News headlines continually tout the latest innovations in 5G communications technology that are driving rapid growth in the demand for high-speed connectivity to deliver these experiences. Although smartphone users have been the fastest adopters of the 5G network, it is in other markets that the real power of high-speed wireless connectivity will have the greatest impact.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is the global network of machines that share data. The data is collected by an array of sensors and then sent to other machines via the internet. This sharing of data has resulted in tremendous innovations that is experienced in our everyday lives. Most users are familiar with IoT as the power behind the smart home, which is about systems that allow remote control of various home features. However, the applications for 5G communications in other areas show far greater potential. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is revolutionizing the world of manufacturing and will be one of the key drivers of growth in 5G over the next decade.
The use of IoT has also created a new concept called the digital twin, which is a simulated model of a real-world system. It uses the data that is collected from physical machines to simulate the system’s function in real-time. While this real-world system might be a machine in a factory, digital twins could easily represent almost any complex system. Digital twins are already finding applications in markets as diverse as aerospace, oil and gas, and medical.
Digital twins are used to monitor jet engines mounted on airliners, to manage the generation and distribution of energy, and even to control the flow of traffic around a city. The speed of the 5G network allows the digital twin to free itself from the limits of wired communications. High-speed connectors comprise a key part of the system that allows for reliable transmission of signals.
Edge Computing
5G technology is allowing designers to collect and transmit data at a speed that has never before been possible. With this significantly higher speed of communication, the use of cloud computing becomes a reality, enabling the use of remote data centers to provide storage and processing.
The sheer volume of data required for these new systems, and the time it takes to transmit, has led to the development of a new approach to data management. Edge computing brings intelligent systems to the edge of the network and therefore physically closer to the point of need. This improves the response time of the system, which is described in terms of latency. Edge computing keeps latency to a minimum by not sending data to the cloud.
Placing high-speed electronic equipment close to the edge of the network means potentially exposing it to harsh environments. Whether the device is used in the oil and gas industry or is part of a production line, it needs to function well under tough conditions. Exposed to the elements or subjected to shock and vibration, edge computing equipment can place great demands on the reliability of components, and none more so than the connectors that make the technology work and the data transmission happen.
5G in the Automotive World
The automotive market is also taking advantage of the speed of the 5G network. Vehicles ranging from family cars to heavy industrial equipment have grown in complexity as users demand more functionality. Beyond navigation systems, the rise of electric vehicles and the introduction of self-driving systems mean greater sophistication.
Manufacturers are developing V2X (Vehicle to X) technologies that will allow vehicles to gather data and share it with the world around them. Whether in industrial or domestic environments, vehicles will form part of a network that will use data to increase efficiency and safety while reducing emissions. It is the 5G revolution that is turning these innovations into reality. However, the automotive environment is hard on components. Exposure to road conditions, vibration and high temperatures means that connectors must be robust, especially as safety depends on their reliability.