determining, by network equipment comprising a processor, a time division duplex pattern for use in a cell in connection with communications between a network node of the cell and a group of user equipment operating in the cell, wherein determining the time division duplex pattern comprises determining a first number of downlink slots for the time division duplex pattern and a second number of uplink slots for the time division duplex pattern based on a downlink data channel demand, an uplink data channel demand, and a control channel demand, wherein the control channel demand indicates a total amount of control channel data to be transmitted on one or more control channels of the cell, and wherein the total amount of control channel data to be transmitted is determined based on a total amount of downlink data requested to be transmitted from the network node on one or more downlink channels of the cell to the group of user equipment indicated in the downlink data channel demand, and a total amount of uplink data requested to be transmitted to the network node on one or more uplink channels of the cell by the group of user equipment indicated in the uplink data channel demand; and

sending, by the network equipment, the time division duplex pattern to the network node to enable the network node to employ the time division duplex pattern in connection with the communications between the network node and the group of user equipment.