Overview
IEC 62948:2017 - Industrial networks - Wireless communication network and communication profiles - WIA-FA specifies the system architecture and communication protocol for WIA‑FA (Wireless Networks for Industrial Automation – Factory Automation). Based on the IEEE STD 802.11‑2012 physical layer (PHY), this standard defines wireless solutions for factory automation use cases such as measuring, monitoring and control. This copy incorporates the corrigendum of March 2021.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard covers a full protocol stack and system features required for reliable industrial wireless communication:
- System architecture & device types: host computers, gateways (GW), access devices (AD), field devices, handheld devices and topology models.
- Data coding & types: integer, unsigned, float, octetstring, bitfield/bitstring, TimeData, KeyData, structured types (structure/list).
- Protocol layers:
- Physical layer (PHY): requirements and usage of IEEE 802.11‑2012 PHY (frequency band, channel bitmap, transmit power, data rates).
- Data Link Layer (DLL): superframe structure, multiple access coordination, time synchronization, frame aggregation/fragmentation, retransmission, DLL state machines (access/field devices).
- Application Layer (AL): attribute/process/event data models, confirmed/unconfirmed services, read/write, alarm and IO data handling.
- System management: device management application processes, network & security managers, address assignment, communication resource allocation, joining/leaving procedures.
- Monitoring & management: management information base (MIB), device status and channel condition reporting, network performance monitoring.
- Frame formats & primitives: detailed DLL and AL frame structures, join/leave, sync, remote attribute get/set frames.
- Wired GW–AD specifications: interfaces and frame formats between gateway and access device.
Applications and who uses it
IEC 62948 is intended for designers and implementers of industrial wireless systems:
- Industrial automation vendors (wireless field devices, gateways, access points)
- System integrators and automation engineers deploying factory wireless networks for sensing, monitoring, control and safety-related communication
- Network architects designing high‑availability wireless infrastructures for manufacturing
- Test labs and certification bodies validating interoperability and conformance with WIA‑FA profiles
Typical applications: wireless sensor networks, actuator control, process data collection, machine monitoring and mobile/handheld device interactions in factory environments.
Related standards
- IEEE STD 802.11‑2012 (physical layer referenced by IEC 62948)
- Other IEC industrial network standards and profiles (for integration, safety and wired/wireless coexistence)
Keywords: IEC 62948, WIA‑FA, industrial wireless, factory automation, IEEE 802.11, wireless networks for industrial automation, data link layer, application layer, wireless industrial communication.