QoS-aware routing for industrial wireless sensor networks

Machine to machine communication systems in industrial environments have traditionally relied on cable technologies. The most recent of these use IP based systems such as Foundation Fieldbus High Speed Ethernet [20], PROFInet [24], etc. The advantages of cable include high reliability, safety, and stability. For these reasons, it is likely that these wired systems will not be easily replaced by wireless systems in the near future, but rather that wireless systems will perform complementary tasks. Although wireless technologies suffer from the reliability problems of the wireless transmission medium, they have a number of advantages that should not be underestimated. Wireless low power devices allow industries to significantly increase the number of systems and parameters that can be measured and controlled. They can be placed in positions where cabling would be too expensive to make the installation of sensors viable or where cabling would not be possible or too difficult such as in moving machinery.