Apple Inc.
FBE Framework for NR Systems Operating on Unlicensed Spectrum

Abstract:

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for frame based equipment (FBE) framework for new radio (NR) systems operating on the unlicensed spectrum. A processor for a base station performs a first clear channel assessment (CCA) using Category-1 (CAT-1) or CAT-2 listen-before-talk (LBT) on an unlicensed spectrum. The processor transmits first downlink (DL) data to one or more user equipments (UEs) within a fixed frame period (FFP) in accordance with a frame based equipment (FBE) framework for new radio (NR) on the unlicensed spectrum. The base station operates as an initiating device and the one or more UEs operate as responding devices. The processor performs a second CCA responsive to a gap of X orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols between a DL burst and an uplink (UL) burst being greater than a threshold gap. The processor transmits second DL data within the FFP responsive to performing the second CCA.