Robustness (Industrial Communication)

“Robustness” in wireless industrial communication, specifically in the context of IO-Link Wireless, refers to the system’s ability to maintain reliable and secure communication in the face of various disturbances or challenges. In the realm of IO-Link Wireless, robustness is exemplified by its reliability level of 1e-9 Packet Error Rate (PER), a measure significantly superior to other wireless standards like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee. The protocol achieves robust communication through a repetition mechanism for critical data, automatically controlled by the physical layer of the radio and initiated based on ACK\NACK, protected by CRC32. Additionally, IO-Link Wireless employs Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK) modulation, known for its resilience against interferences, confining emissions to a narrow spectral band, making devices more immune to noise and enhancing overall reliability. This robust wireless communication protocol, built upon the IO-Link standard, is crucial for addressing the challenges in Industry 4.0, providing a cable-free, scalable, and deterministic solution for factory automation.