ETCP 5G RAN Architecture and Deployment

Question 1

In Ericsson's 5G NR RAN, what does 'gNB' stand for?

Accepted Answer

Next-Generation Node B

Answer

gNB (Next-Generation Node B) is the 5G NR base station, equivalent to the eNB in 4G LTE, that provides the radio access function in a 5G network.

Question 2

What is the functional split in Ericsson's CU/DU architecture for 5G?

Accepted Answer

CU handles higher-layer protocols (PDCP, RRC); DU handles lower-layer protocols (RLC, MAC, PHY)

Answer

The CU (Central Unit) hosts higher-layer protocols (RRC, PDCP) for multiple DUs, while the DU (Distributed Unit) handles real-time lower-layer processing (RLC, MAC, PHY) close to the antenna.

Question 3

Which Ericsson 5G product integrates the baseband and radio into a single outdoor unit?

Accepted Answer

Ericsson AIR (Active Intelligent Radio) series

Answer

Ericsson's AIR (Active Intelligent Radio) units integrate massive MIMO antenna arrays with radio transceivers and may include baseband processing in a compact outdoor form factor.

Question 4

What is Massive MIMO in the context of Ericsson's 5G radio deployments?

Accepted Answer

A system with a large number of antenna elements enabling multi-user spatial multiplexing and beamforming

Answer

Massive MIMO uses dozens to hundreds of antenna elements to form precise beams toward multiple users simultaneously, dramatically increasing spectral efficiency.

Question 5

In Ericsson's 5G RAN, what is the purpose of the F1 interface?

Accepted Answer

Connects the CU to the DU within a disaggregated gNB

Answer

The F1 interface (F1-C for control, F1-U for user plane) is the 3GPP-defined interface between the gNB-CU and gNB-DU in a split RAN architecture.

ETCP - Ericsson Technical Certification Program Practice Test

ETCP - Ericsson Technical Certification Program Practice Test

ETCP 5G RAN Architecture and Deployment