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

A method for a base station configured to receive data from a User Equipment (UE) in subframes of a Time Division Duplex system, wherein a predetermined number of symbol intervals is utilized in a normal subframe, the method comprising:

• transmitting an uplink grant message to the UE, the uplink grant message scheduling an uplink subframe and indicating that fewer symbol intervals will be utilized in the uplink subframe than in the normal subframe by scheduling the UE to not transmit in one or more symbol intervals at the beginning of the subframe interval for the uplink subframe and transmitting in symbol intervals of the remainder of the subframe interval,
• in response to the transmitted uplink grant message, receiving the uplink subframe from the UE.

A User Equipment (UE) configured to transmit data to a base station in subframes of a Time Division Duplex system, wherein a predetermined number of symbol intervals is utilized in a normal subframe, the UE being further configured to:

• determine that fewer symbol intervals will be utilized in an uplink subframe than in the normal subframe based on an uplink grant message scheduling the uplink subframe;
• and
• in response to said determining, transmit the uplink subframe by not transmitting in one or more symbol intervals at the beginning of the subframe interval for the uplink subframe and transmitting in symbol intervals of the remainder of the subframe interval.

A base station configured to receive data from a User Equipment (UE) in subframes of a Time Division Duplex system, wherein a predetermined number of symbol intervals is utilized in a normal subframe, the base station further configured to:

• transmit an uplink grant message to the UE, the uplink grant message scheduling an uplink subframe and indicating that fewer symbol intervals will be utilized in the uplink subframe than in the normal subframe by scheduling the UE to not transmit in one or more symbol intervals at the beginning of the subframe interval for the uplink subframe and transmitting in symbol intervals of the remainder of the subframe interval,
• in response to the transmitted uplink grant message, receive the uplink subframe from the UE.