DEV Community

Cover image for How I Would Learn 5G and O-RAN from Scratch
Techlte World
Techlte World

Posted on

How I Would Learn 5G and O-RAN from Scratch

πŸ“‘ Where do you start with 5G?

5G has a lot of moving parts: architecture, procedures, interfaces, O-RAN and logs. If you jump in randomly, it gets confusing fast. Here is the order that makes sense to me.

πŸ—ΊοΈ A simple learning path

1. Basics of 5G SA and NSA

Understand the two architectures and how the end-to-end procedures work.

2. Signalling and sessions

RRC, NAS, PDU session, QoS and mobility. This is where most real-world issues show up.

3. Interfaces

Learn what each one connects: F1AP (CU and DU), NGAP (gNB and core) and E1AP (CU-CP and CU-UP).

4. O-RAN basics

RU, DU and CU architecture, the 7.2x split, M-Plane, RIC, SMO, PTP and SyncE.

5. Log analysis

Read real QXDM and QCAT logs. This is where the theory finally clicks.

πŸ’‘ One tip

Don't just read the specs. Match each procedure with a real log. You will remember it far longer.

πŸ“š Want to go deeper?

I put the same topics together in one place, along with details of a live online session for anyone who prefers learning with guidance. Sharing the links in case they help:

More 5G, LTE and O-RAN notes on Techlteworld.

What topic in 5G was hardest for you to learn? Tell me in the comments πŸ‘‡

Top comments (0)