5G Wireless Communication Systems and Technologies
Summary
The fifth generation of mobile networks represents a fundamental transformation in wireless communication, combining a service-based core architecture with a versatile radio access interface known as 5G New Radio. Operating across both sub-6 GHz and millimetre-wave bands, 5G delivers three principal service categories: enhanced mobile broadband for ultra-high-speed data, massive machine-type communications for dense Internet of Things (IoT) deployments, and ultra-reliable low-latency communication for mission-critical applications. Core enablers include massive multiple-input multiple-output antenna arrays, advanced beamforming techniques, network slicing to create multiple virtual networks on a single infrastructure, and mobile edge computing to bring processing closer to end devices. The decoupling of control and user planes facilitates agile network management and seamless interworking with legacy 4G systems during the transition phase. Globally, 5G underpins diverse use cases—from immersive augmented-reality experiences and real-time industrial automation to connected autonomous vehicles and telemedicine. Nonetheless, challenges persist in spectrum allocation, energy efficiency and security within virtualised, multi-tenant environments. Continued innovation aims to refine end-to-end quality of service, optimise energy consumption and explore new frequency domains to meet the demands of future wireless ecosystems.
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5G Wireless Communication Systems and Technologies publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in 5g wireless communication systems and technologies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
5G New Radio (5G NR): The global standard for the air interface of 5G, supporting flexible numerologies and wide bandwidths.
Millimetre wave (mmWave): High-frequency spectrum (24–100 GHz) offering large bandwidths for very high data rates over short ranges.
Massive MIMO: An array of dozens to hundreds of antennas at a base station enabling spatial multiplexing and improved spectral efficiency.
Network slicing: The creation of multiple virtual networks with tailored performance characteristics on a shared physical infrastructure.
Ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC): A service class designed to deliver extremely high reliability and very low end-to-end latency.
Mobile edge computing (MEC): Distributed computing resources located at the network edge to run latency-sensitive applications closer to end users.
References
- 5G Evolution: A View on 5G Cellular Technology Beyond 3GPP Release 15. IEEE Access (2019).
- 5G enabled smart cities: A real-world evaluation and analysis of 5G using a pilot smart city application. Internet of Things (2024).
- Study and Investigation on 5G Technology: A Systematic Review. Sensors (2021).
- 5G Campus Networks: A First Measurement Study. IEEE Access (2021).
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