What makes a wireless protocol industrial-grade?

In industrial IoT and wireless systems, not every communication protocol is fit for purpose. In environments like manufacturing, utilities, or critical infrastructure, wireless communication must be reliable, predictable, and resilient. In this article, we break down the features that make a wireless protocol truly industrial-grade.

Key requirements for industrial wireless communication

• Reliability – the system must work consistently even in noisy environments, such as production halls filled with electromagnetic interference.
• Determinism (latency & jitter) – time-sensitive applications require data to arrive exactly when expected, with minimal and predictable delay.
• Scalability – industrial networks must support dozens or even hundreds of devices without degradation in performance.
• Robustness – the protocol should handle interference, mobility, and physical obstructions, re-routing automatically when needed.
• Security – strong encryption, device authentication, and protection against spoofing are must-haves in connected systems.
• Standard compliance – adhering to open standards like IEEE 802.15.4e or IETF 6LoWPAN ensures interoperability, long-term support, and vendor neutrality.

Examples of industrial-grade wireless protocols

• 6TiSCH – based on TSCH and IPv6, it offers deterministic communication and native Internet integration.
• WirelessHART – widely adopted in process industries for reliable multi-hop sensor networks.
• ISA100.11a – an alternative to WirelessHART with flexible configuration and strong security.
• DECT-2020 NR – a newer standard that supports low-latency communication over long distances.
• Wi-SUN – designed for smart utility networks with mesh capability and IPv6 support.

Why generic protocols (like Wi-Fi or BLE) may fall short

Popular consumer protocols often lack the features required in industrial environments:

• Wi-Fi – no guaranteed delivery time, frequent congestion in dense networks, and weak resistance to interference.
• BLE – energy-efficient but limited in range and unsuitable for time-critical communication due to lack of synchronization.

Imagine relying on BLE to transmit a machine failure alarm – and it arrives one second too late. In many use cases, that’s not acceptable.

What to look for when selecting a wireless protocol

Before choosing a protocol, ask yourself:

• Can your system tolerate short periods of connection loss?
• How many devices will operate simultaneously?
• Will your network need to grow in one or five years?
• Are there regulatory or interoperability requirements to consider?

Choosing the wrong protocol could mean redesigning your network months after deployment – an expensive and avoidable mistake.

A better foundation for industrial IoT

A protocol is not just a technical detail – it’s the foundation of your system’s reliability and performance. In industrial environments, there’s no room for compromise. That’s why it’s essential to choose a solution designed from the ground up for mission-critical communication – like embeNET, based on the 6TiSCH standard, offering deterministic performance, resilience, and long-term scalability.