Course 096 5G Network Protocol & Signaling Procedures

Dr. Spiros Louvros, PhD in Wireless Communications, Radio Access Network (RAN) Telecom Engineer, 3GPP technical recommendation group member, Greece.

The 5G network architecture is a significant evolution from the 4G LTE EPC, consisting of specific requirements (3GPP TS 22.261) and comprising three individual steps for network architectures enhancement. The first one is the well known Non Stand Alone (NSA) deployment, compliant with 3GPP release 15 phase 1 (3GPP TS 23.501), with LTE RAN and NR RAN both connected to a 5G upgraded EPC core. This is the most common nowadays approach for smooth migration towards 5G. The second step is the Hybrid Non Stand Alone deployment, compliant again with 3GPP release 15 phase 1 and both LTE RAN and NR RAN migrated towards a preliminary 5Gcore (5GC). This is the next evolution step before full 5G deployment. The last step comprises a Stand Alone (SA) deployment, compliant with 3GPP release 15 phase 2 and Rel.16 (3GPP TS 23.502), with only NR connected to NG 5GC. In the last two steps the introduction of Network Virtualization (NFV) is the key technologiy for the 5G Digital Transformation. Moreover Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) and Network Slicing are new abilities that enable the operator to improve the network to meet specific applications' requirements. 5G Core network provides enhanced Quality of Service for new services like Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Massive Machine Type (mMTC) Communications and Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC). Service providers prepare their networks to accommodate a proper network convergence step hosted on a common infrastructure, which in most of the cases is Vendor specific with vendor proprietary platforms and node functionalities.

This course is split into two separate flows, offers a complete approach to 5G network signaling from both RAN as well as Core perspective. It emphasizes individually the RAN and Core protocols, signaling messages and signaling flows, offering at the end a proper binding to provide participants with a solid understanding of the E2E network signaling procedures. It starts with the first flow comprising 5G network overview and RAN protocols to be fully explained, together with the most common procedures related to NAS, layer 3, layer 2 and finally layer 1. Then continues with the second flow comprising EPC core signaling review and procedures for the NSA architecture of 3GPP Rel 15 and NG 5GC architecture starting from the Functional Entities and the 5GC interfaces and moving towards the 3GPP supported 5GC signaling messages, procedures and signaling flows.

The course can be offered in two separate options. Option 1 contains only the first flow (sections 1-4) for a duration of 4 days offering a proper 5G RAN Protocol & Signaling Procedures course. Option 2 contains both flows (sections 1-5) for a duration of 5 days, presenting the overall 5G Network Protocol & Signaling Procedures course.

In order for the attendant to better understand the content of this topic and to gain a further insight into this course content, it is also recommended to have prior attended the 5G Network Overview and have relevant and adequate knowledge on LTE signaling. Course customization is possible based on customer requests and demands.