Plane Data Plane Figure 9.4 - SA network architecture In 5G, we have a new air interface, which is 5G NR, and we have a new cloud-native 5G core network, SO the 5G SA setup is a simplified RAN architecture. The SA architecture is the target solution for 5G and it is a simple solution for MNOs to manage. 5G SA architecture, coupled with the cloud-native 5GC, will help MNOs support IMT-2020 use cases such as eMBB, URLCC, and mMTC while providing a better end-to-end user experience. However, for this target, we need 5GC and we need to have good 5G coverage for an uninterrupted connection experience. So far, we have examined the general structure of SA and NSA architectures. Within those two architectures, there are different options defined by 3GPP that belong to either SA or NSA. Let's have a look at those options. 5G Deployment Options The different 5G deployment options defined by 3GPP There are 10 different deployment options and sub-options defined by 3GPP in the late drop of Release 15. The main options are Option 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7, whereas the sub-options are 3a, 3x, 4a, 7a, and 7x. Option 2 is SA architecture with a gNB and 5GC. Option 5 consists of 4G Next-Generation eNB (ng-eNB) with 5GC. ng-eNBs are referred to as next-generation since they support 5GC network protocols and are the updated versions of the existing eNBs. Option 3 involves NSA architecture and includes the sub-options of 3a and 3x. The main difference between these sub-options is that some new interfaces have been added in Option 3x - for instance, an S1-U interface between the EPC and the gNB, which didn't exist in Option 3. Also, the X2 interface between the eNB and the gNB doesn't exist in 3a but does in 3x. Option 4 consists of the 5GC and the gNB with an ng-eNB as an NSA architecture and it also includes sub-option 4a. Then, Option 7 has sub-options 7a and 7x, which use 5GC and an ng-eNB. So, the main difference between Option 7 and Option 4 is that in Option 7, the ng-eNB is the master node whereas, in Option 4, the gNB is the master 