A network node identifies a fixed periodic pattern to be used for scheduling a half-duplex (HD) user equipment (UE), the fixed periodic pattern defining a sequence of at least one downlink (DL) subframe, then at least one guard period, and then at least one uplink (UL) subframe. The network node then performs DL assignments for the network node according to the fixed periodic pattern and transmits UL grants to the UE according to the fixed periodic pattern.