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5G Network Architecture and Design

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5G network architecture will include new functional blocks and interfaces defined by 3GPP. There are several options for deploying 5G, including standalone and non-standalone modes. When adding 5G to an existing multi-RAT site, backhaul capacity will need to be increased to at least 10Gbps to support 5G capabilities like massive MIMO and wider channel bandwidths. Migration from EPC to the new 5G core (NGCN) will require interworking between the networks during transition.

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5G Network Architecture and Design Andy Sutton, Principal Network Architect - Chief Architect’s Office, TSO 25th January 2017
© British Telecommunications plc Contents • 5G Network Architecture – 3GPP logical network architecture – Functional blocks – Reference points (interfaces) – RAN functional split • Adding 5G to an existing multi-RAT site – RAT types and base station configurations – Scaling mobile backhaul and/or introducing NGFI • 5G Architecture Options – Standalone and non-standalone modes of operation – EPC to NGCN migration scenarios and inter-working • Summary
5G Network Architecture
© British Telecommunications plc 3GPP 5G network architecture UE RAN UPF DN AMF SMF PCF UDM AF AUSF NG1 NG7 NG6 NG5 NG4 NG3 NG2 NG8 NG9 - between UPFs NG14 - between AMFs NG10 NG11 NG12 NG13 NG15 NR air i/f Note: Focus on mobile however Access Network (AN) could be fixed
© British Telecommunications plc Functional blocks within 5G network architecture 1. AUSF = Authentication Server Function 2. UDM = Unified Data Management 3. AMF = Core Access and Mobility Management Function 4. SMF = Session Management Function 5. PCF = Policy Control Function 6. AF = Application Function 7. UE = User Equipment 8. ((R)AN) = (Radio) Access Network 9. UPF = User Plane Function 10. DN = Data Network, e.g. operator services, Internet or 3rd party services
© British Telecommunications plc 5G interfaces (reference points) • NG1: Reference point between the UE and the Access and Mobility Management function. • NG2: Reference point between the (R)AN and the Access and Mobility Management function. • NG3: Reference point between the (R)AN and the User plane function (UPF). • NG4: Reference point between the Session Management function (SMF) and the User plane function (UPF). • NG5: Reference point between the Policy Function (PCF) and an Application Function (AF). • NG6: Reference point between the UP function (UPF) and a Data Network (DN). • NG7: Reference point between the Session Management function (SMF) and the Policy Control function (PCF). • NG7r: Reference point between the vPCF and the hPCF. • NG8: Reference point between Unified Data Management and AMF. • NG9: Reference point between two Core User plane functions (UPFs). • NG10: Reference point between UDM and SMF. • NG11: Reference point between Access and Mobility Management function (AMF) and Session Management function (SMF). • NG12: Reference point between Access and Mobility Management function (AMF) and Authentication Server function (AUSF). • NG13: Reference point between UDM and Authentication Server function (AUSF). • NG14: Reference point between 2 Access and Mobility Management function (AMF). • NG15: Reference point between the PCF and the AMF in case of non-roaming scenario, V-PCF and AMF in case of roaming scenario. • NG16: Reference point between two SMFs, (in roaming case between V-SMF and the H-SMF).
© British Telecommunications plc 5G RAN and functional decomposition… UE RAN UPF DNNG6NG3NR air i/f DU CUNGFI ? ? CU = Centralised Unit DU = Distributed Unit NGFI = Next Generation Fronthaul Interface
© British Telecommunications plc RAN functional splits and impact on backhaul RRC PDCP Data Low- RLC High- MAC High- PHY Low- MAC Low- PHY RF High- RLC RRC PDCP Data Low- RLC High- MAC High- PHY Low- MAC Low- PHY RF High- RLC Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5 Option 6 Option 7 Option 8 End to end maximum latency Capacity requirement Higher layer splits Lower layer splits
Adding 5G to an existing multi-RAT macro-site
© British Telecommunications plc Adding 5G to an existing multi-RAT macro-site • Current multi-RAT macro-cell sites typically have backhaul of 1Gbps • Capacity is shared between RATs and in many cases, between network sharing partners (MNOs) • Note: >1Gbps backhaul is being deployed to support certain LTE radio configurations – 1Gbps and beyond on LTE radio interface 2G/4G SRAN (1/GE) 3G MORAN 100M/1GE 4G Net-Share (1GE) 1GE
© British Telecommunications plc Adding 5G to an existing multi-RAT macro-site • 5G deployment to macro-cells is very likely to be <6GHz spectrum bands • Massive MIMO is a key concept for 5G – 32/64/128+ antennas • 5G NR channel bandwidths to be larger than current LTE channels • Most spectrum will be unpaired, therefore phase/time synchronisation is required for TDD operation • Assume eMBB is to be the first use case, the maximum capacity is required • Backhaul, or NGFI, will require a minimum of 10GE local connectivity with scalable end to end capacity 2G/4G SRAN (1/10GE) 3G MORAN 100M/1GE 4G Net-Share (1GE) 5G gNB (10GE) ?
© British Telecommunications plc Adding 5G to an existing multi-RAT macro-site • 5G deployment to macro-cells is likely to be <6GHz spectrum bands • Massive MIMO is a key concept for 5G – 32/64/128+ antennas • 5G NR channel bandwidths to be larger than current LTE channels • Most spectrum will be unpaired, therefore phase/time synchronisation is required for TDD operation • Assume eMBB is to be the first use case, the maximum capacity is required • Backhaul, or NGFI, will require a minimum of 10GE local connectivity with scalable end to end capacity • mm-wave radio backhaul/x-haul will support 10Gbps+ 2G/4G SRAN (1/10GE) 3G MORAN 100M/1GE 4G Net-Share (1GE) 5G gNB (10GE) Sub-tended mm-wave (10GE+) ?
5G Architecture Options
© British Telecommunications plc 5G Architecture Options 12 options identified, not all will be implemented, slides illustrate most likely solutions (options 5, 6, 8 and 8a considered unlikely and therefore not illustrated (option 1 is legacy)) 1: Standalone LTE, EPC connected 2: Standalone NR, NGCN connected eLTE EPC UE 5G NR NGC UE User plane S1-u Control plane S1-c User plane NG3 Control plane NG2 Release 15 UE
© British Telecommunications plc 5G migration scenarios 3: Non-standalone/LTE assisted, EPC connected 3a: Non-standalone/LTE assisted, EPC connected eLTE EPC 5G NR NGC UE eLTE EPC 5G NR NGC UE
© British Telecommunications plc 5G migration scenarios 4: Non-standalone/NR assisted, NGCN connected 4a: Non-standalone/NR assisted, NGCN connected eLTE EPC 5G NR NGC UE eLTE EPC 5G NR NGC UE
© British Telecommunications plc 5G migration scenarios 7: Non-standalone/LTE assisted, NGCN connected 7a: Non-standalone/LTE assisted, NGCN connected eLTE EPC 5G NR NGC UE eLTE EPC 5G NR NGC UE
Summary
© British Telecommunications plc Summary • 5G standards are still under development within 3GPP • Final technical contributions for the initial 5G standards are being discussed (Release 15) • 5G will support enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC) and massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC) • 5G RAN will be different from previous iteration of C-RAN and D-RAN • NGFI will likely be implemented for 5G and eLTE - exact functional splits tbd • There is significant complexity to manage in the core network, including inter-working with and migration to NGCN • BT is pro-actively developing 5G solutions…
© British Telecommunications plc THANK YOU Questions?

More Related Content

5G Network Architecture and Design

  • 1. 5G Network Architecture and Design Andy Sutton, Principal Network Architect - Chief Architect’s Office, TSO 25th January 2017
  • 2. © British Telecommunications plc Contents • 5G Network Architecture – 3GPP logical network architecture – Functional blocks – Reference points (interfaces) – RAN functional split • Adding 5G to an existing multi-RAT site – RAT types and base station configurations – Scaling mobile backhaul and/or introducing NGFI • 5G Architecture Options – Standalone and non-standalone modes of operation – EPC to NGCN migration scenarios and inter-working • Summary
  • 4. © British Telecommunications plc 3GPP 5G network architecture UE RAN UPF DN AMF SMF PCF UDM AF AUSF NG1 NG7 NG6 NG5 NG4 NG3 NG2 NG8 NG9 - between UPFs NG14 - between AMFs NG10 NG11 NG12 NG13 NG15 NR air i/f Note: Focus on mobile however Access Network (AN) could be fixed
  • 5. © British Telecommunications plc Functional blocks within 5G network architecture 1. AUSF = Authentication Server Function 2. UDM = Unified Data Management 3. AMF = Core Access and Mobility Management Function 4. SMF = Session Management Function 5. PCF = Policy Control Function 6. AF = Application Function 7. UE = User Equipment 8. ((R)AN) = (Radio) Access Network 9. UPF = User Plane Function 10. DN = Data Network, e.g. operator services, Internet or 3rd party services
  • 6. © British Telecommunications plc 5G interfaces (reference points) • NG1: Reference point between the UE and the Access and Mobility Management function. • NG2: Reference point between the (R)AN and the Access and Mobility Management function. • NG3: Reference point between the (R)AN and the User plane function (UPF). • NG4: Reference point between the Session Management function (SMF) and the User plane function (UPF). • NG5: Reference point between the Policy Function (PCF) and an Application Function (AF). • NG6: Reference point between the UP function (UPF) and a Data Network (DN). • NG7: Reference point between the Session Management function (SMF) and the Policy Control function (PCF). • NG7r: Reference point between the vPCF and the hPCF. • NG8: Reference point between Unified Data Management and AMF. • NG9: Reference point between two Core User plane functions (UPFs). • NG10: Reference point between UDM and SMF. • NG11: Reference point between Access and Mobility Management function (AMF) and Session Management function (SMF). • NG12: Reference point between Access and Mobility Management function (AMF) and Authentication Server function (AUSF). • NG13: Reference point between UDM and Authentication Server function (AUSF). • NG14: Reference point between 2 Access and Mobility Management function (AMF). • NG15: Reference point between the PCF and the AMF in case of non-roaming scenario, V-PCF and AMF in case of roaming scenario. • NG16: Reference point between two SMFs, (in roaming case between V-SMF and the H-SMF).
  • 7. © British Telecommunications plc 5G RAN and functional decomposition… UE RAN UPF DNNG6NG3NR air i/f DU CUNGFI ? ? CU = Centralised Unit DU = Distributed Unit NGFI = Next Generation Fronthaul Interface
  • 8. © British Telecommunications plc RAN functional splits and impact on backhaul RRC PDCP Data Low- RLC High- MAC High- PHY Low- MAC Low- PHY RF High- RLC RRC PDCP Data Low- RLC High- MAC High- PHY Low- MAC Low- PHY RF High- RLC Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5 Option 6 Option 7 Option 8 End to end maximum latency Capacity requirement Higher layer splits Lower layer splits
  • 9. Adding 5G to an existing multi-RAT macro-site
  • 10. © British Telecommunications plc Adding 5G to an existing multi-RAT macro-site • Current multi-RAT macro-cell sites typically have backhaul of 1Gbps • Capacity is shared between RATs and in many cases, between network sharing partners (MNOs) • Note: >1Gbps backhaul is being deployed to support certain LTE radio configurations – 1Gbps and beyond on LTE radio interface 2G/4G SRAN (1/GE) 3G MORAN 100M/1GE 4G Net-Share (1GE) 1GE
  • 11. © British Telecommunications plc Adding 5G to an existing multi-RAT macro-site • 5G deployment to macro-cells is very likely to be <6GHz spectrum bands • Massive MIMO is a key concept for 5G – 32/64/128+ antennas • 5G NR channel bandwidths to be larger than current LTE channels • Most spectrum will be unpaired, therefore phase/time synchronisation is required for TDD operation • Assume eMBB is to be the first use case, the maximum capacity is required • Backhaul, or NGFI, will require a minimum of 10GE local connectivity with scalable end to end capacity 2G/4G SRAN (1/10GE) 3G MORAN 100M/1GE 4G Net-Share (1GE) 5G gNB (10GE) ?
  • 12. © British Telecommunications plc Adding 5G to an existing multi-RAT macro-site • 5G deployment to macro-cells is likely to be <6GHz spectrum bands • Massive MIMO is a key concept for 5G – 32/64/128+ antennas • 5G NR channel bandwidths to be larger than current LTE channels • Most spectrum will be unpaired, therefore phase/time synchronisation is required for TDD operation • Assume eMBB is to be the first use case, the maximum capacity is required • Backhaul, or NGFI, will require a minimum of 10GE local connectivity with scalable end to end capacity • mm-wave radio backhaul/x-haul will support 10Gbps+ 2G/4G SRAN (1/10GE) 3G MORAN 100M/1GE 4G Net-Share (1GE) 5G gNB (10GE) Sub-tended mm-wave (10GE+) ?
  • 14. © British Telecommunications plc 5G Architecture Options 12 options identified, not all will be implemented, slides illustrate most likely solutions (options 5, 6, 8 and 8a considered unlikely and therefore not illustrated (option 1 is legacy)) 1: Standalone LTE, EPC connected 2: Standalone NR, NGCN connected eLTE EPC UE 5G NR NGC UE User plane S1-u Control plane S1-c User plane NG3 Control plane NG2 Release 15 UE
  • 15. © British Telecommunications plc 5G migration scenarios 3: Non-standalone/LTE assisted, EPC connected 3a: Non-standalone/LTE assisted, EPC connected eLTE EPC 5G NR NGC UE eLTE EPC 5G NR NGC UE
  • 16. © British Telecommunications plc 5G migration scenarios 4: Non-standalone/NR assisted, NGCN connected 4a: Non-standalone/NR assisted, NGCN connected eLTE EPC 5G NR NGC UE eLTE EPC 5G NR NGC UE
  • 17. © British Telecommunications plc 5G migration scenarios 7: Non-standalone/LTE assisted, NGCN connected 7a: Non-standalone/LTE assisted, NGCN connected eLTE EPC 5G NR NGC UE eLTE EPC 5G NR NGC UE
  • 19. © British Telecommunications plc Summary • 5G standards are still under development within 3GPP • Final technical contributions for the initial 5G standards are being discussed (Release 15) • 5G will support enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC) and massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC) • 5G RAN will be different from previous iteration of C-RAN and D-RAN • NGFI will likely be implemented for 5G and eLTE - exact functional splits tbd • There is significant complexity to manage in the core network, including inter-working with and migration to NGCN • BT is pro-actively developing 5G solutions…
  • 20. © British Telecommunications plc THANK YOU Questions?