Officially known as DECT-2020 NR, this protocol brings 5G to smart devices over non-cellular networks. Learn more from our video interview with Wirepas’ Jussi Numminen and his Vice-Chairman of the ETSI DECT Technical Committee.
Over the past few years, we’ve heard about three key points for 5G: Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC), and Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC). These pillars are related to cellular communications. Standards are now being established for non-cellular 5G mesh networks.
Developed by ETSI, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) NR+ uses the 1.9 GHz band to create a self-healing, distributed, and reconfigurable mesh network that is wireless carrier independent. Initial products can reach data rates of 3.4 Mb/s, but the standard will enable even higher data rates in future designs.
Figure 1. A DECT NR+ network consists of sink nodes that connect the wireless mesh to the outside world. Router nodes act as parents for leaf nodes. Image: Nordic Semiconductor.
The DECT NR+ standard defines three node protocols: sink, router/relay/parent, and leaf (Figure 1). A sink node acts as a gateway to an external backend network through a wireless or wired (including cellular) physical layer. On the DECT NR+ network side of the sink node, the node connects to a wireless network consisting of routers and leaves and can operate in a star or tree mesh configuration. Think of your mesh configuration as the trunk of a biological tree. Routers configure branches. A leaf exists at the end of a branch. Routers can connect to other routers within the same sink node, and each router communicates with its own local network of leaves. The flexibility built into the protocol allows any leaf to become a router if a new topology is required for the mesh network. Mesh networks can contain multiple sinks, and routers and leaf nodes autonomously (re)associate in response to network changes and mobility. Figure 2 shows how the convergence layer acts as a conduit between the upper application layer and the node’s radio.
Figure 2. The convergence layer adds functionality between the application and the DECT NR+ radio. Image: Nordic Semiconductor.
In the video, Numminen explains the DECT NR+ network configuration and protocol. He also discusses use cases such as his mmTC communication, where smart he IoT devices such as meters can communicate with each other via a mesh network. Other applications include smart meters, various industrial and city-wide applications such as the use of street lighting and smart buildings, which Numminen details.
What is the difference between DECT NR+ and 5G private networks?
Although 5G private networks rely on mobile network operators to provide network connectivity, some private 5G networks can run independently from carrier networks. The DECT NR+ network is a completely standalone network that is not connected to or dependent on any carrier network. DECT NR+ networks are self-healing and can automatically reconfigure in the event of a failure. DECT NR+ networks use cycle prefix ODFM as the physical layer (similar to 5G and Wi-Fi 6), but Wi-Fi networks can operate as a mesh but use a different set of protocols, so Wi-Fi networks there is no. Communication network.
For more information
In addition to our conversation with Numminen, you can learn more through a tutorial video from Nordic Semiconductor, which offers the DECT NR+ modem. See DECT NR+ Overview and About DECT NR+. The DECT Forum also has an ongoing webcasting series on DECT NR+ that you can follow here.
