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5G NETWORK ARCHITECTURE
Overall Service Based Architecture (SBA) NG-RAN Architecture

NSSF NEF NRF PCF UDM AF UE NR Uu

Disaggregated gNB Disaggregated gNB with Disaggregated gNB-CU

Nnssf Nnef Nnrf Npcf Nudm Naf F1-C

IAB-node gNB gNB-DU gNB-DU gNB-CU-C
NR Uu
UE
Backhaul Link (NR Uu) F1-C F1-U E1
F1-U
Nnssaaf Nausf Namf Nsmf
IAB-node gNB F1 gNB-CU gNB-CU-U
NSSAAF AUSF AMF SMF SCP V-SEPP/ UE Access Link
H-SEPP (NR Uu)
Backhaul Link (NR Uu, F1) N2

IAB-donor gNB Xn-C and Xn-U N2

UE N3
Access Link
N3
(NR Uu)
N2
Integrated gNB N2 AMF
UE
NR Uu
NR-Uu
NR-Uu NG-RAN N3 N6 Data Network
UPF (Ex: Internet, IMS, UE Integrated ng-eNB
N3 UPF
UE Enterprise) Xn-C Xn-U

N1 UE Integrated ng-eNB
Needed for enchanced capability only LTE Uu

Overall Service Based Architecture

3GPP has defined a service-based architecture, where different Network Functions (NFs) provide services via service-based NG-RAN Architecture
interfaces. For example, other NFs can use Namf interface to obtain services of the AMF. The Next-Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) consists of NR-based gNBs and LTE-based ng-eNBs. The NG-RAN connects to the 5GC/NGC.

Key Functions of NFs Selected Reference Governing Protocols on Major Interfaces

Multi-RAT Connectivity Points and Associated NFs
NF Expansion and Key Function Interface/ Reference Point Associated NFs Interface/ Reference Point Associated NFs Associated NFs

5G-EIR 5G- Equipment Identity Register: Records blacklisted device IDs

N4 SMF-UPF
AF Application Function: Influences traffic routing and facilitates QoS control E1 E1 Application Protocol (E1AP) TS 38.463
Standalone NR with the 5GC (”Option 2”) Non-Standalone NR with the EPC ( “Option 3/3a/3x”)
N5 PCF-AF
Access and Mobility Management Function: Exchanges NAS signaling with the UE and manages registration,
AMF
connection, reachability, and mobility
N7 SMF-PCF
NR-Uu S1-U AUSF Authentication Server Function: Authenticates the UE F1-C F1 Application Protocol (XnAP) TS 38.473
AMF gNB S-GW LMF Location Management Function: Helps determine the UE location N8 AMF-UDM

S1-U N3IWF Non-3GPP Interworking Function: Supports an IPSec tunnel toward the UE through a non-3GPP access network

UE N2 UE X2 N9 UPF-UPF
N1 5G Non-Access Stratum (NAS) Signaling TS 24.501
NRF Network Repository Function: Supports discovery of NFs/services

Network Slice-Specific Authentication and Authorization Function: Provides Network Slice-specific authentication N11 AMF-SMF
NSSAAF
and authorization by relaying Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) messages
gNB UPF eNB MME
NR-Uu N3 LTE-Uu S1-MME NSSF Network Slice Selection Function: Determines allowed Network Slices N12 AMF-AUSF
N2 Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP) TS 38.413

NWDAF Network Data Analytics Function: Provides Network Slice-specific analytics to an NF

N13 AUSF-UDM
PCF Policy Control Function: Creates policy rules (e.g., to support QoS control)
Option 1: E-UTRA with EPC (Baseline) Option 5: Standalone E-UTRA with NGC GPRS Tunneling Protocol version 1- User Plane
N14 AMF-AMF N3, Xn-U, F1-U TS 29.281
SCP Service Communication Proxy: Facilitates indirection communication between NFs and NF services (GTPv1-U)
Option 2: Standalone NR with NGC Option 6: Standalone NR with EPC
Option 3, 3a, 3x: Non-Standalone NR with EPC Option 7, 7a, 7x: Non-Standalone NR with NGC SEPP Security Edge Protection Proxy: Secures inter-PLMN Control Plane interfaces N15 AMF-PCF

Option 4, 4a: Non-Standalone E-UTRA with NGC Option 8, 8a: Non-Standalone E-UTRA with EPC SMF Session Management Function: Manages UE sessions and allocates an IP address to the UE
Xn-C Xn Application Protocol (XnAP) TS 38.423
N22 AMF-NSSF
SMSF Short Message Service (SMS) Function: Supports SMS over NAS

UDM Unified Data Management: Manages subscriptions and generates authentication credentials N33 NEF-AF
Service Based Interfaces: N***  Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) IETF RFC 7540 for HTTP/2, IETF RFC 8259 for

Multi-RAT Connectivity UDR Unified Data Repository: Stores subscription data, policy data, and structured data for exposure
N58 AMF-NSSAAF
(Ex: Nausf) based on Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)/2
protocol with Javascript Object Notation (JSON)
JSON, TS 29.5NN for NF services (Ex: 29.500
Overall SBA, 29.502 SMF, 29.503 UDM, 29.518
A UE may connect to multiple base stations (e.g., eNB and gNB) simultaneously. AMF, and so on based on the NF)
UDSF Unstructured Data Storage Function: Supports storage, modification, and retrieval of unstructured data
Two popular network architectures are Standalone NR with the NGC (“Option 2”) and Non-Standalone NR with the EPC (EN-DC or Option 3/3a/3x). N59 NSSAAF-UDM
UPF User Plane Function: Acts as a mobility anchor for user traffic

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Overall Service Based Architecture (SBA) NG-RAN Architecture
which is headquartered in Munich, Germany,
NSSF NEF NRF PCF UDM AF Disaggregated gNB Disaggregated gNB with Disaggregated gNB-CU
has an extensive sales and service network with UE NR Uu

Nnssf Nnef Nnrf Npcf Nudm Naf F1-C

IAB-node gNB gNB-DU gNB-DU gNB-CU-C
NR Uu
UE
locations in more than 70 countries. Backhaul Link (NR Uu) F1-C F1-U E1
F1-U
Nnssaaf Nausf Namf Nsmf
IAB-node gNB F1 gNB-CU gNB-CU-U
V-SEPP/ UE Access Link
NSSAAF AUSF AMF SMF SCP H-SEPP (NR Uu)
Backhaul Link (NR Uu, F1) N2
www.rohde-schwarz.com IAB-donor gNB Xn-C and Xn-U N2
N3
UE
Access Link
N3
(NR Uu)
N2
Integrated gNB N2 AMF
UE

Sustainable product design NR Uu

NR-Uu
NR-Uu NG-RAN N3 N6 Data Network
UPF (Ex: Internet, IMS, UE Integrated ng-eNB
N3 UPF
UE Enterprise) Xn-C Xn-U
► Environmental compatibility and eco-footprint UE Integrated ng-eNB
N1 LTE Uu
Needed for enchanced capability only
Overall Service Based Architecture
3GPP has defined a service-based architecture, where different Network Functions (NFs) provide services via service-based NG-RAN Architecture
► Energy efficiency and low emissions interfaces. For example, other NFs can use Namf interface to obtain services of the AMF. The Next-Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) consists of NR-based gNBs and LTE-based ng-eNBs. The NG-RAN connects to the 5GC/NGC.

Key Functions of NFs Selected Reference Governing Protocols on Major Interfaces

► Longevity and optimized total cost of ownership Multi-RAT Connectivity Points and Associated NFs
NF Expansion and Key Function Interface/ Reference Point Associated NFs Interface/ Reference Point Associated NFs Associated NFs

5G-EIR 5G- Equipment Identity Register: Records blacklisted device IDs

N4 SMF-UPF
AF Application Function: Influences traffic routing and facilitates QoS control E1 E1 Application Protocol (E1AP) TS 38.463
Standalone NR with the 5GC (”Option 2”) Non-Standalone NR with the EPC (“Option 3/3a/3x”)
N5 PCF-AF
Access and Mobility Management Function: Exchanges NAS signaling with the UE and manages registration,
AMF
connection, reachability, and mobility
N7 SMF-PCF
NR-Uu S1-U AUSF Authentication Server Function: Authenticates the UE F1-C F1 Application Protocol (XnAP) TS 38.473
Certified Quality Management Certified Environmental Management
AMF gNB S-GW LMF Location Management Function: Helps determine the UE location N8 AMF-UDM

S1-U N3IWF Non-3GPP Interworking Function: Supports an IPSec tunnel toward the UE through a non-3GPP access network
N2 N9 UPF-UPF
UE UE X2 NRF Network Repository Function: Supports discovery of NFs/services N1 5G Non-Access Stratum (NAS) Signaling TS 24.501
ISO 9001 ISO 14001 NSSAAF
Network Slice-Specific Authentication and Authorization Function: Provides Network Slice-specific authentication N11 AMF-SMF
and authorization by relaying Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) messages
gNB UPF eNB MME N12 AMF-AUSF
NR-Uu N3 LTE-Uu S1-MME NSSF Network Slice Selection Function: Determines allowed Network Slices N2 Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP) TS 38.413

NWDAF Network Data Analytics Function: Provides Network Slice-specific analytics to an NF

N13 AUSF-UDM
PCF Policy Control Function: Creates policy rules (e.g., to support QoS control)
Option 1: E-UTRA with EPC (Baseline) Option 5: Standalone E-UTRA with NGC GPRS Tunneling Protocol version 1- User Plane
N14 AMF-AMF N3, Xn-U, F1-U TS 29.281
SCP Service Communication Proxy: Facilitates indirection communication between NFs and NF services (GTPv1-U)
Option 2: Standalone NR with NGC Option 6: Standalone NR with EPC
Option 3, 3a, 3x: Non-Standalone NR with EPC Option 7, 7a, 7x: Non-Standalone NR with NGC SEPP Security Edge Protection Proxy: Secures inter-PLMN Control Plane interfaces N15 AMF-PCF

Option 4, 4a: Non-Standalone E-UTRA with NGC Option 8, 8a: Non-Standalone E-UTRA with EPC SMF Session Management Function: Manages UE sessions and allocates an IP address to the UE
Regional contact N22 AMF-NSSF Xn-C Xn Application Protocol (XnAP) TS 38.423
SMSF Short Message Service (SMS) Function: Supports SMS over NAS

UDM Unified Data Management: Manages subscriptions and generates authentication credentials N33 NEF-AF
Service Based Interfaces: N***  Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) IETF RFC 7540 for HTTP/2, IETF RFC 8259 for
(Ex: Nausf) based on Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)/2 JSON, TS 29.5NN for NF services (Ex: 29.500
Multi-RAT Connectivity UDR Unified Data Repository: Stores subscription data, policy data, and structured data for exposure
N58 AMF-NSSAAF protocol with Javascript Object Notation (JSON) Overall SBA, 29.502 SMF, 29.503 UDM, 29.518
AMF, and so on based on the NF)
A UE may connect to multiple base stations (e.g., eNB and gNB) simultaneously. UDSF Unstructured Data Storage Function: Supports storage, modification, and retrieval of unstructured data
► Europe, Africa, Middle East | +49 89 4129 12345 Two popular network architectures are Standalone NR with the NGC (“Option 2”) and Non-Standalone NR with the EPC (EN-DC or Option 3/3a/3x). N59 NSSAAF-UDM
UPF User Plane Function: Acts as a mobility anchor for user traffic

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