Apparatus, system, and method for utilizing flexible slot format indicators

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, and methods for utilizing flexible slot format indicators, and provides embodiments of apparatus, systems, and methods for utilizing flexible slot indicators in wireless communications. A base station (BS) can establish communications with a first user device equipment (UE). The BS can determine a transmission direction for each of a plurality of symbols included in one or more slots. The BS can transmit a slot format indicator (SFI) to the UE. The SFI can indicate the transmission direction for each of the plurality of symbols included in the one or more slots. The BS and the UE can perform communications during the one or more slots in accordance with the determined transmission directions.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application date of April 20, 2018, application number 201880027144.2, and titled “Device, system and method for utilizing flexible time slot format indicator”. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to wireless communications, and more particularly, to a mechanism for flexibly signaling the transmission format of time slots in a radio frame. Background Art

[0003] There is a need for a mechanism for signaling, especially flexibly and dynamically signaling, to a UE about the time division duplex (TDD) structure of a time slot or a group of time slots in a radio frame.

[0004] US 2015 / 358998 A1 relates to a method for dynamically indicating TDD reconfiguration to a mobile station by encoding a dynamic TDD reconfiguration indication into a DCI or into a CRC calculated for the DCI. In one embodiment, when the CRC for the DCI is scrambled with the TDD-RNTI, the TDD configuration indication is implicitly encoded into the CRC as the RNTI. In another embodiment, the TDD configuration indication is part of the DCI payload, and the CRC for the DCI is scrambled with a cell identifier to identify the target cell to which the dynamic TDD reconfiguration is to be applied. In another embodiment, the TDD configuration indication is part of the DCI payload, wherein the DCI payload also includes an invalid parameter indicating to the mobile station that the DCI carries the TDD configuration indication.

[0005] 3GPP draft R1-1702219, dated February 12, 2017, "Group-Common PDCCH," addresses the inclusion of slot format-related information for group-common PDCCH and discusses how to indicate this slot format information, other required information, and the appearance of the channel. As proposed in the document, one symbol per slot is dedicated to the PDCCH and the format of the remaining symbols of the slot is indicated. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Embodiments of apparatus, systems, and methods for utilizing flexible slot indicators in wireless communications are provided herein.

[0007] A base station (BS) may establish communication with a first user equipment device (UE). The BS and UE may each include wireless communication circuitry for performing wireless communication with each other and / or with other devices. Additionally, the BS and UE may each include one or more processing elements, e.g., that may execute program instructions to operate the respective devices.

[0008] In some embodiments, the BS may determine a transmission direction for each of a plurality of symbols included in one or more time slots. The BS may determine the transmission direction for the plurality of symbols dynamically or semi-statically as needed. In addition, the determination may be performed for a single UE, for multiple UEs, and / or for all UEs communicating with the BS.

[0009] Based on this determination, the BS may send a slot format indicator (SFI) to the UE. The SFI may indicate a transmission direction for each of a plurality of symbols included in one or more time slots. The SFI may specify a transmission direction for the 14 symbols of the first time slot, for example, "uplink," "downlink," and / or "unknown." In some embodiments, the BS may send a table specifying a plurality of sets of transmission directions to the UE, wherein each set of transmission directions specifies a transmission direction for at least one time slot. Thus, the SFI may refer to a table entry of the table that specifies or otherwise indicates one of the sets of transmission directions. Note that the table may have been previously sent by the BS (e.g., before sending the SFI), sent by a different BS or other entity of the wireless network, and / or may simply be stored by the UE at different times.

[0010] In some embodiments, the BS may be configured to determine the transmission direction of symbols for multiple time slots, and the SFI may indicate the transmission direction of symbols for more than one time slot at a time. For example, the SFI may indicate the transmission direction for the first time slot, the second time slot, or n time slots. These transmission directions may be the same or different for each time slot. For example, the transmission direction may be the same for the first time slot and the second time slot indicated by a single SFI. Alternatively, the transmission direction may be different between the first time slot and the second time slot, even if both are indicated by a single SFI. In some embodiments, a single SFI may refer to an entry of the table discussed above, and the table entry may indicate multiple single-slot formats for multiple time slots (e.g., corresponding to each corresponding time slot specified by the table entry).

[0011] The BS and the UE may perform communication during one or more time slots according to the determined transmission direction.

[0012] It is noted that the determination and / or transmission of the SFI may be performed periodically. For example, the SFI may be periodically transmitted every n time slots, where n may be any desired value (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the SFI may be determined or updated dynamically based on different events or situations. For example, the SFI may be valid until updated by a new SFI, for example, transmitted by the BS. In some embodiments, the SFI may be transmitted one or more symbols (e.g., multiple symbols) prior to the time slot or slots indicated by the SFI. For example, the SFI may be transmitted for future time slots to ensure that the UE can prepare the transmission direction indicated by the SFI for the time slot indicated by the SFI.

[0013] It should be noted that the techniques described herein may be implemented in and / or used with a number of different types of devices, including but not limited to base stations, access points, cellular telephones, portable media players, tablets, wearable devices, and various other computing devices.

[0014] This summary is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the subject matter described in this document. It should be understood, therefore, that the features described above are merely examples and should not be construed as narrowing the scope or essence of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description, accompanying drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] A better understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary (and simplified) wireless communication system according to some embodiments;

[0017] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary base station in communication with an exemplary wireless user equipment (UE) device in accordance with some embodiments;

[0018] Figure 3 shows an exemplary block diagram of a UE according to some embodiments;

[0019] Figure 4 shows an exemplary block diagram of a base station according to some embodiments;

[0020] Figure 5 shows an exemplary TDD configuration according to some embodiments;

[0021] Figure 6 shows exemplary UL and DL reference configurations according to some embodiments;

[0022] Figure 7 Illustrated according to some embodiments from Figure 6 An exemplary corresponding frame structure of;

[0023] Figure 8 shows an exemplary TDD frame structure according to some embodiments;

[0024] Figure 9 Various exemplary uplink center slot formats according to some embodiments are shown;

[0025] Figure 10Various exemplary downlink center slot formats are shown according to some embodiments;

[0026] Figure 11 illustrates exemplary time slot aggregation according to some embodiments;

[0027] Figure 12 and 13 shows an example of time slot aggregation according to some embodiments;

[0028] Figure 14A and Figure 14B corresponding to an SFI for downlink according to some embodiments;

[0029] Figure 15 shows an SFI for an empty slot according to some embodiments;

[0030] Figure 16 Two exemplary states of SFI according to some embodiments are shown;

[0031] Figures 17 to 19 illustrates dynamic configuration of time slots according to some embodiments;

[0032] Figure 20 shows exemplary fields of an SFI according to some embodiments;

[0033] Figure 21 shows UL timeslot aggregation according to some embodiments;

[0034] Figure 22 shows DL timeslot aggregation according to some embodiments;

[0035] Figures 23 to 28 An exemplary implementation for PDSCH according to some embodiments is shown;

[0036] Figure 29 and Figure 30 is an exemplary method for operating a base station and a UE according to some embodiments;

[0037] Figure 31 shows an exemplary configuration of an SFI with a 5-slot period according to some embodiments;

[0038] Figures 32A to 32N shows a 14-symbol, non-repeating possibility for a time slot according to some embodiments;

[0039] Figures 33A to 33E shows 7 symbol, repetition combination possibilities for a time slot according to some embodiments;

[0040] Figures 34A to 34Ushows a 7-symbol, non-repeating combination possibility for a time slot according to some embodiments;

[0041] Figures 35A to 35G Shown are 7 symbol possibilities according to some embodiments;

[0042] Figures 36 to 38 Shown according to some embodiments Figures 32A to 35G corresponding exemplary SFI indexes and formats;

[0043] Figures 39 to 41 shows an exemplary UE SFI index table according to some embodiments;

[0044] Figure 42 shows an exemplary configuration of an SFI with a five-slot period and a one-slot offset according to some embodiments; and

[0045] Figure 43 is a flow chart illustrating an example method of using SFI between a BS and a UE according to some embodiments.

[0046] While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. However, it should be understood that the drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Acronyms

[0048] ARQ: Automatic Repeat Request

[0049] DCI: Downlink Control Information

[0050] DL: Downlink

[0051] gNB: gNodeB

[0052] LTE: Long Term Evolution

[0053] NW: Network

[0054] NR: New Radio

[0055] PCFICH: Physical Control Format Indicator Channel

[0056] PDCCH: Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0057] PDSCH: Physical Downlink Shared Channel

[0058] PHICH: Physical Hybrid ARQ Indicator Channel

[0059] PUCCH: Physical Uplink Control Channel

[0060] PUSCH: Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0061] RNTI: Radio Network Temporary Identifier

[0062] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0063] SIB: System Information Block

[0064] SIBn: System Information Block Type n

[0065] SL: Sidelink

[0066] TDD: Time Division Duplex

[0067] TTI: Transmission Time Interval

[0068] UE: User Equipment

[0069] UL: Uplink

[0070] the term

[0071] The following is a glossary of terms used in this disclosure:

[0072] Memory medium - any of various types of non-transitory memory devices or storage devices. The term "memory medium" is intended to include installation media, such as CD-ROMs, floppy disks, or tape devices; computer system memory or random access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; non-volatile memory such as flash memory, magnetic media, for example, hard drives or optical storage devices; registers or other similar types of memory elements, etc. The memory medium may also include other types of non-transitory memory or a combination thereof. In addition, the memory medium may be located in the first computer system that executes the program, or may be located in a different second computer system that is connected to the first computer system via a network such as the Internet. In the latter case, the second computer system may provide program instructions to the first computer for execution. The term "memory medium" may include two or more memory media that may reside in different locations in different computer systems connected, for example, via a network. The memory medium may store program instructions (e.g., expressed as a computer program) that can be executed by one or more processors.

[0073] Carrier Medium—storage media as described above, and physical transmission media such as a bus, network, and / or other physical transmission media that transport signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals.

[0074] Programmable hardware elements—include various hardware devices that include multiple programmable function blocks connected via programmable interconnects. Examples include FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), PLDs (programmable logic devices), FPOAs (field programmable object arrays), and CPLDs (complex PLDs). Programmable function blocks can range from fine-grained (combinational logic units or lookup tables) to coarse-grained (arithmetic logic units or processor cores). Programmable hardware elements may also be referred to as "configurable logic units."

[0075] Computer System—Any of various types of computing or processing systems, including a personal computer system (PC), a mainframe computer system, a workstation, a network appliance, an Internet appliance, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a television system, a grid computing system, or other devices or combinations of devices. In general, the term "computer system" can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.

[0076] User Equipment (UE) (or "UE device") - any of various types of computer system devices that are mobile or portable and that perform wireless communication. Examples of UE devices include mobile phones or smartphones (e.g., iPhones). TM , based on Android TM phones), portable gaming devices (e.g., Nintendo DS TM PlayStation Portable TM 、Gameboy Advance TM , iPhone TM ), laptops, wearable devices (e.g., smart watches, smart glasses), PDAs, portable Internet devices, music players, data storage devices or other handheld devices, etc. In general, the term "UE" or "UE device" can be broadly defined to cover any electronic device, computing device and / or telecommunication device (or combination of devices) that can be easily transported by a user and capable of wireless communication.

[0077] Base Station - The term "base station" has the full breadth of its ordinary meaning and includes at least a wireless communication station that is installed at a fixed location and used to communicate as part of a wireless telephone system or radio system.

[0078] Processing Element—refers to various elements or combinations of elements. Processing elements include, for example, circuits such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), portions or circuits of individual processor cores, entire processor cores, individual processors, programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or larger portions of systems including multiple processors.

[0079] Channel - the medium used to transmit information from a sender (transmitter) to a receiver. It should be noted that since the characteristics of the term "channel" may vary according to different wireless protocols, the term "channel" as used herein may be considered to be used in a manner that is consistent with the standard of the type of device to which the term is used. In some standards, the channel width may be variable (e.g., depending on device capabilities, frequency band conditions, etc.). For example, LTE may support scalable channel bandwidths of 1.4 MHz to 20 MHz. In contrast, a WLAN channel may be 22 MHz wide, while a Bluetooth channel may be 1 MHz wide. Other protocols and standards may include different definitions of channels. In addition, some standards may define and use multiple types of channels, such as different channels for uplink or downlink and / or different channels for different purposes such as data, control information, etc.

[0080] Frequency band—The term “frequency band” has the full breadth of its ordinary meaning and includes at least a segment of the spectrum (eg, radio frequency spectrum) in which channels are used or set aside for the same purpose.

[0081] Automatic—refers to an action or operation performed by a computer system (e.g., software executed by the computer system) or a device (e.g., a circuit, a programmable hardware element, an ASIC, etc.) without requiring user input to directly specify or execute the action or operation. Thus, the term "automatic" is in contrast to manual execution or specification of an action by a user, where the user provides input to directly execute the action. An automatic process may be initiated by input provided by a user, but the subsequent actions performed "automatically" are not specified by the user, i.e., they are not performed "manually," where the user specifies each action to be performed. For example, a user filling out an electronic form by selecting each field and providing input specifying information (e.g., by typing information, selecting checkboxes, selecting radios, etc.) is not manually filling out the form, even though the computer system must update the form in response to the user's actions. The form can be automatically filled out by a computer system, where the computer system (e.g., software executed on the computer system) analyzes the fields of the form and fills it out without requiring any user input to specify the answers to the fields. As indicated above, a user can invoke automatic filling of a form without participating in the actual filling out of the form (e.g., the user does not manually specify the answers to the fields; they are automatically completed). This specification provides various examples of operations that are automatically performed in response to actions that a user has taken.

[0082] Figure 1 and Figure 2 —Communications system

[0083] Figure 1 An exemplary (and simplified) wireless communication system according to one embodiment is shown. Note that Figure 1 The system is only one example of a possible system, and embodiments may be implemented in any of a variety of systems as desired.

[0084] As shown, the exemplary wireless communication system includes a base station 102A that communicates with one or more user equipment 106A, 106B, and 106N via a transmission medium. Each of the user equipment may be referred to herein as a "user device (UE)." Accordingly, user equipment 106 is referred to as a UE or UE device.

[0085] Base station 102A may be a base transceiver station (BTS) or a cell site and may include hardware that enables wireless communications with UEs 106A through 106N. Base station 102A may also be equipped to communicate with network 100 (e.g., a core network of a cellular service provider, a telecommunications network such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and / or the Internet, among other possibilities). Thus, base station 102A may facilitate communications between user devices and / or between user devices and network 100.

[0086] The communication area (or coverage area) of a base station may be referred to as a “cell.” The base station 102A and the UE 106 may be configured to communicate over a transmission medium using any of a variety of radio access technologies (RATs), also known as wireless communication technologies or telecommunication standards, such as GSM, UMTS (WCDMA, TD-SCDMA), LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), Wi-Fi, WiMAX, New Radio (NR), and the like.

[0087] Base station 102A and other similar base stations (such as base stations 102B...102N) operating according to the same or different cellular communication standards can therefore be provided as a network of cells that can provide continuous or nearly continuous overlapping service to UEs 106A-N and similar devices over a wide geographic area via one or more cellular communication standards.

[0088] Thus, although base station 102A may provide for Figure 1106A-N, each UE 106 may also be capable of receiving signals from (and possibly within communication range of) one or more other cells (which may be provided by base stations 102B-N and / or any other base stations), which may be referred to as "neighboring cells." Such cells may also be capable of facilitating communications between user devices and / or between user devices and network 100. Such cells may include "macro" cells, "micro" cells, "pico" cells, and / or cells of any other variety of granularities of service area size. For example, in Figure 1 The base stations 102A-B shown in FIG may be macro cells, while the base station 102N may be a micro cell. Other configurations are also possible.

[0089] It should be noted that the UE 106 may be capable of communicating using multiple wireless communication standards. For example, in addition to at least one cellular communication protocol (e.g., GSM, UMTS (WCDMA, TD-SCDMA), LTE, LTE-A, HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), NR, etc.), the UE 106 may be configured to communicate using wireless networking (e.g., Wi-Fi) and / or peer-to-peer wireless communication protocols (e.g., BT, Wi-Fi peer-to-peer, etc.). If desired, the UE 106 may also or alternatively be configured to communicate using one or more global navigation satellite systems (GNSS, such as GPS or GLONASS), one or more mobile television broadcast standards (e.g., ATSC-M / H or DVB-H), and / or any other wireless communication protocols. Other combinations of wireless communication standards (including more than two wireless communication standards) are also possible.

[0090] Figure 2 A user equipment 106 (e.g., one of devices 106A through 106N) is shown communicating with a base station 102 (e.g., one of base stations 102A through 102N) according to one embodiment. UE 106 may be a device with cellular communication capabilities, such as a mobile phone, handheld device, wearable device, computer, tablet, or substantially any type of wireless device.

[0091] The UE 106 may include a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory. The UE 106 may perform any of the method embodiments described herein by executing such stored instructions. Alternatively or in addition, the UE 106 may include a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) configured to perform any of the method embodiments described herein or any portion of any of the method embodiments described herein.

[0092] UE 106 may include one or more antennas for communicating using one or more wireless communication protocols or technologies. In one embodiment, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using either CDMA2000 (1xRTT / 1xEV-DO / HRPD / eHRPD) or LTE using a single shared radio and / or GSM or LTE using a single shared radio. The shared radio may be coupled to a single antenna or to multiple antennas (e.g., for MIMO) for performing wireless communications. Generally, the radio may include any combination of a baseband processor, analog RF signal processing circuitry (e.g., including filters, mixers, oscillators, amplifiers, etc.), or digital processing circuitry (e.g., for digital modulation and other digital processing). Similarly, the radio may implement one or more receive chains and transmit chains using the aforementioned hardware. For example, UE 106 may share one or more portions of a receive chain and / or transmit chain between multiple wireless communication technologies such as those discussed above.

[0093] In some embodiments, the UE 106 may include a separate (and possibly multiple) transmit and / or receive chain (e.g., including separate RF and / or digital radios) for each wireless communication protocol with which it is configured to communicate. As another possibility, the UE 106 may include one or more radios shared between multiple wireless communication protocols, and one or more radios used exclusively by a single wireless communication protocol. For example, the UE 106 may include a shared radio for communicating using any of LTE, 1xRTT, and NR (or LTE or GSM), and a separate radio for communicating using each of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Other configurations are also possible.

[0094] Figure 3 —Exemplary block diagram of UE

[0095] Figure 3An exemplary block diagram of a UE 106 according to one embodiment is shown. As shown, the UE 106 may include a system on a chip (SOC) 300, which may include components for various purposes. For example, as shown, the SOC 300 may include one or more processors 302 that may execute program instructions for the UE 106, and display circuitry 304 that may perform graphics processing and provide display signals to a display 360. The one or more processors 302 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 340 (which may be configured to receive addresses from the one or more processors 302 and translate those addresses into locations in memory (e.g., memory 306, read-only memory (ROM) 350, NAND flash memory 310)), and / or to other circuits or devices (such as the display circuitry 304, wireless communication circuitry 330, connector I / F 320, and / or display 360). The MMU 340 may be configured to perform memory protection and page table translation or setup. In some embodiments, the MMU 340 may be included as part of the one or more processors 302.

[0096] As shown, SOC 300 may be coupled to various other circuits of UE 106. For example, UE 106 may include various types of memory (e.g., including NAND flash memory 310), a connector interface 320 (e.g., for coupling to a computer system, a docking station, a charging station), a display 360, and wireless communication circuitry (e.g., radio components) 330 (e.g., for LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc.).

[0097] The UE device 106 may include at least one antenna (and, in various possibilities, multiple antennas, e.g., for MIMO and / or for implementing different wireless communication technologies) for performing wireless communications with a base station and / or other devices. For example, the UE device 106 may perform wireless communications using one or more antennas 335. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the UE 106 may be configured to perform wireless communications using multiple wireless communication standards.

[0098] As described in addition subsequently herein, UE 106 may include hardware and software components for implementing features related to using the time slot format indicator in different ways as described herein. The processor 302 of UE device 106 may be configured to implement some or all of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transient computer-readable memory medium). In other embodiments, the processor 302 may be configured as a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Alternatively (or in addition thereto), in combination with one or more of other components 300, 304, 306, 310, 320, 330, 335, 340, 350, 360, the processor 302 of UE device 106 may be configured to implement a portion or all of the features described herein.

[0099] Figure 4 —Exemplary block diagram of a base station

[0100] Figure 4 FIG. 1 shows an exemplary block diagram of a base station 102 according to one embodiment. Note that Figure 4 The base station 102 is only one example of a possible base station. As shown, the base station 102 may include one or more processors 404 that may execute program instructions for the base station 102. The one or more processors 404 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 440 (which may be configured to receive addresses from the one or more processors 404 and translate these addresses into locations in memory (e.g., memory 460 and read-only memory (ROM) 450)) or to other circuits or devices.

[0101] The base station 102 may include at least one network port 470. The network port 470 may be configured to couple to a telephone network and provide access to the telephone network as described above. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Multiple devices of the telephone network described in, such as UE device 106.

[0102] The network port 470 (or an additional network port) may further or alternatively be configured to couple to a cellular network, such as a core network of a cellular service provider. The core network may provide mobility-related services and / or other services to a plurality of devices, such as the UE device 106. In some cases, the network port 470 may couple to a telephone network via the core network, and / or the core network may provide a telephone network (e.g., in other UE devices served by the cellular service provider).

[0103] Base station 102 may include at least one antenna 434 and possibly multiple antennas. One or more antennas 434 may be configured to operate as a wireless transceiver and may be further configured to communicate with UE device 106 via radio 430. Antenna 434 communicates with radio 430 via communication chain 432. Communication chain 432 may be a receive chain, a transmit chain, or both. Radio 430 may be configured to communicate via various wireless telecommunication standards, including but not limited to NR, LTE, LTE-A, UMTS, CDMA2000, Wi-Fi, and the like.

[0104] BS 102 may be configured to communicate wirelessly using multiple wireless communication standards. In some cases, base station 102 may include multiple radio components that enable base station 102 to communicate according to multiple wireless communication technologies. For example, as one possibility, base station 102 may include an NR radio component for performing communication according to NR and a Wi-Fi radio component for performing communication according to Wi-Fi. In such a case, base station 102 may be capable of operating as both an NR base station and a Wi-Fi access point. As another possibility, base station 102 may include a multimode radio component capable of performing communication according to any of multiple wireless communication technologies (e.g., NR and Wi-Fi; NR and LTE; LTE and CDMA2000; UMTS and GSM; etc.).

[0105] As described further later herein, BS 102 may include hardware and software components for implementing features related to using slot format indicators in various manners as described herein.

[0106] The processor 404 of the base station 102 can be configured to implement some or all of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively, the processor 404 can be configured as a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), or a combination thereof. Alternatively (or in addition), in combination with one or more of the other components 430, 432, 434, 440, 450, 460, 470, the processor 404 of the BS 102 can be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein.

[0107] Group-common PDCCH

[0108] A group-common PDCCH is a channel that carries information intended for a group of user equipments (UEs).The modifier "common" does not necessarily mean common to every cell.

[0109] Potential use cases for group-common PDCCH include:

[0110] (1) Indicates the time slot format in dynamic TDD (UL, DL, SL, blank, etc.);

[0111] (2) Indicates the control resource setup duration, in which case the UE can determine whether some blind decoding can be skipped;

[0112] (3) Indicates the starting position of downlink data.

[0113] A similar approach to PCFICH can be used to implement the physical channel structure of the group-common PDCCH. Alternatively, the PDCCH design can be reused.

[0114] The network (NW) may configure the UE to monitor the group-common PDCCH using RRC signaling. In other words, the network may send an RRC signal to the UE to indicate whether the UE is to decode the group-common PDCCH.

[0115] TDD configuration in LTE

[0116] In LTE Release 8, TDD configuration is defined to indicate the direction of transmission in each time slot of a radio frame. (The duration of a radio frame may be 10ms). Seven different TDD configurations are defined, such as Figure 5 (Symbol D represents downlink, S represents a special subframe for switching, and U represents uplink.)

[0117] eIMTA in LTE Release 12

[0118] eIMTA is an acronym for “Enhanced Interference Mitigation and Traffic Adaptation.” In eIMTA, configuration can be dynamically changed through downlink control information (DCI).

[0119] In eIMTA, the TDD configuration is determined as follows. The TDD frame structure is generated by combining the UL reference configuration and the DL reference configuration. An example of the UL reference configuration and the DL reference configuration is shown in Figure 6 Shown in. Figure 7 Shown by Figure 6 The example of a valid TDD frame structure generated by . F represents the downlink (D) or uplink (U) TTI. In eIMTA, only the time slot represented by F can be changed dynamically. Figure 7 The current configurations supported by the frame structure are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

[0120] The uplink reference configuration is semi-statically configured and obtained by the UE from SIB1. The uplink reference configuration is used by devices that support non-eIMTA and is referred to as the "uplink-downlink configuration" in earlier releases (~R11). The uplink reference configuration is an uplink strong configuration. DL subframes in the uplink reference configuration are guaranteed to be DL: for example, used for PHICH transmission.

[0121] The downlink reference configuration is semi-statically configured and obtained by the UE from dedicated RRC signaling, specific to devices supporting eIMTA. The UL subframes in this configuration are guaranteed to be UL: for example, used for HARQ feedback.

[0122] The current uplink-downlink configuration determines which subframes of the current frame are uplink and which are downlink. The current uplink-downlink configuration is selected from seven possible configurations, within the limits set by the flexible subframes obtained from the reference configuration. The current uplink-downlink configuration is broadcast periodically to track traffic changes. The current uplink-downlink configuration is broadcast to all eIMTA devices (using the eIMTA-RNTI) using DCI format 1C on the PDCCH.

[0123] Flexible slot format indicator in dynamic TDD

[0124] In LTE, a timeslot can be a downlink timeslot (D), an uplink timeslot (U), a special frame timeslot (S), or a flexible timeslot (F). Figure 8 An example of a TDD frame structure including each time slot is shown. The symbol "S / D" indicates that the corresponding time slot may be S or D.

[0125] In NR, the slot format indicator (SFI) indicates whether the slot is downlink (DL), uplink (UL), sidelink (SL), blank (reserved), etc. Figure 8 The Slot Format Indicator (SFI) in the initial portion of the F slot is shown. The SFI can override the transmission direction indicated by the current TDD configuration of the frame. For example, if the current TDD configuration indicates that the F slot should be uplink, the SFI can override the transmission direction to downlink. Thus, the SFI provides dynamic overwrite capability at the granularity of the slot.

[0126] In some embodiments, the SFI may be included only in the F time slot. In other embodiments, the SFI may be included in any time slot of the frame.

[0127] A slot format indicator (SFI) may be included in the group common PDCCH. The SFI may signal the slot format of at least the current slot in a dynamic TDD system. In some embodiments, the SFI may signal the slot format of one or more consecutive slots including the current slot.

[0128] SFI is common information transmitted to a group of UEs. SFI can indicate whether a timeslot is UL, DL, SL, blank (reserved), etc.

[0129] The SFI may be decoded by a group of UEs, such as a group of UEs specified by RRC signaling.

[0130] In some implementations, non-serving UEs may use the received SFI to avoid unnecessary blind decoding in order to save power.

[0131] Table-based SFI encoding - SFI for UL

[0132] In some embodiments, the SFI may indicate Figure 9 Any of the uplink center slot formats shown in . These slot formats differ in the aggregation level, i.e., the number of slots that are grouped together to form a continuous uplink region. The main use case for these uplink center slot formats is PUSCH and / or PUCCH transmissions.

[0133] The UL center time slot may include a PDCCH for sending UL grants to the UE.

[0134] The UL aggregation level (AL) (eg, 1, 2, 3, ...) may be encoded in the SFI.

[0135] The SFI may signal UL slot aggregation and therefore, not include PDCCH in any subsequent slots.

[0136] When UL slot aggregation is indicated, non-serving UEs may sleep during the uplink portion of the first slot and all subsequent slots. (The UE will determine whether it is scheduled in the aggregated set of slots based on the PDCCH of the first slot.) For example, when AL=3, the UE may sleep during the uplink portion of the first slot and the second and third slots.

[0137] Table-based SFI encoding - SFI for DL

[0138] In some embodiments, the SFI may indicate Figure 10Any of the downlink-centric formats shown. These downlink-centric formats are used for the current slot, i.e., the slot containing the SFI. The SFI can be sent in every downlink slot. The primary use case for these downlink-centric formats is PDSCH transmission with and without slot aggregation.

[0139] The SFI for DL ​​may not encode the aggregation level (AL) because the SFI may be sent in every DL slot and the DL aggregation is explicitly signaled to the UE in the downlink control information (DCI).

[0140] Some states of the SFI for DL ​​may indicate the presence of a PDCCH in the PDCCH region, while other states indicate the absence of a PDCCH.

[0141] Example of SFI and DL timeslot aggregation

[0142] Figure 11 An example of slot aggregation is shown, where additional scheduling is allowed in the middle of the aggregation due to the PDCCH included in the PDCCH region of the second slot. (In some embodiments, the PDCCH region of each slot may span the first OFDM symbol of that slot). Two slots are aggregated. Some UEs are scheduled at aggregation level 2. In addition, some UEs may be scheduled in the second slot due to the PDCCH in the second slot. Acknowledgement of DL data transmission may be sent at the end of the second slot.

[0143] Figure 12 and Figure 13 An example of slot aggregation without additional scheduling in the middle of the aggregation is shown. Figure 12 An example of aggregating two time slots is shown; Figure 13 An example of aggregating three time slots is shown. All scheduled UEs can be scheduled from the first time slot via the PDCCH of the first time slot. In the example provided, no UEs are scheduled from the second time slot (or from any non-initial time slot), so there is no PDCCH in the second time slot. Therefore, non-scheduled UEs can avoid making blind decoding attempts when searching for PDCCH in the second time slot (or non-initial time slot).

[0144] SFI for DL ​​(alternative method)

[0145] Alternatively, the SFI for DL ​​may be defined based on the assumption that PDCCH regions are not allowed in aggregated non-initial slots. Figure 14A and Figure 14B As shown, only the initial time slot includes a PDCCH region. (In some embodiments, the PDCCH region may span the first OFDM symbol of a time slot and include a group-common PDCCH and a set of one or more PDCCHs.)

[0146] The SFI for DL ​​can appear in the group common PDCCH of the PDCCH region of the initial slot, indicating the DL (center) slot format of all aggregated slots (where AL>=1). The main use case is PDSCH transmission with and without slot aggregation. The SFI for DL ​​does indicate the aggregation level (AL) because the SFI can only be sent in the initial DL slot.

[0147] SFI for blank (reserved) / sidelink (SL)

[0148] In some embodiments, some states of the SFI may be used to indicate blank slots for forward compatibility, such as Figure 15 As shown. During the blank region of the time slot, for example, during the complement of the resource elements containing the SFI (or containing the group common PDCCH), the base station may not transmit or receive signals understood by the legacy UE. Similarly, the legacy UE device may turn off the power of its transmitter and receiver during the blank region of the time slot. Base stations and UEs operating according to future standards (or future versions of the current standard) may transmit during this time slot, such as NR Phase II systems. The AL is encoded in the SFI. Therefore, multiple time slots can be aggregated to form a blank region that continuously covers more than one time slot.

[0149] In some embodiments, one or more of the states of the SFI may be used to indicate that sidelink (SL) transmission is enabled, e.g. Figure 15 13. Sidelink transmission is device-to-device transmission (eg, UE-to-UE, or vehicle-to-vehicle, etc.).

[0150] DL and UL combination

[0151] In some embodiments, some states of the SFI may be used to indicate a combination of downlink and uplink transmissions covering two or more consecutive time slots. For example, Figure 16 Two states of the SFI are shown, each indicating a two-slot combination of downlink and uplink, where the DL to UL ratio is 1. A format index of 14 may indicate that the PDCCH is included in the PDCCH region. A format index of 15 may indicate that the PDCCH is not included in the PDCCH region.

[0152] Dynamic Time Division Duplex (TDD)

[0153] The SFI may be sent in time slots that support or allow dynamic changes in transmission direction. Figure 17As shown, a time slot designated as a downlink time slot by the current TDD configuration can be dynamically changed to an uplink time slot by setting the SFI of the time slot to the appropriate value of the format index. This means that in at least some embodiments, the transmission direction of a time slot without an SFI cannot be changed.

[0154] If there is no SFI in a slot (eg, UL only), the transmission direction for that slot may be determined by the most recently transmitted SFI.

[0155] For base stations (e.g., gNBs), the dynamics and efficiency depend on the frequency of sending SFI. For example, Figure 18 shows a very dynamic scene, while Figure 19 A less dynamic scene is shown.

[0156] SFI based on the generalized format

[0157] In some implementations, the slot format indicator (SFI) may indicate the aggregation level and number of symbols for all possible formats: downlink only, uplink centric, DL-UL combined. Figure 20 As shown, the SFI may have five fields. Two of these fields define the length of the downlink region. Two of these fields define the length of the uplink region. One of these fields defines the length of the gap region between the downlink region and the uplink region. The boundaries between time slots do not need to occur at the time slot boundaries.

[0158] In some embodiments, it is assumed that the gap region occupies at most one entire time slot. Therefore, in these embodiments, only multiple symbols are needed to specify the length of the gap region.

[0159] The downlink region may occur after (eg, immediately after) the PDCCH region of the initial time slot in the aggregated time slot set. (The PDCCH region is in Figure 20 ). In some embodiments, the gap region may immediately follow the downlink region. The uplink region may immediately follow the gap region.

[0160] In some embodiments, the SFI includes the following five fields:

[0161] The number of DL time slots N DL ;

[0162] No. (N DL +1) the number of DL symbols in a slot;

[0163] No. (N DL +1) the number of guard symbols in a time slot;

[0164] No. (N DL+1) the number of uplink symbols in the slot; and

[0165] Number of uplink timeslots.

[0166] In an embodiment where the UE knows the symbol length of each slot in advance, it may be necessary to include two of the middle three digits (from the above list) in the SFI. Various embodiments describe at least three implementations of the SFI corresponding to three possible ways of selecting two digits from the middle three digits.

[0167] Note that this generalized format (or signaling method) can be used for semi-static DL / UL allocation (eg, TDD configuration in LTE terminology), such as Figure 5 shown.

[0168] Scheduling using SFI

[0169] In some embodiments, a base station (e.g., gNB) may semi-statically or dynamically signal timeslot aggregation.

[0170] In UL timeslot aggregation, for example Figure 21 As shown, the PDCCH is preferably not transmitted in the middle of an aggregation, ie, in a non-initial time slot (eg, transmitting the PDCCH in a non-initial time slot may require insertion of a gap region to transition back to uplink transmission).

[0171] In DL, PDCCH may be allowed in the middle of an aggregation, e.g. Figure 22 As shown. UE1's PDSCH is scheduled in the first slot and continues until the end of the aggregated slot (i.e., the second slot). In the first option, a single PDCCH in the first slot may indicate the PDSCH for UE1 in each slot. In the second option, the PDCCH in each slot independently schedules the PDSCH for UE1 in that slot. UE2's PDSCH is scheduled only in the first slot. UE3's PDSCH is scheduled only in the second slot.

[0172] Rate Matching in the PDCCH Region

[0173] In some embodiments, when PDSCH is scheduled on multiple aggregated slots, PDSCH is never mapped into the PDCCH region (or control resource set). In other words, elements of PDSCH may not be allowed to be sent in the PDCCH region. Figure 23 and Figure 24 It should be noted that the PDSCH for UE1 may never appear in the PDCCH region (the first OFDM symbol) of any time slot.

[0174] In other embodiments, when PDSCH is scheduled on multiple aggregated time slots, PDSCH is not mapped into the PDCCH region (or control resource set), e.g. Figure 25 However, as Figure 26 As shown, if no PDCCH is scheduled in a non-first time slot, the SFI in the non-first time slot can signal that there is no PDCCH in the PDCCH region of the non-first time slot, and the PDSCH for UE1 can be at least partially mapped to the PDCCH region of the non-first time slot to minimize the waste of time and frequency resources.

[0175] SFI for various time slot lengths

[0176] In some implementations, the same slot format indicator may be used in an environment where the slot length is seven symbols and in an environment where the slot length is 14 symbols.

[0177] for Figure 27 For the uplink (UL) shown, the number of symbols and the slot length used for the PDCCH are known. Therefore, the number of UL symbols can be calculated, for example, based on the following formula:

[0178] The number of UL symbols = symbol length of a slot - slot length - PDCCH length.

[0179] for Figure 28 For the downlink (DL) shown in FIG. 1 , since the SFI indicates the number of UL symbols (if there is an uplink region within the time slot), it is easy to understand that the number of DL symbols for the DL (center) time slot is calculated based on the following formula, for example:

[0180] Number of DL symbols = symbol length of slot - (slot length + number of UL symbols) (UL present = true)

[0181] In some embodiments, the SFI may be sent in the mini-slot to dynamically indicate the direction of each mini-slot containing the SFI.

[0182] In one set of embodiments, a method 2900 for operating a base station may include: Figure 29 The operations shown in .

[0183] At 2910, the method may include transmitting, by a radio component of a base station, a first slot format indicator (SFI) in a first slot of a radio frame. The first SFI may indicate a first transmission direction for at least a portion of the first slot. In some embodiments, the first transmission direction may be an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission. The SFI may be included in a group common PDCCH in a PDCCH region of the first slot. The PDCCH region may span the first N symbol durations of the first slot, where N is greater than or equal to one. In some embodiments, the integer N is equal to one.

[0184] The first SFI may indicate that the PDCCH region includes at least one PDCCH. Alternatively, the first SFI may indicate that the PDCCH region does not include a PDCCH, so the UE can save power by not attempting to decode (or search for) the PDCCH.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first SFI further indicates a second transmission direction for a second portion of the first time slot, wherein the second transmission direction is opposite to the first transmission direction. For example, the first portion may be a downlink portion and the second portion may be an uplink portion.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first SFI further indicates a second transmission direction for at least a portion of a second time slot, wherein the second time slot immediately follows the first time slot, wherein the second transmission direction is an opposite direction to the first transmission direction.

[0187] In some embodiments, when the first transmission direction is uplink transmission, the first SFI may indicate a timeslot aggregation level of the uplink transmission.

[0188] In some implementations, when the first transmission direction is downlink transmission, the range of timeslot aggregation for downlink transmission may be indicated in the DCI of the radio frame containing the first timeslot.

[0189] In some embodiments, when the first transmission direction is a downlink transmission, the first SFI may indicate a timeslot aggregation level for the downlink transmission.

[0190] SFI can be divided into two parts (transmission direction and aggregation level) and encoded separately.

[0191] In some embodiments, the method may further include transmitting, by the radio component, a second SFI in a second time slot of the radio frame, wherein the second time slot immediately follows the first time slot. The second SFI may indicate a second transmission direction for at least a portion of the second time slot. The second transmission direction may be an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission. The second SFI may be included in a group-common PDCCH in a PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0192] In some embodiments, the second SFI may indicate that the PDCCH region of the second slot does not include a PDCCH.

[0193] In some embodiments, the method may further include sending, by a radio component of the base station, a second SFI in a second time slot of the radio frame, wherein the second SFI indicates that at least a portion of the second time slot is blank, wherein the second SFI is included in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0194] In some embodiments, the method may further include sending, by the radio component, a second SFI in a second time slot of the radio frame, wherein the second SFI indicates that at least a portion of the second time slot will be used for a side link (such as UE-to-UE, or V2X), wherein the second SFI is included in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0195] In some implementations, a slot may be two, or 7, or 14 symbols in length.

[0196] In one set of embodiments, a method 3000 for operating a user equipment (UE) device may include: Figure 30 The operations shown in .

[0197] At 3010, a radio component of a UE device may receive a first slot format indicator (SFI) from a first slot of a radio frame, wherein the first SFI indicates a first transmission direction for at least a portion of the first slot, wherein the first transmission direction is uplink or downlink. The SFI is included in a group common PDCCH in a PDCCH region of the first slot, wherein the PDCCH region spans a first N symbol duration of the first slot, where N is greater than or equal to one.

[0198] In some embodiments, the method may further include performing uplink transmission or downlink reception in the first portion of the first time slot based on the first transmission direction. In other words, if the first transmission direction is uplink, the UE radio component performs uplink transmission, and if the first transmission direction is downlink, performs downlink reception.

[0199] In some embodiments, the integer N is equal to one.

[0200] In some embodiments, the method may further include: in response to determining that the SFI indicates that the PDCCH region of the first time slot includes at least one PDCCH, decoding (or attempting to decode) a PDCCH from the PDCCH region.

[0201] In some embodiments, the method may further include: in response to determining that the SFI indicates that the PDCCH region does not include a PDCCH, omitting an attempt to decode PDCCH information from the PDCCH region.

[0202] In some embodiments, the method may also include: in response to determining that the first SFI indicates a second transmission direction of the second part of the first time slot, performing downlink reception or uplink transmission in the second part of the first time slot based on the second transmission direction, wherein the second transmission direction is a direction opposite to the first transmission direction.

[0203] In some embodiments, the first SFI further indicates a second transmission direction for at least a portion of a second time slot, wherein the second time slot immediately follows the first time slot, wherein the second transmission direction is an opposite direction to the first transmission direction.

[0204] In some embodiments, the first transmission direction is an uplink transmission, wherein the first SFI indicates a timeslot aggregation level for the uplink transmission.

[0205] In some embodiments, the first transmission direction is a downlink transmission, wherein the extent of the timeslot aggregation used for the downlink transmission is indicated in the DCI of the radio frame containing the first timeslot.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first transmission direction is a downlink transmission, wherein the first SFI indicates a timeslot aggregation level for the downlink transmission.

[0207] SFI can be divided into two parts (transmission direction and aggregation level) and encoded separately.

[0208] In some embodiments, the method may also include receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, a second SFI in a second time slot of the radio frame, wherein the second time slot immediately follows the first time slot, wherein the second SFI indicates a second transmission direction of at least a portion of the second time slot, wherein the second transmission direction is an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission, and wherein the second SFI is included in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0209] In some embodiments, the method may further include: in response to determining that the second SFI indicates that the PDCCH region of the second time slot does not include a PDCCH, saving power by not attempting to decode PDCCH information from the PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0210] In some embodiments, the method may also include: receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, a second SFI in a second time slot of the radio frame; and disabling uplink transmission or downlink reception in the at least a portion of the second time slot in response to determining that the second SFI indicates that the at least a portion of the second time slot is blank, wherein the second SFI is included in a group common PDCCH in a PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0211] In some embodiments, the method may also include: receiving, by the radio component, a second SFI in a second time slot of the radio frame, performing sidelink transmission in the at least a portion of the second time slot in response to determining that the second SFI indicates that at least a portion will be used for a sidelink, wherein the second SFI is included in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0212] In some implementations, a slot is two or 7 or 14 symbols long.

[0213] Figure 31 -Periodic SFI

[0214] like Figure 31 As shown, the network may periodically send SFI to indicate the slot format of one or more time slots. As described in more detail below, SFI may refer to a value (e.g., an index into a UE table configured for or provided to the UE). The value may indicate one or more sets of directions for a symbol, each set corresponding to a time slot. Figure 31 In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the value refers to a table for monitoring a 5-slot period, wherein an SFI is provided for every five slots. For example, in the embodiment shown, the SFI value provided for the first monitoring period is 1, which may indicate that for each of the first four slots, the format is 14, and for the last slot, the format is 4. In a second period, the SFI value provided may be 2, indicating that the format is 14 for the first three slots and 4 for the last two slots. In a third period, the SFI provided may have a value of 3, indicating that the format is 14 for the first two slots and 4 for the last three slots. In some embodiments, this exemplary period and value may correspond to Figure 41 An exemplary UE table of .

[0215] In order to provide SFI values ​​in an efficient manner, the possibilities of the direction of each symbol in the time slot can be enumerated. For example, in an embodiment where the number of symbols in the time slot is 14, the possibilities can be enumerated based on 14 symbol possibilities and / or 7 symbol possibilities (e.g., which can be combined to generate 14 symbol possibilities).

[0216] If 14 symbol possibilities are enumerated, then the total number of symbols is 14. There may be X downlink (DL) symbols, Y unknown (U) symbols, and Z uplink (UL) symbols, where X+Y+Z=14.

[0217] Figures 32A to 32N The 14-slot possibilities are shown with 0 or 1 switching points, no repetitions, and different numbers of unknown symbols. Specifically, Figure 32A 14 symbols, 0 toggles, 0 unknown symbols and no repetitions are shown (A1 to A3) (assuming the Figures 32A to 32N Therefore, there are three possibilities: all DL (Format A1), all U (Format A2) and all UL (Format A3). Figure 32B The possibility of 14 symbols, 1 switching and 1 unknown symbol is shown (formats A4 to A17). Note that the unknown symbols may provide a buffer when switching from DL to UL (e.g., for UE transitions), but such a buffer may not be necessary when switching from UL to DL. Figure 32C The possibilities of 14 symbols, 1 toggle and 2 unknown symbols are shown (formats A18 to A30). Figure 32D The possibilities of 14 symbols, 1 toggle and 3 unknown symbols are shown (formats A31 to A42). Figure 32E The possibilities of 14 symbols, 1 toggle and 4 unknown symbols are shown (formats A43 to A53). Figure 32F The possibilities of 14 symbols, 1 toggle and 5 unknown symbols are shown (formats A54 to A63). Figure 32G The possibilities of 14 symbols, 1 toggle and 6 unknown symbols are shown (formats A64 to A72). Figure 32H The possibilities of 14 symbols, 1 toggle and 7 unknown symbols are shown (formats A73 to A80). Figure 32I The possibilities of 14 symbols, 1 toggle and 8 unknown symbols are shown (formats A81 to A87). Figure 32J The possibilities of 14 symbols, 1 toggle and 9 unknown symbols are shown (formats A88 to A93). Figure 32K The possibilities of 14 symbols, 1 toggle and 10 unknown symbols are shown (formats A94 to A98). Figure 32L The possibilities of 14 symbols, 1 toggle and 11 unknown symbols are shown (formats A99 to A120). Figure 32M The possibilities of 14 symbols, 1 toggle and 12 unknown symbols are shown (formats A103 to A105). Figure 32N The possibilities of 14 symbols, 1 toggle and 13 unknown symbols are shown (formats A106 to A107).

[0218] Figures 33A to 33EThe 14-slot possibility using repeated 7-slots (two switching points) and different numbers of unknown symbols is shown. Specifically, Figure 33A The possibilities of 14 symbols, 2 toggles and 2 unknown symbols are shown (formats B1 to B5). Figure 33B The possibilities of 14 symbols, 2 toggles and 4 unknown symbols are shown (formats B6 to B9). Figure 33C The possibilities of 14 symbols, 2 toggles and 6 unknown symbols are shown (formats B10 to B12). Figure 33D The possibility of 14 symbols, 2 toggles and 8 unknown symbols is shown (formats B13 to B14). Figure 33E The possibility of 14 symbols, 2 switching and 10 unknown symbols is shown (format B15). As mentioned above, in these figures there is no buffer U symbols when switching from UL to DL, but such a possibility is also envisaged.

[0219] Figures 34A to 34U The possibility of 14 time slots with 2 switching points (two groups of 7 symbols) and no repetition is shown. Specifically, Figures 34A to 34F The possibilities of 14 symbols, 2 toggles and 2 unknown symbols are shown (formats C1 to C25). Figures 34G to 34K The possibilities of 14 symbols, 2 toggles and 4 unknown symbols are shown (formats C26 to C46). Figures 34L to 34O The possibilities of 14 symbols, 2 toggles and 6 unknown symbols are shown (formats C47 to C59). Figures 34P to 34R The possibilities of 14 symbols, 2 toggles and 8 unknown symbols are shown (formats C60 to C66). Figures 34S to 34T The possibilities of 14 symbols, 2 toggles and 10 unknown symbols are shown (formats C67 to C69). Figure 34U The possibility of 14 symbols, 2 switching and 12 unknown symbols is shown (format C70). As mentioned above, in these figures there is no buffer U symbols when switching from UL to DL, but such a possibility is also envisaged.

[0220] Figures 35A to 35G A 7-slot possibility with 0 and 1 switching points and no repetition is shown (which can be combined to form a 14-slot possibility). Similar to the 14-slot possibility, the total number of symbols is 7; therefore, X is the number of DL symbols, Y is the number of unknown symbols, and Z is the number of UL symbols, so X+Y+Z=7. Figure 35A 7 symbols and 0 switching possibilities are shown (D1 to D3). Figure 35B The possibilities of 7 symbols, 1 toggle and 1 unknown symbol are shown (D4 to D10). Figure 35C The possibilities of 7 symbols, 1 toggle and 2 unknown symbols are shown (D4 to D10). Figure 35DThe possibilities of 7 symbols, 1 toggle and 3 unknown symbols are shown (D11 to D16). Figure 35E The possibilities of 7 symbols, 1 toggle and 4 unknown symbols are shown (D22 to D25). Figure 35F The possibilities of 7 symbols, 1 toggle, and 5 unknown symbols are shown (D26 to D28). Figure 35G The possibilities of 7 symbols, 1 toggle and 6 unknown symbols are shown (D29 to D30).

[0221] Figures 36 to 38 -Single slot format

[0222] The various enumerated possibilities described above may be used to specify a single slot format (e.g., with 14 OFDM symbols). Figure 36 shows only the 14-symbol format (e.g., corresponding to Figures 32A to 34U ) enumerates the first way of single slot formats. In this case, the single slot format index (starting at index 0 and proceeding to index 193) can be referenced by Figures 32A to 34U To specify a format, use the format index shown in . For example, in Figure 36 In the single slot format, index 0 corresponds to Figure 32A Format A1 (all DL). Similarly, index 111 refers to Figure 33A B3 (DL, DL, DL, U, UL, UL, UL, DL, DL, DL, U, UL, UL, UL).

[0223] As another possibility, Figure 37 A single slot format table is constructed based on both 14-symbol and 7-symbol formats. Specifically, the first part of the table may correspond to Figures 32A to 32N The second part corresponds to the format of Figures 35A to 35G The format in (where 0 to 106 is the same as Figure 36 Same as , but the remaining single slot formats (107 to 191) are designated as Figures 35A to 35G For example, Figure 36 191 are designated as C70, which is Figure 37 The same as 191, is designated as a combination of D29 and D30.

[0224] As another possibility, the entire table can be specified as a combination of 7-slot formats, such as Figure 38 shown.

[0225] Note that these three figures are exemplary only, and other single-slot format tables are contemplated. In some embodiments, a table similar to one of these tables may be specified in future 3GPP specifications, for example corresponding to LTE or 5G NR.

[0226] Figures 39 to 41-UE SFI table

[0227] The UE table may be constructed as a subset of a single slot format table such as Figures 36 to 38 For example, the UE table may select a small number of single-slot formats (or a set of single-slot formats) that can be selected during transmission. In some embodiments, the table may be selected and provided or indicated to the UE by the network (e.g., a base station). The table may be unique to each UE, apply to a subset of UEs, apply to all UEs, apply to different types of UEs (e.g., where each UE of a particular vendor or model has a different UE table), or other possibilities.

[0228] In some embodiments, each entry in a UE (e.g., user-specific) table may have a sequence of SFI index values ​​for one or more time slots. The size of the table may vary and may determine the bit length of the SFI (length(SFI)=ceil(log2(size of UE table))). Thus, when agreeing to use such a table, the network may indicate one of the SFI indexes in the UE table via the SFI.

[0229] Figure 39 An exemplary UE table for an SFI period of 1 slot is shown. In this example, an SFI value of 0 indicates the use of single slot format 0 (corresponding to A1 with all DL direction symbols) for the upcoming slot. However, as shown, the SFI value may specify more than one slot if desired, but in other embodiments, only a single slot format is provided for each UE table index value. Specifically, in Figure 39 In the example, SFI values ​​1 through 7 indicate a multi-slot format for more than one upcoming slot. For example, SFI 1 corresponds to using slot format 5 (corresponding to A6) on two consecutive upcoming slots. SFIs 3 through 6 specify formats for three upcoming slots, while SFI 7 specifies a format for four upcoming slots. In some embodiments, when multiple slots are specified, but new SFI values ​​are provided within a shorter period (e.g., every slot in this case), the new values ​​may be compatible with previously provided SFI values.

[0230] Figure 40 An exemplary UE table for an SFI period of 2 slots is shown. SFI values ​​0 to 2 specify the upcoming 2 slots, values ​​3 to 6 specify 4 slots, and value 7 is unused.

[0231] Figure 41 An exemplary UE table for an SFI period of 5 slots is shown. In this example, SFI values ​​0 to 5 specify 5 slots, and values ​​6 to 7 specify 10 slots.

[0232] Figure 42An exemplary SFI configuration with an offset is shown. In this embodiment, the SFI value may be provided earlier than the SFI value becomes effective, for example, a known number of symbols or time slots in advance. Figure 42 As shown, the SFI value is provided one time slot before it becomes effective. For example, an SFI value of 2 is provided at the beginning of the 5th time slot to be effective on the 6th time slot. In this example, an SFI value of 2 corresponds to Figure 41 and indicates that the corresponding 5 time slots (6 to 10) will use single time slot formats 14 (corresponding to A15), 14, 14, 4 (corresponding to A5) and 4.

[0233] Therefore, in some embodiments, the SFI may be sent with a time offset from the time it is applied to provide the UE with sufficient time to decode the GC-PDCCH carrying the SFI. This offset may be 0, 1, 2, ... values, among other possibilities, and may be configured via RRC.

[0234] Using SFI Values

[0235] In some embodiments, the UE is configured to monitor one or more CORESETs (Control Resource Sets) via RRC signaling. A CORESET can be configured in semi-statically allocated DL or unknown resources. Thus, for a configured CORESET in a timeslot, if the dynamic SFI is not yet available and is not a false detection, the UE can monitor the CORESET (e.g., for DL ​​transmissions). Similarly, if the dynamic SFI indicates DL, the UE can monitor the CORESET.

[0236] In some embodiments, if the dynamic SFI indicates "unknown", the UE should probably monitor its CORESET. However, in other embodiments, the UE may be configured to ignore or not monitor the CORESET in this case.

[0237] If the dynamic SFI indicates UL, the UE may do one of the following depending on the desired behavior: 1) not monitor the CORESET, or 2) monitor the CORESET.

[0238] In some cases, there may be errors in SFI detection or conflicts between different values ​​(e.g., semi-static assignment, SFI, downlink control information (DCI), etc.). For example, the UE may treat any false detection of SFI as an indication that the symbol is unknown. Following the above implementation, when unknown, the UE may be configured to monitor the CORESET.

[0239] According to various embodiments, when there is a conflict between different values ​​in the transmit direction, the UE may not transmit and / or receive anything in the conflicting symbols or time slots. For example, this behavior applies in the following cases: the semi-static allocation indicates DL for the symbol and the SFI indicates "unknown"; the semi-static allocation indicates UL and the SFI indicates "unknown"; the semi-static allocation indicates DL and the SFI indicates UL; the semi-static allocation indicates UL and the SFI indicates DL; the SFI indicates UL and the DCI indicates DL; the SFI indicates DL and the DCI indicates UL.

[0240] Figure 43 - Utilize flexible slot indicators

[0241] Figure 43 is a flow chart illustrating an apparatus, system, and method for utilizing flexible slot indicators in wireless communications. Figure 43 Various aspects of the method may be implemented by a wireless device, a base station, and / or a network (such as the UE 106, BS 102, and / or network 100 shown and described with respect to the various figures herein), or more generally, may be implemented as needed in conjunction with any of the computer systems or devices shown in the above figures, in addition to other devices. In various embodiments, some of the illustrated method elements may be performed simultaneously in an order different from that shown, may be replaced by other method elements, or may be omitted. Additional method elements may also be performed as needed. As shown, Figure 43 The method can be operated as follows.

[0242] In 4302, a base station (BS) may establish communication with a first user equipment device (UE). The BS and the UE may each include wireless communication circuitry for performing wireless communication with each other and / or with other devices. In addition, the BS and the UE may each include one or more processing elements, e.g., that may execute program instructions to operate the respective devices.

[0243] At 4304, the base station may determine a transmission direction for each of a plurality of symbols included in one or more time slots. The base station may determine the transmission direction for the plurality of symbols dynamically or semi-statically as needed. Furthermore, the determination may be performed for a single UE, for multiple UEs, and / or for all UEs communicating with the base station.

[0244] Based on the determination in 4304, the BS may transmit information indicating a transmission direction for each of a plurality of symbols included in one or more time slots (e.g., consecutive time slots) in 4306. In some embodiments, this information may be a slot format indicator (SFI), which is used to conveniently describe the information in the remainder of the flowchart, but is not limited to an SFI. The SFI may specify the transmission direction of the 14 symbols of the first time slot, for example, as "uplink," "downlink," and / or "unknown" (although "sidelink," "flexible," "special," or "blank" are also contemplated).

[0245] In some embodiments, the BS may send the SFI within a group-common PDCCH that can be decoded by one or more UEs (e.g., as specified by RRC signaling). Unserved UEs may be able to use the SFI to determine when decoding is not required (e.g., to avoid blind decoding) and reduce power consumption.

[0246] Note that the SFI can overwrite the previously indicated or default transmission direction for multiple symbols. For example, a symbol previously indicated as uplink can be overwritten as downlink via the SFI. In some embodiments, overwriting is permitted only for flexible, special, or unknown symbols, but in other embodiments, such limited overwriting may not be possible. Therefore, according to some embodiments, the SFI can provide a dynamic overwrite capability for previously indicated transmission direction configurations.

[0247] In some embodiments, the BS may send an SFI table to the UE that specifies multiple sets of transmission directions, where each set of transmission directions specifies a transmission direction for at least one time slot. Thus, the SFI may refer to a table entry of the table that specifies or otherwise indicates one of the sets of transmission directions. In some embodiments, a single set of transmission directions (e.g., for a single time slot) may be indicated by a single-slot format. A single-slot format may be indicated by an index value into a table of known single-slot formats (e.g., specified by a wireless standard such as LTE or NR). Thus, the SFI table may include multiple entries, each specifying one or more single-slot formats, depending on the number of time slots indicated by the entry in the SFI table. Note that the SFI table may have been previously sent by the BS (e.g., before sending the SFI), sent by a different BS or other entity of the wireless network, and / or may simply be stored by the UE at different times.

[0248] In some embodiments, the BS may be configured to determine the transmission direction of symbols for multiple time slots, and the SFI may indicate the transmission direction of symbols for more than one time slot at a time. For example, the SFI may indicate the transmission direction for the first time slot, the second time slot, or n time slots. These transmission directions may be the same or different for each time slot. For example, the transmission direction may be the same for the first time slot and the second time slot indicated by a single SFI. Alternatively, the transmission direction of the first time slot and the second time slot may be different, even if both are indicated by a single SFI. In some embodiments, a single SFI may refer to an entry in the above-mentioned SFI table, and the table entry may indicate multiple single-slot formats for multiple time slots (e.g., corresponding to each corresponding time slot specified by the table entry). Therefore, the SFI may correspond to an index value or table entry of an SFI table that specifies multiple single-slot formats for multiple time slots (e.g., consecutive time slots).

[0249] Note that each entry in the table may indicate a different number of slots (e.g., a first index value may indicate a single slot format for a single slot, but a second index value may indicate multiple single slot formats for multiple slots). For example, in one embodiment, the index to the SFI table may be sent, for example, once per cycle via the SFI field of the GC-PDCCH. The SFI table may be flexible such that different entries may include slot formats of different lengths. For example, an SFI index of 1 may indicate a slot format for the upcoming two slots, while an SFI index of 2 may indicate a format for the upcoming four slots.

[0250] In one embodiment, the SFI may have a generalized format that indicates the number of DL slots, the number of DL symbols, the number of gaps, the number of UL symbols, and / or the number of UL slots in a given cycle. Using these five (or possibly four, total cycle signaling) pieces of information signaled to the UE, the UE can determine the slot format (e.g., the transmission direction of all OFDM symbols) for the upcoming cycle. In some embodiments, this generalized format can be used to indicate semi-static UL / DL transmissions. For example, in one embodiment, the SFI may include size parameters that define the separation of multiple slots into a downlink transmission region, a gap region, and an uplink region, where the boundaries between the regions are specified at a symbol granularity. It should be noted that this generalized format may be provided at other times (e.g., during semi-static configuration) and may be referred to as something other than the SFI (e.g., the SFI may be used in a later cycle to modify the semi-static configuration).

[0251] In 4306, the BS and the UE may perform communication during one or more time slots according to the determined transmission direction indicated by the SFI.

[0252] In some embodiments, when a UE detects a conflict between a previous configuration (e.g., specified in a CORESET, a DCI value, or any previous configuration of a transmission direction) and the SFI for a symbol, it may determine a symbol-by-symbol behavior based on the specific conflict. For example, when there is a conflict in the transmission direction (e.g., the SFI or the previous configuration specifies a UE transmission during a symbol, but the other does not), the UE may be configured not to transmit during the symbol (e.g., perform some other action or generally avoid transmission). Embodiments of behavior for conflicts are described above under the heading "Using SFI Values."

[0253] It is noted that the determination and / or transmission of the SFI may be performed multiple times, for example, in a periodic manner. For example, the SFI may be transmitted periodically every n time slots, where n may be any desired value (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the SFI may be determined or updated dynamically based on different events or situations. For example, the SFI may be valid until updated by a new SFI, for example, transmitted by the BS. In some embodiments, the SFI may be transmitted one or more symbols (e.g., multiple symbols) prior to the time slot or slots indicated by the SFI. For example, the SFI may be transmitted for future time slots to ensure that the UE can prepare the transmission direction indicated by the SFI for the time slot indicated by the SFI.

[0254] Exemplary embodiments

[0255] In the following, additional exemplary embodiments are provided.

[0256] A set of embodiments may include a method for operating a UE device, the method comprising: receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, information identifying a basic TDD configuration, wherein the basic TDD configuration indicates a basic transmission direction associated with a corresponding time slot in a radio frame; receiving, by the radio component of the UE device, a slot format indicator (SFI) from a group common PDCCH in a PDCCH area of ​​a given time slot of the radio frame, wherein the SFI indicates that the basic transmission direction associated with the given time slot is dynamically rewritten to a new transmission direction opposite to the basic transmission direction; and in response to receiving the SFI, performing uplink data transmission or downlink data reception in the given time slot according to the new transmission direction.

[0257] In some embodiments, the underlying transmission direction for a given time slot is uplink.

[0258] In some embodiments, the underlying transmission direction for a given time slot is downlink.

[0259] A set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, information identifying a basic TDD configuration, wherein the basic TDD configuration indicates a basic transmission direction associated with a corresponding time slot in a radio frame; sending, by the radio component of the base station, a slot format indicator (SFI) in a group common PDCCH in a PDCCH area of ​​a given time slot of the radio frame, wherein the SFI indicates that the basic transmission direction associated with the given time slot is dynamically rewritten to a new transmission direction opposite to the basic transmission direction; and performing uplink data reception or downlink data transmission in the given time slot based on the new transmission direction.

[0260] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a UE device, the method comprising: receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, a slot format indicator (SFI) from a group common PDCCH in a PDCCH region of a given time slot of a radio frame, wherein for each symbol in the given time slot, the SFI determines a transmission direction of the symbol, wherein the PDCCH region spans the first N symbol durations of the given time slot.

[0261] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a slot format indicator (SFI) in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of a given time slot of a radio frame, wherein for each symbol in the given time slot, the SFI determines a transmission direction of the symbol, wherein the PDCCH region spans the first N symbol durations of the given time slot.

[0262] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a UE device, the method comprising: receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, a slot format indicator (SFI) from a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of a given time slot of a radio frame, wherein the SFI indicates that the given time slot is the first time slot in an aggregated set of one or more time slots in the radio frame, wherein the one or more time slots are consecutive in time, wherein the SFI indicates the number of the one or more time slots, and wherein the SFI also indicates whether the aggregated set of one or more time slots is reserved for future use or to be used for sidelink transmission between the UE device and another UE device.

[0263] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a slot format indicator (SFI) in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of a given time slot of a radio frame, wherein the SFI indicates that the given time slot is the first time slot in an aggregated set of one or more time slots in the radio frame, wherein the one or more time slots are consecutive in time, wherein the SFI indicates the number of the one or more time slots, and wherein the SFI also indicates whether the aggregated set of one or more time slots is reserved for future use or is to be used for sidelink transmission between UE devices.

[0264] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a UE device, the method comprising: receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, a slot format indicator (SFI) from a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of a given time slot of a radio frame, wherein the SFI indicates that the given time slot is the first time slot in an aggregated set of one or more time slots in the radio frame, wherein the one or more time slots are consecutive in time, wherein the SFI indicates the number of the one or more time slots, and wherein, for each symbol in the aggregated set of one or more time slots, the SFI determines a transmission direction of the symbol.

[0265] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a slot format indicator (SFI) in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of a given time slot of a radio frame, wherein the SFI indicates that the given time slot is the first time slot in an aggregated set of one or more time slots in the radio frame, wherein the one or more time slots are consecutive in time, wherein the SFI indicates the number of the one or more time slots, and wherein, for each symbol in the aggregated set of one or more time slots, the SFI determines a transmission direction of the symbol.

[0266] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a UE device, the method comprising: receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, a slot format indicator (SFI) from a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of a given time slot of a radio frame, wherein the SFI indicates that the given time slot is the first time slot in a set of one or more time slots in the radio frame, wherein the one or more time slots are consecutive in time, wherein the SFI includes a size parameter defining a separation of the set of one or more time slots into a downlink transmission region, a gap region, and an uplink region, wherein the boundaries between the regions are specified at a symbol granularity.

[0267] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a slot format indicator (SFI) in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of a given time slot of a radio frame, wherein the SFI indicates that the given time slot is the first time slot in a set of one or more time slots in the radio frame, wherein the one or more time slots are consecutive in time, wherein the SFI includes a size parameter defining a separation of the set of one or more time slots into a downlink transmission region, a gap region, and an uplink region, wherein the boundaries between the regions are specified with a symbol granularity.

[0268] In some embodiments, the uplink region occurs after the gap region, wherein the gap region occurs after the downlink region, wherein the downlink region occurs after the PCDDH region.

[0269] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a UE device, the method comprising: receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, time slots in a radio frame, wherein each time slot includes a corresponding PDCCH region, wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding PDCCH region includes a corresponding group-common PDCCH and a corresponding set of one or more PDCCHs, wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding group-common PDCCH includes a corresponding time slot format indicator (SFI) indicating a transmission direction of the time slot, wherein, for a given time slot, the corresponding SFI indicates that the given time slot is an initial time slot in an aggregated set of two or more time slots, wherein the two or more time slots are continuous in time, and wherein, for each of the two or more time slots, the corresponding set of one or more PDCCHs includes corresponding scheduling information allocating corresponding transmission resources in the time slot.

[0270] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending time slots in a radio frame by a radio component of the base station, wherein each time slot includes a corresponding PDCCH region, wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding PDCCH region includes a corresponding group-common PDCCH and a corresponding set of one or more PDCCHs, wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding group-common PDCCH includes a corresponding time slot format indicator (SFI) indicating a transmission direction of the time slot, wherein, for a given time slot, the corresponding SFI indicates that the given time slot is an initial time slot in an aggregated set of two or more time slots, wherein the two or more time slots are continuous in time, and wherein, for each of the two or more time slots, the corresponding set of one or more PDCCHs includes corresponding scheduling information for allocating corresponding transmission resources in the time slot.

[0271] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a UE device, the method comprising: receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, a plurality of time slots in a radio frame, wherein the time slots are contiguous in time, wherein only a first time slot includes a PDCCH region, wherein the PDCCH region of the first time slot includes a group-common PDCCH and a set of one or more PDCCHs, wherein the group-common PDCCH includes a slot format indicator (SFI) indicating a transmission direction of the plurality of time slots and indicating that the plurality of time slots form an aggregated set, wherein the set of one or more PDCCHs includes scheduling information allocating transmission resources for all time slots.

[0272] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a plurality of time slots in a radio frame, wherein the time slots are contiguous in time, wherein only a first time slot includes a PDCCH region, wherein the PDCCH region of the first time slot includes a group-common PDCCH and a set of one or more PDCCHs, wherein the group-common PDCCH includes a slot format indicator (SFI) indicating a transmission direction of the plurality of time slots and indicating that the plurality of time slots form an aggregated set, wherein the set of one or more PDCCHs includes scheduling information allocating transmission resources for all time slots.

[0273] Another group of embodiments may include a method for operating a UE device, the method comprising: receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, a first slot format indicator (SFI) from a first time slot of a radio frame, wherein the first SFI appears in a group common PDCCH in a PDCCH region of the first time slot; determining that the first slot format indicator (SFI) indicates that PDCCH information is present in the PDCCH region of the first time slot, and the first SFI indicates that the first time slot is an initial time slot among a plurality of aggregated time slots of the radio frame; decoding the PDCCH information in the PDCCH region of the first time slot to determine that the UE device is not scheduled in the aggregated plurality of time slots; determining that a second SFI in a PDCCH region of a non-initial time slot of the aggregated plurality of time slots indicates that the non-initial time slot does not include PDCCH information; and saving power by not attempting to decode the PDCCH information from the PDCCH region of the non-initial time slot.

[0274] Another group of embodiments may include a method for operating a UE device, the method comprising: receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, a first slot format indicator (SFI) from a first time slot of a radio frame, wherein the first SFI appears in a group common PDCCH in a PDCCH region of the first time slot; determining that the first slot format indicator (SFI) indicates that PDCCH information is present in the PDCCH region of the first time slot, and the first SFI indicates that the first time slot is an initial time slot among a plurality of aggregated time slots of the radio frame; decoding the PDCCH information in the PDCCH region of the first time slot to determine that the UE device is scheduled in the aggregated plurality of time slots; determining that a second SFI in the PDCCH region of a second time slot in the aggregated plurality of time slots indicates that the second time slot does not include PDCCH information; and decoding at least a portion of downlink data from the PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0275] In some embodiments, each slot is 2 or 7 or 14 symbols long.

[0276] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a first slot format indicator (SFI) in a first time slot of a radio frame, wherein the first SFI indicates a first transmission direction of at least a first part of the first time slot, wherein the first transmission direction is an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission; wherein the SFI is included in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of the first time slot, wherein the PDCCH region spans the first N symbol durations of the first time slot, wherein N is greater than or equal to one.

[0277] In some embodiments, N is equal to one.

[0278] In some embodiments, the first SFI indicates that the PDCCH region includes at least one PDCCH.

[0279] In some embodiments, the first SFI indicates that the PDCCH region does not include a PDCCH.

[0280] In some embodiments, the first SFI further indicates a second transmission direction for a second portion of the first time slot, wherein the second transmission direction is an opposite direction to the first transmission direction.

[0281] In some embodiments, the first SFI further indicates a second transmission direction for at least a portion of a second time slot, wherein the second time slot immediately follows the first time slot, wherein the second transmission direction is an opposite direction to the first transmission direction.

[0282] In some embodiments, the first transmission direction is an uplink transmission, wherein the first SFI indicates a timeslot aggregation level for the uplink transmission.

[0283] In some embodiments, the first transmission direction is a downlink transmission, wherein the extent of the timeslot aggregation used for the downlink transmission is indicated in the DCI of the radio frame containing the first timeslot.

[0284] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, by the radio component, a second SFI in a second time slot of the radio frame, wherein the second time slot immediately follows the first time slot, wherein the second SFI indicates a second transmission direction of at least a portion of the second time slot, wherein the second transmission direction is an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission, and wherein the second SFI is included in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0285] In some embodiments, the second SFI indicates that the PDCCH region of the second time slot does not include a PDCCH.

[0286] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending, by the radio component, a second SFI in a second time slot of the radio frame, wherein the second SFI indicates that at least a portion of the second time slot is blank, wherein the second SFI is included in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0287] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending, by the radio component, a second SFI in a second time slot of the radio frame, wherein the second SFI indicates that at least a portion of the second time slot will be used for the side link, wherein the second SFI is included in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0288] In some implementations, a slot is two or 7 or 14 symbols long.

[0289] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a user equipment (UE) device, the method comprising: receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, a first slot format indicator (SFI) from a first time slot of a radio frame, wherein the first SFI indicates a first transmission direction of at least a first portion of the first time slot, wherein the first transmission direction is an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission; wherein the SFI is included in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of the first time slot, wherein the PDCCH region spans the first N symbol durations of the first time slot, wherein N is greater than or equal to one.

[0290] In some embodiments, the method further includes performing uplink transmission or downlink reception in a first portion of the first time slot based on the first transmission direction.

[0291] In some embodiments, N is equal to one.

[0292] In some embodiments, the method further includes: in response to determining that the SFI indicates that the PDCCH region of the first time slot includes at least one PDCCH, decoding a PDCCH from the PDCCH region.

[0293] In some embodiments, the method further includes: in response to determining that the first SFI indicates that the PDCCH region does not include a PDCCH, omitting an attempt to decode PDCCH information from the PDCCH region.

[0294] In some embodiments, in response to determining that the first SFI indicates a second transmission direction for the second portion of the first time slot, downlink reception or uplink transmission is performed in the second portion of the first time slot based on the second transmission direction, wherein the second transmission direction is a direction opposite to the first transmission direction.

[0295] In some embodiments, the first SFI further indicates a second transmission direction for at least a portion of a second time slot, wherein the second time slot immediately follows the first time slot, wherein the second transmission direction is an opposite direction to the first transmission direction.

[0296] In some embodiments, the first transmission direction is an uplink transmission, wherein the first SFI indicates a timeslot aggregation level for the uplink transmission.

[0297] In some embodiments, the first transmission direction is a downlink transmission, wherein the extent of the timeslot aggregation used for the downlink transmission is indicated in the DCI of the radio frame containing the first timeslot.

[0298] In some embodiments, the method also includes receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, a second SFI in a second time slot of the radio frame, wherein the second time slot immediately follows the first time slot, wherein the second SFI indicates a second transmission direction of at least a portion of the second time slot, wherein the second transmission direction is an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission, and wherein the second SFI is included in a group common PDCCH of a PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0299] In some embodiments, the method further includes: in response to determining that the second SFI indicates that the PDCCH region of the second time slot does not include a PDCCH, saving power by not attempting to decode PDCCH information from the PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0300] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, by a radio component of the UE device, a second SFI in a second time slot of the radio frame; and in response to determining that the second SFI indicates that at least a portion of the second time slot is blank, disabling uplink transmission or downlink reception in the at least a portion of the second time slot, wherein the second SFI is included in a group common PDCCH in a PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0301] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, by the radio component, a second SFI in a second time slot of a radio frame, and performing sidelink transmission in the at least a portion of the second time slot in response to determining that the second SFI indicates that at least a portion is to be used for a sidelink, wherein the second SFI is included in a group common PDCCH in a PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0302] In some implementations, a slot is two or 7 or 14 symbols long.

[0303] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a first slot format indicator (SFI) within a given time slot of a radio frame, wherein the first SFI indicates that at least a first portion of the given time slot is to be used for uplink transmission, wherein the first SFI is included in a group-common PDCCH of the given time slot, wherein the group-common PDCCH appears within the first N symbol durations of the given time slot, where N is an integer greater than or equal to one.

[0304] In some embodiments, a given time slot includes a gap region, wherein the first portion immediately follows the gap region, wherein the gap region immediately follows the first N symbol durations.

[0305] In some embodiments, the first SFI further indicates that one or more time slots immediately following the given time slot are to be used only for uplink transmissions, wherein the first SFI further indicates the number of the one or more time slots.

[0306] In some embodiments, the first SFI further indicates that at least a second time slot immediately follows the given time slot; and that the second time slot is used only for uplink transmissions, with no time gap between the time end of the first portion and the time start of the second time slot.

[0307] In some implementations, a given time slot has been previously designated as a downlink time slot by downlink control information (DCI) of a radio frame, wherein the first SFI overwrites the previous designation.

[0308] In some embodiments, the first SFI also indicates that a given time slot includes a set of one or more PDCCHs, wherein this set of one or more PDCCHs appears with the first N symbol durations of the given time slot, wherein this set of one or more PDCCHs includes scheduling information for allocating time-frequency resources in the first part to at least one UE device.

[0309] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a first slot format indicator (SFI) within a given time slot of a radio frame, wherein the first SFI indicates that at least a first portion of the given time slot is used for downlink transmission, wherein the first SFI is included in a group-common PDCCH of the given time slot, wherein the group-common PDCCH appears within the first N symbol durations of the given time slot, where N is an integer greater than or equal to one.

[0310] In some implementations, the first portion begins immediately after the first N symbol durations of a given time slot.

[0311] In some embodiments, the first portion includes resource elements that occur after the first N symbol durations of a given time slot, as well as other resource elements within the first N symbol durations.

[0312] In some embodiments, a given time slot further includes a gap region and a second portion, wherein the second portion is used only for uplink transmissions, wherein the second portion begins immediately after the gap region, wherein the gap region begins immediately after the first portion.

[0313] In some implementations, the second portion spans in time one or two symbol durations.

[0314] In some implementations, the second portion includes an acknowledgement or a negative acknowledgement (ACK / NACK) of at least a portion of the downlink transmission.

[0315] In some embodiments, the first SFI also indicates that a set of one or more PDCCHs are included in the first N symbol duration.

[0316] In some embodiments, the set of one or more PDCCHs includes scheduling information allocating time-frequency resources in the first part for downlink transmission to one or more UEs.

[0317] In some embodiments, the first portion covers at least a given time slot minus the first N symbol durations.

[0318] In some implementations, a given timeslot has been previously designated as an uplink timeslot by downlink control information (DCI) of a radio frame, wherein the first SFI overwrites the previous designation.

[0319] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a plurality of time slots that are consecutive in time, wherein each time slot includes a corresponding group-common PDCCH within the first N symbol duration of the time slot, wherein N is greater than or equal to one, wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding group-common PDCCH includes a corresponding time slot format indicator (SFI), wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding SFI indicates: the time slot includes a corresponding set of one or more PDCCHs; and the time slot includes a corresponding downlink data portion; wherein the set of one or more PDCCHs in an initial time slot of these time slots includes first scheduling information, which allocates a first set of time-frequency resources aggregated on the downlink data portion of at least the initial time slot and the downlink data portion of a second time slot of these time slots; wherein the set of one or more PDCCHs in the second time slot includes second scheduling information, which allocates only time-frequency resources in the downlink data portion of the second time slot.

[0320] In some embodiments, for each time slot, the corresponding downlink data portion begins immediately after the first N symbol duration of the time slot.

[0321] In some embodiments, all time slots except the last time slot are dedicated only to downlink transmissions, where the last time slot includes an uplink transmission portion only at the end of its time.

[0322] In some embodiments, the aggregation level of the first set of time-frequency resources is indicated by a downlink control channel of a radio frame.

[0323] In some embodiments, the aggregation level of the first set of time-frequency resources is indicated by an aggregation level field in a group-common PDCCH.

[0324] In some embodiments, for each time slot except the last time slot, the corresponding downlink data portion covers at least the time slot minus the first N symbols duration.

[0325] In some embodiments, for each time slot except the last, the corresponding downlink data portion spans in time the time slot minus the first N symbol durations.

[0326] In some embodiments, the last time slot further includes a gap region and an uplink data portion, wherein, in the last time slot, the uplink data portion begins immediately after the gap region and the gap region begins immediately after the downlink data portion.

[0327] In some embodiments, the uplink data portion includes at least an acknowledgment of the downlink transmission.

[0328] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a plurality of time slots that are consecutive in time, wherein each time slot includes a corresponding group-common PDCCH within the first N symbol duration of the time slot, wherein N is greater than or equal to one, wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding group-common PDCCH includes a corresponding time slot format indicator (SFI), wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding SFI indicates that the time slot includes a corresponding downlink data portion, wherein, for an initial time slot among the time slots, the corresponding SFI indicates that the initial time slot includes a corresponding set of one or more PDCCHs, wherein the corresponding set of one or more PDCCHs in the initial time slot includes first scheduling information, which first scheduling information allocates an aggregation of time-frequency resources across all downlink data portions of all time slots, and wherein, for each time slot after the initial time slot, the corresponding SFI indicates that the time slot does not include a PDCCH.

[0329] In some embodiments, all time slots except the last time slot are dedicated only to downlink transmissions, where the last time slot includes an uplink transmission portion only at the end of its time.

[0330] In some embodiments, for a second of the time slots, the corresponding downlink data portion covers at least an area equal to the second time slot minus N OFDM symbols corresponding to the duration of the first N symbols of the second time slot.

[0331] In some embodiments, for each time slot, the corresponding downlink data portion begins immediately after the first N symbol durations of the time slot.

[0332] In some embodiments, for each time slot except the last, the corresponding downlink data portion spans in time the time slot minus the first N symbol durations.

[0333] In some embodiments, in the last time slot, the corresponding downlink data portion is immediately followed by a gap region, which is immediately followed by an uplink data portion, wherein the uplink data portion includes at least an acknowledgment of the downlink transmission.

[0334] In some embodiments, the aggregation level of the time-frequency resource aggregation is indicated by a downlink control channel of a radio frame.

[0335] In some embodiments, the aggregation level of the time-frequency resource aggregation is indicated by an aggregation level field, which is encoded separately from the SFI that only encodes the transmission direction.

[0336] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a plurality of time slots that are consecutive in time, wherein only a time slot that is initial in time among the time slots includes a PDCCH region that is temporally spanning the duration of the first N symbols of the initial time slot, wherein N is greater than or equal to one, wherein the PDCCH region includes a group-common PDCCH, wherein the group-common PDCCH of the initial time slot includes a slot format indicator (SFI), wherein the SFI indicates: each time slot includes a corresponding downlink data portion; and the number of time slots in the plurality of time slots; wherein only the last time slot includes an uplink data portion, wherein the uplink data portion appears at the end of time of the last time slot, and wherein the downlink data portion of the last time slot starts at the start of time of the last time slot.

[0337] In some embodiments, in an initial time slot, the corresponding downlink data portion immediately follows the PDCCH region and spans the initial time slot minus the PDCCH region.

[0338] In some embodiments, for each time slot after the initial time slot, the time slot does not include any information for scheduling time-frequency resources in the corresponding downlink data portion to the user device.

[0339] In some embodiments, the SFI in the initial time slot indicates that the PDCCH region of the initial time slot includes a set of one or more PDCCHs, wherein the set of one or more PDCCHs includes scheduling information for an aggregated set of allocated time-frequency resources, wherein the aggregated set includes a resource portion of the downlink data portion from all time slots.

[0340] In some embodiments, the SFI indicates the number of symbol durations occupied by the uplink data portion in the last slot.

[0341] In some embodiments, in the last time slot, a gap region occurs between the downlink data portion and the uplink data portion.

[0342] In some embodiments, there are at least three time slots in the plurality of time slots, wherein in each time slot except an initial time slot and a last time slot in the plurality of time slots, the corresponding downlink data portion completely covers the time slot.

[0343] In some embodiments, the SFI may be divided into transmission direction and timeslot aggregation and encoded separately.

[0344] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a slot format indicator (SFI) within a group-common PDCCH region of a first time slot, wherein the group-common PDCCH region occurs within the first N symbol durations of the first time slot, where N is greater than or equal to one, wherein the SFI indicates that a UE device is not to transmit or receive on an area of ​​the first time slot that is equal to the first time slot minus the group-common PDCCH region.

[0345] In some embodiments, the SFI indicates that the UE device is not to transmit or receive during one or more consecutive time slots immediately following the first time slot, wherein the SFI also indicates the number of the one or more time slots.

[0346] In some embodiments, a group-common PDCCH in the PDCCH region may be decoded by each UE in the designed group of UEs, where the SFI indicates that sidelink transmission between the UEs is enabled during the first time slot.

[0347] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a first user equipment (UE) device, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the first UE device, a slot format indicator (SFI) within a group-common PDCCH region of a first time slot, wherein the group-common PDCCH region appears within the first N symbol durations of the first time slot, where N is greater than or equal to one, wherein the SFI indicates that an area of ​​the first time slot equal to the first time slot minus the group-common PDCCH region is not used by a base station for downlink transmissions and is not used by the first UE device for uplink transmissions to the base station.

[0348] In some embodiments, the SFI indicates that one or more time slots immediately following the first time slot are not used by the base station for downlink transmission and are not used by the first UE device for uplink transmission to the base station, wherein the SFI also indicates the number of the one or more time slots.

[0349] In some embodiments, the SFI indicates that sidelink transmission between the first UE device and the other UE device has been enabled during the first time slot.

[0350] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a first time slot and a second time slot, wherein the second time slot is sent immediately after the first time slot, wherein the first time slot includes a group-common PDCCH, wherein the group-common PDCCH occurs within the first N symbol durations of the first time slot, wherein N is greater than or equal to one, wherein the group-common PDCCH indicates: the first time slot includes a downlink data portion; and the second time slot is used entirely for uplink transmission.

[0351] In some implementations, the downlink data portion of the first time slot begins immediately after the N symbol duration of the first time slot.

[0352] In some embodiments, the first time slot also includes a gap region at the end of its time.

[0353] In some embodiments, the SFI also indicates that the first time slot does not include a PDCCH.

[0354] In some embodiments, the SFI further indicates that the first time slot does not include scheduling information allocating time-frequency resources to the UE device.

[0355] In some embodiments, the SFI further indicates that the first time slot includes a set of one or more PDCCHs, wherein the set of one or more PDCCHs includes scheduling information allocating downlink transmission resources in the downlink data portion and uplink transmission resources in the second time slot.

[0356] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: transmitting, by a radio component of the base station, a slot format indicator in a first slot of a plurality of slots, wherein the slots of the plurality of slots are contiguous in time, wherein the slot format indicator appears within a group-common PDCCH of the first slot, wherein the group-common PDCCH appears within a first N symbol duration of the first slot, wherein N is greater than or equal to one, wherein the slot format indicator includes a size parameter for separating a union of the slots minus at least the first N symbol durations of the first slot into a downlink data region, a gap region, and an uplink data region, wherein the downlink data region begins after the first N symbol durations of the first slot, and wherein the gap region immediately precedes the first N symbol durations of the first slot. The downlink data region starts after the downlink data region, wherein the uplink data region starts immediately after the gap region, wherein the size parameters include: a first number M of time slots, which defines the size of an initial part of the downlink data region; a second number of symbol durations, which defines the size of an end part of the downlink data region, wherein the end part occurs in the (M+1)th time slot of the multiple time slots; a third number of symbol durations, which defines the size of the gap region within the (M+1)th time slot of the multiple time slots; a fourth number of symbol durations, which defines the size of the initial part of the uplink data region within the (M+1)th time slot of the multiple time slots; and a fifth number of time slots, which defines the size of the end part of the uplink data region.

[0357] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: transmitting, by a radio component of the base station, a slot format indicator in a first slot of a plurality of slots, wherein the slots of the plurality of slots are contiguous in time, wherein the slot format indicator appears within a group-common PDCCH of the first slot, wherein the group-common PDCCH appears within a first N symbol duration of the first slot, wherein N is greater than or equal to one, wherein the slot format indicator includes a size parameter for separating a union of the slots minus at least the first N symbol durations of the first slot into a downlink data region, a gap region, and an uplink data region, wherein the downlink data region begins after the first N symbol duration of the first slot, and wherein the gap region begins immediately after the downlink data region. , wherein the uplink data region starts immediately after the gap region, wherein the size parameter includes: a first number M of time slots, which defines the size of the initial part of the downlink data region, wherein the size parameter includes two of the following three parameters: a second number of symbol durations, which defines the size of the end part of the downlink data region, wherein the end part occurs in the (M+1)th time slot of the multiple time slots; a third number of symbol durations, which defines the size of the gap region within the (M+1)th time slot of the multiple time slots; a fourth number of symbol durations, which defines the size of the initial part of the uplink data region within the (M+1)th time slot of the multiple time slots; wherein the size parameter also includes a fifth number of time slots, which defines the size of the end part of the uplink data region.

[0358] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a plurality of time slots that are consecutive in time, wherein each time slot includes a corresponding group-common PDCCH within the first N symbol duration of the time slot, wherein N is greater than or equal to one, wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding group-common PDCCH includes a corresponding time slot format indicator (SFI), wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding SFI indicates: the time slot includes a corresponding set of one or more PDCCHs; and the time slot includes a corresponding downlink data portion; wherein the set of one or more PDCCHs in an initial time slot of these time slots includes first scheduling information, which first scheduling information allocates a first set of time-frequency resources aggregated on two or more downlink data portions including the downlink data portion of the initial time slot to a first UE device; wherein the set of one or more PDCCHs in the initial time slot includes second scheduling information, which second scheduling information allocates time-frequency resources only in the downlink data portion of the initial time slot to a second UE device.

[0359] In some embodiments, the set of one or more PDCCHs in a second one of the time slots includes third scheduling information that allocates time-frequency resources only in the downlink data portion of the second time slot to a third UE device.

[0360] In some embodiments, acknowledgments from one or more UEs scheduled in two or more downlink data portions are included in the last portion of the last time slot.

[0361] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: transmitting, by a radio component of the base station, a plurality of time slots that are consecutive in time, wherein each time slot includes a corresponding group-common PDCCH within the first N symbol duration of the time slot, wherein N is greater than or equal to one, wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding group-common PDCCH includes a corresponding slot format indicator (SFI), wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding SFI indicates that: the time slot includes a corresponding set of one or more PDCCHs; and the time slot includes a corresponding downlink data portion; wherein the set of one or more PDCCHs in an initial time slot among the time slots includes first scheduling information, the first scheduling information The method comprises the step of allocating a first portion of an aggregated set of time-frequency resources to a first UE device, wherein the first portion appears in a downlink data portion of an initial time slot, wherein a set of one or more PDCCHs in a second time slot among these time slots includes second scheduling information, which second scheduling information allocates a second portion of the aggregated set of time-frequency resources to the first UE device, wherein the second portion appears in the downlink data portion of a second time slot, wherein the second time slot immediately follows the initial time slot, wherein the set of one or more PDCCHs in the initial time slot also includes third scheduling information, which third scheduling information allocates time-frequency resources only in the downlink data portion of the initial time slot to the second UE device.

[0362] In some embodiments, the set of one or more PDCCHs in the second time slot includes fourth scheduling information that allocates time-frequency resources only in the downlink data portion of the second time slot to the third UE device.

[0363] Another set of embodiments may include a method for operating a base station, the method comprising: sending, by a radio component of the base station, a plurality of time slots that are consecutive in time, wherein each time slot includes a corresponding PDCCH region, the corresponding PDCCH region spanning the first N symbol durations of the time slot, where N is greater than or equal to one, wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding PDCCH region includes a corresponding group-common PDCCH; wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding group-common PDCCH includes a corresponding slot format indicator (SFI), wherein, for each time slot, the corresponding SFI indicates that the time slot includes a corresponding downlink data portion; wherein, for an initial time slot of the time slots, the corresponding SFI indicates that the corresponding PDCCH region includes a first group of one or more PDCCHs; wherein, for a second time slot of the time slots, the corresponding SFI indicates that a sub-region equal to the corresponding PDCCH region minus the corresponding group-common PDCCH does not include PDCCH information, wherein the downlink data portion for the second time slot includes a first subset of resource elements residing within the sub-region of the PDCCH region of the second time slot and a second subset of resource elements appearing after the PDCCH region of the second time slot.

[0364] In some embodiments, the downlink data portion of the initial time slot begins after the PDCCH region of the initial time slot.

[0365] In some embodiments, each slot spans two, or 7, or 14 symbols in time.

[0366] Another set of embodiments may include a method of operating a base station (BS), comprising: the BS: establishing communication with a first user equipment device (UE); determining a transmission direction for each of a plurality of symbols included in one or more time slots; sending a slot format indicator (SFI) to the UE, wherein the SFI indicates the transmission direction for each of the plurality of symbols included in the one or more time slots; and performing communication during the one or more time slots according to the determined transmission direction.

[0367] In some embodiments, the SFI specifies the transmission direction of the 14 symbols of the first time slot.

[0368] In some embodiments, the method further includes sending a table specifying a plurality of transmission direction sets to the UE, wherein each transmission direction set specifies a transmission direction for at least one time slot; wherein the SFI specifies at least a first transmission direction set.

[0369] In some embodiments, a transmission direction for each of the plurality of symbols is determined for a plurality of time slots, wherein the SFI indicates the transmission direction for each of the plurality of symbols for the plurality of time slots.

[0370] In some embodiments, the SFI is sent periodically every n time slots, where n is at least 2.

[0371] In some embodiments, the SFI is sent a number of symbols before the time slot or slots indicated by the SFI.

[0372] In some embodiments, the transmission direction of each symbol includes: downlink, uplink, or unknown.

[0373] In some embodiments, the SFI is specific to the first UE.

[0374] In some embodiments, the SFI applies to multiple UEs.

[0375] In some embodiments, the SFI applies to one type of UE.

[0376] Another set of embodiments may include a method of operating a user equipment device (UE), the method comprising: by the UE: establishing communication with a base station (BS); receiving a slot format indicator (SFI) from the BS, wherein the SFI indicates a transmission direction for each of a plurality of symbols included in one or more time slots; and performing communication with the BS during the one or more time slots according to the determined transmission direction.

[0377] In some embodiments, the SFI specifies the transmission direction of the 14 symbols of the first time slot.

[0378] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving a table specifying a plurality of transmission direction sets from the BS, wherein each transmission direction set specifies a transmission direction for at least one time slot; wherein the SFI specifies at least a first transmission direction set.

[0379] In some embodiments, the SFI indicates a transmission direction for each of a plurality of symbols for a plurality of time slots.

[0380] In some embodiments, the SFI is received periodically every n time slots, where n is at least 2.

[0381] In some embodiments, the SFI is sent a number of symbols before the time slot or slots indicated by the SFI.

[0382] Another set of embodiments may include a base station comprising: an antenna; a radio component operably coupled to the antenna; and a processing element operably coupled to the radio component; wherein the antenna, the radio component, and the processing element are configured to implement a method according to any of the preceding paragraphs.

[0383] Another set of embodiments may include an apparatus comprising a processing element configured to implement a method according to any of the preceding paragraphs.

[0384] Another set of embodiments may include a computer program comprising instructions for performing any of the methods of any of the preceding paragraphs.

[0385] Another set of embodiments may include an apparatus comprising means for performing any of the method elements of any of the preceding paragraphs.

[0386] Another set of embodiments may include a method comprising any act or combination of acts as substantially described herein in the detailed description.

[0387] Another set of embodiments may include a method as substantially described herein with reference to each and every figure or any combination of the figures included herein or with reference to each and every paragraph or any combination of the paragraphs in the detailed description.

[0388] Another set of embodiments may include a wireless device configured to perform any action or combination of actions as substantially described herein in the detailed description.

[0389] Another set of embodiments may include a wireless device comprising any component or combination of components as described herein for inclusion in a wireless device in the detailed description.

[0390] Another set of embodiments may include a wireless device configured to perform any action or combination of actions as substantially described herein in the detailed description.

[0391] Another set of embodiments may include a wireless device comprising any component or combination of components as described herein for inclusion in a wireless device in the detailed description.

[0392] Another set of embodiments may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause performance of any act or combination of acts as substantially described herein in the detailed description.

[0393] Another set of embodiments may include an integrated circuit configured to perform any action or combination of actions as substantially described herein in the detailed description.

[0394] A further exemplary set of embodiments may include an apparatus comprising a processing element configured to cause the device to implement any or all of the foregoing examples.

[0395] Another exemplary set of embodiments may include a wireless device comprising: an antenna; a radio component coupled to the antenna; and a processing element operably coupled to the radio component, wherein the device is configured to implement any or all of the foregoing examples.

[0396] A further exemplary set of embodiments may include a non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium including program instructions that, when executed at a device, cause the device to implement any or all of any of the foregoing examples.

[0397] Another exemplary set of embodiments may include a computer program comprising instructions for performing any or all of any of the foregoing examples.

[0398] Another exemplary set of embodiments may include an apparatus comprising means for performing any or all of the elements of any of the preceding examples.

[0399] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in any of a variety of forms. For example, some embodiments may be implemented as computer-implemented methods, computer-readable storage media, or computer systems. Other embodiments may be implemented using one or more custom-designed hardware devices such as ASICs. Other embodiments may be implemented using one or more programmable hardware elements such as FPGAs.

[0400] In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be configured such that it stores program instructions and / or data, wherein the program instructions, if executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method, such as any one of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets.

[0401] In some embodiments, a device (e.g., UE 106) may be configured to include a processor (or a group of processors) and a memory medium, wherein the memory medium stores program instructions, wherein the processor is configured to read and execute the program instructions from the memory medium, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement any of the various method embodiments described herein (or any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets). The apparatus may be implemented in any of various forms.

[0402] Although the above embodiments have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to encompass all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, comprising: Establishing communication with a base station; receiving a first slot format indicator (SFI) index from the base station, wherein the first SFI index indicates a single slot format of a specified combination of consecutive slots, wherein the single slot format indicates a respective transmission direction of each respective symbol of 14 symbols in a single slot; and Communications are performed during the specified combination of consecutive time slots according to the single time slot format of the specified combination of consecutive time slots.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein each single-slot format corresponds to a respective entry in a single-slot format table.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the table comprises a plurality of entries, wherein each entry corresponds to a different slot format indicating a transmission direction for each corresponding symbol in a corresponding slot.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one entry in the table indicates that the transmission direction switched between downlink and uplink at least twice.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first SFI index is one of a plurality of SFI indexes, wherein the number of time slots in a specified combination of consecutive time slots is a number specific to the first SFI index.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: The SFI index is received periodically every n time slots.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein n is at least 2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first SFI index is semi-static.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first SFI index is specific to a UE.

10. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising a processor, wherein the processor is configured to enable a user equipment (UE) to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a radio operatively coupled to the processor.

12. A method for wireless communication, comprising: Establishing communication with a first user equipment device UE; sending a first slot format indicator (SFI) index to the first UE, wherein the first SFI index indicates a single slot format of a specified combination of consecutive slots, wherein the single slot format indicates a respective transmission direction of each respective symbol of 14 symbols in a single slot; and Communications are performed during the specified combination of consecutive time slots according to the single time slot format of the specified combination of consecutive time slots.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein each single-slot format corresponds to a respective entry in a single-slot format table.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one entry in the table indicates that the transmission direction switched between downlink and uplink at least twice during the first time slot.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first SFI index is one of a plurality of SFI indexes, wherein the number of time slots in a specified combination of consecutive time slots is a number specific to the first SFI index.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: The SFI index is transmitted periodically every n time slots, where n is at least 2. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first SFI index is semi-static.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the first SFI index is specific to the first UE.

19. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising a processor, wherein the processor is configured to cause a base station to perform the method according to any one of claims 12 to 18.

20. A computer program product comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are configured to cause a device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-9 or 12-18.

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