Differences between wired and wireless connectivity at factory floors
When it comes to deploying connectivity on the factory floor, choosing whether to deploy wired or wireless connectivity chiefly depends on the application and factory circumstances.
Wired networks are usually the choice of manufacturing firms that require real-time data communication is required. Wired connectivity enables “network redundancy”, which means that additional or alternate network communication networks are installed to ensure a connection is always available.
Wireless connectivity is installed in scenarios where it is not possible or difficult to install cables. This would be the case for existing manufacturing plants that does not support the use of wireless from an edge device to a control unit.
Wireless network infrastructure is mainly used for devices or equipment that are highly mobile and need to be moved around the factory floor on a frequent basis. A key advantage of wireless networks is that they can be easily extended to reach additional areas within the manufacturing plant.
Benefits of 5G and wireless networks in manufacturing
“Wired infrastructure has long been considered the faster, cheaper and more reliable option for manufacturers. However, the industry is now under increasing pressure to improve its operational efficiency and upgrading technology is often the answer. To support the adoption of industry trends like the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), some manufacturers are transitioning to wireless networks,” according to EU Automation.
The introduction of new internet protocols appears to be bridging the benefits gap between wired and wireless connectivity. For the most part, industry is beginning to move away from traditional and proprietary technologies and instead, is recognizing the emerging wireless options that could rival their wired predecessors.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) will usher in smart factories. In these futuristic factories, connected devices will be able sense their environments and interoperate with each other, making decentralized decisions. Many expect this transformation will chiefly rely on the capabilities of next-generation 5G networks. The introduction of 5G manufacturing is a major priority for the telecoms sector, as well as attendant technology disciplines, and it has major implications for increasing productivity while controlling costs.
5G networks offer manufacturers the possibility to build smart factories and truly take advantage of technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, augmented reality for troubleshooting and the Internet of Things (IoT). The low latency, high reliability, and increased speed of 5G networks are essential to support emerging technologies and their novel applications in this field, such as process automation, remote monitoring and collaborative robots, among others.
According to AT&T, 5G technology will enable manufacturers to drive more functionality closer to the edge of the network.
“Because this network technology’s reliability is so high and its latency so low, equipment can communicate wirelessly with back-end systems for time-critical operations in ways that were not possible before. For the first time, this will combine fast production-line operations with the power of networked intelligence,” the carrier said.
5G technology will also allow for higher flexibility, lower cost and shorter lead times for factory floor production reconfiguration, layout changes, and alterations, which will result in significant improvements in terms of production.
For more 5G manufacturing content, check out the following:
- What is 5G manufacturing and what does it mean for productivity?
- Top 5 5G manufacturing use cases
- Three 5G manufacturing case studies: Audi, Haier, Bosch
- What’s the role of a digital twin in smart manufacturing?
- 5G manufacturing use case spotlight: Automated guided vehicles
- 5G manufacturing use case spotlight: Real-time video analytic
- How to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness with 5G
- 5G manufacturing use case spotlight: Additive manufacturing
- What is lean manufacturing and how can 5G help?
- Top 5 5G manufacturing use cases
- What’s the role of AI in 5G manufacturing?
- What is a digital thread and what does it mean for manufacturers?
- What’s the role of edge computing in 5G manufacturing?
- 5G manufacturing use case spotlight: Industrial automation
- 5G manufacturing use case spotlight: Troubleshooting using a digital twin
- How can 5G enable industrial IoT manufacturing implementations?
- 5G manufacturing use case spotlight: AR remote assistance
- Do industrial IoT manufacturing implementations need 5G?
- 5G manufacturing use case spotlight: Supply chain optimization
- 5G manufacturing use case spotlight: Collaborative robotics
- What is discrete manufacturing and does 5G have a role to play?
- What is Time Sensitive Networking and how does it impact 5G manufacturing?
- 5G manufacturing use case spotlight: Automated quality assurance
- What are the three big losses in manufacturing and can 5G help?
- Top 10 5G manufacturing use cases
- How will 3GPP Release 17 and 18 accelerate 5G manufacturing?
- What is Coordinated Multipoint and how does it impact 5G manufacturing?
- Top 10 global manufacturers using 5G
- 5G manufacturing use case spotlight: Factory floor communications
