Extending physical downlink control channels

A node B for providing downlink control information (DCI) to one user equipment (UE) in order to enable communication over a plurality of cells in a communication system, the node B comprising:

• a controller configured to configure a DCI format to be used for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH);
• and
• a transmitter configured to transmit at least one PDCCH in a common search space (CSS), the CSS is for transmitting system information and located on a single cell among the plurality of cells, and further configured to transmit at least one PDCCH in at least one of a plurality of UE dedicated search spaces (UE-DSSs),
• wherein the plurality of UE-DSSs are configured for the plurality of cells and cell is associated with a UE-DSS, respectively, and
• wherein a cell corresponds to a cell identity, and the cell identity is UE-specific and transmitted based on higher layer signaling by the node B.

A method performed by a user equipment (UE) for receiving downlink control information (DCI) in order to enable communication over a plurality of cells, the method comprising:

• identifying, by the UE, control channel elements (CCEs) in a common search space (CSS) and a UE dedicated search space (UE-DSS);
• and
• receiving, by the UE, at least one PDCCH in the CSS and at least one PDCCH in at least one of a plurality of UE-DSSs,
• wherein the CSS is for receiving system information and located on a single cell among the plurality of cells,
• wherein the plurality of UE-DSSs are configured for the plurality of cells and a cell is associated with a UE-DSS, respectively, and
• wherein a cell corresponds to a cell identity, and the cell identity is UE-specific and configured based on higher layer signaling from a node B.

A user equipment (UE) apparatus for receiving downlink control information (DCI) in order to enable communication over a plurality of cells, the UE apparatus comprising:

• a controller configured to identify control channel elements (CCEs) in a common search space (CSS) and a UE dedicated search space (UE-DSS);
• and
• a receiver configured to receive at least one PDCCH in the CSS and at least one PDCCH in at least one of a plurality of UE-DSSs,
• wherein the CSS is for receiving system information and located on a single cell among the plurality of cells,
• wherein the plurality of UE-DSSs are configured for the plurality of cells and a cell is associated with a UE-DSS, respectively, and
• wherein a cell corresponds to a cell identity, and the cell identity is UE-specific and configured based on higher layer signaling from a node B.