5G Release 18: Network Architecture

5GC Reference Points NWDAF, Broadcast/Multicast, and Proximity Service

5G Service-based Architecture (SBA) Architectures and Interworking between 4G and 5G
Reference Point Between Between 3GPP Spec Protocol Stack
N1 UE AMF TS 23.501 IP | SCTP | NG-AP | NAS
N2 (R)AN AMF TS 23.501 IP | SCTP | NG-AP
N3 (R)AN UPF TS 23.501 IP | UDP | GTP-U Control Plane Functions
N4^ UPF SMF CP: IP | UDP | PFCP UP: IP | UDP | GTP-U
Non-roaming architecture for interworking
TS 23.501
N5* PCF AF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON between 4G EPC and 5G core
N6 UPF DN TS 23.501 IP | Application
N7 * SMF PCF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N82
N8 * AMF UDM TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON NSSAAF NSACF N80 EASDF
N9 UPF UPF TS 23.501 IP | UDP | GTP-U
N83
N10* SMF UDM TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
S6a HSS+
N11* AMF SMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N8
UDM
N12* AMF AUSF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON NSWOF N60
N13* AUSF UDM TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N14 * AMF AMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON PCF+
N15
N15 * AMF PCF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N18 PCRF
N21 N10
N16 * SMF SMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N27
N17 * AMF 5G-EIR IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON AAnF N61 N58 TSCTSF TSN AF
TS 23.501 N59 N7
N18* NF UDSF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N19* PSA PSA TS 23.501 IP | UDP | GTP-U AUSF SMSF NF UDR UDSF N57
N20* AMF SMSF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON SMF+ N11

N21* SMSF UDM TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON UCMF N 37 S5-C PGW-C
N22 * AMF NSSF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N13 N87
N35 N86 N5
N23 * PCF NWDAF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N63 N25 N81 N4
N24 * PCF PCF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N 34 N20 N84
N25 * UDR PCF TS 29.513 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N33
N24 UPF+
N26 AMF MME TS 23.502 IP | UDP | GTP-C N55 N30 N36 N3
N31 vSEPP N32 hSEPP PGW-U
N27 * NRF NRF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N33
N28 * PCF CHF TS 32.240 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON NRF S11 SGW S5-U
N29 * NEF SMF Depreciated IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON UDM PCF NWDAF AF
N23
N30 * NEF PCF TS 29.554 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N27
N62 5G-EIR NSSF NEF
N31 * NSSF NSSF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON MME N26 AMF
N32 * SEPP SEPP TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N33 * NEF AF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N85 N7 N5
N34 * NSSF NWDAF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N56 S1-MME
LMF N8 N10 N15 N1
N35 * UDM UDR TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N36 * PCF UDR TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N28 eNB S1-U gNB N2
N37 * NEF UDR TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N29
N17 N22 N12
N40 * SMF CHF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N16
N50 * AMF CBCF TS 23 501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON NL1 NL6
UE UE
N51 * AMF NEF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON SMF N40 CHF
N51i* AMF I-NEF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N11
N52 * NEF UDM TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON AMF Le
NL2
N53 * I-NEF NEF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON GMLC N4 N88
N55 * AMF UCMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N14
N56 * NEF UCMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N1
N57 * AF UCMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N58 * AMF NSSAAF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N59 * UDM NSSAAF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N2
N60 * AUSF NSWOF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N4
N61 * AAnF AUSF TS 33.535 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON hPLMN
N62 * AAnF AF (internal) TS 33.535 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON NWDAF analytics architecture
N63 * AAnF NEF TS 33.535 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N65 * BSF HSS TS 33.220 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON User Plane Functions
N66 * BSF NAF TS 33.220 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON UE gNB N3 I-UPF N9 UPF N9 UPF UDM NWDAF Functions
N67 * Push-NAF GBA BSF TS 29.309 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N68 * BSF UDM TS 33.220 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON AnLF MTLF
N70 * I/S-CSCF HSS TS 23.228 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N71 * AS (IMS) HSS TS 23.228 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
Access Edge Core vPLMN NRF
N80 * AMF NSACF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N81 * SMF NSACF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N6 Config DB
DataData
Source
N82 * NSACF NEF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Legend AF/NF/NEF
Producer
DCCF
N83 * AUSF NSSAAF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N84 * TSCTSF PCF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N3 N3 N3 N3
N85 * TSCTSF NEF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Application Function Radio Access Network Data Consumer
Data ADRF
N86 * TSCTSF AF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N2 Network NF/NEF/OAM
Consumer
N87 * TSCTSF UDR TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N88 * SMF EASDF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Control Plane Subscriber Data Storage MFAF
Historical Online Data
N89 * TSCTSF AMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Data DB DB
N96 * TSC TSF NRF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N3IWF TNGF W-AGT TWIF
N97 * NSACF NSACF (within same PLMN) TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Location Services User Data and Packet Gateway Message
N99 * NSACF NSACF (in different PLMNs) TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Bus
NL1 * AMF LMF TS 23.273, TS 29.572 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
NL2 * GMLC AMF TS 23.273 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Network Repository Function Security Edge Protection Proxy Untrusted Trusted
NL3 * HGMLC VGMLC TS 23.273 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Wireline Wireline
Non-3GPP Non-3GPP
NL5 * NEF GMLC TS 23.273 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Network Network
Non-3GPP Access Network Network
NL6 * HGMLC UDM TS 23.273 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Non-3GPP Access
NL7 * LMF LMF TS 23.273, TS 29.572 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
NL8 * LMF NWDAF TS 23.273 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
NL9 * NWDAF GMLC TS 23.273 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
NL10 *
Le
LMF
LCS Client
GMLC
GMLC or LRF
TS 23.273
TS 23.273
IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
IP | TCP | HTTP2 | MLP
5GC Network Entities Broadcast/multicast
services architecture NEF N33
MWu^ UE N3IWF TS 23.501 CP: IP | IPsec | Inner IP | GRE UP: IP | IKEv2
PC1 * ProSe application in the UE ProSe Application Server TS 29.555 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Abbreviation Network Function Role Abbreviation Network Function Role
PC3a * UE 5G DDNMF TS 24.334 IP | TCP | HTTP N30
5G DDNMF Direct Discovery Name Management Function The logical function handling network related actions required for dynamic 5G ProSe Direct Discovery. NF Network Function a logical node within the network that has well-defined external interfaces and well-defined functional behavior
PC5 * ProSe-enabled UE ProSe-enabled UE TS 24.587 PHY | MAC | RLC | PDCP | PC5
N29mb Nmb5
PC8 * UE 5G PKMF TS 29.559 Over IP 5G-EIR 5G-Equipment Identity Register Enables authentication of devices in the network. Protects networks and revenues against the use of stolen and Non-3GPP Networks not defined by 3GPP Examples of these are a Wi-Fi, and DSL network.
unauthorized devices. Network UDM PCF
Npc2 * ProSe Application Server 5G DDNMF TS 29.555 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
AAnF AKMA Anchor Function The anchor function in the HPLMN that generates the key material to be used between the UE and the AF and maintains
Npc4 * UDM 5G DDNMF TS 23.304 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON NRF Network Repository Function Allows every network function to discover the services offered by other network functions.
UE AKMA contexts.
Npc6 * 5G DDNMF (in the HPLMN) 5G DDNMF (in a Local PLMN) TS 23.304 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Monitors and controls the number of registered UEs per network slice and/or the number of PDU Sessions per network slice N10 N7mb Nmb12
ADRF Analytical Data Repository Function Stores and retrieves analytics generated by NWDAFs and other collected data. NSACF Network Slice Access Control Function
for the network slices that are subject to Network Slice Admission Control (NSAC). AF
Npc7 * 5G DDNMF (in the HPLMN) 5G DDNMF (in the VPLMN) TS 23.304 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
Npc8 * PCF 5G DDNMF TS 23.304 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON AF Application Function Performs the same function as the EPC AF.
NSSAAF Network Slice-Specific Authentication and Provides slice-specific authentication and authorization for a given UE. The NSSAAF acts as a NF Service Producer, N1 AMF N11 SMF N16mb MB-SMF Nmb1 MBSF Nmb10
Npc9 * 5G PKMF (5G ProSe Remotr UE) 5G PKMF (5GproSe UE-to-Network TS 33.503 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON AnLF Analytical Logical Function Responsible for collecting the analytical request and sending the response to the consumer. AnLF requires the model Authorization Function while the AMF is the NF Service Consumer.
Relay) endpoints, which is provided by the MTLF (Model Training Logical Function).
Npc10* 5G PKMF UDM TS 33.503 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON NSSF Network Slice Selection Function Redirects traffic to a network slice. N11mb
Similar to the Generic Bootstrapping Architecture (GBA) in earlier generations, this function leverages an operator
Y1 UE Non-3GPP Network N/A Not specified by 3GPP AKMA Authentication and Key Management for Applications authentication infrastructure in order to secure the communication between the UE and an Application Function (AF). NSWOF Non-Seamless WLAN Offload Function Interfaces to the WLAN access network using the SWa interface and interfaces to the AUSF using the Nausf Service Nmb13
Y2 Non-3GPP Network N3IWF N/A Not specified by 3GPP Based Interface (SBI) to support WLAN connection using 5G credentials without 5GS registration. N2 N4 N4mb Nmb2
AMF Access and Mobility Management Function Performs most of the functions that the MME performs in a 4G network.
NR-Uu UE (R)AN TS 38.305 PHY | MAC | RLC | PDCP | RRC
NWDAF Network Data Analytics Function Responsible for providing network analysis information upon request from network functions.
Nmb1* MB-SMF MBSF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON AUSF Authentication Server Function Performs the authentication function of 4G HSS.
Nmb2* MB-SMF AF/AS TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON PCF Policy Control Function Governs the network behavior by supporting a unified policy framework. Also, provides policy rules to Control Uu N3 N19mb Nmb9 Nmb8
BSF Binding Support Function Used for binding an application-function request to a specific Policy Control Function (PCF) instance. It is comparable to UE gNB UPF MB-UPF MBSTF
Nmb5* MBSF NEF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Plane functions.
the PCRF binding function provided by a 4G Diameter Routing Agent (DRA), for VoLTE.
Nmb8* MBSTF AF/AS TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON CAPIF Common API Framework Provides a unified and standardized northbound API framework across several 3GPP functions that allows for the PFDF Packet Flow Description Function A repository which stores PFDs (Packet Flow Descriptions) that can be managed and updated by third party service
N3mb N6mb
Nmb9* MB-UPF MBSTF TS 26.502 IP | UDP | GTP-U utilization of 5G capabilities exposed on 5G networks. providers. The PFDF is functionality within the NEF.
Nmb10* MBSF AF/AS TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON CBCF Cell Broadcast Center Function Supports public warning system functionality. PSA PDU Session Anchor The user plane function that terminates the N6 interface of a PDU session within a 5G core network.
Nmb12* MBSF PCF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
CCS Convergent Charging System Function Provides account management, rating and charging functions. RAN Radio Access Network Using radio technology provides access to the core network.
Nmb13* MB-SMF AF/AS TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N3mb (R)AN MB-UPF TS 26.502 IP | UDP | GTP-U CHF Charging Function Allows charging services to be offered to authorized network functions RE-NWDAF Roaming Exchange NWDAF NWDAF with roaming exchange capability used as exchange point to exchange analytics and to collect input data for analytics
N4mb MB-SMF MB-UPF TS 26.502 IP | UDP | GTP-U with other PLMNs.
DCCF Data Collection Coordination Function Multiple NWDAFs may need the same raw data (the input to the NWDAF) and multiple network functions Service Communication Proxy
N6mb MB-UPF AF/AS TS 26.502 IP | UDP | GTP-U SCP A new network function enabling dynamic scaling and management of communication and services in the 5G network. The SCP
may need the same analytics data (the output of the NWDAF). To avoid duplicate requests for the same
data the DCCF function coordinates these interactions. has a role similar to the Diameter Signaling Controller (DSC) in 4G.
N7mb* MB-SMF PCF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N11mb* AMF MB-SMF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON DN Data Network e.g. Internet access or 3rd party services. SEPP Security Edge Protection Proxy Protects control plane traffic that is exchanged between different 5G operator networks.
Proximity-based services
N16mb* SMF MB-SMF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON EASDF Edge Application Server Discovery Function Registers to the NRF for EASDF discovery and selection. Handles the DNS messages according to the instructions from
SMF Session Management Function Handles management of UE sessions.
N19mb UPF MB-UPF TS 26.502 IP | UDP | GTP-U the SMF, exchanges DNS messages from the UE. Forwards DNS messages to C-DNS or L-DNS for DNS Queries. PC1

N29mb* MB-SMF NEF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON GMLC Gateway Mobile Location Centre The Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) also provides functionality required to support location-based services SMSF Short Message Service Function Supports the transfer of SMS over NAS. N4
SR1 Sidelink (SL) Positioning and SL Positioning/Ranging Server TS 23.586 Not specified by 3GPP (LBS). The GMLC is the first node an external LBS client accesses in a PLMN. AFs and NFs may access GMLC directly
Ranging function in the UE or via the NEF. TNGF Trusted Non-3GPP Gateway Function Enables the UE to connect to the 5G Core over WLAN access technology.
SR5 Sidelink (SL) Positioning and Sidelink (SL) Positioning and TS 23.586 carried over PC5-U I-NEF Intermediate Network Exposure Function Provides a mechanism for securely exposing services and features of the 5G core. SMF N7 PCF N3
Ranging function in the UE Ranging function in the UE TSCTSF Time Sensitive Communication Time TSCTSF controls the DS-TT(s) and NW-TT for the (g)PTP based time synchronization service. In addition,
I-UPF Network not defined by 3GPP Examples of these are a Wi-Fi, and DSL network. Synchronization Function TSCTSF supports TSC assistance container related functionalities. ProSe
CAPIF-1 API invoker CAPIF core function TS 23.222 N11 N15
TSN AF Time-Sensitive Networking Application Function
Application
CAPIF-1e API invoker (external) CAPIF core function TS 23.222 LMF Location Management Function The Location Management Function (LMF) supports location-based services (LBS) for a UE. Stores the binding relationship between a port on UE/DS-TT side and a PDU Session during reporting of 5GS TSN bridge
Legend information. The TSN AF also stores the information about ports on the UPF/NW-TT side.

Copyright © 2024 RADCOM Ltd | All rights reserved

CAPIF-2 API invoker API exposing function TS 23.222 MBSF Multicast/Broadcast Service Function Performs service level functionality and interworking with MBMS. Interacting with AF and MB-SMF for MBS UE A Uu gNB N2 AMF N8 UDM
UAS-NF Uncrewed Aerial Systems Network Function Provides the UAS-specific NEF services to NF service consumers (e.g. AMF, SMF). The UAS-NF is functionality within the NEF. UPF
CAPIF-2e API invoker (external) API exposing function TS 23.222 Common 5GC session operations, determination of transport parameters, and session transport.
Npc8
CAPIF-3 API exposing function CAPIF core function TS 23.222 EPS to 5GS MB-SMF Multicast/Broadcast Session Management Function Handles MBS session management (including QoS control), configures the MB-UPF for multicast and broadcast data TWIF Trusted WLAN Interworking Function A new 5G function for interoperability with legacy devices. Some devices may support 5G SIM authentication but
PC5 Npc4
Cell Broadcast Service transport and allocates/de-allocates TMGIs. do not support 5G NAS signaling over trusted Wi-Fi access. TWIF contains the NAS protocol stack and exchanges
CAPIF-3e API exposing function (external) CAPIF core function TS 23.222 5G
NAS messages with the AMF on behalf of these types of devices. PC3a
NEF
CAPIF-4 API publishing function CAPIF core function TS 23.222 Authentication and Key Management for Applications MBSTF Multicast/Broadcast Service Transport Function Functions as a media anchor for MBS data traffic. Sources IP Multicast and generic packet transport functionalities DDNMF
UCMF UE radio Capability Management Function Allows NF service consumers to create, update and delete UCMF dictionary entries for Manufacturer-assigned UE ProSe Uu
available to any IP multicast enabled application. Application
CAPIF-4e API publishing function (external) CAPIF core function TS 23.222 Generic Bootstrapping Architecture Radio Capability IDs.
MB-UPF Multicast/Broadcast User Plane Function Handles packet filtering of incoming downlink packets for multicast and broadcast flows. QoS enforcement (MFBR) Npc6 N33
CAPIF-5 API management function CAPIF core function TS 23.222 IMS UDM Unified Data Management Performs parts of the 4G HSS function.
and interactions with MB-SMF for receiving multicast and broadcast data.
CAPIF-5e API management function (external) CAPIF core function TS 23.222 UE B PC3a ProSe
Location Management Services MFAF Messaging Framework Adaptor Function The messaging framework in which the analytics or event notifications (carrying raw data for the NWDAF to process) can
CAPIF-6 CAPIF core function CAPIF core function TS 23.222 UDR Unified Data Repository A converged repository of subscriber information that can be used to service a number of network functions. Npc2 Application N6
Non-3GPP Access be distributed around the network. Its operation is not standardized by the 3GPP. Server
CAPIF-6e CAPIF core function (external) CAPIF core function TS 23.222 UDSF Unstructured Data Storage Function Part of the UDM entity. Network Functions (NFs) can store/retrieve “unstructured” data from an Unstructured Data
Air interface MTLF Model Training Logical Function AnLF requires the model endpoints, which is provided by the MTLF. The MTLF trains and deploys the model inference PC1
CAPIF-7 API exposing function API exposing function TS 23.222 Storage Function (UDSF).
microservice.
CAPIF-7e API exposing function (external) API exposing function TS 23.222 5G multicast-broadcast services
UE User Equipment Any device used directly by an end-user to communicate (a handheld phone, laptop etc.).
Ranging based services and Sidelink Positioning N3IWF Non-3GPP Interworking Function Responsible for interworking between untrusted non-3GPP networks and the 5G Core.
*a Service-based Interface NAF Network Application Function User Plane Function A combination of the data plane parts of the SGW and PGW in 4G.
Common API Framework for 3GPP Northbound APIs Identifies a Service-based Interface for the Application Function. UPF
^CP and UP on the same interface
NEF Network Exposure Function Provides a mechanism for securely exposing services and features of the 5G core. W-AGF Wireline Access Gateway Function Enables wireline access to the 5G Core.