Due to the growing range of applications, the expanding availability of technology, customised setups, and robust connectivity, the prospect of establishing a private 5G campus network is becoming increasingly appealing to numerous businesses, from both operationally and economically. A team of experts from Xantaro demonstrates what a possible 5G network on their own premises could look like with their proof of concept directly on site.
More and more companies are looking into the use of 5G. Especially from industries such as automotive manufacturing, transport and logistics, utilities and medical facilities. But even though knowledge about the capabilities and advantages of the new mobile communications standard is growing steadily, many questions remain unanswered - and a certain mistrust as to whether the promises of the providers can also be substantiated in practice.
The starting point is usually that a company has certain problems, for example with latency, the reliability of radio connections, the available bandwidth with high numbers of network devices and some more. In order to find out whether 5G is actually suitable as a solution, those responsible want a proof of concept directly on site, so that they can make a decision for or against campus network based on facts.
Xantaro facilitates the decision-making process for such companies with its 5G “out of the box” concept. Xantaro expert Martin Mailand said, "For this purpose, 5G equipment such as a server with a 5G core in a portable rack case, various antennas with different characteristics for indoor and outdoor use, network equipment as well as 5G-capable devices from industrial routers to mobile hotspots and smartphones, are available to set up a local 5G network. Keysight measurement equipment is also used to check and document factors such as signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio and coding schemes. This means the company doesn't have to rely on predicted levels but can use the heat maps created to see where how much bandwidth is possible with the intended coverage and what the latency will be."
But before that happens, important preparations have to be made. Xantaro proceeds in three steps in such a project. First, the pain points have to be clarified: What problems exist, what needs to be achieved? These questions are discussed in advance with the responsible persons in order to get as precise a picture as possible of the desired solution. This includes, among other things, which applications are affected, which data and information are to be transmitted in which quantity over which route, or how many end devices are needed.
Based on this preliminary discussion, supported by Google Maps or satellite images, the Xantaro network experts prepare a site survey, which takes place at the customer's location and lasts up to half a day. Here, concrete questions are clarified, starting with issues such as power supply and internet access up to the inspection of areas and the structural infrastructure, where antennas can be set up and which decision makers participate in the PoC.
Once the site survey is complete, Xantaro creates a high-level design and coordinates it with the customer. On this basis, the proof of concept takes place at the customer's premises. Depending on the requirements, this can last from one day to one week. If necessary, the network specialists also take care of the license with the Federal Network Agency in advance, so that the test operation is always in compliance with the law.
In the simplest case, one is ready for operation on site in less than an hour. Setting up the mobile server, pulling the appropriate cables and setting up a mobile antenna in the field takes very little time. The situation is different if the antenna has to be mounted on a roof, for example.
Xantaro has already completed a series of practical tests - in production halls and office buildings, on ships and in open areas with various installations such as pipes, cranes and the like. Customers have been able to test a number of selected applications, including video conferencing, telephony, cloud applications or Holo-Lens in combination with augmented reality applications for maintenance and repair. Everything supported by Nokia's MXIE (Mission Critical Industrial Edge) platform can be tested on site. Alternatively, the network requirements of customer applications can be determined in Xantaro's own lab in Frankfurt/Main.
In the case of complex locations, network planning can be carried out in advance using prediction tools, the results of which are then checked during the PoC. It is not uncommon for different, role-specific scenarios to be implemented, because the person responsible for the shop floor, for example, has a different set of interests than the Chief Digital Officer, who has to make a strategic decision.
Martin Mailand, Xantaro said "In fact, many customers have two needs. They want to experience that 5G basically works in their case and is a possible solution. On the other hand, they also want to know how it works, i.e. what performance can be achieved or where the network concept still needs to be fine-tuned in order to fulfil the desired performance characteristics. This is particularly important as a basis for a well-founded cost estimate, so that the economic viability of the underlying business case can be calculated".
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