Sign in Subscribe

ncgi in 5g

Last updated on 


NC (Network Control) and NGCI (Non-GBR (Guaranteed Bit Rate) Critical Communications) are terms associated with 5G networks, particularly in the context of providing differentiated services based on specific requirements of applications and services.

NC (Network Control):

NC refers to Network Control mechanisms in 5G, which allow the network to have enhanced control capabilities for delivering services that require specific quality of service (QoS) parameters and strict performance guarantees.

In a 5G context, NC provides:

  1. Dynamic QoS Control: The ability to dynamically adjust and allocate resources based on the current network conditions and requirements of applications.
  2. Low Latency: NC mechanisms ensure that critical communications have low latency, which is essential for applications like industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, and augmented reality.
  3. Reliability: Enhanced mechanisms to ensure reliable communication, even in challenging environments.

NGCI (Non-GBR Critical Communications):

NGCI focuses on providing critical communication services in 5G networks without guaranteeing a specific bit rate. Instead, the emphasis is on meeting stringent requirements related to latency, reliability, and availability.

Key aspects of NGCI include:

  1. Latency: NGCI ensures ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC), where the communication latency is kept extremely low, typically in the sub-millisecond range. This is crucial for applications such as remote surgery, autonomous vehicles, and real-time industrial control systems.
  2. Reliability: NGCI emphasizes high reliability, ensuring that critical communications are not interrupted even in challenging scenarios. For instance, in mission-critical applications, any interruption or delay could have severe consequences, so NGCI ensures that such communications have priority and are resilient to network fluctuations.
  3. Use Cases: NGCI is essential for various critical applications, including public safety (e.g., emergency response systems), industrial automation (e.g., Industry 4.0), healthcare (e.g., remote surgeries), and transportation (e.g., autonomous vehicles).

Technical Implementation:

Technically, the implementation of NC and NGCI in 5G networks involves:

  1. Network Slicing: 5G introduces network slicing, which allows the creation of multiple virtualized and isolated networks on a shared physical infrastructure. NC and NGCI requirements can be met by dedicating specific network slices optimized for these services.
  2. Quality of Service (QoS) Mechanisms: 5G incorporates advanced QoS mechanisms that prioritize traffic based on specific parameters such as latency, reliability, and throughput requirements. For NC and NGCI services, the network can allocate resources dynamically and ensure that critical communications receive the necessary priority.
  3. Edge Computing: To meet the stringent latency requirements of NC and NGCI services, 5G networks leverage edge computing capabilities. By processing data closer to the source or destination (e.g., at the network edge), the latency is minimized, ensuring rapid and reliable communication for critical applications.

NC and NGCI are crucial aspects of 5G networks, focusing on enhanced control, low latency, and high reliability for critical communications. The technical implementation involves leveraging network slicing, advanced QoS mechanisms, and edge computing capabilities to meet the specific requirements of these services.