Ever since 5G was first introduced in 2019, the proliferation of this technology speaks for itself. At the end of 2024, some two billion people worldwide rely on 5G connections for their cellular network technology. That number is expected to nearly quadruple to 7.7 billion by 2028.

By definition, “5G” refers to the fifth generation of mobile network technology. Following pioneering work by IEEE to standardize this technology via the IEEE 802 Series, 5G is based on a set of standards promulgated by many different telecommunications companies and represents an advancement from the previous fourth-generation (“4G”) technology, which was introduced in the late 2000s-early 2010s. Building upon the ease with which 4G enabled streaming and browsing, 5G technology is 100 times faster, offers less delay, is more reliable, and can support millions of devices at once. For users, this equates to such benefits as near instantaneous movie downloads, more uniform augmented reality, and the real-time IoT connections required to support smart homes, self-driving cars, and smart city infrastructure – all developments that weren’t possible with 4G technology.

Impact of 5G Technology

The introduction of 5G technology has had a tremendous impact on many industries.

In the healthcare field, for example, 5G has increased access to telemedicine, enhanced the effectiveness and precision of remote surgery, and driven the growth of wearable health devices that monitor patients’ vital signs and share real-time data with physicians, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment.

In the emerging market for autonomous vehicles, 5G connectivity allows self-driving cars to make quicker decisions, avoid accidents, and optimize traffic flow, while 5G’s ability to support real-time traffic monitoring and electricity and water system management creates a platform for efficient smart city operations. And in the world of entertainment, users can live-stream events quicker and have a more interactive experience than ever, while gamers can access high quality games from the cloud for the first time and enjoy new gaming experiences anywhere, anytime without the need for complex hardware.

Globally, the U.S. has taken a leadership role in deploying fifth-generation networks by major wireless carriers to the point where over 75% of American subscribers can now access 5G. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal in 2021, the federal government also pledged to invest an additional $65 billion to improve broadband and 5G service in rural communities.

In Europe, over 90% of British premises currently have access to 5G coverage,

while Germany, which possesses one of the most developed 5G networks on that continent, achieved coverage of 92% by mid-2024 and continues to expand access. Asia, China and South Korea are among the countries that have most aggressively integrated 5G heavily into their manufacturing operations and society, and access to 5G continues to grow throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Latin American region.

What Challenges Are Associated with 5G Technology?

While 5G continues to deliver unprecedented benefits and expand in use, the technology has also experienced its share of challenges. Among them, the costs to build 5G networks are extensive and regulatory differences between the U.S. and European Union have impaired their ability to fully collaborate on 5G deployment. In addition, the growing number of connected devices associated with the rise of 5G networks has introduced security issues and increased the risk of cyberattacks.

Despite these hurdles, however, the industry continues to move forward at a rapid pace as it perfects the current generation of technology and envisions the next one.

The upcoming emergence of “6G” connectivity promises a new paradigm in cellular technology, running an estimated 9,000 times faster than 5G connections and enabling users to, for example, download more than 20 movies per second. While experts note that 6G mobile networks remain at least five years away, the global telecommunications industry has been hard at work laying the foundations for this platform upgrade by entering what’s known as a “pre-standardization” phase to achieve consensus on preliminary 6G standards.

IEEE Helps You Stay One Step Ahead of 5G Developments

Designed to help technical professionals and industry leaders deliver on the 5G vision and meet consumer demand for higher communication speeds, these targeted course programs help you stay on top of the fast-paced field of 5G.

5G networks have accelerated Internet of Things (IoT) innovation and connectivity around the world. What will 6G bring?

5G brought connected device, higher data transmission speeds, lower latency, and increased connectivity to a wide range of IoT devices. These developments led to advancements in various sectors such as healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and entertainment. A few of the advancements made possible by 5G include remote surgery, real-time industrial monitoring, and immersive virtual reality experiences.

How Is 5G Evolving?

Five years later, enhancements to 5G are being rolled out. Called 5G Advanced, these planned technological and network upgrades expand on the existing capabilities of 5G. One key component of 5G Advanced is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solutions to introduce more intelligent network management capabilities.

These enhancements to 5G are laying the groundwork for 6G, which is slated to be commercially available in 2030.

Differences Between 5G and 6G

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, notable differentiators of 6G from 5G include enhanced scalability, greater use of the radio spectrum, and dynamic access to different connection types. This means connections will be more reliable. Fewer drops in connection is critical to support advanced technologies like drones and robots. This dynamic access will enable connected devices to use multiple connections concurrently (such as Wi-Fi and cellular) to stay connected even if one source is interrupted.

The addition of AI and ML to the 6G network is intended to allow smarter devices to learn more like humans do. On a microscale, these applications can be used in autonomous vehicle technology. Potential use cases include improving traffic flow and allowing for autonomous taxi/bus services. On a macroscale, AI and ML will improve efficiencies across a wide range of areas, such as manufacturing, logistics, and analytical industries, thanks to the ability to detect trends and paths unseen by humans.

For local, state, and federal governments, services can be metered and controlled to match demand more precisely at any given moment, increasing efficiency, improving availability, and possibly slowing the effects of global warming. Additionally, these algorithms could aid in predictive modeling for services (for example impacting wait times, trash collection, bus usage) and weather events (such as tornados, floods, fires, and more).

As 5G network capabilities expand globally and pave the way for 6G, the world will need more engineers trained on telecommunications system deployment and management.

Leverage 5G Networks to Transform the World

IEEE is proud to launch its newest training program, 5G/6G Essential Protocols and Procedures Training and Innovation Testbed, in partnership with Wray Castle. This specialized training program provides a deep dive into essential 5G protocols, with a specific focus on the 5G Network Function (NF) Framework, registration processes, and Packet Data Unit (PDU) session establishment. The program also features access to the 5G/6G Innovation Testbed, a cloud-based, private, secure, end-to-end 5G network testing platform. It provides hands-on experience with critical aspects of the 5G system and helps reinforce the theoretical knowledge delivered in the course.

Key Features and Benefits:

  • On-Demand, Self-Paced Learning:
    The course offers 11 hours of on-demand, self paces learning, allowing professionals to study at their convenience.
  • Illustrated Digital Course Books:
    These feature leading-edge knowledge from subject matter experts..
  • Instructional Videos:
    Dive deeper into topics taught in the course.
  • Three-Month Access to the IEEE 5G/6G Innovation Testbed:
    This secure, cloud-based platform provides hands-on experience with critical aspects of the 5G system.
  • Guided Exercises:
    Signaling scenarios make learning and applying new concepts straightforward.
  • Wireshark (pcap) Output Files:
    Provide deep system insights.
  • Virtual Training Expert:
    Available as needed to assist learners.

This program is specifically designed for system engineers, integrators, engineers working with operation, optimization, and troubleshooting, technical professionals responsible for 5G system signaling, public mobile network operators, private network operators, network equipment vendors, test equipment vendors, handset manufacturers, regulators, and anyone who needs to explore and understand the 5G system signaling.

Enroll to earn credentials! After successful completion of the program, learners earn an IEEE Certificate bearing eleven Professional Development Hours (PDHs). You can share this proof of completion on your resume and professional networking sites such as LinkedIn.

Make sure your mobile network knowledge keeps pace with the ongoing evolution of wireless networks. Learn more and request a demo today!

In today’s highly connected business landscape, delays in the transmission of critical data can cost time, money, jobs, and even lives. As you can imagine, there’s an extensive and diverse range of data-driven applications where time is of the essence.

The seamless exchange of data between sensors and processors allows autonomous cars to make split-second decisions that ensure their safe and accurate navigation of roads. Robust IoT connections and timely data flow minimize waste and reduce downtime while promoting efficiency and overall performance in manufacturing. And timely data delivery enables the precise synchronization of audio and visual systems that deliver professional, best-in-class entertainment experiences for audiences worldwide.

Above are just a few of the mission-critical activities that rely on time-sensitive networking (TSN), a group of standards and protocols within the IEEE 802.1 umbrella that were designed to ensure “deterministic communication”. This means that data 1) gets to its final destination, and 2) does so within a specified timeframe over Ethernet networks. Thanks to TSN, industries that previously required specialized networking hardware to achieve their time-sensitive objectives can now use standard Ethernet connections to meet their needs.

The Fundamentals of Time-Sensitive Networking

First introduced in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Ethernet is a communications technology that connects devices in a local area network (LAN). Using a system of “wired” cables (unlike Wi-Fi’s wireless approach), the Ethernet still remains a highly desirable approach for organizations that require speed, reliability, security, and the ability to maximize their internet connection when transmitting data.

However, while standard Ethernet typically transmits data only when network resources are available, the process of time-sensitive networking introduces a means of scheduling data transmission to ensure that it arrives on time and in a predictable fashion. This is achieved through TSN’s many powerful features, which include:

  • Synchronization of clocks within devices on the TSN network via a “Precision Time Protocol” (PTP) capability to ensure on-time transmission
  • Precise scheduling of data transmissions to ensure the on-time delivery of high-priority data
  • “Traffic shaping,” through which TSN can avoid network congestion and smooth the way for data to flow by controlling the rate at which data is sent
  • Back-up redundancy, which delivers an added measure of reliability by ensuring that if data fails to send via one path, it can be received via an alternative path
  • Reservation of network resources, which assures that connected devices have the necessary bandwidth to successfully transmit data 

TSN in Industry

These and other features have made TSN an indispensable tool for industries and applications where ultra-low “latency” (defined as the time it takes for a computer, the internet, etc. to respond to an action taken) and “jitter” (signal changes in amplitude, width, or phase timing within a network) are paramount. Those industries include the following:

Automotive

In the automotive sector, TSN is popularly used to support real-time diagnostics for vehicle malfunctions and repairs as well as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, which enables vehicles to share information regarding traffic conditions, weather updates, alternative routes, and safety issues; the use of TSN also helps reduce the cost and complexity of connected infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems. Within autonomous vehicles, TSN enables the quick processing of data from sensors that ultimately control everything from the steering wheel and brakes to anti-slip functions, collision-avoidance systems, and more.

Industrial

Among other applications, TSN enhances efficiency and productivity in automated industrial manufacturing settings by enabling real-time communication and synchronization within robotic systems, conveyor belts, and assembly lines. As a result, industrial leaders such as Siemens and Poland-based company Keller, a provider of state-of-the-art printing technologies, have adopted TSN.

Energy

In the energy/utility industry, the use of TSN enables more efficient grid management and deployment of power to users by ensuring real-time communication between power generation and distribution systems. TSN also supports the efficient integration of renewable energy sources into the grid portfolio.

Ultimately, as industries across the board continue to undergo digital transformation, industry experts confirm that TSN is revolutionizing the face of real-time communication and control systems and opening the door to exciting and dynamic new possibilities in the future.

Take the Time to Master TSN

As time-sensitive networking continues to both evolve and be embraced by a broad range of organizations, there’s no time to waste when it comes to understanding the powerful benefits that TSN can bring to your or your clients’ operations.

Time-Sensitive Networking for New Ethernet Bridging Applications is a comprehensive eLearning course program from IEEE. It covers everything from specific challenges involved in delivering real-time communications on modern networks to the methods that have been developed by various standards groups. It also addresses each of the challenges identified and more.

Upon completion of the five-course program, learners will understand the importance of synchronization, traffic shaping, and queueing within time-sensitive applications as well as the current state of development and standardization of solutions in this dynamic field.

To learn more about accessing these courses for your organization, contact an IEEE Content Specialist today.

Interested in the course for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

 

Resources

Python and TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking): An In-Depth Guide. W3 Computing.

Hill, Simon. (20 April 2023). Everything You Need to Know About Ethernet. Wired.

Shukla, Guarav. (5 June 2022). What is Ethernet? How-To Geek.

Howard. (8 December 2023). The Introduction of Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN). FS

Rouwet, Wim. (2022). Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication. Science Direct.

Leung, Jason. (18 December 2023). The Future of Connected Cars: How Time-Sensitive Networking Is Enhancing Automotive Embedded Systems. FiberRoad.

Burke, Tom. (7 July 2023). TSN Technology Endorsed by Industrial Automation Leaders. Automation.com.

Burke, Thomas. (5 February 2024). How to Use TSN to Improve Machine Design Performance, Precision. Control Engineering.

 

Shorter commutes, fewer crimes, reduced health burdens, and lower carbon emissions— smart city technologies provide residents with innovative technology, utility, and mobility for ease of living, economic growth, and sustainable development. An often-cited report by McKinsey Global Institute finds that  “smart cities” can improve essential quality of life indicators by 10-30%.

A smart city uses the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and other data-gathering technology to help it run more efficiently. All smart cities have multiple layers working together. For example, a technology base consisting of sensors and smartphones connected to high-speed networks can produce raw data, which computers then process to provide insights and give alerts.

The Idea of a “Smart City” Is Evolving

Until recently, smart city technologies were primarily tools to increase efficiency behind the scenes. After more than a decade, it was recognized that intelligent “smart city” strategies start with the needs of the people, not the available technology. A July 2022 Harris Poll found that the overwhelming majority of 3,185 respondents (87%) thought it was important for their city to invest in emerging technologies. However, priorities will vary, and not all residents will value certain smart city technology. It’s critical to first consider which technologies will have the most positive and widespread impact. As demographics change, economic growth shifts, and problems evolve, municipalities must adapt to use technology to create better solutions and deliver a better quality of life.

Thus, the focus on smart cities has shifted toward incorporating smart technology into existing cities rather than starting from scratch. “It’s essentially become a matter of private entities operating with the permission and support of city or state governments,” according to Ellen Goodman, a professor at Rutgers Law School. “It’s using technology, in a way, to improve the provision of services.”

There are many cities at the forefront of this evolution. Barcelona adopted smart trash bins that signal when they are ready to be emptied. On traffic poles across Chicago, nearly 200 IoT devices analyze trends in noise pollution, climate, and traffic to inform proactive policies. Portland, Oregon, is reportedly on track to be the smartest U.S. city by using data to solve city-wide problems, such as cyclist traffic safety.

How Can Emerging Technologies Be Used in Cities?

By using smart technologies, cities could ultimately connect and integrate their various services and sectors—such as utilities, energy, healthcare, transportation, governance, and security—onto digital platforms. There are numerous ways to upgrade city services with intelligent technologies, including:

  • Traffic Management: Smart systems can resolve congestion by informing drivers about roadblocks and delays. These systems can use Deep Learning algorithms to predict and reduce traffic, which will help lower carbon emissions.
  • Environment Conservation: Artificial intelligence (AI) can analyze data on energy usage in order to decide where best to implement renewable energy sources. AI can also predict pollution levels which will help authorities make decisions best suited for the environment.
  • Healthcare: Patient monitoring systems can detect chronic conditions in advance for better preventative care. Chatbots can provide medical assistance, informational support, and schedule appointments. Lessening the amount of unexpected or emergency visits can help free up local hospital resources.
  • Waste Management: AI can distinguish between different waste types and monitor how many waste containers are filled, preventing overflows. AI can sort recyclables much more efficiently and quickly.
  • Security: AI-enabled cameras can detect criminal behavior and instantly report it to the authorities. Drones can recognize human faces and compare them with a database to trace their identity and authenticate a person entering the city or restricted areas. However, this use case does raise ethical concerns with citizens.

Shape the Future of Cities

What smart cities will look like in the next ten years is being built right now. Technology professionals must evolve with it. A five-course training program from IEEE, Smart City Technologies: Transformation of Cities, will provide insight into how smart technology is altering levels of services in areas such as healthcare systems, transportation, energy distribution, and secured data communication.

What’s covered:

  • Fundamentals of city transformations
  • Role of smart healthcare in smart cities
  • The need for smart city transportation systems
  • Smart city energy distribution and its management
  • Data privacy and security as applied to technology integration

Contact an IEEE Account Specialist to get organizational access.

Interested in the program for yourself? Visit the IEEE Learning Network.

 

Resources

Bocigas. Antonio. (24 October 2002). Smarter cities, smarter future. TechRadar.

Glover, Ellen. (4 November 2022). We Were Promised Smart Cities. Built In.

Islam, Arham. (15 October 2022). Understanding the Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Building Smart Cities and Top Startups Working on it. Marketechpost.

McCarthy, Dan. (1 November 2022). These 5 charts show what US city residents think about smart city tech. Emerging Tech Brew.

Nordli, Brian. (26 September 2022). How the Array of Things Project Is Making Chicago a Smart City. Built In.

Qin, Sherry. (5 October 2022). Portland wants to be America’s most prominent smart city. Morning Brew.

Weotzel, Remes, Boland, et al. (5 June 2018). Smart cities: Digital solutions for a more livable future. Mckinsey & Company.