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10 Solutions to Industrial Wireless System Challenges

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Advantages of Using Industrial Wireless Systems

1. Simpler, more cost effective, and more flexible set up and installation than cable-based systems

2. Bypasses physical obstacles

3. Longer life compared to slip rings (which are prone to wear) and cable lines on mobile devices

4. Reduces maintenance costs

5. Enables monitoring and control of remote stations with no cable access 

Signal Echo

Historical Challenges

Typical open radio frequencies (900 MHz and 2.4 GHz) tend to bounce off larger objects, metals, and concrete and return to the transmitter, causing an "echo" or "multi-path".

First generation wireless systems would become confused by the echo and cancel transmission, resulting in a “radio null” state. Noise

Electromagnetic emissions created by large motors, heavy equipment, high power generation and usage, and other typical industrial machinery creates a high level of "noise" that prevented early transmitters and remote nodes from "hearing" each other. Channel Sharing and Interference

Radio frequencies were shared by many devices, resulting in data confusion between those using the same channel in the same area.

New wireless solutions

Solution 1: FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) - Data is transmitted on a single channel at a time, but the channel is rapidly and constantly changing or “hopping”. This scheme requires low bandwidth. Solution 2: DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) - Data is transmitted simultaneously over every available channel, making it a bit more reliable in “noisy” environments, but is also bandwidth intensive.

Industrial Protocols Not Supported

Historical Challenges

Since most early wireless devices were designed for home and inter-office use, very few engineers were addressing the industrial protocols such as Modbus or the need to move from wireless to RS-232, 422, or 485 supports.

New wireless solutions

Solution: New Industrial Standard Protocols that enable reliability, security, speed, distance, and efficiency were developed:

  • Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n)
  • Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1)
  • ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4)
  • Proprietary RF (non-standard)

Distance

Historical Challenges

Ranges of several hundred feet or more between central control systems and remote sensors and equipment were not supported by early wireless systems.

Solution: Industry Security Standards (IEEE 802.11i / WPA2)

  • Ensure the communication being received is authentic Solution: Firewall Protection Devices
  • Filter routed and bridge traffic inside the network Solution: Wireless Intrusion Detection Systems
  • Detect and report a wide range of suspicious behaviors

New wireless solutions

Solution: Increase in Transmit Power

  • 2.4 GHz Frequency (tighter, shorter wave length)
  • 900 MHz Frequency (longer wave length) Solution: Greater Receiver Sensitivity
  • Directional Antenna
  • Omni Directional Antenna Solution: Improvements in Line of Sight Awareness (LOS) Solution: Advances in Capabilities of Receiving Data Volume
  • Point to Point
  • Point to Multipoint
  • Security

Historical Challenges

Early adoption of the IEEE 802.11 standards created a large number of security issues and continues to require a high level of counter-measures to ensure the safety of data and business systems.

New wireless solutions

Solution: Industry Security Standards (IEEE 802.11i / WPA2)

  • Ensure the communication being received is authentic Solution: Firewall Protection Devices
  • Filter routed and bridge traffic inside the network Solution: Wireless Intrusion Detection Systems
  • Detect and report a wide range of suspicious behaviors

Know more about RAD-2400-IFS from Phoenix Contact (764-6271)

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