Cellular Connectivity and Wearable Technology Enablers for Industrial Mid-End Applications

Abstract

Industrial digital transformation through efficient automation hinges largely on the deployment of communication infrastructures that meet the requirements of smart factory use cases. These infrastructures involve multiple devices that utilize different communication technologies to increase the overall operational efficiency. Rooting from the key implementation requirements of a smart factory environment, this article focuses on the role of cellular connectivity and wearable technology in enabling new industrial applications. Specifically, we shed light on a novel category of services -industrial mid-end wearable applications -by positioning their requirements among the 5G service classes. We then identify features that can complement cellular connectivity to further support the given requirements. More precisely, we review cellular network-aided device-to-device communications and reduced-capability devices. Our performance evaluation results justify the choice of these features and show that they can work in concert with cellular connectivity to enhance spectral efficiency and reliability in industrial mid-end wearable applications.

Enhancing Uplink Performance of NR RedCap in Industrial 5G/B5G Systems

“…This motivates the introduction of novel industrial applications with different UL and DL communication requirements. Proposed in [7], industrial mid-end wearable applications (IM-EWA) have mid-end requirements that fall in-between the three main 5G service classes (i.e., eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC). Essential components of these new services are reduced-capability NR (NR RedCap) wearable devices.…”

“…Due to simplifications in radio frequency and baseband capabilities, NR RedCap devices may experience network performance degradation as compared to Rel-15 NR devices [8], [9]. However, several services among the IM-EWA categories defined in [7] (i.e., process management, work safety, and healthcare monitoring) require real-time UL data transmission. Examples of these services include uploading progress reports as part of the process management and sending vital signs of workers as part of the healthcare monitoring [7].…”

“…However, several services among the IM-EWA categories defined in [7] (i.e., process management, work safety, and healthcare monitoring) require real-time UL data transmission. Examples of these services include uploading progress reports as part of the process management and sending vital signs of workers as part of the healthcare monitoring [7]. Hence, meeting the stringent requirements of the above industrial applications prompts RedCap devices to employ solutions for UL performance enhancement.…”