Introduction to the complete 5G system

5G will soon be here, and it will be more than just faster phone speeds. Learn about 5G’s potential impact on the Internet of Things.

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There are three application spaces designated for 5G: eMBB, replacing 4G mobile networks with faster 5G networks; URLCC, low-latency high-reliability data transmission; and mMTC, low-cost large-scale device networks. These three application areas are exciting areas that can see amazing advantages of 5G.

Why 5G?

There has been a lot of hype around 5G, with many companies like Verizon, AT&T, Qualcomm, Intel, and many others investing a lot of time and resources into 5G. The hype is also for good reason. The promise of 5G is truly amazing, with speeds potentially 10 to 100 times faster than 4G, and Verizon's 5G network in Chicago is currently hitting 1GB, which is crazy. While it will take many years to build out 5G, the network can offer a lot of benefits, reliable real-time video streaming, autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles, large-scale sensor networks, and more.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has proposed “three main application performance indicators for 5G: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine type communications (mMTC).” Let’s discuss this in more detail.

Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)

As described in the examples above, eMBB is the 5G that most consumers will care about. eMBB describes a huge increase in the speed of current 4G LTE networks. To do this, there are plans to increase the frequency of cellular waves to transmit more data. Unfortunately, high-frequency beams do not penetrate buildings very well, so arrays of receivers and transmitters need to be installed throughout town to keep the signal working properly. eMBB networks are already being deployed in some cities in the United States, as well as in countries around the world.

Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC)

URLLC describes critical applications with low latency and high reliability, such as autonomous driving or robotic surgery. For these applications, packet loss or slow delivery of packets during transmission can be risky. The URLLC standard requires "sub-millisecond latency with an error rate of less than 1 packet loss in 10 packets." URLLC is exciting, but it brings with it many technical challenges, such as synchronizing time bases and managing time-sensitive networks.

Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC)

mMTC applications are suitable for large IoT devices with battery-powered, low-cost and low-data-rate devices. The requirements described by the ITU are:

• <10 seconds latency per 20 byte packet
• The battery can be used normally for 10 years
• Low-cost equipment
• Supports up to one million devices per square kilometer

Real-world applications of these devices could include smart metering, connected trash cans, bicycles, apiaries, or mousetraps. Technologies and protocols that have been designed for these use cases, such as NB-IoT and LTE-M, have been adapted to support mMTC.