WirelessHART

WirelessHART is a wireless communication standard for process automation that enables reliable, secure data exchange between field devices and control systems over a wireless network. It was developed by the HART Communication Foundation and is now maintained by FieldComm Group. The standard defines a self-organizing, mesh network designed for harsh industrial environments where wired connections are impractical or costly.

WirelessHART networks are built on the IEEE 802.15.4-2006 physical layer in the 2.4 GHz ISM band and use channel hopping with time-slotted channel access to provide deterministic performance and resilience to interference. The network comprises field devices (sensors, actuators and transmitters), routers (relays) and gateways that connect to the control system or enterprise network. The mesh topology enables multiple, self-healing routes and scalable expansion.

Security is a core feature, with AES-128 encryption, key management, mutual authentication, and protection against data tampering and replay. The standard specifies device addressing, network keys, and secure commissioning procedures. Communications support typical process data update rates appropriate for monitoring and control, with channels and scheduling designed to minimize latency and maximize reliability across noisy industrial environments.

FieldComm Group promotes interoperability through certification and conformance testing, and WirelessHART products are designed to be vendor-agnostic within the standard. WirelessHART is widely deployed in process industries such as oil and gas, chemicals, and power generation, where it complements wired HART devices by providing flexible, scalable wireless instrumentation.