Planning and implementing wireless networks, Define the application, 5planning and implementing wireless networks – ProSoft Technology ILX34-AENWG User Manual
Page 57
Planning and Implementing Wireless Networks
PSW-PWD ♦ ProSoft Software
User Manual
ProSoft Wireless Designer
ProSoft Technology, Inc.
Page 57 of 91
July 8, 2009
5
Planning and Implementing Wireless
Networks
In This Chapter
Define the Application ...........................................................................57
Plan the Network ...................................................................................59
Perform Path Planning Studies ............................................................. 60
ProSoft Technology provides various levels of technical support and application
assistance to ensure the success of RadioLinx applications. Applications may
vary in complexity, from a pair of radios communicating across a factory floor to
hundreds of radios spread over a large metropolitan area.
The following sections suggest typical questions for each area of concern and
the support available from planning your communication network and order
configuration to site review and verification.
Define the Application
Plan the Network
Perform Path Studies
Request a Quote
Install and Test the Network
5.1 Define
the
Application
How will the end devices communicate with each other?
Industrial automation equipment uses a wide range of interfaces and protocols
for communication. Some methods are easily adaptable to wireless, while others
are difficult, and in a few cases, impossible to integrate wireless.
Most Ethernet protocols (for example, Modbus TCP/IP, EtherNet IP) and serial
protocols (for example, ASCII and RTU, DF1, DNP 3.0) adapt easily to wireless.
Fieldbus interfaces (for example, PROFIBUS, HART, DeviceNet) and
deterministic networks (for example, ControlNet) on the other hand are more
difficult as they were typically not designed to support wireless communications.
When designing wireless networks, it is important to review the interface and
protocol options of the automation equipment and then choose the best approach
for wireless networking.