Read the online version if some of the links don't work in this Wireless Connectivity Update.
|
Free courses on using wireless in process operations 
Need a better understanding of wireless technologies and how to put them to work? New courses at www.PlantWebUniversity.com offer practical, easy-to-understand insights on wireless applications, technologies, security, implementation, and more. Each course take only 15 minutes – and they're all free! |
| Wireless Connectivity Feed |
Resources & Literature:
-PROFIsafe Wireless Profile
-Anritsu: Solving Your Radio Frequency Interference Problems
-ZigBee Competitive Technology Analysis; and more
Application Stories:
-Wireless networking benefits
-Treatment Plant Calls Cell Phones with Alarms
-Sense Tire Pressure without Batteries; and more
Featured Training:
-Emerson offers free online training on wireless technologies
-Emerson’s PlantWeb University Online Learning Center
-
WINA-ISA Industrial Wireless Tutorial
; and more
Product Announcements:
-MOXA G2150I modem enables cellular connectivity
-Panasonic announces Verizon high speed wireless access for Toughbooks
-Intermec introduces Skynax R6 platform for mobile communications; and more
Featured Events:
-ABI Research Hosts Femtocell Workshop
-ISA-SP100, Wireless Systems for Automation
-National Instruments Hosts NIWeek Technical Summit; and more
Anatomy of a Red Team Attack
Automation World, June 2007
A Red Team test involves an all-out attempt to covertly gain access to a company’s critical plant control systems, using both cyber and physical means. They get in, install a wireless access point, and get out. These guys haven’t failed yet, and they’ve never been caught. Here’s a close-up look at how they do it.
Secure, low-power, IP-based connectivity with IEEE 802.15.4 wireless networks
Industrial Embedded Systems, June 2007
By David Culler, PhD, Arch Rock
IEEE 802.15.4 radios have gained in popularity, and various protocols are used over these radios for wireless connections. IP connectivity is desired for many of these wireless links, but it must be secure and low power. Author explores the case for 6LoWPAN in wireless sensor networks.
Combining DSPs and FPGAs in multimode wireless handset designs
Embedded Computer Design, June 2007
By Louis Bélanger, Lyrtech
Use of FPGAs in low-power handsets design is becoming more and more possible thanks to the benefits of shrinking silicon geometries. This article describes a modular DSP/FPGA development platform aimed at handset developers.
Wireless Technology is Ready for Industrial Use
Maintenance Technology, May 2007
By Gary Mathur, Moore Industries-International, Inc.
Wireless works in a plant, but you'll want to be careful regarding which "flavor" you choose. There are many flavors of wireless, and an understanding is needed to determine the best solution for any particular application. Wireless can be licensed or unlicensed, Ethernet or serial interface, narrow band or spread spectrum, secure or open protocol,Wi-Fi…the list goes on. This article provides an introduction to this powerful technology.
Watch Out for Bluetooth Hacking
Automation World, May 2007
By Clint Bodungen, President, Critical Infrastructure Institute
Is wireless Bluetooth technology used anywhere in your manufacturing plant? If so, you could be exposing your controls network to hackers, terrorists or others with malicious intent.
PROFIsafe Wireless Profile
PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International) has specified PROFIsafe for wireless networks. The new version of the PROFIsafe profile (Version 2.4) describes the conditions for the functionally safe transmission of data via WLAN and Bluetooth. The concept has been assessed and approved by the BGIA and TÜV. PI members can download the profile for free from the PI website www.profibus.com (non-members have to pay a fee of 150 euros).
Anritsu: Solving Your Radio Frequency Interference Problems
RF interference takes many forms. This application note discusses how to detect and eliminate, or at least reduce, interference caused by discrete emitters. These emitters may be devices intended to be transmitters or they may be devices that due to design flaws or malfunctions are radiating signals where they shouldn’t be. Requires registration.
ZigBee Competitive Technology Analysis
By Steinbeis-Transfer-Centre for Embedded Design and Networking
Analysis compares ZigBee, Bluetooth, Insteon and Z-Wave.
UEI publishes application note for linking data logger over cellular networks
Application note details how to interface the company's UEILogger data logger to a host computer over a cellular network. Using a high speed Cellular/CDMA/GSM link allows the user to download data from the logger as well as check the logger status from any internet connection.
Wireless networking benefits
Intech, June 2007
By Dan Bowen and Doug McNeil
A pickle plant opted to install wireless access points with a wireless controller to extend to every possible area of Mt. Olive's manufacturing footprint, including outdoor areas such as its waste water treatment facility and brining tanks.
Treatment Plant Calls Cell Phones with Alarms
Control Engineering, May 2007
By Jason Tincu, Xenia Water Reclamation Division
InduSoft SCADA software and Sixnet I/O modules communicate to operators via cellphones at a water treatment plant in Xenia, Ohio.
Sense Tire Pressure without Batteries
Design News, May 2007
Using Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology, Honeywell and Michelin developed a pressure and temperature sensor that does not require batteries. To power the sensor, the sensor antenna converts the radio frequency signal to a voltage with a frequency determined by the spacing of stripes and temperature.
Automatic Fault-alarm System for Conveyor Belts
One-page application note describes an automatic fault-alarm system for conveyor belts that uses wireless to connect the conveyor controller to the main control system. When an error code is received, the PC searches its database to retrieve the error description, and then uses a TTS (Text-To-Speech) system or recording to broadcast the message over a loudspeaker.
Wireless aids molding machine ERP
By Jim Montague, Executive Editor, Industrial Networking
Cornucopia Tool & Plastics of Paso Robles, Calif., uses a variety of injection molding machines to produce a line of plastic products and injection machine molds. The company partnered with Integrated Quality Management Systems (IQMS) of Paso Robles, a developer of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, and wireless hardware developer Crossbow Technology in San Jose, Calif., to beta test a wireless data handling system.
Wireless Communication Saves the Day...And the Bottom Line
ThyssenKrupp's Waupaca Foundry prides itself on using state-of-the-art technology in its production processes. When plant 4 began looking at ways to improve efficiencies, three key factors drove the decision to implement a wireless communications solution: record keeping, accuracy, and cost reduction. The Waupaca Foundry in Marionette, Wisconsin reaped a $600,000 ROI when they decided to go wireless.
Emerson offers free online training on wireless technologies
Emerson is offering 19 new online training courses on various aspects of wireless for process automation. Designed for anyone who uses automation to improve plant performance, the new courses are available free through Emerson’s educational website.
Emerson’s PlantWeb University Online Learning Center
Free web-based training includes more than 40 brief, practical courses on new automation technologies and strategies. Topics include implementing fieldbus, wireless technology, safety instrumented systems, streamlining maintenance, improving equipment effectiveness, and enhancing plant efficiency.
WINA-ISA Industrial Wireless Tutorial
July 22, 2007 Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
A three-hour wireless tutorial is being presented by the Wireless Industrial Networking Alliance (WINA) and ISA.
Antenna Bootcamp
September 25, 2007 Denver, Colorado
“Antennas for Wireless Communications: Basic Principles & System Applications,” half-day short course will present the basic principles of antennas as applied to wireless communication systems. $400.
 |
_thumb.jpg) |
MOXA G2150I modem enables cellular connectivity - 5/04/07 OnCell G2150I isolated quad-band modem transmits data and short messages over GSM/GPRS mobile networks. It is suitable for remote telemetry application |
Browse more Product Announcements on the portal.
Search all Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date.
3G Cellular to Capture 30% of M2M Market
ABI Research, May 2007
ABI Research forecasts that 3G modules will achieve only a 30% penetration of the M2M market by 2012, and will become the technology of choice only where bandwidth demands and economics dictate; "future-proofing" will play a smaller role in 3G M2M market development over the next five years.
Venture Development Predicts Growth in Industrial Wireless Networking
According to VDC’s recent market study on wireless and wireline network infrastructure products, the global market for wireless infrastructure networking products is growing. VDC forecasts shipments will increase from $261.9 million in 2006 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34%, reaching $1,130.8 million in 2011.
Wireless Data in Vertical Markets: Passing the Blue Line
InStat, February 2007
This report looks at the usage patterns and plans of the leading vertical markets for wireless data and reports about their use of industry-specific applications, horizontal applications, and use of devices. This report is valuable for any part of the wireless industry that plans to market to data users.
ArWest supplies UHF Digital Radios to Topcon - 06/06/07
UHF transceivers will be integrated within the Topcon GR-3 Satellite Receiver. The initial award involves the delivery of several thousand radios by September 2007.
MTL acquires Elpro International for £12m - 05/21/07
MTL Instruments Group plc acquired Elpro International Pty Ltd, an Australian based developer and supplier of wireless solutions.
Using Industrial Wireless Ethernet in Mining Systems
A mine uses a combination of Moxa's AWK-1100 wireless AP/Bridge/AP Client and an industrial Ethernet switch.
Objective Interface supplies ORBexpress RT to NASA - 06/11/07
NASA will use ORBexpress RT in a research project to develop a software architecture solution for NASA’s next-generation software defined radios.
Invensys and Apprion install wireless infrastructure at power company - 03/27/07
Invensys Process Systems and Apprion have successfully implemented wireless applications at the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Lost Pines Power Park. LCRA recently merged these two plants under one functional management system with a layered WiMax/WiFi wireless infrastructure to help link the two plants.
SOMA uses McObject’s eXtremeDB-HA database in microwave system - 03/21/07
SOMA Networks will incorporate McObject’s eXtremeDB High Availability (HA) in-memory embedded database in its FlexMAX Mobile WiMAX System.
Tendril supplies Network software to TI for Zigbee hardware - 03/13/07
TI Will Integrate Tendril Network Operating Solution in the TI ZigBee Development Kit
ABI Research Hosts Femtocell Workshop
July 3-5, 2007 London
Workshop at the International Conference on Home Access Points and Femtocells will explore femtocell markets: key considerations when building business models; how to maximize return from femtocells; exploring trends and identifying opportunities; barriers and challenges to market growth, and finally, competition and risk.
ISA-SP100, Wireless Systems for Automation
July 25-27, 2007 Vancouver, Canada
National Instruments Hosts NIWeek Technical Summit
Technical summits on graphical system design; RF and wireless communications; sound and vibration; and vision will take place at NIWeek 2007, starting August 7.
Wireless Developer Forum
September 3-5, 2007 Beijing, China
1-day conference of top-level speakers and opinion-leaders, followed by seminar and workshop tracks hosted and presented by companies with leading roles in the development of the technologies and solutions which are central to the wireless development market.
IEEE International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications
Sept 3-6, 2007 Athens
Major figures in the cellular, PCS, wireless LAN, and mobile data industries are attracted to this conference. Major conference topics are presented through keynotes, tutorials, technical and panel sessions.
9th Wireless Technologies Conference 2007
September 18–19, 2007 Stuttgart, Germany
The Wireless Technologies Conference is recognized as the annual meeting place for developers, middle management, producers as well as users of different wireless technologies.
3rd IEEE International Conference on Wireless Communications, Networking and Mobile Computing
September 21-23, 2007 Shanghai, China
Forum for wireless communications researchers, industry professionals, and academics interested in the latest development and design of wireless systems.
Short-Range Wireless 2007
September 26-27, 2007 Denver, Colorado
Technical conference focused on the most recent advancements in short-range wireless standards and technology for industrial, commercial and residential applications.
Midwest RFID Symposium
October 23-24, 2007 Univ. of Kansas
Symposium features professionals and decision makers presenting current research and projects on the implementation of RFID.
IEEE Global Communications Conference
November 26-30, Washington, D.C
Full program of technical and professional activities spanning the entire range of hot topics in voice, data, image and multimedia communications.
Mobility World Congress & Exhibition 2007
December 4-6, 2007 Hong Kong, China
Covers network infrastructure, wireless devices, semiconductor chipsets, services, applications and content, encompassing all major technology initiatives such as WiMAX, WiBro, Wireless VoIP and many others.
Add an event to our calendar.
I hope you enjoyed this Wireless Connectivity update. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the content in this e-newsletter or on Automation.com, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher
Automation.com
For editorial and advertising inquiries, please contact Rick Zabel or see our Media Kit.