Introduction: The connectivity GAP in industrial control
Step inside a factory floor, a water treatment plant, or even a logistics hub, and you’ll see a pattern. Machines talking to machines. PLCs firing commands to motors, RTUs sending status reports from remote sites, and SCADA Systems Using the IR2005G dashboards glowing with data streams. It’s the invisible nervous system of industry.
For years, that nervous system ran mostly on wires. Ethernet, fieldbus, serial links—you name it. They worked, but only to a point. Once processes became more distributed and more dynamic, the old wired approach started showing cracks. Laying new cables takes time and money. Adding redundancy means even more wires. And when something fails, downtime is inevitable.
That’s exactly where the Horizon IR2005G comes in. It’s more than a box with antennas. It’s a rugged Indoor Routers LTE/5G gateway built specifically to connect control systems—PLCs, RTUs, and SCADA—to modern networks that can handle their demands.
Why control systems strain networks
Different parts of an industrial control system don’t ask for the same thing:
- PLCs want speed. A few milliseconds of delay can mean a robotic arm stalling or a conveyor misfiring.
- RTUs sit in edge environments. They need to push data back to HQ even if the wiring’s unreliable—or missing entirely.
- SCADA wants the big picture, and it wants it now. The dashboard has to stay live, or operators lose visibility.
The truth is, hard-wired setups just don’t stretch far enough anymore. You can run cables across one factory floor, maybe even across multiple buildings, but at scale, it becomes a burden.
Private LTE and 5G networks offer a different model. They act as a secure wireless backbone. With dedicated spectrum, they bring reliability that Wi-Fi can’t match. And the IR2005G is the device that turns that potential into something real.
What makes the IR2005G different
Routers aren’t all equal. Try putting a home Wi-Fi router next to a stamping press, and it’ll last weeks at best. The IR2005G is built with industry in mind.
- Rugged hardware: Vibration, dust, or wide temperature swings won’t knock it out.
- CBRS Band 48 support: Let’s companies build private LTE/5G networks on their own terms.
- Multiple Ethernet ports: Plug PLCs, RTUs, or SCADA servers directly.
- Dual SIM slots: If one carrier link fails, the second takes over automatically.
So, whether it’s acting as an indoor CPE for factory floor automation or serving as a private LTE industrial router in a warehouse, it brings control systems online without babysitting.
CBRS: The industrial spectrum advantage
Here’s the thing about Wi-Fi: it’s fine until it isn’t. On a factory floor, you’re competing with interference from machines, overlapping SSIDs, and spotty coverage. CBRS spectrum at 3.5 GHz changes that story.
- It offers dedicated, licensed spectrum, so performance doesn’t collapse under interference.
- It provides stronger indoor penetration than many alternatives.
- Enterprises can own and operate their own private networks instead of relying fully on carriers.
When the IR2005G operates as a CBRS indoor CPE for factories, it provides predictability. And in industrial control, predictability is everything.
PLC Integration: Latency matters
PLCs are unforgiving when it comes to lag. They expect real-time responses. The IR2005G handles that with:
- Low-latency LTE/5G connectivity.
- Ethernet ports for direct PLC integration.
- Remote access for engineers—no need to walk across the plant to plug in.
In other words, it gives you control without the constraints of wires. Program, monitor, and troubleshoot PLCs from anywhere, without losing speed.
RTUs at the edge: connecting remote assets
RTUs often end up in far-flung places: substations, pumping stations, or environmental monitoring points. They’re rarely in clean IT rooms.
The IR2005G, acting as a rugged CBRS indoor modem, gives those RTUs a lifeline. Instead of stringing miles of cable or relying on outdated radios, you plug the RTU into the router and let secure LTE/5G backhaul do the rest.
That means real-time visibility of edge assets—assets that used to be blind spots.
SCADA over private LTE: Supervisory control without wires
A SCADA system is only as good as its connection. If the data stops flowing, the dashboard freezes. That can’t happen in a power plant or a factory.
With the IR2005G as a reliable LTE/5G router for control systems:
- Telemetry streams remain steady.
- Video feeds from cameras can run alongside control traffic.
- Failover kicks in if one network link drops.
Operators see what they need, when they need it—no guesswork.
Industry use cases
Smart manufacturing
Factories today move fast. The IR2005G helps by:
- Connecting PLCs controlling robotics.
- Feeding IoT sensor data into predictive maintenance systems.
- Powering high-speed quality inspection.
Energy and utilities
Utilities rely on RTUs. With the IR2005G:
- Grid operators keep an eye on substations.
- Water plants monitor pumps remotely.
- Oil and gas firms track far-off sites securely.
Warehousing and logistics
Mobility rules in warehouses. As aLTE/5G router for warehouse management, the IR2005G supports:
- Connected forklifts and handheld scanners.
- Real-time inventory tracking.
- Network expansion without rewiring.
Critical infrastructure
Hospitals, airports, and transit hubs can’t tolerate downtime. With the IR2005G as a Band 48 router for mission-critical apps:
- Private LTE links secure control traffic.
- Cybersecurity standards remain intact.
- SCADA and building systems stay online.
Horizon DMS: Fleet-wide control
Installing routers is one job. Managing them across a network is another. Horizon’s Device Management System (DMS) makes that easier.
- Remote monitoring and firmware updates.
- Centralised configuration.
- Bulk rollouts with minimal effort.
With DMS, the IR2005G becomes part of a bigger picture. IT teams see every unit in the field and keep them healthy.
Why the IR2005G works for control systems
Put simply:
- Reliability: Industrial design plus redundant links.
- Flexibility: Handles wired PLCs and wireless IoT alike.
- Security: Private LTE keeps control networks isolated.
- Scalability: Grow the network without redesigning it.
- Performance: Supports both latency-sensitive and heavy traffic.
It’s not just another router. It’s the CBRS router for heavy-duty IoT networks that factories, utilities, and warehouses have been waiting for.
FAQs
Q1. How does the IR2005G connect to PLCs?
It uses Ethernet ports for direct connections, with LTE/5G backhaul for higher-level systems.
Q2. Does it support both LTE and 5G?
Yes, it’s future-proof as an industrial 5G modem for smart manufacturing.
Q3. Why not Wi-Fi for SCADA?
Wi-Fi suffers from interference. CBRS gives stable, dedicated spectrum for control.
Q4. Is it good for mission-critical use?
Yes. As a Band 48 router for mission-critical apps, it’s built for uptime.
Q5. Can it link directly to RTUs?
Absolutely. Plug RTUs into its Ethernet ports, then backhaul via LTE/5G.
Q6. How does Horizon DMS help?
By simplifying fleet management—configurations, updates, and monitoring.
Q7. Is it only for factories?
No. Energy, logistics, healthcare, and more can use it.
Q8. Do I need a carrier plan?
Not always. Enterprises can set up private LTE/5G with CBRS.
Q9. Can it handle video plus telemetry?
Yes, it has bandwidth for both.
Q10. How’s it different from a home router?
Durability, private LTE support, and resilience—it’s an industrial IoT LTE gateway, not a consumer gadget.
Final thoughts
Industrial networks can’t afford fragility anymore. PLCs, RTUs, and SCADA need stable, secure links that grow with them. Wires alone can’t carry that load.
The Horizon IR2005G bridges the gap. With CBRS spectrum, LTE, and 5G, it brings control systems into the future—without sacrificing reliability. Factories cut downtime, utilities see farther, and warehouses run smoothly.
At the end of the day, the IR2005G is more than hardware. It’s the backbone of private LTE industrial routers, enabling automation and control at the pace industries demand today.
Learn more about SCADA Systems Using the IR2005G here.
Related Posts
Qualcomm X62 and 5G NR Capabilities: The Performance Driver of IR2005G
Increasing Remote Work Productivity with HZ51’s High-Speed Connectivity
Secure, Reliable, and Fast: What IR2005G Provides to Industrial Networks
Comparing HZ51 with Traditional Routers: A New Era of Internet Access
Dual SIM & Failover: Where IR2005G for Seamless Industrial Networking
Inside the Security Stack: VPN, IPSec, OpenVPN and Firewall IR2005G Features
From GPS to RS485: Flexing to the IR2005G’s Multiple I/O Interfaces
Transforming Home Entertainment with HZ51’s Ultra-Fast Speeds
Smart Homes Made Smarter: Integrating HZ51 for Optimal Performance
Ensuring Reliable Connectivity for Online Learning with HZ51
Bandwidth Control and VLANs: How IR2005G Maximizes Network Control