Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/605,712

MEASURING CHANNEL STATE FEEDBACK USING FREQUENCY MODULATED CONTINUOUS WAVE-BASED LOW-POWER REFERENCE SIGNALS

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Mar 14, 2024
Examiner
MERED, HABTE
Art Unit
2474
Tech Center
2400 — Computer Networks
Assignee
Qualcomm Incorporated
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
3y 1m
To Grant
97%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allow Rate
651 granted / 771 resolved
+26.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +12% lift
Without
With
+12.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 1m
Avg Prosecution
18 currently pending
Career history
789
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
6.3%
-33.7% vs TC avg
§103
51.2%
+11.2% vs TC avg
§102
17.5%
-22.5% vs TC avg
§112
11.3%
-28.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 771 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 . The instant office action is in response to communication filed on 03/14/2024. Claims 1-30 are pending of which claims 1, 17, 29, and 30 are independent. The IDS(s) submitted on 05/09/2025 has been considered. Internet Communications Applicant is encouraged to submit a written authorization for Internet communications (PTO/SB/439, http://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sb0439.pdf) in the instant patent application to authorize the examiner to communicate with the applicant via email. The authorization will allow the examiner to better practice compact prosecution. The written authorization can be submitted via one of the following methods only: (1) Central Fax which can be found in the Conclusion section of this Office action; (2) regular postal mail; (3) EFS WEB; or (4) the service window on the Alexandria campus. EFS web is the recommended way to submit the form since this allows the form to be entered into the file wrapper within the same day (system dependent). Written authorization submitted via other methods, such as direct fax to the examiner or email, will not be accepted. See MPEP § 502.03. 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. Claim(s) 1, 16 , 17, 29, and 30 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Mazloum et al (US 20250261115 A1) in view of Xue et al (US 20250358742 A1) and Ang et al (US 20200221384 A1). Regarding claim 1, Mazloum discloses a user equipment (UE) (Figs.1 and 4 shows UE) comprising: one or more memories (Fig. 4 MEM 1022) storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors (Fig. 4 CPU 1021) coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive, at a low-power wake-up radio of the UE (i.e. paragraphs 5-6 indicates the UE has a low-power receiver (LP-RX) and a main receiver (M-RX). Further low-power reference signal (LP-RS) is received by the LP-RX to support channel measurement), a frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal (See paragraph 69 LP-RS and WUS is modulated continuous wave based on pseudo noise code sequence modulated by on-off keying modulation such as Manchester coding) )via a first bandwidth (see paragraphs 65, 73, 75 and 77 indicate the LP-RS has a first dedicated bandwidth part (BWP)) and associated with a baseband processing capability of the low-power wake-up radio (Fig. 5A box 6005 LP-RS Capability exchange between UE and the BS per paragraphs 61-62 and 103. A user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive, at a low-power wake-up radio of the UE, a frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal via a first bandwidth associated with a baseband processing capability of the low-power wake-up radio; and transmit, based at least in part on receiving the frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal via the first bandwidth, a channel state information report comprising channel state feedback associated with a second bandwidth, wherein the second bandwidth comprises the first bandwidth. ). Mazloum explicitly discloses receiving the low-power reference signals for channel state measurement by the low-power wake up radio as explained above. Mazloum fails to disclose transmit, based at least in part on receiving the frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal via the first bandwidth, a channel state information report comprising channel state feedback associated with a second bandwidth. Xue in the same endeavor discloses transmit, based at least in part on receiving the frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal via the first bandwidth, a channel state information report comprising channel state feedback associated with a second bandwidth. (Xue in paragraphs 4 and 222 discloses the low power radio that is also referred as wake up circuit receives in a bandwidth associated with the wake up circuit low power reference signal and measures the low-power reference signal to generate a channel state feedback associated with a bandwidth of the main circuit.) In view of the above, having Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration and then given the well- established teaching of Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration as taught by Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback, since Xue states in paragraph 05 that the modification results in allowing the UE to determine whether the UE needs to turn on the main circuit to receive scheduling information. Mazloum modified by Xue fails to explicitly disclose wherein the second bandwidth comprises the first bandwidth, even though Mazloum suggests the limitation in paragraphs 75 and 77. Ang, in the same endeavor discloses wherein the second bandwidth comprises the first bandwidth. (See paragraphs 64, 67 and 68 the first bandwidth part (BWP) associated with low power reception is included in the wide bandwidth associated with high power) In view of the above, having Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration modified by Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback and then given the well- established teaching of Ang ’s techniques for bandwidth part association with low/high power operations, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to further modify Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration modified by Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback as taught by Ang ’s techniques for bandwidth part association with low/high power operations, since Ang states in paragraph 07 that the modification results in providing unique techniques for improving power efficiency of the DRX cycle. Regarding claim 16, Mazloum modified by Xue and Ang disclose the UE of claim 1, including Mazloum disclosing wherein the processing capability of the low-power wake up radio is base band processing capability. (See Mazloum’s paragraphs 36 and 61 ) Regarding claim 17, Mazloum discloses a network entity (BS Figs. 1 and 3), comprising: one or more memories (Fig. 3 MEM1012) storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors(Fig. 3 CPU 1011) coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the network entity to: obtain, from a user equipment (UE), a capability report comprising an indication of a capability of a low-power wake-up radio of the UE(i.e. paragraphs 5-6 indicates the UE has a low-power receiver (LP-RX) and a main receiver (M-RX). Further low-power reference signal (LP-RS) is received by the LP-RX to support channel measurement) to perform frequency modulated continuous wave-based channel estimation (See paragraph 69 LP-RS and WUS is modulated continuous wave based on pseudo noise code sequence modulated by on-off keying modulation such as Manchester coding) ); output, in accordance with the capability of the low-power wake-up radio of the UE, a frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal; (Fig. 5A box 6005 LP-RS Capability exchange between UE and the BS per paragraphs 61-62 and 103. A user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive, at a low-power wake-up radio of the UE, a frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal via a first bandwidth associated with a baseband processing capability of the low-power wake-up radio; and transmit, based at least in part on receiving the frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal via the first bandwidth, a channel state information report comprising channel state feedback associated with a second bandwidth, wherein the second bandwidth comprises the first bandwidth. ) Mazloum fails to disclose obtain, based at least in part on outputting the frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal, a channel state information report comprising channel state feedback. Xue in the same endeavor discloses obtain, based at least in part on outputting the frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal, a channel state information report comprising channel state feedback. . (Xue in paragraphs 4 and 222 discloses the low power radio that is also referred as wake up circuit receives in a bandwidth associated with the wake up circuit low power reference signal and measures the low-power reference signal to generate a channel state feedback associated with a bandwidth of the main circuit.) In view of the above, having Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration and then given the well- established teaching of Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration as taught by Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback, since Xue states in paragraph 05 that the modification results in allowing the UE to determine whether the UE needs to turn on the main circuit to receive scheduling information. Mazloum modified by Xue fails to explicitly disclose wherein the second bandwidth is wideband, even though Mazloum suggests the limitation in paragraphs 75 and 77. Ang, in the same endeavor discloses wherein the second bandwidth is wideband. (See paragraphs 64, 67 and 68 the first bandwidth part (BWP) associated with low power reception is included in the wide bandwidth associated with high power) In view of the above, having Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration modified by Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback and then given the well- established teaching of Ang ’s techniques for bandwidth part association with low/high power operations, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to further modify Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration modified by Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback as taught by Ang ’s techniques for bandwidth part association with low/high power operations, since Ang states in paragraph 07 that the modification results in providing unique techniques for improving power efficiency of the DRX cycle. Regarding claim 29, Mazloum discloses a method for a wireless communication by a user equipment (UE) (Figs.1 and 4 shows UE) comprising: receiving, at a low-power wake-up radio of the UE (i.e. paragraphs 5-6 indicates the UE has a low-power receiver (LP-RX) and a main receiver (M-RX). Further low-power reference signal (LP-RS) is received by the LP-RX to support channel measurement), a frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal (See paragraph 69 LP-RS and WUS is modulated continuous wave based on pseudo noise code sequence modulated by on-off keying modulation such as Manchester coding) )via a first bandwidth (see paragraphs 65, 73, 75 and 77 indicate the LP-RS has a first dedicated bandwidth part (BWP)) and associated with a baseband processing capability of the low-power wake-up radio (Fig. 5A box 6005 LP-RS Capability exchange between UE and the BS per paragraphs 61-62 and 103. A user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive, at a low-power wake-up radio of the UE, a frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal via a first bandwidth associated with a baseband processing capability of the low-power wake-up radio; and transmit, based at least in part on receiving the frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal via the first bandwidth, a channel state information report comprising channel state feedback associated with a second bandwidth, wherein the second bandwidth comprises the first bandwidth. ). Mazloum explicitly discloses receiving the low-power reference signals for channel state measurement by the low-power wake up radio as explained above. Mazloum fails to disclose transmitting, based at least in part on receiving the frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal via the first bandwidth, a channel state information report comprising channel state feedback associated with a second bandwidth. Xue in the same endeavor discloses transmit, based at least in part on receiving the frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal via the first bandwidth, a channel state information report comprising channel state feedback associated with a second bandwidth. (Xue in paragraphs 4 and 222 discloses the low power radio that is also referred as wake up circuit receives in a bandwidth associated with the wake up circuit low power reference signal and measures the low-power reference signal to generate a channel state feedback associated with a bandwidth of the main circuit.) In view of the above, having Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration and then given the well- established teaching of Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration as taught by Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback, since Xue states in paragraph 05 that the modification results in allowing the UE to determine whether the UE needs to turn on the main circuit to receive scheduling information. Mazloum modified by Xue fails to explicitly disclose wherein the second bandwidth comprises the first bandwidth, even though Mazloum suggests the limitation in paragraphs 75 and 77. Ang, in the same endeavor discloses wherein the second bandwidth comprises the first bandwidth. (See paragraphs 64, 67 and 68 the first bandwidth part (BWP) associated with low power reception is included in the wide bandwidth associated with high power) In view of the above, having Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration modified by Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback and then given the well- established teaching of Ang ’s techniques for bandwidth part association with low/high power operations, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to further modify Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration modified by Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback as taught by Ang ’s techniques for bandwidth part association with low/high power operations, since Ang states in paragraph 07 that the modification results in providing unique techniques for improving power efficiency of the DRX cycle. Regarding claim 30, Mazloum discloses a method for wireless communication by a network entity (BS Figs. 1 and 3), comprising: obtaining, from a user equipment (UE), a capability report comprising an indication of a capability of a low-power wake-up radio of the UE(i.e. paragraphs 5-6 indicates the UE has a low-power receiver (LP-RX) and a main receiver (M-RX). Further low-power reference signal (LP-RS) is received by the LP-RX to support channel measurement) to perform frequency modulated continuous wave-based channel estimation (See paragraph 69 LP-RS and WUS is modulated continuous wave based on pseudo noise code sequence modulated by on-off keying modulation such as Manchester coding) ); outputting, in accordance with the capability of the low-power wake-up radio of the UE, a frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal; (Fig. 5A box 6005 LP-RS Capability exchange between UE and the BS per paragraphs 61-62 and 103. A user equipment (UE), comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to: receive, at a low-power wake-up radio of the UE, a frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal via a first bandwidth associated with a baseband processing capability of the low-power wake-up radio; and transmit, based at least in part on receiving the frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal via the first bandwidth, a channel state information report comprising channel state feedback associated with a second bandwidth, wherein the second bandwidth comprises the first bandwidth. ) Mazloum fails to disclose obtaining, based at least in part on outputting the frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal, a channel state information report comprising channel state feedback. Xue in the same endeavor discloses obtaining, based at least in part on outputting the frequency modulated continuous wave-based low-power reference signal, a channel state information report comprising channel state feedback. . (Xue in paragraphs 4 and 222 discloses the low power radio that is also referred as wake up circuit receives in a bandwidth associated with the wake up circuit low power reference signal and measures the low-power reference signal to generate a channel state feedback associated with a bandwidth of the main circuit.) In view of the above, having Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration and then given the well- established teaching of Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to modify Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration as taught by Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback, since Xue states in paragraph 05 that the modification results in allowing the UE to determine whether the UE needs to turn on the main circuit to receive scheduling information. Mazloum modified by Xue fails to explicitly disclose wherein the second bandwidth is wideband, even though Mazloum suggests the limitation in paragraphs 75 and 77. Ang, in the same endeavor discloses wherein the second bandwidth is wideband. (See paragraphs 64, 67 and 68 the first bandwidth part (BWP) associated with low power reception is included in the wide bandwidth associated with high power) In view of the above, having Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration modified by Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback and then given the well- established teaching of Ang ’s techniques for bandwidth part association with low/high power operations, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention was made to further modify Mazloum ‘s Low-Power Reference Signal reception configuration modified by Xue ’s techniques for channel state feedback as taught by Ang ’s techniques for bandwidth part association with low/high power operations, since Ang states in paragraph 07 that the modification results in providing unique techniques for improving power efficiency of the DRX cycle. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 2-15 and 18-28 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HABTE MERED whose telephone number is (571)272-6046. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 12-10 PM 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, Michael Thier can be reached at 5712722832. 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. /HABTE MERED/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2474
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 14, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 23, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103 (current)

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Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
84%
Grant Probability
97%
With Interview (+12.5%)
3y 1m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 771 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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