Wireless technologies for safe automation - insights in protocol development

Short-range wireless networks (SRWN) are becoming more and more popular for sensor and actuator connectivity in industrial, building and home automation. These markets are evolving rapidly with many market players developing technologies and providing products. However, wireless networks still suffer from their lower degree of short-term reliability, and pose additional requirements to the use of wireless communication into hard real-time and safety relevant systems. This contribution discusses the most important aspects of the integration of wireless communication into hard real-time and safety relevant systems. It also gives insights into the development of a protocol for a sub 5 ms class wireless communication.