In today's interconnected world, reliable, real-time communication is the backbone of Industry 4.0.
DECT NR+ (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications - New Radio), also known as DECT-2020, is a state-of-the-art, non-cellular radio standard developed as part of 5G technologies.
Unlike conventional mobile communications standards, DECT NR+ enables the establishment of private, licence-free and independent networks.
This means no dependence on external network operators and full control over data and infrastructure.
The emergence of a new standard: ETSI and Industry 4.0
The DECT standard is well known in the world of cordless telephones. However, DECT NR+ is a completely new development launched by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) to meet the growing demands of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
Existing radio technologies often reached their limits here, whether due to high costs, susceptibility to interference or a lack of flexibility.
The aim was to create a standard that was easy to implement and operate, enabling robust and reliable communication for a large number of devices.
DECT NR+ in industry
The features of DECT NR+ are precisely tailored to the needs of modern industrial companies:
Extremely reliable communication with low latency (URLLC): In automated production processes, every millisecond counts. DECT NR+ enables extremely low latencies and ensures deterministic data transmission in real time. This means that a data packet arrives exactly at the required time, which is essential for highly critical real-time applications such as fast industrial machine control or autonomous robots.
Massive machine-type communication (mMTC): The technology is designed to operate a very large number of end devices, making it ideal for extensive sensor networks and smart factories.
Interference-free frequency band: One key advantage is the ‘airspace’ in which DECT NR+ transmits. WLAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee and even microwaves all crowd into the extremely congested 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band. DECT NR+, on the other hand, uses the protected and licence-free 1.9 GHz band worldwide. This spectrum is subject to strict regulations and there are simply hardly any other radio technologies. This means that where no other devices are transmitting, there are no significant external sources of interference.
Licence-free spectrum: Unlike traditional LTE or 5G, where each device requires a physical SIM card or eSIM to connect to a telecommunications provider's network (such as Telekom, Vodafone, etc.), DECT NR+ is what is known as ‘non-cellular 5G’. This means that anyone can set up and operate their own completely private 5G network without having to rely on a provider.
DECT NR+: Technological depth instead of standard solutions
The introduction of DECT NR+ marks a turning point for industrial wireless communication. As the first unlicensed 5G standard, it offers enormous opportunities – but requires a deep understanding of the underlying protocol architecture. At STRATUM 9, we address this complexity with our own developments at the lowest level.
Optimisation at protocol level
The core of our work lies in the development of the DECT NR+ stack. A decisive factor here is our specialised MAC layer (Media Access Control). While standard implementations often reach their limits, our layer is specifically designed to optimise the following parameters:
Low latency & determinism: For real-time control, low-latency data transmission is crucial to guarantee predictable system behaviour.
Quality of Service (QoS): Important control signals are prioritised over less critical data so that essential information always arrives immediately and as expected, even when the network load is high.
Reliability & robustness: The system must function stably even under extreme industrial conditions.
From concept to series production
Theory is good, validation is better. To accelerate the introduction of this technology, we have developed a DECT NR+ Starter Kit. It serves as a production-oriented evaluation platform on which we can test prototypes together with our customers.
Our range of services follows a holistic engineering approach:
Ready-to-use product: Our DECT NR+ Gateway serves as an interface between the DECT NR+ radio network and Ethernet. It can also be used as a turnkey solution for transferring data directly from gateway to gateway via DECT NR+.
Hardware and firmware design: Customised radio modules and system-on-chips (SoCs).
Back-end integration: Seamless connection of radio nodes to cloud or on-premise systems.
Services & consulting: Support from initial radio field planning and the first prototype to certification.
Ready for the next generation of industrial communication? Trust in our expertise and let us work together to implement your customized DECT NR+ solution.