Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 01, 2026
Application No. 18/928,807

DEMODULATION REFERENCE SIGNAL SENDING METHOD AND APPARATUS

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Oct 28, 2024
Priority
Apr 29, 2022 — CN 202210469096.0 +1 more
Examiner
HOLLAND, JENEE LAUREN
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
84%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 0m
Est. Remaining
91%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 84% — above average
84%
Career Allowance Rate
597 granted / 715 resolved
+23.5% vs TC avg
Moderate +7% lift
Without
With
+7.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 11m
Avg Prosecution
41 currently pending
Career history
750
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
8.8%
-31.2% vs TC avg
§103
63.1%
+23.1% vs TC avg
§102
15.4%
-24.6% vs TC avg
§112
9.2%
-30.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 715 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . 1. Claims 1-20 are pending. Priority 2. Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55. Information Disclosure Statement 3. The Information Disclosure Statement dated 09/15/205 is acknowledged by the Examiner. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. 4. Claim(s) 1, 6-7, 12-13 and 18-19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being disclosed by Sun et al., US 2025/0293831 hereafter Sun. As for claim 1, Sun discloses: A demodulation reference signal (DMRS) sending method, comprising: receiving indication information, wherein the indication information indicates an expansion manner of DMRS ports in at least one code division multiplexing (CDM) group of a plurality of CDM groups corresponding to one DMRS configuration type (Sun, Fig. 11, 1110 Fig. 12, 1210, 1220, [0114] At 1110, the network device generates a DMRS. The DMRS may correspond the DMRS designed with CDM group expansion, [0119] At 1210, the network device sends a control signal to the wireless device. The control signal may be dynamically transmitted to the wireless device (e.g. through downlink control information (DCI) [0120] At 1220, the wireless device generates a DMRS based on the control signal sent at 1210. The DMRS may correspond the DMRS designed with CDM group expansion); sending DMRSs (Sun, Fig. 11, 1120, 1130 Fig. 12, 1230, [0115] At 1120, the network device sends the DMRS to the wireless device. [0116] At 1130, the wireless device receives the DMRS. [0121] At 1230, the wireless device sends the DMRS to the network device.) via DMRS ports obtained through expansion in the at least one CDM group (Sun, [0087] the expanded CDM group including a larger size than the legacy CDM group may support more orthogonal DMRS ports. [0011] The DMRS may be coded with one of a plurality of expanded OCCs belonging to an expanded CDM group. The expanded CDM group may be generated by expanding a legacy CDM group including a plurality of legacy OCCs. The number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of expanded OCCs may be expanded as twice the number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of legacy OCCs. [0096] the one expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to the same DMRS port n corresponding to the legacy OCC, and the other expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to a DMRS port (n+M), wherein M is the maximum number of legacy supportable DMRS ports.), wherein the DMRS ports in the at least one CDM group comprise legacy DMRS ports and expanded DMRS ports (Sun, [0087] the expanded CDM group including a larger size than the legacy CDM group may support more orthogonal DMRS ports. [0011] The DMRS may be coded with one of a plurality of expanded OCCs belonging to an expanded CDM group. The expanded CDM group may be generated by expanding a legacy CDM group including a plurality of legacy OCCs. The number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of expanded OCCs may be expanded as twice the number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of legacy OCCs. [0096] the one expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to the same DMRS port n corresponding to the legacy OCC, and the other expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to a DMRS port (n+M), wherein M is the maximum number of legacy supportable DMRS ports.), and the DMRS is used for demodulating uplink data (Sun, [0007] A demodulation reference signal (DMRS) may be used for channel estimation and demodulation. [0117] At 1140, the wireless device performs a downlink channel estimation based on the DMRS.); or receiving DMRSs (Sun, Fig. 11, 1120, 1130 Fig. 12, 1230, [0115] At 1120, the network device sends the DMRS to the wireless device. [0116] At 1130, the wireless device receives the DMRS. [0121] At 1230, the wireless device sends the DMRS to the network device.) via the DMRS ports (Sun, [0008] A plurality of DMRS symbols may be transmitted through a plurality of orthogonal DMRS ports which correspond to a plurality of antenna ports respectively.) obtained through expansion in the at least one CDM group, wherein the DMRS ports in the at least one CDM group comprise the legacy DMRS ports and the expanded DMRS ports (Sun, [0087] the expanded CDM group including a larger size than the legacy CDM group may support more orthogonal DMRS ports. [0011] The DMRS may be coded with one of a plurality of expanded OCCs belonging to an expanded CDM group. The expanded CDM group may be generated by expanding a legacy CDM group including a plurality of legacy OCCs. The number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of expanded OCCs may be expanded as twice the number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of legacy OCCs. [0096] the one expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to the same DMRS port n corresponding to the legacy OCC, and the other expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to a DMRS port (n+M), wherein M is the maximum number of legacy supportable DMRS ports.), and the DMRS is used for demodulating downlink data (Sun, [0007] A demodulation reference signal (DMRS) may be used for channel estimation and demodulation. [0117] At 1140, the wireless device performs a downlink channel estimation based on the DMRS.) As for claims 6, 12 and 18, Sun discloses the indication information is configured by using control signaling, wherein the control signaling comprises at least one of radio resource control (RRC) signaling ([0144] In some embodiments, one correspondence may be indicated for a plurality of the DMRSs. For example, the correspondence may be semi-statically configured (e.g., through radio resource control (RRC) signaling)), a media access control control element (MAC-CE), or downlink control information (DCI) ([0144], The correspondence can also be configured via Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) or DCI.). As for claims 7 and 19, Sun discloses: A communication apparatus, comprising: at least one processor configured with processor-executable instructions (Fig. 2, [0150], This non-transitory computer-readable media may be, for example, a memory of a base station (such as a memory 222 of a network device 218 that is a base station, as described herein) or a memory of a UE (such as a memory 206 of a wireless device 202 that is a UE, as described herein).) to perform operations including: receiving indication information, wherein the indication information indicates an expansion manner of demodulation reference signal (DMRS) ports in at least one of a plurality of code division multiplexing, CDM, groups corresponding to one DMRS configuration type (Sun, Fig. 11, 1110 Fig. 12, 1210, 1220, [0114] At 1110, the network device generates a DMRS. The DMRS may correspond the DMRS designed with CDM group expansion, [0119] At 1210, the network device sends a control signal to the wireless device. The control signal may be dynamically transmitted to the wireless device (e.g. through downlink control information (DCI) [0120] At 1220, the wireless device generates a DMRS based on the control signal sent at 1210. The DMRS may correspond the DMRS designed with CDM group expansion); sending DMRSs (Sun, Fig. 11, 1120, 1130 Fig. 12, 1230, [0115] At 1120, the network device sends the DMRS to the wireless device. [0116] At 1130, the wireless device receives the DMRS. [0121] At 1230, the wireless device sends the DMRS to the network device.) via DMRS ports (Sun, [0008] A plurality of DMRS symbols may be transmitted through a plurality of orthogonal DMRS ports which correspond to a plurality of antenna ports respectively.) obtained through expansion in the at least one CDM group, wherein the DMRS ports in the at least one CDM group comprise legacy DMRS ports and expanded DMRS ports (Sun, [0087] the expanded CDM group including a larger size than the legacy CDM group may support more orthogonal DMRS ports. [0011] The DMRS may be coded with one of a plurality of expanded OCCs belonging to an expanded CDM group. The expanded CDM group may be generated by expanding a legacy CDM group including a plurality of legacy OCCs. The number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of expanded OCCs may be expanded as twice the number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of legacy OCCs. [0096] the one expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to the same DMRS port n corresponding to the legacy OCC, and the other expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to a DMRS port (n+M), wherein M is the maximum number of legacy supportable DMRS ports.), and the DMRS is used for demodulating uplink data (Sun, [0007] A demodulation reference signal (DMRS) may be used for channel estimation and demodulation. [0117] At 1140, the wireless device performs a downlink channel estimation based on the DMRS.); or receiving DMRSs (Sun, Fig. 11, 1120, 1130 Fig. 12, 1230, [0115] At 1120, the network device sends the DMRS to the wireless device. [0116] At 1130, the wireless device receives the DMRS. [0121] At 1230, the wireless device sends the DMRS to the network device.) via the DMRS ports (Sun, [0008] A plurality of DMRS symbols may be transmitted through a plurality of orthogonal DMRS ports which correspond to a plurality of antenna ports respectively.) obtained through expansion in the at least one CDM group, wherein the DMRS ports in the at least one CDM group comprise the legacy DMRS ports and the expanded DMRS ports (Sun, [0087] the expanded CDM group including a larger size than the legacy CDM group may support more orthogonal DMRS ports. [0011] The DMRS may be coded with one of a plurality of expanded OCCs belonging to an expanded CDM group. The expanded CDM group may be generated by expanding a legacy CDM group including a plurality of legacy OCCs. The number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of expanded OCCs may be expanded as twice the number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of legacy OCCs. [0096] the one expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to the same DMRS port n corresponding to the legacy OCC, and the other expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to a DMRS port (n+M), wherein M is the maximum number of legacy supportable DMRS ports.), and the DMRS is used for demodulating downlink data (Sun, [0007] A demodulation reference signal (DMRS) may be used for channel estimation and demodulation. [0117] At 1140, the wireless device performs a downlink channel estimation based on the DMRS.). As for claim 13, Sun discloses: A communication apparatus, comprising: at least one processor configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations including: sending indication information, wherein the indication information indicates an expansion manner of demodulation reference signal, DMRS, ports in at least one of a plurality of code division multiplexing CDM groups corresponding to one DMRS configuration type (Sun, Fig. 11, 1110 Fig. 12, 1210, 1220, [0114] At 1110, the network device generates a DMRS. The DMRS may correspond the DMRS designed with CDM group expansion, [0119] At 1210, the network device sends a control signal to the wireless device. The control signal may be dynamically transmitted to the wireless device (e.g. through downlink control information (DCI) [0120] At 1220, the wireless device generates a DMRS based on the control signal sent at 1210. The DMRS may correspond the DMRS designed with CDM group expansion); receiving DMRSs (Sun, Fig. 11, 1120, 1130 Fig. 12, 1230, [0115] At 1120, the network device sends the DMRS to the wireless device. [0116] At 1130, the wireless device receives the DMRS. [0121] At 1230, the wireless device sends the DMRS to the network device.) via DMRS ports (Sun, [0008] A plurality of DMRS symbols may be transmitted through a plurality of orthogonal DMRS ports which correspond to a plurality of antenna ports respectively.) obtained through expansion in the at least one CDM group, wherein the DMRS ports in the at least one CDM group comprise legacy DMRS ports and expanded DMRS ports (Sun, [0087] the expanded CDM group including a larger size than the legacy CDM group may support more orthogonal DMRS ports. [0011] The DMRS may be coded with one of a plurality of expanded OCCs belonging to an expanded CDM group. The expanded CDM group may be generated by expanding a legacy CDM group including a plurality of legacy OCCs. The number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of expanded OCCs may be expanded as twice the number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of legacy OCCs. [0096] the one expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to the same DMRS port n corresponding to the legacy OCC, and the other expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to a DMRS port (n+M), wherein M is the maximum number of legacy supportable DMRS ports.), and the DMRS is used to demodulate uplink data (Sun, [0007] A demodulation reference signal (DMRS) may be used for channel estimation and demodulation. [0117] At 1140, the wireless device performs a downlink channel estimation based on the DMRS.); or sending DMRSs (Sun, Fig. 11, 1120, 1130 Fig. 12, 1230, [0115] At 1120, the network device sends the DMRS to the wireless device. [0116] At 1130, the wireless device receives the DMRS. [0121] At 1230, the wireless device sends the DMRS to the network device.) via the DMRS ports (Sun, [0008] A plurality of DMRS symbols may be transmitted through a plurality of orthogonal DMRS ports which correspond to a plurality of antenna ports respectively.) obtained through expansion in the at least one CDM group, wherein the DMRS ports in the at least one CDM group comprise the legacy DMRS ports and the expanded DMRS ports (Sun, [0087] the expanded CDM group including a larger size than the legacy CDM group may support more orthogonal DMRS ports. [0011] The DMRS may be coded with one of a plurality of expanded OCCs belonging to an expanded CDM group. The expanded CDM group may be generated by expanding a legacy CDM group including a plurality of legacy OCCs. The number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of expanded OCCs may be expanded as twice the number of frequency domain elements in each of the plurality of legacy OCCs. [0096] the one expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to the same DMRS port n corresponding to the legacy OCC, and the other expanded OCC in the pair may be assigned to a DMRS port (n+M), wherein M is the maximum number of legacy supportable DMRS ports.), and the DMRS is used to demodulate downlink data (Sun, [0007] A demodulation reference signal (DMRS) may be used for channel estimation and demodulation. [0117] At 1140, the wireless device performs a downlink channel estimation based on the DMRS.). Allowable Subject Matter 5. Claims 2-5, 8-11, 14-17 and 20 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 6. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: US 2023/0353315 discloses [0128] In some aspects, the expansion of the number of ports may be per CDM group to accommodate legacy UE multiplexing. For example, if the legacy UE is assigned one or more ports for a certain CDM group, then it may not be possible to assign other extended ports to that CDM group. 7. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JENEE HOLLAND whose telephone number is (571)270-7196. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. 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, IAN MOORE can be reached at (571)272-3085. 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. JENEE HOLLAND Examiner Art Unit 2469 /JENEE HOLLAND/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2469
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 28, 2024
Application Filed
Aug 26, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
84%
Grant Probability
91%
With Interview (+7.2%)
2y 11m (~1y 0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 715 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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