Multi-Level Slot Format Indicator

Abstract

To provide a method, system and device for wireless communication that relates to a multi-level slot format indicator.SOLUTION: A base station may transmit, and user equipment (UE) may receive a first slot format indicator (SFI) during a first monitoring period for a set of slots associated with the first monitoring period. The base station may transmit, and the UE may receive a second SFI during a second monitoring period that is shorter in duration than the first monitoring period and occurs within the first monitoring period, the second SFI comprising an indication of slot formats for a subset of the slots associated with the second monitoring period. The base station and the UE may perform wireless communications over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] cross reference This patent application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 216,641, entitled "MULTI-LEVEL SLOT FORMAT INDICATOR," filed Dec. 11, 2018, by SUN et al., and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 607,758, entitled "MULTI-LEVEL SLOT FORMAT INDICATOR," filed Dec. 19, 2017, by SUN et al., each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0002] The following relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically to multi-level slot format indicators (SFIs). [Background technology]

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcasts, and the like. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems, sometimes referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may utilize technologies such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), or Discrete Fourier Transform Spread Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM). A wireless multiple access communication system may include several base stations or network access nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may in some cases be known as user equipment (UE).

[0004] Some wireless communication systems may support SFI signaling. In general, the SFI may include a set of bits that indicates a format for one or more slots. The format may include whether an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol for a slot is configured for uplink communication, downlink communication, or unknown communication, such as the communication direction of the OFDM symbol. The monitoring period of the SFI (e.g., the length of time or the number of slots that the SFI indication covers) is generally configured by the network, for example, in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signal. The UE may monitor the control signal to detect the SFI and then use the indicated slot format for wireless communication during the covered slots. While this may be appropriate in some situations, there may be challenges in some scenarios, such as when the UE cannot detect the SFI indication. For example, the device may not be able to secure the medium and / or the channel may not support transmission, so the device cannot communicate information, such as, for example, transmitting an SFI indication. In this case, the UE does not know the slot format for the monitoring period. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, or apparatuses that support a multi-level slot format indicator (SFI). In general, the described techniques enable multiple levels of SFI indication, with each SFI level associated with a different monitoring period. That is, the monitoring period of a second level SFI (lower level SFI) may be a subset of (or within) the monitoring period of a first level SFI (higher level SFI). In some aspects, there may be several monitoring periods of a second level SFI nested within the monitoring period of a first level SFI. In some aspects, there may be a monitoring period of a third level SFI nested within the monitoring period of a second level SFI. Thus, a base station may transmit (and a user equipment (UE) may receive) multiple levels of SFI (e.g., two SFI levels, three SFI levels, four SFI levels, etc.), each with its own monitoring period, with each lower SFI level having a monitoring period that is shorter in time than, and within, the monitoring period of the higher SFI level above it. The UE and the base station may conduct wireless communications in accordance with the indicated SFI.

[0006] A method of wireless communication is described that may include receiving a first SFI during a first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period, receiving a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than the first monitor period and within the first monitor period, the second SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for the subset of slots associated with the second monitor period, and performing wireless communication over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0007] An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include means for receiving a first SFI during a first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period, means for receiving a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than the first monitor period and within the first monitor period, the second SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for the subset of slots associated with the second monitor period, and means for performing wireless communication over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0008] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be operable to cause the processor to receive a first SFI during a first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period, receive a second SFI during a second monitor period that is less in time than the first monitor period and within the first monitor period, the second SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor period, and perform wireless communication over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0009] A non-transitory computer-readable medium for wireless communication is described. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may include instructions operable to cause a processor to receive a first SFI during a first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period, receive a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than the first monitor period and within the first monitor period, the second SFI comprising indications of a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor period, and perform wireless communication over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0010] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above, performing wireless communication comprises determining a communication direction of at least a portion of the symbols in the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI. Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for performing wireless communication over the subset of slots based at least in part on the determined communication direction.

[0011] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include a process, feature, means, or instructions for determining that the first SFI indicates a flexible communication direction for one or more symbols in the subset of slots. Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include a process, feature, means, or instructions for identifying a communication direction of each of the one or more symbols based at least in part on the second SFI.

[0012] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for configuring the first SFI to comprise control information identifying and indicating configuration information for a subset of slots, where identifying the configuration information comprises identifying a slot format for the subset of slots based at least in part on the second SFI.

[0013] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above, the control information comprises one or more of an indication of random access channel (RACH) resources, a frame format indication, or a combination thereof.

[0014] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for receiving a third SFI during a third monitoring period, which may be shorter in duration than the second monitoring period and is within the second monitoring period, the third SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for a slot associated with the third monitoring period.

[0015] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above, a first monitoring period may be for a discovery reference signal (DRS) measurement timing configuration (DMTC) window, a second monitoring period may be for a transmit opportunity (TxOP) that is within the DMTC window, and a third monitoring period may be for a slot that is within the TxOP.

[0016] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for receiving a first SFI in a first Downlink Control Indicator (DCI) field. Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for receiving a second SFI in a second DCI field, which may be different from the first DCI field.

[0017] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include a process, feature, means, or instructions for receiving a first SFI and a second SFI in a common DCI field. Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include a process, feature, means, or instructions for performing at least one of joint interpretation or deconcatenation on the common DCI field to determine the first SFI, the second SFI, or a combination.

[0018] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for receiving a configuration message indicating a first monitoring period and a second monitoring period.

[0019] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above, the first monitoring period may be for a TxOP, and the second monitoring period may be for one or more slots within the TxOP.

[0020] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above, the subset of slots comprises one slot or more than one slot.

[0021] A method of wireless communication is described. The method may include transmitting a first SFI during a first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period, transmitting a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than the first monitor period and within the first monitor period, the second SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for the subset of slots associated with the second monitor period, and performing wireless communication over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0022] An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include means for transmitting a first SFI during a first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period, means for transmitting a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than the first monitor period and within the first monitor period, the second SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for the subset of slots associated with the second monitor period, and means for performing wireless communication over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0023] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be operable to cause the processor to transmit a first SFI during a first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period, transmit a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than the first monitor period and within the first monitor period, the second SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor period, and perform wireless communication over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0024] A non-transitory computer-readable medium for wireless communication is described. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may include instructions operable to cause a processor to transmit a first SFI during a first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period, transmit a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than the first monitor period and within the first monitor period, the second SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor period, and perform wireless communication over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0025] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above, performing wireless communication comprises determining a communication direction of at least a portion of the symbols in the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI. Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for performing wireless communication over the subset of slots based at least in part on the determined communication direction.

[0026] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include a process, feature, means, or instructions for determining that the first SFI indicates flexible communication directions for one or more symbols in a subset of slots. Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include a process, feature, means, or instructions for configuring the second SFI to indicate a communication direction for each of the one or more symbols.

[0027] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for configuring the first SFI to comprise control information that identifies and indicates configuration information for a subset of the slots. Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for configuring the second SFI to indicate a slot format for the subset of the slots.

[0028] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a third SFI during a third monitoring period, which may be shorter in duration than the second monitoring period and is within the second monitoring period, the third SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for slots associated with the third monitoring period.

[0029] In some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above, the first monitoring period may be for a DMTC window, the second monitoring period may be for a TxOP that is within the DMTC window, and the third monitoring period may be for a slot that is within the TxOP.

[0030] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a first SFI in a first DCI field. Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a second SFI in a second DCI field, which may be different from the first DCI field.

[0031] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for performing at least one of joint encoding or concatenation on a common DCI field to transmit the first SFI and the second SFI. Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a common DCI field to indicate the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0032] Some examples of the methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable media described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a configuration message indicating the first monitoring period and the second monitoring period. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system that supports a multi-level slot format indicator (SFI), according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] A diagram showing an example of an SFI configuration supporting multi-level SFI according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] A diagram showing an example of an SFI configuration supporting multi-level SFI according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of an SFI table supporting multi-level SFI according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5]A diagram showing an example of an SFI configuration supporting multi-level SFI according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a process for supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless device that supports multi-level SFI, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless device that supports multi-level SFI, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a user equipment (UE) communications manager supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system including a device that supports multi-level SFI, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless device that supports multi-level SFI, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless device that supports multi-level SFI, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a base station communications manager supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system including a device that supports multi-level SFI, according to an aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 15] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for multi-level SFI according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for multi-level SFI according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for multi-level SFI according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for multi-level SFI according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Some wireless communication systems may support a slot format indicator (SFI) indication. The SFI may generally refer to bits conveyed from a base station to a user equipment (UE) in a control signal that specifies a slot format for one or more slots. The SFI may have a monitoring period associated with the number of slots for which the SFI indication is applicable. The UE may receive the SFI indication, use the bits to determine the slot format for the slots in the monitoring period, and then perform wireless communication with the base station according to the slot format. In general, the slot format may include an indication for each orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol in the slot of whether the communication is a downlink communication, an uplink communication, or an unknown communication. In some aspects, the UE may access an SFI table using the bits of the SFI indication to determine the slot format. In cases where the UE does not receive the SFI indication, the UE may not know the slot format (e.g., communication direction) to use for wireless communication.

[0035] Aspects of the present disclosure are described first in the context of a wireless communication system. Aspects of the described techniques generally enable the use of multiple levels of SFI indication. In general, a higher level SFI may be transmitted more infrequently and cover a longer period, and a lower level SFI may be transmitted more frequently and may be embedded in the period covered by the higher level SFI. In some aspects, a higher level SFI (or a first SFI) may provide an indication of slot format or other configuration information for a longer period (first monitoring period), and a lower level SFI (or a second SFI) may provide an indication of slot format for a shorter period (second monitoring period). More levels of SFI may also be indicated. Thus, a first SFI may provide slot format or configuration information for a first monitoring period, a second SFI may provide slot format or configuration information for a second monitoring period (within the first monitoring period), and so on. In some aspects, a lower level SFI may override or replace a higher layer SFI indication, for example due to a scheduling change at the base station. In some aspects, the lower level SFI may not override or replace the higher layer SFI, but instead may participate in format or configuration information, e.g., assigning symbols scheduled as unknown in the higher level SFI to downlink or uplink communications. In some aspects, the UE may be configured, e.g., via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, with how to interpret the multi-level SFI indication. Thus, the UE and base station may then perform wireless communications based on the indicated multi-level SFI.

[0036] Aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flow charts relating to multi-level SFI.

[0037] 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 includes a base station 105, a UE 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, or a New Radio (NR) network. In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 may support enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission-critical) communications, low latency communications, or communications with low-cost and low-complexity devices.

[0038] The base station 105 may wirelessly communicate with the UE 115 via one or more base station antennas. The base station 105 described herein may include or be referred to by one skilled in the art as a base transceiver station, radio base station, access point, radio transceiver, NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), next generation NodeB or giga-nodeB (any of which may be referred to as gNB), Home NodeB, Home eNodeB, or some other suitable terminology. The wireless communication system 100 may include different types of base stations 105 (e.g., macro cell base stations or small cell base stations). The UE 115 described herein may be capable of communicating with various types of base stations 105 and network equipment, including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, gNBs, relay base stations, etc.

[0039] Each base station 105 may be associated with a particular geographic coverage area 110 in which communication with various UEs 115 is supported. Each base station 105 may provide communication coverage for the respective geographic coverage area 110 via a communication link 125, where the communication link 125 between the base station 105 and the UE 115 may utilize one or more carriers. The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include uplink transmissions from the UE 115 to the base station 105 or downlink transmissions from the base station 105 to the UE 115. A downlink transmission may also be referred to as a forward link transmission and an uplink transmission may also be referred to as a reverse link transmission.

[0040] A geographic coverage area 110 for a base station 105 may be divided into sectors that make up only a portion of the geographic coverage area 110, and each sector may be associated with a cell. For example, each base station 105 may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a small cell, a hot spot, or other type of cell, or various combinations thereof. In some examples, the base station 105 may be mobile and thus provide communication coverage for a moving geographic coverage area 110. In some examples, different geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, and overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may be supported by the same base station 105 or by different base stations 105. The wireless communication system 100 may include a heterogeneous LTE / LTE-A / LTE-A Pro or NR network, for example, where different types of base stations 105 provide coverage for various geographic coverage areas 110.

[0041] The term "cell" refers to a logical communication entity used for communication with a base station 105 (e.g., on a carrier) and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., physical cell identifier (PCID), virtual cell identifier (VCID)) to distinguish neighboring cells operating over the same or different carriers. In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or others) that may provide access for different types of devices. In some cases, the term "cell" may refer to a portion of a geographic coverage area 110 (e.g., a sector) over which a logical entity operates.

[0042] The UEs 115 may be distributed throughout the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 may be fixed or mobile. The UEs 115 may be referred to as mobile devices, wireless devices, remote devices, handheld devices, or subscriber devices, or some other suitable terminology, where a "device" may also be referred to as a unit, station, terminal, or client. The UEs 115 may also be personal electronic devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, laptop computers, or personal computers. In some examples, the UEs 115 may also refer to wireless local loop (WLL) stations, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, MTC devices, or the like, which may be implemented in various items, such as home appliances, vehicles, meters, etc.

[0043] Some UEs 115, such as MTC devices or IoT devices, may be low-cost or low-complexity devices and may enable automated communication between machines (e.g., via machine-to-machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC may refer to data communication technologies that allow devices to communicate with each other or with the base station 105 without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communication from devices that integrate sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay that information to a central server or application program that can utilize the information or present the information to a person interacting with the program or application. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collect information or enable automated behavior of machines. Examples of applications for MTC devices include smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, medical monitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological event monitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security sensing, physical access control, and transaction-based business billing.

[0044] Some UEs 115 may be configured to utilize operating modes that reduce power consumption, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., a mode that supports one-way communication via transmission or reception, but not simultaneous transmission and reception). In some examples, half-duplex communication may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power saving techniques for the UE 115 include entering a "deep sleep" mode that saves power when not engaged in active communication or when operating over a limited bandwidth (e.g., pursuant to narrowband communication). In some cases, the UE 115 may be designed to support important functions (e.g., mission-critical functions), and the wireless communication system 100 may be configured to provide ultra-reliable communication for these functions.

[0045] In some cases, the UE 115 may also be able to communicate directly with other UEs 115 (e.g., using peer-to-peer (P2P) or device-to-device (D2D) protocols). One or more of the groups of UEs 115 utilizing D2D communication may be within the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105. Other UEs 115 in such a group may be outside the geographic coverage area 110 of the base station 105 or may not otherwise be able to receive transmissions from the base station 105. In some cases, a group of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to every other UE 115 in the group. In some cases, the base station 105 facilitates scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In other cases, D2D communication occurs between UEs 115 without the involvement of the base station 105.

[0046] The base stations 105 may communicate with the core network 130 and with each other. For example, the base stations 105 may interface with the core network 130 through backhaul links 132 (e.g., via an S1 or other interface). The base stations 105 may communicate with each other over backhaul links 134 (e.g., via an X2 or other interface), either directly (e.g., directly between the base stations 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130).

[0047] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC), which may include at least one mobility management entity (MME), at least one serving gateway (S-GW), and at least one packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW). The MME may manage non-access stratum (e.g., control plane) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for the UEs 115 served by the base stations 105 associated with the EPC. User IP packets may be forwarded through the S-GW, which may itself be connected to the P-GW. The P-GW may provide IP address allocation as well as other functions. The P-GW may be connected to a network operator's IP services. The operator's IP services may include access to the Internet, an intranet, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), or packet-switched (PS) streaming services.

[0048] At least some of the network devices, such as the base stations 105, may include subcomponents, such as access network entities, which may be examples of access node controllers (ANCs). Each access network entity may communicate with the UE 115 through some other access network transmission entity, which may be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, or a transmit / receive point (TRP). In some configurations, various functions of each access network entity or base station 105 may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio heads and access network controllers) or integrated within a single network device (e.g., the base station 105).

[0049] The wireless communication system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, typically in the range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz. The 300 MHz to 3 GHz region is commonly known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelengths span approximately one decimeter to one meter. UHF waves may be shielded or redirected by buildings and environmental features. However, these waves may penetrate structures sufficiently for a macrocell to serve UEs 115 located indoors. Transmission of UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter distances (e.g., less than 100 km) compared to transmissions using lower frequencies and longer waves in the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.

[0050] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in the very high frequency (SHF) region, also known as the centimeter band, using the frequency band from 3 GHz to 30 GHz. The SHF region includes bands such as the 5 GHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band that may be used opportunistically by devices that may tolerate interference from other users.

[0051] The wireless communication system 100 may also operate in the extremely high frequency (EHF) region of the spectrum (e.g., 30 GHz to 300 GHz), also known as the millimeter band. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between the UE 115 and the base station 105, and the EHF antennas of the respective devices may be smaller and more closely spaced than the UHF antennas. In some cases, this may facilitate the use of antenna arrays within the UE 115. However, propagation of EHF transmissions may experience greater atmospheric attenuation and be shorter distances than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein may be utilized across transmissions using one or more different frequency regions, and the designated use of bands across these frequency regions may vary from country to country or from regulatory body to regulatory body.

[0052] In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communication system 100 may utilize License Assisted Access (LAA), LTE Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology in an unlicensed band, such as the 5 GHz ISM band. When operating in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, wireless devices, such as the base station 105 and the UE 115, may utilize a Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure to ensure that the frequency channel is clear before transmitting data. In some cases, operation in the unlicensed spectrum may be based on a CA configuration (e.g., LAA) with a CC operating in the licensed band. Operation in the unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmission, uplink transmission, peer-to-peer transmission, or a combination thereof. Duplexing in the unlicensed spectrum may be based on Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD), Time Division Duplexing (TDD), or a combination of both.

[0053] In some examples, the base station 105 or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to utilize techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may use a transmission scheme between a transmitting device (e.g., the base station 105) and a receiving device (e.g., the UE 115), where the transmitting device is equipped with multiple antennas and the receiving device is equipped with one or more antennas. MIMO communications may utilize multipath signal propagation to increase spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers, which may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. The multiple signals may be transmitted by the transmitting device, for example, via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, the multiple signals may be received by the receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry bits associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams. The different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurements and reporting. MIMO techniques include Single-User MIMO (SU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO), in which multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.

[0054] Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting or receiving device (e.g., base station 105 or UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam or a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining signals communicated through antenna elements of an antenna array such that signals propagating in a particular direction with respect to the antenna array are subject to constructive interference, while other signals are subject to destructive interference. Adjustment of signals communicated through antenna elements may include the transmitting or receiving device applying some amplitude and phase offsets to signals carried through each of the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular direction (e.g., relative to the transmitting or receiving device's antenna array or to some other direction).

[0055] In one example, the base station 105 may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays to perform beamforming operations for directional communication with the UE 115. For example, some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted multiple times by the base station 105 in different directions, which may include transmitting the signals according to different beamforming weights associated with different transmission directions. The transmissions in the different beam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by the base station 105 or a receiving device such as the UE 115) a beam direction for subsequent transmission and / or reception by the base station 105. Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, may be transmitted by the base station 105 in a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with a receiving device such as the UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated with a transmission along a single beam direction may be determined based at least in part on the signals transmitted in the different beam directions. For example, the UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals transmitted in different directions by the base station 105, and the UE 115 may report an indication of the signal it received with the best signal quality, or an otherwise acceptable signal quality, to the base station 105. Although these techniques are described with respect to signals transmitted by the base station 105 in one or more directions, the UE 115 may utilize similar techniques to transmit a signal multiple times in different directions (e.g., to identify a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by the UE 115) or to transmit a signal in a single direction (e.g., to transmit data to a receiving device).

[0056] A receiving device (e.g., UE 115, which may be an example of a mmW receiving device) may attempt multiple receive beams when receiving various signals from the base station 105, such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals. For example, the receiving device may attempt multiple receive directions, any of which may be referred to as "listening" along different receive beams or receive directions, by receiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or by processing received signals according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array. In some examples, the receiving device may use a single receive beam to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The single receive beam may be aligned to a beam direction determined based at least in part on listening along different receive beam directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the best signal strength, best signal-to-noise ratio, or otherwise acceptable signal quality based at least in part on listening along multiple beam directions).

[0057] In some cases, the antennas of the base station 105 or the UE 115 may be arranged in one or more antenna arrays that may support MIMO operations or may support transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be collocated in an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some cases, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with the base station 105 may be located in various geographic locations. The base station 105 may have an antenna array with several rows and columns of antenna ports that the base station 105 may use to support beamforming of communications with the UE 115. Similarly, the UE 115 may have one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations.

[0058] In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 may be a packet-based network that operates according to a layered protocol stack. In the user plane, communication at the bearer or Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer may be IP-based. The Radio Link Control (RLC) layer may perform packet segmentation and reassembly in some cases to communicate over logical channels. The Medium Access Control (MAC) layer may perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer may also use Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) to perform retransmissions at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the RRC protocol layer may establish, configure, and maintain the RRC connection between the UE 115 and the base station 105 or core network 130, which supports radio bearers for user plane data. In the physical (PHY) layer, the transport channels may be mapped to physical channels.

[0059] In some cases, the UE 115 and the base station 105 may support retransmission of data to increase the likelihood of successful reception. HARQ feedback is one technique that increases the likelihood that data is accurately received over the wireless communication link 125. HARQ may include a combination of error detection (e.g., using a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ may improve throughput at the MAC layer in poor radio conditions (e.g., signal-to-noise conditions). In some cases, a wireless device may support same-slot HARQ feedback, in which a device may provide HARQ feedback in a particular slot for data received in a previous symbol in that slot. In other cases, a device may provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent slot or according to some other time interval.

[0060] A time interval in LTE or NR is, for example, T s The communication resource time intervals may be organized according to radio frames, each having a time length of 10 milliseconds (ms), where the frame period is T f =307,200T sA radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) ranging from 0 to 1023. Each frame may include 10 subframes numbered 0 to 9, and each subframe may have a time length of 1 ms. A subframe may be further divided into two slots, each having a time length of 0.5 ms, and each slot may include 6 or 7 modulation symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of a cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period). Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may include 2048 sample periods. In some cases, a subframe may be the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In other cases, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 may be smaller than a subframe or may be dynamically selected (e.g., in a burst of shortened TTI (sTTI) or in a selected component carrier using sTTI).

[0061] In some wireless communication systems, a slot may be further divided into multiple minislots, each of which includes one or more symbols. In some cases, a symbol or a minislot may be the smallest unit of scheduling. Each symbol may vary in time length, depending, for example, on the subcarrier spacing or the operating frequency band. Furthermore, some wireless communication systems may implement slot aggregation, in which multiple slots or minislots are aggregated together and used for communication between the UE 115 and the base station 105.

[0062] The term "carrier" refers to a set of radio frequency spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting communications over the communication link 125. For example, a carrier of the communication link 125 may include a portion of a radio frequency spectrum band that operates according to a physical layer channel for a given radio access technology. Each physical layer channel may carry user data, control information, or other signaling. A carrier may be associated with a predefined frequency channel (e.g., an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (EARFCN)) and may be arranged according to a channel raster for discovery by the UE 115. A carrier may be downlink or uplink (e.g., in FDD mode), or may be configured to carry downlink and uplink communications (e.g., in TDD mode). In some examples, a signal waveform transmitted over a carrier may be composed of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using a multi-carrier modulation (MCM) technique such as OFDM or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM)).

[0063] The organizational structure of carriers may differ for different radio access technologies (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR, etc.). For example, communications over a carrier may be organized according to TTIs or slots, each of which may include user data as well as control information or signaling to support decoding of user data. A carrier may also include dedicated acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals or system information, etc.) and control signaling that coordinates operations for the carrier. In some examples (e.g., in a carrier aggregation configuration), a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling that coordinates operations for other carriers.

[0064] The physical channels may be multiplexed on the carriers according to various techniques. The physical control channel and the physical data channel may be multiplexed on the downlink channel using, for example, a time division multiplexing (TDM) technique, a frequency division multiplexing (FDM) technique, or a hybrid TDM-FDM technique. In some examples, the control information transmitted in the physical control channel may be distributed between different control regions in a cascaded manner (e.g., between a common control region or a common search space and one or more UE-specific control regions or UE-specific search spaces).

[0065] A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the radio frequency spectrum, and in some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as the carrier or the “system bandwidth” of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of several predefined bandwidths (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 MHz) for a particular radio access technology carrier. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate across some portion or all of the carrier bandwidth. In other examples, some UEs 115 may be configured for operation using a narrowband protocol type associated with a predefined portion or range (e.g., a set of subcarriers or RBs) within the carrier (e.g., an “in-band” deployment of a narrowband protocol type).

[0066] In a system utilizing MCM techniques, a resource element may consist of one symbol period (e.g., the time length of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, where the symbol period and the subcarrier spacing are inversely proportional. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme). Thus, the more resource elements the UE 115 receives and the higher the order of the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate for the UE 115 may be. In a MIMO system, wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of radio frequency spectrum resources, time resources, and spatial resources (e.g., spatial layers), where the use of multiple spatial layers can further increase the data rate of communication with the UE 115.

[0067] A device (e.g., a base station 105 or a UE 115) of the wireless communication system 100 may have a hardware configuration that supports communication over a particular carrier bandwidth or may be configurable to support communication over one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include a base station 105 and / or UE that can support simultaneous communication over carriers associated with multiple different carrier bandwidths.

[0068] The wireless communication system 100 may support communication with the UE 115 over multiple cells or carriers, a feature sometimes referred to as carrier aggregation (CA) or multi-carrier operation. The UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink CCs and one or more uplink CCs according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both FDD and TDD component carriers.

[0069] In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 may utilize an enhanced component carrier (eCC). An eCC may be characterized by one or more features including a wider carrier or frequency channel bandwidth, a shorter symbol period length, a shorter TTI period length, or a modified control channel configuration. In some cases, an eCC may be associated with a carrier aggregation configuration or a dual connectivity configuration (e.g., when multiple serving cells have suboptimal or non-ideal backhaul links). An eCC may also be configured for use in unlicensed or shared spectrum (where two or more operators are authorized to use the spectrum). An eCC characterized by a wide carrier bandwidth may include one or more segments that may be utilized by a UE 115 that is not capable of monitoring the entire carrier bandwidth or is otherwise configured to use limited carrier bandwidth (e.g., to conserve power).

[0070] In some cases, an eCC may utilize a different symbol time length than other CCs, which may include the use of a shortened symbol time length compared to the symbol time lengths of other CCs. The shorter symbol time length may be associated with an increased spacing between adjacent subcarriers. A device such as a UE 115 or base station 105 utilizing an eCC may transmit a wideband signal (e.g., according to a frequency channel or carrier bandwidth of 20, 40, 60, 80 MHz, etc.) in a shortened symbol time length (e.g., 16.67 microseconds). A TTI in an eCC may consist of one or more symbols. In some cases, the TTI length (i.e., the number of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable.

[0071] Wireless communications systems such as NR systems may utilize any combination of licensed, shared, and unlicensed spectrum bands, among others. Flexibility in eCC symbol duration and subcarrier spacing may enable the use of eCC across multiple spectrums. In some examples, NR shared spectrum may increase spectrum utilization and spectral efficiency, especially through dynamic vertical (e.g., across frequency) and horizontal (e.g., across time) sharing of resources.

[0072] The UE 115 may receive a first SFI during a first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period. The UE 115 may receive a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than the first monitor period and within the first monitor period, the second SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for the subset of slots associated with the second monitor period. The UE 115 may perform wireless communication via the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0073] The base station 105 may transmit a first SFI during a first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period. The base station 105 may transmit a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than the first monitor period and within the first monitor period, the second SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor period. The base station 105 may perform wireless communications over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0074] 2 illustrates an example of an SFI configuration 200 supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In some examples, the SFI configuration 200 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. Aspects of the SFI configuration 200 may be implemented by a UE and / or a base station, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein. In general, the SFI configuration 200 illustrates an example of a multi-level SFI indication using two SFI levels.

[0075] The SFI configuration 200 includes multiple slots 205, with 16 slots 205 shown as an example only. The SFI configuration 200 may support a greater or lesser number of slots 205. Moreover, it should be understood that the slots 205 are shown as an example of the period described with respect to a monitoring period. However, the described monitoring period is not limited to the slots 205, but may instead cover other periods, such as one or more subframes, one or more frames, etc. Moreover, the described monitoring period may be associated with other defined periods, such as a transmission opportunity (TxOP) period, a discovery reference signal (DRS) measurement timing configuration (DMTC) window, etc.

[0076] The SFI configuration 200 may include one or more instances of a first SFI 210 and a second SFI 215. The first SFI 210 may be considered to be at least a higher level SFI than the second SFI 215, e.g., a Level 1 SFI. The second SFI 215 may be considered to be at least a lower level SFI than the first SFI 210, e.g., a Level 2 SFI. In general, the first SFI 210 and the second SFI 215 may be transmitted from the base station to the UE in a control signal, such as a Group Common Physical Downlink Control Channel (GC-PDCCH) signal. In some aspects, the first SFI 210 and the second SFI 215 are transmitted in a Downlink Control Indicator (DCI) of the control signal or are otherwise carried as bits. 5, the first SFI 210 and the second SFI 215 may be carried separately in one or more DCIs or may be combined in a DCI, for example using joint coding, concatenation, or some other combining technique. In general, the first SFI 210 and the second SFI 215 may be carried during a first period of the slot 205.

[0077] In some aspects, the first SFI 210 has or is otherwise associated with a first monitor period 220 and the second SFI 215 has or is otherwise associated with a second monitor period 225. The first monitor period 220 may be associated with a longer length of time than the second monitor period 225. Thus, the second monitor period 225 has a shorter length of time therein than the first monitor period 220. In the exemplary SFI configuration 200, the first monitor period 220 has a length of time that spans eight slots 205 and the second monitor period 225 has a length of time that spans one slot 205. However, the first monitor period 220 may span more or fewer slots 205 (or subframes, frames, etc.) and the second monitor period 225 may span more or fewer slots 205 (or subframes, frames, etc.). Thus, there may be multiple instances of a second monitor period 225 within a first monitor period 220. In one non-limiting example, the first monitor period 220 may be associated with a TxOP, and the second monitor period 225 may be associated with a slot 205 within that TxOP.

[0078] In some aspects, the length or duration of the first monitor period 220 and / or the second monitor period 225 may be configured by the base station and signaled to the UE in a configuration signal, such as an RRC signal. In some aspects, the length or duration of the first monitor period 220 and / or the second monitor period 225 may be pre-configured for the base station and the UE. The length or duration of the first monitor period 220 and / or the second monitor period 225 may be fixed and / or may be dynamically changed. Moreover, the number of instances of the second monitor period 225 within the first monitor period 220 may be changed, for example, to span two slots 205, four slots 205, etc. within the first monitor period 220.

[0079] In some aspects, the first SFI 210 may convey or otherwise convey an indication of some control information for the slots 205 that are within the first monitor period 220. In some aspects, the control information indicated in the first SFI 210 may include more general configurations, such as information about where the UE may perform a random access channel (RACH) procedure, information about where the base station transmits certain information, frame format information, etc. That is, in some aspects, the first SFI 210 may define the structure of the first monitor period 220 by reusing the SFI mechanism to indicate more general configuration information. In some aspects, the control information indicated in the first SFI 210 may include a slot pattern that the UE should use for wireless communications. For example, the first SFI 210 may indicate that the first three slots 205 are for downlink (D) communications, the next three slots 205 are for uplink (U) communications, and the last two slots 205 are unknown (X), or some other pattern. This may provide a high level indication of the format for the slot 205 without specifically specifying the communication direction of a particular symbol period within the slot 205. In some aspects, the control information indicated in the first SFI 210 may be the actual slot format for the slot 205 that is within the first monitor period 220, e.g., may identify the communication direction of each symbol period of the slot 205 within the first monitor period 220.

[0080] In some aspects, the second SFI 215 may convey or otherwise convey an indication of some control information for the slots 205 that are within the second monitor period 225. In some aspects, the control information indicated in the second SFI 215 may include a slot format for a subset of the slots 205 that are within the second monitor period 225. In the example shown in the SFI configuration 200, the subset of slots that are within the second monitor period 225 includes one slot 205. However, in other examples, the second monitor period 225 may span more than one slot 205, so the second SFI 215 may indicate a slot format for those slots 205. For example, the second SFI 215 may indicate a communication direction for each symbol period of the slots 205 covered by the second monitor period 225, e.g., which symbol periods are for downlink (D) communications, which symbol periods are for uplink (U) communications, and which symbol periods are for unknown (X) communications.

[0081] Thus, the base station may transmit (and the UE may receive) the first SFI 210 and the second SFI 215, and may use the indicated information (or information derivable therefrom) to perform wireless communications during the second monitoring period 225. This may include the UE identifying the communication direction of symbols in the slot 205 of the second monitoring period 225. In some aspects, the UE may determine that the first SFI indicates an unknown (X) communication direction for some symbols and use the second SFI 215 to identify the communication direction (e.g., downlink (D) or uplink (U)) of those symbols. That is, the unknown (X) communication direction may be a flexible communication direction. The second SFI 215 may not overwrite the information indicated in the first SFI 210, but may instead be used to further define a higher level unknown (X) determination. However, in other examples, the UE may determine that the information indicated in the second SFI 215 overwrites the information indicated in the first SFI 210, e.g., due to changes in communication requirements of the base station. For example, the base station may include information (e.g., a bit) in the second SFI 215 indicating that the UE should overwrite the first SFI 210 with the second SFI 215 because the base station may receive higher priority data, data with lower latency, etc. after transmitting the first SFI 210. In some aspects, the UE may resolve a conflict between the first SFI 210 and the second SFI 215 based on a type of communication being performed during the second monitoring period 225, based on channel conditions, or based on some other measure that may exist or change since the time between when the first SFI 210 and the second SFI 215 are received.

[0082] In some aspects, the UE is configured to monitor two or more levels of SFI. A higher level SFI (first SFI 210) may be transmitted more infrequently and cover a longer period of time. In some aspects, the higher level SFI may not indicate an actual slot format, but may reuse a defined SFI mechanism to indicate more general configuration information. A lower level SFI (second SFI 215) may be transmitted more frequently and is embedded in the period covered by the higher level SFI. In some aspects, the transmission of the first SFI 210 and / or the second SFI 215 is not always periodic. For example, the timing of the TxOP level SFI transmission may be non-periodic, for example based on the result of an LBT procedure.

[0083] In some aspects, the first SFI 210 may be aligned with or replace the semi-static DL / UL allocation period, providing more dynamic control of resource direction. The second SFI 215 may be at a multi-slot level or a per-slot level. In one example shown in FIG. 3, the second SFI 215 may be transmitted at a multi-slot level, and another SFI 3 may be transmitted at a slot level. Since the base station has full control of the resources, the monitoring period configuration may be periodic, if licensed. In mmW scenarios, the first SFI 210 transmission may share a residual minimum system information (RMSI) physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission to share beam sweeping resources.

[0084] 3 illustrates an example of an SFI configuration 300 supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In some examples, the SFI configuration 300 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100 and / or the SFI configuration 200. Aspects of the SFI configuration 300 may be implemented by a UE and / or a base station, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein. In general, the SFI configuration 300 illustrates an example of a multi-level SFI indication using three SFI levels.

[0085] The SFI configuration 300 includes a number of slots 305, with 16 slots 305 shown by way of example only. The SFI configuration 300 may support a greater or lesser number of slots 305. As discussed above, while the slot 305 is shown as an example of a period described with respect to a monitoring period, it should be understood that the monitoring period described is not limited to the slot 305, but may instead cover other periods, such as one or more subframes, one or more frames, etc.

[0086] The SFI configuration 300 may include one or more instances of a first SFI 310, a second SFI 315, and a third SFI 320. The first SFI 310 may be considered to be a higher level SFI than at least the second SFI 315 and the third SFI 320, e.g., a Level 1 SFI. The second SFI 315 may be considered to be a lower level SFI than at least the first SFI 310, e.g., a Level 2 SFI. The third SFI 320 may be considered to be a lower level SFI than the first SFI 310 and the second SFI 315, e.g., a Level 3 SFI. In general, the first SFI 310, the second SFI 315, and the third SFI 320 may be transmitted from the base station to the UE in a control signal, such as a GC-PDCCH signal. In some aspects, the first SFI 310, the second SFI 315, and the third SFI 320 are transmitted in a DCI of a control signal or are otherwise carried as bits. The first SFI 310, the second SFI 315, and the third SFI 320 may be carried separately in one or more DCIs or may be combined in a DCI. In general, the first SFI 310, the second SFI 315, and the third SFI 320 may be carried during a first period of the slot 305.

[0087] In some aspects, the first SFI 310 has or is otherwise associated with a first monitor period 325. The second SFI 315 has or is otherwise associated with a second monitor period 330. The third SFI 320 has or is associated with a third monitor period 335. The first monitor period 325 may be associated with a longer length of time than the second monitor period 330 and the third monitor period 335. Thus, the second monitor period 330 and the third monitor period 335 have a shorter length of time therein than the first monitor period 325. The second monitor period 330 may be associated with a longer length of time than the third monitor period 335. Thus, the third monitor period 335 has a shorter length of time therein than the second monitor period 330. In the exemplary SFI configuration 300, the first monitor period 325 has a length of time spanning sixteen slots 305, the second monitor period 330 has a length of time spanning four slots 305, and the third monitor period has a length of time spanning one slot 305. However, the first monitor period 325, the second monitor period 330, and / or the third monitor period 335 may span a greater or lesser number of slots 305 (or subframes, frames, etc.). Thus, there may be multiple instances of the second monitor period 330 within the first monitor period 325, and multiple instances of the third monitor period 335 within the second monitor period 330. In one non-limiting example, the first monitor period 325 may be associated with a DMTC window, the second monitor period 330 may be associated with a TxOP that is within the DMTC window, and the third monitor period 335 may be associated with a slot 305 that is within that TxOP.

[0088] In some aspects, the length or duration of the first monitor period 325, the second monitor period 330, and / or the third monitor period 335 may be configured by the base station and signaled to the UE in a configuration signal, such as an RRC signal. In some aspects, the length or duration may be preconfigured for the base station and the UE. The length or duration may be fixed and / or may be dynamically changed. Furthermore, the number of instances of the second monitor period 330 within the first monitor period 325 and / or the third monitor period 335 within the second monitor period 330 may be changed.

[0089] In some aspects, the first SFI 310 may convey or otherwise convey an indication of some control information for the slots 305 that are within the first monitor period 325. In some aspects, the control information indicated in the first SFI 310 may include more general configurations, such as information about where the UE may perform a RACH procedure, information about where the base station transmits certain information, frame format information, etc. That is, in some aspects, the first SFI 310 may define the structure of the first monitor period 325 by reusing the SFI mechanism to indicate more general configuration information. In some aspects, the control information indicated in the first SFI 310 may include a slot pattern that the UE should use for wireless communications. For example, the first SFI 310 may indicate that the first eight slots 305 are for downlink (D) communications and the next eight slots 305 are for uplink (U) communications, or some other pattern. This may provide a high level indication of the format for the slots 305 without specifically specifying the communication direction of a particular symbol period within the slot 305. In some aspects, the control information indicated in the first SFI 310 may be an actual slot format for the slot 305 within the first monitor period 325, and may, for example, identify the communication direction of each symbol period of the slot 305 within the first monitor period 325.

[0090] In some aspects, the second SFI 315 may convey or otherwise convey an indication of some control information for the slots 305 that are within the second monitor period 330. In some aspects, the control information indicated in the second SFI 315 may include a slot format for a subset of the slots 305 that are within the second monitor period 330. In the example shown in the SFI configuration 300, the subset of slots that are within the second monitor period 330 includes four slots 305. However, in other examples, the second monitor period 330 may span a greater or fewer number of slots 305, and thus the second SFI 315 may indicate a slot format for those slots 305. For example, the second SFI 315 may indicate a communication direction for each symbol period of the slots 305 covered by the second monitor period 330, e.g., which symbols are for downlink (D) communications, which symbol periods are for uplink (U) communications, and which symbol periods are for unknown (X) communications.

[0091] In some aspects, the third SFI 320 may convey or otherwise convey an indication of some control information for the slots 305 that are within the third monitor period 335. In some aspects, the control information indicated in the third SFI 320 may include a slot format for a subset of the slots 305 that are within the third monitor period 335. In the example shown in the SFI configuration 300, the subset of slots that are within the third monitor period 335 includes one slot 305. However, in other examples, the third monitor period 335 may span more than one slot 305, so the third SFI 320 may indicate a slot format for those slots 305. For example, the third SFI 320 may indicate a communication direction for each symbol period of the slot 305 covered by the third monitor period 335, e.g., which symbols are for downlink (D) communications, which symbol periods are for uplink (U) communications, and which symbol periods are for unknown (X) communications.

[0092] Thus, the base station may transmit (and the UE may receive) the first SFI 310, the second SFI 315, and the third SFI 320, and may use the indicated information (or information derivable therefrom) to perform wireless communications during the third monitoring period 335. This may include the UE determining the communication direction of symbols in the slot 305 of the third monitoring period 335. In some aspects, the UE may determine that the first SFI 310 and / or the second SFI 315 indicate an unknown (X) communication direction (i.e., flexible communication direction) for some symbols and use the third SFI 320 to determine the communication direction (e.g., downlink (D) or uplink (U)) of those symbols.

[0093] In some aspects, the first SFI 310 (e.g., Level 1 SFI) may be at the DMTC window level. This period may of course be the DRS period in NR-SS (e.g., the transmissions share the DRS transmission burst, so a separate LBT procedure can be avoided). The first SFI 310 may define the structure of the DMTC window, e.g., not in terms of DL / UL for each slot 305, since the traffic may not be known at this point. However, the first SFI 310 may carry information about where the RACH is, where the base station may likely transmit, e.g., frame format, but not detailed information about the slots. The second SFI 315 (e.g., Level 2 SFI) may be at the TxOP level, may be transmitted at the beginning of the TxOP, and may define the structure of the TxOP, e.g., how many slots are DL-centric, how many slots are UL-centric, etc. The third SFI 320 (e.g., Level 3 SFI) may be at the slot level within the TxOP.

[0094] It should be understood that the described techniques are not limited to the SFI levels described herein. Instead, other combinations of slot levels may be utilized that may not use all of the SFI levels. In one example, the first SFI 310 and the second SFI 315 may be used. In another example, the second SFI 315 and the third SFI 320 may be used. In another example, the first SFI 310 and the third SFI 320 may be used. Another example may combine the use of the first SFI 310, the second SFI 315, and the third SFI 320.

[0095] 4 illustrates an example of an SFI table 400 supporting multi-level SFI in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the SFI table 400 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100 and / or the slot configurations 200 / 300. Aspects of the SFI table 400 may be implemented by a UE and / or a base station, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein.

[0096] In general, the SFI table 400 may be signaled and / or pre-configured for the base station and the UE. The SFI table 400 may include multiple rows 405 and columns 410. The first row 405 is a top row that identifies an entry in the corresponding column 410. The first column 410 identifies a particular SFI. For example, the first row 405 identifies the first column 410 as corresponding to an SFI indication, and the remaining columns 410 correspond to symbols of the slot, e.g., the second column 410 corresponds to symbol 1 of the slot, the third column 410 corresponds to symbol 2 of the slot, and so on. Thus, the second row 405 to the last row 405 generally indicate a slot format. It should be understood that the number of symbols in the SFI table 400 is not limited to 14 symbols, but may instead include more or fewer symbols. It should also be understood that the SFI table 400 may include more or fewer rows 405.

[0097] The second and subsequent rows 405 generally correspond to a particular SFI indication. As discussed herein, the SFI may be indicated in one or more bits of the DCI, for example, 2 bits, 3 bits, 4 bits, or some other number of bits carried in the DCI. That is, a 4-bit pattern of 0011 may indicate SFI3, which corresponds to the fifth row 405 in the SFI table 400. The fifth row 405 of the SFI table 400 may generally have a downlink (D) center slot format, for example, symbols 1-11 are downlink (D) symbols, symbol 12 is an unknown (X) symbol, and symbols 13 and 14 are downlink (D) symbols.

[0098] As another example, an SFI designation of a 5-bit pattern of 01001 may indicate SFI 9, which corresponds to the 11th row in SFI table 400. The 11th row in SFI table 400 is generally an unknown (X) center slot format, e.g., symbols 1-10 are unknown (X) symbols, symbols 11 and 12 are uplink (U) symbols, and symbols 13 and 14 are downlink (D) symbols.

[0099] In some aspects, different UEs may be configured with different sets of available SFIs. For example, a first UE may be configured with SFIs 1-8, a second UE may be configured with SFIs 9-16, and so on. Thus, a 4-bit SFI indication of 0110 to a second UE may indicate that the UE should use a slot format corresponding to SFI 14 in SFI table 400, while the same 4-bit SFI indication of 0110 to a first UE may indicate that the UE should use a slot format corresponding to SFI 6 in the SFI table.

[0100] As discussed above, the first SFI indication and the second SFI indication may be generally transmitted by the base station (and received by the UE). In some aspects, the first SFI may indicate control information, such as general configuration information for the corresponding first monitoring period, e.g., frame format, grant information, etc., and the second SFI may indicate control information, such as an entry corresponding to row 405 of SFI table 400.

[0101] 5 illustrates an example of an SFI configuration 500 supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. In some examples, the SFI configuration 500 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100, the slot configuration 200 / 300, and / or the SFI table 400. Aspects of the SFI configuration 500 may be implemented by a UE and / or a base station, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein. In general, the SFI configuration 500 illustrates an example of a multi-level SFI indication indicated in a DCI with SFIs combined.

[0102] The SFI configuration 500 includes a number of slots 505, with 16 slots 505 shown by way of example only. The SFI configuration 500 may support a greater or lesser number of slots 505. As discussed above, while the slot 505 is shown as an example of a period described with respect to a monitoring period, it should be understood that the monitoring period described is not limited to the slot 505, but may instead cover other periods, such as one or more subframes, one or more frames, etc.

[0103] The SFI configuration 500 may include one or more instances of a combined SFI 510 and a second SFI 515. The combined SFI 510 may generally include a first SFI, which may be considered to be at least a higher level SFI than the second SFI 515, e.g., a level 1 SFI. The second SFI 515 may be considered to be at least a lower level SFI than the first SFI, e.g., a level 2 SFI. Generally, the combined SFI 510 (including one instance of the first SFI and one instance of the second SFI 515) and subsequent instances of the second SFI 515 that are within the first monitoring period 520 may be transmitted from the base station to the UE in a control signal, such as a GC-PDCCH signal. In some aspects, the combined SFI 510 (including the first SFI) and the second SFI 515 are transmitted in the DCI of the control signal or are otherwise carried as bits. In some aspects, the first SFI has or is otherwise associated with a first monitoring period 520 and the second SFI 515 has or is otherwise associated with a second monitoring period 525.

[0104] In some aspects, the combined SFI 510 may jointly indicate one instance of the first SFI (e.g., level 1 SFI) and the second SFI 515. For example, the first SFI and the second SFI 515 may be combined in any manner to be signaled together. For example, the first SFI and the second SFI 515 may be jointly coded by the base station, may be concatenated by the base station, or any other combining technique may be used by the base station to combine the first SFI and the second SFI 515 to be indicated in a single DCI (e.g., within one set of bits in the DCI). The UE may be configured to separate the first SFI and the second SFI 515 in the slot 505 that includes the combined SFI 510. For example, the UE may use a joint decoding technique (e.g., joint interpretation), a deconcatenation technique (i.e., deconcatenation), or any technique to separate the first SFI and the second SFI 515 in the combined SFI 510.

[0105] In some aspects, one scenario may use separate DCIs (such as those shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) for the SFIs of the two levels of slots / core sets that the UE is configured to monitor. The use of separate DCIs for the two SFIs may imply separate decoding, e.g., the use of the same DCI format for each SFI at each level. Another scenario may use a joint DCI (such as that shown in FIG. 5). Using a joint DCI may imply single decoding, e.g., combining the two SFIs into one DCI by concatenation, or by joint encoding, or by some other combining means. This may imply a dynamic (e.g., but unknown) length of the DCI. The joint DCI may use the same Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) for the SFI.

[0106] In some aspects, the monitoring for each level of SFI monitoring may be configured by the base station in the RRC. Different periodicities may be configured for different levels of SFI. Different levels of SFI may have different payload sizes, e.g., different DCI payload sizes. The RNTIs used by different levels of SFI may also be different.

[0107] 6 illustrates an example of a process 600 for supporting multi-level SFI according to aspects of the disclosure. In some examples, the process 600 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100, slot configurations 200 / 300 / 500, and / or SFI table 400. The process 600 may include a base station 605 and a UE 610, which may be examples of corresponding devices described herein.

[0108] At 615, the base station 605 may transmit (and the UE 610 may receive) a first SFI during the first monitoring period for a set of slots associated with the first monitoring period. The first SFI may indicate control information that specifies configuration information for the set of slots and / or a subset of the slots. The configuration information may include RACH resources, frame formats, grant information, etc. for the set of slots. In this case, the UE 610 may use the second SFI to specify a slot format for the subset of the slots.

[0109] At 620, the base station 605 may transmit (and the UE 610 may receive) a second SFI during a second monitor period. The second monitor period may be shorter in length in time than the first monitor period. The second monitor period may be within the first monitor period. The second SFI may indicate a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor period.

[0110] At 625, the base station 605 and the UE 610 may perform wireless communications over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI. For example, the UE 610 may determine a communication direction of at least some of the symbols in the subset of slots based on the first SFI and the second SFI and perform wireless communications based on the determined communication direction. In some aspects, this may include the UE 610 determining that the first SFI indicates an unknown (X) communication direction for symbols in the subset of slots. In this case, the UE 610 may use the second SFI to determine the communication direction of those symbols.

[0111] 7 illustrates a block diagram 700 of a wireless device 705 supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. The wireless device 705 may be an example of an aspect of a UE 115 as described herein. The wireless device 705 may include a receiver 710, a UE communications manager 715, and a transmitter 720. The wireless device 705 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0112] The receiver 710 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, as well as information regarding multi-level SFI, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device. The receiver 710 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1035 described with reference to FIG. 10. The receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0113] The UE communications manager 715 may be an example of an aspect of the UE communications manager 1015 described with reference to FIG.

[0114] The UE communications manager 715 and / or at least some of its various subcomponents may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions of the UE communications manager 715 and / or at least some of its various subcomponents may be performed by 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, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure. The UE communications manager 715 and / or at least some of its various subcomponents may be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functions are implemented by one or more physical devices at different physical locations. In some examples, the UE communications manager 715 and / or at least some of its various subcomponents may be separate and distinct components according to aspects of the present disclosure. In other examples, the UE communications manager 715 and / or at least some of its various subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including, but not limited to, an I / O component, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in this disclosure, or combinations thereof according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0115] The UE communications manager 715 may receive a first SFI during a first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period, receive a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than the first monitor period and within the first monitor period, the second SFI including an indication of a slot format for the subset of slots associated with the second monitor period, and perform wireless communications via the subset of slots based on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0116] The transmitter 720 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device. In some examples, the transmitter 720 may be collocated with the receiver 710 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 720 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1035 described with reference to FIG. 10. The transmitter 720 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0117] 8 illustrates a block diagram 800 of a wireless device 805 supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. The wireless device 805 may be an example of an aspect of a wireless device 705 or a UE 115 as described with reference to FIG. 7. The wireless device 805 may include a receiver 810, a UE communications manager 815, and a transmitter 820. The wireless device 805 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0118] The receiver 810 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, as well as information regarding multi-level SFI, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device. The receiver 810 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1035 described with reference to FIG. 10. The receiver 810 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0119] The UE communications manager 815 may be an example of an aspect of the UE communications manager 1015 described with reference to Figure 10. The UE communications manager 815 may also include a first level SFI manager 825, a second level SFI manager 830, and a slot communications manager 835. The first level SFI manager 825 may receive a first SFI during a first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period.

[0120] The second level SFI manager 830 can receive a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than and within the first monitor period, the second SFI including an indication of a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor period.

[0121] The slotted communications manager 835 may perform wireless communications over the subset of slots based on the first SFI and the second SFI. In some cases, the first monitoring period is for a TxOP and the second monitoring period is for one or more slots within the TxOP. In some cases, the subset of slots includes one slot or more than one slot.

[0122] The transmitter 820 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device. In some examples, the transmitter 820 may be collocated with the receiver 810 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 820 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1035 described with reference to FIG. 10. The transmitter 820 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0123] 9 illustrates a block diagram 900 of a UE communications manager 915 supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. The UE communications manager 915 may be an example of an aspect of the UE communications manager 715, UE communications manager 815, or UE communications manager 1015 described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 10. The UE communications manager 915 may include a first level SFI manager 920, a second level SFI manager 925, a slot communications manager 930, a slot format manager 935, a communication direction manager 940, a third level SFI manager 945, a DCI manager 950, and a configuration manager 955. Each of these modules may communicate with one another directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0124] The first level SFI manager 920 may receive a first SFI during the first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period.

[0125] The second level SFI manager 925 can receive a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than and within the first monitor period, the second SFI including an indication of a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor period.

[0126] The slotted communications manager 930 may perform wireless communications over the subset of slots based on the first SFI and the second SFI. In some cases, the first monitoring period is for a TxOP and the second monitoring period is for one or more slots within the TxOP. In some cases, the subset of slots includes one slot or more than one slot.

[0127] The slot format manager 935 can perform wireless communication via the subset of slots based on the identified communication direction, where the first SFI includes control information identifying and indicating configuration information for the subset of slots, and where identifying the configuration information includes identifying a slot format for the subset of slots based at least in part on the second SFI. In some cases, performing wireless communication includes identifying a communication direction of at least a portion of the symbols in the subset of slots based on the first SFI and the second SFI. In some cases, the control information includes one or more of an indication of a RACH resource, a frame format indication, or a combination thereof.

[0128] The communication direction manager 940 may determine that the first SFI indicates flexible communication directions for one or more symbols in a subset of the slots and may identify the communication direction of each of the one or more symbols based on the second SFI.

[0129] The third level SFI manager 945 can receive a third SFI during a third monitor period that is shorter in time than and within the second monitor period, the third SFI including an indication of a slot format for a slot associated with the third monitor period. In some cases, the first monitor period is for a DMTC window, the second monitor period is for a TxOP that is within the DMTC window, and the third monitor period is for a slot that is within the TxOP.

[0130] The DCI manager 950 may receive a first SFI in a first DCI field, receive a second SFI in a second DCI field different from the first DCI field, receive the first SFI and the second SFI in a common DCI field, and perform at least one of joint interpretation or deconcatenation on the common DCI field to determine the first SFI, the second SFI, or a combination.

[0131] The configuration manager 955 may receive a configuration message indicating a first monitoring period and a second monitoring period.

[0132] FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a system 1000 including a device 1005 supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. The device 1005 may be, or include components of, a wireless device 705, a wireless device 805, or a UE 115, for example, as described above with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The device 1005 may include components for two-way voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a UE communications manager 1015, a processor 1020, a memory 1025, software 1030, a transceiver 1035, an antenna 1040, and an input / output controller 1045. These components may be in electronic communication over one or more buses (e.g., bus 1010). The device 1005 may wirelessly communicate with one or more base stations 105.

[0133] The processor 1020 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 1020 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1020. The processor 1020 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting multi-level SFI).

[0134] The memory 1025 may include random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The memory 1025 may store computer-readable computer-executable software 1030 that includes instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 1025 may include a basic input / output system (BIOS), which may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices, among other things.

[0135] The software 1030 may include code for implementing aspects of the disclosure, including code for supporting multi-level SFI. The software 1030 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a system memory or other memory. In some cases, the software 1030 may not be directly executable by a processor, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause a computer to perform functions described herein.

[0136] The transceiver 1035 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired links, or wireless links, as described above. For example, the transceiver 1035 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1035 may also include a modem for modulating packets, providing the modulated packets to an antenna for transmission, and demodulating packets received from the antenna.

[0137] In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna 1040. However, in some cases, the device may have multiple antennas 1040 that may be capable of simultaneously transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

[0138] The input / output controller 1045 may manage input and output signals for the device 1005. The input / output controller 1045 may also manage peripherals that are not built into the device 1005. In some cases, the input / output controller 1045 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some cases, the input / output controller 1045 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS / 2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. In some cases, the input / output controller 1045 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, the input / output controller 1045 may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user may interact with the device 1005 through the input / output controller 1045 or through hardware components controlled by the input / output controller 1045.

[0139] 11 illustrates a block diagram 1100 of a wireless device 1005 supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. The wireless device 1105 may be an example of an aspect of a base station 105 as described herein. The wireless device 1105 may include a receiver 1110, a base station communications manager 1115, and a transmitter 1120. The wireless device 1105 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0140] The receiver 1110 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, as well as information regarding multi-level SFI, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device. The receiver 1110 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1435 described with reference to FIG. 14. The receiver 1110 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0141] The base station communications manager 1115 may be an example of an aspect of the base station communications manager 1415 described with reference to FIG.

[0142] The base station communications manager 1115, and / or at least some of its various subcomponents, may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions of at least some of the base station communications manager 1115 and / or its various subcomponents may be performed by a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure. The base station communications manager 1115, and / or at least some of its various subcomponents, may be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that portions of the functions are implemented by one or more physical devices at different physical locations. In some examples, the base station communications manager 1115 and / or at least some of its various subcomponents may be separate and distinct components according to aspects of the present disclosure. In other examples, the base station communications manager 1115 and / or at least some of its various subcomponents may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including, but not limited to, an I / O component, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in this disclosure, or combinations thereof, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

[0143] The base station communications manager 1115 may transmit a first SFI during a first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period, transmit a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than the first monitor period and within the first monitor period, the second SFI including an indication of a slot format for the subset of slots associated with the second monitor period, and perform wireless communications via the subset of slots based on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0144] The transmitter 1120 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device. In some examples, the transmitter 1120 may be collocated with the receiver 1110 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 1120 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1435 described with reference to FIG. 14. The transmitter 1120 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0145] 12 illustrates a block diagram 1200 of a wireless device 1205 supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. The wireless device 1205 may be an example of an aspect of a wireless device 1105 or a base station 105 as described with reference to FIG. 11. The wireless device 1205 may include a receiver 1210, a base station communications manager 1215, and a transmitter 1220. The wireless device 1205 may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0146] The receiver 1210 may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, as well as information related to multi-level SFI, etc.). The information may be passed to other components of the device. The receiver 1210 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1435 described with reference to FIG. 14. The receiver 1210 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0147] The base station communications manager 1215 may be an example of an aspect of the base station communications manager 1415 described with reference to FIG.

[0148] The base station communications manager 1215 may also include a first level SFI manager 1225 , a second level SFI manager 1230 , and a slotted communications manager 1235 .

[0149] The first level SFI manager 1225 may transmit a first SFI during the first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period.

[0150] The second level SFI manager 1230 can transmit a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than and within the first monitor period, the second SFI including an indication of a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor period.

[0151] The slotted communications manager 1235 may perform wireless communications over a subset of the slots based on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0152] The transmitter 1220 may transmit signals generated by other components of the device. In some examples, the transmitter 1220 may be collocated with the receiver 1210 in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter 1220 may be an example of an aspect of the transceiver 1435 described with reference to FIG. 14. The transmitter 1220 may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

[0153] 13 illustrates a block diagram 1300 of a base station communications manager 1315 supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. The base station communications manager 1315 may be an example of an aspect of the base station communications manager 1415 described with reference to FIGS. 11, 12, and 14. The base station communications manager 1315 may include a first level SFI manager 1320, a second level SFI manager 1325, a slot communications manager 1330, a slot format manager 1335, a communication direction manager 1340, a third level SFI manager 1345, a DCI manager 1350, and a configuration manager 1355. Each of these modules may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0154] The first level SFI manager 1320 may transmit a first SFI during the first monitor period for a set of slots associated with the first monitor period.

[0155] The second level SFI manager 1325 can transmit a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than and within the first monitor period, the second SFI including an indication of a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor period.

[0156] The slotted communications manager 1330 may perform wireless communications over a subset of the slots based on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0157] The slot format manager 1335 may perform wireless communication over the subset of slots based on the identified communication direction, configure a first SFI to include control information identifying and indicating configuration information for the subset of slots, and configure a second SFI to indicate a slot format for the subset of slots. In some cases, performing wireless communication includes identifying a communication direction of at least a portion of the symbols in the subset of slots based on the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0158] The communication direction manager 1340 may determine that the first SFI indicates flexible communication directions for one or more symbols in a subset of the slots and may configure the second SFI to indicate a communication direction for each of the one or more symbols.

[0159] The third level SFI manager 1345 can transmit a third SFI during a third monitor period that is shorter in time than and within the second monitor period, where the third SFI includes an indication of a slot format for a slot associated with the third monitor period. In some cases, the first monitor period is for a DMTC window, the second monitor period is for a TxOP that is within the DMTC window, and the third monitor period is for a slot that is within the TxOP.

[0160] The DCI manager 1350 may transmit a first SFI in a first DCI field, transmit a second SFI in a second DCI field different from the first DCI field, perform at least one of joint encoding or concatenation on a common DCI field to transmit the first SFI and the second SFI, and transmit the common DCI field to indicate the first SFI and the second SFI.

[0161] The configuration manager 1355 may send a configuration message indicating the first monitor period and the second monitor period.

[0162] FIG. 14 illustrates a block diagram of a system 1400 including a device 1405 supporting multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. The device 1405 may be or include an example of a component of a base station 105, for example, as described above with reference to FIG. 1. The device 1405 may include components for two-way voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a base station communications manager 1415, a processor 1420, a memory 1425, software 1430, a transceiver 1435, an antenna 1440, a network communications manager 1445, and an inter-station communications manager 1450. These components may be in electronic communication over one or more buses (e.g., bus 1410). The device 1405 may wirelessly communicate with one or more UEs 115.

[0163] The processor 1420 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 1420 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 1420. The processor 1420 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks that support multi-level SFI).

[0164] The memory 1425 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 1425 may store computer-readable computer-executable software 1430 that includes instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 1425 may include a BIOS that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices, among other things.

[0165] The software 1430 may include code for implementing aspects of the disclosure, including code for supporting multi-level SFI. The software 1430 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a system memory or other memory. In some cases, the software 1430 may not be directly executable by a processor, but may (e.g., when compiled and executed) cause a computer to perform functions described herein.

[0166] The transceiver 1435 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more antennas, wired links, or wireless links, as described above. For example, the transceiver 1435 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1435 may also include a modem for modulating packets, providing the modulated packets to an antenna for transmission, and demodulating packets received from the antenna.

[0167] In some cases, a wireless device may include a single antenna 1440. However, in some cases, the device may have multiple antennas 1440 that may be capable of simultaneously transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

[0168] The network communications manager 1445 may manage communications with a core network (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communications manager 1445 may manage the transfer of data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115.

[0169] The inter-station communications manager 1450 may manage communications with other base stations 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with the UE 115 in cooperation with the other base stations 105. For example, the inter-station communications manager 1450 may coordinate the scheduling of transmissions to the UE 115 for various interference mitigation techniques, such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, the inter-station communications manager 1450 may provide an X2 interface in LTE / LTE-A wireless communications network technology to communicate between the base stations 105.

[0170] FIG. 15 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method 1500 for multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. The operations of the method 1500 may be performed by the UE 115 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1500 may be performed by a UE communications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10. In some examples, the UE 115 may execute a set of code to control functional elements of the device to perform functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described below.

[0171] At 1505, the UE 115 may receive a first SFI during the first monitoring period for a set of slots associated with the first monitoring period. The operations of 1505 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1505 may be performed by a first level SFI manager, as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

[0172] At 1510, the UE 115 may receive a second SFI during a second monitor interval that is shorter in time than and within the first monitor interval, the second SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor interval. The operations of 1510 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1510 may be performed by a second level SFI manager, as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

[0173] At 1515, the UE 115 may perform wireless communications over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI. The operations of 1515 may be performed in accordance with methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1515 may be performed by a slotted communications manager, such as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

[0174] FIG. 16 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method 1600 for multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. The operations of the method 1600 may be performed by the UE 115 or components thereof, as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1600 may be performed by a UE communications manager, as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10. In some examples, the UE 115 may execute a set of code to control functional elements of the device to perform functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE 115 may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described below.

[0175] At 1605, the UE 115 may receive a first SFI during the first monitoring period for a set of slots associated with the first monitoring period. The operations of 1605 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1605 may be performed by a first level SFI manager, as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

[0176] At 1610, the UE 115 may receive a second SFI during a second monitor interval that is shorter in time than and within the first monitor interval, the second SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor interval. The operations of 1610 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1610 may be performed by a second level SFI, such as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

[0177] At 1615, the UE 115 may perform wireless communications over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI. The operations of 1615 may be performed in accordance with methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1615 may be performed by a slotted communications manager, such as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

[0178] At 1620, the UE 115 may determine that the first SFI indicates flexible communication direction for one or more symbols in the subset of slots. The operations of 1620 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1620 may be performed by a communication direction manager, such as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

[0179] At 1625, the UE 115 may determine a communication direction of each of the one or more symbols based at least in part on the second SFI. The operations of 1625 may be performed in accordance with methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1625 may be performed by a communication direction manager, such as described with reference to FIGS. 7-10.

[0180] FIG. 17 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method 1700 for multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. The operations of the method 1700 may be performed by a base station 105 or components thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1700 may be performed by a base station communications manager as described with reference to FIGS. 11-14. In some examples, the base station 105 may execute a set of code to control functional elements of a device to perform functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station 105 may perform aspects of the functions described below using dedicated hardware.

[0181] At 1705, the base station 105 may transmit a first SFI during the first monitoring period for a set of slots associated with the first monitoring period. The operations of 1705 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1705 may be performed by a first level SFI manager, as described with reference to FIGS. 11-14.

[0182] At 1710, the base station 105 may transmit a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than and within the first monitor period, the second SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor period. The operations of 1710 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1710 may be performed by a second level SFI manager, as described with reference to FIGS. 11-14.

[0183] At 1715, the base station 105 may perform wireless communications over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI. The operations of 1715 may be performed in accordance with methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1715 may be performed by a slotted communications manager, such as described with reference to FIGS. 11-14.

[0184] FIG. 18 illustrates a flow chart illustrating a method 1800 for multi-level SFI according to an aspect of the disclosure. The operations of the method 1800 may be performed by the base station 105 or components thereof, as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1800 may be performed by a base station communications manager, as described with reference to FIGS. 11-14. In some examples, the base station 105 may execute a set of code to control functional elements of a device to perform functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station 105 may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described below.

[0185] At 1805, the base station 105 may transmit a first SFI during the first monitoring period for a set of slots associated with the first monitoring period. The operations of 1805 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1805 may be performed by a first level SFI manager, such as those described with reference to FIGS. 11-14.

[0186] At 1810, the base station 105 may transmit a second SFI during a second monitor period that is shorter in time than and within the first monitor period, the second SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for a subset of slots associated with the second monitor period. The operations of 1810 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1810 may be performed by a second level SFI manager, such as described with reference to FIGS. 11-14.

[0187] At 1815, the base station 105 may transmit a third SFI during a third monitor period that is less in time than and within the second monitor period, the third SFI comprising an indication of a slot format for a slot associated with the third monitor period. The operations of 1815 may be performed according to methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1815 may be performed by a third level SFI manager, such as described with reference to FIGS. 11-14.

[0188] At 1820, the base station 105 may perform wireless communications over the subset of slots based at least in part on the first SFI and the second SFI. The operations of 1820 may be performed in accordance with methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1820 may be performed by a slotted communications manager, such as described with reference to FIGS. 11-14.

[0189] It should be noted that the methods described above represent possible implementations, that the operations and steps may be rearranged or possibly modified, and that other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.

[0190] The techniques described herein may be used for various wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), and other systems. A CDMA system may implement a radio technology, such as CDMA2000, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc. CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95 and IS-856 standards. Releases of IS-2000 are sometimes commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1X, 1X, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) is commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. A TDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).

[0191] An OFDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), E-UTRA, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are parts of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). LTE, LTE-A, and LTE-A Pro are releases of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR, and GSM are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). The techniques described herein may be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned above as well as other systems and radio technologies. Although aspects of LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR systems may be described as examples, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used throughout much of the description, the techniques described herein are applicable to other than LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR applications.

[0192] A macro cell may generally cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., a few kilometers in radius) and allow unrestricted access by UEs 115 with a service subscription with the network provider. A small cell may be associated with a lower power base station 105 compared to a macro cell, and the small cell may operate in the same or different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed, etc.) frequency band as the macro cell. Small cells may include pico cells, femto cells, and micro cells, according to various examples. A pico cell may, for example, cover a small geographic area and allow unrestricted access by UEs 115 with a service subscription with the network provider. A femto cell may also cover a small geographic area (e.g., a home) and provide restricted access by UEs 115 with an association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs 115 in a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG), UEs 115 for users in the home, etc.). An eNB for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro eNB. An eNB for a small cell may be referred to as a small cell eNB, a pico eNB, a femto eNB, or a home eNB. An eNB may support one or more (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) cells and may also support communication using one or more component carriers.

[0193] One or more wireless communications systems 100 described herein may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, the base stations 105 may have similar frame timing and transmissions from different base stations 105 may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, the base stations 105 may have different frame timing and transmissions from different base stations 105 may not be aligned in time. The techniques described herein may be used for either synchronous or asynchronous operation.

[0194] The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a wide variety of technologies and techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols and chips that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0195] The various example blocks and modules described with respect to the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0196] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described above may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that parts of the functions are implemented in different physical locations.

[0197] Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Non-transitory storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Flash memory, Compact Disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or a general purpose or special purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. As used herein, disk and disc include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blue-ray disc, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0198] As used herein, including in the claims, "or" used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items ending with a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list, such as, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase "based on" is not to be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" is to be construed in a manner similar to the phrase "based at least in part on."

[0199] In the accompanying figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Furthermore, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a dash and a second label that distinguishes between the similar components. If only a first reference label is used herein, the description is applicable to any of the similar components having the same first reference label, regardless of the second reference label, or any other subsequent reference label.

[0200] The description set forth herein with respect to the accompanying drawings describes exemplary configurations and does not necessarily represent all examples that may be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" and does not mean "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." The detailed description includes specific details for the purposes of providing an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0201] The description herein is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0202] 100 Wireless communication system 105 Base station 110 Geographic Coverage Areas 115 UE 125 Communication Links 130 Core Network 132 backhaul links 134 backhaul links 200 SFI configuration 205 Slots 210 Level 1 SFI 215 Level 2 SFI 220 First monitoring period 225 Second Surveillance Period 300 SFI configuration 305 Slots 310 Level 1 SFI 315 Level 2 SFI 320 Level 3 SFI 325 First Observation Period 330 Second Surveillance Period 335 Third Surveillance Period 400 SFI Table Line 405 410 columns 500 SFI configuration 505 Slots 510 Level 1 and 2 SFI 515 Level 2 SFI 520 First monitoring period 525 Second Surveillance Period 600 processes 605 base station 610UE 700 Block Diagram 705 Wireless Devices 710 Receiver 715 UE Communication Manager 720 Transmitter 800 Block Diagram 805 Wireless Devices 810 Receiver 815 UE Communication Manager 820 Transmitter 825 First Level SFI Manager 830 Second Level SFI Manager 835 Slot Communication Manager 900 Block Diagram 915 UE Communication Manager 920 First Level SFI Manager 925 Second Level SFI Manager 930 Slot Communication Manager 935 Slot Format Manager 940 Communication Direction Manager 945 Third Level SFI Manager 950 DCI Manager 955 Configuration Manager 1000 Systems 1005 Devices 1010 Bus 1015 UE Communication Manager 1020 Processor 1025 memory 1030 Software 1035 Transceiver 1040 Antenna 1045 I / O Controller 1100 Block Diagram 1105 Wireless Devices 1110 Receiver 1115 Base Station Communication Manager 1120 Transmitter 1200 Block Diagram 1205 Wireless Devices 1210 Receiver 1215 Base Station Communication Manager 1220 Transmitter 1225 First Level SFI Manager 1230 Second Level SFI Manager 1235 Slot Communication Manager 1300 Block Diagram 1315 Base Station Communication Manager 1320 First Level SFI Manager 1325 Second Level SFI Manager 1330 Slot Communication Manager 1335 Slot Format Manager 1340 Communication Direction Manager 1345 Third Level SFI Manager 1350 DCI Manager 1355 Configuration Manager 1400 System 1405 Devices 1410 Bus 1415 Base Station Communication Manager 1420 Processor 1425 memory 1430 Software 1435 Transceiver 1440 Antenna 1445 Network Communications Manager 1450 Inter-Station Communications Manager 1500 ways 1600 methods 1700 methods

Claims

1. 1. A method performed by an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: receiving a common downlink control information message on a group common physical downlink control channel, the common downlink control information message comprising: a slot format configuration including a first slot format indicator and a second slot format indicator different from the first slot format indicator, and an identification of the first slot format indicator, the second slot format indicator, or both the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator, the identification including a set of bits associated with a slot format indicator field that identifies the first slot format indicator, the second slot format indicator, or both the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator; conducting the wireless communication based on the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator. A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the slot format configuration including the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator in a group common downlink control information message field of the common downlink control information message.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving the slot format indicator field in the group common downlink control information message field of the common downlink control information message.

4. determining a transmit format based on the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator, the transmit format being a Downlink resources, Uplink resources, Flexible resources, or The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: including a combination of downlink resources, uplink resources, and flexible resources.

5. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: jointly decoding the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator to determine the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator received in the common downlink control information message.

6. determining a set of resources associated with the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator; determining a time period for the wireless communication based on the set of resources; Further comprising:

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of conducting the wireless communication comprises receiving or transmitting the wireless communication using the set of resources during the period of time.

7. determining a first subset of resources associated with the first slot format indicator; determining a second subset of resources associated with the second slot format indicator; Further comprising:

7. The method of claim 6, wherein conducting the wireless communication comprises receiving or transmitting the wireless communication using the first subset of resources, the second subset of resources, or both the first subset of resources and the second subset of resources, during the period of time.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the set of resources comprises one or more symbols or slots.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator correspond to a same wireless network temporary identifier.

10. 1. A method performed by an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: transmitting a common downlink control information message on a group common physical downlink control channel, the common downlink control information message comprising: a slot format configuration including a first slot format indicator and a second slot format indicator different from the first slot format indicator, and an identification of the first slot format indicator, the second slot format indicator, or both the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator, the identification including a set of bits associated with a slot format indicator field that identifies the first slot format indicator, the second slot format indicator, or both the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator; conducting the wireless communication based on the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator. A method comprising:

11. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: transmitting the slot format configuration including the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator in a group common downlink control information message field of the common downlink control information message.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising transmitting the slot format indicator field in the group common downlink control information message field of the common downlink control information message.

13. assigning a transmission format based on the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator, the transmission format being associated with the wireless communication; Downlink resources, Uplink resources, Flexible resources, or The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: including a combination of downlink resources, uplink resources, and flexible resources.

14. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: jointly encoding the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator to determine the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator received in the common downlink control information message.

15. allocating a set of resources associated with the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator; allocating a time period for the wireless communication based on the set of resources; Further comprising:

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of conducting the wireless communication comprises receiving or transmitting the wireless communication using the set of resources during the period of time.

16. allocating a first subset of resources associated with the first slot format indicator; allocating a second subset of resources associated with the second slot format indicator; Further comprising:

16. The method of claim 15, wherein conducting the wireless communication comprises receiving or transmitting the wireless communication using the first subset of resources, the second subset of resources, or both the first subset of resources and the second subset of resources during the period of time.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the set of resources comprises one or more symbols or slots.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator correspond to a same wireless network temporary identifier.

19. 1. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: A processor; memory in electronic communication with said processor; instructions recorded in said memory; the instructions comprising: receiving a common downlink control information message on a group common physical downlink control channel, the common downlink control information message comprising: receiving a slot format configuration including a first slot format indicator and a second slot format indicator different from the first slot format indicator, and an identification of the first slot format indicator, the second slot format indicator, or both the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator, the identification including a set of bits associated with a slot format indicator field that identifies the first slot format indicator, the second slot format indicator, or both the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator; conducting the wireless communication based on the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator. The apparatus,

20. The instruction: receiving the slot format configuration including the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator in a group common downlink control information message field of the common downlink control information message; 20. The apparatus of claim 19, further executable by the processor to:

21. The instruction: receiving the slot format indicator field in the group common downlink control information message field of the common downlink control information message; 21. The apparatus of claim 20, further operable to:

22. The instruction: determining a transmit format based on the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator, the transmit format being for the wireless communication; Downlink resources, Uplink resources, Flexible resources, or determining a combination of downlink resources, uplink resources, and flexible resources; 20. The apparatus of claim 19, further executable by the processor to:

23. The instruction: jointly decoding the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator to determine the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator received in the common downlink control information message.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further executable by the processor to:

24. The instruction: determining a set of resources associated with the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator; determining a time period for the wireless communication based on the set of resources; and further executable by the processor to:

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the performing the wireless communication includes receiving or transmitting the wireless communication using the set of resources during the period of time.

25. The instruction: determining a first subset of resources associated with the first slot format indicator; determining a second subset of resources associated with the second slot format indicator; and and further executable by the processor to:

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising: performing the wireless communication; receiving or transmitting the wireless communication using the first subset of resources, the second subset of resources, or both the first subset of resources and the second subset of resources, during the period of time.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the set of resources comprises one or more symbols or slots.

27. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator correspond to a same wireless network temporary identifier.

28. 1. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: A processor; memory in electronic communication with said processor; instructions recorded in said memory; the instructions comprising: transmitting a common downlink control information message on a group common physical downlink control channel, the common downlink control information message comprising: transmitting a slot format configuration including a first slot format indicator and a second slot format indicator different from the first slot format indicator, and an identification of the first slot format indicator, the second slot format indicator, or both the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator, the identification including a set of bits associated with a slot format indicator field that identifies the first slot format indicator, the second slot format indicator, or both the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator; conducting the wireless communication based on the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator. The apparatus,

29. The instruction: transmitting the slot format configuration including the first slot format indicator and the second slot format indicator in a group common downlink control information message field of the common downlink control information message.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, further executable by the processor to:

30. The instruction: transmitting the slot format indicator field in the group common downlink control information message field of the common downlink control information message.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, further executable by the processor to:

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