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| 5G NR (New Radio) | |
|---|---|
| Name | 5G NR (New Radio) |
| Developer | 3GPP |
| Introduced | 2018 |
| Predecessor | LTE |
| Generation | 5G |
| Frequency | Sub-6 GHz, mmWave |
| Modulation | OFDM, QAM |
5G NR (New Radio) is the air interface specification developed by 3GPP for the fifth generation mobile network era, designed to deliver enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable low-latency communications, and massive machine-type communications. It succeeded Long-Term Evolution initiatives and aligns with global spectrum allocations defined by bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union and policy decisions by regulators like the Federal Communications Commission and European Commission. 5G NR underpins commercial deployments by vendors including Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, Samsung Electronics, and ZTE.
5G NR emerged from studies and work items in 3GPP's Technical Specification Group (TSG) RAN and builds on previous releases that trace to 3G and 2G foundations while incorporating concepts from Wi-Fi Alliance developments. Key goals included higher peak data rates, increased capacity, improved spectral efficiency, and support for diverse use cases noted by organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector and industry consortia like the GSMA. Early commercial launches in markets like United States, South Korea, China, Japan, and United Kingdom involved coordination among operators such as Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile US, KT Corporation, China Mobile, China Telecom, NTT Docomo, and Vodafone.
The 5G NR architecture distinguishes between user plane and control plane functions defined in 3GPP TS 23.501 and related specifications, interacting with core networks such as 5G Core (5GC) and legacy systems like the Evolved Packet Core. Key components include gNodeB radio access nodes developed by vendors including Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, and cloud-native implementations by companies such as Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, and Google Cloud. Network elements and services rely on virtualization and orchestration from platforms by VMware, Red Hat, OpenStack, and standards like ETSI NFV and Open RAN initiatives led by the O-RAN Alliance. Management interfaces reference protocols such as NETCONF, RESTCONF, and SNMP, and interworking with transport layers and backhaul systems uses technologies from Cisco Systems, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., and Ciena.
5G NR's radio interface uses scalable numerology rooted in Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing with cyclic prefix, supporting multiple subcarrier spacings inspired by earlier work in LTE Advanced and research from institutions like Bell Labs, MIT, and University of Surrey. Waveform choices emphasize OFDM and variants enabling high-order modulation schemes up to 256‑QAM, with link adaptation techniques paralleling studies at Nokia Bell Labs and Samsung Research. MIMO and beamforming implementations leverage antenna arrays influenced by hardware research at Qualcomm, Intel Corporation, and academic groups at Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Spectrum for 5G NR spans sub-1 GHz bands used by operators in regions such as Europe and Africa, mid-band allocations in ranges like 3.5 GHz contested in auctions involving regulators such as the Federal Communications Commission and Ofcom, and millimeter-wave bands above 24 GHz used in trials in United States and South Korea. National regulators, including Anatel in Brazil and ACMA in Australia, coordinate auctions and coexistence with incumbents like Fixed Wireless Access providers and satellite operators such as Intelsat. Spectrum harmonization efforts involve organizations like ITU-R and regional bodies such as the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations.
Deployments vary from non-standalone architectures that interwork with LTE Evolved Packet Core—adopted by operators like Sprint Corporation—to standalone topologies paired with 5G Core in greenfield setups by Dish Network and trial networks by research bodies such as NIST. Radio topologies include macro cells, small cells, and distributed antenna systems produced by vendors including CommScope and Kathrein, while densification strategies align with smart city projects in municipalities like Seoul and Singapore. Backhaul solutions combine fiber providers like Corning Incorporated and microwave links from RAD Data Communications, alongside edge computing integration from Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services.
5G NR targets peak data rates and user-experienced throughput improvements over LTE Advanced Pro, with key performance indicators driven by trials with chipsets from Qualcomm and MediaTek and device vendors such as Apple and Samsung Electronics. Ultra-reliable low-latency communications requirements inform applications in autonomous vehicle testing by Tesla, industrial automation pilots by Siemens and Bosch, and telesurgery research at institutions like Johns Hopkins University. Capacity scaling combines massive MIMO research from Nokia Bell Labs and Huawei with scheduling and radio resource management techniques studied at University of Cambridge and ETH Zurich.
Security specifications for 5G NR are defined in 3GPP security architecture documents and draw on cryptographic frameworks vetted by agencies such as ENISA and standards from ETSI Cyber. Authentication and key management integrate protocols that evolved from SIM‑based mechanisms and standards influenced by the GSM Association and national identity schemes in countries such as Estonia. Threat models consider supply-chain risks spotlighted in hearings before bodies like the United States Congress and software supply-chain initiatives involving companies like Intel Corporation and ARM Holdings.
Standardization of 5G NR proceeded through 3GPP Releases 15, 16, 17, and beyond, with industry contributions from vendor consortia including 3GPP SA, Nokia, Ericsson, Huawei, and operator groups like the GSMA and the 5G Infrastructure Public Private Partnership. Evolution paths address integration with future radio technologies, non-terrestrial networks involving satellite operators like OneWeb and SpaceX, and convergence with research agendas at institutions such as Academic Network Research Collaborations. Ongoing workstreams consider enhancements for energy efficiency, network slicing adoption championed by operators such as Deutsche Telekom and Telefonica, and feature sets tailored to verticals highlighted by standards forums like ITU-T.
Category:Mobile telecommunications