Wireless Process Control Networks

In order to promote data sharing and analysis in embedded control networks, industrial plants, factories and process automation systems are increasingly deploying information and communications technologies. Despite the severe process control environment, as well as loss of signal propagation and interference with radio frequency (RF), wireless connections provide quick and simple access to a multitude of field tools, reducing network installation expenses and continuing maintenance outlays. This serves as an incentive to adopt industrial wireless networks depending on industry norms such as ISA100.11a, a wireless networking technology standard established by ISA (International Automation Society) and WirelessHART, a wireless sensor networking technology based on the Highway Addressable Remote Transducer Protocol (HART).

However, wide-ranging acceptance is tentative, as industrial environments differ extensively and process control systems have a variety of critical demands for wireless networking, such as:

Long-term durability.
Low-cost operation.
High reliability in the harsh radio propagation environment.
Deterministic transmissions in shared wireless bandwidth.

Wired connections have proved efficient in promoting reliable, point-to-point communication between controller and field tools. Wired links, however, have a difficult restriction - they are unable to meet the increasing demands and future requirements to support adaptive network topology and fast reconfiguration found in new process control systems.

Instead of setting miles of wires to connect hundreds of field tools, industrial wireless communication networks provide tailored network topology wireless links, enable plug-and-play setup, and provide reduced installation and maintenance costs.

Compared to the demands of conventional Internet data services, the requirements of wireless service quality (QoS) in the process control environment are more stringent. In mobile use cases, these include more extremely reliable transmissions as well as centralized data analytics, tighter message latency, and reduced power consumption.

For more information about wireless networking in the industrial space, contact Analynk Wireless. Visit their website at https://analynk.com, or call them at 614-755-5091.