The Opportunity of 5G and Edge Computing

5G Low Latency and Edge Computing Acceleration Realize 5G Smart Factory

Smart factories combine digitization and artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, drones, machine learning and other technologies to have ultra-high elasticity and adapt to changing production needs. 5G Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) and edge computing using intent-driven orchestration are expected to enable 5G network-based manufacturing automation to realize smart factory concepts.

According to Telecoms reports, the connection requirements of production sites are ultra-high reliability and ultra-low latency (below 10ms). Previous wireless network technologies cannot meet the needs of large-scale operations and many Internet of Things (IoT) applications, so wired Network, now 5G URLLC and mobile/multi-access edge computing (MEC) are expected to become one of the keys to realize Industry 4.0 advanced automation and digitalization and smart factories.

5G URLLC and MEC make 5G a viable alternative to wired networks in production sites. Wireless networks can greatly improve the agility and flexibility of reconfiguration in production sites. Combined with the new network architecture, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) can be implemented. ) software and cloud computing deployment to support more advanced manufacturing system automation software, such as advanced AI and machine learning applications that can control factory equipment in real time.

Communication and digital service operators hope to significantly increase revenue by investing in and deploying 5G wireless networks, especially smart factory applications have great business opportunities, but operators must adopt correct strategies, such as mega factories with sufficient financial resources in deploying solutions within an organization without relying on intermediaries such as carriers may make SMBs more promising target customers than small and medium-sized businesses that require flexible, out-of-the-box solutions.

Consistent low latency and reliability provided by 5G URLLC are essential to the automation of smart factory assembly lines. Cloud-native applications that replace dedicated PLCs can be executed on MEC, and a closed-loop control system can be built in smart factories. The key to success lies in Employ a large ecosystem of app developers to deliver expected innovation. In addition, the use of 5G wireless networks cannot increase the cost of smart factories too much.

Network slicing technology allows SMEs to use software to build a 5G private network dedicated to smart factories, sharing the same physical network infrastructure to greatly reduce construction costs. Tools such as intent-driven scheduling can automatically convert vertical-oriented requirements into network requirements, specifically present network segmentation and operate in accordance with service level agreements (SLAs) based on smart factory requirements, which can help communication service operators provide services that meet enterprise customers’ needs. demand, automation solutions based on 5G wireless network.

5G attaches great importance to high transmission, low latency and ultra-large connections. Compared with the past 3G and 4G eras, the situation of diverse applications and greatly different network requirements will occur on the 5G network at the same time. Therefore, 5G must have corresponding applications for different solutions, edge computing can provide mobile users with lower latency and better network quality, and give telecom operators the opportunity to launch more innovative services. Edge computing is gradually gaining attention, and the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the global edge computing-related market size from 2018 to 2022 will exceed 30%.