In this interview, we talk to Amitabha, author of the book 5G-Enabled Industrial IoT Networks. We discuss the motivation behind writing the book, the target audience, the most useful aspects of the book, the challenges of writing the book, and advice for other engineers who are considering writing a book.
Amitabha (Amitava) Ghosh (F’15) is a Nokia Fellow and works at Nokia Standards and Strategy. He joined Motorola in 1990 after receiving his Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from Southern Methodist University, Dallas. Since joining Motorola he worked on multiple wireless technologies starting from IS-95, cdma-2000, 1xEV-DV/1XTREME, 1xEV-DO, UMTS, HSPA, 802.16e/WiMAX and 3GPP LTE. He has 65 issued patents, has written multiple book chapters and has authored numerous external and internal technical papers. He is currently working on 5G Evolution and 6G technologies. He is also the chair of the NextGA (an US 6G initiative) National Roadmap Working Group. His research interests are in the area of digital communications, signal processing and wireless communications. He is the recipient of 2016 IEEE Stephen O. Rice and 2017 Neal Shephard prize, Sr. editor of IEEE Access and co-author of the books titled “Essentials of LTE and LTE-A” and “5G Enabled Industrial IoT Network”.
1. Could you summarize the main content of your book? What are the key topics addressed?
The 4th industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) triggered by industrial IoT (IIoT) will offer significant revenue expansion through new digital service provider markets. The main technology enablers for IIoT revolution will comprise of i) 5G wireless converged automation protocols which will eliminate wires and support time synchronous operations, ii) private edge cloud for secure and scalable local computing, iii) deep slicing for IIoT networks so that multiple stakeholders can be supported using one infrastructure and iv) machine learning (ML) enabled automated operations for monitoring, prediction and optimization of IIoT networks. Further, the industrial IoT (IIoT) network will be scalable in connectivity and number of devices and will be designed to deliver optimal performance for all industrial applications using key LTE and 5G NR features like Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), massive machine type communication (mMTC), 5G positioning, time sensitive communications (TSC) and to a lesser degree enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB).
This book is organized into eight chapters. Chapter 1 gives a brief overview of 5G use cases and discusses the 5G NR requirements in detail for eMBB, URLLC, mMTC, and positioning. Several PoC systems are also introduced in this chapter. In Chapter 2, an overview of the LTE-M and NB-IoT technology is provided including a brief introduction to the physical layer and a summary of system performance. Chapter 3 is a short chapter and summarizes the role of 3GPP standards, 5G Alliance for Connected Industry and Automation (5G-ACIA), and spectrum needs for IIoT. Next, the end-to-end network architecture for IIoT is described in Chapter 4. The 5G system architecture has been specially designed to enable new use cases in factories, campus areas, airports, ports, mining, and other enterprise use cases. In Chapter 5, the end-to-end service support for IIoT is addressed including URLLC and time-sensitive networking (TSN) in 5G system and edge cloud integration for IIoT applications. In Chapter 6, the enablers for IIoT in 5G NR are presented including the 5G NR flexible frame structure, massive MIMO including beam management, channel coding, Next, in Chapter 7, an overview of IoT devices, form factors, and sample devices is provided. Finally, in Chapter 8, the system performance of a typical factory deployment and also a PoC is presented using both a statistical channel model and a ray-tracing tool.
2. What is the primary purpose of your book? How do you envision it helping readers in their work or studies?
The book’s main objective is to inform the engineering community that 5G cellular systems are paving the way for the next phase of industrial production, commonly known as “Industry 4.0.” This new era aims to enhance the flexibility, versatility, usability, and efficiency of future smart factories and industrial facilities. By integrating IoT and associated services, Industry 4.0 provides seamless vertical and horizontal integration throughout the entire value chain and across all levels of the automation pyramid. Connectivity plays a crucial role in supporting these advancements, enabling strong and widespread links between machines, people, and objects.
The book helps readers by providing a comprehensive understanding of how 5G technology integrates with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to revolutionize industrial processes.
3. What sets your book apart from other works in the same field? Are there any innovative concepts, methodologies, or insights that make it stand out?
It offers insights into the technical aspects of 5G networks, such as low latency, high reliability, and massive connectivity, which are essential for developing smart factories and advanced automation systems. By exploring real-world applications, case studies, and industry standards, the book equips engineers, students, and professionals with practical knowledge on implementing 5G in industrial settings. This enables readers to apply 5G concepts effectively in their work or studies, especially in areas focused on smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 innovations.
4. Who is the intended readership for your book? Are there specific industries, professionals, or fields of study that would benefit most from this content?
The intended readership for the book includes professionals, students, and researchers in fields related to engineering, telecommunications, and industrial automation. Specifically, those working in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, energy, and logistics—where smart factories and automation are key—would benefit significantly. The book is valuable for electrical engineers, systems designers, IoT developers, and network specialists interested in leveraging 5G capabilities to enhance industrial processes. Additionally, it serves as a resource for academic programs focused on telecommunications, computer science, and industrial engineering, offering insights that bridge cutting-edge 5G technology with practical applications in Industry 4.0
5. What are the most important lessons or insights you want readers to take away from this book?
The book’s key takeaway is the pivotal role of cellular communications, especially 5G, in driving the automation of future factories. It underscores how 5G enables real-time, reliable, and high-capacity connectivity, which is essential for supporting complex industrial processes and smart manufacturing. Readers will gain insights into how 5G can integrate seamlessly with the Industrial IoT to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and enable greater flexibility in industrial environments. Furthermore, the book highlights how adopting 5G can transform traditional manufacturing systems by enabling predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and intelligent decision-making, ultimately leading to more efficient, adaptable, and sustainable industrial networks.
6. Does your book include any original research, case studies, or data? If so, could you highlight some of the most significant findings?
The book includes 3GPP standardization aspects related to Industrial IoT (IIoT), case studies, and data that provide readers with practical examples and insights into real-world applications of 5G in industrial settings. The book presents case studies that illustrate the deployment of 5G-enabled solutions in various industries, such as manufacturing, energy, and logistics, highlighting the tangible benefits and challenges encountered.
7.Does your book address any new or emerging trends in the field? How does it prepare readers for future developments?
Yes, the book addresses several emerging trends in IIoT and prepares readers to anticipate future developments in industrial connectivity. While the book was published around three years ago, it covers foundational aspects of 5G that continue to be relevant, especially as new standards evolve and commercial deployments move forward.
It discusses the potential of 5G-enabled IIoT and explores early use cases and proof-of-concept systems, showing how they pave the way for more robust implementations. Additionally, the book delves into the trajectory of 3GPP standardization, which has since advanced with Releases 18 and 19. These standards incorporate enhanced capabilities such as ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) and improved network slicing, which are crucial for IIoT’s scalability and flexibility. The book also introduces readers to the basic principles likely to influence the 6G era, emphasizing how even more advanced connectivity, like sub-millisecond latency and AI-driven networks, will build on 5G’s foundation. By understanding these emerging trends, readers are better prepared to adapt to and leverage both 5G and future 6G developments as they become integral to IIoT.
8.What personal experiences, if any, have shaped your perspective or approach to the topics discussed in your book?
My approach to the book was shaped by a blend of professional and industry experiences in the fields of telecommunications and industrial automation and a paper I wrote titled “ Industrial IoT Networks Powered by 5G New Radio | 2019-12-09 | Microwave Journal. Working closely with engineers and researchers in IIoT and witnessing the evolution of cellular technology firsthand gave me a deep appreciation for how transformative connectivity can be for industrial environments. Additionally, engaging with industry conferences and research forums allowed me to observe the progression toward Industry 4.0 and how cellular networks are central to its realization. This background informed a practical, real-world approach to the book, aiming to help readers connect theory with tangible outcomes in the evolving landscape of industrial IoT.
Learn more about the book on our websites:
ARTECH HOUSE USA : 5G-Enabled Industrial IoT Networks
ARTECH HOUSE U.K.: 5G-Enabled Industrial IoT Networks
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