Extending IEEE 802.15.4 for Wireless Process Control

This paper explores the extension of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for wireless process control, focusing on its application in industrial environments where secure and efficient data transfer is critical. The study addresses the limitations of existing industrial wireless protocols like ISA100 Wireless and Wireless HART, particularly their inability to fully support wireless control loops. A new approach is proposed, integrating state-of-the-art microcontrollers and transceivers to design a robust wireless control network (WCN) that ensures low latency and interference resistance. Key developments include the design and production of a custom development board, comparative analyses of hardware and software components, and the implementation of the TSCH (Time Slotted Channel Hopping) operating mode. The paper validates the solution through simulations and practical experiments, demonstrating its capability to maintain stable control loops in challenging industrial settings. Results indicate that the proposed network meets stringent industrial requirements, paving the way for broader adoption of wireless technologies in process control. This work highlights the feasibility of overcoming existing barriers to wireless control in industrial applications, contributing to the development of cost-effective and reliable systems.