10/23/2022 Security Level:

SRAN13.1 NSA Networking

--- LTE & NR DC
www.huawei.com

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 Objectives

 After completing this course, you will be able to understand the basic principles, application scenarios,
and specifications of the NSA Networking based on EPC feature, and be able to install, configure,
commission, and verify the feature by referring to related documents.

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NSA Standard Planning and Functions
 RAN#75 approved the 5G acceleration resolution: NSA specifications were completed in December 2017 and will be
frozen in March 2018. NSA terminals will be launched in 2018 H2.
2016 2017 2018 2019
Rel-14 Rel-15 Rel-16

LTE-A Pro 5G Phase 1.1 5G Phase 1.2 5G Phase 2

NR NSA (non-independent RAT) NR SA (independent RAT) Full-IMT2020 NR

• NSA definition, eMBB • Definitions of NGCN and NR NAS, • Full 5G standard and mMTC
• Numerology, frame structure SA architecture (eMBB/URLLC) capability definition
NR service • Native M-MIMO & waveform • Enhanced capability definition: Soft
objectives AI/D2D/D-TDD/Flexible Duplex
• eMBB Expected in 2018 H2 Expected in 2019 H1
Launch of NSA Launch of SA
• URLLC terminals terminals
• mMTC 5G New RAT

 SRAN13.1 is the first version of the NSA Networking based on EPC feature. The following basic functions are planned:
 Carrier management  Uplink power control
 Mobility management  eNodeB and gNodeB interconnection modes
 Data split (UL/DL)

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 LTE+NR DC Deployment Scenarios
LTE Anchor, EPC eLTE Anchor, New Core NR Anchor, New Core
Option 3 [18B] Option 7 Option 4
EPC NC EPC NC EPC NC
Ng
S1
X2 Xn
LTE NR eLTE NR eLTE NR

Legend
Option 3a Option 7a
EPC NC EPC NC Option 4a
Control Plane S1
S1-U
EPC NC
Ng Ng-U
X2-C
LTE NR
eLTE Xn-C NR
eLTE NR
User Plane

Option 3X [18B] Option 7X

EPC NC EPC NC
S1-U
Ng
S1
Ng-U 5G NSA gNodeBs will support
X2 Xn
LTE NR eLTE NR 5G SA without any hardware
changes.

NR Non-Standalone NR Standalone
Phase 1.1 Phase 1.2 (new core)
Note: Option 2/5 is NR/eLTE standalone.

For LTE- NR DC, Huawei currently focuses on Option 3/3x NSA deployment.
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Contents

 Functions and Principles

• EN-DC Carrier Management

• EN-DC Mobility Management

• EN-DC Data Split

• EN-DC Uplink Power Configuration

• eNodeB and gNodeB Interconnection

 Feature Planning

 Feature Installation and Commissioning

 Feature Acceptance and Maintenance

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EN-DC Carrier Management
 NSA networking based on EPC  SgNB carrier management (including PSCell
LTE 5CC + NR 1CC configuration only)

• Triggering conditions of PSCell configuration:

LTE NR 1. The MeNB PCC anchoring procedure is complete.
DC
2. The UE supports NR.
CC1 3. The one-way transmission delay between the MeNB and the SgNB is less
CC2 than 60 ms.
CC3 3.5G
CC4
CC5
• PSCell Configuration Procedure
Step 1: The MeNB fills and delivers an SCG measurement control message.
• The eNodeB is MeNB, and the gNodeB is SgNB. The MeNB delivers the NR measurement control to the UE. Direct signaling
• EN-DC specifications: 1 MeNB+1 SgNB interaction between the gNodeB and the UE is not supported.
• Intra-RAT CA specifications: Step 2: GAP-assisted measurement control is performed.
DL: 5CC is supported on the LTE side, and 1CC is supported on the NR side. (NR in this When a UE needs to measure the quality of inter-frequency channels, GAP-
version does not support CA.) assisted measurement needs to be started.
UL: 2CC in total; LTE 2CC or LTE 1CC+NR 1CC Step 3: The UE sends an event B1 measurement report to the MeNB.
Step 4: After receiving the measurement report, the MeNB decides to trigger
 MeNB carrier management an SgNB Addition (PSCell configuration) procedure.
• PCC anchoring (PCC anchoring for RRC_CONNECTED UEs, PCC anchoring for RRC_IDLE If multiple cells are reported in the measurement report, the MeNB reports
UEs, duplex-mode-priority-based PCC anchoring, and load-based PCC anchoring) the strongest RSRP cell in the measurement report to the SgNB.
• SCC carrier management (SCell configuration, SCell change, enhanced SCell selection,
SCell activation, SCell deactivation, and SCell removal)

Same as LTE carrier management. For details, see Carrier Aggregation Feature Parameter
Description.

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EN-DC Mobility Management
① The network access of NSA DC UEs is the
 Mobility Overview same as that of LTE UEs.
② The eNodeB delivers event B1 measurement
configuration to add a cell served by the
secondary gNodeB.
③ The eNodeB determines whether to use the
Option 3 or Option 3X architecture.

Mobility Triggering Scenario

The eNodeB periodically initiates SgNB additions based on the traffic volume in any of the following conditions: initial
Secondary node addition SgNB addition failure, SgNB addition failure during UE initial access, SgNB addition failure during an incoming
handover, and SgNB addition failure during RRC connection reestablishment.

Secondary Node Modification: intra-gNodeB intra-frequency handover

Secondary node modification/change
Secondary Node Change: inter-gNodeB intra-frequency handover

Secondary node release The UE moves out of the gNodeB coverage area.

Intra-eNodeB/Inter-eNodeB intra-frequency/inter-frequency handover based on event A3/A4

Master node handover with/without
Intra-eNodeB handover with or without secondary base station changes; inter-eNodeB handover without secondary
secondary node change
base stations

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EN-DC Mobility Management-SgNB Addition Procedure

3GPP.TS.37.3400

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 EN-DC Downlink Data Split
 Downlink data split architecture  Dynamic data split (using 5G gNB PDCP data split
as an example)
S1-U
SGW
S1-U
• The 5G gNB PDCP layer distributes data to the LTE RLC and NR
MCG Bear SCG Split Bear
RLC layers by packet.
X2 X2
PDCPLTE PDCPNR PDCPLTE PDCPNR

RLCLTE RLCLTE RLCNR RLCLTE RLCLTE RLCNR

MACLTE MACNR MACLTE MACNR

MeNB (LTE) SgNB (NR) MeNB (LTE) SgNB (NR)

Split at LTE PDCP layer (MCG Split Bearer) Split at NR PDCP layer (SCG Split
Bearer)
 Parameter settings for downlink data split
• [LTE Parameter] NsaDcDefaultBearerMode: specifies whether data split is performed at the LTE PDCP
layer or NR PDCP layer.
• [LTE Parameter] DlDataMcgSplitBearerMode: specifies the LTE PDCP data split mode.
SCG_AND_MCG: dynamic data split
MCG_ONLY: distributes data only to the MCG.
SCG_ONLY: distributes data only to the SCG. Solution:
• [NR Parameter] DlDataScgSplitBearerMode: specifies the NR PDCP data split mode. 1. Data distribution to the PDCP anchor is preferred.
SCG_AND_MCG: dynamic data split 2. The X2 transmission delay is supplemented so that data transmitted
MCG_ONLY: distributes data only to the MCG. from the MeNB and SgNB reaches the UE simultaneously.
3. Packets are sent in turn based on the ratio of the RLC perceived
SCG_ONLY: distributes data only to the SCG.
rate.

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 EN-DC Uplink Data Split
 Uplink data split architecture  Uplink data split control
Split bearer Configuration of the uplink data split policy in the Option 3 architecture

NsaDcUeMcgUlAm Uplink data

SgNB/SeNB UlDataSplitThreshold
MeNB/MgNB brRatio path
Null MCG
Configuration BSR+Data BSR+Data
≥ 50% Non-null, UL data volume < UlDataSplitThreshold MCG
Non-null, UL data volume > UlDataSplitThreshold MCG+SCG
MAC MAC Null SCG
< 50% Non-null, UL data volume < UlDataSplitThreshold SCG
RLC RLC
Non-null, UL data volume > UlDataSplitThreshold MCG+SCG
PDCP Configuration of the uplink data split policy in the Option 3X architecture

UE Uplink data
UlDataPrimaryPath UlDataSplitThreshold
path
1. The MAC/RLC entities of the master or secondary base Null MCG
stations corresponding to the UE are independent. MCG Non-null, UL data volume < UlDataSplitThreshold MCG
2. Uplink data scheduling and BSR reporting are independent. Non-null, UL data volume > UlDataSplitThreshold MCG+SCG
3. On the UE side, the PDCP entity is shared by NR and LTE.
Null SCG
4. The UE performs uplink data split according to the
SCG Non-null, UL data volume < UlDataSplitThreshold SCG
configuration command delivered by the master base
Non-null, UL data volume > UlDataSplitThreshold MCG+SCG
station.

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CP/UP Separation and UL/DL Separation
 NR UL/DL Separation [Implemented by Parameter  NR CP/UP Separation [Implemented by Parameter
Configuration] Configuration]

Uplink data carried on 4G

eNodeB
Downlink data carried on 5G gNodeB
4G coverage
UE

5G uplink and downlink 5G uplink restricted

balance area area

• CP data carried on LTE, and UP data carried on NR

UL data transmitted on LTE, and DL data transmitted on NR, to solve
• Purpose: NR uses large bandwidth to provide high capacity/rate.
insufficient NR uplink coverage.
LTE ensures mobility, and handovers are performed without interruptions.

For example, in the Option 3X architecture, uplink and downlink
data split is implemented based on parameter settings:
DL data carried on NR: Set DlDataMcgSplitBearerMode to
SCG_ONLY.
UL data carried on LTE: Set UlDataPrimaryPath to MCG and
UlDataSplitThreshold to Null.
For example, UP data is carried on the NR side in the Option 3X architecture
based on the uplink and downlink data split policies.
DL data carried on NR: Set DlDataScgSplitBearerMode to SCG_ONLY.
UL data carried on NR: Set UlDataPrimaryPath to SCG and UlDataSplitThreshold to
Null.

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EN-DC Uplink Power Configuration

 Uplink power configuration

• A proper proportion of the UE power is allocated between LTE and NR to ensure the transmission of uplink data and
signaling of the UE.
• Power configuration parameters (controlled on the LTE side)
NsaDcUeMcgUlPowerRate (MCG uplink power ratio)
NsaDcUeScgUlPowerRate (SCG uplink power ratio)
In this version, the sum of the two values is 1.
• Power configuration
The MeNB obtains and delivers the uplink guaranteed power ratio to the UE. The UE then calculates the uplink power of
LTE and NR.

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Interconnection Between gNodeB and eNodeB Under EN-DC

 Intra-site DC: L/NR co-BBU [co-MPT is not supported  Inter-site DC: This scenario supports only the X2
in 18B, supported in 19A] transmission interconnection solution (< 20 ms).

Co-PDCP
RLC RLC LSW
(NR (L) Split Bear 5900 LSW
) TRAN UBBP(NR)

UBBP(L) UBBP(L)

PDCP(L)
RLC RLC
PDCP(NR) UMPT （ L
(NR (L) ）
UMPT(NR)

) TRAN
Split Bear

• X2 data between L and NR is exchanged inside the BBU • X2 data between L and NR is exchanged by network.

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X2 Self-Setup over the U2000
The X2 interface between a gNodeB and an eNodeB can be automatically set up by U2000, which only works when eNB and
gNB co-U2000.

1.

2.

1. The source eNodeB finds the corresponding gNodeB

ID based on the event B1 measurement report about
3. NR and sends a Configuration Transfer message to
the U2000.
2. The U2000 finds the corresponding gNodeB based
on the gNodeB ID sent by the eNodeB and obtains
the IP addresses of the gNodeB.
5. 3. The U2000 sends the IP addresses of the gNodeB to
the eNodeB through a Configuration Transfer
message.
4. After obtaining the gNodeB IP addresses, the
eNodeB initiates X2 self-setup.

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S1-U Self-Setup
S1-U self-setup between the gNodeB and S-GW is implemented only in the Option 3X architecture and not in the
Option 3 architecture.

UE eNodeB gNodeB MME SGW

X2 setup procedure

1. SgNB Addition Request 1. The eNodeB sends an SgNB Addition Request message to
the gNodeB. The message carries the S1-U address
2. SgNB Addition Request ACK information on the S-GW side. The gNodeB can send
uplink data based on the information.
2. The gNodeB sends an SgNB Addition Request ACK
UE Access NR message to the eNodeB. The message carries the S1-U
Procedure address information on the gNodeB side.
3. eRAB Modification Indication 3. The eNodeB sends an eRAB Modification Indication
message to the MME. The message carries the S1-U
4. Bearer Modification address information on the gNodeB side. The S-GW can
eRAB Modification Confirm
send downlink data based on the information. (no this
message in option 3)
DL data 4. The MME exchanges messages with the S-GW to notify
the S-GW of the S1-U address information corresponding
to the bearer on the RAN side.
5. The MME sends an eRAB Modification Confirm message
to the eNodeB.

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Contents

 Functions and Principles

 Feature Planning

 Feature Installation and Commissioning

 O&M and Performance Counters

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Version/License Planning
 Version Positioning
1. In 18B, NSA Networking based on EPC is a basic function of 5G NSA networking.

2. NSA Networking based on EPC is a multi-mode basic feature. It is not sold independently and no license is planned.

 Feature Names and IDs

00 FDD Multimode Basic Feature MRFD-131122 NSA Networking based on EPC (LTE FDD)
00 TDD Multimode Basic Feature MRFD-131132 NSA Networking based on EPC (LTE TDD)
00 NR Multimode Basic Feature MRFD-131162 NSA Networking based on EPC (5G NR)

00 FDD Multimode Basic Feature MRFD-131121 LTE and NR X2 Interface Self-Configuration (LTE FDD)
00 TDD Multimode Basic Feature MRFD-131131 LTE and NR X2 Interface Self-Configuration (LTE TDD)
00 NR Multimode Basic Feature MRFD-131161 LTE and NR X2 Interface Self-Configuration (5G NR)

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Installation and Commissioning-Feature Activation and Data Split Mode Configuration

 Feature Activation (the DC feature is enabled on both the LTE and NR sides)
• LTE side: Run the following MML command: MOD NSADCMGMTCONFIG, selecting the NSA_DC_CAPABILITY_SWITCH value to the

NsaDcAlgoSwitch parameter.

• NR side: Run the MOD NRCELLALGOSWITCH command with the NsaDcSwitch parameter set to ON.

 Data split mode configuration in the Option 3 architecture

• LTE side: Run the MOD NSADCMGMTCONFIG command with NsaDcDefaultBearerMode set to MCG_SPLIT_BEARER.

 Data split mode configuration in the Option 3X architecture

• LTE side: Run the MOD NSADCMGMTCONFIG command with NsaDcDefaultBearerMode set to SCG_SPLIT_BEARER.

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Activation Evaluation
 LTE performance counters  NR performance counters
Counter Name Description Counter Name Description
L.Traffic.User.NsaD Average number of UEs that treat the local cell as their PCell in Average Number of LTE-NR NSA DC UEs Using the Current Cell as
N.User.NsaDc.PSCell.Avg
c.PCell.Avg the LTE-NR NSA DC state PSCell
L.Thpt.bits.DL.Mcg Total traffic volume offloaded from UEs in the PCell at the PDCP N.NsaDc.SgNB.Add.Att Number of SgNB addition requests in the LTE-NR NSA DC scenario
Split.MeNB layer to the MeNB during LTE-NR NSA DC 3C offloading
N.NsaDc.SgNB.Add.Succ Number of successful SgNB additions in the LTE-NR NSA DC scenario
L.Thpt.bits.DL.Mcg Total traffic volume offloaded from UEs in the PCell at the PDCP
Split.SgNB layer to the SgNB during LTE-NR NSA DC 3C offloading N.NsaDc.InterSgNB.PSCell Number of inter-SgNB PSCell change requests in the LTE-NR NSA DC
Total uplink MeNB traffic volume received by UEs in the PCell .Change.Att scenario
L.Thpt.bits.UL.Mcg
from the PDCP layer of the MeNB during LTE-NR NSA DC 3C N.NsaDc.InterSgNB.PSCell Number of successful inter-SgNB PSCell changes in the LTE-NR NSA
Split.MeNB
offloading .Change.Succ DC scenario
Total uplink SgNB traffic volume received by UEs in the PCell N.NsaDc.IntraSgNB.PSCell Number of intra-SgNB PSCell change requests in the LTE-NR NSA DC
L.Thpt.bits.UL.Mcg
from the PDCP layer of the MeNB during LTE-NR NSA DC 3C .Change.Att scenario
Split.SgNB
offloading
N.NsaDc.IntraSgNB.PSCell Number of successful intra-SgNB PSCell changes in the LTE-NR NSA
L.NsaDc.SgNB.Add Total number of SgNB addition attempts for UEs that treat the .Change.Succ DC scenario
.Att local cell as their PCell in the LTE-NR NSA DC state
N.NsaDc.SgNB.Rel Total number of SgNB releases in the LTE-NR NSA DC scenario
L.NsaDc.SgNB.Add Total number of successful SgNB additions for UEs that treat the
.Succ local cell as their PCell in the LTE-NR NSA DC state N.NsaDc.SgNB.AbnormRel Number of abnormal SgNB releases in the LTE-NR NSA DC scenario
L.NsaDc.SCG.Chan Total number of SCG change attempts for UEs that treat the Number of DRB addition requests for LTE-NR NSA DC UEs on the
ge.Att local cell as their PCell in the LTE-NR NSA DC state N.NsaDc.DRB.Add.Att
SgNB
L.NsaDc.SCG.Chan Total number of successful SCG changes for UEs that treat the Number of successful DRB additions for LTE-NR NSA DC UEs on the
ge.Succ local cell as their PCell in the LTE-NR NSA DC state N.NsaDc.DRB.Add.Succ
SgNB
L.NsaDc.SgNB.Rm Total number of SgNB removal attempts for UEs that treat the
v.Att local cell as their PCell in the LTE-NR NSA DC state N.NsaDc.DRB.Rel Number of DRB releases for LTE-NR NSA DC UEs on the SgNB

Total number of SCG-related failures for UEs that treat the local Number of abnormal DRB releases for LTE-NR NSA DC UEs on the
L.NsaDc.ScgFailure N.NsaDc.DRB.AbnormRel
cell as their PCell in the LTE-NR NSA DC state SgNB

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Examples of Signaling Tracing
LTE Uu interface tracing (event B1 measurement of NR delivered by the eNodeB)

L-NR X2 interface tracing (the eNodeB sends an SgNB addition request)

S1 interface tracing (eRAB path change in the Option 3X architecture)

eRAB path change

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NSA DC Deployment on the Live Network (Hangzhou Branch of China Mobile)
E2E networking
Transmission Core
Terminals Antennas RRU and CPRI BBU NMS
and clock network
GPS
② New NR 3.5
GHz AAU ⑤ Added GPS/BeiDou
divider and cables

③ New direct-connected
Divider
CPE CPRI optical cable ④ New BBU5900 ⑨ Added RAN OSS

AAU (NR3.5G) ⑥ Transmission bandwidth:

8.5 Gbit/s (peak
BBU5900 (NR) bandwidth of a single cell)
16.5 Gbit/s (peak New RAN OSS
bandwidth of three cells)

5G
TUE
XGE electrical port
interconnection
RRU (TDD1900) New CN OSS
4G
⑧ Added CN OSS
TUE

BBU39X0 (LTE) NG Core

RRU (TDD2600)
⑦ NG Core
⑧ New PLMN (5G)

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NSA Deployment and EPC Selection Suggestions

Alternative 1: Core network upgrade and reconstruction Alternative 2: New EPC deployment, new EPC and inventory EPC forming MOCN

PLMN AAA
EPC EPC EPC
Existing core network NG core

PLMN AAA PLMN BBB

eNodeB gNodeB PLMN BBB

eNodeB gNodeB PLMN AAA

PLMN BBB CN selection solution:
① Plan a new PLMN for NSA users.
PLMN AAA
② The RAN broadcasts messages of both PLMNs.
③ The RAN forwards a UE to a core network based
on the selected PLMN reported by the UE.

4G Only UE 4G&5G dual-mode UE

PLMN AAA PLMN BBB

4G Only UE NSA UE
Solution 1: The existing core network is upgraded and
expanded.
Advantages: There is no requirement for core network selection.
Disadvantages: Existing users on the live network are affected.
Solution 2: New core network is deployed.
Advantages: Existing users on the live network are not affected.
Disadvantages: 1. Core networks need to be selected for different users.
2. For future commercial use, you need to configure a complex roaming policy so that users of PLMN BBB
can roam to PLMN AAA.

Solution 1 is preferred for commercial deployment. In the initial test phase, the independent PLMN solution can be used.

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 Thank you

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