Advanced 5G RAN
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the technical advancements introduced in 3GPP Release 18, focusing on the RAN1, RAN2 and RAN3 working groups.
CONTENTS
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the technical advancements introduced in 3GPP Release 18, focusing on the RAN1, RAN2 and RAN3 working groups. Attendees will gain insights into the latest innovations in physical layer enhancements, radio resource management, and architecture advancements, designed to meet next-generation mobile network demands.
Module 1: Introduction to 3GPP and Release 18 Scope
This module introduces the 3GPP standardization process and the Release 18 objectives across RAN1, RAN2, and RAN3. It provides foundational knowledge on the 3GPP organization and its working groups’ roles, emphasizing how Release 18 aims to address emerging needs in mobile communication systems, including increased capacity, enhanced performance, and AI/ML integration.
Overview of 3GPP Standards and Release Cadence
– An exploration of the 3GPP organization, its structure, and the standardization process. This section details how 3GPP delivers timely enhancements to meet the evolving demands of the telecom industry.
Release 18 Overview and Key Objectives
– A discussion on Release 18’s objectives, focusing on the main drivers for the enhancements in RAN1, RAN2, and RAN3. This section covers the overarching goals of improved network flexibility, AI/ML integration, energy efficiency, and higher data throughput.
Module 2: RAN1 – Physical Layer Enhancements and Features
This module dives into the physical layer advancements specified by 3GPP RAN1 for Release 18. The focus is on physical channel enhancements, beamforming improvements, massive MIMO, and AI/ML- based optimizations at the physical layer to improve spectrum efficiency and latency.
Physical Layer AI/ML-Based Beamforming Techniques-Â
Detailed analysis of AI/ML techniques used to optimize beamforming, addressing beam management challenges and reducing interference in dense environments.
Enhancements in Massive MIMO and Channel Estimation
– Explores advanced techniques in massive MIMO, specifically in channel state information (CSI) acquisition and feedback mechanisms to improve system efficiency.
Sidelink and Device-to-Device Communication
– Covers the enhancements to sidelink communication aimed at enabling higher throughput and lower latency in device-to-device (D2D) applications, which are essential for direct communication in critical IoT and V2X applications.
Uplink Enhancements and Efficiency Improvements
– Examines new features targeting uplink performance, focusing on techniques like non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and flexible resource allocation to maximize spectral efficiency.
Physical Layer Security Enhancements
– Details security mechanisms integrated at the physical layer, including randomization techniques and encryption mechanisms, to protect user data integrity and prevent unauthorized access.
Module 3: RAN2 – Radio Resource Management and Layer 2 Enhancements
The RAN2 module examines the radio resource management (RRM) strategies and MAC/RLC enhancements in Release 18. This module focuses on how RAN2 features improve network coordination, minimize latency, and optimize data throughput in various network conditions.
AI/ML-Driven Radio Resource Management for Improved CCO
– Outlines how AI/ML is applied in RRM to dynamically adjust resources for optimal Coverage and Capacity Optimization (CCO), focusing on load balancing, congestion management, and interference coordination.
MAC Layer Scheduling EnhancementsÂ
– A deep dive into new scheduling algorithms at the MAC layer, which facilitate more efficient spectrum use and reduced latency, especially in ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC) applications.
RLC Layer Enhancements for Enhanced Reliability
– Focuses on Release 18 improvements in the RLC layer, which are critical for boosting reliability and achieving lower latency in mission-critical applications, ensuring efficient retransmission schemes.
NR-Light – Reduced Capability (RedCap) UE Support
– Discusses optimizations for reduced-capability (RedCap) devices, enabling more efficient support for IoT applications and extending the network’s reach to less complex devices with lower power consumption.
Enhancements in Carrier Aggregation and Multi-Connectivity
– Examines new techniques for carrier aggregation and multi-connectivity that improve overall network resilience, throughput, and latency, particularly in complex deployment scenarios with high mobility.
Mobility Management and Handover Enhancements
– Details improved mobility management techniques, particularly enhancements in handover mechanisms that maintain high quality of service (QoS) and low latency for high-speed users.
Module 4: RAN3 – RAN to Core Network and Architecture Advancements
The RAN3 module covers Release 18’s core network and architecture innovations, which are instrumental in creating a more flexible, reliable, and efficient network. It focuses on the integration of AI/ML for network optimization, slicing improvements, and energy-efficient designs to handle new traffic demands.
Integration of AI/ML for Network Optimization and Automation
– Describes how RAN3 leverages AI/ML for proactive network optimization and automation, specifically in areas such as fault prediction, anomaly detection, and network self-healing.
Network Slicing Enhancements for Dynamic Resource Allocation
– Examines enhancements to network slicing, including dynamic resource allocation and improved orchestration techniques that support diverse application requirements, from high data throughput to low-latency use cases.
Enhancements to Service-Based Architecture (SBA)
– Details improvements in SBA to support more flexible and scalable architectures, with better support for emerging applications and efficient use of network resources.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Network Design
– Discusses new features that improve energy efficiency at the network level, contributing to a sustainable approach by reducing power consumption in both equipment and operations.
Network Resiliency and Redundancy Mechanisms
– Covers improvements in network resiliency, including redundancy mechanisms that ensure higher availability and reliability, particularly in mission-critical applications.
Interworking with Non-3GPP Access Networks
– Describes advancements in interworking capabilities with non-3GPP access networks, facilitating seamless connectivity and improved service continuity across different network environments.