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Becoming 5G-Advanced: the 3GPP Roadmap

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Becoming 5G-Advanced: the 3GPP Roadmap

Introduction

As mobile communication technology continues to advance, the demand for higher data rates, improved coverage, and reduced latency has increased. The 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system is designed to meet these demands by providing enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is responsible for the standardization of 5G technology. In this article, we will discuss the 3GPP roadmap for becoming 5G-Advanced, including the release schedule, key features, and technical advancements.

3GPP Release Schedule

The 3GPP has released several versions of the 5G standard to date, with each release building on the previous one. The 3GPP has defined the following release schedule for 5G:

  1. Release 15: This was the first release of the 5G standard, completed in 2018. Release 15 defined the initial 5G New Radio (NR) specifications, including both standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) modes. Release 15 also introduced new radio frequency (RF) bands, beamforming techniques, and new network architecture.
  2. Release 16: This release was completed in 2020 and introduced several key features, including support for industrial IoT (IIoT) applications, network slicing, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. Release 16 also expanded the NR specifications to support higher carrier frequencies, wider bandwidths, and more advanced antenna technologies.
  3. Release 17: This is the current release of the 5G standard and is expected to be completed in 2022. Release 17 will focus on enhancing the 5G system's performance and reliability while also adding new features such as enhanced V2X communication, satellite access, and new security features.

Key Features of 5G-Advanced

To become 5G-Advanced, the 3GPP is focusing on several key features, including:

  1. Higher Data Rates: 5G-Advanced is expected to support data rates of up to 20 Gbps, which is 20 times faster than the peak data rate of 4G LTE.
  2. Improved Coverage: 5G-Advanced will provide better coverage, particularly in urban areas and indoors. This will be achieved through the use of small cells, massive MIMO, and advanced beamforming techniques.
  3. Reduced Latency: 5G-Advanced will support ultra-low latency of less than 1 ms, which is essential for applications such as remote surgery, autonomous vehicles, and real-time gaming.
  4. Enhanced Security: 5G-Advanced will include new security features such as network slicing, secure user identity management, and enhanced encryption.
  5. Advanced Network Architecture: 5G-Advanced will feature a more advanced network architecture, including distributed edge computing, network slicing, and virtualization.

Technical Advancements

To achieve the key features of 5G-Advanced, the 3GPP is making several technical advancements, including:

  1. Millimeter Wave (mmWave) Technology: 5G-Advanced will use higher frequency bands, including mmWave bands, to achieve higher data rates and improved coverage. MmWave technology uses frequencies between 24 GHz and 100 GHz, which have higher bandwidths and can support more data traffic.
  2. Massive MIMO: 5G-Advanced will use massive MIMO technology to improve coverage and increase data rates. Massive MIMO involves using a large number of antennas at both the base station and the user device to transmit and receive multiple streams of data simultaneously.
  3. Beamforming: 5G-Advanced will also use advanced beamforming techniques to improve coverage and reduce interference. Beamforming involves directing radio waves towards a specific location or user device, increasing the signal strength and reducing interference from other devices or sources.
  4. Network Slicing: 5G-Advanced will support network slicing, which allows network operators to partition their network into multiple virtual networks. Each virtual network can have its own set of resources and network policies, allowing network operators to provide customized services to different types of users.
  5. Edge Computing: 5G-Advanced will leverage edge computing, which involves processing data at the edge of the network, closer to the user device. This reduces latency and improves response time for applications such as gaming, video streaming, and augmented reality.
  6. Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC): 5G-Advanced will support URLLC, which provides ultra-low latency and high reliability for critical applications such as remote surgery, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation.
  7. Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication: 5G-Advanced will support V2X communication, which enables communication between vehicles, infrastructure, and pedestrians. This can improve traffic flow, reduce accidents, and enable new applications such as smart city services.

Conclusion

In conclusion, becoming 5G-Advanced is a critical milestone in the evolution of mobile communication technology. The 3GPP is working on a roadmap to achieve higher data rates, improved coverage, reduced latency, enhanced security, and advanced network architecture. To achieve these goals, the 3GPP is making several technical advancements, including the use of mmWave technology, massive MIMO, beamforming, network slicing, edge computing, URLLC, and V2X communication. These advancements will enable new applications and services that were not possible with previous generations of mobile communication technology.