"Similar to the way you use your laptop, our Snap PAC controllers and I/O allow you to choose wired and wireless networking based on your environment and other factors," explains Nick Riley, Design Engineer at Opto 22. "Engineers now have an effective, lower-cost way to provide 'proof-of-concept' for their projects-before investing in costly permanent wiring or building a wireless infrastructure throughout their factory or facility. It also gives them flexible options for segmenting their network."
The technology is based upon the industry-standard IEEE-802.11 specification with support for a, b, and g networks operating in the license-free 5 GHz (802.11a) and 2.4 GHz (802.11b/g) frequency bands. Wireless access points, wireless routers, and wireless repeaters from nearly any vendor can co-exist with SNAP PAC wireless technology. The 5 GHz (802.11a) option is particularly significant-and unique in industrial I/O systems-because it allows users to deploy Snap PAC wireless in a frequency other than the typically crowded 2.4 GHz band, where interference from other 2.4 GHz devices, such as microwave ovens, could reduce performance.
Security is provided via the latest and most secure transmission algorithms-including WPA (TKIP) and WPA2 (802.11i/AES)-to help build the robust and secure wireless communications system typically required for any wireless implementation today. In addition, SNAP PAC wireless supports either infrastructure mode, where communication among devices is routed through an access point, or ad hoc mode, where each device can detect and communicate with any other similarly configured network device within range.
These wireless capabilities provide numerous benefits to users, beginning with the significant savings achieved through the reduction in wiring and termination costs. Wireless networking also makes it possible to deploy I/O and controllers in remote areas, areas that are inaccessible, or areas where network wiring is difficult or impossible to install.
What makes this offering unique in the market according to the company is that it is a standard part of the product. No additional components are required to get the wireless capability up and running. This technology also offers 802.11a and 802.11g radios at 54 Mbps bandwidth, a boost over other products that use only 802.11b at 11 Mbps.
Opto 22 has a 10-year history developing products utilizing wireless technologies. In early 2000, the company was the first automation vendor to launch a wireless LAN I/O product. In 2002, the company entered the nascent machine-to-machine (M2M) industry by forging alliances with wireless leaders Nokia, AT&T Wireless, Sony-Ericsson, and others. These efforts resulted in Opto 22 successfully delivering wireless remote monitoring and data acquisition solutions to manufacturing and other industry sectors.
Availability and pricing is expected in the summer 2009.
Detailed information is available in a whitepaper available at here.
