The new Multi-Hop Data
Radio from Banner Engineering extends the company's SureCross
wireless systems by repeating transmissions in 3 km 'hops' to a multi-hop total
of 20 km or more. Multiple units can be placed to allow signals to pass over
hills and other obstacles that would block a single wireless hop.
The Multi-Hop Data Radio
can be used to directly connect field devices; including PLCs, Controllers,
HMIs, DCSs, transmitters, level, pressure and temperature sensors. It allows
extension of the Modbus communication protocol to many applications where
wiring is impractical because of distance or accessibility. It can also be
connected with digital, analog or temperature signals using other Banner
wireless products.
The large wireless networks
enabled by the new radio provide previously unavailable information to users in
a wide range of industries. In Irrigation, soil moisture can be measured, zone
valves can be operated and flow rate measured. In automated parking
applications, literally thousands of parking spots city-wide can be monitored.
More traditional applications include tank level, pressure, flow and
temperature monitoring in a variety of markets.
Using the Multi-Hop Data
Radio, clusters can be combined and connected to create systems with 2,400
wireless points, covering over 100 square kilometers. For even larger systems,
multiple wireless networks can co-exist in the same physical area without
interference.
The radios are configured
for rapid, easy connection to all remote and central control elements in a
network. They can be powered by 10-30V dc, battery or solar power supply,
allowing wireless repeaters to be placed where no power is available.
Applications for the
Multi-Hop Data Radio include irrigation, automated parking, coal, power
generation, oil and gas, grain handling, metalworking, water and wastewater
treatment, facilities monitoring, factory automation, chemical processing,
cement, mining and material handling.
