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Understanding PDCP in 5G Networks

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325 views8 pages

Understanding PDCP in 5G Networks

Uploaded by

turi313
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

5G/NR - PDCP

PDCP

NR PDCP is almost same as LTE PDCP. So if you are already faimiliar with LTE, you wouldn'
study to understand NR PDCP. If you are new to overall functionality of PDCP, I would sugg
through LTE PDCP page first. Since I wouldn't see any NR test equipment and UE in near fu
able to put much of practical information on NR PDCP until the equipment and UE are ava
on LTE PDCP would help you understand NR PDCP.

Actually a large portions of the contents on this page comes from the direct copy of LTE PD
try to highlight those parts which is unique to NR PDCP.

 Overview / Overall Functionality

 PDCP Data Structure

o Data PDU for SRB

o Data PDU for DRB

o Control PDU

Overview / Overall Functionality

The data coming into the box (eNB or UE) first go through PDCP and then gets into RLC (D
waiting in RLC trying to go out to the outside world has to go through PDCP to reach outsi

In the case when everything goes OK, you don't see any problems in protocol stack and ju
you may think the function of PDCP looks simple and all it does is just to add/remove a sm
packet and send/recieve it from/to RLC. But if you list up all the detailed functions of PDCP
long list as shown below. I would suggest you to go through this list over and over until yo
list from memory. Of course, you don't need to memorize these like you prepare the exam
list as often as possible and try to elaborate each of these items in your own words.

 Transfer of data (user plane or control plane)

 Maintenance of PDCP SNs

 Header compression and decompression using the ROHC (Robust Header Compress
 Ciphering and deciphering of user plane data and control plane data

 Integrity protection and integrity verification of control plane data

 Timer based SDU discard

 For split bearers, routing or duplication

 Reordering and in-order delivery

 Duplicate discarding

As in other layers, let's start looking into the diagram from 3GPP specification (TS 38.323)
as follows.

What are we supposed to do ?

Yes, Verbalize it (describe it). i.e, explain the diagram in your own words.

In the following diagram, you see that PDCP is directly connected to RLC Layer (RLC UM an

Do you find anything strange or missing ?

Yes, PDCP has no connection to RLC TM mode, meaning RLC TM mode data does not go th

< 38.323 - Figure 4.2.1-1: PDCP layer, structure view

>

Following Diagram would give you more detailed information about PDCP Operation. Of co
functionality is listed in the 3GPP specification, but it would not become yours unless you
diagrams and the written descriptions in your own words.

Now let's follow through the diagram from left side.

 i) Data coming into PDCP first stored in a transmission buffer and go through "Seque
Procedure. It means that PDCP add "Sequence Number" to each of incoming data bl
'Sequence Number', it has to manage the number. On reciever side, we can figure o
the data getting delivered in order ? Is there any duplicate data ? How can I combin
of data block into an original big chunk data ?"

 ii) Then it goes through Header Compression. But it says "this applies only to U-plan
Signaling Message does not go through this Header Compression. Even though not s
we can disable Header Compression even for U-plane data (e.g, IP Packet data).

 iii) From here we see two paths, one through "Integrity/Ciphering" and the other one
last step. Integrity Protection applies only to C-Plane data (C-Plane data means RRC
DCCH data, not DTCH data). Again you may disable "Integrity Protection" setp by ap
message but we need to wait until RRC/NAS specification will come out for the detai

 iv) Then it goes to Ciphering process. Ciphering applies both C-Plane and U-Plane Da
can also may be disabled by applying a signaling message but we need to wait unti
will come out for the details.

 v) Next, a PDCP header is added

 vi) If Split bearer is established, the PDCP routs the packet to the intended bearer.

The other side (right side, receiving side) is simply reverse process of transmission proces
the readers to interpret the diagram.

< 38.323 - Figure 4.2.2-1: PDCP layer, functional view >


Even though the overal functionaliby of NR PDCP is very similar to LTE PDCP, there is sligh
them. I highlighted the differences in the following diagram.
PDCP Data Structure

Overall PDCP PDU structure is similar to LTE except some details as follows :

 In many cases, SN bit length in NR is larger than the one in LTE

 Optionally MAC-I can be added to DRB as well as SRB, implying that even DRB can a
Protection.

< Data PDU for SRB >

< 38.323 - Figure [Link]-1: PDCP Data PDU format for SRBs >
Following shows the comparision between NR SRB PDCP and LTE SRB PDCP data structure
overall structure is same except that SN length in NR is much larger than LTE SRB PDCP.

< Data PDU for DRB >

< 38.323 - Figure [Link]-1: PDCP Data PDU format with 12 bits PDCP SN >
< 38.323 - Figure [Link]-1: PDCP Data PDU format for DRBs with 18 bits PDCP SN >

< 38.323 - Table 6.3.7-1: D/C field >


< 38.323 - Table 6.3.2-1: PDCP SN length >

Common questions

Powered by AI

Header compression in PDCP enhances data communication efficiency by reducing the header size of IP packets, particularly in the user plane . By applying Robust Header Compression (ROHC), PDCP compresses the headers of IP packets, thus significantly reducing the amount of overhead transmitted across the network . This reduction in packet size allows for more efficient use of bandwidth and improves overall data throughput, particularly in environments with constrained resources .

Ciphering in PDCP is applied to both control plane and user plane data to protect data confidentiality during transmission . This process involves converting raw data into an encrypted format, making the data unintelligible to unauthorized parties . As a result, ciphering ensures that sensitive information is secure against eavesdropping, thereby maintaining the confidentiality of communications over 5G networks .

The primary functions of the PDCP layer in the 5G NR protocol include data transfer for both user plane and control plane, maintenance of PDCP sequence numbers, header compression and decompression using ROHC, ciphering and deciphering of user and control plane data, integrity protection and verification of control plane data, timer-based SDU discard, routing or duplication for split bearers, reordering and in-order delivery, and duplicate discarding . These functions ensure reliable data transmission by managing sequence numbers to maintain the order of data packets, compressing headers to optimize bandwidth, protecting data integrity, and ensuring secure transmission through ciphering .

When a split bearer is established in PDCP, data is routed to the appropriate bearer based on routing rules, allowing data to be split or duplicated across multiple paths . This provides the benefit of load balancing, enabling better utilization of network resources by distributing data across multiple connections and ensuring redundancy and reliability by duplicating critical data, thus enhancing overall network resilience and throughput .

Sequence numbering in PDCP is crucial for identifying the order of data blocks, which ensures that the data is delivered in sequence and without duplicates . The sequence number helps manage the delivery of large data chunks by breaking them into manageable blocks and reassembling them at the receiver's end . This process maintains data integrity and reliability by ensuring accurate reassembly of data chunks and detection of any data loss or duplication .

The larger sequence number in NR PDCP improves data handling by providing a greater range for managing packet ordering and duplication, which is particularly beneficial in high-speed communications where the volume and velocity of data transmission are significantly higher . This expanded sequence number range allows NR networks to handle more simultaneous data flows without the risk of sequence overlaps, enhancing the accuracy of data reassembly and robustness against packet loss and disorder, thereby maximizing data throughput and network efficiency compared to LTE .

The reordering function in PDCP is critical for maintaining data flow integrity by ensuring that incoming data packets are arranged in the correct sequence before they are passed to higher layers . This function addresses the challenges of packet disorder that may occur due to varying transmission paths and delays in the 5G network. Reordering ensures in-order delivery, which is crucial for the accurate reconstruction of transmitted information and maintaining application-level data integrity .

In 5G NR, integrity protection in the PDCP layer is applied only to control plane data, specifically to RRC and DCCH messages . This protection ensures that control messages are not altered or tampered with during transmission. On the other hand, user plane data (e.g., DTCH data) does not inherently undergo integrity protection in PDCP, although security mechanisms can be applied at other layers or through optional configurations . This distinction emphasizes the need to secure critical control plane signaling while balancing performance in user data handling .

While the overall functionality of 5G NR PDCP is similar to that of LTE PDCP, there are significant differences in the PDCP sequence number (SN) length, which is larger in NR, providing more coverage for data integrity and ordering . Additionally, 5G NR allows for optional MAC-I in Data Radio Bearers (DRBs), indicating enhanced integrity protection capabilities even beyond the user plane . These differences suggest that 5G NR can handle higher data rates and offers improved security and integrity protection, thereby enhancing network performance and reliability .

Disabling header compression in PDCP for 5G user plane data may lead to increased data overhead and reduced transmission efficiency, as the full-sized headers are sent, consuming more bandwidth . This can throttle the data rate, particularly in bandwidth-constrained environments, and may increase latency due to the larger volume of data being processed per transmission, potentially impacting the overall user experience and network performance . It emphasizes the trade-off between processing capability and transmission efficiency .

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