Jitter

“Jitter” refers to the variation in latency, particularly above a specified upper limit, which can result in inconsistent delays between data packets or messages transmitted within a network. Jitter can significantly affect the predictability and reliability of communication, leading to issues like out-of-sequence data arrival and packet grouping, which can disrupt the control processes. Industrial automation systems, especially those involving motion control and closed-loop operations, demand low and consistent jitter to maintain precise timing. For instance, IO-Link Wireless, a technology designed for industrial automation, offers minimal jitter, ensuring that communication between devices is not only low-latency but also highly reliable, contributing to the seamless and deterministic control of automation applications.