Siemens makes private 5G solution available to industry

Siemens has announced it is launching infrastructure developed in-house for the 5G mobile communications standard. The solution enables industrial companies to build their own local 5G networks that will provide optimal support for automation applications.

“By building their own 5G networks, industrial companies are launching the next stage of connected production," said Axel Lorenz, CEO of Process Automation at Siemens. “5G is crucial for applications like mobile robots, autonomous logistics and driverless transport systems in factories. Siemens’ private 5G infrastructure also gives users sole control over the data in their 5G network at all times, and they can custom-configure the network for their applications.”

Other scenarios for industrial 5G wireless technology include the integrated use of connected tablets, VR glasses and smart tools. In addition, edge devices can be used flexibly: for example, in brownfield applications where it’s difficult to lay cables. In contrast to other wireless technologies, private 5G networks use a licensed frequency band and can therefore be operated without interference.

Siemens has developed its 5G infrastructure specifically for the requirements of industrial customers and industrial applications. It consists of a 5G core and a radio access network (RAN). The RAN includes the central unit (CU), the distributed unit (DU), and the radio units (RUs). Different 5G end-devices can connect to the 5G infrastructure and communicate in the private network. The all-in-one 5G solution is also designed for use in harsh industrial environments.

Siemens says it has extensively tested its private 5G infrastructure in real production environments such as the Siemens production site in Karlsruhe. By implementing and operating the prototype network in its own production facilities, Siemens was able to extensively test and refine the technology, ensuring that it can withstand the requirements of industrial production environments and support industrial applications.

The private Siemens 5G infrastructure is now available in Germany, and other countries will follow. One of the pilot customers for the complete 5G solution is the German steel group Salzgitter AG.

“We don’t just want to build any 5G network, we want an industrial 5G that meets the enormous requirements of the steel industry,” said Gerd Baresch, Chief Technology Officer at Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH. “Wherever we need to wirelessly transmit data reliably and securely — from real-time camera images to safety-relevant emergency-stop signals for driverless transport systems — we need future-proof communication technology. Siemens has been a longstanding reliable partner for network solutions, and this is precisely why we decided to work with them.”

Private 5G networks, also known as campus networks, are 5G networks restricted to a defined company premises, a defined area or an individual building. From Siemens’ point of view, private 5G networks offer many advantages for industry: companies build them locally at their locations and can precisely modify them to meet their needs and applications. Companies also have full control over their data, because private 5G networks use their own local 5G spectrum. A private 5G infrastructure like the one offered by Siemens is required for building a local 5G network and making the 5G signal available on the company’s premises.

Siemens has been offering industrial 5G routers like the SCALANCE MUM853-1 and MUM856-1 for connecting robots, AGVs and other industrial devices to a private 5G network since 2021. These routers are the final components necessary for efficient wireless connectivity in industrial environments.

Image caption: SCALANCE M80000 industrial 5G radio unit.