Fourth generation (4G) wireless cellular networks can theoretically download at speeds up to 100 Mbps, but a fifth generation (5G) network can achieve from 1-10 Gbps. While some fifth generation (5G) wireless cellular systems began operation in limited areas of the US and other parts of the world in 2018, 2019 should mark the real implementation. It takes both a cellular network and available hardware to be in business.
On April 11, Verizon will launch its mobile 5G network in parts of Chicago and Minneapolis. One of the leading smartphone providers, Samsung, will release a 5G version of its S10 flagship on Verizon’s 5G network in the first half of the year. Other networks and smartphone providers have 5G plans for major 5G implementations in 2019.
In a Telescope Magazine interview, Kevin Slavin, Chief Science and Technology Officer for the Shed, said, “We should think about the phones less as output devices and more as sensors.” He continued, “I think smartphones will soon be able to understand where they are by what they see.”
Using simultaneous localization and mapping or SLAM, a computational technology for concurrently estimating the location and constructing a map, smartphone users will transmit significantly increased volume of video building up databases for indoor mapping. Other SLAM applications include autonomous cars and robots.
In fact, 5G will accelerate the use of wireless sensors/sensor nodes in smart factories as well as enable advances in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI) and other areas.
GSMA, an organization that represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide says a regular 5G cell can support 250,000 sensors without compromising the quality of regular cellular communications. The organization predicts that by 2025 25 billion of these sensor devices will be in use.
Because of its improved efficiency and reduced costs, Ericsson (the source of this blog’s featured image) sees 5G technology sensor networks advancing connected farms and agriculture to smart cities and buildings in amazing new ways.
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