System and method for providing guard symbols in networks with integrated access and backhaul (IAB)

A method of wireless communication at an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, comprising:

• transitioning between a first set of resources and a second set of resources at a transition time, the first set of resources being associated with a mobile termination (MT) function of the IAB node, and the second set of resources being associated with a distributed unit (DU) function of the IAB node;
• transmitting, to a parent IAB apparatus, information requesting a guard period associated with the transition time based on the transition between the first set of resources and the second set resources, wherein the information requesting a guard period is included in a field or header as GuardSymbolsDesired;
• and
• receiving, from the parent IAB apparatus, a scheduling grant that schedules communication of data by the MT function on one or more resources that at least partially overlap with the guard period.

An apparatus for wireless communication by an IAB apparatus, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
• determine, by the IAB apparatus and based on information received in a field or header as GuardSymbolsDesired, that a distributed unit (DU) function of a child IAB node is to transition between a first set of resources and a second set of resources at a transition time, the first set of resources being associated with a mobile termination (MT) function of the child IAB node, and the second set of resources being associated with the DU function of the child IAB node, wherein the child IAB node is different from the IAB apparatus;
• and
• configure a guard period associated with the transition time based on the first set of resources and based on the second set resources.

An apparatus for wireless communication by an IAB node, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
• transition between a first set of resources and a second set of resources at a transition time, the first set of resources being associated with a mobile termination (MT) function of the IAB node, and the second set of resources being associated with a distributed unit (DU) function of the IAB node;
• transmit, to a parent IAB apparatus, information requesting a guard period associated with the transition time based on the transition between the first set of resources and the second set resources, wherein the information requesting a guard period is included in a field or header as GuardSymbolsDesired;
• and
• receive, from the parent IAB apparatus, a scheduling grant that schedules communication of data by the MT function on one or more resources that at least partially overlap with the guard period.