For NR-U, scheduling schemes such as configured scheduling and dynamic scheduling can be used. According to an exemplary embodiment, the configured scheduling may be used in a NR network to allocate semi-static periodic assignments or grants for a UE. For UL, there are two types of configured scheduling schemes: Type 1 and Type 2. For Type 1, some configured grants (CGs) are configured via RRC signaling only. For Type 2, a similar configuration procedure as SPS UL in an LTE network is defined, i.e. some parameters are preconfigured via RRC signaling and some physical layer parameters are configured via medium access control (MAC) scheduling procedure. The configured scheduling may be also used in NR unlicensed operation. For NR-U, the configured scheduling can significantly improve the channel access probability for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission, because additional LBT procedure for physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission per UL grant is avoided and the UE can acquire a channel for PUSCH transmission using a CG after an LBT procedure is successful. In this UL transmission procedure, only a single LBT procedure is needed compared to three LBT procedures (one for scheduling request (SR) transmission, one for PDCCH for UL grant, and one for PUSCH transmission) relying on a scheduling request/buffer status report (SR/BSR) procedure.

In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, it may be beneficial for NR in unlicensed spectrum to allow consecutive CG resources in time without any gaps in between the resources and non-consecutive CG resources (not necessarily periodic) with gaps in between the resources. In addition, certain enhancements of configured scheduling such as AUL may be applied for NR-U.