Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Application No. 18/516,206

PHYSICAL UPLINK SHARED CHANNEL POWER CONTROL

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Nov 21, 2023
Examiner
CUNNINGHAM, KEVIN M
Art Unit
2461
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
83%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
432 granted / 603 resolved
+13.6% vs TC avg
Moderate +11% lift
Without
With
+11.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
45 currently pending
Career history
646
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.3%
-36.7% vs TC avg
§103
59.3%
+19.3% vs TC avg
§102
11.9%
-28.1% vs TC avg
§112
22.2%
-17.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 603 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . Claim Objections Claim 31 is objected to because of the following informalities: “preamble value is ]n accordance with a preamble”, it should be “in accordance”. Appropriate correction is required. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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, 15, 29 and 30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lin (US 2024/0155502, hereinafter Lin), in view of Lohr et al (US 2024/0188074, hereinafter Lohr) and in view of Akkarakaran et al (US 2020/0252974, hereinafter Akkarakaran). Regarding claim 1, Lin discloses an apparatus for wireless communication at a user equipment (UE, Para [0018]), comprising: one or more memories and one or more processors (processor and memory, Para [0018]) coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors individually or collectively configured to cause the UE to: calculate a value for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission occasion, wherein the PUSCH transmission occasion is associated with a radio resource control (RRC) connection resulting from a random access process during which the UE does not receive a PUSCH alpha set or is associated with a random access response uplink grant for a transmission or retransmission (UE determines PUSCH transmission power in PUSCH occasion, Para [0138], nominal power is determined using the equation in Para [0143], UE established dedicated RRC connection using type-1 RA procedure and is not provided P0-PUSCH-alphaset, Para [0142]); and transmit in the PUSCH transmission occasion using at least one of the value (UE transmits the PUSCH, Para [0138], PUSCH transmission is based on nominal power, Para [0138,141]); but does not explicitly disclose determine an alpha value in accordance with a Message 3 alpha value for full-duplex and transmitting the PUSCH using the alpha value. Lohr discloses the UE applies a separately configured alpha value for MSGA-PUSCH transmission if the transmission takes place in at least one symbol in the full-duplex, Para [0050] and is configured with parameter msgA-Alpha-fullduplex, Para [0122]. Akkarakaran discloses MSGA includes MSG1 and MSG3 multiplexed together, Para [0071], only one set of power control parameters can be configured for both 2-step RA procedure and the 4-step RA procedure, where for certain parameters a single value is configured for both RA procedures (i.e. MSGA and MSG3 can use the same power control parameters), Para [0109]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to utilize the techniques taught by Lohr and Akkarakaran in the system of Lin in order to reduce signaling overhead and properly transmit PUSCHs in full duplex. Regarding claim 15, Lin discloses an apparatus for wireless communication at a network node (network node, Para [0025]), comprising: one or more memories and one or more processors (memory and processor, Para [0025]) coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors individually or collectively configured to cause the network node to: transmit configuration information associated with a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission occasion, wherein the PUSCH transmission occasion is associated with a radio resource control (RRC) connection resulting from a random access process that does not include a transmission of a PUSCH alpha set or is associated with a random access response uplink grant for a transmission or retransmission (UE receives PUSCH configuration from gNB, Para [0125], UE established dedicated RRC connection using type-1 RA procedure and is not provided P0-PUSCH-alphaset, Para [0142]); and receive a communication via the PUSCH transmission occasion that is in accordance with at least one of a nominal power value, an alpha value, or an initial transmit power value. (UE transmits the PUSCH, Para [0138], PUSCH transmission is based on nominal power, Para [0138,141]); but does not explicitly disclose receiving a PUSCH transmission using an alpha value in accordance with a Message 3 alpha value for full duplex. Lohr discloses the UE applies a separately configured alpha value for MSGA-PUSCH transmission if the transmission takes place in at least one symbol in the full-duplex, Para [0050] and is configured with parameter msgA-Alpha-fullduplex, Para [0122]. Akkarakaran discloses MSGA includes MSG1 and MSG3 multiplexed together, Para [0071], only one set of power control parameters can be configured for both 2-step RA procedure and the 4-step RA procedure, where for certain parameters a single value is configured for both RA procedures (i.e. MSGA and MSG3 can use the same power control parameters), Para [0109]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to utilize the techniques taught by Lohr and Akkarakaran in the system of Lin in order to reduce signaling overhead and properly transmit PUSCHs in full duplex. Regarding claim 29, Lin discloses a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising: calculating at least one of a nominal power value, an alpha value, or an initial transmit power value for a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission occasion, wherein the PUSCH transmission occasion is associated with a radio resource control (RRC) connection resulting from a random access process during which the UE does not receive a PUSCH alpha set or is associated with a random access response uplink grant for a transmission or retransmission (UE determines PUSCH transmission power in PUSCH occasion, Para [0138], nominal power is determined using the equation in Para [0143], UE established dedicated RRC connection using type-1 RA procedure and is not provided P0-PUSCH-alphaset, Para [0142]); and transmitting in the PUSCH transmission occasion using at least one of the nominal power value, the alpha value, or the initial transmit power value (UE transmits the PUSCH, Para [0138], PUSCH transmission is based on nominal power, Para [0138,141]); but does not explicitly disclose determine an alpha value in accordance with a Message 3 alpha value for full-duplex and transmitting the PUSCH using the alpha value. Lohr discloses the UE applies a separately configured alpha value for MSGA-PUSCH transmission if the transmission takes place in at least one symbol in the full-duplex, Para [0050] and is configured with parameter msgA-Alpha-fullduplex, Para [0122]. Akkarakaran discloses MSGA includes MSG1 and MSG3 multiplexed together, Para [0071], only one set of power control parameters can be configured for both 2-step RA procedure and the 4-step RA procedure, where for certain parameters a single value is configured for both RA procedures (i.e. MSGA and MSG3 can use the same power control parameters), Para [0109]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to utilize the techniques taught by Lohr and Akkarakaran in the system of Lin in order to reduce signaling overhead and properly transmit PUSCHs in full duplex. Regarding claim 30, Lin discloses a method of wireless communication performed by a network node, comprising: transmitting configuration information associated with a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission occasion, wherein the PUSCH transmission occasion is associated with a radio resource control (RRC) connection resulting from a random access process that does not include a transmission of a PUSCH alpha set or is associated with a random access response uplink grant for a transmission or retransmission (UE receives PUSCH configuration from gNB, Para [0125], UE established dedicated RRC connection using type-1 RA procedure and is not provided P0-PUSCH-alphaset, Para [0142]); and receiving a communication via the PUSCH transmission occasion that is in accordance with at least one of a nominal power value, an alpha value, or an initial transmit power value (UE transmits the PUSCH, Para [0138], PUSCH transmission is based on nominal power, Para [0138,141]); but does not explicitly disclose receiving a PUSCH transmission using an alpha value in accordance with a Message 3 alpha value for full duplex. Lohr discloses the UE applies a separately configured alpha value for MSGA-PUSCH transmission if the transmission takes place in at least one symbol in the full-duplex, Para [0050] and is configured with parameter msgA-Alpha-fullduplex, Para [0122]. Akkarakaran discloses MSGA includes MSG1 and MSG3 multiplexed together, Para [0071], only one set of power control parameters can be configured for both 2-step RA procedure and the 4-step RA procedure, where for certain parameters a single value is configured for both RA procedures (i.e. MSGA and MSG3 can use the same power control parameters), Para [0109]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to utilize the techniques taught by Lohr and Akkarakaran in the system of Lin in order to reduce signaling overhead and properly transmit PUSCHs in full duplex. Claims 2-11, 13, 14, 16-25, 27, 28, 31 and 32 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lin, in view of Lohr, in view of Rudolf et al (US 2024/0214943, hereinafter Rudolf, claiming the priority date of provisional application 63/434,685) and in view of Rudolf et al (US 2023/0062577, hereinafter Rudolf2). Regarding claim 2, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors, are further configured to cause the UE to determine a nominal power value based at least in part on the PUSCH transmission occasion occurring in the full-duplex slot, and wherein the PUSCH transmission occasion is further transmitted using the nominal power value. Rudolf discloses power for PUSCH transmission in normal UL and in full duplex slot needs to be controlled separately, Para [0135], using separate target receive power level and fractional pathloss compensation parameters for the SBFD slot, Para [0143]. Also see Para [0140,148] of the provisional. Rudolf2 discloses UE can obtain a signaled parameter preamblereceivedtargetpowerFD, which is for full duplex, Para [0209], therefore nominal power should be calculated based on preamblereceivedtargetpowerFD for full duplex slots instead of preamblereceivedtargetpower, as in Lin, Para [0144]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to utilize the techniques taught by Rudolf and Rudolf2 in the system of Lin in order to control power in FD systems and to limit interference. Regarding claims 3 and 17, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 2/16, wherein the one or more processors, to cause the UE to calculate the nominal power value, are configured to cause the UE to add a fixed nominal power value and a power offset value, wherein the power offset value is received by the UE via an RRC message or a system information message (power parameter is the sum of a nominal component and another component, Para [0141]). Regarding claims 4 and 18, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 2/16, wherein the one or more processors, to cause the UE to calculate the nominal power value, are configured to cause the UE to add a nominal preamble value and a delta preamble value for Message 3 full-duplex, wherein the delta preamble value for Message 3 full-duplex is in accordance with a Message 3 delta preamble for full-duplex indicator that is received by the UE via an RRC message or a system information message (preamble power is added with msg3-deltapreamble, Para [0144]). Regarding claims 5 and 19, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 2/16, wherein the nominal preamble value for full-duplex is in accordance with a preamble received target power for full-duplex indicator that is received by the UE via an RRC message or a system information message (preamble received target power value and msg3-deltapreamble value, Para [0144]). Regarding claim 6, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the random access process is a Type-2 random access process (UE establishes RRC connection using type-2 RA procedure, Para [0145]). Regarding claims 7 and 21, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 6/20, wherein the power offset value is received by the UE via an RRC message or a system information message (power parameter is the sum of a nominal component and another component, Para [0141]). Regarding claims 8 and 22, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 6/20, wherein the one or more processors, to cause the UE to calculate the nominal power value, are configured to cause the UE to add a nominal preamble value and a delta preamble value for Message A full-duplex, wherein the delta preamble value for Message A full-duplex is in accordance with a Message A delta preamble for full-duplex (message A PUSCH, Para [0098], MsgA preamble power and MsgA delta preamble, Para [0147]). Regarding claims 9 and 23, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 6/20, wherein the one or more processors, to cause the UE to calculate the nominal power value, are configured to cause the UE to add a nominal preamble value for full-duplex and a delta preamble value for Message A full-duplex, wherein the nominal preamble value for full-duplex is in accordance with a Message A preamble received target power for full-duplex (message A PUSCH, Para [0098], MsgA preamble received target power and MsgA delta preamble, Para [0147]). Regarding claim 10, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the random access process is a Type-1 random access process. (UE using a type 1 RA procedure, Para [0142], nominal power calculated in equation in Para [0143], the value of alpha is determined, Para [0159-160]). Regarding claims 11 and 25, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 10/24, wherein the one or more processors, to cause the UE to calculate the alpha value, are configured to cause the UE to add a fixed alpha value and a fixed offset value (calculating alpha values, Para [0157-161], obvious to one of ordinary skill an offset can be added). Regarding claim 13, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the UE to calculate the initial transmit power value, and wherein the random access process is a Type-1 random access process or a Type-2 random access process (UE can perform type-1 or type-2 RA procedure, Para [0142, 145], obvious that the initial transmit power will be calculated). Regarding claim 14, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more processors, to cause the UE to calculate the initial transmit power value, are configured to cause the UE to calculate the initial transmit power value in accordance with a fixed power value or in accordance with a parameter that is received by the UE via an RRC message or a system information message (UE calculates the PUSCH transmission power and the max power is a fixed value, Para [0140]). Regarding claim 16, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 15, wherein the communication is in accordance with the nominal power value, and wherein the random access process is a Type-1 random access process (UE using a type 1 RA procedure, Para [0142], nominal power calculated in equation in Para [0143]). Regarding claim 20, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 15, wherein the random access process is a Type-2 random access process (UE establishes RRC connection using type-2 RA procedure, Para [0145]). Regarding claim 24, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 15, wherein the random access process is a Type-1 random access process. (UE using a type 1 RA procedure, Para [0142], nominal power calculated in equation in Para [0143], the value of alpha is determined, Para [0159-160]). Regarding claim 27, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 15, wherein the communication is in accordance with the initial transmit power value, and wherein the random access process is a Type-1 random access process or a Type-2 random access process (UE can perform type-1 or type-2 RA procedure, Para [0142, 145]). Regarding claim 28, Lin discloses the apparatus of claim 27, wherein the initial transmit power value is in accordance with a fixed power value or is in accordance with a parameter that is transmitted by the network node via an RRC message or a system information message (UE calculates the PUSCH transmission power and the max power is a fixed value, Para [0140]). Regarding claim 31, Lin discloses the method of claim 29, further comprising: determining a nominal power value based at least in part on the PUSCH occasion occurign in the full-duplex slot, wherein the nominal power value is based at least in part on a nominal preamble value for full-duplex and a delta preamble for message 3 full-duplex, wherein the nominal preamble value is in accordance with a preamble received target power for full-duplex indicator that is received by the UE via an RRC message or a system information message, and wherein the PUSCH transmission occasion is further transmitted using the nominal power value. Lin discloses the msg3-deltapreamble value, Para [0142]. Rudolf discloses power for PUSCH transmission in normal UL and in full duplex slot needs to be controlled separately, Para [0135], using separate target receive power level and fractional pathloss compensation parameters for the SBFD slot, Para [0143]. Also see Para [0140,148] of the provisional. Rudolf2 discloses UE can obtain a signaled parameter preamblereceivedtargetpowerFD, which is for full duplex, Para [0209], therefore nominal power should be calculated based on preamblereceivedtargetpowerFD for full duplex slots instead of preamblereceivedtargetpower, as in Lin, Para [0144]. Regarding claim 32, Lin discloses the method of claim 29, further comprising: determining a nominal power value based in part on the PUSCH transmission occasion occurring in the full-duplex slot, wherein the nominal power value is based at least in part on a nominal preamble value for full-duplex and a delta preamble value for message A full-duplex, and wherein the PUSCH transmission occasion is further transmitted using the nominal power value. Lin discloses the msgA-deltapreamble value, Para [0146]. Rudolf discloses power for PUSCH transmission in normal UL and in full duplex slot needs to be controlled separately, Para [0135], using separate target receive power level and fractional pathloss compensation parameters for the SBFD slot, Para [0143]. Also see Para [0140,148] of the provisional. Rudolf2 discloses UE can obtain a signaled parameter preamblereceivedtargetpowerFD, which is for full duplex, Para [0209], therefore nominal power should be calculated based on preamblereceivedtargetpowerFD for full duplex slots instead of preamblereceivedtargetpower, as in Lin, Para [0144]. Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed 6/22/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant amends the limitations in the claim and argues the references do not disclose the amended limitations. Applicant argues Lin, Rudolf and Rudolf2 do not disclose determining the alpha value in accordance with a message 3 alpha value for full-duplex. In response, arguments are moot as new references are being used in the current office action. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KEVIN CUNNINGHAM whose telephone number is (571) 272-1765. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Thursday 7:30-18:00 (EST). If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Huy Vu can be reached on (571) 272-3155. The fax number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /KEVIN M CUNNINGHAM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2461
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Prosecution Timeline

Show 6 earlier events
Apr 22, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103
May 18, 2026
Interview Requested
May 27, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
May 27, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jun 22, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 08, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jul 12, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 05, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
72%
Grant Probability
83%
With Interview (+11.2%)
2y 9m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 603 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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