Reference Network and Localization Architecture for Smart Manufacturing based on 5G

TL;DR

This paper proposes a comprehensive reference architecture integrating 5G with existing technologies to enhance localization and communication in smart manufacturing, especially for small and medium enterprises, enabling flexible, high-mix low-volume production.

Contribution

It introduces a novel convergent network architecture combining 5G and other technologies tailored for smart manufacturing and localization in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Findings

Architecture supports diverse industrial use cases

Connects private/public networks with local technologies

Addresses functional requirements for flexible manufacturing

Abstract

5G promises to shift Industry 4.0 to the next level by allowing flexible production. However, many communication standards are used throughout a production site, which will stay so in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, localization of assets will be equally valuable in order to get to a higher level of automation. This paper proposes a reference architecture for a convergent localization and communication network for smart manufacturing that combines 5G with other existing technologies and focuses on high-mix low-volume application, in particular at small and medium-sized enterprises. The architecture is derived from a set of functional requirements, and we describe different views on this architecture to show how the requirements can be fulfilled. It connects private and public mobile networks with local networking technologies to achieve a flexible setup addressing many industrial use cases.