CONTENTS
The course describes the physical layer design of NR in terms of OFDM numerologies, radio frames, subframes and slot configurations. The course explains the purpose of, and processing of, all physical channels with particular focus on control channels. Reference signals for data demodulation, CSI measurements, sounding and phase tracking are explained. Layer 1 procedures for synchronization, random access, scheduling and HARQ are described in detail.
An overview of NR layer 2 and layer 3 protocols is included for completeness, with particular focus on the role of the RRC protocol in configuring layer 1 parameters.
PREREQUISITES
Reasonably good technical knowledge of the LTE physical layer and the LTE radio protocols is highly recommended but not compulsory.
Note
This course is not delivered with the FoldOut methodology.
The course is under development and content may be subject to changes.
NR Overview
- 5G deployment options (‘option 3’ etc)
- Summary of radio techniques used in NR
- Current status of the NR standard
- NR spectrum (frequency bands, bandwidth options)
NR Protocols
- NR protocols (control plane and user plane)
- Logical, transport and physical channels
- RRC procedures for layer 1 configuration
- Layer 2 overview: SDAP, PDCP, RLC, MAC
NR Physical Layer Design
- OFDM numerologies for NR
- NR radio frame and subframe structure
- Slots and slot formats
- Self-contained slots and flexible numerology
NR MIMO and Beamforming
- Multi-layer transmission (SU-MIMO)
- Reference signals for MIMO
- Beamforming overview
- Beam measurement, selection, adjustment, failure detection and recovery
Synchronization and Initial Access
- SS/PBCH Blocks (mapping, transmission)
- PBCH and system information
- PRACH and the random access procedure
Control Channels
- CORESET configuration (PDCCH)
- DCI formats for scheduling and other purposes
- Coding and mapping of PDCCH
- PUCCH coding and resource selection
- UCI formats for UL feedback
- DM-RS mapping for PDCCH and PUCCH
Data Channels
- Layer 1 processing for DL-SCH and UL-SCH
- LDPC coding overview
- DM-RS mapping for PDSCH
- DM-RS mapping for PUSCH
Scheduling, HARQ and Measurements
- Scheduling of PDSCH and PUSCH
- DL and UL HARQ timing
- CSI reporting mechanisms
- CSI-RS configuration
- SRS configuration
- PT-RS configuration
NR/LTE Interworking
- Multi-RAT Dual Connectivity (MR-DC)
- EN-DC (DC between LTE and NR)
- Supplemental uplink (SUL) operation
- Spectrum sharing between LTE and NR
