The Connectivity Revolution: How the Emergence of 5G Networks Are Reshaping Manufacturing

Please welcome Dijam Panigrahi to 21st Century Tech Blog. Dijam is the Co-founder and COO of GridRaster Inc., a provider of cloud-based augmented reality, virtual reality and 3D artificial intelligence platforms. In his first contribution to the blog site, he writes about the change that 5G is bringing to manufacturing. The appearance of 5G beginning in 2019 has meant for cellphone users, faster responses and downloads whether doing a search or viewing a movie or video. But for industry, 5G is the linchpin of the long-predicted, data-driven, Fourth Industrial Revolution where both people and their devices, an Internet of Things (IoT) can flourish.

The advent of 5G means latency restrictions over data networks will come to an end. For manufacturing this is not an incremental improvement over previous communication protocols. It’s revolutionary. I will let Dijam tell the rest of the story.

Gone are the days when we wished for a seamless collaboration environment interconnected by a powerful network. Why? What was thought to be impossible has become a reality with the advent of 5G (which stands for fifth generation) networks. When it comes to manufacturing, 5G is making a noticeable difference.

Its true potential is realized when integrated with Industry 4.0 technologies. What are these?

• The Internet of Things (IoT),
• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR),
• Edge computing,
• Artificial intelligence (AI).

What 5G allows is high-speed generation of data that can be translated into real-world manufacturing applications. Based on data analysis, these technological capabilities not only improve productivity and efficiency but also enable more informed decisions. From manufacturing to supply chain strategies and logistics, IoT sensors can harness the potential of 5G to create a connected, intelligent ecosystem, transforming the way companies operate.

5G is the successor of 4G, the fourth generation of mobile network technology. A quick comparison between the two is warranted. 5G can be up to 100 times faster than 4G. That means for the average consumer downloading a feature-length movie, the wait time is reduced from 50 minutes to 50 seconds. Another key measurable difference is delay or latency, going from 50 to as much as 200 milliseconds in 4G to 1 millisecond with 5G. It takes the average human 250 milliseconds to react to a visual stimulus. 5G is 250 times more responsive which is an important advantage for an autonomous robot or vehicle.

In the 2010s, 4G set the standard as the fastest and most innovative cellular technology. 4G’s promises included enhanced cell density, improved Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) capabilities and greater bandwidth. LTE, a wireless broadband standard, was introduced with 4G. The combination of 4G and LTE continues today to support traffic over cellular networks and the Internet to this day. 

5G Advantages Go Beyond Speeds and Feeds

The beginning deployment of 5G began in 2019. Deployment was slow because telecommunications providers had to dramatically expand infrastructure to support its emergence. They are still in the process of making those changes to their networks.

The low latency that 5G networks provide means reductions in the delay between sending and receiving data. For real-time communications and control in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution this is critical. Low latency ensures millisecond response times making 5G suitable for time-sensitive tasks in industrial automation, robotics, autonomous vehicles, and other automated systems.

The higher data transfer rates, the feeds and speeds, allow for rapid and seamless two-way communication and the transfer of large amounts of data. This is essential for high-definition spatial data and video streaming, complex sensor data, and other data-intensive applications.

IoT Device Connectivity

With 5G support for IoT devices has dramatically increased. A 4G network can support up to 2,000 devices per square kilometre. A 5G network can support 1 million. For telephone networks, utilities, and the energy grid, 5G represents a generational leap. For industry, it means the deployment of sensors, actuators, and devices making it possible for autonomous vehicles, smart factories, and smart infrastructure.

5G introduces the concept of network slicing, allowing a network operator to create dedicated slices or subsets of the network for specific uses. Dedicated network slices can control mobile communication, environment monitoring, smart homes, smart agriculture, smart meter reading, live streaming, video uploading, mobile healthcare services, the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), smart grids, and industrial control services, all requiring millisecond-level latency and near-100% reliability. 

Powering AR/VR Solutions

5G’s eMBB (Enhanced Mobile Broadband) is key to making augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) work for manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and other supply chain applications.

For AR and VR applications which require continuous and seamless data flow, 5G is a must. It means VR users can experience ultra-high-definition content without lag or buffering. For AR applications, high-speed real-time data streaming means digital information and 3D digital twins can overlay what a user sees when working to manufacture, assemble, operate or maintain machinery. 

5G transforms the mobile AR landscape by enabling richer and more complex experiences. On smartphones, AR with 5G networks delivers more detailed, interactive content for retail applications. AR with 5G in warehousing provides pickers and packers with visual cues and directions for locating items. AR with 5G also assists in the management of inventory by providing real-time reporting on stock levels. VR with 5G allows for simulations to train warehouse staff when facing new processes or building layouts. 

In supply chain training applications, 5G significantly impacts AR/VR through advanced simulation and modelling. In engineering 5G with AR/VR can help with design and prototyping. And 5G with AR/VR helps customer support by enhancing communication and collaboration. 

5G complements edge computing by bringing computing resources closer to the sources of data generation. Edge computing refers to a computing paradigm where the network and devices relevant to users are moved closer. The IoT device density that 5G can support makes this possible. The immediate benefits for applications requiring automated or quick decision-making mean data delays are minimized and efficiencies gained.

Coming in the Future – 6G

If densities of 1 million IoT devices per square kilometre aren’t enough, and if a millisecond response time doesn’t cut it, then wait for 6G. Compared to 5G, 6G networks will run 100 times faster with peak data rates of 1,000 Gigabits per second. 6G will accommodate up to 10 million IoT devices per square kilometre and AI running on 6G will be revolutionary. When will we see 6G deployed? The first pilots in North America are expected to be in place by 2028, with wider commercial use available by 2030.