The connection between the 5G sub-networks and antennas and the 5G core is made with optical fibers, which converge centrally in the patch panel at the IT center. (Image: IT Center RWTH Aachen University)

The development of the 5G research network in Aachen is making further progress: Following the funding commitment by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) in October 2019, the Federal Network Agency granted the first license to operate the 5G network on the Melaten campus of RWTH Aachen University. The RWTH Aachen University’s IT Center is now also on board, supporting the initiative in connecting further university institutes to the new mobile communications technology.

Developing new applications and systems for digitized and networked production is the goal at the 5G-Industry Campus Europe: Now one of the first 5G licenses has been granted by the German Federal Network Agency in the range of 3.7 to 3.8 Gigahertz for the operation of the 5G network for industrial applications at the Melaten Campus of RWTH Aachen University. The project under the leadership of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, in which the Machine Tool Laboratory WZL at RWTH Aachen University and the Research Institute for Rationalization (FIR) at RWTH Aachen University are also participating, is being funded by the BMVI with a total of 6.2 million euros and is being carried out together with the Swedish mobile network supplier Ericsson.

Building 5G capabilities together

The IT Center of RWTH Aachen University has now joined the consortium as a new cooperation partner. The IT Center is responsible for the fiber optic connection of the various subnetworks, the operation of the 5G network and the outdoor antennas of the 5G Industry Campus Europe. In addition, the Fraunhofer IPT and the IT Center have decided to expand the competencies in the 5G area at RWTH Aachen University and to connect further institutes of Aachen University to the new mobile phone technology in order to explore further application fields of 5G. There are also plans to extend the 5G-Industry Campus Europe beyond the Melaten campus to the West Campus and the RWTH Center.

“As the IT Center of RWTH Aachen University, we are pleased to support the development of the 5G network on the 5G Industry Campus Europe and to accelerate the expansion of 5G at RWTH Aachen University with the Fraunhofer IPT. Our cooperation will provide the university’s institutes with new opportunities for research and industrial projects with high relevance for the future.”
Professor Matthias Müller, Director of the IT Center at RWTH Aachen University

The project partners of the 5G-Industry Campus Europe are investigating different application scenarios in seven sub-projects so far – from 5G sensor technology for monitoring and controlling highly complex production processes to mobile robotics and logistics to cross-location production chains. The cooperation with the IT Center of RWTH Aachen University in the area of extended network coverage now gives the university’s institutes the opportunity to connect to the 5G-Industry Campus Europe with additional application scenarios.

“With the granting of the license by the German Federal Network Agency, we have reached an important milestone to take off with the 5G-Industry Campus Europe and to transfer the network from the construction phase to the operation phase”.
Niels König, who manages and coordinates the project on behalf of the Fraunhofer IPT

The 5G-Industry Campus Europe project aims directly at the introduction of the new mobile communications standard in the manufacturing industry. Interested companies and research partners who would like to inform themselves or participate can contact the consortium via the project website.