Methods and apparatus for reducing cross-link interference in sub-band full-duplex communication systems

Description

1 / 25 METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING CROSS-LINK INTERFERENCE IN FULL-DUPLEX SUBBAND ​​COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This disclosure is part of a non-provisional application claiming the priority benefit of India Application No. 202321034068, filed on May 15, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to mobile communications and, more particularly, to the reduction of cross-link interference (CLI) in sub-band full-duplex (SBFD) communication systems. BACKGROUND

[0003] Unless otherwise indicated in this document, the approaches described in this section are not prior techniques to the claims listed below and are not admitted as prior techniques by their inclusion in this section.

[0004] Time-division duplexing (TDD) is a channel access technology widely used in mobile communication systems, such as 4th generation Long Term Evolution (LTE) (4G) and 5th generation New Radio (NR) (5G) systems. This technology is based on half-duplex channel access, where all component carrier (CC) bandwidth is used for downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) in a slot, but not both. Among the various TDD formats (which define different DL to UL ratios) supported by 5G NR, a fixed TDD format with high DL (e.g., DDDSU) is generally preferred in most deployments. In a high DL TDD format, allocating a limited time duration for UL would result in reduced UL coverage and increased latency. As an improvement, the simultaneous existence of DL and UL transmissions is possible. Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 15 / 55 2 / 25 or, more specifically, SBFD operation on the user equipment (UE) side or on the base station (BS) side within a conventional TDD band is introduced in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Version 18.

[0005] SBFD introduces simultaneous UL transmissions in a portion of the channel bandwidth (CBW) in DL-only slots or DL ​​transmissions in a portion of the CBW in a UL-only slot of a legacy TDD frame. These slots where UL and DL transmissions coexist are called SBFD slots. In a typical SBFD communication system, there may be three slot types, including DL-only slot (denoted by D), UL-only slot (denoted by U), and SBFD slot (denoted by X). The frequency resources of a DL-only slot are available only for DL ​​transmissions, while the frequency resources of a UL-only slot are available only for UL transmissions. Within an SBFD slot, the slot's frequency resources are shared for both DL and UL transmissions.More specifically, in an SBFD slot, the DL and UL subbands are separated by a constant number of resource blocks (RBs), and these RBs are called guard band (GB) RBs, which are not considered for any DL / UL data transmission. FIG. 1 illustrates two example scenarios 110 and 120 of the SBFD frame structure. Scenario 110 describes the DUD frame structure in which the CBW is divided into three subbands in the SBFD slots and UL signals are transmitted in the center subband and DL signals are transmitted in subbands at the CBW edges. Scenario 110 describes the DU frame structure in which the CBW is divided into two subbands in the SBFD slots and DL signals are transmitted in the upper subband and UL signals are transmitted in the lower subband.

[0006] In legacy TDD systems, the start of the transmission time UL is advanced relative to the frame / slot boundary DL for timing alignment purposes. FIG. 2 illustrates an example scenario 200 of timing advance (TA) in systems Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 16 / 55 3 / 25 Legacy TDDs. As shown in FIG. 2, a UE (denoted as UEi) typically advances its transmission UL relative to the slot boundary DL by a duration TA = (NTA, offset + NTA) * Tc), where ^ta, offset is a constant timing advance component that is decided by the BS, NTA is a variable component that depends on the UE signal propagation delay, and Tc is the reference time in 5G NR.

[0007] However, when the timing alignment mechanism in legacy TDD systems is applied to SBFD slots, it will cause signal overlap with the previous DL-only slot, and the signal overlap will cause even more intraband CLI for DL-receiving UEs in the DL-only slot. If the transmitter in the UE performing UL transmission in the SBFD slot is close to the DL receiver of the same UE that is receiving in the previous DL-only slot or another UE performing DL reception in the previous DL-only slot, the CLI will be high. As a result, symbol decoding failure may occur due to this interference, and this problem persists even when Na, offset = 0 and Na, offset > 0.

[0008] Therefore, it is necessary to provide suitable schemes and designs to solve this problem. SUMMARY

[0009] The following summary is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. That is, the following summary is provided to introduce concepts, highlights, benefits, and advantages of the novel and non-obvious techniques described in this document. Selected implementations are further described below in the detailed description. Therefore, the following summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0010] One objective of this publication is to propose solutions or schemes that address the aforementioned issue concerning Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 17 / 55 4 / 25 Intraband CLI in SBFD communication systems.

[0011] In one aspect, a method may involve an apparatus receiving a configuration from a network node of a wireless network, wherein the configuration indicates one or more SBFD slots subsequent to a (DL-only) slot. The method may also involve the apparatus determining that UL transmissions are staggered in a first SBFD slot of one or more SBFD slots. The method may further involve the apparatus muting UL transmissions in one or more initial symbols of the first SBFD slot succeeding a DL-only slot.

[0012] In another aspect, an apparatus may comprise a transceiver that, during operation, communicates wirelessly with a network node of a wireless network. The apparatus may also comprise a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver. The processor, during operation, may perform operations comprising receiving, through the transceiver, a configuration from the network node, wherein the configuration indicates one or more SBFD slots subsequent to a (DL-only) slot. The processor may also perform operations comprising determining that UL transmissions are staggered in a first SBFD slot of one or more SBFD slots. The processor may further perform operations comprising muting UL transmissions in the one or more initial symbols of the first SBFD slot following a DL-only slot.

[0013] In another aspect, a method may involve a network appliance transmitting a configuration to an appliance, wherein the configuration indicates one or more SBFD slots subsequent to a (only) DL slot. The method may also involve the network appliance determining that UL transmissions are staggered in a first SBFD slot of one or more SBFD slots. The method may further involve the network appliance muting DL transmissions in one or more last symbols of the (only) DL slot preceding an SBFD slot. Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 18 / 55 5 / 25

[0014] It is important to emphasize that, although the description provided in this document may be in the context of certain radio access technologies, networks and network topologies, such as LTE, LTE-Advanced, LTE-Advanced Pro, 5G, NR, Internet of Things (IoT) and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IloT), as well as 5G (B5G) and 6th Generation (6G), the concepts, schemes and any variations / derivatives proposed may be implemented in, for and by other types of radio access technologies, networks and network topologies. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the examples described in this document. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a better understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated into and form a part of this disclosure. The drawings illustrate implementations of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. It is important to note that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, as some components may appear disproportionate to size in the actual implementation, in order to clearly illustrate the concept of this disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram that describes two example scenarios of the SBFD framework structure.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram that describes an example scenario of TA in legacy TDD systems.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram that describes an example scenario of a communication environment in which various solutions and schemes according to the present disclosure can be implemented.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram that describes an example scenario of overlap between UL transmissions in an SBFD slot and DL receptions in a DL-only slot in an SBFD system.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a diagram that describes an example scenario of UL symbol silencing in an SBFD slot by a UE under the Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 19 / 55 6 / 25 first proposed scheme according to an implementation of the present disclosure

[0021] FIG. 6 is a diagram describing an example scenario of DL symbol silencing in a DL-only slot by a network node under the second proposed scheme according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a diagram that describes an example scenario of DL symbol silencing in a DL-only slot by a network node under the second proposed scheme according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example communication system according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example process according to an implementation of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example process according to an implementation of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED IMPLEMENTATIONS

[0026] Detailed embodiments and implementations of the claimed subjects are disclosed in this document. However, it should be understood that the embodiments and implementations disclosed are merely illustrative of the claimed subjects, which may be embodied in various forms. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be interpreted as limited to the exemplary embodiments and implementations set forth in this document. Instead, these exemplary embodiments and implementations are provided so that the description of this disclosure is thorough and complete and fully conveys the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the description below, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments and implementations presented. Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 20 / 55 7 / 25 Overview

[0027] Implementations according to this disclosure refer to various techniques, methods, schemes and / or solutions pertaining to CLI reduction in SBFD communication systems. According to this disclosure, various possible solutions can be implemented separately or in combination. That is, although these possible solutions may be described separately below, two or more of these possible solutions may be implemented in one combination or another.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates an example scenario 300 of a communication environment in which various solutions and schemes according to the present disclosure can be implemented. Scenario 300 describes an SBFD communication system involving multiple UEs (e.g., UEs 310, 320, and 330) in wireless communications with a network 340 (e.g., a wireless network including a non-terrestrial network (NTN) and a terrestrial network (TN)) via a network node 342. The network node 342 may include a terrestrial network node (e.g., an evolved B-node (eNB), a next-generation B-node (gNB), or a transmit / receive point (TRP)) and / or a non-terrestrial network node (e.g., a satellite), depending on the network deployment. In such a communication environment, UE 310 / 320 / 330, network 340 and network node 342 can implement various schemes relating to CLI reduction in SBFD communication systems in accordance with this disclosure, as described below.It is worth noting that, although the various proposed schemes can be described individually or separately below, in real-world implementations, some or all of the proposed schemes may be used or implemented together. Of course, each of the proposed schemes can be used or implemented individually or separately.

[0029] In an SBFD communication system, a slot (called an SBFD slot) can be partitioned into sub-bands to accommodate both UL and DL transmissions in the same slot. When the mechanism Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 21 / 55 In legacy TDD systems, timing alignment (8 / 25) is applied to the SBFD slot where a UE (e.g., UE 310) is performing UL transmissions in a sub-band of the same slot. This can cause signal overlap with the preceding DL-only slot where the same UE (e.g., UE 310) or another UE (e.g., UE 320) is performing DL receptions. FIG. 4 illustrates an example scenario of overlap between UL transmissions in an SBFD slot and DL receptions in a DL-only slot in a legacy TDD system. As shown in FIG. 4, signal overlap can further cause intraband inter-UE CLI for another UE (e.g., UE 320) performing DL receptions in the DL-only slot and / or cause intraband intra-UE CLI for the same UE (e.g., UE 310) performing DL receptions in the DL-only slot.

[0030] In view of the foregoing, this disclosure proposes a series of schemes relating to the reduction of CLI in SBFD communication systems. In a first proposed scheme of this disclosure, a device (e.g., UE) can receive a configuration from a network node (e.g., gNB) of a wireless network (e.g., 5G NR network). Specifically, the configuration indicates one or more SBFD slots subsequent to a (only) DL slot. Then, the device can determine that UL transmissions are staggered in the first SBFD slot of the one or more SBFD slots. After that, the device can mute UL transmissions in the one or more initial symbols of the first SBFD slot. Consequently, by applying the first proposed scheme of this disclosure, there will be no overlap between UL transmissions in the SBFD slot and DL receptions in the (only) DL slot, so that intraband CLI in SBFD communication systems can be reduced.

[0031] In some implementations, the device may also receive control information from the network node, where the control information indicates a number of one or more initial symbols in the SBFD slot that is succeeding the DL-only slot. That is, the Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 22 / 55 9 / 25 UL symbols to be silenced can be indicated by the network node control information. For example, the control information may contain a silencing bit pattern that indicates the UL symbols that should be silenced in the first SBFD slot.

[0032] In some implementations, the control information may also indicate the first SBFD slot within a frame that is succeeding a DL-only slot. That is, the slot within a frame where UL symbol muting needs to be applied may be indicated by the network node control information. For example, the control information may contain a slot bit pattern that indicates the slot(s) within a frame where UL symbol muting needs to be applied.

[0033] In some implementations, control information may be received by means of a radio resource control (RRC) message, a medium access control (MAC) element, or a downlink control information (DCI).

[0034] In some implementations, one or more initial symbols of the SBFD slot that follows the DL-only slot may include one or more physical uplink shared channel signals (PUSCH), polling reference signals (SRSs), physical uplink control channel signals (PUCCH), or physical random access channel signals (PRACH).

[0035] In some implementations, the device may also exclude or include feature elements (REs) corresponding to one or more muted initial symbols for a transport block size (TBS) calculation. Additionally, the device may determine not to perform UL transmissions on one or more initial symbols by detecting the SBFD slot that is following a DL-only slot.

[0036] In some implementations, UL transmissions can be scheduled based on a dynamic grant or a configured grant received from the network node. Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 23 / 55 10 / 25

[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates an example scenario 500 of UL symbol silencing in an SBFD slot by a UE under the first proposed scheme according to an implementation of the present disclosure. Scenario 500 describes the same DXXXU frame structure as scenario 400, except that UL transmissions in the first M symbols of the first SBFD slot are silencing. In the silencing symbols, the UE does not transmit any UL signal. In one example, the silencing M symbols can cover the overlap region between the first SBFD slot and the preceding DL-only slot. In another example, M can be configured with any value greater than or equal to 1. Thus, by silencing a number of initial symbols in the first SBFD slot, the overlap between the first SBFD slot and the preceding DL slot can be avoided to reduce intraband CLI.

[0038] In some implementations, UL symbol muting can be indicated to the UE by the start and length indicator value (SLIV). For example, UL symbol muting can be achieved by adding symbol start values ​​S = {1, ..., M} to a table (e.g., Table 6.1.2.1-1 in the 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.214) for type A PUSCH mapping and constructing the PUSCH time-domain allocation list accordingly. For type B PUSCH mapping, UL symbol muting can be achieved by existing 3GPP specifications.

[0039] In some implementations, the time domain position of the first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) symbol may be delayed by N (where N > M) symbols relative to the start of the first SBFD slot. In one example, the value of M is 1 and the value of N is 3 or 4.

[0040] In a second proposed scheme of the present disclosure, a network node (e.g., gNB) can transmit the configuration to an appliance (e.g., UE). Specifically, the configuration indicates one or more SBFD slots subsequent to a slot Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 24 / 55 11 / 25 (only) DL. Then, the network node can determine that UL transmissions are scheduled in a first SBFD slot of one or more SBFD slots. After that, the network node can mute DL transmissions in one or more last symbols of the (only) DL slot (i.e., not schedule DL transmissions in those muted symbols). Consequently, by applying the schemes of this disclosure, there will be no overlap between UL transmissions in the SBFD slot and DL receptions in the (only) DL slot, so that intraband CLI in SBFD communication systems can be reduced.

[0041] In some implementations, muting DL transmissions in one or more last symbols of the (DL-only) slot may include: muting DL transmission in one or more last symbols in a sub-band of the (DL-only) slot, where the sub-band of the (DL-only) slot overlaps with a UL sub-band of the first SBFD slot. Alternatively, muting DL transmissions in one or more last symbols of the (DL-only) slot may include: muting DL transmission in one or more last symbols in a full band of the (DL-only) slot.

[0042] In some implementations, the network node may transmit control information to the device, where the control information indicates a number of the last one or more symbols. That is, the DL symbols to be muted may be indicated by the network node's control information. For example, the control information may contain a muting bit pattern that indicates the DL symbols that should be muted in the (DL-only) slot.

[0043] In some implementations, the control information may indicate the (only) DL slot within a frame. That is, the slot within a frame where DL symbol silencing needs to be applied may be indicated by the network node's control information. For example, the control information may contain a slot bit pattern that indicates the slot(s) Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 25 / 55 12 / 25 within a frame where DL symbol muting needs to be applied. Control information can be transmitted via an RRC message, a CE MAC, or a DCI.

[0044] In some implementations, the last one or more symbols of the DL-only slot may include one or more physical downlink shared channel signals (PDSCH), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs), channel state information interference measurement signals (CSI-IM), phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs), or physical downlink control channel signals (PDCCH).

[0045] In some implementations, the network node may exclude or include REs corresponding to one or more last symbols for a TBS calculation. Additionally, the network node may decide not to perform DL transmissions on one or more last symbols.

[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates an example scenario 600 of DL symbol silencing in a DL-only slot by a network node under the second proposed scheme according to an implementation of the present disclosure. Scenario 600 describes the same DXXXU frame structure as scenario 400, except that DL transmissions in the last M symbols in the full band of the DL-only slot are silencing. In the silencing symbols, the network node does not transmit any DL signal. In one example, the silencing M symbols may cover the overlap region between the DL-only slot and the first SBFD slot. In another example, M may be configured with any value greater than or equal to 1. Thus, by silencing a number of the last symbols in the full band of the DL-only slot, the overlap between the DL-only slot and the first SBFD slot can be avoided to reduce intraband CLI.

[0047] FIG. 7 illustrates an example scenario 700 of DL symbol silencing in a DL-only slot by a network node under the second proposed scheme according to an implementation of the present disclosure. Scenario 700 describes the Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 26 / 55 13 / 25 same DXXXU frame structure as scenario 600, except that only the DL transmissions in the last M symbols in the overlapping sub-band (i.e., the region overlapping the UL sub-band of the first SBFD slot) of the DL-only slot are muted. In the muted symbols, the network node does not transmit any DL signal. In one example, the muted M symbols can cover the overlapping region between the DL-only slot and the first SBFD slot. In another example, M can be configured with any value greater than or equal to 1. Thus, by muting a number of the last symbols in a partial band of the DL-only slot, the overlap between the DL-only slot and the first SBFD slot can be avoided to reduce intraband CLI.

[0048] In some implementations, the silencing of DL symbols may be indicated to the UE(s) by SLIV.

[0049] In some implementations, the UE can detect the last M symbols of the DL-only slot on its own and determine those M symbols as invalid symbols (i.e., the UE can discard those symbols without decoding them) and the DL receptions on those M symbols as muted, without any assistance from the network node. Illustrative Implementations

[0050] FIG. 8 illustrates an example 800 communication system having an example 810 communication device and an example 820 network device according to an implementation of the present disclosure. Each of the 810 communication and 820 network devices can perform various functions to implement schemes, techniques, processes and methods described in this document relating to CLI reduction in SBFD communication systems, including scenarios / schemes described above, as well as the 900 and 1000 processes described below.

[0051] The 810 communication device may be part of an electronic device, which may be a UE, such as a portable or mobile device, a wearable device, a device of Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 27 / 55 14 / 25 Wireless communication or a computing device. For example, the 810 communication device can be implemented in a smartphone, a smartwatch, a personal digital assistant, an electronic control unit (ECU) in a vehicle, a digital camera, or computing equipment such as a tablet, laptop, or notebook. The 810 communication device can also be part of a machine-type device, which can be an IoT, NB-IoT, IIoT UE, such as a stationary or fixed device, a household appliance, a roadside unit (RSU), a wired communication device, or a computing device. For example, the 810 communication device can be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart refrigerator, a smart door lock, a wireless speaker, or a home control hub.Alternatively, the 810 communication device may be implemented in the form of one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips, such as, for example and without limitation, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, or one or more complex instruction set computing (CISC) processors. The 810 communication device may include at least some of the components shown in FIG. 8, such as an 812 processor, for example. The 810 communication device may also include one or more other components not relevant to the proposed scheme of this disclosure (for example, internal power supply, display device and / or user interface device) and, therefore, such components of the 810 communication device are not shown in FIG. 8 nor described below in the interest of simplicity and brevity.

[0052] The 820 network device may be part of an electronic device, which may be a network node, such as a BS (e.g., an eNB, a gNB or a TRP), a satellite, a small cell, Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 28 / 55 15 / 25 a router or gateway of a wireless network (e.g., a 4G / 5G / B5G / 6G network). For example, the 820 network device may be implemented in the form of one or more IC chips, such as, for example and without limitation, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more RISC or CISC processors. The 820 network device may include at least some of the components shown in FIG. 8, such as an 822 processor, for example. The 820 network device may also include one or more other components not relevant to the proposed scheme of this disclosure (e.g., internal power supply, display device and / or user interface device) and, therefore, such components of the 820 network device are not shown in FIG. 8 nor described below in the interest of simplicity and brevity.

[0053] In one aspect, each of the 812 and 822 processors may be implemented in the form of one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is, although a singular term “a processor” is used in this document to refer to the 812 and 822 processors, each of the 812 and 822 processors may include multiple processors in some implementations and a single processor in other implementations according to the present disclosure. In another aspect, each of the 812 and 822 processors may be implemented in the form of hardware (and optionally firmware) with electronic components including, for example and without limitation, one or more transistors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memristors, and / or one or more varactors that are configured and arranged to achieve specific purposes according to the present disclosure.In other words, in at least some implementations, each of the 812 and 822 processors is a specifically designed, organized, and special-purpose machine. Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 29 / 55 16 / 25 configured to perform specific tasks, including CLI reduction in SBFD communication systems, in a UE (e.g., as represented by communication appliance 810) and a network node (e.g., as represented by network appliance 820) according to various implementations of this disclosure.

[0054] In some implementations, the communication device 810 may also include a transceiver 816 coupled to the processor 812 and capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some implementations, the transceiver 816 may be able to wirelessly communicate with different types of UEs and / or wireless networks of different RATs, for example, 2G GSM, 3G UMTS, 4G LTE, 5G NR and / or 6G. In some implementations, the transceiver 816 may be equipped with a plurality of antenna ports (not shown), such as, for example, four antenna ports. That is, the transceiver 816 may be equipped with multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas for multi-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communications. In some implementations, the 820 network appliance may also include an 826 transceiver coupled to the 822 processor. The 826 transceiver may include a transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving data wirelessly.In some implementations, the 826 transceiver may be able to communicate wirelessly with different types of UEs from different RATs. In some implementations, the 826 transceiver may be equipped with a plurality of antenna ports (not shown), such as four antenna ports. That is, the 826 transceiver may be equipped with multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas for MIMO wireless communications.

[0055] In some implementations, the communication device 810 may also include a memory 814 coupled to the processor 812 and capable of being accessed by the processor 812 and storing data therein. In some implementations, the network device Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 30 / 55 17 / 25 820 may also include a memory 824 coupled to processor 822 and capable of being accessed by processor 822 and storing data therein. Each of the memories 814 and 824 may include a type of random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), thyristor RAM (T-RAM) and / or zero-capacitor RAM (Z-RAM). Alternatively, or additionally, each of the memories 814 and 824 may include a type of read-only memory (ROM), such as mask ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM) and / or electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM). Alternatively, or additionally, each of the 814 and 824 memories may include a type of non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), such as flash memory, solid-state memory, ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), and / or phase-change memory.

[0056] Each of the 810 communication devices and 820 network devices can be a communication entity capable of communicating with each other using various schemes proposed in accordance with this disclosure. For illustrative purposes and without limitation, a description of the capabilities of the 810 communication device, as a UE, and of the 820 network device, as a network node (e.g., a BS), is provided below.

[0057] According to the first proposed scheme, according to the present disclosure regarding CLI reduction in SBFD communication systems, the processor 812 of the communication device 810 can receive, through the transceiver 816, a configuration from the network device 820, wherein the configuration indicates one or more SBFD slots subsequent to a (only) DL slot. Then, the processor 812 can determine that UL transmissions are staggered in a first SBFD slot of one or more SBFD slots. After that, the processor 812 can mute UL transmissions in one or more first symbols of the first SBFD slot. Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 31 / 55 18 / 25

[0058] In some implementations, processor 812 can also receive, via transceiver 816, control information from network device 820, where the control information indicates a number of one or more initial symbols.

[0059] In some implementations, the control information may indicate the SBFD slot succeeding a DL-only slot within a frame.

[0060] In some implementations, control information can be received via an RRC message, a MAC CE, or a DCI.

[0061] In some implementations, the first one or more symbols of the first SBFD slot may include one or more PUSCH signals, SRSs, PUCCH signals, or PRACH signals.

[0062] In some implementations, the 812 processor may also exclude or include REs corresponding to the first one or more symbols for a TBS calculation. Additionally, the 812 processor may choose not to perform UL transmissions on the first one or more symbols.

[0063] In some implementations, UL transmissions can be scheduled based on a dynamic lease or a configured lease received from the 820 network appliance.

[0064] In the second proposed scheme according to the present disclosure regarding CLI reduction in SBFD communication systems, the processor 822 of the network device 820 can transmit, via transceiver 826, a configuration to the communication device 810, wherein the configuration indicates one or more SBFD slots subsequent to a (only) DL slot. Then, the processor 822 can determine that UL transmissions are staggered in a first SBFD slot of one or more SBFD slots. After that, the processor 822 can silence DL transmissions in one or more last symbols of the (only) DL slot.

[0065] In some implementations, DL transmissions are muted in one or more of the last symbols of the slot (only) Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 32 / 55 19 / 25 DL may include: muting DL transmission on one or more last symbols in a sub-band of the (DL-only) slot, where the sub-band of the (DL-only) slot overlaps with a UL sub-band of the first SBFD slot. Alternatively, muting DL transmissions on one or more last symbols of the (DL-only) slot may include: muting DL transmission on one or more last symbols in a full band of the (DL-only) slot.

[0066] In some implementations, processor 822 can also transmit, via transceiver 826, control information to communication device 810, wherein the control information indicates a number of the last one or more symbols.

[0067] In some implementations, the control information may indicate the (only) DL slot within a frame, or the control information may be transmitted via an RRC message, a CE MAC, or a DCI.

[0068] In some implementations, one or more last symbols of the (only) DL slot may include one or more PDSCH, CSIRS, CSI-IM, PT-RS, or PDCCH signals.

[0069] In some implementations, the 822 processor may also exclude or include REs corresponding to the last one or more symbols for a TBS calculation. In addition, the 822 processor may also choose not to perform DL transmissions on the last one or more symbols. Illustrative Processes

[0070] FIG. 9 illustrates an example process 900 according to an implementation of the present disclosure. Process 900 may be an example of implementing the above scenarios / schemes, partially or completely, with respect to CLI reduction in SBFD communication systems. Process 900 may represent an aspect of the implementation of communication device features 810. Process 900 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions, as illustrated by one or more of blocks 910 to 930. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, several blocks of Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 33 / 55 20 / 25 Process 900 can be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Furthermore, the blocks of Process 900 can be executed in the order shown in FIG. 9 or, alternatively, in a different order. Process 900 can be implemented by or on Communication Appliance 810 or any suitable UE or machine-type devices. For illustrative purposes only and without limitation, Process 900 is described below in the context of Communication Appliance 810 as a UE and Network Appliance 820 as a Network Node. Process 900 can start at Block 910.

[0071] In 910, process 900 may involve processor 812 of communication device 810 receiving, via transceiver 816, a configuration from network device 820, wherein the configuration indicates one or more SBFD slots subsequent to a DL-only slot. Process 900 may proceed from 910 to 920.

[0072] In 920, process 900 may involve processor 812 determining that UL transmissions are scheduled in a first SBFD slot of one or more SBFD slots. Process 900 may proceed from 920 to 930.

[0073] In 930, process 900 may involve processor 812 silencing UL transmissions on one or more initial symbols of the first SBFD slot.

[0074] In some implementations, process 900 may also involve processor 812 receiving, via transceiver 816, control information from network device 820, where the control information indicates a number of the first one or more symbols.

[0075] In some implementations, the control information may indicate the first SBFD slot within a frame.

[0076] In some implementations, control information can be received via an RRC message, a MAC CE, or a DCI. Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 34 / 55 21 / 25

[0077] In some implementations, the first one or more symbols of the first SBFD slot may include one or more PUSCH signals, SRSs, PUCCH signals, or PRACH signals.

[0078] In some implementations, process 900 may also involve processor 812 excluding or including REs corresponding to the first one or more symbols for a TBS calculation. Additionally, process 900 may involve processor 812 determining not to perform UL transmissions on the first one or more symbols.

[0079] In some implementations, UL transmissions can be scheduled based on a dynamic lease or a configured lease received from the 820 network appliance.

[0080] FIG. 10 illustrates an example process 1000 according to an implementation of the present disclosure. Process 1000 may be an example of implementing the above scenarios / schemes, partially or completely, with respect to CLI reduction in SBFD communication systems. Process 1000 may represent an aspect of the implementation of network device features 820. Process 1000 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions, as illustrated by one or more of blocks 1010 to 1030. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, multiple process 1000 blocks may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Furthermore, the process 1000 blocks may be executed in the order shown in FIG. 10 or, alternatively, in a different order. Process 1000 can be implemented by or on an 820 network appliance (e.g., BS) or any suitable network node (e.g., satellite).For illustrative purposes only and without limitation, process 1000 is described below in the context of communication device 810 as a UE and network device 820 as a network node. Process 1000 can start on block 1010.

[0081] In 1010, process 1000 may involve the processor Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 35 / 55 22 / 25 822 of network device 820 transmitting, via transceiver 826, a configuration to communication device 810, wherein the configuration indicates one or more SBFD slots subsequent to a DL slot. Process 1000 may proceed from 1010 to 1020.

[0082] In 1020, process 1000 may involve processor 822 determining that UL transmissions are scheduled in a first SBFD slot of one or more SBFD slots. Process 1000 may proceed from 1020 to 1030.

[0083] In 1030, process 1000 may involve processor 822 silencing DL transmissions in one or more of the last symbols of the DL slot.

[0084] In some implementations, muting DL transmissions in one or more last symbols of the DL slot may include: muting DL transmission in one or more last symbols in a sub-band of the DL slot, where the DL slot sub-band overlaps with a UL sub-band of the first SBFD slot. Alternatively, muting DL transmissions in one or more last symbols of the DL slot may include: muting DL transmission in one or more last symbols in a full band of the DL slot.

[0085] In some implementations, process 1000 may also involve processor 822 transmitting, via transceiver 826, control information to communication device 810, wherein the control information indicates a number of the last one or more symbols.

[0086] In some implementations, the control information may indicate the DL slot within a frame, or the control information may be transmitted via an RRC message, a CE MAC, or a DCI.

[0087] In some implementations, one or more last symbols of the DL slot may include one or more PDSCH, CSI-RSs, CSI-IM, PT-RSs, or PDCCH signals.

[0088] In some implementations, process 1000 may Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 36 / 55 23 / 25 may also involve processor 822 excluding or including REs corresponding to the last one or more symbols for a TBS calculation. Additionally, process 1000 may involve processor 822 determining not to perform DL transmissions on the last one or more symbols. Additional notes

[0089] The subject described in this document sometimes illustrates different components contained within or connected to other different components. It should be understood that such represented architectures are merely examples, and that, in fact, many other architectures can be implemented to achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively associated so that the desired functionality is achieved. Therefore, any two components combined here to obtain a specific functionality can be seen as associated with each other, so that the desired functionality is achieved, regardless of architectures or intermediate components.Similarly, any two components thus associated can also be seen as being operationally connected or operationally coupled to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being associated can also be seen as being operationally coupleable to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operationally coupleable components include, but are not limited to, physically coupleable components and / or components that physically interact and / or components that can interact wirelessly and / or components that interact wirelessly and / or components that interact logically and / or components that can interact logically.

[0090] Additionally, with regard to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular term in this document, those Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 37 / 55 Those skilled in the art can translate from plural to singular and / or from singular to plural, as appropriate to the context and / or application. The various singular / plural permutations may be explicitly presented in this document for the sake of clarity.

[0091] Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that, in general, the terms used in this document, and especially in the appended claims, for example, bodies of the appended claims, are generally conceived as open terms, for example, the term including should be interpreted as including, but not limited to, the term possessing should be interpreted as possessing at least, the term includes should be interpreted as includes, but not limited to, etc. It will further be understood by those within the art that, if a specific number of an introduced claim citation is intended, such intention will be explicitly cited in the claim and, in the absence of such citation, such intention will not be present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain the use of the introductory phrases at least one and one or more to introduce claims statements.However, the use of such phrases should not be interpreted as implying that the introduction of a claim statement by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any specific claim containing such an introduced claim statement to implementations containing only one of these statements, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "a or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an," for example, "a and / or an" should be interpreted as "at least one" or "a or more"; the same applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce claim statements. Furthermore, even if a specific number of an inserted claim statement is... Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 38 / 55 25 / 25 explicitly stated, those skilled in the art will recognize that such a statement should be interpreted as meaning at least the stated number, for example, the simple statement of two statements, without other modifiers, means at least two statements, or two or more statements. Furthermore, in cases where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense that someone skilled in the art would understand the convention, for example, “a system possessing at least one of A, B, and C” would include, but not be limited to, systems possessing A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc. In cases where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.”The term "convention" is generally used, and such a construction is intended in the sense that someone skilled in the art would understand the convention; for example, "a system possessing at least one of A, B, or C" would include, but not be limited to, systems possessing A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc. It will further be understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood as contemplating the possibilities of including one of the terms, any of the terms, or both terms.

[0092] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various implementations of the present disclosure have been described in this document for illustrative purposes, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Consequently, the various implementations disclosed in this document are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 39 / 55

Claims

1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. A method, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: receiving, by a processor of an apparatus, a network node configuration of a wireless network, wherein the configuration indicates one or more sub-band full duplex (SBFD) slots subsequent to a downlink (DL) slot; determining, by the processor, that uplink (UL) transmissions are scheduled in the first SBFD slot of one or more SBFD slots; and muting, by the processor, the UL transmissions in one or more initial symbols of the first SBFD slot.

2. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises: receiving, by the processor, control information from the network node, wherein the control information indicates a number of one or more initial symbols to be silenced.

3. Method, according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the control information indicates the first SBFD slot subsequent to the DL slot within a frame.

4. Method according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the control information is received by means of a radio resource control (RRC) message, a medium access control (MAC) element or a downlink control information (DCI).

5. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the one or more initial symbols of the first SBFD slot comprise one or more physical uplink shared channel signals (PUSCH), polling reference signals (SRSs), physical uplink control channel signals (PUCCH) or physical random access channel signals (PRACH).

6. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises: Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, page 40 / 55 2 / 5 excluding or including, by the processor, resource elements (REs) corresponding to the first one or more symbols for a transport block size (TBS) calculation; and determining, by the processor, not to perform UL transmissions in the initial one or more symbols.

7. Method, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that UL transmissions are staggered based on a dynamic grant or a configured grant received from the network node.

8. Apparatus, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises: a transceiver that, during operation, communicates wirelessly with a network node of a wireless network; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver such that, during operation, the processor performs operations comprising: receiving, through the transceiver, a configuration from the network node, wherein the configuration indicates one or more sub-band full duplex (SBFD) slots subsequent to a downlink (DL) slot; determining that uplink (UL) transmissions are scheduled in a first SBFD slot of one or more SBFD slots; and muting UL transmissions in one or more initial symbols of the first SBFD slot.

9. Device according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that, during operation, the processor also performs operations comprising: receiving, through the transceiver, control information from the network node, wherein the control information indicates a number of one or more initial symbols to be silenced.

10. Device according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED in that the control information indicates the first SBFD slot subsequent to the DL slot within a frame. Petition 870250089803, dated 10 / 02 / 2025, page 41 / 55 3 / 5 11. Apparatus, according to claim 9, CHARACTERIZED in that the control information is received by means of a radio resource control (RRC) message, a medium access control (MAC) element or a downlink control information (DCI).

12. Apparatus, according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that the one or more initial symbols of the first SBFD slot comprise one or more physical uplink shared channel signals (PUSCH), polling reference signals (SRSs), physical uplink control channel signals (PUCCH) or physical random access channel signals (PRACH).

13. Device according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that, during operation, the processor also performs operations comprising: excluding or including resource elements (REs) corresponding to one or more initial symbols for a transport block size (TBS) calculation; and detecting SBFD slots succeeding only DL slots and determining not to perform UL transmissions on one or more initial symbols.

14. Device according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED in that UL transmissions are staggered based on a dynamic grant or a configured grant received from the network node.

15. Method, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises: transmitting, by a network node processor, a configuration to a device, wherein the configuration indicates one or more sub-band full duplex (SBFD) slots subsequent to a downlink (DL) slot; determining, by the processor, that uplink (UL) transmissions are scheduled in a first SBFD slot of one or more SBFD slots; and silencing, by the processor, DL transmissions in one or more of the last symbols of the DL slot.

16. Method according to claim 15, CHARACTERIZED in that the silencing of DL transmissions in the last one or more symbols of the DL slot comprises: silencing the DL transmission in the last one or more symbols in a sub-band of the DL slot; or silencing the DL transmission in the last one or more symbols in a complete band of the DL slot.

17. Method according to claim 15, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises: transmitting, by the processor, control information to the device, wherein the control information indicates a number of the last one or more symbols.

18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the control information indicates the DL slot within a frame, or the control information is transmitted by means of a radio resource control (RRC) message, a medium access control (MAC) element or a downlink control information (DCI).

19. Method according to claim 15, CHARACTERIZED in that the last one or more symbols of the DL slot comprise one or more physical downlink shared channel signals (PDSCH), channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs), channel state information interference measurement signals (CSI-IM), phase tracking reference signals (PT-RSs) or physical downlink control channel signals (PDCCH).

20. Method, according to claim 15, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises: excluding or including, by the processor, resource elements (REs) corresponding to the last one or more symbols for a transport block size (TBS) calculation; and determining, by the processor, not to perform the transmissions Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 43 / 55 5 / 5 DL in the last one or more symbols. Petition 870250089803, dated 02 / 10 / 2025, p. 44 / 55

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