Title: Wi-Fi/ZigBee coexistence for fault-tolerant building automation system

Authors: Tarek K. Refaat; Mohamed A. Saleh; Ramèz M. Daoud; Hassanein H. Amer; Magdy S. El-Soudani; Magdi S. Moustafa

Addresses: Electronics Engineering Department, American University in Cairo, AUC Avenue, P.O. Box 74, New Cairo 11835, Egypt ' Electronics Engineering Department, American University in Cairo, AUC Avenue, P.O. Box 74, New Cairo 11835, Egypt ' Electronics Engineering Department, American University in Cairo, AUC Avenue, P.O. Box 74, New Cairo 11835, Egypt ' Electronics Engineering Department, American University in Cairo, AUC Avenue, P.O. Box 74, New Cairo 11835, Egypt ' Electronics and Communications Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt ' Mathematics and Actuarial Science Department, American University in Cairo, AUC Avenue, P.O. Box 74, New Cairo 11835, Egypt

Abstract: The paper presents a case study where a building automation system is investigated using two wireless standards, ZigBee and Wi-Fi 802.11b. Since each standard has specific features and advantages, a network incorporating both manifests itself as an optimal solution. Previous attempts have been made with successful realisation of systems including both standards. The issue is re-visited in the context of a large warehouse/retailer building and an improved, more flexible solution is proposed. OPNET network modeller is used to study the performance and limitations of the network. Finally, fault-tolerance at the server level is implemented.

Keywords: WiFi; ZigBee; fault tolerance; building automation; coexistence; networked control systems; NCS; wireless sensor networks; WSNs; IEEE 802.15.4; IEEE 802.11; networking standards.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSCC.2013.055993

International Journal of Systems, Control and Communications, 2013 Vol.5 No.2, pp.108 - 119

Published online: 12 Jul 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article