Prefabricated Wireless Communications Solution

Wireless transmission of process measurement and control signals has not been new technology for quite some time. In many cases, wireless connection is the installation method of choice over cabled. The benefits in speed of implementation and cost are substantial. That said, as the technology continues to permeate industrial installations of every size, there still remain facilities where it has not made any inroads yet. 

When technology is new to the industrial market, especially if it challenges the current way things are done, early adopters with larger scale, higher dollar operations are needed to put the technology into practical use and generate manufacturing volume for the technology producers. If deployment of the technology proves beneficial, the market grows on the consumer and producer sides. With greater efficiency and scale, coupled with growth in the knowledge base throughout the market with increased penetration, costs tend to decrease, while the range of feasible applications and projects grows.

Wireless communication for industrial applications is well beyond the point of early technology adoption. Protocols are in place, products for the transmitting and receiving of wireless process signals are mature. As a stakeholder at any level of a processing operation, you should confidently consider wireless connections between measurement and control or recording devices as part of any new installation or upgrading of existing facilities.

Analynk's wireless demo kit includes a model A750 receiver and A753 transmitter both housed in NEMA 4 enclosures. The kit operates at 900 MHz with full 1W power. Locate the transmitter and receiver at points where you wish to establish a wireless connection. You can provide your own input signal, or use the provided simulator to show that a wireless connection can be established and function in a manner that will give you confidence to move forward with implementation. The kit is useful for testing out possible new locations for distance and signal strength. You will use it as wireless communications expand through your facility. Test the location first, then order the needed wireless equipment. It's a solid and low risk solution.

An additional use of the prefabricated transmitter and receiver stations is as a temporary portable means of establishing a connection between measurement and control points. The units can even be solar or battery powered, if no power source is available.

Analynk is a manufacturer of both wireless and wired devices for process measurement and control. The company's offering includes a wide array of standard products, as well as integration and customization to meet specific project requirements. Contact the specialists at Analynk to discuss your industrial wireless application requirements.

Wireless Process Connections - DIY May Not Be Your Best Option

Analynk can design and fabricate complete systems for
establishing wireless process connections.

Implementing in-house projects takes time, something you may not have enough of on a good day. Establishing wireless connections between remote sensors and control or monitoring equipment can be accomplished with a minimum investment of scarce in-house human resources using Analynk's design and build services. With an extensive range of standard products, accessories and options, Analynk will assemble ready-to-run panels for the transmitting and receiving ends of your wireless link. This saves a substantial amount in resources that would otherwise be devoted to design, layout, assembly and operational testing of each panel needed. Smart outsourcing.

The Analynk application team can design and fabricate a complete package solution for your process measurement or wireless connectivity requirement. Share your ideas and challenges with the wireless and process measurement experts, leveraging your own knowledge and experience for a successful project outcome.

Analynk Participation in Aruba Atmosphere 2018

Analynk will be an active sponsoring partner participant at the Atmosphere 2018 conference, held in Las Vegas from March 25 through March 30. The event is organized and hosted by Aruba, a Hewlett Packard Enterprise company. This event provides opportunities for technical training, as well as other resources to keep you and your organization up to date on technology related to wireless networks.

An excerpt from the conference website provides a good synopsis.

Technology is changing so rapidly that it’s near impossible to stay ahead. Don’t rely on Google and YouTube – you should join the best in the industry at Atmosphere 2018. It’s an opportunity to join over 3,000 of your peers to learn, collaborate and influence the direction of Aruba products that deliver enterprise-class wireless, wired, security, location and branch solutions. Be a part of today’s leading innovation machine!
At Atmosphere, you’ll experience the technical vision of how you can enable intelligent edge capabilities in your business with the Aruba Mobile First Architecture. Keynotes and hands-on sessions will teach you how to:

• Learn how to turn IT resources into assets for your business
• Close security gaps while supporting workplace flexibility
• Provide the right collaboration tools for organizational creativity
• Help your organization gain an innovation edge
• Embrace the flexibility and scale of cloud and on-premises solutions

Make plans to attend and take advantage of the concentration of available knowledge, all in one place. 

Use Signal Repeaters to Overcome Industrial Wireless Transmission Barriers

A repeater can be used to overcome barriers to signal
transmission, such as distance and structures.

Many process measurement and control wireless connections are accomplished using networks, with routers and access points. Other connections are established across longer distances, conceivably outdoors. In many of those cases, there are barriers or obstructions that will attenuate the wireless signal sufficiently to prevent reliable data transfer. Hills, wooded areas, walls, tanks and other structures and natural features can present real challenges to wireless signal transmission. Another transmission challenge is the distance between transmission and receiving stations.

One, though not the only, solution to overcoming the challenge that can arise due to extended distance or substantial obstacles between the transmitter and receiver is the placement of a repeater. Analynk provides a repeater that can be strategically located between transmitter and receiver to extend the overall transmission distance, or route the signal around obstacles that may otherwise degrade the transmission. The data sheet included below describes how easy it is to apply and provides all the technical details.

Wireless connectivity is an incredibly flexible option for delivery of process data from measurement point to control point. Contact Analynk with your wireless communication challenges and get solid practical solutions.

Analynk Model A759 Wireless Repeater from Analynk Wireless, LLC

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.

Expand Industrial Wireless I/O Capacity With A16000

The A16000 increases the I/O capacity of a dedicated
transmitter and receiver.

Modern industrial radio frequency (RF) communications gear enables the establishment of process signal connections across very small or very large distances. The advantages of implementing cost effective connections within a very short time frame makes wireless connections a popular option in industrial settings. A misconception arises, from time to time, that it is necessary to have a dedicated transmitter and receiver for each process signal. Analynk has a solution that provides for delivery of up to sixteen process signals over a single transmission path.

Analynk provides hardware that easily allows the transmission and reception of up to 16 I/O points using single transmission and reception point devices. The A16000 Expansion Module can be configured with up to four internal cards that accommodate various types of input and output signals. The configuration 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 a very short time frame. The A16000 can also be used to expand existing installations as process I/O points increase.

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

Hazardous Area Wireless Access Point Enclosure for Aruba AP 274

This version of the AP617 Hazardous Area Wireless Access
Point Enclosure accommodates six explosion proof antennas.

The Aruba AP-274 wireless access point carries a description of it's operating environment range that says "Purpose-built to survive in the harshest outdoor environments, 270 series APs withstand exposure to extreme high and low temperatures, persistent moisture and precipitation, and are fully sealed to keep out airborne contaminants. All electrical interfaces include industrial strength surge protection." While the access point can withstand outdoor environments, maybe even some industrial environments, there is a large class of industrial settings where it is just as important to protect the environment from the device as it is to protect the device from the environment. Hazardous atmospheres require isolation and special housing of electrical gear that have potential to be source of ignition.

Analynk manufactures enclosures for industrial wireless access points, facilitating their installation in hazardous locations. Each access point enclosure is specifically targeted and designed to provide easy installation of specific wireless access points from a range of manufacturers. Every model 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.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.

The website has a newly added data sheet for the AP617, specifically designed for the Aruba AP-274 dual band access point. 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 own knowledge and experience with Analynk's industrial wireless application expertise will produce an effective solution.

The new datasheet for the AP617 is provided below. You can see all the models and their companion access points on the Analynk site.

AP 617 Hazardous Area Wireless Access Point Enclosure from Analynk Wireless, LLC