A live, multi-vendor demonstration showcased wireless control, multiple protocol applications, and an interoperable network based on ISA100 Wireless products at the 2013 Hannover Messe trade fair in Hannover, Germany. ISA100 Wireless is the first ANSI/ISA-100.11a industrial wireless networking standard in the ISA100 open family of standards, focusing on the needs of process industries.
The object-oriented characteristics of ISA100 Wireless enable support for legacy (proprietary) protocols in wireless industrial networks. Demonstrations fair showcased peer-to-peer control, support for three different legacy protocols in a single ISA100 Wireless mesh network, and a gas sensor designed for SIL2 safety applications.
The Hannover demonstrations included devices from FlowServe, Honeywell, and GE independently transmitting control information using proprietary protocols on a single ISA100 Wireless network.
“ISA100 Wireless’ object-oriented technology assures interoperability within a flexible framework, supports new protocols, and future proofs users’ wireless network investment,” said Andre Ristaino, managing director of the ISA100 Wireless Compliance Institute. “Proprietary protocol support enables device suppliers to easily participate in ISA100 Wireless networks, opening up new market opportunities while mitigating the need/costs to convert their core technology. Legacy protocol support protects user investments in applications already installed at operational sites and enables ISA100 Wireless network evolution.”
Peer-to-peer control was demonstrated using an ISA100 Wireless Yokogawa pressure transmitter communicating directly to an ISA100 Wireless Flowserve smart valve positioner. Communication for valve control was direct and did not pass through a gateway device or host system.
New this year, GasSecure demonstrated a wireless gas sensor product designed for use in SIL2 certified safety systems. “GasSecure’s product showed the flexibility of the ISA100 Wireless protocol through creative integration of a PROFIsafe layer over the ISA100 Wireless mesh network communication layers,” Ristaino said. “Duo-cast technology for reliability, only available with ISA100 Wireless, was highlighted in the Yokogawa product, which demonstrated superior data throughput for critical applications such as control in the field.
“This is our third year at Hannover and the number and types of ISA100 Wireless products have expanded significantly,” said Ristaino. “The key benefits of the ISA100 Wireless protocol have shifted from theoretical/on-paper to actual products and applications. One of this year’s developments at Hannover was the significant increase in interest from product integrators and other stakeholders that comprise technology ecosystems; expanding our technical ecosystem to further product development speed is a strategic ISA100 WCI goal for 2013.”
“With tens of thousands of wireless devices already installed in growing markets, users are realizing the advantages that wireless technology brings for increased efficiencies and improved ROI,” Ristaino added. “The ISA100 wireless standard provides significant and unique benefits not supported by other alternatives including—a universal, scalable, non-proprietary, multi-functional, and IP-based network.”
The ISA100 WCI recently added suppliers such as Control Data Systems, Pepperl+Fuchs and Scott Safety Systems to its list of supporting suppliers. Said Ovidiu Ratiu, general manager of Control Data Systems. “Based in Romania, we specialize in the custom development of software and hardware supporting wireless communications and we are an active promoter of open standards in the wireless communications arena, such as ISA100 Wireless. We are able to design and integrate all the elements of a wireless system from sensors to communication devices and to cloud-based control centers, as well as provide customers with the ability to do their own integration.”
Companies participating in the Hannover demonstration included Azbil, Control Data Systems, Flowserve, GE, Honeywell, Nivis, Perpetuum, Apprion and Yokogowa and others.
