Transport Network in 5G (simplified)
A 5G transport network connects a 5G RAN and Core Network.
The green dashed connection in the Figure above represents an SCTP association over an N2 interface between 5G RAN and AMF, and SCTP transports NG Application protocol (NGAP).
Components of 5G Transport Network
A 5G transport network comprises of three layers, an Access Layer, an Aggregation layer, and a Core layer.
The 5G TN should provide connectivity between 5G-RAN and 5GC. Hence the TN should ensure bandwidth, reliability, timing, and synchronization requirements are all met to support 5G use cases: eMBB, uRLLC, and mMTC are all met.
Note, however, that not all service providers would have all three use cases and hence they can define their TN requirements accordingly.
For example, this article discusses that to support eMBB and eMMTC scenarios, high bandwidth and large connection density needs must be supported by the TN. This would mean a 10 Gbps link to the gNB, 50 Gbps link per ring at the access layer of TN, 100/400 Gbps link at the aggregation layer, and 400 Gbps link at the core layer.
I am still learning on this topic and will update this as I lean more…
