As 5G continues to revolutionise the world of wireless communication, two emerging technologies are taking center stage: New Radio (NR) and Reduced Capability (RedCap) NR. These advancements are instrumental in expanding the capabilities of 5G, driving its adoption across a variety of new use cases, particularly in the realm of IoT. Register for the “IoT Anywhere” webinar.
New Radio (NR) is the cornerstone of 5G, offering the flexibility, scalability, and efficiency required to meet the diverse needs of our connected world. Unlike its predecessor, 4G LTE, NR supports a vast array of applications, from enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) to massive IoT (mIoT) and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC).
The Ericsson Mobility Report June 2024 highlighted how the rollout of 5G services, subscriptions, and 5G-capable devices is outpacing that of 4G LTE. The report also stated that by 2029, 5G subscriptions are forecasted to reach 5.6 billion, underscoring the rapid and robust adoption of this technology.
Reduced Capability (RedCap) NR, also known as NR-Light, is a game-changer in the 5G landscape. Introduced in 3GPP Release 17, RedCap NR is designed to cater to use cases that do not require the full capabilities of standard NR but still need more than what low-power wide-area (LPWA) solutions like LTE-M and NB-IoT can offer.
RedCap devices are particularly suited for use cases like wearables (smartwatches, wearable medical devices, AR/VR goggles), industrial wireless sensors, and video surveillance. These applications have specific requirements that differ from enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and LPWA use cases. For instance, they typically require higher data rates than LPWA but do not need the same stringent data rates or latency requirements as eMBB, making them more energy and cost efficient.
The cost and complexity reductions in RedCap devices are achieved through several key modifications to the baseline NR device capabilities. These include:
These adjustments result in significant cost savings while maintaining sufficient performance for the intended use cases. For example, a RedCap device can achieve a peak physical layer data rate of 85 Mbps in FR1 with one receive branch, which is more than adequate for most wearables and industrial sensors.
RedCap NR also offers a clear migration path from LTE-based solutions for use cases like wearables and video surveillance. This migration is crucial for accelerating the spectrum re-farming from LTE to NR, facilitating the full transition to 5G. As a native NR technology, RedCap integrates seamlessly with NR networks, leveraging key features such as beamforming, scalable numerology, and network energy efficiency.
For industrial applications, this means optimised networks that can support both time-critical communications and lower-end sensor devices, ensuring efficient operation across a wide range of devices and use cases.
RedCap and New Radio are pivotal in the ongoing evolution and adoption of 5G technology. By expanding the NR device ecosystem and offering a clear migration path from LTE, these technologies are driving the rapid and robust deployment of 5G across diverse and emerging use cases. As the world continues to embrace 5G, RedCap and NR will play a significant role in connecting more devices, enabling new applications, and realising the full potential of this transformative technology.
For more insights and updates on the latest in IoT and 5G technologies, join KORE and Beecham Research for our upcoming webinar “IoT Anywhere: Navigating the Complexities of Global IoT Deployments” on Tuesday, 15th October at 3pm GMT.