Random time source protocol in wireless sensor networks and synchronization in industrial environments

Abstract

Reliability is a crucial aspect of time synchronization for industrial wireless applications in wireless sensor networks. Existing time synchronization algorithms often provide good synchronization in laboratory environments; however, outdoor environments with associated radio interference influence the performance of time synchronization. In this paper, we propose a random time source protocol for industrial wireless applications in wireless sensor network synchronization. Each synchronized node randomly selects its time source for each period in order to prevent reliance on a fixed time source because this may lead to resynchronization once the source fails. We have implemented the algorithm on the SIA2420 platform using TINYOS, and the results show the reliability of our protocol.

Polling in the frequency domain: a new MAC protocol for industrial wireless network for factory automation

“…Owing to the capture effect, the base station can receive the data packet even though jamming signal exists. The STRP can theoretically achieve better polling efficiency when the traffic load is moderate; however, the capture effect may not be easily realised in practice (Lam et al, 2006;Zhao et al, 2008;Wang et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2008;Xiao, 2005c). In addition, the STRP polls up to two stations at a time, and when the number of stations is large, the STRP causes a large polling overhead.…”

“…Wireless technologies have been identified as a promising option for industrial and factory automation, and the benefits of using wireless technologies include mobility, reduced costs of cabling, installation and maintenance, and less hassle with connectors (Willig, 2008;Liang et al, 2011;Zhao et al, 2008;Wang et al, 2013). Therefore, both the academy and industry have paid great attention to implement polling-based protocols with wireless technologies.…”

Performance Analysis of the Industrial Wireless Networks Standard: WIA-PA

“…On the other hand, wireless technologies suffer from the harsh industrial environments since wireless channels are extremely prone to severe damage due to the coexisting interference, fading, and multi-path effect [5,7]. Therefore, guaranteeing the deterministic requirement on the industrial wireless network in spite of the unfriendly wireless channel turns out to be a challenging problem, and industrial wireless networks (IWNs) have aroused a great deal of interest from academia [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21], industry [22][23][24] as well as standardized organizations [25][26][27]. This paper aims to study IWNs from the standpoint of IWNs standards.…”

Two-hop time synchronization protocol for sensor networks

“…When those sensor nodes are deployed over a wide geographical region, they form the wireless sensor networks (WSN). They are useful for providing applications varying from environment monitoring to equipment monitoring, from smart office to industrial automation [1].…”