Method, device and computer readable media for slot format configuration

A method performed by an Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) node, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a network device, first information and second information,
• wherein the first information indicates a first slot configuration for a first backhaul link between the IAB node and the network device, and
• wherein the second information indicates one of:
• a second slot configuration for an access link between the IAB node and a User Equipment (UE), and
• a third slot configuration for a second backhaul link between the IAB node and the child node;
• and
• receiving, from the network device, information indicating a first guard period and a second guard period, the first guard period and the second guard period respectively comprising a starting symbol in a beginning and an ending symbol in an end of a slot, wherein the IAB node is configured to, during the first guard period and the second guard period, perform switches of operation between the first backhaul link and one of:
• the second backhaul link, and the access link,
• wherein the IAB node is connected to the network device and at least one of the child node and the UE.

A network device, comprising:

• at least one memory configured to store instructions;
• and
• at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to:
• transmit, to an Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) node, first information and second information, the IAB node being connected to the network device and at least one of a child node or a User Equipment (UE),
• wherein the first information indicates a first slot configuration for a first backhaul link between the IAB node and the network device;
• and
• wherein the second information indicates one of:
• a second slot configuration for an access link between the IAB node and the UE, and
• a third slot configuration for a second backhaul link between the IAB node and the child node;
• and
• indicate to the IAB node, a first guard period and a second guard period, the first guard period and the second guard period respectively comprising a starting symbol in a beginning and an ending symbol in an end of a slot, wherein the IAB node is configured to, during the first guard period and the second guard period, perform switches of operation between the first backhaul link and one of:
• the second backhaul link and the access link.

An Integrated Access Backhaul (IAB) node, comprising:

• at least one memory configured to store instructions;
• and
• at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to:
• receive, from a network device, first information and second information,
• wherein the first information indicates a first slot configuration for a first backhaul link between the IAB node and the network device, and
• wherein the second information indicates one of:
• a second slot configuration for an access link between the IAB node and a User Equipment (UE), and
• a third slot configuration for a second backhaul link between the IAB node and the child node;
• and
• receive, from the network device, information indicating a first guard period and a second guard period, the first guard period and the second guard period respectively comprising a starting symbol in a beginning and an ending symbol in an end of a slot, wherein the IAB node is configured to, during the first guard period and the second guard period, perform a switches of operation between the first backhaul link and one of:
• the second backhaul link and the access link,
• wherein the IAB node is connected to the network device and at least one of the child node and the UE.