background
How the Industrial and Automotive Sectors Will Benefit from 5G By Mark Patrick (Mouser Electronics)
5G is about more than improving mobile telephony. The higher download speeds may enhance the browsing experience on a smartphone, but the real impact of 5G is more likely to come from applications that are yet to emerge. Let’s look at how 5G may impact the industrial and automotive sectors. Why 5G in the Industrial Manufacturing Sector?
Many of today’s smart factories are constrained by the limitations of existing wired architectures, which use proven networks like Industrial Ethernet, Profinet, and CANbus to connect the various sensors, actuators, and controllers found in automated equipment. This hard-wired connectivity makes even small modifications to production facilities time-consuming and costly. Previous generations of wireless networks, including the faster 4G/LTE, have been unable to deliver the real-time responsiveness and low latency required for autonomy. Also, the factory floor is a difficult operating environment, with high levels of electrical noise and interference challenging the performance of many previous wireless communications technologies. 5G’s enhanced networking capabilities can address some of these issues, increasing system efficiency and flexibility.
One of the key functions of any automated factory is monitoring. 5G brings Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC) capability, which fulfils the needs of extensive wireless sensor networks (WSN). 5G is also more energy efficient that its predecessors, which is critical for extending the battery life of these connected devices, thereby minimising maintenance. For motion control and industrial robotics, which require precision and real-time sensitivity, Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) using wired Industrial Ethernet has been the preferred network technology. With its Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC), 5G is a viable wireless alternative and additionally enables cloud robotics. Three related technologies that are emerging into the factory environment are Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Artificial Intelligence (VR/AR/AI). With its high speed and URLLC, 5G enables
40 embedded world Special 2022 www.elektormagazine.com
processing at the edge. Here, energy-intensive computations can be performed in the cloud, enabling less complex and lower-cost devices on the field side.
5G Brings Challenges as Well as Opportunities
To protect prior investments in previous wired and wireless network technologies, 5G projects must integrate seamlessly into the existing infrastructure. One of the key challenges so far is that indoor coverage has never been a priority for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). Developments in Open-RAN technologies reduce the cost of ownership of 5G Radio Access Networks (5G RAN), making Private 5G, also known as Non-Public Network (NPN), deployments a realistic possibility. For businesses that prefer this option, regulators worldwide are making a dedicated, cost-effective spectrum available for private 5G. In addition, depending on the operational needs of the factory, private 5G can either be wholly isolated from the public network or shared.
5G and the Era of the Connected Car
The automotive sector is also forecast to be at the leading edge of the 5G roll-out, though it may be a few years before level 5 (L5) autonomy is a commercial reality. It is, however, likely that the next car you buy will be Internet-enabled to manage telemat-
Partner Content
