{"id":24920,"date":"2025-04-11T16:48:03","date_gmt":"2025-04-11T08:48:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.robustel.com\/?p=24920"},"modified":"2025-04-11T16:48:05","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T08:48:05","slug":"what-is-5g-redcap-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.robustel.com\/es\/iot-technology-solutions-blog\/what-is-5g-redcap-network\/","title":{"rendered":"What is 5G RedCap Network?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t

RedCap (Reduced Capability)<\/strong> is a specialized 5G network mode defined by the 3GPP standardization organization, also known as lightweight 5G.<\/p>\n

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By reducing terminal bandwidth, transceiver antenna count, and modulation order, RedCap lowers terminal costs, size, and power consumption, making it more suitable for large-scale commercial 5G network applications.<\/p>\n

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How RedCap Reduces Manufacturing Costs<\/h2>\n

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To reduce manufacturing costs, RedCap terminals primarily utilize the following technologies:<\/p>\n

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Bandwidth Reduction<\/h3>\n

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RedCap terminals support reduced bandwidth capabilities in FR1 and FR2, specifically decreasing from 100MHz and 200MHz to 20MHz and 100MHz, respectively.<\/p>\n

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This simplification reduces the complexity of baseband components, including analog-to-digital\/digital-to-analog converters, FFT\/IFFT modules, and data buffers.<\/p>\n

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Critically, this is achieved while maintaining the 5G R16 access process, thereby preventing market fragmentation.<\/p>\n

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Antenna Count Reduction<\/h3>\n

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While traditional 5G R16 terminals employ 2T4R antennas, RedCap reduces this configuration to 1T1R or 1T2R.<\/p>\n

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This reduction minimizes the need for RF filters and transceiver modules, resulting in lower terminal costs while preserving essential transmission power and sensitivity.<\/p>\n

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Modulation Order Limitation<\/h3>\n

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In contrast to standard NR terminals that support 256QAM, RedCap adjusts modulation requirements to a maximum of 64QAM for both uplink and downlink.<\/p>\n

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This adjustment lowers the costs associated with RF transceivers and high-speed analog-to-digital\/digital-to-analog (AD\/DA) converters.<\/p>\n

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Duplex Mode Optimization<\/h3>\n

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RedCap supports both FD-FDD and TDD duplex modes.<\/p>\n

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Furthermore, it introduces a half-duplex mode, replacing duplexers with switches and filters.<\/p>\n

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This facilitates half-duplex operation across various FDD transmit\/receive bands, effectively reducing RF hardware costs while fulfilling data transmission requirements.<\/p>\n

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Data Radio Bearer (DRB) Count Reduction:<\/h3>\n

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The maximum number of Data Radio Bearers (DRBs) supported by RedCap terminals is reduced from 16 to 8.<\/p>\n

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This reduction lowers memory and chip buffer costs, aligning with the requirements of specific applications.<\/p>\n

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Comparison Between RedCap and Standard 5G<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Feature<\/strong><\/td>\nStandard 5G<\/strong><\/td>\nRedCap 5G<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Network Capability<\/td>\nHigher data rates, lower latency<\/td>\nReduced network capability, lower data rates, and potentially higher latency<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost & Resource Demand<\/td>\nRequires greater resources, resulting in higher costs<\/td>\nLower resource demand, offering cost-effectiveness<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flexibility<\/td>\nGeneral-purpose, suitable for a wide range of applications<\/td>\nOptimized for specific scenarios, providing customized solutions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Application Scenarios<\/td>\nMobile communication, IoT, edge computing<\/td>\nIoT deployments, industrial applications, private networks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Performance<\/td>\nHigh performance, ideal for speed and latency-sensitive applications<\/td>\nCost-effective, with potential trade-offs in performance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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RedCap Applications<\/h2>\n

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RedCap’s ability to provide efficient and cost-effective connectivity makes it ideal for a variety of specialized applications. This includes industrial automation, advanced surveillance systems, wearable devices, energy sector solutions<\/a>, connected vehicles, and the foundational technologies of smart cities<\/a> and manufacturing.<\/p>\n