Downlink subframe shortening in time-division duplex (TDD) systems

A method in a base station configured to transmit data to a user equipment (UE) in subframes, wherein a predetermined number of symbol intervals is utilized in a normal subframe, the method comprising:

• transmitting to the UE, in a subframe, a grant message scheduling the UE to receive data in the subframe and containing information indicating that one or more symbol intervals at the end of the subframe are to be disregarded.

A user equipment (UE) comprising a receiver circuit configured to receive data from a base station in subframes, wherein a predetermined number of symbol intervals is utilized in a normal subframe, the UE further comprising a processing circuit configured to control the receiver circuit and to:

• receive, in a subframe, a grant message scheduling the UE to receive data in the subframe and containing information indicating that one or more symbol intervals at the end of the subframe are to be disregarded;
• and,
• in response to the grant message, disregard symbols in one or more symbol intervals at the end of the subframe when processing the subframe.

A base station, comprising a transmitter circuit configured to transmit data to a user equipment (UE) in subframes, wherein a predetermined number of symbol intervals is utilized in a normal subframe, the base station further comprising a processing circuit configured to control the transmitter circuit and to:

• transmit, via the transmitter circuit to the UE, in a subframe, a grant message scheduling the UE to receive data in the subframe and containing information indicating that one or more symbol intervals at the end of the subframe are to be disregarded.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising, stored thereupon, a computer program for a user equipment (UE) configured to receive data from a base station in subframes, wherein a predetermined number of symbol intervals is utilized in a normal subframe, the computer program comprising computer program code that, when executed by a processor of the UE, causes the UE to perform the steps of:

• receiving, in a subframe, a grant message scheduling the UE to receive data in the subframe and containing information indicating that one or more symbol intervals at the end of the subframe are to be disregarded;
• and
• in response to the grant message, disregarding symbols in one or more symbol intervals at the end of the subframe when processing the subframe.