PC-NOV23-PG18.1_Layout 1 14/11/2023 09:42 Page 18
COMMUNICATIONS & NETWORKS
Phil Evans, Business Development Director (Connectivity) at TÜV SÜD, explains how NarrowBand IoT (NB- IoT) bridges the gap between mobile comms technologies and short-range wireless technologies to ensure secure machine communications
S
pecifically designed for machine communications, NarrowBand IoT (NB-IoT)
facilitates the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and enhances manufacturing by enabling smart processes. Using a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN), NB-IoT enables multiple devices and services, that require small amounts of data over long periods, to be connected securely using cellular bands at low cost and low power. NB-IoT bridges the gap between mobile
comms technologies and short-range wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. This means that an eLTE or NB-IoT chip can be added to the manufacturing terminal, so that the chip can transmit data generated by the terminal, thus enabling manufacturing data to be collected and commands issued.
Security and privacy features As it requires only 200kHz of bandwidth and is less susceptible to interference than other unlicensed spectrum LPWA solutions, NB-IoT can easily run adjacent to existing cellular networks in the manufacturing environment. Also, as it operates in the licensed spectrum, it benefits from all the security and privacy features of mobile networks, such as support for user identity confidentiality, entity authentication, confidentiality, data integrity, and mobile equipment identification. Consequently, all of these factors are key contributors to industry’s enthusiasm to embrace NB-IoT as an enabling technology. While 2G and 3G connectivity saw the
development of many early IoT applications, the advent of 4G-based NB-IoT delivered greater bandwidth, lower latency and more reliable support for large volumes of devices per cell, which will of course be further
18 NOVEMBER 2023 | PROCESS & CONTROL
JOIN THE NARROWBAND IOT WAVE
improved with the new 5G networks. This is because the 5G standard enables Ultra- Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), so that end-users can be assured of reliable and robust support for a wide range of critical applications. Consequently, operators have
defined roadmaps for supporting NB-IoT LTE connectivity in the future.
Optimising battery life NB-IoT is used for indoor coverage and is deployed in-band within the Long Term Evolution (LTE) spectrum, enabling many devices to connect at low cost, while optimising battery life. LTE is a prevailing force in the licensed spectrum, with LTE services for IoT having been deployed by most carriers, alongside the increased production of LTE chipsets. In industry, the number of cellular IoT connections enabled by NB-IoT and LTE for Machines (LTE-M) continues to grow. 3GPP-agreed technology for LPWA
deployment NB-IoT offers three deployment scenarios – ‘guard band’, ‘in band’ and ‘stand- alone’. This means that NB-IoT technology can use frequency resource blocks within a normal LTE carrier, or it has the capability to take advantage of the unused frequency within the guard-band. This is an unused part of the radio spectrum that sits between radio bands, which is usually left unused to prevent interference between devices. Most NB-IoT test applications are very similar
to those for testing LTE technologies, but some specific application features do require new test approaches. For example, as NB-IoT applications are chosen for their low power usage, often delivering a ten-year battery life, a detailed analysis of power consumption potential would be recommended. This should
recreate real-world scenarios by using different configurations and operational modes, in order to help ensure a battery life of more than 10 years can be delivered. While 4G saw the landslide uptake of
smartphones, the telecoms industry expects 5G to do the same for IoT. Over the next decade, NB-IoT will have a significant impact on industry, in terms of revenue generating opportunities and the introduction of new technologies and products. The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionising
the way we work, as industry is rapidly recognising the business benefits and increased revenue opportunities that connected intelligent devices will deliver. NB- IoT is a radio technology that was standardised by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), by merging Huawei’s Cellular IoT (NB-CIoT) technology and Nokia, Ericsson and Intel’s NB-LTE technology. It has now gained rapid support and adoption, from end-users, mobile network operators and device manufacturers. However, as well as requiring a cultural change within organisations, successful IoT implementation also necessitates a technology paradigm shift.
The IoT connected world The question now for technology developers is how to effectively deal with demand in order to deliver streamlined IoT communications. A decade from now the increasingly rapid adoption of NB-IoT technology will see industry and end-use products transformed, so now is the time for manufacturers wanting a smarter approach to join the NB-IoT wave.
TÜV SÜD
www.tuvsud.com/en- gb/industries/infrastructure-and-rail/infrastr ucture/telecommunications-and-it- infrastructure
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58
