  Offering support for real-time communications on top of a wireless network
infrastructure is both a hot topic and still an open challenge. Wireless
networks are not on the same level of safety, dependability, and timeliness
observed in the wired realm, but they are evolving towards it. Instead of
focusing on the results that need to be delivered, the key factors of wireless
real-time networks are on the foundation of the network operation, defining
their capability of being dependable, safe, and timely on their roots. IEEE
802.15.4 and ISA100.11a are part of this context, which we show how to be
strengthened. From dealing with network inaccessibility to touching the needs
of reliable communication protocols to ensure the safe and sound exchange of
information, this white paper describes how we can go from dependability to
timeliness. This is achieved by visiting the roots of the network operation for
securing the provided communication service as a dependable, safe, and timely
asset for industrial automation.
  Keywords: Dependability, Safety, Timeliness, Resilience, Real-Time Wireless
Networks, Industrial Automation.
