5G Evolution - 3GPP Rel. 17, Rel. 18, and 5G-Advanced

5G Evolution Whitepaper: 3GPP Rel. 17, Rel. 18, and 5G-Advanced

We are pleased to introduce our latest 5G Evolution Whitepaper: 3GPP Rel. 17, Rel. 18, and 5G-Advanced by Rimedo Labs.

The baseline 5G system was specified within 3GPP Releases 15 and 16, also known as 5G Phase-1 and 5G Phase 2. 5G standardization, however, did not stop there. There are interesting developments within 3GPP, which evolved the system towards Rel-17. More recently, the standardization took the step towards a significant update with the so-called, “5G-Advanced” using Rel-18 for that purpose. This whitepaper provides an overview of the latest development steps along with outlining the main Work- and Study-Items of both 3GPP Rel-17 and Rel-18 within RAN and SA2 work groups.

Executive Summary

The baseline 5G system was specified within 3GPP Releases 15 and 16, also known as 5G Phase-1 and 5G Phase-2, correspondingly, to fulfill the ITU-R requirements of IMT-2020. 5G standardization, however, did not stop at Rel-16. There are exciting developments within 3GPP evolving the system towards Rel-17 and Rel-18. Recently, the standardization took the step towards a significant update with the so-called “5G-Advanced” using Rel-18 for that purpose. This whitepaper provides a technical discussion, on the recent advancements within the 3GPP 5G standardization of Rel-17 and Rel-18. First, the 5G standardization path and current timeline are introduced, along with an overview of 3GPP Rel-17, which serves as an evolution of 5G from its baseline specified within Rel-15 and Rel-16. Later, the Rel-18 is introduced, also known as "5G-Advanced", to mark the significant step of the system features update concerning its baseline. Next, the Rel-18 RAN features are discussed within the standardization in 3GPP TSG RAN. This is followed up by the elaboration of the 3GPP TSG SA2, working on Rel-18 system architecture features. The whitepaper ends with a summary and conclusions section and a glossary of the 5G and 5G-Advanced terms.

Contents

Executive Summary

1.0 Introduction to the Evolving 5G

• 1.1 From LTE to 5G-Advanced
• 5G Standardization Roadmap

2.0 3GPP Rel-17: Evolution of 5G

• 2.1 3GPP Rel-17 feature list
• 2.2 Selected features from 3GPP Rel-17

3.0 3GPP Rel-18: 5G Advanced

• 3.1 Rel-18 Workshop
• 3.2 3GPP Rel-18: 5G-Advanced Key Topics
• 3.3 3GPP Rel-18: Timeline and Specifications

4.0 3GPP Rel-18 RAN

• 4.1 3GPP Rel-18 RAN Features
• 4.1.1 WIs/SIs to be led by RAN1
• 4.1.2 WIs/SIs to be led by RAN2
• 4.1.3 WIs/SIs to be led by RAN3
• 4.1.4 WIs/SIs to be led by RAN4

5.0 3GPP Rel-18 SA2

• 5.1 3GPP Rel-18 SA2 Features
• 5.1.1 WIs/SIs to be led by SA2

6.0 Summary & Conclusions

References

Glossary

The Whitepaper is 53 pages in total.

References

[1] https://www.3gpp.org

[2] https://www.3gpp.org/DynaReport/WI-List.htm

[3] https://www.3gpp.org/release-17

[4] https://www.3gpp.org/DynaReport/FeatureListFrameSet.htm

[5] 3GPP RP-213469, ?Summary for RAN Rel-18 Package”, 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #94e, Dec. 6 – 17, 2021

[6] ?New 3GPP RAN Chair in conversation”, ETSI Webinar, 05.05.2021, available at ETSI – Webinar standardization – Webinar Organized by ETSI

[7] Evolution towards 5G-Advanced (3gpp.org)

[8] Release 18 (3gpp.org)

[9] 3GPP TR 21.900

[10] https://portal.3gpp.org/#/lt-55936-specifications

[11] SP-211655, ?List of Approved 3GPP SA WG2 Study and Work Items”, 3GPP TSG SA Meeting #94e, Dec. 6 – 17, 2021

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To download the Whitepaper, go to?"5G Evolution" Whitepaper

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Resources from Rimedo Labs

• For our blog posts on #AllThingsWireless, visit:?Blog – RIMEDO Labs
• Webinar:?A video recording from an O-RAN Webinar:?O-RAN Architecture and Use Cases – YouTube
• Training:?Sign up for our?O-RAN System Overview?Course.