What is URLLC?

URLLC stands for Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications. It is a new type of communication that is being developed to meet the needs of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things by the 3GPP. URLLC will provide extremely high levels of reliability and low latency, making it possible to support critical applications.

Understanding Reliability and Latency Requirements

What is Reliability?

Reliability is a measure of how well a system can deliver data reliably and accurately. It is usually expressed as a ratio of bits that are correctly transmitted over the total bits transmitted. A system with a high-reliability rating can deliver data with fewer errors and fewer dropped packets.

What is Latency?

Latency is the time it takes for a packet of data to be sent from one point to another. It is typically measured in milliseconds (ms) and is a key factor in determining the user experience of a communication system. Lower latency means faster data transfer and better user experience.

What is the Difference?

Reliability and latency are both related to the performance of a communication system, but they are not the same. Reliability is a measure of how well a system can deliver data without errors, while latency is the time it takes for a packet of data to be sent from one point to another.

Key features for reliability & latency in 5G:

The 3GPP enforced features to create a reliable and low-latency environment for 5G NR. Below you’ll find three of the most important ones from Release 15:

• Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC): URLLC is a key feature of 5G that enables high-reliability and low-latency communication for mission-critical applications such as factory automation, autonomous driving, and virtual/augmented reality. It provides a guaranteed quality of service (QoS) with extremely low latency (1 ms) and high reliability.

• Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB): eMBB is another key feature of 5G that enables faster and more reliable mobile broadband services. It provides higher data throughput (up to 10 Gbps) with a low latency of 5 ms and higher reliability.

• Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC): mMTC is the third key feature of 5G that enables massive connectivity for IoT devices. It provides low latency (50 ms) and high reliability for millions of simultaneous connections.

5G URLLC

Benefits of URLLC in 5G Networks

URLLC is an essential part of 5G networks and provides a number of benefits. It enables high data rates and lower latency, allowing for real-time communication between users and devices. Additionally, URLLC technology supports multiplexing, allowing multiple users to share the same resources and increasing the efficiency of the network.

Applications of URLLC

Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles require a high level of reliability and low latency to function properly. URLLC technology enables reliable data transmission and allows for real-time communication between vehicles. This ensures that the vehicles can respond quickly to changes in their environment.

Industrial Automation

URLLC is also used in industrial automation applications. It provides reliable, low latency communication between machines and enables real-time control of processes. This allows for greater efficiency and accuracy in industrial operations.

Healthcare

URLLC technology is also used in healthcare applications, such as remote surgery. It enables reliable data transmission for real-time communication between doctors and patients, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Augmented/Virtual Reality

URLLC is also used in augmented and virtual reality applications. It enables reliable data transmission for real-time communication between users and devices. This ensures a smooth and immersive user experience.

Smart Grids

URLLC is also used in smart grids to enable reliable data transmission and low-latency communication. This allows for real-time monitoring and control of the grid, ensuring a stable and reliable power supply.

Final thoughts on ultra reliable low latency communications (URLLC)

In conclusion, URLLC is an essential part of 5G networks, enabling reliable data transmission and low-latency communication. It is used for a variety of mission-critical applications, such as autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, healthcare, augmented/virtual reality, and smart grids. URLLC technology is also being developed for other mobile networks, such as LTE and Wi-Fi, and will enable new use cases in the future.