How is indoor 5G connectivity accelerating enterprise operations?
- Private cellular networks are increasingly paving the way for Industry 4.0, opening a new chapter in smart manufacturing.
- Driving operational efficiency and accelerating business processes, Ericsson Imagine Studio demonstrates connectivity for autonomous guided vehicles, enabled by an Ericsson Private 5G network coupled with Ericsson’s Radio Dot System.
Senior Technology Manager
Customer Solutions Director
Senior Technology Manager
Customer Solutions Director
Senior Technology Manager
Customer Solutions Director
Smart manufacturing—propelled by seamless connectivity—is reshaping the industrial landscape. Join us to explore how 5G connectivity can accelerate the digital transformation of enterprises worldwide.
The evolution of industrial automation
Industrial automation has undergone significant transformations since its inception in the 1960s. Initially centered around basic switches and relays, the industry began to embrace programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in the 1970s, marking a pivotal advancement. The 1980s and 1990s saw further development with the introduction of field bus and industrial Ethernet, significantly improving connectivity and data exchange across manufacturing systems.
Today, we stand on the threshold of Industry 4.0, characterized by three key themes:
- creating agility by developing responsive and adaptable manufacturing processes
- advancing operations and enhancing efficiency through the integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), edge computing, and the internet of things (IoT)
- unlocking intelligence to drive smarter decision-making with big data and analytics
The innovations driving Industry 4.0
The current landscape of industrial automation is shaped by several key innovations, including robotics, AI/ML, IoT, nanotechnology, and 5G. A recent Gartner report predicts that by 2025, at least 40 percent of all full-production private network deployments in industrial manufacturing will be based on 5G technology.
How does 5G indoor connectivity give enterprises an innovation edge?
Private cellular networks and indoor small cells are crucial for low-latency applications, which can support new and emerging business cases. These networks provide the speed and flexibility needed for the rapid retooling of manufacturing facilities while enhancing security and ensuring superior capacity and coverage.
5G is poised to transform how businesses operate. Primary business cases include coverage extensions and seamless connectivity in indoor environments, smart buildings, and campuses; reliable connectivity for AGVs; optimized network operations with digital twins; and enhanced safety, security, and surveillance.
Indoor 5G and AGVs
The Ericsson Private 5G (EP5G) solution is broadly applied in the realm of AGVs. As shown in the second episode of our Imagine Studio Unboxed series, integrating the router allows these machines to gain cellular connectivity, enabling real-time management and monitoring through a centralized dashboard.
The benefits of cellular connectivity in manufacturing are manifold:
- Real-time communication between AGVs and centralized management systems allows for the tracking of location, speed, and direction.
- Businesses benefit from enhanced command and control capabilities to adjust paths and monitor the status of AGVs, leading to improved response times during emergencies.
- Thanks to scalability, adding new AGVs to the fleet is possible without making significant infrastructure investments to accommodate operational growth and seasonal fluctuations.
Indoor precise positioning
Ericsson 5G Precise Positioning provides submeter accuracy in specific environments, empowering AGVs to choose dynamic paths based on real-time information. This capability enhances navigation, localization, and asset tracking, leading to improved logistics management and operational efficiency.
Conclusion
Integrating 5G connectivity in industrial automation, particularly through Ericsson's private cellular networks, offers numerous advantages. Enhanced navigation, improved localization, flexible asset tracking, and dynamic route mapping pave the way for greater efficiency and operational improvements for businesses. As we continue to explore the potential of Industry 4.0, the role of advanced technologies like EP5G will undoubtedly be pivotal in shaping the future of manufacturing.