Mobile communications providers worldwide are getting their networks ready for the fifth generation of mobile communications technology. Thanks to bigger bandwidths, shorter response times and numerous innovations, 5G permits completely new private and professional applications. The first 5G-capable terminals for consumers are already available. The technology poses several challenges for electronics manufacturers.
What is in with 5G?
Technologies
5G - the next evolutionary step in mobile communications.
The development of mobile communications
Mobile communications have already been around for decades. The introduction of the second generation (2G) of mobile communications standards in the 1990s initiated the transformation away from pure telephony services to mobile data communications. Maximum transmission rates of only a few hundred kilobits per second were then possible. The breakthrough for mobile data communications occurred with the availability of 3G networks and 3G terminals at the beginning of the new millennium. 3G, also known as UMTS, reaches transmission rates of up to 42 MB per second with techniques such as HSDPA or HSDPA+. The move into fourth generation (4G) mobile communications took place from about 2010 with LTE (long term evolution). This technology facilitates lower latency times and even higher data rates of several hundred MB per second. Moreover, thanks to the additional frequency bands, LTE achieves great range and improves network coverage. Since 2019, providers have begun to initiate the next development step. 5G networks and 5G terminals are now available and can be used.
The possibilities of the 5G mobile communications standard
5G will initiate the next revolution in mobile communications Apart from private users, the technology is above all focused on industry and professional applications. Transmission rates of several gigabits per second and very short response times in the millisecond range will become possible. Connection quality and network coverage will increase, permitting data transmission in real time to any location. 5G is the technical basis for the Internet of Things (IoT), the networked processes of Industry 4.0, augmented reality, autonomous driving, undisturbed data connections in means of transport, live video transmissions in the mobile communications network and a lot more.
5G can give AR-/VR-devices a boost.
The use of 5G in consumer electronics
5G is admittedly heavily focused on professional and industrial uses, but the technology still offers end-consumers numerous advantages. Better quality broadband Internet will be available practically everywhere. For example, it will still be possible to stream videos at high bandwidths even in trains or large events with many people. Thanks to 5G, virtual reality and augmented reality applications promise a perfect user experience.
Consumers can already benefit from the latest mobile communications technology with the availability of the first 5G networks and 5G terminals. Numerous smartphone and tablet manufacturers have launched compatible devices. 5G will also support the latest smartwatches.
5G poses several challenges for electronics manufacturers. The increasing miniaturization and high transmission performance result in greater heat development in the terminals. Manufacturers have to ensure that this heat can be distributed and dissipated. Heat-resistant or thermally conductive adhesive tape is often used for this purpose.
As already indicated, the greater transmission performance also means that the mobile terminals can be used even more intensively, for example, to stream games or AR-/VR applications. This is also associated with higher energy needs, leading to bigger batteries in the terminals. These batteries in turn have to be safely bonded while taking up as little space as possible (space is needed for the battery itself).
Summary
5G is the consistent further development of mobile communications technology. The standard permits great progress in industrial and professional, as well as private, applications. Mobile broadband Internet will become normal for consumers. Manufacturers of electronics, such as smartphones, tablets or smartwatches, have to integrate the technology in their devices to meet the rising requirements of consumers. This will result in new possibilities, but also new challenges. As an adhesive tape manufacturer and partner of the electronics industry, we already provide many solutions. However we would also like to cooperate with you in developing tailor-made individual responses.