4G vs 5G: LTE and NR Network Architecture Comparison

The evolution from 4G LTE to 5G NR has brought significant advancements in mobile network technology. While 4G laid the foundation for high-speed connectivity, 5G introduces transformative features that revolutionize industries and user experiences.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the major differences between 4G and 5G through a detailed comparison. From architecture and speed to latency and use cases, uncover how 5G outpaces its predecessor in every aspect.

Introduction

The telecommunication industry has seen rapid growth in the last few decades. The wireless mobile communication standards are the major contributors. This growth has seen many generations from 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G. Each of these generations have various wireless technologies, data rates, modulation techniques, capacities, and features compared to the others.

1G: First Generation Mobile Communication System

• Data capacity: 2Kbps
• Technology: Analog Wireless
• Standard: AMPS
• Multiplexing: FDMA
• Switching type: Circuit
• Service: Voice only
• Main Network: PSTN
• Handoff supported: Horizontal
• Frequency: 800 to 900MHz

2G: Second Generation Mobile Communication System

• Data capacity: 10Kbps
• Technology: Digital Wireless
• Standard: CDMA, TDMA, GSM
• Multiplexing: TDMA, CDMA
• Switching type: Circuit
• Service: Voice and data
• Main Network: PSTN
• Handoff supported: Horizontal
• Frequency: 850MHz to 1900MHz (GSM) and 825MHz to 849MHz (CDMA)

2.5G

• Data capacity: 200Kbps
• Technology: GPRS
• Standard: Supported TDMA/GSM
• Multiplexing: TDMA, CDMA
• Switching type: Packet Switch
• Service: MMS internet
• Main Network: GSM TDMA
• Frequency: 850MHz to 1900MHz

2.75G

• Data capacity: 473Kbps
• Technology: EDGE
• Standard: GSM, CDMA
• Multiplexing: TDMA, CDMA
• Switching type: Packet Switch
• Main Network: WCDMA
• Frequency: 850MHz to 1900MHz

3G: Third Generation Mobile Communication System

• Data capacity: 384Kbps
• Technology: Broadband/IP technology, FDD and TDD
• Standard: CDMA, WCDMA, UMTS, CDMA2000
• Multiplexing: CDMA
• Switching type: Packet and Circuit Switch
• Service: High speed voice, data and video
• Main Network: Packet Network
• Handoff: Horizontal
• Frequency: 1.6 to 2.5 GHz

(Refer to 2G vs 3G for difference between 2G and 3G.)

3.5G

• Data capacity: 2Mbps
• Technology: GSM/3GPP
• Standard: HSDPA/HSUPA
• Multiplexing: CDMA
• Switching type: Packet Switch
• Service Type: High Speed Voice/Data/Video
• Main Network: GSM, TDMA
• Handoff: Horizontal
• Frequency: 1.6 to 2.5 GHz

3.75G

• Data capacity: 30 Mbps
• Standard: 1XEVDO
• Multiplexing: CDMA
• Switching type: Packet Switch
• Service: High speed internet/ Multi-media
• Handoff type: Horizontal
• Frequency: 1.6 to 2.5 GHz

4G: Fourth Generation Mobile Communication System

This generation of systems are totally IP-based technology with a capacity of 100Mbps to 1Gbps. It is used for both indoor and outdoor applications. The main function of 4G technology is to deliver high quality, high speed, high capacity, low cost services. It is mainly used for voice, multimedia, and internet over IP based traffic. The technologies driving 4G growth are LTE and WiMAX.

(Refer difference between 3G and 4G wireless technologies.)

Following are the features of 4G Mobile WiMAX system.

• Standard: IEEE 802.16e
• Bandwidth: 5, 7, 8.75, 10 MHz
• FFT Size: 128, 512, 1024, 2048
• Subcarrier spacing: 90KHz for OFDM and 11.16KHz for OFDMA
• Data rate: About 60-70 Mbps as per mobile wimax 802.16e, 100 Mbps (Mobile subscribers) and 1GBPS (Fixed subscribers) as per WiMAX Advanced (16m).
• DL/UL multiple Access: OFDMA
• Duplexing: FDD/TDD
• Subcarrier Mapping: PUSC, FUSC, AMC
• Modulation: BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM
• Channel Coding: CC, CTC
• DL MIMO 2-antenna, matrix A, 2-antenna, matrix B vertical encoding
• UL MIMO Collaborative SM for two MS with single transmit antenna
• HARQ with chase combining

Following are the features of 4G LTE system.

• Standard: 3GPP Release 9
• Bandwidth: supports 1.4MHz, 3.0MHz, 5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, 20MHz
• Data rate: 300 Mbps Downlink(DL) 4x4MIMO and 20MHz, 75 Mbps Uplink(UL)
• Theoretical Throughput: About 100Mbps for single chain(20MHz,100RB,64QAM), 400Mbps for 4x4 MIMO. 25% os this is used for control/signaling(OVERHEAD)
• Maximum No. of Layers: 2(category-3) and 4(category-4,5) in the downlink, 1 in the uplink
• Maximum No. of codewords: 2 in the downlink, 1 in the uplink
• Spectral Efficiency(peak,b/s/Hz): 16.3 for 4x4 MIMO in the downlink, 4.32 for 64QAM SISO case in the Uplink
• PUSCH and PUCCH transmission: Simultaneously not allowed
• Modulation schemes supported: QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM
• Access technique: OFDMA (DL),DFTS-OFDM (UL)
• carrier aggregation: Not supported
• Applications: Mobile broadband and VOIP

5G: Fifth Generation Mobile Communication System

There are different phases under which 5G NR (New Radio) will be deployed as per 3GPP specifications published in December 2017. There are two main modes viz. Non-Standalone (NSA) and Standalone (SA) based on individual or combined RAT operation in coordination with LTE. In standalone mode, UE works by 5G RAT alone and LTE RAT is not needed. In non-standalone mode, LTE is used for control (C-Plane) functions e.g. call origination, call termination, location registration etc. where as 5G NR will focus on U-Plane alone.

The figure-1 depicts 5G NR architecture.

Following are the features of 5G wireless technology.

• Bandwidth: Supports 1Gbps or higher
• Frequency bands: Sub-1 GHz, 1 to 6 GHz, > 6 GHz in mm bands (28 GHz, 40 GHz),
• Peak data rate: Approx. 1 to 10 Gbps
• Cell Edge Data rate: 100 Mbps
• End to End delay : 1 to 5 ms

Difference between 4G and 5G Network Architecture

As shown in the figure LTE SAE (System Architecture Evolution) consists UE, eNodeB, and EPC (evolved packet core). Various interfaces are designed between these entities which include Uu between UE and eNodeB, X2 between two eNodeB, S1 between EPC and eNodeB. eNodeB has functionalities of both RNC and NodeB as per previous UMTS architecture.

The 4G network architecture contains the following network elements.

• LTE EUTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio)
• LTE Evolved Packet Core.

EUTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio) consists of eNB (Base station).

The LTE EPC architecture consists of MME, SGW, PGW, HSS and PCRF.

LTE Advanced architecture for E-UTRAN consists of P-GW, S-GW, MME, S1-MME, eNB, HeNB, HeNB-GW, Relay Node etc. LTE Advanced protocol stack consists of user plane and control plane for AS and NAS.

The figure depicts 5g network architecture. As shown in the figure, gNB node provides NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE (i.e. 5G terminal device such as smartphone, tablet, laptop etc.) and it is connected via the NG interface to the 5GC. The ng-eNB node providing E-UTRA (i.e. LTE) user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to the 5GC. Here AMF stands for Access and Mobility Management Function and UPF stands for User Plane Function.

The figure depicts 5G network architecture as defined in the 3GPP TS 38.300 specification.

Comparison between 4G and 5G

Let us compare 4G and 5G technologies with respect to various parameters in order to derive 4g vs 5g comparison table as follows.

Conclusion

The comparison between 4G LTE and 5G NR highlights a dramatic shift in mobile network capabilities. While 4G remains a reliable option for many, 5G unlocks unprecedented opportunities in speed, connectivity, and innovative applications. As industries and consumers continue to adopt 5G, its advantages over 4G become increasingly evident, paving the way for a smarter, more connected future.

6G Mobile Communication System

6G systems will have integration of 5G along with satellite network. Following are the satellite systems developed in different countries:

• GPS (by USA)
• COMPASS (by China)
• Galileo (by EU)
• GLONASS (by Russia)

It supports local voice coverage and other features.

7G Mobile Communication System

The 7G network will be same as 6G. In addition 7G defines satellite functionalities in wireless mobile communication. This will provide many features and take care of all the drawbacks of previous generation of mobile wireless communication systems. The major factor here will be cost of phone call and other services. It provides seamless movement of mobile phone from one country to the other. This will be major benefits for frequent international travelers.