Comparative Examination on Architecture and Protocol of Industrial Wireless Sensor Network Standards

This paper discusses key aspects of the four most popular industrial wireless sensor network standards: ZigBee, WirelessHART, ISA100.11a, and WIA-PA. The detailed design and protocol architectures are comparatively examined. The uniqueness of each standard is highlighted and justifications for their design are provided. Similarities and differences among these standards at each protocol layer are compared. With consideration of the scopes and the limitations of these standards, the suitability of these standards to meet the industrial requirements has also been examined.