5g non stand alone

1. Background:

  • LTE (4G): Before delving into 5G, it's important to understand LTE (Long-Term Evolution), the predominant technology for 4G. LTE provides high-speed wireless communication for mobile devices.
  • Evolution to 5G: 5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks, designed to provide faster data speeds, lower latency, and improved connectivity for a wide range of devices and applications.

2. Standalone (SA) vs. Non-Standalone (NSA):

  • In the context of 5G, "standalone" means that the 5G network can operate independently without relying on any existing 4G infrastructure. On the other hand, "non-standalone" means that the initial 5G deployments are built upon existing 4G LTE infrastructure.

3. NSA Architecture:

  • In 5G NSA deployments, the control plane (which manages the network) remains connected to the LTE core, while the user plane (which handles user data) is split between the LTE and 5G components.

4. Key Components of NSA:

  • LTE eNB (eNodeB): The LTE eNB continues to handle the control plane and part of the user plane.
  • gNB (Next-Gen NodeB): This is the new 5G radio access network (RAN) component. In NSA, the gNB handles part of the user plane.
  • NGC (Next-Gen Core): The 5G core network, also known as the Next-Gen Core, is introduced. However, in NSA, it is not fully utilized for the control plane.

5. Detailed Flow:

  • Radio Connection Control (RRC): The RRC connection is managed by the LTE eNB. This connection is used to establish, maintain, and release the radio connection between the device and the network.
  • Dual Connectivity (EN-DC): This is a key feature of NSA. It allows a device to be connected to both LTE and 5G simultaneously, utilizing the capabilities of both networks.
  • Xn Interface: This is the interface between gNBs. It is used for communication between 5G base stations in a multi-connectivity scenario.

6. Benefits:

  • Faster Deployment: NSA allows for faster deployment of 5G services since it leverages existing LTE infrastructure.
  • Smooth Transition: Users can experience some benefits of 5G without needing a fully standalone 5G network.

7. Limitations:

  • Limited 5G Core Utilization: The full capabilities of the 5G core network are not utilized in NSA deployments.
  • Dependency on LTE: The network performance is still somewhat dependent on the capabilities and limitations of the existing LTE network.

5G NSA is a transitional phase that enables the deployment of 5G services by leveraging the existing LTE infrastructure. While it provides some of the benefits of 5G, a full standalone 5G network (SA) is required to unlock the complete potential of 5G technology.