What is 5G RedCap

Promoting the evolution of 5G RedCap technology and application innovation, realizing 5G RedCap scale coverage, and achieving 10 million connections growth in 5G RedCap. What is 5G RedCap?

I. Overview

5G RedCap, or 5G Reduced Capability; also known as 5G NR-Light, is an important addition to the 5G family. The Internet of Things (IoT) segments served by cellular networks can be categorized into Massive IoT, Broadband IoT, Critical IoT, and Industrial Automation IoT, with Broadband IoT projected to account for 60% of cellular IoT connections by the end of 2028. Broadband IoT includes wide-area and local-area use cases that require higher throughput, lower latency, and larger data volumes than those supported by large-scale IoT technologies. These use cases include smart wearables and industrial sensors, among others. In the past, broadband IoT use cases were often served by 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) device classes 1 and 4. To date, the complexity and therefore cost of devices has been too high for 5G New Radio (NR) to be suitable for broadband IoT, which prompted the introduction of Reduced Capability (RedCap) 5G NR devices in 3GPP Release 17, a standard designed to fill this gap.

The diagram above shows the different 4G/5G device types. At the low end, there is the NB-IoT device class (Cat-NB1) and the LTE-M device class (Cat-M1), both of which support relatively low data rates suitable for large-scale IoT use cases. Since 3GPP Release 15, both NB-IoT and LTE-M fulfill the requirements for 5G massive machine type communication (mMTC) and are therefore integral to both 4G and 5G. At the high end, both LTE and NR have device types for high peak rates for demanding use cases. Between the low end and the high end, LTE offers several device classes (i.e. Cat-1/2/3/4), and RedCap offers corresponding NR-based device types for this mid-range segment, with the Rel-17 Redcap, which is currently becoming commercially available, geared towards medium and high rates similar to 4G Cat4/6 rates, and the Rel-18 Redcap, which will be released in the future, geared towards The Rel-18 Redcap to be released in the future is oriented to medium-low rate, similar to 4G Cat1 rate.

Advantages

5G RedCap offers several benefits for IoT applications, including:
1. higher peak data rates: 5G RedCap supports much higher peak data rates than LTE Cat1, which means that 5G RedCap can support applications that require higher data throughput, such as video surveillance or smart grid monitoring. 2. lower latency: 5G RedCap is designed for low to medium rates, similar to 4G Cat1 rates.
2. Lower Latency: 5G RedCap offers latency comparable to existing 4G LTE technologies and much lower than most LPWA technologies such as NB-IoT. This means that 5G RedCap can support applications that require near real-time data communication, such as industrial automation and smart grid applications.
3. Improved Power Consumption: 5G RedCap helps improve the efficacy of IoT devices, which can extend the battery life of these devices. This is important for applications that use battery-powered devices, such as wearables or sensors. Application Scenarios for 5G RedCap 5G RedCap is suitable for application scenarios that do not require extremely low latency but require reasonable throughput.
Compared to LTE Cat4, RedCap offers similar data rates, improved latency, but more importantly can support the latest 5G NR features such as: enhanced positioning (important for personal trackers), network slicing.

III. Applications
5G NR-Light is well suited for a wide range of IoT applications, including:
1. Wireless Industrial Sensors: 5G RedCap can be used to connect wireless industrial sensor networks to monitor and control machinery and equipment. This can help improve efficiency and safety in industrial environments.
2. Video Surveillance: 5G NR-Light can be used to transmit video from security cameras in real time. This can help improve security and prevent crime.
3. Smart Grid: 5G RedCap can be used to monitor and control the power grid. This helps improve the efficiency and reliability of the grid.
4. Smart Wearables: 5G RedCap can be used to connect smart wearables such as fitness trackers and smart watches. This can help people track their health and fitness.

Jincan network has completed the adaptation of all series of industrial routers to the 5G Redcap network, and can provide a variety of configurations of Redcap industrial routers for customers to choose from, helping the whole industry digital informationization.

Introduction to RedCap Technology-Lightweight 5G opens up the "middle market" of the IOT

What are the key benefits of 5G RedCap?