Abstract: Various solutions for avoiding packet fragmentation with respect to user equipment and network apparatus in mobile communications are described. An apparatus may determine a first maximum transmission unit (MTU) configuration of a session via a first network interface. The apparatus may determine a second MTU configuration of the session via a second network interface. The apparatus may determine a tunnel overhead size between the second network interface and the first network interface. The apparatus may select a transport protocol to generate a packet according to the second MTU configuration and the tunnel overhead size. The apparatus may transmit the packet via the second network interface.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure can provide an apparatus and method for operating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session associated with a non-3GPP access when the apparatus is to perform an inter-system change. The apparatus can include processing circuitry that is configured to connect to a first communication system over a 3GPP access and a non-3GPP access and switch the connection from the first communication system to a second communication system. Further, when in a release mode, the processing circuitry can release a PDU session that is in the first communication system over the non-3GPP access, and when in a transfer mode, the processing circuitry can transfer the PDU session that is in the first communication system over the non-3GPP access to a Packet Data Network (PDN) connection that is in the second communication system over a 3GPP access.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure can provide an apparatus and method for communicating with core network of a fifth generation system. The method includes transmitting, by a processing circuitry of a user equipment, a non-access stratum transport message to the core network to initiate a non-access stratum transport procedure with the core network, and receiving an indication message from the core network when a network function of the core network is unable to process the non-access stratum transport message, wherein the indication message includes at least one of a payload type, a cause value, and timer information.

Abstract: Various examples and schemes pertaining to enhanced cell selection mechanisms in mobile communications are described. A user equipment (UE) performs a cell selection or reselection procedure to select a cell of a wireless network and establishes a wireless connection with the selected cell. In performing the cell selection or reselection procedure, the UE determines a frequency band and a subcarrier spacing (SCS) configuration by checking a profile, and the UE performs the cell selection or reselection procedure in the frequency band based on the SCS configuration.

Abstract: A method of handling a Packet Data Network (PDN) connection to support interworking to 5G system (5GS) is proposed. In a first novel aspect, both UE and the network stores mapped 5GSM parameters of a corresponding Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session when inter-system change from S1 (4G, EPS) mode to A/Gb (2G) mode or Iu (3G, UMTS) mode. In a second novel aspect, the PDN connection is enable to support interworking to 5GS, and the UE is allowed to allocate and indicate the PDU session ID by using the bearer resource modification procedure in EPS, or the mapped 5GSM parameters can be provided and modified in 2G/3G system.

Abstract: A method of supporting IMS signaling over EPS bearer or QoS flow upon inter-system change between EPS and 5GS is proposed. When inter-system change from 5GS to EPS occurs, a PDU session is converted to a PDN connection having multiple EPS bearers. The EPS bearer mapped from the QoS flow that is used for IMS signaling in 5GS is the EPS bearer for IMS signaling in EPS. When inter-system change from EPS to 5GS occurs, a PDN connection is converted to a PDU session having multiple QoS flows. The QoS flow that is associated with the default QoS rule is the QoS flow for IMS signaling in 5GS, regardless of which EPS bearer is used for IMS signaling in EPS.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide apparatuses and methods for wireless communications. One apparatus includes processing circuitry that selects a non-default and unevaluated URSP rule as an evaluating URSP rule. The URSP rule includes a traffic descriptor matching an application triggered by the apparatus. The processing circuitry selects a first unevaluated RSD of the evaluating URSP rule as an evaluating RSD, and determines whether the evaluating RSD includes at least one of a non-supported PDU session type, a non-supported SSC mode, and a non-supported S-NSSAI. When the evaluating RSD is determined to include at least one of the non-supported PDU session type, the non-supported SSC mode, and the non-supported S-NSSAI, the processing circuitry determines whether the evaluating URSP rule includes a second unevaluated RSD. The processing circuitry selects the second unevaluated RSD as the evaluating RSD when the evaluating URSP rule is determined to include the second unevaluated RSD.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide methods and an apparatus for enhancement of closed access groups (CAGs). For example, the apparatus can include a non-volatile memory, receiving circuitry, transmitting circuitry and processing circuitry. The receiving circuitry can be configured to receive a configuration update command message and a registration accept message, each of which includes a CAG information list IE containing a CAG information list. The transmitting circuitry can be configured to transmit a configuration update complete message and a registration request message. The processing circuitry can be configured to store the CAG information list of the CAG information list IE in the non-volatile memory, and select a public land mobile network based on the CAG information list stored in the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing evolved packet system (EPS) bearer context status between a user equipment (UE) and a network can include locally deactivating an EPS bearer context of a packet data network (PDN) connection at the UE while the UE operates in S1 mode without notifying the network serving the UE, wherein interworking to a fifth generation system (5GS) is supported for the deactivated EPS bearer context, and upon inter-system change from S1 mode to N1 mode, including an EPS bearer context status information element (IE) in a registration request message indicating which EPS bearer contexts are active in the UE before the inter-system change.

Abstract: A method can include receiving a “create new evolved packet system (EPS) bearer” operation code in a mapped EPS bearer contexts information element (TB) in a first protocol data unit (PDU) session modification command message for creating a mapped EPS bearer context at a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, and when there is neither a quality of service (QoS) flow descriptions IE in the first PDU session modification command message indicating a QoS flow description corresponding to an EPS bearer identity (EBI) in the mapped EPS bearer context, nor an existing QoS flow description at the UE corresponding to the EBI included in the mapped EPS bearer context, sending a PDU session modification request message including a mapped EPS bearer contexts IE to delete the mapped EPS bearer context.

Abstract: A method of enhancing IP packet forwarding feature support after interworking is proposed. When a PDU session in 5GS is transferred to a PDN connection in EPS, the UE shall assume the feature is supported after inter-system change from 5GS to EPS. When a PDN connection is established in EPS, the network indicated that the feature is not supported, and the network provided 5GSM parameters for ESM/5GSM interworking for this PDN connection, then UE shall assume the feature is supported after inter-system change from EPS to 5GS, the UE shall also assume the feature is supported after inter-system change from 5GS back to EPS. The IP packet forwarding features include PS data off and local IP address in TFT.

Abstract: A method of enhanced error handling for 5G QoS operations associated with a PDU session is proposed. A QoS operation can be received via a PDU session modification procedure. In one example, the QoS operation is to create a new QoS rule for a PDU session, however, there is an existing QoS rule having the same QoS rule ID (QRI). The UE detects whether the QoS operation will causing the PDU session have no default QoS rule or have more than one default QoS rules. If the existing QoS rule is a default QoS rule, or if the new QoS rule have a default QoS rule (DQR) indication bit set to be true, then the UE rejects the QoS operation and indicates a QoS operation error to the network.

Abstract: A generic access control procedure is proposed. Every action that is subject to access control is associated with an access category, and each access category is in turn associated with a set of access control parameters. From the APP layer, a UE detects an action that is subject to access control. The UE obtains and stores access categorization rules. In NAS layer, the UE determines the access category for the action. The UE then determines the set of access control parameters for the action. In AS layer, the UE finally applies the set of access control parameters to the action and makes a barring decision for the action. By defining a generic access control procedure and separating access control functions into NAS layer and AS layer, the generic access control is simplified and extendible.

Abstract: A method for Procedure Transaction Identity (PTI) error handling on 5G Session Management (5GSM) procedures is proposed. If a User Equipment (UE) receives a PDU SESSION AUTHENTICATION COMMAND or PDU SESSION AUTHENTICATION RESULT message in which the PTI value is an assigned value, the UE transmits a 5GSM STATUS message including 5GSM cause #81 “invalid PTI value”. If the UE receives a PDU SESSION ESTABLISHMENT ACCEPT or REJECT message, a PDU SESSION MODIFICATION COMMAND or REJECT message, or a PDU SESSION RELEASE COMMAND or REJECT message in which the PTI value is an unassigned value, the UE ignores the received message. If the UE receives any 5GSM message in which the PTI value is a reserved value, the UE ignores the received 5GSM message.

Abstract: In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a UE. The UE sends, in a first transaction, a request to a network for releasing a protocol data unit (PDU) session established between the UE and the network. The UE receives, while waiting for a first command sent from the network for releasing the PDU session in the first transaction, a second command from the network for releasing the PDU session in a second transaction. The UE aborts the first transaction.

Abstract: A User Equipment (UE) including a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) and a Mobile Equipment (ME) is provided. The ME is coupled to the UICC, and is configured to determine whether the UICC supports a first RAT in response to the UE operating in a cell which utilizes the first RAT, and use a data object for a second RAT to accommodate location information for the first RAT in response to the UICC not supporting the first RAT.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a processing circuit in an electronic apparatus and a method to switch the electronic apparatus during an inter-system handover (HO) process from a source network system to a target network system. The processing circuit can include an inter-system HO signal processing module and a mapping module. The inter-system HO signal processing module can be configured to obtain a mapping relationship between a set of source bearers associated with the source network system and a first set of target bearers associated with the target network system based on quality of service (QoS) characteristics associated with the set of source bearers and the first set of target bearers. The mapping module can be configured to obtain a second set of target bearers based on resources allocated to the first set of target bearers by the target network system and to obtain a third set of target bearers that is based on the first and second set of target bearers.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a proper forbidden tracking area identifier (TAI) list is proposed. A UE receives a service area list comprising one or more allowed tracking areas. The service area list may be carried by a configuration update command. UE compares if any of the allowed tracking area having a matching TAI in the forbidden TAI list. Accordingly, UE removes any allowed tracking areas having a matching TAI from the forbidden TAI list. In one embodiment, UE sends a REGISTRATION REQUEST message to initiate a registration procedure. In response, UE receives a REGISTRATION ACCEPT message, which may also carry a service area list. UE may remove the allowed tracking area having a matching TAI from the forbidden TAI list. However, if UE is registered for emergency services, then UE shall not remove the allowed tracking area from the forbidden TAI list.

Abstract: A connection recovery method for recovering a connection between a communications apparatus and a data network includes: receiving a first message indicating a non-3GPP access from the 3GPP network device in a CM-IDLE state in the non-3GPP access network; transmitting a second message to the 3GPP network device via 5GMM protocol over 3GPP control plane to establish the user plane resources for the non-3GPP PDU session; receiving a third message indicating that the user plane resources cannot be reestablished; and transmitting to the 3GPP network device a service request message via the 5GMM protocol over the 3GPP Internet PDU session of 3GPP user plane to reestablish the user plane resources, or a PDU session establishment request message via 5GSM protocol over the 3GPP control plane to handover the non-3GPP PDU session from the non-3GPP access network to the 3GPP access network in response to the third message.

Abstract: A method can include receiving a non-access stratum (NAS) message for establishing or modifying a protocol data unit (PDU) session at a user equipment (UE) from a core network, determining whether there is a quality of service (QoS) flow description resulting from the establishment or modification of the PDU session that is associated with a guaranteed bit rate (GBR) QoS flow of the PDU session, and invalid, and when it is determined that there is the invalid QoS flow description associated with the GBR QoS flow of the PDU session, performing an error handling operation.