June 29, 2007 - Two new access point lines for industrial wireless LANs (IWLAN) are now available from Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D).
The devices in the Scalance W-786 family are particularly suitable for installation in outdoor radio networks, for instance in public areas, mass transit systems, ports, offshore equipment, or container logistics.
With its compact, space saving design, the Scalance W-784 line is specifically targeted at indoor radio networks and can be installed, for example, in a control cabinet or directly in a machine. A&D also has a series of new client modules for integrating one or more nodes in an IWLAN radio network.
Scalance W-786 access points are particularly suitable for applications with high climatic requirements such as in outdoor networks. These scalable products can be supplied in several variants from a single radio card and two antennas to three radio cards and six antennas. Variants with internal antennas, designed for temperatures from -40°C to +70°C, are sufficiently robust to withstand even the most problematic environments. They are insensitive to UV and salt spray, and accommodated in a rugged plastic housing that is resistant to both impact and crushing. No additional mechanical protection is required because there are no external parts that are capable of destruction. Scalance W786-1PRO has one integrated radio card and is offered with two internal antennas or sockets for external antennas. Scalance W786-2PRO has two integrated radio cards and is offered with four internal antennas or sockets for external antennas. Scalance W786-3PRO has three integrated radio cards and is offered with six internal antennas or sockets for external antennas. Variants with an RJ45 or optical fiber connector are available for connection to a wired Ethernet.
With its compact, space saving design, the Scalance W-784 line is specifically targeted at indoor networks and can be installed, for example, in a control cabinet or directly in a machine. The aluminum housing of the access points conforms to IP30 and affords adequate protection against mechanical stresses or electromagnetic interference. The Scalance W784-1RR variant provides extended functionality, including iPCF (industrial Point Coordinated Function) mode. This optimized access method can be used to implement applications that demand realtime communication and predictable, deterministic response times.
The new range of IP30 client modules integrates one or more nodes in an IWLAN radio network. Scalance W744-1 establishes a radio link between one mobile unit with an Ethernet interface and a radio network. Scalance W746-1 manages the radio link for up to eight connected devices with an Ethernet interface. The module automatically detects a device that has been replaced and manages the new address. Scalance W747-1 differs from the W746-1 module with regard to the rapid roaming function. This provides realtime radio communication even if the nodes cross radio cell boundaries.
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