Electronics

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23 pages, 3209 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Techno-Economic Evaluation of 5G-NSA-NPN for Networked Control Systems

by Raphael Kiesel, Sarah Schmitt, Niels König, Maximilian Brochhaus, Thomas Vollmer, Kirstin Stichling, Alexander Mann and Robert H. Schmitt

Electronics 2022, 11(11), 1736; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11111736 - 30 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1810

Abstract

Wireless closed-loop control systems, so-called networked control systems (NCS) promise technical and economic benefits for production applications. To realize prospective benefits, the right communication technology is key. The fifth generation of mobile communication is predicted to have a significant impact on the deployment [...] Read more.

Wireless closed-loop control systems, so-called networked control systems (NCS) promise technical and economic benefits for production applications. To realize prospective benefits, the right communication technology is key. The fifth generation of mobile communication is predicted to have a significant impact on the deployment of NCS in the industrial connectivity landscape. However, there are different options for 5G deployment influencing both technical performance and economic aspects of the network. This in turn is expected to have a techno-economic influence on the production itself. Thus, a trade-off between the necessary technical performance of the 5G network and the benefits for the production must be executed. This paper, therefore, aims to analyze the techno-economic benefits of 5G deployment for closed-loop control systems in production. To reach this aim, first, the fundamentals of techno-economic analysis are introduced. Second, the results of an experimental performance analysis of a 5G-NSA-NPN at Fraunhofer IPT in Aachen are shown. Third, based on the results from the experimental study, a model-based techno-economic ex-ante evaluation of 5G-NSA-NPN for closed-loop applications is performed, and an exemplar is shown for a BLISK milling use case. Finally, the results are summarized and an outlook for further research is given. The analysis shows a difference in net present value for 5G deployment of EUR 2.6 M after 10 years and a difference of OPEX per product of around EUR −1000 per BLISK. Furthermore, analysis shows an increase in productivity (0.73%), quality (30.75%), and sustainability (2.87%). This indicates a noticeable improvement of a 5G-controlled NCS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 5G Technology in Smart Manufacturing)

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14 pages, 2946 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigations on the Potential of 5G for the Detection of Wear in Industrial Roller-Burnishing Processes

by Maximilian Kosel, Tobias Schippers, Aziz Abdul, Kristina Ishii, Jacek Mainczyk, Jürgen Mansel, Kai Milnikel, Bünyamin Nurkan, Ralf Löschner, Konstantin Haefner, Daniel Zontar and Christian Brecher

Electronics 2022, 11(11), 1678; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11111678 - 25 May 2022

Viewed by 1451

Abstract

Roller burnishing represents an economical alternative to conventional surface-finishing processes, such as fine turning or honing. In contrast to the well-known wear mechanisms of chip-forming processes, the wear behavior in roller-burnishing is strongly based on the experience of the machine operators. The nature [...] Read more.

Roller burnishing represents an economical alternative to conventional surface-finishing processes, such as fine turning or honing. In contrast to the well-known wear mechanisms of chip-forming processes, the wear behavior in roller-burnishing is strongly based on the experience of the machine operators. The nature of the finishing process makes roller-burnishing very sensitive to surface defects, as it is often not possible to rework the last step in a process chain. In the present work, a prototype for a smart roller-burnishing tool with 5G communication is presented, which serves as an inline-monitoring tool to detect tool wear. A suitable metric to monitor the tool wear of the manufacturing roll is suggested, and the potentials of 5G communication for the described use-case are evaluated. Based on the signal-to-noise ratio of the process-force, a metric is found that distinguishes new rolls from worn rolls with very small defects on the micrometer scale. Using the presented approach, it was possible to distinguish the signal-to-noise ratio of a roll with very small wear marks by 3.8% on average. In the case of stronger wear marks, on the order of 20 µm, the difference increased to up to 15.6%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 5G Technology in Smart Manufacturing)

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13 pages, 3612 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Empirical Study on 5G NR Cochannel Coexistence

by Jordi Biosca Caro, Junaid Ansari, Joachim Sachs, Peter de Bruin, Sertap Sivri, Leefke Grosjean, Niels König and Robert H. Schmitt

Electronics 2022, 11(11), 1676; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11111676 - 25 May 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2359

Abstract

The 5G non-public network deployments for industrial applications are becoming highly interesting for industries and enterprises owing to dependable wireless performance characteristics. With an increasing trend of network deployments in local licensed and/or shared spectrum, coexistence issues naturally arise. In this article, we [...] Read more.

The 5G non-public network deployments for industrial applications are becoming highly interesting for industries and enterprises owing to dependable wireless performance characteristics. With an increasing trend of network deployments in local licensed and/or shared spectrum, coexistence issues naturally arise. In this article, we present our detailed empirical results on the performance impact of a 5G NR indoor non-public network from a 5G NR outdoor network operating in the same mid-band spectrum. We present experimental results on the uplink and downlink performance impact of a non-public indoor network deployed on an industrial shopfloor. Our results quantify the impact on the uplink and downlink performance characteristics based on realistic traffic loads in a non-public indoor network when using synchronized and unsynchronized Time Division Duplex (TDD) patterns, different UE deployment locations and interference levels. We also present results on mitigating interference effects through robust link adaptation techniques. We believe that this is the first article, which reports quantified 5G NR cochannel coexistence results based on a detailed and systematic study, and provides signficant insights on the cochannel coexistence behavior in realistic deployment scenarios of an industrial shopfloor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 5G Technology in Smart Manufacturing)

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17 pages, 4867 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prototype of 5G Integrated with TSN for Edge-Controlled Mobile Robotics

by Pierre Kehl, Junaid Ansari, Mohammad Hossein Jafari, Paul Becker, Joachim Sachs, Niels König, Amon Göppert and Robert H. Schmitt

Electronics 2022, 11(11), 1666; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11111666 - 24 May 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5376

Abstract

The digitization of industries enables a rapid transformation from mass production to individualized manufacturing. Communication plays an essential role in this digital transformation; in particular, wireless communication enables a high degree of flexibility, dynamic interactions, and mobility support in production systems. This paper [...] Read more.

The digitization of industries enables a rapid transformation from mass production to individualized manufacturing. Communication plays an essential role in this digital transformation; in particular, wireless communication enables a high degree of flexibility, dynamic interactions, and mobility support in production systems. This paper presents an implementation of a 5G system with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and analyzes a typical industrial use case involving cloud-controlled mobile robots. A prototype setup integrating 5G in a TSN network has been completed to evaluate the 5G-TSN performance for industrial applications. The integrated 5G and TSN prototype has been evaluated with over the air tests in an industrial shopfloor using TSN features of traffic shaping and scheduling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 5G Technology in Smart Manufacturing)

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14 pages, 1763 KiB

Open AccessArticle

5G-Based Multi-Sensor Platform for Monitoring of Workpieces and Machines: Prototype Hardware Design and Firmware

by Praveen Mohanram, Alice Passarella, Elena Zattoni, Roberto Padovani, Niels König and Robert H. Schmitt

Electronics 2022, 11(10), 1619; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11101619 - 19 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2380

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce a 5G-based multi-sensor platform for monitoring workpieces and machines. The prototype is realized within the EU-funded 5G-SMART project, which aims to enable smart manufacturing through 5G, demonstrating and validating new generation network technology in industrial processes. There are [...] Read more.

In this paper, we introduce a 5G-based multi-sensor platform for monitoring workpieces and machines. The prototype is realized within the EU-funded 5G-SMART project, which aims to enable smart manufacturing through 5G, demonstrating and validating new generation network technology in industrial processes. There are already state-of-the-art solutions, but with drawbacks such as limited flexibility, brief real-time capability, and sensors aimed at single applications. The 5G-SMART multi-sensor platform is designed to overcome these points and meet the requirements of Industry 4.0. The device is equipped with different sensors to acquire multiple data from workpieces and machines of the shop floor, wirelessly connected by 5G to the factory cloud. A hardware design description of the prototype is provided, focusing on the electronic components and their interaction with the microcontroller. Verification of the correct functioning of the board is given, with a basic library for the main peripherals used as a basis for the final firmware. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 5G Technology in Smart Manufacturing)

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13 pages, 4585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance of 5G Trials for Industrial Automation

by Junaid Ansari, Christian Andersson, Peter de Bruin, János Farkas, Leefke Grosjean, Joachim Sachs, Johan Torsner, Balázs Varga, Davit Harutyunyan, Niels König and Robert H. Schmitt

Electronics 2022, 11(3), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11030412 - 29 Jan 2022

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 5969

Abstract

Wireless- and 5G-enabled industrial automation is expected to include a plethora of different applications with a wide variety of requirements. In this article, evaluations are undertaken for the deployment of 5G in realistic industrial production environments with realistic deployment settings. Both deployments using [...] Read more.

Wireless- and 5G-enabled industrial automation is expected to include a plethora of different applications with a wide variety of requirements. In this article, evaluations are undertaken for the deployment of 5G in realistic industrial production environments with realistic deployment settings. Both deployments using commercial 5G systems and a 5G prototype system including pre-commercial and standard compliant URLLC functionality have been investigated. Systematic latency and reliability measurements were performed, over the air and in live networks, for different packet sizes, different devices, and networks with different capabilities (at different sites) to characterize the expected performance. The results indicate that today’s 5G latency performance significantly depends on packet size, transmission direction (uplink or downlink), and network configuration as well as on the end device’s design and capabilities. Our over-the-air measurements also empirically show that 5G technology and future networks have the capability of providing one-way latency of around 1 ms in both uplink and downlink for the various packet sizes tested. It is concluded that the requirements for very low latencies can be achieved with high reliability guarantees, as required in some of the most stringent industrial IoT applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 5G Technology in Smart Manufacturing)

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20 pages, 4530 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Techno-Economic Evaluation of 5G Technology for Automated Guided Vehicles in Production

by Raphael Kiesel, Leonhard Henke, Alexander Mann, Florian Renneberg, Volker Stich and Robert H. Schmitt

Electronics 2022, 11(2), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11020192 - 9 Jan 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2786

Abstract

The fifth generation of mobile communication (5G) is expected to bring immense benefits to automated guided vehicles by improving existing respectively enabling 5G-distinctive network control systems, leading to higher productivity and safety. However, only 1% of production companies have fully deployed 5G yet. [...] Read more.

The fifth generation of mobile communication (5G) is expected to bring immense benefits to automated guided vehicles by improving existing respectively enabling 5G-distinctive network control systems, leading to higher productivity and safety. However, only 1% of production companies have fully deployed 5G yet. Most companies currently lack an understanding of return on investment and of technical use-case benefits. Therefore, this paper analyses the influence of 5G on an automated guided vehicle use case based on a five-step evaluation model. The analysis is conducted with a use case in the Digital Experience Factory in Aachen. It shows a difference of net present value between 4G and 5G of 1.3 M€ after 10 years and a difference of return of investment of 66%. Furthermore, analysis shows an increase of mobility (13%), productivity (20%) and safety (136%). This indicates a noticeable improvement of a 5G-controlled automated guided vehicle compared to a 4G-controlled automated guided vehicle. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 5G Technology in Smart Manufacturing)

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28 pages, 4013 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Architecture Integration of 5G Networks and Time-Sensitive Networking with Edge Computing for Smart Manufacturing

by János Harmatos and Markosz Maliosz

Electronics 2021, 10(24), 3085; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10243085 - 11 Dec 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4241

Abstract

Digitalization and networking are taking on an increasingly important role in manufacturing. Fifth Generation mobile networks (5G) allow us to wirelessly connect multiple assets in factories with guaranteed quality of service (QoS). A 5G non-public network (5G-NPN) realizes a dedicated network with secure [...] Read more.

Digitalization and networking are taking on an increasingly important role in manufacturing. Fifth Generation mobile networks (5G) allow us to wirelessly connect multiple assets in factories with guaranteed quality of service (QoS). A 5G non-public network (5G-NPN) realizes a dedicated network with secure communication within the factory. Time-sensitive networking (TSN) provides deterministic connectivity and reliability in local networks. Edge computing moves computing power near factory locations, reducing the latency of edge applications. Making production processes more flexible, more robust, and resilient induces a great challenge for integrating these technologies. This paper presents the benefits of the joint use of 5G-NPN, TSN, and edge computing in manufacturing. To that end, first, the characteristics of the technologies are analyzed. Then, the integration of different 5G-NPN deployment options with edge (and cloud) computing is presented to provide end-to-end services. For enhanced reliability, ways of interworking between TSN and edge computing domains are proposed. Afterward, as an example realization of edge computing, the investigation on the capabilities of the Kubernetes container orchestration platform is presented together with the gap analysis for smart manufacturing requirements. Finally, the different integration options, interworking models, and Kubernetes-based edge computing are evaluated to assist smart factories to use these new technologies in combination in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 5G Technology in Smart Manufacturing)

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14 pages, 6625 KiB

Open AccessArticle

5G for Construction: Use Cases and Solutions

by Jessica Mendoza, Isabel de-la-Bandera, Carlos Simón Álvarez-Merino, Emil Jatib Khatib, Jesús Alonso, Sebastián Casalderrey-Díaz and Raquel Barco

Electronics 2021, 10(14), 1713; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics10141713 - 17 Jul 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5590

Abstract

The world is currently undergoing a new industrial revolution characterized by the digitization and automation of industry through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The construction sector is one of the largest sectors of the industry. Most of the tasks associated [...] Read more.

The world is currently undergoing a new industrial revolution characterized by the digitization and automation of industry through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The construction sector is one of the largest sectors of the industry. Most of the tasks associated with this sector are carried out at worksites that are defined by their dynamism, decentralization, temporality, and the intervention of a large number of workers, subcontractors, machinery, equipment, and materials. These characteristics make this sector a great challenge for the implementation of ICTs. In this paper, the benefits of the use of the Fifth-Generation (5G) of mobile networks in the construction industry are presented. To that end, first, the digitization and automation needs of the sector are jointly analyzed, establishing different use cases and identifying the requirements of each one. Second, the main characteristics of 5G that address these use cases are identified. Third, a global framework for the application of 5G technology to the construction industry is proposed. Finally, an overview of some directions for future work are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 5G Technology in Smart Manufacturing)

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