Rugid
Computer Inc.'s new
WiSI can
monitor and provide power to sensors in remote locations where power is not
available. It also provides for data acquisition and control in these remote
locations where it was previously not practical.
This is the kind of device "where you can climb a
mountain and put it on the mountaintop and never have to change the battery," says
Cheryl
Melchior, vice president of Rugid Computer Inc. "What makes this great is the
integrated energy storage, so there are no batteries to change or
maintain."
WiSI has an integrated solar panel with
a 10-year maintenance-free energy storage plan and communicates up to a week
without sunlight. WiSI's self-configures
into a robust wireless network, adapts to changing environmental conditions and
has a 2.4GHz radio. Data is passed up to two miles per hop with 128-bit AES
encryption.
Standard
I/O includes four each: analog inputs, digital inputs, digital outputs; 5V and
18V dc instrument supplies for powering sensors or a 4-20mA loop, 0.25mA supply
for powering RTDs, and an RS232 port. WiSI networks integrate into systems via
Modbus RTU. One WiSI can provide the functionality to monitor/control up to eight
sensors that previously required an RTU, radio, battery, outdoor/weather-proof enclosure,
antenna, solar panel and solar regulator.
It
weighs less-than 1 lb and packaging is designed to slip inside a 2-inch pipe
for easy deployment. The radio requires no tools or additional fixtures for
mounting. Configuration is provided via free software and the lack of need for jumpers
or DIP-switches eliminate the need to dismantle the radio package to change
configuration.
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