Introduction
The Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) standard has been a mainstay in residential and small business environments for decades, providing high-quality voice communication and a range of other features. Now, the DECT community is looking to the future with the NR+ extension, which aims to improve the performance of DECT systems in a number of ways. In this article, we will explore what DECT NR+ is and how it could revolutionize wireless communication.
What is NR+?
NR+ is an extension to the DECT standard that aims to improve the performance of DECT systems. NR+ is a non-cellular radio standard recently included in the 5G standard as a part by the ITU.
NR+ uses a self-healing, non-distributed, independent mesh network, which makes it easy to add new devices and eliminate any failures. It has a flexible and extensive network fabric that is used in many industries and applications. NR+ uses a proven cellular system and offers a customized solution unmatched by other non-cellular technologies.
The main goals of NR+ are to increase the data rate, reduce latency, and improve spectral efficiency. Let's take a closer look at each of these improvements:
Increased data rate: NR+ aims to increase the data rate of DECT systems, which would allow them to transmit more information in a given amount of time. This could be used to support advanced features such as high-definition voice or video communication.
Reduced latency: NR+ also aims to reduce the latency of DECT systems, which refers to the delay between when a signal is transmitted and when it is received. Lower latency could make DECT systems more responsive and improve the user experience.
Improved spectral efficiency: Finally, NR+ aims to improve the spectral efficiency of DECT systems, which refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted in a given amount of spectrum. This could allow DECT systems to support more users in a given coverage area, or to provide the same level of service with less spectrum.
How could DECT NR+ be used?
The potential applications for DECT NR+ are numerous. In the residential and small business sectors, NR+ could be used to improve the quality of voice and video communication, as well as to support advanced features such as real-time translation or virtual reality. NR+ could also be used in a variety of other applications, including baby monitors, security systems, and industrial automation.
In addition to these applications, NR+ could also have broader implications for the wireless communication industry. For example, NR+ could be used to support the growing demand for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which require low-power and low-latency communication. NR+ could also be used in public safety systems, where the ability to transmit large amounts of data quickly could be critical.
How DECT NR+ works?
NR+'s physical radiology system uses techniques known from cellular radiology, achieving the same level of reliability demonstrated by billions of devices in the field. It is designed to achieve a delay of one millisecond between devices, opening up the possibility for short-term systems to consider wireless services for the first time, even at kilometers close. This makes NR+ an open and well-designed alternative to existing proprietary technologies.
One key feature of NR+ is self-healing and self-organization. Each node can work as an access point with a direct connection to the Internet, and the node can change roles based on network needs. This feature eliminates single points of failure and resolves high traffic conditions that can occur in a complex IoT network.
NR+ operates in the global, unlicensed 1.9 GHz band, dramatically reducing deployment costs by eliminating the need for scheduling or certification. With no need for cellular components, NR+ also has one of the lowest carbon footprints. Additionally, the size and topology properties of NR+ make it very versatile. A 1 km2 area can cover only more than 100 devices or expand to more than a million devices, while maintaining the same reliable communication.
Benefits of DECT NR+ Technology
Here are some potential benefits of the proposed DECT NR+ extension:
Increased data rate: NR+ could allow DECT systems to transmit more data in a given amount of time, which could be used to support advanced features such as high-definition voice or video communication.
Reduced latency: NR+ could reduce the latency of DECT systems, which would make them more responsive and improve the user experience.
Improved spectral efficiency: NR+ could improve the spectral efficiency of DECT systems, which would allow them to support more users in a given coverage area or to provide the same level of service with less spectrum.
Improved range and coverage: NR+ could use techniques such as beamforming and multi-antenna systems to improve the range and coverage of DECT systems.
Backwards compatibility: NR+ would be designed to be backwards compatible with the current DECT standard, so that it could be implemented without requiring the replacement of existing DECT systems.
It is important to note that these are just a few of the potential benefits of NR+, and the actual benefits of NR+ will depend on the final specifications that are adopted by the DECT community.
Drawbacks of DECT NR+
As with any technology, there may be some potential drawbacks to the proposed DECT NR+ extension. Some possible drawbacks to consider include:
Complexity: NR+ could be more complex to implement than the current DECT standard, which could increase the cost and difficulty of deployment.
Compatibility: NR+ may not be fully compatible with existing DECT systems, which could require the replacement or upgrading of existing equipment.
Interference: NR+ could potentially interfere with other systems or technologies that use the same or adjacent frequency bands, which could impact performance.
Regulation: NR+ may require regulatory approval in order to be used, which could be a time-consuming and costly process.
Use cases for DECT NR+
Here are a few potential use cases for DECT NR+
Residential and small business communication: NR+ could be used to improve the quality of voice and video communication in residential and small business environments, as well as to support advanced features such as real-time translation or virtual reality.
Baby monitors: NR+ could be used in baby monitors to provide high-quality audio and video, as well as to support advanced features such as temperature sensing or motion detection.
Security systems: NR+ could be used in security systems to provide high-quality audio and video, as well as to support advanced features such as facial recognition or intrusion detection.
Industrial automation: NR+ could be used in industrial automation systems to provide low-latency and reliable wireless communication for control and monitoring applications.
Internet of Things (IoT): NR+ could be used to support the growing demand for IoT devices, which require low-power and low-latency communication.
Public safety: NR+ could be used in public safety systems, where the ability to transmit large amounts of data quickly could be critical.
Applications of DECT NR+ in IoT
NR+ fills a real gap in the IoT ecosystem in terms of a large operating system that will enable enterprise IoT customers to create their own networks at a low cost. NR+ is also the first non-cellular radio standard to be recognized as a radio technology that meets the IMT-2020 5G requirements, both for low-latency communication and large-scale machine-mode communication .
Wireless sensor networks: NR+ could be used to provide low-power and low-latency wireless communication for sensors that are used to gather data about the environment, such as temperature, humidity, or air quality.
Actuators: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for actuators, which are devices that can control or manipulate the environment in some way, such as switches or motors.
Video cameras: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for video cameras, which could be used to monitor locations or events remotely.
Virtual reality headsets: NR+ could be used to provide low-latency wireless communication for virtual reality headsets, which could be used for gaming, training, or other applications.
Gateway devices: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for gateway devices, which are used to connect IoT devices to the internet.
Cloud services: NR+ could be used to support the communication between IoT devices and cloud services, which are used to store, process, and analyze the data that is generated by IoT devices.
Industrial automation: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for industrial automation systems, which are used to control and monitor manufacturing processes or other industrial applications.
Agricultural monitoring: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for sensors that are used to monitor conditions in agriculture, such as soil moisture or crop health.
Environmental monitoring: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for sensors that are used to monitor environmental conditions, such as air or water quality.
Traffic management: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for sensors that are used to monitor traffic conditions, such as traffic flow or parking availability.
Medical devices: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for medical devices, such as wearable monitoring devices or telemedicine systems.
Retail: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for sensors that are used to monitor inventory or customer behavior in retail settings.
Smart home: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for devices that are used to automate and control various aspects of a home, such as lighting, thermostats, or appliances.
Energy management: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for sensors and devices that are used to monitor and control energy usage, such as smart meters or solar panels.
Asset tracking: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for sensors that are used to track the location and status of assets, such as vehicles or equipment.
Transportation: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for sensors and devices that are used to monitor and control transportation systems, such as traffic lights or public transit systems.
Disaster response: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for sensors and devices that are used to monitor and respond to natural disasters or other emergencies, such as earthquakes or fires.
Military and defense: NR+ could be used to provide wireless communication for sensors and devices that are used in military or defense applications, such as battlefield surveillance or logistics management.
Conclusion
In conclusion, DECT NR+ is a an extension to the DECT standard that aims to improve the performance of DECT systems by increasing the data rate, reducing latency, and improving spectral efficiency. NR+ could potentially be used in a variety of applications, including residential and small business communication, baby monitors, security systems, industrial automation, and the Internet of Things (IoT). NR+ could also have broader implications for the wireless communication industry, such as supporting the growing demand for IoT devices or improving public safety systems. While NR+ is still in the proposal stage, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we communicate and interact with the world around us. The future of NR+ is uncertain, and will depend on a number of variables and factors, including technological limitations, regulatory hurdles, and competition from other technologies.