Special subframe configuration in unlicensed spectrum

An apparatus for configuring special subframes in a wireless communication system, comprising:

• means for identifying a time period for an extended clear channel assessment (ECCA) operation that determines whether a channel is clear for data communication,
• wherein the time period for the ECCA operation is based on an integer, the integer being randomly selected from a range between one and an upper limit integer or an integer associated with a network entity;
• means for determining a special subframe configuration for a special subframe of a frame structure and a guard period portion included in the special subframe based on the integer, the special subframe comprising an uplink (UL) portion, the guard period portion and a downlink (DL) portion;
• and
• means for transmitting, via a broadcast message or a dedicated message, the special subframe configuration including a duration for the guard period portion that is equal to or greater than the identified time period,
• wherein a device receiving the transmitted broadcast message or dedicated message performs the ECCA operation in accordance to the identified time period.

An apparatus for configuring special subframes in a wireless communication system, comprising:

• a memory configured to store instructions;
• and
• at least one processor communicatively coupled with the memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to:
• identify a time period for an extended clear channel assessment (ECCA) operation that determines whether a channel is clear for data communication, wherein the time period for the ECCA operation is based on an integer, the integer being randomly selected from a range between one and an upper limit integer or is an integer associated with a network entity;
• determine a special subframe configuration for a special subframe of a frame structure and a guard period portion included in the special subframe based on the integer, the special subframe comprising an uplink (UL) portion, the guard period portion and a downlink (DL) portion;
• and
• transmit, via a broadcast message or a dedicated message, the special subframe configuration including a duration for the guard period portion that is equal to or greater than the identified time period,
• wherein a device receiving the transmitted broadcast message or dedicated message performs the ECCA operation in accordance to the identified time period.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable code for configuring special subframes in a wireless communication system, comprising instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

• identify a time period for an extended clear channel assessment (ECCA) operation that determines whether a channel is clear for data communication, wherein the time period for the ECCA operation is based on an integer, the integer being randomly selected from a range between one and an upper limit integer or is an integer associated with a network entity;
• determine a special subframe configuration for a special subframe of a frame structure and a guard period portion included in the special subframe based on the integer, the special subframe configuration comprising an uplink (UL) portion, the guard period portion and a downlink (DL) portion;
• and
• transmit, via a broadcast message or a dedicated message, the special subframe configuration including a duration for the guard period portion that is equal to or greater than the identified time period,
• wherein a device receiving the transmitted broadcast message or dedicated message performs the ECCA operation in accordance to the identified time period.