Fraunhofer IPT / Ericsson: 5G entry without high initial costs - networking

The Fraunhofer IPT wants to support small and medium-sized companies in getting started with 5G. A mobile 5G test system that can be tested in the company’s own production halls should take away any reservations.

“Try before buy” – with this motto, the Fraunhofer IPT wants to support manufacturing companies in the introduction of 5G. With the “5G portfolio”, the Aachen researchers offer a support service consisting of three modules, which enables companies to test their own use cases with the help of a mobile 5G system.

The “5G-Start” module is aimed at companies that have had little or no contact with 5G technology: You will have the opportunity to spend a day getting to know the technology and possible applications up close at the 5G Industry Campus Europe in Aachen . In dialogue with the researchers, companies can identify their own areas of application and determine the economic potential.

In the “5G Expert” module, companies receive further specific information on setting up their own 5G network: For this purpose, the Fraunhofer IPT provides a mobile 5G system from the mobile communications equipment supplier Ericsson. With »Ericsson Private 5G«, companies can test their own 5G applications over a longer period of time under the guidance of the Aachen experts without having to install their own system. The mobile test system is able to supply up to three radio cells simultaneously and cover a hall area of several thousand square meters with 5G. One cell can also be used outdoors. »This is a unique opportunity for companies to practically test 5G in their own halls without having to make the large investment of their own 5G network. We take care of setting up and commissioning the network,« says Niels König, coordinator of the 5G Industry Campus Europe. The performance of the mobile 5G network is up to one gigabit per second and a latency of 10 milliseconds.

The Fraunhofer IPT shows companies exactly how their own network is set up in the “5G Professional” module: This module is aimed at companies that have already gained initial experience with 5G and now want to get started with the technology. The Fraunhofer IPT offers the opportunity to characterize the performance and quality of the network coverage on site using the latest measurement technology. In addition, researchers support the implementation of various use cases.