Automation networks tend to become smarter and more consumer-oriented. New technologies, initially not intended for automation purposes, offer new possibilities and increased functionality for control and monitoring applications. This paper gives an overview on how intercommunication between to entirely different networks such as field bus systems, used for automation networks and wireless personal area networks (WPANs), embedded in modern consumer electronic devices can lead to new services. The major challenge is the integration of WPANs into existing and proven automation applications. This introductory paper emphasizes on intercommunication, services at the application layer level and on how to combine the individual advantages of these networks to extend the functionality and allow new services. The approach presented here is universal and can be applied to any automation system. In section V we present some results of the implementation of selected services.
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