Key Factors of Wireless Real-Time Networks -- From Dependability to Timeliness

Offering support for real-time communications on top of a wireless network infrastructure is both a hot topic and still an open challenge. Wireless networks are not on the same level of safety, dependability, and timeliness observed in the wired realm, but they are evolving towards it. Instead of focusing on the results that need to be delivered, the key factors of wireless real-time networks are on the foundation of the network operation, defining their capability of being dependable, safe, and timely on their roots. IEEE 802.15.4 and ISA100.11a are part of this context, which we show how to be strengthened. From dealing with network inaccessibility to touching the needs of reliable communication protocols to ensure the safe and sound exchange of information, this white paper describes how we can go from dependability to timeliness. This is achieved by visiting the roots of the network operation for securing the provided communication service as a dependable, safe, and timely asset for industrial automation. Keywords: Dependability, Safety, Timeliness, Resilience, Real-Time Wireless Networks, Industrial Automation.