DETAILED ACTION
Claims 1-20 are under consideration.
Claims 1, 10, 14, 16, and 20 are amended.
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1, 14, and 20 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim 10 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
In response to the applicant’s argument, that dependent claims 2-13 and 15-19 are allowable because of their dependency on independent claims 1, 14 and 20, the examiner respectfully disagrees. No new arguments were presented for the dependent claims other than their dependency to independent claims 1, 14 and 20. Therefore for at least the reasons above presented for claim 1, the dependent claims 2-13 and 15-19 are rejected.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 1, 4-8, 12, 14-17 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhou (US 20210385057 A1) in view of Rudolf (US 20240214943 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Zhou teaches an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
one or more processors (Fig. 10, [0103] cellular baseband processor 1004);
one or more memories coupled with the one or more processors (Fig. 10, [0103] The cellular baseband processor 1004 may include a computer-readable medium/memory); and
instructions stored in the one or more memories and executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to ([0103] The software, when executed by the cellular baseband processor 1004, causes the cellular baseband processor 1004 to perform the various functions described supra. The computer-readable medium/memory may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the cellular baseband processor 1004 when executing software.):
select a first set of one or more default beams for full-duplex communications ([0089] At 806, the wireless device may determine the fallback FD beam pair based on a rule.), the first set of one or more default beams including at least one default uplink beam and at least one default downlink beam that are preconfigured for communications with one or more transmission reception points during one or more full-duplex symbol periods ([0087] At 802, the wireless device may receive an indication from a second wireless device (base station) indicating a fallback FD beam pair (at least one default uplink beam and at least one default downlink beam). For example, referring to FIG. 7, the first wireless device 702 may receive, at 706, an indication of the fallback FD beam pair from the second wireless device 704. The fallback FD beam pair may be indicated (e.g., at 706) by one or more of an UL beam ID for an UL beam of the fallback FD beam pair, a DL beam ID for a DL beam of the fallback FD beam pair, a beam pair ID for the fallback FD beam pair, or a TCI codepoint that maps to an UL and DL TCI state for the fallback FD beam pair. Further, the indication at 706 may be communicated in one or more of DCI, a MAC-CE, or RRC signaling. [0077] Having a predetermined fallback FD beam pair for the first wireless device 702 may decrease the time period required to switch from the current FD beam pair to a different FD beam pair following a degradation. The default beams are preconfigured since they are indicated to the UE by the base station before an occurrence of a performance trigger.); and
communicate with the one or more transmission reception points using the at least one default uplink beam and the at least one default downlink beam during at least one symbol period of the one or more full-duplex symbol periods ([0077] The first wireless device 702 may utilize the fallback FD beam pair at least during the measurement and calibration period while determining a replacement beam pair for the current FD beam pair. [0092] The first wireless device 702 may use the fallback FD beam pair for one or more of a PDCCH, a PDSCH, a PUSCH, or a PUCCH. Figs. 2B and 2D show PDCCH, a PDSCH, a PUSCH, or a PUCCH are at least one symbol period. [0068] The example 620 of FIG. 6C includes a UE1 602 and a base station 604, wherein the UE1 602 is receiving a DL transmission from the base station 604 and the UE1 602 is transmitting an UL transmission to the same base station 604, e.g., in a simultaneous manner that overlaps in time. In the example 620 of FIG. 6C, FD is enabled for both the UE1 602 and the base station 604.).
Zhou does not teach the communication between the one or more transmission reception points and the at least one default uplink beam and the at least one default downlink beam occurs during at least one sub-band full-duplex symbol period of the one or more full-duplex symbol periods.
Rudolf in the same field of endeavor of full-duplex communications teaches the communication between the one or more transmission reception points and the at least one default uplink beam and the at least one default downlink beam occurs during at least one sub-band full-duplex symbol period of the one or more full-duplex symbol periods (Fig. 7, [0103] For example, when the UE is capable of full-duplex operation, SBFD operation based on overlapping or non-overlapping subbands or using one or multiple UE antenna panels may be supported by the UE. In one example, an FR2-1 UE may support simultaneous transmission to the gNB and reception from the gNB on a same time-domain resource, e.g., symbol or slot. The UE capable of full-duplex operation may then be configured, scheduled, assigned or indicated with DL receptions from the gNB in an SBFD DL subband on a same SBFD symbol where the UE is configured, scheduled, assigned or indicated for UL transmissions to the gNB on an SBFD UL subband. In one example, the DL receptions by a UE may use a first UE antenna panel while the UL transmissions from the UE may use a second UE antenna panel on the same SBFD symbol/slot. In one example, DL receptions by the UE in a first frequency channel, band or frequency range, may use a TRX of a UE antenna or UE antenna panel while the UL transmissions from the UE in a second frequency channel, band or frequency range may use the TRX on a same SBFD symbol/slot. [0113] For a single carrier TDD configuration with FD enabled, slots denoted as X are FD slots. Both DL and UL transmissions can be scheduled in FD slots for at least one or more symbols. The term FD slot is used to refer to a slot where UEs can simultaneously receive and transmit in at least one or more symbols of the slot if scheduled or assigned radio resources by the base station. [0107] The UE1 can transmit and receive simultaneously in a slot or symbol when configured, scheduled, assigned or indicated by the gNB.).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the full duplex communication method of the default beams of Zhou to include the sub-band full duplex operation of Rudolf. The motivation to do so would have been to take advantage of the potential for increased spectral efficiency, improved capacity, and reduced latency in wireless networks that FD communications offer. (Rudolf; [0095]).
Regarding claim 4, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 1, and Zhou teaches wherein the instructions to communicate with the one or more transmission reception points are executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to:
communicate with a first transmission reception point of the one or more transmission reception points, wherein the first set of one or more default beams comprises one default uplink beam associated with the first transmission reception point or one default downlink beam associated with the first transmission reception point ([0072] At 706, the first wireless device 702 (the UE) may receive an indication of a fallback FD beam pair (first set of one or more default beams) from the second wireless device 704 (base station or TRP). The indication may include a beam identifier (ID) (e.g., an UL beam ID, a DL beam ID, or a beam pair ID) of the fallback FD beam pair. Additionally, or alternatively, the indication may include a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) codepoint that maps to a TCI state. (This associates the default beam pair to the base station or TRP). [0073] In response to the indication of the trigger, the second wireless device 704 may indicate, at 712, to the first wireless device 702 to use the fallback FD beam pair (e.g., the fallback FD beam pair previously indicated at 706 to the first wireless device 702). At 714a-b, the first wireless device 702 and the second wireless device 704 may each use the fallback FD beam pair to maintain FD communication. Since the base station, or TRP indicated to the UE the fallback FD beams (default beams) to use in case of a trigger to maintain communication between the base station and the UE and included beam IDs and TCI codepoints that map to TCI states, the default beams are associated with that base station, or TRP.).
Regarding claim 5, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 1, and Zhou teaches wherein the first set of one or more default beams comprises a default beam pair, the default beam pair comprising one default uplink beam and one default downlink beam ([0072] At 706, the first wireless device 702 may receive an indication of a fallback FD beam pair from the second wireless device 704. The indication may include a beam identifier (ID) (e.g., an UL beam ID, a DL beam ID, or a beam pair ID) of the fallback FD beam pair. [0075] As such, a secondary DL/UL beam pair (e.g., a fallback FD beam pair) may be predetermined by the wireless devices 702-704 as a backup for maintaining the FD operation in the event that the initial DL/UL beam pair (e.g., a current FD beam pair) degrades below a predefined threshold.).
Regarding claim 6, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 5, and Zhou teaches wherein the default beam pair comprising the one default uplink beam and the one default downlink beam is preconfigured for the full-duplex communications with at least one transmission reception point of the one or more transmission reception points during the one or more full-duplex symbol periods ([0075] As such, a secondary DL/UL beam pair (e.g., a fallback FD beam pair) may be predetermined by the wireless devices 702-704 as a backup for maintaining the FD operation in the event that the initial DL/UL beam pair (e.g., a current FD beam pair) degrades below a predefined threshold.).
Regarding claim 7, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 1, and Zhou teaches wherein the instructions are further executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to: receive a control message indicating the first set of one or more default beams, wherein the first set of one or more default beams are identified based at least in part on receiving the control message ([0072] At 706, the first wireless device 702 may receive an indication of a fallback FD beam pair from the second wireless device 704. The indication may include a beam identifier (ID) (e.g., an UL beam ID, a DL beam ID, or a beam pair ID) of the fallback FD beam pair. Additionally, or alternatively, the indication may include a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) codepoint that maps to a TCI state.).
Regarding claim 8, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 7, and Zhou teaches wherein the control message comprises a radio resource control message, a medium access control-control element, downlink control information, or any combination thereof (Further, the indication at 706 (indication of a fallback FD beam pair) may be communicated in one or more of DCI, a MAC-CE, or RRC signaling.).
Regarding claim 12, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 1, and Zhou teaches wherein the full-duplex communications are performed at a network entity during the one or more full-duplex symbol periods ([0068] The example 620 of FIG. 6C includes a UE1 602 and a base station 604, wherein the UE1 602 is receiving a DL transmission from the base station 604 and the UE1 602 is transmitting an UL transmission to the same base station 604, e.g., in a simultaneous manner that overlaps in time. In the example 620 of FIG. 6C, FD is enabled for both the UE1 602 and the base station 604. [0100] For example, referring to FIG. 7, the wireless device 704 (base station or network entity) may use the fallback FD beam pair at 714b after receiving the indication, at 708, of the occurrence of the trigger. [0083] In such cases, both nodes (the UE and base station) may need to switch to the fallback FD beam pair for subsequent communications (e.g., via PDCCH, PDSCH, PUCCH, and/or PUSCH). Figs 2B and 2D shows PDCCH, PDSCH, PUCCH, and PUSCH occur during one or more symbol periods. Thus, subsequent communications with the fallback FD beam pair occur during one or more full-duplex symbol periods.).
Regarding claim 14, Zhou teaches an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
one or more processors (Fig. 11, [0108] baseband unit 1104);
one or more memories coupled with the one or more processors (Fig. 11, [0108] The baseband unit 1104 may include a computer-readable medium/memory.); and
instructions stored in the one or more memories and executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to ([0108] The software, when executed by the baseband unit 1104, causes the baseband unit 1104 to perform the various functions described supra. The computer-readable medium/memory may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the baseband unit 1104 when executing software.):
transmit a control message indicating a first set of one or more default beams for full-duplex communications, the first set of one or more default beams including at least one default uplink beam and at least one default downlink beam that are preconfigured for communications with a user equipment (UE) during one or more full-duplex symbol periods ([0096] At 902, the wireless device may indicate a fallback FD beam pair to a another wireless device (e.g., prior to the wireless device receiving an indication of an occurrence of a performance trigger). For example, referring to FIG. 7, the wireless device 704 may indicate, at 706, the fallback FD beam pair to another wireless device 702. The fallback FD beam pair may be indicated (e.g., at 706) by one or more of an UL beam ID for an UL beam of the fallback FD beam pair, a DL beam ID for a DL beam of the fallback FD beam pair, a beam pair ID for the fallback FD beam pair, or a TCI codepoint that maps to an UL and DL TCI state for the fallback FD beam pair. Further, the indication at 706 may be communicated in one or more of DCI, a MAC-CE, or RRC signaling.); and
communicate with the UE using the at least one default uplink beam and the at least one default downlink beam during at least one symbol period of the one or more full-duplex symbol periods ([0077] The first wireless device 702 may utilize the fallback FD beam pair at least during the measurement and calibration period while determining a replacement beam pair for the current FD beam pair. [0092] The first wireless device 702 may use the fallback FD beam pair for one or more of a PDCCH, a PDSCH, a PUSCH, or a PUCCH. Figs. 2B and 2D show PDCCH, a PDSCH, a PUSCH, or a PUCCH are at least one symbol period. [0068] The example 620 of FIG. 6C includes a UE1 602 and a base station 604, wherein the UE1 602 is receiving a DL transmission from the base station 604 and the UE1 602 is transmitting an UL transmission to the same base station 604, e.g., in a simultaneous manner that overlaps in time. In the example 620 of FIG. 6C, FD is enabled for both the UE1 602 and the base station 604.).
Zhou does not teach the communication between UE and the at least one default uplink beam and the at least one default downlink beam occurs during at least one sub-band full-duplex symbol period of the one or more full-duplex symbol periods.
Rudolf in the same field of endeavor of full-duplex communications teaches the communication between the UE and the at least one default uplink beam and the at least one default downlink beam occurs during at least one sub-band full-duplex symbol period of the one or more full-duplex symbol periods (Fig. 7, [0103] For example, when the UE is capable of full-duplex operation, SBFD operation based on overlapping or non-overlapping subbands or using one or multiple UE antenna panels may be supported by the UE. In one example, an FR2-1 UE may support simultaneous transmission to the gNB and reception from the gNB on a same time-domain resource, e.g., symbol or slot. The UE capable of full-duplex operation may then be configured, scheduled, assigned or indicated with DL receptions from the gNB in an SBFD DL subband on a same SBFD symbol where the UE is configured, scheduled, assigned or indicated for UL transmissions to the gNB on an SBFD UL subband. In one example, the DL receptions by a UE may use a first UE antenna panel while the UL transmissions from the UE may use a second UE antenna panel on the same SBFD symbol/slot. In one example, DL receptions by the UE in a first frequency channel, band or frequency range, may use a TRX of a UE antenna or UE antenna panel while the UL transmissions from the UE in a second frequency channel, band or frequency range may use the TRX on a same SBFD symbol/slot. [0113] For a single carrier TDD configuration with FD enabled, slots denoted as X are FD slots. Both DL and UL transmissions can be scheduled in FD slots for at least one or more symbols. The term FD slot is used to refer to a slot where UEs can simultaneously receive and transmit in at least one or more symbols of the slot if scheduled or assigned radio resources by the base station. [0107] The UE1 can transmit and receive simultaneously in a slot or symbol when configured, scheduled, assigned or indicated by the gNB.).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the full duplex communication method of the default beams of Zhou to include the sub-band full duplex operation of Rudolf. The motivation to do so would have been to take advantage of the potential for increased spectral efficiency, improved capacity, and reduced latency in wireless networks that FD communications offer. (Rudolf; [0095]).
Regarding claim 15, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 14, and Zhou teaches wherein the first set of one or more default beams comprises one or more default downlink beams or one or more default uplink beams, each default downlink beam of the one or more default downlink beams or each default uplink beam of the one or more default uplink beams being associated with a respective transmission reception point ([0072] At 706, the first wireless device 702 (the UE) may receive an indication of a fallback FD beam pair (first set of one or more default beams) from the second wireless device 704 (base station or TRP). The indication may include a beam identifier (ID) (e.g., an UL beam ID, a DL beam ID, or a beam pair ID) of the fallback FD beam pair. Additionally, or alternatively, the indication may include a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) codepoint that maps to a TCI state. (This associates the default beam pair to the base station or TRP). [0073] In response to the indication of the trigger, the second wireless device 704 may indicate, at 712, to the first wireless device 702 to use the fallback FD beam pair (e.g., the fallback FD beam pair previously indicated at 706 to the first wireless device 702). At 714a-b, the first wireless device 702 and the second wireless device 704 may each use the fallback FD beam pair to maintain FD communication. Since the base station, or TRP indicated to the UE the fallback FD beams (default beams) to use in case of a trigger to maintain communication between the base station and the UE and included beam IDs and TCI codepoints that map to TCI states, the default beams are associated with that base station, or TRP.).
Regarding claim 16, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 14, and Zhou teaches wherein the first set of one or more default beams comprises a default beam pair, the default beam pair comprising one default uplink beam and one default downlink beam, wherein the default beam pair comprising the one default uplink beam and the one default downlink beam is preconfigured for the full- duplex communications with at least one transmission reception point during the at least one symbol period ([0072] At 706, the first wireless device 702 may receive an indication of a fallback FD beam pair from the second wireless device 704. The indication may include a beam identifier (ID) (e.g., an UL beam ID, a DL beam ID, or a beam pair ID) of the fallback FD beam pair. [0075] As such, a secondary DL/UL beam pair (e.g., a fallback FD beam pair) may be predetermined by the wireless devices 702-704 as a backup for maintaining the FD operation in the event that the initial DL/UL beam pair (e.g., a current FD beam pair) degrades below a predefined threshold. [0083] In such cases, both nodes may need to switch to the fallback FD beam pair for subsequent communications (e.g., via PDCCH, PDSCH, PUCCH, and/or PUSCH).).
Zhou does not teach the symbol period is a sub-band full duplex symbol period.
Rudolf in the same field of endeavor of full-duplex communications teaches the symbol period is a sub-band full duplex symbol period (Fig. 7, [0103] For example, when the UE is capable of full-duplex operation, SBFD operation based on overlapping or non-overlapping subbands or using one or multiple UE antenna panels may be supported by the UE. In one example, an FR2-1 UE may support simultaneous transmission to the gNB and reception from the gNB on a same time-domain resource, e.g., symbol or slot. The UE capable of full-duplex operation may then be configured, scheduled, assigned or indicated with DL receptions from the gNB in an SBFD DL subband on a same SBFD symbol where the UE is configured, scheduled, assigned or indicated for UL transmissions to the gNB on an SBFD UL subband. [0113] For a single carrier TDD configuration with FD enabled, slots denoted as X are FD slots. Both DL and UL transmissions can be scheduled in FD slots for at least one or more symbols. The term FD slot is used to refer to a slot where UEs can simultaneously receive and transmit in at least one or more symbols of the slot if scheduled or assigned radio resources by the base station.)
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the full duplex communication method of the default beams of Zhou to include the sub-band full duplex operation of Rudolf. The motivation to do so would have been to take advantage of the potential for increased spectral efficiency, improved capacity, and reduced latency in wireless networks that FD communications offer. (Rudolf; [0095]).
Regarding claim 17, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 14, and Zhou teaches, wherein the control message comprises a radio resource control message, a medium access control-control element, downlink control information, or any combination thereof ([0087] Further, the indication at 706 may be communicated in one or more of DCI, a MAC-CE, or RRC signaling.).
Regarding claim 20, Zhou teaches a method for wireless communication, comprising:
selecting a first set of one or more default beams for full-duplex communications ([0089] At 806, the wireless device may determine the fallback FD beam pair based on a rule.), the first set of one or more default beams including at least one default uplink beam and at least one default downlink beam that are preconfigured for communications with one or more transmission reception points during one or more full-duplex symbol periods ([0087] At 802, the wireless device may receive an indication from a second wireless device (base station) indicating a fallback FD beam pair (at least one default uplink beam and at least one default downlink beam). For example, referring to FIG. 7, the first wireless device 702 may receive, at 706, an indication of the fallback FD beam pair from the second wireless device 704. The fallback FD beam pair may be indicated (e.g., at 706) by one or more of an UL beam ID for an UL beam of the fallback FD beam pair, a DL beam ID for a DL beam of the fallback FD beam pair, a beam pair ID for the fallback FD beam pair, or a TCI codepoint that maps to an UL and DL TCI state for the fallback FD beam pair. Further, the indication at 706 may be communicated in one or more of DCI, a MAC-CE, or RRC signaling. The default beams are preconfigured since they are indicated to the UE by the base station before an occurrence of a performance trigger.); and
communicating with the one or more transmission reception points using the at least one default uplink beam and the at least one default downlink beam during at least one symbol period of the one or more full-duplex symbol periods ([0077] The first wireless device 702 may utilize the fallback FD beam pair at least during the measurement and calibration period while determining a replacement beam pair for the current FD beam pair. [0092] The first wireless device 702 may use the fallback FD beam pair for one or more of a PDCCH, a PDSCH, a PUSCH, or a PUCCH. Figs. 2B and 2D show PDCCH, a PDSCH, a PUSCH, or a PUCCH are at least one symbol period. [0068] The example 620 of FIG. 6C includes a UE1 602 and a base station 604, wherein the UE1 602 is receiving a DL transmission from the base station 604 and the UE1 602 is transmitting an UL transmission to the same base station 604, e.g., in a simultaneous manner that overlaps in time. In the example 620 of FIG. 6C, FD is enabled for both the UE1 602 and the base station 604.).
Zhou does not teach the communication between the one or more transmission reception points and the at least one default uplink beam and the at least one default downlink beam occurs during at least one sub-band full-duplex symbol period of the one or more full-duplex symbol periods.
Rudolf in the same field of endeavor of full-duplex communications teaches the communication between the one or more transmission reception points and the at least one default uplink beam and the at least one default downlink beam occurs during at least one sub-band full-duplex symbol period of the one or more full-duplex symbol periods (Fig. 7, [0103] For example, when the UE is capable of full-duplex operation, SBFD operation based on overlapping or non-overlapping subbands or using one or multiple UE antenna panels may be supported by the UE. In one example, an FR2-1 UE may support simultaneous transmission to the gNB and reception from the gNB on a same time-domain resource, e.g., symbol or slot. The UE capable of full-duplex operation may then be configured, scheduled, assigned or indicated with DL receptions from the gNB in an SBFD DL subband on a same SBFD symbol where the UE is configured, scheduled, assigned or indicated for UL transmissions to the gNB on an SBFD UL subband. In one example, the DL receptions by a UE may use a first UE antenna panel while the UL transmissions from the UE may use a second UE antenna panel on the same SBFD symbol/slot. In one example, DL receptions by the UE in a first frequency channel, band or frequency range, may use a TRX of a UE antenna or UE antenna panel while the UL transmissions from the UE in a second frequency channel, band or frequency range may use the TRX on a same SBFD symbol/slot. [0113] For a single carrier TDD configuration with FD enabled, slots denoted as X are FD slots. Both DL and UL transmissions can be scheduled in FD slots for at least one or more symbols. The term FD slot is used to refer to a slot where UEs can simultaneously receive and transmit in at least one or more symbols of the slot if scheduled or assigned radio resources by the base station. [0107] The UE1 can transmit and receive simultaneously in a slot or symbol when configured, scheduled, assigned or indicated by the gNB.).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the full duplex communication method of the default beams of Zhou to include the sub-band full duplex operation of Rudolf. The motivation to do so would have been to take advantage of the potential for increased spectral efficiency, improved capacity, and reduced latency in wireless networks that FD communications offer. (Rudolf; [0095]).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
Claims 2, 3 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhou (US 20210385057 A1) in view of Rudolf; further in view of Zhang (US 20210377949 A1).
Regarding claim 2, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 1, and Zhou teaches wherein the instructions to communicate with the one or more transmission reception points are executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to: communicate with at least two transmission reception points of the one or more transmission reception points ([0068] The example 600 of FIG. 6A includes a UE1 602 and two base station (e.g., TRPs) 604-1, 604-2, wherein the UE1 602 is sending UL transmissions to base station 604-1 and is receiving DL transmissions from base station 604-2, e.g., in a simultaneous manner that overlaps in time.).
Zhou does not explicitly teach wherein the first set of one or more default beams comprises two or more default uplink beams, each default uplink beam of the two or more default uplink beams being associated with a respective transmission reception point of the at least two transmission reception points.
Zhang in the same field of endeavor of transmission configurations for full duplex transmissions, teaches wherein the first set of one or more default beams comprises two or more default uplink beams, each default uplink beam of the two or more default uplink beams being associated with a respective transmission reception point of the at least two transmission reception points ([0092] As shown in FIG. 7B, example 710 includes a UE 602 in communication with four base stations (or TRPs) 604-1, 604-2, 604-3, and 604-4. As shown in FIG. 7B, the UE 602 may use a first beam (labeled B1 in FIG. 7B) to receive downlink transmissions from the base station 604-1 and to transmit uplink transmissions to the base station 604-3. Additionally, the UE 602 may use a second beam (labeled B2 in FIG. 7B) to receive downlink transmissions from the base station 604-2 and to transmit uplink transmissions to TRP 604-4. Accordingly, the UE 602 may support MIMO transmissions in a full duplex transmission mode. Thus, in example 710, full duplex communication is enabled for the UE 602, which may send uplink transmissions simultaneously with receiving downlink transmissions using different beams).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include the two default downlink beams of Zhang to the teachings of Zhou and Rudolf. The motivation to do so would have been to send simultaneous uplink transmissions to different base stations (or TRPs) (Zhang; [0092]).
Regarding claim 3, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 1, and Zhou teaches wherein the instructions to communicate with the one or more transmission reception points are executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to: communicate with at least two transmission reception points of the one or more transmission reception points ([0068] The example 600 of FIG. 6A includes a UE1 602 and two base station (e.g., TRPs) 604-1, 604-2, wherein the UE1 602 is sending UL transmissions to base station 604-1 and is receiving DL transmissions from base station 604-2, e.g., in a simultaneous manner that overlaps in time.).
Zhou does not explicitly teach wherein the first set of one or more default beams comprises two or more default downlink beams, each default downlink beam of the two or more default downlink beams being associated with a respective transmission reception point of the at least two transmission reception points.
Zhang in the same field of endeavor of transmission configurations for full duplex transmissions, teaches wherein the first set of one or more default beams comprises two or more default downlink beams, each default downlink beam of the two or more default downlink beams being associated with a respective transmission reception point of the at least two transmission reception points ([0092] As shown in FIG. 7B, example 710 includes a UE 602 in communication with four base stations (or TRPs) 604-1, 604-2, 604-3, and 604-4. As shown in FIG. 7B, the UE 602 may use a first beam (labeled B1 in FIG. 7B) to receive downlink transmissions from the base station 604-1 and to transmit uplink transmissions to the base station 604-3. Additionally, the UE 602 may use a second beam (labeled B2 in FIG. 7B) to receive downlink transmissions from the base station 604-2 and to transmit uplink transmissions to TRP 604-4. Accordingly, the UE 602 may support MIMO transmissions in a full duplex transmission mode. Thus, in example 710, full duplex communication is enabled for the UE 602, which may send uplink transmissions simultaneously with receiving downlink transmissions using different beams).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include the two default downlink beams of Zhang to the teachings of Zhou and Rudolf. The motivation to do so would have been to send simultaneous downlink transmissions to different base stations (or TRPs) (Zhang; [0092]).
Regarding claim 13, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 1 but does not explicitly teach wherein the full-duplex communications comprise sub-band full duplex communications, fully overlapping full-duplex communications, partial overlapping full-duplex communications, or any combination thereof.
Zhang in the same field of endeavor of transmission configurations for full duplex transmissions, teaches wherein the full-duplex communications comprise sub-band full duplex communications, fully overlapping full-duplex communications, partial overlapping full-duplex communications, or any combination thereof ([0099] As shown by reference number 805, the base station 604 may generate transmission configuration information, for full duplex transmissions, that includes a plurality of indicators of respective reference signals. For example, the full duplex transmissions may include an uplink and a downlink that overlap, at least partially, in frequency (e.g., a beam used for uplink and a beam used for downlink may have frequency ranges that at least partially overlap). In some aspects, the full duplex transmission may include an uplink and a downlink that fully overlap in frequency (e.g., a beam used for uplink and a beam used for downlink may share a frequency range and instead be orthogonal in a time domain).).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to include the overlapping full-duplex communications of Zhang to the teachings of Zhou and Rudolf. The motivation to do so would have been to improve a manner in which flexible TDD operates to support full duplex communication, which generally refers to simultaneous uplink and downlink transmissions (Zhang; [0086]).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
Claims 9, 11, 18 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhou (US 20210385057 A1) in view of Rudolf; further in view of Zhou (US 20200350957 A1); hereinafter Zhou2.
Regarding claim 9, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 1, but does not teach wherein the instructions are further executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to: determine a lowest control resource set index value in a latest slot that precedes the one or more full-duplex symbol periods based at least in part on the latest slot and the one or more full-duplex symbol periods both being configured for the full-duplex communications, wherein the first set of one or more default beams is identified based at least in part on a beam that is associated with the lowest control resource set index value.
Zhou2, in the same field of endeavor of wireless communications, specifically with simultaneous multiple default beams, teaches wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: determine a lowest control resource set index value in a latest slot that precedes the one or more full-duplex symbol periods based at least in part on the latest slot and the one or more full-duplex symbol periods both being configured for the full-duplex communications, wherein the first set of one or more default beams is identified based at least in part on a beam that is associated with a lowest control resource set index value (Fig. 4 [0110] In some cases, determining the default receive beam for each TRP 405 may include determining the CORESET with the lowest ID in each TRPs 405 CORESET in the latest monitored slot for each TRP 405. Accordingly, each unscheduled downlink symbol may have two default beams for the two TRPs).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to identify the default beams of Zhou in view of Rudolf by determining the CORESET with the lowest index value in the latest monitored slot for each TRP, as stated in Zhou2. The motivation to do so would have been to incorporate improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support simultaneous multiple default beams (Zhou2; [0005]).
Regarding claim 11, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 1, but does not teach wherein the instructions are further executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to: determine a lowest control resource set index value in a latest slot that precedes an uplink symbol period, a downlink symbol period, or a flexible symbol period based at least in part on the latest slot and the uplink symbol period, the downlink symbol period, or the flexible symbol period both being configured for time-division duplexed communications, wherein a second set of one or more default beams is identified based at least in part on a beam that is associated with the lowest control resource set index value.
Zhou2, in the same field of endeavor of wireless communications, specifically with simultaneous multiple default beams, teaches wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: determine a lowest control resource set index value in a latest slot that precedes an uplink symbol period, a downlink symbol period, or a flexible symbol period based at least in part on the latest slot and the uplink symbol period, the downlink symbol period, or the flexible symbol period both being configured for time-division duplexed communications, wherein a second set of one or more default beams is identified based at least in part on a beam that is associated with a lowest control resource set index value (Fig. 4 [0110] In some cases, determining the default receive (downlink) beam for each TRP 405 may include determining the CORESET with the lowest ID in each TRPs 405 CORESET in the latest monitored slot for each TRP 405. Accordingly, each unscheduled downlink symbol may have two default beams for the two TRPs).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to identify the default beams of Zhou in view of Rudolf by determining the CORESET with the lowest index value in the latest monitored slot for each TRP, as stated in Zhou2. The motivation to do so would have been to incorporate improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support simultaneous multiple default beams (Zhou2; [0005]).
Regarding claim 18, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 14, but does not teach wherein the instructions are further executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to: determine a lowest control resource set index value in a latest slot that precedes the one or more full-duplex symbol periods based at least in part on the latest slot and the one or more full-duplex symbol periods both being configured for the full-duplex communications, wherein the first set of one or more default beams is identified based at least in part on a beam that is associated with a lowest control resource set index value.
Zhou2, in the same field of endeavor of wireless communications, specifically with simultaneous multiple default beams, teaches wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: determine a lowest control resource set index value in a latest slot that precedes the one or more full-duplex symbol periods based at least in part on the latest slot and the one or more full-duplex symbol periods both being configured for the full-duplex communications, wherein the first set of one or more default beams is identified based at least in part on a beam that is associated with a lowest control resource set index value (Fig. 4 [0110] In some cases, determining the default receive beam for each TRP 405 may include determining the CORESET with the lowest ID in each TRPs 405 CORESET in the latest monitored slot for each TRP 405. Accordingly, each unscheduled downlink symbol may have two default beams for the two TRPs).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to identify the default beams of Zhou in view of Rudolf by determining the CORESET with the lowest index value in the latest monitored slot for each TRP, as stated in Zhou2. The motivation to do so would have been to incorporate improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support simultaneous multiple default beams (Zhou2; [0005]).
Regarding claim 19, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 14, but does not teach wherein the instructions are further executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to: determine a lowest control resource set index value in a latest slot that precedes an uplink symbol period, a downlink symbol period, or a flexible symbol period based at least in part on the latest slot and the uplink symbol period, the downlink symbol period, or the flexible symbol period both being configured for time-division duplexed communications, wherein a second set of one or more default beams is identified based at least in part on a beam that is associated with the lowest control resource set index value.
Zhou2, in the same field of endeavor of wireless communications, specifically with simultaneous multiple default beams, teaches wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to: determine a lowest control resource set index value in a latest slot that precedes an uplink symbol period, a downlink symbol period, or a flexible symbol period based at least in part on the latest slot and the uplink symbol period, the downlink symbol period, or the flexible symbol period both being configured for time-division duplexed communications, wherein a second set of one or more default beams is identified based at least in part on a beam that is associated with a lowest control resource set index value (Fig. 4 [0110] In some cases, determining the default receive (downlink) beam for each TRP 405 may include determining the CORESET with the lowest ID in each TRPs 405 CORESET in the latest monitored slot for each TRP 405. Accordingly, each unscheduled downlink symbol may have two default beams for the two TRPs).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to identify the default beams of Zhou in view of Rudolf by determining the CORESET with the lowest index value in the latest monitored slot for each TRP, as stated in Zhou2. The motivation to do so would have been to incorporate improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support simultaneous multiple default beams (Zhou2; [0005]).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhou (US 20210385057 A1) in view of Rudolf; further in view of Miao (US 20240405846 A1).
Regarding claim 10, Zhou in view of Rudolf teaches the apparatus of claim 1 but does not teach wherein the first set of one or more default beams is different from a second set of one or more default beams used for communicating with the one or more transmission reception points during respective symbol periods configured for time-division duplexed uplink communications and downlink communications.
Miao in the same field of endeavor of beam determination for time division duplexing communications teaches wherein the first set of one or more default beams is different from a second set of one or more default beams used for communicating with the one or more transmission reception points during respective symbol periods configured for time-division duplexed uplink communications and downlink communications ([0063] In S320, the configuration information is sent to a first communication node so that the first communication node determines, according to the configuration information, a beam to use, where the configuration information includes at least one of the following: first configuration information, second configuration information, or third configuration information. [0064] In an embodiment, the first configuration information includes beam information corresponding to each time unit within a configuration period. [0065] In an embodiment, the beam information includes at least one of the following: a DL transmit beam corresponding to a DL symbol; a DL receive beam corresponding to a DL symbol; a UL transmit beam corresponding to a UL symbol; a UL receive beam corresponding to a UL symbol; a beam corresponding to an F symbol; or a transmit beam of the second communication node. Figs. 4-6 show respective symbol periods configured for time-division duplexed uplink communications and downlink communications. [0003] In high-frequency scenarios, a smart repeater may perform configuration using time division duplexing (TDD)).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the teachings of Zhou and Rudolf to include the smart repeater and beam determination method of Miao. The motivation to do so would have been to amplify and forward uplink and downlink transmissions between a base station and user equipment (UE) in a time-division manner (Miao; [0003]).
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL.
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.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Chatterjee (US 20240014995 A1) discloses a generation Node B (gNB) configured for Sub-Band Full Duplex (SBFD) communication in a fifth-generation new radio (5G NR) network communicating with two or more User Equipment (UEs) during SBFD symbols.
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/NANCY SIXTO/Examiner, Art Unit 2465
/PAO SINKANTARAKORN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2409
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