Accelerating Industries into the Future with Private 5G Networks

While private 5G networks are typically associated with the manufacturing industry and Industry 4.0 applications, there are also several other sectors, such as smart warehouses, ports, airports, energy, utilities, as well as education and healthcare, that can benefit from and have been interested in deploying private 5G networks.

Industrial companies are currently adopting 5G private networks to improve operational efficiency and productivity. Wireless networks enable entirely new types of applications such as wireless robots, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), AI-based production control, and the use of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) in production, support, and training. Additionally, wireless private networks offer several advantages over traditional wired networks, such as previously unimaginable flexibility and scalability. Changes in assembly lines can be implemented in a fraction of the time compared to wired connections, making adaptive manufacturing and made-to-order manufacturing possible.??

Taking the Fast Lane with Private 5G

While private wireless networks have been around for a long time using technologies such as Wi-Fi and LTE, with 5G, more and more organizations in different sectors are looking into deploying a private network. Industrial applications require real-time communication and processing, so the connection needs to have high data throughput, good coverage, and low latency.

Safety and security are crucial to industrial organizations; therefore, reliability is an important requirement for the wireless network. Private networks also contribute to a high level of safety and security by enabling organizations to protect their sensitive information by controlling access to the network and the data that flows through it.

Compared to other wireless technologies, 5G enables low latency and a whole new level of reliability. Machine-to-machine communication, which has not previously been able to use wireless connections due to latency and reliability requirements, can now move to wireless networks thanks to 5G.

Roadblocks for Wireless Connections in a Factory Environment

Smart factories and other industrial environments with many connected devices are highly complex environments with several factors that provide challenges to wireless network coverage and quality. A highly automated factory has a wide selection of wirelessly connected equipment provided by different vendors, all of which rely on the network for operation and remote control.

Equipment used in the factory is typically subjected to wideband noise interference caused by machinery and other radio signals. For example, a large electromagnetic machine can cause significant interference and affect the operation of a wireless network throughout the factory. While such a machine might be used only occasionally, when it is turned on, it can change the wireless network conditions radically.??

Unplanned downtime at the production line is costly. For example, the average automotive manufacturer loses $22,000 per minute when a production line stops. In a complex smart factory environment, network downtime causes outages to all of the connected applications, and after the connection recovers, it might still take time to get all the devices up and running.??

To ensure reliable network operation, the interference caused by machinery and other signals needs to be acknowledged and taken into account. Inside a large factory area, wireless network quality can vary greatly from one location to another. Knowing where to place the new equipment and how to direct possible external antennas is the key to ensuring that the connection level is adequate, and the equipment operates smoothly.

To secure adequate connectivity levels, service level agreements (SLAs) are often established between an industrial company and a private network service provider. SLAs are used to define service performance metrics such as ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB).?

Steer Clear of Obstacles with Keysight's Solution

Keysight recently introduced Nemo Industry Probe, an Industry 4.0 compliant, autonomous field unit for unattended, remote-controlled measurements of public and private wireless networks in harsh indoor environments, such as smart factories, ports, smart warehouses, and energy utilities. You can use Nemo Industry Probe to secure network services in mission-critical locations, proactively detect network performance degradation issues, perform automated regression testing, and ensure Service Level Agreement (SLA) fulfillment.

Designed for 5G network monitoring in industrial environments, Nemo Industry Probe has an IP65 rated enclosure that is fully dust-tight and protected against splashing, falling, or dripping water. Effective thermal control with a fan and an active cooling element ensures that your 5G test devices do not overheat and remain functional during long test campaigns.

Inside the Nemo Industry Probe enclosure, there is an Android-based smartphone with extensive wireless network testing capabilities. You can perform service measurements for data and voice, including voice call and voice quality testing, as well as social media testing with apps. As technologies evolve, you can upgrade Nemo Industry Probe with the latest smartphones and support for the latest technologies, making it a safe investment for years to come.

Find a Smooth Road Ahead with Automation

When you combine Nemo Industry Probe with Keysight's remote control and monitoring tool Nemo Cloud and post-processing solution Nemo Analyze, you get an automated end-to-end solution to remotely monitor wireless networks and visualize the measurement results in real time. Automation enables real-time visibility into the network quality of service and helps to take preventive actions to solve potential issues before those become visible on the factory floor. Research shows that predictive and preventative methods are the most effective way to boost uptime and keeping production running.?

You can place Nemo Industry Probe units in different key locations across the factory, and a single user can control, monitor, and troubleshoot them remotely. This saves costs and resources and contributes to safety and security as there is no need to visit the factory floor.

As the use of 5G technologies grows strongly in different industry sectors, we are here to help you to ensure your private 5G network coverage, connectivity, and stability 24/7 to maintain an ultra-reliable QoS and recognize network outages in real time. Keysight's comprehensive portfolio of test solutions facilitates private network infrastructure creation, implementation, and operation across all stages of the network lifecycle.??

Want to learn more??

• View 'Private Networks Monitor – Episode 1' video
• Visit Keysight Private Network Solutions webpage
• Visit Nemo Industry Probe webpage