What is 5G NR?

Introduction

The telecommunications world has witnessed a revolutionary change with the introduction of the 5th-generation mobile network. 5G is the successor to existing wireless mobile networks including 4G, 3G, and 2G. The introduction of 5G NR also known as 5G New Radio, the next-generation wireless access technology has enabled us to interconnect everything ranging from IoT devices to sophisticated industrial IoT machinery, helping to establish a smart connected environment for humankind.

Expanding the abilities of 5G, 5G NR i.e 5G New Radio was introduced in 3GPP Release 15 and expanded its capabilities in the following releases, to pave the way to another revolutionary 5G standard, 5G NR-Light also known as 5G reduced capability or 5G- RedCap.

As wireless networks become more advanced, let’s dive in and build a foundational knowledge of what 5G New Radio is and how it levels up the connectivity game.

What is 5G NR or 5G New Radio?

5G NR is the next-generation standard for wireless communications standard set for mobile telecommunication. The “NR” in 5G NR means 5G New Radio, and it signifies the new 5G air interface being used for the transmission and reception of 5G signals. This technology supports lower latency, higher system capacity, and massive device connectivity, all under lower energy consumption rates.

Frequency Ranges of 5G NR

5G NR enables communication by employing a certain frequency of electromagnetic radio waves. It uses three sections of bandwidth

• Low band(below 1GHz)
• Mid band (1- 6GHz)
• High band (above 24GHz)

The high band is also named as mmWave band or millimeter wave band. It uses two frequency ranges- 5G FR1 and FR 2.

• Frequency Range 1 (5G FR1)- includes sub-6 GHz frequency bands and below
• Frequency Range 2 (5G FR2)- includes frequency bands in the mmWave range of 24 and 52 GHz

This wide spectrum opened by the 5G New Radio standard bridges the limitations possessed by other predecessors. It eliminates network congestion with a broader spectrum which in turn increases the data transmission rates.

Working of 5G NR

Technologies used in 5G NR

5G NR employs different advanced technologies for its operation namely

OFDM

Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is an extension of the basic frequency-division multiplexing (FDM). The cyclic prefix OFDM and DFT-S OFDM are used in the 5G NR. The overall data stream is separated into multiple subchannels, but their frequencies are positioned more broadly to eliminate overlapping and interference. It utilizes 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, and120kHz,etc subcarrier separation.

Beamforming

Beamforming is a signal processing technique used in 5G NR networks to focus radio waves towards the target location, rather than dispersing the signal in all directions. This focused approach ensures that the signal is stronger and clearer at the receiving end, leading to improved data speeds and more efficient energy use. By optimizing the antenna’s beam patterns, beamforming reduces interference, enhancing the overall reliability and performance of the network.

Massive MIMO

Massive MIMO is Multiple-Input multiple-output technology that boosts spectral efficiency through the use of multi-antenna technologies. It improves the capacity of gNB antennas (antennas at the base station). It helps to scale the number of antennas deployed, which results in significantly increased network coverage, capacity, and user throughput.

Small Cell

They are a group of low-power transmitting base stations that use mmWaves to enhance network capacity. They can be easily incorporated with beamforming techniques to increase the efficiency of transmission.

Dynamic TDD

Time Division Duplexing (TDD) enables 5G NR networks to switch between uplink and downlink faster. It employs the same frequency for each duplex direction, with separate slots for uplink and downlink communications, decreasing latency.

5G NR Applications

Applications of 5G NR

• Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) for intensive applications like HD streaming video, gaming, and other streaming uses.
• Ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) for critical applications like command and control functions of 5G NR V2X in autonomous vehicles and remote control in healthcare and manufacturing services.
• Massive machine-type communications (mMTC) connect millions of low-powered devices like IoT sensors at a huge scale.

Closing Notes

5G New Radio represents a significant leap forward in wireless technology, offering unprecedented speed, reliability, and efficiency. As we continue to explore and expand the capabilities of this wireless technology through the latest 3GPP 5G NR Releases, the innovation potential is boundless. It also acts as the foundation of the 5G reduced capability — taking wireless communication to an advanced level. 5G New Radio standard is set to become the backbone of a more connected, faster, and smarter world.

To learn more, visit us at
https://www.cavliwireless.com/iot-modules/cellular-modules.html

Amusing Tech Chronicles

Facts and Anecdotes Related to this Edition of Wireless By Design

The Digital Ninja

With its ability to slice through network congestion and dodge interference, the 5G NR network is like a digital ninja, delivering your data with precision and agility.

The Invisible Juggler

5G NR network juggles frequencies like an invisible circus performer, handling a range of bands from low (great for coverage) to high (amazing for speed), all without dropping a single data ball

The Ant Army

5G NR antennas operate like a colony of ants. Each antenna carries data to and fro, coordinating flawlessly to build a seamless network of communication at extraordinary speeds.

5G NR faster than 4G LTE?

5G NR is a substantial evolution from 4G LTE, the previous generation of wireless technology. While LTE supports up to 1000 devices per cell, 5G supports up to 10,000 devices per cell. 5G NR is engineered to support mission-critical communications and facilitate the massive Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, marking a leap forward in both swift performance and efficiency.

What are the different 5G NR deployment modes?

Standalone Mode: This mode relies solely on a 5G packet core for both transferring information and signaling.
Non-Standalone Mode (NSA): It is an attractive option for areas already equipped with 4G. NSA mode utilizes the existing 4G network control plane speeding up implementation and cutting down on hardware costs.
Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS): DSS allows for the sharing of spectrum between 4G LTE and 5G NR based on real-time demand. Like NSA, DSS enables quicker rollouts and reduced hardware expenses.

How does 5G NR impact IoT?

5G can support up to 10,000 devices per cell with

• 3x spectrum efficiency
• 10x experience throughput
• 100x traffic capacity
• 100x network efficiency

5G NR is designed to enable a massive scale of IoT deployments. Its high capacity, speed, and low latency facilitate more complex and reliable IoT applications, making it possible to connect and manage large numbers of devices efficiently required for massive IoT and IIoT.