Monitoring Private 5G Systems with the Asset Administration Shell: A Case Study

Mobile communication technologies are considered fundamental to the implementation of Industry 4.0, leading to a growing deployment of non-public networks. To effectively manage and monitor these networks, digital twins (DTs) have emerged as a promising solution. The Asset Administration Shell (AAS), as a standardized framework for DTs, offers a structured approach to network monitoring and management. While previous research has demonstrated the feasibility of using AAS in simulated environments, real-world validation remains limited. In this work, we present a technical case study that implements a testbed combining a 5G system with the AAS to monitor license requirements in a non-public network. We evaluate the system’s performance by analyzing responsiveness and demonstrate that the AAS can effectively support real-time monitoring tasks. This study bridges the gap between simulation and practical deployment, highlighting the potential of the AAS for managing 5G network assets in Industry 4.0 contexts.