Emerson gets smart with wireless

Wireless removes limits to move facilities to the next level of performance. So said Mike Train, President, Emerson Process Management, Asia Pacific, introducing the company’s new Smart Wireless solutions to some 200 invited customers and business partners in Singapore on June 22.

Rather than a radical replacement of conventional networks, Emerson views wireless technology, at least for now, as an ideal opportunity for users to capture plant data than is currently be too difficult or access via wires. Hence, asset optimization and diagnostic functions can be extended out to help manufacturers avoid process interruptions and shutdowns, respond rapidly to safety incidents, and maximize production output.

Coming under the banner of “Smart Wireless” are solutions that combine self-organizing wireless mesh network technology and gateways with wireless field instruments. And at the upper level, the AMS Intelligent Device Manager predictive maintenance system now comes with wireless interface functionality.

Will wireless work?

“Process industries have unique requirements for and legitimate concerns about bringing wireless into the plant. These include reliability, cost, security, standards, and battery life,” explained Wally Baker, Marketing Manager, Rosemount Measurement, Asia Pacific.

Addressing some of these concerns, Baker pointed to extensive in-plant testing Emerson has been carrying out at customer sites over the last three years. “Real-world results for Smart Wireless field solutions in trials in a wide variety of industries have confirmed a 99 percent level of network reliability.”

Furthermore, Emerson’s Smart Wireless solutions do not require special site surveys to be carried out.

A testimonial from the BP Cherry Point plant trial in the US: “Emerson’s solution provided very high data reliability. The wireless network was robust even though it was deployed in a heavy metal environment. Devices were easy to configure and install – refinery personnel felt at ease when using them.”

Having been validated with customers and security experts, robust security is another proven feature of Smart Wireless, said Wally Baker. And energy efficiency was and is a key consideration in the development of every Emerson wireless device and network component. Through the products’ “SmartPower” capabilities, the battery life is specified at 5-15 years, depending on application.

Getting started

To make it easier to take their first steps on the wireless road, Emerson is introducing the SmartPack starter kit. Available now, this consists of SmartStart services; a set of wireless Rosemount flow, temperature, level or pressure transmitters; a wireless gateway; and an AMS Intelligent Device Manager software application for predictive diagnostic information access through the wireless gateway. Emerson assures that the completely assembled and tested starter kit network will establish itself right out of the box, with no additional user input or setup.

Another opportunity for prospective users to learn more about wireless is from Emerson’s own on-line PlantWeb University (www.PlantWebUniversity.com), which has added a set of 15-minute courses that present a practical introduction to the technology and applications of in-plant wireless for operators, engineers and management; for access, go to www.PlantWebUniversity.com.

And a Smart Wireless Innovators Award contest encourages process engineers to unleash their imaginations and creative engineering spirit by submitting innovative wireless applications where wireless technology delivered business benefits. Entry forms are available at www.emersonprocess.com/smartwireless/Contest.asp.