Following a trial of 5G applications to test the network’s reliability, capacity, speed and security, Kalmar’s Director of Automation Research Pekka Yli-Paunu has reviewed the initiative.
Expectations for the increased implementation of 5G technology have been high, and the next phase of mobile connectivity is expected to support a variety of near future use cases, as well as boosting the development of the logistics sector.
Working in collaboration with Nokia, Kalmar’s trial demonstrated the ability of URLLC (ultra-reliable low latency communications) technology to advance container yard automation.
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Yli-Paunu commented: “Thanks to the trial with Nokia, we were able to build a technology road map to 5G, to see how to proceed towards it and when to take certain steps.”
According to Kalmar’s review, the case study of an automated rubber-tyred gantry crane (RTG) yielded practical insight into the industry’s requirements for 5G technology.
Director of Automation Research, Pekka Yli-Paunu (Photo Credit: Kalmar)
“RTG is equipped with multiple cameras, and video data takes a lot of bandwidth. Remote control means there is a need for low and predictable latency.
“On the other hand, advances in connectivity give us the opportunity to develop the next generation of remote control that may utilise, not only video, but audio and haptics as well.”
The full potential of 5G is significant, the technology able to fulfil requirements of reliability, security, speed and bandwidth, even when different applications have varying demands.
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Yli-Paunu has predicted that 5G will be the industrial standard of the future, combining terrestrial and mobile networks.
The automation expert also discussed how virtual networks, or “slices”, will operate under 5G: “When a terminal tractor is connected to a specific slice, for example, its activities are easily and accurately monitored in all circumstances. That adds to the overall safety and operational efficiency of a port.”
Sliced networks, powered by 5G, support both human and machine communications, enabling smart cargo handling as a result.
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