The brave new world
New wireless communications strategy

Hard on the heels of its new Asset Performance Management strategy, Invensys Process Systems is rolling out its new solution for wireless communications. The strategy, which is based on the universal “Managed Network” approach, is focused on common access point technology and standardized data and security models for all wireless devices with no dependencies on manufacturers or applications.

Wireless” is a magic word which has now become part of our daily lives. You see it everywhere you go. Private wireless networks are used in a myriad of applications. Wireless telephones, radio-control garage door openers, remote-control equipment and machines are all based on wireless communications. There is little doubt that the use of wireless network technologies will continue to increase in the future as it moves into new fields of application. So what is happening in the process industry? Despite that fact that most automation systems will still be wired together in the future, experts agree that sooner or later wireless communications will revolutionize automation in the process industry. The question is when, not if. The traditional limitations of wireless technology are:
-security
-incomplete standards
-conflicting standards
-incompatible frequencies/protocols
-suitability for industrial use
-migration strategies
-support by IT departments
-systematic solutions.

Invensys Process Systems is pursuing a new strategy to promote introduction of wireless technology sooner rather than later. “Wireless communications is a powerful new tool for Asset Performance Management,” explained Chris Lyden, Vice-President of Marketing at Invensys Process Systems. “This technology enables us to use new strategic data acquisition techniques and collect information which would be difficult or impossible to access in a wire-based communications environment. This includes solutions such as process optimization, equipment management, real-time condition monitoring and company-wide asset management. Taken as a whole, all of these activities can be used to achieve maximum system utilization and availability.”
“The good news is that exciting new wireless devices are appearing all the time,” commented Hesh Kagan, Wireless Program Manager at Invensys Process Systems and President of the Wireless Industrial Networking Alliance. “The bad news is that most of these devices use different proprietary protocols, technologies and access points to communicate with the wire-based infrastructure. This can make it very awkward to use the data coming from these units, and it means that providing adequate security is virtually impossible.
To address this issue, Invensys is working closely with partners and a number of large customers to develop a new generation of managed wireless networks. It uses common access point technology for all devices and a common data and security model for all wireless frequencies and protocols (WiFi, WiMax, 802.15.4, RFID, ZigBee, VoIP, proprietary protocols, etc.). Kagan explained that “common access points significantly reduce initial investment and follow-on costs for our customers. The common data model makes it much easier to integrate wireless data into our Asset Performance Management applications. The standardized security model enables us to manage the wireless infrastructure so effectively that we are able to achieve the security and performance levels that our customers are looking for.”
The Invensys wireless network strategy is layered on existing automation and information infrastructure (Invensys or third party). It includes:
-the necessary hardware and software
-on-site studies and analysis
-engineering and system integration
-implementation
-maintenance, support and optimization
Summary
Invensys is convinced that a universal approach, which differs from the insular solutions that are often used today, provides a suitable basis for the integration, stability and security of all production and management wireless applications. On-site studies are currently underway at
several chemical complexes in North America.