What is 5G and what can you expect from it?
5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks and the mobile standard of the future. It offers a number of advantages over the previous standards (2G, 3G, 4G):
- Significantly higher bandwidths and thus increasing possible simultaneous access to Internet and network services
- Almost a delay-free connection setup and very short latency times allow the improved exchange of real-time information
- New security measures make data transmission much safer, more resilient, and more reliable
Due to these aspects, 5G improves your overall network functionality.
Which benefits do you have as a user of 5G?
In the following, we will present the advantages of 5G for various applications using a few case studies.
Public transport: passenger Wi-Fi on the train or bus
Many public transport providers already offer Internet services in their vehicles, which are used extensively by passengers. However, the offer is at its availability limits when the load is high.
With the significantly higher transmission bandwidths and shorter latency times of 5G, you can counter the increased data volume and ensure sufficient Internet access. In addition, operators are able to provide additional services to passengers through the same communication channels, such as passenger or general information, infotainment and localized advertising. Furthermore, operators can use these channels for their own operational purposes, even for safety-critical applications such as video surveillance, e-ticketing and operational data transmission. Thanks to the wider bandwidth and the increased security concept!
Transportation: Autonomous & teleoperated driving
Self-driving vehicles or transport systems that move around purposefully without or with reduced intervention of a human driver are on the rise. The objective is, among other things, to avoid accidents, waste of time, as well as unnecessary pollutant emissions. A large number of companies are working on solutions for this application.
The advantages of the 5G use in autonomous vehicles of all kinds, such as buses or driverless logistics vehicles, are a faster, more reliable and thus improved real-time transmission of sensor data, which in turn can ensure a higher level of safety. Data security is ensured by the security measures included in 5G. This means that no unauthorized person can access the vehicle.
Industry: Factory automation
It will be interlinked with modern information and communication technology in order to create intelligent and digitally networked systems. The aim is to optimize the entire value chain through largely self-organized production. IoT is a key technology. The use of AI techniques creates huge amounts of data that need to be processed.
With 5G's increased bandwidth and improved speed and reliability, especially in real-time processing, you - as a user - can make factory automation more effective. Here, secure data transmission is guaranteed due to the concepts included in 5G.
5G is expected to become the first industry-ready radio standard.
What support does NetModule offer you?
NetModule fully relies on 5G. For this reason, we will expand the proven product lines NB3800, NB2800 and NB1800 to 5G technology. Around mid-February, an NB3800 with 5G modem will be available as an evaluation device for you, a few months later an NB2800 with 5G and towards the end of the year an NB1800. First quantities will be delivered by the NB3850 in 4Q21, followed by the NB2850 in 1Q22. The NB1850 is then planned for mid-2022 in saleable quantities.
The currently used 5G modem supports the time duplex method (TDD) and frequency duplex method (FDD) and offers up to 4x4 MIMO. In 5GNR mode, the frequency bands n1 (2100), n3 (1800), n7 (2600), n8 (900), n78 (3500) are supported, in 4G LTE mode B1 (2100), B3 (1800), B7 (2600), B5 (850), B8 (900), B20 (800), B42 (3500). 5G standalone (SA) and 5G non-standalone (NSA) are supported. This is particularly important in the current development phase, as not all mobile networks have yet been upgraded to 5G SA. In 4G LTE advanced mode, Cat. 20 with channel bundling (CA) will be offered. Theoretically, data rates of 5.5 Gbps are achieved in download mode and 1.6 Gbps in upload.
What is the current state of the 5G network expansion and what should be considered when using it?
By the end of 2020, more than one billion people, or 15 percent of the world's population, will live in areas with 5G coverage (Source: Ericsson Mobility Report 11/2020). 5G network expansion is already well advanced in some countries. In Switzerland, 5G was already available for 90 percent of the population at the end of 2019. In Europe, the expansion of 5G is mainly driven by the use of existing LTE frequency bands, in Germany as well. The price of the increased data rates is the increased need for bandwidth in higher frequency bands and thus smaller cells. This results in limited coverage of the 5G network.
Therefore, it is advisable to examine some questions before using 5G.
- How good is the coverage in the field of application?
- Is it possible to reach the desired data rates in uplink (end device to infrastructure) and downlink (infrastructure to the end device)?
- Is it possible to use 4x4 MIMO (for space reasons) and what is the optimal antenna installation?
- And in general: Does 5G really bring more than LTE in practice, i.e. is the investment worthwhile?
With regard to the last question, it should be mentioned that the 5G router cannot currently work consistently in 5G mode but will fall back on LTE or sometimes even UMTS due to the above coverage problem.
We at NetModule are pleased to help you and answer other questions. We will be happy to provide you with advice and assistance based on our many years of expertise.
Conclusion
5G is on the rise and will make a significant contribution to global economic growth over the next 10-15 years (see also The 5G Economy, IHS Markit, 2017). Get your benefits - shorter latency and maximum transfer rates - for your applications right now. We support you with 5G-compatible products and integration into your application and provide you the right routing solution even for safety-critical applications such as HD-quality online video surveillance or real-time applications for autonomous driving.
Take advantage of your chance, we will be happy to support you!
For more information, see our White Paper.