METHODS FOR RELIABLE COMMUNICATION USING PHYSICAL DOWNLINK CONTROL CHANNELS

Methods for receiving and transmitting downlink transmissions with increased reliability are provided. A method includes receiving configuration information defining first and second search space sets. The first search space set includes a first one or more search spaces each including a plurality of physical downlink control (PDCCH) candidates. The second search space set includes a second one or more search spaces each including a plurality of PDCCH candidates. The configuration information indicates that the first and second one or more search spaces are linked. The method further includes receiving downlink control information (DCI) by detecting, based on the received configuration information, a first transmission using PDCCH candidates of the first one or more search spaces, detecting a second transmission using PDCCH candidates of the second one or more search spaces, and decoding at least one of the first transmission or the second transmission.