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Use mMTC 5G for Low Bandwidth and Deep Coverage

Published Date
Author OrCAD PCB Solutions

Key Takeaways

  • The mMTC 5G is a service area that offers low bandwidth connectivity with deep coverage. 

  • The main concern of mMTC is the optimal power utilization of battery-powered devices.

  • To manage multiple sensors and connected devices, mMTC 5G technology is required.

 mMTC 5G

The world population is exploding, and most of this growth is concentrated in urban areas. As the population increases, the density of devices also increases. To manage the resources that support this growth, automation is required.

Automated systems use sensors and connectivity to operate. To support the high connection density of online devices, 5G offers a new service called mMTC 5G, which enables the smooth functioning of sprawling, urban IoT networks. Let’s take a look at mMTC 5G technology.

Machine-Type Communication (MTC)

With the increase in urbanization, IoT is in demand. The concept of fully connected systems in IoT is realized using machine-type communication. Machine-to-machine communication is a key aspect of IoT devices, and this communication is called machine-type communication (MTC) by the third-generation partnership project (3GPP). This communication technology allows devices to communicate, transmit, and receive data with or without wires.

The future of 5G networks requires new machine-type communication technology for a few reasons, including:

  1. The 5G networks of the future rely more on the heterogeneity of devices, technology, and architecture.
  2. Data aggregation can reduce the simultaneous access of a single point, but compromises the security and privacy of data communication.
  3. Cellular networks can be affected by the proliferation of connected devices. 

While MTC enables access, it is at the expense of network congestion, and MTC devices pose challenges to the operation of cellular networks. 5G service areas are a solution to this issue. 

5G Service Areas

There are three core 5G service areas: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine transformation communication (mMTC). Each of these service areas is allowed to exist as a separate network while all three utilize the same physical infrastructure. A technology called network slicing or software-defined networking (SDN technology) divides the bandwidth across each of these service areas, and thus customizes the different service functions. Sliced networks using SDN technology are configured independently with quality, security, and network provisioning.  

mMTC 5G

The mMTC 5G is a service area that offers low bandwidth connectivity with deep coverage. The mMTC helps collect large volumes of small data packets from a huge number of devices simultaneously. This technology can support a high density of connected devices.

The mMTC network is latent tolerant and supports the transmission and reception of small data blocks over low bandwidth channels. This technology can support up to 1 million devices per square kilometer and has the capacity to afford connected devices around 10 times the maximum capacity offered by 4G LTE. With this kind of network capability, 5G provides the infrastructure required to support huge networks of cellular-connected sensors, IoT systems, etc.

The mMTC is a sub-category belonging to MTC. However, mMTC particularly takes into account the wireless connection and networking between billions of machines. In mMTC technology, data generation, transmission, and actuation take place with nearly zero human intervention.

The main concern of mMTC is the optimal power utilization of battery-powered devices; this technology can support machine-to-machine communication without battery replacement for up to 10 years. 

Applications of mMTC 5G

Low-power devices with low-volume data exchange on a massive scale often use mMTC 5G. Most 5G mMTC applications are characterized by infrequent bursts of data packets, low bandwidth, and long-life battery or power supply requirements. Some use cases include:

  • Intelligent agricultural systems
  • Smart homes, smart cities, and smart buildings
  • Traffic management
  • Patient monitoring systems 

In most of these use cases, there are sensors and IoT-based subsystems. To manage a variety of sensors and connected devices, mMTC 5G technology is necessary. Without mMTC 5G technology, it is challenging to manage smart IoT-based systems.

Cadence’s AWR Design Environment can help you design for the future with the smart systems that are required for urban living. Leading electronics providers rely on Cadence products to optimize power, space, and energy needs for a wide variety of market applications. If you’re looking to learn more about our innovative solutions, talk to our team of experts or subscribe to our YouTube channel.