MCNS has provided its services as a subcontractor to Praxis Factor for a project related to 5G RAN feasibility preliminary analysis for 5G services.
The preliminary design of a private 5G network for an industrial area in the area of Thessaloniki presents a compelling opportunity to leverage cutting-edge wireless technologies to meet the demanding requirements of Industry 4.0. This study focuses on the deployment of a 5G network in the Frequency Range 1 (FR1) bands, emphasizing a comprehensive analysis of both coverage and capacity. By incorporating advanced technologies such as massive MIMO (mMIMO) and an optical fiber transmission backbone, the design ensures robust, high-performance connectivity. Additionally, microwave (MW) links are proposed as standby solutions to enhance network reliability and resilience.
Key Objectives and Considerations
The primary objective of the network design is to deliver seamless and reliable connectivity to support industrial automation, IoT devices, low-latency communication systems and high capacity Mobile BroadBand (MBB) for VoLTE/VoNR and MBB data access. The design considers the unique challenges of the industrial area in Thessaloniki, including dense infrastructure, potential interference, and varying traffic demands. To address these, the study evaluates the deployment of mMIMO antennas, known for their ability to maximize spectral efficiency, improve signal quality, and enhance capacity. FR1 bands are selected due to their favorable propagation characteristics, which are critical for ensuring wide-area coverage and penetration into industrial structures.
Figure 1. The Private 5G RAN deployment for industrial areas
Source: https://www.viavisolutions.com/en-us/solutions/private-5g
Coverage Analysis
The coverage analysis focuses on achieving uniform and uninterrupted signal availability across the industrial area. Propagation models tailored for FR1 bands are employed, considering the effects of clutter, diffraction, outdoor to indoor penetration losses as well as reflection caused by industrial buildings and equipment. Signal maps are generated using simulation tools to identify optimal locations for gNBs (5G base stations) for both outdoor to indoor as well as outdoor coverage. Special attention is given to ensuring adequate indoor and outdoor coverage to support diverse use cases such as autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), smart sensors, and real-time monitoring systems.
Figure 2. The Private 5G RAN NSA & SA coverage requirements for industrial areas
Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5g-nr-nsa-optimization-hints-spyridon-louvros-rpy8f/
The study highlights the role of mMIMO in improving coverage through beamforming techniques, which direct energy toward specific devices, overcoming challenges in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) environments and indoor coverage due to its high beam gain and EiRP. The analysis also includes a detailed assessment of handover zones to minimize service interruptions during mobility scenarios.
Capacity Analysis
Capacity requirements are addressed through the deployment of high-density mMIMO arrays, which support multiple simultaneous connections while maintaining high data rates. The network is designed to handle peak traffic loads anticipated in industrial applications, such as real-time video feeds, augmented reality (AR) for maintenance, and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. Through simulation, resource block utilization, user throughput, and latency metrics are analyzed to ensure that the network can meet stringent performance benchmarks.
Figure 3. The Private 5G RAN capacity requirements for industrial areas
Source: 3GPP 38.306 – 4.1.2 Max data rate without ue-CategoryDL and ue-CategoryUL https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/138300_138399/138306/15.03.00_60/ts_138306v150300p.pdf
To optimize spectral efficiency, dynamic scheduling algorithms are included along woth detailed mixed traffic scenarios for the available capacity optimization and feasibility analysis,, prioritizing critical industrial traffic over non-time-sensitive MBB data services, along with some VoNR/VoLTE traffic.
Transmission Network Design
The backbone of the private 5G network relies on an optical fiber transmission network, chosen for its high bandwidth, low latency, and scalability. Optical fiber ensures seamless connectivity between the core network and distributed gNBs, facilitating efficient data transport.
Figure 4. The Private 5G RAN optical transport feasibility study design
Source: https://www.fujitsu.com/us/Images/New-Transport-Network-Architectures-for-5G-RAN.pdf
Standby MW links are incorporated as a failover mechanism to enhance network resilience. These links are designed to activate in cases of fiber outages, ensuring uninterrupted service continuity. The integration of MW links also offers operational flexibility, particularly in challenging deployment scenarios where fiber deployment might face delays.
Figure 5. The Private 5G RAN MW backup transport feasibility study design
Source: https://ytd2525.wordpress.com/2021/04/20/rethinking-of-optical-transport-network-design-for-5g-6g-mobile-communication/
Project Conclusion
This project has proposed a preliminary design for deploying a private 5G network in Thessaloniki’s industrial area. By combining advanced mMIMO technology, FR1 bands, and a hybrid transmission network with optical fiber and MW links, the design achieves a balance between coverage, capacity, and reliability. The study sets the stage for further optimization through 5G MBB data services, VoNR/VoLTE for user voice data and real-world testing and integration with industrial automation systems.
This design not only underscores the transformative potential of (private) 5G RAN networks but also provides a template for similar deployments in industrial zones worldwide.
Customer related Web links:
https://sevipeth.gr/the_association_of_enterprises/
https://praxisfactor.com/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-factor-telecoms/posts/?feedView=all
