The course describes the physical layer design of NR in terms of OFDM numerologies, radio frames, subframes and slot configurations. The course explains the purpose of, and processing of, physical channels with particular focus on control channels. Reference signals for data demodulation, CSI measurements, and sounding are explained. Layer 1 procedures for synchronization, random access, scheduling, HARQ, measurements and beam management are described.

An overview of the NR RRC and MAC protocols is included in chapter 1 for completeness, with particular focus on the role of the RRC and MAC protocols in relation to layer 1.