The node receives a first information block and a second information block, the first information block determining a first RE set, the first RE set being used for first-type reference signals; and monitors control channel candidates in a first control resource set, the second information block determines a characteristic resource subset, the characteristic resource subset comprising multiple time-frequency units; the characteristic resource subset and the first RE set are in a relationship other than a characteristic relationship, the characteristic relationship being one of a first relationship or a second relationship; the first relationship includes the presence of at least one overlapping RE between only part of time-frequency units of the characteristic resource subset and the first RE set, while the second relationship includes that there exists at least one overlapping RE between the characteristic resource subset and the first RE set. This application improves performance and reduces complexity.