The Overview
Sensata Technologies has launched its Industrial Wireless Systems, a broad portfolio of networked wireless sensors intended for smart-factory applications. The lineup, which includes pressure, vibration, and temperature sensors, gateways, receivers, and transmitters, adds up to a scalable, adaptable system that lends connectivity to equipment.
Who Needs It and Why?
Process-automation engineers and plant managers are looking to implement wireless IIoT frameworks to securely transmit and receive mission-critical data from disparate production-floor assets. Moreover, they want such frameworks to fit seamlessly into their existing automation architecture.
Why wireless? Wireless networks eliminate the installation and maintenance costs associated with wired systems for continuous asset monitoring. There’s no need for the long cable runs, and the wireless approach delivers the same accuracy, reliability, and durability of Sensata’s range of wired sensors.
The company’s wireless sensors are widely deployed in water-treatment plants to assess tank levels and flow, in monitoring the condition of railway embankments, as temperature sensors at solar-energy farms to monitor substation hot spots, and to monitor the condition of critical production motors at a major UK vehicle manufacturer.
Under the Hood
To simplify setup, Sensata’s wireless systems feature out-of-the-box configurations while still allowing for the flexibility to program to specific requirements. In addition, Sensata’s system uses a proprietary wireless protocol to reliably deliver sensor data up to 500 m in environments with obstructions and supports a range of connectivity options to communicate with other systems.
Despite the simple setup, the sensor networks are flexible and can be configured to meet users’ specific integration requirements. They’re easily installed and can be used in most environments, including outdoors.
