This topic presents in a very simplified way all the main concepts that should be understood by those who know 5G NR.
5G NR Uplink Transmission Schemes
In 5G NR, uplink transmission schemes ensure devices communicate efficiently with the base station (gNB). A codebook acts like a predefined guide with transmission patterns that help optimize signal delivery, supporting advanced technologies like massive MIMO and beamforming. Codebook-based transmission uses these predefined patterns, with the gNB providing feedback to select the best option, ensuring strong and reliable signals - an improved version of what existed in LTE. On the other hand, non-codebook-based transmission is a new feature in 5G NR, allowing devices to adapt in real-time by measuring channel conditions and dynamically choosing the best transmission strategy, making it ideal for complex environments without relying on predefined patterns. Together, these schemes make uplink communication in 5G NR smarter, faster, and more adaptable than ever before. [In a Nutshell: Uplink schemes in 5G NR use codebooks and dynamic adaptability to ensure faster, smarter, and more reliable communication.]
Imagine two cities: LTE City and 5G NR City. In LTE City, drivers (devices) use old paper maps (codebooks) to find their way to the control tower (base station), but these maps can’t handle new highways or heavy traffic. In 5G NR City, the maps are upgraded and smarter, showing the fastest routes, including big new highways like massive MIMO, and the control tower (gNB) gives live updates to guide drivers - this is codebook-based transmission. Even cooler, in 5G NR City, some drivers don’t need maps at all; they have super-smart cars that look at traffic and road conditions in real-time to find their own way - this is non-codebook-based transmission, perfect for tricky areas. Together, these methods make sure every driver in 5G NR City gets to their destination faster and more smoothly than in LTE City! [In a Nutshell: In the 5G NR City, smarter maps and self-driving cars make traffic flow faster and more efficiently than in LTE City.]
5G NR uplink transmission schemes are illustrated as cars using GPS-like systems for efficient routing (codebook-based transmission) and autonomous cars dynamically navigating without maps (non-codebook-based transmission), both enabling advanced technologies like massive MIMO and beamforming. A central base station (gNB) connects and optimizes everything.
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Codebook
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In 5G NR, a codebook is a predefined set of beamforming vectors or transmission patterns that the device (UE) uses to optimize signal transmission to the base station (gNB). These patterns include parameters such as beamforming directions, antenna weights, and spatial multiplexing configurations. While codebooks existed in LTE, 5G NR significantly enhances them to support massive MIMO and advanced beamforming, enabling higher data rates, improved signal quality, and better adaptability to varying network conditions. [In a Nutshell: Codebooks guide the device with predefined patterns to improve signal quality, adapted for 5G NR’s advanced features.]
In the old LTE city, there were maps showing where to go - these maps are like the codebook in telecom. A codebook is a set of instructions that tells devices (like cars) how to take the best routes and which streets (signals) to use to reach the base station (like a control tower in the city). In the new 5G NR city, the codebook has been upgraded with better and more detailed maps, helping people take advantage of new highways (massive MIMO and beamforming) to travel faster and more efficiently. [In a Nutshell: The codebook is like a map that helps cars in the 5G city find faster and better routes.]
5G NR Codebooks, highlighting the improvements like massive MIMO, beamforming, and enhanced signal optimization.
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5G NR Codebook 
Codebook Based Transmission
Codebook-based transmission is a scheme where the device (UE) uses predefined patterns from the codebook to guide signal transmission. The gNB provides feedback to the UE, selecting the optimal pattern from the codebook to enhance signal strength and quality. This approach simplifies the process of identifying the best transmission strategy, making it efficient for various uplink scenarios. While this method existed in LTE, 5G NR enhances it with greater dynamic adaptability, allowing it to handle more complex antenna configurations, such as those used in massive MIMO and advanced beam management. [In a Nutshell: Codebook-based transmission uses predefined patterns to optimize signals, with 5G NR improving adaptability for complex antenna setups.]
In the LTE city, drivers (devices) would use maps (codebooks) to choose their routes and stick to them. In the 5G NR city, there’s something even better: the control tower (gNB) monitors traffic in real-time and updates the maps. This way, it can guide cars to the fastest and least congested lanes (better signal patterns). It’s like having a super-smart GPS that constantly updates to provide the best directions, ensuring every car reaches its destination (uplink transmission) quickly and smoothly. [In a Nutshell: The gNB acts like a live GPS, constantly guiding cars (signals) to the best and fastest lanes in the 5G city.]
5G NR Codebook Based Transmission as gNB acting as a live GPS in 5G NR, integrating the concept of the codebook as a dynamic map guiding cars (signals) through optimized and fastest routes.
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Non-Codebook Based Transmission
Non-codebook-based transmission allows the device (UE) to transmit without relying on predefined codebooks. Instead, it dynamically measures the radio channel conditions and calculates its own custom transmission strategy in real-time. By using channel state information, the device adjusts transmission parameters flexibly, without needing predefined patterns. This is a new concept in 5G NR, not present in LTE, designed to handle scenarios where channel conditions change rapidly or where predefined patterns may not perform optimally. It is particularly useful in dense environments or with advanced antenna technologies, providing greater flexibility and simplifying uplink transmission in these situations. [In a Nutshell: Non-codebook-based transmission lets devices dynamically adjust to channel conditions without relying on predefined patterns, ideal for rapidly changing scenarios.]
Imagine some parts of the city don’t have maps because they change too quickly, like busy construction zones. In the LTE city, drivers might get stuck because there’s no guide. But in the 5G NR city, drivers can make smart choices on their own. They look at the traffic, find the best path, and adjust their driving dynamically. This is Non-Codebook Based Transmission, and it’s like having super-smart cars that can find their own way in areas where maps (codebooks) aren’t helpful. It’s a brand-new idea in the 5G NR city, making it even better for handling tricky areas or busy roads. [In a Nutshell: Non-codebook-based transmission is like super-smart cars finding their way without maps in tricky areas of the 5G city.]
5G NR Non-Codebook Based Transmission like autonomous cars navigating tricky areas without maps. These cars (signals) seamlessly find their paths through complex roads and construction zones by analyzing real-time traffic (radio channel conditions).
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That’s it. 
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