The application provides for performing resource element mapping of an ePDCCH for user equipments served by a base station. The base station determines resource element mapping patterns for user equipments and performs resource element mapping based upon determined resource element mapping patterns. Resource element mapping is performed for the ePDCCH by excluding resource elements corresponding to a legacy signal or by puncturing the resource elements corresponding to the legacy signal; then the base station sends information about the resource element mapping patterns determined for user equipments and a downlink control signaling to the user equipments. The application also provides for: performing ePDCCH decoding in a user equipment of a communication network; in a base station of a communication network, notifying a user equipment of a size of an enhanced resource element group; in a base station of a communication network, notifying a user equipment of a mapping pattern.