(1) Why does intelligent manufacturing need wireless communication?
It is evident that the real-time communication between cloud platforms and factory production facilities, the information interaction between massive sensors and artificial intelligence platforms, and the efficient interaction of human-machine interfaces in the process of intelligent manufacturing place diverse demands on communication networks and extremely stringent performance requirements, and necessitates the introduction of highly reliable wireless communication technologies.
From the perspective of high-reliability wireless communication technology applications in factories, on the one hand, the wireless transformation of production equipment makes modular and flexible manufacturing possible. On the other hand, wireless networks make the construction and renovation of factories and production lines more convenient, and wireless technology can reduce a significant amount of maintenance work and lower costs.
(2) What challenges do wireless communication networks face in smart manufacturing applications?
Low latency applications are particularly widespread in intelligent manufacturing automation control systems, such as in environmentally sensitive, high-precision manufacturing processes and the production of hazardous chemicals. In intelligent manufacturing closed-loop control systems, information acquired by sensors (such as pressure and temperature sensors) needs to be transmitted through extremely low-latency networks. Ultimately, the data needs to be transmitted to the system's actuators (such as robotic arms, electronic valves, and heaters) to complete high-precision production operations. Furthermore, the network requires extremely high reliability throughout the entire process to ensure safe and efficient production.
Furthermore, the operating range of automated control and sensing systems in a factory can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of square kilometers, or even be distributed. Depending on the production scenario, a manufacturing plant may have tens of thousands of sensors and actuators within its production area, requiring the massive connectivity of communication networks to support them.
The capabilities of 5G networks
Huawei has successfully completed the second phase of wireless technology testing for China's 5G technology research and development trials, organized by the IMT-2020 (5G) Promotion Group, in Huairou, Beijing. During the C-band testing phase, utilizing a 200MHz bandwidth, tests were conducted using 5G New Radio (NR) and massive MIMO technologies. The peak cell speed exceeded 20Gbps, with air interface latency within 0.5ms , and a single cell supporting over 10 million connections.
Compared to traditional mobile communication technologies, 5G will further enhance the user experience: In terms of capacity, 5G communication technology will achieve 1,000 times more mobile data traffic per unit area than 4G; in terms of transmission rate, the typical data rate per user will increase by 10 to 100 times, with peak transmission rates reaching 10Gbps (equivalent to 100 times the speed of 4G networks); end-to-end latency will be reduced by 5 times; in terms of accessibility, the number of connectable devices will increase by 10 to 100 times; and in terms of reliability and energy consumption, energy consumption per bit should be reduced to one-thousandth, and low-power battery life will increase by 10 times.
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