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5G eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC: Service Categories for a Smarter Tomorrow

Published Date
Author Cadence PCB Solutions

Key Takeaways

  • 5G eMBB delivers high-quality internet access even under harsh environmental conditions.

  • URLLC service category ensures low latency below the 4-millisecond range.

  • 5G mMTC uses non-human-type communication models, which prioritize low-rate, uplink-centric transmission.

5G eMBB URLLC mMTC

5G is the latest wireless standard; its most significant characteristic is its service categories: eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC. These service categories make 5G stand out among other mobile networks. 5G eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC enable virtual connectivity between people, machines, things, and devices.

We will explore the evolution of mobile networks to see how we ended up with these advanced 5G service categories. Then, we will discuss how 5G is supporting smarter cities and future advancements.

The Evolution of Mobile Networks

Each mobile network generation brings new services to cellular communication systems. At present, we are in the 5G mobile network standard. The table below shows the evolution of mobile networks from 1G to 4G.

Mobile network generations

5G is the most capable air interface wireless communication standard. 5G opens new realms for the mobile ecosystem with its high speed, high reliability, and low latency. 

The Fifth Generation Mobile Network (5G)

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines the specifications for the 5G wireless communication standard. 5G has developed foundational technologies that help to connect everything. The design of 5G, from the air interface to the service layer, aims to bring the fastest, most reliable, and low latent network for communication between devices and humans.

The wireless technology of 5G is popular for its high data speed in the range of multi-Gbps. Cellular communication has acquired lightning speeds with the advent of the 5G network. The reliability of 5G has improved multiple times compared to the 4G network.

The massive network capacity offered by 5G has helped in the realization of the Internet of Things (IoT). As the world moves towards a smarter environment, IoT technology is imperative, and 5G is the wireless technology that supports IoT applications.

The 5G network has increased availability compared to its predecessors and gives a uniform experience to users. There is a substantial rise in devices that can be interlinked over 5G networks, leading to a rise in users who can enjoy 5G network services. 

5G eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC

5G service categories, 5G eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC, make 5G the preferred mobile network for applications involving smart utilities, smart cities, virtual healthcare systems, digitized logistics, and industrial IoT. 

5G eMBB

5G enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) is the first 5G category to bring the benefits of 5G to the general public. 5G eMBB delivers high-quality internet access even under harsh environmental conditions. 5G eMBB guarantees gigabit range of mobile broadband speeds and higher data bandwidth.

5G eMBB, combined with mMTC and URLLC, helps new wireless networks meet their requirements. 5G with eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC facilities has the potential to aid massive IoT and mission-critical projects, especially in the healthcare, defense, and industrial sectors.

5G eMBB makes the following possible: 

  • Good indoor connectivity among many devices in densely populated areas 
  • Consistent user experience with wide network coverage
  • Real-time communication and connectivity even when mobile broadband services are accessed from moving vehicles

5G URLLC

Ultra-reliable low-latency communication ensures:

  • Low latency below the 4-millisecond range
  • End-to-end latency between the device and base station – around 5 milliseconds
  • 99.99% reliability
  • End-to-end data security

5G mMTC

The service category called massive machine-type communication (mMTC) supports massive device connectivity in IoT applications. 5G mMTC uses non-human-type communication models that prioritize low-rate, uplink-centric transmission. There are no collisions in 5G mMTC use case applications, as the schemes are different from the ones used in traditional human-type communication. 5G mMTC use cases utilize small packet data transmission techniques. 5G mMTC also combines random access and scheduling strategies when there are thousands of IoT devices waiting for access.

5G for a Smarter Tomorrow 

5G service categories such as 5G eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC help us develop smart systems for safer transportation, planned farming, remote patient monitoring, digitized logistics, smart grid, and smart traffic management system, among other things. Clearly, the future is in 5G. 

Cadence’s suite of tools can help you develop 5G mobile network-based IoT applications.  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.