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3GPP Spec Dictionary (3GPP Specification)

A quick reference for looking up the 3GPP specifications and related RFCs frequently used in 5GC by number, title, the scope they cover, and their main appearances on this site.

Related: Protocol Dictionary / NF Dictionary / Interface Dictionary / Registration chapter


Architecture/procedure series

Number Title (abbrev.) Scope covered Main appearances on this site
TS 23.501 System architecture for the 5G System 5GS architecture, NFs, reference points, QoS definitions NF Dictionary / Interface Dictionary / QoS Dictionary
TS 23.502 Procedures for the 5G System Procedures for registration/session, etc. Registration chapter / PDU Session chapter
TS 23.503 Policy and charging control framework The PCC framework PCF page / BSF page
TS 23.003 Numbering, addressing and identification The identifier system Identifier Dictionary

Protocol/signalling series

Number Title (abbrev.) Scope covered Main appearances on this site
TS 24.501 NAS protocol for 5GS 5GMM/5GSM (NAS) NAS Dictionary / IE Dictionary
TS 38.413 NGAP (NG Application Protocol) The N2 application layer NGAP Dictionary / N2 page
TS 38.412 NG signalling transport SCTP for N2 (port 38412) Protocol Dictionary
TS 29.244 PFCP N4 session control PFCP Dictionary / N4 page
TS 29.281 GTP-U User-plane encapsulation N3 page / N9 page
TS 38.415 PDU Session User Plane protocol QFI transport (PDU Session Container) QoS Dictionary

SBI/service series

Number Title (abbrev.) Scope covered Main appearances on this site
TS 29.500 SBI framework (general) The common SBI framework HTTP API Dictionary
TS 29.501 SBI OpenAPI conventions SBI design principles HTTP API Dictionary
TS 29.502 Nsmf (SMF service API) The SMF's service API HTTP API Dictionary / NF Dictionary
TS 29.503 Nudm (UDM service API) The UDM's service API HTTP API Dictionary / NF Dictionary
TS 29.509 Nausf (AUSF service API) The AUSF's service API HTTP API Dictionary / NF Dictionary
TS 29.510 Nnrf (NRF service API) The NRF's service API (NF management/discovery) HTTP API Dictionary / NF Dictionary
TS 29.518 Namf (AMF service API) The AMF's service API HTTP API Dictionary / NF Dictionary
TS 29.512 / 29.507 / 29.514 Npcf (SM / AM / Policy Authorization) The PCF's service API HTTP API Dictionary / NF Dictionary
TS 29.531 / 29.522 / 29.504 Nnssf / Nnef / Nudr The service APIs of NSSF/NEF/UDR HTTP API Dictionary / NF Dictionary
TS 29.540 / 29.520 / 29.521 Nsmsf / Nnwdaf / Nbsf The service APIs of SMSF/NWDAF/BSF HTTP API Dictionary / NF Dictionary
TS 29.573 N32 (inter-PLMN interconnection) Roaming interconnection N32 page / SEPP page

Security/charging series

Number Title (abbrev.) Scope covered Main appearances on this site
TS 33.501 Security architecture for 5GS Authentication, key hierarchy, protection Security Dictionary / Authentication chapter
TS 32.240 / 32.290 / 32.291 Charging (architecture / 5G charging service / details) Charging CHF page / N40 page

RFC Content Appearances
RFC 4960 SCTP Protocol Dictionary
RFC 7540 HTTP/2 Protocol Dictionary / HTTP API Dictionary
RFC 5448 EAP-AKA' Security Dictionary / Authentication chapter

Section numbers shift by Release

This dictionary is a quick reference at the specification-number level. Because the section numbers of each TS differ by Release, the policy on individual pages is to attach "to be confirmed" to section numbers. For the exact section structure, check the published versions of the PDFs from 3GPP / ETSI.