UPLINK · UE → gNB

5G Uplink (UL) — Complete Guide to All Uplink Channels

The uplink is the harder direction in 5G NR. UEs have less power, smaller antennas, and worse SNR than gNBs. Yet uplink throughput is critical for video calls, AR/VR, FWA, and 6G workflows. This hub indexes every uplink topic — channels, signals, and procedures — for working RF/RAN engineers.

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Uplink Channels — PUSCH, PUCCH, PRACH

PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) carries user data — uses LDPC. PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) carries ACK/NACK, SR, CSI. PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel) carries access preambles.

PUSCH Deep Dive

PUSCH supports two waveforms: CP-OFDM (default) and DFT-s-OFDM (transform precoded, lower PAPR for cell-edge). Codebook-based vs non-codebook-based transmission. UL DMRS Type 1/2. Frequency hopping for diversity.

PUCCH Formats

Format 0/1: 1-2 bits, short. Format 2: >2 bits, short. Format 3: large payload, long. Format 4: multi-user multiplexed. HARQ-ACK codebooks (semi-static, dynamic Type 2, Type 3).

PRACH Procedures

4-step RACH (Msg1-Msg4) and 2-step RACH (MsgA, MsgB Rel-16). Long preamble formats (0, 1, 2, 3) for large cells. Short formats (A1-A3, B1-B4, C0, C2) for dense urban.

SRS Configuration

Sounding Reference Signal — UE transmits, gNB measures UL channel for codebook selection, beam refinement, timing-advance maintenance.

Timing Advance

T_TA = (N_TA + N_TA,offset) · T_c. UE applies TA to all uplinks. Range covers cells up to 100 km in long-PRACH-format mode.

UL Power Control

Open-loop: pathloss-based. Closed-loop: TPC commands in DCI. Per-channel (PUSCH, PUCCH, SRS) independent loops. Sub-PRB power adjustment for FR2.