Wireless developments in industrial applications
6 August 2008
News
The growing concern in industry to reduce costs, enhance safety, and collect data efficiently has led to the greater uptake of industrial wireless systems. While advancements in wireless technologies give rise to reliable wireless sensors and sensor networks, a reduction in the cost of mature technologies such as ZigBee and WiFi have led to new applications and larger deployments.
New analysis from growth consulting company Frost & Sullivan finds that the reliability of wireless systems has increased considerably, driving them to new applications.
"Industrial wireless systems decrease installation costs by eliminating the need for wires, while also enabling sensing in remote and harsh industrial environments," notes Frost & Sullivan Technical Insights research analyst Vishnu Sivadevan. "These systems are a significant mode of collecting additional data from field devices, machines and processes, thereby enabling better maintenance and management of machines and processes."
Industrial wireless systems are used for a broad spectrum of applications such as wireless sensing, wireless condition monitoring and control, as well as realtime location of people and assets in various manufacturing sectors. Wireless sensor networks enable the management of production processes, material handling systems, people, and movement of assets. Wireless systems also play an important role in the cost-effective automation of manufacturing systems.
However, no single wireless communication technology exists for the broad spectrum of applications in an industrial setting, namely data collection, location and tracking, voice and video communications, as well as wireless transmission of control signals. Different applications also use different radio wireless technologies. Although a few wireless mesh networking technologies have become mature, standardisation of an efficient wireless technology for industrial use is yet to be achieved.
"Signal attenuation and range, which contribute to the reliability of wireless devices, are also a major challenge for wireless system manufacturers," says Sivadevan. "Due to this, several wireless devices are likely to switch to more reliable radio standards such as ultra-wideband (UWB) in the future. These have more location tracking accuracy and less signal attenuation."
For more information contact Patrick Cairns, Frost & Sullivan, +27 (0)21 680 3274, patrick.cairns@frost.com, www.frost.com
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