In recent history the requirement for wireless technologies has been growing exponentially, including in the automation industry. There are so very many potential applications in producing the sheer options can become overwhelming. The key has a sound method for wireless applications, realizing that some systems benefit from hard-wiring, and that hard-wiring also makes a good 'back up ' plan for when a wireless system goes down.
There are several common applications for wireless technology in the automation industry. One is easy monitoring. This often eliminates the need for a human eye. Over a period that can save a company money. Think about inventory control as an excellent example, including remote inventories. Especially in large companies this becomes an arduous task for staff doing it by hand. Having a wireless, automated application simplifies everything and also provides more precision.
Another wonderful application for wireless monitoring is for identifying issues with energy usage and management. By pin-pointing variables in say gas use a company can then find ways to lower consumption (again saving money). The same kind of monitoring applies to pipeline instrumentation. The wireless automated system can track remote data habitually.
Having claimed all that, there are limits. Some control processes simply aren't fitted to underlying wifi network requirements. The key here is how quickly the wireless system provides reply, and what reply time is necessary. In these time delicate eventualities, hard-wiring remains the way to go.
The best way to know for certain if your automation systems suit the wireless world is by checking your current substructure. What must be added to that infrastructure to deal with the wireless service insuring proper performance? Those elements must be part of your financial position and your planning process. Think about this like laying a foundation to a building. Every well-known stone must be solid and placed in the required order, especially if you selected mesh networking. The great part of this design is that every device talks with every other device in the network, and can also become a router if it's required. As you expand the number of sensors in this system, the daddy your wifi network stretches.
What about overall tenets for wireless technology in automation? There have been steps made here too. The industry standards is named WirelessHART. These standards provide customs for a wide-range of wireless communications. While this is no means a unified standard, it's a start.
There are several common applications for wireless technology in the automation industry. One is easy monitoring. This often eliminates the need for a human eye. Over a period that can save a company money. Think about inventory control as an excellent example, including remote inventories. Especially in large companies this becomes an arduous task for staff doing it by hand. Having a wireless, automated application simplifies everything and also provides more precision.
Another wonderful application for wireless monitoring is for identifying issues with energy usage and management. By pin-pointing variables in say gas use a company can then find ways to lower consumption (again saving money). The same kind of monitoring applies to pipeline instrumentation. The wireless automated system can track remote data habitually.
Having claimed all that, there are limits. Some control processes simply aren't fitted to underlying wifi network requirements. The key here is how quickly the wireless system provides reply, and what reply time is necessary. In these time delicate eventualities, hard-wiring remains the way to go.
The best way to know for certain if your automation systems suit the wireless world is by checking your current substructure. What must be added to that infrastructure to deal with the wireless service insuring proper performance? Those elements must be part of your financial position and your planning process. Think about this like laying a foundation to a building. Every well-known stone must be solid and placed in the required order, especially if you selected mesh networking. The great part of this design is that every device talks with every other device in the network, and can also become a router if it's required. As you expand the number of sensors in this system, the daddy your wifi network stretches.
What about overall tenets for wireless technology in automation? There have been steps made here too. The industry standards is named WirelessHART. These standards provide customs for a wide-range of wireless communications. While this is no means a unified standard, it's a start.
About the Author:
Todd Smith is the owner of psifla.com, a site that offers info about automation products and services.
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