LTE and the future of remote communication in industrial automation
As part of the mobile telephony glossary, LTE stands for Long-Term Evolution. It is a wireless connection technology with stable data transmission capacity. It combines wide coverage and high transmission capacity through specific frequency bands, making it ideal for connecting devices in remote locations.
Without the need for cabling, distant locations gain visibility in unified systems. In addition to making it possible to monitor processes in distributed operations, the high speed of LTE communication for data transmission and low latency position this technology as crucial for monitoring performance data in real-time.
Is LTE the same as 4G?
The simple answer is no. LTE is not so much a technology as a medium where each generation of improvement comes from a number. Therefore, 4G uses the bandwidth made available by the 4th generation of LTE. It’s widespread to make this association since smartphones can display the term 4G LTE in their network coverage information. In 2008, when the technology was introduced, it was a new spectrum of network efficiency with reduced data sending and receiving times.
LTE stands for Long-Term Evolution, which translates into performance levels that evolve according to the capacity of telephony hardware. Data transmission speed, latency, battery life, and cost efficiency are constantly being optimized.
Despite continuous evolution, LTE remains relevant as new generations of devices are introduced to the market.
LTE (Long-Term Evolution) in industry
Considering everything said in the previous paragraphs, LTE is a technology with numerous benefits for industrial automation.
The benefits of a device communicating via the LTE network are:
- Connectivity across the globe, which benefits individual users and industrial applications.
- Continuity of use over the long term, as opposed to the old 2G and 3G technologies, is becoming increasingly outdated.
- It offers the best option for speed and connectivity, while the actual 5G network is still an emerging and unstable technology in many parts of the globe.
- Low power consumption and high speed require little device complexity, which translates into excellent value for money.
LTE’s main adherents are sectors such as transportation, utilities (energy and sanitation), and agriculture. These industry segments benefit especially from the critical demand for remote communication.
The lack of a cabling structure means remote industrial applications benefit even more, significantly reducing costs. In addition to not requiring investment in planning, construction, and wiring, efficient devices reduce commissioning and configuration time.
A new data logging solution with LTE technology can improve remote monitoring, making any operation more efficient and less prone to risk.
Read also:
5G in IoT products: Necessity or luxury?
