Bringing Quicker Connections and Faster Deployments to 5G with 3GPP Release 16

Mobile network operators are running full speed ahead in the deployment of their 5G networks. Whether the system operates in sub-6 GHz or mmWave spectrum, consumers and businesses are transitioning to new technology, looking for the benefits of higher-speed connectivity. Forecasts by industry analysts are pointing to 5G’s exponential potential:¹

• 5G is expected to cover 40 percent of the global population by 2025
• 9 billion mobile connections across 5.9 billion unique subscribers in 2025
• 13.7 billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices globally in 2025

These total connections are pointing to annual global revenue for 5G in the neighborhood of $1.1 trillion in 2025.

Networks need to provide more than fast mobile experiences to support this trajectory. New vertical segments, like real-time vehicular communications and real-time industrial control systems, need ultra-low latency communications. However, the current 5G networks are not yet able to support these capabilities.

Now scheduled to be finalized in September 2020, 3GPP Release 16 will provide essential enhancements to existing features in the 5G-NR radio and 5G core network specifications and capabilities for new services. These enhancements include support for ultra-reliable low latency connections, NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum, and efficient use of spectrum that can speed deployments of new cell sites.

3GPP Release 16 Enables Real time Control-focused Applications With Ultra-low Latency Connections

The ability to make real-time-critical decisions in automated computing systems, such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and autonomous driving, requires super-fast connections that allow instant responses or actions.

One of the key new capabilities included in Release 16 is the support for sidelink in 5G NR communications. In short, think of sidelink communications as device-to-device communications that do not utilize the 5G radio for exchanging data between devices. With sidelink connections, devices can transfer critical data between each other with ultra-low latency to enable capabilities like vehicle platooning. Platooning is the ability to operate a group of vehicles that are very close to each other, similar to a train only with virtual couplers between cars. The group members must directly share information like speed, braking or acceleration, and direction with those in the platoon and those outside the group for safety purposes. While the development of sidelink targets enhanced vehicle to anything (eV2X) communications, the approach taken in the standards is highly flexible so that other applications can leverage sidelink functions for other device-to-device communications.

Another critical set of enhancements defined in Release 16 supports industrial applications that need low-latency machine-to-machine communications for industrial automation. Factories that use these computer-controlled systems obtain flexibility, versatility, resource and cost efficiencies, and improved quality across their production systems. 5G can provide quick communication among sensors, actuators, and controllers to build, examine, and assemble components on a line.

To achieve these benefits, Release 16 is updating the 5G NR specifications to improve reliability and latency – with the goal that round trip time approaches two milliseconds 99.999% of the time. Enhancements include optimization to control messages that manage the user and radio resources. This level of dependability and latency can enable communications that support the automation of real-time control systems.

3GPP Release 16 Will Open Access to New Pathways with Unlicensed Spectrum

With the ever-increasing demand for higher throughput, mobile network operators need more airwaves. As spectrum is a finite resource, finding ways to share spectrum with other industries offer a cost-effective solution that can “temporarily” increase bandwidth. Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), initially deployed with LTE, utilizes the licensed spectrum as an anchor channel and aggregates unlicensed spectrum carriers when available to improve throughput. Carrier aggregation transmits data in parallel across both licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum to achieve higher performance. Release 16 is applying the concept of LAA with 5G NR-based air interface to support deployment scenarios where unlicensed sub-6 GHz spectrum is available.

3GPP Release 16 Will Help Expedite 5G Deployments by Reducing Dependencies on Fiber

With the increased density of cell site deployment, mobility network operators face the challenge of providing the network connectivity from the Core network to the site. With 5G, the backhaul bandwidth to support network operations and user traffic is substantial, and network operations teams look to fiber-optics for this connectivity. However, fiber is not always readily available to a cell site.

Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) is functionality that uses the same spectrum to provide connectivity from the Base Station and the users while also connecting the Base Station with the Core network. This high-speed wireless backhaul capability supports outdoor small cell deployments, indoor cell deployments, and, in the future, mobile relays that sustain connectivity for high-speed transportation like trains. IAB will simplify the radio-to-core connectivity and reduce the complexity of the associated fiber-based transport network. These simplifications allow faster roll-out of new cells using wireless backhaul techniques instead of waiting for fiber to reach the site.

In 2020, we will continue to see the adoption of 5G across industry applications that will not only improve their operations but will provide safer environments for their employees.

Samsung Leadership in 5G Technology

Samsung has continuously led the advancement of the telecommunications industry and next-generation technologies through countless contributions to industry standards. Building on deployments of the world’s first 5G networks, Samsung drives innovative 5G solutions that comply with 3GPP published standards. With 3GPP Release 16 on the horizon, Samsung is currently designing and developing 5G NR Radio Network and 5G Core solutions that will enable mobile network operators to support customers with services that leverage these specifications.

Samsung understands the real promise of 5G. It takes a lot to make 5G work from chipsets, network equipment, and security, not to mention the devices to connect to the network, like smartphones, smart TVs, and appliances. From creating leading user devices to offering robust, cost-effective equipment to network operators, Samsung continues innovating technology that helps mobile network operators deliver the powerful automation capabilities powered by 5G.