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I found the fact that they're using modified 4G over unlicensed spectrum to control the robots pretty interesting. Latency, scalability and consistency seem to

by davb 8y ago

I found the fact that they're using modified 4G over unlicensed spectrum to control the robots pretty interesting. Latency, scalability and consistency seem to be the key drivers. There's more on that at: https://www.mobileeurope.co.uk/press-wire/ocado-uses-unlicensed-lte-to-enable-the-march-of-the-warehouse-robots https://www.mobileeurope.co.uk/press-wire/ocado-uses-unlicen... https://www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/media/uploads/files/UK5G_-_The_death_of_IP_Fraser_Edwards_-_Why_LTE_didnt_cut_it_for_Ocado.pdf https://www.cambridgewireless.co.uk/media/uploads/files/UK5G... https://www.silicon.co.uk/networks/voip/ocado-4g-network-unlicensed-sprectrum-185777?inf_by=5c5cec74671db8e90d8b499b https://www.silicon.co.uk/networks/voip/ocado-4g-network-unl...

sterlind 8y ago
Any clue what radio IC they used? I didn't see the hardware mentioned in those links. Can you tune a vanilla LTE baseboard to unlicensed bands? Or did they use a software-defined transmitter with a custom LTE stack?
- abainbridge 8y ago
  I believe most LTE chipsets can be tuned into any band you like, as long as you design your own RF front end (antenna and circuitry to/from the chip) and persuade the chipset manufacturer to give you a firmware update in such a way that they aren't liable for you distributing illegal devices. It's probable quite difficult to find manufacturer who is prepared to work with you if you're only going to buy 50,000 modules. I guess being Cambridge Consultants gives you contacts.
  - proaralyst 8y ago
    Given that Cambridge Consultants spawned Cambridge Silicon Radio you're probably right.
- entity345 8y ago
  From the slides linked above they are not using LTE, but something loosely based on it. So they may be reusing some PHY parts like the OFDM but the rest seems custom.
anonymousDan 8y ago
So basically if this is widely adopted 5ghz WiFi is screwed?

by davb 8y ago

sterlind 8y ago

Any clue what radio IC they used? I didn't see the hardware mentioned in those links. Can you tune a vanilla LTE baseboard to unlicensed bands? Or did they use a software-defined transmitter with a custom LTE stack?

abainbridge 8y ago
I believe most LTE chipsets can be tuned into any band you like, as long as you design your own RF front end (antenna and circuitry to/from the chip) and persuade the chipset manufacturer to give you a firmware update in such a way that they aren't liable for you distributing illegal devices. It's probable quite difficult to find manufacturer who is prepared to work with you if you're only going to buy 50,000 modules. I guess being Cambridge Consultants gives you contacts.
- proaralyst 8y ago
  Given that Cambridge Consultants spawned Cambridge Silicon Radio you're probably right.
entity345 8y ago
From the slides linked above they are not using LTE, but something loosely based on it. So they may be reusing some PHY parts like the OFDM but the rest seems custom.

anonymousDan 8y ago

So basically if this is widely adopted 5ghz WiFi is screwed?