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MACTek to release WirelessHART-based technology

05/02/2008

Gates Mills, Ohio, May 2-- MACTek Corporationannounces 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 and 2-Port wireless adapters are for use in WirelessHART networks and allow wireless access to HART data in existing HART-enabled field devices. They will be available in Q3 2008.

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 will be ATEX/IS- and XP-certified for use in hazardous areas at the time of product release.

The 2-Port WA is installed permanently at any convenient location along the loop.  MACTek's 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 will also 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 WirelessHART. The adaptor also provides users with a low risk means of testing and evaluating WirelessHART in their plants.”

VIATOR Bluetooth wireless interface

MACTek also is accepting orders for the VIATOR Bluetooth Interface (model 010041) for use with HART field devices and will begin shipping the product in May 2008.

The VIATOR is a point-to-point HART PC modem for temporary connection to HART field devices that is used with software primarily as a configuration management tool. The VIATOR Bluetooth Interface is intrinsically safe for use in hazardous areas. The modem can operate approximately 20 hours powered by replaceable AAA battery cells. The modem physically attaches to the HART field device with 18” leads and mini-grabber clips. The PC host uses an internal Bluetooth interface or a USB-to-Bluetooth converter to communicate with the Bluetooth modem.