5G and Beyond

In order for data to be transmitted from the core network to the base station, and from base station to remote radio heads, mobile networks require high-bandwidth backhaul and fronthaul. Here, Fraunhofer IIS offers a baseband solution for transmission rates of 10 Gbit/s, with an RF bandwidth of 2 GHz – specially designed for frequencies in the 70/80 GHz spectrum (E-band millimeter wave).

Private media users also stand to benefit from the new data transmission concepts offered by 5G. In future, mm-wave relay networks will improve wireless coverage inside buildings and vehicles. Fraunhofer IIS has developed SUDAS especially for this purpose. The concept uses distributed relay nodes as a virtual multiple antenna array system, which increases the available indoor data rate. With the broadcast mode FeMBMS (Further evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services), (live) videos, software updates or cacheable multimedia data can be efficiently transmitted to several users simultaneously. This way of distributing content takes the load off mobile networks, freeing up capacity for other applications. For this reason, Fraunhofer IIS is further developing the technical basis for integrating mobile broadband and broadcast in 5G.

In addition, Fraunhofer IIS is working on exceptionally accurate and reliable object positioning methods. These are suitable for diverse purposes – for example, to locate an emergency caller as soon as possible, and to hasten their rescue. Highly precise positioning information could also be leveraged to improve how mobile networks work. For example, it could be used to enhance the handoff process in new, highly heterogeneous networks – so users moving at high speeds (e.g. in a car or train) are handed over from cell to cell without a loss of signal.

Digitalization is also changing industrial production. The effect of combining industrial and communications technologies is to promote flexibility and self-organization. Autonomous objects, wireless communication and real-time sensors allow new forms of decentralized control and ad-hoc design of processes. To be able to use control loops even in high-speed production steps and spread over several devices, methods are required that transmit data instantaneously and with extremely high reliability (Critical IoT). In a variety of projects, Fraunhofer IIS is developing methods aimed at a latency of less than a millisecond, to make data transmission compatible with commonly deployed fieldbus technologies. These real-time communication systems are the essential basis for the Tactile Internet. Fraunhofer IIS offers diverse positioning technologies in order to make the vision of autonomous, yet simultaneously transparent manufacturing a reality. These can be intelligently combined for applications such as asset tracking and smart factory robotics.

In addition to latency-optimized transmission technology for the Critical IoT, Fraunhofer IIS is developing solutions for connecting non-time-critical IoT applications that require lower bandwidth but numerous radio nodes (Massive IoT). The basic idea behind the Internet of Things (IoT) is to connect all devices with the Web, thus linking the real and virtual worlds by using sensors and actuators.  Often, the volume of data required for specific tasks is very small. However, the devices will transmit data for many years powered by the same battery. With such a low-power wide area network (LPWAN) in mind, Fraunhofer IIS’s wireless IoT network MIOTY harnesses a highly energy-efficient transmission method. This will be incorporated into future telemetry systems. Moreover, Fraunhofer IIS has positioning technologies that ensure the simple and precise positioning of embedded radio modules – for the reliable identification of the location of monitored objects.

To realize the vision of connected mobility, cars will have to become communication centers on wheels. These vehicles will interact with each other (car2car) to warn of hazards, for example. They will also interact with road infrastructure (car2X), e.g. for information on the current speed limit. In addition, they connect to the Internet for the latest traffic news for their route. To enable these types of applications, wireless technologies with highly accurate positioning methods are key. These support autonomous driving, and improve traffic flow.

In addition, Fraunhofer IIS is actively researching and developing broadband technologies – so vehicles remain seamlessly connected with the outside world at high data rates, and also have exceptionally fast connectivity inside the vehicle. Fraunhofer IIS is also creating solutions for hybrid connectivity, and technologies that efficiently distribute up-to-date information to large numbers of users.

One of the aims of 5G is to improve and extend global mobile network coverage. This can be reached, for example, by connecting terrestrial mobile base stations via satellites to the core network (backhauling). A DVB-S2X modem enables mobile backhauling via satellite by processing signals received from the satellite so that they can be fed back into the terrestrial network. The DVB-S2X demodulator used at Fraunhofer IIS achieves payload data rates of up to 1 Gbit/s within up to 500 MHz bandwidth. Satellites equipped with new on-board processors such as the Fraunhofer On-Board Processor (FOBP) can also be configured in such a way that they function as 5G mobile base stations providing remote geographical locations, aircraft and ships with a broadband internet connection.

By researching into other concepts and adjusting the radio interface between satellite and terrestrial infrastructure, Fraunhofer IIS is aiding the integration of satellite communication into 5G networks. The challenges it faces are the transmission of radio signals over long distances under presence of long delays and the development of flexible solutions that are adjustable to the various transmission channel characteristics of the satellite (LEO, MEO, GEO). The focus in the cellular standardization organization 3GPP is particularly on network architectures and adaptations of 5G New Radio where the 5G user equipment directly connects to satellites in order to gain access to the 5G network.

Fraunhofer IIS has in-depth knowledge of mobile and satellite communications technology including standardization and specializes in finding and implementing new approaches that combine terrestrial and satellite-based communications in hybrid systems.