To indicate the span (i.e., the number of symbols) of PDCCH 516 transmission in the second slot, the eNB can also transmit a PCFICH in the first symbol of the second slot of the second subframe with beginning truncation (n+3). Alternatively, the span of PDCCH in the second slot 516 can be fixed or configured (e.g., signaled by higher-layers (e.g., a RRC message)) to 1 or 2 symbols (m=1 or 2) to reduce UE complexity. In addition to PDCCH and PCFICH, PHICH may also be transmitted at the beginning of the second slot 512 of the subframe with beginning truncation (n+3). The RE (resource element) locations for PCFICH can follow the same mapping as that of existing LTE specifications (except for the change from first slot to second slot). Alternatively, additional higher layer signaling may help the UE determine the PCFICH and PDCCH RE locations. The PHICH configuration is signaled in PBCH for the existing specifications, whereas the PHICH for second slot may be separately configured.

For the purpose of PDCCH decoding, and PDSCH RE mapping (if PDCCH with PDSCH assignment for the UE is detected), the UE may assume that CRS is present in the second slot 512 of the subframe with truncation (n+3) even if that subframe with truncation is configured as an MB SFN subframe.

Referring now to FIG. 6, if the eNB 104 uses EPDCCH to assign PDSCH resources to a UE in subframe (n+3), and if some or all of the symbols of the first slot 606 of the subframe (n+3) have to be truncated (e.g., due to ongoing LBT), then the eNB can transmit the EPDCCH starting from an alternative OFDM symbol location 607 that begins after the truncation period 602.