US Patent 11470663 Gating scheme for wireless communication over unlicensed spectrum

Methods and apparatuses are described in which an unlicensed spectrum is used for Long Term Evolution (LTE) communications. One method includes performing a clear channel assessment (CCA) for an unlicensed spectrum in a current gating interval to determine whether the unlicensed spectrum is available for a transmission in a next transmission interval, and gating OFF the transmission in the unlicensed spectrum for the next transmission interval when the determination is that the unlicensed spectrum is unavailable.