Slot Format Configuration of Smart Node

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a slot format configuration of a smart node, which includes receiving, by a network node, configuration information indicating types of some first symbols in a slot from a wireless communication node, the types including at least one of a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or a special symbol. The special symbol can cause the network node to perform one or more of a transfer based on the special symbol as needed, a detection based on the special symbol, a switching between DL and UL based on the special symbol, a beam switching based on the special symbol, a switching between an on state and an off state based on the special symbol, and being turned off based on the special symbol.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Technical Field The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication, and more particularly, to systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for slot format configuration of smart nodes.

Background Art

[0002] Background Coverage is a fundamental aspect of cellular network deployment. Mobile operators rely on blanket coverage to deliver a reliable cellular network deployment. Therefore, a new type of network node is desired to enhance the flexibility of mobile operators for network deployment.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] Summary An exemplary configuration relates to slot format configuration of a smart node. A wireless communication method may include receiving, by a network node, configuration information indicating a type of some first symbols in a slot from a wireless communication node, the type including at least one of a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or a special symbol.

[0004] The special symbol can cause the network node to perform one or more of transfer as needed based on the special symbol, detection based on the special symbol, switching between DL and UL based on the special symbol, beam switching based on the special symbol, switching between an on state and an off state based on the special symbol, and being turned off based on the special symbol.

[0005] The method can include receiving, by a network node, configuration information from a wireless communication node through signaling, where the signaling includes at least one of system information, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, media access control control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

[0006] For example, the configuration information does not indicate the types of some second symbols within a slot as downlink symbols or uplink symbols.

[0007] The method can include determining, by a network node, the type of the second symbol as a special symbol. The method can include determining, by a network node, the type of the second symbol as a flexible symbol.

[0008] For example, the type of some or all of the second symbols is configured as a special symbol. For example, the type of all of the second symbols is a special symbol. For example, the type of some of the second symbols is configured as a special symbol, and the type of some of the second symbols is configured as one of a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, an on state, or an off state. For example, the type of some of the second symbols is configured as a special symbol, and the type of the remaining one or more second symbols is a default downlink symbol or uplink symbol. For example, the configuration information indicates the type of each symbol within a slot as one of a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or a special symbol. For example, the configuration information does not indicate the types of some second symbols within a slot as downlink symbols, uplink symbols, or special symbols.

[0009] The method can include determining, by a network node, the type of a second symbol as a flexible symbol. The method can include determining, by a network node, the type of a second symbol as either a downlink symbol or an uplink symbol.

[0010] For example, the configuration information indicates the type of a first symbol in a slot as a special symbol, indicates that the second symbol is before the first symbol, and the method can include determining, by a network node, the type of the second symbol as a downlink symbol. For example, the configuration information indicates the type of a first symbol in a slot as a special symbol, indicates that the second symbol is after the first symbol, and the method can include determining, by a network node, the type of the second symbol as an uplink symbol. For example, the configuration information indicates the type of a first symbol in a slot as a special symbol, indicates that the second symbol is before the first symbol, and the method can include determining, by a network node, the type of the second symbol as an uplink symbol. For example, the configuration information indicates the type of a first symbol in a slot as a special symbol, indicates that the second symbol is after the first symbol, and the method can include determining, by a network node, the type of the second symbol as a downlink symbol. For example, the configuration information indicates the type of a first symbol in a slot as a special symbol, indicates that the second symbol is before the first symbol, and the method can include determining, by a network node, the type of the second symbol as the same type as the one closest to the second symbol among the first symbols. For example, the configuration information indicates the type of a first symbol in a slot as a special symbol, indicates that the second symbol is after the first symbol, and the method can include determining, by a network node, the type of the second symbol as the same type as the one closest to the second symbol among the first symbols.

[0011] The method can include a network node determining, within a second symbol, that a transfer unit of the network node is off, that the network node is off, or that a transfer link is off.

[0012] The method can include a network node receiving, via signaling from a wireless communication node, a message indicating the type of the second symbol as a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or an on / off state, the signaling including at least one of system information, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, medium access control control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

[0013] The method can include a network node receiving, via a first signaling from a wireless communication node, a first configuration indicating the type of the first symbol as a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or a flexible symbol, and a network node receiving, via a second signaling from the wireless communication node, a second configuration reconfiguring the type of the first symbol as a special symbol, the first signaling including at least one of system information, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, medium access control control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling, and the second signaling including at least one of radio resource control (RRC) signaling, medium access control control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

[0014] For example, the second configuration can consist of the following information, namely, the index of the slot, periodicity, reference subcarrier spacing, indication as a special symbol of the type of all symbols in the slot, index of the start symbol among the first symbols, length of the first symbol, bitmap, index corresponding to the slot format that can include the first symbol, or at least one of the functions of the first symbol.

[0015] The wireless communication device can include at least one processor and a memory, and the at least one processor is configured to read the code from the memory and implement the method. The computer program product can store and include computer-readable program media code that causes the at least one processor to implement the method when executed by the at least one processor.

[0016] The above and other aspects and their configurations are described in more detail by the drawings, this specification, and the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] Various exemplary configurations of the present solution are described in detail below with reference to the following figures or drawings. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and merely depict exemplary configurations of the present solution to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present solution. Therefore, the drawings should not be regarded as limiting the scope, extent, or applicability of the present solution. Note that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale for clarity and ease of explanation.

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[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION For enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the present solution, various exemplary configurations of the present solution are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, after reading the present disclosure, various changes or modifications to the examples described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the present solution. Therefore, the present solution is not limited to the exemplary configurations and applications described and illustrated herein. Further, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein is merely an exemplary approach. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps of the disclosed method or process can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present solution. Thus, those skilled in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or operations in a sample order, and the present solution is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented unless otherwise specified.

[0030] For example, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) can be associated with network nodes that do not require a wired backhaul. Another type of network node is an RF repeater that simply amplifies and forwards any signal it receives. The RF repeater can include a wide range of deployments in 2G, 3G, and 4G to supplement the coverage provided by normal full-stack cells. The RF repeater has only a radio unit.

[0031] The ability of a network control repeater to receive and process side control information from the network can enhance the RF repeater. The side control information can enable the network control repeater to perform its amplification and transfer operations in a more efficient manner. Potential benefits include reduction of unnecessary noise amplification, transmission and reception with better spatial directivity, and simplified network integration. A network-controlled repeater can be regarded as a basis for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), and the RIS nodes can adjust the phase and amplitude of the received signal to improve coverage.

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication network and / or system 100 in which the techniques disclosed herein may be implemented according to one configuration of the present disclosure. In the following description, the wireless communication network 100 may be any wireless network such as a cellular network or a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network, and is referred to herein as the "network 100". Such an exemplary network 100 includes base stations 102 (also referred to as wireless communication nodes) and UE devices 104 (hereinafter "UE 104", also referred to as wireless communication devices) that can communicate with each other via communication links 110 (e.g., wireless communication channels), and a cluster of cells 126, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 that overlap a geographic area 101. In FIG. 1, the base station 102 and the UE 104 are contained within the respective geographic boundaries of the cell 126. Each of the other cells 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 may include at least one base station operating in its assigned bandwidth to provide appropriate wireless coverage to its targeted users.

[0033] For example, base station 102 may operate in a channel transmission bandwidth allocated to provide appropriate coverage to UE 104. Base station 102 and UE 104 may communicate via downlink radio frame 118 and uplink radio frame 124, respectively. Each radio frame 118 / 124 may be further divided into subframes 120 / 127 that may include data symbols 122 / 128. In the present disclosure, base station 102 and UE 104 are generally described herein as non-limiting examples of "communication nodes" that can implement the methods disclosed herein. Such communication nodes may be capable of performing wireless communication and / or wired communication according to various configurations of the present solution.

[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system 200 for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals (e.g., OFDM / OFDMA signals) according to some configurations of the present disclosure. System 200 may include components and elements configured to support known or conventional operating features that need not be described in detail herein. In one exemplary configuration, system 200 can be used to communicate (e.g., transmit and receive) data symbols in a wireless communication environment such as wireless communication environment 100 of FIG. 1 as described above.

[0035] System 200 generally includes a base station 202 (hereinafter, "BS202") and a user equipment device 204 (hereinafter, "UE204"). BS202 includes a BS (base station) transceiver module 210, a BS antenna 212, a BS processor module 214, a BS memory module 216, and a network communication module 218, and each module is coupled and interconnected with each other as needed via a data communication bus 220. UE204 includes a UE (user equipment) transceiver module 230, a UE antenna 232, a UE memory module 234, and a UE processor module 236, and each module is coupled and interconnected with each other as needed via a data communication bus 240. BS202 communicates with UE204 via a communication channel 250, and the communication channel 250 can be any wireless channel or other medium suitable for data transmission as described herein.

[0036] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, system 200 may further include any number of modules other than those shown in FIG. 2. Those skilled in the art will understand that the various exemplary blocks, modules, circuits, and processing logics described in connection with the configurations disclosed herein can be implemented in hardware, computer-readable software, firmware, or any practical combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability and compatibility of hardware, firmware, and software, the various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are generally described in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software can depend on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art of the concepts described herein can implement such functionality in a manner suitable for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] According to some configurations, the UE transceiver 230 may be referred to herein as an "uplink" transceiver 230 that includes an RF transmitter and an RF receiver each having circuitry coupled to the antenna 232. Alternatively, a duplex switch (not shown) may couple the uplink transmitter or receiver to the uplink antenna in a time-division duplexing manner. Similarly, according to some configurations, the BS transceiver 210 may be referred to herein as a "downlink" transceiver 210 that includes an RF transmitter and an RF receiver each having circuitry coupled to the antenna 212. Alternatively, a downlink duplex switch may couple the downlink transmitter or receiver to the downlink antenna 212 in a time-division duplexing manner. The operations of the two transceiver modules 210 and 230 may be temporally coordinated such that the downlink transmitter is coupled to the downlink antenna 212 at the same time that the uplink receiver circuitry is coupled to the uplink antenna 232 for reception of transmissions over the wireless transmission link 250. Conversely, the operations of the two transceivers 210 and 230 may be temporally coordinated such that the uplink transmitter is coupled to the uplink antenna 232 at the same time that the downlink receiver is coupled to the downlink antenna 212 for reception of transmissions over the wireless transmission link 250. In some configurations, there is tight temporal synchronization with a minimum guard time during changes in the duplex direction.

[0038] The UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to communicate via a wireless data communication link 250 and cooperate with a suitably configured RF antenna array 212 / 232 that can support a specific wireless communication protocol and modulation scheme. In some exemplary configurations, the UE transceiver 210 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to support industry standards such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and the newly emerging 5G standards. However, it is understood that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to specific standards and associated protocols in its application. Rather, the UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 may be configured to support alternative or additional wireless data communication protocols, including future standards or variations thereof.

[0039] According to various configurations, the BS 202 may be, for example, an evolved Node B (eNB), a gNB, a serving eNB, a target eNB, a femtocell, or a picocell. In some configurations, the UE 204 may be embodied in various types of user devices such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet, a laptop computer, a wearable computing device, and the like. The processor modules 214 and 236 may be implemented or realized using a general-purpose processor, an associative memory, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Thus, the processor may be realized as a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, and the like. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors cooperating with a digital signal processor core, or any other such configuration.

[0040] Furthermore, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the configurations disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in firmware, in a software module executed by processor modules 214 and 236, or in any practical combination thereof. Memory modules 216 and 234 may be implemented as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. In this regard, memory modules 216 and 234 may be coupled to processor modules 210 and 230, respectively, such that processor modules 210 and 230 can read information from, and write information to, memory modules 216 and 234, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also be integrated into their respective processor modules 210 and 230. In some configurations, memory modules 216 and 234 may each include a cache memory for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions executed by processor modules 210 and 230, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also each include a non-volatile memory for storing instructions to be executed by processor modules 210 and 230, respectively.

[0041] The network communication module 218 generally represents the hardware, software, firmware, processing logic, and / or other components of base station 202 that enable bi-directional communication between base station transceiver 210 and other network components and communication nodes configured to communicate with base station 202. For example, network communication module 218 may be configured to support Internet or WiMAX traffic. In a typical configuration, but not limited to, network communication module 218 provides an 802.3 Ethernet® interface so that base station transceiver 210 can communicate with a conventional Ethernet®-based computer network. Thus, network communication module 218 may include a physical interface for connecting to a computer network (e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC)). As used herein, the terms “configured to” and “configured to do” and their conjugations with respect to a specified operation or function refer to a device, component, circuit, structure, machine, signal, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed, formatted, and / or arranged to perform the specified operation or function.

[0042] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of an exemplary smart node architecture according to some configurations. As shown by way of example in Figure 3, an exemplary smart node architecture 300 can include a base station 102, a user equipment 104, a smart node control unit (SN CU) 310, and a smart node forwarding unit (SN FU) 320. SN CU 310 can receive a control signal 312 from BS 102 and transmit a control signal 314 to BS 102. SN FU 320 can receive a transfer signal 322 from BS 102 and transmit a transfer signal 324 to BS 102. SN FU 320 can transmit a transfer signal 326 to UE 104 and receive a transfer signal 328 from BS 102.

[0043] The SN can include, for example, two units for supporting different functions, namely, a first unit and a second unit. Among these, the first unit acts to receive and decode side control information from the BS, like a UE. The first unit can correspond to a control unit or communication unit (CU), mobile termination (MT), a part of the UE, a third - party IoT device, etc. The second unit performs an intelligent amplification and transfer operation using the side control information received by the first unit of the SN. Thus, the second unit can also be referred to as a transfer unit (FU), radio unit (RU), RIS, etc. For example, the CU and FU can respectively refer to the first unit and the second unit of the SN.

[0044] The control link can include that a signal from one side is detected and decoded by the other side, whereby the information transmitted on the control link can be utilized to control the status of the transfer link. The transfer link can include signals from a BS or UE that are unknown to the SN FU. The SN FU can amplify and transfer the signal without decoding it. Transfer links 322 and 326 can include a complete DL transfer link from the BS to the UE, and transfer link 326 is the SN FU DL transfer link. Transfer links 324 and 328 can include a complete UL transfer link from the UE to the BS, and transfer link 324 is the SN FU UL transfer link. Transfer links 322 and 324 can be backhaul links, and transfer links 326 and 328 can be access links.

[0045] Figure 4 shows a block diagram of an exemplary time - division duplexing (TDD) according to some configurations. As shown as an example in Figure 4, the exemplary TDD configuration 400 can include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, slot 420, and uplink slot 430. Slot 420 can include downlink symbols 422, special symbols 424, and uplink symbols 426.

[0046] The type or direction of a symbol or slot can be configured as downlink (DL), uplink (UL), or flexible (DL or UL) via a quasi-static or dynamic TDD UL / DL configuration. A flexible symbol can be a symbol other than an uplink symbol or a downlink symbol explicitly configured via the above configuration. However, for the SN, a flexible symbol may introduce uncertainty about the behavior of the SN. If the direction or behavior of the flexible symbol is not clearer, the SN does not know whether to transfer the uplink transmission to the BS, transfer the downlink transmission to the UE, or shut down the SN FU. The SN may even assume that this is an error case.

[0047] Some configurations target a new type of symbol in the slot format. To resolve the ambiguity, some configurations include a new type of symbol in the slot format other than DL / UL / flexible as a "special symbol". If all symbols in the slot are of this special symbol type, the slot can be a "special slot". The method of configuring the "special symbol" given in this disclosure may also be applicable to the "special slot". The special symbol can include a symbol for which SN transfer is not required. That is, the SN does not need to transfer the transmission from the base station / UE to the UE / base station in the special symbol. For example, the SN does not perform link 322 or link 324, or the SN does not perform link 326 or link 328. That is, the SN does not perform the backhaul link or the access link.

[0048] In a special symbol, the SN can perform at least one of various operations. The SN transfer may be optional in the special symbol or may not exist. For example, the SN does not need to amplify and / or transfer the transmission from the base station / UE to the UE / base station in the special symbol. The SN can be turned off in the special symbol. For example, in the special symbol, one or more SN FU transfer links 322, 324, 326, and 328, the backhaul link, and / or the access link can be turned off. The SN can perform the switching between DL and UL. The SN can perform beam switching. The SN can switch between on and off. The SN (e.g., SN CU) can perform detection in the special symbol. The detection can include at least one of the following operations, namely, energy detection, signal detection, LBT, or measurement.

[0049] The minimum number of special symbols can be the capability of the SN. The SN can report the minimum number of special symbols or the above SN capability to the base station. When the base station configures the special symbol for the SN, it needs to be based on the minimum number of special symbols or the SN capability. For example, the number of special symbols configured for the SN needs to be equal to or greater than the minimum number of special symbols or the SN capability.

[0050] The special symbol can also correspond to one or more of "non-transfer", "non-amplification / transfer", "non-transmission / reception", "non-relay", "non-operation", "switching", "on / off", "detection", "LBT", and "measurement" symbols. Some configurations target the configuration of the special symbol. The configuration of the special symbol can include at least one of various options. These options can be implemented independently or in combination, for example.

[0051] Except for symbols configured as downlink symbols or uplink symbols via a first TDD configuration carried by system information, RRC signaling, MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling, the remaining symbols can be special symbols. The first TDD configuration can be indicated by the BS to the SN (e.g., SN CU). Thereby, special symbols can be indirectly configured. All symbols not explicitly configured as downlink symbols or uplink symbols can be special symbols. Note that the configuration can correspond to at least a configuration parameter or a combination of a plurality of configuration parameters.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an exemplary TDD configuration according to several configurations. As shown as an example in FIG. 5, the exemplary TDD configuration 500 can include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, uplink slot 430, and slot 510. Slot 510 can include downlink symbol 422, uplink symbol 426, flexible downlink symbol 512, and flexible special symbol 514.

[0053] Except for symbols that are already configured as downlink symbols or uplink symbols via a first TDD configuration carried by system information, RRC signaling, MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling, the remaining symbols can be flexible symbols. The first TDD configuration can be indicated by the BS to the SN (e.g., SN CU). For flexible symbols, some or all of the flexible symbols can be further configured as special symbols via a second TDD configuration, including at least one of the following options. For example, all flexible symbols are configured or defined as special symbols. For example, some flexible symbols are configured as special symbols. For example, some flexible symbols are configured as special symbols, and some flexible symbols are further configured as downlink, or uplink, or on state, or off state. For example, some flexible symbols are configured as special symbols. The remaining flexible symbols are defined in the default direction (e.g., DL or UL), or the remaining flexible symbols before and after the flexible symbol are defined as downlink symbol and uplink symbol, or uplink symbol and downlink symbol, respectively, or defined as on / off state. In this case, the SN does not expect symbols that are already configured as DL symbols or UL symbols to be reconfigured as special symbols.

[0054] Preferably, in order to completely eliminate the ambiguity caused by flexible symbols, all flexible symbols should be configured as special symbols, or DL / UL symbols, or ON / OFF state symbols. As shown in the following figure, there are a total of X flexible symbols. Here, X1 flexible symbols can be configured as DL symbols, and X2 flexible symbols can be configured as special symbols. X1 + X2 = X. The second TDD configuration of the special symbol and / or other types of symbols can be indicated by the BS to the SN (e.g., SN CU) CU and can be used to control the SN FU (or transfer link) or perform other operations such as detection or switching. The second TDD configuration of the special symbol indicated by the BS can be carried by system information (e.g., SIB1), RRC signaling (e.g., ServingCellConfigCommon or ServingCellConfig), MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling (e.g., DCI format 2_0). Further, if indicated by DCI signaling, it can be scrambled by a new SN-specific, link-specific, service type-specific, or SN logical unit-specific RNTI.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an exemplary TDD configuration with several configurations. As shown as an example in FIG. 6, the exemplary TDD configuration 600 can include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, uplink slot 430, and slot 610. Slot 610 can include downlink symbol 422, special symbol 424, uplink symbol 426, and flexible symbol 612.

[0056] The symbols within a slot can be configured as DL, UL, or special symbols via a third TDD configuration. The third TDD configuration of DL, UL, and special symbols indicated by the BS to the SN (e.g., SN CU) can be carried by system information (e.g., SIB1), RRC signaling (e.g., ServingCellConfigCommon or ServingCellConfig), MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling (e.g., DCI format 2_0). Further, when indicated by DCI signaling, it can be scrambled by a new SN-specific, link-specific, service type-specific, or SN logical unit-specific RNTI. For example, all symbols of the third TDD configuration indicated by the BS to the SN can be configured as DL, UL, or special symbols. Here, there is no symbol configured as one of the above three types. For example, the symbols of the third TDD configuration indicated by the BS to the SN are configured as DL, UL, or special symbols. In this configuration, there is one or more remaining symbols not configured as one of the above three types. For the remaining symbols not configured by the above three types, at least one of various operations can be performed. For example, the remaining symbols can be flexible symbols. For example, the remaining symbols can be defined in a default direction such as DL or UL as shown by way of example in FIG. 7.

[0057] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an exemplary TDD configuration according to several configurations. As shown by way of example in FIG. 7, the exemplary TDD configuration 700 can include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, uplink slot 430, and slot 710. Slot 710 can include downlink symbol 422, special symbol 424, uplink symbol 426, and symbol 712 which can include one or more of downlink symbols and uplink symbols.

[0058] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of an exemplary TDD configuration according to several configurations. As shown by way of example in FIG. 8, an exemplary TDD configuration 800 can include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, uplink slot 430, and slot 810. Slot 810 can include downlink symbol 422, special symbol 424, uplink symbol 426, downlink symbol 812, and uplink symbol 814. For example, the remaining symbols before and after the flexible symbol are defined by downlink and uplink, or uplink and downlink, respectively. For example, among the remaining symbols, the remaining symbol before the special symbol is a DL symbol, and the remaining symbol after the special symbol is a UL symbol. For example, among the remaining symbols, the remaining symbol before the special symbol is a UL symbol, and the remaining symbol after the special symbol is a DL symbol.

[0059] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of an exemplary TDD configuration according to several configurations. As shown by way of example in FIG. 9, an exemplary TDD configuration 900 can include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, uplink slot 430, symbol configuration traces 902 and 904, and slot 910. Slot 210 can include downlink symbol 422, special symbol 424, uplink symbol 426, configured symbol 212, and configured symbol 914. Configured symbol 912 can be configured based on symbol configuration trace 902 indicating a configuration corresponding to downlink symbol 422. Configured symbol 914 can be configured based on symbol configuration trace 904 indicating a configuration corresponding to uplink symbol 426.

[0060] For example, among the remaining symbols, the type (DL or UL) of the remaining symbols before the special symbol is the same as the type of the closest symbol configured as DL / UL before the special symbol. The type (DL or UL) of the remaining symbols after the special symbol is the same as the type of the closest symbol configured as DL / UL after the special symbol. For example, in the remaining symbols, SN can be turned off, or in the remaining symbols, SN FU or the transfer link is turned off. For example, the type of the remaining symbols can be further indicated as DL, UL, or on / off state via a fourth TDD configuration carried by RRC signaling (e.g., ServingCellConfigCommon or ServingCellConfig), MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling (e.g., DCI format 2_0). The fourth TDD configuration can be indicated by the BS to the SN (e.g., SN CU).

[0061] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of an exemplary TDD configuration according to several configurations. As shown by way of example in FIG. 10, an exemplary TDD configuration 1000 can include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, slot 420, uplink slot 430, and slot 1010. Slot 420 can include downlink symbol 422, special symbol 424, and uplink symbol 426. Slot 1010 can include downlink symbol 1012 and special symbol 1022.

[0062] First, the symbols in the slot can be configured as DL, UL, or flexible via a first TDD configuration carried by system information, RRC signaling, MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling. The first TDD configuration is indicated by the BS to the SN (e.g., SN CU). Further, the symbols configured via the first TDD configuration can be reconfigured as special symbols via a fifth configuration carried by RRC signaling (e.g., within ServingCellConfigCommon or ServingCellConfig), MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling (e.g., DCI format 2_0) as shown below. Further, when indicated by DCI signaling, it can be scrambled by a new SN-specific, link-specific, service type-specific, or SN logical unit-specific RNTI. The fifth TDD configuration can be indicated by the BS to the SN (e.g., SN CU).

[0063] The fifth TDD configuration can configure one or more information parameters for special symbols. The information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration can include a slot index. The information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration can include periodicity including a reference subcarrier spacing. The information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration can include an indication that all symbols in a slot are special symbols. The information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration can include a start (e.g., start index of a special symbol) or length (e.g., number of special symbols) associated with one or more symbols. The information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration can include a bitmap. For example, bit = 1 indicates that the corresponding symbol is a special symbol, and bit = 0 indicates that the corresponding symbol is not a special symbol. The information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration can include an index corresponding to a slot format including special symbols. The information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration can include a function. The function can include one code point indicating one function (e.g., detection) of a special symbol, and other code points indicate other functions (e.g., non - transmission, LBT, measurement, or DL - UL or beam switching) of the special symbol. One or more of the above information can also be shown in any TDD configuration according to this embodiment, for example, the second TDD configuration, the third TDD configuration.

[0064] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an exemplary method for a slot format configuration of a smart node according to some configurations. At least one of system 100 and system 200 can implement method 1100 according to this embodiment. Method 1100 can start from 1105.

[0065] At 1105, the method can send configuration information indicating the type of some of the first symbols in the slot to the SN. Then, method 1100 can proceed to one or more of 1110 and 1115. At 1110, the method can receive configuration information indicating the type of some of the first symbols in the slot from the BS. Then, method 1100 can proceed to 1120. At 1115, the type can include at least one of a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or a special symbol. Method 1100 can end at 1115. At 1120, the type can include at least one of a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or a special symbol. Then, method 1100 can proceed to 1130. At 1130, the method can determine the type of the second symbol as one or more of a special symbol, a flexible symbol, a downlink signal, or an uplink signal. Method 1100 can end at 1130.

[0066] Also, it is understood that any reference in this specification to elements using terms such as "first", "second", etc. generally does not limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these terms can be used in this specification as a convenient means to distinguish between two or more elements or examples of elements. Thus, a reference to first and second elements does not mean that only two elements can be used, nor that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0067] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols that may be referred to in the above description can be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0068] One of ordinary skill in the art will further understand that any of the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, processors, means, circuits, methods, and functions described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., digital implementations, analog implementations, or combinations of both), firmware, various forms of programs incorporating instructions (e.g., computer program products, which may be referred to herein, for convenience, as "software" or "software modules"), or design code, or any combination of these techniques. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are generally described in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software, or as a combination of these techniques, depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. One of ordinary skill in the art can implement the described functionality in various ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0069] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the various exemplary logical blocks, modules, devices, components, and circuits described herein can be implemented within or by an integrated circuit (IC) that includes a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. The logical blocks, modules, and circuits can further include antennas and / or transceivers for communicating with various components within a network or device. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors working in coordination with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration for implementing the functions described herein.

[0070] When implemented in software, the functions can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Thus, the steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein can be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium includes both a computer storage medium and a communication medium that can enable transfer of a computer program or code from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0071] As used herein, the term "module" as used in this specification refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for implementing the related functions described herein. Further, for purposes of explanation, although various modules are described as individual modules, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, two or more modules may be combined to form a single module that performs the related functions according to the configuration of this solution.

[0072] Furthermore, memory or other storage, as well as communication components, may be used in the configuration of this solution. For clarity, it will be understood that the above description describes the configuration of this solution with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functions between different functional units, between processing logic elements, or between domains may be used without detracting from this solution. For example, the functionality illustrated as being performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic element or controller. Thus, references to specific functional units are not intended to denote a strict logical or physical structure or organization, but rather only a reference to the appropriate means for providing the described functionality.

[0073] Various modifications to the configurations described in this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the configurations shown herein, but rather should be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, comprising: receiving, by a network node, configuration information indicating types of some first symbols in a slot from a wireless communication node; wherein the types include at least one of a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or a special symbol.

2. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the special symbol enables the network node to perform one or more of: transfer as required based on the special symbol, detection based on the special symbol, switching between DL and UL based on the special symbol, beam switching based on the special symbol, switching between an on state and an off state based on the special symbol, and turning off based on the special symbol.

3. The method further comprises receiving, by the network node, the configuration information from the wireless communication node through signaling; wherein the signaling includes at least one of system information, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, medium access control control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

4. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration information does not indicate types of some second symbols in the slot as the downlink symbol or the uplink symbol.

5. The wireless communication method according to claim 4, further comprising determining, by the network node, the type of the second symbol as the special symbol.

6. The wireless communication method according to claim 4, further comprising determining, by the network node, the type of the second symbol as a flexible symbol.

7. The wireless communication method according to claim 6, wherein the type of some or all of the second symbols is configured as the special symbol.

8. The wireless communication method according to claim 6, wherein the type of all of the second symbols is the special symbol.

9. The type of some of the second symbols is configured as the special symbol, and the type of some of the second symbols is configured as one of the downlink symbol, the uplink symbol, the on state, or the off state. The wireless communication method according to claim 6.

10. The type of some of the second symbols is configured as the special symbol, and the type of the remaining one or more of the second symbols is by default the downlink symbol or the uplink symbol. The wireless communication method according to claim 6.

11. The configuration information indicates the type of each symbol in the slot as one of the downlink symbol, the uplink symbol, or the special symbol. The wireless communication method according to claim 1.

12. The configuration information does not indicate the type of some of the second symbols in the slot as the downlink symbol, the uplink symbol, or the special symbol. The wireless communication method according to claim 1.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising determining, by the network node, the type of the second symbol as a flexible symbol.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising determining, by the network node, the type of the second symbol as either the downlink symbol or the uplink symbol.

15. The configuration information indicates the type of the first symbol in the slot as the special symbol, indicates that the second symbol is in front of the first symbol, and the method comprises: determining, by the network node, the type of the second symbol as the downlink symbol The wireless communication method according to claim 12, further comprising.

16. The configuration information indicates the type of the first symbol in the slot as the special symbol, indicates that the second symbol is behind the first symbol, and the method comprises: determining, by the network node, the type of the second symbol as the uplink symbol The wireless communication method according to claim 12, further comprising.

17. The configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is the special symbol, indicates that the second symbol is in front of the first symbol, and the method further includes determining, by the network node, that the type of the second symbol is the uplink symbol The wireless communication method according to claim 12, further comprising.

18. The configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is the special symbol, indicates that the second symbol is behind the first symbol, and the method further includes determining, by the network node, that the type of the second symbol is the downlink symbol The wireless communication method according to claim 12, further comprising.

19. The configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is the special symbol, indicates that the second symbol is in front of the first symbol, and the method further includes determining, by the network node, that the type of the second symbol is the same as the type of the one closest to the second symbol among the first symbols The wireless communication method according to claim 12, further comprising.

20. The configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is the special symbol, indicates that the second symbol is behind the first symbol, and the method further includes determining, by the network node, that the type of the second symbol is the same as the type of the one closest to the second symbol among the first symbols The wireless communication method according to claim 12, further comprising.

21. The wireless communication method according to claim 12, further comprising determining, by the network node, that within the second symbol, the transfer unit of the network node is off, the transfer link is off, or the network node is off.

22. The wireless communication method according to claim 12, further comprising receiving, by the network node, a message indicating that the type of the second symbol is the downlink symbol, the uplink symbol, or the on / off state through signaling from the wireless communication node further comprising The signaling in claim 12, wherein the signaling includes at least one of system information, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, medium access control control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling, for the wireless communication method.

23. Receiving, by the network node, from the wireless communication node via a first signaling, a first configuration indicating the type of the first symbol as the downlink symbol, the uplink symbol, or the flexible symbol; Receiving, by the network node, from the wireless communication node via a second signaling, a second configuration configuring the type of the first symbol as the special symbol; further comprising: wherein the first signaling includes at least one of system information, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, medium access control control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling; The second signaling includes at least one of radio resource control (RRC) signaling, medium access control control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling, for the wireless communication method according to claim 1.

24. The second configuration comprises at least one of the following information: an index of the slot, periodicity, a reference subcarrier spacing, an indication of the type of all symbols in the slot as the special symbol, an index of a start symbol among the first symbols, a length of the first symbol, a bitmap, an index corresponding to a slot format including the first symbol, or a function of the first symbol, for the wireless communication method according to claim 23.

25. A wireless communication device comprising at least one processor and a memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to read code from the memory and implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

26. A computer program product comprising computer-readable program media code stored therein, wherein when the code is executed by at least one processor, the at least one processor is caused to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

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