How to Assess Reliability of Industrial Wireless Solutions

Abstract

Wireless communication is an emerging technology for industrial automation applications. Many solutions are available which more or less consider industrial related requirements. One of the main concerns of industrial automation system users is the reliability of wireless communication. The subject of this paper is a method to assess reliability of wireless communication from the point of view of industrial automation applications. Characteristic parameters are introduced which can be used in analytical studies, in network simulations or measurements to assess reliability with respect to intended industrial control processes. In particular the different use cases for the characteristic parameters are stated as well as the stochastic nature of these parameters. Finally the influences are mentioned which have to be taken into account while assessing wireless industrial communication systems.