4 General principles

38.4013GPPArchitecture descriptionNG-RANRelease 17TS

The general principles guiding the definition of NG-RAN architecture as well as the NG-RAN interfaces are the following:

– Logical separation of signalling and data transport networks.

– NG-RAN and 5GC functions are fully separated from transport functions. Addressing scheme used in NG-RAN and 5GC shall not be tied to the addressing schemes of transport functions. The fact that some NG-RAN or 5GC functions reside in the same equipment as some transport functions does not make the transport functions part of the NG-RAN or the 5GC.

– Mobility for an RRC connection is fully controlled by the NG-RAN.

– The NG-RAN interfaces are defined along the following principles:

– The functional division across the interfaces have as few options as possible.

– Interfaces are based on a logical model of the entity controlled through this interface.

– One physical network element can implement multiple logical nodes.