Connectivity is the backbone of intelligent systems—and EBV Elektronik is at the forefront of enabling it.
Connectivity technologies seamlessly link machines, sensors and systems, enabling real-time data exchange. Whether via 5G, Wi-Fi, LPWAN or industrial Ethernet infrastructures, stable and secure connections are essential for automated processes, data-driven decision-making and new digital business models. Only reliable communication between devices and platforms makes it possible to unlock efficiency potential, optimise energy consumption and realise innovative services such as predictive maintenance or digital twins.
Next-generation communication standards
Automated vehicles, smart city infrastructures and Industry 4.0 applications such as predictive maintenance, real-time machine monitoring and autonomous robots require extremely low latency and high bandwidth. Wi-Fi 7 and future 6G networks are designed to move performance in this direction. Wi-Fi 7 supports very high theoretical peak data rates (up to around 46 Gbit/s under ideal conditions), while 6G research targets major increases in throughput, combined with ultra-low latency and increased network capacity. Wi-Fi 7 uses multi-link operation (MLO) and wide channels – up to 320 MHz – to minimize interference and enable real-time applications such as AR/VR and industrial automation. In addition, both roadmaps promote energy-efficient transmission and AI integration for resilient and scalable networks.
Top trends in Wi-Fi 7 and 6G
The integration of 6G and Wi-Fi 7 places complex demands on high-frequency circuit design. Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) uses 320 MHz channels in the 6 GHz band with 4096-QAM modulation to achieve throughput above 40 Gbit/s, while 6G research explores higher frequency bands and new antenna concepts to reduce latency and increase capacity. Critical aspects include precise impedance control, thermally optimised system-in-package modules and robust multi-band implementations, complemented by advanced RF shielding against interference. Backward compatibility with Wi-Fi 6E reduces legacy risks but requires enhanced embedded firmware and testing effort, for example in industrial real-time applications.
“5G is not just another cellular technology. 5G covers different kind of applications and has different operating modes like eMBB for ultra high-speed transmission or mMTC for efficient low speed IoT applications.”
- Christian Krieber, Director Connectivity and Peripherals Technology
AI moves into the device
Europe is currently in the middle of the 5G technology cycle. According to the European Commission, 94.3 percent of households across Europe had access to 5G (end of 2024). This provides the foundation for a wide range of capabilities that go far beyond pure data transmission. 5G is a bundle of technologies that enable new and exciting applications. The standard defines several requirement profiles:
Application profiles in the 5G standard
Current trends in 5G technology open up new opportunities for connected device design. RedCap enables cost-efficient, energy-saving modules for IoT and industrial applications, supporting lower complexity and extended battery life in many use cases. Network slicing provides dedicated latency and bandwidth profiles for edge AI and uRLLC applications in Industry 4.0. More integrated RF architectures with integrated power amplifiers and multi-band support for massive MIMO reduce power consumption and complexity in embedded designs.
5G Advanced, the technical evolution of 5G, transforms the network into a more intelligent, adaptive and energy-efficient system. The key to this transformation is the deep integration of AI and machine learning. The standard also delivers significant performance improvements for XR applications, high-precision positioning and massive MIMO, enabling improved uplink data rates and broader coverage.
5G Advanced significantly enhances the mobile broadband experience. (Source: Qualcomm)
Non-terrestrial networks take connectivity to the next level
By integrating satellites and high-altitude platform systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles or balloon-based platforms, terrestrial mobile networks are extended by a critical component. Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) enable global coverage extension, provide redundancy in case of failures and serve remote regions, ships and aircraft where ground-based infrastructure is unavailable or impractical. In the context of digitalization, NTN extend 5G architectures by integrating satellite connectivity, for example for IoT, machine-to-machine communication and smart buildings. This enables ubiquitous data transmission, increases resilience and drives innovation in energy and sensor networks.
Current trends in non-terrestrial networks
NTN enable hybrid architectures through 3GPP Releases 17 and 18, seamlessly integrating satellites into 5G and future 6G networks and enabling global IoT and direct-to-device connectivity.
Operators combine multiple satellite orbits to optimise services, while orbital AI edge computing reduces latency and enables real-time data analysis in space.
The market is expanding with a focus on L, Ku and Ka bands for M2M applications in remote regions, driven by mega-constellations and demand in maritime and disaster management sectors.
Overview non-terrestrial networks (Source: Rohde & Schwarz)
Hybrid modules combining terrestrial 5G with satellite connectivity support both NB-IoT NTN and LTE-M, enabling coverage extension in remote areas while reducing hardware complexity and power consumption. Multi-orbit strategies and edge computing require robust onboard processors with AI accelerators to minimize latency and enable real-time analysis in space, for example for maritime IoT or smart grids. NR-NTN standards and inter-satellite links influence antenna design, requiring support for Ka and Ku bands, and a focus on sustainability, such as energy-efficient phased arrays.
Time-critical networks for industrial automation
Industrial automation increasingly relies on reliable communication technologies that ensure data arrives at exactly the right place at exactly the right time. Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) enables deterministic Ethernet communication with low latency, minimised jitter and reliable real-time data exchange between sensors, actuators and controllers. This is essential for IIoT, Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing. TSN enables the convergence of data-intensive IT applications with time-critical operational technology, a key step towards IT/OT convergence in industrial automation.
Current trends in Time-Sensitive Networking:
For electronics design, TSN means that deterministic Ethernet capabilities can be integrated directly into chips and system-on-chips. Hardware is equipped with Precision Time Protocol support according to IEEE 1588, time-aware traffic shapers and prioritised queues to ensure microsecond-level synchronisation, which is essential for IIoT devices in automation. This reduces the need for separate OT protocols and lowers complexity and costs. However, specialised PHYs, ASICs and FPGAs with TSN-capable MAC layers are required. Overall, TSN promotes converged IT/OT architectures, advances edge integration and enables more flexible, low-maintenance embedded systems.
