5G Will Accelerate a New Wave of IoT Applications
5G is driving change in the Internet of Things (IoT). It’s a powerful enabling technology for a new generation of use cases that will leverage edge computing to make IoT more effective and efficient.
In many ways, the narrative of 5G is the interaction between two inexorable forces: the rise in highly reliable, high-bandwidth communications, and the rapid spread of available computing power throughout the network. The computing power doesn’t just end at the network, though. End-point devices that connect to the network are also getting smarter and more powerful.
The increasingly dynamic and powerful computational environment that’s taking shape as telcos begin to redesign their networks for 5G will accelerate the uptake of IoT applications and services throughout industry. We expect that 5G will enable new use cases in remote monitoring and visual inspection, autonomous operations in large-scale remote environments such as mines, connected vehicles and more.
The rapidly expanding range of computing options requires a much more flexible approach to building and deploying applications and AI models that can take advantage of the most cost-efficient compute resources available. These AI models can now even run on edge devices that connect to the network edge, allowing more secure and efficient processing of data. 5G is driving change in the Internet of Things (IoT). It’s a powerful enabling technology for a new generation of use cases that will leverage edge computing to make IoT more effective and efficient.
In many ways, the narrative of 5G is the interaction between two inexorable forces: the rise in highly reliable, high-bandwidth communications, and the rapid spread of available computing power throughout the network. The computing power doesn’t just end at the network, though. End-point devices that connect to the network are also getting smarter and more powerful.
The increasingly dynamic and powerful computational environment that’s taking shape as telcos begin to redesign their networks for 5G will accelerate the uptake of IoT applications and services throughout industry. We expect that 5G will enable new use cases in remote monitoring and visual inspection, autonomous operations in large-scale remote environments such as mines, connected vehicles and more.
The rapidly expanding range of computing options requires a much more flexible approach to building and deploying applications and AI models that can take advantage of the most cost-efficient compute resources available. These AI models can now even run on edge devices that connect to the network edge, allowing more secure and efficient processing of data.
New applications, such as 5G, wireless IoT and wearable devices, are designed to comply with existing exposure limits. The international exposure guidelines have been developed as a result of the work of researchers for many decades. The guidelines are not technology specific and are periodically reviewed. The consensus of reviews by independent public health authorities, expert groups and the World Health Organization (WHO) is that these guidelines provide protection for all people (including children) against all established health hazards. This booklet starts with answers to general questions and then follows with sections specific to 5G, IoT and wearable devices. Resources for further information and a table of abbreviations are included at the end.
WHY 5G AND IOT?
IoT devices will generate more than half of the world’s data by 2025, according to research from IDC. Transmitting that data—and realizing its potential—will demand 5G wireless capacity 1000X greater than its 4G predecessor.
5G’s ultra-reliable low-latency communication will unlock transformative use cases in safety-critical applications like infrastructure or manufacturing systems. Edge computing accelerated by 5G will also bring compute closer to IoT applications, delivering intelligence in real-time while keeping the data local.
IoT Testing Advice
To better prepare for your current and future IoT testing campaigns, discover testing advice that can help you execute a better test for your IoT projects.
Expand Test Coverage
First, IoT tests need a large test coverage. The commercial success of an IoT is linked to its ability to be compatible with many new and old smartphones and tablets. Because of fragmentation, it is not easy to build an IoT that can work well across a variety of different mobile operating systems and smartphones with different hardware components. As a result, it is important to test on many devices or configurations to find bugs that result from fragmentation.
Test from all angles
Second, IoT tests must be executed from various angles in order to uncover bugs that affect both IoT and its corresponding software, most likely a mobile application. It is also essential to test functionalities and the usability of the IoT and software to obtain an accurate report of the quality of the connectivity (object to software, software to object, and behavior in case of interactions.
This will allow QA teams to uncover bugs that make block key functionalities and diminish the user experience.
Test Bluetooth and Wifi Connections
Third, test the IoT’s ability to connect or pair with smartphones and/or other smart devices. In particular, verify that the IoT is able to connect to other devices via a Bluetooth connection as well as wifi networks. Connecting and staying connected to another device or network can be difficult. Bugs that affect an IoT’s connections can hinder its ability to communicate and share data consisently, and this making it useless. To avoid these difficulties, it is essential to properly test an IoT’s ability to connect to other devices.
Mind-boggling technology
5G is an incredibly complex technology with a lot of hurdles on its way – both for engineers, providers, and users. Just as it requires the providers to deploy a costly new infrastructure, it also requires customers to purchase and implement new devices that are 5G-ready. For the client to make full use of the potential that 5G has, both the network and the devices need to be set up properly – solutions like network slicing need thoughtful implementation based on business needs but also expert IT knowledge. As the technology gets more sophisticated and specialized, it also becomes increasingly difficult and resource-intensive to manage all the devices in your network, considering their proliferation in the era of the Internet of Things. Therefore it rarely makes business sense for a company to manage all of this on its own. In order to truly tap into the potential of the IoT, companies need to consider handing the technology reins to specialists and sourcing help with IoT device management services. Solution providers can take expert care of provisioning, management and maintenance of these devices, ensuring availability and security, for example by choosing the right 5G-ready protocols, such as LwM2M, while your company focuses on its core operations.
While 5G isn’t really here fully and you may think it’s not worth the candle yet, it is fast approaching and it will truly change the game. It is the fuel that the Internet of Things needs to steam ahead and with the growth of the IoT come unprecedented benefits: data that allows for more informed decision making; precision that creates better product quality; reliability that reduces downtime. Whoever fails to show up at the starting line now may never be able to gain on the competition in the future.