Leveraging Cellular Network-Based IIoT for Time-Critical Control in Smart Buildings: An exploration on 4G and 5G Networks

The use of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technology in building automation is picking up speed as people look for smarter and greener ways to manage building systems. IIoT is a specialized area within the broader Internet of Things (IoT) field, designed to make machines, sensors, and devices communicate with each other to work on their own. While IIoT has made a big splash in industries like manufacturing and logistics, using it for building automation—especially for tasks that need split-second responses—hasn’t been explored much yet. Typically, building automation systems control things like HVAC, lighting, and security, and they’re usually set up using networked digital controllers. In these systems, sensors collect data and send it to a central controller that then tells devices what to do. This setup works for many functions, but when it comes to tasks needing quick reactions—like adjusting temperatures based on how many people are in a room—any delay and signal losses can be a problem. Small delays or signal losses may lead to control failure, causing wasted energy, uncomfortable environments, or even technical issues with the systems. A big challenge in bringing IIoT to building automation is that networks can slow things down with uncertainty. Conventional IIoT setups in buildings tend to focus on tasks that aren’t so urgent, like monitoring systems where a few seconds or minutes of delay doesn’t really matter. But with tasks like real-time temperature control, even a brief lag or short-period of signal losses can mess with performance. This is where recent research led by Dr. Xinyue Li, Professor Shengwei Wang, and Professor Jiannong Cao at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University comes into play. Published in the Automation in Construction Journal, their study looked into whether cellular networks—like advanced 4G LTE and 5G—could be the key to making IIoT work for real-time building tasks. These networks are known for being fast and having low latency, but their actual potential for building control tasks hadn’t been tested until now. The researchers wanted to see if these networks could handle time-sensitive and high-reliability operations, such as adjusting HVAC systems, which would mean that IIoT could be directly adopted in building automation system or more seamlessly integrated into building automation. To find out, the team designed a series of experiments that put 4G LTE and 5G networks to the test. They connected new developed smart sensors and actuators within an HVAC system to these networks, to check if they could handle the whole processes in real-time control. If these networks proved effective, it would open up new possibilities for more efficient and responsive buildings, moving us closer to fully autonomous building automation systems that can adapt instantly to changing conditions.

To simulate real-world conditions, the authors set up a small HVAC system with all the essential parts you’d find in a regular building: a water tank, pump, modulating valve, and an air-handling unit. By connecting these to smart IoT controllers, they made it possible for the devices to talk to each other over the cellular network, bypassing the centralized control setup using extensive cable or control in the cloud that usually introduces delays and data losses. They wanted to know if this distributed approach could make building systems more responsive, especially during those moments when a few extra seconds could make a big difference. They ran the tests on both 4G LTE and 5G networks and tried out different network conditions. For example, they looked at how well each network worked when fewer devices were connected versus when the network was more crowded. They adjusted the HVAC setpoints to see how quickly and accurately the system could hit those targets and how the network’s speed and reliability affected overall performance. The results showed that 5G networks were particularly impressive. Even under heavy load, 5G maintained stable and fast responses, with very minimal fluctuations. This meant that the HVAC system could quickly adapt to changes, making real-time control possible without the usual delays. The 4G network also performed fairly well, but it had some delays and occasional data loss when there was a lot of network traffic. This caused minor issues in control precision, especially when the system needed to be really responsive at lower temperatures. Interestingly, the researchers found that both 4G and 5G could match up pretty well with conventional wired systems, suggesting that cellular networks could actually be a solid alternative for building automation. While 4G struggled a little bit under heavy use, it still did a decent job in simpler setups where not as many devices were connected at once.

Another key takeaway was how the smart devices managed to make quick, local adjustments on their own. This distributed approach reduced the system’s reliance on a central controller, allowing each device to make decisions and respond directly over the network. Even if the network had slight variations in speed, the smart devices kept things running smoothly by communicating with each other, which kept everything on track. The researchers also pointed out that 5G’s ability to support a huge number of devices with low latency makes it a game-changer for future building systems. As buildings become more connected, with everything from lights to security systems interacting in real-time, 5G could provide the backbone for these smarter, more dynamic setups. It shows potential for large-scale systems where tons of devices need to interact instantly. In the end, they concluded that while both 4G and 5G are capable of supporting time-sensitive building tasks, 5G holds a clear edge in terms of speed and reliability. As 5G becomes more common, it could pave the way for buildings that are almost fully automated, with minimal human input needed. For now, 4G is still a good option for less demanding setups, but 5G hints at a future where building systems are smarter and more self-sufficient, driven by IIoT technologies that can keep up with the pace of modern life.

This study is really eye-opening because it looks at how cellular networks like 4G LTE and 5G could change the way we manage buildings. With buildings getting smarter and more interconnected, there’s a growing need for fast, reliable networks that can handle quick, real-time adjustments. This research highlights how cellular networks could be a game-changer, especially for building automation tasks that require instant responses and high reliability communication, like controlling HVAC systems. It suggests that we might soon be able to move away from wired systems and embrace more flexible, wireless options. What’s particularly interesting is how 5G could reshape building management altogether. With its ability to handle huge numbers of devices and deliver ultra-low latency, 5G could make building systems much more independent and adaptable. Imagine a building that doesn’t rely on a central control system that might lag or get overwhelmed or need complicated configuration. Instead, every smart device, like sensors or thermostats, could make decisions locally and adjust in real-time to changes in temperature, occupancy, or lighting. This kind of responsiveness could lead to big energy savings, improve comfort for everyone inside, and cut down on operating costs. The study also highlights the importance of 5G as it rolls out. With its fast speeds and capacity to connect lots of devices simultaneously, 5G could enable building automation on a whole new level. And it’s not just about HVAC; this could extend to lighting, security, and even entire energy management systems. Essentially, any part of a building that needs quick communication between devices could benefit. This makes 5G a critical piece of the puzzle as smart buildings become more complex and demanding.

Another big takeaway we believe is that cellular networks could reduce the need for complex wiring. Conventional building automation often requires extensive electrical cables and hardware, which can be expensive and complicated to maintain. But with a cellular-based system, you wouldn’t need all that infrastructure. The high-performance cellular networks, such as 5G, can be directly adopted from telecom carriers in a “network-as-a-service” way. This means that the building constructors do not need to worry about deploying a high-performance network themselves. This could make installations cheaper and faster, and it would also be easier to upgrade older buildings. You’d have more flexibility to add new tech without tearing apart walls to run wires. In the bigger picture, this research suggests that we’re moving toward a future where cellular networks are at the core of building automation. These networks could bring a level of efficiency, scalability, and adaptability that we haven’t seen before. Wireless IIoT systems could allow buildings to react instantly to changing conditions with minimal human input. This points to a new era in smart building design, where wireless technology isn’t just an option—it’s the backbone that makes everything possible.