Sign in Subscribe

nokia 5g architecture

Last updated on 


Nokia's 5G architecture is based on the 3GPP's Release 15 and later standards, which define the specifications for 5G New Radio (NR) and its integration with the evolved packet core (EPC) network. Nokia provides end-to-end 5G solutions that encompass both radio access network (RAN) and core network components. Here's a technical breakdown of Nokia's 5G architecture:

1. 5G Radio Access Network (RAN):

a. 5G New Radio (NR):

  • Frequency Bands: Supports both sub-6 GHz and mmWave frequency bands. Sub-6 GHz offers wider coverage, while mmWave provides high data rates over short distances.
  • Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO): Utilizes massive MIMO technologies to improve spectral efficiency and increase data throughput.
  • Beamforming: Beamforming techniques are used to focus radio energy in specific directions, enhancing signal quality and coverage.
  • Dual Connectivity: Enables simultaneous connection to LTE and 5G NR, ensuring seamless transition and better coverage.

b. Cloud RAN (cRAN):

  • Centralizes baseband processing resources in a data center, allowing for more efficient resource utilization and scalability.
  • Utilizes fronthaul connections (e.g., CPRI, eCPRI) to connect centralized baseband units (BBUs) with remote radio heads (RRHs).

2. 5G Core Network (5GC):

a. Service-Based Architecture (SBA):

  • Introduces a modular and flexible architecture based on service-based interfaces (SBIs) between network functions.

b. Network Functions:

  • AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function): Manages user plane and control plane interactions related to access and mobility.
  • SMF (Session Management Function): Handles session establishment, modification, and termination for user data.
  • UPF (User Plane Function): Manages user plane traffic, including packet routing, forwarding, and data encapsulation.
  • AUSF (Authentication Server Function): Performs authentication and authorization of users.
  • UDM (Unified Data Management): Manages subscriber data, subscription profiles, and policies.
  • NRF (Network Repository Function): Provides service discovery and API exposure for network functions.
  • PCF (Policy Control Function): Manages policy and charging rules for subscriber sessions.

c. Network Slicing:

  • Enables the creation of multiple logical networks (slices) on a shared physical infrastructure, tailored to specific use cases (e.g., IoT, ultra-reliable low-latency communication).

d. Edge Computing:

  • Introduces computing resources closer to the network edge (e.g., MEC - Multi-access Edge Computing) to reduce latency and support latency-sensitive applications.

3. Integration and Interoperability:

  • Interworking with LTE: Ensures seamless mobility and handover between 4G LTE and 5G NR networks.
  • Network Function Virtualization (NFV): Utilizes virtualized network functions (VNFs) and cloud-native architectures to optimize resource utilization and scalability.

4. Security:

  • Authentication and Encryption: Implements robust security mechanisms (e.g., AKA - Authentication and Key Agreement) to ensure secure communication.
  • Network Slicing Security: Provides isolation and security for each network slice, preventing cross-slice vulnerabilities.

Conclusion:

Nokia's 5G architecture is designed to deliver enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC) services. By leveraging advanced radio technologies, cloud-native architectures, and network slicing capabilities, Nokia aims to provide operators with a flexible and scalable platform to meet the diverse requirements of 5G applications and services.