scope:

Summary

The present document describes considerations for testing Non-IP Networking over 5G cellular Radio Access Networks. Although the LTE protocol stack is not explicitly considered the approach will be similar: either to use a clean-slate approach or one of the hooks provided by 3GPP to encapsulate non-IP PDUs. Fixed-line networks and Wi-Fi^® are not in scope of the present document; although it may be that some of the material may be of relevance to those contexts.

The initial scope of testing is a simple proof of concept: to demonstrate communication between two remote processes over a radio air interface using Non-IP network protocols. This involves at minimum the UE, the air interface, the 3GPP gNb or eNb, and a data plane that communicates using Non-IP Networking. Depending on the test approach chosen (as described in clauses 6 and 7), certain elements of the 3GPP architecture may be utilized or adapted. If successful then this proof of concept should be extended to comparative testing against IP networking per the KPIs published in ETSI GS NGP 012 [i.7].

Access technologies

The present document covers testing over 3GPP 5G radio access networks, with LTE possible for the 'clean slate' approaches document in clauses 7 and 8.

Out of Scope

The present document does not cover interoperability with IP-based networks, including roaming scenarios between 3GPP mobile network operators. These may be covered in future documents following a successful test of the simple proof-of-concept.