Flexible frame structure for wireless communication

Abstract

The current radio frame structure in Long‑Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) has some limitations. A frame structure is disclosed herein, the purpose of which is to provide more flexibility. Embodiments of the flexible frame structure include different flexible (i.e., configurable) parameters. A non-exhaustive list of configurable parameters includes: frame length; subframe length (if subframes are defined); the length of a time slot and / or the number of symbol blocks in a time slot (if time slots are defined); the length of the CP and / or data part in a symbol block, or the ratio of the CP to the data part, which may vary between symbol blocks; downlink / uplink switching gap length, etc.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to wireless communications, and more particularly to a frame structure for wireless communications. Background Art

[0002] In some wireless communication systems, user equipment (UE) communicates wirelessly with one or more base stations. Wireless communication from the UE to the base station is called uplink communication. Wireless communication from the base station to the UE is called downlink communication. Resources are required to perform uplink and downlink communications. For example, a base station can wirelessly transmit data to a UE in a downlink communication at a specific frequency and for a specific duration. The frequency and duration are examples of resources.

[0003] Allocate time-frequency resources for communication between UEs and the base station. Multiple access occurs when multiple UEs are scheduled on a set of time-frequency resources. Each UE uses a portion of the time-frequency resources to receive data from the base station in case of downlink communication or transmit data to the base station in case of uplink communication.

[0004] The frame structure is a characteristic of the physical layer of wireless communication, which defines the time domain signal transmission structure, for example, to achieve the timing reference and timing alignment of the basic time domain transmission unit. The wireless communication between the UE and one or more base stations occurs on the time-frequency resources controlled by the frame structure. The frame structure can sometimes be called the radio frame structure.

[0005] The current frame structure in Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) has some limitations. For example, in the NR frame structure, the time domain granularity is limited by the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol duration, and the frame structure is based on OFDM waveform parameters, such as subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix (CP). Due to the scalable system parameter relationship, the CP length is not flexible enough, and the minimum time domain granularity is limited by the OFDM symbol duration. Due to the following limitations, there may be resource waste, such as: limited CP length options, time length limit of the switching gap between uplink and downlink in time division duplex (TDD), time length limit of automatic gain control (AGC) measurement duration, bandwidth part (BWP) switching gap limit, etc. Summary of the invention

[0006] A frame structure is disclosed herein that aims to provide more flexibility compared to previous frame structures, such as those in LTE and NR.

[0007] Embodiments of the flexible frame structure include various flexible (i.e., configurable) parameters. A non-exhaustive list of configurable parameters includes: frame length; subframe length (if subframes are defined); length of a time slot and / or the number of symbol blocks in a time slot (if time slots are defined); length of the CP and / or data portion in a symbol block, or the ratio of the CP to the data portion, which may vary between symbol blocks; downlink / uplink switching gap length, etc.

[0008] In some embodiments, a frame structure is provided, wherein any one or more of the following may be provided:

[0009] (1) The OFDM symbol duration is not limited by the size of the fast Fourier transform (FFT), which is a power of 2. This means that the OFDM symbol duration does not need to be extended by powers of 2. In particular, in the LTE and NR frame structures, an inverse FFT (IFFT) is used to implement an inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) when generating OFDM symbols. The IFFT may be a relatively computationally efficient algorithm, but it has a limitation in that its size (i.e., the number of output samples) is limited to a power of 2, which means that for a given sampling frequency, the OFDM symbol duration is limited in the same way. This imposes a limit on the OFDM symbol duration, resulting in reduced flexibility in the OFDM symbol duration within a frame. In some embodiments of the flexible frame structure disclosed herein, the OFDM symbol duration is not limited based on the IFFT limit, and more generally, the IDFT algorithm can be used to generate OFDM symbol durations of different lengths, possibly within the same frame. The benefit of increased flexibility offsets any potential increase in computational complexity in generating the OFDM symbols and / or any potential increase in signaling overhead.

[0010] (2) The number of OFDM symbols per basic time unit (eg, per time slot, per subframe, or per frame) is not limited by the ratio of the basic time unit to the scalable OFDM symbol duration.

[0011] (3) The CP length is not limited by the scalable OFDM duration.

[0012] (4) The frame may include a flexibly configurable single-carrier based symbol block length, including a flexible CP configuration.

[0013] (5) The frame length is configurable.

[0014] (6) The hierarchical time domain structure may be configurable (eg, configurable frame length and / or configurable subframe length and / or configurable time slot length).

[0015] Embodiments of the flexible frame structure disclosed herein may result in a potential increase in computational complexity (e.g., when generating OFDM symbols) and / or a potential increase in signaling overhead. However, embodiments of the flexible frame structure disclosed herein may be suitable for use in a variety of application scenarios, such as autonomous vehicle communications, smart meters, device-to-device communications via sidelink channels, delay-tolerant communications, delay-sensitive (e.g., low-latency) communications, and the like. Flexibility may enable a single frame structure to adapt to these different application scenarios, with multiple application scenarios possibly in the same frame. The inventors have recognized the use of a single flexible frame structure that can adapt to different application scenarios, and the inventors have found that this benefit outweighs the potential increase in computational complexity and / or the potential increase in signaling overhead.

[0016] In one embodiment, a method for wireless communication is provided, comprising generating a first set of data symbols. Each data symbol in the first set of data symbols is on a different subcarrier frequency. The method may also include operating the first set of data symbols using a first inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) to obtain a first data portion, and adding the first data portion to a first CP to obtain a first OFDM symbol. The method may also include transmitting the first OFDM symbol. The method may also include generating a second set of data symbols. Each data symbol in the second set of data symbols is on a different subcarrier frequency. The method may also include operating the second set of data symbols using a second IDFT to obtain a second data portion, and adding the second data portion to a second CP to obtain a second OFDM symbol. The method may also include transmitting the second OFDM symbol. In some embodiments, the first IDFT has a first size, and the second IDFT has a second size different from the first size. In some embodiments, the first size may not be a power of 2. In some embodiments, the second size may not be a power of 2.

[0017] It should be noted that "length" and "duration" (or "duration") are used interchangeably in this article. The term "length" refers to the length in the time domain, that is, the length of time.

[0018] This document discloses a corresponding base station and a UE, which may be configured to perform the method described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Embodiments of the invention are described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 is a network diagram of an exemplary communication system.

[0021] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device.

[0022] Figure 3 is a block diagram of another exemplary electronic device.

[0023] Figure 4 is a block diagram of exemplary component modules.

[0024] Figure 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary user equipment and a base station.

[0025] Figure 6 is an example frame structure in LTE.

[0026] Figure 7 is an exemplary frame structure in NR.

[0027] Figure 8 A process for generating a single carrier symbol block provided by an embodiment is shown.

[0028] Fig. 9 A process for generating a multi-carrier symbol block provided by an embodiment is shown.

[0029] Figures 10 to 16 An example of a flexible frame structure is shown.

[0030] Fig.17 A method performed by a device is shown in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] For illustrative purposes, specific exemplary embodiments are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Exemplary Communication Systems and Devices

[0033] Figure 1 An exemplary communication system 100 is shown. In general, the communication system 100 enables multiple wireless or wired elements to transmit data and other content. The purpose of the communication system 100 can be to provide content, such as voice, data, video, and / or text, via broadcast, narrowcast, multicast, unicast, user device to user device, etc. The communication system 100 can operate by sharing resources such as bandwidth.

[0034] In this example, the communication system 100 includes electronic devices (ED) 110a to 110c, radio access networks (RAN) 120a and 120b, a core network 130, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160. Figure 1 A certain number of these components or elements are shown, but any reasonable number of these components or elements may be included in the communication system 100 .

[0035] EDs 110a to 110c are used to operate and / or communicate in the communication system 100. For example, EDs 110a to 110c are used to transmit and / or receive via wireless or wired communication channels. EDs 110a to 110c represent any suitable end-user devices for wireless operation, and may include (or may be referred to as): user equipment (UE / user device), wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), mobile station, fixed or mobile user unit, cellular phone, station (STA), machine type communication (MTC) device, personal digital assistant (PDA), smart phone, laptop, computer, tablet, wireless sensor, consumer electronic device, car, truck, bus, train, drone, etc.

[0036] exist Figure 1In the embodiment, RAN 120a and 120b include base stations 170a and 170b, respectively. Base stations 170a and 170b are used to wirelessly connect to one or more of EDs 110a to 110c so as to access any other base stations 170a and 170b, core network 130, PSTN 140, Internet 150 and / or other networks 160. For example, base stations 170a and 170b may include (or may be) one or more of several well-known devices, such as base transceiver station (BTS), 3G base station (NodeB), evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), Home eNodeB, gNodeB, transmission point (TP), site controller, access point (AP) or wireless router. Any ED 110a to 110c may alternatively or additionally be configured to connect, access or communicate with any other base stations 170a and 170b, the Internet 150, the core network 130, the PSTN 140, other networks 160, or any combination thereof. The communication system 100 may include a RAN, such as the RAN 120b, wherein the corresponding base station 170b accesses the core network 130 via the Internet 150.

[0037] EDs 110a to 110c and base stations 170a and 170b are examples of communication devices that may be used to implement some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described herein. Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, base station 170a forms part of RAN 120a, which may include other base stations, one or more base station controllers (BSC), one or more radio network controllers (RNC), relay nodes, elements and / or devices. Any base station 170a, 170b may be a separate element, as shown, or multiple elements distributed in the corresponding RAN, and so on. Similarly, base station 170b is part of RAN 120b, which may include other base stations, elements and / or devices. Each base station 170a and 170b transmits and / or receives wireless signals within a specific geographic area or region (sometimes referred to as a "cell" or "coverage area"). The cell can be further divided into cell sectors, and base stations 170a and 170b can, for example, use multiple transceivers to provide services to multiple sectors. In some embodiments, there may be established micro or femto cells, and the radio access technology supports these cells. In some embodiments, multiple transceivers may be used for each cell using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, etc. The number of RANs 120a and 120b shown is only exemplary. Any number of RANs may be considered when designing the communication system 100.

[0038] Base stations 170a and 170b communicate with one or more of EDs 110a to 110c through one or more air interfaces 190 using wireless communication links such as radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), etc. The air interface 190 may use any suitable wireless access technology. For example, the communication system 100 may implement one or more channel access methods in the air interface 190, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).

[0039] Base stations 170a and 170b may implement Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access (UTRA) to establish an air interface 190 using wideband CDMA (WCDMA). In this case, base stations 170a and 170b may implement protocols such as HSPA, HSPA+, etc., wherein HSPA+ optionally includes HSDPA and / or HSUPA. Optionally, base stations 170a and 170b may use LTE, LTE-A and / or LTE-B to establish an air interface 190 with Evolved UTMS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA). It is contemplated that the communication system 100 may use multi-channel access functionality, including those described above. Other wireless technologies used to implement the air interface include IEEE802.11, 802.15, 802.16, CDMA2000, CDMA2000 IX, CDMA2000 EV-DO, IS-2000, IS-95, IS-856, GSM, EDGE, and GERAN. Other multiple access schemes and wireless protocols may be used.

[0040] The RANs 120a and 120b communicate with the core network 130 to provide various services, such as voice, data, and other services, to the EDs 110a to 110c. The RANs 120a and 120b and / or the core network 130 may communicate directly or indirectly with one or more other RANs (not shown), which may or may not be directly served by the core network 130 and may or may not use the same radio access technology as the RANs 120a and / or RANs 120b. The core network 130 may also serve as a gateway access between (i) the RANs 120a and 120b and / or the EDs 110a to 110c and (ii) other networks (e.g., the PSTN 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160). In addition, some or all of the EDs 110a to 110c may include functionality to communicate with different wireless networks over different radio links using different radio technologies and / or protocols. Instead of (or in addition to) wireless communication, the ED may communicate with a service provider or switch (not shown) and the Internet 150 via a wired communication channel. The PSTN 140 may include a circuit-switched telephone network for providing plain old telephone service (POTS). The Internet 150 may include computer networks and / or subnets (intranets) and include protocols such as IP, TCP, and UDP. The EDs 110a to 110c may be multimode devices capable of operating in accordance with a variety of wireless access technologies and include a number of transceivers required to support these technologies.

[0041] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Exemplary devices that can implement the methods and guidance provided by the present invention are shown. In particular, Figure 2 An exemplary ED 110 is shown, Figure 3 An exemplary base station 170 is shown. These components may be used in the communication system 100 or any other suitable system.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, ED 110 includes at least one processing unit 200. Processing unit 200 implements various processing operations of ED 110. For example, processing unit 200 can perform signal encoding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, or any other function that enables ED 110 to operate in system 100. Processing unit 200 can also be used to implement some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described in more detail herein. Each processing unit 200 includes any suitable processing or computing device for performing one or more operations. For example, each processing unit 200 can include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a field programmable gate array, or an application specific integrated circuit.

[0043] ED 110 also includes at least one transceiver 202. Transceiver 202 is used to modulate data or other content for transmission by at least one antenna 204 or a network interface controller (NIC). Transceiver 202 is also used to demodulate data or other content received by at least one antenna 204. Each transceiver 202 includes any suitable structure for generating signals for wireless or wired transmission and / or for processing signals received by wireless or wired means. Each antenna 204 includes any suitable structure for transmitting and / or receiving wireless or wired signals. One or more transceivers 202 can be used in ED 110. One or more antennas 204 can be used in ED 110. Although transceiver 202 is shown as a single functional unit, it can also be implemented using at least one transmitter and at least one separate receiver.

[0044] ED 110 also includes one or more input / output devices 206 or interfaces (e.g., a wired interface to Internet 150). Input / output devices 206 can interact with users or other devices in the network. Each input / output device 206 includes any suitable structure for providing information to or receiving information from a user, such as a speaker, microphone, keypad, keyboard, display, or touch screen, including network interface communications.

[0045] In addition, the ED 110 includes at least one memory 208. The memory 208 stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by the ED 110. For example, the memory 208 may store software instructions or modules for implementing some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described herein and executed by one or more processing units 200. Each memory 208 includes any suitable one or more volatile and / or non-volatile storage and retrieval devices. Any suitable type of memory may be used, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk, an optical disk, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a secure digital (SD) memory card, etc.

[0046] like Figure 3As shown, the base station 170 includes at least one processing unit 250, at least one transmitter 252, at least one receiver 254, one or more antennas 256, at least one memory 258, and one or more input / output devices or interfaces 266. Transceivers not shown may be used instead of transmitter 252 and receiver 254. Scheduler 253 may be coupled to processing unit 250. Scheduler 253 may be included in base station 170 or may be operated separately from base station 170. Processing unit 250 implements various processing operations of base station 170, such as signal encoding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, or any other function. Processing unit 250 may also be used to implement some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described in detail herein. Each processing unit 250 includes any suitable processing or computing device for performing one or more operations. Each processing unit 250 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a field programmable gate array, or an application-specific integrated circuit, and the like.

[0047] Each transmitter 252 includes any suitable structure for generating signals for wireless or wired transmission with one or more EDs or other devices. Each receiver 254 includes any suitable structure for processing signals received wirelessly or wired from one or more EDs or other devices. Although shown as separate components, at least one transmitter 252 and at least one receiver 254 can be combined into a transceiver. Each antenna 256 includes any suitable structure for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals or wired signals. Although the shared antenna 256 is shown here as coupled to the transmitter 252 and the receiver 254, one or more antennas 256 can be coupled to one or more transmitters 252, and one or more separate antennas 256 can be coupled to one or more receivers 254. Each memory 258 includes any suitable one or more volatile and / or non-volatile storage and retrieval devices, such as those described above in conjunction with ED 110. The memory 258 stores instructions and data used, generated or collected by the base station 170. For example, the memory 258 can store software instructions or modules for implementing some or all of the functions and / or embodiments described herein and executed by the processing unit 250.

[0048] Each input / output device 266 can interact with users or other devices in the network. Each input / output device 266 includes any suitable structure for providing information to a user or receiving / providing information from a user, including network interface communications.

[0049] One or more steps of the exemplary methods provided herein may be performed based on Figure 4 The corresponding unit or module is executed. Figure 41 shows units or modules in a device such as ED 110 or base station 170. For example, a signal may be transmitted by a transmitting unit or a transmitting module. A signal may be received by a receiving unit or a receiving module. A signal may be processed by a processing unit or a processing module. The processing module may include the units / modules described below, in particular, processor 210 or processor 260. Other units / modules may be included in Figure 4 , but not shown. The various units / modules may be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more units / modules may be integrated circuits, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). It should be understood that if these modules are software, these modules may be retrieved in whole or in part by a processor as needed, retrieved individually or collectively for processing, retrieved in one or more instances as needed, and these modules themselves may include instructions for further deployment and instantiation.

[0050] Other details about ED 110 and base station 170 are known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, these details are omitted here.

[0051] Figure 5 Another example of an ED 110 and a base station 170 is shown. The ED 110 is referred to as user equipment (UE) 110 hereinafter.

[0052] In some implementations, the base station 170 may have other names, such as a transmit and receive point (TRP), a base transceiver station, a wireless base station, a network node, a transmit and receive node, a 3G base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a gNB, a relay station, or a remote radio head. In some embodiments, various parts of the base station 170 may be distributed. For example, some modules of the base station 170 may be away from the device that houses the antenna of the base station 170, and may be coupled to the device that houses the antenna through a communication link (not shown). Therefore, in some embodiments, the term base station 170 may also refer to modules that perform processing operations such as resource allocation (scheduling), message generation, and encoding / decoding on the network side, which are not necessarily part of the device that houses the antenna of the base station 170. These modules may also be coupled to other base stations. In some embodiments, the base station 170 may actually be multiple base stations that operate together to serve UE110 through coordinated multi-point transmission, etc.

[0053] The base station 170 includes a transmitter 252 and a receiver 254 coupled to one or more antennas 256. Only one antenna 256 is shown. The transmitter 252 and the receiver 254 may be integrated as a transceiver. The base station 170 also includes a processor 260 for performing operations including preparing transmissions for downlink transmissions to the UE 110 and processing uplink transmissions received from the UE 110. Processing operations related to preparing transmissions for downlink transmissions include operations such as encoding, modulation, precoding (e.g., MIMO precoding), and generating symbol blocks as described herein. Processing operations related to processing uplink transmissions include demodulation, decoding, and extracting symbol blocks as described herein. The processor 260 may configure parameters of the flexible frame structure (e.g., subframe length, etc.) and generate signaling to indicate the parameters to the UE 110. The signaling is then sent by the transmitter 252. The base station 170 also includes a scheduler 253, which may schedule uplink resources in a frame to be allocated to the UE 110 for uplink transmissions, and may also schedule downlink transmissions in a frame. The frame may be any of the flexible frame structures described herein. The base station 100 also includes a memory 258 for storing information and data.

[0054] Although not shown, the processor 260 may constitute a part of the transmitter 252 and / or the receiver 254. In addition, although not shown, the processor 260 may implement the scheduler 253.

[0055] The processor 260, the scheduler 253, and the processing components of the transmitter 252 and the receiver 254 may each be implemented by the same or different one or more processors that execute instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 258). Alternatively, some or all of the processing components of the processor 260, the scheduler 253, and the transmitter 252 and the receiver 254 may be implemented using dedicated circuits, such as a programmed field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphical processing unit (GPU), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0056] UE 110 also includes a transmitter 201 and a receiver 203 coupled to one or more antennas 204. Only one antenna 204 is shown. Transmitter 201 and receiver 203 may be integrated as a transceiver, e.g. Figure 2The UE 110 also includes a processor 210 for performing operations including preparing transmissions for uplink transmissions to the base station 170 and processing downlink transmissions received from the base station 170. Processing operations associated with preparing transmissions for uplink transmissions include operations such as encoding, modulation, and generating symbol blocks as described herein. Processing operations associated with processing downlink transmissions include demodulation, decoding, and extracting symbol blocks as described herein. The processor 210 can extract signaling from the downlink transmission (e.g., by decoding the signaling) to determine parameters of the flexible frame (e.g., determining the subframe length, etc.). The base station 100 also includes a memory 208 for storing information and data.

[0057] Although not shown, the processor 210 may constitute a part of the transmitter 201 and / or the receiver 203 .

[0058] The processor 210 and the processing components of the transmitter 201 and the receiver 203 may each be implemented by the same or different one or more processors, which are used to execute instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 208). Alternatively, the processor 210 and some or all of the processing components of the transmitter 201 and the receiver 203 may be implemented using dedicated circuits, such as FPGAs, GPUs, or ASICs.

[0059] Base station 170 and UE 110 may include other components, but these components are omitted for clarity.

[0060] Frame structure

[0061] The frame structure defines the time domain signal transmission structure, for example, to achieve timing reference and timing alignment of the basic time domain transmission unit. Wireless communication between the UE and one or more base stations occurs on time-frequency resources controlled by the frame structure.

[0062] An example of a frame structure is Figure 6 shown. Figure 6 The frame structure in is an exemplary type of frame structure in LTE. Figure 6 The frame structure in has the following structure: the duration of each frame is 10ms; each frame has 10 subframes, and the duration of each subframe is 1ms; each subframe includes 2 time slots, and the duration of each time slot is 0.5ms; each time slot is used to transmit 7 OFDM symbols (assuming normal CP); each OFDM symbol has a symbol duration t and a specific bandwidth (or partial bandwidth or bandwidth partition) related to the number of subcarriers and the subcarrier spacing. Figure 6The frame structure imposes restrictions on time domain scheduling and duration. For example, scheduling is based on subframes, the frame structure is based on OFDM waveform parameters such as subcarrier spacing and CP length (where CP has a fixed length or finite length option), and the switching gap between uplink and downlink in TDD must be an integer multiple of the OFDM symbol duration.

[0063] Another example of a frame structure is the one defined in NR. In NR, multiple subcarrier spacings are supported, each corresponding to the respective system parameters. The frame structure depends on the system parameters, but in any case the frame length is set to 10ms and consists of 10 subframes, each of 1ms. A slot is defined as 14 OFDM symbols, and the slot length depends on the system parameters. For example, Figure 7 The NR frame structure for normal CP and 15kHz subcarrier spacing ("System Parameter 1") and the NR frame structure for normal CP and 30kHz subcarrier spacing ("System Parameter 2") are shown. For 15kHz subcarrier spacing, the time slot length is 1ms, and for 30kHz subcarrier spacing, the time slot length is 0.5ms.

[0064] The NR frame structure may have greater flexibility than the LTE frame structure, but the NR frame structure still has obvious limitations on time domain scheduling and duration. For example, the time domain granularity is limited by the duration of the OFDM symbol; the frame structure is based on OFDM waveform parameters, such as subcarrier spacing and CP; the CP length is not flexible enough due to the scalable system parameter relationship; there may be resource waste due to the following limitations, such as: limited CP length options, time length limit for the switching gap between uplink and downlink in TDD, time length limit for the AGC measurement duration, and BWP switching gap limit.

[0065] In particular, the following restrictions are typically part of the NR frame structure: a timeslot is defined as 14 OFDM symbols with normal CP or 12 OFDM symbols with extended CP (normal CP and extended CP are supported only with 60kHz subcarrier spacing); an OFDM symbol is the smallest (finest granularity) transmission time unit, e.g., the minimum duration that can be reserved is limited to 1 OFDM symbol (or multiple OFDM symbols); the actual duration (i.e., length) of an OFDM symbol is scalable (inversely scaled) with predefined subcarrier spacing options (15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, etc.); each OFDM symbol has a CP part and a useful (data) part; a subframe is defined as 1ms and a frame is defined as 10 subframes (i.e., 10ms); the minimum duration of the switching gap between uplink and downlink must be at least one OFDM symbol duration, etc.

[0066] Another frame structure that is intended to provide more flexibility than the LTE or NR frame structure is disclosed below. This frame structure is referred to herein as a "flexible frame structure".

[0067] However, before describing embodiments of the flexible frame structure, the concepts of single-carrier waveform and multi-carrier waveform symbol blocks are first described.

[0068] Symbol Block

[0069] A symbol block is the smallest length that can be scheduled in the flexible frame structure described below. A symbol block is a transmission unit with an optional redundancy part (e.g., a CP part) and a data part. An OFDM symbol is an example of a symbol block. However, more generally, a symbol block does not necessarily have to be an OFDM symbol, or even based on a multi-carrier waveform.

[0070] Figure 8 FIG. 2 shows a process for generating a single carrier symbol block provided by an embodiment. A plurality of bits 348 are mapped to one or more data symbols X by a symbol mapper 350. 1 To X K K is a natural number greater than or equal to 1. Each data symbol has a symbol duration t s Symbol mapper 350 may be implemented by a modulator (eg, by processor 210 or 260). One exemplary type of modulation that may be implemented by symbol mapper 350 is quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), in which case one or more data symbols X are modulated by the processor 210 or 260. 1 To X K Each of the data symbols X is a QAM or offset QAM (OQAM) symbol carrying two or more bits 348, depending on the constellation order. The CP is added to one or more data symbols X 1 To X K Before, as shown in 352, for example, to assist equalization in the frequency domain. The content of the CP can be a repetition of one or some of the data symbol content, for example, a repetition of one or more data symbols present at the end of the symbol block, as shown in 352, in which case the symbol carrying the CP can be called a "CP symbol". Thus, a symbol block 354 including the CP and K data symbols is generated, for example, the CP is located at the beginning of the symbol block 354, as shown. The CP portion has a duration t CP , the data part has a duration t Data , which together constitute the duration t of the symbol block 354 SB =t CP +t DataThe symbol block 354 is transmitted over a specific bandwidth (or a portion of a bandwidth or a bandwidth partition), as shown at 356. The symbol block 354 may be transmitted in the uplink or downlink. If the symbol block 354 is an uplink transmission sent by the UE 110, then the symbol block 354 may be transmitted in the uplink or downlink. Figure 8 The components shown and operations described may be implemented by the processor 210 or, if the symbol block 354 is a downlink transmission sent by the base station 170, may be implemented by the processor 260.

[0071] exist Figure 8 In FIG. 3 , symbol block 354 is a single carrier symbol block transmitted in a certain bandwidth portion, i.e., using a single carrier waveform. That is, both CP and data symbols are transmitted on the same single frequency, one after another in time, such as Figure 8 The duration of the single carrier symbol block 354 may be configurable, for example, by configuring the CP length (t CP ) and / or by configuring the number of data symbols (K) (influencing t Data ). In some embodiments, the CP length and / or K may change with a change of a symbol block, or with a change of a symbol block group.

[0072] Above about Figure 8 The depicted single carrier symbol block 354 includes a CP. Alternatively, the CP may be omitted from the single carrier symbol block 354, i.e., CP = 0. In the remaining figures showing single carrier symbol blocks, a CP of non-zero duration is generally shown, but depending on the implementation, the CP does not actually have to be included.

[0073] Fig. 9 FIG. 2 shows a process for generating a multi-carrier symbol block provided by an embodiment. A plurality of bits 348 are converted from serial to parallel in a serial to parallel converter 380 to generate M parallel bit streams, where M is a natural number greater than 1. Each parallel bit stream is mapped by a corresponding symbol mapper 350A-M to generate M data symbols X. 1 To X M Each symbol mapper 350A-M may be implemented by a modulator (e.g., by processor 210 or 260). One exemplary type of modulation that may be implemented by one or more symbol mappers 350A-M is QAM, in which case the resulting data symbol is a QAM or OQAM symbol carrying two or more bits, depending on the constellation order. Each data symbol X 1 To X M The data symbol X is used for transmission on different carrier frequencies (i.e., subcarriers), and the subcarriers have a specific subcarrier spacing. 1 To X MAfter inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) 382 (in some embodiments, it can be implemented as inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT)) to generate N time domain sample outputs, where N is a natural number generally greater than M, and then undergoes parallel-to-serial conversion and CP insertion. Thus, a symbol block 394 including a redundant part (e.g., a CP part) and a data part is generated. The CP part has a duration t CP (also called CP length), the data portion has a duration t Data , which together constitute a symbol block 394 with a duration of t SB =t CP +t Data The CP portion may be a repetition of some data portion, for example, a repetition of the data portion present at the end of symbol block 394. The CP portion may be present at the beginning of symbol block 394, as shown. The data portion of symbol block 394 transmits data symbols X in parallel on M different subcarriers with a specific subcarrier spacing. 1 To X M The symbol block 394 is transmitted over a specific bandwidth (or portion of a bandwidth or a bandwidth partition), as shown at 396. The bandwidth depends on the subcarrier spacing and the number of subcarriers used, and the subcarriers may occupy a portion of a specified bandwidth (or bandwidth partition) or carrier. The symbol block 394 can be transmitted in the uplink or downlink. If the symbol block 394 is an uplink transmission sent by the UE 110, then the symbol block 394 is combined with the UE 110 to transmit the symbol block 394 in the uplink. Fig. 9 The components shown and the operations described may be implemented by the processor 210, or, if the symbol block 394 is a downlink transmission sent by the base station 170, may be implemented by the processor 260. Fig. 9 In a variation of , the serial-to-parallel converter 380 may instead be placed after (downstream) the symbol mappers, in which case the number of symbol mappers may be 1 or M, depending on the implementation.

[0074] exist Fig. 9 In the example, the symbol block 394 is multi-carrier, that is, a multi-carrier waveform is used. That is, the CP and data symbols are transmitted on multiple subcarriers, and the data symbols are transmitted in the data duration t Data The signal is transmitted in parallel on multiple subcarriers.

[0075] An example of a multi-carrier symbol block is an OFDM symbol. Examples of applications that can utilize OFDM-based multi-carrier waveforms include orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) and single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).

[0076] The size of IDFT 382 refers to the number of samples N output by IDFT 382. The size of IDFT 382 affects the length of symbol block 394 for a given sampling frequency. In particular, the larger the size of IDFT 382 (i.e., the larger N), the longer the duration t of symbol block 394. SB The IDFT 382 is longer because there are more output samples to transmit. The size of the IDFT 382 also directly affects the number of data symbols (M) that can be transmitted in an OFDM symbol and the subcarrier spacing, assuming that the OFDM symbol is of fixed bandwidth. The smaller the IDFT size N, the fewer data symbols can be transmitted in an OFDM symbol, which means a larger subcarrier spacing because fewer subcarriers are used on the same bandwidth. For example, assume N=1024, M=600, and the subcarrier spacing is 15kHz. If the IDFT size N is subsequently reduced to N=512, then M=300, which means that half of the data symbols are transmitted in an OFDM symbol. If the bandwidth remains unchanged, the subcarrier spacing is therefore twice the original 600 data symbols (distributing the 300 data symbols over the same frequency range as the original 600 data symbols), that is, the subcarrier spacing is set to 30kHz.

[0077] In some embodiments, Fig. 9 The IDFT 382 in FIG. 3 is implemented as an IFFT. However, the IFFT imposes a power-of-2 restriction on the IDFT 382 size, i.e., the IDFT 382 size N is a power of 2 (e.g., N is 512 or 1024 or 2048, etc.). Therefore, the IFFT also imposes a power-of-2 restriction on the OFDM symbol length t SB and subcarrier spacing. Scaling can only be based on a factor of two (for example, the subcarrier spacing can be 15kHz or 30kHz, but not in between, and the OFDM symbol duration also scales based on this limitation). More generally, the power-of-two limitation on the IFFT may be undesirable, so the IFFT may not necessarily be used, for example, if one wishes to generate OFDM symbols of a specific duration that cannot be obtained using the IFFT. Furthermore, more generally, a multicarrier waveform carrying a block of symbols need not be generated using the IDFT, but can be generated in the time domain using another time domain method. For example, time domain pulses can be pre-generated based on the subbands occupied by the transmitter. A time domain signal transmitted at a certain rate can then be generated by convolving a sequence of baseband symbols (e.g., QAM) with the pre-generated time domain pulses.

[0078] The duration of the symbol block 394 may be configurable, as described below, by configuring the CP length (t CP ) and / or by configuring the IDFT size N. In some embodiments, the CP length and / or the IDFT size may change with a change in a symbol block, or with a change in a symbol block group.

[0079] It should be noted that the duration of a single-carrier waveform symbol based on QAM is much shorter than the duration of a multi-carrier (such as OFDM) symbol. Figure 8 In the data symbol X 1 The duration of the symbol is t SB part of Fig. 9 In the example, the duration of the symbol is equal to t SB This is because in a multi-carrier waveform, the length of a "symbol" (e.g., an OFDM symbol) is equal to the symbol block, since the data is transmitted in parallel across the subcarriers, whereas in a single-carrier waveform, a symbol block consists of multiple symbols transmitted one after the other, all within the symbol block duration.

[0080] Any modulation scheme can be Figure 8 Symbol mapper 350 (in the case of a single carrier waveform) or Fig. 9 The symbol mappers 350A-N of (in the case of a multi-carrier waveform) are implemented. If there are multiple symbol mappers, for example, Fig. 9 As shown, different symbol mappers can implement different modulation schemes. Exemplary modulation schemes include BPSK, PSK, QAM, and offset QAM (OQAM). OQAM is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 567,122, filed on Sep. 11, 2019, and is incorporated herein by reference. In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 567,122, a circular convolution single carrier OQAM waveform is described. This is an example of a waveform that can be transmitted in a symbol block in the flexible frame structure disclosed herein.

[0081] Flexible frame structure

[0082] In order to address some of the limitations in the LTE and / or NR frame structure, a flexible frame structure is disclosed herein. Embodiments of the flexible frame structure include different configurable parameters, such as frame length, subframe length, symbol block length, etc. In some embodiments of the flexible frame structure, a non-exhaustive list of possible configurable parameters includes:

[0083] (1) Multiple options for frame definition: The frame length need not be limited to 10 ms, and the frame length can be configurable and change over time. In some embodiments, each frame includes one or more downlink synchronization channels and / or one or more downlink broadcast channels, and each synchronization channel and / or broadcast channel can be transmitted in different directions through different beamforming. The synchronization channel can be used by the UE for initial access to the network, for example, by the UE blindly detecting the synchronization channel, and then the UE decodes the broadcast channel. In some embodiments, the frame length can be blindly detected by the UE through synchronization search (for example, based on the period of the synchronization channel), while in other embodiments, the frame length is indicated by the broadcast channel. In some embodiments, the period of the synchronization channel can control the speed of initial access: the shorter the period of the synchronization channel, the more opportunities the UE has to perform initial access. When the frame length is associated with the period of the synchronization channel, the frame length controls the speed of initial access: the shorter the frame length, the more opportunities the UE has to perform initial access. For example, if initial access through the synchronization channel can be once per frame, and if the frame length is 10 ms, the UE has the opportunity to initially access the network once every 10 ms. If the frame length is 1 ms, the UE has the opportunity to initially access the network once every 1 ms. It should be noted that when the frame length is indicated by the broadcast channel, there may be no mapping relationship between the frame length and the period of the synchronization channel. The frame length can be multiple possible values ​​and is configured according to the application scenario. For example, an autonomous vehicle may require relatively fast initial access, in which case the frame length corresponding to the autonomous vehicle application can be set to 5ms. For another example, a smart meter on a house may not require fast initial access, in which case the frame length corresponding to the smart meter application can be set to 20ms.

[0084] (2) Multiple options for subframe duration: Depending on the implementation, subframes may be defined in a flexible frame structure or not. For example, a frame may be defined to include time slots but not subframes. In a frame where subframes are defined, for example, for time domain alignment, the duration of the subframe may be configurable. For example, the subframe length may be configured to be 0.1ms or 0.2ms or 0.5ms or 1ms or 2ms or 5ms, etc. In some embodiments, if subframes are not required in a specific scenario, the subframe length may be defined to be the same as the frame length or may not be defined. In one embodiment, the subframe configuration is common to all UEs or a group of UEs. In this case, the subframe configuration information may be transmitted to the UE in a broadcast channel or a common control channel, and the UE may obtain the subframe configuration information by decoding the broadcast channel or the common control channel. In other embodiments, the subframe configuration may be UE-specific, in which case the subframe configuration information may be transmitted in a UE-specific control channel, and the UE may obtain the subframe configuration information by decoding the UE-specific control channel. The UE-specific control channel may be transmitted periodically or aperiodically. Generally, a subframe configuration may be system-shared, base station-shared, UE group-shared, or UE-specific.

[0085] (3) Flexible time slot configuration: Depending on the implementation, time slots may or may not be defined in a flexible frame structure. In a frame where time slots are defined, the definition of the time slots (e.g., in terms of duration and / or number of symbol blocks) may be configurable. In one embodiment, the time slot configuration is common to all UEs or a group of UEs. In this case, the time slot configuration information may be transmitted to the UE in a broadcast channel or a common control channel, and the UE may obtain the time slot configuration information by decoding the broadcast channel or the common control channel. In other embodiments, the time slot configuration may be UE-specific, in which case the time slot configuration information may be transmitted in a UE-specific control channel, and the UE may obtain the time slot configuration information by decoding the UE-specific control channel. The UE-specific control channel may be transmitted periodically or aperiodically. In some embodiments, the time slot configuration signaling may be transmitted together with the frame configuration signaling and / or the subframe configuration signaling. In other embodiments, the time slot configuration may be transmitted independently of the frame configuration signaling and / or the subframe configuration signaling. Generally, the time slot configuration may be system-shared, base station-shared, UE group-shared, or UE-specific.

[0086] (4) Flexible transmission duration of basic transmission unit: The basic transmission unit described here is a symbol block, which usually includes a redundant part (called CP) and a data part, but in some embodiments, the CP can be omitted from the symbol block. The CP length can be flexible and configurable. The CP length (t CP) can be fixed within a frame or flexible within a frame, and the CP length can change with the change of frames, or with the change of frame groups, or with the change of subframes, or with the change of time slots, or dynamically with the change of scheduling. The data part can be flexible and configurable. For example, the number of data symbols transmitted in the data part of the symbol block (in the case of a single-carrier waveform) or the IDFT size and / or the subcarrier spacing (in the case of a multi-carrier waveform) can be flexible and configurable. The duration of the data part of the symbol block (t Data ) can be fixed within a frame or flexible within a frame, and the duration of the data portion can change with the change of the frame, or with the change of the frame group, or with the change of the subframe, or with the change of the time slot, or dynamically with the change of the scheduling. Another possible parameter related to the symbol block that can be defined is the ratio of the CP duration to the data duration, for example, in a single carrier waveform, the ratio of the number of data symbols used for the CP to the total number of data symbols transmitted in the symbol block. In some embodiments, when a multi-carrier waveform is used to transmit a symbol block, the symbol block length and / or the CP length in the symbol block does not need to be fixed according to a predefined subcarrier spacing. In view of the above possible configurations, the symbol block length (t SB ) can therefore be adaptive. The symbol block length (t SB ) can be adjusted based on channel conditions (e.g., multipath delay, Doppler) and / or delay requirements and / or available time. As another example, the CP length can be increased by determining that the multipath delay in the channel is higher than the average or based on a timing offset or timing synchronization requirement. As another example, the symbol block length can be adjusted to accommodate the available time in the frame. As another example, a longer symbol block length can be used to reduce pilot and CP overhead, except in low-delay applications where a longer symbol block length may not be desirable, for example, in low-delay applications where data should be decoded faster, which is beneficial to have a shorter symbol block length, but may result in a larger pilot overhead.

[0087] (5) Flexible switching gap: A frame may include a downlink part for downlink transmission from a base station and an uplink part for uplink transmission from a UE. There is a gap between each uplink part and downlink part, which is called a switching gap. The switching gap length (duration) may be configurable. The switching gap duration may be fixed within a frame or may be flexible within a frame. The switching gap duration may change with changes in frames, or with changes in frame groups, or with changes in subframes, or with changes in time slots, or dynamically with changes in scheduling.

[0088] An example of a flexible frame structure based on a single carrier waveform is Fig.10As shown. Each symbol transmitted in a frame either carries data (data symbol) or transmits all or part of a CP. A symbol that transmits all or part of a CP is called a CP symbol. Multiple symbol blocks are scheduled in a frame. A frame includes a downlink part and an uplink part. The following parameters may be configured: (1) frame length; (2) subframe length / definition in the case where subframes are defined (subframes do not need to be defined); (3) slot length / definition in the case where slots are defined (slots do not need to be defined); (4) CP length, which may vary between symbol blocks and may be measured based on the number of CP symbols (e.g., downlink symbol block 1 has 1 CP symbol and downlink symbol block 2 has 2 CP symbols); (5) the length of the data portion, which may be controlled by configuring how many data symbols are transmitted in a symbol block (e.g., downlink symbol block 2 transmits more data symbols than downlink symbol block 1 and therefore has a longer data portion than downlink symbol block 1); (6) switching gap length, which need not be related to the symbol length or symbol block length (e.g., a switching gap may be shorter than 1 symbol, as shown in 402, and generally a switching gap need not be an integer multiple of the symbol duration), furthermore, generally unequal switching gap lengths may coexist in the same frame and / or the switching gap length may vary from frame to frame; (7) the ratio between the duration of the CP symbol and the duration of the data symbol, which may be adjusted. Different symbol block durations can coexist in the same frame. Fig.10 In the embodiment, there is a switching gap for switching from downlink to uplink and for switching from uplink to downlink. However, in other embodiments, there may be a gap for switching from downlink to uplink or for switching from uplink to downlink.

[0089] In some embodiments, the CP may not exist in one or more symbol blocks, that is, the CP length t CP = 0. An example is Fig.10 Downlink symbol block 3 in the IFFT includes only data symbols. In some embodiments, the switching gap duration may be an integer multiple of the symbol duration, especially because in a single carrier symbol block, the duration of a symbol is usually much shorter than a traditional OFDM symbol generated by IFFT. Fig.10 An example is shown in 404, which shows that the switching gap duration is twice the symbol duration.

[0090] Fig.10 A frame is shown as part of a time division duplex (TDD) configuration. Fig.11 yes Fig.10 A variation of , where the frame is part of a frequency division duplex (FDD) configuration. The same parameters are adjustable, but in Fig.11 In the case of , frames are either downlink or uplink only. Downlink frames and uplink frames are transmitted on different frequency bands. Fig.11 As shown, the downlink frame can have the same duration as the uplink frame and be sent simultaneously with the uplink frame, but this is not necessary. Generally, as shown, the symbol block length and CP / data symbol ratio between the uplink frame and the downlink frame can be different. For example, in Fig.11 In the example, downlink symbol block 1 has 1 CP symbol and 4 data symbols, while uplink symbol block 1 has 2 CP symbols and 9 data symbols. In general, the number of symbol blocks in a downlink frame can be different from the number of symbol blocks in an uplink frame, i.e., m is Fig.11 In some embodiments, as shown, the basic symbol durations of uplink and downlink may be the same (ie, the symbol durations of downlink and uplink are the same), but this is not necessary.

[0091] Although not shown, Fig.11 In a variation of , the flexible frame structure can be used in a full-duplex system, for example, where the uplink frame and the downlink frame share the same time-frequency resources but have different frame configurations. In some embodiments, full-duplex can be supported in the entire frame or in a portion of the frame (e.g., within a specific time period in the frame).

[0092] exist Fig.10 and Fig.11 In the example shown, the CP duration of one or more symbol blocks may be 0 ms, that is, the symbol block has no CP, for example, Fig.10 As shown in downlink symbol block 3.

[0093] An example of a flexible frame structure based on a multi-carrier waveform is Fig.12 Each symbol block includes a data portion and a redundant portion in the form of a CP. The CP may be located at the beginning of each symbol block, such as Fig.12 As shown. Each symbol block transmits multiple data symbols in parallel on multiple subcarriers. Multiple symbol blocks are scheduled in a frame. The frame includes a downlink part and an uplink part. The following parameters can be configured: (1) frame length; (2) subframe length / definition when subframes are defined (no subframe definition is required); (3) time slot length / definition when time slots are defined (no time slot definition is required); (4) CP length, which can vary between symbol blocks (for example, downlink symbol block 1 has a longer CP length than downlink symbol block 4); (5) the length of the data part, which can be controlled by configuring a specific IDFT size and / or subcarrier spacing (for example, uplink symbol block 2 has a longer data part than uplink symbol block 1); (6) switching gap length, which does not need to be related to the symbol block length (for example, the switching gap can be shorter than one symbol block, such as Fig.12As shown in , and generally the switching gap does not need to be an integer multiple of the symbol block length), in addition, generally unequal switching gap lengths can coexist in the same frame, and / or the switching gap length may vary from frame to frame; (7) The ratio between the duration of the CP and the duration of the data can be adjusted. Unequal symbol block durations can coexist in the same frame, and unequal symbol blocks may have the same subcarrier spacing or different subcarrier spacing, depending on the configuration. It should be noted that in Fig.12 In the embodiment, there is a switching gap for switching from downlink to uplink and for switching from uplink to downlink. However, in other embodiments, there may be a gap for switching from downlink to uplink or for switching from uplink to downlink.

[0094] Fig.12 A frame is shown as part of a TDD configuration. Fig.13 yes Fig.12 A variation of , where the frame is part of an FDD configuration. The same parameters are adjustable, but in Fig.13 In the case of a 4-bit ... Fig.13 As shown, the downlink frame can have the same duration as the uplink frame and be sent at the same time as the uplink frame, but this is not necessary. Fig.13 As shown in , the symbol block length and CP / data length ratio between the uplink frame and the downlink frame can be different. In general, the number of symbol blocks in the downlink frame can be different from the number of symbol blocks in the uplink frame, that is, m is Fig.13 is not necessarily equal to n.

[0095] Although not shown, Fig.13 In a variation of , the flexible frame structure may be used in a full-duplex system, for example, where uplink frames and downlink frames share the same time-frequency resources.

[0096] An example of a flexible frame structure including single carrier waveforms and multi-carrier waveforms is as follows Fig.14 As shown. Multi-carrier symbol blocks and single-carrier symbol blocks can coexist in the same frame, such as Fig.14 As shown. In a specific time resource in a frame, a single carrier symbol block or a multi-carrier symbol block can be scheduled, for example, to meet different requirements. Different time domain granularities can also be supported, such as Fig.14As shown. A frame includes a downlink part and an uplink part. The following parameters can be configured: (1) frame length; (2) subframe length / definition when subframes are defined (subframes do not need to be defined); (3) slot length / definition when slots are defined (slots do not need to be defined); (4) CP length, which can vary between symbol blocks; (5) length of the data part, which can vary between symbol blocks; (6) switching gap length, which does not need to be related to the symbol block length (for example, the switching gap can be shorter than one symbol block, as shown in the figure, and generally the switching gap does not need to be an integer multiple of the symbol block length), in addition, generally unequal switching gap lengths can coexist in the same frame, and / or the switching gap length can vary from frame to frame; (7) the ratio between the duration of the CP and the duration of the data; (8) the duration within a frame transmitting a single carrier waveform and / or the duration within a frame transmitting a multi-carrier waveform, the duration can be dynamically indicated by the base station, for example, using a UE-specific channel, such as through a scheduling signal. Unequal symbol block durations can coexist in the same frame. It should be noted that although Fig.14 Although not shown in the figure, the bandwidth occupied by the single-carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block may be different. In some embodiments, the bandwidth occupied by the single-carrier symbol block is smaller than or much smaller than the bandwidth occupied by the multi-carrier symbol block.

[0097] Fig.14 A frame is shown as part of a TDD configuration. Fig.15 yes Fig.14 A variation of , where the frame is part of an FDD configuration. The same parameters are adjustable, but in Fig.15 In the case of , frames are either downlink or uplink only. Downlink frames and uplink frames are transmitted on different frequency bands. Fig.15 As shown, the downlink frame can have the same duration as the uplink frame and be sent at the same time as the uplink frame, but this is not necessary. Fig.15 As shown in , the symbol block length and CP / data length ratio between the uplink frame and the downlink frame can be different. Similarly, the number of symbol blocks in the downlink frame can generally be different from the number of symbol blocks in the uplink frame.

[0098] Although not shown, Fig.15 In a variation of , the flexible frame structure may be used in a full-duplex system, for example, where uplink frames and downlink frames share the same time-frequency resources.

[0099] Fig.16 Shows Fig.15 A variation of , where frames can be defined on different frequency partitions (e.g., different bandwidth portions), and different frequency partitions can have different symbol configurations within the same duration. Although more frequency partitions may be included, Fig.16The example in only shows two frequency partitions. In a specific time duration, one frequency partition can transmit a single-carrier based signal, and another frequency partition can transmit a multi-carrier based signal, and symbol blocks do not need to be time-aligned between different frequency partitions. Fig.16 In the embodiment of the present invention, the start time and end time of a symbol block in one frequency partition are not always aligned with the start time and end time of a symbol block in another frequency partition. However, the switching gap between the downlink and uplink is time-aligned on the frequency partition, as shown in 482, which is relatively easy to implement due to the flexibility of the symbol block duration in each frequency partition. The length of the switching gap can be configurable and can change within a frame or as the frame changes. In order to control the inter-band interference caused by different symbol configurations, sub-band windowing, sub-band filtering and / or guard bands can be applied. The guard band is a small portion of the frequency domain resource that separates two adjacent sub-bands and is not used for signal transmission to reduce inter-band interference between the two sub-bands.

[0100] Fig.16 The example in shows mixed single-carrier and multi-carrier use cases. Fig.16 The examples in are alternatively applicable to single carrier or multi-carrier use cases (e.g., Fig.16 All single carrier symbol blocks in Fig.16 In some embodiments, one frequency partition may be used only for transmitting single-carrier based signals, and another frequency partition may be used only for transmitting multi-carrier based signals. Fig.16 In a variation of this, the flexible frame structure can be used in an FDD system where the uplink and downlink occupy different carriers, with Fig.11 , Fig.13 and Fig.15 Similarly, or used in a full-duplex system, for example, where uplink frames and downlink frames share the same time-frequency resources.

[0101] Data symbols transmitted in any flexible frame structure disclosed herein, such as in Figures 10 to 16 In the frame structure shown in , the symbol mapper (i.e., in the case of a single carrier waveform, Figure 8 symbol mapper 350, or in the case of a multi-carrier waveform, Fig. 9 The EMBODIMENT 1 may be generated by any modulation scheme implemented by the symbol mappers 350A-N of the embodiment. Exemplary modulation schemes include BPSK, PSK, QAM, and OQAM.

[0102] Signaling of flexible frame structure parameters

[0103] As described above, the flexible frame structure may have several configurable parameters, such as a configurable frame length, a configurable subframe duration, a configurable time slot duration, a configurable symbol block length, etc. These configurable parameters need to be determined by the UE. In some embodiments, one or more of the configurable parameters may be pre-configured or dynamically determined by the UE. Some examples are listed below.

[0104] 1. Frame length

[0105] In some embodiments, the frame length is known and preconfigured, such as predefined by a standard.

[0106] In some embodiments, if there is more than one possible frame length value, the selection of the frame length may be associated with a specific application scenario or deployment scenario. For example, the UE may be pre-configured to know the frame length based on the application, for example, an autonomous vehicle application may be pre-configured to have a frame length of 5 ms, and a smart meter application may be pre-configured to have a frame length of 10 ms or longer (e.g., 20 ms).

[0107] In some embodiments, each frame may include at least one downlink synchronization channel, and the UE may blindly detect the synchronization signal in the synchronization channel and obtain the frame length therefrom. An example is as follows: a frame may include one or more downlink synchronization channels and one or more downlink broadcast channels. Each synchronization channel and / or broadcast channel may be transmitted in different directions through different beamforming. Therefore, there may be multiple possibilities for accessing or re-accessing the system in a frame. When the UE initially accesses or re-accesses the system, the UE blindly searches for the synchronization channel. After successfully synchronizing to the system, the UE may obtain the basic information required for further communication by decoding the broadcast channel. Then, more information / signaling may be obtained from the second-level broadcast channel. For example, the channel resources and transmission parameters / settings may be indicated in the basic information carried by the broadcast channel, and then the basic information may be used to obtain the second-level broadcast channel information (for example, the basic information may indicate the video resource where the second-level broadcast information is located). Then, the second-level broadcast channel information may be used to obtain other information / signaling. The frame length may be present in the basic information or in the second-level broadcast channel information.

[0108] In some embodiments, for example, if the transmission period of the synchronization channel and / or the broadcast channel is predefined, the frame length is obtained from the period of the synchronization channel and / or the period of the broadcast channel. For example, if there is a mapping relationship between the frame length and the period of the synchronization channel, the frame length can also be determined by knowing or determining the period of the synchronization channel.

[0109] 2. Subframe configuration

[0110] In general, a subframe may or may not be defined (ie, a subframe may be "enabled" or "disabled") and may be indicated using control signaling.

[0111] In some embodiments, a frame may include a downlink broadcast channel, and the subframe length may be determined by the UE using information in the broadcast channel. For example, the UE may decode the broadcast channel, and information indicating the subframe length may exist as part of the information in the broadcast channel. For example, the broadcast channel may include a two-bit field for indicating which subframe length is defined for the frame, for example, '00' = undefined subframe length, '01' = 2ms subframe length, '10' = 5ms subframe length, '11' = 10ms subframe length. In some embodiments, the basic broadcast information decoded in the broadcast channel indicates the location of other time-frequency resources in the frame that the UE is to decode to obtain the subframe length. For example, the subframe length may be present in the second-level broadcast channel information located at the other time-frequency resource.

[0112] If the subframe length is not UE-specific (i.e., the subframe length is the same for multiple UEs) and / or if the subframe length configuration is to be based on the frame configuration, for example, if the subframe length configuration of a frame changes slowly, such as changing from frame to frame, then using a broadcast channel to indicate the subframe length may be appropriate.

[0113] In other embodiments, the subframe length may be indicated using multicast or unicast signaling. In some embodiments, the subframe length may be indicated in a common control channel, which may be transmitted periodically in a configured period, or in an aperiodic manner requiring blind detection by the UE. In some embodiments, the subframe length may be indicated to the UE using dynamic signaling (e.g., downlink control information (DCI)) or high-level signaling (e.g., radio resource control (RRC) signaling). If DCI is used to indicate the subframe length, the DCI may be a UE-specific DCI or a group-common DCI.

[0114] In some embodiments, UE-specific RRC signaling is used to indicate possible options for subframe configuration (excluding subframe configuration), and DCI can be used to indicate which specific subframe configuration will be used for the frame. The DCI can be located at the beginning of the frame, or at another location that can be indicated by RRC signaling, or at another location that can be indicated by information in a broadcast channel (e.g., in a second-level broadcast channel).

[0115] In a specific example, a group common DCI or a UE specific DCI is used to indicate the subframe configuration of a frame. The DCI may be located at the beginning of the frame. Alternatively, the DCI may be located in a previous frame, where the position is either indicated to the UE or predefined, such as specified in the standard. If the position is indicated, the indicated position parameters may include a frame number and / or an offset of the position within the previous frame.

[0116] In another specific example, the broadcasted system information is used to indicate possible options for subframe configurations, and a group common or UE-specific DCI is used to indicate which specific subframe configuration will be used. The DCI may be located at the beginning of the frame. Alternatively, the DCI may be located in a previous frame, where the location is either indicated to the UE or predefined, such as specified in the standard. If the location is indicated, the indicated location parameters may include a frame number and / or an offset of the location within the previous frame.

[0117] In some embodiments, RRC signaling is used to indicate a subframe configuration based on a frame, and DCI is used to dynamically update / change the configuration within a frame, for example, DCI is used to dynamically change the subframe length within a frame.

[0118] In some embodiments, RRC signaling is used to indicate possible options for subframe configuration, and DCI may be used to indicate the selection of subframe configuration for a frame and the update of the subframe length within the frame.

[0119] In some embodiments, the subframe length may be implicit, for example depending on the application scenario, and / or indicated by the position or period of one or more synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), or by the position or period of a common broadcast channel.

[0120] In some embodiments, the enabling and disabling of subframes is associated with certain applications / services or deployment scenarios. In this case, explicit signaling is not required to indicate the on and off of the subframe setting. For example, it can be pre-configured that if the application is an autonomous vehicle, the subframe is defined, and if the application is a smart meter, the subframe is not defined. The subframe length can also be pre-configured according to the application / service or deployment scenario, for example, if the application is a smart meter, the subframe is 1ms.

[0121] 3.Time slot configuration

[0122] In general, a timeslot may or may not be defined (ie, a timeslot may be "enabled" or "disabled") and may be indicated using control signaling.

[0123] The slot length may be defined according to the time length (eg, the slot length is 1 ms) or the number of symbol blocks (eg, the slot length is 7 OFDM symbols).

[0124] In some embodiments, the time slot configuration (e.g., time slot length) can be implicit, for example depending on the application scenario, and / or indicated by the position or period of one or more synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), or by the position or period of a common broadcast channel.

[0125] In some embodiments, the time slot configuration may be explicitly indicated, for example, carried by broadcast signaling, RRC signaling, group common DCI or UE-specific DCI.

[0126] In some embodiments, UE-specific RRC signaling is used to indicate possible options for time slot configuration (excluding time slot configuration), and DCI (UE-specific DCI) can be used to indicate which specific time slot configuration will be used for the frame. The DCI can be located at the beginning of the frame, or at another location that can be indicated by RRC signaling, or at another location that can be indicated by information in a broadcast channel (e.g., in a second-level broadcast channel).

[0127] In a specific example, a group common DCI or a UE specific DCI is used to indicate the time slot configuration of a frame. The DCI may be located at the beginning of a frame. Alternatively, the DCI may be located in a previous frame, where the location is either indicated to the UE or predefined, such as specified in a standard. If the location is indicated, the indicated location parameters may include a frame number and / or an offset of the location within the previous frame.

[0128] In another specific example, the broadcasted system information is used to indicate possible options for the time slot configuration, and the group common or UE-specific DCI is used to indicate which specific time slot configuration will be used. The DCI may be located at the beginning of the frame. Alternatively, the DCI may be located in the previous frame, where the location is either indicated to the UE or predefined, such as specified in the standard. If the location is indicated, the indicated location parameters may include a frame number and / or an offset of the location within the previous frame.

[0129] In some embodiments, RRC signaling is used to indicate a time slot configuration based on a frame, and DCI is used to dynamically update / change the configuration within a frame, for example, DCI is used to dynamically change the time slot length within a frame.

[0130] In some embodiments, RRC signaling is used to indicate possible options for time slot configuration, and DCI may be used to indicate the selection of the time slot configuration of a frame and the update of the time slot length within the frame.

[0131] In some embodiments, the enabling and disabling of time slots is associated with certain applications / services or deployment scenarios. In this case, no explicit signaling is required to indicate the on and off of the time slot setting. For example, it can be pre-configured that if the application is an autonomous vehicle, a time slot is defined, and if the application is a smart meter, no time slot is defined. The length of the time slot (time or number of symbols) can also be pre-configured according to the application / service or deployment scenario, for example, if the application is a smart meter, the time slot is 14 OFDM symbols (or more).

[0132] 4. Symbol block configuration

[0133] In some embodiments, the configuration of the symbol block (eg, symbol block length, CP relative to data portion, etc.) may be defined on a frame basis or on a UE basis. Signaling options include RRC signaling or DCI on a per-UE basis, or common control signaling.

[0134] In some embodiments, UE-specific RRC signaling is used to indicate possible options for symbol block configuration, and DCI can be used to indicate which specific symbol block will be used for a frame. The DCI can be located at the beginning of the frame, or at another location that can be indicated by RRC signaling, or another location that can be indicated by information in a broadcast channel (e.g., in a second-level broadcast channel).

[0135] In a specific example, a group common DCI or a UE specific DCI is used to indicate the symbol block configuration of a frame. The DCI may be located at the beginning of a frame. Alternatively, the DCI may be located in a previous frame, where the position is either indicated to the UE or predefined, such as specified in a standard. If the position is indicated, the indicated position parameters may include a frame number and / or an offset of the position within the previous frame.

[0136] In another specific example, the broadcasted system information is used to indicate possible options for symbol block configurations, and a group common or UE-specific DCI is used to indicate which specific symbol block configuration will be used. The DCI may be located at the beginning of the frame. Alternatively, the DCI may be located in a previous frame, where the location is either indicated to the UE or predefined, such as specified in the standard. If the location is indicated, the indicated location parameters may include a frame number and / or an offset of the location within the previous frame.

[0137] In some embodiments, RRC signaling is used to indicate a frame-based symbol block configuration, and DCI is used to dynamically update / change the configuration within a frame, for example, DCI is used to dynamically change the symbol block length (and / or CP length) within a frame.

[0138] In some embodiments, RRC signaling is used to indicate possible options for symbol block configuration, and DCI may be used to indicate the selection of symbol block configuration for a frame and the update of symbol block length (and / or CP length) within the frame.

[0139] In some embodiments, the symbol block configuration may be associated with certain applications / services or deployment scenarios. In this case, no explicit signaling is required to indicate the symbol block configuration. For example, it may be pre-configured that if the application is an autonomous vehicle, all symbol blocks are OFDM symbols with a specific duration CP. As another example, all symbol blocks may be pre-configured to be OFDM symbols with a specific duration CP for specific latency requirements of ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC).

[0140] In general, there is a trade-off between signaling overhead and flexibility: the greater the flexibility of the frame structure, the greater the overhead signaling required to inform the UE of the frame structure parameters. However, the benefits of a flexible frame structure, for example, to accommodate different application scenarios and / or improve data transmission, offset the potential additional signaling overhead.

[0141] General Methods

[0142] Fig.17 A method performed by an apparatus is provided for one embodiment. The apparatus may be a base station (e.g., base station 170) or a UE (e.g., UE 110). The method relates to wireless communication, and in particular, to transmission in a wireless communication system. In step 502, a first symbol block is generated. For example, the first symbol block may be generated as a single carrier symbol block or a multi-carrier symbol block, as described above in conjunction with Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The first symbol block has a first CP and a first data portion. In step 504, a second symbol block is generated. For example, the second symbol block can be generated as a single carrier symbol block or a multi-carrier symbol block, as described above in conjunction with Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The second symbol block has a second CP and a second data portion. In step 506, the first symbol block is transmitted, and in step 508, the second symbol block is transmitted. For example, if the symbol block is already Fig.17 If the method is previously generated, then the generating steps 502 and 504 may be optional.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first symbol block has a first duration and the second symbol block has a second duration different from the first duration. In some embodiments, the first symbol block and the second symbol block are transmitted in the same frame. In some examples, the first symbol block and the second symbol block are transmitted in different subframes and / or in different time slots. In some embodiments, the first CP has a different length from the second CP. In some embodiments, the first data portion has a different duration from the second data portion.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first symbol block is a single carrier symbol block, and the first data portion includes a first group of data symbols transmitted on the same single carrier frequency. In some embodiments, the second symbol block is a multi-carrier symbol block, and the second data portion includes a second group of data symbols, each data symbol in the second group of data symbols being transmitted on a respective different subcarrier frequency. In some embodiments, the second symbol block is an OFDM symbol.

[0145] In some embodiments, the frame includes an uplink portion and a downlink portion, and the first symbol block and the second symbol block are both transmitted in the uplink portion or the downlink portion. In some embodiments, there is a configurable switching gap between the uplink portion and the downlink portion. The duration of the configurable switching gap may not be a function of the symbol length or the symbol block length. In some embodiments, the first symbol block and the second symbol block are transmitted on a first bandwidth, and the method may further include transmitting and receiving other symbol blocks on a second bandwidth. The configurable switching gap may be located at the same time position and aligned in time in the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth (e.g., such as Fig.16 ).

[0146] In some embodiments, the first symbol block is transmitted in a first subframe and the second symbol block is transmitted in a second subframe. In some embodiments, the first symbol block is transmitted in a first time slot and the second symbol block is transmitted in a second time slot. In some embodiments, the first symbol block is transmitted to or by a first UE and the second symbol block is transmitted to or by a second UE. In some embodiments, the first symbol block and the second symbol block are transmitted to or by the same UE.

[0147] In some embodiments, the method further comprises acquiring control information, the control information representing at least one of: a duration of the first CP, a duration of the second CP, a first data duration, a second data duration, a subframe length, a subframe position, a time slot length, a time slot position, a switching gap length, and a switching gap position. In some embodiments, acquiring the control information comprises: receiving coded control information; decoding the coded control information to acquire the control information. The coded control information may be received in a downlink (e.g., in a downlink portion of a frame) or in an uplink (e.g., in an uplink portion of a frame) or in a sidelink (e.g., in a device-to-device communication).

[0148] In some embodiments, the first symbol block and the second symbol block are transmitted by a base station. In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting control information, wherein the control information represents at least one of the following: duration of the first CP, duration of the second CP, first data duration, second data duration, subframe length, subframe position, time slot length, time slot position, switching gap length, and switching gap position.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first symbol block and the second symbol block are transmitted in different frames.

[0150] The above article about Fig.17 The method embodiments described are examples only. Other methods are also possible. Some other example methods are described below.

[0151] In some embodiments, a method for transmitting in a wireless communication system is provided. The method may include: generating a first group of data symbols on the same single carrier frequency; generating a first CP using at least one of the first group of data symbols; adding the first group of data symbols to the first CP to generate a single carrier symbol block (e.g., Figure 8 The method may also include: generating a second set of data symbols, each data symbol in the second set of data symbols being at a respective different subcarrier frequency; operating the second set of data symbols using an inverse discrete Fourier transform to obtain a data portion; adding the data portion to the second CP to generate a multi-carrier symbol block (e.g., as Fig. 9 ). The method may also include transmitting a single carrier symbol block and a multi-carrier symbol block. In some embodiments, the single carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block are transmitted in the same frame. In some examples, the single carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block are transmitted in different subframes and / or in different time slots. In some embodiments, the single carrier symbol block has a first duration, and the multi-carrier symbol block has a second duration different from the first duration. In some embodiments, the first CP has a length different from the second CP. In some embodiments, the multi-carrier symbol block is an OFDM symbol. In some embodiments, the frame includes an uplink portion and a downlink portion, and the single carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block are both transmitted in the uplink portion or the downlink portion. In some embodiments, there is a configurable switching gap between the uplink portion and the downlink portion. In some embodiments, the duration of the configurable switching gap is not a function of the symbol length or the symbol block length. In some embodiments, the single carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block are transmitted on a first bandwidth, and the method further includes transmitting and receiving other symbol blocks on a second bandwidth, and the configurable switching gap is at the same time position in the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth, and is aligned in time. In some embodiments, the single carrier symbol block is transmitted by the first UE and the multi-carrier symbol block is transmitted by the second UE. In some embodiments, the single carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block are transmitted to or by the same UE. In some embodiments, control information is acquired and / or transmitted, the control information indicating at least one of the following: duration of the first CP, duration of the second CP, number of data symbols in the first group of data symbols, duration of the first group of data symbols, data duration, subframe length, subframe position, time slot length, time slot position, switching gap length, and switching gap position. In some embodiments, the single carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block are transmitted by a base station.

[0152] In some embodiments, a method for transmitting in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes transmitting a first symbol block in a first subframe having a first subframe duration. The method may also include transmitting a second symbol block in a second subframe having a second subframe duration. In some embodiments, the first subframe duration is different from the second subframe duration. In some embodiments, the first subframe and the second subframe are in different frames. In some embodiments, the first subframe and the second subframe are in the same frame. In some embodiments, the method further includes: acquiring and / or transmitting control information, the control information indicating at least one of the following: first subframe duration, first subframe position, second subframe duration, second subframe position. In some embodiments, the method is performed by a UE, and acquiring the control information includes: receiving coded control information in a downlink portion of one or more frames; decoding the coded control information to acquire the control information. In some embodiments, the first symbol block has a first CP and a first data portion, the second symbol block has a second CP and a second data portion, the first symbol block has a first duration, the second symbol block has a second duration, and optionally, the first duration is different from the second duration. In some embodiments, the first symbol block is a single-carrier symbol block, and the second symbol block is a multi-carrier symbol block, or vice versa.

[0153] In some embodiments, a method for transmitting in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes transmitting a first data symbol in a first time slot having a first time slot duration. The method may also include transmitting a second data symbol in a second time slot having a second time slot duration. In some embodiments, the first time slot duration is different from the second time slot duration. In some embodiments, the first time slot and the second time slot may be in the same frame or in different frames, and control information may be optionally acquired and / or transmitted, the control information representing at least one of the following: first time slot duration, first time slot length, second time slot duration, and second time slot length.

[0154] In some embodiments, a method for wireless communication is provided. The method includes transmitting a first symbol block having a first CP and a first data portion. The method also includes receiving a second symbol block having a second CP and a second data portion. In some embodiments, the first symbol block has a first duration and the second symbol block has a second duration different from the first duration. In some embodiments, the first symbol block is transmitted in the same single frame and the second symbol block is received in the same single frame, although they may be in separate frames. In some embodiments, transmission and reception may occur on different bandwidths, such as in an FDD system. In some embodiments, the first symbol block may be a single carrier symbol block or a multi-carrier symbol block, and the second symbol block may be a single carrier symbol block or a multi-carrier symbol block.

[0155] In some embodiments, a method for wireless communication is provided. The method includes transmitting a first symbol block in a first subframe having a first subframe duration. The method may also include receiving a second symbol block in a second subframe having a second subframe duration. In some embodiments, the first subframe duration may be different from the second subframe duration. In some embodiments, the first subframe and the second subframe may be in the same single frame, although they may be in separate frames. In some embodiments, control information is acquired and / or transmitted, the control information representing at least one of the following: first subframe duration, first subframe position, second subframe duration, second subframe position.

[0156] In some embodiments, a method for wireless communication is provided. The method includes transmitting a first symbol block in a first time slot having a first time slot duration. The method may also include receiving a second symbol block in a second time slot having a second time slot duration. The first time slot duration may be different from the second time slot duration. In some embodiments, the first time slot and the second time slot are in the same single frame, and optionally also in the same single subframe. In some embodiments, control information is acquired and / or transmitted, and the control information represents at least one of the following: the first time slot duration, the first time slot position, the second time slot duration, and the second time slot position.

[0157] In some embodiments, a method for wireless communication is provided. The method includes generating a first set of data symbols. Each data symbol in the first set of data symbols is on a different subcarrier frequency. The method also includes operating the first set of data symbols using a first IDFT to obtain a first data portion, and adding the first data portion to a first CP to obtain a first multi-carrier symbol block. The first multi-carrier symbol block is referred to as a first OFDM symbol. The method also includes transmitting the first OFDM symbol. The method also includes generating a second set of data symbols. Each data symbol in the second set of data symbols is on a different subcarrier frequency. The method also includes operating the second set of data symbols using a second IDFT to obtain a second data portion, and adding the second data portion to a second CP to obtain a second multi-carrier symbol block. The second multi-carrier symbol block is referred to as a second OFDM symbol. The method also includes transmitting a second OFDM symbol. In some embodiments, the first IDFT has a first size and the second IDFT has a second size different from the first size. In some embodiments, the first size and / or the second size are not a power of 2. In some embodiments, the first IDFT and / or the second IDFT are not IFFTs (i.e., not implemented using IFFTs). However, in some embodiments, the complexity of the brute force DFT / IDFT is unexpected, so that there may be at least some restrictions on the size of the DFT / IDFT. For example, the possible IDFT sizes N can be restricted to a set of values ​​that satisfy a predefined relationship or formula that allows for lower complexity at the transmitter and / or receiver. For example, if the IDFT size N satisfies a predefined formula based on the power of a prime number, such as N=2 σ 3 β Or N = 2 σ 3 β 5 μ , where σ, β, and μ are all integers greater than or equal to zero, then lower complexity can be achieved. In some embodiments, the first OFDM symbol has a first duration, and the second OFDM symbol has a second duration different from the first duration. In some embodiments, the first duration is not a multiple of 2 of the second duration, and / or the second duration is not a multiple of 2 of the first duration. In some embodiments, the first OFDM symbol has a first subcarrier spacing, and the second OFDM symbol has a second subcarrier spacing different from the first subcarrier spacing. In some embodiments, the first subcarrier spacing is not a multiple of 2 of the second subcarrier spacing, and / or the second subcarrier spacing is not a multiple of 2 of the first subcarrier spacing. In some embodiments, the first OFDM symbol and the second OFDM symbol are transmitted in the same frame. In some embodiments, the first OFDM symbol is transmitted in a subframe and / or a time slot in a frame, and the second OFDM symbol is transmitted in another subframe and / or another time slot in the frame.

[0158] In some embodiments, a method performed by a UE is provided. The method includes decoding control information in a frame. The control information may represent at least one of the following: a frame length, a subframe length, a time slot length (time and / or the number of symbols or symbol blocks in a time slot), a symbol block length, a CP length, whether the symbol block is a single carrier waveform or a multi-carrier waveform, a switching gap length, and a switching gap position. In some embodiments, the method also includes transmitting or receiving a symbol block in a frame according to the control information. In some embodiments, the control information is in a broadcast channel. In some embodiments, decoding the control information includes: (1) decoding a broadcast channel in a frame to obtain first information; (2) using the first information to determine the time-frequency resources in the frame where the second information is located; (3) decoding the second information on the time-frequency resources to obtain the control information. In some embodiments, the control information is in a common control channel. In some embodiments, the control information is a DCI or RRC signaling or a combination of DCI and RRC signaling. For example, RRC signaling may indicate possible options for subframe length and / or time slot length, and DCI may indicate which specific subframe lengths and / or which specific time slot lengths are configured for the frame.

[0159] Also disclosed is a device for executing the above method.

[0160] It should be noted that the term "symbol block" is used in this article to help better distinguish it from data symbols. However, the term "block" is only used to help explain and is not necessary or intended to be limiting. For example, "single-carrier symbol block" can be replaced with "single-carrier symbol". Similarly, "multi-carrier symbol block" can be replaced with "multi-carrier symbol". In addition, the terms "single carrier" and "multi-carrier" are used in this article to distinguish between symbols transmitted on a single carrier waveform and symbols transmitted on a multi-carrier waveform. However, these terms are only used to help explain and are not meant to be limiting. For example, "single carrier symbol" (referred to as "single carrier symbol block" in the above explanation) can be replaced with "first symbol" or "first type of symbol", and "multi-carrier symbol" (referred to as "multi-carrier symbol block" in the above explanation) can be replaced with "second symbol" or "second type of symbol". The labels "first type" and "second type" are used to distinguish these two types of symbols.

[0161] Example

[0162] In view of, and in addition to the foregoing, the following embodiments are disclosed.

[0163] Example 1: A method for transmission in a wireless communication system, wherein the method comprises: transmitting a first symbol block, the first symbol block having a first cyclic prefix (CP) and a first data portion; transmitting a second symbol block, the second symbol block having a second CP and a second data portion, wherein the first symbol block has a first duration, and the second symbol block has a second duration different from the first duration.

[0164] Example 2: The method according to Example 1, wherein the first symbol block and the second symbol block are transmitted in the same frame.

[0165] Example 3: The method according to Example 2, wherein the first symbol block and the second symbol block are transmitted in different subframes and / or in different time slots.

[0166] Example 4: A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the first CP has a different length from the second CP.

[0167] Example 5: A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the first data portion has a different duration from the second data portion.

[0168] Example 6: A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the first symbol block is a single-carrier symbol block, the first data portion includes a first group of data symbols transmitted on the same single carrier frequency, the second symbol block is a multi-carrier symbol block, the second data portion includes a second group of data symbols, and each data symbol in the second group of data symbols is transmitted on a respective different carrier frequency.

[0169] Example 7: The method of Example 6, wherein the second symbol block is an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol.

[0170] Example 8: A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the frame includes an uplink part and a downlink part, and the first symbol block and the second symbol block are both transmitted in the uplink part or the downlink part.

[0171] Example 9: The method of Example 8, wherein there is a configurable switching gap between the uplink portion and the downlink portion.

[0172] Example 10: The method of Example 9, wherein the duration of the configurable switching gap is not a function of a symbol length or a symbol block length.

[0173] Example 11: A method according to Example 9 or Example 10, wherein the first symbol block and the second symbol block are transmitted on a first bandwidth, and the method also includes transmitting and receiving other symbol blocks on a second bandwidth, and the configurable switching gap is at the same time position in the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and is aligned in time.

[0174] Example 12: A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the first symbol block is transmitted in a first subframe and the second symbol block is transmitted in a second subframe.

[0175] Example 13: A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the first symbol block is transmitted in a first time slot and the second symbol block is transmitted in a second time slot.

[0176] Example 14: A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 13, wherein the first symbol block is transmitted by a first user equipment (UE) and the second symbol block is transmitted by a second UE.

[0177] Example 15: A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 13, wherein the first symbol block and the second symbol block are transmitted by the same UE.

[0178] Example 16: A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 15, further comprising obtaining control information, wherein the control information represents at least one of the following: the duration of the first CP, the duration of the second CP, the duration of the first data, the duration of the second data, the subframe length, the subframe position, the time slot length, the time slot position, the switching gap length, and the switching gap position.

[0179] Example 17: The method according to Example 16, wherein obtaining the control information comprises: receiving coded control information in the downlink portion of the frame; and decoding the coded control information to obtain the control information.

[0180] Example 18: A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 13, wherein the first symbol block and the second symbol block are transmitted by a base station.

[0181] Example 19: The method according to Example 18 further includes transmission control information, wherein the control information represents at least one of the following: the duration of the first CP, the duration of the second CP, the duration of the first data, the duration of the second data, the subframe length, the subframe position, the time slot length, the time slot position, the switching gap length, and the switching gap position.

[0182] Example 20: The method of Example 1, wherein the first symbol block and the second symbol block are transmitted in different frames.

[0183] Example 21: A device, wherein it is used to perform the method according to any one of Examples 1 to 20.

[0184] Example 22: A device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory comprises processor-executable instructions, and when the processor executes the instructions, the processor controls the device to perform a method according to any one of Examples 1 to 20.

[0185] Example 23: An apparatus, comprising: a processor for generating a first symbol block including a first CP and a first data portion, and a second symbol block including a second CP and a second data portion; a transmitter for transmitting the first symbol block and the second symbol block, wherein the first symbol block has a first duration and the second symbol block has a second duration different from the first duration.

[0186] Example 24: An apparatus according to any one of Examples 21 to 23, wherein the apparatus is a UE or a base station.

[0187] Example 25: A method for transmission in a wireless communication system, wherein the method includes: generating a first group of data symbols on the same single carrier frequency; generating a first CP using at least one data symbol in the first group of data symbols; adding the first group of data symbols to the first CP to generate a single carrier symbol block; generating a second group of data symbols, each data symbol in the second group of data symbols being at a respective different carrier frequency; operating the second group of data symbols using an inverse discrete Fourier transform to obtain a data portion; adding the data portion to a second CP to generate a multi-carrier symbol block; and transmitting the single carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block.

[0188] Example 26: The method of Example 25, wherein the single-carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block are transmitted in the same frame.

[0189] Example 27: A method according to Example 26, wherein the single-carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block are transmitted in different subframes and / or in different time slots.

[0190] Example 28: A method according to any one of Examples 25 to 27, wherein the single-carrier symbol block has a first duration and the multi-carrier symbol block has a second duration different from the first duration.

[0191] Example 29: The method of Example 28, wherein the first CP has a different length than the second CP.

[0192] Example 30: A method according to any one of Examples 25 to 29, wherein the multi-carrier symbol block is an OFDM symbol.

[0193] Example 31: A method according to any one of Examples 25 to 30, wherein the frame includes an uplink part and a downlink part, and the single-carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block are both transmitted in the uplink part or the downlink part.

[0194] Example 32: The method of Example 31, wherein there is a configurable switching gap between the uplink portion and the downlink portion.

[0195] Example 33: The method of Example 32, wherein the duration of the configurable switching gap is not a function of a symbol length or a symbol block length.

[0196] Example 34: A method according to Example 32 or Example 33, wherein the single-carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block are transmitted on a first bandwidth, and the method also includes transmitting and receiving other symbol blocks on a second bandwidth, and the configurable switching gap is at the same time position in the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and is aligned in time.

[0197] Example 35: A method according to any one of Examples 25 to 34, wherein the single-carrier symbol block is transmitted by a first UE and the multi-carrier symbol block is transmitted by a second UE.

[0198] Example 36: A method according to any one of Examples 25 to 34, wherein the single-carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block are transmitted by the same UE.

[0199] Example 37: A method according to Example 36, further comprising obtaining control information, wherein the control information represents at least one of: the duration of the first CP, the duration of the second CP, the number of data symbols in the first group of data symbols, the duration of the first group of data symbols, the data duration, subframe length, subframe position, time slot length, time slot position, switching gap length, and switching gap position.

[0200] Example 38: A method according to any one of Examples 25 to 34, wherein the single-carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block are transmitted by a base station.

[0201] Example 39: A method according to Example 38, further comprising transmission control information, wherein the control information represents at least one of: the duration of the first CP, the duration of the second CP, the number of data symbols in the first group of data symbols, the duration of the first group of data symbols, the data duration, subframe length, subframe position, time slot length, time slot position, switching gap length, and switching gap position.

[0202] Example 40: An apparatus, wherein the apparatus is used to perform a method according to any one of Examples 25 to 39.

[0203] Example 41: A device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory comprises processor-executable instructions, and when the processor executes the instructions, the processor controls the device to perform a method according to any one of Examples 25 to 39.

[0204] Example 42: An apparatus comprising: a processor for generating a first group of data symbols on the same single carrier frequency; generating a first CP using at least one data symbol in the first group of data symbols; adding the first group of data symbols to the first CP to generate a single carrier symbol block; generating a second group of data symbols, each data symbol in the second group of data symbols being at a respective different carrier frequency; operating the second group of data symbols using an inverse discrete Fourier transform to obtain a data portion; adding the data portion to a second CP to generate a multi-carrier symbol block; and a transmitter for transmitting the single carrier symbol block and the multi-carrier symbol block.

[0205] Example 43: An apparatus according to any one of Examples 40 to 42, wherein the apparatus is a UE or a base station.

[0206] Example 44: A method for transmission in a wireless communication system, wherein the method comprises: transmitting a first symbol block in a first subframe having a first subframe duration; transmitting a second symbol block in a second subframe having a second subframe duration, wherein the first subframe duration is different from the second subframe duration.

[0207] Example 45: A method according to Example 44, wherein the first subframe and the second subframe are in different frames.

[0208] Example 46: A method according to Example 44, wherein the first subframe and the second subframe are in the same frame.

[0209] Example 47: A method according to any one of Examples 44 to 46, further comprising: obtaining control information, wherein the control information represents at least one of the following: the first subframe duration; the first subframe position; the second subframe duration; the second subframe position.

[0210] Example 48: A method according to Example 47, wherein the method is performed by a UE, and obtaining the control information includes: receiving coded control information in a downlink portion of one or more frames; and decoding the coded control information to obtain the control information.

[0211] Example 49: A method according to any one of Examples 44 to 48, wherein the first symbol block has a first CP and a first data portion, the second symbol block has a second CP and a second data portion, the first symbol block has a first duration, the second symbol block has a second duration, and optionally, the first duration is different from the second duration.

[0212] Example 50: A method according to Example 49, wherein the first symbol block is a single-carrier symbol block and the second symbol block is a multi-carrier symbol block.

[0213] Example 51: A device, wherein it is used to perform the method according to any one of Examples 44 to 50.

[0214] Example 52: A device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory comprises processor-executable instructions, and when the processor executes the instructions, the processor controls the device to perform a method according to any one of Examples 44 to 50.

[0215] Example 53: An apparatus, comprising: a processor for generating a first symbol block and a second symbol block; a transmitter for transmitting the first symbol block in a first subframe having a first subframe duration, and transmitting the second symbol block in a second subframe having a second subframe duration.

[0216] Example 54: An apparatus according to any one of Examples 51 to 53, wherein the apparatus is a UE or a base station.

[0217] Example 55: A method for transmission in a wireless communication system, wherein the method comprises: transmitting a first data symbol in a first time slot having a first time slot length; transmitting a second data symbol in a second time slot having a second time slot length, wherein the first time slot length is different from the second time slot length.

[0218] Example 56: A method according to Example 55, wherein the first time slot and the second time slot may be in the same frame or in different frames, and optionally, control information is obtained, wherein the control information represents at least one of: the first time slot length, the first time slot length, the second time slot length, and the second time slot length.

[0219] Example 57: A method for wireless communication, comprising: transmitting a first symbol block, the first symbol block having a CP and a first data portion; transmitting a second symbol block, the second symbol block having a second CP and a second data portion, wherein the first symbol block has a first duration and the second symbol block has a second duration different from the first duration.

[0220] Example 58: A method according to Example 57, wherein transmitting the first symbol block and receiving the second symbol block are performed in the same single frame.

[0221] Example 59: A method for wireless communication, comprising: transmitting a first symbol block in a first subframe having a first subframe duration; receiving a second symbol block in a second subframe having a second subframe duration, wherein the first subframe duration is different from the second subframe duration.

[0222] Example 60: A method according to Example 59, wherein the first subframe and the second subframe are in the same single frame.

[0223] Example 61: A method according to any one of Examples 59 to 60, wherein the control information represents at least one of: the first subframe duration, the first subframe position, the second subframe duration, and the second subframe position.

[0224] Example 62: A method for wireless communication, comprising: transmitting a first symbol block in a first time slot having a first time slot length; receiving a second symbol block in a second time slot having a second time slot length, wherein the first time slot length is different from the second time slot length.

[0225] Example 63: A method according to Example 62, wherein the first time slot and the second time slot are in the same single frame, and optionally also in the same single subframe.

[0226] Example 64: A method according to Example 62 or 63, wherein the control information represents at least one of: the first time slot length, the first time slot position, the second time slot length, and the second time slot position.

[0227] Example 65: A method for wireless communication, comprising: generating a first group of data symbols, each data symbol in the first group of data symbols is at a respective different carrier frequency; operating the first group of data symbols using a first inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) to obtain a first data portion; adding the first data portion to a first CP to obtain a first OFDM symbol; transmitting the first OFDM symbol; generating a second group of data symbols, each data symbol in the second group of data symbols is at a respective different carrier frequency; operating the second group of data symbols using a second IDFT to obtain a second data portion; adding the second data portion to a second CP to obtain a second OFDM symbol; transmitting the second OFDM symbol, wherein the first IDFT has a first size, the second IDFT has a second size different from the first size, and the first size and / or the second size are not a power of 2.

[0228] Example 66: The method of Example 65, wherein the first IDFT and the second IDFT are not IFFTs.

[0229] Example 67: A method according to Example 65 or 66, wherein the first OFDM symbol has a first duration, the second OFDM symbol has a second duration different from the first duration, the first duration is not a multiple of 2 of the second duration, and the second duration is not a multiple of 2 of the first duration.

[0230] Example 68: A method according to any one of Examples 65 to 67, wherein the first OFDM symbol and the second OFDM symbol are transmitted in the same frame.

[0231] Example 69: A method according to Example 68, wherein the first OFDM symbol is transmitted in a subframe and / or a time slot in the frame, and the second OFDM symbol is transmitted in another subframe and / or another time slot in the frame.

[0232] Example 70: A method performed by a user equipment (UE), wherein the method includes: decoding control information in a frame, the control information representing at least one of the following: a frame length, a subframe length, a time slot length, a symbol block length, a CP length, whether the symbol block is a single-carrier waveform or a multi-carrier waveform, a switching gap length, and a switching gap position of the frame; and transmitting or receiving a symbol block in the frame according to the control information.

[0233] Example 71: A method according to Example 70, wherein the control information is in a broadcast channel.

[0234] Example 72: A method according to Example 70, wherein decoding the control information comprises: decoding the broadcast channel in the frame to obtain first information; using the first information to determine the time-frequency resources in the frame where the second information is located; and decoding the second information on the time-frequency resources to obtain the control information.

[0235] Example 73: A method according to Example 70, wherein the control information is in a common control channel.

[0236] Example 74: A method according to Example 70, wherein the control information is downlink control information (DCI) and / or radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0237] Example 75: A method according to Example 74, wherein the RRC signaling indicates possible options for subframe length and / or time slot length, and the DCI indicates which specific subframe lengths and / or which specific time slot lengths are configured for the frame.

[0238] Example 76: A device for performing a method according to any one of Examples 65 to 75.

[0239] in conclusion

[0240] A flexible frame structure is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the frame structure is flexible enough that certain boundaries do not need to be strictly followed, for example, only the transmission duration (e.g., symbol block duration) and direction (uplink or downlink) may be defined. Possible benefits of some embodiments of the flexible frame structure include: flexibility to adapt to different transmission conditions and meet different service / quality requirements; better spectrum efficiency due to more efficient use of time-frequency resources; not limited by the minimum duration granularity (e.g., the downlink / uplink switching gap or the duration for AGC measurement does not have to be an integer of the predefined symbol length). These benefits offset any potential increase in computational complexity and / or signaling overhead.

[0241] Finally, although the above description discusses the flexible frame structure in the context of communication between a UE and a base station, i.e., downlink and uplink, the same flexible frame structure can be used for sidelink communication, i.e., UE-to-UE communication, sometimes referred to as device-to-device (D2D) communication. That is, a frame can be used for transmission from one UE to another UE, and the frame can have a flexible frame structure according to any of the above embodiments.

[0242] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments of the present invention, various modifications and combinations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The specification and drawings are therefore only regarded as an illustration of some embodiments of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, and any and all modifications, variants, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present invention are considered to be covered. Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, various changes, substitutions and modifications may be made without departing from the present invention as defined by the appended claims. In addition, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments of the processes, machines, manufactured products, material components, modules, methods and steps described in the specification. It will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure of the present invention that processes, machines, manufactured products, material components, modules, methods or steps (including currently existing or later developed) that perform or achieve functions or results substantially the same as those of the corresponding embodiments described herein may be used according to the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the appended claims includes these processes, machines, products, synthetic substances, modes, methods and steps.

[0243] In addition, any module, component, or device that executes instructions as illustrated herein may include or otherwise access one or more non-transitory computer / processor readable storage media to store information, such as computer / processor readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and / or other data. A non-exhaustive list of examples of non-transitory computer / processor readable storage media includes magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital video disc or digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray TM Optical disks, or other optical storage, volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other storage technology. Any such non-transitory computer / processor storage medium can be part of a device or can be accessed or connected to a device. Any application or module described herein can be implemented using computer / processor readable / executable instructions, which can be stored or otherwise saved by these non-transitory computer / processor readable storage media.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, characterized in that: The method comprises: transmitting an indication of a first size of a first Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT) operation and an indication of a second size of a second IDFT operation; Transmitting a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, the first OFDM symbol comprising a first data portion generated according to a first IDFT operation of a first group of data symbols; transmitting a second OFDM symbol including a second data portion generated from a second IDFT operation of a second set of data symbols, The second size is different from the first size, and at least one of the first size and the second size is not a power of 2.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol further includes a first cyclic prefix (CP), the second OFDM symbol further includes a second CP, the method further includes transmitting an indication of a length of the first CP and an indication of a length of the second CP.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first OFDM symbol has a first duration, and the second OFDM symbol has a second duration different from the first duration.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first OFDM symbol is a single-carrier OFDM symbol, the first data portion includes the first group of data symbols transmitted on the same single carrier frequency, the second OFDM symbol is a multi-carrier OFDM symbol, the second data portion includes the second group of data symbols, and each data symbol in the second group of data symbols is transmitted on a respective different carrier frequency.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first OFDM symbol and the second OFDM symbol are both transmitted in an uplink part or a downlink part of a frame.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that There is a configurable switching gap between the uplink part and the downlink part, and the duration of the configurable switching gap is not a function of a symbol length or a symbol block length.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that It also includes transmission control information, which represents at least one of the following: the duration of the first cyclic prefix CP, the duration of the second CP, the first data duration, the second data duration, the subframe length, the subframe position, the time slot length, the time slot position, the switching gap length, and the switching gap position.

8. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes transmission control information, which represents at least one of the following: the duration of the first CP, the duration of the second CP, the first data duration, the second data duration, the subframe length, the subframe position, the time slot length, the time slot position, the switching gap length, and the switching gap position.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Also includes: generating the first data portion from the first set of data symbols by performing the first IDFT operation of the first size; The second data portion is generated from the second set of data symbols by the second IDFT operation of the second size.

10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Obtaining the first group of data symbols includes generating the first group of data symbols from a first plurality of input bits, each data symbol in the first group of data symbols being at a respective different subcarrier frequency, and obtaining the second group of data symbols includes generating the second group of data symbols from a second plurality of input bits, each data symbol in the second group of data symbols being at a respective different subcarrier frequency.

11. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first OFDM symbol and the second OFDM symbol are transmitted in at least one of a same frame, different subframes, and different time slots.

12. A device, characterized in that: include: A memory for storing processor executable instructions; The processor, when executing the instructions, causes the processor to: transmitting an indication of a first size of a first Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT) operation and an indication of a second size of a second IDFT operation; Transmitting a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, the first OFDM symbol comprising a first data portion generated according to a first IDFT operation of a first group of data symbols; transmitting a second OFDM symbol including a second data portion generated from a second IDFT operation of a second set of data symbols, The second size is different from the first size, and at least one of the first size and the second size is not a power of 2.

13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol further includes a first cyclic prefix CP, and the second OFDM symbol further includes a second CP. When executing the instructions, the processor further causes the processor to transmit an indication of a length of the first CP and an indication of a length of the second CP.

14. The device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol has a first duration, and the second OFDM symbol has a second duration different from the first duration.

15. The device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol is a single-carrier OFDM symbol, the first data portion includes the first group of data symbols transmitted on the same single carrier frequency, the second OFDM symbol is a multi-carrier OFDM symbol, the second data portion includes the second group of data symbols, and each data symbol in the second group of data symbols is transmitted on a respective different carrier frequency.

16. The device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol and the second OFDM symbol are both transmitted in an uplink part or a downlink part of a frame.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that There is a configurable switching gap between the uplink part and the downlink part, and the duration of the configurable switching gap is not a function of a symbol length or a symbol block length.

18. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that It also includes transmission control information, which represents at least one of the following: the duration of the first cyclic prefix CP, the duration of the second CP, the first data duration, the second data duration, the subframe length, the subframe position, the time slot length, the time slot position, the switching gap length, and the switching gap position.

19. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that It also includes transmission control information, which represents at least one of the following: the duration of the first CP, the duration of the second CP, the first data duration, the second data duration, the subframe length, the subframe position, the time slot length, the time slot position, the switching gap length, and the switching gap position.

20. The device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that When executing the instructions, the processor is configured to: generating the first data portion from the first set of data symbols by performing the first IDFT operation of the first size; The second data portion is generated from the second set of data symbols by the second IDFT operation of the second size.

21. The device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that When executing the instructions, the processor is used to obtain the first group of data symbols by performing operations including generating the first group of data symbols from a first plurality of input bits, each data symbol in the first group of data symbols is at a respective different subcarrier frequency; when executing the instructions, the processor is used to obtain the second group of data symbols by performing operations including generating the second group of data symbols from a second plurality of input bits, each data symbol in the second group of data symbols is at a respective different subcarrier frequency.

22. The device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol and the second OFDM symbol are used to be transmitted in at least one of a same frame, different subframes, and different time slots.

23. A method for wireless communication, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving an indication of a first size of a first Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT) operation and an indication of a second size of a second IDFT operation; Transmitting a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, the OFDM symbol comprising a first data portion generated according to a first IDFT operation of a first set of data symbols; transmitting a second OFDM symbol including a second data portion generated from a second IDFT operation of a second set of data symbols, The second size is different from the first size, and at least one of the first size and the second size is not a power of 2.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol further includes a first cyclic prefix (CP), the second OFDM symbol further includes a second CP, the method further includes transmitting an indication of a length of the first CP and an indication of a length of the second CP.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol has a first duration, and the second OFDM symbol has a second duration different from the first duration.

26. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol is a single-carrier OFDM symbol, the first data portion includes the first group of data symbols transmitted on the same single carrier frequency, the second OFDM symbol is a multi-carrier OFDM symbol, the second data portion includes the second group of data symbols, and each data symbol in the second group of data symbols is transmitted on a respective different carrier frequency.

27. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol and the second OFDM symbol are both transmitted in an uplink part or a downlink part of a frame.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that There is a configurable switching gap between the uplink part and the downlink part, and the duration of the configurable switching gap is not a function of a symbol length or a symbol block length.

29. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that It also includes receiving control information, wherein the control information represents at least one of the following: the duration of the first cyclic prefix CP, the duration of the second CP, the first data duration, the second data duration, the subframe length, the subframe position, the time slot length, the time slot position, the switching gap length, and the switching gap position.

30. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that It also includes receiving control information, wherein the control information represents at least one of the following: the duration of the first CP, the duration of the second CP, the first data duration, the second data duration, the subframe length, the subframe position, the time slot length, the time slot position, the switching gap length, and the switching gap position.

31. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that Receiving an indication of the first size and an indication of the second size includes: receiving coding control information in a downlink portion of a frame; decoding the coding control information to obtain an indication of a duration of the first data portion and an indication of a duration of the second data portion.

32. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that Also includes: generating the first data portion from the first set of data symbols by performing the first IDFT operation of the first size; The second data portion is generated from the second set of data symbols by the second IDFT operation of the second size.

33. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol and the second OFDM symbol are transmitted in at least one of a same frame, different subframes, and different time slots.

34. A device, characterized in that include: A memory for storing processor executable instructions; The processor, when executing the instructions, causes the processor to: receiving an indication of a first size of a first Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT) operation and an indication of a second size of a second IDFT operation; Transmitting a first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, the OFDM symbol comprising a first data portion generated according to a first IDFT operation of a first set of data symbols; transmitting a second OFDM symbol including a second data portion generated from a second IDFT operation of a second set of data symbols, The second size is different from the first size, and at least one of the first size and the second size is not a power of 2.

35. The device according to claim 34, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol further includes a first cyclic prefix CP, and the second OFDM symbol further includes a second CP. When executing the instructions, the processor further causes the processor to transmit an indication of a length of the first CP and an indication of a length of the second CP.

36. The device according to claim 34 or 35, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol has a first duration, and the second OFDM symbol has a second duration different from the first duration.

37. The device according to claim 34 or 35, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol is a single-carrier OFDM symbol, the first data portion includes the first group of data symbols transmitted on the same single carrier frequency, the second OFDM symbol is a multi-carrier OFDM symbol, the second data portion includes the second group of data symbols, and each data symbol in the second group of data symbols is transmitted on a respective different carrier frequency.

38. The device according to claim 34 or 35, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol and the second OFDM symbol are both transmitted in an uplink part or a downlink part of a frame.

39. The device according to claim 38, characterized in that There is a configurable switching gap between the uplink part and the downlink part, and the duration of the configurable switching gap is not a function of a symbol length or a symbol block length.

40. The device according to claim 34, characterized in that When executing the instructions, the processor receives control information, wherein the control information represents at least one of: a duration of a first cyclic prefix CP, a duration of a second CP, a duration of the first data, a duration of the second data, a subframe length, a subframe position, a time slot length, a time slot position, a switching gap length, and a switching gap position.

41. The device according to claim 35, characterized in that When executing the instructions, the processor receives control information, and the control information represents at least one of the following: the duration of the first CP, the duration of the second CP, the first data duration, the second data duration, the subframe length, the subframe position, the time slot length, the time slot position, the switching gap length, and the switching gap position.

42. The device according to claim 34 or 35, characterized in that Receiving an indication of the first size and an indication of the second size includes: receiving coding control information in a downlink portion of a frame; decoding the coding control information to obtain an indication of a duration of the first data portion and an indication of a duration of the second data portion.

43. The device according to claim 34 or 35, characterized in that When executing the instructions, the processor is configured to: generating the first data portion from the first set of data symbols by performing the first IDFT operation of the first size; The second data portion is generated from the second set of data symbols by the second IDFT operation of the second size.

44. The device according to claim 34 or 35, characterized in that The first OFDM symbol and the second OFDM symbol are transmitted in at least one of a same frame, different subframes, and different time slots.

45. A computer readable medium, characterized in that The computer-readable medium is used to store computer-readable instructions, and when the instructions are executed in a computer, the computer implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or the method according to any one of claims 23 to 33.

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