Industry 4.0 5G Positioning and Communication Testbed

The Industry 4.0 5G positioning and communications testbed at Fraunhofer IIS is an open test environment where customer-specific industrial and logistics use cases can be tested under realistic conditions in an isolated 5G campus network.

Why 5G?

5G can significantly enhance the performance of wireless connectivity in industrial environments and enables new possibilities for implementing even complex and safety-critical applications wirelessly. Early-stage testing accelerates the development toward fully connected and flexibly customizable production, assembly, and logistics processes.

Use & contact

If you would like to use the testbed to trial your applications, we will be happy to support you with planning and preparing your test scenarios and to provide an individual offer.

What would you like to test?

Positioning in industry and logistics

Test application scenarios under realistic conditions.

Communication in the 5G campus network

High-performance wireless connectivity for industrial applications.

Indoor- and Outdoor-Tests

Different areas for many test scenarios.

Open RAN

Test virtualised 5G radio access networks with open interfaces.

Edge Computing

Local processing in the testbed, integrated into the 5G core network.

eMBB, URLLC, mMTC

Use cases depending on requirements for data rate, latency and number of devices.

How to use the testbed

1. Align on the use case

Define customer-specific industrial and logistics scenarios.

2. Plan & prepare the test setup

Plan and prepare the trials in the dedicated 5G campus network.

3. Test & evaluate under realistic conditions

Run trials in the isolated campus network - from communication to positioning.

4. Review results & define next steps

Summarize findings and derive next steps for development and deployment.

Testbed overview

The video introduces the open test environment - from an isolated campus network with 5G NR Standalone and Wi-Fi 6 to a virtualized RAN with open interfaces (Open RAN) and integrated edge computing.

Open testbed for Industry 4.0 use cases
5G NR Standalone and Wi-Fi 6 in an isolated campus network
Multiple indoor and outdoor areas
More than 50 radio units (FR1/FR2), massive MIMO/beamforming
Virtualized 5G radio access network with open interfaces (Open RAN)
Autonomous, cloud-native 5G core network with integrated edge computing
Designed for eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC
Independent and neutral partner

Test environment at the Nuremberg site

As a realistic environment for the Industry 4.0 5G positioning and communications testbed, the indoor and outdoor areas of the L.I.N.K. Test and Application Center are used. All outdoor, indoor, and transition areas of the test site are equipped with integrated communication and positioning solutions. This enables a wide range of industrial applications to be tested in practice-relevant deployment scenarios.

Use Cases

The Industry 4.0 testbed allows practical application scenarios to be tested and evaluated under realistic conditions.

Real-time capable process control

With 5G, real-time monitoring, analysis, and control of processes can be implemented. Possible test scenarios include real-time closed-loop robotic control, local real-time data processing (edge analytics), or safely and promptly shutting down machines in an emergency (remote emergency stop).

Use of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)

5G has the potential to serve as the communication medium for centralized control, monitoring, and coordination of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and drones - supporting more automated and efficient intra- and inter-logistics. The testbed provides the appropriate infrastructure to test such application scenarios.

Positioning of goods and transport vehicles

Accurate determination and transmission of position data for goods and transport vehicles helps further improve intra- and inter-logistics processes. The positioning accuracy achievable with 5G benefits from integrating different positioning technologies, which are available within the testbed.

Testbed equipment

Overview

In addition to various isolated, state-of-the-art private mobile networks, the Industry 4.0 5G Positioning and Communication Testbed at Fraunhofer IIS offers you:

Very high-quality measurement and analysis devices for complex measurement campaigns
Equipment for the flexible configuration of the environment, enabling for realistic mapping of production and logistics processes
Completely installed localization and 3D/2D positioning systems for the reproduction of test sequences
Ongoing development of the wireless technology available at the test bed up to 3GPP Release 17 and beyond
Test capabilities with additional independent campus network solutions from alternative equipment vendors

Infrastructure and equipment

Truck accessible industrial facility (44 x 30 x 9 m) with reference systems for positioning and equipment for the emulation of industrial environments
Measurement equipment: 5G protocol analyzer, 5G network testing solution, 5G spectrum analyzer for field tests, transport network field test device and many more
Indoor area: 8 panel antennas (4T4R) in two different heights for frequency range 1 (FR1)
Outdoor area: non-public track with 4 panel antennas (4T4R) for FR1
Office building: multi-story building with offices and laboratories equipped with 5G small cell infrastructure consisting of 12 panel antennas (4T4R) for FR1 on two floors

Radio access network (RAN)

Two independent campus networks with Standalone (SA) 5G RAN and mobility support
Up to 100 MHz carrier bandwidth in the local frequency range between 3.7 and 3.8 GHz
Virtualized Open RAN architecture on commercial of-the-shelf (COTS) hardware with open interfaces and APIs
Support of URLLC, IIoT and real-time localization applications (RTLS)
Further radio access technologies available for technology comparisons: e.g. Wi-Fi 6 / 6E and UWB for communication- and positioning-dependent use cases

Core network

Two autonomous 5G core networks
Service-based architecture
Integrated cloud and edge computing
Suited for 3GPP-compliant network slicing
Open interfaces and APIs for raw data extraction and post-processing
Support for own SIM cards

Faster to market with the Industry 4.0 testbed

Companies, research institutions and universities can use the Industry 4.0 5G Positioning and Communication Testbed to investigate how 5G can meet various industrial application requirements in real life. The main beneficiaries can be manufacturing companies, positioning system providers, system integrators and telecommunications companies that need easy access to a 5G test infrastructure in order to validate their solutions and ready them for market.

The time between the standardization of new 5G functionalities and their availability as commercial components can be used in the test bed to evaluate new applications and prototypes. Fraunhofer IIS helps companies make better decisions when investing in new developments and systems.

Experience our testbed with a 3D model

The 3D model allows you to immerse yourself in the digitally recreated test hall. You have the opportunity to virtually control central elements of our testbed, such as the 3D robot arm or the mobile high shelves, and thus explore the possibilities of our testbed in a realistic way.

If we have sparked your interest, feel free to schedule an appointment at 5g-testbed-industry@iis.fraunhofer.de and take a look at our 5G Testbed in advance using the 3D model.

Frequently asked questions

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What is the Industry 4.0 5G positioning and communications testbed?

The Industry 4.0 5G positioning and communications testbed at Fraunhofer IIS is an open test environment where customer-specific industrial and logistics use cases can be tested under realistic conditions in a dedicated 5G campus network.
Who is the testbed intended for?

Companies, research institutions, and universities can use the testbed. It is particularly beneficial for manufacturing companies, positioning system providers, system integrators, and mobile network operators that need easy access to a 5G test infrastructure.
Where is the test environment located and which areas are available?

As a realistic environment, the indoor and outdoor areas of the L.I.N.K. Test and Application Center at the Nuremberg site are used. The outdoor, indoor, and transition areas of the test site are equipped with integrated communication and positioning solutions.
Which frequencies can be used?

A local spectrum allocation is available for a 5G campus network in the 3.7–3.8 GHz band (FR1). In addition, an experimental radio license is in place for the mmWave bands n258 at 26 GHz and n257 at 28 GHz (FR2).
How is the radio access network (RAN) set up in the testbed?

There are two independent campus networks with standalone (SA) 5G RAN and mobility support. In the local 3.7–3.8 GHz spectrum band, up to 100 MHz of carrier bandwidth is available. In addition, a virtualized Open RAN architecture running on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware is in place, providing open interfaces and APIs.
How is the core network structured in the testbed?

Two autonomous 5G core networks with a service-based architecture are available. Integrated cloud and edge computing are provided. The core network supports 3GPP-compliant network slicing and offers open interfaces and APIs for extracting raw data and for post-processing. Use of your own SIM cards is supported.
What measurement technology and equipment is available?

High-end measurement and analysis equipment is available for complex measurement campaigns. In addition, there is equipment for flexible environment setup as well as fully installed localization and 3D/2D positioning systems to reproduce test procedures.
What typical use cases can be tested in the testbed?

Examples include real-time process control (e.g., real-time closed-loop robotic control, edge analytics, or remote emergency stop), the use of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and the positioning of goods and transport vehicles.
How does the use of the testbed work?

If you would like to use the testbed to trial your applications, Fraunhofer IIS will support you in planning and preparing the test scenarios and will provide a tailored offer for using the testbed.
How can I make an appointment?

You are welcome to make an appointment at: 5g-testbed-industry@iis.fraunhofer.de

Downloads & further content

Flyer about the 5G testbed

Compact overview of testbed, equipment and testing.

Test environments for 5G technologies

Reality check for your applications

Test Environments for 5G Technologies

5G positioning

Overview of applications, technologies and testing options.

Positioning for 5G