Low-Level Wireless and Sensor Networks for Industry 4.0 Communication – Presentation

Abstract

Wireless communication is becoming increasingly popular in factory automation and process control systems, especially when moving components are used. One reason for this growth is the benefits that wireless communication offers, which include lower installation costs than wired networks, less mechanical wear and tear and the ability to provide critical information even about the moving components. Robust and reliable wireless communication solutions must accommodate the demanding and changing conditions of the existing industrial environment, such as the variable number of communication elements, possible interference, a large area for which to provide communication and an organic amount of available battery power. For mobile industrial environments, sensor networks appear to be candidates that can meet many or even all of these requirements. Several types of such communication solutions are available and are in use. This paper focuses on selected wireless networks that can be considered to be enabling technology for the new generation of manufacturing systems.