How private 5G networks boost security using licence exempt mmWave

Private 5G networks are rolling out around the world as part of a move to automate industries and update campus and factory systems. These networks are providing lower latency connections with a wide mix of technologies, linking 5G equipment from different suppliers to a base station. This is a significant step forward, with interoperability of equipment encouraging more sophisticated, connected networks.

While networks don’t necessarily require telecoms operators, and extra elements can be installed by companies to meet their specific network requirements, the roll out can often be held back by the availability of licensed spectrum allocated to such applications.

Extending 5G private networks

To overcome this, private 5G networks can be extended using the licensed exempt millimetre wave (mmwave) band, bringing about a significant boost in bandwidth. This move to gigabit links opens up the vast potential for key applications, particularly around perimeter security. Licensed exempt mmWave spectrum is available in Europe (under CEPT 70 03) and USA/Canada (under FCC Part 15.255) over the band 57-71 GHz for operation up to a transmit power (EIRP) of +40 dB mi. These regulations support the delivery of over a gigabit of throughput at ranges in excess of 1km. Note that this represents the largest single block of spectrum available today for any application.

This huge amount of spectrum provides customers with significantly more flexibility and higher bandwidth than previously possible. Latest mmWave equipment is demonstrating gigabit links over 1km range, which can be further extended to more than 3km (with reduced data rates of 100 Mbps) and is more than sufficient to support the latest 4k resolution cameras. Systems that are programmable across a very wide spectrum provide network developers with flexibility in the frequency planning across a site.

The ability to use high resolution sensors, from 4K colour cameras to thermal and movement detectors, at any point around a perimeter without the need for a wired link is dramatically changing the options for security network design and implementation. No longer are these cameras limited to areas where there is a cable link, as the high bandwidth wireless links can deliver high quality video across a mesh network.

The higher bandwidth of a mmWave link at many gigabit/s gives the network the ability to aggregate links from multiple cameras and stream these links to one central point. That consolidation point could be a control centre on site for security staff, but it could also be a link to a company intranet or out to the wider Internet.

These private 5G networks take advantage of the high reliability packet-based protocols with security that has been developed to protect commercial telecoms networks. This allows the video to be streamed securely across the Internet and into the cloud without fear of interception. With video streaming into the cloud, post-processing algorithms can be applied to enhance the detection capabilities of the security system. Machine learning can deliver automated detection of anomalies in real time, and the streams can be used for further training to continuously improve the quality of the system.

5G link aggregation

Using mmWave wireless mesh networks to aggregate high bandwidth links offers more flexibility to the design of perimeter security systems. Cameras and sensors can be moved around easily to focus on the different areas for observation as required.

A private 5G network provides companies with highly resilient, secure packet-based communications across a site for industrial automation. Adding freely available equipment from a range of vendors based on 5G license exempt mmWave wireless links around the perimeter provides a high bandwidth mesh network. This supports multiple high resolution 4K and even 8K camera feeds straight into the corporate cloud system and enables the use of AI and machine learning and video post processing to boost the effectiveness of the system.

Blu Wireless combines key technologies for 5G private networks for perimeter security using mmWave technologies. We develop high speed programmable engines and software for module and sub-system designs that enable the high-performance mesh networks for link aggregation in flexible networks that are rapid and easy to deploy.

Get in touch with us to find out how our mmWave equipment can meet your requirements for a private 5G network.