WO2017135999A1

WO2017135999A1 - Flexible frame structure signaling for radio access networks operating in the unlicesnsed spectrum

Info

Publication number: WO2017135999A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/049636
Authority: WO
Inventors: Abhijeet Bhorkar; Qiaoyang Ye; Hwan Joon Kwon; Huaning Niu; Jeongho Jeon
Original assignee: Intel IP Corp
Current assignee: Intel IP Corp
Priority date: 2016-02-04
Filing date: 2016-08-31
Publication date: 2017-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2018-08-04
Also published as: CN108476498B; HK1258297A1; CN108476498A

Abstract

Techniques described herein may help conserve the power of user equipment devices (UEs) in a radio access network (RAN) that is implementing a communication policy involving flexible frame structures. A network device, such as a base station or wireless router, may monitor network traffic in the RAN and determine an appropriate frame structure based on the network traffic. The network device may convey the frame structure to UEs in the RAN so that the UEs know when an ongoing frame will transition from downlink (DL) subframes to uplink (UL) subframes. Doing so may alleviate a need for the UEs to continue monitoring the network for the actual transition from UL subframes to UL subframes, thereby conserving the power usage of the UEs.

Description

FLEXIBLE FRAME STRUCTURE SIGNALING FOR RADIO ACCESS NETWORKS OPERATING IN THE UNLICESNSED SPECTRUM

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/291,383, which was filed on February 4, 2016, and also of U.S. Provisional Patent

Application No. 62/318,622, which was filed on April 5, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Wireless telecommunication networks often include Radio Access Networks (RANs) that enable User Equipment (UE), such as smartphones, tablet computers, laptop computers, etc., to connect to a core network. An example of a wireless telecommunications network may include an Evolved Packet System (EPS) that operates based on 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Communication Standards. An EPS may include an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network that is connected to one or more cellular networks (e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAN (also referred to as "Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Networks (E-UTRANs)", a Fifth Generation (5G) RAN, etc.). In a cellular network, UEs typically communicate with base stations using channels corresponding to a licensed spectrum of radio frequencies (e.g., a spectrum of radio frequencies designated for cellular network communications).

Technologies, such as License Assisted Access (LAA), Carrier Aggregation (CA), MulteFire®, etc., may enable UEs to connect to a wireless telecommunications network via the unlicensed spectrum, and example of which includes the 5 Gigahertz (GHz) Unlicensed

Spectrum for Wi-Fi and Other Unlicensed Uses set forth by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States of America. Some of these technologies (such as LAA and CA) may include that the UE to maintain a carrier from the licensed spectrum (also referred to as an "anchor") in order to use a carrier in the unlicensed spectrum. By contrast, other technologies, referred to herein as "standalone technologies," such as MulteFire®, may enable UEs to connect to the wireless telecommunications network without an anchor from the licensed spectrum. Standalone technologies may also enable a network device (e.g., small cell device, a wireless router, etc.) to implement a version of the 3GPP LTE Communication Standards, whereby UEs may establish an LTE connection with a wireless telecommunications network.

In addition to increasing the overall DL and UL capacity of a wireless

telecommunications network by enabling UEs to connect to the network via the unlicensed spectrum, standalone technologies may also increase the DL and UL capacity of the network by enabling flexible frame structure techniques. Typically, frame structures in a RAN are static (e.g., they have a set number of DL subframes and a set number of UL subframes in each frame structure). Examples of such frames may include LTE frames, such as an LTE frame for frequency-division duplexing (FDD), an LTE frame for time-division duplexing (TDD), etc.

Implementing a flexible frame structure technique may include a process whereby a network device, such as a small cell device, a wireless access point, etc. , may define frame structures according to current and/or anticipated amount of network traffic. For instance, a flexible frame structure technique may enable a wireless access point to increase the number of DL subframes, and decrease the number of UL subframes, per frame when the network device anticipates an increased level of network traffic in the DL direction.

Similarly, when an increased level of network traffic is expected in the UL direct, a flexible frame structure technique may enable the network device to redefine the frame structure by decreasing the number of DL subframes and increasing the number of UL subframes per frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To facilitate this description, like reference numerals may designate like structural elements. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example system in which systems and/or methods described herein may be implemented;

Fig. 2 is a diagram of example control channels that may exist between user equipment (UE) and a network device of a Radio Access Network (RAN);

Fig. 3 is a diagram of an example process for providing frame structure information to UEs within a RAN;

Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrams of example frame structures;

Figs. 6-9 are diagrams of example frame structures that include frame structure information at different subframe locations;

Fig. 10 is a diagram of example components of an electronic device; and

Fig. 11 is a diagram of example components of a network device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments are defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Techniques for implementing flexible frames in a standalone environment have certain deficiencies. For instance, since frame structures may periodically change in a flexible frame environment, UE devices may continuously monitor a particular control channel (e.g., a common control channel, such as the common physical downlink control channel (C-PDCCH)) in order to determine when a frame's structure changes from DL subframes to UL subframes. Identifying this transition may enable the UE to identify the UL subframe(s) for which the UE has received a UL grant (i.e., permission to actually use the UL subframe to communicate information to the network). Without identifying the transition, the UE may not be capable of identifying the UL subframe that the UE has been granted, since the UL grant information may be relative to (e.g., measured from) the transition from DL subframes to UL subframes. In addition, the UE may continuously monitor a DL control channel even when the subframe is scheduled for UL transmission in order to operate in a flexible frame environment, since the UE does not know whether the subframe is for DL or UL transmission, which may be undesirable in terms of UE power consumption.

Techniques described herein may be used to reduce the amount of UE power used to implement flexible frame structure techniques by proactively informing the UE about frame structures. For example, a wireless access device may monitor network traffic in a RAN, determine an appropriate frame structure based on the network traffic, and may communicate information that describes the frame structure (also referred to herein as frame structure information) to each UE in the RAN. The frame structure information may be communicated in one or more ways depending on the implementation.

For instance, the wireless access device may communicate the frame structure information in each DL subframe of the frame, in a first DL subframe of the frame, a last DL subframe of the frame, two or more DL subframes of the frame, etc. ). Additionally, the frame structure information may describe when frames may transition from DL subframes to UL subframes, the times and/or positions of UL subframes within a frame, the length of a UL transmission within a frame (e.g. , the number of symbols per UL subframe), etc. As such, since the wireless access device may proactively inform each UE in the RAN about the changing frame structures, the UEs may conserve power by refraining from monitoring each subframe communicated from the wireless access device. Fig. 1 is a diagram of an example environment 100 in which systems and/or methods described herein may be implemented. Environment 100 may include multiple UEs 110, wireless telecommunications network, and external networks and devices.

The wireless telecommunications network may include an Evolved Packet System (EPS) that includes a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network and/or an evolved packet core (EPC) network that operates based on 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) wireless

communication standards. The LTE network may be, or may include, RANs that include one or more base stations (some or all of which may be eNBs 120) and/or WLAN APs 130, via which UEs 110 may communicate with the EPC network.

The EPC network may include Serving Gateway (SGW) 140, PDN Gateway (PGW)

150, Mobility Management Entity (MME) 160, Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 170, and/or Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) 180. As shown, the EPC network may enable UEs 110 to communicate with an external network, such as a Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMN), a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and/or an Internet Protocol (IP) network (e.g., the Internet).

UE 110 may include a portable computing and communication devices, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, a cellular phone, a laptop computer with connectivity to the wireless telecommunications network, a tablet computer, etc. UE 110 may also include non-portable computing device, such as a desktop computer, a consumer or business appliance, or another device that has the ability to connect to the RANs of the wireless telecommunications network. UE 110 may also include a computing and communication device that may be worn by a user (also referred to as a wearable device) such as a watch, a fitness band, a necklace, glasses, an eyeglass, a ring, a belt, a headset, or another type of wearable device.

UE 110 may include software, firmware, or hardware (such as flexible frame structure software) that enables UE 110 to perform one or more of the operations described herein.

Examples of such operations may include receiving information via a RAN (e.g., from eNB 120 and/or WLAN AP 130) via a particular channel (e.g., a C-PDCCH), monitoring the information for frame structure information, interpreting the frame structure information to determine when UE 110 is to communicate information to eNB 120 and/or WLAN AP 130, conserving battery power by desisting from monitoring subsequent the information from eNB 120 and/or WLAN AP 130, and communicating information to eNB 120 and/or WLAN AP 130 in accordance with the frame structure information.

eNB 120 may include one or more network devices that receive, process, and/or transmit traffic destined for and/or received from UE 110 (e.g., via an air interface). eNB 120 may be connected to a network device, such as site router, that functions as an intermediary for information communicated between eNB 120 and EPC network 230. eNB 120 may include a network device, such as a modem, a switch, a gateway, a router, etc., that is capable of implementing the flexible frame structure technologies described herein. eNB 2120 may coordinate with WLAN AP 130 to implement LAA, CA, etc., in order to increase the network resources (e.g., the UL and/or DL bandwidth) of the wireless telecommunications network. Additionally, eNB 120 may include software, firmware, or hardware (such as flexible frame structure software) that enables eNB 120 to perform one or more of the operations described herein, such as monitoring network traffic within a RAN, implement flexible frame structure technologies, based on the network traffic, in order to use frames and subframes efficiently, communicate frame structure information to UEs 110, and communicate with the UEs in accordance with the frame structure information.

WLAN AP 130 may include one or more network device that receive, process, and/or transmit traffic destined for and/or received form UE 110 (e.g., via an air interface). WLAN AP 130 may include a network device, such as a switch, a gateway, a router, a small cell device, a wireless access point, a MulteFire® access point, a base station, etc., that is capable of implementing the flexible frame structure technologies described herein. In some

implementations, WLAN AP 130 may implement a standalone (e.g., a non-anchored) version of the 3GPP LTE Communication Standard in the 5 Gigahertz (GHz) Unlicensed Spectrum for Wi- Fi and Other Unlicensed Uses set forth by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States of America. In some implementations, this may include implementing MulteFire® technologies or another type of standalone communication standard.

WLAN AP 130 may also coordinate with eNB 120 to implement LAA, CA, etc., in order to increase the network resources (e.g., the UL and/or DL bandwidth) of the wireless telecommunications network. Additionally, eNB 120 may include software, firmware, or hardware (such as flexible frame structure software) that enables eNB 120 to perform one or more of the operations described herein, such as monitoring network traffic within a RAN, implement flexible frame structure technologies, based on the network traffic, in order to use frames and subframes efficiently, communicate frame structure information to UEs 110, and communicate with the UEs in accordance with the frame structure information.

SGW 140 may aggregate traffic received from one or more eNBs 120 and/or WLAN Aps 130, and may send the aggregated traffic to an external network or device via PGW 150. Additionally, SGW 140 may aggregate traffic received from one or more PGWs 150 and may send the aggregated traffic to one or more eNBs 120 and/or WLAN Aps 130. SGW 140 may operate as an anchor for the user plane during inter-eNB handovers and as an anchor for mobility between different telecommunication networks.

MME 160 may include one or more computation and communication devices that act as a control node for eNB 120 and/or other devices (e.g., WLAN AP 130) that provide the air interface for the wireless telecommunications network. For example, MME 160 may perform operations to register UE 110 with the wireless telecommunications network, to establish bearer channels (e.g., traffic flows) associated with a session with UE 110, to hand off UE 110 to a different eNB, MME, or another network, and/or to perform other operations. MME 160 may perform policing operations on traffic destined for and/or received from UE 110.

PGW 150 may include one or more network devices that may aggregate traffic received from one or more SGWs 140, and may send the aggregated traffic to an extemal network. PGW 150 may also, or altematively, receive traffic from the external network and may send the traffic toward UE 110 (via eNB 120 and/or WLAN 130). PGW 150 may be responsible for providing charging data for each communication session to PCRF 180 to help ensure that charging policies are properly applied to communication sessions with the wireless telecommunication network.

HSS 170 may include one or more devices that may manage, update, and/or store, in a memory associated with HSS 170, profile information associated with a subscriber (e.g., a subscriber associated with UE 110). The profile information may identify applications and/or services that are permitted for and/or accessible by the subscriber; a Mobile Directory Number (MDN) associated with the subscriber; bandwidth or data rate thresholds associated with the applications and/or services; and/or other information. The subscriber may be associated with UE 110. Additionally, or alternatively, HSS 170 may perform authentication, authorization, and/or accounting operations associated with the subscriber and/or a communication session with UE 110.

PCRF 180 may receive information regarding policies and/or subscriptions from one or more sources, such as subscriber databases and/or from one or more users. PCRF 180 may provide these policies to PGW 150 or another device so that the policies can be enforced. As depicted, in some embodiments, PCRF 180 may communicate with PGW 150 to ensure that charging policies are properly applied to locally routed sessions within the telecommunications network. For instance, after a locally routed session is terminated, PGW 150 may collect charging information regarding the session and provide the charging information to PCRF 180 for enforcement.

The quantity of devices and/or networks, illustrated in Fig. 1 , is provided for explanatory purposes only. In practice, there may be additional devices and/or networks; fewer devices and/or networks; different devices and/or networks; or differently arranged devices and/or networks than illustrated in Fig. 1. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the devices of system 100 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another one or more of the devices of system 100. Furthermore, while "direct" connections are shown in Fig. 1, these connections should be interpreted as logical communication pathways, and in practice, one or more intervening devices (e.g. , routers, gateways, modems, switches, hubs, etc.) may be present.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of example control channels that may be established between UEs 110 and WLAN AP 130. As shown, multiple control channels may be established between UEs 110 and a RAN, examples of which may include a common control channel (e.g., a C-PDCCH) and a UE-specific control channel (e.g., a UE-specific PDCCH).

WLAN AP 130 may use the common control channel to communicate with multiple UEs 110 at the same time such that each UE 1 10 receives the same information transmitted via the common control channel. The common control channel may be used to provide all of the UEs 1 10 with the same frame structure information, which may describe one or more aspects of the frame structure currently being implemented by WLAN AP 130. As described herein, the frame structure information may indicate the total number of subframes per frame, the number of DL subframes per frame, the number of UL subframes per frame, the number of special subframes per frame, when one subframe ends and another begins, when a sequence of subframes ends and another sequence of subframes begins, the number of symbols between a current subframe and a transition from DL subframes and UL subframes, and so on.

By contrast, WLAN AP 130 may use the UE-specific control channel to

communicate different information to different UEs 110, such that one UE 1 10 may not receive the same information as another UE 110. For instance, WLAN AP 130 may use one UE-specific control channel to provide UL grant information to one UE 110, and another UE-specific control channel to provide different UL grant information to another UE 1 10. The UL grant information may indicate when each UE 110 is permitted to communicate information to WLAN AP 130. Since UL grant information may be communicated via a UE-specific control channel, one UE 1 10 may not know when (e.g., during which subframes of a frame) another UE 1 10 is permitted to communicate information in the UL direction (e.g., to WLAN AP 130).

In some implementations, each UE 1 10 may combine the information received via the common control channel and the UE-specific control channel in order to know when the UE 1 10 is to communicate information in the UL. For instance, the frame structure information received via the common control channel may indicate when a sequence of UL subframes begins and ends, and the UL grant information received via the UE-specific control channel may indicate period of time, a number of symbols, a sequence of subframe, etc., within the sequence of UL subframes, whereby UE 110 may determine precisely when the UE 1 10 is to send information to WLAN 130. Since the UL grant information may, for example, only indicate the UL subframe number granted to a particular UE 110 (e.g., the 3rd UL subframe in a UL subframe sequence), the frame structure information (e.g., when the UL subframes begin) may enable UE 1 10 to identify which UL subframe is the 3rd UL subframe without having to continuously monitor subframes in order to discover when DL subframes transition into UL subframes.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of an example process 300 for providing frame structure information to UEs within a RAN. Example process 300 may be implemented by WLAN AP 130.

Referring to Fig. 3, process 300 may include monitoring network traffic of a RAN (block 310). For example, WLAN AP 130 may monitor information communicated between UEs 110 and the RAN of WLAN AP 130. The activity monitored by WLAN AP 130 may pertain to a particular channel, such as a common control channel (e.g., a C- PDCCH) that is monitored by all the UEs 1 10 in the cell. WLAN AP 130 may use the common control channel to convey paging information, information regarding the network (e.g., the EPC), information regarding random access procedure, etc. In some

implementations, WLAN AP 130 may monitor the network traffic in order to determine a current level of network traffic flowing in the DL direction and/or the UL direction and an anticipated level of network traffic flowing in the DL direction and/or the UL direction. Such determination may be based on other information, such as the number of UEs 1 10 in the RAN, the level of activity of the UEs 1 10 in the RAN, the type of activity of the UEs 1 10 in the RAN, a need for the core network (e.g., the EPC) to communicate information to the UEs 1 10 in the RAN, etc.

Process 300 may also include determining an appropriate frame structure based on the network traffic (block 320). For instance, WLAN AP 130 may analyze the network traffic in the RAN and may determine an appropriate frame structure for communicating with UEs 1 10. For instance, WLAN AP 130 may increase the number of DL subframes and decrease the number of UL subframes per frame when WLAN AP 130 anticipates an increased level of network traffic in the DL direction. Similarly, when an increased level of network traffic is expected in the UL direct, WLAN AP 130 may redefine the frame structure by decreasing the number of DL subframes and increasing the number of UL subframes in the frame. In some implementations, WLAN AP 130 may continuously monitor network traffic and modify frame structures to best coincide with the anticipated needs of the RAN.

Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrams of example frame structures. As shown in Fig. 4, example frame structure 400 may include a DL portion and a UL portion. Each portion may include a sequence of contiguous DL subframes or contiguous UL subframes. In the example provided, example frame structure 400 includes 10 subframes with the frame switching from DL subframes to UL subframes between subframe 5 and subframe 6. As such, the subframe structure determined by WLAN AP 130 may include a continuous subframe structure having only one sequence of continuous DL subframes, one sequence of contiguous UL subframes, and a transition between the DL subframes and the UL subframes between subframes 5 and 6.

By contrast, as shown in Fig. 5, example frame structure 500 may include multiple DL portions and UL portions. Each portion may include a sequence of contiguous DL subframes or a sequence of contiguous UL subframes, and the DL portions and UL portions may be interspersed among one another. In the example provided, the frame structure includes 10 subframes with the frame switching from DL subframes to UL subframes (and vice versa) between subframes 3 and 4, 6 and 7, and 8 and 9. As such, example frame structure 500 includes a distributed frame structure having multiple, alternating sequences of contiguous DL subframes and UL subframes.

In addition to determining the frame structure to be continuous or distributed, WLAN AP 130 may determine which subframes may include subframe structure information. For example, WLAN AP 130 may determine that the frame structure information is to be included in each DL subframe of the frame structure. In another example, WLAN AP 130 may determine that the frame structure information is to be included in only certain DL subframes, such as the first DL subframe of each DL subframe sequence, the last DL subframe of each DL subframe sequence, in two or more DL subframes of each DL subframe sequence, etc. Specific examples of such frame structures are described in greater detail below with reference to Figs. 6-9.

In some implementations, the frame structure information can be transmitted on each DL subframe between the subframe on which UL grant is transmitted and before a first UL subframe transmission (e.g., physical UL channel (PUSCH) transmission). A transmission burst, as described herein, may include a period of continuous transmissions in a RAN (e.g. , between UE 1 10 and WLAN AP 130). A transmission burst may include an entire frame, a portion of a frame (e.g., one or more DL portions and/or UL portions), or multiple frames. Additionally, the frame structure information, which may be provided by WLAN AP 130 to UEs 1 10, may include frame structure information pertaining to a particular transmission burst.

Returning to Fig. 3, process 300 may include generating information describing the frame structure (block 330). For example, WLAN AP 130 may describe the frame structure, or aspects of the frame structure, in terms of a total number DL subframes, a number of DL subframes from a transition to UL subframes, a total number of UL subframes, a number of symbols (which may correspond to the number of symbols in one or more DL subframes and/or UL subframes), an indication (e.g., a frame number or frame position) of a transition from the DL subframes to the UL subframes, an indication of a transition from UL subframes back to DL subframes, etc. The information provided may indicate when the frame transitions from DL subframes to UL subframes, the number of contiguous UL subframes following the transition, whether the frame transitions back to DL subframes, and so on. The descriptive information may indicate a transition from DL subframes to UL subframes and may be provided in terms of a number of subframes, a position of one or more subframes (relative to other subframes), a duration (e.g., since each subframe may correspond to a particular amount of time), symbols (since, e.g., each subframe may include a particular number of symbols), or a combination thereof.

Time position, as used herein, may indicate an amount of time between two subframes (e.g., an amount of time between a particular DL subframe and a transition from DL subframes to UL subframes. Similarly, frame position, as used herein, may indicate a quantity of subframes between two subframes (e.g. , the number of DL subframes between a particular DL subframe and a transition from DL subframes to UL subframes). Likewise, symbol position, as used herein, may indicate a number of symbols between two symbols (e.g., a first symbol of a particular DL subframe and a symbol of a DL subframe immediately preceding a transition to UL subframes). Additional examples of frame structure information are discussed below with reference to Figs. 6-9.

Process 300 may also include communicating the frame structure information to UEs in the RAN using the frame structure determined to be appropriate (block 340). For instance, WLAN AP 130 may communicate the frame structure information using a frame structure complementary to the network traffic conditions, and/or anticipated network traffic conditions, of the RAN. As noted above, the frame structure information may be included in one or more DL subframes of a frame structure, such as each DL subframe, only the first or last DL subframe of a DL subframe sequence, etc. Additionally, the subframe structure information may be simultaneously communicated to each UEs 110 in the RAN via one control channel, such as the C-PDCCH. In some implementations, the processor of WLAN AP 130 may cause WLAP 130 to communicate information describing the frame structure to UEs 1 10 in accordance with the frame structure.

Process 300 may also include communicating with UEs based on the frame structure (block 350). For example, in addition to the frame structure information, the frame structure used to communicate the frame structure information may also include other types of control information, such as paging information, information regarding parameters or capabilities of the network, etc. In some implementations, the frame structure information may only take up a small portion of the information provided via the DL subframes.

In some implementations, for example, the frame structure information may include two or three bits in a particular DL subframe. For instance, two bits may be used in a DL subframe that is within four subframes of a transitions from DL subframes to UL subframes. This may be due to the fact that two bits may convey four combinations of information (e.g. , 00, 01 , 10, and 1 1 ), which may each represent a number of subframes between the DL subframe in which the bits are conveyed and the transition from DL subframes to UL subframes. Similarly, since three bits may convey eight different combinations of information (e.g. , 000, 001 , 01 1 , 1 1 1 , etc.), three bits may be used in a DL subframe that is within eight subframes of a transition from DL subframes to UL subframes.

In some implementations, the number of bits used to convey the frame structure information may depend on the number of subframes between the subframe used to convey the frame structure information and the first (or next) UL subframe. For example, when there is only one subframe (e.g. , a DL subframe or a special subframe) between the DL subframe (or special subframeO used to convey the subframe structure information and the next UL subframe, the frame structure information may be conveyed using only one bit (e.g. , where a "0" may indicate that the next subframe is a UL subframe and a " 1 " may indicate that there is another subframe (e.g. , a DL subframe or a special subframe) before the UL subframe). In a similar fashion, two bits may be used where there are between two and three subframes between the subframe used to convey the subframe structure information and the next UL subframe, three bits may be used where there are at least four subframes between the subframe used to convey the subframe structure information and the next UL subframe, and so on. Additionally, in some implementations, the number of bits used in each subframe used to convey frame structure information may vary within the same frame (e.g. , according to the number of subframes in between the conveying subframe and the first UL subframe). Alternatively, the number of bits used to convey frame structure information may be the same in each subframe used to convey the frame structure information within that frame.

As such, the techniques described herein may provide an effective solution to describing a frame structure (or the significant portions of a frame structure) without a significant impact on other types of control information that may be beneficial to communicate to UEs 1 10.

Additionally, the environments or scenarios in which WLAN AP 130 may implement one or more of the flexible frame structure techniques, described herein, may vary. For example, in some implementations, WLAN AP 130 may implement the flexible frame structure techniques, described herein, within the context of C-PDCCH

communications in the unlicensed spectrum, in conjunctions with implementing a standalone technology (such as MulteFire®) and/or Listen-Before-Talk (LBT)

communication procedures. In other implementations, the flexible frame structure techniques may be implemented in other scenarios, such as a scenario involving LAA technologies, where UEs 130 are simultaneously in communication with eNB 120 (via the licensed spectrum) and a WLAN AP 130 implementing flexible frame structure techniques in the unlicensed spectrum. As such, the techniques described herein may be applicable to a variety of scenarios that involve flexible frame structure techniques.

Figs. 6-9 are diagrams of example frame structures 600-900 that include frame structure information at different subframe locations. The example frame structures of Figs. 6-9 include multiple subframes designated as DL subframes, UL subframes, or special subframes. The example frames structures of Figs. 6-9 are provided primarily for explanatory purposes and are not to limit the scope of the techniques described herein. In practice, a frame structure may include additional subframes, fewer subframes, a different distribution of subframes, a different arrangement of subframes, a different compilation of subframes (e.g., no special subframe), and so on.

Referring to Fig. 6, example frame structure 600 may include a sequence of contiguous DL subframes from subframe 3 to subframe 5. The DL subframes may be followed by a special subframe (subframe 6) that includes a DL portion and a UL portion, followed by a sequence of contiguous UL subframes from subframe 7 to subframe 9. In some implementations, example frame structure 600 may include additional subframes (e.g., subframes 1, 2, 10, and so on). As shown, a special subframe may include a DL portion and a UL portion (also referred to herein as "DL segment" and "UL segment," respectively). In some implementations, a special subframe may include a DL portion and the remaining portion (the portion that could be used as a UL portion for example) may be blank. In such implementations, the DL portion may include 3, 6, 9, 10, 1 1 , or 12 symbols.

As shown, each DL subframe in Fig. 6 includes frame structure information describing the frame structure or at least a portion thereof (e.g. , the point or time at which information that is transmitted in the DL direction transition to information transmitted in the UL direction). In some implementations, the frame structure information in each DL subframe may include the same information, thereby creating a redundancy of information to better ensure that the frame structure information is received by all UEs 1 10 within a RAN. In other implementations, the subframe information may vary from one DL subframe to another DL subframe. For instance, each subframe may indicate a number of remaining DL subframes (e.g. , before the next UL subframe). In some implementations, the frame structure information may include an indication of the time, subframe, and/or symbols within a subframe, wherein the UL portion of the frame begins.

For instance, the frame structure information may indicate that the UL portion of the frame begins during a latter half of subframe 6, which may be dedicated for physical UL control channel (PUCCH) information. The frame structure information may also indicate that the UL portion of the frame continues from the latter half of subframe 6 through subframe 9. The frame structure information may also indicate that the frame is a continuous subframe structure (see, e.g., Fig. 4) with only one sequence of continuous DL subframes and only one sequence of continuous UL subframes. As shown, several of the UL portions of the frame may include a LBT (Listen-Before-Talk) portion, wherein UEs 1 10 may, for example, verify that the control channel corresponding to the example frame of Fig. 6 is idle (or adequately idle) before transmitting information in the UL direction. In scenarios where LBT is not implemented, a frame, and the subframes thereof, may not include LBT segments throughout the UL portion of the frame.

The frame structure information may also, or alternatively, indicate that the first complete UL subframe begins at subframe 7, the number of symbols in each UL subframe, the total number of UL subframes, the overall duration of the UL portion of the frame, etc. In some implementations, the frame structure information may be redundant in each DL subframe, which may (for example) increase the likelihood that each UE 1 10 will successfully receive the frame structure information. In other implementations, some of the frame structure information may be provided via certain DL subframes while other frame structure information may be provided in DL subframes.

Referring now to Fig. 7, example frame structure 700 may include DL subframes from subframe 1 to a first portion of subframe 4 and UL subframes from a second portion of subframe 4 to subframe 7. In some implementations, example frame structure 700 may include additional subframes (e.g. , subframes 8-10, etc.). As shown, example frame structure 700 only includes frame structure information in the first DL subframe (subframe 1). Communicating the frame structure information in the first DL subframe may, for example, enable the other DL subframes to be used for communicating other types of control information in the DL direction.

As described herein, the frame structure information may include a description of the overall frame structure, including the time and/or subframe in which the subframes switch from DL subframes to UL subframes (i.e., subframe 4). The frames structure information may also indicate that that the latter half of subframe 4 is dedicated to enabling UEs 1 10 to communicate UL information (e.g., Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) information) to the network. The frame structure information may also indicate that the frame is a continuous subframe structure (see, e.g., Fig. 4) as opposed to a distributed subframe structure (see, e.g., Fig. 5), with one sequence of continuous DL subframes followed by one sequence of continuous UL subframes. However, if the frame included a distributed frame structure, then the frame structure information might include a number of UL subframe sequences in the frame, the duration or length (e.g., number of subframes) of each (or of a particular) sequence of UL subframe, a beginning and/or ending of one or more UL subframe sequences, etc.

Referring now to Fig. 8, example frame structure 800 may include DL subframes from subframe 3 to a first portion of subframe 6 and UL subframes from a second portion of subframe 6 to subframe 9. In some implementations, example frame structure 800 may include additional subframes (e.g. , subframes 1 and 2, subframes 10, etc.). By contrast to the frame structure of Fig. 6, example frame structure 800 only includes frame structure information in the special subframe (subframe 6) of example frame structure 800.

Communicating the frame structure information in the last DL portion of the frame may, for example, enable the other DL subframes to be used for communicating other types of information in a C-PDCCH.

As described herein, the frame structure information may include a description of the overall frame structure, including the time and/or subframe in which the subframes switch from DL subframes to UL subframes (i.e., special subframe 6). The frames structure information may indicate that that the latter half of subframe 6 is a UL subframe that includes UL control information. The frame structure information may also indicate that the frame is a continuous subframe structure (see, e.g., Fig. 4) as opposed to a distributed subframe structure (see, e.g., Fig. 5) with one sequence of continuous DL subframes that are followed by one sequence of continuous UL subframes. The frame structure information may indicate that a UL portion of the frame begins at a particular symbol of transition frame 6 and continues for a number of symbols equal to the actual number of symbols in UL portion of the frame. As shown, several of the UL portions of the frame may include a LBT (Listen-Before-Talk) portion, wherein UEs 1 10 may, for example, verify that the control channel corresponding to the example frame of Fig. 8 is idle (or adequately idle) before transmitting information in the UL direction. In scenarios where LBT is implemented the frame structure information may include an indication of the symbols in each subframe that are allocated for LBT purposes.

Referring now to Fig. 9, example frame structure 900 may include DL subframes from subframe 5 to subframe 8 and UL subframes from subframe 9 to subframe 1. In some implementations, example frame structure 900 may include additional subframes (e.g., subframes 1 -4, etc.). Example frame structure 900 only includes frame structure information in the two DL subframes (subframes 7 and 8) prior to the transition from DL portion of the frame to a UL portion of the frame. As shown in Fig. 9, As represented in Fig. 9, UL control channel information (UL(C)) may be communicated (e.g., physical UL channel (PUSCH) transmission) via frequency multiplexing rather than time multiplexing.

In some implementations, the frame structure information may include an indication of the distance (whether measured in time, frames, symbols, etc.) from a particular DL subframe a first UL subframe. For instance, if the first UL subframe is N subframes later (e.g. 2 subframes later, on subframe 9), the frame structure information in DL subframe 7 may be 1 to indicate that the first UL subframe is two subframes away from subframe 7 (e.g., a subframe offset of the first UL subframe from the DL subframe with the frame structure information). Similarly, the frame structure information of DL subframe 8 may be 0 to indicate that the next subframe (subframe 9) is the first UL subframe in the frame. In some implementations, the information may indicate the start of the subframe contains UL control channel information. The frame structure information may also, or

alternatively, indicate that the first complete UL subframe begins at subframe 10, the total number of UL subframes, the total number of symbols in all of the UL subframe, the combined duration of the UL subframes, etc. As such, the frame structure information may provide a clear description of when the frame transitions from a DL portion of the frame to a UL portion of the frame, as well as the length of the UL portion of the frame. Doing so may enable UEs 1 10 to conserve battery power by desisting from monitoring each subframe once the UEs 1 10 have received a description of the frame itself or portions of the frame that are of particular interest to the UEs 1 10, such as the transition from the DL portion of the frame to the UL portion of the frame and the length of the UL portion of the frame.

In some implementations, a frame may not include any UL subframes. In such scenarios, frame structure information may be provided in any DL subframes, or combination of DL subframes, as described herein. Additionally, the frame structure information may indicate that there are no UL subframes in the frame. For example, the frame structure information may explicitly indicate that there are no UL subframes (e.g., via a particular sequence of bits) or implicitly indicate that there are no UL subframes (e.g., by failing to indicate a transition from DL subframes to UL subframes). In implementations where frame structure information is provided in a special subframe (see, e.g., Figs. 6-8), the UL portion of the special subframe may be blank.

As used herein, the term "circuitry" or "processing circuitry" may refer to, be part of, or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group), and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality. In some embodiments, the circuitry may be implemented in, or functions associated with the circuitry may be implemented by, one or more software or firmware modules. In some embodiments, circuitry may include logic, at least partially operable in hardware.

Embodiments described herein may be implemented into a system using any suitably configured hardware and/or software. Fig. 10 illustrates, for one embodiment, example components of an electronic device 1000. In embodiments, the electronic device 1000 may be a UE, an eNB, a WLAN AP, or some other appropriate electronic device. In some embodiments, the electronic device 1000 may include application circuitry 1002, baseband circuitry 1004, Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry 1006, front-end module (FEM) circuitry 1008 and one or more antennas 1060, coupled together at least as shown. In other embodiments, any of said circuitries can be included in different devices.

The application circuitry 1002 may include one or more application processors. For example, the application circuitry 1002 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor(s) may include any combination of general -purpose processors and dedicated processors (e.g., graphics processors, application processors, etc.). The processors may be coupled with and/or may include memory/storage, and may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory/storage to enable various applications and/or operating systems to run on the system. In some implementations, storage medium 1003 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The memory/storage may include, for example, computer-readable medium 1003, which may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Application circuitry 1002 may, in some embodiments, connect to or include one or more sensors, such as environmental sensors, cameras, etc.

Baseband circuitry 1004 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The baseband circuitry 1004 may include one or more baseband processors and/or control logic to process baseband signals received from a receive signal path of the RF circuitry 1006 and to generate baseband signals for a transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 1006. Baseband processing circuitry 1004 may interface with the application circuitry 1002 for generation and processing of the baseband signals and for controlling operations of the RF circuitry 1006. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1004 may include a second generation (2G) baseband processor 1004a, third generation (3G) baseband processor 1004b, fourth generation (4G) baseband processor 1004c, and/or other baseband processor(s) 1004d for other existing generations, generations in development or to be developed in the future (e.g., fifth generation (5G), 6G, etc.). The baseband circuitry 1004 (e.g., one or more of baseband processors 1004a-d) may handle various radio control functions that enable communication with one or more radio networks via the RF circuitry 1006. The radio control functions may include, but are not limited to, signal modulation/demodulation, encoding/decoding, radio frequency shifting, etc. In some implementations, baseband circuitry 1004 may be associated with storage medium 1003 or with another storage medium.

In some embodiments, modulation/demodulation circuitry of the baseband circuitry 1004 may include Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT), precoding, and/or constellation mapping/demapping functionality. In some embodiments, encoding/decoding circuitry of the baseband circuitry 1004 may include convolution, tail-biting convolution, turbo, Viterbi, and/or Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoder/decoder functionality. Embodiments of modulation/demodulation and encoder/decoder functionality are not limited to these examples and may include other suitable functionality in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1004 may include elements of a protocol stack such as, for example, elements of an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) protocol including, for example, physical (PHY), MAC, radio link control (RLC), PDCP, and/or radio resource control (RRC) elements. A central processing unit (CPU) 1004e of the baseband circuitry 1004 may be configured to run elements of the protocol stack for signaling of the PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP and/or RRC layers. In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry may include one or more audio digital signal processor(s) (DSP) 1004f. The audio DSP(s) 1004f may be include elements for

compression/decompression and echo cancellation and may include other suitable processing elements in other embodiments. The baseband circuitry 1004 may further include memory/storage 1004g. The memory /storage 1004g may be used to load and store data and/or instructions for operations performed by the processors of the baseband circuitry 1004. Memory/storage for one embodiment may include any combination of suitable volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. The memory/storage 1004g may include any combination of various levels of memory /storage including, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) having embedded software instructions (e.g., firmware), random access memory (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM)), cache, buffers, etc. The memory/storage 1004g may be shared among the various processors or dedicated to particular processors.

Components of the baseband circuitry may be suitably combined in a single chip, a single chipset, or disposed on a same circuit board in some embodiments. In some

embodiments, some or all of the constituent components of the baseband circuitry 1004 and the application circuitry 1002 may be implemented together such as, for example, on a system on a chip (SOC).

In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1004 may provide for communication compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1004 may support communication with an E-UTRAN and/or other wireless metropolitan area networks (WMAN), a WLAN, a wireless personal area network (WPAN). Embodiments in which the baseband circuitry 1004 is configured to support radio

communications of more than one wireless protocol may be referred to as multi-mode baseband circuitry.

RF circuitry 1006 may enable communication with wireless networks using modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, the RF circuitry 1006 may include switches, filters, amplifiers, etc. to facilitate the communication with the wireless network. RF circuitry 1006 may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry to down-convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 1008 and provide baseband signals to the baseband circuitry 1004. RF circuitry 1006 may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry to up-convert baseband signals provided by the baseband circuitry 1004 and provide RF output signals to the FEM circuitry 1008 for transmission.

In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 1006 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the RF circuitry 1006 may include mixer circuitry 1006a, amplifier circuitry 1006b and filter circuitry 1006c. The transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 1006 may include filter circuitry 1006c and mixer circuitry 1006a. RF circuitry 1006 may also include synthesizer circuitry 1006d for synthesizing a frequency for use by the mixer circuitry 1006a of the receive signal path and the transmit signal path. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1006a of the receive signal path may be configured to down- convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 1008 based on the synthesized frequency provided by synthesizer circuitry 1006d. The amplifier circuitry 1006b may be configured to amplify the down-converted signals and the filter circuitry 1006c may be a low-pass filter (LPF) or band-pass filter (BPF) configured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signals to generate output baseband signals.

Output baseband signals may be provided to the baseband circuitry 1004 for further processing. In some embodiments, the output baseband signals may be zero-frequency baseband signals, although this is not a requirement. In some embodiments, mixer circuitry 1006a of the receive signal path may comprise passive mixers, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1006a of the transmit signal path may be configured to up-convert input baseband signals based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuitry 1006d to generate RF output signals for the FEM circuitry 1008. The baseband signals may be provided by the baseband circuitry 1004 and may be filtered by filter circuitry 1006c. The filter circuitry 1006c may include a low-pass filter (LPF), although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1006a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 1006a of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for quadrature downconversion and/or upconversion respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1006a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 1006a of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection). In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1006a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 1006a may be arranged for direct downconversion and/or direct upconversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1006a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 1006a of the transmit signal path may be configured for super-heterodyne operation.

In some embodiments, the output baseband signals and the input baseband signals may be analog baseband signals, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some alternate embodiments, the output baseband signals and the input baseband signals may be digital baseband signals. In these alternate embodiments, the RF circuitry 1006 may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry and the baseband circuitry 1004 may include a digital baseband interface to communicate with the RF circuitry 1006. In some dual-mode embodiments, a separate radio IC circuitry may be provided for processing signals for each spectrum, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 1006d may be a fractional -N synthesizer or a fractional N/N+6 synthesizer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect as other types of frequency synthesizers may be suitable. For example, synthesizer circuitry 1006d may be a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer comprising a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider.

The synthesizer circuitry 1006d may be configured to synthesize an output frequency for use by the mixer circuitry 1006a of the RF circuitry 1006 based on a frequency input and a divider control input. In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 1006d may be a fractional N/N+6 synthesizer.

In some embodiments, frequency input may be provided by a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), although that is not a requirement. Divider control input may be provided by either the baseband circuitry 1004 or the applications processor 1002 depending on the desired output frequency. In some embodiments, a divider control input (e.g., N) may be determined from a look-up table based on a channel indicated by the applications processor 1002.

Synthesizer circuitry 1006d of the RF circuitry 1006 may include a divider, a delay- locked loop (DLL), a multiplexer and a phase accumulator. In some embodiments, the divider may be a dual modulus divider (DMD) and the phase accumulator may be a digital phase accumulator (DP A). In some embodiments, the DMD may be configured to divide the input signal by either N or N+6 (e.g., based on a carry out) to provide a fractional division ratio. In some example embodiments, the DLL may include a set of cascaded, tunable, delay elements, a phase detector, a charge pump and a D-type flip-flop. In these embodiments, the delay elements may be configured to break a VCO period up into Nd equal packets of phase, where Nd is the number of delay elements in the delay line. In this way, the DLL provides negative feedback to help ensure that the total delay through the delay line is one VCO cycle.

In some embodiments, synthesizer circuitry 1006d may be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency, while in other embodiments, the output frequency may be a multiple of the carrier frequency (e.g., twice the carrier frequency, four times the carrier frequency) and used in conjunction with quadrature generator and divider circuitry to generate multiple signals at the carrier frequency with multiple different phases with respect to each other. In some embodiments, the output frequency may be a LO frequency (fLO). In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 1006 may include an IQ/polar converter. FEM circuitry 1008 may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry configured to operate on RF signals received from one or more antennas 1060, amplify the received signals and provide the amplified versions of the received signals to the RF circuitry 1006 for further processing. FEM circuitry 1008 may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify signals for transmission provided by the RF circuitry 1006 for transmission by one or more of the one or more antennas 1060.

In some embodiments, the FEM circuitry 1008 may include a TX/RX switch to switch between transmit mode and receive mode operation. The FEM circuitry may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuitry may include a low-noise amplifier (LNA) to amplify received RF signals and provide the amplified received RF signals as an output (e.g., to the RF circuitry 1006). The transmit signal path of the FEM circuitry 1008 may include a power amplifier (PA) to amplify input RF signals (e.g., provided by RF circuitry 1006), and one or more filters to generate RF signals for subsequent transmission (e.g., by one or more of the one or more antennas 1060.

In some embodiments, the electronic device 1000 may include additional elements such as, for example, memory/storage, display, camera, sensors, and/or input/output (I/O) interface. In some embodiments, the electronic device of Fig. 10 may be configured to perform one or more methods, processes, and/or techniques such as those described herein.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram illustrating components, according to some example embodiments, able to read instructions from a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (e.g., a machine-readable storage medium) and perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. Specifically, Fig. 11 shows a diagrammatic representation of hardware resources 1100 including one or more processors (or processor cores) 1110, one or more memory /storage devices 1120, and one or more communication resources 1130, each of which are communicatively coupled via a bus 1140.

The processors 1110 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP) such as a baseband processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), another processor, or any suitable combination thereof) may include, for example, a processor 1112 and a processor 1114. The memory/storage devices 1120 may include main memory, disk storage, or any suitable combination thereof.

The communication resources 1130 may include interconnection and/or network interface components or other suitable devices to communicate with one or more peripheral devices 1104 and/or one or more databases 1106 via a network 1108. For example, the communication resources 1 130 may include wired communication components (e.g., for coupling via a Universal Serial Bus (USB)), cellular communication components, Near Field Communication (NFC) components, Bluetooth® components (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), Wi-Fi® components, and other communication components.

Instructions 1 150 may comprise software, a program, an application, an applet, an app, or other executable code for causing at least any of the processors 11 10 to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. The instructions 1 150 may reside, completely or partially, within at least one of the processors 1 1 10 (e.g., within the processor's cache memory), the memory/storage devices 1 120, or any suitable combination thereof. Furthermore, any portion of the instructions 1 150 may be transferred to the hardware resources 1100 from any combination of the peripheral devices 1 104 and/or the databases 1 106. Accordingly, the memory of processors 1110, the memory/storage devices 1 120, the peripheral devices 1104, and the databases 1106 are examples of computer-readable and machine-readable media.

A number of examples, relating to embodiments of the techniques described above, will next be given.

In a first example, an apparatus for a processor of a network device, comprising circuitry to: monitor network traffic corresponding to communications between a plurality of user equipment devices (UEs) and a radio access network (RAN) of a wireless telecommunications network; determine, based on the network traffic, a frame structure for communicating with the plurality of UEs, the frame structure including: a plurality of downlink (DL) subframes, a plurality of uplink (UL) subframes, at least one location for communicating information describing the frame structure to the plurality of UEs; generate the information describing the frame structure; and cause the network device to

communicate the information to the plurality of UEs in accordance with the frame structure and the at least one location of the frame structure.

In example 2, the subj ect matter of example 1 , or any of the examples herein, the frame structure includes at least one special frame positioned between the plurality of DL subframes and the plurality of UL subframes, and the at least one location for

communicating the information includes a location within at least one DL subframe, of the plurality of DL subframes, immediately preceding the at least one special subframe but not within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes.

In example 3, the subj ect matter of example 1 , or any of the examples herein, the plurality of DL subframes includes a first sequence of DL subframes and a second sequence of DL subframes, the plurality of UL subframes includes a first sequence of UL subframes that is preceded by the first sequence of DL subframes and a second sequence of UL subframes that is preceded by the second sequence of DL subframes, the at least one location for communicating information includes a first location within the first sequence of DL subframes and a second location within the second sequence of DL subframes, and the information corresponding to the first location and the second location indicate a length of remaining information corresponding to subsequent UL subframes.

In example 4, the subj ect matter of example 1 , or any of the examples herein, wherein the information indicates a length of remaining information corresponding to subsequent UL subframes.

In a fifth example, a non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions for causing one or more processors to: determine a flexible frame structure for enabling wireless communications between a plurality of user equipment devices (UEs) of a radio access network (RAN) corresponding to a wireless telecommunications network, the flexible frame structure include: a plurality of downlink (DL) subframes that includes a first sequence of DL subframes, a plurality of uplink (UL) subframes that includes a first sequence of (UL) subframes, and at least one location, within at least one DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes, for communicating information indicating a transition from DL subframes to UL subframes within the flexible frame structure, generate the information indicating the transition; cause the network device to communicate, in accordance with the flexible frame structure and at least one location, the information to the plurality of UEs via a control channel to which each UE, of the plurality of UEs, are connected to the RAN.

In example 6, the subj ect matter of example 5, or any of the examples herein, wherein: the flexible frame structure includes at least one special subframe, and the at least one location for communicating the information is located exclusively within a DL portion of the special subframe.

In example 7, the subj ect matter of example 5, or any of the examples herein, wherein: the flexible frame structure positioned between the plurality of DL subframes and the plurality of UL subframes, and the at least one location for communicating the information includes: a first location within at least one DL subframe, of the plurality of DL subframes, immediately preceding the special subframe but not within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes, and a second location within a DL portion of the special subframe.

In an eight example, a network device, comprising: means for monitoring network traffic corresponding to communications between a plurality of user equipment devices (UEs) and a radio access network (RAN) of a wireless telecommunications network; means for determining, based on the network traffic, a frame structure for communicating with the plurality of UEs, the frame structure including: a plurality of downlink (DL) subframes, a plurality of uplink (UL) subframes, and at least one location for

communicating information describing the frame structure to the plurality of UEs; means for generating the information describing the frame structure; and means for causing the network device to communicate the information to the plurality of UEs in accordance with the frame structure and the at least one location of the frame structure

In example 9, the subject matter of example 1, or any of the examples herein, wherein: the frame structure includes at least one special frame positioned between the plurality of DL subframes and the plurality of UL subframes, and the at least one location for communicating the information includes a location within at least one DL subframe, of the plurality of DL subframes, immediately preceding the at least one special subframe but not within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes.

In example 10, the subject matter of any one of examples 1, 5, 8, or any of the examples herein, wherein the at least one location includes a location within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes.

In example 11, the subject matter of any one of examples 1, 5, 8, or any of the examples herein, wherein: the plurality of DL subframes includes at least three subframes, and the at least one location for communicating the information includes a location within two or more DL subframes, of the plurality of DL subframes, but not within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes.

In example 12, the subject matter of any one of examples 1, 5, 8, or any of the examples herein, wherein: the frame structure further includes at least one special subframe between the plurality of DL subframes and the plurality of UL subframes, and the at least one location for communicating the information is located within a DL portion of the at least one special subframe.

In example 13, the subject matter of any one of examples 1, 5, 8, or any of the examples herein, wherein: the information includes one bit of information indicating a start of the plurality of UL subframes when: a number of DL subframes, of the plurality of DL subframes, between a DL subframe used to communicate the information and a first UL subframe, of the plurality of UL subframes, is between zero and one subframes, the information includes two bits of information indicating the start of the plurality of UL subframes when: the number of DL subframes, of the plurality of DL subframes, between the DL subframe used to communicate the information and the first UL subframe, of the plurality of UL subframes, is between two and three subframes, and the information includes four bits of information indicating the start of the plurality of UL subframes when: the number of DL subframes, of the plurality of DL subframes, between the DL subframe used to communicate the information and the first UL subframe, of the plurality of UL subframes, is greater than three subframes.

In example 14, the subject matter of any one of examples 1, 5, 8, or any of the examples herein, wherein the information includes four bits that indicate: a duration of a current DL subframe that is used to convey the information, and when the current DL subframe is immediately followed by another DL or special subframe, a duration of the another DL or special subframe.

In example 15, the subject matter of any one of examples 1, 5, 8, or any of the examples herein, wherein the information includes four bits that indicate a duration of the plurality of UL subframes.

In example 16, the subject matter of any one of examples 1, 5, 8, or any of the examples herein, wherein the at least one location for communicating the information includes a location within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes.

In example 17 the subject matter of any one of examples 1, 5, 8, or any of the examples herein, wherein the at least one location for communicating the information is located exclusively within a first DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes.

In example 18, the subject matter of any one of examples 1, 5, 8, or any of the examples herein, wherein the information includes a number of symbols corresponding to the plurality of UL subframes.

In example 19, the subject matter of any one of examples 1, 5, 8, or any of the examples herein, wherein the information indicates a time position corresponding to the plurality of UL subframes.

In example 20, the subject matter of any one of examples 1, 5, 8, or any of the examples herein, wherein the information indicates subframe positions corresponding to the plurality of UL subframes.

In example 21, the subject matter of any one of examples 1, 5, 8, or any of the examples herein, wherein: the plurality of DL subframes includes a first DL subframe and a second DL subframe that is contiguous to the first DL subframe, the at least one location includes a first location within the first DL subframe and a second location with the second DL subframe, the information included in the first location indicates a duration of second DL subframe and a first number of subframes between the first DL subframe and a first UL subframe of the plurality of UL subframes, and the information included in the second location indicates a second number of subframes between the second DL subframe and the first UL subframe.

In example 22, the subject matter of any one of examples 1, 5, 8, or any of the examples herein, wherein the information includes a number of subframes corresponding to the plurality of UL subframes.

In a twenty-third example, an apparatus for a baseband processor of a user equipment device (UE), comprising circuitry to: receive, via a common control channel, information from a radio access network (RAN) of a wireless telecommunications network; monitor the information for a description regarding a frame structure being implemented by the RAN, the frame structure including a downlink (DL) portion and an uplink (UL) portion; determine, based on the information, a transition from the DL portion to the uplink (UL) portion; discontinue the monitoring of the information during a remainder of the UL portion of the frame structure being implemented by the RAN;

receive, from the RAN and via a UE-specific control channel, permission to communicate with the RAN during the UL portion of the frame structure; and communicate during the UL portion of the frame structure, with the wireless telecommunications network in accordance with the permission to communicate with the RAN.

In example 24, the subject matter of example 23, or any of the examples herein, wherein: the frame structure also includes a special subframe with a DL segment and a UL segment, and the description regarding the frame structure is received exclusively within the DL segment of the special subframe.

In example 25, the subject matter of example 23, or any of the examples herein, wherein: the frame structure also includes a special subframe with a DL segment and a UL segment, the special subframe being position within the frame structure between a plurality of DL subframes and a plurality of UL subframes, and the description regarding the frame structure is received: within at least one DL subframe, of the plurality of DL subframes, but not within all of the DL subframes of the plurality of DL subframes, and within the DL segment of the special subframe.

In a twenty-sixth example, A method, comprising: monitoring network traffic corresponding to communications between a plurality of user equipment devices (UEs) and a radio access network (RAN) of a wireless telecommunications network; determining, based on the network traffic, a frame structure for communicating with the plurality of

UEs, the frame structure including: a plurality of downlink (DL) subframes, a plurality of uplink (UL) subframes, and at least one location for communicating information describing the frame structure to the plurality of UEs; generating, by the network device, the information describing the frame structure; and communicating the information to the plurality of UEs in accordance with the frame structure and the at least one location of the frame structure.

In example 27, the subj ect matter of example 26, or any of the examples herein, wherein: the frame structure includes at least one special frame positioned between the plurality of DL subframes and the plurality of UL subframes, and the at least one location for communicating the information includes : a location within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes, and a location within the DL portion of each special subframe of the at least one special subframe.

In example 28, the subj ect matter of example 26, or any of the examples herein, The method of claim 26, wherein: the frame structure includes at least one special frame positioned between the plurality of DL subframes and the plurality of UL subframes, the plurality of DL subframes includes at least three subframes, and the at least one location for communicating the information includes : a location within two or more DL subframes of the plurality of DL subframes but not within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes, and a location within the DL portion of each special subframe of the at least one transition subframe.

In example 29, the subj ect matter of example 26, or any of the examples herein, wherein: the frame structure includes at least one special frame positioned between the plurality of DL subframes and the plurality of UL subframes, and the at least one location for communicating the information is located exclusively within a DL portion of each special subframe of the at least one special subframe.

In example 30, the subj ect matter of example 26, or any of the examples herein, wherein: the frame structure includes at least one special frame positioned between the plurality of DL subframes and the plurality of UL subframes, and the at least one location for communicating the information includes : a location within at least one DL subframe, of the plurality of DL subframes, immediately preceding the at least one special subframe but not within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes, and a location within the DL portion of each special subframe of the at least one special subframe.

In example 31 , the subj ect matter of example 26, or any of the examples herein, wherein: the plurality of DL subframes includes a first sequence of DL subframes and a second sequence of DL subframes, the plurality of UL subframes includes a first sequence of UL subframes that is preceded by the first sequence of DL subframes and a second sequence of UL subframes that is preceded by the second sequence of DL subframes, the at least one location for communicating information includes a first location within the first sequence of DL subframes and a second location within the second sequence of DL subframes, and the information corresponding to the first location and the second location indicate a length of remaining information corresponding to subsequent UL subframes.

In example 32, the subj ect matter of example 26, or any of the examples herein, wherein the information indicates a length of remaining information corresponding to subsequent UL subframes.

In example 33, the subj ect matter of example 26, or any of the examples herein, wherein the information is communicated to the UE via a common physical downlink control channel (C-PDCCH) established.

In example 34, the subj ect matter of example 26, or any of the examples herein, wherein the at least one location for communicating the information includes a location within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes.

In example 35, the subj ect matter of example 26, or any of the examples herein, wherein the at least one location for communicating the information is located exclusively within a first DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes.

In example 36, the subj ect matter of example 26, or any of the examples herein, wherein the information includes a number of symbols corresponding to the plurality of UL subframes.

In example 37, the subj ect matter of example 26, or any of the examples herein, wherein the information indicates a time position corresponding to the plurality of UL subframes.

In example 38, the subj ect matter of example 26, or any of the examples herein, wherein the information indicates subframe positions corresponding to the plurality of UL subframes.

In the preceding specification, various embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

For example, while series of signals may have been described with regard to one or more

Figs., the order of the signals may be modified in other embodiments. Further, non-dependent signals may be performed in parallel.

It will be apparent that example aspects, as described above, may be implemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardware in the embodiments illustrated in the figures. The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement these aspects should not be construed as limiting. Thus, the operation and behavior of the aspects were described without reference to the specific software code-it being understood that software and control hardware could be designed to implement the aspects based on the description herein.

Further, certain portions may be implemented as "logic" that performs one or more functions. This logic may include hardware, such as an application-specific integrated circuit ("ASIC") or a field programmable gate array ("FPGA"), or a combination of hardware and software.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to be limiting. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. An instance of the use of the term "and," as used herein, does not necessarily preclude the interpretation that the phrase "and/or" was intended in that instance. Similarly, an instance of the use of the term "or," as used herein, does not necessarily preclude the interpretation that the phrase "and/or" was intended in that instance. Also, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with the phrase "one or more." Where only one item is intended, the terms "one," "single," "only," or similar language is used.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for a processor of a network device, comprising circuitry to:

monitor network traffic corresponding to communications between a plurality of user equipment devices (UEs) and a radio access network (RAN) of a wireless telecommunications network;

determine, based on the network traffic, a frame structure for communicating with the plurality of UEs, the frame structure including:

a plurality of downlink (DL) subframes,

a plurality of uplink (UL) subframes,

at least one location for communicating information describing the frame structure to the plurality of UEs;

generate the information describing the frame structure; and

cause the network device to communicate the information to the plurality of UEs in accordance with the frame structure and the at least one location of the frame structure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the frame structure includes at least one special frame positioned between the plurality of DL subframes and the plurality of UL subframes, and

the at least one location for communicating the information includes a location within at least one DL subframe, of the plurality of DL subframes, immediately preceding the at least one special subframe but not within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the plurality of DL subframes includes a first sequence of DL subframes and a second sequence of DL subframes,

the plurality of UL subframes includes a first sequence of UL subframes that is preceded by the first sequence of DL subframes and a second sequence of UL subframes that is preceded by the second sequence of DL subframes,

the at least one location for communicating information includes a first location within the first sequence of DL subframes and a second location within the second sequence of DL subframes, and

the information corresponding to the first location and the second location indicate a length of remaining information corresponding to subsequent UL subframes.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the information indicates a length of remaining information corresponding to subsequent UL subframes.

5. A computer readable medium containing program instructions for causing one or more processors to:

determine a flexible frame structure for enabling wireless communications between a plurality of user equipment devices (UEs) of a radio access network (RAN) corresponding to a wireless telecommunications network, the flexible frame structure include:

a plurality of downlink (DL) subframes that includes a first sequence of DL subframes,

a plurality of uplink (UL) subframes that includes a first sequence of (UL) subframes, and

at least one location, within at least one DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes, for communicating information indicating a transition from DL subframes to UL subframes within the flexible frame structure,

generate the information indicating the transition;

cause the network device to communicate, in accordance with the flexible frame structure and at least one location, the information to the plurality of UEs via a control channel to which each UE, of the plurality of UEs, are connected to the RAN.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein:

the flexible frame structure includes at least one special subframe, and

the at least one location for communicating the information is located exclusively within a DL portion of the special subframe.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein:

the flexible frame structure is positioned between the plurality of DL subframes and the plurality of UL subframes, and

the at least one location for communicating the information includes :

a first location within at least one DL subframe, of the plurality of DL subframes, immediately preceding a special subframe but not within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes, and

a second location within a DL portion of the special subframe.

A network device, comprisi means for monitoring network traffic corresponding to communications between a plurality of user equipment devices (UEs) and a radio access network (RAN) of a wireless telecommunications network;

means for determining, based on the network traffic, a frame structure for communicating with the plurality of UEs, the frame structure including:

a plurality of downlink (DL) subframes,

a plurality of uplink (UL) subframes, and

means for generating the information describing the frame structure; and means for causing the network device to communicate the information to the plurality of UEs in accordance with the frame structure and the at least one location of the frame structure.

9. The network device of claim 8, wherein:

10. A device of claim 1 , 5, or 8, wherein the at least one location includes a location within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes.

1 1. A device of claim 1 , 5, or 8, wherein:

the plurality of DL subframes includes at least three subframes, and

the at least one location for communicating the information includes a location within two or more DL subframes, of the plurality of DL subframes, but not within each

DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes.

12. A device of claim 1 , 5, or 8, wherein:

the frame structure further includes at least one special subframe between the plurality of DL subframes and the plurality of UL subframes, and the at least one location for communicating the information is located within a DL portion of the at least one special subframe.

13. A device of claim 1, 5, or 8, wherein:

the information includes one bit of information indicating a start of the plurality of

UL subframes when:

a number of DL subframes, of the plurality of DL subframes, between a DL subframe used to communicate the information and a first UL subframe, of the plurality of UL subframes, is between zero and one subframes,

the information includes two bits of information indicating the start of the plurality of UL subframes when:

the number of DL subframes, of the plurality of DL subframes, between the DL subframe used to communicate the information and the first UL subframe, of the plurality of UL subframes, is between two and three subframes, and

the information includes four bits of information indicating the start of the plurality of UL subframes when:

the number of DL subframes, of the plurality of DL subframes, between the DL subframe used to communicate the information and the first UL subframe, of the plurality of UL subframes, is greater than three subframes.

14. A device of claim 1, 5, or 8, wherein the information includes four bits that indicate:

a duration of a current DL subframe that is used to convey the information, and when the current DL subframe is immediately followed by another DL or special subframe, a duration of the another DL or special subframe.

15. A device of claim 1, 5, or 8, wherein the information includes four bits that indicate a duration of the plurality of UL subframes.

16. A device of claim 1, 5, or 8, wherein the at least one location for communicating the information includes a location within each DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes.

17. A device of claim 1, 5, or 8, wherein the at least one location for communicating the information is located exclusively within a first DL subframe of the plurality of DL subframes.

18. A device of claim 1, 5, or 8, wherein the information includes a number of symbols corresponding to the plurality of UL subframes.

19. A device of claim 1, 5, or 8, wherein the information indicates a time position corresponding to the plurality of UL subframes.

20. A device of claim 1, 5, or 8, wherein the information indicates subframe positions corresponding to the plurality of UL subframes.

21. A device of claim 1, 5, or 8, wherein:

the plurality of DL subframes includes a first DL subframe and a second DL subframe that is contiguous to the first DL subframe,

the at least one location includes a first location within the first DL subframe and a second location with the second DL subframe,

the information included in the first location indicates a duration of second DL subframe and a first number of subframes between the first DL subframe and a first UL subframe of the plurality of UL subframes, and

the information included in the second location indicates a second number of subframes between the second DL subframe and the first UL subframe.

22. A device of claim 1, 5, or 8, wherein the information includes a number of subframes corresponding to the plurality of UL subframes.

23. An apparatus for a baseband processor of a user equipment device (UE), comprising circuitry to:

process information from a via a common control channel of radio access network (RAN) of a wireless telecommunications network;

monitor the information for a description regarding a frame structure being implemented by the RAN, the frame structure including a downlink (DL) portion and an uplink (UL) portion;

determine, based on the information, a transition from the DL portion to the UL portion;

discontinue the monitoring of the information during a remainder of the UL portion of the frame structure being implemented by the RAN;

process permission, from a UE-specific control channel of the RAN, to communicate with the RAN during the UL portion of the frame structure; and

process communications for the UL portion of the frame structure in accordance with the permission to communicate with the RAN.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein:

the frame structure also includes a special subframe with a DL segment and a UL segment, and

the description regarding the frame structure is received exclusively within the DL segment of the special subframe.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein:

the frame structure also includes a special subframe with a DL segment and a UL segment, the special subframe being positioned within the frame structure between a plurality of DL subframes and a plurality of UL subframes, and

the description regarding the frame structure is received:

within at least one DL subframe, of the plurality of DL subframes, but not within all of the DL subframes of the plurality of DL subframes, and

within the DL segment of the special subframe.