Reduced Capabilities (RedCap) — A New Class Of 5G Devices

With the introduction of 5G, 3GPP strives the proliferation of use cases of wireless communications. To meet the requirements of IoT devices that need smaller, less complex, lower-cost RF solutions with better battery life than existing 5G offerings, 5G Release 17 introduced a feature that makes this possible: Reduced Capability (RedCap).

RedCap targets at IoT services requiring higher data rate as mMTC services but less data rates as 5G eMBB with the simultaneous reduction of UE complexity and leveraging power saving aspects. This allows at the same time for smaller form factors of the IoT device which is highly desirable for many use cases.

Our objective of this white paper is to present the major technology aspects of the RedCap technology extension of the 5G system on both sides, user equipment and network, as well as presenting power saving and coverage extension of 5G reduced capability. We will provide you with a concise overview of RedCap, describe the impact of RedCap on the UE design and the operation within a 5G network.