Throughput of an IEEE 802.11 Wireless Network in the Presence of Wireless Audio Transmission: A Laboratory Analysis.

Ivan Forenbacher,Mislav Bobić,Siniša Husnjak,Ivan Jovović

doi:10.3390/s21082620

Abstract

Wireless networks, including IEEE 802.11-based or Wi-Fi networks, are inexpensive and easy to install and therefore serve as useful connectivity alternatives in areas lacking wired-network infrastructure. However, IEEE 802.11 networks may not always provide the seamless connectivity and minimal throughput required for Industry 4.0 communications because of their susceptibility to interference from other devices operating in the unlicensed “Industrial, Scientific, and Medical” frequency band. Here we analyzed how a wireless audio transmitter operating on this band influences the throughput of an IEEE 802.11 b/g/n network under laboratory conditions. Wireless audio transmission reduced mean throughput by 85%, rendering the IEEE 802.11 b/g/n network nearly unusable. Our analysis suggests that in order for IEEE 802.11 wireless networks to support Industrial 4.0 applications, attention should be paid to the physical layer as well as the data or upper layers, and critical services should not transmit on the 2.4 GHz band. These findings may contribute to understanding and managing IEEE 802.11 wireless networks in various Industry 4.0 contexts.

Highlights

Wireless networks, including IEEE 802.11-based or Wi-Fi networks, are inexpensive and easy to install and serve as useful connectivity alternatives in areas lacking wired-network infrastructure
Reliable and seamless wireless communication is critical in industrial environments, so the effects of interference on IEEE 802.11 network performance should be understood in detail in order to allow the design of appropriate prevention and management measures [2]
Our results are consistent with that study and another one showing that wireless audio transmitters can reduce network throughput substantially more than

Summary

Introduction

Wireless networks, including IEEE 802.11-based or Wi-Fi networks, are inexpensive and easy to install and serve as useful connectivity alternatives in areas lacking wired-network infrastructure. IEEE 802.11 networks may not always provide the seamless connectivity and minimal throughput required for Industry 4.0 communications because of their susceptibility to interference from other devices operating in the unlicensed “Industrial, Scientific, and Medical”. We analyzed how a wireless audio transmitter operating on this band influences the throughput of an IEEE 802.11 b/g/n network under laboratory conditions. 4.0 applications, attention should be paid to the physical layer as well as the data or upper layers, and critical services should not transmit on the 2.4 GHz band. These findings may contribute to understanding and managing IEEE 802.11 wireless networks in various Industry 4.0 contexts. Industry 4.0 has become the focus of many researchers, manufacturers, and governments as a way to make factories smart by optimizing energy consumption and resource use [1,2]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion