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5g architecture 3gpp

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The 5G architecture defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is designed to provide enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine type communication (mMTC). Here's a detailed technical overview of the 5G architecture:

  1. Service Architecture:
    • User Equipment (UE): This is the end-user device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or IoT device.
    • Radio Access Network (RAN): The RAN is responsible for radio communication between the UE and the 5G Core (5GC). It includes the gNB (New Radio base station) that communicates with the UE over the air interface.
  2. Core Network (5GC):
    • User Plane Function (UPF): Handles the user data traffic, providing services like switching, routing, and packet inspection.
    • Control Plane Function (CPF): Manages signaling and control procedures, including mobility management, session management, and connection management.
    • Session Management Function (SMF): Manages session establishment, modification, and termination, as well as mobility and user-plane security.
    • Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF): Handles access authentication, mobility management, and connection management.
    • User Authentication Function (UAF): Responsible for authenticating the user.
    • Unified Data Management (UDM): Manages subscription data, authentication data, and session data.
    • Network Exposure Function (NEF): Provides functions for exposing capabilities and events in the network to external applications.
    • Application Function (AF): Supports network applications in the 5G system.
  3. Control Plane and User Plane Separation (CUPS):
    • 5G introduces a separation of the control plane (CP) and user plane (UP) functions. This separation allows for better scalability and flexibility.
    • The separation is achieved by introducing a new entity called the User Plane Function (UPF) in the 5G core.
  4. Network Slicing:
    • Network slicing is a key feature of 5G, allowing the creation of multiple virtual networks on a shared physical infrastructure.
    • Each network slice is tailored to specific service requirements, providing the necessary resources and quality of service.
  5. Network Functions:
    • 5G introduces various network functions that perform specific tasks within the architecture, such as the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), and Unified Data Management (UDM).
  6. Security:
    • 5G incorporates improved security mechanisms, including enhanced encryption algorithms, mutual authentication, and protection against various types of attacks.
  7. Dual Connectivity:
    • 5G supports dual connectivity, allowing a UE to connect to both 4G and 5G networks simultaneously to achieve better coverage and higher data rates.
  8. NR (New Radio) and NG-RAN (Next-Generation Radio Access Network):
    • NR is the new radio access technology introduced in 5G.
    • NG-RAN includes gNBs that communicate with UEs over the NR.
  9. Backhaul and Fronthaul:
    • The backhaul connects the RAN to the core network, while the fronthaul connects different components within the RAN, such as the gNB and central unit (CU).