The Evolution of 5G Communications within the Scope of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is a consequence of the latest digital transformation and consists of the replacement of humans by robots. It is associated to the massive use of robots, artificial intelligence, big data, Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing or 3D printing. Digital transformation and environmental transformation are widely associated as the former allows a more efficient use of the resources, which tends to reduce the carbon footprint, and allows the generation of renewable energies. The Fifth Generation of Cellular Communications (5G) is disruptive, as it consists of a change of paradigm relating to the previous generations. 5G Communications give a strong contribution to the implementation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in a wide range of areas, such as in autonomous vehicles, smart cities, smart industries and agriculture, remote surgeries, etc. While 5G communications aim to implement some of the requirements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Sixth Generation of Cellular Communications (6G), expected by 2030, aims to complement such implementation in a deeper manner.