DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
The amendment submitted on 06/16/2026 has been received and considered by the Examiner. Claims 1, 10, and 28 were amended, and claims 12-20 were previously cancelled. Claims 1-11 and 21-29 remain pending. The specification was also amended to remove typos, and the corresponding objections to the specification are withdrawn.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-11 and 21-29 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on the combination of references applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 9 and 27 objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. The prior art does not describe “receiving the one or more SRIs identifying the one or more SRS resources” which “occurs when a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) has not been received from the base station” in combination with the other limitations of dependent Claim 9. Claim 27 contains analogous limitations to Claim 9 and thus would be similarly allowable if reworded in independent form.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claim(s) 1-8, 10-11, 21-26, and 28-29 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Varatharaajan et al. (US 2022/0123799 A1, hereinafter “Varatharaajan”) in view of Huang et al. (US 2020/0204225 A1, hereinafter “Huang”) and further in view of Go et al. (US 2022/0166468 A1, hereinafter “Go”).
As to Claim 1, 10, 28:
Varatharaajan describes a method to configure a SRS resource set for codebook or non-codebook PUSCH transmission.
Specifically, Varatharaajan teaches:
Receiving, from a base station, a first indication to use a codebook based transmission scheme or a non-codebook based transmission scheme for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) communications with the base station
Varatharaajan teaches a “higher layer configuration of the SRS” which “comprises a parameter usage and the value of the parameter is set to nonCodebook or Codebook” for a “PUSCH transmission” (Varatharaajan, 0032).
Receiving, from the base station, a second indication of one or more sounding reference signal (SRS) resources corresponding to whether the UE uses the codebook based transmission scheme or the non-codebook based transmission scheme
Varatharaajan’s method “further comprises: scheduling at least one PUSCH transmission” using “a sounding reference signal resource indicator (SRI) field of the DCI”, wherein “in the case when the usage is set to codebook, the DCI indicates ... the precoder for the antenna ports corresponding to a first SRS resource and ... the precoder for the antenna ports corresponding to a second SRS resource” and “in the case when the usage is set to nonCodebook, each SRS resource in the SRS resource set configuration is configured with only one port” (Varatharaajan, 0032-0033).
Here, the fact that “each SRS resource in the SRS resource set configuration is configured with only one port” in the “nonCodebook” case but the DCI “indicates ... the precoder for the antenna ports corresponding to a first SRS resource” and “the antenna ports corresponding to a second SRS resource” in the “Codebook” case shows that different “sounding reference signal (SRS) resources” are configured “corresponding to whether the UE uses the codebook based transmission scheme or the non-codebook based transmission scheme”.
The second indication ... indicates a list identifying one or more antenna ports of the UE to use for a SRS resource in response to the codebook based transmission scheme, and the second indication indicates a particular port of the UE to use for the SRS resource in response to the non-codebook based transmission scheme
Varatharaajan’s method “further comprises: scheduling at least one PUSCH transmission” using “a sounding reference signal resource indicator (SRI) field of the DCI”, wherein “in the case when the usage is set to codebook, the DCI indicates ... the precoder for the antenna ports corresponding to a first SRS resource and ... the precoder for the antenna ports corresponding to a second SRS resource” and “in the case when the usage is set to nonCodebook, each SRS resource in the SRS resource set configuration is configured with only one port” (Varatharaajan, 0032-0033).
Here, “ the precoder for the antenna ports” which corresponds to each SRS resource “in the case where the usage is set to Codebook” maps to “a list identifying one or more antenna ports of the UE to use for a SRS resource” for “the codebook based transmission scheme”, and “each SRS resource in the SRS resource set configuration is configured with only one port” for “the case when the usage is set to nonCodebook” maps to “indicates a particular port of the UE for the SRS resource”.
Identifying the particular panel based on the one or more antenna ports indicated in the list for the SRS resource
Varatharaajan teaches that “[a]n antenna port may be defined as a panel. Hence throughout this disclosure a panel and an antenna port are used interchangeably” (Varatharaajan, 0029).
Configuring a PUSCH transmission communication to use the particular panel including the one or more antenna ports
Varatharaajan describes “scheduling at least one PUSCH transmission” that is “transmitted using the ports associated with the indicated SRS resources” (Varatharaajan, 0032). This also encompasses the relevant panel(s) because, as cited above, Varatharaajan teaches that “[a]n antenna port may be defined as a panel. Hence throughout this disclosure a panel and an antenna port are used interchangeably” (Varatharaajan, 0029).
Varatharaajan does not explicitly disclose:
Based on the first indication indicating to use the codebook based transmission scheme, receiving from the base station, the list identifying the one or more antenna ports of the UE to support precoder selection from different codebooks for the SRS resource of the one or more SRS resources, the one or more antenna ports associated with a particular panel of a plurality of panels for the SRS resource
However, Huang does describe selecting a codebook for uplink transmission.
Specifically, Huang teaches:
Based on the first indication indicating to use the codebook based transmission scheme, receiving from the base station, the list identifying the one or more antenna ports of the UE to support precoder selection from different codebooks for the SRS resource of the one or more SRS resources, the one or more antenna ports associated with a particular panel of a plurality of panels for the SRS resource
Huang describes a method where “a base station determines codebook information used by a terminal” (Huang, 0152) which includes “panel selection information” (Huang, 0225)) for multiple “codebooks” (Huang, 0237).
Thus, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate Huang’s practice of selecting precoders from different codebooks into Varatharaajan’s method for configuring a PUSCH as a codebook or non-codebook transmission. Using multiple precoders can allow a UE more flexibility for beamforming.
The combination of Varatharaajan and Huang also does not explicitly disclose:
The second indication is received from the base station in a transmission configuration indication (TCI) message
However, Go does describe using a TCI to configure CSI reporting using a CSI-RS.
Specifically, Go teaches:
The second indication is received from the base station in a transmission configuration indication (TCI) message
Go describes “information related to the TCI” that “may include panel information related to reception of the downlink signal” (Go, 0017).
Thus, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to use the TCI message described in Go to communicate the antenna port mappings in Varatharaajan. Go already describes using the TCI to communicate panel information (Go, 0017), so it would be obvious to a skilled artisan to use it to communicate the port and panel mappings in Varatharaajan.
Claim 10 contains the same subject matter as Claim 1 in the form of an apparatus claim that additionally requires:
One or more panels; a transceiver coupled to the one or more panels; and at least one processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured
Paragraph 0034 of Varatharaajan describes the hardware of a user equipment.
Claim 28 similarly describes an apparatus that performs the method of Claim 1.
As to Claim 2 and 29:
Varatharaajan does not explicitly disclose:
Different panels of the UE have different numbers of antenna ports
Different codebooks correspond to the different numbers of antenna ports
Different SRS resources are associated with the different panels of the UE
However, Huang does teach:
Different panels of the UE have different numbers of antenna ports
Huang states that “the data transmission capability information includes ... the number of antenna ports included in each of the panels” (Huang, 0264, 0267).
Different codebooks correspond to the different numbers of antenna ports
Huang teaches that “the second indication information includes the information of the number of the antenna ports corresponding to the codebooks” (Huang, 0237).
Different SRS resources are associated with the different panels of the UE
Huang states that “the base station determines codebook information used by the terminal, according to an SRS (Sounding Reference Signal) resource reported by the terminal” and “the first indication includes the panel selection information” (Huang, 0005, 0237).
Thus, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate Huang’s practice of selecting precoders from different codebooks into Varatharaajan’s method for configuring a PUSCH as a codebook or non-codebook transmission. Using multiple precoders can allow a UE more flexibility for beamforming.
Claim 29 describes the same subject matter as Claim 2 in the form of an apparatus claim.
As to Claim 3 and 21:
Varatharaajan teaches:
Based on the UE using the codebook based transmission scheme ... receiving one or more SRS resource indicators (SRIs) identifying the one or more SRS resources corresponding to the particular panel
Varatharaajan teaches that “at least two SRS resources are indicated via a sounding reference signal resource indicator (SRI) field of the DCI” and that “a PUSCH ... is transmitted using the ports associated with the indicated SRS resources” (Varatharaajan, 0032). Further, Varatharaajan states that “an antenna port may be defined as a panel” (Varatharaajan, 0029), and “in the case when the usage is set to codebook, the DCI indicates as many transmitted precoding matrix index (TPMI) values as the number of SRS resources indicated via the SRI field of the DCI” (Varatharaajan, 0033).
Claim 21 teaches the same subject matter as Claim 3 in the form of an apparatus claim.
As to Claim 4 and 22:
Varatharaajan teaches:
Based on the UE using the codebook based transmission scheme ... receiving one or more SRS resource indicators (SRIs) identifying one or more SRS resource sets corresponding to the particular panel
Varatharaajan teaches that “at least two SRS resources are indicated via a sounding reference signal resource indicator (SRI) field of the DCI, wherein each SRS resource is associated with a different SRS resource set” (Varatharaajan, 0032). Varatharaajan further teaches that “in the case when the usage is set to codebook, the DCI indicates as many transmitted precoding matrix index (TPMI) values as the number of SRS resources indicated via the SRI field of the DCI” (Varatharaajan, 0033).
The one or more SRS resource sets include the one or more SRS resources
Varatharaajan teaches that “at least two SRS resources are indicated via a sounding reference signal resource indicator (SRI) field of the DCI, wherein each SRS resource is associated with a different SRS resource set” (Varatharaajan, 0032).
Claim 22 contains the same subject matter as Claim 4 in the form of an apparatus claim.
As to Claim 5 and 23:
Varatharaajan teaches:
Receiving a medium access control element (MAC CE) or a downlink control information (DCI) message indicating the one or more antenna ports corresponding to the one or more SRS resources
Varatharaajan teaches that “at least two SRS resources are indicated via a sounding reference signal resource indicator (SRI) field of the DCI, wherein each SRS resource is associated with a different SRS resource set” (Varatharaajan, 0032). Varatharaajan further teaches that “in the case when the usage is set to codebook, the DCI indicates as many transmitted precoding matrix index (TPMI) values as the number of SRS resources indicated via the SRI field of the DCI”, and “in the case when the usage is set to nonCodebook, each SRS resource ... is configured with only one port” (Varatharaajan, 0033).
Here, “the DCI” maps to “a downlink control information (DCI) message” from the list of “Receiving a medium access control element (MAC CE) or a downlink control information (DCI) message”.
Claim 23 contains the same subject matter as claim 5 in the form of an apparatus claim.
As to Claim 6 and 24:
Varatharaajan teaches:
Based on the UE using the non-codebook based transmission scheme ... receiving, at the UE, one or more SRS resource indicators (SRIs) identifying one or more SRS resource sets corresponding to a second panel
Varatharaajan states that “at least two SRS resources are indicated via a sounding reference signal resource indicator (SRI)”, that “each SRS resource is associated with a different SRS resource set” (Varatharaajan, 0032), and “in the case when the usage is set to nonCodebook, each SRS resource ... is configured with only one port” (Varatharaajan, 0033).
The one or more SRS resource sets include the one or more SRS resources
Varatharaajan states that “at least two SRS resources are indicated via a sounding reference signal resource indicator (SRI)” and that “each SRS resource is associated with a different SRS resource set” (Varatharaajan, 0032).
Claim 24 contains the same subject matter as Claim 6 in the form of an apparatus claim.
As to Claim 7 and 25:
Varatharaajan teaches:
Receiving the one or more SRIs identifying the one or more SRS resources sets
Varatharaajan states that “at least two SRS resources are indicated via a sounding reference signal resource indicator (SRI)” and that “each SRS resource is associated with a different SRS resource set” (Varatharaajan, 0032).
The combination of Varatharaajan and Huang does not explicitly disclose:
Receiving, from the base station, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)
However, Go does teach:
Receiving, from the base station, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)
Go describes a UE that “may be configured (and/or indicated) to determine a (best, preferred) beam for CSI-RS reception for the SRI within the (transmission) panel of the UE corresponding to the SRS resource set” (Go, 0310).
Thus, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate Go’s method for configuring CSI measurement and reporting along with SRIs for SRS resource sets into Huang’s method for configuring uplink transmissions. CSI reporting is another useful feature that it makes sense to configure along with the resources for a PUSCH.
Claim 25 contains the same subject matter as Claim 7 in the form of an apparatus claim.
As to Claim 8 and 26:
Varatharaajan teaches:
Based on the UE using the non-codebook based transmission scheme ... receiving one or more SRS resource indicators (SRIs) identifying the one or more SRS resources corresponding to a second panel
Varatharaajan states that “at least two SRS resources are indicated via a sounding reference signal resource indicator (SRI)”, that “each SRS resource is associated with a different SRS resource set” (Varatharaajan, 0032), and “in the case when the usage is set to nonCodebook, each SRS resource ... is configured with only one port” (Varatharaajan, 0033). Further, Varatharaajan states that “an antenna port may be defined as a panel” (Varatharaajan, 0029).
Claim 26 contains the same subject matter as Claim 8 in the form of an apparatus claim.
As to Claim 11:
Varatharaajan does not explicitly disclose:
A first panel of the one or more panels has a different number of antenna ports than a second panel of the one or more panels
However, Huang does teach:
A first panel of the one or more panels has a different number of antenna ports than a second panel of the one or more panels
Huang states that “the data transmission capability information includes ... the number of antenna ports included in each of the panels” (Huang, 0264, 0267).
Thus, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to incorporate Huang’s practice of selecting precoders from different codebooks into Varatharaajan’s method for configuring a PUSCH as a codebook or non-codebook transmission. Using multiple precoders can allow a UE more flexibility for beamforming.
Conclusion
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BENJAMIN PETER WELTE
Examiner
Art Unit 2477
/GREGORY B SEFCHECK/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2477
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