Coping with Higher-Priced Energy
Automation World, March 2008
By Harry Forbes, ARC
The first step in coping with energy price increases is to refine the existing energy measurements within a manufacturing operation. New and less-expensive technologies for electric-power measurement using wireless mesh networks should be on the market in the near future.

Instrinsic Safety Obsolete Yet?
Control, March 2008
By John Rezabek
The emergence of digitally integrated instruments, stricter environmental regulations and wireless access to diagnostics are converging to make “live maintenance in normally hazardous atmospheres” a rare occurrence. Shouldn’t end users ponder whether the value of an IS installation is still worth the added complexity, effort and expense?

Going the (Short) Distance With Wireless
Machine Design, February 2008
By Darvin Kaelberer, Banner Engineering
Wireless technology, which is frequently used in factories and other industrial settings where I/O must be sent from a remote area to an operator located several miles away, can also make sense if data only has to travel a few feet.

Setting the scope for ISA100 standard
Plant Engineering, February 2008
By Paul Sereiko, AirSprite Technologies
ISA100.11a – the component of ISA100 that is involved with wireless transport of field transmitter measurements – is focused on process automation, but will not exclude factory automation or monitoring applications.

Going Green … with Wireless
Control Engineering Asia, January 2008
Industrial companies are increasingly adopting wireless sensor network (WSN) technology for green reasons, not just operational efficiency. These include reduction of the environmental impact of their processes, and optimization of energy utilization.

Going Wireless is More Than Just Eliminating Cables
American Machinist, January 2008
There are three significant problems with gathering shop floor data: First is that it can increase labor costs; second, implementing an automated data capture system is often difficult and expensive; third, a system you implement today may not meet tomorrow’s needs.

Browse these and more articles and white papers on the Wireless Connectivity portal.

ISA publishes 3rd Edition of "Wireless Networks for Industrial Automation"
Available in digital format, this book covers new topics such as ISA100.11a, RFID, WirelessHART, and WiFi.

Why WirelessHART?
By HART Communication Foundation
White paper describes the WirelessHART standard, which provides a robust wireless protocol for the full range of process measurement, control, and asset management applications. It enables users to quickly and easily gain the benefits of wireless technology while maintaining compatibility with existing devices, tools, and systems.

Delivering the Best User Experience with Voice over Wi-Fi
This white paper from the Wi-Fi Alliance details the unique requirements of the voice application on Wi-Fi devices and previews its Voice-Personal certification program, planned for launch in the first half of 2008. Registration required to download white paper.

Deploying WPA and WPA2 in the Enterprise
Hands-on guide for deploying WPA and WPA2 in the enterprise. In covers Wi-Fi security, identifies the components of WPA and WPA2, and identifies issues that must be addressed before deploying WPA or WPA2 in the enterprise. Registration required to download white paper.

Practical Tips on WiMAX Field Measurement
White paper describes Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) digital communications technology, based on wireless transmission methods defined by the IEEE-802.16 air interface standard. Registration required to download white paper.

Browse these and more resources and literature on the Wireless Connectivity portal.

Wireless solutions enable temperature profiling and tank level measurement
By Emerson Process Management
PPG Industries installed Emerson’s Smart Wireless solution at its Chemical Division facility in Lake Charles, LA. The plant uses ten wireless Rosemount transmitters for pipeline and steam header temperature measurement, which enables operators to watch for cold spots and adjust steam throughput.

Careful, hot wireless
Intech, January 2008
By Davis Shull and Joseph Cordaro
Introducing wireless technology into a government site where nuclear material is processed brings new meaning to the term harsh environment. At Savannah River National Laboratory, we are attempting to address not only the harsh radio frequency and harsh physical environment common to industrial facilities, but also the harsh regulatory environment.

Avoid Collisions on the Track
Andritz Inc. uses high-speed Ethernet radios to create a robust anti-collision network for three different dual Portal Crane projects for the pulp and paper industry. Andritz chose ProSoft Technology's RadioLinx Industrial Hotspot for each multi-million dollar crane.

New system allows two plants to act as one
Intech, December 2007
By Hesh Kagan
The Lower Colorado River Authority merged two power plants under one functional management system and implemented a new layered WiMax/WiFi wireless infrastructure to link the two plants and provide the foundation for a number of other wireless-enabled applications.

Wireless technology increases productivity at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel
By Emerson Process Management
Wireless transmitters are delivering previously unattainable data on conditions in the 80-inch hot strip mill in Mingo Junction, Ohio, enabling operating personnel to improve product quality and increase productivity.

Browse these and more application stories on the Wireless Connectivity portal.

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.

54th ISA International Instrumentation Symposium
May 5-8, 2008 Pensacola Beach, Florida.
The symposium will feature courses on sensors, instrumentation and wireless, plus paper presentations and a forum for discussion of instrumentation techniques.

BICSI OKs CECs for Phoenix Contact Training Courses
BICSI recognized several Phoenix Contact training courses for Continuing Education Credits (CECs).

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.

Browse these and more training and seminar opportunities on the Wireless Connectivity portal.

• Connect One offers Internet connectivity for legacy devices
• ACT’L introduces Talk2M Internet access to machines
• Daintree Networks adds Zigbee support to SNA software
• One RF Technology releases TinyOne Lite radio modem
• Daintree Networks adds ZigBee PRO to SNA software
• Korenix releases GSM/GPRS Serial Device Server
• MTS Sensors adds web monitoring to Level Plus tank level sensors

Browse these and more Product Announcements on the Wireless Connectivity portal.

Search all Products by keyword, category, manufacturer or release date.

AirSprite introduces WirelessHART OEM program
AccelerATE gives HART field device manufacturers a simple, quick, and low cost path to enable product lines with the WirelessHART specification.

WirelessHART Communication Supported by Leading Process Automation Companies
By HART Communications Foundation
In a display of unified commitment to the new technology, representatives from ABB, Emerson, Endress+Hauser, and Siemens spoke of the positive impact WirelessHART technology will have on the process industry and their expectation for the quick adoption of the technology by end users.

ISA100.11a Draft Standard up for first vote
At the April working group meeting in Chongqing, China, the ISA100.11a draft standard is scheduled for initial work group balloting, the first step in the approval process for the standard.

WINA elects Board of Directors
Members include Ian McPherson, Apprion; Dave Kaufman, Honeywell; Steve Toteda, Dust Networks; John Jacobs, 3eTI; and Randy Klassen, OMINEX

ABI Research says Wi-Fi moving into sensor networking  
Rarely is Wi-Fi used for wireless sensor networking or industrial process control. In many cases, Wi-Fi can transmit farther than sensor network technologies

Test and Measurement trends include software instrumentation, wireless and multicore
National Instruments identified five trends it anticipates will significantly influence the test and measurement industry over the next three years.

Browse these and more company and organizational news on the Wireless Connectivity portal.

Emerson installs Wireless on Norwegian offshore platform
Mesh field network monitors wellhead annular pressure and heat exchanger pressures on the Grane offshore platform.

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.

JMP provides controls for Ontario water treatment plant
Project includes controls for the high lift and low lift pumps, UV system, clarifier, generator, filters, Ethernet network, wireless and a Wonderware SCADA system.

Sports drink plant uses Control-See software for plant paging  
System retrieves real-time, event-driven alarms and data from PLCs and broadcasts the alarms and data via email messaging.

Energy and Telecommunications Association (ENTELEC) Conference
April 9-11, 2008 Houston, TX
Technical conference and trade relating to energy and utility industries. Technical and training sessions and presentations with a trade show with 150 plus exhibitors for radio, SCADA, and automation related products and services.

HANNOVER MESSE
April 21-25, 2008 Hannover, Germany
World Trade Fair for Industrial Technology covers factory automation and process control.

TEM 2008
April 28 - May 1, 2008 Orlando, Florida
TEM 2008 is where best practices and innovation for telecom environment management come together for a can’t-miss event for anyone holding responsibility for enterprise telecom services and assets.

Wireless Telecommunications Symposium 2008
April 24-26, 2008 Pomona, CA
Interdisciplinary conference that brings together industry professionals and academics from companies, governmental agencies, and universities around the world to exchange information on advances in mobile communications and wireless networking technology, business, applications, and security.

ISA International Instrumentation Symposium
May 5-8, 2008 Pensacola Beach, Florida
The 54th annual ISA International Instrumentation Symposium will include paper sessions, short courses, tutorials, and a student presentation competition.

Add an event to our calendar.

Rick Zabel
Vice President, Publisher
Automation.com

View our Privacy Policy

For editorial inquiries, please contact Rick Zabel
For advertising inquiries, please contact Karen Olson or see our Media Kit.