DETAILED ACTION
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 .
Status Summary
The claims 1-20 are pending in this application. This is a non-final office action in response to Application Number 18/411,577 filed on 12 January 2024 and claiming priority to U.S. provisional application 63/466,860 filed on 16 May 2023 and also US provisional application 63/443,818 filed on 7 February 2023. The applicant of record is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and the inventors of record are Liang Hu, Philippe Jean Marc Michel Sartori, and Jung Hyun Bae.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 12 January 2024 and 16 July 2024 were filed on or after filing date of the instant application on 12 January 2024 and before the mailing date of the first office action on the merits. The submissions are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner.
Drawings
The drawings filed 12 January 2024 are accepted.
Claim Objections
Claims 1, 4-6, 10-11, 15-16, and 20 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Independent claims 1, 6, 11, and 16 recite “each of the CSI-RS signals of the set” in the third and fourth limitations, however each claim recites two types of sets involving CSI-RS signals in the first two limitations (“a set of channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resources” and “a set of CSI-RS signals”). Dependent claims 5, 10, 15, and 20 also recite “each of the CSI-RS signals of the set” and are objected to for the same reasons.
Claim 4 recites “an index of a powerControlOffsetSS value” in line 2, however the parent claim also recites “a powerControlOffsetSS value” in the first limitation.
Claim 20 recites “The method of claim 6”, however claims 17-19 refer to the base station of claim 16. The limitations described in claim 20 are the same as those described in claim 10 as part of the dependent claims for claim 6.
Appropriate correction is required.
Additionally, examiner notes that claims 5, 10, 15, and 20 recite “identifying a powerControlOffsetSS value of the received CSI-RS” in the last limitation, however there is no conflict with the parent claim’s recitation of “a powerControlOffsetSS value” since the description in claims 5, 10, 15, and 20 is described with respect to the received CSI-RS and the parent claim’s use of “a powerControlOffsetSS value” is described with respect to each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources.
Claim Interpretation
The claims have been considered according to the latest Patent Eligibility Guidelines and are considered eligible.
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.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhou et al. (U.S. Patent Publication 2022/0167279) in view of Park et al. (U.S. Patent Publication 2020/0383060).
Regarding claim 1, Zhou disclosed a method performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system (see Zhou Fig. 1B: wireless system including UE #156 and gNB #160B/ng-eNB #162 | Fig. 15: components for wireless device #1502 and base station #1504), the method comprising:
receiving, from a base station, control information preconfiguring the terminal with a set of channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resources (see Zhou [0163]: BS transmits CSI-RS to UE; BS configures UE with one or more CSI-RSs; [0164]: BS semi-statically configures UE with one or more CSI-RS resource sets | [0180]: BS transmits CSI-RS 1101-1103 and are used by UE for measurements), wherein each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped to a powerControlOffsetSS value (see Zhou-Park combination below);
receiving a set of CSI-RS signals (see Zhou [0163]: BS transmits CSI-RS to UE; BS configures UE with one or more CSI-RSs; [0164]: BS semi-statically configures UE with one or more CSI-RS resource sets | [0180]: BS transmits CSI-RS 1101-1103 and are used by UE for measurements);
performing a measurement of each of the CSI-RS signals of the set (see Zhou [0163]: UE measures the one or more CSI-RSs and generates a CSI report based on the measuring | [0165]: BS configures UE to report CSI measurements | [0180]: BS transmits CSI-RS 1101-1103 and are used by UE for measurements; UE measures reference signal received power (RSRP) of configured CSI-RS resources and sends these measurements to BS via CSI Report); and
transmitting a CSI report including the measurements of each of the CSI-RS signals in the set (see Zhou [0118]: while in RRC_CONNECTED state, the UE measures signal levels, e.g., reference signal levels, from a service cell and neighboring cells and reports these measurements to the base station currently serving the UE | [0163]: UE measures the one or more CSI-RSs and generates a CSI report based on the measuring; UE provides the CSI report to the base station and the BS uses the UE feedback to perform link adaptation; [0165]: BS configures UE to report CSI measurements | [0180]: UE measures reference signal received power (RSRP) of configured CSI-RS resources and sends these measurements to BS via CSI Report; BS selects and indicates UL beams (Tx beam) for the UE based on measurements transmitted by the UE).
Although Zhou disclosed the base station transmits RRC messages comprising CSI-RS configuration parameters, e.g., CSI-RS power parameters that include integers and indices (see Zhou [0178], Fig. 27) such as powerControlOffsetSS (see Zhou [0334]), Zhou did not explicitly disclose the entirety of “wherein each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped to a powerControlOffsetSS value”.
However in a related art, Park disclosed allocating different resources in order to distinguish between reference signals for the multiple antenna ports when the base station uses multiple transmission antennas (see Park [0098]), that reference signals between different antennas do not overlap (see Park [0100]), and the base station transmits CSI-RS and sets the CSI-RS transmission pattern (see Park [0105]). The CSI-RS is configured for a specific beam management (see Park [0216]) by independently configuring the transmission power parameters for each specific beam (see Park [0214]). A specific power offset value is added to the power control procedure via RRC configuration (see Park [0217]) and the UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs (see Park [0219]). The UE is also pre-configured with separate power control parameters for additional beam pairs, thereby enabling specific fallback mode power control, e.g. providing specific beam-pair power control parameters (e.g., offset values) beforehand in the form of a specific pattern (see Park [0226]), i.e. “each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped to” power parameters.
Park also disclosed connections between a TXRU and an antenna element according to a sub-array partition model (see Park [0084], Fig. 6). Figure 8 illustrates a variety of transmission schemes and an exemplary structure in which TXRU is connected to four sub-arrays of antenna elements (see Park Fig. 8, [0112]) based on the assumption that a CSI-RS antenna port and TXRU are mapped in a 1:1 manner (see Park [0114]), i.e. “each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped”. Figure 8 also illustrates a relationship between power and TXRUs (see Park Fig. 8) as well as an example enabling simultaneous data transmission when each TXRU (antenna port, sub-array) has a different analog beamforming direction (see Park Fig. 8b, [0116]). The base station selects the transmission scheme and the number of antenna ports in a DL transmission (see Park [0119]) and changes the preferred transmission scheme (e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups) in order to maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Zhou and Park to further clarify that CSI-RS resources are uniquely mapped to power parameters. Including Park’s teachings would maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]), improve transmission efficiency (see Park [0023]), as well as remove ambiguity about which downlink reference signal is to be used (see Park [0024]).
Regarding claim 2, Zhou-Park disclosed the method of claim 1, wherein the base station includes a first antenna port-to-transceiver unit (TxRU) and a second TxRU (see Park [0098]: allocating different resources in order to distinguish between reference signals for the multiple antenna ports when the base station uses multiple transmission antennas | [0084], Fig. 6: connections between a TXRU and an antenna element according to a sub-array partition model | Park Fig. 8, [0112]: a variety of transmission schemes and an exemplary structure in which TXRU is connected to four sub-arrays of antenna elements; [0114]: a CSI-RS antenna port and TXRU are mapped in a 1:1 manner), and
wherein the control information maps:
a first CSI-RS to the first TxRU at full power and the second TxRU being off (see Park [0181]: fractional power control; [0219]: UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs | [0118]: the base station changes the preferred transmission scheme, e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups | examiner notes that one of the two TxRUs is used when beam switching occurs while simultaneous transmission is not supported and that this would be functionally equivalent to one TxRU being off and the other TxRU having non-zero power; Also, examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that applying full power to the TxRU being used is a matter of implementation choice),
a second CSI-RS to the first TxRU being off and the second TxRU at full power (see Park [0181]: fractional power control; [0219]: UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs | [0118]: the base station changes the preferred transmission scheme, e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups | examiner notes that one of the two TxRUs is used when beam switching occurs while simultaneous transmission is not supported and that this would be functionally equivalent to one TxRU being off and the other TxRU having non-zero power; Also, examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that applying full power to the TxRU being used is a matter of implementation choice), and
a third CSI-RS to the first TxRU and the second TxRU at a same power (see Park [0181]: fractional power control; [0219]: UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs | [0118]: the base station changes the preferred transmission scheme, e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups | examiner notes that simultaneously serving and transmitting to two areas (one TxRU for each area) would be functionally equivalent to having both TxRUs at non-zero power; Also, examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that applying equal power to the TxRUs being used is a matter of implementation choice).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Zhou and Park to further clarify the TxRU-port mappings and power parameters. Including Park’s teachings would maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]), improve transmission efficiency (see Park [0023]), as well as remove ambiguity about which downlink reference signal is to be used (see Park [0024]).
Regarding claim 3, Zhou-Park disclosed the method of claim 1, wherein the control information includes radio resource control (RRC) signaling (see Zhou [0116]: RRCs provide control plane functionality between the UE and RAN via RRC messages).
Regarding claim 4, Zhou-Park disclosed the method of claim 1, wherein the CSI report further includes at least one of an index of a transceiver pattern employed (see Park [0105]: base station transmits CSI-RS; the CSI-RS transmission pattern is set by the base station; [0106]: “In order to measure a CSI-RS, a UE should be aware of information about the transmission subframe index of the CSI-RS for each CSI-RS antenna port of a cell to which the UE belongs, the location of a CSI-RS resource element (RE) time-frequency within a transmission subframe, and a CSI-RS sequence.”) or an index of a powerControlOffsetSS value (see Zhou [0334]: pathloss reference linking configuration; a pathloss reference RS may be configured with a CSI-RS index that identifies a CSI-RS of a cell and the CSI-RS is configured with powerControlOffsetSS; [0181]: transmitting a beam measurement report include indexeces, RSRP, etc. || [Park [0344]: reporting the default-, lowest-, or highest-indexed power level based on the reporting configuration).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Zhou and Park to further clarify the types of indices and parameters used. Including Park’s teachings would maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]), improve transmission efficiency (see Park [0023]), as well as remove ambiguity about which downlink reference signal is to be used (see Park [0024]).
Regarding claim 5, Zhou-Park disclosed the method of claim 1, wherein performing the measurement of each of the CSI-RS signals of the set comprises:
performing blind decoding (see Zhou [0215]: blind decoding) to identify a received CSI-RS based on the set of CSI-RS resources (see Zhou [0336]: the base station indicates which cell to use; [0339]: transmitting DCI that indicates an index identifying one of the CSI-RSs | examiner notes that “to identify a received CSI-RS based on the set of CSI-RS resources” is intended use and is not explicitly performed within the claims); and
identifying a powerControlOffsetSS value of the received CSI-RS, based on the control information (see Zhou [0334]: pathloss reference linking configuration; a pathloss reference RS may be configured with a CSI-RS index that identifies a CSI-RS of a cell and the CSI-RS is configured with powerControlOffsetSS).
Regarding claim 6, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 1 above. Examiner notes that claim 1 is a method from the terminal’s perspective whereas claim 6 is a method from the base station’s perspective. Zhou disclosed, as recited in claim 6: A method performed by a base station in a wireless communication system (see Zhou Fig. 1B: wireless system including UE #156 and gNB #160B/ng-eNB #162 | Fig. 15: components for wireless device #1502 and base station #1504), the method comprising:
transmitting control information preconfiguring a terminal with a set of channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resources (see Zhou [0163]: BS transmits CSI-RS to UE; BS configures UE with one or more CSI-RSs; [0164]: BS semi-statically configures UE with one or more CSI-RS resource sets | [0180]: BS transmits CSI-RS 1101-1103 and are used by UE for measurements), wherein each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped to a powerControlOffsetSS value (see Zhou-Park combination below);
transmitting a set of CSI-RS signals (see Zhou [0163]: BS transmits CSI-RS to UE; BS configures UE with one or more CSI-RSs; [0164]: BS semi-statically configures UE with one or more CSI-RS resource sets | [0180]: BS transmits CSI-RS 1101-1103 and are used by UE for measurements);
receiving, from the terminal, a CSI report including measurements of each of the CSI-RS signals in the set (see Zhou [0118]: while in RRC_CONNECTED state, the UE measures signal levels, e.g., reference signal levels, from a service cell and neighboring cells and reports these measurements to the base station currently serving the UE | [0163]: UE measures the one or more CSI-RSs and generates a CSI report based on the measuring; UE provides the CSI report to the base station and the BS uses the UE feedback to perform link adaptation; [0165]: BS configures UE to report CSI measurements | [0180]: UE measures reference signal received power (RSRP) of configured CSI-RS resources and sends these measurements to BS via CSI Report; BS selects and indicates UL beams (Tx beam) for the UE based on measurements transmitted by the UE),
wherein the terminal performs a measurement of each of the CSI-RS signals of the set (see Zhou [0163]: UE measures the one or more CSI-RSs and generates a CSI report based on the measuring | [0165]: BS configures UE to report CSI measurements | [0180]: BS transmits CSI-RS 1101-1103 and are used by UE for measurements; UE measures reference signal received power (RSRP) of configured CSI-RS resources and sends these measurements to BS via CSI Report).
Although Zhou disclosed the base station transmits RRC messages comprising CSI-RS configuration parameters, e.g., CSI-RS power parameters that include integers and indices (see Zhou [0178], Fig. 27) such as powerControlOffsetSS (see Zhou [0334]), Zhou did not explicitly disclose the entirety of “wherein each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped to a powerControlOffsetSS value”.
However in a related art, Park disclosed allocating different resources in order to distinguish between reference signals for the multiple antenna ports when the base station uses multiple transmission antennas (see Park [0098]), that reference signals between different antennas do not overlap (see Park [0100]), and the base station transmits CSI-RS and sets the CSI-RS transmission pattern (see Park [0105]). The CSI-RS is configured for a specific beam management (see Park [0216]) by independently configuring the transmission power parameters for each specific beam (see Park [0214]). A specific power offset value is added to the power control procedure via RRC configuration (see Park [0217]) and the UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs (see Park [0219]). The UE is also pre-configured with separate power control parameters for additional beam pairs, thereby enabling specific fallback mode power control, e.g. providing specific beam-pair power control parameters (e.g., offset values) beforehand in the form of a specific pattern (see Park [0226]), i.e. “each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped to” power parameters.
Park also disclosed connections between a TXRU and an antenna element according to a sub-array partition model (see Park [0084], Fig. 6). Figure 8 illustrates a variety of transmission schemes and an exemplary structure in which TXRU is connected to four sub-arrays of antenna elements (see Park Fig. 8, [0112]) based on the assumption that a CSI-RS antenna port and TXRU are mapped in a 1:1 manner (see Park [0114]), i.e. “each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped”. Figure 8 also illustrates a relationship between power and TXRUs (see Park Fig. 8) as well as an example enabling simultaneous data transmission when each TXRU (antenna port, sub-array) has a different analog beamforming direction (see Park Fig. 8b, [0116]). The base station selects the transmission scheme and the number of antenna ports in a DL transmission (see Park [0119]) and changes the preferred transmission scheme (e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups) in order to maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Zhou and Park to further clarify that CSI-RS resources are uniquely mapped to power parameters. Including Park’s teachings would maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]), improve transmission efficiency (see Park [0023]), as well as remove ambiguity about which downlink reference signal is to be used (see Park [0024]).
Regarding claim 7, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 2 above. Zhou-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 7: The method of claim 6, wherein the base station includes a first antenna port-to-transceiver unit (TxRU) and a second TxRU (see Park [0098]: allocating different resources in order to distinguish between reference signals for the multiple antenna ports when the base station uses multiple transmission antennas | [0084], Fig. 6: connections between a TXRU and an antenna element according to a sub-array partition model | Park Fig. 8, [0112]: a variety of transmission schemes and an exemplary structure in which TXRU is connected to four sub-arrays of antenna elements; [0114]: a CSI-RS antenna port and TXRU are mapped in a 1:1 manner), and
wherein the control information maps:
a first CSI-RS to the first TxRU at full power and the second TxRU being off (see Park [0181]: fractional power control; [0219]: UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs | [0118]: the base station changes the preferred transmission scheme, e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups | examiner notes that one of the two TxRUs is used when beam switching occurs while simultaneous transmission is not supported and that this would be functionally equivalent to one TxRU being off and the other TxRU having non-zero power; Also, examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that applying full power to the TxRU being used is a matter of implementation choice),
a second CSI-RS to the first TxRU being off and the second TxRU at full power (see Park [0181]: fractional power control; [0219]: UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs | [0118]: the base station changes the preferred transmission scheme, e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups | examiner notes that one of the two TxRUs is used when beam switching occurs while simultaneous transmission is not supported and that this would be functionally equivalent to one TxRU being off and the other TxRU having non-zero power; Also, examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that applying full power to the TxRU being used is a matter of implementation choice), and
a third CSI-RS to the first TxRU and the second TxRU at a same power (see Park [0181]: fractional power control; [0219]: UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs | [0118]: the base station changes the preferred transmission scheme, e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups | examiner notes that simultaneously serving and transmitting to two areas (one TxRU for each area) would be functionally equivalent to having both TxRUs at non-zero power; Also, examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that applying equal power to the TxRUs being used is a matter of implementation choice).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Zhou and Park to further clarify the TxRU-port mappings and power parameters. Including Park’s teachings would maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]), improve transmission efficiency (see Park [0023]), as well as remove ambiguity about which downlink reference signal is to be used (see Park [0024]).
Regarding claim 8, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 3 above. Zhou-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 8: The method of claim 6, wherein the control information includes radio resource control (RRC) signaling (see Zhou [0116]: RRCs provide control plane functionality between the UE and RAN via RRC messages).
Regarding claim 9, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 4 above. Zhou-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 9: The method of claim 6, wherein the CSI report further includes at least one of an index of a transceiver pattern employed (see Park [0105]: base station transmits CSI-RS; the CSI-RS transmission pattern is set by the base station; [0106]: “In order to measure a CSI-RS, a UE should be aware of information about the transmission subframe index of the CSI-RS for each CSI-RS antenna port of a cell to which the UE belongs, the location of a CSI-RS resource element (RE) time-frequency within a transmission subframe, and a CSI-RS sequence.”) or an index of the powerControlOffsetSS value (see Zhou [0334]: pathloss reference linking configuration; a pathloss reference RS may be configured with a CSI-RS index that identifies a CSI-RS of a cell and the CSI-RS is configured with powerControlOffsetSS; [0181]: transmitting a beam measurement report include indexeces, RSRP, etc. || [Park [0344]: reporting the default-, lowest-, or highest-indexed power level based on the reporting configuration).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Zhou and Park to further clarify the types of indices and parameters used. Including Park’s teachings would maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]), improve transmission efficiency (see Park [0023]), as well as remove ambiguity about which downlink reference signal is to be used (see Park [0024]).
Regarding claim 10, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 5 above. Zhou-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 10: The method of claim 6, wherein the terminal performs the measurement of each of the CSI-RS signals of the set by performing blind decoding (see Zhou [0215]: blind decoding) to identify a received CSI-RS based on the set of CSI-RS resources (see Zhou [0336]: the base station indicates which cell to use; [0339]: transmitting DCI that indicates an index identifying one of the CSI-RSs | examiner notes that “to identify a received CSI-RS based on the set of CSI-RS resources” is intended use and is not explicitly performed within the claims), and identifying a powerControlOffsetSS value of the received CSI-RS, based on the control information (see Zhou [0334]: pathloss reference linking configuration; a pathloss reference RS may be configured with a CSI-RS index that identifies a CSI-RS of a cell and the CSI-RS is configured with powerControlOffsetSS).
Regarding claim 11, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 1 above. Examiner notes that claim 1 is a method from the terminal’s perspective whereas claim 11 is a terminal. Zhou disclosed, as recited in claim 11: A terminal for use in a wireless communication system (see Zhou Fig. 1B: wireless system including UE #156 and gNB #160B/ng-eNB #162 | Fig. 15: components for wireless device #1502 and base station #1504), the terminal comprising:
a transceiver (see Zhou Fig. 15: Tx and Rx components for wireless device #1502); and
a processor (see Zhou Fig. 15: processing components for wireless device #1502) configured to:
receive, from a base station, control information preconfiguring the terminal with a set of channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resources (see Zhou [0163]: BS transmits CSI-RS to UE; BS configures UE with one or more CSI-RSs; [0164]: BS semi-statically configures UE with one or more CSI-RS resource sets | [0180]: BS transmits CSI-RS 1101-1103 and are used by UE for measurements), wherein each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped to a powerControlOffsetSS value (see Zhou-Park combination below);
receive a set of CSI-RS signals (see Zhou [0163]: BS transmits CSI-RS to UE; BS configures UE with one or more CSI-RSs; [0164]: BS semi-statically configures UE with one or more CSI-RS resource sets | [0180]: BS transmits CSI-RS 1101-1103 and are used by UE for measurements);
perform a measurement of each of the CSI-RS signals of the set (see Zhou [0163]: UE measures the one or more CSI-RSs and generates a CSI report based on the measuring | [0165]: BS configures UE to report CSI measurements | [0180]: BS transmits CSI-RS 1101-1103 and are used by UE for measurements; UE measures reference signal received power (RSRP) of configured CSI-RS resources and sends these measurements to BS via CSI Report); and
transmit a CSI report including the measurements of each of the CSI-RS signals in the set (see Zhou [0118]: while in RRC_CONNECTED state, the UE measures signal levels, e.g., reference signal levels, from a service cell and neighboring cells and reports these measurements to the base station currently serving the UE | [0163]: UE measures the one or more CSI-RSs and generates a CSI report based on the measuring; UE provides the CSI report to the base station and the BS uses the UE feedback to perform link adaptation; [0165]: BS configures UE to report CSI measurements | [0180]: UE measures reference signal received power (RSRP) of configured CSI-RS resources and sends these measurements to BS via CSI Report; BS selects and indicates UL beams (Tx beam) for the UE based on measurements transmitted by the UE).
Although Zhou disclosed the base station transmits RRC messages comprising CSI-RS configuration parameters, e.g., CSI-RS power parameters that include integers and indices (see Zhou [0178], Fig. 27) such as powerControlOffsetSS (see Zhou [0334]), Zhou did not explicitly disclose the entirety of “wherein each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped to a powerControlOffsetSS value”.
However in a related art, Park disclosed allocating different resources in order to distinguish between reference signals for the multiple antenna ports when the base station uses multiple transmission antennas (see Park [0098]), that reference signals between different antennas do not overlap (see Park [0100]), and the base station transmits CSI-RS and sets the CSI-RS transmission pattern (see Park [0105]). The CSI-RS is configured for a specific beam management (see Park [0216]) by independently configuring the transmission power parameters for each specific beam (see Park [0214]). A specific power offset value is added to the power control procedure via RRC configuration (see Park [0217]) and the UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs (see Park [0219]). The UE is also pre-configured with separate power control parameters for additional beam pairs, thereby enabling specific fallback mode power control, e.g. providing specific beam-pair power control parameters (e.g., offset values) beforehand in the form of a specific pattern (see Park [0226]), i.e. “each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped to” power parameters.
Park also disclosed connections between a TXRU and an antenna element according to a sub-array partition model (see Park [0084], Fig. 6). Figure 8 illustrates a variety of transmission schemes and an exemplary structure in which TXRU is connected to four sub-arrays of antenna elements (see Park Fig. 8, [0112]) based on the assumption that a CSI-RS antenna port and TXRU are mapped in a 1:1 manner (see Park [0114]), i.e. “each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped”. Figure 8 also illustrates a relationship between power and TXRUs (see Park Fig. 8) as well as an example enabling simultaneous data transmission when each TXRU (antenna port, sub-array) has a different analog beamforming direction (see Park Fig. 8b, [0116]). The base station selects the transmission scheme and the number of antenna ports in a DL transmission (see Park [0119]) and changes the preferred transmission scheme (e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups) in order to maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Zhou and Park to further clarify that CSI-RS resources are uniquely mapped to power parameters. Including Park’s teachings would maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]), improve transmission efficiency (see Park [0023]), as well as remove ambiguity about which downlink reference signal is to be used (see Park [0024]).
Regarding claim 12, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 2 above. Zhou-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 12: The terminal of claim 11, wherein the base station includes a first antenna port-to-transceiver unit (TxRU) and a second TxRU (see Park [0098]: allocating different resources in order to distinguish between reference signals for the multiple antenna ports when the base station uses multiple transmission antennas | [0084], Fig. 6: connections between a TXRU and an antenna element according to a sub-array partition model | Park Fig. 8, [0112]: a variety of transmission schemes and an exemplary structure in which TXRU is connected to four sub-arrays of antenna elements; [0114]: a CSI-RS antenna port and TXRU are mapped in a 1:1 manner), and
wherein the control information maps:
a first CSI-RS to the first TxRU at full power and the second TxRU being off (see Park [0181]: fractional power control; [0219]: UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs | [0118]: the base station changes the preferred transmission scheme, e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups | examiner notes that one of the two TxRUs is used when beam switching occurs while simultaneous transmission is not supported and that this would be functionally equivalent to one TxRU being off and the other TxRU having non-zero power; Also, examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that applying full power to the TxRU being used is a matter of implementation choice),
a second CSI-RS to the first TxRU being off and the second TxRU at full power (see Park [0181]: fractional power control; [0219]: UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs | [0118]: the base station changes the preferred transmission scheme, e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups | examiner notes that one of the two TxRUs is used when beam switching occurs while simultaneous transmission is not supported and that this would be functionally equivalent to one TxRU being off and the other TxRU having non-zero power; Also, examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that applying full power to the TxRU being used is a matter of implementation choice), and
a third CSI-RS to the first TxRU and the second TxRU at a same power (see Park [0181]: fractional power control; [0219]: UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs | [0118]: the base station changes the preferred transmission scheme, e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups | examiner notes that simultaneously serving and transmitting to two areas (one TxRU for each area) would be functionally equivalent to having both TxRUs at non-zero power; Also, examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that applying equal power to the TxRUs being used is a matter of implementation choice).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Zhou and Park to further clarify the TxRU-port mappings and power parameters. Including Park’s teachings would maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]), improve transmission efficiency (see Park [0023]), as well as remove ambiguity about which downlink reference signal is to be used (see Park [0024]).
Regarding claim 13, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 3 above. Zhou-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 13: The terminal of claim 11, wherein the control information includes radio resource control (RRC) signaling (see Zhou [0116]: RRCs provide control plane functionality between the UE and RAN via RRC messages).
Regarding claim 14, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 4 above. Zhou-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 14: The terminal of claim 11, wherein the CSI report further includes at least one of an index of a transceiver pattern employed (see Park [0105]: base station transmits CSI-RS; the CSI-RS transmission pattern is set by the base station; [0106]: “In order to measure a CSI-RS, a UE should be aware of information about the transmission subframe index of the CSI-RS for each CSI-RS antenna port of a cell to which the UE belongs, the location of a CSI-RS resource element (RE) time-frequency within a transmission subframe, and a CSI-RS sequence.”) or an index of the powerControlOffsetSS value (see Zhou [0334]: pathloss reference linking configuration; a pathloss reference RS may be configured with a CSI-RS index that identifies a CSI-RS of a cell and the CSI-RS is configured with powerControlOffsetSS; [0181]: transmitting a beam measurement report include indexeces, RSRP, etc. || [Park [0344]: reporting the default-, lowest-, or highest-indexed power level based on the reporting configuration).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Zhou and Park to further clarify the types of indices and parameters used. Including Park’s teachings would maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]), improve transmission efficiency (see Park [0023]), as well as remove ambiguity about which downlink reference signal is to be used (see Park [0024]).
Regarding claim 15, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 5 above. Zhou-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 15: The terminal of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to perform the measurement of each of the CSI-RS signals of the set by performing blind decoding (see Zhou [0215]: blind decoding) to identify a received CSI-RS based on the set of CSI-RS resources (see Zhou [0336]: the base station indicates which cell to use; [0339]: transmitting DCI that indicates an index identifying one of the CSI-RSs | examiner notes that “to identify a received CSI-RS based on the set of CSI-RS resources” is intended use and is not explicitly performed within the claims), and identifying a powerControlOffsetSS value of the received CSI-RS, based on the control information (see Zhou [0334]: pathloss reference linking configuration; a pathloss reference RS may be configured with a CSI-RS index that identifies a CSI-RS of a cell and the CSI-RS is configured with powerControlOffsetSS).
Regarding claim 16, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 6 above. Examiner notes that claim 6 is a method whereas claim 16 is a base station. Zhou disclosed, as recited in claim 16: A base station for use in a wireless communication system (see Zhou Fig. 1B: wireless system including UE #156 and gNB #160B/ng-eNB #162 | Fig. 15: components for wireless device #1502 and base station #1504), the base station comprising:
a transceiver (see Zhou Fig. 15: Tx and Rx components for base station #1504); and
a processor (see Zhou Fig. 15: processing components for base station #1504) configured to:
transmit control information preconfiguring a terminal with a set of channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resources (see Zhou [0163]: BS transmits CSI-RS to UE; BS configures UE with one or more CSI-RSs; [0164]: BS semi-statically configures UE with one or more CSI-RS resource sets | [0180]: BS transmits CSI-RS 1101-1103 and are used by UE for measurements), wherein each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped to a powerControlOffsetSS value (see Zhou-Park combination below);
transmit a set of CSI-RS signals (see Zhou [0163]: BS transmits CSI-RS to UE; BS configures UE with one or more CSI-RSs; [0164]: BS semi-statically configures UE with one or more CSI-RS resource sets | [0180]: BS transmits CSI-RS 1101-1103 and are used by UE for measurements);
receive, from the terminal, a CSI report including measurements of each of the CSI-RS signals in the set (see Zhou [0118]: while in RRC_CONNECTED state, the UE measures signal levels, e.g., reference signal levels, from a service cell and neighboring cells and reports these measurements to the base station currently serving the UE | [0163]: UE measures the one or more CSI-RSs and generates a CSI report based on the measuring; UE provides the CSI report to the base station and the BS uses the UE feedback to perform link adaptation; [0165]: BS configures UE to report CSI measurements | [0180]: UE measures reference signal received power (RSRP) of configured CSI-RS resources and sends these measurements to BS via CSI Report; BS selects and indicates UL beams (Tx beam) for the UE based on measurements transmitted by the UE),
wherein the terminal performs a measurement of each of the CSI-RS signals of the set (see Zhou [0163]: UE measures the one or more CSI-RSs and generates a CSI report based on the measuring | [0165]: BS configures UE to report CSI measurements | [0180]: BS transmits CSI-RS 1101-1103 and are used by UE for measurements; UE measures reference signal received power (RSRP) of configured CSI-RS resources and sends these measurements to BS via CSI Report).
Although Zhou disclosed the base station transmits RRC messages comprising CSI-RS configuration parameters, e.g., CSI-RS power parameters that include integers and indices (see Zhou [0178], Fig. 27) such as powerControlOffsetSS (see Zhou [0334]), Zhou did not explicitly disclose the entirety of “wherein each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped to a powerControlOffsetSS value”.
However in a related art, Park disclosed allocating different resources in order to distinguish between reference signals for the multiple antenna ports when the base station uses multiple transmission antennas (see Park [0098]), that reference signals between different antennas do not overlap (see Park [0100]), and the base station transmits CSI-RS and sets the CSI-RS transmission pattern (see Park [0105]). The CSI-RS is configured for a specific beam management (see Park [0216]) by independently configuring the transmission power parameters for each specific beam (see Park [0214]). A specific power offset value is added to the power control procedure via RRC configuration (see Park [0217]) and the UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs (see Park [0219]). The UE is also pre-configured with separate power control parameters for additional beam pairs, thereby enabling specific fallback mode power control, e.g. providing specific beam-pair power control parameters (e.g., offset values) beforehand in the form of a specific pattern (see Park [0226]), i.e. “each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped to” power parameters.
Park also disclosed connections between a TXRU and an antenna element according to a sub-array partition model (see Park [0084], Fig. 6). Figure 8 illustrates a variety of transmission schemes and an exemplary structure in which TXRU is connected to four sub-arrays of antenna elements (see Park Fig. 8, [0112]) based on the assumption that a CSI-RS antenna port and TXRU are mapped in a 1:1 manner (see Park [0114]), i.e. “each CSI-RS resource in the set of CSI-RS resources is uniquely mapped”. Figure 8 also illustrates a relationship between power and TXRUs (see Park Fig. 8) as well as an example enabling simultaneous data transmission when each TXRU (antenna port, sub-array) has a different analog beamforming direction (see Park Fig. 8b, [0116]). The base station selects the transmission scheme and the number of antenna ports in a DL transmission (see Park [0119]) and changes the preferred transmission scheme (e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups) in order to maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Zhou and Park to further clarify that CSI-RS resources are uniquely mapped to power parameters. Including Park’s teachings would maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]), improve transmission efficiency (see Park [0023]), as well as remove ambiguity about which downlink reference signal is to be used (see Park [0024]).
Regarding claim 17, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 2 above. Zhou-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 17: The base station of claim 16, further comprising a first antenna port-to-transceiver unit (TxRU) and a second TxRU (see Park [0098]: allocating different resources in order to distinguish between reference signals for the multiple antenna ports when the base station uses multiple transmission antennas | [0084], Fig. 6: connections between a TXRU and an antenna element according to a sub-array partition model | Park Fig. 8, [0112]: a variety of transmission schemes and an exemplary structure in which TXRU is connected to four sub-arrays of antenna elements; [0114]: a CSI-RS antenna port and TXRU are mapped in a 1:1 manner), and
wherein the control information maps:
a first CSI-RS to the first TxRU at full power and the second TxRU being off (see Park [0181]: fractional power control; [0219]: UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs | [0118]: the base station changes the preferred transmission scheme, e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups | examiner notes that one of the two TxRUs is used when beam switching occurs while simultaneous transmission is not supported and that this would be functionally equivalent to one TxRU being off and the other TxRU having non-zero power; Also, examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that applying full power to the TxRU being used is a matter of implementation choice),
a second CSI-RS to the first TxRU being off and the second TxRU at full power (see Park [0181]: fractional power control; [0219]: UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs | [0118]: the base station changes the preferred transmission scheme, e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups | examiner notes that one of the two TxRUs is used when beam switching occurs while simultaneous transmission is not supported and that this would be functionally equivalent to one TxRU being off and the other TxRU having non-zero power; Also, examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that applying full power to the TxRU being used is a matter of implementation choice), and
a third CSI-RS to the first TxRU and the second TxRU at a same power (see Park [0181]: fractional power control; [0219]: UE is configured to apply a corresponding power offset value each time beam switching occurs | [0118]: the base station changes the preferred transmission scheme, e.g., serving an area using all antenna ports vs serving several areas simultaneously by dividing antenna ports into groups | examiner notes that simultaneously serving and transmitting to two areas (one TxRU for each area) would be functionally equivalent to having both TxRUs at non-zero power; Also, examiner notes that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that applying equal power to the TxRUs being used is a matter of implementation choice).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Zhou and Park to further clarify the TxRU-port mappings and power parameters. Including Park’s teachings would maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]), improve transmission efficiency (see Park [0023]), as well as remove ambiguity about which downlink reference signal is to be used (see Park [0024]).
Regarding claim 18, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 3 above. Zhou-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 18: The base station of claim 16, wherein the control information includes radio resource control (RRC) signaling (see Zhou [0116]: RRCs provide control plane functionality between the UE and RAN via RRC messages).
Regarding claim 19, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 4 above. Zhou-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 19: The base station of claim 16, wherein the CSI report further includes at least one of an index of a transceiver pattern employed (see Park [0105]: base station transmits CSI-RS; the CSI-RS transmission pattern is set by the base station; [0106]: “In order to measure a CSI-RS, a UE should be aware of information about the transmission subframe index of the CSI-RS for each CSI-RS antenna port of a cell to which the UE belongs, the location of a CSI-RS resource element (RE) time-frequency within a transmission subframe, and a CSI-RS sequence.”) or an index of the powerControlOffsetSS value (see Zhou [0334]: pathloss reference linking configuration; a pathloss reference RS may be configured with a CSI-RS index that identifies a CSI-RS of a cell and the CSI-RS is configured with powerControlOffsetSS; [0181]: transmitting a beam measurement report include indexeces, RSRP, etc. || [Park [0344]: reporting the default-, lowest-, or highest-indexed power level based on the reporting configuration).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teachings of Zhou and Park to further clarify the types of indices and parameters used. Including Park’s teachings would maximize cell throughput (see Park [0118]), improve transmission efficiency (see Park [0023]), as well as remove ambiguity about which downlink reference signal is to be used (see Park [0024]).
Regarding claim 20, the claim contains the limitations, substantially as claimed, as described in claim 5 above. Zhou-Park disclosed, as recited in claim 20: The method of claim 6, wherein the terminal performs the measurement of each of the CSI-RS signals of the set by performing blind decoding (see Zhou [0215]: blind decoding) to identify a received CSI-RS based on the set of CSI-RS resources (see Zhou [0336]: the base station indicates which cell to use; [0339]: transmitting DCI that indicates an index identifying one of the CSI-RSs | examiner notes that “to identify a received CSI-RS based on the set of CSI-RS resources” is intended use and is not explicitly performed within the claims), and identifying a powerControlOffsetSS value of the received CSI-RS, based on the control information (see Zhou [0334]: pathloss reference linking configuration; a pathloss reference RS may be configured with a CSI-RS index that identifies a CSI-RS of a cell and the CSI-RS is configured with powerControlOffsetSS).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Yi et al. (U.S. Patent 11,477,740): see 39:43-63: “…the wireless device may scale the linear value [of the transmit power] by the ratio of the number of antenna ports with a non-zero PUSCH transmission power…For example, the wireless device split the power equally across the antenna ports on which the wireless device transmits the PUSCH with non-zero power. For example, two PUSCH transmissions are scheduled in different SRS resource sets (e.g., different antenna groups and/or panels), the wireless device may determine a PUSCH power per each SRS resource set (e.g., antenna group and/or panel) and scale a sum of one or more determined PUSCH powers for the different SRS resources sets…”
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Angela Widhalm de Rodriguez whose telephone number is (571)272-1035. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 6am-2:30pm EST.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Nicholas Taylor can be reached at (571)272-3889. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/ANGELA WIDHALM DE RODRIGUEZ/Examiner, Art Unit 2443