Novel approach for wireless commissioning and assisted process development based on Bluetooth Low Energy

The configuration and integration of automation devices into an existing communication infrastructure requires high efforts due to parameterization and commissioning processes. In addition, a linkage between device properties / values to logical identifiers used in process control code has to be adapted using a correct mapping of memory areas within the process memory acquired from the device. In order to exchange an automation device by a similar one, all steps above have to be adapted and checked until it can be used productively. To meet flexibility requirements of future automation scenarios, the integration and commissioning process of automation devices has to be made more flexible, less error-prone and less dependent of boundary conditions. This paper presents a concept for self-description of automation devices based on wireless communication using 802.15.1 (Bluetooth Low Energy) to facilitate commissioning processes of devices and assist engineers in process definition and device selection during development phase. A demonstrator is realized to validate this concept.