ng-eNB vs gNB | Difference between ng-eNB and gNB in 5G NG-RAN

This page compares ng-eNB vs gNB and mentions difference between ng-eNB and gNB Base Station types used in 5G NG-RAN (Next Generation Radio Access Network).

Introduction:
With the advancement in cellular technologies, RAN architectures have been evolved. In 5G NR (New Radio), NG-RAN performs various functions such as packet processing, baseband processing (i.e. Physical layer processing), radio signal processing and radio resource control etc.

NG-RAN configures and scales RAN nodes dynamically through software. Signalling and data transport parts are logically separated in NG-RAN and are known as control plane and user plane respectively. NG-RAN architecture is flexible and hence RAN nodes are deployed based on spectrum efficiency and network performance requirements.

ng-eNB | Next Generation e-NodeB

It is enhanced version of 4G eNodeB. The ng-eNB connects 5G user equipment (UE) to 5G CN (Core Network) using 4G LTE air interface.

As shown in the figure-1, UE (User Equipment) use 4G LTE radio resources to connect with ng-eNB. It provides E-UTRAN UP (User Plane) and CP (Control Plane) terminations towards UE. It connects with NG-Core via NG interface.

During initial transition and deployment phase of 5G NR (New Radio), 4G networks are available everywhere. There will be many localities where there will not be 5G coverage and only coverage available will be using 4G LTE network. In such locations, ng-eNBs allow 5G subscribers to connect using the 4G air interface with 5G NG-core to avail 5G services.

gNB | Next Generation NodeB

The gNB is radio node which is equivalent of eNB in 4G architecture. The gNB allows 5G UE to connect with 5G NG core using 5G NR air interface.

The gNB provides 5G NR User Plane and Control Plane terminations towards UE. It connects with NG-Core via NG interface.

The gNB houses three functional modules viz. CU (Control Unit), DU (Distributed Unit) and Radio Unit (RU). The gNB-CU takes care of MC (mobility control), RRM (Radio Resource Management) and SM (Session Management). The gNB-DU provides PHY and MAC layer functionalities. The functionality split between CU and DU is implementation dependant.

The gNB-DUs and gNB-CU are interfaced using F1 interface. F1 interface supports signalling exchange and data transmission between these units (i.e. DU and CU). Two gNB nodes communicate with each other using Xn interface.

5G NR Numerology | 5G NR Terminology

5G NR Control channels | 5G NR Traffic Channels | 5G NR Reference Signals and sequences

5G TECHNOLOGY RELATED LINKS

What is Difference between

RF and Wireless Terminologies