Expanding the 5G IoT device ecosystem with 5G RedCap

5G has revolutionized many industries, offering unparalleled speed and capacity coupled with ultra-low latency.

However, some organizations have not made the switch from 4G LTE to 5G networks for Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial IoT (IIoT) device deployments. While these organizations would benefit from some of the features 5G provides, they don’t need others. This has slowed adoption because connecting IoT and IIoT devices to 5G may be more costly if the devices don’t leverage the full capabilities of 5G. The devices may ultimately consume more power than they need to, leading to shorter battery life.

But 5G Reduced Capacity (5G RedCap), also known as 5G New Radio (NR)-Light, is changing that. This new advancement in 5G technology, introduced in 3GPP Release 17, sits between 4G LTE and 5G, providing more cost-effective and power-efficient access to many 5G features, broadening the spectrum of possible IoT use cases.

5G RedCap optimizes performance to power consumption ratio

Both 5G RedCap and standard 5G use 5G NR to communicate. The crucial distinction between them is power optimization. Devices designed around RedCap technology tend to be both less complex and, consequently, less costly, as they are constructed to intelligently manage resource usage, ensuring devices aren’t drawing on capabilities that aren’t needed.

One of the main results of this is that 5G RedCap devices offer greatly improved battery life. This enables devices that may need to be stationed in remote areas for long periods of time, and for which battery replacement is costly and impractical, such as sensors operating in low-power, wide-area networks (LPWAN), to remain in operation for as long as possible. These devices accomplish this with a discontinuous reception mechanism and resource radio management (RRM) measurement relaxation.

Discontinuous reception mechanisms increase efficiency

Discontinuous reception mechanisms allow the device to turn off its receiver when it is not in use. This feature enhances battery efficiency by reducing energy consumption, which is crucial for maintaining low power usage without compromising device performance, and supports continuous connectivity in low-resource environments, such as LPWAN.

RRM measurement relaxation reduces overhead

RRM measurement relaxation refers to a reduction in the number of instances in which the device measures local radio transmission characteristics. RRM was introduced to enhance network efficiency using such technologies as multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO). But the measurement process itself consumes energy as well. Reducing the frequency of this reduces power consumption and signal overhead, supporting use cases where signal configuration is more predictable, and power consumption is of greater concern.

5G RedCap enables efficient use of 5G

Typically, 5G devices are ideal for large IoT and IIoT deployments. These deployments tend to be extremely bandwidth-intensive and require extremely low latency. The ultra-high bandwidth, blazing fast speed, and ultra-low latency capabilities of 5G make it more suited for these deployments.

However, not all IoT and IIoT device deployments are so dependent on ultra-low latency or extreme bandwidth capabilities. While the superior speed and lower latency of 5G are definite benefits, some devices depend more on long battery life and cost-efficiency. 5G RedCap delivers that balance. It offers reduced capability compared to 5G, but simplicity and superior battery life, which enables many more IoT and IIoT use cases.

Therefore, 5G RedCap is the logical choice for businesses that want to take advantage of 5G and leverage 5G NR, but can’t justify the increased power consumption or don’t require all of the improvements 5G offers over 4G LTE.

5G RedCap expands IoT and IIoT to more industries and use cases

In fact, many verticals that take advantage of 5G for some of their IoT and IIoT deployments are also looking to leverage 5G RedCap for other deployments with different requirements. Prominent examples include:

• Wearable devices such as smart watches and fitness trackers consume little power but are bandwidth hungry. As such, wearable devices greatly benefit from seamless functionality for notifications, health monitoring, and location tracking, thanks to real-time accurate data and extended battery life enabled by 5G's superior network and RedCap's power-saving settings.
• Healthcare is leveraging 5G RedCap to facilitate telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, ensuring secure transmission of critical health data to enhance proactive healthcare delivery and reduce the need for in-person visits.
• Industrial and energy sectors are implementing this technology to provide efficient power management for video surveillance systems, ensuring high-quality, real-time video feeds even in remote locations while optimizing energy usage and distribution to save costs.
• Automotive and logistics sectors stand to benefit from 5G RedCap’s reduced power consumption and superior throughput. In the automotive sector, this involves enhanced telematics for over-the-air updates, vehicle statistic collection and reporting, and maintenance scheduling. The logistics sector, meanwhile, is looking to leverage real-time tracking of assets for improved supply chain transparency and efficiency, reducing losses and delays.
• Agricultural and environmental monitoring via RedCap allows farms to efficiently gather data from in-field sensors for improved irrigation, fertilizer application, and pest control. It also supports systems for monitoring air quality and weather conditions.
• Smart cities can more easily integrate smart street lighting, waste management, and public safety applications with seamless, low-latency connectivity for improved service delivery and resource management.
• Residential devices such as security cameras, thermostats, and voice assistants operate for longer and more efficiently. Home ecosystems can connect IoT devices more cost-effectively for home security, convenience, and energy efficiency.

Inseego is an industry leader in 5G technologies

5G RedCap is poised to redefine connectivity for a wide array of devices, offering enhancements in power efficiency, network capability, and lower costs. As it continues to evolve within the 5G ecosystem, this new technology will drive digital transformation across consumer and industrial spaces, ensuring businesses remain agile, competitive, and ready for future technological advancements.

Inseego is an industry leader in 5G, having delivered numerous firsts. Our diverse device ecosystem supports everything from private network deployment in remote areas to high-speed mobile hotspots for workers on the go, indoor cellular routers that can be deployed at home or in the office, and more. And work is continuing apace at Inseego to take full advantage of the unique capabilities of 5G RedCap and ensure consumers are ready to reap the benefits it can offer.

Keep a lookout for how 5G RedCap develops as it plays a crucial role in the next-generation connectivity landscape.

To explore more about new technology in the 5G space, check out our blog.