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5G NSA Core Network

Fundamentals

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Objectives

 Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:


 Describe the principles of 5G NSA networking and user plane traffic distribution.
 Describe the changes in the networking between the 5G NSA core network and EPC and the signaling
procedure differences.

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Contents
1. 5G NSA Networking Architecture
2. 5G NSA Protocol Change Analysis
3. 5G NSA Attach Procedure Analysis

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Networking Diagrams of 5G NSA Architecture Options
Option3 Option3a Option3x Option4

EPC EPC EPC NGC

S1-C S1-U S1-C S1-U S1-U S1-C S1-U S1-U NG-C NG-U

eNB gNB eNB gNB eNB gNB eLTE eNB gNB

Option7 Option7a Option7x Option4a

NGC NGC NGC NGC

NG-C NG-U NG-C NG-U NG-C NG-U NG-U NG-U


NG-U

eLTE eNB gNB eLTE eNB gNB eLTE eNB gNB eLTE eNB gNB

There are three 5G NSA architecture options: option 3, option 3a, and option 3x, depending on the interconnections
between the eNodeB, gNodeB, and EPC+ (5G core).

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Network Architecture of 5G NSA Option 3/3a/3x
Option 3 Option3a Option 3x SCG Split

EPC EPC
EPC
LTE 5G NR LTE 5G NR
S1 LTE 5G NR
S1 RRC RRC RRC RRC RRC RRC
PDCP PDCP PDCP PDCP
RLC RLC PDCP PDCP
RLC RLC RLC RLC
X2 MAC MAC X2 MAC MAC
LTE X2 MAC MAC
LTE NR PHY PHY NR PHY PHY LTE NR PHY PHY

• LTE Legacy Transport need upgrade • No Limitation to Legacy BBU • No Limitation to Legacy BBU
• Legacy BBU Baseband Limited • Traffic steering in core only applicable in • Traffic steering in RAN at per packet
RAB level and cannot adjust base on base provide better performance
radio condition.

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Page5
Principle of Traffic Distribution in the Option3x Networking

MCG bearer SCG split


bearer
S1 S1
MCG: Master cell group, corresponding
to the bearer of the master station
Xx
PDCP NR PDCP NR PDCP MeNodeB (MN, MeNB for short)
SCG: Slave cell Group, corresponding to
RLC RLC NR RLC
the bearer of the slave station SeNodeB.
NR RLC
The slave station is abbreviated as SN or
SgNB.
MAC NR MAC
Option3x networking: The SN can be
distributed to the MN.
LTE eNB gNB

Radio Protocol Architecture for SCG split bearer in Option 3x

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Overview of Dual-Connection (DC) Mobility Management
① The access of NSA users is the same as that of LTE access.
② The eNodeB delivers the measurement to add an NR
secondary eNodeB cell.
③ eNodeB decides to select Option3 or Option3X

Mobility Triggering Scenarios


Secondary Node Addition Based on the UE initial access, incoming handover, RRC connection
reestablishment, or initial addition failure, the eNodeB periodically adds
auxiliary eNodeBs based on the traffic volume.
Secondary Node Modification/Change Secondary Node Modification: gNodeB Intra-eNodeB Intra-Frequency
Handover
Secondary Node Change: gNodeB Inter-eNodeB Intra-Frequency
Handover
Secondary Node Release Out of the gNodeB coverage area

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Option3X Traffic Distribution Setup Procedure
UE eNodeB new MME Old Serving GW PDN GW PCRF HSS
MME/SGSN
1. Attach Request
UE MN SN S-GW MME
EIR
2. Attach
Request 3. Identification Request
1. SgNB Addition Request
3. Identification Response
4. Identity Request
4. Identity Response 2. SgNB Addition Request Acknowledge
5a. Authentication / Security
5b. Identity Request/Response 3. RRCConnectionReconfiguration
5b. ME Identity Check
6. Ciphered Options Request
6. Ciphered Options Response 4. RRCConnectionReconfigurationComplete
7. Delete Sesion Request 7. PCEF Initiated IP-CAN
Session Termination
(E) 7. Delete Session Response 5. SgNB Reconfiguration Complete
(A) 6. Random Access Procedure
8. Update Location Request
9. Cancel Location 7. SN Status Transfer
9. Cancel Location Ack 8. Data Forwarding
10. Delete Session Request 10. PCEF Initiated IP-CAN
Session Termination
(F) 10. Delete Session Response (B)
Path Update procedure 9. E-RAB Modification Indication
11. Update Location Ack
12. Create Session Request
10. Bearer Modication
11. End Marker Packet
13. Create Session Request
14. PCEF Initiated IP-CAN Session
Establishment/Modification
(C) 12. E-RAB Modification Confirmation
15. Create Session Response
First Downlink Data (if not handover)
16. Create Session Response
17. Initial Context Setup Request or Downlink NAS transport with Attach Accept
18. RRC Connection Reconfiguration or RRC Direct Transfer 1, UE attaches to the network and establishes a default bearer for the data APN. The
19. RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete
20. Initial Context Setup Response RRC connection Reconfiguration message carries the NR-config, indicating that the
21. Direct Transfer
22. Attach Complete eNodeB supports the EN-DC scenario. The default bearer establishes an S1-U interface
First Uplink Data
23. Modify Bearer Request
on the MN.
23a. Modify Bearer Request
23b. Modify Bearer Response
2, eNB adds the default bearer to the SN (NR) according to the configuration. After the
(D)
24. Modify Bearer Response base station is complete it sends a Modification indication message to instruct the EPC
First Downlink Data
25. Notify Request
side to update S1-U interface IP and GTP-U tunnel information with new NR address.
26. Notify Response

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Contents
1. 5G NSA Networking Architecture
2. 5G NSA Protocol Change Analysis
3. 5G NSA Attach Procedure Analysis

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EPC Enhancement in 5G NSA Networking (Option3)
HSS Function Upgrades CG Function Upgrades
 Maximum bandwidth  Maximum bandwidth
range supported for the range supported for the
AMBR QoS QoS
 Dual connectivity/Dual NR data usage reporting
 OCS Function Upgrades
registration
 4G/5G UE difference identification
and charging control policy delivery
UTRAN  Maximum bandwidth range
supported for the QoS
SGSN OCS
HSS PCRF Function Upgrades
GERAN
Gy  Delivery of different charging control
S3 CG policies after 4G/5G UE differences are
S1-MME S6a identified
MME  Maximum bandwidth range supported
Ga PCRF
for the QoS
S12 Rx
S11 Gx
S4
LTE-Uu S10
Serving S5 PDN SGi Operator's IP
UE E-UTRAN Gateway Gateway Services
S1-U (e.g. IMS, PSS etc.)

S1-U
NR Gateway Function Upgrades
 CUPS
 High-bandwidth QoS support
RAN/network reconstruction  Independent performance statistics of 5G NR
 NR gNodeB deployment and UEs
 S-GW and NR transmission  Maximum bandwidth of a single UE > 10 Gbit/s
establishment (fast forwarding + charging)
 NR data usage reporting  User plane selection for 4G/5G UEs
 NR data usage reporting

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Overview of 5G Core Enhancement

1. Same with the EPC, the RAT of 5G NSA has no 5G-specific field.

2. The mobility management signaling procedure of 5G NSA is similar to that of the EPC. The only
difference is that some IEs are added to the mobility management signaling procedure of 5G NSA.
(Mainly for NR feature control)

3. The session management signaling procedure of 5G NSA is similar to that of the EPC. The only
difference is that some IEs are added to the session management signaling procedure of 5G NSA.
(Mainly for ultra-bandwidth QoS)

4. The 5G NSA data usage is reported to the P-GW on the core network through the NR gNodeB
and LTE eNodeB.

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IE Changes in 5G NSA
Function Interface Change Description Remarks
1. The "Features of Feature-List-ID 2" indicates the DCNR capability of an
S6a MME or an HSS. -
2. ARD indicates whether to prohibit the creation of an NR bearer.
This IE is not defined in
3GPP specifications. It is
1. The "Handover Restriction List" IE indicates whether to prohibit the creation of
NSA capability S1 not supported in 5G Core
an NR bearer for the UE.
subscription/indication 1.0 but supported in 5G
Core 1.1.

1. The "UE network capability" IE indicates whether a UE supports NR access.


NAS 2. The MME contains the "EPS network feature support" IE in an Attach Accept -
or TAU Accept message to indicate whether an NR bearer can be created.

This change for the S1 and


Gy interfaces is not
S6a/S1/NAS/Gx/Gy/Ga The maximum values of AMBR, MBR, and GBR are increased to 4 Tbit/s. supported in 5G Core 1.0
but supported in 5G Core
QoS improvement 1.1.
This change is not
1. The MME selects an S-GW or P-GW based on the UE capability. supported in 5G Core 1.0
DNS
2. The GW-C selects a GW-U based on the UE capability. but supported in 5G Core
1.1.
User plane traffic
S1 The E-RAB Modification Indication procedure is added. -
steering
1. The eNodeB periodically reports NR data usage in S1 Release, E-RAB This change is not
Release, and other procedures. supported in 5G Core 1.0
Independent charging S1
2. The network side generates CDRs based on the information reported by the but supported in 5G Core
eNodeB. 1.1.

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IE Changes in Attach Procedure
Message IE Change Function
1. Indicates whether DCNR is
1. The DCNR bit is added to the "UE network capability" IE. supported.
Attach Request
2. The "UE additional security capability" IE is added. 2. Indicates the UE security
capabilities.

Security Mode Command The "replayed additional security capabilities" IE is added. Indicates the UE security capability.

Provides an indication to the HSS


A bit is added to the "Features of Feature-List-ID 2" IE to indicate whether NR
Update Location Request whether the MME supports NSA UE
as Secondary RAT is supported.
access.

1. 1. A bit is added to the "Access-Restriction-Data" IE to indicate whether NR


1. Indicates whether NSA access is
as Secondary RAT is allowed.
Update Location Response allowed for a UE.
2. 2. The value ranges of UE-AMBR and APN-AMBR are extended from 4
2. Extends the maximum bandwidth.
bytes to 8 bytes.

Create Session Request The "UP Function Selection Indication Flags" IE is added. Indicates whether DCNR is supported.

1. Indicates whether NR access is


1. 1. "NR Restriction" is added to the "Handover Restriction List" IE. allowed.
Initial context setup request
2. The "NR UE Security Capabilities" IE is added. 2. Indicates the UE security
capabilities.

Activate Default EPS Bearer Context Request The length of the "APN-AMBR" IE is extended from 4 bytes to 8 bytes. Extends the maximum bandwidth.

Attach Accept Whether the bit in the "EPS network feature support" IE supports DCNR. Indicates whether DCNR is allowed.

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IE Changes in Other Procedures
Procedure Message IE Change Function
Delete Session Reports data usage
Detach The "Secondary RAT Usage Data Report" IE is added.
Request information.
1. Indicates whether NR
1. The NR Restriction parameter is added to the Handover
Initial Context Setup access is allowed.
Service Request Restriction List file.
Request 2. Indicates the UE
2. The "NR UE Security Capabilities" IE is added.
security capabilities.

Indicates the UE security


Handover Request The "NR UE Security Capabilities" IE is added.
capabilities.
S1 Handover
Create Session Indicates whether DCNR is
The "UP Function Selection Indication Flags" IE is added.
Request supported.

Indicates whether DCNR is


The DCNR bit is added to the "UE network capability" IE.
supported.
TAU Request
Indicates the UE security
The "UE additional security capability" IE is added.
capabilities.
TAU
Create Session Indicates whether DCNR is
UP Function Selection Indication Flags
Request supported.

Indicates whether DCNR is


TAU Accept A bit is added to the "EPS network feature support" IE.
supported.

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High-bandwidth QoS Support
 The uplink and downlink rates are increased from 4294967296 bits to 4294967295 kilobits. The value ranges of UE-
AMBR and AMBR over the S6a interface are modified in 3GPP TS 29.272.
 In 3GPP TS 24.301, the AMBR definition is modified so that the AMBR can reach up to 65280 Mbit/s.
 In 3GPP TS 36.413, the GBR and MBR are modified and the Extended Bit Rate is added. The uplink and downlink
rates are extended from 10 Gbit/s to 4 Tbit/s.

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RADIUS Function Comparison
 In the Accounting message, the QoS is contained in the 3GPP-GPRS-
Negotiated-Qos-Profile AVP, and the description in 3GPP TS 29.061 is not
updated.
 The RADIUS function is the same in 4G and 5G networks.

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Gy Function Comparison
As stated in 3GPP TS 29.212, when the Extended-BW-NR feature is supported, the value of GBR/MBR/APN-AMBR in the QoS parameters
delivered by the Gy interface may exceed 2^32-1 bit/s. The current fields cannot provide the relevant indication, and a field needs to be added to
indicate a larger bandwidth. The descriptions in 3GPP specifications are as follows:
 If the value is less than or equal to 2^32-1 bit/s, the original field is used in the unit of bit/s.
 If the value is greater than 63 bit/s, a new field is used in the unit of kbit/s.
The specific IE changes are as follows:
The Extended-Max-Requested-BW-UL, Extended-Max-Requested-BW-DL, Extended-GBR-UL, Extended-GBR-DL, Extended-APN-AMBR-UL, and
Extended-APN-AMBR-DL AVPs are added to the QoS-Information AVP. The UGW processes these AVPs after receiving them from the OCS.
Therefore, there is no switch on the UGW.
AVP Flag rules(NOTE 1)

Attribute Name AVP Code Value Type (NOTE 2) Must May Should not Must not May Encr.

Extended-APN-AMBR-DL 2848 Unsigned32 V P M Y

Extended-APN-AMBR-UL 2849 Unsigned32 V P M Y

Extended-GBR-DL 2850 Unsigned32 V P M Y

Extended-GBR-UL 2851 Unsigned32 V P M Y

Extended-Max-Requested-BW-DL 554 Unsigned32 V P M Y

Extended-Max-Requested-BW-UL 555 Unsigned32 V P M Y

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Gx Interface Function Comparison
The 5G bandwidth requirement is beyond the scope of the original bandwidth fields of the Gx interface. The
Extended-BW-NR feature is defined in 3GPP TS 29.212 (Release 15). The extended fields are added to the
original bandwidth fields. The original bandwidth fields are in the unit of bit/s and the extended bandwidth
fields are in the unit of kbit/s.
The following AVPs are involved:
 Extended-Max-Requested-BW-DL/UL (substitute for Max-Requested-Bandwidth-DL/UL)
 Extended-GBR-DL/UL (substitute for Guaranteed-Bitrate-DL/UL)
 Extended-APN AMBR DL/UL (substitute for APN-Aggregate-Max-Bitrate-UL/DL)

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NR Data Usage Reporting
 The secondary node (gNodeB) measures 5G data usage
and sends it to the master node (eNodeB) over the X2 eNodeB MME S-GW P-GW
interface. The eNodeB reports 5G data usage to the MME 1. RAN
charging
based on the bearer granularity. The MME forwards the 5G data report
2. Change Notification
data usage reports to the S-GW/P-GW.
 The "Secondary RAT Usage Data Report" IE is added to the 3. Change Notification

S11/S5/S8 interface for reporting 5G NR data usage.


4. Change Notification Ack
 This feature is enabled on all eNodeBs to report 5G NR data 5. Change Notification Ack

usage based on the bearer.


 In the handover procedure, the source eNodeB is
responsible for reporting usage of 5G NR data traffic,
excluding the forwarded traffic.
 In the S1 Release/E-RAB Deactivation procedure, the
eNodeB has to report data traffic.
 IEs are added to report 5G NR data usage in the detach and
PDN deactivation procedures.
 To generate some CDRs, the eNodeB needs to periodically
report 5G NR data usage.

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Ga Function Comparison
A field is added to the SGW-CDR/PGW-CDR to A field is added to the SGW-
contain the Secondary RAT Usage Data. CDR/PGW-CDR to contain extended
SGWRecord ::= SET
{
QoS parameters.
recordType [0] RecordType, EPCQoSInformation ::= SEQUENCE
……, {
listOfRANSecondaryRATUsageReports [64] SEQUENCE OF qCI [1] INTEGER,
RANSecondaryRATUsageReport OPTIONAL maxRequestedBandwithUL [2] INTEGER OPTIONAL,
} maxRequestedBandwithDL [3] INTEGER OPTIONAL,
PGWRecord ::= SET guaranteedBitrateUL [4] INTEGER OPTIONAL,
{ guaranteedBitrateDL [5] INTEGER OPTIONAL,
recordType [0] RecordType, aRP [6] INTEGER OPTIONAL,
……, aPNAggregateMaxBitrateUL [7] INTEGER OPTIONAL,
listOfRANSecondaryRATUsageReports [73] SEQUENCE OF aPNAggregateMaxBitrateDL [8] INTEGER OPTIONAL,
RANSecondaryRATUsageReport OPTIONAL extendedMaxRequestedBWUL [9] INTEGER OPTIONAL,
} extendedMaxRequestedBWDL [10] INTEGER OPTIONAL,
RANSecondaryRATUsageReport ::= SEQUENCE extendedGBRUL [11] INTEGER OPTIONAL,
{ extendedGBRDL [12] INTEGER OPTIONAL,
dataVolumeUplink [1] DataVolumeGPRS, extendedAPNAMBRUL [13] INTEGER OPTIONAL,
dataVolumeDownlink [2] DataVolumeGPRS, extendedAPNAMBRDL [14] INTEGER OPTIONAL
rANStartTime [3] TimeStamp, }
rANEndTime [4] TimeStamp,
secondaryRATType [5] SecondaryRATType OPTIONAL
}
SecondaryRATType ::= INTEGER
{
Field carrying principle:
reserved (0), If the QoS parameter value is less than or
nR (1) -- New Radio 5G
} equal to 2^32-1 bit/s, the original field is used in
the unit of bit/s. If the QoS parameter value is
greater than 2^32-1 bit/s, the extended QoS
NSA-supported CDR Versions:R8,R9,R10 field is used in the unit of kbit/s.

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Contents

1. 5G NSA Networking Architecture


2. 5G NSA Protocol Change Analysis
3. 5G NSA Attach Procedure Analysis

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Attach Procedure Overview

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Attach Request(NAS)
 In UE network capability “Dual connectivity with NR” indicates whether the terminal
supports dual radio connections.

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Update Location Request(S6a)
 In Feature-List Flags “NR as Secondary RAT” ” indicates whether MME supports dual
radio connections.

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Update Location Answer(S6a)
 In Feature-List Flags “NR as Secondary RAT” ” indicates whether HSS supports dual radio
connections.

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Update Location Answer(S6a)-Continue
 In Access-Restriction-Data “NR as Secondary RAT Not Allowed” Indicates whether NR is
restricted.

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Update Location Answer-Continue
 The (UE)AMBR, (APN)AMBR message carries the Extended uplink and downlink bandwidths,
in kbit/s. The maximum value is 4Tbps.

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Create Session Request (S11)
 The DCNR field in the “UP Function Selection Indication Flags” indicates whether the
terminal has the dual connection capability.

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Credit Control Request(Gx)
 The QoS-Information(APN-AMBR) contains the uplink and downlink bandwidths of the
Extended, in kbit/s.

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Initial Context Setup Request (S1)
 Uplink and downlink bandwidth of the Extended in the UE-AMBR (unit: bps)

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Initial Context Setup Request (S1)-continue
 The MME sends the NRrestriction field in the “HandoverRestrictionList”to the eNodeB,
indicating whether the NR function is enabled for the UE.

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Attach Accept (NAS)

 The extended APN-AMBR is sent to the UE.

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Attach Accept (NAS)-continue
 The restrictDCNR field in the information element “eps-network-feature-support” is sent
by the MME to the UE to indicate whether the dual-connection is restricted.

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E-RAB Modification Indication (S1)
 The eNodeB carries the gNB IP and TEID to instruct the S-GW to switch the S1-U bearer to
the gNB.

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Questions

 Question 1: What is the difference between the 5G NSA architecture and the SA architecture?

 Question 2: What are the differences between the 5G NSA and EPC?

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Summary

 With the 5G NSA architecture, the EPC can be smoothly upgraded to support 5G gNodeB access.
Carriers can quickly deploy and release 5G services.
 The main 5G NSA architecture options are option 3, option 3a, and option 3x.
 Compared with the EPC, the 5G NSA adds the 3GPP-defined IEs. The basic procedures remain
unchanged.

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Acronyms and Abbreviations

 CGW: Centralized Gateway


 DGW: Distributed Gateway
 CUPS: Control and User Plane Separation
 NSA: None Stand Alone

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