ROBIOTIC
Lexikon
Campus network
At a glance
The term campus network describes a mobile radio network for industrial use that has been individually adapted to the needs of a company. The technology is suitable, for example, for the wireless networking of various IoT devices to create complex automated processes.
5G as mobile radio technology for campus networks
5G is the fifth generation of the global mobile communications standard and stands out from its predecessor 4G with significantly increased performance. Campus networks make use of the technology to provide the industry with high-performance mobile networks.
Advantages of Campus Networks
For the networking of IoT devices in Industry 4.0, other technologies are basically also possible. WLAN can also be used for wireless communication, for example, and IP-based standards such as Single Pair Ethernet have been developed specifically for the cable-based integration of sensors and devices. Depending on the scenario, a campus network based on mobile radio can supplement or completely replace these technologies and offers its own advantages.
Low latency and high data rates
Latency times around one millisecond and data rates of up to ten Gbit/s are integral features of 5G. This means that a campus network based on this mobile communications standard enables fast and reliable communication between devices. Scenarios in which data such as measurement results or environmental factors are required in real time to ensure smooth operations benefit in particular from the technology, e.g. autonomous transport vehicles that independently move materials and workpieces around company premises.
Guaranteed capacity and high availability
In the case of public radio masts, the power is divided among all subscribers who are currently within range. For example, at major events, the radio network is so heavily used that it is overloaded and temporarily fails. In the private campus network, however, the capacity can only be used by authorized terminals. This means that the entire capacity is available exclusively to the person who booked it, for example, a specific company. Unauthorized subscribers who are located near the private radio cell cannot use it. This means that the available capacity does not fluctuate and demand can be planned specifically.
Combination of public and private networks
The mobile phone technology is not limited to the private radio cells, which were especially designed for a company: The public radio network can also be used, e.g. to integrate networked vehicles into the system during transport. A wide variety of scenarios can thus be implemented independently of a central location. Despite the combination of public and private, the company's internal radio network remains private, i.e. it can only be used by authorized participants and devices.
