Cal Poly 5G Innovation Lab
“5G is a brand new opportunity for us to really look at different ways to deliver data across campus. Wi-Fi just doesn’t go far enough”. – Bill Briton CIO
About
The Cal Poly Digital Transformation Hub (DxHub) is expanding its innovation capabilities with the Cal Poly 5G Innovation Lab powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Federated Wireless and T-Mobile. Cal Poly’s private wireless network, which runs on AWS, combined with T-Mobile service enhances connectivity on campus and provides a leading-edge platform for innovation.
Initiatives
Utilizing the success of the DxHub innovation methodology, the Cal Poly 5G Innovation Lab will use 4G-LTE/5G technologies to solve challenging problems in ways not contemplated before.
Impact on Learn by Doing and Beyond
Introducing private wireless technology at Cal Poly will not only improve university connectivity and operations but will unlock new opportunities for global impact in critical industries while teaching students 5G and private cellular technology.
Higher Education
Cal Poly students consume 20 times more data today than when the Cal Poly Wi-Fi network was originally built. The Cal Poly private 5G network will deliver seamless connectivity and streamlined operations throughout campus, inside and out, that meets the demands of a growing campus community.
Construction
Enhanced wireless connectivity allows for machine-to-machine communication for operational efficiency and maintenance prediction in construction equipment and building systems, like HVAC, lighting, and utilities. It also transforms traditional blueprint design into a three-dimensional process.
Agriculture
5G provides the connectivity needed to make smart farming a reality, previously impossible in rural areas. It opens the door to autonomous guided, smart soil management systems, crop health monitoring, and seasonal analytics.
Energy
Along with improved remote monitoring and analytics of wind turbines and natural gas pipelines, private wireless connectivity enables enhanced worker safety with live-streaming through body-worn cameras, man-down alarms, and push-to-talk technology.
Why 5G?
- Connectivity
- 100x faster download speeds
- 10x decrease in latency
- Security
- Standardized systems with authentication and encryption
- Sensitive data stays within private security perimeter
- Independence
- Flexible network operations
- Does not rely solely on commercial carrier networks
- Capacity
- 100x system capacity
- Sustainability
- Reduces carbon footprint
- 5G projected to make a 20% contribution to U.S. climate change goals
- Inclusivity
- Makes the latest technology accessible to users who otherwise would not have access
- Efficiency
- Reduces cost
- Streamlines operations
Partnership
This work is only made possible because of the support of our generous partners and friends. To learn more about on how you and/or your company can support and partner with the Cal Poly 5G Innovation Lab, email Sajaa Altaleb at saltaleb@calpoly.edu.