Dynamic Spectrum Access Integrated in a Wideband Cognitive RF-Ethernet Bridge for Industrial Control Applications

In this paper the integration of a Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) technique in a wideband cognitive RF-Ethernet bridge for industrial control applications is presented. The proposed DSA scheme is based on two spectrum sensing algorithms and it allows avoiding any possible interference due to external communication systems or industrial equipments. Thus, the bridge is capable of carrying out an interference-free communication, providing the reliability and robustness required by industrial control applications. It also enables to expand a wired network to places where it is not possible to route a wire (such as moving or rotating elements) or replacing a wired link by a wireless one reducing maintenance and deployment costs. The RF-Bridge can work in the Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) bands of 868 MHz and 2.45 GHz. The FPGA implementation of this bridge is detailed in this contribution, as well as the measurement tests that have been carried out.