4G/5G Point-to-Point Ad Hoc Networking

In the realm of industrial IoT and remote monitoring, how can you achieve direct device-to-device communication without public IP addresses or reliance on third-party platforms? 4G/5G point-to-point and point-to-multipoint ad hoc networking technology is the key solution to this challenge.

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of this communication solution from three dimensions: technical principles, core advantages, and typical application scenarios.

1. What is 4G/5G Point-to-Point and Point-to-Multipoint Ad Hoc Networking?

Traditional 4G/5G communication requires terminal devices to access a central server via the carrier's network, with devices unable to communicate directly with each other. Ad hoc networking solutions build a dedicated private network directly between SIM cards (i.e., between terminal devices), enabling:

• Direct SIM-to-SIM communication

• Device-to-device mutual access

• Interconnection between different office locations and remote sites

This networking approach is fast and simple, requires no third-party relay, and is suitable for various industrial networking needs.

2. Core Advantages: Why Choose Ad Hoc Networking?

2.1 Dedicated Private Network for Security and Reliability

Ad hoc networking creates a private network isolated from the public internet. Through SIM-device binding, it prevents unauthorized SIM card usage, providing a secure, reliable, and effective wireless communication channel.

Best for: Industries with extremely high data security requirements, such as finance, government, energy, and water utilities.

2.2 No Public Static IP Required for Central Server

Traditional remote monitoring solutions often require a public static IP for the central server, which means additional leased lines and higher operational costs. Ad hoc networking completely solves this problem – even without a public static IP at the center, you can still achieve unified data collection and monitoring of remote terminals.

Value: Significantly lowers network deployment barriers and long-term operational costs.

2.3 SIM-to-SIM Ad Hoc Networking for Direct Terminal Communication

All terminals can communicate freely and directly with each other without any third-party relay. Whether point-to-point (one device to another) or point-to-multipoint (one device to multiple devices), flexible communication is achieved.

Value: Eliminates single points of failure, reduces communication latency, and improves system reliability.

2.4 No Reliance on Third-Party Platforms

You maintain complete control over the communication link, with no dependence on any third-party platform for data relay. All data collection and monitoring between field terminals occurs within your self-built network – secure and stable.

Value: Avoids service interruption risks caused by third-party platform failures or policy changes.

2.5 Enables Remote Maintenance

Carrying an industrial router equipped with a dedicated SIM card, technical personnel can perform remote maintenance on field terminals anytime, anywhere – no on-site visit required.

Value: Dramatically reduces travel costs and shortens fault response times.

2.6 Private VPN Network: Low Cost, Easy Maintenance

Traditional VPN solutions suffer from high equipment costs, limited access capacity, and complex technical maintenance. The 4G/5G ad hoc networking solution offers:

• Unlimited scalability: No restrictions on the number of connected terminals

• No dedicated VPN server required: Saves on hardware costs

• No professional maintenance needed: Simple configuration, ready to use out of the box

Value: Enables small and medium-sized enterprises to easily deploy enterprise-grade private networks.

3. Three Typical Application Scenarios

Scenario 1: Data Collection and Monitoring (Without Public IP)

Requirement: A central server without a public static IP needs to collect data from terminals distributed across various locations.

Solution: Using 4G/5G ad hoc networking, a dedicated communication link is established between the center and all terminals, enabling long-distance data collection and monitoring不受 geographical and network constraints.

Typical Industries:

• Environmental monitoring stations collecting data from multiple discharge points

• Water utilities monitoring multiple hydrological stations in real-time

• Energy companies collecting consumption data from distributed facilities

Scenario 2: SIM-to-SIM Ad Hoc Communication (Direct Device Interconnection)

Requirement: Multiple devices need to communicate directly with each other, rather than through a central server.

Solution: Each SIM card is assigned a static IP address, and cards can communicate directly with one another, enabling flexible point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless communication.

Typical Industries:

• Protection signal transmission between multiple substations in smart grids

• Collaborative communication between multiple AGVs in smart factories

• Coordinated control between multiple valve stations along oil and gas pipelines

Scenario 3: GRETAP Layer 2 Broadcast Forwarding (Industrial Protocol Support)

Requirement: Some industrial protocols (such as IEC 61850 GOOSE) rely on Layer 2 broadcast packets for communication, which traditional Layer 3 IP routing cannot support.

Solution: Using GRETAP (GRE Tunneling for Layer 2) technology, once the tunnel is established, IP addresses for all terminal devices are uniformly assigned by the local router's DHCP server. All terminals under both local and remote routers achieve same-subnet Layer 2 communication, perfectly supporting GOOSE and other broadcast packet forwarding.

Technical Principle:

• GRETAP operates at the data link layer (Layer 2)

• Encapsulates Layer 2 broadcast packets into GRE tunnels for transmission

• All terminal IPs belong to the same subnet as the local LAN port, transparent to upper-layer applications

Typical Industries:

• Smart substations (IEC 61850 protocol)

• Industrial Ethernet (Profinet, EtherNet/IP, and other real-time protocols)

• Industrial control systems requiring MAC-layer communication

4. Comparison with Traditional VPN Solutions

5. Recommended Industries and Applications

Strongly Recommended Use Cases:

1. Remote monitoring projects without public static IP: e.g., distributed solar PV stations, unattended pumping stations

2. Systems requiring direct terminal-to-terminal communication: e.g., multi-PLC coordinated control, fleet dispatch

3. High-security applications: e.g., financial transactions, government private networks, military communications

4. Equipment needing remote maintenance: e.g., vending machines, EV charging stations, digital signage

5. Industrial systems relying on Layer 2 broadcast protocols: e.g., smart substations, real-time industrial Ethernet

Selection Guide:

• Point-to-Point: Best for dedicated line replacement between two sites (e.g., headquarters to one branch)

• Point-to-Multipoint: Best for one center collecting data from multiple sites (e.g., SCADA systems)

• GRETAP Mode: Best for industrial protocol scenarios requiring Layer 2 broadcast forwarding

6. Summary

4G/5G point-to-point and point-to-multipoint ad hoc networking solutions build dedicated private networks directly between SIM cards, completely solving pain points of traditional remote communication such as reliance on public IPs, need for third-party relays, and complex configuration.

The core value can be summarized as:

• Secure: Private network isolated from the public internet

• Simple: No public IP required, no dedicated server needed

• Flexible: Point-to-point and point-to-multipoint combinations supported

• Cost-Effective: Unlimited scalability, low operational costs

• Compatible: Layer 2 broadcast support for industrial protocols

Whether for environmental monitoring, energy data collection, smart grids, or remote maintenance, this technology offers a more secure, simpler, and more economical communication option for industrial IoT.