5G NR network Architecture

Below is the 5G NR architecture as per 3GPP standard.

Network nodes and their functions:

(UE)- User equipment

(gNB)- Next Generation Node Base station

Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) – responsible for following

       – Termination of RAN Control Plane interface (NG2)

       – Termination of NAS (NG1), NAS ciphering and integrity protection

       – Mobility Management

       – Lawful intercept (for AMF events and interface to Lawful Intercept System)

       – Transparent proxy for routing access authentication and SM messages

       – Access Authentication

       – Access Authorization

       – Security Anchor Function (SEA): It interacts with the UDM and the UE, receives the       intermediate key that was established as a result of the UE authentication process; in case of USIM based authentication, the AMF retrieves the security material from the UDM

       – Security Context Management (SCM): it receives a key from the SEA that it uses to derive access-network specific keys

User plane Function (UPF) – functions are

       – QoS handling for User plane

       – Packet routing & forwarding

       – Packet inspection and Policy rule enforcement

       – Lawful intercept (User Plane)

       – Traffic accounting and reporting

       – Anchor point for Intra-/Inter-RAT mobility (when applicable)

       – Support for interaction with external DN for transport of signaling for PDU session authorization/authentication by external DN

Session Management Control Function (SMF) – supports following:

      – Session Management

      – UE IP address allocation & management (including optional Authorization).

      – Selection and control of User Plane function

      – Termination of interfaces towards Policy control and Charging functions

      – Control part of policy enforcement and QoS.

      – Lawful intercept (for Session Management events and interface to Lawful Intercept System)

      – Termination of Session Management parts of NAS messages

      – Downlink Data Notification

      – Initiator of Access Node specific Session Management information, sent via AMF over NG2 to Access Node

      – Roaming functionality

      – Handle local enforcement to apply QoS SLAs (VPLMN)

      – Charging data collection and charging interface (VPLMN)

      – Lawful intercept (in VPLMN for Session Management events and interface to Lawful Intercept System)

Data Network (DN): Operator services, Internet access or other services

Authentication Server Function (AUSF) – Performs authentication processes with the UE

Unified Data Management (UDM) – Supports:

      – Authentication Credential Repository and Processing Function (ARPF); this function stores the long-term security credentials used in authentication for AKA

      – Storing of Subscription information

Policy Control Function (PCF) – Provides:

     – Support of unified policy framework to govern network behavior

     – Policy rules to control plane function(s) that enforce them

Application Function (AF) – Requests dynamic policies and/or charging control