Approaches to support real-time traffic over Bluetooth networks

The paper addresses the possibility of real-time data communications on the factory floor over wireless networks based on the Bluetooth (BT) standard. Originally designed as a cable replacement technology for low-cost, effortless connection of electronic devices, BT does not provide real-time support for data packets. However, employing BT on the factory floor is quite an attractive option, because low-power, cheap and easy-to-build solutions can be obtained using the available BT modules and application profiles. The great interest recently shown in using BT for supporting factory communication is therefore a good reason for investigating deadline-aware scheduling mechanisms that will allow Bluetooth networks to meet real-time constraints. The paper presents and discusses two approaches to schedule real-time traffic on Bluetooth networks used in Distributed Process Control Systems (DPCSs).