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Modernizing an industrial operation to support Industry 4.0 applications can be a remarkably complex challenge. This is especially true where a facility uses legacy fixed Ethernet to connect machines to a central office location. Transition may be easier where a facility has already changed to wireless, but evolving to next-generation capabilities can expose the limits of commercially-supplied Wi-Fi and LTE cellular networks. That’s because Industry 4.0 makes use of highly automated, intelligent and collaborative cyber-physical systems which require highly stable, low-latency wireless connections.

As a result, a growing number of enterprises in manufacturing, energy, mining, power distribution, logistics and other sectors are going private. They’re moving away from established network operators and bringing their wireless networks in-house.

Wireless for Flexibility and Performance
Transitioning to a private wireless network offers flexibility to reconfigure, upgrade and evolve the setup as needed enabling factory operations to run smoothly and cost-effectively. When designing, deploying and running an in-house network, it is feasible to optimize for a specific set of requirements, for example, coverage, privacy and performance. Consistent, reliable coverage can be guaranteed, even where access to a commercial network may be limited or inconsistent. Control is maintained over proprietary information, since data doesn’t travel over public channels where it’s more vulnerable to piracy or attack. Running a private wireless network also makes it easier to use configurations or features, such as high-level data protections or specific data rates, which may not be readily available from commercial providers.

The wireless technology used in current private networks is varied. Some applications implement a relatively simple 802.11-based setup whilst others use cellular protocols for example, 700 MHz LTE cellular, which the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized for commercial purposes in 2008.

5G for Long-term Growth
As 5G cellular becomes more widely available, we expect Industry 4.0 to rely on 5G for its private wireless network. Industrial automation is a focal point for 5G and is a prominent part of the phased roll-out of 5G standards.

In 2019, the Release 15 standards for 5G expanded support for the low power-wide area (LPWA) technologies currently used in the industrial Internet of things (IoT), and introduced the new radio (NR), which is the basis for more advanced functionality. The upcoming Release 16 standards, scheduled for 2020, will go even further in their support for industrial automation, with the introduction of Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC).

With URLLC, wireless connections on the factory floor become exceptionally stable and can operate with end-to-end latency rates close to or even below one millisecond. The combination of ultra-high reliability, high availability and ultra-low latency means URLLC will support smart factories that use artificial intelligence, augmented reality and advanced robotics. The URLLC features of 5G give cellular the capacity to take industrial automation well into the future.

The promise of 5G for industrial automation is strong enough that several countries, including Germany and Japan, are already allocating spectrum for use with private 5G networks in these types of deployments.

5G Features to Look For
5G standards address the needs of factory automation in two ways – through the 5G NR radio and through the 5G system architecture. In the radio, features that improve stability and reduce latency include flexible numerology, spatial diversity, Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) operation, centimeter-accurate positioning, Quality of Service (QoS) and spectrum flexibility, including operation in the NR-unlicensed band. In the system, features enhancing factory automation include network slicing, improved security, new authentication methods, easier edge-cloud deployment and support for time-sensitive networking (TSN).

The NXP Perspective
At NXP, we’re strong supporters of private 5G networks for industrial automation. We see 5G as the future of industrial operation and are working to make that future a reality. To do this, we’re building on our expertise and leadership in industrial applications.

NXP’s portfolio builds on a long-standing presence in industrial networking and control. Our industry-leading Layerscape LS1043, LS1028 and i.MX series supports advanced connectivity while also offering the reliability and long-term availability required for industrial applications. Extending this functionality to include 5G connectivity is a logical next step.

In October 2019, NXP introduced the new Layerscape Access family of fully programmable baseband products for 5G Access Edge systems. This new 5G family builds on the performance of our existing Layerscape processors, Airfast line of RF multi-chip modules for 5G cellular base stations and EdgeVerse portfolio of solutions. The result is antenna-to-processor functionality optimized for advanced applications like Industry 4.0. We back this solution with a highly flexible, software-based solution, supported by an ecosystem of software vendors who help deliver a complete solution.

To learn more about NXP’s approach to 5G and the use of private wireless networks in industrial applications, visit us at NXP's 5G Access Edge Technologies.

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Paris, France – (European Microwave Week 2019) – October 1, 2019 –  NXP Semiconductors today announced the broad availability of its comprehensive RF power multi-chip module (MCM) portfolio supporting the development of massive MIMO active antenna systems for 5G base stations. NXP’s 5G Airfast solutions bring higher levels of integration that reduce power amplifier size, shorten design cycles, and simplify manufacturing.

“5G infrastructure networks are deploying quicker than previous generations,” said Paul Hart, senior vice president and general manager of NXP’s Radio Power Solutions. “Our 5G massive MIMO solutions offer a common footprint across frequency and power, enabling a fast time to market for our customers and network mobile operators.”

Simplifying 5G base station deployments

NXP’s RF power multi-chip modules are 50-ohm in / out, two-stage devices with integrated Doherty that help remove RF complexities, eliminate multiple prototype passes, and improve design predictability. Their pin-compatibility enables a strong design reuse. The reduction of component count avoids testing redundancies while improving yields and decreasing qualification cycle time.

With a 5x reduction in printed-circuit board size compared to traditional RF designs, NXP’s integrated solutions help tackle the size and weight challenge of high order mMIMO, such as 64T64R that needs to include 64 power amplifiers per antenna.

Comprehensive portfolio

The Airfast integrated portfolio includes LDMOS power amplifier modules, GaAs/SiGe pre-driver modules and receiver modules for cellular frequency bands from 2.3 GHz to 3.8 GHz, with output power from 3W to 5 W:
Power amplifier modules:

AFSC5G37D37 (3.7 GHz band, 37 dBm Avg.)
AFSC5G35D37 (3.5 GHz band, 37 dBm Avg.)
AFSC5G35D35 (3.5 GHz band, 35 dBm Avg.)
AFSC5G26D37 (2.6 GHz band, 37 dBm Avg.)
AFSC5G23D37 (2.3 GHz band, 37 dBm Avg.)
Pre-driver modules:

AFLP5G35645 (3.5 and 3.7 GHz bands, 29 dBm Avg.)
AFLP5G25641 (2.3 and 2.6 GHz bands, 29 dBm Avg.)
Receiver modules:

AFRX5G372 (LNA+switch for 3.5 to 5 GHz bands)
AFRX5G272 (LNA+switch for 2.3 and 2.6 GHz bands)
The power amplifier modules are now available from NXP distributors and etailers. They are supported by NXP’s new RF Circuit Collection, a digital library of over 400 RF power reference circuits.

See live demonstrations at European Microwave Week 2019 in Paris

See NXP’s multi-chip module portfolio for cellular base stations in action at the NXP Stand #B205 from September 29–October 4 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

NXP’s 5G End-to-End Communications Infrastructure Portfolio

NXP offers a robust portfolio of 5G technologies built on innovative LTE, processing and RF solutions expertise.  The offerings include the industry’s broadest portfolio from DC to mmW frequencies and from 1.8 mW to 1.8 kW output power. Technology leadership spans GaN, LDMOS, SiGe and GaAs. Additionally, NXP’s unique in-house technologies for 5G applications, include best-of-class security and performance from the company’s Layerscape 5G Access Edge platform. It also delivers open 5G infrastructure solutions, scalable across multiple system types, and adaptable to different implementations or future specification changes.

NXP and the NXP logo are trademarks of NXP B.V. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. © 2019 NXP B.V.