Section: 6.28.1 Description
Content: The 5G system is expected to meet the service requirements for cyber-physical control applications in vertical domains. A vertical domain is a particular industry or group of enterprises in which similar products or services are developed, produced, and provided. Automation refers to the control of processes, devices, or systems in vertical domains by automatic means. The main control functions of automated control systems include taking measurements, comparing results, computing any detected or anticipated errors, and correcting the process to avoid future errors. These functions are performed by sensors, transmitters, controllers, and actuators. Cyber-physical systems are to be understood as systems that include engineered, interacting networks of physical and computational components. Cyber-physical control applications are to be understood as applications that control physical processes. Cyber-physical control applications in automation follow certain activity patterns, which are open-loop control, closed-loop control, sequence control, and batch control. Communication services supporting cyber-physical control applications need to be ultra-reliable, dependable with a high communication service availability, and often require low or (in some cases) very low end-to-end latency. Communication in automation in vertical domains follows certain communication patterns. The most well-known is periodic deterministic communication, others are a-periodic deterministic communication and Smart Grid. Smart Grid is a term that refers to enhanced cyber-physical control of electrical grids and to related application. Smart Grid operation can cover power generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption, which can require high communication service availability and communication service reliability, and in some cases a low end-to-end latency with more accurate clock synchronization. 5G system functionalities can be used for Smart Grid control, monitoring, availability assurance, service security, isolation and etc.Communication for cyber-physical control applications supports operation in various vertical domains, for instance industrial automation and energy automation. For more information about cyber-physical control applications in specific vertical domains, see clauses D.1 to D.4.