5G

Unlocking Sustainable and Agile Smart Manufacturing with Industrial Private 5G

By Rockwell Automation / 2023-09-27 / Topics : IndustrialPrivate5G , DigitalTransformation , IoTApplications

Unleashing the Power of Industrial Private 5G: A Sustainable and Agile Future for Manufacturing

In the ever-evolving landscape of industrial technology, the advent of Industrial Private 5G is poised to revolutionize the way we approach smart manufacturing. This transformative technology offers the promise of sustainability and agility, two vital factors for modern industrial operations. In this blog, we will explore how Industrial Private 5G is set to redefine the industry by enabling various applications and ensuring that EtherNet/IP is ready to embrace this groundbreaking innovation.

The Power of Industrial Private 5G:
Industrial Private 5G represents a major leap forward in industrial connectivity. Designed with ultra-reliability, low latency, and a diverse spectrum range in mind, 5G is tailor-made to meet the rigorous demands of Industrial IoT (IIoT) and industrial automation. This technology brings a host of benefits, including:

  1. Cost-Efficiency: 5G has the potential to replace traditional wired industrial network connections, drastically reducing installation costs.
  2. Flexibility: It empowers industrial operations to swiftly adapt to dynamic market conditions, ensuring agility even in the face of unforeseen challenges, as highlighted during the global pandemic.
  3. Sustainability: By reducing the reliance on costly wired infrastructure, 5G aligns with sustainability initiatives, making it a win-win for businesses and the environment.

Application Use Cases:
Industrial Private 5G has the capacity to enable several critical application use cases within manufacturing and process operations:

  1. Connected Worker Applications: These applications enhance visibility and intelligence through mobile digital tools like analytics, digital twins, and augmented reality (AR), ensuring that workers can make informed decisions in real time.
  2. Mobile Asset Applications: Industrial Private 5G supports autonomous vehicles like automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), increasing efficiency and agility in logistics and material handling.
  3. Untethered Fixed Industrial Asset Applications: These applications reduce the need for wired infrastructure to connect static equipment, making it more sustainable, while also decreasing the time required to retool industrial operations to respond to changing market conditions.

Collaborative Research:
Rockwell Automation, a leader in industrial automation, joined forces with industry giants Ericsson, Qualcomm, and Verizon to evaluate Industrial Private 5G technology with ODVA’s EtherNet/IP™, a core industrial communications technology. The research aimed to confirm that EtherNet/IP networks are prepared for Industrial Private 5G and that Industrial Private 5G is equipped to handle demanding EtherNet/IP applications.

Testbed Development:
A comprehensive testbed was created to assess the capabilities of Industrial Private 5G. It consisted of various components, including Rockwell Automation's control systems, Ericsson's radio access network infrastructure, Qualcomm's mobile test platform, and Verizon's expertise in industrial networking innovation.

Test Results:
The rigorous testing, guided by Rockwell Automation's well-established test plan, yielded impressive results. It showcased that the current state of Industrial Private 5G can effectively support EtherNet/IP standard and safety I/O applications. Notably, it met or exceeded the performance of Rockwell Automation's default settings, setting the stage for a seamless integration of these technologies.

Key Takeaways:
From this collaboration, several key takeaways emerged:

  1. EtherNet/IP is Ready for Industrial Private 5G: The compatibility of EtherNet/IP with Industrial Private 5G ensures a smooth transition to this advanced connectivity solution.
  2. Industrial Private 5G is Ready for Demanding Applications: The testing confirmed that Industrial Private 5G is prepared to handle the high demands of EtherNet/IP standard and safety I/O applications.
  3. Unlocking Sustainability and Agility: Industrial Private 5G paves the way for increased sustainability and agility in industrial operations.

Future Endeavors:
The research collaboration is far from over. Future plans include evaluating EtherNet/IP time synchronization (CIP Syncâ„¢) and distributed motion (CIP Motionâ„¢) applications over 3GPP Release 16 standalone (SA) Industrial Private 5G. Initial proof-of-concept results are promising, underscoring the potential for further advancements.

Thanks to the collective efforts of Rockwell Automation, Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., and Verizon, the potential of Industrial Private 5G is being realized. This technology promises high-performance wireless connectivity and business assurance, making it a catalyst for the evolution of smart manufacturing. As industries continue to evolve, Industrial Private 5G is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable and agile industrial operations.

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