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Courses / 5G / 5G Air Interface

5G Air Interface

Learning Time:
24 Hours
Level:
Advanced
Delivery:
On-demand Live onsite Live online
CPD Credits:
24
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Course Details

The 5G NR air interface is a core part of the 5G system, enabling enhanced Mobile Broadband, Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications, and massive Machine-Type Communications. This course is updated through 3GPP Release 19, the second phase of 5G-Advanced, with primary emphasis on 5G SA (Standalone) operation. The course spans key NR radio concepts from physical layer channels and reference signals through scheduling behaviour, and into detailed analysis of NR RRC signalling used to configure, optimize, and troubleshoot the NR air interface. Release 19 updates are reflected throughout.
This course is available as part of a package or for individual purchase. View purchase options to learn more.
Phil heads up Mpirical’s technical development, advising on the latest technologies and assisting the Mpirical team with his wealth of both historical and current knowledge. Phil’s specialist area is the mobile radio and RAN space, originally focussing on 2G and 3G technologies but more recently, heavily embedded with 5G New Radio for both Mpirical and customer specific projects.
£395
for 6 months access

Individual Course

Get on-demand access to this course including all supporting courseware and learning tools.

Module 1
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NR Architecture, Protocols and Identities

NR Architecture and Protocols:

  • 5G Air Interface.
  • RAN Architecture.
  • Dual-Connectivity.
  • NR Protocol Stack.

5G C-RAN (Centralized RAN):

  • 5G C-RAN Architecture.
  • C-RAN Mobility Terminology.
  • Mapping 5G Air Interface Protocols to C-RAN.

5G Air Interface Releases and Versions:

  • 5G Releases and Features.
  • 3GPP Releases and Versions.
  • Version Incrementation.
  • Evolution of Protocols.

5G Air Interface Identities:

  • Subscription Permanent Identifier.
  • 5G Globally Unique Temporary Identifier.
  • 5G Serving TMSI.
  • Permanent Equipment Identifier.
  • Radio Network Temporary Identifier.
  • NR Cell Global Identifier.
  • Physical Cell Identity.
Module 2
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5G Physical Layer

5G Waveform and Numerology:

  • Waveforms.
  • Numerology.
  • Cyclic Prefix.

5G NR Duplexing:

  • FDD and TDD Duplexing Modes.
  • Supplementary Downlink.
  • Supplementary Uplink.

5G Frequency Bands:

  • Definition of Frequency Ranges.
  • 5G NR Bands.
  • 5G Carrier Numbering.

NR Frame Structure:

  • Overall Frame Structure.
  • Slots and Slot Length.
  • Slot and Symbol Timing.
  • Slot Format Configuration.

NR Physical Resource Block:

  • NR PRB Definition.
  • Resource Grid.

Channel Bandwidth :

  • Maximum Transmission Bandwidth.
  • Carrier BWP (Bandwidth Part).
Module 3
View

5G Massive MIMO and Beamforming

Massive MIMO and Multi-Antennas:

  • Multi-Antennas Features.
  • Requirement for Massive MIMO.

MIMO in 5G:

  • Summary of Transmission Path in 5G NR.
  • MIMO Spatial Multiplexing.
  • SU-MIMO vs MU-MIMO.

Beamforming (Massive MIMO):

  • Spatial Multiplexing vs Beamforming.
  • Creating a Beam.
  • Null Forming.

Massive MIMO Antennas:

  • Antenna Elements and Subarrays.
  • Grid of Beams.
  • MIMO in a Handset.

NR Beam Management:

  • Beam Management Terminology.
  • Beam Sweeping.

SSB Location:

  • Synchronization Signal Block.
  • SS Burst and Burst Set.
  • SSB Frequency Location.
  • SS Block Locations (Case A to C).
  • SS Block Locations (Case D to G).
  • SS Block Locations - Comparison.

Beam Index and Reporting:

  • SS/PBCH Block Index Indication.
  • Beam Management.
  • Beam Measurement, Determination and Reporting .

Beam Management Reference Signals:

  • Reference Signals.
  • Single and Multiple CSI-RS.
  • Transmission Based on SRS.
  • Transmission Configuration and Quasi Co-Location.

Transmission and Ports in NR:

  • Downlink Transmission.
  • Uplink Transmission.
  • Antenna Ports.
Module 4
View

5G Physical Layer and Channels Introduction

NR Channels:

  • Channel Types.
  • Logical Channels.
  • Transport Channels.
  • Physical Channels.
  • Synchronization Signals.
  • Reference Signals.

NR Physical Layer Processing:

  • Key Specifications.
  • Code Block Generation.
  • Code Block Group.
  • Processing Chain
Module 5
View

5G Downlink Physical Channels and Signals

NR Downlink Synchronization Signals:

  • Physical Cell Identity.
  • PSS and SSS.

NR Physical Broadcast Channel :

  • Master Information Block.
  • PBCH Payload.
  • PBCH Physical Layer Processing.
  • DMRS for PBCH.

NR Physical Downlink Control Channel:

  • PDCCH Mapping.
  • PDCCH Physical Layer Processing.
  • PDCCH Features.
  • CORESET.
  • CORESET Configuration.
  • Other PDCCH Usages.

NR Physical Downlink Shared Channel:

  • PDSCH Physical Layer Processing.
  • PDCCH Configuration.
  • PDSCH DMRS.
Module 6
View

5G Uplink Physical Channels

5G Physical Random Access Channel:

  • PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel).
  • Preamble Sequence Generation.
  • Configuring RACH/PRACH.
  • 5G PRACH Configuration Index.
  • 5G Preamble Formats.
  • 5G Preamble Sequence Length.
  • 5G PRACH Format 0 Example.
  • 5G PRACH Format - (FR2).

5G Physical Uplink Shared Channel:

  • PUSCH Features.
  • 5G PUSCH Processing Chain.
  • Configuring 5G PUSCH.
  • 5G PUSCH DMRS.

5G Physical Uplink Control Channel:

  • 5G PUCCH Features.
  • 5G PUCCH Formats.
  • 5G PUCCH Location Example.
  • 5G PUCCH Configuration.
  • 5G PUCCH Format 0 Example.
Module 7
View

5G Layer 2 and Layer 3 Protocols

5G Radio Resource Control:

  • 5G RRC States.
  • 5G RRC Messages.
  • RRC Critical and Non-Critical Extensions.

Service Data Adaptation Protocol:

  • SDAP in the RAN.
  • SDAP Functions .
  • SDAP Headers.
  • SDAP Example.
  • RDI and RQI Indication.

5G Packet Data Convergence Protocol:

  • 5G PDCP Services.
  • 5G PDCP Functions.
  • 5G PDCP Profiles.
  • 5G PDCP Protocol Data Units.
  • 5G PDCP Example.

5G Radio Link Control:

  • 5G RLC Modes .
  • RLC Modes and Channel Mapping.
  • RLC Protocol Data Units.

5G Medium Access Control:

  • MAC Services and Functions.
  • MAC Control Elements.
  • 5G RNTI Identities.
  • MAC Headers.
  • LCID and eLCID.
  • Example Subheader Mapping.
Module 8
View

5G Reference Signals

5G Physical Signals:

  • Reference Signal Types.
  • PSS and SSS.

5G Demodulation Reference Signals:

  • 5G DMRS Types.
  • PBCH DMRS.
  • PDSCH and PUSCH DMRS.
  • PUCCH DMRS.

5G Channel State Information Reference Signals:

  • CSI-RS Types .
  • CSI-RS Features.
  • CSI-RS Locations in a Slot.
  • Example CSI-RS Mapping.
  • CSI-IM Patterns.
  • CSI-RS Configuration.
  • ZP-CSI-RS Configuration.
  • CSI Timing.

5G Sounding Reference Signal:

  • SRS Features.
  • 5G SRS Example.
  • 5G SRS Mapping.

5G Phase Tracking Reference Signal:

  • PTRS Features.
  • PTRS Location.
  • PTRS Configuration.
  • PTRS Conditions.

5G Remote Interference Management - Reference Signal:

  • Requirement for RIM-RS.
  • RIM-RS Types.
Module 9
View

5G Measurements and Reporting

Types of Measurements.

  • SS-RSRP.
  • SS-RSRQ.
  • SS-SINR.
  • CSI-RSRP.
  • CSI-RSRQ.
  • CSI-SINR.
  • Example Measurements.

5G Measurements Configuration Options:

  • Measurement Configuration.
  • Measurement Objects.
  • Report Configuration.
  • 5G Measurement Events.
  • Periodic Measurements.
  • Measurement Identities.
  • 5G Measurement Timing Configuration.

5G Measurement Gap Configuration:

  • SSB Measurements.
  • Gap Pattern Parameters.

Other Measurement Features:

  • Logged Measurement.
  • Application Layer Measurements.
Module 10
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5G Scheduling

Scheduling 5G Resources:

  • gNB Scheduler.
  • Downlink Control Information.
  • Resource Allocation.

5G Downlink Resource Allocation:

  • DCI Format 1_1.
  • PDSCH Time Domain Resource Allocation.
  • PDSCH MCS Tables.
  • Downlink Configured Scheduling.
  • Discontinuous Reception.

5G Uplink Resource Allocation:

  • DCI Format 0_1.
  • PUSCH Time Domain Resource Allocation.
  • PUSCH MCS Tables.
  • Uplink Configured Scheduling.

5G Feedback:

  • Feedback Options.
  • Buffer Status Reporting.
  • Power Headroom Reporting.
  • HARQ.
  • Scheduling Request.
  • Channel State Information.
  • Channel Quality Indicator.
Module 11
View

5G Access and Registration Procedures

5G Initial Access:

  • Network Access Procedure.
  • Scanning.
  • SSB Operation.
  • Downlink Synchronization.

5G CORESET#0 Acquisition :

  • MIB/SIB1/RMSI.
  • Example of Mapping.

5G System Information and Cell Selection:

  • System Information Block 1.
  • System Information Types.
  • Cell Selection.

5G Random Access:

  • Random Access Triggers.
  • Contention Based Random Access Procedure.
  • RACH Configuration Common.
  • PRACH Power Control.
  • Contention Free Random Access Procedure.

Preamble Options:

  • PRACH Preambles.
  • Preambles per SSB per PRACH Occasion.
  • SS/PBCH Index Mapping to PRACH Occasion.

Random Access Response:

  • Random Access Response Window.
  • Random Access Response Message.

5G Network Registration:

  • RRC Setup.
  • 5G Registration Procedure.
  • Device Capabilities.
Module 12
View

5G Air Interface Security

5G Security :

  • Encryption and Integrity Checking.
  • Protecting the Subscriber Identity.

5G Cryptographic Processes:

  • 5G Security Algorithms.
  • Key Generation in the SIM/Device.

5G NAS Security:

  • Device Authentication.
  • Key Derivation at the Device.

Security Procedures:

  • Key Distribution in 5G.
  • NAS Signalling Security.
  • NAS Security Header.
  • RRC Signalling Security.

Integrity and Ciphering of PDCP and NAS:

  • PDCP Control and User Plane Security.
  • PDCP and NAS Integrity.
  • PDCP and NAS Ciphering.
Module 13
View

5G PDU Sessions and Data Radio Bearers

PDU Session Establishment:

  • PDU Sessions and QoS Flows.
  • Example PDU Session and QFI Mapping.
  • Connected Mode Procedures.
  • PDU Session Establishment Request.
  • PDU Session Establishment Accept.

5G Radio Link Failure:

  • RLF Configuration.
  • Out-of-Sync and In-Sync.
  • 5G RRC Reestablishment Procedure.

5G Beam Failure:

  • Beam Failure Parameters.
  • Beam Failure Detection.
  • Beam Failure Recovery.

5G Power Control:

  • Downlink Power Allocation.
  • Uplink Power Control.
Module 14
View

5G Paging and RRC Inactive Procedures

5G Paging:

  • 5G RRC States.
  • Network Paging Procedure.
  • Paging Identity.
  • RRC Setup Request (Responding to Page).

Scheduling 5G Paging:

  • Paging Frame and Occasion.
  • DCI Paging.
  • Discontinuous Reception for Paging.

RRC Inactive State and Paging:

  • RAN Based Notification Area.
  • I-RNTI.
  • Suspend Procedure.
  • RRC Resume Procedure.
  • Paging in the RRC Inactive.

Power Saving for Paging Monitoring:

  • Paging Power Saving Options.
  • Paging Early Indication .
  • Low-Power Wake-Up Signal.
Module 15
View

5G Air Interface Mobility

5G Idle Mode Mobility:

  • Mobility Options.
  • 5G Cell Reselection.
  • Registration Mobility Update.

Priority Based Reselection:

  • Absolute Priorities.
  • Priority Reselection Scenarios.

Handover Procedures:

  • X2 Handover Procedure.
  • RRC Connection Reconfiguration.
  • Path Switch Procedure.
  • N2 Handover Scenario.

Minimizing Handover Failures:

  • Handover Failures.
  • Conditional Handover.

Layer 1/Layer 2 Handover:

  • LTM Configuration.
  • LTM Handover Procedure.
Module 16
View

5G Carrier Aggregation

5G Carrier Allocation Terminology:

  • Component Carriers.
  • Band Terminology.
  • PCell, SCell and PSCell Terminology.
  • NR CA Band Combinations and Bandwidth Classes.

Configuring NR Carrier Aggregation:

  • Activation Options.
  • Configuring CA SCells.
  • MAC CA Activation.
  • MAC Buffer Status and Power Headroom Reports.
  • Releasing NR Carrier Aggregation.
Module 17
View

5G Dual Connectivity

NR Dual-Connectivity:

  • Concept and Terminology.
  • Signalling for NR-DC.

NR-DC Operation:

  • NR-DC Secondary Node Addition.
  • NR-DC Bearer Configuration.
  • NR-DC Secondary Node Release.

NR Dual Connectivity Mobility:

  • Change of Secondary Node.

NR-DC Failure :

  • Configuring Radio Link Monitoring.
  • Secondary RAN Node Failure.
  • Master RAN Node Failure.
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