Coming Soon. 4G Hazardous Area / Explosion Proof Antennas

New Analynk 4G LTE Hazardous Area Antenna Nears Release

Analynk will soon release a new 4G LTE hazardous area antenna to compliment its existing line of rugged, industrial hazardous area antennas.  For details, call (614) 755-5091 or email info@analynk.com.

Why 4G?

Sure, everyone's talking about 5G and it's impact on industrial networks. By broadening the scope of applications possible with cellular technologies, there's no doubt 5G will connect industry like never before. However, it won't be soon.

The unfortunate truth is that features specific for industrial 5G use are not expected to be part of the 5G standard until 2021.  If you then consider the years it will take to introduce production runs of 5G chips, smooth out production processes, and stabilize their performance in varying applications, you're at least 4-5 years away from meaningful industrial 5G implementation.

In the meantime, non-public networks, owned and managed by large organizations or service providers, will be the most logical and efficient way to solve the challenges of availability, data privacy, reliability, and quick rollouts. This, coupled with backward compatibility from 4G LTE to 5G being a core strategy of the 3GPP consortium, presents a strong argument toward the adoption of 4G LTE networks as the most logical and effcient path forward.

Considering that 4G LTE's momentum continues, and forecasts predict it will continue to grow its user base for years to come, it stands to reason that "4G now" is the perfect bridge for adoption as you move toward Industry 4.0 and 5G.

Fresnel Zones and Industrial Wireless Connections

Industrial wireless connections established outdoors across
long distances have to consider transmission path geometry.

A Fresnel zone, of which there an infinite theoretical number, is an ellipsoid shaped area extending between radio signal transmission and receiving antennas. Having a basic understanding of their impact on successful implementation of a lengthy wireless process signal connection will prove useful.

Wireless transmission of process signals in industrial settings becomes more prevalent every year, and should continue to do so for quite some time. Many installations are part of networks operating similarly to the wifi you may have in your home, with multiple points communicating via a network control scheme of some sort. The facility is flooded with signal coverage through multiple access points, so there may not be much need to consider signal propagation. This is an oversimplification, but as an operator or implementer, making the actual signal connection is probably not going to be an issue in most cases.

What about the other cases?

Antennas with three Fresnel zones depicted and
obstruction that is outside the primary Fresnel zone
Courtesy Wikipedia

An extended transmission distance across an outdoor area requires more understanding of signal propagation and factors that impede successful delivery of process data from transmitter to receiver. One concept that comes into play is the Fresnel zone.

Let's avoid an overly technical approach to Fresnel zones. The purpose of this post is to provide those with limited radio expertise familiarity with the subject of Fresnel zones at a level enabling visualization of the concept, and also to recognize its potential impact on achieving a successful wireless process connection.

We often consider the transmission path between two points to be the familiar "line of sight", an unobstructed straight line between transmitter and receiver. In practice, radio frequency transmission is more accurately characterized by Fresnel zones. Being aware of the shape of the first, or primary, Fresnel zone for your application is an important element in identifying potential obstructions. A general practice is to keep the primary Fresnel zone at least 60% clear of signal obstructions, in order to maintain high wireless link performance.

There are numerous sources of Fresnel zone calculators online, but a strong recommendation to consult with your selected wireless equipment provider is in order here. Combine their expertise at applying their products with your application knowledge to leverage an effective solution.

Overcoming Signal Attenuation in Industrial Wireless Transmission

Wireless signals facilitate mobile and remote connections
of industrial process measurement and control equipment

Wireless connections for process measurement and control devices continue to grow in their application range and adoption. The ease with which remote, mobile, even nearby devices and equipment can be connected to monitoring and control stations keeps wireless connectivity a considered option for many facility modifications and additions.

How do you know if the wireless connection you intend to establish will work? It's not a question of whether the gear will function properly, but one of whether the signal will be able to find its way from point A to point B. Signal attenuation is the reduction in signal strength that occurs along the path between two points. Too much attenuation and the signal is not effective in delivering data to the destination. Two main elements contribute to signal attenuation.

Distance

Radio signals deteriorate over the distance traveled. This attenuating factor can be overcome by boosting transmission power, but regulatory limits are in place that disallow much in the way of increasing transmission power. Keeping in mind that signal attenuation at a level that renders a transmission indecipherable, just caused by distance alone, requires a very substantial distance. That said, there are several effective solutions that can be put in place. One involves increasing the height of the transmission antenna. Another is to install a repeater at a point along the transmission path. A repeater, properly placed, will effectively receive the signal from the transmitter, then transmit a new signal of greater strength that replicates the original received data. The use of repeaters can greatly extend the distance spanned by a wireless transmission.

Obstructions

Many are familiar with the objective of establishing "line of sight" transmission paths between transmitter and receiver. Physical structures and materials of all types should be considered detrimental to the transmission of wireless signals. A basic understanding of Fresnel zones is helpful in overcoming the barriers presented by physical obstructions. As with distance, antenna height or location can be a significant factor in dealing with the challenge of obstructions. Repeaters, described earlier, can be instrumental in getting your signal over or around otherwise impassable obstructions.

Routing wireless signals presents different, but no more complicated, challenges than routing cable. The tools are different, the medium is different, but you are still just trying to find a way from point A to point B. With experience, wireless signal propagation becomes is mundane is routing conduit.

Share your industrial wireless ideas and challenges with the experts at Analynk Wireless. Analynk Wireless manufactures equipment used to establish wireless process connections across the room, across the plant site, across the highway, and around the globe.

Hazardous Area Antennas Now Carry NEMA 4X Rating

The CTX and CTM antennas for industrial wireless
communications now carry a NEMA 4X rating

Analynk is well known in the industrial wireless communications field for its hazardous area antennas. Recently, certification was received as RoHS compliant. Analynk has now achieved a NEMA 4X rating for the CTM and CTX hazardous area explosion proof antennas, further expanding the range of applications and solidifying the product's reputation for high performance and ruggedness.

Data sheets for both the CTM and CTX series antennas are provided below, but sharing your industrial wireless communications challenges with the experts at Analynk Wireless is always the best path to an effective solution.

Industrial Wireless Communications - Hazardous Area Antennas from Analynk Wireless, LLC

Antennas In Industrial Wireless

Explosion proof antenna for industrial wireless
communications in hazardous locations
Analynk Wireless

Wireless field instrumentation has played a growing role in the process control industry since its introduction. Digital instrumentation has become the industry standard thanks to advantages in communicability, durability, cost effectiveness, and integration. WirelessHART maintains, and even exceeds, the operating efficiency of wired systems without sacrificing security. Other protocols for industrial communications also operate in the process control space, each providing an operable solution for wireless connectivity. All utilize a common signal path that is worth understanding, if you are involved in process measurement and control…radio

Communicating information over long distances through open space is achieved by radio systems using electromagnetic fields. The common radio wave comprises oscillating electric and magnetic fields to generate electromagnetic radiation. The three most common antenna designs are the half-wave dipole antenna, the quarter-wave whip antenna, and the five element yagi antenna. The dipole and whip antennas are engineered to adeptly receive electromagnetic waves from all directions perpendicularly aligned with their axes. The yagi antenna, on the other hand, boasts director and reflector elements to increase its directionality. Thanks to this directionality, the yagi is best applicable in radar and point-to-point communications. The dipole and whip, also known as omnidirectional antennas, are better in situations where equal sensitivity is required in multiple directions instead of a pinpoint system.

Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems find uses for both yagi and dipole antennas. The dimensions of particular antennas are directly related to signal wavelength because radio antennas work at maximum efficiency when in conditions of electrical resonance. The actual size of the antenna allows for a certain electrical resonance frequency. Low frequency antennas are larger, and higher frequency antennas are smaller. A quarter-wave whip antenna designed as part of a 900 MHz transceiver application, in industry, would be around 8.3 centimeters. The same antenna design for an AM radio broadcast transmission operating at 550 KHz would be around 136 meters. These antenna parameters are specific to both the conditions the antenna operates under and the related frequency being measured.

Industrially designed yagi antennas are built to preserve the reliability of wireless monitoring, even in harsh environments. Oil and gas companies, water districts and progressive utilities can monitor Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) from a centralized location. The major challenge facing radio wireless monitoring today is the maximization of uptime in difficult environments. The challenge is being addressed by the development of antennas which can pair with National Electrical Manufacturers Association RTU enclosures. Protecting against dust and rain, wind, splashing water, and hose-directed water are some of the ways product developers are responding to industry reported client concerns. Additionally, industrial environments can present hazards that require the use of specially enclosed antennas to eliminate the potential for ignition of flammable atmosphere. Similarly, dipole antenna manufacturers are adapting to challenging environments by designing antennas specific to the application needs of industry customers.

Analynk Wireless provides solutions for establishing wireless connections in industrial settings. You can learn more about the company at their website.

Know Analynk Wireless - Introductory Video

Analynk Wireless is an innovative designer and supplier of wireless instrumentation for the process control industry. Instruments and equipment have been successfully implemented in numerous applications including temperature measurements, 4-20 mA bridges, discrete inputs/outputs, pulse inputs, lighting and pump controls. The company's products are used in both hazardous and non-hazardous locations. Analynk Wireless also manufactures a line of traditional wired process measurement and control instrumentation under the brand name Telmar Instruments.

Share your wireless connectivity challenges with the experts at Analynk. Combining your process knowledge with their expertise with produce effective solutions.

Hazardous Area RF Antenna Opens Up Installation Possibilities

Analynk Hazardous Area Antenna

Many industrial process control operations can benefit from wireless connections between measuring and control devices. The absence of cables saves space, reduces potential for damage, and simplifies modifications to the process equipment layout. Implementing wireless communications in hazardous areas, whether through WiFi or other radio frequency channels, presents a particular set of challenges to successful implementation. Points of network access and other transmission and receiving equipment can require a level of isolation and hardening appropriate for the hazardous environment. Specialized enclosures can house the needed equipment, but antennas must extend outside metal enclosures and into the hazardous environment in order to function. This imposes rigorous requirements on antenna design and construction.

Analynk Wireless provides patented hazardous area explosion proof antennas for industrial installations.  Their CTX and CTM series antennas carry an array of third party approvals and are suitable for use in a broad range of hazardous environments. Models can accommodate WiFi and other RF communications across frequency bands commonly utilized in industrial settings, as well as cellular and satellite communications.

Data sheets for the CTX and CTM Series antennas are included below for more detail. Share your wireless communication challenges and application questions with the experts at Analynk and work together to produce the best solutions.

Industrial RF Antennas for Hazardous Areas from Analynk Wireless, LLC

Hazardous Area Wireless Equipment Enclosures Ease the Path to Implementation

Analynk hazardous area wireless equipment enclosures
are preconfigured for antenna connection.

Extending or establishing wireless connections in hazardous industrial environments presents a unique set of challenges. The equipment must be housed in an enclosure appropriately rated for the environment. Additionally, the antenna must extend outside the hazardous area rated equipment enclosure in order to properly function. The antenna must also carry a suitable rating for the hazardous area and provide an approved mating to the enclosure to preserve the safety integrity of the installation.

Analynk Wireless, innovators in the industrial wireless arena, provide a series of enclosures suitable for Class 1 Division 1 Groups C&D locations, as well as Class 1 Zone 1 applications. The enclosures are preconfigured to accommodate Analynk's hazardous area antenna, which provides access to a range of frequencies that include radio, cellular, and satellite communications.

The company also provides hazardous area rated enclosures for many popular industrial WiFi access points, preconfigured with antennas, equipment mounting bracket, and connection cables.

Share your industrial wireless communications challenges with the experts at Analynk Wireless. Combining your process expertise with their knowledge of wireless communications will produce the best solution.

Hazardous Area Wireless Equipment Enclosures from Analynk Wireless, LLC

New Explosion Proof Antenna for Iridium Satellite Industrial Communications

Analynk antennas expanded capability includes
Iridium satellite based communications

Analynk Wireless has expanded its hazardous area antenna line with a new series designed for communication across the Iridium satellite network. The Iridium network provides worldwide process data transmission access for industrial operations of all types. The explosion proof antennas can be utilized with Analynk equipment, or that of other manufacturers, to provide wireless connection between a central control or monitoring facility and mobile or remotely located process measurement and control equipment.

There are two basic models, differing only in manner in which a connection is made to a suitable enclosure. The CTM model is provided with the M20 connection. The CTX model has a 3/4" NPT connector. Both models carry the same array of approvals for use in hazardous locations. The same construction that enables installation in a hazardous area also makes these units a good choice for any location requiring rugged construction.

A data sheet is provided below with details on approvals and specifications. Contact Analynk directly for any assistance you may need in meeting your wireless communication challenges. The company's extensive product offering is directed at the needs of the process control field.

Hazardous Area Antenna - Iridium Satellite Communication from Analynk Wireless, LLC

Product Update - RoHS Compliant Hazardous Area Antenna

Model CTX Antenna
All Analynk hazardous area antennas are
now RoHS compliant

Analynk Wireless announces that the company's entire line of hazardous area antenna products are RoHS compliant. These rugged antennas are intended for global application in the industrial process control field. Analynk hazardous area antennas are UL listed for Class 1, Groups C & D and have ATEX/IECEx Certification. A range of frequencies are available: 900MHz, 2.4GHz, Cellular, GPS, GLONASS, Iridium and dual bands. Ideal for dual band access points.

More information is available by reaching out directly to the product specialists at Analynk. Share your industrial wireless challenges with them and work toward a good solution.

Installing Wireless Access Point in Hazardous Area

Model AP320 Wireless Access Point
Courtesy Aruba Networks

In many technical endeavors, industrial process control being one, there are often collisions between what is necessary and what is desired. The incursion of wireless communications into the process measurement and control field has created such a collision between process engineers and IT managers. Granted, it's a cooperative and amicable collision, but a situation that can require the resolution of some incompatible interests.

For a number of reasons, it may be advantageous for the wireless network gear in the process section of a facility to conform to certain standards established for the larger scope of the organization. There can be real benefits to standardizing on particular brands or types of hardware. The tasks involved with back end management of network infrastructure are less complex when all the equipment is of the same vendor and product family. Provisioning, which includes initial setup, long term management, and unit loss management, is simplified when all the units are the same. Process engineers and operators pursue the same goal in standardizing on particular transmitters, valves, or other components that have multiple installations throughout a facility.

Analynk Wireless Access Point Enclosure for
Hazardous Locations

The difficulty arises when the IT team's chosen wireless access point needs to be installed in an area classified as hazardous due to the potential for ignition of flammable or explosive gases and vapors. There is a solution, actually a fairly simple one.

Analynk manufactures enclosures for industrial wireless access points installed in hazardous locations. The current offering accommodates a range of units from Symbol, Cisco, Meru, Aruba, HP, and Motorola, with more models added regularly to accommodate additional wireless access points. Each access point enclosure is provided with UL listed explosion proof antennas, a mounting bracket designed for the target access point, and RF cables to make the antenna connections. Enclosures have penetrations specifically located to accommodate the target access point.

This arrangement allows for the deployment of the organization's preferred wireless access point in the hazardous process area.

Analynk Wireless specializes in industrial wireless communications. Your wireless communication challenges are welcome at Analynk, so make contact and share your application requirements. Combining your process expertise with Analynk's product specialization will produce a positive solution.