wilamowski-b-m-irwin-j-d-industrial-communication-systems-2011

Preambles
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Group 1.2: Wireless
Jürgen Jasperneite
Institute Industrial IT
Lemgo, Germany
The integration of wireless technologies in industrial automation systems is the next step in the evolution
of industrial networking. Wireless technologies have the potential to reduce the life-cycle costs of
machines and plants as well as support future adaptive production concepts, either as an extension to,
or as a replacement for, existing wired networks.
In addition to wireless networking, new applications can be enabled such as wireless monitoring
and control, or asset and personnel tracking. Most of the wireless technologies are standardized in the
IEEE802 family and are driven by consumer market requirements. As a result, they are not designed
to meet the automation-specific requirements such as low latencies or the demand for high service reliability.
As a consequence, the basic concepts must be reviewed and sometimes revised. Therefore, it is in
this group (Chapters 4 through 12) that the principles and architectures of wireless sensor networks are
presented. Furthermore, some key functions of wireless networks, such as self-configuration, routing,
energy efficiency, and data security are introduced.
Group 1.3: Integration
Thilo Sauter
Institute for Integrated Sensor Systems
Austrian Academy of Sciences
Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Industrial communication systems, and automation solutions in general, were initially developed
primarily as islands. In recent years, however, the integration of automation systems into a wider
scope has increased its importance and thus requires a technological basis. This group of chapters
(Chapters 13 through 18) is therefore focused on selected integration aspects. The first chapter deals
with vertical integration aimed at providing a transparent data exchange across all levels of the automation
hierarchy, both from a networking and application point of view. A topic receiving increasing
attention is the integration of multimedia technologies in automation, which requires the convergence
of telecommunications and data services and poses new challenges for both network and application
design. The issue of complex heterogeneous networks comprised of wired and wireless as well
as automation and office domains is being addressed by the concept of virtual automation networks.
Finally, software agent technology will be discussed as one way of achieving integration in automation
systems by means of distributing functionalities among a group of autonomous, loosely coupled
entities that may interact to accomplish a task that is difficult to solve in a centralized manner.
Group 1.4: Quality of Service
Friederich Kupzog
Institute of Computer Technology
Vienna University of Technology
Vienna, Austria
In many cases, special requirements have to be fulfilled in industrial communication systems. While
requirements differ to some extent from those in the consumer products domain, the basic principles
© 2011 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC