The Internet of Things concept is the newest computer’s powerhouse. It is a collection of interconnected sensors and devices that are always connected and can run independently. IoT devices are appearing everywhere including autonomous cars, to smartwatches.
As new devices and applications are developed for IoT as well, is the demand for more efficient networks that cover a wide range of. In order for to have an IoT network to work it requires a significant amount of bandwidth. For instance, autonomous vehicles must transmit and receive huge amounts of information at the same time. They must be aware of:
- The location of all the cars that are in the vicinity
- The speed limit for the road
- The route planned for the journey along with the layout of the terrain
That’s just a few of the elements that are at play in a self-driving vehicle. To ensure that everything is working properly it is necessary to have an IoT-related network provider with world-wide coverage and plenty of bandwidth. We invite you to join us for a discussion as we discuss the details of what IoT networks are, and the various options available.
-
4G LTE IoT Network
IoT devices are more common than you believe. Smart devices that are connected and have intelligent sensors have been in existence since around the year 2008. That was long before the creation of 5G networks began. Because of this, businesses have devised new methods to keep their devices running.
Particularly, LTE networks can use the Cat-M1 chipset to make machine-to-machine connections. Narrowband IoT is another alternative in 4G systems. Narrowband IoT as well as Cat-M1 can both be improved:
- Device power consumption
- Network capacity of the system
- Range
- Efficiency of the spectrum
These advantages let IoT devices to operate with four-way LTE networks. But, their capabilities are minimal in comparison to the possibilities of wide-spread 5G.
-
5G IoT Network
5G networks are actually the future of IoT devices. This is because 5G networks:
- Extremely fast and high bandwidth
- Near global range in the range
- Very safe
With 5G, autonomous vehicles can seamlessly operate on the roads. Smart devices that have sensors can also benefit from the internet.
A 5G cellular IoT network can also provide many benefits to businesses. For instance, if you are connected to the cellular network, you’ll have no requirement to construct a new infrastructure. It’s enough to utilize existing cell towers throughout the globe for connecting your gadgets.
As of now, there are three main uses for 5G networks in IoT devices. They include:
- enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)
- Massive machine-type communication (mMTC)
- Ultra-reliable, low-latency and reliable communications (URLLC)
Each one of these uses relates to a specific kind of IoT capability. Let’s take a closer look at each.
-
Enhanced Mobile Broadband
It’s estimated that in 2022, IoT connections will comprise more than 50% of all devices worldwide. That’s a lot of data and that’s why 5G networks will require some assistance in keeping up. This is the reason why eMBB comes in. The enhanced capabilities of eMBB will help in tackling all the traffic that is a bit too much.
-
Massive Machine-Type Communications
The International Telecommunication Union stipulates that 5G networks be capable of handling 1 million devices per mile. It’s because of the high number of the industrial IoT devices that contain lots of sensors. MTC 5G plays a role for a lot of M2M-related activity. It is likely to observe this kind of network appearing in many industries. mMTC connections make sure that the size of data packets small to reduce congestion.
-
Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communications
IoT devices, such as autonomous cars require extremely low latency. This means there’s a very short time needed for the vehicle to take a decision. While it doesn’t require an internet connection at all times for operation however, it needs the capability to make quick decisions. This is where ultra-reliable, low-latency communication comes into play. The URLLC standard makes sure that devices will always be able to communicate when they’re required and in a speedy manner.
Summing Up
Simply put, IoT devices need fast and secure networks. Because they are always communicating, and taking decisions it is essential that they have the best networks are sufficient. In the case of 4G LTE, you’ll need additional enhancements to make it work. Consider incorporating NB-IoT as well as the Cat-M1 chip. As we experience the widespread use of 5G throughout the world and 5G-enabled devices, we can expect to witness the development of brand new IoT technologies as well as capabilities and capabilities.
