What's different about 5G (NR) in Release 16 (2)?

Besides defining SA (Standalone) as the standard 5G configuration, Release 16 5G enhances many features to support numerous improvements to the air interface, including unlicensed spectrum in the millimeter wave (mmW) band, and support for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC), making it more powerful. Specific additions are as follows:

I. Feature Enhancements As 5G network deployment progresses, the capacity requirements of the Radio Access Network (RAN) continue to grow, and the flexibility of network deployment is also increasing, including support for dedicated networks; RAN capacity and performance have become key to solving problems;

1.1 Capacity Enhancements include:

• MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) Improvements: Enhanced CSI II codebook to support MU-MIMO, multiple transmissions and receptions (multiple TRPs/panel transmissions), multi-beam operation in the millimeter wave band FR2, and low peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) reference signals.
• Unlicensed Spectrum Applications: Similar to Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) and Enhanced LAA, 3GPP Release 16 supports unlicensed spectrum for NR access to improve the throughput and capacity of Wi-Fi in the 5-6 GHz band.

1.2 Performance Improvements:

• RACS (Radio Access Capability Signaling) Optimization: Establishing RACS IDs and mapping them to device radio capabilities optimizes signaling for UE radio capabilities. Multiple UEs can share the same RACS ID, which is stored in the Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) and Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). Additionally, a new network function called UCMF (UE Capability Management Function) is introduced.
• TDD Applications: NR is primarily used in high-frequency time-division duplex bands: Due to electromagnetic wave reflection and refraction, the downlink of one cell can interfere with the uplink of another cell; this cross-link interference is inherent. NR Release 16 supports remote interference management to mitigate this cross-link interference.

II. Flexible Network Deployment R16's IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) functionality can increase network capacity by rapidly deploying denser access points. Additionally:

• Non-Public Networks (NPNs): R16 supports two types of NPNs: Standalone NPN (SNPN) and Public Network Integrated NPN (PNI-NPN).
•  Flexible SMF and UPF Deployment: R16 introduces management flexibility for Session Management Functions (SMFs) and User Plane Functions (UPFs), allowing multiple SMFs to control a single UPF, and the UPF can assign IP addresses in place of the SMF.
• Enhanced Network Slicing Capabilities: R16 adds Network Slice-Specific Authentication and Authorization (NSSAA) to support individual authentication and authorization for services within a given network slice.
• Enhanced eSBA (Service-Based Architecture): R16 enhances service discovery and routing capabilities, including the introduction of a new Service Communication Broker (SCP) network function.

R16 also enhances Network Automation Architecture (eNA). Release 15 supports data collection and network analytics public functionality. In Release 16, network analytics IDs can be used to assign specific analytics data, such as network usage per network slice, UE mobility information, and network performance, enabling the Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) to collect specific data associated with that analytics ID.