Wireless networked control systems: an overview and recent developments

Wireless Networked Control Systems (WNCS) integrate wireless communication technologies with control systems, becoming an essential part of the Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and Tactile Internet (TI). This paper systematically discusses the basic architecture, key components, and main performance metrics of WNCS. It also provides an in-depth analysis of advanced control algorithms developed to address challenges such as latency, packet loss, and energy consumption. These algorithms include Model Predictive Control (MPC), Robust Control, Adaptive Control, and Event-Triggered Control (ETC). Recent advancements in WNCS research are summarized, covering topics such as the trade-offs between latency, data rate, and reliability, wireless feedback control with variable packet lengths, uncoded data transmission, optimal downlink-uplink scheduling, real-time remote estimation, Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ), air computing and optimization, stability conditions for remote state estimation, and the integration of deep learning for joint estimation, control, and scheduling. The paper also explores the future directions of WNCS development, including the application of 5G, Edge Computing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, with a focus on cross-layer design, resource optimization, and enhanced security. The research provides comprehensive technical guidance and design concepts to drive the widespread adoption of WNCS in industrial automation, smart infrastructure, and beyond.