Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a first conductive feature in a first dielectric layer disposed over a substrate; forming a metal cap layer over an upper surface of the first conductive feature distal from the substrate; selectively forming a dielectric cap layer over an upper surface of the first dielectric layer and laterally adjacent to the metal cap layer, wherein the metal cap layer is exposed by the dielectric cap layer; and forming an etch stop layer stack over the metal cap layer and the dielectric cap layer, wherein the etch stop layer stack comprises a plurality of etch stop layers.

Abstract: A first station (STA) and a second STA perform bandwidth negotiation with a bandwidth extension indication. Then the first STA and the second STA communicate wirelessly according to the bandwidth negotiation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a punctured preamble enabling wireless devices to efficiently use a channel (e.g., an 80 or 160 MHz channel) where a primary service is operating. A Wideband Channel Access Mechanism for 20 MHz/80 MHz operating STAs is provided so that a 20 MHz/80 MHz operating STA can dynamically move to a secondary channel to improve wireless performance of the STA. An AP coordinates the operating channel switch of the 20 MHz/80 MHz operating STA. An EHT cooperative multi-band operation can be applied to the preamble punctured PPDU for simultaneous multi-band operation.

Abstract: An apparatus (e.g., an access point (AP) establishes a plurality of links comprising a primary link and at least a secondary link. The apparatus transmits a management frame on the primary link to indicate a multi-link capability of the AP. The apparatus configures the secondary link for one or more non-AP stations (STAs), which are capable of operating on the primary link and the secondary link, with multi-link capability and operating parameters through an association procedure on the primary link.

Abstract: A data unit (e.g., a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU)) is detected at a first wireless device of a basic service set (BSS). The data unit was sent on a channel from a second wireless device of an overlapping basic service set (OBSS). The data unit is wide-bandwidth, occupying both a primary channel and a secondary channel of the wireless network. The first and second wireless devices are within a same spatial reuse group (SRG). The first wireless device stores the channel bandwidth of the data unit and a receive duration time of the data unit. During the receive duration time of the data unit, a SRG OBSS power density threshold is applied on the secondary channels that are within the channel bandwidth of the data unit, instead of applying a non-SRG OBSS power density threshold on those secondary channels.

Abstract: An apparatus (e.g., an access point (AP) establishes a plurality of links comprising a primary link and at least a secondary link. The apparatus transmits a management frame on the primary link to indicate a multi-link capability of the AP. The apparatus configures the secondary link for one or more non-AP stations (STAs), which are capable of operating on the primary link and the secondary link, with multi-link capability and operating parameters through an association procedure on the primary link.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a punctured preamble enabling wireless devices to efficiently use a channel (e.g., an 80 or 160 MHz channel) where a primary service is operating. A Wideband Channel Access Mechanism for 20 MHz/80 MHz operating STAs is provided so that a 20 MHz/80 MHz operating STA can dynamically move to a secondary channel to improve wireless performance of the STA. An AP coordinates the operating channel switch of the 20 MHz/80 MHz operating STA. An EHT cooperative multi-band operation can be applied to the preamble punctured PPDU for simultaneous multi-band operation.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first low-k dielectric layer having a first k value, and a second low-k dielectric layer having a second k value lower than the first k value. The second low-k dielectric layer is overlying the first low-k dielectric layer. A dual damascene structure includes a via with a portion in the first low-k dielectric layer, and a metal line over and joined to the via. The metal line includes a portion in the second low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A data unit (e.g., a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU)) is detected at a first wireless device of a basic service set (BSS). The data unit was sent on a channel from a second wireless device of an overlapping basic service set (OBSS). The data unit is wide-bandwidth, occupying both a primary channel and a secondary channel of the wireless network. The first and second wireless devices are within a same spatial reuse group (SRG). The first wireless device stores the channel bandwidth of the data unit and a receive duration time of the data unit. During the receive duration time of the data unit, a SRG OBSS power density threshold is applied on the secondary channels that are within the channel bandwidth of the data unit, instead of applying a non-SRG OBSS power density threshold on those secondary channels.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing secure ranging measurements between wireless devices are disclosed herein according to embodiments of the present invention. The described embodiments use key values to indicate which LTF sequence (e.g., LTF measurement exchange) to use for performing wireless ranging measurements. A LTF sequence that is received by a wireless device that does not correspond with the associated key value is determined to be invalid. Invalid LTF sequences may be disregarded as signal noise.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first low-k dielectric layer having a first k value, and a second low-k dielectric layer having a second k value lower than the first k value. The second low-k dielectric layer is overlying the first low-k dielectric layer. A dual damascene structure includes a via with a portion in the first low-k dielectric layer, and a metal line over and joined to the via. The metal line includes a portion in the second low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide apparatus and methods for performing HARQ operations using parallel HARQ threads, where each new transmission of a MPDU/A-MPDU/PSDU triggers the activation of a HARQ thread. Each HARQ thread contains one or more HARQ coding words or coding units. A HARQ thread index is setup by a transmission opportunity (TXOP) holder for a corresponding PSDU and is used to identify HARQ threads. Multiple HARQ threads can be aggregated into one PPDU for transmission (or retransmission). The maximum number of HARQ threads can be negotiated between AP and non-AP STAs based on buffer requirements, for example. A HARQ thread can end when all MPDUs associated with the HARQ thread have been decoded or other predetermined conditions are met.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide apparatus and methods for performing HARQ operations using parallel HARQ threads, where each new transmission of a Media Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Unit (MPDU)/Aggregate-MPDU (A-MPDU)/Physical Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) Service Data Unit (PSDU) triggers the activation of a HARQ thread. Each HARQ thread contains one or more HARQ coding words or coding units. A HARQ thread index is setup by a transmission opportunity (TXOP) holder for a corresponding PSDU and is used to identify HARQ threads. Transmission information such as duration in formation for PPDUs including BA/HARQ-ACK feedback such as RX/TX addresses, etc. can be determined according to previous transmission values of a received PPDU (e.g., values of a MAC or PHY header).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved switching mechanism for multi-link devices that can perform frame exchanges using multiple spatial streams and automatically switch back to a listening mode on enabled links deterministically for improved throughput and reduced latency. Embodiments of the present invention are suitable for multi-link operations performed using a multi-radio device or a single-radio device.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of multi-link operations with respect to a first link and a second link obtains a second transmission opportunity (TXOP) on the second link after one other apparatus has started a first TXOP on the first link. The apparatus performs one or more transmissions during the second TXOP on the second link such that the second TXOP is at least partially synchronized with the first TXOP on the first link.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for providing wideband channel access to wireless devices, such as 20 MHz only wireless stations. A trigger frame is transmitted by a wireless AP to a wireless STA over a secondary wireless channel. An HE TB PPDU is received by the wireless AP from the wireless STA over the secondary wireless channel responsive to the trigger frame. The devices can switch operating channels for wireless communication to the secondary wireless channel within an existing TXOP.

Abstract: An access point (AP) includes a transmitter (TX) circuit, a receiver (RX) circuit, and a control circuit. The control circuit negotiates with at least one another AP via the TX circuit and the RX circuit, for setting up a coordinated service period (SP). In addition, a method for setting up the coordinated SP in a multiple AP environment includes: sending a request frame from a first AP to at least one second AP, wherein the request frame includes a plurality of SP parameters; receiving a response frame generated from the at least one second AP in response to the request frame; and in response to the response frame, setting up the coordinated SP by sending a setup frame to the at least one another AP, wherein the setup frame is set by updating at least a portion of the plurality of SP parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for providing wideband channel access to wireless devices, such as 20 MHz only wireless stations. A Target Wakeup Time (TWT) Channel field contains a bitmap indicating a temporary primary channel for using during a TWT Service Period (SP). The temporary primary channel is determined through a negotiation between a requesting STA and a responding STA, and the responding STA assigns resource units (RUs) to the requesting STA according to the temporary primary channel. After the TWT SP, the requesting STA switches back to a primary channel.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes: forming a first conductive feature in a first dielectric layer disposed over a substrate; forming a metal cap layer over an upper surface of the first conductive feature distal from the substrate; selectively forming a dielectric cap layer over an upper surface of the first dielectric layer and laterally adjacent to the metal cap layer, wherein the metal cap layer is exposed by the dielectric cap layer; and forming an etch stop layer stack over the metal cap layer and the dielectric cap layer, wherein the etch stop layer stack comprises a plurality of etch stop layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method may be performed by forming a first capping layer on a dielectric structure over a substrate, and patterning the dielectric structure and the first capping layer to define cavities within the dielectric structure. A conductive material is formed within the cavities and a second capping layer is formed on the conductive material. An etch stop layer is formed along sidewalls and over an upper surface of the second capping layer. The etch stop layer has a first thickness over the first capping layer and a second thickness over the second capping layer. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness.