Cloud computing is showing its limits in processing large amounts of data concentrated in data centers. Edge computing, which is presented as an alternative, is a distributed cloud technology that provides customized consumer services in locations physically close to wireless base stations.


With the commercialization of 5G network services, ICT convergence is occurring in various industrial fields. In fields such as smart cities, smart factories, self-driving cars, AI, and VR/AR, many devices are connected to wireless communication networks, producing and consuming large amounts of data. This trend is expected to intensify.

On June 19, our government announced the Manufacturing Renaissance Vision and Strategy to become one of the world's top four manufacturing powerhouses and stated that it would further accelerate the trend of industry and ICT convergence.

Although rapid processing of large amounts of data is becoming increasingly important, cloud computing alone has limitations in processing large amounts of data concentrated in data centers. Thus began a movement to process data where it was created.

MEC technology is a distributed cloud technology that provides consumer-tailored services based on a fast and stable communication environment in a location physically close to a wireless base station.

MEC, which reduces network expansion costs by minimizing congestion in the mobile core network of telecommunications operators, can improve service quality. It also provides service providers with an opportunity to expand their business areas by creating new local services.

Unlike cloud computing, edge computing performs computing close to the user's terminal (edge). It does not require a large-capacity line to connect to the cloud, and has the advantage of a fast response speed because data is processed immediately. There is a downside to this, however, that computing performance is limited due to size limitations.


5G, MEC, and Smart Factory
MEC, the standardization work of which is being led by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), was initially written as an abbreviation for 'Mobile Edge Computing', but recently, with the addition of the concept of integrating various wired and wireless networks, it is written as an abbreviation for 'Multi-access Edge Computing'.

MEC is one of the key items of 5G.

5G must build a service environment for Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) and Ultra Reliable & Low Latency Communication (URLLC) to accommodate IoT as well as mobile broadband services. These three service environments are heterogeneous yet complementary.

MEC is attracting attention as a key structural technology that will realize the ultra-low latency required for 5G. At the same time, it is expected to play a complementary role with Network Function Virtualization (NFV), a core technology for network software, which is a key characteristic of 5G.

Smart factories pursue efficient operation by combining cloud and edge computing by separating data that requires speed from data that requires high-precision analysis. Factory equipment control and temperature and humidity control that require speed are processed at the edge, while accident risk prediction and device life management that require high-precision analysis are handled by the central data center.

The advancement of industrial platforms such as GE’s Predix Platform, Siemens’ Mindsphere, and Microsoft’s Azure IoT Edge is supporting this.


MEC, creating new business areas
MEC-based smart factories are different from factories based on existing wired systems.

Previously, there were restrictions on the space to install robots and the space for the installed robots to move. Since each facility required a dedicated PC, low-latency, high-reliability service processing was impossible.

However, MEC-based smart factories overcome the above shortcomings. They reduce network delay time, increase application processing speed, and reduce data load. Monitoring and management convenience and security are improved, and construction costs are reduced.

Currently, numerous telecommunications companies and IT companies are trying to take the lead in MEC technology. Telecommunication companies are trying to expand their 5G business, and IT companies are trying to pioneer new business models to replace existing cloud services that have reached saturation.

Dr. Jeon In-geol of ETRI, who gave a seminar on the topic of MEC-based smart factories at KRnet 2019 on June 25, said, "MEC is a core 5G technology that is currently undergoing technology standardization through ESTI," and, "Additional research and development and verification are necessary to practically apply MEC to industrial sites."

In addition, Dr. Jeon said that MEC has great potential to be utilized in a wide range of fields beyond smart factories, smart cities, self-driving cars, AI, and VR/AR, and urged domestic researchers to demonstrate a challenging spirit to create new business models.