I have previously covered topics such as SDN and NFV on this blog. The next-generation mobile network platforms will be built on the 3GPP 5G platform. Below is the first in a series of posts covering 5G.
5G will enable different classes of innovative use-cases. The first being enabling ultra-reliable, highly scalable & massive communication between machines at very low latencies. The second class of use-cases provides support for large data volumes while supporting enhanced user experiences. The range of possible use cases spans everything from interactive video streaming use cases, VR/AR, Edge computing/IoT, telehealth/connected car, etc.
The 5G System architecture is defined to support data connectivity and services enabling deployments to use techniques such as e.g. Network Function Virtualization and Software Defined Networking. As the 3GPP spec points out, 5G System architecture shall leverage service-based interactions between Control Plane (CP) Network Functions where identified.
The Three Main Areas of 5G Use Cases
When 5G is rolled out, three main types of use cases will emerge as shown below.
- Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication use cases – uRLLC. e.g. Autonomous vehicles, Smart City & Traffic Management
- Massive Machine Type Communication (IoT) use cases – mMTC. e.g. IoT/Edge Compute
- Enhanced Mobile Broadband – high-speed use cases – eMBB. e.g. AR/VR,Audio/Video streaming etc.
Image Source – SAMSUNG
The Four Key Architecture Principles of 5G
In my opinion, the four key principles are as follows:
– The separation between the User Plane (UP) functions from the Control Plane (CP) functions. This allows both planes to evolve, scale separately thus allowing decentralized physical deployments e.g. centralized data center, cell site, edge location, or distributed location such as a remote manufacturing facility/retail store, etc. 5G networks will usher in revolutionary improvements using the above capabilities in performance, speed across industries.
– The achievement of effective and efficient network slicing by modularizing function design, e.g. to enable flexible and efficient network slicing. This will enable a wider range of services across distances at lower data rates.
– Enable service-based design allowing procedures which are interactions between network functions enabling their reuse. NFs (Network Functions) can interact with other NFs without using an intermediary to connect them. In fact, as we will see in later blogs, 5G platforms are designed to be cloud-native from the get-go. In use cases where distortion of waves happens in the high-frequency spectrum from physical obstacles such as buildings, weather, etc – it is advantageous to achieve a distributed architecture
– The 5G architecture includes a core network that integrates with different access networks. A key tenet is to decouple the Access Network (AN) and the Core Network (CN) by eliminating dependencies. The spec defines a common AN – CN interface that integrates different Access networks – both existing and new such as Wireless LANs, fixed broadband, satellite, etc
The next post will cover the generic 5G Architecture as proposed and defined by the ITU 3GPP.