What is 5G RedCap or NR Light?
5G RedCap is a technology introduced in 3GPP Release 17 with the main objective of providing a simplified version of 5G for devices that do not require full 5G functionality but still need strong connectivity. Traditional 5G (e.g. eMBB) devices support very high data rates, but their design complexity, energy consumption, and cost are too high for some applications. RedCap, on the other hand, simplifies the design of the device and reduces the data transfer capacity and network resource footprint, thereby reducing power consumption and cost.
RedCap is known as Reduced Capability NR Devices, also known as NR-Light, and is aimed at scenarios with medium data-rate requirements, such as smart wearables, industrial IoT, IoT in vehicles, and certain medical devices.
The 5G specification establishes three initial use cases: eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband), uRLLC (ultra-reliable low-latency communications), and mMTC (massive machine-type communications). eMBB offers higher data rates and improved latency. uRLLC offers the lowest possible latency, the highest network reliability, and a robust level of security, while mMTC offers ultra-low power consumption and enhanced indoor coverage.
What makes 5G RedCap unique?
Baixa latência: RedCap devices excel in application scenarios with low latency requirements, making them suitable for IoT applications that require fast response, such as industrial control and automation equipment.
Reliability: RedCap’s high reliability ensures stable communications in mission-critical scenarios, making it suitable for applications requiring high stability, such as security monitoring and telemedicine.
Peak Data Rate: RedCap’s lower peak data rate compared to other 5G devices makes it suitable for IoT applications that don’t require high-speed data transmission, such as sensors and environmental monitoring devices.
Wide Coverage: Although RedCap’s coverage is not as good as traditional 5G, its coverage is still wide enough for devices in different environments, such as urban and rural areas.
Battery Life: RedCap supports low power consumption, making it suitable for devices that require long battery life, such as IoT terminals. This is especially important in scenarios where it is difficult to replace batteries frequently.
Low Cost: RedCap’s low cost features reduce device manufacturing and operating costs, making it ideal for large-scale IoT deployments and edge computing devices.
Each technology is designed to target a specific market segment, offering a wide range of possibilities to its users. Nonetheless, gaps remain in some IoT and consumer applications in areas such as industrial monitoring and control, telematics, video surveillance, sensor networks and wearables.
Functionality Comparison
R18, R17, R16, R15, NB-IoT and LTE-M are different communication technologies for 5G networks and IoT applications with their own features and scenarios of applicability, ranging from 5G NR with high data rates and low latency to NB-IoT and LTE-M with low power consumption and massive connectivity.
| Feature | LTE-M (Cat M1) | NB-IoT (Cat NB1) | R15/16 NR eMBB | R17 NR RedCap | R18 NR RedCap (Expected) |
| Bandwidth | 1.4 MHz | 180 kHz | 100 MHz (FR1) / 200 MHz (FR2) | 20 MHz (FR1) / 100 MHz (FR2) | 20 MHz or 5 MHz (FR1) |
| Duplexing Mode | FD/HD-FDD, TDD | HD-FDD, TDD | FD-FDD, TDD | FD/HD-FDD, TDD | FD/HD-FDD, TDD |
| User Antenna | 1T1R | 1T1R | 1T2R (FDD)/1T4R (TDD) | 1T1R/1T2R | 1T1R/1T2R |
| Max Modulation Order | 16QAM | QPSK | 256QAM (DL), 64QAM (UL) | 64QAM (256QAM optional) | 64QAM (256QAM optional) |
| Peak Data Rate – DL | 588 kbps | 26 kbps | 2.3 Gbps | 220 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| Peak Data Rate – UL | 1119 kbps | 66 kbps | 468 Mbps | 120 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
Conclusão
NR-RedCap enhances the evolution and importance of 5G connectivity for midrange IoT applications. NR-RedCap addresses the need for a connectivity solution that serves as a critical bridge in the 5G space between LTE-M/NB-IoT and eMBB/URLLC functionality, and is tailored for IoT applications benefiting from the advances of 5G without the need for full eMBB or URLLC functionality. Enhancements in R18 are designed to simplify device architectures, improve network integration, introduce energy-efficiency features, and provide flexible deployment options to meet evolving IoT requirements.
