5G Working Principle and Use Cases

As we step further into the digital age,5G technology has emerged as a game changer, promising to revolutionize the way of communication and connection. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of 5G, understanding how it works and exploring its wide range of applications.

What is 5G?

5G is the 5th generation of mobile networks, a new global wireless standard after 4G, 3G, and 2G. 5G is meant to deliver higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, ultra-low latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, and increased availability. 

In the new exciting era of 5G, new communication requirements pose challenges to existing networks in terms of technologies and business models. 

The International Telecommunication Union has classified 5G mobile network services into three categories.

1. Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)
2. Ultra-reliable and Low Latency Communications (uRLLC)
3. Massive Machine Type Communications (MMTC)

eMBB aims to help meet people's demand for high-speed internet, use cases like uninterrupted video streaming, uRLLC aims to help meet people's expectations on latency sensitize services like automated driving and manufacturing units. mMTC aims to meet demands on services having high connection density like a smart city.

Working Principle of 5G 

5G is based on OFDM (Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) is s specialized frequency division multiplexing (FDM) with the additional constraint that all sub-carrier signals within a communication channel to one another.

OFDM requires very accurate frequency synchronization between the receiver and the transmitter with frequency deviation the subcarriers will no longer be orthogonal, causing inter-carrier interference (ICI). It will results in cross-talks between sub-carriers.

5G Architecture 

The generic architecture of 5G network uses Flat IP concept so that different RANs can use same Nanocore for communication. The architecture reduces number of network elements un data path and hence reduces cost and it also reduces latency.

1. The aggregator which is placed in BSC/RNC place will accumulate all RAN traffics and route it to gateway. RANs supported by 5G architecture are GSM, GPRS/EDGE, UMTS, LTE, LTE-advanced, WiMAX, WiFi, CDMA2000, EV-DO, CDMA One, IS-95.
2. The another component in 5G architecture, Nanocore consists of nanotechnology, cloud computing and All IP architecture.
3. Internet and central remote services are both used by cloud computing to maintain data and applications of the users.

5G Protocol Stack

The diagram describes 5G protocol stack visualizing how 5G protocol mapped with OSI layer model. 5G protocol layer consists of OWA layer, Network layer, OTP layer and Application layer.

1. OWA layer - Open Wireless Architecture Layer acts as physical layer and data link layer of OSI stack.
2. Network layer - Routes data from IP source to the destination IP device, divided into lower and upper network layers.
3. Open Transport layer - Acts as both transport and session layer of OSI stack.
4. Application layer - Layer which marks data as per required format, will encrypt and decrypt the data.

Use cases of 5G network :  

1. Enhanced agricultural productivity - IoT empowering data gathering, analytics and decision-making to lower costs, cut resource consumption and create higher yields.
2. Improved remote education – With high speed & availability of 5G network, will increase remote learning experience
3. Immersive experiences (augmented and virtual reality) 
4. Smart factory - The deployment of 5G technology will enable reliable connectivity between man, machine, and devices working on the factory floors; provide real-time insights
5. Autonomous vehicles - 5G networks will be an enormous enabler for autonomous vehicles, due to the dramatically reduced latency, as vehicles will be able to respond 10-100 times faster than over current cellular networks.
6. Smart City Infrastructure and Traffic Management - The communications backbone to support connected vehicle technology can be phased in today, well before 5G is fully deployed, dramatically improving pedestrian and vehicle safety.

Glossary :

• Flat IP concept - Every device/node/sensors in network has unique IP address.
• RAN - Radio Access Network
• BSC - Base Station Controller (Control of and supervises a number of Base Transceiver Stations)
• RNC - Radio Network Controller(Control the radio nodes connected to it)
• GSM - Global System for Mobile
• GPRS - General Packet Radio Service
• EDGE - Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (Enhanced GPRS)
• UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (Alternative for GSM)
• LTE - Long Term Evolution
• WiMAX - Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
• CDMA - Code-Division Multiple Access