IEC 62657-1:2017

Industrial communication networks - Wireless communication networks - Part 1: Wireless communication requirements and spectrum considerations

IEC 62657-1:2017 provides the wireless communication requirements dictated by the applications of wireless communication systems in industrial automation, and requirements of related context. The requirements are specified in a way that is independent of the wireless technology employed. The requirements are described in detail and in such a way as to be understood by a large audience, including readers who are not familiar with the industry applications.
This first edition cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC TS 62657-1 published in 2014. This edition constitutes a technical revision. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to IEC TS 62657‑1:2014:
a) update of requirements for wireless industrial applications;
b) addition of performance indicators and their measurement.

Réseaux de communication industriels - Réseaux de communication sans fil - Partie 1: Exigences de communication sans fil et considérations relatives au spectre

IEC 62657-1:2017 fournit les exigences de communication sans fil dictées par les applications des systèmes de communication sans fil dans le domaine de l'automatisation industrielle, ainsi que les exigences du contexte associé. Les exigences sont spécifiées indépendamment de la technologie sans fil utilisée. Les exigences sont décrites en détail et de manière à être comprises par le plus grand nombre, y compris les lecteurs qui ne sont pas familiers des applications industrielles.
Cette première édition annule et remplace la première édition de l'IEC TS 62657-1, parue en 2014. Cette édition constitue une révision technique.
Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques suivantes par rapport à l'IEC TS 62657‑1:2014:
a) mise à jour des exigences relatives aux applications industrielles sans fil;
b) ajout d'indicateurs de performances et leur mesurage.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 18-Jun-2017
• ICS: 25.040 - Industrial automation systems
• ICS: 33.040.40 - Data communication networks
• ICS: 35.240.50 - IT applications in industry
• Technical Committee: SC 65C - Industrial networks
• Drafting Committee: WG 17 - TC 65/SC 65C/WG 17
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 19-Jun-2017
• Completion Date: 23-Jun-2017

Relations

• Replaces: IEC TS 62657-1:2014 - Industrial communication networks - Wireless communication networks - Part 1: Wireless communication requirements and spectrum considerations
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Overview

IEC 62657-1:2017 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that defines wireless communication requirements and spectrum considerations for industrial automation networks. It addresses the unique challenges of wireless communication systems used in industrial environments, providing technology-independent requirements to ensure reliable and effective wireless operations. This edition updates and revises the 2014 version, incorporating new performance indicators and enhanced measurement methods.

The standard aims to provide clear guidance on the technical and regulatory aspects critical to deploying wireless communications in industrial applications, making it accessible even to those new to industrial automation domains.

Key Topics

• Wireless Communication Requirements: Covers essential parameters such as timing, real-time communication, bandwidth, bit rate, power consumption, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), functional and intrinsic safety, security, availability, and reliability tailored for industrial automation environments.

• Spectrum Considerations: Discusses global spectrum harmonization, coexistence management, and concepts for using dedicated or available spectrum efficiently in industrial wireless applications.

• Performance Indicators: Introduces measurable criteria to evaluate wireless communication performance, supporting standardized assessment and benchmarking.

• Industrial Application Use Cases: Describes diverse scenarios including worker safety around machinery, tank farm monitoring and alarming, field worker equipment, vibration monitoring, oil wellhead control, and large-scale factory automation.

• Social, Health, and Environmental Aspects: Addresses regulatory concerns related to health, environmental impact, and social considerations arising from industrial wireless communication deployments.

• Life-cycle and Integration: Explores requirements for life-cycle management of wireless systems and their integration within existing industrial automation networks.

Applications

IEC 62657-1:2017 supports implementation of wireless communication within various industrial automation sectors, enabling:

• Factory Automation: Wireless networks for machine-to-machine communication, sensor monitoring, and control with emphasis on scalability and real-time responsiveness.
• Process Automation: Monitoring and control of processes such as oil and gas extraction, chemical plants, and utilities where safety and reliability are critical.
• Mobile Worker Support: Enhancing safety and efficiency of field workers through wireless tools and communications.
• Condition Monitoring: Remote vibration analysis and predictive maintenance of rotating machinery via wireless sensors.
• Safety Critical Systems: Real-time wireless communication to enhance worker safety around hazardous equipment and environments.

By following the standard, organizations ensure their wireless communication systems meet stringent industrial requirements for robustness, security, and interoperability while adhering to spectrum usage regulations.

Related Standards

IEC 62657-1:2017 is part of a broader family of IEC standards focused on industrial communication networks. Related documents include:

• IEC 62657-2: Addresses the coexistence management process for wireless industrial networks, complementing the requirements in Part 1.
• IEC 61158 / IEC 61784: Standards for industrial communication fieldbuses and networks which wireless systems may interface with.
• IEC 62443: Security standards for industrial automation and control systems, relevant for wireless network security considerations.
• ISO/IEC 27000 series: General standards on information security management, supporting the cybersecurity requirements in industrial wireless communications.

Compliance with IEC 62657-1 ensures industrial wireless networks are designed with a comprehensive approach to operational performance, regulatory compliance, and future-proofing, facilitating reliable and safe industrial automation deployments worldwide.

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Keywords: IEC 62657-1, wireless communication requirements, industrial automation, wireless networks, spectrum considerations, industrial communication standards, wireless industrial applications, wireless network performance, industrial automation wireless, IEC standards wireless

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 62657-1 ®
Edition 1.0 2017-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Industrial communication networks – Wireless communication networks –
Part 1: Wireless communication requirements and spectrum considerations

Réseaux de communication industriels – Réseaux de communication sans fil –
Partie 1: Exigences de communication sans fil et considérations relatives au
spectre
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IEC 62657-1 ®
Edition 1.0 2017-06
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Industrial communication networks – Wireless communication networks –

Part 1: Wireless communication requirements and spectrum considerations

Réseaux de communication industriels – Réseaux de communication sans fil –

Partie 1: Exigences de communication sans fil et considérations relatives au

spectre
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 25.040; 33.040.40; 35.240.50 ISBN 978-2-8322-4403-6

– 2 – IEC 62657-1:2017 © IEC 2017

CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms, definitions abbreviated terms and acronyms . 8
3.1 Terms and definitions . 8
3.2 Abbreviated terms and acronyms . 11
4 Wireless communication requirements of industrial automation – considerations
for regulators . 12
4.1 Worldwide harmonized frequency use . 12
4.2 Coexistence management process (see IEC 62657-2) . 12
4.3 Concepts for using spectrum in wireless industrial applications . 13
4.3.1 General . 13
4.3.2 Suitable available spectrum for wireless industrial applications . 14
4.3.3 Dedicated spectrum . 15
4.3.4 Other concepts . 16
4.4 Market relevance and requirements . 18
4.4.1 General . 18
4.4.2 Enabling position of industry equipment . 19
4.4.3 Cost-benefit aspects and benefits in the application . 20
4.5 Social, health and environmental aspects . 21
4.5.1 General . 21
4.5.2 Social, health and environmental considerations . 21
4.5.3 Health concerns . 24
4.5.4 Other concerns . 25
5 Wireless communication requirements of industrial automation – considerations
for automation experts . 25
5.1 Use of wireless communication networks in industrial automation . 25
5.1.1 General . 25
5.1.2 Essential differences between wireless and wired communication
networks . 26
5.1.3 Communication networks in industrial automation . 28
5.1.4 Application fields . 30
5.2 Industrial automation application requirements (use cases) . 31
5.2.1 General . 31
5.2.2 Use case 1 – Safety of workers around transporting machines . 31
5.2.3 Use case 2 – Level monitoring and alarming in a tank farm . 32
5.2.4 Use case 3 – Field worker support with mobile wireless equipment. 33
5.2.5 Use case 4 – Vibration monitoring and analysis of rotating machines . 34
5.2.6 Use case 5 – Oil wellhead monitoring and control . 34
5.2.7 Use case 6 – Some applications for factory automation, with a large
number of nodes . 35
5.3 Wireless communication network requirements . 35
5.3.1 Timing and real-time . 35
5.3.2 Bandwidth and bit rate . 45
5.3.3 Radio propagation conditions, geographic coverage and scale of the
network. 46

5.3.4 Power consumption . 48
5.3.5 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) . 49
5.3.6 Functional safety . 50
5.3.7 Intrinsic safety . 50
5.3.8 Security . 52
5.3.9 Availability, reliability . 53
5.4 Life-cycle requirements . 55
5.5 Integration of wireless communication systems into automation applications . 55
5.6 Network information and statistics . 55
Bibliography . 56

Figure 1 – End producer revenue . 19
Figure 2 – Typical risk reduction methods found in process plants . 22
Figure 3 – Wireless communication system interrelated with the automation pyramid . 29
Figure 4 – Example of graphical representation of consistent indicators . 37
Figure 5 – General system model for defining application communication performance
requirements . 37
Figure 6 – Wireless automation device model for defining application communication
performance requirements . 38
Figure 7 – Communication link with wireless automation devices with fieldbus
interfaces . 39
Figure 8 – Communication link with a wireless automation device with I/O process
interface and a wireless automation device with fieldbus interfaces . 39
Figure 9 – Time fragments of transmission time . 40
Figure 10 – Example of the density functions of transmission time . 41
Figure 11 – Time fragments of update time . 42
Figure 12 – Example of the density functions of update time . 43

Table 1 – Example of a classification of application communication requirements . 19
Table 2 – Structure of the communication networks used in the application fields . 26
Table 3 – Benefits of using wireless systems . 27
Table 4 – Examples of application grace time . 53

– 4 – IEC 62657-1:2017 © IEC 2017
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
INDUSTRIAL COMMUNICATION NETWORKS –
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS –

Part 1: Wireless communication requirements
and spectrum considerations
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 62657-1 has been prepared by subcommittee 65C: Industrial
networks, of IEC technical committee 65: Industrial-process measurement, control and
automation.
This first edition cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC TS 62657-1 published in 2014.
This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to
IEC TS 62657-1:2014:
a) update of requirements for wireless industrial applications;
b) addition of performance indicators and their measurement.

The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
65C/874/FDIS 65C/878/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts of the IEC 62657 series, under the general title Industrial communication
networks – Wireless communication networks, can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.
– 6 – IEC 62657-1:2017 © IEC 2017
INTRODUCTION
This document provides general requirements of industrial automation and spectrum
considerations that are the basis for industrial communication solutions. This document is
intended to facilitate harmonization of future adjustments to international, national, regional
and local regulations.
IEC 62657-2 provides the coexistence management concept and process. Based on the
coexistence management process, a predictable assuredness of coexistence can be achieved
for a given spectrum with certain application requirements.

INDUSTRIAL COMMUNICATION NETWORKS –
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS –

Part 1: Wireless communication requirements
and spectrum considerations
1 Scope
This part of IEC 62657 provides the wireless communication requirements dictated by the
applications of wireless communication systems in industrial automation, and requirements of
related context. The requirements are specified in a way that is independent of the wireless
technology employed. The requirements are described in detail and in such a way as to be
understood by a large audience, including readers who are not familiar with the industry
applications.
Social aspects, environmental aspects, health aspects and market requirements for wireless
communication systems in industrial automation are described to justify the wireless
communication requirements.
This document also provides a rationale to successfully articulate the solutions of the wireless
communication requirements proposed for the short-term and long-term. Coexistence
management according to IEC 62657-2 is already applied in the short-term.
This document describes requirements of the industrial automation applications that can be
used to ask for additional dedicated, worldwide unique spectrum. This additional spectrum is
intended to be used for additional wireless applications while continuing using the current
industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) bands.
This document provides useful information for the automation field professionals who are not
familiar with the spectrum and wireless technologies.
Building automation is excluded from the scope because of the different usage constraints (for
most non-industrial buildings it is normally difficult for the owner/operator to impose control
over the presence and operation of radio equipment).
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their
content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition
cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
IEC 60079-10-1, Explosive atmospheres – Part 10-1: Classification of areas – Explosive gas
atmospheres
IEC 60079-10-2, Explosive atmospheres – Part 10-2: Classification of areas – Explosive dust
atmospheres
IEC 61511 (all parts), Functional safety – Safety instrumented systems for the process
industry sector
IEC 61784-2, Industrial communication networks – Profiles – Part 2: Additional fieldbus
profiles for real-time networks based on ISO/IEC 8802-3

– 8 – IEC 62657-1:2017 © IEC 2017
IEC 61784-3, Industrial communication networks – Profiles – Part 3: Functional safety
fieldbuses – General rules and profile definitions
IEC 62657-2:— , Industrial communication networks – Wireless communication networks –
Part 2: Coexistence management
ETSI TR 102 889-2 V.1.1.1 (2011), Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters
(ERM); System Reference Document; Short Range Devices (SRD); Part 2: Technical
characteristics for SRD equipment for wireless industrial applications using technologies
different from Ultra-Wide Band (UWB)
ETSI EN 300 328 V2.1.1 (2016), Wideband transmission systems; Data transmission
equipment operating in the 2,4 GHz ISM band and using wide band modulation techniques;
Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of Directive
2014/53/EU
3 Terms, definitions abbreviated terms and acronyms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 62657-2:— and the
following apply.
3.1.1
automation application
application of measurement and automatic control in the industrial automation domains
3.1.2
availability,
ability of an item to be in a state to perform a required function under given conditions at a
given instant of time or over a given time interval, assuming that the required external
resources are provided
Note 1 to entry This ability depends on the combined aspects of the reliability performance, the maintainability
performance, and the maintenance support performance.
Note 2 to entry Required external resources, other than maintenance resources, do not affect the availability
performance of the item.
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-191:1990, 191-02-05]
3.1.3
coexistence
wireless communication coexistence
state in which all wireless communication solutions of a plant using shared medium fulfil all
their application communication requirements
Note 1 to entry: In IEEE 802.15.2-2003 [17] the coexistence is defined as a characteristic of a device.
[SOURCE: IEC 62657-2:—, 3.1.13]
3.1.4
coexistence management
process to establish and to maintain coexistence that includes technical and organizational
measures
___________
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: IEC FDIS 62657-2:2017.
Numbers in square brackets refer to the Bibliography.

[SOURCE: IEC 62657-2: —, 3.1.15]
3.1.5
cognitive radio system
radio system employing technology that allows the system to obtain knowledge of its
operational and geographical environment, established policies and its internal state; to
dynamically and autonomously adjust its operational parameters and protocols according to
its obtained knowledge in order to achieve predefined objectives; and to learn from the results
obtained
[SOURCE: ITU-R SM.2152:2009] [8]
3.1.6
conduit
logical grouping of communication assets that protects the security of the channels it contains
Note 1 to entry This is analogous to the way that a physical conduit protects cables from physical damage [see
IEC 62443 (all parts)].
Note 2 to entry A USB port is considered a conduit, but a USB device (e.g. memory stick) is considered an asset.
3.1.7
Ethernet
communication system according to ISO/IEC/IEEE 8802-3 and IEEE 802.1D
3.1.8
factory automation
automation application in industrial automation branches typically with discrete characteristics
of the application to be automated with specific requirements for determinism, low latency,
reliability, redundancy, cyber security, and functional safety
Note 1 to entry Low latency typically means below 10 ms delivery time.
3.1.9
plant
managed facility, typically with a physically protected perimeter, hosting the physical process,
operation, personnel, equipment
[SOURCE: IEC 62657-2:—, 3.1.58]
3.1.10
process automation
automation application in industrial automation branches typically with continuous
characteristics of the application to be automated with specific requirements for determinism,
reliability, redundancy, cyber security, and functional safety
3.1.11
reconfigurable radio system
RRS
radio system encompassing software defined radio and/or cognitive radio system
[SOURCE: ETSI TR 102 945 V1.1.1 (2013-06)]
3.1.12
reliability
ability of an item to perform a required function under given conditions for a given time
interval
Note 1 to entry It is generally assumed that the item is in a state to perform this required function at the beginning
of the time interval.
– 10 – IEC 62657-1:2017 © IEC 2017
Note 2 to entry The term “reliability” is also used as a measure of reliability performance (see
IEC 60050-191:1990, 191-12-01).
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-191:1990, 191-02-06, modified – Note 2 to entry has been modified.]
3.1.13
shared medium
resource of frequency band in particular area shared by several wireless applications
Note 1 to entry In the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM)-bands many wireless applications are used. Due to
this joint use, the term shared medium is used in this document. The frequency bands are used by diverse ISM and
wireless applications.
[SOURCE: IEC 62657-2:—, 3.1.77]
3.1.14
software defined radio
radio transmitter and/or receiver employing a technology that allows the RF operating
parameters including, but not limited to, frequency range, modulation type, or output power to
be set or altered by software, excluding changes to operating parameters which occur during
the normal pre-installed and predetermined operation of a radio according to a system
specification or standard
[SOURCE: ITU-R SM.2152:2009] [8]
3.1.15
telecommunication
any transmission, emission or reception of signs, signals, writings, images and sounds or
intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems
[SOURCE: Radio Regulations (2012) – Art. 1 § 1.3]
3.1.16
victim
device interfered by emissions of radio frequencies by other devices or equipment
3.1.17
wireless application
any use of electromagnetic waves with devices or equipment for the generation and use of
radio frequency energy
Note 1 to entry The definition includes radio determination equipment.
[SOURCE: IEC 62657-2:—, 3.1.93]
3.1.18
wireless communication
communication in which electromagnetic radiations are used to transfer information without
the use of wires or optical fibers
[SOURCE: IEC 62657-2:—, 3.1.94]
3.1.19
wireless solution
wireless communication solution
specific implementation or instance of a wireless communication system
Note 1 to entry A wireless solution may be composed of products of one or more producers.
[SOURCE: IEC 62657-2:—, 3.1.100]

3.1.20
wireless system
wireless communication system
set of interrelated elements providing wireless communication
Note 1 to entry A wireless system is a high level representation of a system, while a wireless solution is a
practical instance of a system. A wireless system can comprise one or more wireless networks.
[SOURCE: IEC 62657-2:—, 3.1.101]
3.2 Abbreviated terms and acronyms
AGV Automated guided vehicle
BPCS Basic process control system
CCP Central coordination point
CO Carbon dioxide
DAA Detect and avoid
DCS Distributed control system
DECT Digital enhanced cordless telecommunications
DSL Digital subscriber line
EC European Commission
EDGE Enhanced data GSM environment
EIRP Equivalent isotropic radiated power
EMC Electromagnetic compatibility
EMI Electromagnetic interference
EMS Electromagnetic susceptibility
FIFO First in first out memory
GPRS General packet radio service
GPS Global positioning system
GSM Global system for mobile communications
ID Identification
IEA International energy agency
IP Internet protocol
ISDN Integrated services digital network
ISM Industrial, scientific and medical
LAN Local area network
LBT Listen before talk
LOS Line of sight
LTE Long term evolution
NLOS Non line of sight
OLOS Obstructed line of sight
PC Personal computer
PPE Personal protective equipment
RF Radio frequency
RRS Reconfigurable radio system
SDR Software defined radio
SIL Safety integrity level
– 12 – IEC 62657-1:2017 © IEC 2017
SIS Safety instrumented system
SOP Standard operating procedures
SRD Short range devices
TDMA Time division multiple access
UMTS Universal mobile telecommunications system
USB Universal serial bus
WIA-PA Wireless network for industrial automation – process automation
WLAN Wireless local area network
WRT Wireless real-time
4 Wireless communication requirements of industrial automation –
considerations for regulators
4.1 Worldwide harmonized frequency use
One of the reasons to enable worldwide harmonized frequency use of wireless devices is that
they will go through several steps of successive integration before being actually used (into a
product, then a machine, then a factory), so the final geographical location of the wireless
device is not necessarily known. Regulation of the utilization of frequency bands is a matter of
national sovereignty and has not yet been harmonized worldwide. Even when using the
2,4 GHz ISM band, national device approvals or licenses could be required. Furthermore, it
could be necessary in some countries to gain approval for the operation of a wireless network,
or to publish details of such a network in advance. Occasionally there are local usage
restrictions related to the maximum transmission power that exceed international or regional
norms, or a limitation of operation for indoor or outdoor areas. It is therefore important when
exporting wireless systems to clarify in advance whether and under what circumstances the
devices in question are permitted to be operated in the respective country.
NOTE Normally, manufacturers include such information in their documentation.
4.2 Coexistence management process (see IEC 62657-2)
Standard network solutions with specific performance characteristics (such as time criticality,
safety and security) are used in industrial automation applications. The specific performance
characteristics needed for industrial automation are identified and provided in Clause 5.
The overall market for wireless network solutions spans a range of diverse applications, with
differing performance and functional requirements. Within this overall market, the industrial
automation domain could include:
• process automation, covering for example the following industry branches:
– oil & gas, refining,
– chemical,
– pharmaceutical,
– mining,
– pulp & paper,
– water & wastewater,
– steel;
• electric power like:
– power generation (for example wind turbine),
– power transmission and distribution (grid);
• factory automation, covering for example the following industry branches:

– food & beverage,
– automotive,
– machinery,
– semiconductor.
In industrial automation nowadays there are both wired networks and wireless networks.
Examples of these wireless networks are IEC 62591 (WirelessHART® ), IEC 62601 (WIA-PA)
and IEC 62734 (ISA100.11a); all these networks use IEEE 802.15.4 for the process
applications. Other examples of wireless networks are specified in IEC 61784-1 and
IEC 61784-2 communication profiles that use IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.15.1 for factory
automation applications. Unlike separately wired networks, wireless networks share the same
medium and thus may interfere with each other. Therefore, unless predicable coexistence is
assured, operation of multiple wireless networks within the same facility could be problematic,
resulting in unacceptable interference and consequently in the failure to meet time critical,
safety and security requirements.
Typically, an industrial plant is in a fenced area and all the plant equipment is under the
supervision of the plant management who can fully implement a coexistence management
process for all the wireless networks of the plant.
Automation applications can also reside in industrial facilities with higher ambient
electromagnetic interference (EMI) levels than those of non-industrial domains. One more
influence is radiated EMI. Regional regulations can allow significant radiated power for
specific radio applications in unlicensed spectrum, potentially generating a high field strength
in the proximity of a wireless system.
In some cases the owner/operator may not be able to control, or may not choose to control,
the equipment present. IEC 62657-2 can also be used to assist in the identification of the
resulting performance limitations.
The coexistence management process represents the activities of the coexistence
management system. The coexistence management process includes technical and
organizational activities in order to establish and to maintain the coexistence state of all
wireless solutions in a plant. The coexistence parameters specified in IEC 62657-2:—,
Clause 5, and provided as described in IEC 62657-2:—, Clause 6, are used in different
phases of the coexistence management process. The coexistence management process
consists of the following phases:
• investigation phase (see IEC 62657-2:—, 7.4.1);
• planning phase (see IEC 62657-2:—, 7.4.2);
• implementation phase (see IEC 62657-2:—, 7.4.3);
• operation phase (see IEC 62657-2:—, 7.4.4).
4.3 Concepts for using spectrum in wireless industrial applications
4.3.1 General
This document discusses the following concepts and the resulting requirements for using
spectrum in wireless industrial applications:
• use of suitable available spectrum for wireless industrial applications, see 4.3.2;
• dedicated spectrum for wireless industrial applications, see 4.3.3;
___________
WirelessHART® is the trademark of a product supplied by the FieldComm Group™. This information is given for
the convenience of users of this document and does not constitute an endorsement by IEC of the product
named. Equivalent products may be used if they can be shown to lead to the same results.

– 14 – IEC 62657-1:2017 © IEC 2017
• other concepts, see 4.3.4.
NOTE The order of the concepts does not mean any ranking or priority.
In addition to the coexistence management, combinations of the other concepts can be found
in practical applications.
4.3.2 Suitable available spectrum for wireless industrial applications
Several frequency bands are necessary to address all the different operational requirements
for wireless industrial applications. Operating simultaneously in parallel frequency bands
improves the availability of the wireless communication. The coverage depends on the
selected frequency band.
NOTE Low frequencies have a higher coverage than higher frequencies.
While the non-critical wireless links could use existing spectrum and comply with existing
rules and standards, new frequencies (outside the 2,4 GHz and other license-exempt bands)
need to be identified for the most demanding/critical wireless links in industrial applications.
The preference is to have this new spectrum close to or adjacent to bands which are globally
already available and for which industrial wireless technology has already been developed.
To address the specific needs for wireless industrial applications, the following requirements
and recommendations are identified.
• Specific wireless technologies that are robust in a dynamic and multi-path environment
shall be used.
• Frequency bands shall be either globally available, or adjacent to such bands, to facilitate
the use of similar technology with minimally different operating frequencies.
• Frequency bands should be above 1,4 GHz if interference from welding machines needs
to be avoided, and below 6 GHz due to both the quasi optical propagation behavior above
this value, the requirement for non-line-of-sight wireless communications and power
efficiency as needed for battery powered devices.
Existing solutions for industrial wireless communication use frequencies such as 920 MHz
(EU, US, Japan, Korea, etc.), 1 880 MHz to 1 900 MHz (DECT), the 2,4 GHz ISM-band or the
5 GHz WLAN bands.
Currently, the industrial automation applications use the existing spectrum allocated for
generic SRDs. The 2,4 GHz band is a commonly used band and its use is regulated by each
country.
For example in Europe, devices with an EIRP of less than 10 mW can be used with no
restriction for mitigation techniques. These devices shall comply with ETSI EN 300 440-1 [12]
and ETSI EN 300 440-2 [13], while devices with an EIRP of 10 mW to 100 mW can only be
used with restrictions. These devices shall comply with ETSI EN 300 328 and
ERC/REC 70-03 [10]. The restrictions in ETSI EN 300 328 require
– an automatic sharing mechanism, which requires the use of listen before talk (LBT) or
– a medium utilization factor or
– a detect and avoid (DAA) mechanism, also called “listen after talk”.
These restrictions are incompatible with the needs of industrial wireless links.
Security mechanisms shall always be part of the communication architecture of industrial
wireless applications to defend the industrial user against attacks. Pervasive action plans (so-
called "safe-modes") also exist to take into account intended and unintended interference
created by others such as jamming. This may include moving to different frequencies. Cyber
security standards for industrial applications are available, such as IEC 62443 (all parts).

Typically the use of a single common wireless standard by multiple uncoordinated users will
not result in interference between them. For example, separate user groups may each
establish IEEE 802.11 [15] radio networks in the same space, and conformance to
IEEE 802.11 will allow them to coexist to a basic extent. Provisions in some other standards,
e.g. Bluetooth® , may also provide some measures to facilitate basic coexistence among
certain differing standards. However, the basic level of coexistence provided by these
measures will not meet industrial requirements, since they do not guarantee deterministic and
managed sharing of the common radio resource. In an industrial context, where many diverse
radio networks have to simultaneously meet performance requirements and different levels of
priorities have to be satisfied, a coexistence management according to IEC 62557-2 ensures
predetermined and equitable sharing.
EXAMPLE An example solution is the combined use of a clock synchronized slot assignment technology, called
time division multiple access (TDMA), and a network manager tool in an access point (gateway) that assigns the
allowed slots to transmit data. This can allow several thousand devices to operate in a meshed network over
several years without any collision among themselves.
Non-critical wireless links can use the existing non-licensed bands such as ISM and have to
comply with national or regional regulations. Operation in some of the license-exempt bands
is subject to using specific mitigation techniques as mandated by the applicable
regulation/standard. These mitigation techniques would apply to any SRD, including those
used for industrial applications, as it is obvious that a variety of SRD applications might
already be present in the industrial environment.
In frequency bands where the industrial automation devices are not the primary users or the
users on the same priority, then they shall support mitigation techniques. Those can be:
• Power control:
– reduce power to a limit so that the interference level is below the required threshold
(protection zone);
– do not use more power than that your intended receiver needs (TransmitPowerControl).
• Time synchronization based sharing.
• Frequency selection.
• LBT, DAA.
• Central coordination point (CCP).
• Used mitigation/sharing technique in the range that others are using to detect the
incumbent.
4.3.3 Dedicated spectrum
4.3.3.1 Critical wireless links in industrial applications
Some industrial applications require a str
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