The 5G deployment options range from a standalone LTE network connected to the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) to a non-standalone network that integrates both LTE and 5G New Radio (NR) access technologies controlled by either the EPC or the 5G Core (5GC).
In this article, you can explore various 5G deployment options and their use-cases in in-depth.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฒ 5๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐?
โ5G offers endless possibilities, but its deployment varies. Operators choose options based on spectrum, geography, equipment, and business factors. 3GPP guidelines ease the transition from 4G to 5G. Typically, 5G NR deploys first, coexisting with 4G RAN. Then, the 5G Core arrives. Expect 4G+5G handsets connecting seamlessly to both 4G eNB and 5G gNB.โ
๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ก ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ง 5๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฒ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ?
๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง 1 (๐๐๐ + ๐๐๐):
It represents the foundational LTE (4G) connectivity deployment. In this configuration, the eNB connects to the 4G Core Network, forming the backbone of 4G cellular communication. This setup enables high-speed data transmission and typical 4G services.
๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง 2 (๐ ๐๐ + 5๐๐):
It entails a standalone 5G deployment. Here, the gNB (5G New Radio Base Station) connects directly to the 5G Core Network. This setup harnesses the full potential of 5G technology, enabling ultra-low latency, massive device connectivity, and advanced services like network slicing.
๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง 3 (๐๐๐ + 4๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ + 5๐ ๐๐ง-๐ ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฒ):
One of the most popular options within the NSA (Non-Standalone) framework. It combines 4G (eNB master) and 5G (en-gNB secondary) components, both connected to the existing 4G EPC. This hybrid approach allows for the coexistence of 4G and 5G, enhancing data speeds while leveraging the 4G core networkโs infrastructure.
๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง 4 (5๐๐ + 5๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ + 4๐ ๐ง๐ -๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฒ):
It represents a deployment where the 5G Core Network (5GC) is integrated with a primary 5G gNB and a secondary 4G ng-eNB. In this setup, 5G is the primary network, while 4G serves as a complementary technology.
๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง 5 (๐ง๐ -๐๐ + 5๐๐):
This is a deployment scenario where the Next-Generation eNodeB (ng-eNB) connects directly to the 5G Core Network (5GC). This configuration is characteristic of a standalone 5G (5G SA) deployment, offering the full suite of 5G capabilities independently.
๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง 7 (5๐๐ + 4๐ ๐ง๐ -๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ + 5๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฒ):
It features a deployment where the 5G Core Network (5GC) is at the core, with a primary 4G ng-eNB master and a secondary 5G gNB. In this setup, 4G serves as the primary access network, while 5G gNB acts as a supplementary technology.
๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง 6 (4๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ + 5๐ ๐ ๐๐ ):
This configuration may not be as attractive because it doesnโt fully leverage the capabilities of a 5G core network (5GC)
๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง 8 (5๐๐ + 4๐ ๐๐๐ + 4๐ ๐ง๐ -๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฒ):
The 5G Core Network (5GC) is deployed alongside a primary 4G eNB and a secondary 4G ng-eNB. This configuration may be used when transitioning from 4G to 5G, but it doesnโt maximize the potential of 5G technology.
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Continuingโฆ
๐๐ก๐ข๐๐ก ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ง 5๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฒ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ?
๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง 3, 3๐ & 3๐ฑ:
All three options involve a control plane connection between the EPC and the eNB via the S1-C interface, as well as between the eNB and the gNB via the X2-C interface. Notably, there is no direct signaling traffic exchange between the EPC and the gNB. However, the distinctions among these options lie in how user plane traffic is routed, particularly in the downlink direction, although these principles also apply to the uplink.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ 3, 3๐ ๐๐ง๐ 3๐ฑ?
๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง 3, user plane traffic originates from the EPC and is initially directed to the eNB. Here, the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) sublayer plays a pivotal role by dividing the traffic, allowing a portion of it to be transmitted to the gNB through the X2-U interface.
๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง 3๐, a notable change is that the EPC establishes a direct S1-U interface to the gNB. Within this option, the EPC is responsible for splitting the user plane traffic.
๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง 3๐ฑ represents a hybrid approach where the EPC divides the user plane traffic for both the eNB and the gNB. Additionally, the gNBโs PDCP sublayer can send certain portions of the traffic back to the eNB.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that a gNB connected to the EPC via the S1-U interface is referred to more specifically as an โen-gNB.โ This en-gNBโs connection is a part of E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (EN-DC). The interface connecting the en-gNB and the eNB is denoted as the โXx interface.โ
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