Industrial applications of wireless networks: a bridge crane distributed control system based on Bluetooth

This paper shows the possibility to use Bluetooth for wireless short range communication in an industrial environment. In this line a distributed control system based on Bluetooth has been proposed for a bridge crane system. Its configuration is mainly based on the use of distributed nodes connected by means of Bluetooth. Traditionally many types of devices have been delivered as mechanical devices and more or less all or the intelligence and control has been added. Nowadays there is a growing trend towards a higher level of built-in intelligence in the devices, constituting the intelligent nodes. This type of systems allows the implementation of highly flexible control systems capable of adapting themselves to different situations. With the introduction of Bluetooth, another dimension is aggregated, the possibility to wirelessly connect to the devices. The technology makes it possible to easily access the built-in user interfaces through portable devices but also to access the device data without the need for a physical connection. Bluetooth is one of the most promising personal wireless network technologies. The automation industry is showing interest in using Bluetooth for many industrial applications.