Remote - Winter 2012 - (Page 8)

Feature Article What’s in Your Radio Communication Tackle Box? Dan Steele, Business Development Executive FreeWave Technologies, Inc. The sporting anglers today have the latest gear and lures available to help catch that prize fish in their favorite fishing spot. The same applies to the reels that hold the fishing line. The use of the latest technology is seen everywhere, right down to the fishing hooks and lures. Many of the same things are true with the wireless communications market. Radios have become smaller, faster, smarter and easier than ever to program, install and upgrade firmware. Radio diagnostic information both locally and network wide is much easier to access. Some diagnostic software available today offers spectrum analyzer tools that show what the local noise floor looks like on the frequency that is being used at the time. The same programs have a design template that can be used to create a new network and later the user can program the radios from this template. For operators that have been using older diagnostic tools, certain programs will allow the user to import those networks into the diagnostic software, perform a reverse design template build and have a template of their existing network. Some of the biggest advancements are happening on the input/output (I/O) side of the pond. There are more options and frequencies that can be used today than ever before. Some of the trends are 2.4 GHz for short range I/O and 900 MHz for long range or for those networks that might only have a couple of sites requiring I/O. It is very easy now to add additional I/O expansion to programmable logic controllers (PLC’s), remote terminal units (RTU’s), electronic flow meters (EFM’s) and other types of data communication devices. All the user needs is an RS-232 or RS-485 serial connection. The same is true with cell modems and satellite radios to competitive radio hardware. I/O can be added to these devices easily and at a very competitive price. The cost per I/O point has dropped and the size of these devices has decreased as well. Something that is becoming more common, specifically in the oil and gas world, is the need to bring in multi-well pad sites, compressor stations, tank farms, gate entry and even cathodic protection RTU’s and pipe-to-soil test stations into the same Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) host software that is collecting well information. This can be achieved with today’s I/O technology. A radio communication tackle box might consist of a laptop computer, configuration and diagnostic software, Bird 43 watt meter, radio spectrum analyzers, test radios, Omni and Yagi antennas, radio frequency (RF) coaxial cable, cable jumpers, lightning protection, weather proofing and grounding kits, radio path studies, diagnostic tools, DC power supplies, Tool Suite Diagnostic Software radio antenna masts and towers, and a variety of radio types including, spread spectrum and licensed frequencies, as well as Serial and/or Ethernet devices. With so many possibilities, it is important for an operator to understand these options in order to select the best possible communication tools for their particular needs – whether it is for water/wastewater, oil and gas, Smart Grid/electric power or other industrial applications. Regardless of the type of application or industry, there are several important questions to ask before choosing a wireless radio technology. Preparation and knowledge are essential. Here are some suggestions to get started: • What are the short and long-term plans/goals? • Who is the master/administrator and do they know what is expected? • Who’s going to do the work? 8 www.RemoteMagazine.com • • • • • • What is the timetable and time of completion? Will there be a radio path study? Will there be a network design, list of end devices and connection types? Will there be I/O devices either local or using Modbus protocol? Have hybrid networks with Ethernet and serial radios been investigated? Will there be IP security cameras? Can you live with low frame rate? The leading radio manufacturers are developing several new products to help with the demand for reliable wireless technology. There are I/O radios and I/O expansion modules that utilize the Modbus protocol, which is the industry standard. Some radios offer four RJ-45 ports, two for Ethernet and two for serial communications. New cathod- Bird Model 43 Watt Meter ic protection radios have the ability to connect to rectifiers from 110 to 480 VAC with a one step down transformer that will drop the voltage down to 12 VDC. It can accept either positive or negative voltage shunts as well and bring in pipe-to-soil test points. The ease to add I/O into existing networks that already have serial radios makes this task quite easy and, if repeaters are needed, they can be added to the radio network. There also are new software programs (Tool Suite) that act like a Swiss army knife. They can program the radio, update firmware, create network design templates and gather diagnostics all from the same software. An operator can create a network design and program the radio for each specific location and know that each radio has all the correct settings required. No two communication networks are exactly alike, so it is important to have an understanding of the specific communication requirements for each installation. Key considerations include: • Field size and location – where is the data going? • Topology, vegetation types and challenges • Feel the need for speed? What is being brought back to the host and is the operator trying to tie into the network from the field? • Video, IP, PLC’s, Wi-Fi and other Ethernet devices • Combining different types of data to the SCADA network • New field challenges and how to get data back to the host • Microwave – spread spectrum or licensed radios, ring or self-healing link architectures? • Cellular networks – where and why might they be used • Satellite networks – for those really remote areas…. Different Topologies, Network Sizes & Data Requirements Radio Communication Tackle Box Contents Critical Steps to Creating a Reliable and Complete Radio Communication Network System System Needs and Long-Term Goals 1. Understand the current and future needs for the system • Involve Stakeholders • Seek input and different perspectives 2. Second, know the organization’s long-term communications goals. • Communication infrastructure sharing for different applications 3. Not completely understanding all of these will increase the odds of failure. http://www.RemoteMagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Remote - Winter 2012

Remote - Winter 2012
Editor's Choice
Automated Monitoring Out at the Network Edge
What’s in Your Radio Communication Tackle Box?
When Does Solar Make Sense for Remote Sites?
Utility Networks in Transition
TV White-Space Technology Makes Broadband Affordable for Remote Locations
Challenges of Remote Management over Satellite
SCADA Market: Charting Strong Growth Amidst Industry Speculation
SCADA
Networking
Security
Oniste Power
Environmental Monitoring
Industry News

Remote - Winter 2012