Implementation and Evaluation of 5G MEC-Enabled Smart Factory

Abstract

A 5G network can provide more comprehensive bandwidth connectivity for the industry 4.0 environment, which requires faster and tremendous data transmission. This study demonstrates the 5G network performance evaluation with MEC, without MEC, WiFi 6, and Ethernet networks. Usually, a 5G network engages with Multi-access Edge Computing, providing the computing functions dedicated to the users on edge nodes. The MEC network architecture presents significant facilities, a network schematic, and data transmission routers. The field test performs high-definition streaming video and heavy-traffic load testing to evaluate the performance based on different protocols by comparing throughput, latency, jitter, and packet loss rate. MEC network performance, streaming video performance, and load test evaluation results reveal that the 5G network working with MEC achieved better performance than when it was working without MEC. The MEC can improve data transmission efficiency by dedicated configuration but is only accessible with authentication from mobile network operators (MNOs). Therefore, MNOs should offer industrial private network users partial authentication for accessing MEC functionality to improve network feasibility and efficiency. In conclusion, this work illustrates the 5G network implementation and performance measurement for constructing a smart factory.