With plants, substations and other Industrial, Utility, Military and ITS sites gradually making the move to Ethernet communications, it is sometimes unfeasible to lay out new cabling in order to link up a remote site to the main network. In these cases wireless links are the way to go.
H3iSquared offers a range of Industrial Ethernet products in the form of RuggedCom, whose product basket includes various wireless options. For short wireless links of distances up to about 3 km (Depending on site conditions and terrain) with line-of-site between the end points of the links basic 802.11b/g is more than sufficient.
The RuggedCom product basket offers many different unit options with 802.11 capabilities. With options ranging from a simple managed switch with 2 standard Ethernet ports and a wireless module, to serial device servers that can be used to extend your serial communications over a wireless link to your main network.
If longer wireless links or a local area wireless mesh are required then 802.16, or WiMAX, is the route to take. 802.16 WiMAX allows for connection distances of up to 50km depending on terrain, atmospheric conditions and line of sight obstructions.
RuggedCom also offers RuggedMAX, an extension to the RuggedCom product basket which includes 802.16esolutions. The ‘e’ suffix in the 802.16e standard means that the WiMAX can provide mobile connectivity as well, meaning that subscriber units travelling at up to about 120 km/hour will be able to ‘hop’ between Base Stations without losing the association. This is perfect for Engineers that need to travel a plant whilst still keeping in touch with a central control room. With 802.16e technology these Engineers can use VoIP to make and receive calls over this network without calls being disconnected half way as a Subscriber Unit tries to renegotiate a connection to a different Base Station.
RuggedMAX is also fully compliant with the Wave 2 (MIMO) Standard, meaning that multiple transmit and receive antennas can be utilised to provide a strong, reliable link even under Non-Line of Sight conditions.
H3iSquared offers full site surveys and wireless spectrum analysis on site in order to determine the most feasible wireless solution for a clients need. For more information on the full Industrial Ethernet product basket offered by RuggedCom, including the WiFi and WiMAX please contact H3iSquared on:
+27 (0)11 454 6025
info[@]h3isquared.com