5G RAN Architecture and Deployment Flashcards

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

Answer: Next-Generation Node B

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.

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

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

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.

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

Answer: Ericsson AIR (Active Intelligent Radio) series

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.

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

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

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

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

Answer: Connects the CU to the DU within a disaggregated gNB

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.

What does 'beamforming' enable in Ericsson's 5G Massive MIMO radios?

Answer: Directing radio energy toward specific users to improve signal quality and reduce interference

Beamforming steers narrow radio beams toward individual or groups of users, increasing received signal strength and reducing interference to other users.