All mobile operators are booming with the deployment of the 5G technology network. Mobile network standards have shaped the type of mobile communication for 40 years. While previous developments have always focused on better usability in the public sector, the new 5th generation 5G standard points this time to great advantages and possible applications in the industrial sector.
5G will be one of the enablers
of IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) promoting digital transformation and
the growth of factories 4.0
The technical characteristics of the 5G network are:
- Higher bandwidths: greater
than 1 Gbps
- More reliability
- Lower latencies: close to 1ms
- Increased number of connected
devices: up to 1Million
- Higher travel speed of
connected clients: up to 500 km / h
With 2G, remote terminal units
could now send text messages. With 3G, remote access and first
videos. 4G enabled high-performance mobile remote access to
systems. With 5G, network bandwidths and reliability will increase
dramatically and lags will approach zero. A sea of applications where
the limit is set by the needs of the market and the ingenuity of developers.
Standardization by 3GPP and deployment of 5G technologies.
It is the 3GPP, as a group of various Telecommunications
associations who establish and coordinate, are responsible for the global
standardization of mobile networks. 3GPP has created a vision of the
future for 5G where the direct impact of technological advances will come over
time, but it is already a reality.
- Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) . Includes improvements
in bandwidth compared to 4G. The main objective is to implement it in
cases where the data requires high speeds with a wide global network
coverage. One example is the increasing streaming of high-quality music
and videos on smartphones. In industry, augmented reality (AR) applications would be conceivable to
support engineers in the field.
- Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC). High reliability and low
latency for demandingg industrial applications. Typical examples
include mobile robots, autonomous
logistics, driverless transportation systems (AGV), or security
applications.
- Massive Machine-Type Communication (mMTC). To connect a large
number of devices in a small space. This is in industrial processes, where
many sensors (temperature, pressure, flow, etc.) are installed to support the
monitoring of plant processes.
Keep in mind that not all functions will be available
immediately . They will be liberalized little by little with
successive versions or "releases". What is clear is that, as
happened with 3G and 4G, it will be a tangible reality.
What is clear is that 5G will
bring a number of substantial improvements.
5G and its contribution to the
industrial sector:
·
Augmented
reality in industrial operations and maintenance
·
Real-time
video support in start-up performances
·
Massive
deployment of sensor networks supporting the IIoT
·
Comprehensive
control in logistics and shipment of goods
·
Predictive
maintenance of machinery and processes with a high level of precision
These 5G technologies and their
applications directly impact a series of improvements in the industry that
provide added value compared to competitors:
·
Increased
response speed in manufacturing processes
·
Reduction
of costs derived from machines stopped due to breakdown.
·
Immediacy
in Operations and Maintenance
·
Better
decision making by having updated information in real time
·
Traceability
and exhaustive control noting an improvement in resources
·
Stock
and logistics optimization
·
Adaptability
of immediate manufacturing