Communication Techniques and Architectures for Bluetooth networks in Industrial Scenarios

The Bluetooth (BT) standard, originally designed as a cable replacement technology for low-cost, effortless connection of electronic devices, is becoming quite an attractive option even in industrial communication, as it allows low-power, cheap and easy-to-build solutions to be obtained using the available BT modules and application profiles. The great recent interest in using Bluetooth in Distributed Process Control Systems (DPCSs) provides the motivation for this work, which has a twofold aim. Firstly, investigating scenarios and architectures which enable full exploitation of BT capabilities in industrial communication. Secondly, exploring technological enhancements which could improve the performance of the protocol even further.