Wireless Networks for Industrial Automation Book Updated
A fourth edition of The International Society of Automation’s (ISA) “Wireless Networks for Industrial Automation” was recently published, updated with recent advancements in wireless technologies. The book provides an overview of the emerging wireless communications market and breaks down the latest advances in wireless technologies for process control.
ISA100 Wireless (ANSI/ISA-100.11a), WirelessHART, WIA-PA and WiFi, including IEEE 802.11n and 802.11ac are all examined with provided comparisons. The goal of the book is to provide readers with the ability to make intelligent decisions in planning future control networks and control system architectures in which wireless will play a critical role.
The third edition of the book was published during the infancy stages of ISA100 Wireless and WirelessHART—allowing for the update to cover their transition to well-established, proven standards. ISA100 Wireless has shown to be valuable for those visualizing a control system architecture that includes plant-wide wireless control networks whereas WirelessHART provides measurements and status detection in areas that were previously too costly or unable to connect wired instruments or sensors.
IEEE 802.11 is also fully discussed, having been in active deployment for some time as a replacement for wired or fiber optic Ethernet. 802.11n is currently the Wi-Fi market leader providing spatial diversity when installed as the MIMO (multiple-input-multiple-output) form with dual frequencies. 802.11ac is currently nearing ratification, increasing speeds to levels on par with wired gigabit Ethernet.
“Wireless Networks for Industrial Automation” is written by Dick Caro, ISA Life Fellow and industrial automation consultant at CMC Associates, and is available here.