About the Author
Jim Montague is the executive editor for Control. Email him at [email protected].
To begin implementing wireless networking in most, if not all, discrete or process settings, there are some common, primary steps:
- Evaluate application's present and future performance requirements.
- Check existing wired and any wireless networks and upgrade overall, facility-wide communication integration plans.
- Perform complete wireless site assessment and RF survey to evaluate physical settings and possible interference sources.
- Try out antennas and test locations for stable coverage and best signal transmission and reception.
- Implement wireless components and network to meet application's present requirements, but allow for future expansion.
- Teach operators and other staff maintenance and troubleshooting skills for wireless.
This article is a part of the Industrial Networking Quarter 4 cover story, "Wireless Makes It Simple."
