Keywords: Private Industrial 5G, Private Wireless Network, Industrial Wireless Network, Industry-Native, Industrial Connectivity, Siemens, ARC Advisory Group.
Summary
Private 5G wireless connectivity enables fast and reliable production and intralogistics processes with increased transparency and flexibility. Key benefits include high speed, built-in security, low latencies, and high reliability. Private 5G networks give users control over data privacy, and users can configure networks according to their own requirements. As a result, many industrial users are starting to realize the benefits of private 5G networks. Per ARC’s research, private wireless network deployments have been witnessing strong growth in the past 2-3 years. This ARC View discusses private wireless networks from Siemens and looks at the company’s historical presence in networks and industrial automation.
Private Wireless Networks Offer High Data Security
Private 5G networks, also known as campus networks, are 5G networks restricted to a defined company premises, a defined area, or an individual plant, facility, or building. Per 3GPP, the mobile telecommunications standards organization, private 5G and 4G/LTE networks are referred to as non-public networks. These networks are offered as isolated or standalone non-public networks (SNPNs) and non-public networks (NPN) in conjunction with public networks. Public networks are further offered as three different network types: shared radio access network (RAN), shared RAN and control plane, and NPN hosted by the public network.
Private networks can be licensed, shared, or unlicensed wireless spectrum. Network components include base stations, small cells, spectrum access system, radio access network, evolved packet core, and core network infrastructure to transmit voice and data to end devices, as well as IoT and mobile devices, tablets, routers, gateways, software, and services.
Private industrial 5G networks offer many advantages for industry users: companies can build them locally on their premises and can precisely modify them to meet their specific needs and applications. Owning their own local 5G spectrum guarantees interference-free operations and gives industrial users full control over their data.
Private industrial 5G networks are a true enabler of Industry 4.0 and digital transformation as private 5G networks offer connectivity solutions with high speed, low latency, high security, and privacy. Furthermore, private 5G networks enable seamless communication among an ever-increasing number of IoT devices and enable users addressing massive data connectivity and data transmitting challenges associated with emerging technologies such as machine learning, Gen AI, XR technologies, data analytics, and edge computing. These features position private 5G networks as the Industry 4.0 enabling technology for connecting devices, mobile equipment, assets, and applications in many industry sectors.
Siemens’ Historical Presence in Networks Business
Siemens has offered industrial network solutions since the 1980s when the company introduced Profibus. The company’s industrial Ethernet switches offerings include two portfolios: SCALANCE products are targeted for use in industrial automation, while RUGGEDCOM products have been particularly successful in the electric power market for substation or distribution automation and in infrastructure applications such as intelligent transportation and train/trackside.
SINEC NMS software is a network management system for visualizing, monitoring, managing, and diagnosing industrial networks offering full conformity to the ISO model FCAPS. Most SCALANCE products can also be integrated into Siemens’ TIA Portal engineering software for network configuration, monitoring, and diagnostics via the control system. Siemens offers Profinet networking at the field level and standardized IT protocols for vertical communication and integration. Most of the managed switches also support integration into EtherNet/IP networks.
In 2021, Siemens began selling industrial 5G routers SCALANCE MUM853-1 and MUM856-1 for connecting robots, AGVs, and other industrial devices to public 4G/5G networks and private 5G networks.
Siemens Launches Solutions for Private 5G Networks
In September 2023, Siemens launched a private network infrastructure developed in-house for the 5G mobile communications standard. The solution enables industrial companies to build their own private 5G networks that provide optimal support for automation applications. According to the company, by deploying their own 5G networks, industrial companies are launching the next stage of connected production. 5G is crucial for applications like mobile robots, autonomous logistics, and driverless transport systems in factories.
This addition is important because the application can also run on wireless LAN, but with 5G, they can run in parallel without interferences on the same infrastructure. A private 5G infrastructure gives users sole control over the data in their 5G networks, and they can custom-configure the network for their applications.
Other scenarios for industrial 5G wireless technology include the integrated use of connected tablets, VR glasses, and smart tools. In addition, edge devices can be used flexibly: for example, in brownfield applications where it’s difficult to lay cables. In contrast to other wireless technologies, private 5G networks use a licensed frequency band and can therefore be operated without interference.
5G Network Components from a Single Source
Siemens has developed its 5G infrastructure specifically for the requirements of industrial customers and industrial applications. It consists of a 5G core and a radio access network (RAN). The RAN includes the central unit (CU), the distributed unit (DU), and the radio units (RU). Different 5G end devices can connect to the 5G infrastructure and communicate in the private network. The all-in-one 5G solution is also designed for use in harsh industrial environments.
Before the market launch, Siemens extensively tested its private 5G infrastructure in real production environments, including at its own site in Karlsruhe, Germany. By implementing and operating the prototype network in its own production facilities, Siemens was able to test and refine the technology, ensuring that it can withstand the requirements of industrial production environments and support industrial applications.
Conclusion
Industry 4.0 and digital transformation activities demand transparent and flexible manufacturing or production processes for improved visibility and efficient production. Private wireless 5G networks are the true enabler of digital transformation allowing users to use emerging technologies, such as XR, AI and machine vision, which demand high speed, low latency, reliable, and secure connectivity solutions such as private 5G networks. Increasingly, industrial companies appear to deploy private wireless networks to have control on their manufacturing/production, and business processes.
5G is crucial for industrial applications namely mobile robots, autonomous logistics, driverless transport systems, and edge devices. Siemens is well established and has a presence and large installed base in industrial companies. A private 5G infrastructure like the one offered by Siemens is required for building a local 5G network and making the 5G signal available on the company’s premises. Siemens’ 5G network solution is rooted in extensive testing experience in real industrial environments and applications with industrial use cases and protocols like Profinet and OPC UA. With its historical presence, expertise in industrial communications, and a wide portfolio of automation and control systems, Siemens is well-positioned to capture new industrial 5G network business.
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