How 5G Will Alter The Construction Landscape

As technology and science advances so rapidly, organizations usually strive to be the pioneer to integrate the lasted technology into their networking infrastructures. The 5G technology has the potential to mark the beginning of the fourth industrial revolution. The 5G wireless technology will have a profound impact on the business environment and particularly the construction industry.

5G is the fifth generation of wireless networks, and it is a huge step up from the fourth generation, known as 4G. It offers a better internet speed and increased networking capacity with a high level of reliability.

When it comes to a project delivery process, the combination of benefits means a lot for many underlying activities, such as the gathering, processing, and assessment of data. With 5G, establishing digital connectivity and ensuring a continuous interaction among these activities will allow relevant decisions to happen instantly, increasing production, handling problems requiring immediate attention, and avoiding issues before they arise. Many industries can benefit from the adoption of 5G, particularly the construction industry, where time, cost, quality, and safety, are incredibly critical.

How Does The Internet Work?

The internet consists of networks of computers and digital devices that are capable of communicating with one another. The infrastructure that makes this communication possible comprises a variety of networking tools, such as routers, radio towers, computer servers, networking cables, and so forth. To establish a communication channel between two computers, a common language, and some physical networking devices, should exist, enabling the transmission of data between these two computers. When it comes to data transmission, data can either be transferred wirelessly or via a physical cable, such as a fiber optic cable or copper cable.

The most common internet language is known as TCP/IP, which exists in many computers. Currently, the most advanced, wire-based networking infrastructure involves the use of fiber optic cables, optical routers, and other electrical components. In a typical computer network setup with the use of a fiber optic cable, a computer is hooked up, via an Ethernet cable, to a router, enabling the transmission of data in the form of electrical signals between these two electronic devices. Similarly, the router is connected to a BTU that converts any transmitted electrical signals from the router into optical signals and delivers these signals, through a fiber optic cable, to the assigned point of presence by the ISP. The point of presence connects to a more significant network hub to which other ISPs are related, and this more massive network hub is known as a network access point and is connected to the backbone of the internet. This process works in reverse when the computer receives data from the internet.

What Exactly is 5G?

5G networks work in conjunction with 4G networks, and this new type of wireless networking infrastructure consists of 4G and 5G macro-cell base stations, small-cell base stations, and dedicated in-building systems. Working in conjunction with small-cell base stations that are equipped with 5G antennas, 4G macro-cell base stations are the traditional 4G cell towers. In contrast, 5G macro-cell base stations are new radio towers with high-performing aerial. These base stations are connected, via the combination of a fiber optic cable and copper cable, to the core network for that particular area covered by the cell towers, and the core network does all the circuit-switching and packet-switching tasks. It is linked to the backbone of the internet.

In a typical 5G setup, a connection is established between a computer and a 5G-enabled router via an Ethernet cable. The router does not have any other physical networking device connected to it, and it converts the electrical signals that it receives from the computer into analog signals and delivers them to the nearest macro or small-cell station via its group of antennas.

In comparison with a copper cable, one of the significant benefits of a fiber optic cable is that the frequency ranges this particular cable carries are a lot higher, which means that it also offers a higher bandwidth – the amount of data that can be transferred per second. Similarly, 5G also provides the same benefit, offering even much higher frequency ranges than 4G does, and the difference between the maximum frequency of 4G and that of 5G is huge. 4G can carry signals up to a frequency rate of 6 GHz, whereas 5G uses extremely-high frequencies in the range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz.

Apart from the exceptionally-high frequencies that 5G utilizes, the system of various networking facilities and equipment, including 5G macro and small-cell base stations and dedicated in-building systems, is designed to be software configurable and flexible to support the different attributes of the types of demands and services that system anticipates. This is to ensure an ultra-low latency – the amount of delay/time it takes for information to reach the destination – and a highly-reliable connection. Additionally, the core network is reconfigured and redesigned with edge computing capabilities, and other features also significantly improve users’ experience. One of the key features is that highly sought-after contents and cloud applications are moved closer to the end-users to shorten the data travel distance, which objectively reduces the latency and allows the information and cloud applications to respond and be accessed quicker.

Ultimately, 5G will undoubtedly benefit various industries, helping to speed up the pace of industrial innovation and transformation. Offering an exceptionally-high bandwidth, high level of reliability, and extremely low latency, 5G will significantly improve project delivery, particularly in the construction industry.

How Will 5G Help Transform The Construction Landscape?

Over the past few years, continual advancement in building techniques, construction scheduling, building materials, wireless communication, cloud computing, and collaborative platforms has undoubtedly benefited the construction industry. Likewise, 5G will have the potential to improve further many critical aspects of the industry, such as improving the communication channel between a remote construction Jobsite and the management office. For instance, the high bandwidth, reduced latency, and enhanced reliability of 5G will enable smoother streaming of ultra-high-definition videos between devices, which is particularly essential for the management of remote construction sites.

The exceptionally-low latency of 5G will potentially open the door to many opportunities, such as further developments in remote and robotic construction technology, including a new line of advanced construction machines having the ability to receive, recognize and send signals, make rapid decisions, and communicate with each other. In any operation involving the use of remote technology, the quality of real-time video feedback will be significantly improved with 5G, ensuring a safe and efficient service.

Helping to achieve real-time automation in the construction industry, those machines equipped with 5G will be able to operate on an autonomous basis. They can consist of robotic welders, masons, fitters, or cranes that are AI-enabled and capable of receiving, processing, and evaluating data from multiple environmental sensors that are connected to them and triggering corresponding actions by themselves. Additionally, the use of drones for the management of construction projects has also been gaining prominence. Fitting 5G-enabled drones with an array of sensors, such as IP cameras, weather and temperature sensors, and so forth, will allow real-time tracking and monitoring of many environmental factors.

Speaking of environmental sensors, 5G will also enable real-time hazard and maintenance sensing at construction workplaces. Placing environmental sensors and surveillance cameras around a construction Jobsite that continuously collects data can result in the early identification of safety hazards. This process will allow the construction team to manage risks to reduce injuries proactively. Compared to videos, static images are less favorable, and videos can assist in streamlining many safety management processes, such as safety inspections, audits, and reviews. With 5G, construction companies can overlay other technologies, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, onto real-time safety data outputs collected by their sensors at their job sites and revolutionize the ways to improve safety and efficiency at their construction sites.

With an exceptionally-high bandwidth, low latency, and higher reliability, 5G will be a game-changer for various industries. When it comes to project delivery, combining this revolutionary wireless network with artificial intelligence or machine learning will result in endless possibilities. Data collected can be analyzed, understood, and acted on in almost real time. The high bandwidth and low latency enable the transfer of a substantial amount of data per second. 5G will significantly assist construction companies in completing project deliverables on time, within budget, and to the desired standards and specifications.