The 5G technology’s buzz could have caught factory owners or managers intending to improve performance and reduce its environmental footprint. The challenge? Determining how to use it properly in your factory. So, the question is whether in the conditions of a private network within the manufactory, a 5G Distributed Antenna System (DAS) could be the missing element to amplify your 5G signal.
That very question motivated us to write the guide. Using insights from UCtel experts, a factory 5G DAS solution integrator, we have come to unravel the union of 5g and DAS. We will look together at how these technologies can raise the level of efficiency and productivity in your factory as well as be beneficial to nature. By the end, you will have all of the necessary tools to turn your factory into an eco-fueled powerhouse.
Benefits of 5G and DAS for factories
Considering the latest generation of wireless technology, 5G supplies communication and data transmission better in terms of speed, reliability, and accessibility than its predecessors. Fifth-gen technology enables up to 1,00 cover square kilometres of thousands of devices to deliver speeds x2 times and latency is reduced by a factor as high. Therefore, implies 5G can facilitate instantaneous and uninterrupted connections among machines, devices as well as people within the factory Internet of Things infrastructure. About its capabilities, features, and potential get more at 5G-ACIA White Paper (a global initiative aims to shape 5G for industrial applications).
Just about the complex
In application to industry, DAS encompasses a network of antennas and wires to broadcast wireless signals across an entire building or industrial sector. Thanks to DAS, 5G technology can provide higher performance and larger coverage in your work area by eliminating dead zone creation; diminishing interference problems and improving capacity. 5th gen distributed coverage can also be multirex and multipulse, which means that you will need the same system to provide various wireless services.
In practice, 5G In-Building wireless improves your factory’s efficiency, productivity, and quality by enabling various applications, such as:
- Smart sensors: Using 5G indoor coverage solution you can connect various sensors which monitor temperature, humidity, pressure etc happening in the factory. These sensors can be used to collect and transmit data in real-time thus enabling you streamline processes, detect abnormalities and prevent failures.
- Robotics: With 5G DAS, you can control robots that do tasks like assembly installations of equipment welding, painting inspection. These robots can talk to each other and the central system, meaning that they are accurate, flexible and coordinated.
- Augmented reality: 5G In-Building Connectivity can be used to deliver AR solutions for your employees including smart glasses, helmets, tablets etc. These tools can superimpose this digital information and instructions over the actual environment, thus improving training, guidance and log-out.
- Cloud computing: 5G Wireless Infrastructure can help you connect to cloud computing services like artificial intelligence, big data, and edge computing. Such services enable you to analyse and process vast volumes of data, produce insights and recommendations, as well as ensure decision automation.
5G DAS networks drive sustainability and efficiency in manufacturing. Think about employing a 5G building antenna system as your factory optimising energy usage by adjusting machine speed and power, reducing wear and saving energy. Real-time monitoring of raw materials and finished products ensures efficient inventory management, cutting waste and errors. Additionally, integrated sensors enable remote machine diagnosis and repair, minimising downtime and travel costs.
Take Ericsson’s Texas plant as an example, achieving a 25% energy reduction, a 65% inventory cut, and a 50% production efficiency increase through 5G integration. This illustrates how 5G revolutionises manufacturing for the better. Cool, isn’t it? Yahoo Finance reports on Ericsson’s energy-smart 5G site in Texas sets a new standard for sustainable network solutions.
Challenges and solutions for 5G in-building connectivity integration
Despite the high benefits of 5G indoor coverage solutions for factories, there are also some challenges and barriers (the venue is large or complex, the existing wireless infrastructure is outdated or incompatible, the regulatory or contractual requirements are high) you may face when integrating them in your facility infrastructure. Here are some of these challenges and solutions:
| Challenges | Solutions |
| High costs | Conduct feasibility studies to assess needs, evaluate current situation, and estimate costs and benefits. Plan accordingly based on the results. |
| Technical complexity | Choose reliable partners and vendors with experience in 5G wireless integration. Look for those offering customised and scalable solutions, along with technical support, guidance, and security guarantees. |
| Security risks | Adopt standards and protocols like 3GPP for 5G (NR and NG-RAN) and IEEE for DAS (802.11 and 802.15). Implement encryption, authentication, and authorization mechanisms to safeguard data and network. Comply with data protection and privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR and CCPA). |
| Regulatory issues | Ensure compliance with regulatory approval, spectrum allocation, licensing, and certification. Adhere to health and safety standards, including exposure limits and fire codes. Obtain necessary licences and permits. Conduct regular testing and inspection for system performance and safety. |
Although the introduction of 5G In-Building connectivity within factories holds incredible advantages, challenges may include huge investment for capital outlay and tech accuracy to get an endorsement from governance systems or law enforcement agencies. Therefore, there are some proposals to help factories overcome these challenges and benefit from 5G. For example, one from the European Union provides guidelines and standards for using 5G in different sectors, such as industrial IoT, artificial intelligence, and edge computing. This can help factories to ensure compatibility, security, and compliance of their 5G systems.
To address these issues, feasibility studies need to be undertaken followed by working with trustworthy partners to adapt standard practices compliance and safety. This strategic approach simplifies the hordes of complications and leads to a smooth transition toward enhanced connectivity. Given the fact that UCtel has shown its dependability in deploying the Building-Integrated 5G, think of it.
Conclusion
With 5G In-Building connectivity, your factory can become more ecological by offering appropriate infrastructure for holding the balance in nature while increasing productivity and the quality of products as well. Integration with a 5G in-building network for your facility opens up many applications such as smart sensors, robotics and augmented reality or cloud computing. They also reduce the impact of the environment on factories. However, you may also have other challenges and constraints to overcome by some of the solutions in using implementation adoption strategies such as feasibility studies, choosing proper partners or vendors among others that ensure compliance with measures like standards.