Wireless Networks for Industrial Automation

As commercial and residential networks rapidly go the wireless route, will industrial networks soon follow? This fourth edition includes the increasingly popular wireless application Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and also provides a clear, unbiased view of the emerging wireless communications market. Author Dick Caro explores wireless communications from the factory and process automation viewpoint to help you make clear decisions on the timing and strategy for implementing wireless networks for automation projects. According to Caro, going wireless is more than just plugging in some wireless components to replace the wires. Residential networks are easily justified using today’s inexpensive wireless components to avoid costly or unsightly wire installations. Industrial use is not quite so clear due to privacy and security concerns and the potential for signal loss in plant environments. Industrial use must have secure communications that never fails. However, the cost of industrial wiring is so high, that wireless can usually be justified. This fourth edition includes a general update of events that have occurred since the previous edition. Most importantly, it includes an extensive analysis of new wireless technology intended for process control, such as ISA100 Wireless (ISA100.11a), WirelessHART, WIA-PA, and WiFi, including IEEE 802.11n and 802.11ac.