Mount Zion College of Engineering & Technology

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DEPRTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING

Subject CEC3331/ 4G/5G Communication Networks

Faculty PALANIAPPAN C
Course B.E-ECE Sem/Year: V/III

UNIT – I EVOLUTION OF WIRELESS NETWORKS

1. What is 5G Technology?
5G is fifth generation of cellular technology. It is designed to increase speed, reduce latency,
and improve flexibility of wireless services.

2. What is radio access network?

A radio access network (RAN) is a major component of a wireless telecommunication
system that connects individual devices to other parts of a network through a ratio link. The
RAN links user equipment, such as a cell phone, computer or any remotely controlled
machine, over a fiber or wireless backhaul connection. That link goes to the core network,
which manages subscriber information, location and more.

3. What components make up a RAN?

A RAN is made up of three essential elements:
Antennas convert electrical signals into radio waves.
Radios transform digital information into signals that can be send wirelessly and ensure that
Transmissions are in the correct frequency bands with the right power levels.
Baseband units (BBUs) provide a set of signal processing functions that make wireless
communication possible. Traditional baseband uses custom electronics combined with
multiple lines of code to enable wireless communication, typically using the licensed radio
spectrum. BBU processing detects error, secures the wireless signal and ensures that
wireless resources are used effectively.

4. What are the types of radio access network?

Open RAN
C-RAN
Global system for mobile communications (GSM) RAN, or GRAN, was developed for 2G.
GSM EDGE RAN, or GERAN is similarly to GRAN, but it specifies the inclusion of
Enhanced Data GSM Environment packet radio services.
Universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial RAN, or UTRAN, came
about with 3G.
Evolved universal terrestrial RAN, E-UTRAN, is part of LTE.
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5. Explain open RAN

Open RAN is the hot topic in the access network world. It involves developing interoperable
open hardware, software and interfaces for cellular wireless networks that use white box
servers and other standard equipment, rather than the custom – made hardware typically
used in base stations.

6. Explain C RAN.
C RAN separates the radio elements in a base station into remote radio heads (RRHs). These
can be used atop the cell towers for the most efficient radio coverage. RRHS must be
connected to centralized baseband controllers via fiber or microwave radio links. Most
baseband processing uses standard white box servers.

7. What is the importance of 5G technology for society?

The potential benefits in the social sphere are another reason why we need 5G technology.
The basic capabilities of 5G are easy enough to understand, but the ways in which the next –
generation network could help address generations-old societal challenges are unique and
multiface.

8. What is network slicing?

Network slicing is a method of creating multiple unique logical and virtualized networks
over a common multi-domain infrastructure. Using software – defined networking (SDN),
network functions virtualization (NFV), orchestration, analytics, and automation, mobile
network operaors (MNOs) can quickly create network slices that can support a specific
applications, service, set of users, or network. Network slices can span multiple network
domains, including access, core, and transport, and be deployed across multiple operators.

9. Explain Massive Machine – Type Communications (mMTC).

This is more commonly known today as the internet of things, but at a much larger scale,
with billions of devices being connected to the network. These devices will generate far less
traffic than eMBB applications, but there will be many magnitudes more of them.

10. Explain Ultra – reliable Low-Latency Communications (urLLC).

These will allow for things like remote surgery or vehicle – to- X (v2x)communications and
require MNOs to have mobile edge computing capacity in place.

11. What is the virtual evolved packet core?

A Virtual Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) is a framework for mobile networks’ voice and data
processing and switching that is implemented by network functions virtualization (NFV),
which virtualizes the functions of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC).
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12. Define Evolved Packet core.

Evolved Packet Core (EPC) is a framework for providing converged voice and data on a 4G
Long – Term Evolution (LTE) network. 2G and 3G network architectures process and
switch voice and data through two separate sub-domains: circuit-switched (CS) for voice
and packet – switched (PS) for data.

13. What is network function Virtualization?

Network functions virtualization (NFV) is the replacement of network appliance hardware
with virtual machines. The virtual machines use a hypervisor to run networking software and
processes such as routing and load balancing.

14. Which are the SDAP control PDUs?

SDAP has only one control PDU called end – marker. It’s sent to indicate that a specific
QoS flow is no longer mapped to the DRB / SL DRB on which this control PDU is sent. The
QoS flow is indicated with a 6-bit QFI / PQFI field. A 1 – bit D/C field is set to zero to
indicate control PDU. A 1 – bit R field is reserved.
When RRC configures a new mapping, SDAP will send the end-marker PDU on the
previously mapped DRB / SL – DRB or the default DRB / SL – DRB.

15. Explain software defined networking.

Software-defined networking (SDN) is an approach to networking that uses soft-ware based
controllers or application programming interfaces (APIs) to communicate with underlying
hardware infrastructure and direct traffic on a network.

16. Define Fronthaul.

Fronthaul, also known as mobile fronthaul, is a term that to the fiber-based connection of the
cloud radio access network (C-RAN), a new type of cellular network architecture of
centralized baseband units (BBUs) and remote radio heads (RRHs) at the access layer of the
network.

UNIT – II 5G CONCEPTS AND CHALLENGES

1) What are the key features of 5g?
i) 5G speeds
ii) Reduced Latency
iii) Increased capacity
iv) Network Slicing
v) Improved Reliability

2) Define Enhanced Mobile Broadband.

Enhanced mobile broadband is derived from 4G LTE networks. It is one of the three
services or use cases define by 3GPP for 5G NR application deployment. The aim of
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eMBB is to provide higher bandwidth with better latency for applications such as
augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 4K media.

3) What is the Principle of OFDM?

The OFDM concept it based on spreading the high speed data to be transmitted over a
large number of low rate carriers. The carriers are orthogonal to each other and
frequency spacing between them are created by using the fast Fourier transform
(FFT).

4) What is service based architecture in 5G core?

The service Based Architecture of the 5G Core is a flat architecture that separates
Control Plane (CP) functions from User Plane (UP) functions.

5) What is the difference between Micro services and service based architecture?
The main difference between SOA and micro services has to do with the architecture
scope. In an SOA model, services or modules are shared and reused enterprise-wide,
whereas a micro service architecture is built on individual services that function
independently.

6) What does EPC stand for in 5G?

Currently, the vast majority of commercial 5G deployments are based on NR non-
standalone (NSA) technology which uses existing LTE radio access for signaling
between devices and the network, and Evolved Packet Core (EPC) networks which
are enhanced to support 5G NSA.

7) What are the components of 5G RAN architecture?

The gNB incorporates three main functional modules: the Centralized Unit (CU), the
Distributed Unit (DU), and the Radio Unit (RU), which can be deployed in multiple
combinations.

8) What is Nef architecture in 5G?

Network Exposure Function is one of the capabilities that is natively built into the 5G
network. Applications can subscribe to certain changes in the network and command
the network to exploit its programmablecapabilities providing new innovative services
for the end-users.

9) What is the difference between RAN and core?

The RAN links user equipment, such as a cell phone, computer or any remotely
controlled machine, over a fiber or wireless backhaul connection. That link goes to the
core network, which manages subscriber information, location and more.
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10) What s multiple radio access technology?

Multiple Radio Access Technology is a mobile device that can connect to more than
one type of cellular network. For example, cell phones can generally connect to 2G
and 3G networks or 2G and 3G and LTE networks. See generations and multi radio.

UNIT – III NETWORK ARCHITECTURE AND THE PROCESSES

1) How does Session and Service Continuity Mode Selection Works?

The SSC mode selection policy is used to determine the type of session and service
continuity mode associate with an application or group of applications for the UE. A
MNO may provision the policy rules for UE to determine the type of mode associated
with an application or a group of applications. There can be a default policythat
matches all applications on UE

2) What is the difference between 5G NR and (LTE)

4G LTE and LTE-advanced follow 3GPP. 4G operates below 6 GHz where as 5G
NR operates at various frequency bands viz. sub-1 GHz, 1 to 6 GHz, above 6 GHz in
mm wave bands (28 GHz, 40 GHz, etc.) 5G supports higher data rate than 4G. 5G
delivers about 10 Gbps where as LTE-a pro delivers 3 Gbps. 5G offers latency of less
than 1 ms where as LTE-adv pro delivers less than 2 ms.

3) Explain 5G NR Network architecture, its elements and its network interfaces?

There are three elements in 5G NR architecture viz. UE (User Equipment), RAN and
Core Network. NG RAN houses gNB radio (i.e. base station), Control Unit and data
Unit. Here AMF stands for Access and Mobility Management Function and UPF
stands for User
Plane Function.

4) Explain 5G NR deployment scenarios or modes viz. NSA (Non-Standalone), SA

(Standalone), Homogeneous mode and Heterogeneous mode.
In SA mode, UE works by 5G RAT alone and LTE is not needed. 5G cell is used for
both C-plane (Control Plane) and U-Plane (User Plane) to take care of both signaling
and information transfer. In NSA mode, connection to both LTE cell and 6G cell are
mandatory. In this Non-Standalone mode, LTE used for control (C-Plane) functions
e.g call organization, location registration etc where as 5G NR will on U-Plane alone.

5) What are the functions of RRC layer in 5G NR?

Following are the functions performed by RRC layer I 5G NR protocol stack.
Broadcast SI (System Information) massage to AS (Access Stratum) and NAS (Non-
Access Stratum). Handless paging initiated by 5GC (5G Core Network) or NG-RAN
(Radio Access Network). Establishment, maintenance and release of RRC
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Connection between 5G NR UE and NG-RAN. This includes addition, modification

and release of CA (carrier aggregation) and Dual connectivity in NR or between E-
UTRA and NR. Security related functions including key management. Establishment,
configuration, maintenance, and release of SRBs (Signaling Radio Beaters) and DRBs
(Data Radio Bearers). Mobility functions such as handover, context transfer, UE cell
selection/re-selection, control of cell selection /re-selection. Inter- RTA mobility etc.
QoS management. UE measurement reporting control of reporting. Detection of radio
link failure and recovery from radio link failure. NAS message transfer to/form NAS
from/to UE.

6) What is meant by edge computing?

Edge computing is an emerging computing paradigm which refers to arrange of
networks and devices at or near the user. Edge is about processing data closer to
where it’s being generated, enabling processing at greater speeds and volumes,
leading to greater action-led results in real time.

7) What is NAS in mobile?

A network – attached storage (NSA) device is a data storage device that connects to
and is accessed through a network, instead of connecting directly to a computer.

8) What is Multi-Access Edge Computing?

Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) moves the computing of traffic and services
from a centralized cloud to the edge of the network and closer to the customer. Instead
of sending all data to a cloud for processing, the network edge analyzes, processes,
and stores the data.

9) What are the benefits of MEC in 5G?

• It offers real time access of data locally under IoT environment.
• It reduces operational costs by avoiding requirement of expensive data
centers.
• It reduces the need of cloud data storage and consecutively save
transport costs.
• It conserves network bandwidth and reduces network congestion.

10) What is E2E architecture in 5G?

The End to End (E2E) 5G network architecture is composed of a next-generation
radio access network (NG-RAN), multi access edge computing (MEC), virtual
evolved packet core (vEPC), a data network (DN) and a cloud service.