5G++ FlexiCell

Open and flexible industrial networking with 5G Small Centre: Adaptive production and intra-logistics in SMEs

© Project 5G++ FlexiCell

Project description
In contrast to already discussed applications of 5G in production, 5G++ FlexiCell focuses on the establishment of flexible 5G SmallCells for production in SMEs with the possibility of federation. The 5G campus network in nomadic island operation is operated as an open-interface cell-centre of a heterogeneous, industrial communication and localisation network. This flexible 5G++ small cell will be developed in a package with automation solutions and will integrate
• The latest developments on the component side (communication and automation technology/robotics),
• flexible business models such as "Robotics as a Service", and
• a combination of 5G with other radio standards and the integration of localisation solutions.
The idea is to offer not only 5G, but also other wireless and wired communication technologies in an industrial manufacturing network. Because precise localisation of goods and objects is important for the success of Industrie 4.0, various localisation technologies are also to be converged into a manufacturing ICT solution together with supervisory control. Two FieldLabs, "Flexible Production and Quality Assurance" and "Optimisation of Intra-Logistics", will demonstrate the applicability of the project results.r 5G, but also other wireless and wired communication technologies in an industrial manufacturing network. Because precise localisation of goods and objects is important for the success of Industrie 4.0, various localisation technologies are also to be converged into a manufacturing ICT solution together with supervisory control. The applicability of the project results will be demonstrated in two FieldLabs "Flexible Production and Quality Assurance" and "Optimisation of Intra-Logistics"

Market perspective and product promise
In Germany, SMEs account for 47% of the gross domestic product (GDP), 99.9% of all companies in D are SMEs [31]. Of a total of 5 million SMEs in Germany, 207,000 are manufacturing. If now 10% of these SMEs were to buy only a SmallCell of the project (conservative unit price estimate at the end of the project/start of product development >> 30 TEUR), this would be a market of at least 621 million EUR - or equivalent in rental fees for "as a service" services. This estimate does not take into account the additional sales of other communication and localisation technologies apart from 5G, nor the additional sales of automation components that are offered together with the SmallCell as an automation solution. However, it is to be expected that an SME could use several SmallCells, so that the figures mentioned would greatly underestimate the market.
The FlexiCell solution developed in the project offers a 5G SmallCell with integrated heterogeneous communication and localisation solutions for island operation. This enables SMEs in particular to meet their Industry 4.0 needs for flexible production and quality assurance with lightweight robots, as well as optimising intralogistics.

Challenge and innovation

• Effective connection of high-performance sensor technology via 5G
• Design of interfaces for heterogeneous communication and localisation technologies for efficient integration into the SmallCell
• End-to-end optimisation of communication solutions, especially for technology transitions
• Self-localisation of anchor nodes
• Fusion of heterogeneous localisation technologies to improve positional accuracy
• Design of a suitable control centre and a 5G++ FlexiCell user interface for effective constellation, configuration and adaptation management (situation awareness, human supervisory control)
• Realisation of Self-X functionalities, so that an automation component receives the appropriate configuration depending on the context (position).

Use Cases

• With the help of the SmallCell, production environments are to be made possible in which manufacturing and quality assurance cells as well as collaborative robots can adapt flexibly to changing production requirements without being tied to cable connections. In addition to a real-time wireless connection, this also requires precise position information to capture the context.
• Optimisation of intralogistics: With the help of the SmallCell, the last metres for loading and unloading production lines are to be overcome automatically. The efficient location of goods for optimising the transport of goods is also to be investigated. Both contribute to lower intra-logistics costs and are made possible by real-time radio connection and localisation via the SmallCell.

Consortium
Aalen University (leadership): Prof. Stephan Ludwig, Prof. Doris Aschenbrenner, Awesome Technologies Innovationslabor GmbH, Würzburg, Blackned Gmbh, Heimertingen, Carl Zeiss Automated Inspection GmbH, Neuenstein, Joyson PlasTec GmbH, Bad Kissingen, Ilmenau University of Technology, Prof. Jörg Robert, VARTA Microbattery GmbH, Ellwangen

Duration
April 2022 - March 2025

Budget
Total funds: 6.0 million €
Funding amount: 4.2 million €.