5G and IoT: Towards a new era of communications and measurements

The tremendous increase in the demand for data rates due to bandwidth-hungry applications, the explosive growth in the number of devices and the advent of new services have led to intensive efforts of researchers to develop 5G wireless networks and beyond. The quality of its service is very important, and measurements have already started to be performed around the world for different 5G associated frequency bands using new methods of instrumentation and measurement. 5G networks have a large coverage, presenting a perfect match for supporting IoT communications that will revolutionize the way of many everyday life activities. Application examples are in fields of transportation, manufacturing, and healthcare. In these applications, the characterization of IoT components including quality of RF signals or coverage is carried out using virtual and traditional instrumentation. Additionally, energy efficiency measurements are needed for 5G and IoT implementation and originate the development of specific automatic power measurement systems. 5G and IoT will improve the service quality and experience of users in various industries, with fundamental impact on people's lives. An overview of the upcoming 5G wireless systems is described, including a glimpse into the timeline, technical requirements, and enabling technologies. Other IoT solutions are presented, with a focus on applications to industrial settings, smart ports, and healthcare. Specific instrumentation setup and measurement methods associated with 5G and IoT implementations are discussed.