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5g sa 5g nsa

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1. 5G Non-Standalone (NSA):

In the NSA deployment, 5G networks are built upon existing 4G LTE infrastructure. The 5G radio access network (RAN) is added to the existing LTE core network. This is done to leverage the LTE core network for control functions, as 5G NR (New Radio) is introduced primarily for the user plane and enhanced mobile broadband.

Key Components in NSA:

  • LTE EPC (Evolved Packet Core): The Evolved Packet Core is the core network architecture for LTE, handling functions such as mobility management, session management, and policy enforcement.
  • 5G NR: The 5G New Radio is responsible for providing the enhanced data rates and low latency promised by 5G. In NSA, 5G NR is used for the data plane while LTE handles the control plane.
  • Dual Connectivity: This is a key concept in NSA. It enables a device to connect to both LTE and 5G simultaneously. The LTE connection is used for control signaling, and the 5G connection is used for data transfer.

2. 5G Standalone (SA):

In the SA deployment, the 5G network operates independently of the existing 4G LTE infrastructure. Both the radio access network and the core network are built from scratch for 5G. SA is considered the full realization of the 5G architecture.

Key Components in SA:

  • 5G Core Network (5GC): The 5G Core is a new architecture that supports the requirements of 5G, including slicing, network function virtualization (NFV), and service-based architecture. It is designed to be more flexible and scalable than the LTE EPC.
  • 5G NR: Similar to NSA, 5G NR is responsible for providing the enhanced data rates and low latency. However, in SA, it is used for both control and user planes.
  • Network Slicing: SA allows for network slicing, a key feature that enables the creation of multiple virtual networks on a single physical infrastructure. Each slice can be optimized for specific use cases with different performance requirements.

Comparison:

  • Latency: SA generally provides lower latency compared to NSA because it eliminates the need for dual connectivity and allows for more efficient handling of control functions.
  • Flexibility: SA is more flexible and future-proof, as it allows for the full realization of 5G capabilities, including network slicing and advanced use cases.
  • Dependence on LTE: NSA relies on the existing LTE infrastructure for control functions, which might limit the overall performance and capabilities compared to SA.