Performance evaluation and prediction of a bluetooth based real-time sensor actuator system in harsh industrial environments

This paper deals with a performance evaluation of a Bluetooth based industrial real-time sensor actuator interface for stationary and mobile applications. The investigations were carried out in harsh industrial environments in the presence of parasitic machine emissions, intentional and unintentional interferers. The air paths were obstructed by moving machine parts and daily work traffic. As a result we can conclude, that wireless automation systems based on Bluetooth technology are extremely reliable due to their inherent system features like adaptive frequency hopping at high operating frequencies, error detection and correction. Neither parasitic machine emissions nor other radio systems or transceiver movements can impair the transmission, as long as distances are below 30 m.