As technology evolves, we are challenged to innovate or be left behind. The new, future cellular standards like 4G and 5G are creating an ecosystem where next generation technologies coexist with legacy technology while improving longevity and enhanced device performance. As technology evolves, we are challenged to innovate or be left behind. The new, future cellular standards like 4G and 5G are creating an ecosystem where next generation technologies coexist with legacy technology while improving longevity and enhanced device performance.
Here are 5 things to understand about 5G and future cellular technologies:
#1 The Lower Transmission Power
Many IoT devices run off a battery or as an accessory to a larger system. Engineers are in a perpetual battle with the laws of physics when it comes to power draw and, in the case of cellular technology, the next generation technologies and related 4G/5G standards have incorporated new wireless signal modulation schemes that reduce the amount of power required to communicate. Think of the wireless signal as a 2-lane highway, the driving lanes as receive and transmit channels, and what happens during rush hour. The 4G and 5G standards found a way to turn 2 lanes into 16 (or more) without increasing the highway size and, thus, allowing more traffic to flow in parallel. The reduced communication time equates to less time transmitting, meaning greater power savings that increase battery life and require less accessory power to operate.
#2 The Longer Technology Lifespan
5G defines a way for LTE and the next generation technologies to co-exist on the same network without requiring a massive infrastructure investment from mobile operators like the previous 3G to 4G evolution. Units in service today incorporating LTE will last longer because mobile operators do not have to turn down LTE to support next generation technologies like Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) and LTE machine-type communications (LTE-M).
#3 The Faster Speeds Mean More Devices
To achieve faster speeds carriers will move to higher frequency bands not used in today’s crowded cellular space. The added benefit is more bandwidth, and the increased bandwidth results in faster roundtrip time for device communications. When devices complete communications quicker they spend less time connected to the network providing room for additional devices.
#4 The Improved Cellular Coverage
While high frequency bands travel a shorter distance than the lower frequency bands, they allow for smaller antennas and transmitters the size of a backpack. Thanks to the 5G standards the way these high frequencies will be used provides for making cellular traffic more directed at the individual devices. The smaller-sized equipment provides mobile carriers with the ability to locate a greater quantity of more targeted base stations throughout a city.
#5 They Are Designed with The Future in Mind
Mobile operators incurred a heavy burden to migrate away from CDMA and 3G to LTE and related 4G standards. The foundation of 5G standards incorporate LTE and related 4G standards making it possible for LTE and next generation technologies to exist on the same network. The mobile carrier upgrades to LTE set in motion what will soon prove to be smooth transitions to next generation technologies.
This content was provided by Andrew Peris, Senior Director, Core Technologies for Telular. For more information on Telular and its flagship security brand Telguard, please visit https://www.telguard.com/
