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5g standalone network

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The 5G standalone (5G SA) network refers to a fully independent 5G network architecture that operates without the need for any legacy 4G (LTE) infrastructure. Unlike non-standalone (NSA) deployment, where 5G is deployed on top of existing 4G networks, the standalone architecture is designed to maximize the capabilities of 5G technology from the ground up. Here's a technical breakdown of the 5G standalone network:

  1. Core Network (5GC - 5G Core):
    • Service Management and Control (SMC): This function manages service-related procedures, such as session and service context management.
    • User Plane Function (UPF): Responsible for the user data handling, including packet routing, forwarding, and encapsulation/decapsulation for various user plane protocols.
    • Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF): Manages access and mobility-related functions, such as registration, authentication, and connection management.
    • Session Management Function (SMF): Handles session-related functions, including session establishment, modification, and termination.
    • Authentication Server Function (AUSF): Responsible for user authentication and authorization.
    • Network Exposure Function (NEF): Provides a standardized interface for external applications to access network services and information.
  2. Radio Access Network (RAN):
    • New Radio (NR): The physical air interface that defines how wireless communication happens between the user devices and the base stations. NR replaces LTE for 5G networks.
    • Next-Gen Core (NGC): The 5G core network, which includes the 5G Core (5GC) and the new radio access technologies.
  3. User Equipment (UE):
    • 5G Standalone UEs are devices that support the 5G NR air interface and can communicate directly with the 5G Core Network without relying on 4G infrastructure.
  4. Network Slicing:
    • 5G standalone networks support network slicing, which allows the creation of multiple virtual networks on a shared physical infrastructure. Each slice can be optimized for specific use cases, such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communication (mMTC), or ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC).
  5. Control Plane and User Plane Separation:
    • One of the key architectural changes in 5G standalone is the separation of the control plane and user plane functions. This separation allows for more flexibility, scalability, and efficient resource utilization.
  6. Service-Based Architecture (SBA):
    • The 5G standalone network employs a service-based architecture, where various network functions communicate using well-defined service interfaces. This enhances the flexibility and interoperability of the network.
  7. Security Enhancements:
    • 5G standalone networks include enhanced security features, such as stronger encryption algorithms, improved authentication mechanisms, and better protection against various types of cyber threats.

5G standalone network represents a comprehensive overhaul of the cellular network architecture, designed to deliver enhanced performance, lower latency, and support a diverse range of applications and services. The technical advancements in 5G SA enable a wide range of use cases, from enhanced mobile broadband to critical communications and massive IoT deployments.