Systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to multiple candidate starting points for a transmit burst in unlicensed spectrum. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a radio access node for performing a transmit burst in an unlicensed spectrum comprises transmitting a transmit burst in an unlicensed spectrum, wherein the transmit burst spans multiple subframes/slots and the transmitting of the transmit burst starts at one of a plurality of candidate starting points defined in at least a first subframe/slot of the transmit burst that occurs after successful completion of a Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) procedure for the transmit burst. In this manner, a radio access node (e.g., an enhanced or evolved Node B (eNB) in Long Term Evolution (LTE)) has flexibility to transmit a downlink transmit burst starting at different starting positions based on LBT outcome.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein that relate to multiple candidate starting points for a transmit burst in unlicensed spectrum. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a radio access node for performing a transmit burst in an unlicensed spectrum comprises transmitting a transmit burst in an unlicensed spectrum, wherein the transmit burst spans multiple subframes/slots and the transmitting of the transmit burst starts at one of a plurality of candidate starting points defined in at least a first subframe/slot of the transmit burst that occurs after successful completion of a Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) procedure for the transmit burst. In this manner, a radio access node (e.g., an enhanced or evolved Node B (eNB) in Long Term Evolution (LTE)) has flexibility to transmit a downlink transmit burst starting at different starting positions based on LBT outcome.

A method is provided in one example embodiment and may include configuring a slice identity for each of a plurality of virtual radio access network (vRAN) slices, wherein each vRAN slice comprises functionality to perform, at least in part, one or more radio protocol operations on subscriber traffic; configuring an allotment of radio resources that can be utilized by each vRAN slice of the plurality of vRAN slices; receiving, by a slice manager, a subscriber profile identity (SPID) for a subscriber; and mapping the SPID for the subscriber to a particular vRAN slice of the plurality of vRAN slices. The method can further include communicating the mapping for the subscriber to the particular vRAN slice to which the SPID is mapped. The method can further include communicating the allotment of radio resources that can be utilized by the particular vRAN slice to the particular vRAN slice.

A method for transmitting a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a device using the same are provided. The device receives a trigger frame for requesting a transmission of a high efficiency (HE) trigger-based (TB) PPDU and transmits the HE TB PPDU. A duration of the HE TB PPDU is calculated based on a duration of the trigger frame.

A method for transmitting a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a device using the same are provided. The device receives a trigger frame for requesting a transmission of a high efficiency (HE) trigger-based (TB) PPDU and transmits the HE TB PPDU. A duration of the HE TB PPDU is calculated based on a duration of the trigger frame.

A method and an apparatus for uplink transmission in a communication system. An operation method of a terminal includes: receiving, from a base station, first SFI information indicating n flexible symbol(s); receiving, from the base station, second SFI information re-indicating m symbol(s) of the n flexible symbol(s) as uplink (UL) symbol(s); and transmitting an SRS to the base station through the m symbol(s) re-indicated as a UL symbol among the n flexible symbol(s) indicated as a flexible symbol. Therefore, performance of the communication system can be improved.

A method and an apparatus for uplink transmission in a communication system. An operation method of a terminal includes: receiving, from a base station, first SFI information indicating n flexible symbol(s); receiving, from the base station, second SFI information re-indicating m symbol(s) of the n flexible symbol(s) as uplink (UL) symbol(s); and transmitting an SRS to the base station through the m symbol(s) re-indicated as a UL symbol among the n flexible symbol(s) indicated as a flexible symbol. Therefore, performance of the communication system can be improved.

The application provide an access method, including: sending, to an access point, a first frame that carries uplink transmission requirement information; and if a second frame that carries information about an uplink transmission resource is received from the access point within agreed time period, sending uplink multi-user transmission data to the access point, where the uplink multi-user transmission data is transmitted on the uplink transmission resource; or if the second frame is not received within an agreed time period, accessing, by a station, a channel in a contention access manner that is based on carrier sense CSMA/CA.

The application provide an access method, including: sending, to an access point, a first frame that carries uplink transmission requirement information; and if a second frame that carries information about an uplink transmission resource is received from the access point within agreed time period, sending uplink multi-user transmission data to the access point, where the uplink multi-user transmission data is transmitted on the uplink transmission resource; or if the second frame is not received within an agreed time period, accessing, by a station, a channel in a contention access manner that is based on carrier sense CSMA/CA.

Methods and devices for grant-free uplink transmission in unlicensed spectrum are provided. A base station (BS) transmits grant-free resource configuration information to one or more electronic devices (EDs). The grant-free resource configuration information is used to configure the ED for GF uplink transmission in unlicensed spectrum. The GF resource configuration information includes GF ED group-specific resource configuration information indicating GF ED group-specific time-frequency (T/F) resources of the unlicensed spectrum for GF uplink transmission. The ED(s) transmit grant-free uplink transmissions over the unlicensed spectrum in accordance with the GF resource configuration information.