ZTE i5GC

Main articles:

• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Big Data
• SCS: Standards
• 5G

2021: i5GC Architecture View

On February 26, 2021, ZTE Corporation introduced the i5GC network architecture (industrial 5GC), focused on the use of private 5G networks for industrial purposes.

This end-to-end solution enables 5G networking capabilities such as high access speed, low latency, high reliability, and multiple parallel connections across industries, as well as the integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, big data processing and analysis, and MEC (multi-access edge computing), to enable digitalization of entire industries and build fully connected intelligent 5G private networks for vertically integrated industries.

As of February 2021, the 5GC public architecture is focused on consumer applications and therefore cannot meet the high requirements for security, delay, reliability, control of network management rights, power consumption and use environment imposed by industrial users. The ZTE i5GC architecture solves this problem through deep integration and optimization of 5GC functions. It uses 2U general purpose servers to integrate multiple network functions (SF) and universal deployment mode with automatic configuration to achieve maximum compactness, minimum power consumption, and minimum management and maintenance requirements.

This solution provides non-professional industrial users with fast and reliable access to the 5G network, combined with excellent operational experience. In addition, ZTE i5GC can flexibly adapt to a wide variety of user requirements in terms of security, traffic processing and autonomy, as well as provide access to various combinations of functions and deployment forms to implement different scenarios. For example, the user plane function (UPF) is used in boundary computing systems, traffic is routed to an adjacent area, and user data is managed locally. In addition, ZTE i5GC uses a service-oriented architecture (SBA) that complies with 3GPP standards to ensure uninterrupted interaction with the public 5G network. It can integrate third-party multi-access edge computing (MEC) applications through open interfaces to achieve flexible expansion and rapid refinement of edge applications, enabling testing and selection of 5G slaughter applications in vertically integrated industries.

To build 5G business-class networks, ZTE has introduced universal 5G applications for use in vertically integrated industries, including mining, medical services, and port operations. For example, in order to implement the 5G network project for rational mining, ZTE uses the i5GC architecture to deploy a complete complex of 5G networks underground, which meets the requirements for compactness and explosion protection in mines and provides full coverage of the main 5G networks. The ZTE i5GC architecture will continue to focus on industry projects focusing on industry requirements, interact with enterprises and operators to build an ecosystem of 5G applications, help expand the capabilities of the Blue Ocean market to create enterprise-level 5G networks, and encourage large-scale commercial use and monetization of the capabilities of 5G networks.