Frame structure for wireless communication

Abstract

Existing frame structures in Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) are not designed to accommodate full duplex (FD) communications. Embodiments are disclosed that provide frame structures that support FD communications, frequency division duplex (FDD) communications, and time division duplex (TDD) communications. In some embodiments, two separate independent frame structures are defined: a frame structure for reception (e.g., a downlink frame structure); and a frame structure for transmission (e.g., an uplink frame structure).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0002] In some wireless communication systems, a user equipment (UE) wirelessly communicates with one or more base stations. The wireless communication from the UE to the base station is referred to as uplink communication. The wireless communication from the base station to the UE is referred to as downlink communication. Performing uplink and downlink communication requires the use of resources. For example, a base station can wirelessly transmit data to a UE in a downlink communication at a particular frequency for a particular duration. Frequency and duration are examples of resources.

[0003] Time-frequency resources are allocated for communication between a UE and a base station. When multiple UEs are scheduled on a set of time-frequency resources, multiple access is performed. Each UE uses a portion of the time-frequency resources to receive data from a base station in the case of downlink communication or to transmit data to the base station in the case of uplink communication.

[0004] A frame structure is a feature of a wireless communication physical layer that defines a time-domain signal transmission structure, e.g., to allow timing reference and timing adjustment of basic time-domain transmission units. Wireless communication between a UE and one or more base stations is performed on time-frequency resources managed by the frame structure. A frame structure can sometimes be referred to as a radio frame structure.

[0005] Existing frame structures in Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) impose some limitations on the frame structure, e.g., a particular frame structure can only be used for frequency division duplex (FDD) or time-division duplex (TDD) communication. FDD communication refers to downlink and uplink transmissions occurring at different frequency bands. TDD communication refers to downlink and uplink transmissions occurring at different durations. SUMMARY

[0006] Some wireless communication devices can be capable of performing full duplex (FD) communication. The FD communication refers to communication that transmits and receives on the same time-frequency resource, i.e., a communication device can transmit and receive on the same frequency resource at the same time. For example, a UE performing the FD communication can simultaneously transmit information to a base station and receive information from the base station on the same frequency. The FD communication capability can be incorporated into some wireless communication systems of future generations. However, existing LTE and NR frame structures are not designed to accommodate the FD communication. Instead, existing LTE and NR frame structures are designed to accommodate FDD and TDD communication.

[0007] One or more new frame structures need to be defined that can support the FD communication but can still support TDD and FDD communication, for example, so as to accommodate UEs communicating using FD and still accommodate other UEs communicating using FDD and / or TDD.

[0008] Embodiments are disclosed that provide a frame structure that supports FD, FDD, and TDD communications. A non-exhaustive list of application scenarios in which the frame structure can be used includes: uplink / downlink communications between a base station and a UE; device-to-device (D2D) communications, such as via a sidelink; integrated access backhaul (IAB) communications; and downlink (DL) to uplink (UL) decoupled communication systems.

[0009] A frame structure supporting FD communication, FDD communication, and TDD communication provides the following technical advantages: it can accommodate new communication devices that communicate using FD communication, but the frame structure remains backward compatible with legacy communication devices that communicate only using TDD communication and / or FDD communication.

[0010] In some embodiments, two separate independent frame structures are defined: a frame structure for receiving; a frame structure for sending. As used herein, "receiving" and "sending" are from the perspective of the UE. For example, in UE / base station communications, receiving is downlink and sending is uplink. By defining separate frame structures for sending and receiving, the following technical advantages can be achieved: the frame structure for receiving (e.g., downlink) can be configured independently of the frame structure for sending (e.g., uplink), which can increase flexibility to adapt to different application scenarios. For example, different subcarrier spacing and / or frame duration and / or the number of symbols, time slots and / or subframes can be set within the frame for uplink communication and downlink communication. This flexibility can be used to adapt to different application scenarios, some of which may involve asymmetric downlink and uplink communications (e.g., downlink communication is much higher than uplink communication). In some cases, this flexibility can be used to adapt to DL to UL decoupling systems, for example, one DL band / carrier can be associated with two UL bands / carriers.

[0011] Although the embodiments described below primarily relate to downlink and uplink communication scenarios between a UE and a base station, these embodiments are also applicable to sidelink communication (i.e., D2D communication) and IAB communication between two UEs. These embodiments are also applicable to various different applications, such as satellite communication and / or the Internet of Vehicles (IoV).

[0012] In one embodiment, a method performed by an apparatus is provided. The method may include receiving a first indication for configuring a first frame structure. A first frame in the first frame structure may include a duration for receiving a first wireless transmission from a device. The method may also include receiving a second indication for configuring a second frame structure. A second frame in the second frame structure may include a duration for sending a second wireless transmission to the device. The method may also include wirelessly communicating with the device based on the first frame structure and the second frame structure. In some embodiments, the first indication and the second indication are received within the same control signaling. For example, the first indication and the second indication may be in different information elements within the same control signaling. In some embodiments, the first indication indicates at least one of the following parameters of the first frame structure: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols transmitted within the first frame; a number of durations within the first frame configured with corresponding communication directions; a length of one or more durations within the first frame configured with the corresponding communication directions; and the corresponding communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations. Furthermore, an apparatus for performing the method is disclosed. For example, the apparatus may include a memory for storing processor-executable instructions; and a processor for executing the processor-executable instructions to cause the apparatus to perform the method steps.

[0013] It should be noted that "length" and "duration" will be used interchangeably in this document. The term "length" refers to the length in the time domain, i.e., the length of time. In addition, "control signaling" and "signaling" will be used interchangeably in this document. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Various embodiments will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 A network diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system;

[0016] Figure 2 A block diagram of an exemplary electronic device is shown;

[0017] Figure 3 A block diagram of another exemplary electronic device is shown;

[0018] Figure 4 A block diagram illustrating exemplary component modules is shown;

[0019] Figure 5 A block diagram illustrating an exemplary user equipment and base station is shown;

[0020] Figure 6 An exemplary frame structure in LTE is shown;

[0021] Figure 7 An exemplary frame structure in NR is shown;

[0022] Figure 8 An example of a time slot configured with uplink symbols, downlink symbols, and flexible symbols in NR is shown;

[0023] Figures 9 to 17 shows an exemplary frame structure provided by various embodiments;

[0024] Figures 18 to 20 The methods provided by the devices and apparatuses in various embodiments are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] For illustrative purposes, specific exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Exemplary Communication Systems and Devices

[0027] Figure 1 An exemplary communication system 100 is shown. Generally speaking, 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 (e.g., voice, data, video, and / or text) via broadcast, narrowcast, user device to user device, etc. The communication system 100 can operate by sharing resources such as bandwidth.

[0028] In this example, the communication system 100 includes electronic devices (EDs) 110a-110c, radio access networks (RANs) 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 in FIG, but any reasonable number of these components or elements may be included in the communication system 100.

[0029] The electronic devices 110a-110c are configured to operate and / or communicate in the communication system 100. For example, the electronic devices 110a-110c are configured to transmit and / or receive over wireless or wired communication channels. The electronic devices 110a-110c represent any suitable end-user devices for wireless operation and can include (or can be referred to as) user equipment (UE / user device), wireless transmit / receive units (WTRUs), mobile stations, fixed or mobile subscriber units, cellular telephones, stations (STAs), machine type communication (MTC) devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, laptops, computers, tablets, wireless sensors, or consumer electronics.

[0030] In Figure 1 The RANs 120a and 120b include base stations 170a and 170b, respectively. The base stations 170a and 170b are configured to wirelessly interface with one or more of the electronic devices 110a-110c to enable access to any of the other base stations 170a and 170b, the core network 130, the PSTN 140, the Internet 150, and / or the other networks 160. The base stations 170a and 170b can include (or can be) one or more of several well-known devices, such as a base transceiver station (BTS), a Node-B (NodeB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a Home eNodeB, a gNodeB, a transmission point (TP), a site controller, an access point (AP), or a wireless router, for example. Any of the electronic devices 110a-110c can optionally or additionally be configured to connect, interface, or communicate with any of the other base stations 170a and 170b, the Internet 150, the core network 130, the PSTN 140, the other networks 160, or any combination of the above. The communication system 100 can include a RAN, such as the RAN 120b, in which the corresponding base stations 170b access the core network 130 through the Internet 150.

[0031] The electronic devices 110a-110c and the base stations 170a and 170b are examples of communication devices that can be configured to implement some or all of the functionality and / or embodiments described herein. In Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, base stations 170a form part of RAN 120a, which can include other base stations, base station controllers (BSCs), radio network controllers (RNCs), relay nodes, elements, and / or devices. Any of base stations 170a, 170b can be a single element, as illustrated, or can be distributed across multiple elements in the corresponding RAN, etc. Likewise, base station 170b is part of RAN 120b, which can include other base stations, elements, and / or devices. Each of base stations 170a and 170b transmits and / or receives wireless signals within a particular geographic area, sometimes referred to as a "cell" or "coverage area." A cell can be further divided into cell sectors, and base stations 170a and 170b can employ multiple transceivers to provide service to multiple sectors, for example. In some embodiments, there can be established pico or femto cells that are supported by wireless access technologies. In some embodiments, multiple transceivers can be used for each cell using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, etc. The number of RANs 120a and 120b illustrated is merely exemplary. Any number of RANs can be considered when designing communication system 100.

[0032] Base stations 170a and 170b use radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), and / or other wireless transmission techniques to communicate with one or more of electronic devices 110a-110c over one or more air interfaces 190. The air interfaces 190 can use any suitable wireless access technology. For example, communication system 100 can implement one or more channel access methods in the air interfaces 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).

[0033] The base stations 170a and 170b can implement a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) to establish air interface 190 using wideband CDMA (WCDMA). In this case, the base stations 170a and 170b can implement HSPA, HSPA+, or the like, where HSPA+ optionally includes HSDPA and / or HSUPA. Alternatively, the base stations 170a and 170b can implement LTE, LTE-A, LTE-B, or Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) to establish air interface 190 using a LTE, LTE-A, LTE-B, or E-UTRA. Considerations for communication system 100 can use multi-channel access functionality, including those schemes described above. Other wireless technologies for implementing air interface include IEEE 802.11, 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 can be utilized.

[0034] The RANs 120a and 120b communicate with the core network 130 to provide various services, such as voice, data, and other services, to the electronic devices 110a–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 employ the same radio access technology as the RANs 120a and / or 120b. The core network 130 may also serve as a gateway access between (i) the RANs 120a and 120b and / or the electronic devices 110a–110c, and (ii) other networks (e.g., the PSTN 140, the Internet 150, and other networks 160). In addition, some or all of the electronic devices 110a–110c may include functionality to communicate with different wireless networks over different wireless links using different wireless 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. PSTN 140 may include a circuit-switched telephone network for providing plain old telephone service (POTS). Internet 150 may include computer networks and / or subnets (intranets) and may include protocols such as IP, TCP, and UDP. Electronic devices 110a–110c may be multimode devices capable of operating in accordance with multiple wireless access technologies and may include multiple transceivers required to support these technologies.

[0035] Figure 2 and Figure 3 An exemplary device that can implement the methods and guidance provided by the present invention is shown. Specifically, Figure 2 An exemplary electronic device 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.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, electronic device 110 includes at least one processing unit 200. Processing unit 200 implements various processing operations of electronic device 110. For example, processing unit 200 can perform signal encoding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, or any other function that enables electronic device 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 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.

[0037] The electronic device 110 also includes at least one transceiver 202. The transceiver 202 is used to modulate data or other content for transmission by at least one antenna or network interface controller (NIC) 204. The transceiver 202 is also used to demodulate data or other content received by the at least one antenna 204. Each transceiver 202 includes any suitable structure for generating a signal for wireless or wired transmission and / or for processing a signal received via wireless or wired transmission. 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 the electronic device 110. One or more antennas 204 can be used in the electronic device 110. Although the transceiver 202 is shown as a single functional unit, at least one transmitter and at least one separate receiver can also be used.

[0038] The electronic device 110 also includes one or more input / output devices 206 or interfaces (e.g., wired interfaces to the Internet 150). The one or more input / output devices 206 can interact with a user or other devices in a 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.

[0039] Furthermore, the electronic device 110 includes at least one memory 208. The memory 208 stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by the electronic device 110. For example, the memory 208 could store software

[0040] As Figure 3As shown, 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 in place of transmitter 252 and receiver 254. Scheduler 253 may be coupled to processing unit 250. Scheduler 253 may be included within base station 170 or may operate separately from base station 170. Processing unit 250 implements various processing operations for base station 170, such as signal encoding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, or any other functions. 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 comprises any suitable processing device or computing device for performing one or more operations. Each processing unit 250 may comprise a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a field programmable gate array, an application-specific integrated circuit, or the like.

[0041] Each transmitter 252 includes any suitable structure for generating signals for wireless or wired transmission to 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 may be combined into a transceiver. Each antenna 256 includes any suitable structure for transmitting and / or receiving wireless or wired signals. Although a shared antenna 256 is shown coupled to both transmitter 252 and receiver 254, one or more antennas 256 may be coupled to one or more transmitters 252, and one or more separate antennas 256 may 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 connection with electronic device 110. Memory 258 stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by base station 170. For example, memory 258 may store software instructions or modules for implementing some or all of the functionality and / or embodiments described herein and executed by one or more processing units 250.

[0042] 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.

[0043] according to Figure 4 , one or more steps of the methods of each embodiment provided herein may be performed by corresponding units or modules. Figure 4The diagram shows units or modules in a device, such as electronic device 110 or base station 170. For example, a signal may be transmitted by a transmitting unit or transmitting module. A signal may be received by a receiving unit or receiving module. A signal may be processed by a processing unit or processing module. The processing module may include units / modules described later, specifically, processor 210 or processor 260. Figure 4 Other units / modules may be included, but are not shown. Each unit / module may be hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more units / modules may be an integrated circuit, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). It should be understood that if these modules are software, these modules can be retrieved by the processor in whole or in part 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.

[0044] Other details about the electronic device 110 and the base station 170 are known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, for the sake of clarity, these details are omitted here.

[0045] Figure 5 Another example of an electronic device 110 and a base station 170 is shown. The electronic device 110 will be referred to as user equipment (UE) 110 or apparatus 110 hereinafter.

[0046] In some implementations, the base station 170 can be referred to by other names such as a transmit and receive point (TRP), a base transceiver station, a wireless base station, a network node, a network device, a transmission / reception node, a NodeB, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a gNB, a relay station, or a remote radio head. In some embodiments, portions of the base station 170 can be distributed. For example, some modules of the base station 170 can be remote from a device that houses antennas of the base station 170 and can be coupled to the device that houses the antennas through a communication link (not shown). Thus, in some embodiments, the term “base station 170” can also refer to modules that perform processing operations (e.g., resource allocation (scheduling), message generation, and encoding / decoding) on the network side, and these modules do not have to be part of the device that houses the antennas of the base station 170. The modules can also be coupled to other base stations. In some embodiments, the base station 170 can actually be multiple base stations that collectively operate to serve the UE 110, for example, through coordinated multipoint transmission. Furthermore, the term “base station” used herein refers to a network device, i.e., a device on the network side.

[0047] 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 in the figure. The transmitter 252 and the receiver 254 can be integrated as a transceiver. The base station 170 also includes a processor 260 for performing operations including operations related to preparing downlink transmissions to the UE 110 and operations related to processing uplink transmissions received from the UE 110. The processing operations related to preparing downlink transmissions include operations such as encoding, modulation, precoding (e.g., MIMO precoding), and generating symbols for downlink transmissions. The processing operations related to processing uplink transmissions include demodulation and decoding of received symbols. In some embodiments, the processor 260 generates signaling to configure parameters of the frame structure disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the signaling can include signaling common to all UEs or a group of UEs served by the base station 170, and / or UE-specific signaling. In one example, the signaling can include signaling with indications of communication directions for durations within a frame, and signaling with indications of specific communication directions for any durations indicated as “flexible” for a specific UE, as described in more detail below. The signaling is transmitted by the transmitter 252. The base station 170 also includes a scheduler 253 that can schedule uplink and downlink transmissions within a defined frame. In some embodiments, the scheduler 253 can generate part or all of the signaling described as generated by the processor 260. The base station 100 also includes a memory 258 for storing information and data.

[0048] 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.

[0049] Each of the processor 260, the scheduler 253, and the processing components of the transmitter 252 and the receiver 254 can be implemented by the same or different one or more processors that execute instructions stored in the memory (e.g., the memory 258). Alternatively, some or all of the processor 260, the scheduler 253, and the processing components of the transmitter 252 and the receiver 254 can be implemented using dedicated circuits (e.g., a programmed field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)).

[0050] UE 110 also includes a transmitter 201 and a receiver 203 coupled to one or more antennas 204. Only one antenna 204 is shown in this figure. Transmitter 201 and receiver 203 may be integrated into a transceiver, e.g. Figure 2 The transceiver 202 is shown. The UE 110 also includes a processor 210 for performing operations including those related to preparing uplink transmissions to the base station 170 and operations related to processing downlink transmissions received from the base station 170. Processing operations related to preparing uplink transmissions include operations such as encoding, modulation, and generating symbols for transmission. Processing operations related to processing downlink transmissions include demodulating and decoding received symbols. The processor 210 can extract signaling from the downlink transmission (for example, by decoding the signaling) to determine the parameters of the frame structure indicated by the network (for example, determining the communication direction configured for different time durations within the frame, etc.), and determine the scheduling of uplink and downlink transmissions. The sending or receiving of symbols is performed according to the scheduling grant issued by the scheduler 253. The base station 100 also includes a memory 208 for storing information and data.

[0051] Although not shown, the processor 210 may constitute a part of the transmitter 201 and / or the receiver 203 .

[0052] Each of the processor 210 and the processing components of the transmitter 201 and the receiver 203 may be implemented by the same or different one or more processors that are configured to execute instructions stored in the 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 (e.g., FPGAs, GPUs, or ASICs).

[0053] In some embodiments, UE 110 does not have to be a smartphone, but can be any terminal device, such as an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a wearable device, an in-vehicle device, etc.

[0054] Base station 170 and UE 110 may include other components, but these components are omitted for clarity.

[0055] Intra-frame transmission

[0056] The frame structure defines a time domain signal transmission structure, for example, to allow timing reference and timing adjustment of a basic time domain transmission unit. Wireless communication between a UE and one or more base stations is performed on time-frequency resources that can be managed by the frame structure.

[0057] Figure 6 An example of a frame structure is shown. Figure 6 The frame structure in is an example type of frame structure in LTE. Figure 6 The frame structure in has the following structure: the duration of each frame is 10 ms; each frame has 10 subframes, the duration of each subframe is 1 ms; each subframe includes two time slots, the duration of each time slot is 0.5 ms; each time slot is used to transmit 7 OFDM symbols (assuming a 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 6 The frame structure imposes restrictions on time domain scheduling and symbol duration, for example, the time domain granularity is limited by the OFDM symbol duration and imposes restrictions on the length of the CP.

[0058] Despite Figure 6 It is not shown directly, but Figure 6 The frame structure of LTE also has the limitation of not supporting FD communication. In contrast, LTE supports three frame structure types: (1) Type 1, which supports FDD communication; (2) Type 2, which supports TDD communication; and (3) Type 3, which is only suitable for License Assisted Access (LAA) transmission. None of these frame structure types support FD communication.

[0059] Another example of a frame structure is defined in NR. In NR, multiple subcarrier spacings are supported, each corresponding to a respective system numerology. The frame structure depends on the system numerology, but in any case the frame length is set to 10 ms and contains ten subframes, each of 1 ms length. A slot is defined as 14 OFDM symbols (assuming normal CP), and the slot length depends on the system numerology. For example, Figure 7 NR frame structures for a normal CP 15 kHz subcarrier spacing (“system numerology 1”) and a normal CP 30 kHz subcarrier spacing (“system numerology 2”) are shown. For a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz, the slot length is 1 ms; for a subcarrier spacing of 30 kHz, the slot length is 0.5 ms.

[0060] Although not shown in Figure 7 , the NR frame structure also has a limitation that FD communication is not supported. Only FDD or TDD communication is supported. For TDD communication, signaling can be used to configure uplink, downlink, and flexible transmission durations within a slot. A “flexible” transmission duration refers to a duration for which the communication direction can be either uplink or downlink and can be set on a UE-specific basis. For example, Figure 8 One slot of an NR TDD frame is shown, which includes 14 OFDM symbols (assuming normal CP length). Cell-common signaling (alternatively referred to as broadcast signaling) is used to configure the first three symbols as downlink (“D”), the last two symbols as uplink (“U”), and the remaining symbols as flexible (“F”). Although Figure 8 a switching gap (guard interval) is not shown in , a switching gap occurs whenever the transmission switches from uplink to downlink, or vice versa. Additional signaling can be used to set one or more of the flexible (“F”) symbols as uplink or downlink transmission for one or more specific UEs.

[0061] Figure 8 is just one possible example configuration, and other communication direction patterns (downlink symbols / flexible symbols / uplink symbols) are possible. For example, the number and / or location of downlink, uplink, and flexible symbols in a slot can be different than shown in Figure 8 . In any case, however, each symbol can only be either uplink or downlink (or not used), not both. In other words, FD communication is not supported. In some implementations, dynamic signaling can use higher layer signaling to override the downlink / uplink / flexible configuration set. For example, higher layer signaling can be used to establish a Figure 8However, DCI can be used to override (i.e., change) the configuration of one or more specific time slots for a group of UEs, for example, to change the number and / or position of downlink symbols, uplink symbols, and flexible symbols in a time slot for a group of UEs.

[0062] Therefore, the NR frame structure can have greater flexibility than the LTE frame structure, for example due to the provision of "flexible" symbols in TDD. However, the NR frame structure still has significant limitations, such as no support for FD communications and a single frame structure is configured for either FDD or TDD communications, not both.

[0063] In contrast, this document discloses an embodiment of a frame structure that supports FD communication, FDD communication, and TDD communication. In some embodiments, two separate independent frame structures are defined: a frame structure for receiving; a frame structure for sending. As previously mentioned, the "receiving" and "sending" used in this document are from the perspective of the UE. For example, in UE / base station communication, receiving is downlink and sending is uplink. Therefore, when "receiving frame structure" is used in this document, it can be interchangeably referred to as a "downlink frame structure" in the wireless communication environment between a network device (e.g., a base station) and a UE. In this case, "receiving" can be replaced with "downlink." Similarly, when "sending frame structure" is used in this document, it can be interchangeably referred to as an "uplink frame structure" in the wireless communication communication environment between a network device and a UE. In this case, "sending" can be replaced with "uplink."

[0064] Separate send frame structure and receive frame structure

[0065] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, two separate independent frame structures are defined: a frame structure for reception; a frame structure for transmission. The frame structure for reception will be referred to as a reception frame structure, and a frame of the reception frame structure will be referred to as a reception frame. The frame structure for transmission will be referred to as a transmission frame structure, and a frame of the transmission frame structure will be referred to as a transmission frame. Each frame of the reception frame structure can be configured to have multiple durations configured with a communication direction. In some embodiments, at least one of the durations is for reception transmission (e.g., in downlink), and one or more of the other durations can be flexible durations. A flexible duration refers to a duration in which the communication direction can be configured to be transmission and / or reception (on a UE-specific basis). For example, depending on the capability of the UE, the UE can be used for transmission and / or reception in part or all of the flexible duration. UE-specific control signaling can be used to configure each UE whether the UE is to transmit or receive, or both, or neither, in a particular flexible duration. Similarly, the transmission frames of the transmission frame structure can also be configured to have multiple durations configured with a communication direction. In some embodiments, at least one of the durations is for transmission transmission (e.g., in uplink), and one or more of the other durations can be flexible durations. UE-specific control signaling can be used to configure each UE whether the UE is to transmit or receive, or both, or neither, in a particular flexible duration within a transmission frame.

[0066] In some embodiments, the reception frame structure is associated with a first frequency band and / or a first frequency carrier and / or a first serving cell and / or a first bandwidth part (BWP) and / or a first base station (e.g., TRP), and the transmission frame structure is associated with a respective second frequency band and / or a second frequency carrier and / or a second serving cell and / or a second BWP and / or a second base station (e.g., TRP). In some embodiments, the first frequency band or the first frequency carrier or the first serving cell or the first BWP can partially overlap with the respective second frequency band or the second frequency carrier or the second serving cell or the second BWP. In some embodiments, the first frequency band or the first frequency carrier or the first serving cell or the first BWP can be equal to the respective second frequency band or the second frequency carrier or the second serving cell or the second BWP.

[0067] Figure 9An example receive frame structure 350 and transmit frame structure 352 provided by one embodiment are shown. Base station 170 is in wireless communication with three UEs (UE 110A, UE 110B, and UE 110C). UE 110A has the capability to communicate with base station 170 using FD communication. UE 110B is a legacy device for communicating with base station 170 through TDD communication. UE 110C is also a legacy device for communicating with base station 170 through FDD communication.

[0068] Wireless communication between base station 170 and UEs 110A, 110B, and 110C is managed through two separate frame structures (receive frame structure 350 and transmit frame structure 352).

[0069] Figure 9 Three frames of receive frame structure 350 are shown, each having the same duration t F，Rx . A frame of receive frame structure 350 will be referred to as a receive frame. Each receive frame includes five durations configured with respective communication directions. The first duration t 1，Rx is for reception, i.e., for downlink transmission, as indicated by the letter "R". The second duration t 2，Rx is also for reception, i.e., for downlink transmission, as indicated by the letter "R". During the reception durations, i.e., within durations 1 and 2, only downlink transmission is allowed. Within durations 1 and 2, a UE can not transmit uplink transmission within the receive frame. The third duration t 3，Rx is configured as a flexible duration, as indicated by the letter "F". Within the flexible duration, the communication direction (transmission vs. reception) is flexible and can be configured on a UE- specific basis. For example, within some or all of the flexible duration, a UE can be configured for reception (i.e., to receive downlink transmission), or for transmission (i.e., to transmit uplink transmission), or for both reception and transmission, depending on the capability of the UE. Within some or all of the flexible duration, a UE can sometimes be configured to neither transmit nor receive. In some implementations, a UE can be configured to switch reception / transmission within the flexible duration, e.g., to receive downlink transmission at the beginning of the flexible duration, followed by a switching gap, and then to transmit uplink transmission before the end of the flexible duration.

[0070] The fourth duration t 4，Rx of the receive frame is also configured as a flexible duration, as indicated by the letter "F". The fifth duration t 5，Rx is also configured as a flexible duration, as indicated by the letter "F".

[0071] The communication direction configured for each duration within a frame defines the communication direction pattern for that frame. For example, Figure 9The communication direction pattern for the receive frame in is RRFFF.

[0072] In one example, the durations 1 and 2 of the receive frame (labeled "R") can be used to transmit downlink information to each of the UEs 110A, 110B, and 110C. The downlink information can be broadcast, groupcast, or transmitted in UE-specific transmissions. The downlink information transmitted in part or all of the durations 1 and 2 of the receive frame can be important information that is protected in part by not allowing any uplink transmissions in the durations 1 and 2 of the receive frame. In some embodiments, downlink control signaling can be transmitted from the base station 170 in the durations 1 and 2 of the receive frame. Examples of downlink information transmitted in the durations 1 and 2 of the receive frame can include: a primary synchronization signal (PSS); and / or a secondary synchronization signal (SSS); and / or a master information block (MIB); and / or a system information block (SIB); and / or a paging channel (PCH).

[0073] In one example, the UE 110A has FD communication capability, and thus the base station 170 can configure the UE 110A to transmit and receive in each of the flexible durations 3, 4, and 5 labeled "F" within the receive frame. The UE 110B is for TDD communication, and (as an example) the base station 170 can configure the UE 110B to receive downlink communication in the duration 3 of the receive frame, have a switching gap in the duration 4 of the receive frame, and transmit uplink communication in the duration 5 of the receive frame. The UE 110C is for FDD communication, and thus is configured to only receive downlink communication within the receive frame. As an example, the base station 170 can configure the UE 110C to receive downlink transmissions in the durations 3 and 4 of the receive frame and not receive downlink transmissions in the duration 5 of the receive frame.

[0074] Figure 9 Three frames of the transmit frame structure 352 are also shown in, each having the same duration t F，Tx The frames of the transmit frame structure 352 will be referred to as transmit frames. In Figure 9 In, the transmit frames coincide in time with the receive frames, i.e., each transmit frame starts at the same time as a receive frame. In general, this can not be the case, as discussed later. For ease of illustration, in Figure 9Any timing offset (e.g., timing advance) is omitted in the figure, but in general, there can be a timing offset (e.g., timing advance) for the uplink transmission.

[0075] Each transmission frame includes four durations configured with respective communication directions. The first duration t 1，Tx is configured as a reservation duration, as indicated by the letter "X". This means that neither transmission nor reception is allowed within the duration t 1，Tx in the transmission frame. Similarly, the second duration t 2，Tx is also configured as a reservation duration, as indicated by the letter "X". The third duration t 3，Tx is configured as a flexible duration, as indicated by the letter "F". Within the flexible duration, the communication direction (transmission vs. reception) is flexible and can be configured on a UE- specific basis. For example, within part or all of the flexible duration, the UE can be used for reception (i.e., to receive downlink transmissions), or for transmission (i.e., to transmit uplink transmissions), or for both reception and transmission, depending on the capability of the UE. Within part or all of the flexible duration, the UE can sometimes be configured to neither transmit nor receive. In some implementations, the UE can be configured to switch reception / transmission within the flexible duration, e.g., to receive downlink transmissions at the beginning of the flexible duration, followed by a switching gap, and then to transmit uplink transmissions before the end of the flexible duration.

[0076] The fourth duration t 4，Tx of the transmission frame is used for transmission, i.e., for uplink transmissions, as indicated by the letter "T". Within the fourth duration, only uplink transmissions are allowed within the transmission frame. Within the duration 4, the UE can not receive downlink transmissions within the transmission frame. In some embodiments, the duration configured as transmission duration "T" can be reserved for the UE to transmit important uplink information that the base station needs to receive, in which case the corresponding duration in the reception frame structure 350 can be reserved ("X") to prohibit transmission / reception within the reception frame within that duration, thereby helping to reduce interference.

[0077] As described above, the communication direction configured for each duration within a frame defines the communication direction pattern for that frame. Figure 9 The communication direction pattern for the transmission frame in the figure is XXFT.

[0078] In one example, UE 110A has FD communication capability, so base station 170 can configure UE 110A to transmit and receive within flexible duration 3 labeled “F” within the transmit frame. UE 110B is used for TDD communication, and (as an example) base station 170 can configure UE 110B to receive downlink communication within the first portion of duration 3, with a switching gap before the start of duration 4 of the transmit frame. UE 110C is used for FDD communication, so is only used to transmit uplink communication within the transmit frame. UEs 110A, 110B, and 110C can all be used to transmit information in uplink transmissions within duration 4 of the transmit frame structure. Even though UE 110A has FD communication capability, it is not used to receive information in downlink transmissions within duration 4, because duration 4 of the transmit frame is only used for uplink transmissions.

[0079] In Figure 9 the example, receive frame structure 350 and transmit frame structure 352 are configured on separate, non-overlapping frequency bands, which are labeled “first frequency band” and “second frequency band” in Figure 9 . FDD communication by UE 110C is enabled because all of its downlink communication is on the first frequency band (receive frame), and all of its uplink communication is on the second frequency band (transmit frame). In general, the first and second frequency bands can partially overlap or fully overlap, in which case it can not be possible to accommodate a UE that uses FDD communication.

[0080] In Figure 9 the example, durations 1 and 2 of the receive frame are coincident in time with durations 1 and 2 of the corresponding transmit frame. In addition, in Figure 9 the example, no transmission is sent within durations 1 and 2 of the transmit frame, as indicated by “X”. This helps to protect downlink transmissions within durations 1 and 2 of the receive frame, because interference from competing transmissions is mitigated. However, as Figure 9 shown, if the first and second frequency bands are fully separate (no frequency overlap), it can not be necessary to prohibit transmission within durations 1 and 2 of the transmit frame, because the transmission would be on a different frequency resource than the downlink transmission within the receive frame. Although the first and second frequency bands are shown as not overlapping, they can partially overlap or fully overlap, depending on the configuration.

[0081] In Figure 9 , the frame duration of the receive frame is equal to the frame duration of the transmit frame, i.e., t F，Rx = t F，Tx . However, this is not generally necessary. In addition, the frame duration can vary between frames. For example, the duration t F，RxThe duration t of one receive frame can be different from the duration t of another receive frame F，Rx Similarly, the duration t of one transmit frame in the transmit frame structure 352 can be different from the duration t of another transmit frame F，Tx F，Tx

[0082] In the example shown in Figure 9 each receive frame has the same configured duration: five durations, each of a particular length, and each receive frame is configured with the communication direction pattern RRFFF. However, this need not generally be the case. Different receive frames can have different numbers of durations and / or durations of different lengths, and / or the communication direction pattern configuration can vary between receive frames. The same is true for the frames of the transmit frame structure 352. In other words, different transmit frames can have different numbers of durations and / or durations of different lengths, and / or the communication direction pattern configuration can vary between transmit frames. Some or all of the transmit frames can not have the reserved duration “X” and / or can not necessarily have the dedicated transmit duration “T” (i.e., the presence of “X” and “T” is optional in the transmit frame structure 352). However, in some embodiments, the frames of the transmit frame structure 352 do not include a dedicated receive duration “R” because this is a feature of the receive frame structure 350 and is used to distinguish the receive frame structure 350 from the transmit frame structure 352. In some embodiments, the receive frame structure 350 must include at least one frame with a dedicated receive duration “R”. In some embodiments, the receive frame structure 350 must include at least one frame with a dedicated receive duration “R” and a dedicated flexible duration “F”. In some embodiments, the receive frame structure 350 cannot include a dedicated transmit duration “T”. In some embodiments, “R” and “T” cannot be used mixed in the same frame structure, i.e., a dedicated receive duration “R” and a dedicated transmit duration “T” cannot both be present in a single same frame structure, whether it is the receive frame structure 350 or the transmit frame structure 352.

[0083] For example, Figures 10(a) to 10(c) Some alternative configurations of the receive frame structure 350 and the transmit frame structure 352 are shown. For clarity, any timing offset (e.g., timing advance) between receive frames and transmit frames is omitted.

[0084] ​​Three frames are shown in the alternative configuration of Figure 10(a). The receive frame structure 350 and the transmit frame structure 352 are configured on exactly the same (commonly ranged) frequency resources, i.e., fully overlapping in the frequency domain. The duration of each frame in each frame structure is also commonly ranged, i.e., fully overlapping. Each frame has three durations. The first duration within a frame is used for reception duration (“R”) in the receive frame structure 350 and is reserved (“X”) in the transmit frame structure 352. No transmission or reception is allowed in the first duration of the transmit frame to avoid interfering with reception in the first duration of the receive frame. The second duration is flexible for both the receive frame and the transmit frame. The third duration is flexible for the receive frame and is dedicated for transmission in the transmit frame only. The base station 170 configures and schedules uplink and downlink transmissions for the UE 110A, the UE 110B, and the UE 110C in a manner that avoids or mitigates interference. FDD communication for the UE 110C can not be possible unless different frequency ranges within the same frame are dedicated for uplink and downlink communication for the UE 110C. The first duration of each frame is reserved for downlink communication only, e.g., communication to all UEs 110A-110C. The downlink communication in the first duration is part of the receive frame structure 350.

[0085] In the alternative configuration of Figure 10(b), the receive frame structure 350 and the transmit frame structure 352 are on non-overlapping frequency resources. Four receive frames are shown in the figure and two transmit frames are shown. The length of each transmit frame is twice the length of a receive frame, e.g., the subcarrier spacing of a symbol within a transmit frame can be half the subcarrier spacing of a symbol within a receive frame. Different durations and communication direction patterns are configured for the receive frames and the transmit frames. In the example shown, each of the receive frames and the transmit frames has four durations, but the durations within a receive frame are half the length of the durations within a transmit frame. Each receive frame is configured with the communication direction pattern RRRF and each transmit frame is configured with the communication direction pattern TFFF.

[0086] In the alternative configuration of Figure 10(c), the receive frame structure 350 and the transmit frame structure 352 are on non-overlapping frequency resources, the durations of the receive frames are equal to the durations of the transmit frames, and the start of a transmit frame coincides in time with the start of a corresponding receive frame. However, the length of the durations within a receive frame is different from the length of the durations within a transmit frame and the number of durations within a receive frame is not equal to the number of durations within a transmit frame. Specifically, in this example, the receive frames have two durations configured with communication directions (to yield the communication direction pattern RF) and the transmit frames have three durations configured with communication directions (to yield the communication direction pattern TTF).

[0087] The durations within the received frames of the received frame structure 350 and / or the transmitted frames of the transmitted frame structure 352 can be defined by: absolute time; and / or a number of symbols (e.g., the duration can span a particular number of symbol(s)); and / or a number of slots (if defined) (e.g., the duration can span a particular number of slot(s)); and / or a number of subframes (if defined) (e.g., the duration can span a particular number of subframe(s)).

[0088] Figures 10(a) to 10(c) The configurations in FIG. 10 are merely examples, and the purpose is to help illustrate that many configurations of the received frame structure 350 and the transmitted frame structure 352 can be different and independent principles. Parameters that can be configured independently for the received frame structure 350 and the transmitted frame structure 352 can include:

[0089] (1) Subcarrier spacing (SCS): The subcarrier spacing of the symbols in the received frame structure 350 can be configured independently of the subcarrier spacing of the symbols in the transmitted frame structure 352. Thus, the subcarrier spacing within a received frame can be different from the subcarrier spacing within a transmitted frame, although this need not be the case. The example configuration in FIG. 10(b) can result from the subcarrier spacing of each transmitted frame being half the subcarrier spacing of each received frame. If the subcarrier spacing between received frames and transmitted frames is different, the difference need not necessarily scale by a factor of two, e.g., if an IDFT is used instead of an FFT to enable more flexible symbol durations. Other examples of frame structures with different subcarrier spacings will also be discussed in more detail later.

[0090] (2) Frame length: The frame length of one, some, or all of the frames in the received frame structure 350 can be configured independently of the frame length of one, some, or all of the frames in the transmitted frame structure 352. Thus, the frame length of a received frame can be different from the frame length of a transmitted frame, although this need not be the case. Furthermore, different received frames in the received frame structure 350 can be configured to have different lengths, and / or different transmitted frames in the transmitted frame structure 352 can be configured to have different lengths.

[0091] (3) Number of durations within a frame: The number of durations of a received frame that are configured with a corresponding communication direction can be different from a transmitted frame. For example, in the example shown in the configuration of FIG. 10(c), the received frame has two durations configured with a communication direction (to produce a communication direction pattern RF), and the transmitted frame has three durations configured with a communication direction (to produce a communication direction pattern TTF). Furthermore, different received frames in the received frame structure 350 can have different numbers of durations, and / or different transmitted frames in the transmitted frame structure 352 can have different numbers of durations.

[0092] (4) Length of Intra-Frame Durations: The length of intra- frame durations of a receiving frame, which is configured with a communication direction, can be different from that of a transmitting frame. For example, in the example shown in the configuration of FIG. 10(a), the length of each intra-frame duration in the receiving frame is the same as that of intra-frame durations in the transmitting frame, while in the example shown in the configuration of FIG. 10(b), the length of each intra-frame duration in the receiving frame is different from that of intra-frame durations in the transmitting frame. Further, durations of different lengths can be configured within the same receiving frame and / or within the same transmitting frame, as is the case in the configuration of FIG. 10(c). Further, different receiving frames in the receiving frame structure 350 can have one or more durations of different lengths, and / or different transmitting frames in the transmitting frame structure 352 can have durations of different lengths.

[0093] (5) The frequency band and / or frequency carrier and / or serving cell and / or BWP and / or base station (e.g., TRP) associated with the receiving frame structure 350 can be configured independently of (and can be different from) the frequency band and / or frequency carrier and / or serving cell and / or BWP and / or base station (e.g., TRP) associated with the transmitting frame structure 352.

[0094] The parameters of the frame structure that are not signaled to the UE can be predefined (e.g., determined by a standard) or predefined based on application scenarios (e.g., one configuration for low latency applications and another configuration for latency tolerant applications).

[0095] In addition to the above parameters (1) to (5), another parameter that can be configured (e.g., on a UE-specific basis) is whether the UE is transmitting, receiving, or both, or neither, in the portion or portions of the duration configured as flexible duration (“F”).

[0096] The parameters of the receiving frame structure 350 and the transmitting frame structure 352 can be configured for the UE through control signaling (e.g., through higher layer signaling (such as radio resource control (RRC) signaling) and / or medium access control (MAC) layer information) and / or through dynamic signaling (such as downlink control information (DCI) signaling). In some embodiments, the signaling to configure the receiving frame structure 350 and the transmitting frame structure 352 can be together, e.g., all bits in the same field, where a first portion of the field configures the receiving frame structure 350 and a second portion of the field configures the transmitting frame structure 352. In other embodiments, the signaling to configure the receiving frame structure 350 and the transmitting frame structure 352 can be separate, e.g., one field for configuring the receiving frame structure 350 and another, different field for configuring the transmitting frame structure 352.

[0097] In some embodiments, the configuration of the reception frame structure 350 and the transmission frame structure 352 can be sent through cell common signaling and / or UE specific signaling (e.g., UE specific RRC or UE specific MAC signaling) and / or physical layer signaling (e.g., DCI).

[0098] In some embodiments, the cell common signaling received and decoded by all UEs served by the base station is used to indicate that the parameters of the frame structure are the same for all UEs communicating on the frame structure. Such parameters can include: the frame duration of the reception frame structure and the transmission frame structure; and / or the location and length of the durations within one, some or all of the reception frames and the transmission frames; and / or whether a particular duration is for reception “R”, transmission “T”, reservation “X”, or flexible “F”. Alternatively, one or more of the above parameters can be predefined (e.g., determined by a standard). UE specific signaling can be used to configure each UE for each flexible “F” duration within each frame of each of the frame structure 350 and the frame structure 352, whether the UE is to transmit, or receive, or both, or neither. The UE specific signaling configures the communication direction for each UE according to the capability of the UE. For example, if a UE has FD communication capability, the UE can be configured to both transmit and receive within a particular flexible duration “F”. However, if another UE is for TDD communication, the UE can be configured to not both transmit and receive within a particular flexible duration “F”. In some embodiments, the UE specific signaling can be in DCI or higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling or MAC layer signaling). Generally, in some embodiments, the first signaling, which is not UE specific, can be used to configure some parameters of the reception frame structure and / or the transmission frame structure, and the second signaling, which is UE specific, can be used to configure the communication direction for one or more UEs communicating on the frame structure.

[0099] In some embodiments, the reception frame structure 350 and / or the transmission frame structure 352 can be configured differently for different services, and even for the same UE. For example, a UE that is a smart watch can transmit heart rate information to the base station, but also stream video. The flexible durations “F” within the transmission frames and / or the reception frames can be used for the service of transmitting (uplink) the heart rate information, and the flexible durations “F” within the transmission frames and / or the reception frames can be used for the service of receiving (downlink) the video stream. In some embodiments, the communication direction pattern of the reception frames and / or the transmission frames can be configured differently for different services, e.g., a reception frame can have a pattern RFFFF for one service (e.g., heart rate monitoring), and can have a pattern RRRRF for another service (e.g., video streaming).

[0100] In some embodiments, the reception frame structure 350 and / or the transmission frame structure 352 can be configured differently for different UEs, in which case the frame structure is configured using UE-specific signaling, e.g., UE-specific RRC signaling, MAC layer signaling, and / or physical layer signaling (e.g., UE-specific DCI). In some embodiments, the reception frame structure 350 and / or the transmission frame structure 352 can be configured differently for different groups of UEs, in which case the frame structure can be configured using group-common signaling, e.g., group-common DCI.

[0101] In one example, a set of predefined different possible communication direction patterns are predetermined, and group-common DCI is used to dynamically indicate / select one of the predefined communication direction patterns. For example, Figure 11 A reception frame and a transmission frame are shown, each having ten durations, where the respective communication direction can be configured. The actual configured communication direction pattern of the ten durations is dynamically indicated by selecting one of the six predefined patterns in Table 1 (for the reception frame) and one of the three predefined patterns in Table 2 (for the transmission frame). For example, if index 1 of Table 1 is indicated in the DCI, the communication direction pattern of the reception frame is RFFFFRFFFF, and if index 2 of Table 2 is indicated in the DCI, the communication direction pattern of the transmission frame is FFFFFFFFFFF.

[0102] In some embodiments, UE-specific RRC signaling can indicate certain parameters of the reception frame structure 350 and / or the transmission frame structure 352 (e.g., which durations are configured as flexible (“F”)), and DCI signaling can indicate whether the durations configured as flexible (“F”) are to be used by the UE for reception (e.g., downlink) and / or transmission (e.g., uplink).

[0103] In some embodiments, one or more parameters can be explicitly signaled for the reception frame structure 350 and the transmission frame structure 352 separately or predefined separately. In other embodiments, one or more parameters can be explicitly signaled for the reception frame structure 350 but not for the transmission frame structure 352 (or vice versa). For example, the reception frame structure 350 can be configured using parameters explicitly signaled to the UE, and the configuration of the transmission frame structure 352 can be predefined according to the configured reception frame structure 350. For example, signaling can be received by the UE indicating that the reception frame structure 350 has a particular frame length, a particular number and length of durations within each reception frame, and indicating the configured communication direction for each duration, e.g., “R”, “F”, or “X”. The UE can then derive the configuration of the transmission frame structure 352 according to a predefined relationship between the reception frame structure 350 and the transmission frame structure 352. For example, the transmission frame structure 352 can be predefined to have the same configuration as the reception frame structure 350 but with the following two differences known to the UE: (i) the transmission frame structure 352 is to be located on an adjacent non-overlapping frequency band next to the frequency band where the reception frame structure 350 is located; (ii) each duration in the transmission frame structure 352 corresponding to a duration configured as “R” in the reception frame structure 350 is configured as a transmission duration “T” in the transmission frame structure 352. In some embodiments, the subcarrier spacing is predefined or configured to be the same in the transmission frame structure 352 as in the reception frame structure 350 (e.g., through cell common signaling).

[0104] In some embodiments, the configurable parameters of the reception frame structure 350 are indicated using signaling decodable by multiple UEs (e.g., cell common signaling), and the transmission frame structure 352 is predefined according to a known relationship between the transmission frame structure 352 and the configured reception frame structure 350, or the transmission frame structure 352 can also have parameters configured using signaling decodable by multiple UEs.

[0105] In some embodiments, the reception frame structure 350 and the transmission frame structure 352 can be configured to have the same subcarrier spacing, while in other embodiments, the reception frame structure 350 and the transmission frame structure 352 can be configured to have different subcarrier spacings. In some embodiments, the subcarrier spacing is configured using cell common signaling.

[0106] FIGs. 12(a) and 12(b) illustrate several examples of reception frame structures and transmission frame structures with different subcarrier spacings. In the configuration of FIG. 12(a), each of the reception frame and the transmission frame has the same absolute frame length t F，Rx = t F，TxHowever, the subcarrier spacing of the received frames is half the subcarrier spacing of the transmitted frames. There are four durations in a received frame and eight durations in a transmitted frame. Each duration can be one symbol, time slot or subframe, depending on the implementation. The configuration of Figure 12(a) illustrates the principle that in some embodiments the frame length of the received frames and the transmitted frames can be the same, in which case the number of symbols (and possibly the number of time slots and / or subframes, if defined) within the received frames and the transmitted frames will be different if the subcarrier spacing is different.

[0107] In the configuration of Figure 12(b), the subcarrier spacing of the received frames is four times greater than the subcarrier spacing of the transmitted frames, but the number of durations within the received frames and the transmitted frames is configured to be the same for the received frames and the transmitted frames. Specifically, in the example illustrated by the configuration of Figure 12(b), the number of durations within the received frames and the number of durations within the transmitted frames is equal to 3. Thus, the received frames and the transmitted frames have different frame lengths, i.e. F，Rx ≠ t F，Tx Each four received frames there is one transmitted frame. Each duration within a frame can be a symbol, time slot or subframe, depending on the implementation. The configuration of Figure 12(b) illustrates the principle that in some embodiments the number of durations within the received frames and the number of durations within the transmitted frames can be configured to be equal, in which case the frame length of the received frames can not equal the frame length of the transmitted frames if the subcarrier spacing is different. In some embodiments, the number of durations within the received frames and the transmitted frames can be predefined (e.g. determined by a standard).

[0108] In the examples of Figure 12(a) and Figure 12(b), the difference in subcarrier spacing between the received frames and the transmitted frames is always a factor of two, but this need not generally be the case.

[0109] Frame numbering and timing offset

[0110] For example, each frame of the frame structure can be assigned a frame number to assist with scheduling and / or HARQ retransmission timing and / or physical layer protocol synchronisation. The frame number count can restart after a certain number of frames, for example the frame number count can run from 0 to 1023, with the frame number returning to zero every 1024 frames. The frame number of a frame can be indicated in control signalling (e.g. in broadcast signalling).

[0111] In some embodiments, the frames of the receive frame structure 350 and the frames of the transmit frame structure 352 are each assigned a respective frame number. The frame number count of the receive frame structure 350 can be separate from the frame number count of the transmit frame structure 352. In some embodiments, the number of frames after which the frame count restarts can be the same for the receive frame structure 350 and the transmit frame structure 352. In other words, the maximum frame number in the receive frame structure 350 and the transmit frame structure 352 can be the same. In some embodiments, the frame numbers of the receive frame structure 350 and the frame numbers of the transmit frame structure 352 can be aligned in time, there can be a timing offset and / or a frame number offset between the frame number of a receive frame and the frame number of a corresponding transmit frame. For example, Figure 13 A number of frames of the receive frame structure 350 and a number of frames of the transmit frame structure 352 are shown in one embodiment. In the example shown, the frame length of the receive frames is equal to the frame length of the transmit frames (i.e., t F，Rx = t F，Tx ), the frame count restarts after 1024 frames in both the receive frame structure 350 and the transmit frame structure 352, and the frame number of each receive frame is aligned in time with the frame number of each transmit frame, e.g., when a frame is frame 1 in the receive frame structure 350, it is also (in time) frame 1 in the transmit frame structure 352. Any timing offset (if any) between the start of a receive frame of the same frame number and the start of a corresponding transmit frame is not shown in this figure. Figure 14 A variation of Figure 13 is shown in which the frame number of a transmit frame is offset in time by one frame relative to a receive frame. Again, any timing offset between the start of a receive frame and the start of a transmit frame is not shown in this figure. In some embodiments, the frame number of a transmit frame can be offset in time (forward or backward in time) by N frames relative to the corresponding frame number of a receive frame.

[0112] Figure 13 The examples in Figure 14 assume that there is no timing offset (e.g., no timing advance) between the start of a transmit frame and the start of a corresponding receive frame. However, more specifically, there can be a timing offset (e.g., a timing advance) between the start of a receive frame and the start of a corresponding transmit frame. The duration of the timing offset is typically less than one frame. For example, Figure 15 A variation of Figure 13 is shown in which there is a timing offset t offset between the start of a receive frame of the same frame number and the start of a corresponding transmit frame, where 0 < t offset < t F , and t F is the frame length of the receive and transmit frames, i.e., t F = t F，Rx = t F，Tx . If the frame number of a transmit frame is offset by a certain number of frames (e.g., as inFigure 14 The timing offset value t offset may still be less than one frame, but between the received frame number and the corresponding offset transmitted frame number. For example, Figure 16 shows Figure 14 a variation where there is a timing offset t offset between the start of a received frame and the start of a corresponding transmitted frame, where the corresponding transmitted frame has a frame number that is offset from the received frame.

[0113] In some embodiments, the timing offset t offset may be measured in terms of the offset in time between the first frame number of a received frame and the first frame number of a corresponding transmitted frame. Timing offset measurement in relation to the first frame number can be applied to configurations where the received frame duration is not equal to the transmitted frame duration (i.e., t F，Rx ≠ t F，Tx ), for example because the subcarrier spacing used in the received frame structure 350 is different from the transmitted frame structure 352. For example, Figure 17 shows a plurality of frames of a received frame structure 350 and a plurality of frames of a transmitted frame structure 352 provided by another embodiment. In the example shown, the subcarrier spacing of the symbols transmitted / received in the received frame structure 350 is half of the subcarrier spacing of the symbols transmitted / received in the transmitted frame structure 352, and t F，Rx = 2 x t F，Tx . The frame count restarts after every 512 frames in the received frame structure 350, and the frame count restarts after every 1024 frames in the transmitted frame structure 352. The timing offset t offset is measured relative to frame number 0 of the received frame structure 350 and the transmitted frame structure 352. Although the subcarrier spacing in the received frame structure 350 is different from the transmitted frame structure 352, the start frame number 0 of the received frame structure 350 and the transmitted frame structure 352 is aligned in time and there is a timing offset t offset . Since the maximum frame number of the received frame structure 350 is different from the transmitted frame structure 352, the start frame number 0 of the received frame structure 350 and the transmitted frame structure 352 is aligned in time and there is a timing offset t offset . More specifically, in Figure 17 , the start of frame number N of a received frame is offset in time from the start of frame number 2N of a transmitted frame by t offset because the subcarrier spacing of the transmitted frame is twice the subcarrier spacing of the received frame.

[0114] In some embodiments, the UE receives signaling indicating the frame number of the received frame, and then the UE determines the frame number of the transmitted frame according to a predefined relationship between the frame number of the received frame and the frame number of the corresponding transmitted frame (e.g., according to a known offset between the received frame number and the corresponding transmitted frame number). In other embodiments, the signaling indicates the frame number of the transmitted frame, and the frame number of the received frame is determined according to a predefined relationship between the frame number of the transmitted frame and the corresponding frame number of the received frame.

[0115] In some embodiments, both the frame number of the received frame and the frame number of the transmitted frame are signaled to the UE. In some embodiments, the received frame number N can be signaled in a master information block (MIB) or in UE-specific RRC signaling, and the transmitted frame number can be signaled by signaling a frame number offset value. The frame number offset value can be signaled in the MIB or in UE-specific RRC signaling. Then, for a transmitted frame that has a starting timing offset t offset from the received frame N, the frame number of the transmitted frame is N plus or minus the signaled frame number offset value. For example, in the example of Figure 14 and Figure 16 , the frame number offset value is 1, because the frame number of the transmitted frame is offset by 1 compared to the corresponding frame number of the received frame. In some embodiments, the frame number offset value can be predefined, e.g., determined and known by the UE in advance.

[0116] In some embodiments, the frame timing (e.g., the time at which a frame starts) of the transmitted frame structure 352 can be determined according to the corresponding received frame number and / or the start time of the received frame. For example, a timing offset value t offset may be signaled to the UE, which can use the value to determine the start time of a frame in the transmitted frame structure 352. In one example, the UE can receive signaling indicating the received frame N and indicating the timing offset value t offset , and then the UE can determine that the transmitted frame N will start at a time that is advanced from the start timing of the received frame N by t offset , as shown in Figure 15 For the received frame structure 350 and the transmitted frame structure 352, the same sampling duration can be assumed, as shown in Figure 15 The sampling duration is the smallest unit of time in which a frame is constructed.

[0117] In the embodiments described above in which there is a timing offset value t offset , the timing offset value can be UE-specific and signaled to each UE individually. In some embodiments, the timing offset value t offset may be a timing advance value t TA . In some embodiments, the equation t TA = (NTA +N TA，offset )T c calculating a timing advance value, where N TA，offset is a value between a reception frame boundary and a transmission frame boundary, which can be determined in a standard specification or indicated by signaling from one communication side (e.g., from a base station). N TA is a timing advance value, which in some embodiments can come from a random access channel (RACH) response or a timing advance (TA) command (e.g., in a MAC frame header). T c is a sampling period.

[0118] In some embodiments, the frame number can be used to configure certain parameters of the reception frame and / or transmission frame on a frame-specific basis. For example, a UE can receive signaling indicating that reception frame 0 will have a communication direction pattern of RRFFF and reception frame 1 will have a communication direction pattern of RFFFF, etc.

[0119] Other embodiments and methods

[0120] Although in the above embodiments, two separate frame structures, i.e., reception frame structure and transmission frame structure, are mainly described, in other embodiments, a single frame structure can also be used, which includes a duration dedicated to reception “R” only, a duration of flexibility “F”, and a possible duration dedicated to transmission “T” only. However, by having two separate frame structures, it can be better to adapt to legacy UEs performing FDD communication, as the UEs can receive (downlink) on the reception frame structure and transmit (uplink) on the transmission frame structure. Separate reception frame structure and transmission frame structure can also help to transmit between a base station and a UE at different carrier frequencies, as the reception frame structure can be defined and used for one carrier frequency, while the transmission frame structure can be defined and used for another carrier frequency.

[0121] The frame structure is mainly discussed above in the context of a communication environment between a UE and a base station (i.e., downlink and uplink). However, the above embodiments are also applicable to other scenarios, such as sidelink communication (i.e., D2D communication) between two UEs and IAB communication. For example, for sidelink communication, “reception” in the “reception frame structure” and “transmission” in the “transmission frame structure” can be seen from the perspective of a slave or target UE communicating with a master UE.

[0122] Figure 18 Methods performed by devices and apparatuses are shown. The devices can be network devices, such as base station 170. However, the devices can also be user equipment. The apparatuses can be user equipment, such as UE 110.

[0123] In step 452, the device transmits first control signaling that is common to a plurality of apparatuses. For example, the first control signaling can be cell common signaling (i.e., broadcast signaling) and / or groupcast signaling. The first control signaling includes one or more parameters configuring a first frame structure and / or an indication of one or more parameters configuring a second frame structure. The first frame structure is different from the second frame structure. For example, the first frame structure can be a receive frame structure, and the second frame structure can be a transmit frame structure.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first frame structure includes a first frame, and the first control signaling indicates at least one of: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of a symbol transmitted within the first frame; a number of durations within the first frame configured with a respective communication direction; a length of one or more durations within the first frame configured with the respective communication direction; and / or the respective communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations.

[0125] In step 454, the apparatus receives the first control signaling.

[0126] In step 456, the device transmits second control signaling. The second control signaling is dedicated to the apparatus. The second control signaling includes an indication indicating whether the apparatus is to wirelessly transmit to and / or wirelessly receive from the device within a particular duration of the communication direction configured as a flexible duration.

[0127] In step 458, the apparatus receives the second control signaling.

[0128] In step 460, the device and the apparatus wirelessly communicate according to the first frame structure and according to the second frame structure. The wirelessly communicating according to the first frame structure and according to the second frame structure is contemporaneous in time.

[0129] In some embodiments, the first frame structure includes a first frame, the second frame structure includes a second frame, and the first frame (but not the second frame) includes a receive duration. The receive duration can be defined as a duration within which wireless transmissions to the device are prohibited within the first frame, and the apparatus receives wireless communications from the device within the first frame.

[0130] Figure 19 It is shown Figure 18A variation of , wherein the first control signaling and the second control signaling are the same control signaling. Different fields (e.g., different information elements) in the same control signaling may indicate different parameters. The control signaling may be shared by multiple devices (e.g., broadcast signaling) or device-specific.

[0131] Figure 20 Another embodiment provides a method performed by a device and an apparatus. The device may be a network device, such as a base station 170. However, the device may also be a user equipment. The apparatus may be a user equipment, such as a UE 110.

[0132] In step 552, the device sends a first indication configuring a first frame structure. The first frame in the first frame structure includes a duration (e.g., a receive duration "R") for receiving a first wireless transmission from the device. In step 554, the device receives the first indication. In some embodiments, the first indication is sent to multiple devices, not just Figure 20 The device shown in .

[0133] In step 556, the device sends a second indication configuring a second frame structure. The second frame in the second frame structure includes a duration (e.g., a transmission duration "T") for sending a second wireless transmission to the device. In step 558, the device receives the second indication. In some embodiments, the second indication is sent to multiple devices, not just Figure 20 The device shown in .

[0134] It should be noted that the first indication and the second indication may be sent in two separate transmissions or in the same transmission. In some embodiments, the first indication and the second indication are sent in the same control signaling. For example, the first indication and the second indication may be different fields (e.g., different information elements) in the same control information. In other embodiments, the first indication may be sent in a first control signaling, and the second indication may be sent in a different second control signaling.

[0135] Instructions (e.g. Figure 20 The first indication or the second indication (shown in FIG. 1 ) configures the frame structure by indicating one or more parameters of the frame structure. For example, if the first indication indicates that the first frame has a specific length, the device and the apparatus transmit within a frame of that length. For another example, if the first indication indicates a specific position (in time) for receiving the first wireless transmission from the device, the first wireless transmission is received by the apparatus at the specific time position.

[0136] In some embodiments, the duration in the first frame for receiving the first wireless transmission from the device is a receiving duration "R". The receiving duration "R" can be a duration in which transmissions are prohibited from being sent to the device. In some embodiments, no transmissions are sent to or received by the apparatus from the device on the second frame structure during the receiving duration.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first frame includes a flexible duration "F" other than and non-overlapping with the receiving duration. The apparatus can be configured to perform one of the following in the flexible duration: receive from the device; or send to the device; or perform FD communication to simultaneously send to and receive from the device. In some embodiments, the flexible duration is a duration in which communication direction is configured on an apparatus-specific basis. In some embodiments, the second frame also includes a flexible duration. The flexible duration of the first frame can partially overlap with the flexible duration of the second frame.

[0138] In some embodiments, the duration in the second frame for sending the second wireless transmission to the device is a sending duration "T". The sending duration "T" can be a duration in which transmissions are prohibited from being received from the device.

[0139] In some embodiments, the wireless communication with the device is on a same serving cell. Both the first frame structure and the second frame structure can be configured for the same serving cell.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first frame structure is associated with a first carrier frequency, and the second frame structure is associated with a second carrier frequency. The first carrier frequency can be the same as or different from the second carrier frequency. In some embodiments, the first frame and the second frame can partially or fully overlap in frequency domain (e.g., as shown in the configuration in FIG. 10(a)).

[0141] In some embodiments, the first frame is on a first frequency band, and the second frame is on a second frequency band; and / or the first frame is on a first frequency carrier, and the second frame is on a second frequency carrier; and / or the first frame is configured for wireless communication on a first serving cell, and the second frame is configured for wireless communication on a second serving cell; and / or the first frame is on a first BWP, and the second frame is on a second BWP. The first frequency carrier can be the same as or different from the second frequency carrier. The first frequency band can be the same as or different from the second frequency band. The first serving cell can be the same as or different from the second serving cell. The first BWP can be the same as or different from the second BWP.

[0142] In some embodiments, the device receives the first indication via a first control signaling and receives the second indication via a different second control signaling. The first control signaling and / or the second control signaling may be common to multiple devices or device-specific.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first indication and the second indication may be received in the same control signaling. In some such embodiments, the first indication and the second indication may be in different information elements in the same control signaling. The same control signaling may be common to multiple devices or device-specific.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first indication indicates at least one of the following parameters of the first frame structure: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols sent within the first frame; a number of durations configured with a corresponding communication direction within the first frame; a length of one or more durations configured with the corresponding communication direction within the first frame; and a corresponding communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations. In some embodiments, the second indication indicates at least one of the following parameters of the second frame structure: a frame length of the second frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols sent within the second frame; a number of durations configured with a corresponding communication direction within the second frame; a length of one or more durations configured with the corresponding communication direction within the second frame; and a corresponding communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations.

[0145] In some embodiments, the method may include: the device receiving first control signaling shared by multiple devices. The first control signaling may indicate at least one of the following: the frame length of the first frame; the subcarrier spacing of the symbols sent in the first frame; the number of durations configured with the corresponding communication direction in the first frame; the length of one or more durations configured with the corresponding communication direction in the first frame; the corresponding communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations. In some embodiments, the method may include: the device receiving second control signaling dedicated to the device. Within a specific duration configured as a flexible duration for the communication direction, the second control signaling may indicate whether the device is to wirelessly transmit to and / or wirelessly receive from the device within the flexible duration. The first indication may be in the first control signaling or the second control signaling.

[0146] In some embodiments, control signaling exists in RRC and / or DCI.

[0147] In some embodiments, the first frame is used to transmit first symbols having a first subcarrier spacing, and the second frame is used to transmit second symbols having a second subcarrier spacing. In some embodiments, a beginning of the second frame is offset in time from a beginning of the first frame. In some embodiments, a frame number of the first frame is the same as a frame number of the second frame. In some embodiments, a frame number of the first frame is different from a frame number of the second frame. In some embodiments, a maximum frame number in the first frame structure is different from a maximum frame number in the second frame structure.

[0148] In another embodiment, a method performed by an apparatus (e.g., by a UE) is provided. The method can include wirelessly communicating with a device within a first frame of a first frame structure. The device can be a network device, such as a base station. Alternatively, the device can be another UE. The method can also include wirelessly communicating with the device within a second frame of a second frame structure at the same time. For example, the first frame structure can be the receive frame structure 350, and the second frame structure can be the transmit frame structure 352.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first frame (but not the second frame) includes a receive duration. The receive duration is a duration within which wireless transmissions are prohibited to be transmitted to the device within the first frame, and the apparatus receives wireless communications from the device within the first frame. Figure 9 An example receive duration "R" is shown. In some embodiments, the second frame (but not the first frame) includes a transmit duration. The transmit duration is a duration within which wireless transmissions are prohibited to be received from the device within the second frame, and the apparatus transmits wireless transmissions to the device within the second frame. Figure 9 An example transmit duration "T" is shown.

[0150] In some embodiments, the first frame includes a flexible duration in addition to and non-overlapping with the receive duration. The flexible duration is a duration in which a communication direction is configured on an apparatus-specific basis, and the apparatus is used to transmit first wireless transmissions to the device and / or receive second wireless transmissions from the device within the flexible duration. Figure 9An exemplary flexible duration "F" within a reception frame is shown. In some embodiments, the apparatus performs FD communication within the flexible duration to simultaneously transmit the first wireless transmission to the device and receive the second wireless transmission from the device, and the apparatus does not perform the FD communication within the reception duration but only for wireless reception on the first frame structure within the reception duration. In some embodiments, the flexible duration is a first flexible duration, the second frame includes a second flexible duration that at least partially overlaps in time with the first flexible duration.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first frame and the second frame at least partially overlap in frequency domain. In some such embodiments, within the reception duration of the first frame, the apparatus does not transmit or receive any transmission within the second frame. For example, within the reception duration in the first frame, a same duration within the second frame can be configured as a reservation duration ("X").

[0152] In some embodiments, the first frame is on a first frequency band, the second frame is on a different second frequency band; and / or the first frame is on a first frequency carrier, the second frame is on a different second frequency carrier; and / or the first frame is for wireless communication on a first serving cell, the second frame is for wireless communication on a different second serving cell; and / or the first frame is on a first bandwidth part (BWP), the second frame is on a different second BWP.

[0153] In some embodiments, control signaling can be received that configures at least one parameter of the first frame structure and / or the second frame structure. In some embodiments, receiving the control signaling can comprise receiving first control signaling that is common to a plurality of apparatuses, the first control signaling indicating at least one of: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols transmitted within the first frame; a number of durations within the first frame that are configured with a respective communication direction; a length of one or more durations within the first frame that are configured with the respective communication direction; the respective communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations. In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, receiving the control signaling can comprise receiving second control signaling that is specific to the apparatus, the second control signaling indicating whether the apparatus is to wirelessly transmit to and / or wirelessly receive from the device within a particular duration of the communication direction that is configured as a flexible duration. In some embodiments, the second control signaling can be present in RRC signaling and / or DCI.

[0154] In some embodiments, the first frame can be used to transmit first symbols with a first subcarrier spacing, and the second frame can be used to transmit second symbols with a different second subcarrier spacing. Examples are shown in FIG. 12(a) and FIG. 12(b). In some embodiments, the first frame and the second frame have different frame lengths (as shown in the configuration in FIG. 12(b)).

[0155] In some embodiments, the start of the second frame is offset in time from the start of the first frame. In some embodiments, the frame number of the first frame is the same as the frame number of the second frame. In other embodiments, the frame number of the first frame is different from the frame number of the second frame. In some embodiments, the maximum frame number in the first frame structure is different from the maximum frame number in the second frame structure.

[0156] In some embodiments, the apparatus is a UE and the device is a network device, and in the reception duration: (i) uplink transmissions are prohibited on the first frame structure; (ii) the apparatus receives downlink transmissions on the first frame structure. In other embodiments, the apparatus is a first user equipment and the device is a second user equipment.

[0157] Further, an apparatus configured to perform the method is provided.

[0158] In another embodiment, a method is performed by a device (e.g., a network device such as a base station or a user equipment). The method can include wirelessly communicating with a first group of apparatuses in a first frame of a first frame structure. The method can also include wirelessly communicating with a second group of apparatuses in a second frame of a second frame structure at the same time. The first frame structure can be a reception frame structure and the second frame structure can be a transmission frame structure. In some embodiments, the first frame structure and the second frame structure have different frame lengths. Figure 9 An example is shown in FIG. 11, where the first group of apparatuses and the second group of apparatuses are the same group of apparatuses consisting of UE 110A, UE 110B, and UE 110C. However, the first group of apparatuses and the second group of apparatuses can be mutually exclusive or only partially overlapping.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first frame (but not the second frame) includes a reception duration. The reception duration is a duration of time in which wireless transmissions from the first group of apparatuses to the device are prohibited in the first frame, and the device transmits wireless communications to the first group of apparatuses in the first frame. Figure 9 An example reception duration “R” is shown.

[0160] In some embodiments, the second frame (but not the first frame) includes a transmission duration. The transmission duration is a duration during which wireless transmissions are prohibited from being transmitted from the device to the second set of apparatuses within the second frame, and the device receives wireless transmissions from at least one of the second set of apparatuses within the second frame. Figure 9 An exemplary transmission duration "T" is shown.

[0161] In some embodiments, the first frame includes a flexible duration in addition to and non-overlapping with the reception duration. The flexible duration is a duration during which a communication direction can be configured for each of the first set of apparatuses on an apparatus-specific basis. Figure 9 An exemplary flexible duration "F" within a reception frame is shown. In some embodiments, within the flexible duration on the first frame structure, the device: receives a transmission from a first apparatus of the first set of apparatuses but does not transmit the transmission to the first apparatus; and / or transmits a transmission to a second apparatus of the first set of apparatuses but does not receive the transmission from the second apparatus; and / or simultaneously transmits / receives a transmission from / to a third apparatus of the first set of apparatuses (which can be UE 110A). In some embodiments, the first apparatus operates in an FDD communication mode or a TDD communication mode, the second apparatus also operates in an FDD or TDD mode, and the third apparatus operates in an FD communication mode.

[0162] In some embodiments, the first set of apparatuses and the second set of apparatuses include apparatuses operating in a TDD communication mode and / or an FDD communication mode and / or an FD communication mode. For example, in Figure 9 UE 110A operates in an FD mode, UE 110B operates in a TDD mode, and UE 110C operates in an FDD mode.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first frame and the second frame at least partially overlap in a frequency domain, and the device does not transmit or receive any transmission within the second frame during the reception duration of the first frame. For example, the duration within the second frame can be indicated as a reserved duration ("X").

[0164] In some embodiments, the first frame is on a first frequency band, and the second frame is on a different second frequency band; and / or the first frame is on a first frequency carrier, and the second frame is on a different second frequency carrier; and / or the first frame is for wireless communication on a first serving cell, and the second frame is for wireless communication on a different second serving cell; and / or the first frame is on a first bandwidth part (BWP), and the second frame is on a different second BWP.

[0165] In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting control signaling configuring at least one parameter of the first frame structure and / or the second frame structure. In some embodiments, transmitting the control signaling can comprise transmitting first control signaling common to the first group of apparatuses, the first control signaling indicating at least one of: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols transmitted within the first frame; a number of durations within the first frame configured with a respective communication direction; a length of one or more durations within the first frame configured with the respective communication direction; the respective communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations. In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, transmitting the control signaling can comprise transmitting apparatus-specific control signaling to each apparatus of the first group of apparatuses, the apparatus-specific control signaling indicating whether the apparatus is to wirelessly transmit to and / or wirelessly receive from the device within a particular duration of the communication direction configured as a flexible duration. In some embodiments, the apparatus-specific control signaling can be transmitted in RRC signaling and / or DCI.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first frame is for transmitting first symbols with a first subcarrier spacing, and the second frame is for transmitting second symbols with a different second subcarrier spacing, as illustrated in FIG. 12(a) and FIG. 12(b). In some embodiments, the first frame and the second frame have different frame lengths, as illustrated in the configurations in FIG. 12(b).

[0167] In some embodiments, a start of the second frame is offset in time from a start of the first frame. In some embodiments, a frame number of the first frame is the same as a frame number of the second frame. In other embodiments, a frame number of the first frame is different from a frame number of the second frame. In some embodiments, a maximum frame number in the first frame structure is different from a maximum frame number in the second frame structure.

[0168] In some embodiments, the device is a network device, each of the first group of apparatuses and the second group of apparatuses is a user equipment, and during the reception duration: (i) uplink transmission is prohibited on the first frame structure; (ii) the device transmits downlink transmission on the first frame structure. In other embodiments, the device is a user equipment. Each of the first group of apparatuses and the second group of apparatuses can also be a user equipment.

[0169] Further, a device for performing the method is provided.

[0170] In view of the above, in some embodiments, a unified frame structure is disclosed, which can be used to accommodate UEs with FD communication capability and other UEs (e.g., legacy UEs) without FD communication capability. The unified frame structure can be used for uplink / downlink communication between a UE and a base station and / or D2D communication and / or IAB communication.

[0171] In view of the above, in addition to the above, the following examples are disclosed.

[0172] Example 1: A method performed by an apparatus, the method comprising: receiving a first indication configuring a first frame structure, a first frame in the first frame structure comprising a duration for receiving a first wireless transmission from a device; receiving a second indication configuring a second frame structure, a second frame in the second frame structure comprising a duration for transmitting a second wireless transmission to the device; and wirelessly communicating with the device according to the first frame structure and the second frame structure.

[0173] Example 2: The method of example 1, wherein the duration for receiving the first wireless transmission within the first frame is a reception duration, the reception duration being a duration in which transmission to the device is prohibited within the first frame.

[0174] Example 3: The method of example 2, wherein, within the reception duration, no transmission is transmitted to the device or received by the apparatus on the second frame structure.

[0175] Example 4: The method of example 2 or example 3, wherein the first frame comprises a flexible duration other than and non-overlapping with the reception duration, the apparatus being configured to perform one of the following operations within the flexible duration: receive from the device; or transmit to the device; or perform full duplex (FD) communication to simultaneously transmit to and receive from the device.

[0176] Example 5: The method of example 4, wherein the flexible duration is a duration in which a communication direction is configured on a device-specific basis.

[0177] Example 6: The method of example 4 or example 5, wherein the flexible duration is a first flexible duration, the second frame includes a second flexible duration that at least partially overlaps in time with the first flexible duration.

[0178] Example 7: The method of any one of examples 1 to 6, wherein the duration within the second frame for transmitting the second wireless transmission is a transmission duration, the transmission duration being a duration in which transmissions are prohibited from being received from the device within the second frame.

[0179] Example 8: The method of any one of examples 1 to 7, wherein the first frame structure and the second frame structure are both for a same serving cell over which wireless communications are conducted with the device.

[0180] Example 9: The method of any one of examples 1 to 8, wherein the first frame structure is associated with a first carrier frequency, the second frame structure is associated with a second carrier frequency.

[0181] Example 10: The method of example 9, wherein the first carrier frequency is different than the second carrier frequency.

[0182] Example 11: The method of any one of examples 1 to 9, wherein the first frame and the second frame at least partially overlap in a frequency domain.

[0183] Example 12: The method of any one of examples 1 to 7, wherein the first frame is on a first frequency band, the second frame is on a second frequency band; and / or the first frame is on a first frequency carrier, the second frame is on a second frequency carrier; and / or the first frame is for wireless communications over a first serving cell, the second frame is for wireless communications over a second serving cell; and / or the first frame is on a first bandwidth part (BWP), the second frame is on a second BWP.

[0184] Example 13: The method of any one of examples 1 to 12, wherein the first indication is received on first control signaling, the second indication is received on second control signaling.

[0185] Example 14: The method of example 13, wherein the first control signaling and / or the second control signaling is common to a plurality of devices.

[0186] Example 15: The method of any of examples 1-12, wherein the first indication and the second indication are received in the same control signaling.

[0187] Example 16: The method of example 15, wherein the first indication and the second indication are in different information elements in the same control signaling.

[0188] Example 17: The method of example 15 or example 16, wherein the same control signaling is common to multiple devices.

[0189] Example 18: The method of any of examples 1-17, wherein the first indication indicates at least one of the following parameters of the first frame structure: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols transmitted within the first frame; a number of durations within the first frame configured with a respective communication direction; a length of one or more durations within the first frame configured with the respective communication direction; the respective communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations.

[0190] Example 19: The method of any of examples 1-18, wherein the second indication indicates at least one of the following parameters of the second frame structure: a frame length of the second frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols transmitted within the second frame; a number of durations within the second frame configured with a respective communication direction; a length of one or more durations within the second frame configured with the respective communication direction; the respective communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations.

[0191] Example 20: The method of any of examples 1-12, wherein the method comprises receiving first control signaling common to multiple devices, the first control signaling indicating at least one of: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols transmitted within the first frame; a number of durations within the first frame configured with a respective communication direction; a length of one or more durations within the first frame configured with the respective communication direction; the respective communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations.

[0192] Example 21: The method of example 20, wherein the method comprises receiving second control signaling specific to the device, the second control signaling indicating whether the device is to wirelessly transmit to and / or wirelessly receive from the apparatus within a particular duration of the communication direction configured as a flexible duration.

[0193] Example 22: The method of example 21, wherein the first indication is in the first control signaling or the second control signaling.

[0194] Example 23: The method of example 13 or 14 or 20 or 21 or 22, wherein the first control signaling is in radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or downlink control information (DCI).

[0195] Example 24: The method of example 13 or 14 or 21 or 22, wherein the second control signaling is in radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or downlink control information (DCI).

[0196] Example 25: The method of any of examples 1 to 24, wherein the first frame is for transmitting first symbols having a first subcarrier spacing and the second frame is for transmitting second symbols having a second subcarrier spacing.

[0197] Example 26: The method of any of examples 1 to 25, wherein a start of the second frame is offset in time from a start of the first frame.

[0198] Example 27: The method of any of examples 1 to 26, wherein a frame number of the first frame is the same as a frame number of the second frame.

[0199] Example 28: The method of any of examples 1 to 26, wherein a frame number of the first frame is different from a frame number of the second frame.

[0200] Example 29: The method of any of examples 1 to 28, wherein a maximum frame number in the first frame structure is different from a maximum frame number in the second frame structure.

[0201] Example 30: The method of any of examples 1 to 29, wherein the apparatus is a user equipment and the device is a network equipment, within the duration for receiving the first wireless transmission in the first frame: (i) uplink transmission is prohibited in the first frame; (ii) the apparatus receives downlink transmission in the first frame.

[0202] Example 31: The method of any of examples 1 to 29, wherein the apparatus is a first user equipment and the device is a second user equipment.

[0203] Example 32: An apparatus, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the method of any of examples 1-31.

[0204] Example 33: An apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a processor and a memory; the memory comprises processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the apparatus to perform the method of any of examples 1-31.

[0205] Example 34: An apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises: a receiver configured to: receive a first indication configuring a first frame structure, a first frame in the first frame structure comprising a duration for receiving a first wireless transmission from a device; receive a second indication configuring a second frame structure, a second frame in the second frame structure comprising a duration for transmitting a second wireless transmission to the device; and the receiver and a transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate with the device according to the first frame structure and the second frame structure.

[0206] Example 35: A method performed by a device, wherein the method comprises: transmitting a first indication configuring a first frame structure, a first frame in the first frame structure comprising a duration for transmitting a first wireless transmission from the device to at least one of a plurality of apparatuses; transmitting a second indication configuring a second frame structure, a second frame in the second frame structure comprising a duration for receiving a second wireless transmission from one or more of the plurality of apparatuses; and wirelessly communicating with the plurality of apparatuses according to the first frame structure and the second frame structure.

[0207] Example 36: The method of example 35, wherein the duration for transmitting the first wireless transmission within the first frame is a receive duration, the receive duration being a duration within which transmissions from any of the plurality of apparatuses are prohibited from being received within the first frame.

[0208] Example 37: The method of example 36, wherein, within the receive duration, the device does not receive or the device does not transmit any transmissions to the plurality of apparatuses on the second frame structure.

[0209] Example 38: The method of example 36 or example 37, wherein the first frame comprises a flexible duration in addition to and non-overlapping with the receive duration.

[0210] Example 39: The method of example 38, wherein, within the flexible duration in the first frame, the device: receives a transmission from a first device of the plurality of devices but does not transmit the transmission to the first device; transmits a transmission to a second device of the plurality of devices but does not receive the transmission from the second device; and simultaneously transmits a transmission to a third device of the plurality of devices / receives a transmission from the third device.

[0211] Example 40: The method of example 38 or example 39, wherein the flexible duration is a duration within which a communication direction can be configured for each device of the plurality of devices on a device-specific basis.

[0212] Example 41 : The method of any one of examples 38 to 40, wherein the flexible duration is a first flexible duration, the second frame includes a second flexible duration that at least partially overlaps in time with the first flexible duration.

[0213] Example 42: The method of any one of examples 35 to 41, wherein the duration within the second frame for receiving the second wireless transmission is a transmission duration, the transmission duration being a duration within which transmissions are prohibited from being received from the device within the second frame.

[0214] Example 43: The method of any one of examples 35 to 42, wherein the wireless communication with the plurality of devices is on a same serving cell, the first frame structure and the second frame structure both being for the same serving cell.

[0215] Example 44: The method of any one of examples 35 to 43, wherein the first frame structure is associated with a first carrier frequency, the second frame structure is associated with a second carrier frequency.

[0216] Example 45: The method of example 44, wherein the first carrier frequency is different from the second carrier frequency.

[0217] Example 46: The method of any one of examples 35 to 44, wherein the first frame and the second frame at least partially overlap in a frequency domain.

[0218] Example 47: The method of any of examples 35 to 42, wherein the first frame is on a first frequency band, the second frame is on a second frequency band; and / or the first frame is on a first frequency carrier, the second frame is on a second frequency carrier; and / or the first frame is for wireless communication on a first serving cell, the second frame is for wireless communication on a second serving cell; and / or the first frame is on a first bandwidth part (BWP), the second frame is on a second BWP.

[0219] Example 48: The method of any of examples 35 to 47, wherein the first indication is sent on first control signaling, the second indication is sent on second control signaling.

[0220] Example 49: The method of example 48, wherein the first control signaling and / or the second control signaling is common to the plurality of apparatuses.

[0221] Example 50: The method of any of examples 35 to 47, wherein the first indication and the second indication are sent in a same control signaling.

[0222] Example 51: The method of example 50, wherein the first indication and the second indication are in different information elements in the same control signaling.

[0223] Example 52: The method of example 50 or example 51, wherein the same control signaling is common to the plurality of apparatuses.

[0224] Example 53: The method of any of examples 35 to 52, wherein the first indication indicates at least one of the following parameters of the first frame structure: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols transmitted within the first frame; a number of durations within the first frame configured with a respective communication direction; a length of one or more durations within the first frame configured with the respective communication direction; the respective communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations.

[0225] Example 54: The method of any of examples 35 to 53, wherein the second indication indicates at least one of the following parameters of the second frame structure: a frame length of the second frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols transmitted within the second frame; a number of durations within the second frame configured with a respective communication direction; a length of one or more durations within the second frame configured with the respective communication direction; the respective communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations.

[0226] Example 55: The method of any of examples 35-47, wherein the method comprises transmitting first control signaling common to the plurality of apparatuses, the first control signaling indicating at least one of: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of a symbol transmitted within the first frame; a number of durations within the first frame for which a respective communication direction is configured; a length of one or more durations within the first frame for which the respective communication direction is configured; the respective communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations.

[0227] Example 56: The method of example 55, wherein the method comprises transmitting second control signaling specific to a particular apparatus of the plurality of apparatuses, the second control signaling indicating whether the particular apparatus is to wirelessly transmit to and / or wirelessly receive from the device within a particular duration of the communication direction configured as a flexible duration.

[0228] Example 57: The method of example 56, wherein the first indication is in the first control signaling or the second control signaling.

[0229] Example 58: The method of example 48 or 49 or 55 or 56 or 57, wherein the first control signaling is in radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or downlink control information (DCI).

[0230] Example 59: The method of example 48 or 49 or 56 or 57, wherein the second control signaling is in radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or downlink control information (DCI).

[0231] Example 60: The method of any of examples 35-59, wherein the first frame is for transmitting a first symbol having a first subcarrier spacing and the second frame is for transmitting a second symbol having a second subcarrier spacing.

[0232] Example 61: The method of any of examples 35-60, wherein a beginning of the second frame is offset in time from a beginning of the first frame.

[0233] Example 62: The method of any of examples 35-61, wherein a frame number of the first frame is the same as a frame number of the second frame.

[0234] Example 63: The method of any of examples 35 to 61, wherein a frame number of the first frame is different from a frame number of the second frame.

[0235] Example 64: The method of any of examples 35 to 63, wherein a maximum frame number in the first frame structure is different from a maximum frame number in the second frame structure.

[0236] Example 65: The method of any of examples 35 to 64, wherein the device is a network device and each of the plurality of apparatuses is a user equipment, in a duration for transmitting the first wireless transmission from the device: (i) uplink transmission is prohibited in the first frame; (ii) the device transmits downlink transmission in the first frame.

[0237] Example 66: The method of any of examples 35 to 64, wherein the device is a user equipment.

[0238] Example 67: The method of example 66, wherein each of the plurality of apparatuses is also a user equipment.

[0239] Example 68: A device, wherein the device is configured to perform the method of any of examples 35 to 67.

[0240] Example 69: A device, wherein the device comprises a processor and a memory; the memory comprises processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the device to perform the method of any of examples 35 to 67.

[0241] Example 70: A device, wherein the device comprises: a transmitter configured to: transmit a first indication configuring a first frame structure, a first frame in the first frame structure comprising a duration for transmitting a first wireless transmission from the device to at least one of a plurality of apparatuses; transmit a second indication configuring a second frame structure, a second frame in the second frame structure comprising a duration for receiving a second wireless transmission from one or more of the plurality of apparatuses; and the transmitter and a receiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the plurality of apparatuses according to the first frame structure and the second frame structure.

[0242] Example 71: A method performed by an apparatus, wherein the method comprises: wirelessly communicating with a device within a first frame of a first frame structure; simultaneously wirelessly communicating with the device within a second frame of a second frame structure; the first frame (but not the second frame) comprises a receive duration, the receive duration being a duration within which wireless transmissions are prohibited from being transmitted to the device on the first frame structure, and the apparatus receives wireless communications from the device on the first frame structure during the receive duration.

[0243] Example 72: The method of example 71, wherein the second frame (but not the first frame) comprises a transmit duration, the transmit duration being a duration within which wireless transmissions are prohibited from being received from the device on the second frame structure, and the apparatus transmits wireless transmissions to the device on the second frame structure during the transmit duration.

[0244] Example 73: The method of example 71 or example 72, wherein the first frame comprises a flexible duration in addition to and non-overlapping with the receive duration, the flexible duration being a duration in which a communication direction is configured on an apparatus-specific basis, and the apparatus is configured to transmit first wireless transmissions to the device and / or receive second wireless transmissions from the device within the flexible duration.

[0245] Example 74: The method of example 73, wherein the apparatus performs full duplex (FD) communications within the flexible duration to simultaneously transmit the first wireless transmissions to the device and receive the second wireless transmissions from the device, and the apparatus does not perform the FD communications within the receive duration, but is configured to only perform wireless reception on the first frame structure during the receive duration.

[0246] Example 75: The method of example 73 or example 74, wherein the flexible duration is a first flexible duration, the second frame comprises a second flexible duration that at least partially overlaps in time with the first flexible duration.

[0247] Example 76: The method of any one of examples 71-75, wherein the first frame and the second frame at least partially overlap in a frequency domain, and during the receive duration of the first frame, the apparatus does not transmit or receive any transmissions within the second frame.

[0248] Example 77: The method of any of examples 71-75, wherein the first frame is on a first frequency band, the second frame is on a second frequency band; and / or the first frame is on a first frequency carrier, the second frame is on a second frequency carrier; and / or the first frame is for wireless communication on a first serving cell, the second frame is for wireless communication on a second serving cell; and / or the first frame is on a first bandwidth part (BWP), the second frame is on a second BWP.

[0249] Example 78: The method of any of examples 71-77, further comprising: receiving control signaling configuring at least one parameter of the first frame structure and / or the second frame structure.

[0250] Example 79: The method of example 78, wherein receiving the control signaling comprises: receiving first control signaling common to a plurality of apparatuses, the first control signaling indicating at least one of: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of a symbol transmitted within the first frame; a number of durations within the first frame configured with a respective communication direction; a length of one or more durations within the first frame configured with the respective communication direction; the respective communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations; receiving second control signaling specific to the apparatus, within a particular duration for which the communication direction is configured to be flexible, the second control signaling indicating whether the apparatus is to wirelessly transmit to and / or wirelessly receive from the device within the flexible duration.

[0251] Example 80: The method of example 79, wherein the second control signaling is in radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or downlink control information (DCI).

[0252] Example 81: The method of any of examples 71-80, wherein the first frame is for transmitting a first symbol having a first subcarrier spacing, the second frame is for transmitting a second symbol having a second subcarrier spacing.

[0253] Example 82: The method of example 81, wherein the first frame and the second frame have different frame lengths.

[0254] Example 83: The method of any of examples 71-82, wherein a beginning of the second frame is offset in time from a beginning of the first frame.

[0255] Example 84: The method of any of examples 71-83, wherein a frame number of the first frame is the same as a frame number of the second frame.

[0256] Example 85: The method of any of examples 71-83, wherein a frame number of the first frame is different than a frame number of the second frame.

[0257] Example 86: The method of example 84 or example 85, wherein a maximum frame number in the first frame structure is different than a maximum frame number in the second frame structure.

[0258] Example 87: The method of any of examples 71-86, wherein the apparatus is a user equipment, the device is a network equipment, and within the reception duration: (i) uplink transmissions are prohibited on the first frame structure; (ii) the apparatus receives downlink transmissions on the first frame structure.

[0259] Example 88: The method of any of examples 71-86, wherein the apparatus is a first user equipment, and the device is a second user equipment.

[0260] Example 89: An apparatus, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform the method of any of examples 71-88.

[0261] Example 90: An apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a processor and a memory; the memory comprises processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the apparatus to perform the method of any of examples 71-88.

[0262] Example 91: An apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises: a transmitter and a receiver configured to: wirelessly communicate with a device within a first frame of a first frame structure; the transmitter and the receiver simultaneously wirelessly communicate with the device within a second frame of a second frame structure; the first frame (but not the second frame) comprises a reception duration, the reception duration being a duration within which wireless transmissions are prohibited to be sent to the device on the first frame structure, and the apparatus receives wireless communications from the device on the first frame structure.

[0263] Example 92: A method performed by a device, wherein the method comprises: wirelessly communicating with a first group of apparatuses within a first frame of a first frame structure; simultaneously wirelessly communicating with a second group of apparatuses within a second frame of a second frame structure; the first frame (but not the second frame) comprises a receive duration, the receive duration being a duration within which wireless transmissions are prohibited from being transmitted from the first group of apparatuses to the device on the first frame structure, and the device transmits wireless communications to the first group of apparatuses on the first frame structure.

[0264] Example 93: The method of example 92, wherein the first group of apparatuses and the second group of apparatuses are the same group of apparatuses.

[0265] Example 94: The method of example 92, wherein at least one apparatus of the first group of apparatuses is also in the second group of apparatuses.

[0266] Example 95: The method of any one of examples 92 to 94, wherein the second frame (but not the first frame) comprises a transmit duration, the transmit duration being a duration within which wireless transmissions are prohibited from being transmitted from the device to the second group of apparatuses on the second frame structure, and the device receives wireless transmissions from at least one apparatus of the second group of apparatuses on the second frame structure.

[0267] Example 96: The method of any one of examples 92 to 95, wherein the first frame comprises a flexible duration in addition to and not overlapping with the receive duration, wherein the flexible duration is a duration within which a communication direction can be configured for each apparatus of the first group of apparatuses on an apparatus-specific basis.

[0268] Example 97: The method of example 96, wherein, within the flexible duration on the first frame structure, the device: receives a transmission from a first apparatus of the first group of apparatuses but does not transmit the transmission to the first apparatus; transmits a transmission to a second apparatus of the first group of apparatuses but does not receive the transmission from the second apparatus; simultaneously transmits a transmission to / receives a transmission from a third apparatus of the first group of apparatuses.

[0269] Example 98: The method of example 97, wherein the first apparatus operates in a frequency division duplex (FDD) communication mode or a time division duplex (TDD) communication mode, the second apparatus also operates in the FDD mode or the TDD mode, and the third apparatus operates in a full duplex (FD) communication mode.

[0270] Example 99: The method of any of examples 92-98, wherein the first group of apparatuses and the second group of apparatuses comprise apparatuses operating in the TDD communication mode and / or the FDD communication mode and / or the FD communication mode.

[0271] Example 100: The method of any of examples 92-99, wherein the first frame and the second frame at least partially overlap in a frequency domain, and during the reception duration of the first frame, the device does not transmit or receive any transmission in the second frame.

[0272] Example 101: The method of any of examples 92-99, wherein the first frame is on a first frequency band, and the second frame is on a second frequency band; and / or the first frame is on a first frequency carrier, and the second frame is on a second frequency carrier; and / or the first frame is for wireless communication on a first serving cell, and the second frame is for wireless communication on a second serving cell; and / or the first frame is on a first bandwidth part (BWP), and the second frame is on a second BWP.

[0273] Example 102: The method of any of examples 92-101, wherein the method further comprises transmitting control signaling configuring at least one parameter of the first frame structure and / or the second frame structure.

[0274] Example 103: The method of example 102, wherein transmitting the control signaling comprises transmitting first control signaling common to the first group of apparatuses, the first control signaling indicating at least one of: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols transmitted within the first frame; a number of durations within the first frame for which a respective communication direction is configured; a length of one or more durations within the first frame for which the respective communication direction is configured; the respective communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations; transmitting apparatus-specific control signaling to each apparatus of the first group of apparatuses, the apparatus-specific control signaling indicating whether the apparatus is to wirelessly transmit to and / or wirelessly receive from the device within a particular duration of the first frame for which the communication direction is configured to be a flexible duration.

[0275] Example 104: The method of example 103, wherein the apparatus-specific control signaling is transmitted in radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or downlink control information (DCI).

[0276] Example 105: The method of any one of examples 92-104, wherein the first frame is for transmitting first symbols having a first subcarrier spacing and the second frame is for transmitting second symbols having a second subcarrier spacing.

[0277] Example 106: The method of example 105, wherein the first frame and the second frame have different frame lengths.

[0278] Example 107: The method of any one of examples 92-106, wherein a start of the second frame is offset in time from a start of the first frame.

[0279] Example 108: The method of any one of examples 92-107, wherein a frame number of the first frame is the same as a frame number of the second frame.

[0280] Example 109: The method of any one of examples 92-107, wherein a frame number of the first frame is different from a frame number of the second frame.

[0281] Example 110: The method of example 108 or example 109, wherein a maximum frame number in the first frame structure is different from a maximum frame number in the second frame structure.

[0282] Example 111: The method of any of examples 92 to 110, wherein the device is a network device, each of the first and second groups of apparatuses is a user equipment, and within the reception duration: (i) uplink transmissions are prohibited on the first frame structure; and (ii) the device transmits downlink transmissions on the first frame structure.

[0283] Example 112: The method of any of examples 92 to 110, wherein the device is a user equipment.

[0284] Example 113: The method of example 112, wherein each of the first and second groups of apparatuses is also a user equipment.

[0285] Example 114: A device, wherein the device is configured to perform the method of any of examples 92 to 113.

[0286] Example 115: A device, wherein the device comprises a processor and a memory; the memory comprises processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the device to perform the method of any of examples 92 to 113.

[0287] Example 116: A device, wherein the device comprises: a transmitter and a receiver configured to: wirelessly communicate with a first group of apparatuses within a first frame of a first frame structure; and simultaneously wirelessly communicate with a second group of apparatuses within a second frame of a second frame structure; the first frame (but not the second frame) comprises a reception duration, the reception duration being a duration within which wireless transmissions from the first group of apparatuses to the device are prohibited on the first frame structure and the device transmits wireless communications to the first group of apparatuses on the first frame structure.

[0288] 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 considered as illustrations 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 skilled 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 appended claims include these processes, machines, manufactured products, material components, modules, methods or steps.

[0289] 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 tape, 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 discs, 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 technologies. Any of these non-transitory computer / processor storage media 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 maintained by these non-transitory computer / processor readable storage media.

Claims

1. A method performed by a device, characterized in that The method comprises: receiving a first indication to configure a first frame structure, a first frame in the first frame structure including a duration for receiving a first wireless transmission from a device; The duration for receiving the first wireless transmission within the first frame is a receive duration, the receive duration being a duration during which sending of wireless transmissions to the device is prohibited within the first frame; receiving a second indication to configure a second frame structure, a second frame in the second frame structure including a duration for sending a second wireless transmission to the device; performing wireless communication with the device according to the first frame structure and the second frame structure; The first frame includes a flexible duration in addition to and not overlapping with the reception duration.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that During the receive duration, no transmissions are sent to or received by the apparatus on the second frame structure.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first frame includes a flexible duration in addition to and not overlapping with the reception duration, and the apparatus is configured to perform one of the following operations within the flexible duration: receive from the device; or transmit to the device; or perform full duplex (FD) communication to simultaneously transmit to and receive from the device.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The flexible duration is a duration for configuring a communication direction on a device-specific basis.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The flexible duration is a first flexible duration, and the second frame includes a second flexible duration that at least partially overlaps in time with the first flexible duration.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The duration within the second frame for sending the second wireless transmission is a transmit duration, which is a duration during which reception of transmissions from the device is prohibited within the second frame.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that Wireless communication is performed with the device on a same serving cell, and both the first frame structure and the second frame structure are used for the same serving cell.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The first frame structure is associated with a first carrier frequency, and the second frame structure is associated with a second carrier frequency.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first carrier frequency is different from the second carrier frequency.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The first frame and the second frame at least partially overlap in the frequency domain.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The first frame is in a first frequency band, and the second frame is in a second frequency band; and / or The first frame is on a first frequency carrier and the second frame is on a second frequency carrier; and / or The first frame is used for wireless communication on a first serving cell, and the second frame is used for wireless communication on a second serving cell; and / or The first frame is on a first bandwidth part (BWP), and the second frame is on a second BWP.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The first indication is received in a first control signaling, and the second indication is received in a second control signaling.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The first control signaling and / or the second control signaling is shared by multiple devices.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The first indication and the second indication are received in the same control signaling.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The first indication and the second indication are in different information elements in the same control signaling.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The same control signaling is shared by multiple devices.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that The first indication indicates at least one of the following parameters of the first frame structure: the frame length of the first frame; the subcarrier spacing of symbols sent in the first frame; the number of time durations in which the corresponding communication directions are configured in the first frame; the length of one or more time durations in which the corresponding communication directions are configured in the first frame; the corresponding communication direction configured for each of the one or more time durations.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that The second indication indicates at least one of the following parameters of the second frame structure: the frame length of the second frame; the subcarrier spacing of symbols sent in the second frame; the number of time durations configured with corresponding communication directions in the second frame; the length of one or more time durations configured with the corresponding communication directions in the second frame; the corresponding communication direction configured for each of the one or more time durations.

19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The method includes: receiving a first control signaling shared by multiple devices, the first control signaling indicating at least one of the following: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols sent within the first frame; a number of durations within the first frame configured with corresponding communication directions; the length of one or more durations within the first frame configured with the corresponding communication directions; and the corresponding communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The method includes receiving second control signaling dedicated to the apparatus, the second control signaling indicating whether the apparatus is to wirelessly transmit to and / or receive from the device within a specific duration where the communication direction is configured as a flexible duration.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The first indication is in the first control signaling or the second control signaling.

22. The method according to claim 12 or 13 or 19 or 20 or 21, characterized in that The first control signaling exists in radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or downlink control information (DCI).

23. The method according to claim 12 or 13 or 20 or 21, characterized in that The second control signaling exists in radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or downlink control information (DCI).

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that The first frame is used to send a first symbol with a first subcarrier spacing, and the second frame is used to send a second symbol with a second subcarrier spacing.

25. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that The start of the second frame is offset in time from the start of the first frame.

26. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that The frame number of the first frame is the same as the frame number of the second frame.

27. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that The frame number of the first frame is different from the frame number of the second frame.

28. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that The maximum frame number in the first frame structure is different from the maximum frame number in the second frame structure.

29. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that The apparatus is a user equipment, the device is a network device, and during the duration for receiving the first wireless transmission in the first frame: (i) uplink transmission is prohibited in the first frame; and (ii) the apparatus receives downlink transmission in the first frame.

30. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that The apparatus is a first user equipment, and the device is a second user equipment.

31. A device, characterized in that The apparatus comprises a processing module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 30.

32. A device, characterized in that The device comprises a processor and a memory; the memory comprises processor-executable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 30.

33. A device, characterized in that The device comprises: Receiver for: receiving a first indication to configure a first frame structure, a first frame in the first frame structure including a duration for receiving a first wireless transmission from a device; The duration for receiving the first wireless transmission within the first frame is a receive duration, the receive duration being a duration during which sending of wireless transmissions to the device is prohibited within the first frame; receiving a second indication to configure a second frame structure, a second frame in the second frame structure including a duration for sending a second wireless transmission to the device; The receiver and the transmitter perform wireless communication with the device according to the first frame structure and the second frame structure; The first frame includes a flexible duration in addition to and not overlapping with the reception duration.

34. A method performed by a device, characterized in that The method comprises: sending a first indication configuring a first frame structure, a first frame in the first frame structure including a duration for sending a first wireless transmission from the apparatus to at least one of the plurality of apparatuses; The duration within the first frame for sending the first wireless transmission is a reception duration, the reception duration being a duration during which reception of transmissions from any of the plurality of apparatuses is prohibited within the first frame; sending a second indication configuring a second frame structure, a second frame in the second frame structure including a duration for receiving a second wireless transmission from one or more of the plurality of apparatuses; performing wireless communications with the plurality of devices according to the first frame structure and the second frame structure; The first frame includes a flexible duration in addition to and not overlapping with the reception duration.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein During the reception duration, the device does not receive or the device does not send any transmission to the plurality of apparatuses on the second frame structure.

36. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that During the flexible duration in the first frame, the device: receiving a transmission from a first device of the plurality of devices but not sending the transmission to the first device; sending a transmission to a second device of the plurality of devices without receiving the transmission from the second device; Transmissions are simultaneously sent / received to / from a third device among the plurality of devices.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein The flexible duration is a duration during which a communication direction is configurable for each of the plurality of devices on a device-specific basis.

38. The method according to any one of claims 35 to 37, characterized in that The flexible duration is a first flexible duration, and the second frame includes a second flexible duration that at least partially overlaps in time with the first flexible duration.

39. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 38, characterized in that The duration for receiving the second wireless transmission within the second frame is a transmit duration, which is a duration during which reception of transmissions from the device is prohibited within the second frame.

40. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 39, characterized in that Wireless communications are performed with the multiple devices on a same serving cell, and both the first frame structure and the second frame structure are used for the same serving cell.

41. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 40, characterized in that The first frame structure is associated with a first carrier frequency, and the second frame structure is associated with a second carrier frequency.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein The first carrier frequency is different from the second carrier frequency.

43. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 41, characterized in that The first frame and the second frame at least partially overlap in the frequency domain.

44. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 39, characterized in that: The first frame is in a first frequency band, and the second frame is in a second frequency band; and / or The first frame is on a first frequency carrier and the second frame is on a second frequency carrier; and / or The first frame is used for wireless communication on a first serving cell, and the second frame is used for wireless communication on a second serving cell; and / or The first frame is on a first bandwidth part (BWP), and the second frame is on a second BWP.

45. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 44, characterized in that The first indication is sent in a first control signaling, and the second indication is sent in a second control signaling.

46. ​​The method according to claim 45, characterized in that The first control signaling and / or the second control signaling are common to the multiple devices.

47. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 44, characterized in that The first indication and the second indication are sent in the same control signaling.

48. The method according to claim 47, wherein The first indication and the second indication are in different information elements in the same control signaling.

49. The method according to claim 47 or 48, characterized in that The same control signaling is shared by the multiple devices.

50. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 49, characterized in that The first indication indicates at least one of the following parameters of the first frame structure: the frame length of the first frame; the subcarrier spacing of symbols sent in the first frame; the number of time durations in which the corresponding communication directions are configured in the first frame; the length of one or more time durations in which the corresponding communication directions are configured in the first frame; the corresponding communication direction configured for each of the one or more time durations.

51. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 50, characterized in that The second indication indicates at least one of the following parameters of the second frame structure: the frame length of the second frame; the subcarrier spacing of symbols sent in the second frame; the number of time durations configured with corresponding communication directions in the second frame; the length of one or more time durations configured with the corresponding communication directions in the second frame; the corresponding communication direction configured for each of the one or more time durations.

52. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 44, characterized in that The method includes: sending a first control signaling shared by the multiple devices, the first control signaling indicating at least one of the following: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols sent within the first frame; a number of time durations configured with corresponding communication directions within the first frame; a length of one or more time durations configured with the corresponding communication directions within the first frame; and the corresponding communication direction configured for each of the one or more time durations.

53. The method according to claim 52, characterized in that The method includes sending second control signaling dedicated to a specific device among the multiple devices, wherein the second control signaling indicates whether the specific device is to wirelessly transmit to and / or wirelessly receive from the device within a specific duration configured as a flexible duration for the communication direction.

54. The method according to claim 53, wherein The first indication is in the first control signaling or the second control signaling.

55. The method of claim 45 or 46 or 52 or 53 or 54, wherein: The first control signaling exists in radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or downlink control information (DCI).

56. The method according to claim 45, 46, 53 or 54, wherein: The second control signaling exists in radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or downlink control information (DCI).

57. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 56, characterized in that The first frame is used to send a first symbol with a first subcarrier spacing, and the second frame is used to send a second symbol with a second subcarrier spacing.

58. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 57, characterized in that The start of the second frame is offset in time from the start of the first frame.

59. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 58, characterized in that The frame number of the first frame is the same as the frame number of the second frame.

60. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 58, characterized in that The frame number of the first frame is different from the frame number of the second frame.

61. The method according to any one of claims 35 to 60, characterized in that The maximum frame number in the first frame structure is different from the maximum frame number in the second frame structure.

62. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 61, characterized in that The device is a network device, each of the plurality of apparatuses is a user equipment, and during a duration for sending the first wireless transmission from the device: (i) uplink transmission is prohibited in the first frame; and (ii) the device sends a downlink transmission in the first frame.

63. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 61, characterized in that The device is a user equipment.

64. The method according to claim 63, wherein Each of the plurality of apparatuses is also a user equipment.

65. A device, characterized in that The apparatus comprises a processing module for performing a method according to any one of claims 34 to 64.

66. A device, characterized in that The device comprises a processor and a memory; the memory comprises processor-executable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 34 to 64.

67. A device, characterized in that The device comprises: Transmitter for: sending a first indication configuring a first frame structure, a first frame in the first frame structure including a duration for sending a first wireless transmission from the apparatus to at least one of the plurality of apparatuses; The duration for receiving the first wireless transmission within the first frame is a receive duration, the receive duration being a duration during which sending of wireless transmissions to the device is prohibited within the first frame; sending a second indication configuring a second frame structure, a second frame in the second frame structure including a duration for receiving a second wireless transmission from one or more of the plurality of apparatuses; The transmitter and the receiver perform wireless communication with the plurality of devices according to the first frame structure and the second frame structure; The first frame includes a flexible duration in addition to and not overlapping with the reception duration.

68. A method performed by an apparatus, characterized in that The method comprises: wirelessly communicating with the device within a first frame of the first frame structure; concurrently performing wireless communication with the device within a second frame of the second frame structure; the first frame (but not the second frame) includes a receive duration, the receive duration being a duration during which wireless transmissions to the device are prohibited on the first frame structure and the apparatus receives wireless communications from the device on the first frame structure; The first frame includes a flexible duration in addition to and not overlapping with the reception duration.

69. The method according to claim 68, characterized in that The second frame (instead of the first frame) includes a transmit duration, the transmit duration being a duration during which reception of wireless transmissions from the device on the second frame structure is prohibited and the apparatus transmits wireless transmissions to the device on the second frame structure.

70. The method according to claim 68 or 69, characterized in that The flexible duration is a duration for configuring a communication direction on an apparatus-specific basis, and the apparatus is configured to send a first wireless transmission to the device and / or receive a second wireless transmission from the device within the flexible duration.

71. The method according to claim 70, characterized in that The apparatus performs full duplex (FD) communication during the flexible duration to simultaneously transmit the first wireless transmission to the device and receive the second wireless transmission from the device, and does not perform the FD communication during the receive duration but is configured only for wireless reception on the first frame structure during the receive duration.

72. The method according to claim 70 or 71, characterized in that The flexible duration is a first flexible duration, and the second frame includes a second flexible duration that at least partially overlaps in time with the first flexible duration.

73. The method according to any one of claims 68 to 72, characterized in that The first frame and the second frame at least partially overlap in the frequency domain, and during the reception duration of the first frame, the apparatus does not send or receive any transmission in the second frame.

74. The method according to any one of claims 68 to 72, characterized in that The first frame is in a first frequency band, and the second frame is in a second frequency band; and / or The first frame is on a first frequency carrier and the second frame is on a second frequency carrier; and / or The first frame is used for wireless communication on a first serving cell, and the second frame is used for wireless communication on a second serving cell; and / or The first frame is on a first bandwidth part (BWP), and the second frame is on a second BWP.

75. The method according to any one of claims 68 to 74, characterized in that The method further includes receiving control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of the first frame structure and / or the second frame structure.

76. The method according to claim 75, characterized in that Receiving the control signaling includes: receiving first control signaling common to a plurality of apparatuses, the first control signaling indicating at least one of: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols transmitted within the first frame; a number of durations within the first frame configured with corresponding communication directions; a length of one or more durations within the first frame configured with the corresponding communication directions; and a corresponding communication direction configured for each of the one or more durations; Second control signaling dedicated to the apparatus is received, wherein the second control signaling indicates whether the apparatus is to wirelessly transmit to and / or receive from the device within a specific duration configured as a flexible duration for the communication direction.

77. The method according to claim 76, characterized in that The second control signaling exists in radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or downlink control information (DCI).

78. The method according to any one of claims 68 to 77, characterized in that The first frame is used to send a first symbol with a first subcarrier spacing, and the second frame is used to send a second symbol with a second subcarrier spacing.

79. The method according to claim 78, characterized in that The first frame and the second frame have different frame lengths.

80. The method according to any one of claims 68 to 79, characterized in that The start of the second frame is offset in time from the start of the first frame.

81. The method according to any one of claims 68 to 80, characterized in that The frame number of the first frame is the same as the frame number of the second frame.

82. The method according to any one of claims 68 to 80, characterized in that The frame number of the first frame is different from the frame number of the second frame.

83. The method according to claim 81 or 82, characterized in that The maximum frame number in the first frame structure is different from the maximum frame number in the second frame structure.

84. The method according to any one of claims 68 to 83, characterized in that The apparatus is a user equipment, the device is a network device, and during the reception duration: (i) uplink transmission is prohibited on the first frame structure; and (ii) the apparatus receives downlink transmission on the first frame structure.

85. The method according to any one of claims 68 to 83, characterized in that The apparatus is a first user equipment, and the device is a second user equipment.

86. A device, characterized in that The apparatus comprises a processing module for performing a method according to any one of claims 68 to 85.

87. A device, characterized in that The device comprises a processor and a memory; the memory comprises processor-executable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 68 to 85.

88. A device, characterized in that The device comprises: a transmitter and a receiver for wirelessly communicating with the device within a first frame of a first frame structure; The transmitter and the receiver simultaneously perform wireless communication with the device within a second frame of a second frame structure; the first frame (but not the second frame) includes a receive duration, the receive duration being a duration during which wireless transmissions to the device are prohibited on the first frame structure and the apparatus receives wireless communications from the device on the first frame structure; The first frame includes a flexible duration in addition to and not overlapping with the reception duration.

89. A method performed by a device, characterized in that The method comprises: wirelessly communicating with a first group of devices within a first frame of a first frame structure; concurrently wirelessly communicating with a second group of devices within a second frame of a second frame structure; the first frame (but not the second frame) includes a reception duration, the reception duration being a duration during which wireless transmissions from the first group of apparatuses to the device are prohibited on the first frame structure and during which wireless communications are transmitted by the device to the first group of apparatuses on the first frame structure; The first frame includes a flexible duration in addition to and not overlapping with the reception duration.

90. The method according to claim 89, wherein The first group of devices and the second group of devices are the same group of devices.

91. The method according to claim 89, wherein At least one device in the first group of devices is also in the second group of devices.

92. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 91, characterized in that The second frame (instead of the first frame) includes a transmit duration, the transmit duration being a duration during which sending of wireless transmissions from the device to the second group of apparatuses on the second frame structure is prohibited, and during which the device receives wireless transmissions from at least one apparatus in the second group of apparatuses on the second frame structure.

93. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 92, characterized in that The flexible duration is a duration during which a communication direction can be configured for each device in the first group of devices on a device-specific basis.

94. The method according to claim 93, wherein During the flexible duration on the first frame structure, the device: receiving a transmission from a first device in the first group of devices but not sending the transmission to the first device; sending a transmission to a second device in the first group of devices without receiving the transmission from the second device; Concurrently sending / receiving transmissions to / from a third device in the first group of devices.

95. The method according to claim 94, characterized in that The first device operates in a frequency division duplex (FDD) communication mode or a time division duplex (TDD) communication mode, the second device also operates in the FDD mode or the TDD mode, and the third device operates in a full duplex (FD) communication mode.

96. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 95, characterized in that The first group of devices and the second group of devices include devices operating in TDD communication mode and / or FDD communication mode and / or FD communication mode.

97. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 96, characterized in that The first frame and the second frame at least partially overlap in the frequency domain, and during the reception duration of the first frame, the device does not send or receive any transmission in the second frame.

98. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 96, characterized in that: The first frame is in a first frequency band, and the second frame is in a second frequency band; and / or The first frame is on a first frequency carrier and the second frame is on a second frequency carrier; and / or The first frame is used for wireless communication on a first serving cell, and the second frame is used for wireless communication on a second serving cell; and / or The first frame is on a first bandwidth part (BWP), and the second frame is on a second BWP.

99. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 98, wherein The method further includes sending control signaling for configuring at least one parameter of the first frame structure and / or the second frame structure.

100. The method according to claim 99, wherein Sending the control signaling includes: sending first control signaling common to the first group of devices, the first control signaling indicating at least one of the following: a frame length of the first frame; a subcarrier spacing of symbols sent in the first frame; a number of time durations in the first frame configured with corresponding communication directions; a length of one or more time durations in the first frame configured with the corresponding communication directions; and the corresponding communication direction configured for each of the one or more time durations; Sending device-specific control signaling to each device in the first group of devices, wherein the device-specific control signaling indicates whether the device is to wirelessly transmit to and / or receive from the device within a specific duration configured as a flexible duration for the communication direction.

101. The method according to claim 100, characterized in that The device-specific control signaling is sent in radio resource control (RRC) signaling and / or downlink control information (DCI).

102. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 101, characterized in that The first frame is used to send a first symbol with a first subcarrier spacing, and the second frame is used to send a second symbol with a second subcarrier spacing.

103. The method according to claim 102, characterized in that The first frame and the second frame have different frame lengths.

104. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 103, characterized in that The start of the second frame is offset in time from the start of the first frame.

105. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 104, characterized in that The frame number of the first frame is the same as the frame number of the second frame.

106. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 104, characterized in that The frame number of the first frame is different from the frame number of the second frame.

107. The method according to claim 105 or 106, characterized in that The maximum frame number in the first frame structure is different from the maximum frame number in the second frame structure.

108. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 107, characterized in that The device is a network device, each device in the first group of devices and the second group of devices is a user equipment, and during the reception duration: (i) uplink transmission is prohibited on the first frame structure; (ii) the device sends downlink transmission on the first frame structure.

109. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 107, characterized in that The device is a user equipment.

110. The method according to claim 109, characterized in that Each device in the first group of devices and the second group of devices is also a user equipment.

111. A device, characterized in that The apparatus comprises a processing module for performing the method according to any one of claims 89 to 110.

112. A device, characterized in that The device comprises a processor and a memory; the memory comprises processor-executable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 89 to 110.

113. A device, characterized in that The device comprises: a transmitter and a receiver for wirelessly communicating with a first group of devices within a first frame of a first frame structure; The transmitter and the receiver simultaneously communicate wirelessly with a second group of devices within a second frame of a second frame structure; the first frame (but not the second frame) includes a reception duration, the reception duration being a duration during which wireless transmissions from the first group of apparatuses to the device are prohibited on the first frame structure and during which wireless communications are transmitted by the device to the first group of apparatuses on the first frame structure; The first frame includes a flexible duration in addition to and not overlapping with the reception duration.

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