Benchmarking the reliability of industrial wireless systems in a virtual factory

Abstract Reliability of wireless communication is the key to the next stages of the imminent industrial evolution known as Industry 4.0. Removing the bonds of cabling and wires will provide the ability of free movement and the possibility of deployment in previously unreachable locations. To build confidence in the reliability of wireless transmission systems, a method for measuring said reliability is required. This article describes such a method which forms the basis of two interlinked testbeds being developed within the scope of the Celtic Plus project ReICOvAir.