The RICAIP Testbed Prague at the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC CTU) has been operating a private campus 5G network for several years, built by T-Mobile. T-Mobile focuses one of its key business activities on introducing 5G communication and campus networks into industrial environments, and the Testbed is an ideal setting for testing various scenarios before deployment to end-users. One such project is the development of a 5G IIoT device and an application for continuous monitoring of 5G network quality.
The 5G IIoT Gateway is an advanced, modular industrial solution supporting both 5G and 4G connectivity. Its modular architecture allows direct connection of measurement and data modules, making it highly customizable for various industrial applications. The Gateway features two Ethernet ports and supports MQTT and OPC UA for efficient data transmission. It is designed for applications requiring high speed and low latency and, through VXLAN, allows the transmission of PROFINET and PROFIsafe protocols over the 5G SA network. The device has been commercialized by TRIX Connections, the official spin-off company of CTU, and deployed in a pilot operation in collaboration with T-Mobile.
The product combines the advanced architecture of the main unit, which functions as a 5G router, with a modular design based on an internal bus that allows the connection of additional data modules to the main unit. Currently, production-ready modules for three-phase electrical consumption measurement and a fully configurable and variable I/O module are available. The latter allows users to configure each I/O pin as either analog or digital, including signal level settings. A prototype version also includes an IO-Link master module. Firmware updates for both the device and individual modules can be performed remotely.
Currently, there is no similar device on the market with connectivity to 5G SA networks that integrates measurement and data modules directly into the device’s modular architecture. This feature allows users to easily customize and expand the system according to specific needs, including the transmission of PROFINET protocol. With low latency, high speed, and reliable communication through 5G networks, the 5G IIoT Gateway facilitates the implementation of advanced industrial IoT solutions in real-time.
A significant feature not found in other industrial 5G communication devices is the integration of a system for continuous monitoring of 5G network quality. This feature is part of the overall concept for working with 5G networks in industry, as offered by T-Mobile in their solutions, where ensuring uninterrupted operation through an SLA (Service Level Agreement) is crucial. Key prerequisites include properly positioned antennas, but even so, transmission conditions can change due to the dynamic environment in industrial operations. For antenna placement, we have developed a solution that uses evolutionary algorithms to design antenna layouts that meet the required signal quality criteria within the desired area while being as cost-effective as possible in terms of installation costs.
Environmental conditions are monitored through continuous 5G network quality measurement, which tracks signal strength, latency, and transmission speed in user-defined sequences. These data are evaluated on a server, where current conditions are also analyzed, and predictions for their further development are made. If there is a risk of breaching the SLA, appropriate steps are taken.
The solution described above is the result of several years of development, culminating in technology transfer through the CTU spin-off company, including its use by T-Mobile in their commercial activities. For users, this solution brings a significant increase in the robustness of the entire 5G infrastructure and expands the potential applications of this modern technology in industrial environments.
Author of the article is Dr. Pavel Burget, Director of RICAIP Testbed Prague, CIIRC CTU.