1. Introduction

In industrial sites, sensors and actuators of the Distributed Control Systems (DCS) are connected to some intermediate equipment through a huge web of cables spanning many kilometers and costing a fortune. About a decade ago, industry suppliers have started deploying wireless sensor and actuation solutions, which are easier to deploy and less costly than totally cabled ones. These solutions are based on small-embedded devices that are able to sense and actuate, as well as communicate and compute. The promise is that, if wireless solutions are proved reliable enough, they can revolutionize critical applications by allowing sensing and actuation at significantly lower costs. This first chapter starts by discussing issues and challenges arising from the inclusion of wireless sensors in industrial networks. Then the chapter presents a small description of all chapters included in this book. Each chapter describes one specific issue that leads the reader to better understand the concepts behind heterogeneous distributed control systems, as well as scheduling and planning in those systems. After reading this chapter, the reader will know the main concepts and issues behind heterogeneous DCS with wireless components.