Characterization of data-sensitive wireless distributed networked-control-systems

Distributed networked-controlled-systems (NCS) are a multidisciplinary effort whose aim is to produce a network structure and components that are capable of integrating sensors, actuators, communication, and control algorithms in a manner to suit real-time applications. They have been very popular and widely applied for many years now due to the rapid advancements in data and communication wireless technologies. There are many challenges to be overcome in order to put such a heterogeneous system together. Key issues to be considered are network delay, data sensitivity and information security. This paper characterizes a wireless distributed NCS, a testbed called iSpace based on these key factors. We integrated static network security algorithms DES and 3DES with the NCS testbed iSpace - a multidisciplinary network based robot navigation system - and characterized it on the basis of bandwidth requirement, data classification and data sensitivity, network delay effect on the system performance. The paper demonstrates through results that a dynamic optimization is required between network security for reliability and time-sensitivity of the NCS. Future work in dynamic optimization in security is suggested.