The error indication function is used by the gNB-DU or gNB-CU to indicate to the gNB-CU or gNB-DU that an error has occurred. The reset function is used to initialize the peer entity after node setup and after a failure event occurred. This procedure can be used by both the gNB-DU and the gNB-CU. The F1 setup function allows to exchange application level data needed for the gNB-DU and gNB-CU to interoperate correctly on the F1 interface, and exchange the intended TDD DL-UL configuration originating from the gNB-DU or destined to the gNB-DU. The F1 setup is initiated by the gNB-DU. The gNB-CU Configuration Update and gNB-DU Configuration Update functions allow to update application level configuration data needed between gNB-CU and gNB-DU to interoperate correctly over the F1 interface, and may activate or deactivate cells. For cross-link interference mitigation, the gNB-CU may coordinate the exchange of intended TDD DL-UL configuration by merging, forwarding and selective forwarding of intended TDD DL-UL configuration(s) between its gNB-DUs, or between its gNB-DUs and other gNBs, gNB-CUs. With the gNB-CU Configuration Update function, energy saving with cell activation/deactivation can be supported as defined in TS 38.300. The F1 setup and gNB-DU Configuration Update functions allow to inform the S-NSSAI(s), CAG ID(s) and NID(s) supported by the gNB-DU. The F1 setup and gNB-CU Configuration Update functions allow to inform the NID(s) available at the gNB-CU. The F1 resource coordination function is used to transfer information about frequency resource sharing between gNB-CU and gNB-DU. In case of split gNB architecture, the gNB-CU may consolidate the outgoing messages from multiple gNB-DUs and distribute the incoming messages to the involved gNB-DUs, to perform resource coordination. The gNB-DU status indication function allows the gNB-DU to indicate overload status to gNB-CU. The network access rate reduction function is used to indicate to the gNB-DU that the rate at which UEs are accessing the network need to be reduced. The F1 removal function is used to remove the interface instance and all related resources between the gNB-DU and the gNB-CU in a controlled manner.

The F1 UE context management function supports the establishment and modification of the necessary overall UE context. The establishment of the F1 UE context is initiated by the gNB-CU and accepted or rejected by the gNB-DU based on admission control criteria (e.g., resource not available). The modification of the F1 UE context can be initiated by either gNB-CU or gNB-DU. The receiving node can accept or reject the modification. The F1 UE context management function also supports the release of the context previously established in the gNB-DU. The release of the context is triggered by the gNB-CU either directly or following a request received from the gNB-DU. The gNB-CU request the gNB-DU to release the UE Context when the UE enters RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE. This function can be also used to manage DRBs, SRBs and SL DRBs, i.e., establishing, modifying and releasing DRB, SRB and SL DRB resources. The establishment and modification of DRB, or SL DRB resources are triggered by the gNB-CU and accepted/rejected by the gNB-DU based on resource reservation information and QoS information to be provided to the gNB-DU. For each DRB to be setup or modified, the S-NSSAI may be provided by gNB-CU to the gNB-DU in the UE Context Setup procedure and the UE Context Modification procedure. In case of NG-RAN sharing, the gNB-CU includes the serving PLMN ID (for SNPNs the serving SNPN ID) in the UE Context Setup procedure. For Uu, the mapping between QoS flows and radio bearers is performed by gNB-CU and the granularity of bearer related management over F1 is radio bearer level. For NG-RAN, the gNB-CU decides an aggregated DRB QoS profile for each radio bearer based on received QoS flow profile, and provides both aggregated DRB QoS profile and QoS flow profile to the gNB-DU, and the gNB-DU either accepts the request or rejects it with appropriate cause value. With this function, gNB-DU could also notify gNB-CU whether the QoS for already established DRBs is not fulfilled any longer or it is fulfilled again. The function can be also used to inform the gNB-DU the alternative QoS Parameters Sets when available for a QoS flow. To support packet duplication for intra-gNB-DU CA as described in TS 38.300, one data radio bearer should be configured with at least two GTP-U tunnels between gNB-CU and a gNB-DU. For SL, the mapping between QoS flows and radio bearers is performed by gNB-CU and the granularity of bearer related management over F1 is radio bearer level. For NG-RAN, the gNB-CU decides an aggregated SL DRB QoS profile for each radio bearer based on received QoS flow profile, and provides both aggregated SL DRB QoS profile and QoS flow profile to the gNB-DU, and the gNB-DU either accepts the request or rejects it with appropriate cause value. With this function, gNB-CU requests the gNB-DU to setup or change of the SpCell (as defined in TS 38.321) for the UE, and the gNB-DU either accepts or rejects the request with appropriate cause value. This function also enables the gNB-DU to inform the gNB-CU of which cell the UE has successfully accessed during conditional mobility. With this function, the gNB-CU requests the setup of the SCell(s) at the gNB-DU side, and the gNB-DU accepts all, some or none of the SCell(s) and replies to the gNB-CU. The gNB-CU requests the removal of the SCell(s) for the UE. With this function, the gNB-CU indicates the UL UE AMBR limit to the gNB-DU, and the gNB-DU enforces the indicated limit. With this function, the gNB-DU indicates that a bearer, or a UE is inactive or active. The gNB-CU consolidates all the serving gNB-DUs for the UE and takes further action. With this function, the gNB-CU indicates the gNB-DU that the UE context concerns mobility enhancement operation, and the gNB-DU takes corresponding actions. In addition, for IAB-nodes and IAB-donors:

• The F1 UE context management function is used for managing BH RLC channels, i.e. establishing, modifying and releasing BH RLC channel resources. The establishment of BH RLC channels is triggered by the IAB-donor-CU. The establishment and modification is accepted/rejected by the IAB-node's parent, based on e.g. resource reservation information and QoS information provided to the IAB-node's parent.
• The DRB QoS profile framework is reused for BH RLC channels carrying DRBs. Prioritization of traffic on the F1-C interface is based on traffic type (e.g. UE-associated F1AP signalling, non-UE-associated F1AP signalling) and is enforced in the IAB-donor-DU and in IAB-nodes, considering that the traffic on the F1-C interface has higher priority than other traffic; in-sequence delivery over the signaling connection is always ensured.
• The IAB-donor-CU associates each BH RLC channel carrying control plane traffic with one of the signaled control plane traffic type values.

The gNB-DU is responsible for transmitting the paging information according to the scheduling parameters provided. The gNB-CU provides paging information to enable the gNB-DU to calculate the exact PO and PF. The gNB-CU determines the PA. The gNB-DU consolidates all the paging records for a particular PO, PF and PA, and encodes the final RRC message and broadcasts the paging message on the respective PO, PF in the PA.

This function allows to cooperate with the warning message transmission procedures over NG interface. The gNB-CU is responsible for encoding the warning related SI message and sending it together with other warning related information for the gNB-DU to broadcast over the radio interface.

The Trace function provides means to control trace sessions for a UE over F1 interface.

The load management function allows an gNB-CU to request the reporting of load measurements to gNB-DU and is used by gNB-DU to report the result of measurements admitted by gNB-DU.

This function allows the gNB-CU to provide information to the gNB-DU in order to support self-optimization functionality.

This function allows to transfer location management messages between gNB-CU and gNB-DU. With this function, gNB-CU request TRP information from gNB-DU, and gNB-DU response to gNB-CU with the TRP information. With this function, gNB-CU request positioning measurements from gNB-DU, and gNB-DU response to gNB-CU with the positioning measurements. The function allows to transfer the positioning assistance data from gNB-CU to gNB-DU. The gNB-DU is responsible for broadcasting the positioning assistance data according to the scheduling parameters available.

This function allows to transfer of user data between gNB-CU and gNB-DU.

This function allows to control the downlink user data flow to the gNB-DU. The detailed protocol is specified in TS 38.425.