IEC 62591-2016 PDF

Full title and description

Industrial networks - Wireless communication network and communication profiles - WirelessHART™ (IEC 62591:2016). Specifies a WirelessHART wireless communication network and associated communication profile for industrial process automation, including physical, data-link, network and application layer definitions, network management, security, wireless procedures and gateway behaviour. This edition incorporates the corrigendum issued in March 2021.

Abstract

IEC 62591:2016 (second edition) defines the WirelessHART wireless communication network and communication profiles used for interoperable, secure, deterministic wireless field-device communications in process automation. The standard specifies protocol services and message formats across the physical, data-link and application layers; network management and commissioning procedures; security mechanisms; gateway interfaces; and diagnostics and performance monitoring (including KPIs and stale-data detection). It enables multi-vendor interoperable wireless field instrumentation using IEEE 802.15.4 radios and a time-synchronized self-organizing mesh architecture.

General information

• Status: Current (second edition with corrigendum).
• Publication date: 30 March 2016 (corrigendum included 3 March 2021).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 25.040.40 (Industrial process measurement and control); 35.100.05 (Multilayer applications).
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (2016) with Corrigendum 1 (2021).
• Number of pages: 1043 pages (full bilingual edition).

Scope

Defines an industrial wireless communication network and communication profile for WirelessHART that is used in process automation. The standard adds a Type 20 communication network to the IEC 61158 family and a communication profile (CPF 9/2) to IEC 61784-1. It covers physical-layer services and protocol, data-link layer services and protocol, application-layer services and protocol, network management and commissioning, security mechanisms, gateway behaviour and wireless procedures required for reliable, time-synchronized, self-organizing and self-healing mesh operation in the 2.4 GHz ISM band.

Key topics and requirements

• Physical-layer definitions and usage of IEEE 802.15.4 radios in the 2.4 GHz ISM band.
• Data-link layer framing, time-synchronization and scheduling for mesh networking.
• Application layer objects, services and data models for process automation devices.
• Network management: joining, routing, table management, KPIs and diagnostics.
• Security: authentication, encryption, replay protection and key management for wireless field devices.
• Gateway requirements and behaviour for integration with wired fieldbus and control systems.
• Procedures for commissioning, whitelist/blacklist management, quarantine state and stale-data detection.
• Performance monitoring: metrics, key performance indicators and statistics.

Typical use and users

Used by manufacturers of field devices, wireless gateways, control-system and DCS vendors, system integrators, instrumentation engineers and asset owners in process industries (chemical, oil & gas, power, water, pharmaceuticals, etc.). Typical uses are wireless process monitoring, sensor and actuator connectivity, retrofit of legacy wired installations, and deployment of low-power industrial sensor networks requiring interoperability, reliability and security.

Related standards

Closely related to IEC 61158 (fieldbus types, including Type 20 extensions), IEC 61784-1 (communication profiles and CPF assignments), IEEE 802.15.4 (radio PHY/MAC), and industry specifications from HART/FieldComm Group. It also sits alongside other industrial wireless standards such as ISA100.11a (for related wireless process automation approaches) and other IEC fieldbus/profile series used in industrial automation.

Keywords

WirelessHART, Wireless sensor networks, industrial wireless, fieldbus, IEC 62591, wireless field devices, mesh networking, process automation, gateway, security, IEEE 802.15.4, network management.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC 62591:2016 is the international standard that defines the WirelessHART wireless communication network and communication profile for industrial process automation (second edition, with corrigendum).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the full protocol stack (physical, data-link, application), network management, security, gateway behaviour, commissioning and diagnostics needed to deploy interoperable WirelessHART wireless field-device networks in process industries.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Device and gateway manufacturers, control-system vendors, system integrators, instrumentation and automation engineers, and plant owners/operators who deploy or maintain WirelessHART networks.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The second edition published 30 March 2016 is the current edition; a corrigendum was issued on 3 March 2021 and is incorporated in published copies. The IEC listing shows stability through 2027.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the IEC family of industrial communication standards and references/extends types and profiles in IEC 61158 and IEC 61784; it is the IEC normative specification for WirelessHART rather than a multi-part series under the single IEC 62591 reference.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: WirelessHART, Wireless sensor network, mesh networking, industrial automation, field device, gateway, IEC 62591, IEEE 802.15.4, network management, security.