In this article today, let’s talk about 5G LAN.
If you have a little understanding of communication technology, you will find that 5G LAN is actually a very interesting concept.
For 
G, everyone should be familiar with it. It is the evolution of G and is also our latest mobile communication technology at present.
And for LAN, everyone should be more familiar with it. Its full name is local area network, which is the local area network. The networks at home and in the company's office are basically LANs. The one with wireless Wi-Fi is Wireless LAN (WLAN).
So, why do I say that 5G LAN is very interesting?
Because 5G is a wide coverage cellular communication network, while LAN is a small-scale regional data communication network. The two technologies do not seem to be related.
In other words, everyone knows the two words 5G and LAN separately. But when we put it together, it makes people a little confused. Isn't it?
█ What is 5G LAN?
In fact, 5G LAN, simply put, uses 5G technology to "group" and "group" the terminals to form a LAN network.
Everyone has 5G mobile phones. When using a 5G phone, have you noticed that no matter how close you are to your friends (even if you are face to face), your phone cannot search for the other party. The reason why you can communicate with each other is because the data flows to the server of the operator or Internet service provider and goes around it.
For base stations, all mobile terminals are "isolated". This is based on security considerations. Each mobile phone uses its own channels and does not interfere with each other.
And LAN connects terminals (mobile phones, computers, etc.) in the area and becomes a "group". This not only facilitates mutual data transmission, but also saves external network exits.
In LAN, the terminals can select the location between each other through the MAC address, and then they find the other party (layer 2 communication). If you enter and exit the external network, you can set up a router and select IP locations to achieve routing in and out (layer three communication).
We all know, "4G changes life, 5G changes society." As the most mainstream mobile communication technology at present, 5G shoulders the mission of "Internet of Everything, helping hundreds of industries and thousands of industries to transform into " and needs to help users in vertical industries connect.
Then, 5G cannot only connect the connection from each terminal to the cloud, but also realize the "nearest connection" between the terminal.
Therefore, in the 3GPP R16 standard, the new feature function of 5G LAN was introduced.
█ Principles and features of 5G LAN
In a 5G network, the administrator can modify the data in the user database (UDM network element) and sign business contracts on the specified terminal (UE) numbers, so as to divide them into the same or different VN Group (Virtual Network Group).
user database will provide terminal number VN group information and access policies to the management network elements (SMF, AMF, PCF, etc.) of the 5G core network (5GC). The management network elements form different LANs based on these information and policy rules. This is 5G LAN.
5G LAN network architecture diagram
G LAN supports layer two communication (same network segment, direct access to each other), and also supports layer three communication (cross network segments, with the help of routing). 5G LAN supports unicast, and also supports multicast and broadcast. Simply put, the mutual access method is very flexible and the networking is also very simple.
From a range point of view, 5G LAN supports mutual communication under the same UPF (media surface element of the 5G core network), and mutual communication under different UPFs. This is equivalent to breaking the physical distance limit between terminals (even Beijing and Shanghai can communicate).
A particularly important point is that a network established by a 5G LAN can be connected to the user's existing data network, thereby achieving plug-and-play and mutual access.
█ Application scenarios and advantages of 5G LAN
G LAN realizes packets and connections between designated 5G terminals, greatly facilitating enterprises to build a more mobile LAN network. Many readers will definitely ask, isn’t existing Wi-Fi technology already able to achieve mobility? Why do you still need 5G LAN?
Don't worry, let's continue to read. The local networking implemented by
G LAN can help enterprises, schools, governments, families and other users better connect terminals within the regional scope. It can be used for office networks, but its greater value lies in the transformation of the production environment of the park and the transformation of grassroots networks of production enterprises such as industrial manufacturing, port terminals, and energy mining.
We are now promoting Industrial Internet , believing that 5G can empower the digitalization of industry scenarios because 5G has large bandwidth and low latency. It is an excellent wireless communication technology that can realize wireless connections to various production factors in industrial scenarios.
Take industrial manufacturing as an example. In the past, in order to better automate and implement equipment control, the "industrial bus" technology was used. There are many types of this technology, which can be described as "various".
Later, with the emergence of Ethernet and IP technologies, the industry formed a consensus to evolve towards Ethernet together, and there was " Industrial Ethernet " . Now, no matter whose industrial Internet protocol is basically based on Ethernet.
Later, industrial enterprises found that wired connections have too many restrictions on mobility - there is always a "braid" behind the device, which hinders free movement.
Moreover, the wired connection deployment method is relatively troublesome, with a long construction period and high cost. Once there is a problem with the equipment or cable, replacement will also be a waste of time. Therefore, the industry began to consider introducing wireless communication technology.
So, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other technologies have entered the industrial field.
So, back to the previous question, since there is Wi-Fi, why do you need 5G LAN?
The reasons are as follows:
1. The performance of Wi-Fi networks (especially Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5) is not as good as 5G.
transmission rate, delay, etc. 5G can better meet the needs of industrial robots (robot arm control), intelligent quality inspection (high-speed image recognition), AGV (unmanned logistics car) and other scenarios. In terms of coverage range, 5G has a larger coverage range than Wi-Fi and can better cover the park. 5G's inter-cell switching capabilities are also stronger than Wi-Fi, which can bring users a better network experience.
2. Wi-Fi network maintenance is costly.
Enterprises need to build a park Wi-Fi network by themselves and buy equipment by themselves. The equipment is depreciated, damaged, updated, and needs to be maintained by a dedicated person. A large number of Wi-Fi devices are also very troublesome to configure.
G is different. It is built and maintained by the operator, and the enterprise belongs to rent (Wi-Fi vs. 5G, a bit like self-built computer room vs. cloud computing ).
Overall, 5G will be more cost-effective.
3. The functions of 5G LAN are more powerful.
mentioned earlier VN packets of 5G LAN. In addition to isolating communication, packets have an important role in realizing the differentiation of QoS (service level) in different networks.
For example, there are office networks, IT system networks, OT networks, etc. within the enterprise.
OT is Operational Technology, Operation Technology (operation technology). In fact, it is a network connecting the industrial environment and equipment, such as lathe , robotic arms, sensors, instruments and meters, AGV, monitoring system, MES, PLC, etc.
Different networks have different performance requirements. Some require low latency, some require large bandwidth, and some do not have so many requirements.
G LAN On the basis of packets, different network performance can be defined for different VN packets. Some companies call it "microslicing".
4. 5G LAN is easy to manage and has stronger security.
Advanced mentioned that user signing data can be modified in the operator's 5G UDM network element and VN group the users. So, do we need to contact the operator customer service every time we need to change the grouping information of a terminal (join, delete, and change)? Of course,
is not used.
Operator 5G network can open the modification permissions to enterprise network managers through the development interface to realize self-service modification.
Of course, enterprises can also set their own private network strategies according to their needs.
When establishing a data connection, enterprises can also set up authorization and authentication mechanisms to strictly manage VN packets. This security is much more powerful and convenient than Wi-Fi.
█ Case analysis of 5G LAN
Next, we will see what the benefits of 5G LAN are through a specific networking case.
First of all, a manufacturing enterprise has its own workshop, production line (or lathe), and needs to connect the PLC and PLC control ends through the network.
Each pipeline has many devices, which are also independent. It is ideal to install 5G modules on each device on the pipeline. However, the cost seems to be a bit expensive at this stage.
Then, we introduce 5G industrial gateway, or 5G CPE, which can improve cost-effectiveness. Suitable for wired, connecting wired ports (Ethernet ports, or PLC ports). Suitable for wireless, connecting to 5G or Wi-Fi.
If 5G does not support 5G LAN (before R16), it is also possible to implement the connection between PLC and PLC controller . However, the entire G network is a layer three protocol that relies on IP addressing, and the terminal address is also an IP address, and does not support layer two data forwarding. In order to achieve end-to-end communication, an AR (Access Router) must be added on both sides to establish a tunnel, encapsulate the industrial layer 2 protocol in the tunnel, and bring it to the opponent.
This method not only increases complexity, but also increases costs (AR router purchase cost, labor and time cost of AR router configuration). Just imagine, if the workshop has thousands of assembly lines, the cost will be amazing. After
introduced 5G LAN, the 5G network supports direct transmission of layer two protocols, and no longer requires an AR router. At the same time, the 5G network can provide routing for terminals without IP addresses, and the UPF can identify the terminal's MAC address. The entire network becomes a minimalist single-layer network, and layer-two communication is carried out between each other. The plug-and-play capability of
G LAN can perfectly integrate itself with the customer's existing network, reducing the impact on the customer's existing network, without any effort to transform and upgrade, and can save a lot of costs.
From a macro perspective, 5G LAN is a collaboration between 5G and Ethernet technology. In the future, the TSN (time-sensitive network) technology developed based on Ethernet technology will also be inseparable from the help of 5G LAN.
It is worth mentioning that in addition to helping build the internal network of the park, 5G LAN can also be used as a supplement to the traditional dedicated network of the enterprise and connect to branches in other places.
█ 5G LAN module
As you can see, 5G LAN is an important innovative technology for 5G to be implemented in the vertical industry. It can build a more powerful 5G private network communication to help customers accelerate digital transformation and upgrading.
If you want to better deploy 5G LAN, in addition to network side upgrades, you also need the support of 5G module .
In the process of commercial implementation of 5G LAN technology, Unigroup Zhanrui launched the industry's first 5G R16 Ready baseband chip platform - V516.
Based on this platform, the leading domestic module manufacturer - Quectel , has successfully developed a number of 5G modules that support 5G LAN technology, and has been commercially available, including LGA, M.2, Mini PCIe package modules such as RG500U, RG200U, RM500U, etc.
These modules have high reliability characteristics, and can achieve ms-level air interface delay and 5G network timing with accuracy up to 1us, which can better meet the application needs of industrial Internet industries such as high-precision machine collaboration in industrial manufacturing, multi-vehicle collaboration in warehousing and logistics, and smart grid differential protection .
In Ningbo, Zhejiang, a well-known enterprise adopted the Yiyuan Communications 5G LAN module to establish a 5G fully connected factory, completing the first 5G LAN commercial pilot in the country.
As a manufacturing enterprise for precision die castings of automotive aluminum alloy, the enterprise focuses on the field of automotive parts manufacturing and is a typical discrete manufacturing enterprise.
The 6 factories below it are scattered in different locations in a certain industrial park in Ningbo City. 5G LAN technology has helped these factories achieve more flexible connections, increasing the factory production line adjustment efficiency by 70% (7 days → 2 days), and doubled the MES network delivery efficiency (6 months → 3 months), and saving about 750 people-days per year on tunnel configuration and maintenance work.
5G equipment installed in the factory of a well-known enterprise
Here, "5G+industrial Internet" truly realizes the empowerment of "flexible production".
5G LAN has also been successfully implemented in projects such as a certain automobile brand, a university smart building, and a flexible factory of an industrial enterprise. In the future, 5G LAN will appear more in our vision, empowering the digital transformation of hundreds of thousands of parks in China.
█ Conclusion
Industrial Internet is the cornerstone of The fourth industrial revolution . 5G private network technology innovation such as 5G LAN is of great significance to the comprehensive digitalization, networking and intelligence of the industrial field.
With the freezing of the 5G R17 version, we are gradually ushering in the 5G-Advanced era. New excitement continues, and new technological innovations are also emerging.
The accumulated innovation will eventually lead mankind towards the "intelligent connection between all things". Let's wait and see!
