5G the next Generation Wireless Technology and its Applications.

5G is the 5th generation mobile network for transferring data units over the air. It is designed to connect machines, objects, and devices.

5G utilizes much higher radio frequencies to transfer more data over the air for faster speed, reduced congestion, and lower latency. Better performance and improved efficiency empowers better user experiences and connects many industries. The 4G technology is capable of using lower frequency bands 700 MHz to 2500 MHz whereas 5G will be able to handle frequencies between 28 GHz to 39 GHz.

The factors contributing to a device's communication with a network include distance, speed, and population density. 5G network enhances performance in many of these aspects. Better energy efficiency results in less power wastage by 5G as compared to 4G.

Due to better connectivity, millions of people living in densely populated areas can be connected without facing latency and speed issues. 4G can support around 4,000 devices per square kilometer, whereas 5G will support around one million devices which will result in belter streaming of Netflix, YouTube, and voice calls without interruption.

As per the GSA report, 61 countries had 5G networks as of January 2021 and many more have deployed 5G in parts. Ericsson has predicted that 1.5 billion users will have a 5G network by 2024.

“We expect 5G to become the worldwide dominating mobile communications standard of the next decade.”

– Dr. Christoph Grote, Senior Vice President Electronics, BMW Group

Comparison of the previous generation of mobile networks with 5G

The introduction of each generation of the wireless communication network has brought improvement in technology. Let’s go back and learn of the achievement of each generation of the network-

First-generation- 1G

1980s: 1G delivered analog voice.

Second Generation — 2 G

1990s: 2G introduced digital voice. It opened the doors for pictures, media messages, texts, and digitally encrypted phone conversations to be sent across networks. Newer technologies have phased out 2G but many countries still use 2G.

Third Generation-3G

Early 2000s: 3G brought mobile data

3G brought smartphone technology that allowed us to browse the web, share pictures, download videos, and many other functions. Service providers tried to provide this at the lowest possible cost to their customers.

Fourth-generation — 4G LTE

2010s: 4G LTE ushered in the era of mobile broadband. The transition from 3G to 4 G was possible due to the technological breakthroughs in many industries. 4G turned smartphones into computers that could be carried in our pockets. Much of the work that was carried on a desktop or laptop could now be performed over a smartphone. The introduction of HD streaming and accelerated web browsing was a great achievement.

Key Differences between 4G and 5G-

The main differences between 4G and 5G are as given below-

Speed-

Speed is often the most used spec to differentiate 4G from 5G. 4G currently reaches a top speed of 100Mbps (in the real world this is no greater than 35Mbps.)

5G has the potential to be 100 times faster than 4G with a top theoretical speed of 20 Gbps(real-world speed from 50Mbps to 3Gbps) The low band 5G is faster than 4G with a speed of 50–250Mbps and the high band fastest version of 5G has a speed that reaches 3 Gbps.

According to the February 2020 issue of Fortune Magazine, average 5G speed measures done in Q3/Q4 2019 range from:

· 220 megabytes per second (Mbps) in Las Vegas,

· 350 in New York,

· 380 in Los Angeles,

· to 550 Chicago,

· and over 950 in Minneapolis and Providence approximately.

That’s 10 to 50 times more than 4G LTE.

Latency

Network latency is the time required for a set of data to travel between two points. 5G technology is different from previous generations of cellular technology as to how short that amount of time will be. Generally speaking, the latency of 5G is faster than the blink of an eye. Latency in 4G networks is about 50 milliseconds, while 5G networks are expected to reduce that to 1 millisecond.

Reducing latency will be very important for many applications where 5G will allow connected devices to rely on the cloud for processing data.

Coverage

There are many remote areas where there is poor 4G coverage even after a decade of 4G launches.

5G has just started so its coverage is non-existent outside major cities. It will take many years for 5G to reach the coverage level of 4G.

Bandwidth

5G has more bandwidth compared to 4G as it makes much more efficient use of spectrum. 4G uses a narrow spectrum from 600 MHz to 2.5 GHz.

5G is divided into three different bands. One low band( 600–700MHz)tower can cover hundreds of square miles with 5G service that ranges in speed from 30 to 250 megabits per second(Mbps). Low bands like the 600 MHz spectrum travels farther than other bands can pass through more obstacles providing better coverage and a stronger signal. Its shortcoming is that it tops out at a speed of 100 Mbps.

A mid-band (2.5/3.5GHz) tower covers a several-mile radius with 5G that currently ranges from 100 to 900Mbps.Mid band balances speed and range, providing broader coverage than the high band and is less impacted by buildings.

Lastly, a high band (millimeter-wave/24–39GHz) tower covers a one-mile or lower radius while delivering roughly 1–3Gbps speeds. High band millimeter-wave frequencies have greater bandwidth to carry more data in dense urban areas but require cell sites in close proximity and have limited penetration in buildings.

Whereas 4G struggled during peak hours, 5G would allow more users to connect simultaneously. It will allow users to stream live TV eliminating network congestion. Future innovations will use 5G’s improved connectivity to power some of the most significant advances of our generation.

Mass market adoption of 5G is generally expected around 2022 — with those pushing hardest being South Korea, China, Japan, and the US, but most developed countries will be close behind.

Where would 5G be useful?

Let us see how 5G will affect consumers globally-

"5G will bring job opportunities for women in telco and IT, as well as a whole new era of communications for consumers and industries of all kinds.”

– Caroline Chan, vice president and general manager of the 5G Infrastructure Division at Intel.

· Healthcare-

A patient could remotely work with a doctor on physical therapy exercises, just as if they were together in the office. The doctor can see the patient’s movements in real-time, allowing them to make sure the exercises are being performed correctly. It’s all thanks to reduced latency.

One of the real-world use cases researchers hope latency improvements will make possible is remote robotic surgery. In this and other mission-critical cases, response time can mean a life-or-death scenario. This will help people across the world receive lifesaving treatment.

· Infrastructure-

Better communication means more efficient travel and distribution of goods and services across the globe.

· Public safety-

A bigger network and fast response would mean that public works would respond to emergencies faster and municipalities would react faster with reduced speed.

· Autonomous vehicles-

Autonomous vehicles are another use case that is reliant on the latency improvements made possible by 5G. This technology is designed to bring low latency for direct communication capabilities, which will enable autonomous vehicles to share their perception of the road, road conditions, and surroundings with each other and infrastructure directly and efficiently.

If a car is detecting a collision, for example, it needs to be able to process this and react as quickly as possible. It’s also extremely important that it sends that information to other vehicles almost instantly.

“Connected cars will shape the future of individual mobility, and next-generation mobile networks will take car‑to‑x connectivity to a new level.”

– Alfons Pfaller, Head of Infotainment Development, AUDI AG

The relation between 5G and satellite

5G satellite communication directly from the sky to the device will soon become a reality. The new generation of satellites will ensure full 5G coverage of earth in addition to the terrestrial mobile 5G networks.

5G will offer higher accessibility and reliability along with broadcasting capabilities specifically with space-based systems. It will support a wide range of applications like agriculture, logistics, and public safety.

New 5G phones in the market-

By the end of 2020, 519, 5G devices had been announced out of which 303 are already available.

ATT has launched fifteen 5G phones by October 2020. Samsung has released its new Galaxy S line of phones.

On 13 October 2020, Apple released its 5G-compliant iPhone. All four iPhone models support 5G. The four models support the three types of 5G services based on different frequencies: the “low-band”, the “mid-band”, and mm-Wave, (millimeter wave, the fastest).

Disadvantages of 5G

Obstructions can impact connectivity

5G frequencies are frequently interrupted by obstructions such as trees, towers, walls, and buildings having the capability to block high-frequency signals. To reduce this telecom industry is extending existing cell towers to increase broadcasting distance.

Replace battery capacity with speed

In our smart devices such as mobiles and VR games, we want them to work faster and the battery to last longer. 5G will be a battery hungry network. The manufacturers will have to choose; to invest in devices to have more bulky batteries that last longer or force users to change their devices more often.

Initial costs for 5G Rollout are high

The initial costs for adaption to the 5G infrastructure are high and the maintenance costs will soon come into the picture.

Limited Rural access

The 5G rollout is primarily in the densely populated urban areas and will take time to reach rural areas.

5G has turned out to be a catalyst for connecting humans and machines providing new business and economic opportunities. It will be a facilitator for the Internet of things connected world and turn out to be revolutionary for data-driven industries, smart cities, and infrastructure management as it will become possible to have many devices working reliable and securely in the same area. This will increase the overall effectiveness and work will become more efficient.