ARC estimates that there are over 50 million field devices installed. Roughly half of them aren't digitally-enabled, and cannot use WirelessHART or ISA100 technologies. In the new world of wireless, there is a need to be able to incorporate these sensors into networks. Honeywell has introduced a product to perform this function. (And it will also do it for other sensors, if needed.)
From the press release:
HONEYWELL WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY GIVES MANUFACTURERS GREATER CHOICE, INCREASED
DATA RELIABILITY New Wireless Multiplexers Support Legacy Protocols, Broader
Instrumentation; Provide Cost-Effective Solution for Wireless
ImplementationHoneywell has introduced its new XYR 3000 wireless multiplexers, the latest additions to the company's
OneWireless portfolio designed to improve plant safety, equipment reliability and overall process efficiency. The multiplexers support a wide array of legacy communication protocols such as Modbus, OPC to offer industrial manufacturers a greater choice of instrumentation when building wireless networks for their plants.The devices are ideal for various applications such as safety showers, tanklevel monitoring, remote pump control, video monitoring, gas detection system connection and adding off-the-shelf sensors to the field.Manufacturers can connect existing wired instrumentation for these applications to the multiplexers, thereby converting the signals to wireless for increased data reliability. The multiplexers also are capable of relaying commands from the control room to execute tasks."These new devices address the two main elements of process control: the ability to sense and the ability to act upon what you sensed,"said Jeff Becker, global wireless business director, Honeywell Process Solutions. "The XYR 3000 multiplexers do more than feed information into a control room; they are a cost-effective way to build a complete solution."For example, a tank-farm monitoring application can alert the operator if a level is rising too fast. The operator can then send a
command wirelessly to the multiplexer to shut the supply to the tank and prevent a potentially hazardous spill.The technology is simple to set up and deploy. For instance, XYR 3000 multiplexers can be deployed in less than 30 minutes. In
addition, the technology features a flexible architecture that is ideal for both new and existing facilities. Greenfield plants can use the multiplexers to avoid costs associated with wiring and begin production faster. Older facilities can streamline maintenance with the devices. When older wires corrode, for instance, instrumentation can simply connect to the multiplexers without the need to dig up and replace the old wires.
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