Application and Prospects of mmWave in the Industrial Sector

In the wave of transformation towards intelligence in today's industrial enterprises, the introduction of 5G wireless technology has undoubtedly provided a powerful boost, opening up new development paths and infinite possibilities. This transformation is not only a technological innovation, but also a profound reshaping of traditional production models and ways of thinking. Amidst this tide of change, millimeter wave (mmWave) technology, with its outstanding high bandwidth and low latency characteristics, has  emerged as a key enabler for building an efficient and stable industrial dedicated network system.

Characteristics of 5G mmWave

Compared to traditional sub-6 GHz 5G technology, 5G mmWave technology demonstrates significant advantages in terms of bandwidth, latency, capacity, and directivity, laying a solid foundation for the extensive application and in-depth development of mmWave in the industrial sector.

• Large Bandwidth: Highway of Data Transmission

The mmWave band boasts an abundance of spectral resources, with a single carrier bandwidth easily spanning a vast range from 400 MHz to even 800 MHz. This characteristic endows mmWave with the capability to deliver ultra-high data transmission rates, where the peak downlink rate for a single user can soar to 7 Gbps, and the uplink peak rate can also reach 2 Gbps. In contrast, the bandwidth of the sub-6 GHz band appears rather limited, typically confined within a range of just a few hundred megahertz. Consequently, when dealing with large-scale, high-frequency data transmission tasks, mmWave demonstrates a more prominent advantage. In industrial scenarios, this feature enables mmWave to effortlessly support critical applications such as high-definition video transmission, big data processing, and real-time control, providing robust technological support for the transformation towards industrial automation and intelligence.

• Low latency: Guardian of Swift Response

Another highlight of mmWave is its ultra-low latency. Thanks to the larger subcarrier spacing and shorter slot duration, its air interface latency is approximately one-quarter that of sub-6 GHz. This characteristic shines in industrial applications requiring rapid response, such as industrial automation control and remote real-time monitoring. In the field of industrial automation, millisecond-level latency differences can significantly impact the smooth operation of production lines and product quality. mmWave, with its low latency feature, ensures the real-time data transmission and accuracy, thereby significantly improving production efficiency and product quality.

• Beamforming: Precise Focus, Reduced Interference

The narrow beam of mmWave signals has strong directivity, allowing mmWave to better focus signals, effectively reducing interference and improving spatial reuse rates. In industrial scenarios, the beamforming feature of mmWave technology makes communication between devices more stable and reliable, reducing the impact of signal attenuation and interference on communication quality. At the same time, the clear propagation path of mmWave signals, due to their ease of being blocked, enhances communication security to a certain extent, reducing the risk of data interception. Therefore, mmWave provides a safer and more stable guarantee for communication between devices in industrial environments.

• High Integration: Flexible Deployment, Convenient Application

The compact size of mmWave device antennas greatly facilitates the widespread application of mmWave technology. This feature allows mmWave technology to be easily integrated into various terminal devices, opening up new possibilities for flexible deployment and convenient application in industrial internet scenarios. In smart factories, mmWave devices can be deployed in large numbers to achieve high-density connectivity and real-time data transmission, providing technical support for industrial automation and high-definition video surveillance. In addition, the miniaturization of mmWave devices also makes their application possible in fields such as telemedicine and intelligent transportation.

mmWave in Industrial Scenarios

• Factories

In the factory, mmWave, with its high bandwidth and low latency characteristics, becomes a capable assistant for industrial automation and intelligent production. mmWave enables precise remote control of robotic arms, real-time monitoring of production line operation, and efficient transmission of industrial data. These applications not only significantly improve production efficiency but also ensure the safety and stability of the production line. At the same time, mmWave supports key applications such as high-definition video surveillance and quality inspection, providing technical assurance for product quality control.

• Telemedicine

The application of mmWave technology in the field of telemedicine is also highly promising. Leveraging its high bandwidth and low latency characteristics, high-definition video transmission and real-time diagnosis applications can be realized, improving the efficiency and quality of medical services. In telemedicine, doctors can engage in real-time communication with patients through high-definition video, providing remote consultations and surgical guidance, effectively reducing patient wait times and enhancing the accessibility and convenience of medical services.

• Intelligent Transportation Systems

In intelligent transportation systems, mmWave, with its high-precision positioning and low latency characteristics, becomes crucial for autonomous driving and traffic management. For autonomous driving, mmWave provides high-precision vehicle positioning and speed measurement data, offering a reliable basis for decision-making of the autonomous driving system. In traffic management, mmWave enables real-time monitoring and intelligent scheduling of traffic flow, significantly improving the efficiency and safety of traffic operations.

• Steel Smelting Plants

In steel smelting plants, mmWave is transforming applications such as machine vision and unmanned transportation. For machine vision, mmWave technology supports the real-time transmission and processing of high-definition video, enabling precise detection of parameters such as the color and quality of molten steel. In unmanned transportation, mmWave achieves precise positioning and remote monitoring of unmanned molten steel transport vehicles, ensuring the safety and efficiency of molten steel transportation. In addition, mmWave can also be applied in scenarios such as crane remote control, by retrofitting traditional cranes with high-definition cameras and other equipment to achieve unmanned operation, providing workers with a safer and more comfortable working environment.

• Mines

In the mining field, mmWave provides strong technical support for unmanned mining trucks in open-pit mines. There are a large number of mining trucks in open-pit mines, with urgent needs for automation upgrades. Leveraging the characteristics of mmWave, such as large bandwidth, high-precision positioning, and low latency, autonomous navigation and remote monitoring of unmanned mining trucks can be achieved. This significantly improves the safety and efficiency of mining operations while reducing labor costs and environmental risks, contributing to the sustainable development of the mining industry.

• Ports

In the port scenario, mmWave provides strong technical support for applications such as shore bridge remote control, gantry crane remote control, and waterway communication and sensing. Port equipment is densely deployed, with extremely high requirements for high-definition video return transmission and remote operation monitoring. mmWave, with its large bandwidth capability, can achieve real-time return transmission of high-definition video and remote operation monitoring, improving the efficiency and safety of port loading and unloading operations. In waterway communication and sensing, mmWave can support functions such as ship mooring perception and collision avoidance warnings, ensuring the smoothness and safety of waterway traffic.

With its notable advantages of high bandwidth, low latency, high directivity, and miniaturized devices, 5G mmWave technology has demonstrated significant potential and prospects in the industrial sector. As it matures, mmWave will find broader applications in various fields, providing more efficient, secure, and intelligent support for industrial scenarios such as industrial automation, high-definition video surveillance, remote healthcare, steel plants, open-pit mines, and ports. Looking ahead, mmWave will play an even more critical role in the industrial sector, contributing further to the intelligent transformation and sustainable development of society, and ushering in a new chapter in the sector's development.