Center, provides related contents.

In view of this, embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for configuring downlink control information according to independent claim <NUM>, a method for receiving downlink control information according to independent claim <NUM>, a base station for configuring downlink control information according to independent claim <NUM>, an UE for receiving downlink control information according to independent claim <NUM>, and a storage medium according to independent claim <NUM>. Further aspects of the present application are defined by the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the embodiments of the disclosure, a method for configuring downlink control information is provided, performed by a base station. The method includes:.

Optionally, determining the configuring manner for configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI to have the same number of bits includes:
determining the configuring manner based on an indication information, in which the indication information is sent by a user equipment (UE) or by a network element of a core network.

Optionally, according to the configuring manner, configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI for the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits includes:.

Optionally, according to the configuring method, configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits includes:.

According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the disclosure, a method for receiving downlink control information is provided, performed by a user equipment (UE). The method includes:.

Optionally, determining the preset blind detection bit number based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE to the base station includes:.

According to a third aspect of embodiments of the disclosure, there is provided a base station for configuring downlink control information. The base station includes a setting module,.

Optionally, the first determining module includes:
a first determination submodule, configured to determine the configuring manner based on indication information, in which the indication information is sent by the UE or sent by a network element of a core network.

Optionally, the setting submodule includes:.

According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the disclosure, there is provided a user equipment (UE) for receiving downlink control information. The UE includes:.

Optionally, the second determining module includes:.

According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the disclosure, there is provided a storage medium on which executable programs are stored. When the executable programs are executed by a processor, the method for configuring downlink control information as described in the first aspect or the method for receiving downlink control information described in the second aspect is implemented.

With the method for configuring downlink control information, the base station, the UE, the communication device, and the storage medium according to embodiments of the disclosure, the same number of bits are set for the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission. In this way, when the UE performs DCI decoding, there is no need to respectively perform the blind detection on the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI with different blind detection bit numbers since the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI is different from the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI, and the blind detection can be performed on the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI by adopting the same blind detection bit number, thereby reducing the number of times of obtaining a matched blind detection bit number used for perform the blind detection and improving the blind detection efficiency.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the disclosure.

Here, embodiments will be described in detail, and examples thereof are shown in the drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements.

The terms used in embodiments of the disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit embodiments of the disclosure. The singular forms "one", "said" and "this" used in embodiments of the disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include most forms, unless the context clearly indicates other meanings. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

It is understood that although terms, such as first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various information in embodiments of the disclosure, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the disclosure, the first information may also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein can be interpreted as "when" or "based on" or "in response to ".

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless communication system in accordance with an embodiment, which is not according to the present invention and is presented for illustration purposes only. As illustrated in <FIG>, the wireless communication system is a communication system based on cellular mobile communication technology. The wireless communication system may include several terminals <NUM> and several base stations <NUM>.

The terminal <NUM> may be a device that provides voice and/or data connectivity to the user. The terminal <NUM> may communicate with one or more core networks via a Radio Access Network (RAN). The terminal <NUM> may be an Internet of Thing (IoT) terminal such as a sensor device, a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone), or a computer with an IoT terminal, such as a fixed device, a portable device, a pocket device, a hand-held device, a computer built-in device or a vehicle-mounted device. For example, Station (STA), subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile, remote station, access point, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, user device, or user equipment (UE). Alternatively, the terminal <NUM> may be a device of unmanned aerial vehicle. Alternatively, the terminal <NUM> may be a vehicle-mounted device, such as a trip computer with a wireless communication function, or a wireless communication device externally connected to the trip computer. Alternatively, the terminal <NUM> may be a roadside device, such as a street light, a traffic light, or other roadside devices with a wireless communication function.

The base station <NUM> may be a network-side device in the wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be the <NUM>th generation mobile communication (<NUM>) system, also known as Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. Alternatively, the wireless communication system may be a <NUM>th generation mobile communication (<NUM>) system, also known as new radio (NR) system or <NUM> NR system. Alternatively, the wireless communication system may be a next-generation system of the <NUM> system. The access network in the <NUM> system may be called New Generation-Radio Access Network (NG-RAN). Alternatively, the wireless communication system can be a Machine Type Communication (MTC) system.

The base station <NUM> may be an evolved base station (eNB) of the <NUM> system. Alternatively, the base station <NUM> may be a base station (gNB) that adopts a centralized-distributed architecture of the <NUM> system. When adopting the centralized-distributed architecture, the base station <NUM> usually includes a central unit (CU) and at least two distributed units (DU). The central unit is provided with a protocol stack of Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), Radio Link Control (RLC), and Medium Access Control (MAC). The distributed unit is provided with a protocol stack of a physical (PHY) layer. Embodiments of the disclosure not limit the implementation form of the base station <NUM>.

A wireless connection can be established between the base station <NUM> and the terminal <NUM> through a wireless air interface. In different implementations, the wireless air interface can be a wireless air interface based on the <NUM> or based on <NUM>, such as the wireless air interface or the new radio, or the wireless air interface can be a wireless air interface based on the next-generation of the <NUM>.

In some examples, an E2E (End to End) connection can be established between terminals <NUM>. For example, Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) communication, Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) and Vehicle to Pedestrian (V2P) communication in the Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communication.

In some examples, the above wireless communication system may also include a network management device <NUM>.

The base stations <NUM> are respectively connected to the network management device <NUM>. The network management device <NUM> may be a core network device in the wireless communication system. As an example, the network management device <NUM> may be a Mobility Management Entity (MME) in an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). As another example, the network management device can be another core network device, such as Serving GateWay (SGW), Public Data Network GateWay (PGW), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), or Home Subscriber Sserver (HSS), etc. Embodiments of the disclosure do not limit the implementation form of the network management device <NUM>.

The execution subject involved in the embodiments of the disclosure includes, but is not limited to, the terminal or the base station in the wireless communication system.

An application scenario of embodiments of the disclosure is that the UE needs to send a maximum support number of uplink transmission blocks (TBs) and a maximum support number of downlink TBs to the base station, since the UE has different uplink and downlink support capabilities. Depending on different TB transmission capabilities, the base station may configure the UE with the maximum TB transmitting number.

The number of bits of the DCI varies depending on the configured maximum TB scheduling number. That is, when the maximum TB scheduling number of TBs scheduled using the uplink scheduling DCI is different from the maximum TB scheduling number of TBs scheduled using the downlink scheduling DCI, the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI is different from the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI.

The difference between the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI in the number of bits causes the need to perform the blind detection on the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI respectively based on possible candidate blind detection bit numbers of DCI when performing the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) blind detection. Since there are multiple candidate blind detection bit numbers, in performing the blind detection based on the multiple candidate blind detection bit numbers, the number of times of operations required for obtaining a matched candidate blind detection bit number is large, which increases the complexity and power consumption from the perspective of users.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a method for configuring downlink control information is provided in accordance with an embodiment. The method for configuring downlink control information is applied to a base station of wireless communication. The method includes the following.

At step <NUM>, an uplink scheduling Downlink Control Information (DCI) and a downlink scheduling DCI of multi-Transmission Block (TB) transmission are configured to have the same number of bits.

The DCI is sent by the base station to the UE and information indicated by the DCI includes uplink and downlink resource allocation, and/or Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) information, and/or power control, etc. The base station sets the number of bits for the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI. The uplink scheduling DCI refers to a DCI for scheduling multiple uplink TBs for transmission. The downlink scheduling DCI refers to a DCI for scheduling multiple downlink TBs for transmission. The DCI may be sent to the UE by a base station supporting the Machine Type Communication (MTC) using PDCCH resources, where the PDCCH may be an MTC Physical Downlink Control Channel (MPDCCH).

The UE sends its own supported maximum uplink TB transmitting number and maximum downlink TB transmitting number to the base station. As another example, the base station sets the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number for the UE based on conditions such as actual transmission capability. When scheduling the TBs, information of actually scheduled TBs is carried in the uplink scheduling DCI or the downlink scheduling DCI and sent to the UE. Generally, the number of uplink TBs scheduled by the base station is less than or equal to the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station, and the number of downlink TBs scheduled by the base station is less than or equal to the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station.

The base station can generate the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station that is different from the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station. The generated DCI may include a new data indicator (NDI) and a HARQ process number of each TB. Therefore, for the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station that is different from the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station, the number of bits occupied by the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI are different.

Due to the difference between the uplink and downlink transmission capabilities, the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station is generally different from the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station. Therefore, the number of bits respectively set for the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number that is different from the maximum uplink TB transmitting number are different from each other.

The base station sends the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI through the PDCCH resources, and the UE receives the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI on the PDCCH resources. The way that the UE receives the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI is performing blind detection on the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI on the PDCCH resources through channel decoding. The UE performs the blind detection on the DCIs based on the blind detection bit number.

Here, the base station sets the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI to be the same as the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI. The uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI have the same number of bits by increasing the number of bits of a shorter of the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI through adding redundant bits. Alternatively, the uplink scheduling DCI can have the same number of bits as the downlink scheduling DCI by adopting a way of the fixed number of bits for the DCI.

The way that the base station sets the number of bits for the DCI may include: configuring the DCI based on the number of TBs, that is, carrying indication information such as the NDI and the HARQ process number of each TB in the DCI based on the number of TBs. As another example, the way that the base station sets the number of bits for the DCI may include: adjusting the number of bits for the DCI by additionally adding bits after configuring the DCI based on the number of TBs.

When the UE performs the blind detection on the DCI, since the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI is the same as the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI, the UE determines the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI or the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI as the preset blind detection bit number, and adopts the same preset blink detection bit number to perform the blind detection on the DCI, without adopting two different blind detection bit numbers to respectively perform the blind detection.

In this way, when the UE performs the DCI decoding, there is no need to adopt different blind detection bit numbers to perform the blind detection respectively on the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI since the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI is different from the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI, and the blind detection can be performed on the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI by adopting the same blind detection bit number, thereby reducing the number of times of operations required for obtaining the matched blink detection bit number by the UE, and improving blind detection efficiency.

The method further comprises: determining a configuring manner for configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI to have the same number of bits.

Configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits includes: according to the configuring manner, configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits.

There may be various manners for setting the number of bits for the DCI, for example, directly adding bits to the DCI, or using a fixed number of bits of DCI, and so on.

The base station and the UE may negotiate the configuring manner for setting the number of bits for the DCI in advance or determine the configuring manner for setting the number of bits for the DCI through an external instruction.

The configuring manner for setting the number of bits for the DCI may be determined based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE, or the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE.

Determining the configuring manner for configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI to have the same number of bits includes determining the configuring manner based on indication information. The indication information is sent by the UE or sent by a network element of a core network.

The indication information may be delivered by the core network, and the base station determines the configuring manner for determining the number of bits of the DCI based on the indication information.

In some embodiments, the UE sends the indication information to the base station, and the base station determines the configuring manner for setting the number of bits of the DCI based on the indication information.

In an embodiment, according to the configuring manner, configuring the uplink DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits includes: according to a first configuring method, configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE.

The base station may determine the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE as the number of TBs to be used for configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI.

The number of TBs actually scheduled by the base station subsequently is less than or equal to the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE. Therefore, setting the number of bits based on the larger of the maximum support number of uplink TBs and the maximum support number of downlink TBs will not affect subsequent actual scheduling of TBs. When actually scheduling the TBs, the base station can set information of each TB in the uplink scheduling DCI or the downlink scheduling DCI based on the actual requirements, and send the uplink scheduling DCI or downlink scheduling DCI on which the setting of the information of the TBs is completed to the UE.

The base station and the UE negotiate in advance to use the first configuring manner to configure the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI. Therefore, the UE can estimate the number of bits of the DCI based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE, and takes the estimated number of bits as the preset blind detection bit number to perform the blind detection on the uplink scheduling DCI and downlink scheduling DCI on the PDCCH.

For example, the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE is <NUM>, the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE is <NUM>, the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station is <NUM>, and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station is <NUM>. In this case, the base station can configure the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number reported by the UE.

The UE also estimates the number of bits of the DCI based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number reported by the UE, and takes the estimated number of bits as the preset blind detection bit number to perform the blind detection on the uplink scheduling DCI and downlink scheduling DCI on the PDCCH.

When performing the TB scheduling, the base station configures the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI to include the NDI and HARQ process number of the actually scheduled TBs, and sends the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI to the UE. The UE receives or sends the TBs based on the number of actually scheduled TBs.

In an embodiment, according to the configuring manner, configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits includes: according to a second configuring manner, configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE.

The base station may use the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station as the number of TBs used for configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI.

The number of actually scheduled TBs by the base station subsequently is less than or equal to the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station. Therefore, setting the number of bits for the DCI based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station will not affect the subsequent actual scheduling of TBs. When actually scheduling the TBs, the base station may set the information of each TB in the uplink scheduling DCI or the downlink scheduling DCI based on the actual requirements, and send the uplink scheduling DCI or downlink scheduling DCI on which the setting of the information of the TBs is completed to the UE.

The base station and the UE negotiate in advance to use the second configuring manner to configure the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI. Therefore, the UE can estimate the number of bits of the DCI based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station, and takes the estimated number of bits as the preset blind detection bit number to perform the blind detection on the uplink scheduling DCI and downlink scheduling DCI on the PDCCH. The larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station can be sent by the base station to the UE through a high-layer signaling or the like.

For example, the maximum uplink TB transmitting number reported by the UE is <NUM>, the maximum downlink TB transmitting number reported by the UE is <NUM>, the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station is <NUM>, and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station is <NUM>. In this case, the base station can configure the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station.

The UE also estimates the number of bits of the DCI based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station and uses the estimated number of bits as the preset blind detection bit number to perform the blind detection on the uplink scheduling DCI and downlink scheduling DCI on the PDCCH.

When performing the TB scheduling, the base station configures the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI to include the NDI and the HARQ process number of the actually scheduled TBs, and sends the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI to the UE. The UE receives or sends the TBs based on the number of actually scheduled TBs.

When both the uplink and downlink of the UE support the multi-TB transmission, but the maximum uplink TB transmitting number reported by the UE is different from the maximum downlink TB transmitting number reported by the UE, and the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE is different from the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE, the first configuring manner or the second configuring manner can be used to set the number of bits for the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI.

When both the uplink and downlink of the UE support the multi-TB transmission, the maximum uplink TB transmitting number reported by the UE is different from the maximum downlink TB transmitting number reported by the UE, and the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE is the same as the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE, the second configuring manner may be used to set the number of bits for the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI.

When both the uplink and downlink of the UE support the multi-TB transmission, the maximum uplink TB transmitting number reported by the UE is the same as the maximum downlink TB transmitting number reported by the UE, and the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE is different from the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE, the first configuring manner can be used to set the number of bits for uplink scheduling DCI and downlink scheduling DCI.

In an embodiment, according to the configuring manner, configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits includes: according to a third configuring manner, for the uplink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE and for the downlink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE, adding n bits having a preset value at predetermined positions of a shorter one having the smaller number of bits and selected from a configured uplink scheduling DCI and a configured downlink scheduling DCI, such that the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI is the same as the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI; or, according to a fourth configuring manner, for the uplink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE and for the downlink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE, adding m bits having a preset value to predetermined positions of a shorter one having the smaller number of bits and selected from a configured uplink scheduling DCI and a configured downlink scheduling DCI, such that the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI is the same as the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI.

If the uplink scheduling DCI is configured based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE, and the downlink scheduling DCI is configured based on the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE, when the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE is different from the maximum downlink TB transmitting number, the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI is different from the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI.

If the uplink scheduling DCI is configured based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station, and the downlink scheduling DCI is configured based on the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station, when the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station is different from the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station, the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI is different from the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI.

At this time, the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI or the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI can be increased by adding bits having a preset value at the predetermined positions of the shorter having the smaller number of bits and selected from the uplink scheduling DCI or downlink scheduling DCI, to enable the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI to be the same as the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI.

Here, the predetermined position may be the end of the uplink scheduling DCI or the downlink scheduling DCI. The preset value can equal to "<NUM>".

If the uplink scheduling DCI is shorter than the downlink scheduling DCI, the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI can be increased to be consistent with the downlink scheduling DCI by adding "<NUM>" to the uplink scheduling DCI.

If the downlink scheduling DCI is shorter than the uplink scheduling DCI, the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI can be increased to be the same as the uplink scheduling DCI by adding "<NUM>" to the downlink scheduling DCI.

The base station and the UE negotiate in advance to configure the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI in the third configuring manner or the fourth configuring manner.

When the base station configures the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DC by the third configuring manner, the UE can estimate the number of bits for the DCI by using the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE that are reported by the UE, and takes the estimated number of bits as the preset blind detection bit number to perform the blind detection on the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI on the PDCCH.

When the base station configures the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DC by the fourth configuring manner, the UE can estimate the number of bits for the DCI by using the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number that are set by the base station, and takes the estimated number of bits as the preset blind detection bit number to perform the blind detection on the uplink scheduling DCI and downlink scheduling DCI on the PDCCH. The larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station may be sent by the base station to the UE through a high-layer signaling or the like.

When i bits having the preset value are added to the predetermined positions of the uplink scheduling DCI, after the UE receives the uplink scheduling DCI, the UE can ignore the i bits added to the rear to parse the uplink scheduling DCI.

When j bits having the preset value are added to the predetermined positions of the downlink scheduling DCI, after the UE receives the downlink scheduling DCI, the UE can ignore the j bits added to the rear to parse the downlink scheduling DCI.

For example, if the uplink scheduling DCI is <NUM> bits and the downlink scheduling DCI is <NUM> bits, the base station may add <NUM> bits to the end of the downlink scheduling DCI such that the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI is the same as the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI. The value of the added <NUM> bits can equal to the preset value. After the UE receives the downlink scheduling DCI, the UE determines that <NUM> bits are used to increase the number of bits by reading the preset value at the rear of the downlink scheduling DCI. The UE can ignore the <NUM> bits added at the rear to parse the downlink scheduling DCI.

When one the uplink or the downlink of the UE supports the multi-TB transmission, but the other one supports the single-TB scheduling, the number of bits can be set for the uplink scheduling DCI or downlink scheduling DCI in a manner of adding bits.

For example, when one of the uplink and the downlink of the UE supports the multi-TB transmission, and the other one supports the single-TB scheduling, the number of bits can be set for the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI by adding bits at the predetermined positions of the DCI.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a method for receiving downlink control information is provided in accordance with an embodiment. The method for receiving downlink control information is applied to a UE of wireless communication. The method includes the following.

At step <NUM>, blind detection is performed on an uplink scheduling DCI and a downlink scheduling DCI of multi-TB transmission based on a preset blind detection bit number. The uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI have the same number of bits.

The DCI is sent by the base station to the UE and information indicated by the DCI includes uplink and downlink resource allocation, and/or Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) information, and/or power control, etc. The base station can set the number of bits for the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI. The uplink scheduling DCI refers to a DCI for scheduling multiple uplink TBs for transmission. The downlink scheduling DCI refers to a DCI for scheduling multiple downlink TBs for transmission. The DCI may be sent to the UE by a base station supporting the Machine Type Communication (MTC) using PDCCH resources, where the PDCCH may be an MTC Physical Downlink Control Channel (MPDCCH).

The base station generates the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station different from the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station. The generated DCI may include a new data indicator (NDI) and a HARQ process number of each TB. Therefore, for the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station different from the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station, the number of bits occupied by the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI are different.

Here, the base station may set the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI to be the same as the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI. For example, the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI can have the same number of bits by increasing the number of bits of a shorter of the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI through adding redundant bits. As another example, the uplink scheduling DCI can have the same number of bits as the downlink scheduling DCI by adopting a way of the fixed number of bits for the DCI.

The way that the base station sets the number of bits for the DCI may include: configuring the DCI based on the number of TBs, that is, configuring the NDI and the HARQ process number of each TB in the DCI based on the number of TBs. As another example, the way that the base station sets the number of bits for the DCI may include: adjusting the number of bits for the DCI by additionally adding bits after configuring the DCI based on the number of TBs.

When the UE performs the blind detection on the DCI, since the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI is the same as the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI, the UE determines either the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI or the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI as the preset blind detection bit number, and adopts the same preset blink detection bit number to perform the blind detection on the DCI, without adopting two different blind detection bit numbers to respectively perform the blind detection.

The method further includes: determining the preset blind detection bit number based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE that are reported by the UE to the base station.

The base station can take the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE that are reported by the UE as the number of TBs used for configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI.

The base station and the UE negotiate in advance to use a first configuring manner to configure the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI. Therefore, the UE can estimate the number of bits of the DCI based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE that are reported by the UE, and takes the estimated number of bits as the preset blind detection bit number to perform the blind detection on the uplink scheduling DCI and downlink scheduling DCI on the PDCCH.

The method further includes: determining the preset blind detection bit number based on a larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE.

The base station may use the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE as the number of TBs for configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and downlink scheduling DCI.

The base station and the UE negotiate in advance to use a second configuring manner to configure the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI. Therefore, the UE can estimate the number of bits of the DCI based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station, and takes the estimated number of bits as the preset blind detection bit number to perform the blind detection on the uplink scheduling DCI and downlink scheduling DCI on the PDCCH. The larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station can be sent by the base station to the UE through a high-layer signaling or the like.

In one embodiment, determining the preset blind detection bit number based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE that are reported by the UE to the base station includes: for the uplink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE and for the downlink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE, determining the preset blind detection bit number based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE; or, for the uplink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE and for the downlink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE, determining the preset blind detection bit number based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the station for the UE and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE.

In one embodiment, the method further includes removing i bits at the predetermined positions of the uplink scheduling DCI, and reading data content of the uplink scheduling DCI from which the i bits are removed; or, removing j bits at the predetermined positions of the downlink scheduling DCI, and reading data content of the downlink scheduling DCI from which the j bits are removed.

When i bits having the preset value are added to the predetermined positions of the uplink scheduling DCI, after the UE receives the uplink scheduling DCI, the UE can ignore the i bits added at the rear to parse the uplink scheduling DCI.

When j bits having the preset value are added to the predetermined positions of the downlink scheduling DCI, after the UE receives the downlink scheduling DCI, the UE can ignore the j bits added at the rear to parse the downlink scheduling DCI.

A specific example will be provided below in conjunction with any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

In order to solve the problem that the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI is different from the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI, the following methods may be adopted to allow the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI to be consistent with the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI.

Method <NUM>: Bits are padded to the end of the shorter DCI to align the longer DCI. For example, if the uplink scheduling DCI is <NUM> bits and the downlink scheduling DCI is <NUM> bits, <NUM> bits can be added to the end of the downlink scheduling DCI to keep the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI consistent with the number of bits of the downlink DCI scheduling DCI.

Method <NUM>: When the capacity of the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI to support the number of scheduled TBs is inconsistent, the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI can be generated based on the largest TB number among the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number reported by the UE. When actually scheduling the TBs, the scheduling may be performed based on the actual configuration set by the base station. For example, when the maximum uplink TB transmitting number reported by the UE is <NUM>, the maximum downlink TB transmitting number reported by the UE is <NUM>, the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station is <NUM>, and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station is <NUM>, the uplink scheduling DCI and downlink scheduling DCI can be generated based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number reported by the UE. During THE actual scheduling, the number of downlink TBs actually scheduled by the base station is less than or equal to <NUM> and the number of uplink TBs actually scheduled by the base station is less than or equal to <NUM>.

Method <NUM>: When the uplink TB number set by the base station for the UE is different from the downlink TB number set by the base station for the UE, the DCIs are generated based on the largest TB number among the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE. During actual scheduling, the scheduling is performed based on the actual configuration set by the base station. For example, when the maximum uplink TB transmitting number reported by the UE is <NUM>, the maximum downlink TB transmitting number reported by the UE is <NUM>, the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station is <NUM>, and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station is <NUM>, the uplink scheduling DCI and downlink scheduling DCI can be generated based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station. During the actual scheduling, the number of downlink TBs actually scheduled by the base station is less than or equal to <NUM>, and the number of uplink TBs actually scheduled by the base station is less than or equal to <NUM>.

In practical application, one of the above-mentioned three methods can be selected to adjust the number of DCI bits.

Which one of the alignment methods is selected can be configured by a high-layer signaling.

Different methods can be applied to different scenarios as follows.

Scenario <NUM>: When only one of the uplink or downlink of the UE is configured to support the multi-TB transmission, and the other one is configured to support the single-TB scheduling, method <NUM> can be adopted at this time.

Scenario <NUM>: When both the uplink and downlink of the UE are configured to support the multi-TB transmission, the maximum uplink TB transmitting number reported by the UE is different from the maximum downlink TB transmitting number reported by the UE, and the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE is different from the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE, the second method or the third method can be adopted.

Scenario <NUM>: When both the uplink and downlink of the UE are configured to support the multi-TB transmission, the maximum uplink TB transmitting number reported by the UE is different from the maximum downlink TB transmitting number reported by the UE, and the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE is the same as the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE, the third method can be adopted.

Scenario <NUM>: When both the uplink and downlink of the UE are configured to support the multi-TB transmission, the maximum uplink TB transmitting number reported by the UE is the same as the maximum downlink TB transmitting number reported by the UE, and the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE is different from the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE, the second method can be adopted.

Embodiments of the disclosure further provides an apparatus for configuring downlink control information, which is applied to a base station of wireless communication. <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus <NUM> for configuring downlink control information in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> includes: a setting module <NUM>.

The setting module <NUM> is configured to configure an uplink scheduling DCI and a downlink scheduling DCI of multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits.

The apparatus <NUM> further includes a first determining module <NUM>.

The first determining module <NUM> is configured to determine a configuring manner for configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI to have the same number of bits.

The setting module <NUM> includes a setting submodule <NUM>.

The setting submodule <NUM> is configured to configure the uplink DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits according to the configuring manner.

The first determining module <NUM> includes a first determining submodule <NUM>.

The first determining submodule <NUM> is configured to determine the configuring manner based on indication information, in which the indication information is sent by the UE or sent by a network element of a core network.

The setting submodule <NUM> includes a first setting unit <NUM> or a second setting unit <NUM>.

The first setting unit <NUM> is configured to, according to a first configuring manner, configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits based on the larger of a maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE and a maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE that are reported by the UE.

The second setting unit <NUM> is configured to according to the second configuring manner, configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE.

The setting submodule <NUM> includes a third setting unit <NUM> or a fourth setting unit <NUM>.

The third setting unit <NUM> is configured to, according to a third configuring manner, for the uplink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE and for the downlink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE, add n bits having a preset value at predetermined positions of a shorter one having the smaller number of bits and selected from a configured uplink scheduling DCI and a configured downlink scheduling DCI, such that the number of bits of uplink scheduling DCI is the same as the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI.

The fourth setting unit <NUM> is configured to according to a fourth configuring manner, for the uplink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE and for the downlink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE, add m bits having a preset value at predetermined positions of a shorter one having the smaller number of bits and selected from a configured uplink scheduling DCI and a configured downlink scheduling DCI, such that the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI is the same as the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI.

Embodiments of the disclosures further provide an apparatus for receiving downlink control information, which is applied to a user equipment of wireless communication. <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating the apparatus <NUM> for receiving downlink control information in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> includes: a blind detection module <NUM>.

The blind detection module <NUM> is configured to perform blind detection on an uplink scheduling DCI and a downlink scheduling DCI of multi-TB transmission based on a preset blind detection bit number, in which the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI have the same number of bits.

The apparatus <NUM> further includes a second determining module <NUM> or a third determining module <NUM>.

The second determining module <NUM> is configured to determine the preset blind detection bit number based on a larger of a maximum uplink TB transmitting number and a maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE to the base station.

The third determining module <NUM> is configured to determine the preset blind detection bit number based on a larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE.

In one embodiment, the second determining module <NUM> includes a second determining submodule <NUM> or a third determining submodule <NUM>.

The second determining submodule <NUM> is configured to for the uplink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE and for the downlink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE reported by the UE, determine the preset blind detection bit number based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number supported by the UE.

The third determination submodule <NUM> is configured for the uplink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum uplink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE and for the downlink scheduling DCI configured based on the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE, determine the preset blind detection bit number based on the larger of the maximum uplink TB transmitting number and the maximum downlink TB transmitting number set by the base station for the UE.

In one embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> further includes a first reading module <NUM> or a second reading module <NUM>.

The first reading module <NUM> is configured to remove i bits at the predetermined positions of the uplink scheduling DCI, and read data content of the uplink scheduling DCI from which the i bits are removed.

The second reading module <NUM> is configured to remove j bits at the predetermined positions of the downlink scheduling DCI, and read data content of the downlink scheduling DCI from which the j bits are removed.

In an embodiment, the setting module <NUM>, the first determining module <NUM>, the blind detection module <NUM>, the second determining module <NUM>, the third determining module <NUM>, the first reading module <NUM>, the second reading module <NUM> may be one or more central processing units (CPU), graphics processing units (GPU), baseband processors (BP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), DSP, Programmable Logic Devices (PLD), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLD), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), general-purpose processors, controllers, micro controller units (MCU), microprocessors, or other electronic components for executing the aforementioned methods.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus <NUM> for configuring downlink control information or receiving downlink control information in accordance with an embodiment. For example, the apparatus <NUM> may be a mobile phone, computer, digital broadcast terminal, messaging device, game console, tablet device, medical device, fitness device, personal digital assistant, and the like.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> may include one or more of the following components: a processing component <NUM>, a 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>, and a communication component <NUM>.

The processing component <NUM> generally controls the overall operation of the apparatus <NUM>, such as operations associated with display, phone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component <NUM> can include one or more processors <NUM> to execute instructions to perform all or some of the steps of the methods described above. Additionally, processing component <NUM> may include one or more modules that facilitate interaction between processing component <NUM> and other components. For example, processing component <NUM> may include a multimedia module to facilitate interaction between multimedia component <NUM> and processing component <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> is configured to store various types of data to support operations of the apparatus <NUM>. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operating on the apparatus <NUM>, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, and the like. Memory <NUM> may be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or 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, Magnetic Disk or Optical Disk.

The power supply assembly <NUM> provides power to various components of the apparatus <NUM>. Power supply components <NUM> may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power to the apparatus <NUM>.

The multimedia component <NUM> includes a screen that provides an output interface between the apparatus <NUM> and the user. If the screen includes a touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive input signals from a user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touch, swipe, and gestures on the touch panel. A touch sensor can sense not only the boundaries of a touch or swipe action, but also the duration and pressure associated with the touch or swipe action. In some embodiments, the multimedia component <NUM> includes a front-facing camera and/or a rear-facing camera. When the apparatus <NUM> is in an operation mode, such as a shooting mode or a video mode, the front camera and/or the rear camera may receive external multimedia data. Each of the front and rear cameras can be a fixed optical lens system or have focal length and optical zoom capability.

The audio component <NUM> is configured to output and/or input audio signals. For example, audio component <NUM> includes a microphone (MIC) that is configured to receive external audio signals when the apparatus <NUM> is in operating modes, such as call mode, recording mode, and voice recognition mode. The received audio signal may be further stored in the memory <NUM> or transmitted via the communication component <NUM>. In some embodiments, the audio component <NUM> also includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

The I/O interface <NUM> provides an interface between the processing component <NUM> and a peripheral interface module, which may be a keyboard, a click wheel, a button, and the like. These buttons may include, but are not limited to: home button, volume buttons, start button, and lock button.

The sensor assembly <NUM> includes one or more sensors for providing status assessment of various aspects of the apparatus <NUM>. For example, the sensor component <NUM> can detect the on/off state of the apparatus <NUM>, the relative positioning of components, such as the display and keypad of the apparatus <NUM>, the sensor component <NUM> can also detect a change in the position of the apparatus <NUM> or a component of the apparatus <NUM>, the user The presence or absence of contact with the apparatus <NUM>, the orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the apparatus <NUM> and the temperature change of the apparatus <NUM>. Sensor assembly <NUM> may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects in the absence of any physical contact. Sensor assembly <NUM> may also include a light sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor component <NUM> may also include an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

The communication component <NUM> is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the apparatus <NUM> and other devices. The apparatus <NUM> may access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as Wi-Fi, <NUM> or <NUM>, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the communication component <NUM> receives broadcast signals or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In an embodiment, the communication component <NUM> also includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module can be implemented based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, infrared data association (IrDA) technology, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, Bluetooth (BT) technology and other technologies.

In an embodiment, the apparatus <NUM> may be implemented by one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable A gate array (FPGA), controller, microcontroller, microprocessor or other electronic component implementation for performing the above method.

Claim 1:
A method for configuring downlink control information, performed by a base station, comprising:
configuring (<NUM>) an uplink scheduling Downlink Control Information, DCI, and a downlink scheduling DCI of multi-Transmission Block, TB, transmission to have the same number of bits;
wherein the method further comprises: determining a configuring manner for configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI to have the same number of bits;
wherein configuring (<NUM>) the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits comprises: according to the configuring manner, configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits; and
being characterized in that, according to the configuring manner, configuring the uplink scheduling DCI and the downlink scheduling DCI of the multi-TB transmission to have the same number of bits comprises:
adding m bits having a preset value at predetermined positions to a shorter one having the smaller number of bits and selected from a configured uplink scheduling DCI and a configured downlink scheduling DCI, such that the number of bits of the uplink scheduling DCI is the same as the number of bits of the downlink scheduling DCI.