A plan of action was agreed at the 3GPP TSG RAN plenary (RAN#94-e) this week, to allow the merger of 5Gi into 5G, with specific milestones set for both 3GPP and TSDSI.

With broad support from many TSDSI member companies, as well as global cellular vendors and multiple operators, TSG RAN contribution (RP-213532) outlines the framework and steps to be taken to facilitate the intended merger.

From the 3GPP side, two Rel-17 Change Requests (CRs) clarifying the specification of the Pi/2-BPSK modulation scheme - to support low peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) transmissions – have been technically endorsed. In addition, the objectives of the RAN WG4-led Rel-17 work item along with a recent way forward for the same project have been amended.

In turn, TSDSI has committed to the merger of 5Gi into 3GPP along with a roadmap of pursuing merged 3GPP 5G specifications in India with no further 5Gi updates in ITU-R. The merger of the 5Gi standard into 3GPP, enables a single common specification going forward, as well as creating a single radio access proposal for the ‘IMT.2020’ 5G family of standards (ITU-R).

What’s next?

There are technical and logistical requirements for achieving the merger of the two branches.

Once 3GPP receives communication regarding the completion of the pertinent actions by TSDSI, the CRs currently endorsed will be finally approved and implemented into the 3GPP Rel-17 NR specifications. That should be achieved by the next TSG RAN Plenary (RAN#95e) in March, or by June (RAN#96) at the latest.

Wanshi Chen, TSG RAN Chair, said: “This merger will allow 3GPP to better support all markets with a single solution that will allow 5G to continue to evolve and prosper globally.”

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Notes for editors

RP-213532; Way forward on merger of 5Gi into 3GPP, was formally endorsed by the TSG RAN#94-e meeting.

Companion CRs in RP-213533 and RP-213534 are technically endorsed, pending commitment from TSDSI as laid out in the WF in RP-213532.

The amendment of the on-going RAN4-led Study Item for FS_NR_Opt_pi2BPSK is agreed through the:

• Approval of revised SID in RP-213535 and,
• Approval of the Draft LS to RAN4 in RP-213655

More about TSDSI

The TSDSI standards are available on-line here: https://tsdsi.in/published-standards/

More about IMT by the ITU-R

Get detailed background on the ITU’s IMT work at https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/study-groups/rsg5/rwp5d/imt-2020/Pages/submission-eval.aspx

See also, the IMT-2020 background report (https://www.itu.int/md/R15-IMT.2020-C-0001).

Contact for this article: Kevin FLYNN, Marketing and Communications Officer, 3GPP