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

A Survey of Wireless Sensor Networks for Industrial Applications 12-9
WirelessHART, on the other hand, employs frequency hopping with no blacklisting, meaning that
the network communication is constantly changing between the 15 available channels. The network will
in other words take no preventive measures to cope with the interference from IEEE 802.11 networks in
the area. As a result, the average packet loss for a WirelessHART network will increase when coexisting
with IEEE 802.11 networks [PC09].
For ZigBee, one of the interference-free channels would have to be selected manually by an operator
when initializing the network, as a ZigBee network is unable to dynamically switch channels while operational.
ZigBee PRO, on the other hand, is capable of changing the active network channel when faced with
noise/interference, and thus a ZigBee PRO network might, over time, end up using one of the interferencefree
channels (15, 20, 25, or 26) regardless of the initial channel configuration.
12.6 Conclusion
Using WSNs as a replacement or addition to the traditional wired industrial networks currently used
for factory automation and communication has a number of benefits, both expected and proven. These
include reduced cost, increased production, improved flexibility and scalability, and improved HSE.
Both laboratory experiments [PDA08,PC09] and installation on an operational offshore platform
[CSP08] show that WSN technology is capable of delivering robust and reliable communication in harsh
environments.
As a consequence of the industry’s demand for open, standardized solutions on these technologies,
several international standards for industrial WSNs are emerging. Also, with the industry moving from
the wired world into the wireless domain, coming international standards are expected to integrate
different wireless technologies, allowing enterprises to take the step into a future with plant-wide wireless
infrastructure enabling applications like wireless networking, wireless monitoring and control, and
asset and personnel tracking.
Abbreviations
API Application programmers interface
ATEX Atmosphère explosible
GTS Guaranteed time slots
HSE Health, safety, and the environment
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
IETF Internet Engineering Task Force
ISA International Society of Automation
MAC Medium access control sublayer
OSI Open Systems Interconnection
PHY Physical layer
RF Radio frequency
TDMA Time-division multiple access
WLAN Wireless local area network
WSN Wireless sensor network
References
[ABFS08] L. Angrisani, M. Bertocco, D. Fortin, and A. Sona, Experimental study of coexistence issues
between IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.15.4 wireless networks, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation
and Measurement, 57(8), 1514–1523, 2008.
[ASS02] I. F. Akyildiz, W. Su, Y. Sankarasubramaniam, and E. Cayirci, A survey on sensor networks, IEEE
Communications Magazine, 40(8), 102–114, 2002.
© 2011 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC