Impacts on the System Architecture and Network Protocol Aspects

This chapter describes the standardized Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) functionalities, related to the impact on system architecture and network protocols. In more detail, Quality of Service (QoS) handling, User Equipment (UE) attach, mobility, feeder link switch, network, and radio resource management, and the procedures up to the Radio Link Control and Packet Data Convergence Protocol layers are described. The chapter focuses on 3rd Generation Partnership Program (3GPP) Rel-17, and also mentions some ongoing enhancements currently discussed in Rel-18. In general, provisioning of services is based on their assigned QoS. The 5G QoS model is based on the concepts of Packet Data Unit (PDU) Sessions and QoS Flows. A PDU Session is the association between the UE and a data network providing a PDU connectivity services, and the QoS flow is the finest granularity of QoS differentiation within a PDU Session.

References

M. Olsson , S. Sultana , S. Rommer , L. Frid , C. Mulligan , SAE and the Evolved Packet Core – Driving the Mobile Broadband Revolution , Academic Press , 2009 .
Google Scholar
3GPP TS 23.501 : “ System Architecture for the 5G System (5GS); Stage 2 ”, v. 17.5.0.
Google Scholar
3GPP TR 38.824 : “ Study on physical layer enhancements for NR ultra-reliable and low latency case (URLLC) ”, v. 16.0.0.
Google Scholar
3GPP TS 38.300 : “ NR; Overall description; Stage-2 ”, v. 17.1.0.
Google Scholar
3GPP TS 38.413 : “ NG-RAN; NG Application Protocol (NGAP) ”, v. 17.1.1.
Google Scholar
3GPP TS 23.502 : “ Procedures for the 5G System (5GS); Stage 2 ”, v. 17.5.0.
Google Scholar
3GPP TS 38.410 : “ NG-RAN; NG general aspects and principles ”, v. 17.1.0.
Google Scholar
3GPP TR 38.882 : “ Study on Requirements and User Cases for Network Verified UE Location for Non-Terrestrial-Networks (NTN) in NR ”, v. 18.0.0.
Google Scholar
3GPP TS 38.305 : “ NG Radio Access Network (NG-RAN); Stage 2 functional specification of User Equipment (UE) positioning in NG-RAN ”, v.17.1.0.
Google Scholar
3GPP TS 38.331 : “ NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification ”, v.17.5.0.
Google Scholar
3GPP TR 38.821 : “ Solutions for NR to support Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) ”, v. 16.1.0.
Google Scholar
3GPP TS 38.306 : “ NR; User Equipment (UE) radio access capabilities ”, v.15.21.0.
Google Scholar
3GPP TS 38.321 : “ NR; Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification ,” v.15.13.0.
Google Scholar
H.-L. Määttänen , J. Sedin , S. Parolari , R. S. Karlsson , “ Radio interface protocols and radio resource management procedures for 5G new radio non-terrestrial networks ”, International Journal of Satellite Communications and Networking , Special Issue, vol. 41 , no. 3 , pp. 276 – 288 , May–June 2023 .
10.1002/sat.1469
Web of Science® Google Scholar
3GPP TS 38.323 : “ Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) specification ”, v.17.5.0.
Google Scholar
3GPP TS 38.304 : “ User Equipment (UE) procedures in Idle mode and RRC Inactive state ”, v.17.4.0.
Google Scholar
G. Masini et al., “ 5G meets satellite: non-terrestrial network architecture and 3GPP ”, International Journal of Satellite Communications and Networking , Special Issue, pp. 1 – 13 , 2022 . doi: 10.1002/sat.1456 .
10.1002/sat.1456
Web of Science® Google Scholar
NIMA TR 8350.2, 3rd Ed., Amendment 1 : “ Department of Defense World Geodetic System 1984 ”, January 3, 2000 . Available at: https://gis-lab.info/docs/nima-tr8350.2-wgs84fin.pdf.
Google Scholar

5G Non‐Terrestrial Networks: Technologies, Standards, and System Design