An approach is described for a method for a fifth generation (5G) wireless communication or a new radio (NR) system that includes the following steps. The method includes generating data samples associated with a sampling rate. The method further includes generating a waveform by populating a first slot and a second slot in a subframe of the waveform using the data samples, wherein slot durations of the first slot and the second slot in the subframe of the waveform equal respective durations of a first slot and a second slot in a subframe of a reference waveform to thereby align the first slot and the second slot in the subframe of the waveform with the respective first slot and second slot in the subframe of the reference waveform. The method further includes transmitting the waveform using front end circuitry, wherein the waveform is a single carrier waveform, and wherein the reference waveform is an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform.