Flexible downlink-uplink switching time

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, wherein the one or more flexible symbols appear in the transmission mode before a first one of the one or more uplink symbols and after a last one of the plurality of downlink symbols, wherein a downlink-uplink (DL-UL) switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first one of the one or more flexible symbols. The UE may transmit an uplink communication during a first one of the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL handover time. Numerous other aspects are described.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 069,616, entitled "FLEXIBLE DOWNLINK - UPLINK SWITCHING TIME", filed on December 21, 2022, and assigned to the assignee of the present application. The disclosure of the prior application is considered to be a part of this patent application and is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication and relate to techniques and apparatus for flexible downlink - uplink (DL - UL) switching times. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various telecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. A typical wireless communication system may employ a multiple access technology capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, etc.). Examples of such multiple access technologies include code - division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time - division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency - division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency - division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single - carrier frequency - division multiple access (SC - FDMA) systems, time - division synchronous code - division multiple access (TD - SCDMA) systems, and Long Term Evolution (LTE). LTE / Advanced LTE is a set of enhancements to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile standard promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

[0005] A wireless network may include one or more network nodes that support communication for wireless communication devices such as user equipment (UE) or multiple UEs. A UE may communicate with a network node via downlink communication and uplink communication. "Downlink" (or "DL") refers to the communication link from a network node to a UE, and "uplink" (or "UL") refers to the communication link from a UE to a network node. Some wireless networks may support device - to - device communication, such as via local links (e.g., sidelink (SL), wireless local area network (WLAN) link, and / or wireless personal area network (WPAN) link, etc.).

[0006] The above multi-access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different UEs to communicate at the urban, national, regional, and / or global levels. New Radio (NR) (which may be referred to as 5G) is an enhanced set of the LTE mobile standard promulgated by 3GPP. NR is designed to better support mobile broadband Internet access in the following ways: improving spectral efficiency; reducing costs; enhancing services; leveraging new spectrums; and better integrating with other open standards by using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing with Cyclic Prefix (CP-OFDM) on the downlink, and CP-OFDM and / or Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiplexing (SC-FDM) (also known as Discrete Fourier Transform Spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM)) on the uplink; and supporting beamforming, Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna technology, and carrier aggregation. With the continuous increase in the demand for mobile broadband access, further improvements to LTE, NR, and other radio access technologies remain useful. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed by a User Equipment (UE). The method may include: receiving a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, wherein the one or more flexible symbols appear before a first uplink symbol among the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols, and wherein a Downlink-Uplink (DL-UL) switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols. The method may include: after the DL-UL switching time, transmitting uplink communication during the first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols.

[0008] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed by a network node. The method may include: transmitting a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, wherein the one or more flexible symbols appear before the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols, and wherein a DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols. The method may include: after the DL-UL switching time, receiving uplink communication during the first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols.

[0009] Some aspects described herein relate to a UE for wireless communication. The UE may include: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The one or more processors may be configured to receive a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear before a first uplink symbol among the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols in the transmission mode, and where a DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols. The one or more processors may be configured to transmit uplink communication during a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time.

[0010] Some aspects described herein relate to a network node for wireless communication. The network node may include: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The one or more processors may be configured to transmit a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear before the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols, and where a DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols. The one or more processors may be configured to receive uplink communication during a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time.

[0011] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication by a UE. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to receive a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear before a first uplink symbol among the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols in the transmission mode, and where a DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the UE, may cause the UE to transmit uplink communication during a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time.

[0012] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication by a network node. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the network node, causes the network node to transmit a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, wherein the one or more flexible symbols appear before the one or more uplink symbols and after the last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols, and wherein a DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the network node, causes the network node to receive uplink communication during the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time.

[0013] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for receiving a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, wherein the one or more flexible symbols appear before the first uplink symbol of the one or more uplink symbols and after the last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols in the transmission mode, and wherein a DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols. The apparatus may include means for transmitting uplink communication during the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time.

[0014] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for transmitting a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, wherein the one or more flexible symbols appear before the one or more uplink symbols and after the last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols, and wherein a DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols. The apparatus may include means for receiving uplink communication during the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time.

[0015] The aspects as a whole include methods, apparatuses, systems, computer program products, non-transitory computer-readable media, user equipment, base stations, network entities, network nodes, wireless communication devices, and / or processing systems as fully described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings and the specification and as illustrated in the drawings and the specification.

[0016] The features and technical advantages of examples in accordance with the present disclosure have been outlined rather broadly above so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described below. The disclosed concepts and specific examples may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. The characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein, both as to their organization and method of operation, as well as associated advantages, will be better understood by considering the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Each of the drawings provided is for the purpose of illustration and description and is not a definition of the limits of the claims.

[0017] Although aspects are described herein by way of illustration of some examples, those skilled in the art will understand that such aspects may be implemented in many different arrangements and scenarios. The techniques described herein may be implemented using different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and / or packaging arrangements. For example, some aspects may be implemented via integrated chip implementations or other non-module component-based devices (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail / shopping devices, medical devices, and / or artificial intelligence devices). Aspects may be implemented in chip-level components, modular components, non-modular components, non-chip-level components, device-level components, and / or system-level components. Devices incorporating the described aspects and features may include additional components and features for implementing and practicing the claimed and described aspects. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals may include one or more components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antennas, radio frequency (RF) chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders, and / or summers). The aspects described herein are intended to be practiced in a wide variety of devices, components, systems, distributed arrangements, and / or end-user devices of various sizes, shapes, and configurations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] To enable a more particular understanding of the above-described features of the present disclosure, a more specific description may be obtained by reference to the aspects, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the drawings only illustrate certain typical aspects of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered as limiting its scope, as the specification may admit other equally effective aspects. The same reference numerals in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0019] Figure 1 Is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network according to the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 2 Is a diagram illustrating an example of a network node communicating with a user equipment in a wireless network according to the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 3 Is a diagram illustrating an example of a decomposed base station architecture according to the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 4 Is a diagram showing an example of a downlink (DL) centered time slot or communication structure (with one or more DL symbols) and an uplink (UL) centered time slot or communication structure (with one or more UL symbols) according to the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 5 Is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a flexible downlink - uplink (DL - UL) switching time according to the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 6 Is a diagram illustrating an example associated with a flexible DL - UL switching time according to the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 7 Is a diagram illustrating an example process, for example, performed by a UE according to the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 8 Is a diagram illustrating an example process, for example, performed by a network node according to the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 9 Is a diagram of an example apparatus for wireless communication according to the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 10 Is a diagram of an example apparatus for wireless communication according to the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0029] Aspects of the present disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or in combination with any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, any number of the aspects set forth herein may be used to implement a device or practice a method. In addition, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover such devices or methods practiced using other structures, functionality, or a combination of structures and functionality in addition to or different from the aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of the present invention.

[0030] Several aspects of a telecommunications system will now be presented with reference to various devices and techniques. These devices and techniques will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Whether these elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0031] Although terms generally associated with 5G or New Radio (NR) radio access technology (RAT) may be used herein to describe aspects, aspects of the present disclosure may be applied to other RATs, such as 3G RAT, 4G RAT, and / or post-5G (e.g., 6G) RATs.

[0032] Figure 1FIG. 0 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless network 100 according to the present disclosure. The wireless network 100 can be a 5G (e.g., NR) network and / or a 4G (e.g., Long-Term Evolution (LTE)) network, or can include elements of a 5G (e.g., NR) network and / or elements of a 4G (e.g., Long-Term Evolution (LTE)) network, and so on. The wireless network 100 can include one or more network nodes 110 (shown as network node 110a, network node 110b, network node 110c, and network node 110d), user equipment (UE) 120 or multiple UEs 120 (shown as UE 120a, UE 120b, UE 120c, UE 120d, and UE 120e), and / or other entities. The network node 110 is a network node that communicates with the UE 120. As shown, the network node 110 can include one or more network nodes. For example, the network node 110 can be an aggregated network node, which means that the aggregated network node is configured to utilize a radio protocol stack physically or logically integrated within a single radio access network (RAN) node (e.g., within a single device or unit). As another example, the network node 110 can be a disaggregated network node (sometimes referred to as a disaggregated base station (BS)), which means that the network node 110 is configured to utilize a protocol stack physically or logically distributed among two or more nodes (such as one or more central units (CUs), one or more distributed units (DUs), or one or more radio units (RUs)).

[0033] In some examples, the network node 110 is or includes a network node (such as an RU) that communicates with the UE 120 via a radio access link. In some examples, the network node 110 is or includes a network node (such as a DU) that communicates with other network nodes 110 via a fronthaul link or a midhaul link. In some examples, the network node 110 is or includes a network node (such as a CU) that communicates with other network nodes 110 via a midhaul link or communicates with a core network via a backhaul link. In some examples, the network node 110 (such as an aggregated network node 110 or a disaggregated network node 110) can include multiple network nodes, such as one or more RUs, one or more CUs, and / or one or more DUs. The network node 110 can include, for example, an NR base station, an LTE base station, a Node B, an eNB (e.g., in 4G), a gNB (e.g., in 5G), an access point, a transmit receive point (TRP), a DU, an RU, a CU, a mobility element of the network, a core network node, a network element, network equipment, a RAN node, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the network node 110 can be interconnected with each other or with one or more other network nodes 110 in the wireless network 100 using any suitable transport network via various types of fronthaul interfaces, midhaul interfaces, and / or backhaul interfaces (such as a direct physical connection, an air interface, or a virtual network).

[0034] In some examples, network node 110 may provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area. In the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), depending on the context in which the term is used, the term "cell" may refer to the coverage area of network node 110 and / or the network node subsystem serving that coverage area. Network node 110 may provide communication coverage for macro cells, picocells, femtocells, and / or another type of cell. A macro cell may cover a relatively large geographical area (e.g., with a radius of several kilometers) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs 120 with a service subscription. A picocell may cover a relatively small geographical area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs 120 with a service subscription. A femtocell may cover a relatively small geographical area (e.g., a home) and may allow restricted access by UEs 120 associated with the femtocell (e.g., UEs 120 in a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG)). The network node 110 for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro network node. The network node 110 for a picocell may be referred to as a pico network node. The network node 110 for a femtocell may be referred to as a femto network node or a home network node. In Figure 1 the example shown, network node 110a may be a macro network node for macro cell 102a, network node 110b may be a pico network node for picocell 102b, and network node 110c may be a femto network node for femtocell 102c. A network node may support one or more (e.g., three) cells. In some examples, a cell may not necessarily be stationary, and the geographical area of a cell may move according to the location of a mobile network node 110 (e.g., a mobile network node).

[0035] In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to a centralized base station, a split base station, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a relay node, or one or more components thereof. For example, in some aspects, a "base station" or "network node" may refer to a CU, a DU, an RU, a near real-time (near-RT) RAN intelligent controller (RIC), or a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to a single device configured to perform one or more functions, such as those described herein in connection with network node 110. In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to multiple devices configured to perform one or more functions. For example, in some distributed systems, each of multiple different devices (which may be located at the same geographical location or different geographical locations) may be configured to perform at least a portion of a function, or to repeat at least a portion of the function, and the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to any one or more of these different devices. In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to one or more virtual base stations or one or more virtual base station functions. For example, in some aspects, two or more base station functions may be instantiated on a single device. In some aspects, the term "base station" or "network node" may refer to one base station function among base station functions, rather than another base station function. In this way, a single device may include more than one base station.

[0036] Wireless network 100 may include one or more relay stations. A relay station is a network node that can receive a transmission of data from an upstream node (e.g., network node 110 or UE 120) and forward the data to a downstream node (e.g., UE 120 or network node 110). A relay station may be a UE 120 that can relay transmissions for other UEs 120. In Figure 1 the example shown, network node 110d (e.g., a relay network node) may communicate with network node 110a (e.g., a macro network node) and UE 120d to facilitate communication between network node 110a and UE 120d. A network node 110 that relays communication may be referred to as a relay station, a relay base station, a relay network node, a relay node, a relay, etc.

[0037] Wireless network 100 may be a heterogeneous network that includes different types of network nodes 110, such as macro network nodes, pico network nodes, femto network nodes, relay network nodes, etc. These different types of network nodes 110 may have different transmission power levels, different coverage areas, and / or different impacts on interference in wireless network 100. For example, a macro network node may have a high transmission power level (e.g., 5 watts to 40 watts), while pico network nodes, femto network nodes, and relay network nodes may have lower transmission power levels (e.g., 0.1 watt to 2 watts).

[0038] The network controller 130 may be coupled to or communicate with a set of network nodes 110 and may provide coordination and control for these network nodes 110. The network controller 130 may communicate with the network nodes 110 via a fronthaul communication link or a midhaul communication link. The network nodes 110 may also communicate directly with each other or indirectly via a wireless fronthaul communication link or a wired fronthaul communication link. In some aspects, the network controller 130 may be a CU or a core network device, or may include a CU or a core network device.

[0039] UEs 120 may be dispersed throughout the wireless network 100, and each UE 120 may be stationary or mobile. The UE 120 may include, for example, an access terminal, a terminal, a mobile station, and / or a subscriber unit. The UE 120 may be a cellular phone (e.g., a smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet computer, a camera, a gaming device, a netbook, a smartbook, a superbook, a medical device, a biometric device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smart clothing, smart glasses, a smart wristband, smart jewelry (e.g., a smart ring or a smart bracelet)), an entertainment device (e.g., a music device, a video device, and / or a satellite radio), a vehicle component or sensor, a smart meter / sensor, industrial manufacturing equipment, a global positioning system device, UE functionality of a network node, and / or any other suitable device configured to communicate via a wireless or wired medium.

[0040] Some UEs 120 may be considered machine type communication (MTC) or evolved or enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) UEs. The MTC UE and / or eMTC UE may include, for example, robots, drones, remote devices, sensors, meters, monitors, and / or location tags, which may communicate with network nodes, another device (e.g., a remote device), or some other entity. Some UEs 120 may be considered Internet of Things (IoT) devices and / or may be implemented as narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) devices. Some UEs 120 may be considered customer premises equipment. The UE 120 may be included inside a housing that houses components of the UE 120, such as a processor component and / or a memory component. In some examples, the processor component and the memory component may be coupled together. For example, the processor component (e.g., one or more processors) and the memory component (e.g., a memory) may be operatively coupled, communicatively coupled, electronically coupled, and / or electrically coupled.

[0041] Generally speaking, any number of wireless networks 100 can be deployed in a given geographical area. Each wireless network 100 can support a specific RAT and can operate on one or more frequencies. The RAT can be referred to as radio technology, air interface, etc. The frequency can be referred to as carrier, frequency channel, etc. In a given geographical area, each frequency can support a single RAT to avoid interference between wireless networks of different RATs. In some cases, an NR or 5G RAT network can be deployed.

[0042] In some examples, two or more UEs 120 (e.g., shown as UE 120a and UE 120e) can communicate directly using one or more sidelink channels (e.g., communicate with each other without using the network node 110 as an intermediate device). For example, the UE 120 can use peer-to-peer (P2P) communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) protocols (e.g., which can include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) protocol, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) protocol, or vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) protocol) and / or mesh network for communication. In such examples, the UE 120 can perform scheduling operations, resource selection operations, and / or other operations described elsewhere herein as being performed by the network node 110.

[0043] The devices of the wireless network 100 can communicate using the electromagnetic spectrum, which can be subdivided into various categories, frequency bands, channels, etc. according to frequency or wavelength. For example, the devices of the wireless network 100 can communicate using one or more operating frequency bands. In 5G NR, two initial operating frequency bands have been identified as frequency range designations FR1 (410 MHz to 7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz). It should be understood that although a part of FR1 is greater than 6 GHz, in various documents and articles, FR1 is generally (interchangeably) referred to as the "sub-6 GHz" band. Regarding FR2, a similar naming issue sometimes occurs, which is generally (interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" band in documents and articles, although it is different from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz - 300 GHz) identified by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as the "millimeter wave" band.

[0044] The frequency between FR1 and FR2 is generally referred to as the mid-band frequency. Recent 5G NR research has identified the operating bands for these mid-band frequencies as the frequency range designated FR3 (7.125 GHz - 24.25 GHz). The bands falling within FR3 can inherit FR1 characteristics and / or FR2 characteristics, and thus can effectively extend the features of FR1 and / or FR2 to the mid-band frequencies. In addition, higher frequency bands are currently being explored to extend 5G NR operation beyond 52.6 GHz. For example, three higher operating bands have been identified as the frequency range designated FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz to 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz to 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz to 300 GHz). Each of these higher frequency bands falls within the EHF band.

[0045] Considering the above examples, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if terms such as "below 6 GHz" are used herein, such terms can broadly represent frequencies that can be below 6 GHz, can be within FR1, or can include mid-band frequencies. Additionally, unless otherwise specifically stated, it should be understood that if terms such as "millimeter wave" are used herein, such terms can broadly represent frequencies that can include mid-band frequencies, can be within FR2, FR4, FR4-a or FR4-1, and / or FR5, or can be within the EHF band. It is envisioned that the frequencies included in these operating bands (e.g., FR1, FR2, FR3, FR4, FR4-a, FR4-1, and / or FR5) can be modified, and the techniques described herein apply to those modified frequency ranges.

[0046] In some aspects, the UE 120 may include a communication manager 140. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager 140 may receive a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear in the transmission mode before the first uplink symbol of the one or more uplink symbols and after the last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols, where the downlink-uplink (DL-UL) switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols; and after the DL-UL switching time, transmit uplink communication during the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols. Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 140 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0047] In some aspects, network node 110 may include a communication manager 150. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, communication manager 150 may send a configuration of a transmission pattern that includes a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear before the one or more uplink symbols and after the last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols, where the DL-UL switch time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols; and receive uplink communication during the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switch time. Additionally or alternatively, communication manager 150 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0048] As indicated above, Figure 1 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from the example Figure 1 described.

[0049] Figure 2 FIG. 200 is a diagram illustrating Example 200 of a network node 110 communicating with a UE 120 in a wireless network 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. Network node 110 may be equipped with a set of antennas 234a through 234t, such as T antennas (T≥1). UE 120 may be equipped with a set of antennas 252a through 252r, such as R antennas (R≥1). Network node 110 of Example 200 includes one or more radio frequency components, such as antenna 234 and modem 232. In some examples, network node 110 may include an interface, a communication component, or another component that facilitates communication with UE 120 or another network node. Some network nodes 110 may not include radio frequency components that facilitate direct communication with UE 120, such as one or more CUs or one or more DUs.

[0050] At network node 110, transmit processor 220 may receive data destined for UE 120 (or a group of UEs 120) from data source 212. Transmit processor 220 may select one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) for UE 120 based at least in part on one or more channel quality indicators (CQIs) received from UE 120. Network node 110 may process (e.g., encode and modulate) the data for UE 120 based at least in part on the MCS selected for UE 120 and may provide data symbols to UE 120. Transmit processor 220 may process system information (e.g., for semi-static resource allocation information (SRPI)) and control information (e.g., CQI requests, grants, and / or upper layer signaling) and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. Transmit processor 220 may generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., cell-specific reference signal (CRS) or demodulation reference signal (DMRS)) and synchronization signals (e.g., primary synchronization signal (PSS) or secondary synchronization signal (SSS)). Transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor 230 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on the data symbols, control symbols, overhead symbols, and / or reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide a set of output symbol streams (e.g., T output symbol streams) to a corresponding set of modems 232 (e.g., T modems) (shown as modems 232a through 232t). For example, each output symbol stream may be provided to a modulator component (shown as MOD) of a modem 232. Each modem 232 may process the corresponding output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM) using the respective modulator component to obtain a stream of output samples. Each modem 232 may also process the stream of output samples (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and / or up-convert) using the respective modulator component to obtain a downlink signal. Modems 232a through 232t may transmit a set of downlink signals (e.g., T downlink signals) via a corresponding set of antennas 234 (e.g., T antennas) (shown as antennas 234a through 234t).

[0051] At the UE 120, a set of antennas 252 (shown as antennas 252a through 252r) may receive downlink signals from the network node 110 and / or other network nodes 110 and may provide a set of received signals (e.g., R received signals) to a set of modems 254 (e.g., R modems) (shown as modems 254a through 254r). For example, each received signal may be provided to a demodulator component (shown as DEMOD) of the modem 254. Each modem 254 may condition (e.g., filter, amplify, down-convert, and / or digitize) the received signal using the corresponding demodulator component to obtain input samples. Each modem 254 may further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM) using the demodulator component to obtain received symbols. The MIMO detector 256 may obtain the received symbols from the modems 254, may perform MIMO detection on the received symbols when applicable, and may provide the detected symbols. The receive processor 258 may process (e.g., demodulate and decode) the detected symbols, may provide the decoded data for the UE 120 to the data sink 260, and may provide the decoded control information and system information to the controller / processor 280. The term "controller / processor" may refer to one or more controllers, one or more processors, or a combination thereof. The channel processor may determine reference signal received power (RSRP) parameters, received signal strength indicator (RSSI) parameters, reference signal received quality (RSRQ) parameters, and / or CQI parameters, etc. In some examples, one or more components of the UE 120 may be included in the housing 284.

[0052] The network controller 130 may include a communication unit 294, a controller / processor 290, and a memory 292. The network controller 130 may include, for example, one or more devices in a core network. The network controller 130 may communicate with the network node 110 via the communication unit 294.

[0053] One or more antennas (e.g., antennas 234a through 234t and / or antennas 252a through 252r) may include one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more sets of antenna elements, and / or one or more antenna arrays, etc., or may be included within one or more antenna panels, one or more antenna groups, one or more sets of antenna elements, and / or one or more antenna arrays, etc. The antenna panel, antenna group, set of antenna elements, and / or antenna array may include one or more antenna elements (within a single housing or multiple housings), a set of coplanar antenna elements, a set of non-coplanar antenna elements, and / or one or more antenna elements coupled to one or more transmit and / or receive components (such as Figure 2 one or more components among)

[0054] On the uplink, at the UE 120, the transmit processor 264 may receive and process data from the data source 262 and control information from the controller / processor 280 (e.g., for reporting including RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, and / or CQI). The transmit processor 264 may generate reference symbols for one or more reference signals. The symbols from the transmit processor 264 may be pre-coded by the TX MIMO processor 266 if applicable, further processed by the modem 254 (e.g., for DFT-s-OFDM or CP-OFDM), and sent to the network node 110. In some examples, the modem 254 of the UE 120 may include a modulator and a demodulator. In some examples, the UE 120 includes a transceiver. The transceiver may include any combination of the antenna 252, the modem 254, the MIMO detector 256, the receive processor 258, the transmit processor 264, and / or the TX MIMO processor 266. The transceiver may be used by a processor (e.g., the controller / processor 280) and the memory 282 to perform aspects of any of the methods described herein (e.g., with reference to Figures 4 to 10 ) of any of the methods described herein.

[0055] At the network node 110, the uplink signals from the UE 120 and / or other UEs may be received by the antenna 234, processed by the modem 232 (e.g., the demodulator component of the modem 232 shown as DEMOD), detected by the MIMO detector 236 if applicable, and further processed by the receive processor 238 to obtain the decoded data and control information transmitted by the UE 120. The receive processor 238 may provide the decoded data to the data sink 239 and the decoded control information to the controller / processor 240. The network node 110 may include a communication unit 244 and may communicate with the network controller 130 via the communication unit 244. The network node 110 may include a scheduler 246 to schedule one or more UEs 120 for downlink communication and / or uplink communication. In some examples, the modem 232 of the network node 110 may include a modulator and a demodulator. In some examples, the network node 110 includes a transceiver. The transceiver may include any combination of the antenna 234, the modem 232, the MIMO detector 236, the receive processor 238, the transmit processor 220, and / or the TX MIMO processor 230. The transceiver may be used by a processor (e.g., the controller / processor 240) and the memory 242 to perform aspects of any of the methods described herein (e.g., with reference to Figures 4 to 10 ) of any of the methods described herein.

[0056] The controller / processor 240 of network node 110, the controller / processor 280 of UE 120, and / or Figure 2 any other component of may perform one or more techniques associated with flexible DL-UL switching times, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, the controller / processor 240 of network node 110, the controller / processor 280 of UE 120, and / or Figure 2 any other component of may execute or direct the operation of, for example Figure 7 process 700 of, Figure 8 process 800 of, and / or other processes as described herein. Memory 242 and memory 282 may store data and program code for network node 110 and UE 120, respectively. In some examples, memory 242 and / or memory 282 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing one or more instructions for wireless communication (e.g., code and / or program code). For example, when the one or more instructions are executed by one or more processors of network node 110 and / or UE 120 (e.g., directly executed, or after compilation, transformation, and / or interpretation), the one or more processors, UE 120, and / or network node 110 may perform or direct the operation of, for example Figure 7 process 700 of, Figure 8 process 800 of, and / or other processes as described herein. In some examples, executing the instructions may include running the instructions, transforming the instructions, compiling the instructions, and / or interpreting the instructions, etc.

[0057] In some aspects, UE 120 includes components for receiving (e.g., using antenna 252, modem 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, controller / processor 280, memory 282, etc.) a configuration of a transmission mode that includes multiple downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear before a first uplink symbol among the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol among the multiple downlink symbols, where a DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol among the multiple downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols; and / or components for transmitting uplink communication during a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time (e.g., using controller / processor 280, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, modem 254, antenna 252, memory 282, etc.). Components for the UE to perform the operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of the following: communication manager 140, antenna 252, modem 254, MIMO detector 256, receive processor 258, transmit processor 264, TX MIMO processor 266, controller / processor 280, or memory 282.

[0058] In some aspects, network node 110 includes components for transmitting (e.g., using controller / processor 240, transmit processor 220, TX MIMO processor 230, modem 232, antenna 234, memory 242, etc.) a configuration of a transmission mode that includes multiple downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear before the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol among the multiple downlink symbols, where a DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol among the multiple downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols; and / or components for receiving uplink communication during a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time (e.g., using antenna 234, modem 232, MIMO detector 236, receive processor 238, controller / processor 240, memory 242, etc.). Components for the network node to perform the operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of the following: communication manager 150, transmit processor 220, TX MIMO processor 230, modem 232, antenna 234, MIMO detector 236, receive processor 238, controller / processor 240, memory 242, or scheduler 246.

[0059] Although Figure 2 the boxes in are illustrated as separate components, the functions described above for these boxes can be implemented in a single hardware, software, or combined component, or in various combinations of components. For example, the functions described for the transmit processor 264, receive processor 258, and / or TX MIMO processor 266 can be performed by, or under the control of, the controller / processor 280.

[0060] As indicated above, Figure 2 is provided as an example. Other examples may be different from the example described with respect to Figure 2 which is provided as an example. Other examples may be different from the example described with respect to

[0061] The deployment of a communication system (such as a 5G NR system) can be arranged with various components or constituent parts in a variety of ways. In a 5G NR system or network, network nodes, network entities, mobility elements of the network, RAN nodes, core network nodes, network elements, base stations, or network equipment can be implemented in an aggregated or disaggregated architecture. For example, a base station (such as a Node B (NB), evolved NB (eNB), NR base station, 5G NB, access point (AP), TRP, or cell, etc.) or one or more units (or one or more components) performing base station functionality can be implemented as an aggregated base station (also referred to as a stand-alone base station or monolithic base station) or a disaggregated base station. A "network entity" or "network node" can refer to a disaggregated base station or one or more units of a disaggregated base station (such as one or more CUs, one or more DUs, one or more RUs, or a combination thereof).

[0062] An aggregated base station (e.g., an aggregated network node) can be configured to utilize a radio protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single RAN node (e.g., within a single device or unit). A disaggregated base station (e.g., a disaggregated network node) can be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed between two or more units (such as one or more CUs, one or more DUs, or one or more RUs). In some examples, the CU can be implemented within a network node, and one or more DUs can be co-located with the CU, or alternatively, can be geographically or virtually spread across one or more other network nodes. The DU can be implemented to communicate with one or more RUs. Each of the CU, DU, and RU can also be implemented as a virtual unit, such as a virtual central unit (VCU), virtual distributed unit (VDU), or virtual radio unit (VRU), etc.

[0063] Base station type operations or network design may consider the aggregation characteristics of base station functionality. For example, a disaggregated base station can be utilized in an IAB network, an open radio access network (O-RAN (such as a network configuration initiated by the O-RAN Alliance)), or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN, also known as a cloud radio access network (C-RAN)) to facilitate the scaling of a communication system by separating base station functionality into one or more units that can be deployed separately. The disaggregated base station can include functionality implemented across two or more units at various physical locations, as well as functionality implemented virtually for at least one unit, which can achieve flexibility in network design. Each unit of the disaggregated base station can be configured for wired or wireless communication with at least one other unit of the disaggregated base station.

[0064] Figure 3 FIG. is a diagram illustrating an example disaggregated base station architecture 300 in accordance with the present disclosure. The disaggregated base station architecture 300 can include a CU 310 that can communicate directly with a core network 320 via a backhaul link, or indirectly with the core network 320 through one or more disaggregated control units (such as a near RT RIC 325 via an E2 link, or a non-RT RIC 315 associated with a service management and orchestration (SMO) framework 305, or both). The CU 310 can communicate with one or more DUs 330 via respective midhaul links (such as via an F1 interface). Each DU in the DUs 330 can communicate with one or more RUs 340 via a respective fronthaul link. Each RU in the RUs 340 can communicate with one or more UEs 120 via a respective radio frequency (RF) access link. In some particular implementations, a UE 120 can be served simultaneously by multiple RUs 340.

[0065] Each unit (including the CU 310, DU 330, RU 340) and the near RT RIC 325, non-RT RIC 315, and SMO framework 305 can include one or more interfaces or be coupled to one or more interfaces that are configured to receive or transmit signals, data, or information (collectively referred to as signals) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. Each unit or an associated processor or controller that provides instructions to one or more communication interfaces of a respective unit can be configured to communicate with one or more other units via the transmission medium. In some examples, each unit can include a wired interface and a wireless interface, the wired interface being configured to receive signals or transmit signals to one or more other units via a wired transmission medium, and the wireless interface can include a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver (such as an RF transceiver) that is configured to receive signals or transmit signals to one or more other units via a wireless transmission medium or both.

[0066] In some aspects, the CU 310 may host one or more higher layer control functions. Such control functions may include radio resource control (RRC) functions, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) functions, or service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) functions, etc. Each control function may be implemented using an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by the CU 310. The CU 310 may be configured to handle user plane functionality (e.g., central unit - user plane (CU - UP) functionality), control plane functionality (e.g., central unit - control plane (CU - CP) functionality), or a combination thereof. In some specific implementations, the CU 310 may be logically split into one or more CU - UP units and one or more CU - CP units. When implemented in an O - RAN configuration, the CU - UP units may communicate bidirectionally with the CU - CP units via an interface such as the E1 interface. As needed, the CU 310 may be implemented to communicate with the DU 330 for network control and signaling.

[0067] Each DU 330 may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions for controlling the operation of one or more RUs 340. In some aspects, the DU 330 may host at least part of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, and one or more of the higher physical (PHY) layers, at least in part according to a functional split (such as the functional split defined by 3GPP). In some aspects, one or more of the higher PHY layers may be implemented by one or more modules for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, and modulation and demodulation, etc. In some aspects, the DU 330 may also host one or more lower PHY layers, such as those implemented by one or more modules for fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, or physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, etc. Each layer (which may also be referred to as a module) may be implemented using an interface that is configured to communicate signals with other layers (and modules) hosted by the DU 330 or with control functions hosted by the CU 310.

[0068] Each RU 340 can implement low-layer functionality. In some deployments, the RU 340 controlled by the DU 330 can correspond to a logical node that hosts RF processing functions or low PHY layer functions, such as performing FFT, performing iFFT, digital beamforming, or PRACH extraction and filtering, etc., based on functional split (e.g., functional split defined by 3GPP) such as low-layer functional split. In such an architecture, each RU 340 can be operated to handle over-the-air (OTA) communication with one or more UEs 120. In some specific implementations, the real-time and non-real-time aspects of the control plane and user plane communication with the RU 340 can be controlled by the corresponding DU 330. In some scenarios, this configuration can enable each DU 330 and CU 310 to be implemented in a cloud-based RAN architecture such as a vRAN architecture.

[0069] The SMO framework 305 can be configured to support the RAN deployment and orchestration of non-virtualized network elements and virtualized network elements. For non-virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 305 can be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements, and these dedicated physical resources can be managed via an operation and maintenance interface such as the O1 interface. For virtualized network elements, the SMO framework 305 can be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform such as the Open Cloud (O-Cloud) platform 390 to perform network element lifecycle management (such as instantiating virtualized network elements) via a cloud computing platform interface such as the O2 interface. Such virtualized network elements can include, but are not limited to, CU 310, DU 330, RU 340, non-RT RIC 315, and near-RT RIC 325. In some specific implementations, the SMO framework 305 can communicate with the hardware aspect of the 4G RAN (such as the Open eNB (O-eNB) 311) via the O1 interface. Additionally, in some specific implementations, the SMO framework 305 can directly communicate with each RU in one or more RUs 340 via the corresponding O1 interface. The SMO framework 305 can also include a non-RT RIC 315 configured to support the functionality of the SMO framework 305.

[0070] The non-RT RIC 315 can be configured to include logic functions that enable non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) workflows including model training and updating, or policy-based guidance of applications / features in the near-RT RIC 325. The non-RT RIC 315 can be coupled to (such as via the A1 interface) or communicate with the near-RT RIC 325. The near-RT RIC 325 can be configured to include logic functions that enable near-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via an interface (such as via the E2 interface) through data collection and actions, and this interface connects one or more CUs 310, one or more DUs 330, or both, and the O-eNB to the near-RT RIC 325.

[0071] In some specific implementations, to generate the AI / ML model to be deployed in the near-RT RIC 325, the non-RT RIC 315 can receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information can be utilized by the near-RT RIC 325 and can be received from non-network data sources or from network functions at the SMO framework 305 or at the non-RT RIC 315. In some examples, the non-RT RIC 315 or the near-RT RIC 325 can be configured to tune RAN behavior or performance. For example, the non-RT RIC 315 can monitor long-term trends and patterns of performance and employ an AI / ML model to perform corrective actions through the SMO framework 305 (such as reconfiguration via the O1 interface) or via the creation of RAN management policies (such as A1 interface policies).

[0072] As indicated above, Figure 3 is provided as an example. Other examples may be different from the examples described with respect to Figure 3 which are described.

[0073] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example downlink (DL)-centric time slot or communication structure 400 (with one or more DL symbols) and an uplink (UL)-centric time slot or communication structure 408 (with one or more UL symbols) according to the present disclosure. The DL-centric time slot (or wireless communication structure) 400 can include a control portion 402 during which a scheduling entity (e.g., a UE or a BS) sends various scheduling information or control information corresponding to respective parts of the DL-centric time slot to a subordinate entity (e.g., a UE). The control portion 402 can be present in the initial or start portion of the DL-centric time slot 400. In some configurations, the control portion 402 can be a physical DL control channel PDCCH, as Figure 4as indicated. In some aspects, control section 402 may include legacy PDCCH information, shortened PDCCH (sPDCCH) information, control format indicator (CFI) values (e.g., carried on a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH)), one or more grants (e.g., a downlink grant, or an uplink grant), etc., or combinations thereof.

[0074] The DL-centric time slot 400 may also include a DL data section 404 during which a scheduling entity (e.g., a UE or a BS) uses communication resources for conveying DL data to send DL data to a subordinate entity (e.g., a UE). The DL data section 404 may sometimes be referred to as the payload of the DL-centric time slot 400. In some configurations, the DL data section 404 may be a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0075] The DL-centric time slot 400 may also include a UL short burst section 406 during which a subordinate entity (e.g., a UE) uses communication resources for conveying UL data to send a reference signal or feedback to a scheduling entity (e.g., a UE or a BS). The UL short burst section 406 may sometimes be referred to as a UL burst, a UL burst section, a common UL burst, a short burst, a UL short burst, a common UL short burst, a common UL short burst section, or various other suitable terms. In some aspects, the UL short burst section 406 may include one or more reference signals. Additionally or alternatively, the UL short burst section 406 may include feedback information corresponding to various other parts of the DL-centric time slot 400. For example, the UL short burst section 406 may include feedback information corresponding to the control section 402 or the data section 404. Non-limiting examples of information that may be included in the UL short burst section 406 include an acknowledgement (ACK) signal (e.g., a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) ACK, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) ACK, or an immediate ACK), a negative acknowledgement (NACK) signal (e.g., a PUCCH NACK, a PUSCH NACK, or an immediate NACK), a scheduling request (SR), a buffer status report (BSR), a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) indicator, a channel state indication (CSI), a channel quality indicator (CQI), a sounding reference signal (SRS), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), PUSCH data, or various other suitable types of information. The UL short burst section 406 may include additional or alternative information, such as information related to a random access channel (RACH) procedure, a scheduling request, and various other suitable types of information.

[0076] As Figure 4As illustrated, the end of the DL data portion 404 can be temporally separated from the start of the UL short burst portion 406. This temporal separation can sometimes be referred to as a gap, guard period, guard interval, or various other suitable terms. This separation provides time for the handover from DL communication (e.g., a receive operation by a subordinate entity such as a BS or UE) to UL communication (e.g., a transmit operation by a subordinate entity such as a UE). The foregoing provides some examples of DL-centric wireless communication structures, but alternative structures with similar characteristics may exist without departing from the aspects described herein.

[0077] The UL-centric time slot (or wireless communication structure) 408 can include a control portion 410. The control portion 410 can be present in the initial or start portion of the UL-centric time slot 408. The control portion 410 can be similar to the control portion 402 described above with reference to the DL-centric time slot 400. The UL-centric time slot 408 can also include a UL long burst portion 412. The UL long burst portion 412 can sometimes be referred to as the payload of the UL-centric time slot 408. The term "UL portion" can refer to communication resources for conveying UL data from a subordinate entity (e.g., a UE) to a scheduling entity (e.g., a UE or BS). In some configurations, the control portion 410 can be a physical DL control channel PDCCH.

[0078] As illustrated, the end of the control portion 410 can be temporally separated from the start of the UL long burst portion 412. This temporal separation can sometimes be referred to as a gap, guard period, guard interval, or various other suitable terms. This separation provides time for the handover from DL communication (e.g., a receive operation by a scheduling entity) to UL communication (e.g., a transmit operation by a scheduling entity).

[0079] The UL-centric time slot 408 can also include a UL short burst portion 414. The UL short burst portion 414 can be similar to the UL short burst portion 406 described above with reference to the DL-centric time slot 400, and can include any of the information described above. The foregoing is only one example of a UL-centric wireless communication structure, and alternative structures with similar characteristics may exist without departing from the aspects described herein.

[0080] In one example, a wireless communication structure (such as a frame) can include both UL-centric time slots and DL-centric time slots. In this example, the ratio of UL-centric time slots to DL-centric time slots in the frame can be dynamically adjusted based at least in part on the amount of UL data and DL data being transmitted. For example, if there is more UL data, the ratio of UL-centric time slots to DL-centric time slots can be increased. Conversely, if there is more DL data, the ratio of UL-centric time slots to DL-centric time slots can be decreased.

[0081] As indicated above, Figure 4 is provided as an example. Other examples may be different from those Figure 4 provided.

[0082] Flexible symbols can be inserted between the transmission of DL data and UL data. The flexible symbols can be used for DL data or UL data, depending on which type of data is needed at a particular time. For example, if DL communication will exceed the number of available DL symbols, one or more flexible symbols can be used to transmit DL data, effectively allowing more DL data to be transmitted within a particular transmission mode. Conversely, if UL communication will exceed the number of available UL symbols, one or more flexible symbols can be used to transmit UL data.

[0083] The switching time (also referred to as the "DL-UL switching time") occurs between a specified DL symbol and a UL symbol. In the case where there are flexible symbols between the DL symbol and the UL symbol, one of these flexible symbols can be used for the DL-UL switching time. For example, if DL communication can be completed within a specified number of DL symbols, the first flexible symbol can be used as the DL-UL switching time. When one of these flexible symbols is used as the DL-UL switching time, the communication during that symbol can be discarded. Additionally, restricting the DL-UL switching time to a flexible symbol results in network inefficiency. For example, sometimes, not all DL symbols are needed to transmit DL communication, yet the DL-UL switching time occurs during a flexible symbol where UL communication might occur.

[0084] Some of the techniques and apparatuses described herein are for receiving a configuration of a transmission mode that includes a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear in the transmission mode before the first uplink symbol of the one or more uplink symbols and after the last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols, where the DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols; and for transmitting uplink communication during the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time. Thus, the UE can operate more efficiently. For example, the DL-UL switching time occurring during an unused DL symbol means that the first flexible symbol can be used for UL communication, which means that the signal transmitted during that time will not be discarded, thereby reducing the number of UL retransmissions by the UE. Thus, the UL-DL channel efficiency within a time slot can also be improved.

[0085] Some of the techniques and apparatuses described herein are for transmitting a configuration of a transmission mode that includes a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear before the one or more uplink symbols and after the last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols, where the DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols; and after the DL-UL switching time, uplink communication is received during the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols. Accordingly, network nodes can operate more efficiently. When the UE uses an unused DL symbol for the DL-UL switching time, it is less likely that the network node will discard signals transmitted during the flexible symbols, such as SRS signals. Accordingly, network scheduling can be dynamically changed based on, for example, SRS signaling to improve high data rate user activity.

[0086] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating example 500 associated with a flexible DL-UL switching time according to the present disclosure. As Figure 5 shown, example 500 includes an original transmission mode 505 having 10 DL symbols (index 0 to index 9) dedicated to DL communication (shown as "D"). Two symbols (index 10 to index 11) are flexible symbols (shown as "F"). Finally, in example 500, two symbols (index 11 to index 13) are UL symbols (shown as "U"). If all DL symbols are scheduled for DL communication, the DL-UL switching time can occur at the first flexible symbol at index 10.

[0087] Example 500 also includes an updated transmission mode 510 after determining that one or more of these DL symbols will not be used for DL communication. For example, the DL symbol at index 9 can be identified as an unused DL symbol. In this case, the DL-UL switching time can occur at index 9 in the original transmission mode 505 instead of index 10.

[0088] In some aspects, the last DL symbol (e.g., the DL symbol at index 9) can be selected for the DL-UL switching time regardless of how many unused DL symbols are available. For example, if the DL symbols at index 8 to index 9 are unused DL symbols, the DL symbol at index 9 can be used for the DL-UL switching time. In some aspects, another DL symbol other than the last DL symbol can be selected for the DL-UL switching time. For example, the first unused DL symbol, the second unused DL symbol, or any other unused DL symbol can be selected for the DL-UL switching time.

[0089] As indicated above, Figure 5is provided as an example. Other examples may be different from the example described with respect to Figure 5 the example described above.

[0090] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating Example 600 associated with flexible DL-UL switching times according to the present disclosure. As Figure 6 shown, network node 110 and UE 120 may communicate with each other.

[0091] As indicated by reference numeral 605, the network node may send a configuration of the transmission mode, and the UE may receive the configuration of the transmission mode. The transmission mode may be similar to the original transmission mode 505 discussed above with reference to Figure 5 the above. For example, the transmission mode conveyed at reference numeral 605 may indicate one or more DL symbols, one or more flexible symbols to appear after these DL symbols, and one or more UL symbols to appear after these flexible symbols.

[0092] As indicated by reference numeral 610, the network node may send a start and length indication value (SLIV) via, for example, RRC reconfiguration, and the UE may receive the start and length indication value (SLIV) via, for example, RRC reconfiguration. The SLIV may be sent by the network node on a downlink communication channel (such as the PDSCH). In some instances, the network node may send multiple SLIVs configured via RRC signaling, and the UE may receive multiple SLIVs configured via RRC signaling. The scheduler of the network node (such as scheduler 206) may change the time-domain index of the required SLIV via, for example, downlink control information (DCI) signaling. In some aspects, the SLIV may indicate a lower number of DL symbols than the number of DL symbols allocated in the transmission mode.

[0093] As indicated by reference numeral 615, the UE may update the DL-UL switching time to occur during one of the unused DL symbols in the unused DL symbols. In some aspects, the UE may update the DL-UL switching time to occur during one of the unused DL symbols according to the SLIV received at reference numeral 610. For example, if the SLIV indicates that DL communication will not require all of the allocated DL symbols, the UE may schedule the DL-UL switching time to occur during one or more of the unused DL symbols. In some aspects, the UE does not need to evaluate each SLIV. For example, the UE may consider the SLIV indicating the maximum number of used DL symbols and dynamically modify the DL-UL switching time to occur during the unused DL symbol associated with the SLIV indicating the maximum number of DL symbols, even if other SLIVs indicate more unused DL symbols. In some aspects, the UE may schedule the DL-UL switching time to occur during the last unused DL symbol among the unused DL symbols (e.g., the last DL symbol before the first flexible symbol). By making the DL-UL switching time occur during one of the unused DL symbols (such as the last unused DL symbol) among the unused DL symbols, the first flexible symbol can be used for UL communication, which reduces the risk of, for example, discarding the SRS communicated at the first flexible symbol.

[0094] As indicated by reference numeral 620, the UE may send UL communication during the first flexible symbol, and the network node may receive UL communication during the first flexible symbol. Since the DL-UL switching time occurs during the last unused DL symbol, the first flexible symbol can be used for UL communication. For example, the UE may send an SRS during the first flexible signal to provide CSI to the network node. If the DL-UL switching time does not occur during one of the unused DL symbols, the UE will not be able to send an SRS (or any other UL communication) during the first flexible symbol. At least in part based on the actions of the UE, the network node, or a combination thereof, the UE and / or the network node may communicate more efficiently with each other, resulting in lower energy usage, reduced error rates, improved latency, or a combination thereof, etc.

[0095] As indicated above, Figure 6 is provided as an example. Other examples may be different from the examples described with respect to Figure 6 described.

[0096] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example process 700 performed, for example, by a UE in accordance with the present disclosure. The example process 700 is an example in which a UE (e.g., UE 120) performs operations associated with a flexible DL-UL switching time.

[0097] As Figure 7 shown, in some aspects, process 700 may include: receiving a configuration of a transmission mode that includes a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear in the transmission mode before a first uplink symbol of the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols, where a DL-UL handover time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols (block 710). For example, a UE (e.g., using the communication manager 140 and / or the receiving component 902 depicted in Figure 9 ) may receive a configuration of a transmission mode that includes a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear in the transmission mode before a first uplink symbol of the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols, where a DL-UL handover time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols, as described above.

[0098] As Figure 7 further shown, in some aspects, process 700 may include: after the DL-UL handover time, transmitting uplink communication during a first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols (block 720). For example, a UE (e.g., using the communication manager 140 and / or the transmitting component 904 depicted in Figure 9 ) may transmit uplink communication after the DL-UL handover time and during a first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols, as described above.

[0099] Process 700 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in combination with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0100] In a first aspect, process 700 includes: receiving a scheduling associated with downlink communication, where the scheduling indicates that the downlink communication will be received during less than all of the downlink symbols of the plurality of downlink symbols, thereby generating one or more unused downlink symbols.

[0101] In a second aspect, either alone or in combination with the first aspect, process 700 includes: configuring one of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL-UL handover time.

[0102] In a third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, process 700 includes: configuring the last unused downlink symbol among the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL-UL switching time.

[0103] In a fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, process 700 includes: configuring the first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols for uplink communication occurring after the DL-UL switching time.

[0104] In a fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, receiving the scheduling includes: receiving a start and length indication value (SLIV).

[0105] In a sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, process 700 includes: identifying the one or more unused downlink symbols according to the SLIV received via RRC reconfiguration.

[0106] In a seventh aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, the SLIV is received via downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

[0107] In an eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, process 700 includes: predicting the number of unused downlink symbols at least partially based on the SLIV.

[0108] In a ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eighth aspects, the uplink communication transmitted during the first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols includes one or more of the following: a sounding reference signal (SRS), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) signal, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) signal, or a physical random access channel (PRACH) signal.

[0109] Although Figure 7 example boxes of process 700 are shown, in some aspects, process 700 may include additional boxes, fewer boxes, different boxes, or boxes arranged in a different manner compared to those depicted in Figure 7 Additionally or alternatively, two or more boxes of process 700 may be executed in parallel.

[0110] Figure 8FIG. 0 is a diagram illustrating an example process 800, such as may be performed by a network node, according to the present disclosure. Example process 800 is an example in which a network node (e.g., network node 110) performs operations associated with a flexible DL-UL switching time.

[0111] As Figure 8 shown, in some aspects, process 800 may include: transmitting a configuration of a transmission pattern including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear before the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols, where a DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols (block 810). For example, a network node (e.g., using the communication manager 150 and / or the transmission component 1004 depicted in Figure 10 FIG. ) may transmit a configuration of a transmission pattern including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear before the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols, where a DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols, as described above.

[0112] As Figure 8 further shown, in some aspects, process 800 may include: receiving uplink communication during a first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time (block 820). For example, a network node (e.g., using the communication manager 150 and / or the receiving component 1002 depicted in Figure 10 FIG. ) may receive uplink communication during a first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time, as described above.

[0113] Process 800 may include additional aspects, such as any individual aspect or any combination of aspects described below and / or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0114] In a first aspect, process 800 includes: outputting or configuring a schedule associated with downlink communication, where the schedule indicates that the downlink communication will be received during less than all of the plurality of downlink symbols, thereby creating one or more unused downlink symbols.

[0115] In a second aspect, either alone or in combination with the first aspect, process 800 includes: configuring one of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL-UL handover time.

[0116] In a third aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, process 800 includes: configuring the last of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL-UL handover time.

[0117] In a fourth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, process 800 includes: configuring the first of the one or more flexible symbols for uplink communication that occurs after the DL-UL handover time.

[0118] In a fifth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, outputting or configuring the scheduling includes: outputting or configuring the SLIV.

[0119] In a sixth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, process 800 includes: identifying the one or more unused downlink symbols based on the SLIV.

[0120] In a seventh aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, the SLIV is output or configured via DCI signaling.

[0121] In an eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, the uplink communication received during the first of the one or more flexible symbols includes one or more of the following: SRS, PUCCH signal, PUSCH signal, or PRACH signal.

[0122] Although Figure 8 illustrative blocks of process 800 are shown, in some aspects, process 800 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks arranged in a different manner compared to those depicted in Figure 8 Additionally or alternatively, two or more blocks of process 800 may be executed in parallel.

[0123] Figure 9FIG. 0 is a diagram of an example apparatus 900 for wireless communication in accordance with the present disclosure. The apparatus 900 may be a UE, or the UE may include the apparatus 900. In some aspects, the apparatus 900 includes a receiving component 902 and a transmitting component 904, which may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). As shown, the apparatus 900 may communicate with another apparatus 906 (such as a UE, a base station, or another wireless communication device) using the receiving component 902 and the transmitting component 904. As further shown, the apparatus 900 may include a communication manager 140. The communication manager 140 may include one or more of a configuration component 908, an identification component 910, a prediction component 912, etc.

[0124] In some aspects, the apparatus 900 may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in connection with Figures 4 to 6 Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 900 may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as Figure 7 process 700. In some aspects, Figure 9 the apparatus 900 and / or one or more components shown may include one or more components of the UE described in connection with Figure 2 Additionally or alternatively, Figure 9 one or more components shown may be implemented within one or more components described in connection with Figure 2 Additionally or alternatively, one or more components of a set of components may be at least partially implemented as software stored in a memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by a controller or processor to perform the functions or operations of the component.

[0125] The receiving component 902 may receive communications from the apparatus 906, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof. The receiving component 902 may provide the received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus 900. In some aspects, the receiving component 902 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplifying, demodulating, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, demapping, equalizing, interference cancellation, or decoding, etc.) on the received communications and may provide the processed signals to one or more other components of the apparatus 900. In some aspects, the receiving component 902 may include one or more antennas, modems, demodulators, MIMO detectors, receive processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the UE described in connection with Figure 2

[0126] The transmitting component 904 may send communications to the device 906, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof. In some aspects, one or more other components of the device 900 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmitting component 904 for transmission to the device 906. In some aspects, the transmitting component 904 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, etc.) on the generated communications and may send the processed signals to the device 906. In some aspects, the transmitting component 904 may include one or more antennas, modems, modulators, transmit MIMO processors, transmit processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the UE described in conjunction with Figure 2 In some aspects, the transmitting component 904 may be co-located with the receiving component 902 in a transceiver.

[0127] The receiving component 902 may receive a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear in the transmission mode before the first uplink symbol of the one or more uplink symbols and after the last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols, and where the DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols. The transmitting component 904 may send an uplink communication during the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time.

[0128] The receiving component 902 may receive a schedule associated with downlink communication, where the schedule indicates that the downlink communication will be received during less than all of the downlink symbols of the plurality of downlink symbols, thereby resulting in one or more unused downlink symbols.

[0129] The configuration component 908 may configure one of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL-UL switching time.

[0130] The configuration component 908 may configure the last unused downlink symbol of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL-UL switching time.

[0131] The configuration component 908 may configure the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols for uplink communication that occurs after the DL-UL switching time.

[0132] The identification component 910 may identify the one or more unused downlink symbols according to the SLIV.

[0133] The prediction component 912 may predict the number of unused downlink symbols based at least in part on the SLIV.

[0134] Figure 9 The number and arrangement of the illustrated components are provided as an example. In fact, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged in a different manner compared to Figure 9 those illustrated. Additionally, Figure 9 two or more of the illustrated components may be implemented within a single component, or Figure 9 a single illustrated component may be implemented as multiple distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, Figure 9 a set of the illustrated component(s) may perform one or more functions described to be performed by Figure 9 another set of the illustrated components.

[0135] Figure 10 FIG. is a diagram of an example apparatus 1000 for wireless communication in accordance with the present disclosure. The apparatus 1000 may be a network node, or a network node may include the apparatus 1000. In some aspects, the apparatus 1000 includes a receiving component 1002 and a transmitting component 1004, which may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). As shown, the apparatus 1000 may communicate with another apparatus 1006 (such as a UE, a base station, or another wireless communication device) using the receiving component 1002 and the transmitting component 1004. As further shown, the apparatus 1000 may include a communication manager 150. The communication manager 150 may include one or more of a configuration component 1008 or an identification component 1010, etc.

[0136] In some aspects, the apparatus 1000 may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in connection with Figures 4 to 6 Additional or alternative, the apparatus 1000 may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as Figure 8 process 800. In some aspects, Figure 10 the illustrated apparatus 1000 and / or one or more components may include one or more components of the network node described in connection with Figure 2 Additional or alternative, Figure 10 one or more of the illustrated components may be implemented within one or more components described in connection with Figure 2 Additional or alternative, one or more components of a set of components may be at least partially implemented as software stored in a memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code that is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and is executable by a controller or a processor to perform the functions or operations of the component.

[0137] The receiving component 1002 may receive communications from the device 1006, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof. The receiving component 1002 may provide the received communications to one or more other components of the device 1000. In some aspects, the receiving component 1002 may perform signal processing on the received communications (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, demapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding, etc.), and may provide the processed signals to one or more other components of the device 1000. In some aspects, the receiving component 1002 may include one or more antennas, modems, demodulators, MIMO detectors, receiving processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the network nodes described in conjunction with Figure 2 the network nodes described.

[0138] The transmitting component 1004 may transmit communications to the device 1006, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof. In some aspects, one or more other components of the device 1000 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to the transmitting component 1004 for transmission to the device 1006. In some aspects, the transmitting component 1004 may perform signal processing on the generated communications (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, etc.), and may transmit the processed signals to the device 1006. In some aspects, the transmitting component 1004 may include one or more antennas, modems, modulators, transmit MIMO processors, transmit processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the network nodes described in conjunction with Figure 2 the network nodes described. In some aspects, the transmitting component 1004 may be co-located with the receiving component 1002 in a transceiver.

[0139] The transmitting component 1004 may transmit a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, wherein the one or more flexible symbols appear before the one or more uplink symbols and after the last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols, wherein the DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols. The receiving component 1002 may receive uplink communications during the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time.

[0140] The transmitting component 1004 may output or configure a schedule associated with downlink communications, wherein the schedule indicates that the downlink communications will be received during less than all of the plurality of downlink symbols, thereby creating one or more unused downlink symbols.

[0141] The configuration component 1008 can configure one of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL-UL handover time.

[0142] The configuration component 1008 can configure the last unused downlink symbol among the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL-UL handover time.

[0143] The configuration component 1008 can configure the first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols for uplink communication that occurs after the DL-UL handover time.

[0144] The identification component 1010 can identify the one or more unused downlink symbols according to the SLIV.

[0145] Figure 10 The number and arrangement of the illustrated components are provided as an example. In fact, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged in a different manner compared to Figure 10 the components shown. Additionally, Figure 10 two or more of the illustrated components can be implemented within a single component, or Figure 10 a single illustrated component can be implemented as multiple distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, Figure 10 a set of the illustrated (one or more) components can perform one or more functions described as being performed by Figure 10 another set of the illustrated components.

[0146] An overview of some aspects of the present disclosure is provided below:

[0147] Aspect 1: A method of wireless communication performed by a UE, the method including: receiving a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, where the one or more flexible symbols appear in the transmission mode before a first uplink symbol among the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols, where a DL-UL handover time occurs during an unused downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols; and transmitting uplink communication during the first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL handover time.

[0148] Aspect 2: The method according to Aspect 1, the method further comprising: receiving a scheduling associated with downlink communication, wherein the scheduling indicates that the downlink communication will be received during less than all of the plurality of downlink symbols, thereby generating one or more unused downlink symbols.

[0149] Aspect 3: The method according to Aspect 2, the method further comprising: configuring one of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL-UL switching time.

[0150] Aspect 4: The method according to Aspect 2, the method further comprising: configuring the last one of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL-UL switching time.

[0151] Aspect 5: The method according to Aspect 2, the method further comprising: configuring the first one of the one or more flexible symbols for uplink communication occurring after the DL-UL switching time.

[0152] Aspect 6: The method according to Aspect 2, wherein receiving the scheduling comprises: receiving a start and length indication value (SLIV).

[0153] Aspect 7: The method according to Aspect 6, the method further comprising: identifying the one or more unused downlink symbols according to the SLIV received via RRC reconfiguration.

[0154] Aspect 8: The method according to Aspect 6, wherein the SLIV is received via downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

[0155] Aspect 9: The method according to Aspect 6, the method further comprising: predicting the number of unused downlink symbols at least partially based on the SLIV.

[0156] Aspect 10: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein the uplink communication transmitted during the first one of the one or more flexible symbols comprises one or more of the following: sounding reference signal (SRS), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) signal, physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) signal, or physical random access channel (PRACH) signal.

[0157] Aspect 11: A method for wireless communication performed by a network node, the method comprising: transmitting a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, wherein the one or more flexible symbols appear before the one or more uplink symbols and after the last downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols, wherein a DL-UL switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols; and receiving uplink communication during the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols after the DL-UL switching time.

[0158] Aspect 12: The method according to aspect 11, the method further comprising: outputting or configuring a schedule associated with downlink communication, wherein the schedule indicates that the downlink communication will be received during less than all of the plurality of downlink symbols, thereby generating one or more unused downlink symbols.

[0159] Aspect 13: The method according to aspect 12, the method further comprising: configuring one of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL-UL switching time.

[0160] Aspect 14: The method according to aspect 12, the method further comprising: configuring a last unused downlink symbol of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL-UL switching time.

[0161] Aspect 15: The method according to aspect 12, the method further comprising: configuring the first flexible symbol of the one or more flexible symbols for uplink communication occurring after the DL-UL switching time.

[0162] Aspect 16: The method according to aspect 12, wherein outputting or configuring the schedule comprises: outputting or configuring a start and length indication value (SLIV).

[0163] Aspect 17: The method according to aspect 16, the method further comprising: identifying the one or more unused downlink symbols according to the SLIV.

[0164] Aspect 18: The method according to aspect 16, wherein the SLIV is output or configured via downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

[0165] Aspect 19: The method according to any one of Aspects 11 to 18, wherein the uplink communication received during the first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols includes one or more of the following: a sounding reference signal (SRS), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) signal, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) signal, or a physical random access channel (PRACH) signal.

[0166] Aspect 20: An apparatus for wireless communication at a device, the apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to one or more of Aspects 1 to 19.

[0167] Aspect 21: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to perform the method according to one or more of Aspects 1 to 19.

[0168] Aspect 22: An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: at least one component for performing the method according to one or more of Aspects 1 to 19.

[0169] Aspect 23: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code including instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to one or more of Aspects 1 to 19.

[0170] Aspect 24: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication, the instruction set including one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform the method according to one or more of Aspects 1 to 19.

[0171] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure, or may be obtained from practice of the aspects.

[0172] As used herein, the term "component" is intended to be broadly construed as hardware and / or a combination of hardware and software. Whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise, "software" shall be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, processes, and / or functions, and the like. As used herein, a "processor" is implemented in hardware and / or a combination of hardware and software. It will be apparent that the systems and / or methods described herein may be implemented in different forms of hardware and / or combinations of hardware and software. The actual specific control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods does not limit the aspects. Accordingly, the operation and behavior of the systems and / or methods are not described herein with reference to specific software code, as those skilled in the art will understand that the software and hardware can be designed, at least in part, based on the description herein to implement the systems and / or methods.

[0173] As used herein, depending on the context, "meeting a threshold" may mean that a value is greater than a threshold, greater than or equal to a threshold, less than a threshold, less than or equal to a threshold, equal to a threshold, not equal to a threshold, and the like.

[0174] Although specific combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the aspects. Many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or not disclosed in the specification. The disclosure of each aspect includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the set of claims. As used herein, the phrase referring to "at least one of" a list of items refers to any combination of those items (which includes a single member). By way of example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover a, b, c, a + b, a + c, b + c, and a + b + c, as well as any combination with multiple identical elements (e.g., a + a, a + a + a, a + a + b, a + a + c, a + b + b, a + c + c, b + b, b + b + b, b + b + c, c + c, and c + c + c, or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

[0175] None of the elements, acts, or instructions used herein shall be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Additionally, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with "one or more." Further, as used herein, the article "the" is intended to include one or more items referred to in conjunction with the article "the" and may be used interchangeably with "one or more." Additionally, as used herein, the terms "set" and "group" are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with "one or more." If only intending to refer to a single item, the phrase "only one" or similar language will be used. Additionally, as used herein, the terms "has," "having," etc. are intended to be open-ended terms that do not limit the elements they modify (e.g., an element "having" A may also have B). Further, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "at least partially based on" unless otherwise explicitly stated. Additionally, as used herein, the term "or" when used in a series is intended to be open-ended and may be used interchangeably with "and / or" unless otherwise explicitly stated (e.g., if used in conjunction with "either" or "only one").

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, the UE comprising: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to: receive a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, wherein the one or more flexible symbols appear before a first uplink symbol among the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols in the transmission mode, and wherein a downlink - uplink (DL - UL) switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols; and after the DL - UL switching time, transmit uplink communication during a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receive a scheduling associated with downlink communication, wherein the scheduling indicates that the downlink communication will be received during less than all of the downlink symbols among the plurality of downlink symbols, thereby generating one or more unused downlink symbols.

3. The UE according to claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: configure one of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL - UL switching time.

4. The UE according to claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: configure a last unused downlink symbol among the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL - UL switching time.

5. The UE according to claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: configure the first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols for uplink communication occurring after the DL - UL switching time.

6. The UE according to claim 2, wherein, to receive the scheduling, the one or more processors are configured to: receive a start and length indication value (SLIV).

7. The UE according to claim 6, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: identify the one or more unused downlink symbols according to the SLIV received via radio resource control re - configuration.

8. The UE according to claim 6, wherein the SLIV is received via downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

9. The UE according to claim 6, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: predict the number of unused downlink symbols at least partially based on the SLIV.

10. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the uplink communication transmitted during the first of the one or more flexible symbols comprises one or more of the following: a sounding reference signal (SRS), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) signal, a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) signal, or a physical random access channel (PRACH) signal.

11. A network node for wireless communication, the network node comprising: a memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to: transmit a configuration of a transmission mode comprising a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, wherein the one or more flexible symbols appear before the one or more uplink symbols and after the last of the plurality of downlink symbols, wherein a downlink - uplink (DL - UL) switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol of the plurality of downlink symbols and before the first of the one or more flexible symbols; and receive uplink communication during the first of the one or more flexible symbols after the DL - UL switching time.

12. The network node according to claim 11, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: output or configure a schedule associated with downlink communication, wherein the schedule indicates that the downlink communication will be received during less than all of the plurality of downlink symbols, thereby creating one or more unused downlink symbols.

13. The network node according to claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: configure one of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL - UL switching time.

14. The network node according to claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: configure the last of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL - UL switching time.

15. The network node according to claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: configure the first of the one or more flexible symbols for uplink communication occurring after the DL - UL switching time.

16. The network node according to claim 12, wherein, in order to output or configure the schedule, the one or more processors are configured to: output or configure a start and length indication value (SLIV); and identify the one or more unused downlink symbols based on the SLIV.

17. A method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: Receive a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, wherein the one or more flexible symbols appear before a first uplink symbol among the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols, and wherein a downlink - uplink (DL - UL) switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols; And After the DL - UL switching time, transmit uplink communication during a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols.

18. The method according to claim 17, the method further comprising: Receive a scheduling associated with downlink communication, wherein the scheduling indicates that the downlink communication will be received during less than all of the downlink symbols among the plurality of downlink symbols, thereby generating one or more unused downlink symbols.

19. The method according to claim 18, the method further comprising: Configure one of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL - UL switching time.

20. The method according to claim 18, the method further comprising: Configure a last unused downlink symbol among the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL - UL switching time.

21. The method according to claim 18, the method further comprising: Configure the first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols for uplink communication occurring after the DL - UL switching time.

22. The method according to claim 18, wherein receiving the scheduling comprises: Receive a start and length indication value (SLIV).

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the method further comprises: Identify the one or more unused downlink symbols according to the SLIV received via radio resource control reconfiguration.

24. The method according to claim 22, the method further comprising: Predict the number of unused downlink symbols at least partially based on the SLIV.

25. A method of wireless communication performed by a network node, the method including: Transmit a configuration of a transmission mode including a plurality of downlink symbols, one or more uplink symbols, and one or more flexible symbols, wherein the one or more flexible symbols appear before the one or more uplink symbols and after a last downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols, and wherein a downlink - uplink (DL - UL) switching time occurs during an unused downlink symbol among the plurality of downlink symbols and before a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols; And After the DL - UL switching time, receive uplink communication during a first flexible symbol among the one or more flexible symbols.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the method further comprises: Output or configure a scheduling associated with downlink communication, wherein the scheduling indicates that the downlink communication will be received during less than all of the downlink symbols among the plurality of downlink symbols, thereby generating one or more unused downlink symbols.

27. The method according to claim 26, the method further comprising: Configure one of the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL - UL switching time.

28. The method according to claim 26, the method further comprising: Configure a last unused downlink symbol among the one or more unused downlink symbols for the DL - UL switching time.

29. The method according to claim 26, wherein the method further comprises: Configure the first of the one or more flexible symbols for uplink communication that occurs after the DL-UL switching time.

30. The method according to claim 26, the method further comprising: Identify the one or more unused downlink symbols according to a start and length indication value (SLIV).

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