Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first interconnect dielectric layer arranged over a substrate. An interconnect wire extends through the first interconnect dielectric layer, and a barrier structure is arranged directly over the interconnect wire. The integrated chip further includes an etch stop layer arranged over the barrier structure and surrounds outer sidewalls of the barrier structure. A second interconnect dielectric layer is arranged over the etch stop layer, and an interconnect via extends through the second interconnect dielectric layer, the etch stop layer, and the barrier structure to contact the interconnect wire.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device structure is provided. The method includes forming a masking structure with first openings over a semiconductor substrate and correspondingly forming metal layers in the first openings. The method also includes recessing the masking structure to form second openings between the metal layers and forming a sacrificial layer surrounded by a first liner in each of the second openings. In addition, after forming a second liner over the sacrificial layer in each of the second openings, the method includes removing the sacrificial layer in each of the second openings to form a plurality of air gaps therefrom.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of forming an interconnect. The method includes forming an etch stop layer (ESL) over a lower conductive structure and forming one or more dielectric layers over the ESL. A first patterning process is performed on the one or more dielectric layers to form interconnect opening and a second patterning process is performed on the one or more dielectric layers to increase a depth of the interconnect opening and expose an upper surface of the ESL. A protective layer is selectively formed on sidewalls of the one or more dielectric layers forming the interconnect opening. A third patterning process is performed to remove portions of the ESL that are uncovered by the one or more dielectric layers and the protective layer and to expose the lower conductive structure. A conductive material is formed within the interconnect opening.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated chip including a plurality of conductive structures over a substrate. A first dielectric layer is disposed laterally between the conductive structures. A spacer structure is disposed between the first dielectric layer and the plurality of conductive structures. An etch stop layer overlies the plurality of conductive structures. The etch stop layer is disposed on upper surfaces of the spacer structure and the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a first interconnect dielectric layer arranged over a substrate. An interconnect wire extends through the first interconnect dielectric layer, and a barrier structure is arranged directly over the interconnect wire. The integrated chip further includes an etch stop layer arranged over the barrier structure and surrounds outer sidewalls of the barrier structure. A second interconnect dielectric layer is arranged over the etch stop layer, and an interconnect via extends through the second interconnect dielectric layer, the etch stop layer, and the barrier structure to contact the interconnect wire.

Abstract: Various solutions for single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) based congestion control with respect to user equipment and network apparatus in mobile communications are described. An apparatus may receive a message with a back-off timer from the network node. The apparatus may determine whether an S-NSSAI of a protocol data unit (PDU) session is provided by the network node. The apparatus may start the back-off timer and associate the back-off timer with the S-NSSAI of the PDU session in an event that the S-NSSAI is provided by the network node.

Abstract: Various solutions for single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) based congestion control with respect to user equipment and network apparatus in mobile communications are described. An apparatus may receive a message with a back-off timer from the network node. The apparatus may determine whether an S-NSSAI of a protocol data unit (PDU) session is provided by the network node. The apparatus may start the back-off timer and associate the back-off timer with the S-NSSAI of the PDU session in an event that the S-NSSAI is provided by the network node.

Abstract: A method of handling (alternative) IMSI value for MUSIM UEs supporting paging timing collision control in an EPS network is proposed. For a MUSIM UE and EPS supporting paging timing collision control, the MUSIM UE and the network can request and negotiate an IMSI offset for the IMSI value on one of the USIM card through a TAU or ATTACH procedure. When lower layer failure occurs, the network may not successfully receive a TRACKING AREA UPDATE COMPLETE (or ATTACH COMPLETE) message from the UE, and therefore the network may not know which IMSI value UE will use. Accordingly, the network needs to use both possible (alternative) IMSI values when deriving paging timing for the UE until one of the (alternative) IMSI values is considered invalid.

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.

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: A method of handling PDU session identity (PSI) mismatch for PDU session procedures is proposed. In case a user equipment (UE) receives a 5G session management (5GSM) message in which the PSI value indicates that the PDU session is in 5GSM state PDU SESSION INACTIVE, the UE stays in its current 5GSM state for the PDU session and responds with a 5GSM status message including a 5GSM cause #43 “Invalid PDU session identity” to reduce signaling and UE handling effort. In case the UE receives a 5GSM message in which the PSI value is a reserved or an assigned value, the UE stays in its current 5GSM state for the PDU session and ignores the 5GSM message to reduce signaling.

Abstract: A method of 5G session management (5GSM) state mapping is proposed when interworking. For each PDU session in 5GSM state of PDU SESSION active, PDU SESSION MODIFICATION PENDING, or PDU SESSION INACTIVE PENDING, UE maps the PDU session to a PDN connection in 4G ESM state BEARER CONTEXT ACTIVE. For any other PDU session in 5GSM state of PDU SESSION inactive, or PDU SESSION ACTIVE PENDING, UE maps the PDU session to a PDN connection in 4G ESM state BEARER CONTEXT INACTIVE.

Abstract: A method of handling collision between PDU session establishment and PDU session release procedures is proposed. At UE side, a UE first initiates a PDU session establishment procedure to establish a PDU session having a PDU session ID. If UE receives a PDU session release command message on the same PSI, UE should ignore the PDU session release command message, and proceed with the PDU session establishment procedure. At NW side, a network entity initiates a PDU session release procedure to release a PDU session having a PDU session ID. If the network entity receives a PDU session establishment request message from UE on the same PDU session ID, the network entity should locally release the PDU session and proceed with the PDU session establishment procedure.

Abstract: A method for Procedure Transaction Identity (PTI) exception handling on protocol data unit (PDU) session modification and establishment procedure is proposed. If a UE receives a PDU SESSION MODIFICATION COMMAND message in which the PTI value is an assigned value that does not match any PTI in use, the UE stays in the current 5GSM state and sends a 5GSM STATUS message including 5GSM cause #47 “PTI mismatch”, and the network will send another COMMAND message with the correct PTI value. If the UE receives a PDU SESSION ESTABLISHMENT ACCEPT or REJECT message in which the PTI value is an assigned value that does not match any PTI in use, the UE responds with a 5GSM STATUS message including 5GSM cause #47 “PTI mismatch”, and the network will send another ACCEPT or REJECT message with the correct PTI value.

Abstract: Various solutions for single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) based congestion control with respect to user equipment and network apparatus in mobile communications are described. An apparatus may receive a message with a back-off timer from the network node. The apparatus may determine whether an S-NSSAI of a protocol data unit (PDU) session is provided by the network node. The apparatus may start the back-off timer and associate the back-off timer with the S-NSSAI of the PDU session in an event that the S-NSSAI is provided by the network node.

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: 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.

Abstract: Various examples and schemes pertaining to handling of invalid mandatory information in mobile communications are described. An apparatus (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) receives a 5th Generation session management (5GSM) message from a network node of a wireless network. The apparatus determines that there is an error encountered with a mandatory information element (IE) in the 5GSM message. The apparatus handles the error in a way specific to a protocol data unit (PDU) session procedure corresponding to the 5GSM message.

Abstract: A method of handling collision between PDU session establishment and PDU session release procedures is proposed. At UE side, a UE first initiates a PDU session establishment procedure to establish a PDU session having a PDU session ID. If UE receives a PDU session release command message on the same PSI, UE should ignore the PDU session release command message, and proceed with the PDU session establishment procedure. At NW side, a network entity initiates a PDU session release procedure to release a PDU session having a PDU session ID. If the network entity receives a PDU session establishment request message from UE on the same PDU session ID, the network entity should locally release the PDU session and proceed with the PDU session establishment procedure.

Abstract: A method of handling PDU session identity (PSI) mismatch for PDU session procedures is proposed. In case a user equipment (UE) receives a 5G session management (5GSM) message in which the PSI value indicates that the PDU session is in 5GSM state PDU SESSION INACTIVE, the UE stays in its current 5GSM state for the PDU session and responds with a 5GSM status message including a 5GSM cause #43 “Invalid PDU session identity” to reduce signaling and UE handling effort. In case the UE receives a 5GSM message in which the PSI value is a reserved or an assigned value, the UE stays in its current 5GSM state for the PDU session and ignores the 5GSM message to reduce signaling.