Resource configuration

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to resource configuration. In an aspect, a terminal device receives a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication. The terminal device receives a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The terminal device determines at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of flexible resources. The terminal device determines an operation of the terminal device for the at least one of a subset of uplink resources or a subset of downlink resources or the at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration.

Description

RESOURCE CONFIGURATIONCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from, and the benefit, EP Patent Application No. 25167098.0, filed March 28, 2025, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD

[0002] Various example embodiments relate to the field of communication and in particular, to devices, methods, apparatuses and a computer readable storage medium for providing a resource configuration. BACKGROUND

[0003] A communication network can be seen as a facility that enables communications between two or more communication devices, or provides communication devices access to a data network. A mobile or wireless communication network is one example of a communication network.

[0004] Such communication networks operate in accordance with standards, such as those promulgated by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Examples of such standards include the so-called 5G (5th Generation) standard, 6G standard or other standards promulgated by 3GPP.SUMMARY

[0005] In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for providing a resource configuration. This solution can provide the configuration for inactive or active time duration for time division duplexing (TDD) communication, thus improve the efficiency of communication.

[0006] In a first aspect, there is provided a terminal device. The terminal device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device at least to receive, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. The terminal device is further caused to receive, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0007] In a second aspect, there is provided a network device. The network device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network device at least to transmit, to a terminal device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The network device is furthercaused to transmit, to the terminal device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0008] In a third aspect, there is provided a method implemented at a terminal device. The method comprises receiving, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The method further comprises receiving, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method implemented at a network device. The method comprises transmitting, to a terminal device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The method further comprises transmitting, to the terminal device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a terminal device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The apparatus further comprises means for transmitting, to the terminal device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, there is provided a terminal device. The terminal device comprises a first receiving circuitry configured to receive, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefinedresource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The terminal device comprises a second receiving circuitry configured to, receive, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0013] In an eighth aspect, there is provided a network device. The network device comprises a first transmitting circuitry configured to transmit, to a terminal device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The network device comprises a second transmitting circuitry configured to transmit, to the terminal device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0014] In a ninth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to any one of the above third and fourth aspects.

[0015] In a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to any one of the above third and fourth aspects.

[0016] In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a terminal device. The terminal device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device at least to receive, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The terminal device is further caused to receive, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The second configuration comprises an indication of at least one of a first subset of uplink resources and a second subset of downlink resources and a subset of flexible resources associated with at least one of an inactive or an active time duration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0017] In a twelfth aspect, there is provided a network device. The network device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network device at least to transmit, to a terminal device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The network device is furthercaused to transmit, to the terminal device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The second configuration comprises an indication of at least one of a first subset of uplink resources and a second subset of downlink resources and a subset of flexible resources associated with at least one of an inactive or an active time duration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0018] In a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a method implemented at a terminal device. The method comprises receiving, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The method further comprises receiving, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The second configuration comprises an indication of at least one of a first subset of uplink resources and a second subset of downlink resources and a subset of flexible resources associated with at least one of an inactive or an active time duration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0019] In a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a method implemented at a network device. The method comprises transmitting, to a terminal device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The method further comprises transmitting, to the terminal device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The second configuration comprises an indication of at least one of a first subset of uplink resources and a second subset of downlink resources and a subset of flexible resources associated with at least one of an inactive or an active time duration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0020] In a fifteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The second configuration comprises an indication of at least one of a first subset of uplink resources and a second subset of downlink resources and a subset of flexible resources associated with at least one of an inactive or an active time duration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive timeduration.

[0021] In a sixteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a terminal device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The apparatus further comprises means for transmitting, to the terminal device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The second configuration comprises an indication of at least one of a first subset of uplink resources and a second subset of downlink resources and a subset of flexible resources associated with at least one of an inactive or an active time duration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0022] In a seventeenth aspect, there is provided a terminal device. The terminal device comprises a first receiving circuitry configured to receive, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The terminal device comprises a second receiving circuitry configured to, receive, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The second configuration comprises an indication of at least one of a first subset of uplink resources and a second subset of downlink resources and a subset of flexible resources associated with at least one of an inactive or an active time duration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0023] In an eighteenth aspect, there is provided a network device. The network device comprises a first transmitting circuitry configured to transmit, to a terminal device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The network device comprises a second transmitting circuitry configured to transmit, to the terminal device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The second configuration comprises an indication of at least one of a first subset of uplink resources and a second subset of downlink resources and a subset of flexible resources associated with at least one of an inactive or an active time duration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0024] In a nineteenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to any one of the above thirteenth and fourteenth aspects.

[0025] In a twentieth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which, whenexecuted by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to any one of the above thirteenth and fourteenth aspects.

[0026] In a twenty-first aspect, there is provided a terminal device. The terminal device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device at least to receive, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The terminal device is further caused to receive, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The terminal device is further caused to determine at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The terminal device is further caused to determine an operation of the terminal device for the at least one of a subset of uplink resources or a subset of downlink resources or the at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0027] In a twenty-second aspect, there is provided a method implemented at a terminal device. The method comprises receiving, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The method further comprises receiving, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The method comprises determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The method comprises determining an operation of the terminal device for the at least one of a subset of uplink resources or a subset of downlink resources or the at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0028] In a twenty-third aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The apparatus comprises means for determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlinkresources for data reception or at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The apparatus comprises mean for determining an operation of the terminal device for the at least one of a subset of uplink resources or a subset of downlink resources or the at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0029] In a twenty-fourth aspect, there is provided a terminal device. The terminal device comprises a first receiving circuitry configured to receive, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. The terminal device comprises a second receiving circuitry configured to, receive, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The terminal device comprises a first determining circuitry configured to, determine at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The terminal device comprises a second determining circuitry configured to, determine an operation of the terminal device for the at least one of a subset of uplink resources or a subset of downlink resources or the at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0030] In a twenty-fifth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to any one of the above twenty-second aspect.

[0031] In a twentieth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to any one of the above twenty-second aspect.

[0032] It is to be understood that the summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0034] FIG. 1A illustrates an example communication network in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0035] FIG. 1 B illustrates an example of cell specified resource configuration for TDD communication;

[0036] FIG. 1 C illustrates an example of UE specified resource configuration for TDD communication;

[0037] FIG. 2A illustrates a flowchart illustrating an example of process for resource configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 2B illustrates a flowchart illustrating an example of process for resource configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 20 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an example of process for resource configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an example of detail process for data collection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a terminal device according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a network device according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a terminal device according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a network device according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a terminal device according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0047] FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar element.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

[0050] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0051] References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0052] It shall be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0053] The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and / or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof. As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0054] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):(i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0055] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merelya hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0056] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-loT) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, the future fifth generation (5G) and the sixth generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

[0057] As used herein, the term “network device” and “access network device” refer to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology.

[0058] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehiclemounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automatedprocessing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. In the following description, the terms “terminal device”, “communication device”, “terminal”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0059] FIG. 1 A illustrates a schematic diagram of an example communication network 100 in which some embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1A, the communication network 100 may include terminal device 110, network device 120.

[0060] It is to be understood that the number of network devices and terminal devices is only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitations. The system 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices adapted for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] Communications in the communication system 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s), comprising, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1 G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G) and the sixth generation (6G) and on the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0062] In 3GPP, when considering TDD system, UE is in a Rx mode when gNB is transmitting, and respectively in a Tx mode when gNB is receiving. Coordinating link direction between gNB and UEs requires signaling (higher layer and dynamic) and the related UE behaviors. In NR, slot configuration is made by the following signals in hierarchical order.

[0063] The cell specific RRC configuration is TDD-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon, which includes periodic (patternl, pattern 2) configuration of (fixed) downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) slots / symbols. The pattern 2 is optional (i.e. cell may be configured with only one pattern 1 ). It provides additional flexibility to create patterns for different coexistence scenarios (including also Chinese 3G-TDD (TD-SCDMA) and LTE-TDD). FIG. 1B shows an example of cell specific RRC configuration. The UE specific RRC configuration is TDD-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated, which includes per slot configuration of DL and UL symbols and defining / overriding UL & DL symbols in a slot not defined as UL or DL by the periodic cell specific configuration. The dedicated configuration is an optional feature. FIG. 1C shown an example of UE specific RRC configuration. And downlink control information (DCI) format 2_0 provide the slot format indication (SFI), which can be referred to TS 38.213. The SFI includes the defining / overriding UL & DL symbols in a slot not defined UL and DL by radio resource control (RRC) for cell or UE specific configuration. Unicast DCI (such as UL grant, or DL grant),as well as higher layer resource configuration (e.g. PDCCH monitoring, configured grant, SRS configuration) can be seen as form of resource configuration with predefined link direction.

[0064] The Slots and / or symbols not defined as either UL or DL are considered as flexible. The specific rules are defined for operation of fixed UL / DL symbols defined by RRC, UL / DL symbols defined by the dynamic slot format indication / DCI format 2_0 and flexible symbols. The flexible symbols are also used to facilitate link direction switching for UE. Table 1 is an example of UE behaviors on DL / UL / Flexible symbols in 3GPP R15.Table 1

[0065] However, the dynamic SFI framework does not consider some duration for the energy saving, such as, network energy saving (NES). In the duration for NES, the network is not expected to perform the transmission or reception on DL or UL (or both). A consequence is that UEs cannot optimize their processing (such as PDCCH monitoring or Tx / Rx of periodical signals) optimally into account according to the instantaneous NES configuration of gNB.

[0066] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a solution for providing a resource configuration, for example, the configuration for indicating the inactive or active time duration for communication. With this solution, the communication efficiency is improved. Principles and embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0067] FIG. 2A illustrates a flowchart illustrating an example of process for resource configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 200A will be described with reference to FIG. 1A. The process 200A may involve the terminal device 110, the network device 120 as illustrated in FIG. 1A. It would be appreciated that although the process 200A for link has beendescribed in the communication system 100 of FIG. 1 A, this process may be likewise applied to other communication scenarios where different network devices are jointly deployed.

[0068] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG.2A, at 202, the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device 120, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. At 204, the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device 120, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0069] With the solution of the process, the solution for indicating for the inactive or active time duration for TDD communication based the first and second configuration is provided, thereby improving the performance of communication with resource configuration. The inactive and active may be seen as alternative to each other.

[0070] In some embodiments, the RBs and OFDM symbols may be seen as a predefined resource grid covering one or more cells (or carriers), or a part of cells (e.g. one or more bandwidth parts). In the FDD scenario there are separate resource grid configurations for DL and UL. The resource grid with RBs and OFDM symbols of one cell could be defined e.g. based on BS Channel bandwidth configuration (indicated based on MIB and SIB1) with predefined subcarrier spacing and with predefined radio frame timing.

[0071] FIG. 2B illustrates a flowchart illustrating an example of process for resource configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 200B will be described with reference to FIG. 1A. The process 200B may involve the terminal device 110, the network device 120 as illustrated in FIG. 1A. It would be appreciated that although the process 200B for link has been described in the communication system 100 of FIG. 1A, this process may be likewise applied to other communication scenarios where different network devices are jointly deployed.

[0072] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2B, at 212, the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device 120, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. At 244, the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device 120, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The second configuration comprises an indication of at least one of a first subset of uplink resources and a second subset of downlink resources and a subset of flexible resources associated with at least one of an inactive or an active time duration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0073] With the solution of the process, the solution for indicating subsets of resources with the inactive oractive time duration for the TDD communication is provided, thereby improving the performance of communication with resource configuration.

[0074] FIG. 2C illustrates a flowchart illustrating an example of process for resource configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the process 200C will be described with reference to FIG. 1A. The process 200C may involve the terminal device 110, the network device 120 as illustrated in FIG. 1A. It would be appreciated that although the process 200C for link has been described in the communication system 100 of FIG. 1A, this process may be likewise applied to other communication scenarios where different network devices are jointly deployed.

[0075] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2C, at 222, the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device 120, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for TDD communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined OFDM symbols. At 224, the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device 120, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration. At 226, the terminal device 110 determines at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration. At 228, the terminal device 110 determines an operation of the terminal device for the at least one of a subset of uplink resources or a subset of downlink resources or the at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration.

[0076] With the solution of the process, the solution for determining the operation of the terminal device based on the first and second configurations is provided, thereby improving the performance of communication with resource configuration.

[0077] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 determines at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The terminal device 110 determines the set of resources are flexible resources for data transmission or data reception based on the first configuration. And the terminal device 110 determines at least one of the following for the set of resources based on the second configuration. That is, the inactive time duration for the date transmission, the inactive time duration for the data reception, or following the first configuration for the TDD communication. The terminal device 110 determines at least one of a subset of resources for neither data transmission nor data reception based on the first configuration and the second configuration.

[0078] Specifically, the first configuration corresponds to the resource configuration for TDD, such as cell or UE specified configuration. And the second configuration corresponds to the NES indication configuration. When NES indicates that certain resources are “off”, there are following meanings. The UL off means thegNB receiver may be in a power saving mode. UE is not expected to transmit. The DL off means the gNB transmitter may be in a power saving mode. UE is not expected to perform receiving. The “UL and DL off” means the gNB Tx and Rx may be in a power saving mode. UE is expected to neither transmit nor receiver. So the UE can determines the transmission and reception based on the NES indications.

[0079] FIG. 3 shows an example of the resource allocation with the NES indications. As shown in FIG. 3 the resource configuration for TDD comprises pattern 1 and pattern 2. And the pattern 2 is optional. The pattern 1 has DL time duration and UL time duration. And there are also the DL NES and UL NES in pattern. So the UE can determines that only part of the DL duration that is not overlapped with the DL NES is for reception. And the whole UL duration cannot be used since it is overlapped with the UL NES totally. For pattern 2, the determination process is similar as the process for pattern 1. In some embodiments, only the DL NES or the UL NES is present (not covered by IR). This is a configuration option for gNB and could reduce the signaling burden accordingly. In this scenario of the absence of DL NES or UL NES, UE could apply Default UE behavior for DL or UL resources, respectively.

[0080] In some embodiments, the UE has received dynamic SFI, and this resource is indicated as “Flexible by Dynamic SFI”. The UE may enter to UE power saving mode provided that is has not been dynamically scheduled for DL reception or UL transmission.In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 determines at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of resources for both data reception and data transmission that is not to be changed by the second configuration. Specifically, the certain OFDM symbols are defined to be “always on”. This means they cannot be converted to “off”. This means they cannot be converted to “off” by dynamic NES. And NES signalling could still allow converting them to “off” but the related UE behaviour is “always on”.

[0081] For example synchronization signal / physical board cast channel (SSB) or part SSB or Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) it may be defined to be “Unchanged”. And another option is to configure certain OFDM resources to be “Unchanged” by higher layer signaling (such as system information block (SIBx)). If UE receives Dynamic NES overlapping with “always on” resources, it may ignore the dynamic NES for overlapping symbols.

[0082] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 determine at least one of a subset of uplink resources not for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources not for data reception that is not to be changed by the second configuration. Specifically, the certain OFDM symbols are defined to be “always off”. This means they cannot be converted to “on” by dynamic NES. Guard period used for link direction switching can be seen as example of the signal to be defined as “always off”.

[0083] Table 2 shows an example of the UE behaviors on DL / UL / Flexible symbols. Table 2 can replace the row of “Flexible by dynamic SFI” of Table 1.Table 2

[0084] As shown in Table 2, the DL NES means that the DL is off, and the UL is on. The UL NES means that the DL is on, but UL is off. The DLUL NES means both DL and UL are off. The unchanged means the communication follows the rules defined for UL / DL / Flexible resources (based on semi-static configuration and dynamic SFI, if available). This can be seen as an efficient signalling which can support NES for (not only DL and UL but also) flexible resources “optimally” by DL NES and UL NES.

[0085] In some embodiments, the terminal device is not expected to perform monitoring of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for the inactive time duration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. Specifically, as shown in Table 2, the PDCCH monitoring is not performed for DL NES and DLUL NES.

[0086] In some embodiments, the terminal device is not expected to perform semi-persistent or periodic downlink reception for the inactive time duration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. Specifically, as shown in Table 2, the semi-persistent or periodic DL reception is not performed for DL NES and DLUL NES.

[0087] In some embodiments, the terminal device is not expected to perform semi-persistent or periodic uplink transmission for the inactive time duration of the uplink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. Specifically, as shown in Table 2, the semi-persistent or periodic UL transmission is not performed for UL NES and DLUL NES.

[0088] In some embodiments, the terminal device is not expected to perform dynamically scheduled DL reception for the inactive time duration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. Specifically, as shown in Table 2, the dynamically scheduled DL reception is not performed for DL NES and DLUL NES.

[0089] In some embodiments, the terminal device is not expected to perform dynamically scheduled UL transmission for the inactive time duration of the uplink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. Specifically, as shown in Table 2, the dynamically scheduled UL transmission is not performed for UL NES and DLUL NES.

[0090] In some embodiments, the second configuration is received via a common signaling or a dedicated signaling. The first configuration and second configuration are received via a same signaling message or via different signaling messages. The first configuration is received via a semi-static signaling message and the second configuration is received via a dynamic signaling message. Alternatively, the first configuration and the second configuration are received via a dynamic signaling message. The common signaling comprises a group common DCI or a NES specific group common DCI. The dedicated signaling comprises a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), a dedicated DCI, or a UE specific DCI.

[0091] Specifically, the NES can be indicated via at least one of the following options. The first option is jointly with TDD configuration indication, i.e. SFI (e.g. as part of group-common DCI such as DCI 2_0). The second option is separately from TDD configuration indication (e.g. via NES-specific group common DCI). The third option is as part of dedicated signaling (MAC or dedicated / UE-specific DCI).

[0092] In some embodiments, the DL can be either “Unchanged” or “DL NES”, the UL can be either “Unchanged” or “UL NES”, and the flexible resources can be “Unchanged” or “DL NES” and / or “UL NES”. By default, all resources may be considered as "Unchanged". The signaling provides information for certain symbols to be either “DL NES” and / or “UL NES”. The UE may not receive the second configuration du to the fact that gNB did not transmit the second configuration or the UE did not receive the second configuration correctly. In this scenario, the “Unchanged” may be followed for the DL and UL by the UE. The “Unchanged” may also correspond to the UE behavior defined for a scenario where UE is not configured to receive the second configuration (NES signalling).

[0093] In some embodiments, the second configuration indicates allocation information of the subset of uplink resources or downlink resources or flexible resources across plurality of symbols. The allocation information of the set of resources comprises information indicating a starting symbol of the allocated resources, information indicating a number of the allocated resources.

[0094] Specifically, the direct indication using Start and Length Indicator Value (SLIV) the scheduling DCI selects with a specific field from a set of pre-determined SLIVs (as used for PDSCH / PUSCH time-domain resource allocation in NR). SLIV indicates OFDM symbols (a starting symbol number and length as a number of consecutive symbols) with NES. The SLIVDL P for DL NES indicates Start / Length within patternl of periodicity P. The SLIVUL.P for UL NES indicates Start / Length within patternl of periodicity P. The SLIVDL.P and SLIVUL.P serve also Flexible resources. If also a second pattern is configured (i.e. pattern2 of periodicity P 1 ), then similarly SLIVDL.PI for DL NES, SLIVUL.PI for UL NES). The time granularity would be in principle 1 symbol but could be >1 OS (to reduce the required signaling burden). In some embodiments, there is oneadditional state of ‘NOT indicating’ the DL or UL NES.

[0095] In some embodiments, the allocation information is for one or more of patterns of corresponding one or more periodicities of the resources for TDD communication. The allocation information is same for plurality of repetitions of the pattern. Alternatively, the allocation information is different for plurality of repetitions of the pattern. Specifically, for the case of N repeated patterns of P (or P & P1), there are the following implementations. P1 means single pattern. N x P1 means the single pattern is reapeated. [P1 P2] means the two patterns are concatenated. N x [P1 P2] means the two patterns are concatenated and repeated. The epeated cases relate to scenarios where TDD pattern can dynamically selected to cover N periods of the original pattern (either P1 or [P1 P2]). The signaled SLIVDL.P and SLIVUL.P and may be applicable to each of the N repetitions of the pattern. The signaling may include separate SLIVDL.P and SLIVUL.P for each of the K repetitions (SLIVDL.P, 1 ... SLIVDL.P, K and SLIVUL.P ... SLIVUL.P.K). Alternatively, if only a single DL and UL NES period within the N repeated patterns (i.e. N*P) is needed, there could be only a single SLIV for DL NES SLIVDL,N*P and a single SLIV for UL NES SLIVUL,N*P covering the full range of N*P.

[0096] In some embodiments, the second configuration indicates an index of plurality of items of the allocation information. Specifically, the NES indication is based on a table, where each table entry gives information of DL and / or UL NES. The tables could be fixed in the specifications or defined by higher layer signaling (such as RRC or MAC CE).

[0097] In some embodiments, the NES Table could contain the DL and UL NES information as SLIVs. For example, a table entry would contain SLIVDL.P and SLIVUL.P (as well as S LI VDL.PI and S LI VUL.PI if pattern 2 of periodicity P1 is configured) for a table size of L, and table 2 shows an example.Table 3

[0098] In some embodiments, the second configuration indicates an index of plurality of items of the allocation information for the uplink resources or an index of plurality of items of the allocation information for the downlink resources. Specifically, there could be separate NES Tables defined for DL NES and UL NES, where the Table for DL NES could contain SLIVDL.P (as well as SLI VDL.PI if pattern 2 of periodicity P1 is configured) and Table for UL NES would contain SLIVUL.P (as well as SLI VUL.PI if pattern 2 of periodicity P1 is configured). There could be separate indications for UL and DL NES in the signaling (e.g. separate DCI fields selecting corresponding SLIVs) being separately applied to the corresponding tables for DL NES and UL NES.

[0099] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of items of the allocation information is for one or more of the patterns. Specifically, there could be different NES tables or NES table TDD pattern (from the up to KTDD patterns). Table 4 is an example for the case of different NES table entries.Table 4_

[0100] In some embodiments, in case of different NES Tables, the k-th of the K tables would (only) contain the SLI VoLpk and SLI VuL.p.k (as well as SLIVDLPI ,k and SLIVUL.PI ,k if pattern 2 of periodicity P1 is configured).

[0101] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of items of the allocation information is for plurality of repetitions of the pattern. Specifically, the NES table or NES tables could contain the NES information of the overall periodicity of the TDD UL-DL configuration including the repetition factor N of the periodic pattern(s). For this case, an entry of the NES signaling table could include the NES information for each of the N repeated patterns. Table 5 is an example for this.Table 5_

[0102] The option of UL / DL configuration specific tables or table entries and NES specific indication per repetition n (n=1...N) of can be combined, and operated with joint tables for UL and DL NES orwith separate UL & DL NES tables.

[0103] Comparing SLIV and table options signaling operation, the required number of bits for the (dynamic) signaling for the Table based operation of table option can be very much reduced compared to SLIV, as for table option the required number of bits is just depending on NES table size L (i.e. F log2(L)l bits. For the separate tables and potential independent indication two fields of such size would be needed). For the SLIV option, the required number of dynamic signaling bits may be dependent on the periodicity P (i.e. required number of bits for a single SLIV) whereas potentially on the repetition factor N (affecting the number of SLIVs to be indicated - or the overall periodicity N*P for single SLIV operation).

[0104] In some embodiments, the SLIV for DL NES covers a signaling range of (D+F) symbols in principle. The SLIV for DL NES defined from the beginning of the pattern. The SLIV for UL NES needs to cover asignaling range of (U+L) symbols in principle. The SLIV for UL NES defined from the first flexible symbol in a pattern defined by TDD-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon. In some embodiments, the shorter SLIVs (less bits needed, optimization) when using differently sized SLIVs for DL NES and UL NES taking TDD-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon into account. This option is specifically suited for the option of direct SLIV indication. For the option of NES table based indication, a SLIV covering the full periodicity P (or P1) for both UL & DL NES is more generic.

[0105] In some embodiments, the granularity is one symbol, and larger granularities for the NES signaling could be envisioned as well. The SLIV / RIV design is similar to ‘RBG’ based grouping for Type 1 RA. The similar solution could be applied here for ‘symbol group’ sizes (e.g. 2, 5, 7 would fit nicely). Alternatively, the simply granularity is not in symbols but in multiples of slots.

[0106] In some embodiments, a larger granularity larger than one symbol is specifically suited for option of direct SLIV indication as this affects directly the required number of bits for the dynamic NES indication, for the option of NES table based indication, a larger signaling granularity would reduce the higher layers signaling overhead (such as RRC, when configuring the NES table(s)).

[0107] In some embodiments, the first and second configurations (or at least the configuration) cover multiple carriers of a carrier aggregation scenario. One option is that the common NES information element (IE) is for all carriers. And another option is the separate NES lEs are for all carriers. These lEs are transmitted via the same message And another option is that the carrier group-specific NES IE with at least two NES lEs is transmitted via the same message.

[0108] In view of the above description of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, these embodiments of the present disclosure provide different alternative solutions for the resource configuration, the enhance Dynamic SFI and the related UE behaviors to cover also enhanced NES indication. The NES configuration is indicated as part of the dynamic slot format indication. This can maximize UE power saving opportunities for NES. Moreover, the proposed approach is fully compatible with dynamic SFI framework. And the UE behaviors for scenarios with different channels and signals are defined. The combining dynamic SFI and NES to be an integrated solution provides low overhead and less complicated error cases.

[0109] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an example method 400 implemented at a terminal device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 400 will be described from the perspective of the terminal device 110 with reference to FIG. 1A.

[0110] At block 410, the terminal device 110 receives, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. At block 420, the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving modefor a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.[OOlll] In some embodiments, the terminal device determines at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The terminal device determines the set of resources are flexible resources for data transmission or data reception based on the first configuration, determines at least one of the following for the set of resources based on the second configuration: the inactive time duration for the date transmission, the inactive time duration for the data reception, or following the first configuration for the TDD communication. The terminal device determines at least one of a subset of resources for neither data transmission nor data reception based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The terminal device determines at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of resources for both data reception and data transmission that is not to be changed by the second configuration. The determines at least one of a subset of uplink resources not for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources not for data reception that is not to be changed by the second configuration.

[0112] In some embodiments, the second configuration is received via a common signaling or a dedicated signaling. The first configuration and second configuration are received via a same signaling message or via different signaling messages. The first configuration is received via a semi-static signaling message and the second configuration is received via a dynamic signaling message. The first configuration and the second configuration are received via a dynamic signaling message. The common signaling comprises at least one of a group common downlink control information (DCI), or a network energy saving (NES) specific group common DCI. The dedicated signaling comprises a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), a dedicated DCI, or a UE specific DCI.

[0113] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of an example method 500 implemented at a network device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 500 will be described from the perspective of the network device 120 with reference to FIG. 1A.

[0114] At block 510, the network device 120 transmits, to a terminal device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication, wherein the set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. At block 520, the network device 120 transmits, to the terminal device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0115] In some embodiments, the network device perform a transmission or a reception based on the first configuration and second configuration. The first configuration and the second configuration are for determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlinkresources for data reception based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The first configuration and the second configuration are for determining at least one of a subset of resources for neither data transmission nor data reception based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The network device determines at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of resources for both data reception and data transmission that is not to be changed by the second configuration. The network device determines at least one of a subset of uplink resources not for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources not for data reception that is not to be changed by the second configuration.

[0116] In some embodiments, the second configuration is transmitted via a common signaling or a dedicated signaling. The first configuration and second configuration are transmitted via a same signaling message or via different signaling messages. The first configuration is received via a semi-static signaling message and the second configuration is received via a dynamic signaling message. The first configuration and the second configuration are received via a dynamic signaling message. The common signaling comprises a group common downlink control information (DCI), or a network energy saving (NES) specific group common DCI. The dedicated signaling comprises a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), a dedicated DCI, or a UE specific DCI.

[0117] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the method 400 (for example, the terminal device 110) may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 400. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

[0118] The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0119] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The apparatus comprises means for determining the set of resources are flexible resources for data transmission or data reception based on the first configuration, determines at least one of the following for the set of resources based on the second configuration: the inactive time duration for the date transmission, the inactive time duration for the data reception, or following the first configuration for the TDD communication. The apparatus comprises means for determining at least one of a subset of resources for neither data transmission nor data reception based on the first configurationand the second configuration. The apparatus comprises means for determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of resources for both data reception and data transmission that is not to be changed by the second configuration. The apparatus comprises means for determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources not for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources not for data reception that is not to be changed by the second configuration.

[0120] In some embodiments, the second configuration is received via a common signaling or a dedicated signaling. The first configuration and second configuration are received via a same signaling message or via different signaling messages. The first configuration is received via a semi-static signaling message and the second configuration is received via a dynamic signaling message. The first configuration and the second configuration are received via a dynamic signaling message. The common signaling comprises at least one of a group common downlink control information (DCI), or a network energy saving (NES) specific group common DCI. The dedicated signaling comprises a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), a dedicated DCI, or a UE specific DCI.

[0121] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the method 500 (for example, the network device 120) may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 500. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

[0122] The apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a terminal device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication, wherein the set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. The apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to the terminal device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0123] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for performing a transmission or a reception based on the first configuration and second configuration. The first configuration and the second configuration are for determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The first configuration and the second configuration are for determining at least one of a subset of resources for neither data transmission nor data reception based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The apparatus comprises means for determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of resources for both data reception and data transmission that is not to be changed by the secondconfiguration. The apparatus comprises means for determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources not for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources not for data reception that is not to be changed by the second configuration.

[0124] In some embodiments, the second configuration is transmitted via a common signaling or a dedicated signaling. The first configuration and second configuration are transmitted via a same signaling message or via different signaling messages. The first configuration is received via a semi-static signaling message and the second configuration is received via a dynamic signaling message. The first configuration and the second configuration are received via a dynamic signaling message. The common signaling comprises a group common downlink control information (DCI), or a network energy saving (NES) specific group common DCI. The dedicated signaling comprises a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), a dedicated DCI, or a UE specific DCI.

[0125] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an example method 600 implemented at a terminal device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 600 will be described from the perspective of the terminal device 110 with reference to FIG. 1A.

[0126] At block 610, the terminal device 110 receives, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. At block 620, the terminal device 110 receive, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The second configuration comprises an indication of at least one of a first subset of uplink resources and a second subset of downlink resources and a subset of flexible resources associated with at least one of an inactive or an active time duration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0127] In some embodiments, the second configuration indicates allocation information of the subset of uplink resources or downlink resources or flexible resources across plurality of symbols. The allocation information of the set of resources comprises information indicating a starting symbol of the allocated resources, or information indicating a number of the allocated resources. The allocation information is for one or more of patterns of corresponding one or more periodicities of the resources for TDD communication. The allocation information is same for plurality of repetitions of the pattern. The allocation information is different for plurality of repetitions of the pattern.

[0128] In some embodiments, the second configuration indicates an index of plurality of items of the allocation information. Each of the plurality of items of the allocation information is for one or more of the patterns. Each of the plurality of items of the allocation information is for plurality of repetitions of the pattern. The second configuration indicates an index of plurality of items of the allocation information for the uplinkresources or an index of plurality of items of the allocation information for the downlink resources.

[0129] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of an example method 700 implemented at a network device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 700 will be described from the perspective of the network device 120 with reference to FIG. 1A.

[0130] At block 710, the network device 120 transmits, to a terminal device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. At block 720, the network device 120 transmits, to the terminal device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The second configuration comprises an indication of at least one of a first subset of uplink resources and a second subset of downlink resources and a subset of flexible resources associated with at least one of an inactive or an active time duration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0131] In some embodiments, the second configuration indicates allocation information of the subset of uplink resources or downlink resources or flexible resources across plurality of symbols. The allocation information of the set of resources comprises information indicating a starting symbol of the allocated resources, or information indicating a number of the allocated resources. The allocation information is for one or more of patterns of corresponding one or more periodicities of the resources for TDD communication. The allocation information is same for plurality of repetitions of the pattern. The allocation information is different for plurality of repetitions of the pattern.

[0132] In some embodiments, the second configuration indicates an index of plurality of items of the allocation information. Each of the plurality of items of the allocation information is for one or more of the patterns. Each of the plurality of items of the allocation information is for plurality of repetitions of the pattern. The second configuration indicates an index of plurality of items of the allocation information for the uplink resources or an index of plurality of items of the allocation information for the downlink resources.

[0133] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the method 600 (for example, the terminal device 110) may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 600. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

[0134] The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for theTDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The second configuration comprises an indication of at least one of a first subset of uplink resources and a second subset of downlink resources and a subset of flexible resources associated with at least one of an inactive or an active time duration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0135] In some embodiments, the second configuration indicates allocation information of the subset of uplink resources or downlink resources or flexible resources across plurality of symbols. The allocation information of the set of resources comprises information indicating a starting symbol of the allocated resources, or information indicating a number of the allocated resources. The allocation information is for one or more of patterns of corresponding one or more periodicities of the resources for TDD communication. The allocation information is same for plurality of repetitions of the pattern. The allocation information is different for plurality of repetitions of the pattern.

[0136] In some embodiments, the second configuration indicates an index of plurality of items of the allocation information. Each of the plurality of items of the allocation information is for one or more of the patterns. Each of the plurality of items of the allocation information is for plurality of repetitions of the pattern. The second configuration indicates an index of plurality of items of the allocation information for the uplink resources or an index of plurality of items of the allocation information for the downlink resources.

[0137] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the method 700 (for example, the network device 120) may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 700. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

[0138] The apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a terminal device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication. The set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. The apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to the terminal device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The second configuration comprises an indication of at least one of a first subset of uplink resources and a second subset of downlink resources and a subset of flexible resources associated with at least one of an inactive or an active time duration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0139] In some embodiments, the second configuration indicates allocation information of the subset of uplink resources or downlink resources or flexible resources across plurality of symbols. The allocation information of the set of resources comprises information indicating a starting symbol of the allocated resources, or information indicating a number of the allocated resources. The allocation information is for oneor more of patterns of corresponding one or more periodicities of the resources for TDD communication. The allocation information is same for plurality of repetitions of the pattern. The allocation information is different for plurality of repetitions of the pattern.

[0140] In some embodiments, the second configuration indicates an index of plurality of items of the allocation information. Each of the plurality of items of the allocation information is for one or more of the patterns. Each of the plurality of items of the allocation information is for plurality of repetitions of the pattern. The second configuration indicates an index of plurality of items of the allocation information for the uplink resources or an index of plurality of items of the allocation information for the downlink resources.

[0141] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an example method 800 implemented at a terminal device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 800 will be described from the perspective of the terminal device 110 with reference to FIG. 1A.

[0142] At 810, the terminal device 110 receives, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication, wherein the set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. At 820, the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. At 830, the terminal device 110 determines at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration. At 840, the terminal device 110 determine an operation of the terminal device for the at least one of a subset of uplink resources or a subset of downlink resources or the at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0143] In some embodiments, the operation of the terminal device is not expected to perform monitoring of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for the inactive time duration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. The operation of the terminal device is not expected to perform semi-persistent or periodic downlink reception for the inactive time duration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. The operation of the terminal device is not expected to perform semi-persistent or periodic uplink transmission for the inactive time duration of the uplink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. The operation of the terminal device is not expected to perform dynamically scheduled DL reception for the inactive time duration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. The operation of the terminal device is not expected to perform dynamically scheduled UL transmission for the inactive time duration of the uplink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. The terminal device determines at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resourcesfor data reception or at least one of a subset of resources for both data reception and data transmission that is not to be changed by the second configuration, and determines, the operation of the terminal device based on the first configuration. The terminal device determines at least one of a subset of uplink resources not for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources not for data reception that is not to be changed by the second configuration, and determines, the operation of the terminal device based on the first configuration.

[0144] In some embodiments, the second configuration is received via a common signaling or a dedicated signaling. The first configuration and second configuration are received via a same signaling message or via different signaling messages. The first configuration is received via a semi-static signaling message and the second configuration is received via a dynamic signaling message. The first configuration and the second configuration are received via a dynamic signaling message. The common signaling comprises at least one of a group common downlink control information (DCI), or a network energy saving (NES) specific group common DCI. The dedicated signaling comprises a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), a dedicated DCI, or a UE specific DCI.

[0145] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the method 800 (for example, the terminal device 110) may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 800. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

[0146] The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication, wherein the set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources. The apparatus comprises means for determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The apparatus comprises means for determining an operation of the terminal device for the at least one of a subset of uplink resources or a subset of downlink resources or the at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration. The set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration.

[0147] In some embodiments, the operation of the terminal device is not expected to perform monitoring of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for the inactive time duration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. The operation of the terminal device is not expected to perform semi-persistent or periodic downlink reception for the inactive time duration of the downlinkresources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. The operation of the terminal device is not expected to perform semi-persistent or periodic uplink transmission for the inactive time duration of the uplink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. The operation of the terminal device is not expected to perform dynamically scheduled DL reception for the inactive time duration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. The operation of the terminal device is not expected to perform dynamically scheduled UL transmission for the inactive time duration of the uplink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources. The apparatus comprises means for determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of resources for both data reception and data transmission that is not to be changed by the second configuration, and determines, the operation of the terminal device based on the first configuration. The apparatus comprises means for determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources not for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources not for data reception that is not to be changed by the second configuration, and determines, the operation of the terminal device based on the first configuration.

[0148] In some embodiments, the second configuration is received via a common signaling or a dedicated signaling. The first configuration and second configuration are received via a same signaling message or via different signaling messages. The first configuration is received via a semi-static signaling message and the second configuration is received via a dynamic signaling message. The first configuration and the second configuration are received via a dynamic signaling message. The common signaling comprises at least one of a group common downlink control information (DCI), or a network energy saving (NES) specific group common DCI. The dedicated signaling comprises a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), a dedicated DCI, or a UE specific DCI.

[0149] FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of a device 900 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 900 may be provided to implement the communication device, for example the terminal device 110, the network device 120 as shown in FIG. 1A. As shown, the device 900 includes one or more processors 910, one or more memories 920 coupled to the processor 910, and one or more communication modules 940 coupled to the processor 910.

[0150] The communication module 940 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 940 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network elements.

[0151] The processor 910 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 900 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

[0152] The memory 920 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 924, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random access memory (RAM) 922 and other volatile memories that will not last in the power-down duration.

[0153] A computer program 930 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 910. The program 930 may be stored in the ROM 924. The processor 910 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 930 into the RAM 922.

[0154] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program 930 so that the device 900 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to FIGS. 2Ato 8. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0155] In some embodiments, the program 930 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 900 (such as in the memory 920) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 900. The device 900 may load the program 930 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 922 for execution. The computer readable medium may include any types of tangible non-volatile storage, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like. FIG. 10 shows an example of the computer readable medium 1000 in form of CD or DVD. The computer readable medium has the program 930 stored thereon.

[0156] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0157] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computerexecutable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor, to carry out the methods 400-800 as described above with reference to FIGS. 4-8. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Thefunctionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0158] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

[0159] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

[0160] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0161] Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0162] Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A terminal device, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device at least to:receive, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication, wherein the set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols;receive, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources, wherein the set of resrouces is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration;determine at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration; anddetermine an operation of the terminal device for the at least one of a subset of uplink resources or a subset of downlink resources or the at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration.

2. The terminal device of claim 1 , wherein the operation of the terminal device is that the terminal device is not expected to perform monitoring of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for the inactive time duration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources.

3. The terminal device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation of the terminal device is that the terminal device is not expected to perform semi-persistent or periodic downlink reception for the inactive time duration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources.

4. The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation of the terminal device is that the terminal device is not expected to perform semi-persistent or periodic uplink transmission for the inactive time duration of the uplink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources.

5. The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation of the terminal device is that the terminal device is not expected to perform dynamically scheduled DL reception for the inactive timeduration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources.

6. The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operation of the terminal device is that the terminal device is not expected to perform dynamically scheduled UL transmission for the inactive time duration of the uplink resources and the inactive time duration of the flexible resources.

7. The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the terminal device is further caused to: determine at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of resources for both data reception and data transmission that is not to be changed by the second configuration;determine, the operation of the terminal device based on the first configuration.

8. The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the terminal device is further caused to: determine at least one of a subset of uplink resources not for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources not for data reception that is not to be changed by the second configuration;determine, the operation of the terminal device based on the first configuration.

9. The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second configuration is received via a common signaling or a dedicated signaling.

10. The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first configuration and second configuration are received via a same signaling message or via different signaling messages.

11. The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first configuration is received via a semi-static signaling message and the second configuration is received via a dynamic signaling message.

12. The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first configuration and the second configuration are received via a dynamic signaling message.

13. The terminal device of claim 9, wherein the common signaling comprises at least one of following:a group common downlink control information (DCI); ora network energy saving (NES) specific group common DCI. .

14. The terminal device of claim 9, wherein the dedicated signaling comprises at least one offollowing:a media access control (MAC) control element (CE);a dedicated DCI; ora UE specific DCI.

15. A method comprising:receiving, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication, wherein the set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols;receiving, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources, wherein the set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration;determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration; anddetermining an operation of the terminal device for the at least one of a subset of uplink resources or a subset of downlink resources or the at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the operation of the terminal device is that the terminal device is not expected to perform monitoring of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for the inactive time duration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of both the uplink resources and downlink resources.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein the operation of the terminal device is that the terminal device is not expected to perform semi-persistent or periodic downlink transmission for the inactive time duration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of both the uplink resources and downlink resources.

18. The method of any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the operation of the terminal device is that the terminal device is not expected to perform semi-persistent or periodic uplink transmission for the inactive time duration of the uplink resources and the inactive time duration of both the uplink resources and downlink resources.

19. The method of any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the operation of the terminal device is that the terminal device is not expected to perform dynamically scheduled DL reception for the inactive time duration of the downlink resources and the inactive time duration of both the uplink resources and downlink resources.

20. The method of any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the operation of the terminal device is that the terminal device is not expected to perform dynamically scheduled UL transmission for the inactive time duration of the uplink resources and the inactive time duration of both the uplink resources and downlink resources.

21. The method of any of claims 15 to 20, wherein the method further comprises: determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of resources for both data reception and data transmission that is not to be changed by the second configuration;determining, the operation of the terminal device based on the first configuration.

22. The method of any of claims 15 to 21 , wherein the method further comprises: determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources not for data transmission or at least one of a subset of downlink resources not for data reception that is not to be changed by the second configuration;determining, the operation of the terminal device based on the first configuration.

23. The method of any of claims 15 to 22, wherein the second configuration is received via a common signaling or a dedicated signaling.

24. The method of any of claims 15 to 23, wherein the first configuration and second configuration are received via a same signaling message or via different signaling messages.

25. The method of any of claims 15 to 24, wherein the first configuration is received via a semistatic signaling message and the second configuration is received via a dynamic signaling message.

26. The method of any of claims 15 to 24, wherein the first configuration and the second configuration are received via a dynamic signaling message.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the common signaling comprises at least one of following: a group common downlink control information (DCI); ora network energy saving (NES) specific group common DCI.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the dedicated signaling comprises at least one of following: a media access control (MAC) control element (CE);a dedicated DCI; ora UE specific DCI.

29. An apparatus comprising:means for receiving, from a network device, a first configuration indicating at least one set of resources for time division duplexing (TDD) communication, wherein the set of resources covering comprises one or more predefined resource blocks and one or more predefined orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols;means for receiving, from the network device, a second configuration indicating at least one of an inactive time duration or an active time duration for the TDD communication with the at least one set of resources, wherein the set of resources is in an energy saving mode for a scheduling node of the TDD communication during the inactive time duration;means for determining at least one of a subset of uplink resources for data transmission or a subset of downlink resources for data reception or at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration; andmeans for determining an operation of the terminal device for the at least one of a subset of uplink resources or a subset of downlink resources or the at least one of a subset of flexible resources based on the first configuration and the second configuration.

30. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method of any of claims 15 to 28.

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