MACTek releases WirelessHART product

In yet another announcement that continues to bolster the new WirelessHART specification's market position-- and continues to underscore its reality---MACTek has released two WirelessHART products with availability in third quarter 2008. Why this is especially interesting is that MACTek makes no field instruments. They are among the first of the class of networking companies (Airsprite Technologies was the absolute first) to jump onto the HART retrofit market with WirelessHART adaptor products. From the release: MACTek Announces NEW Wireless Adapter SolutionsCost-effective wireless technology solutions expand  the options to access HART® intelligent device informationApril 22, 2008, Gates Mills, Ohio – MACTek Corporation, world leader in HART PC Modems, announces the preliminary sales release of two wireless adapter solutions that provide new options and alternatives for users to access information from their intelligent HART-enabled field devices.  MACTek’s 1-Port Wireless Adapter and the 2-Port Wireless Adapter are for use in WirelessHART™ networks and allow wireless access to HART data in existing HART-enabled field devices.  The Wireless Adapters will be available in Q3 2008. The 1-Port Wireless Adapter (1-Port WA) enables existing wired HART field devices to communicate with host applications by means of WirelessHART technology.  The 1-Port WA is installed permanently by screwing it into an available spare port of HART field device. Other installation options are possible anywhere on the loop using a junction box or T-fitting.  A wired HART field device retrofitted with a 1-Port WA communicates its PV over the existing wire pair to the DCS and simultaneously communicates diagnostic and alarm data over the WirelessHART network to process management, asset management and engineering applications. The 1-Port WA has options for power scavenging (loop powered) or local power.  Power from the loop saves the long term cost of battery maintenance, replacement and disposal programs.  Local power can be used when available; for example when the field device is also direct powered.   The 1-Port WA will be ATEX / IS and XP certified for use in hazardous areas at the time of product release.The 2-Port Wireless Adapter (2-Port WA) enables existing wired HART field devices to communicate with host applications by means of WirelessHART technology.  The 2-Port WA is installed permanently at any convenient location along the loop.  MACTek patent pending PassThrough™ technology makes installation easy and quick by passing two wires from the DCS and two wires from the HART field device into the cavity of the 2-Port WA and connecting the four wires to terminal blocks.  A wired HART field device retrofitted with a 2-Port WA communicates its PV over the existing wire to the DCS and simultaneously communicates device diagnostic and alarm data over the WirelessHART network to process management, asset management and engineering applications. The 2-Port WA has options for power scavenging (loop powered) or local power.  Power drawn from the two wire loop saves the long term cost of battery maintenance, replacement and disposal programs.  Local power can be used when available; for example when the field device is also direct powered.   The 2-Port WA will be ATEX / IS and XP certified for use in hazardous areas at the time of product release. “There will be high demand for WirelessHART Adapters especially during the introduction phase of WirelessHART as users retrofit the installed base of wired HART field devices” says Thomas Holmes, President of MACTek Corporation.  “The adaptor will retrofit wired HART field devices for 24/7 communication with control, engineering and asset management systems using Wireless HART. The adaptor also provides users with a low risk means of testing and evaluating Wireless HART in their plants.”The Wireless Adaptor will have the same reliability, quality design and ease of use as our VIATOR Bluetooth, USB and RS232 HART PC modems.  Fully compliant with the HART communication specifications, our product family of wired and wireless solutions are easy to use – no configuration required – reliable and works with any HART-enabled device.  Visit www.mactekcorp.com for more information.