Comparison of 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz for Industrial Process Control Wireless Connection

Wireless transmission of measurement and control signals are the future, and present, of process control. WiFi is already prevalent in higher density environments and providing benefits of reduced cabling and more. Wireless communications also can be used to connect devices over substantial distances, even globally. This article will focus on applications of moderate to long distance that will employ point to point communications of dedicated devices. Here is an illustrated example, with level measurement instruments on storage tanks located remotely from a data monitoring station.

Example of wireless connection between remote tanks and data collection and control center

In establishing a wireless process signal connection between the two points in the example, an initial consideration will be whether to employ 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz as the radio band. There are some general implications associated with the selection.

• Signal attenuation over any distance is greater for 2.4 GHz than 900 MHz. This generally means that 900 MHz can cover a greater distance and provide a signal of sufficient strength to properly communicate.
• Atmospheric attenuation for either frequency band is about the same, with a very slight advantage to 900 MHz.
• Both frequencies require "line-of-sight" to provide predictable and reliable operation. Obstructions within that zone can degrade the signal. Any obstructions with dimensions approximating the wavelength of the signal tend to have a greater impact. The wavelength of a 2.4 GHz signal is 12.5 cm (4.52 inches), 900 MHz is 33.3 cm (84.6 inches). 2.4 GHz signals are susceptible to interference by smaller objects in the transmission path than are 900 MHz signals.
• Without getting too technical, the height of a 900 MHz antenna will need to elevated to a greater distance the that of a 2.4 GHz antenna in order to provide what is known as "free space propagation". This is related to the Fresnel Zone and has greater impact as transmission distance increases.
• FCC rules allow larger transmit power ratings for 2.4 GHz radio signals than 900 MHz, increasing the potential range for 2.4 GHz.

Evaluate your potential installations with the above points in mind. Their impact on any particular application can vary depending upon the distance, topography, and potential obstructions. Share your wireless communications challenges with the experts at Analynk Wireless. Combining your site and process knowledge with their product application expertise will produce an effective solution.

Analynk Extends Offering of Hazardous Area Access Point Enclosures

AP411 for the Meraki MR72 Wireless Access Point
is Analynk's latest addition to the product line

Analynk Wireless manufactures equipment for transmitting process control signals via WiFi, radio, satellite, and cellular networks. One of their continuously expanding product lines is the Hazalynk series of explosion proof access point enclosures for installing wireless access points in hazardous areas.

The company currently has specific models designed for simple accommodation of wireless access points from Symbol, Cisco, Meru, Meraki, Aruba, HP, and Motorola. Each model is specifically configured to house a particular model wireless access point. Antenna openings, cables, and internal mounting bracket are all coordinated to provide easy installation of the wireless access point. Explosion proof antennas suitable for the access point are included with each enclosure.

The latest addition to the product line is intended for use with the Meraki MR72 Access Point. A data sheet for the unit is included below, or you can contact Analynk for more information about this or any of their other industrial wireless products.

New Wireless Network Access Point Enclosure for Hazardous Area from Analynk Wireless, LLC

Wireless Access Point Installation in Hazardous Area

Wireless access point enclosure for hazardous area

Here is your challenge. Your facility is expanding its wireless network coverage into another processing area. That new processing area also happens to be classed as hazardous. How are you going to place a wireless access point in that area to provide good wireless coverage?

Analynk Wireless manufactures industrial wireless communications products suitable for use in hazardous areas. One product line, Hazalynk, includes rated enclosures for popular wireless access points to enable installation in hazardous locations. Preconfigured models accommodate units from Cisco, Symbol, Meru, Aruba, Hewlett Packard, Motorola, and other brands. If there is not a preconfigured model for your preferred access point, contact Analynk. Arrangements are possible to accommodate most brands and models.

The Hazardous Area Access Point Enclosures are designed specifically to house the customer's selected access point device. The matching enclosure for an access point will have:

• Custom mounting bracket mating to the customer's access point.
• UL listed enclosure for subject hazardous area, including antenna locations coordinated with access point device arrangement.
• UL listed explosion proof antenna, one or more as need for the subject access point.
• All hardware, mounting plate, and RF cables to simplify installation and startup

A product specialist can help you with the latest available information. Contact Analynk to discuss your application and how to best fulfill your hazardous area wireless communication requirement.

Wireless Communications for Industrial Automation Continues to Expand Because It Performs

Wireless communications capabilities for process control
extend beyond WiFi

Wireless connection between a sensor and control or monitoring station is not new anymore. Products have matured, familiarity with the technology is widespread. Certainly, there are still large swaths of industrial installations that do not utilize the technology. This can be for any number or reasons, but new industrial technology tends to follow a predictable course throughout its adoption. There will be innovators and early adopters that can justify higher risks with the prospect of great returns. Many industries and companies will wait until perceived technological difficulties with implementation are overcome and products become more mainstream and easy to apply. That is where industrial wireless is today. Assembling complete working systems is a straight forward operation. Costs are comparatively modest. It's easier to visualize a payback.

Let's review some of the benefits a wireless installation can bring.

• Safety: Wireless connections can reduce personnel exposure to hazardous environments or situations that previously required human intervention or a manual gauge or instrument reading.
• Easy Scale-up: Adding points on a network is generally a simple incremental process.
• Operational Advantage: When deployed to replace manual instrument or gauge readings, real time data for diagnostics and efficiency measurements are now available. Information that is more accurate, timely, and consistent will produce better results.
• Installation Savings: Installation of wireless connected assets has been reported to be up to 10 times less expensive than wired installation. The reduced space and planning for cables and conduit can make what were once complex and time consuming operations much quicker and easier.
• Mobility: Wireless technology allows for real time connections to mobile platforms. Whether within a plant, on the road, or on the high seas, there are wireless products that can make the connection.
• Distance: Don't just think WiFi, think radio, think satellite, think cellular. Connections can be established across very long distances using standard products from the industry.
• Conversion of Legacy Devices: Many existing in-place devices can have their wired connections replaced with a wireless version. This accommodates a staged transition from wired to wireless in facility.

Analynk Wireless manufactures a broad range of wireless communications equipment for industrial process control and automation. Share your wireless connection challenges and ideas with the experts at Analynk and start benefiting from the technology. It's not new anymore. It's mainstream.

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

Transmitting Multiple I/O Points Along A Single Signal Path

Analynk A16000 Expansion Module provides up to
16 I/O points for wireless transmission or reception.

Wireless transmission of process control signals is steadily increasing in prevalence throughout many industrial environments. The ease of implementation, with no long cable runs to plan, layout, install, protect, and maintain, allows wireless installations to fulfill application niches that may have been considered impractical in the past.

Analynk provides hardware that easily allows the transmission and reception of up to 16 I/O points using a single transmitter and receiver. The A16000 Expansion Module can be configured with up to four internal cards that accommodate various types of input and output signals. The process is similar to setting up the I/O on a PLC. Connect the process signals to the A16000, and the A16000 to one of Analynk's transmitter or receiver devices. Setup is straight forward and allows the installation to be operable in minimal time.

Share your wireless communications and signal transmission challenges with the experts at Analynk and get recommendations on how to best implement workable solutions.

Analynk Model A16000 RF Expansion Module from Analynk Wireless, LLC