Design Principles of Wireless Sensor Networks Protocols for Control Applications

Abstract

Control applications over wireless sensor networks (WSNs) require timely, reliable, and energy efficient communications. This is challenging because reliability and latency of delivered packets and energy are at odds, and resource constrained nodes support only simple algorithms. In this chapter, a new system-level design approach for protocols supporting control applications over WSNs is proposed. The approach suggests a joint optimization, or co-design, of the control specifications, networking layer, the medium access control layer, and physical layer. The protocol parameters are adapted by an optimization problem whose objective function is the network energy consumption, and the constraints are the reliability and latency of the packets as requested by the control application. The design method aims at the definition of simple algorithms that are easily implemented on resource constrained sensor nodes. These algorithms allow the network to meet the reliability and latency required by the control application while minimizing for energy consumption. The design method is illustrated by two protocols: Breath and TREnD, which are implemented on a test-bed and compared to some existing solutions. Experimental results show good performance of the protocols based on this design methodology in terms of reliability, latency, low duty cycle, and load balancing for both static and time-varying scenarios. It is concluded that a system-level design is the essential paradigm to exploit the complex interaction among the layers of the protocol stack and reach a maximum WSN efficiency.

Leveraging Wireless Devices for Networked Control Systems in Industrial Applications

“…With these advances, a new trend has emerged in using wireless networks in NCS [6]. These systems are known as Wireless Networked Control Systems (WNCS).…”

“…This is the most important advantage of using such technology. WNCS can operate in a wide range of environments, enabling interoperability between existing wired and wireless systems and also providing advantages in power and flexibility when compared to wired ones [6]. Another advantage for WNCS is the feasibility of installation in places where cabling is impossible, such as sensors in hazardous ambient and plants with intrinsic security zones.…”

Wireless Control System with Model Based Control

“…This type of centralized communication architecture doesn't support some requirements, such as modularity and decentralized control [1].An alternative to this scenario is the use of Wireless Sensors Networks (WSN) to interconnect sensors, actuators and controllers in a remote control environment [2].…”

Model Based Peer-to-Peer Estimator over Wireless Sensor Networks*

“…Because of the growing interest in networked control, detection and monitoring systems, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) play a key role providing communication and sensing capabilities see for example Park et al (2011); Fischione et al (2011). Distributed estimation of physical variables is a typical task of interest for a WSN.…”