Visual reference
The 5G slicing architecture map
A simplified view of the main control, user-plane and data relationships involved in establishing a sliced service.
UEDevice
Requests access, establishes PDU sessions and sends or receives application traffic.
gNodeBRadio access
Terminates the radio interface and connects the UE to control and user-plane Core functions.
AMFAccess control
Registration, mobility, reachability and NAS signalling.
NSSFSlice selection
Supports suitable slice and AMF selection.
AUSF / UDMIdentity
Authentication and subscription context.
SMF / PCFSession and policy
Controls PDU sessions, UPFs and policy treatment.
UPFPacket forwarding
Carries user traffic towards edge, private or public data networks.
Edge / Data NetworkApplication
Hosts enterprise, internet or low-latency services.
The layout is conceptual rather than a complete 3GPP reference-point diagram. Service-based interfaces, optional functions, roaming entities and management systems are omitted for clarity.