4G, LTE, and 5G Industrial Embedded Computers
Industrial computers are often deployed in distant environments where wired and wireless LAN connectivity is not available. The only connectivity that exists is 4G, LTE, or 5G cellular connectivity, and so you might be searching for an industrial PC that supports cellular connectivity. Premio offers a wide variety of 4G, LTE, and 5G industrial PCs that come equipped with Dual SIM sockets for redundant cellular connectivity.
What Are 4G, LTE, and 5G Industrial PCs?
4G, LTE, and 5G industrial PCs are industrial-grade computers that are equipped with onboard SIM sockets that are routed electronically to a Mini PCIe module, offering 4G, LTE, and 5G connectivity. These systems are a great option for remote deployments where reliable wired and Wi-Fi internet connectivity is not available. The carriers currently supported are AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and many more. Cellular PC systems are great for edge computing and IIoT (industrial internet of things) applications because they can connect your industrial computer to cellular networks to offload mission-critical for remote monitoring and control.
Moreover, having cellular connectivity is excellent because it offers failover protection if wired connectivity and Wi-Fi connectivity are not available or stop working. In the event that wired and Wi-Fi connectivity are not available your PC can still connect to the internet via 4G, LTE, or 5G to offload critical information. Also, for remote deployments where wired and wireless LAN connectivity are not available, cellular connectivity can be used as the primary option for connecting your PC to the internet.
Furthermore, having cellular connectivity is great because it allows engineers to troubleshoot and update devices more easily, especially in situations where Wi-Fi and wired connectivity are not available. This is especially important for devices that are remotely deployed in environments that are difficult to access.
What is 4G LTE Connectivity?
4G LTE was the latest cellular standard before the introduction of 5G. 4G is the fourth generation of cellular connectivity, with LTE standing for Long Term Evolution. LTE is the protocol that delivers the fastest cellular connectivity. 4G LTE is very fast, capable of data transfer speeds of up to 2,000 Megabits per second, which is faster than most home internet connections.
Many organizations demand that the industrial computing solution they deploy be equipped with cellular connectivity abilities. 4G LTE connectivity is available on in-vehicle computers, IoT gateways, and other devices that require an internet connection to offload mission-critical information to the cloud for remote monitoring and control.
What is 5G Connectivity?
5G is the latest cellular standard and came after 4G LTE. 5G is designed to provide connected machines, objects, and industrial PCs with multi-Gigabit data transfer speeds, ultra-low latency, and reliability. 4G LTE is capable of theoretical data transfer speeds of up to 2000Mb/s, whereas 5G is capable of data transfer speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps (10Gbps).
The second advantage of 5G connectivity is the reduced latency that it brings to the table. Reducing latency is important for applications that require real-time data analysis and decision making, where every millisecond counts.
Which Carriers Are Supported By 4G LTE Industrial Computers?
When selecting an industrial computing solution with 4G LTE capabilities, the first question that you should ask is whether the device supports the carrier you want to use. Currently, Premio’s industrial embedded computing solutions support AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
The second question you should ask yourself is whether the carrier has connectivity in the location where you want to deploy your industrial PC, especially if you have an in-vehicle application where the vehicle will be moving.
Furthermore, Premio’s embedded computing solutions are equipped with dual SIM sockets, offering organizations the ability to install more than one cellular carrier. So, suppose one of the carriers does not offer coverage in a certain area. In that case, your device can be programmed to connect to a secondary carrier, so that it does not experience an interruption in internet connectivity.
How Do Mini Industrial PCs provide 4G, LTE, and 5G Connectivity?
Mini industrial PCs provide 4G, LTE, and 5G connectivity via mini PCIe modules that come equipped with an integrated SIM card slot. For example, for 4G LTE connectivity, Premio uses the Mini PCIe modules that are specifically optimized for M2M and IoT applications, offering 150 Mbps downlink and 50Mbps uplink.
The Mini PCIe cellular connectivity module easily integrates with any Premio system that has a PCIe slot. The module itself is certified, allowing organizations to easily connect their devices to cellular networks without the need for system-level certification through cellular carriers. Premio utilizes industry-leading cellular connectivity modules that fit inside even the smallest industrial PCs that Premio offers.
If you need assistance choosing a 4G industrial computer, please contact us and one of our cellular embedded computing specialists will be more than happy to assist you with choosing a solution that is equipped with cellular connectivity.
How Does a Cellular Industrial PC Work?
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Select a Solution - The first step is to select an industrial computing solution that supports cellular connectivity. All of Premio’s industrial PCs offer cellular connectivity.
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Activate SIM Card - After you’ve selected a cellular-enabled computing solution, you should contact the carrier you want to partner with. After contacting the carrier, you should request a SIM card for the device. Insert the SIM into the SIM socket on your device and contact your carrier to activate your SIM cards.
- Connect your device - After your SIM is activated, you should set up your device and connect it to the internet.
What Other Connectivity Options Do Industrial Computers Have?
5G and 4G LTE industrial PCs come configured with a variety of connectivity options in addition to cellular connectivity. For example, all industrial computers can be configured with Dual RJ45 or M12 Gigabit Ethernet ports, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity options.
Gigabit Ethernet ports provide blazing-fast wired LAN connectivity. Wi-Fi delivers low latency, high-speed connectivity while also offering great range, rich features, and deployment controls that allow you to configure the settings according to your specific requirements. Furthermore, Bluetooth can be added to industrial PCs, providing reliable one-to-one connectivity even though it does not provide the range and data transfer speeds offered by Wi-Fi and GigE LAN.
Where Can You Buy 4G, LTE, and 5G Industrial Mini Computers?
Premio has been designing and building premium industrial computers for over 30 years in the United States. So, if you’re looking to buy a 4G LTE or 5G mini industrial PC, take a look at the wide variety of options offered by Premio. If you need assistance choosing a solution, contact one of our professional cellular industrial PC professionals, and they will assist you with selecting a solution that meets your specific requirements. 4G LTE embedded computing solutions are great for edge applications that need fast and consistent connectivity to the internet to offload mission-critical information to the cloud.
