Wireless technology creates self-networking instruments

Staff -- Control Engineering, 11/1/2006

Using wireless technology, Emerson Process Management hopes to create many new applications for its smart sensors and PlantWeb architecture. The Smart Wireless product line, unveiled at Emerson's Global Users Exchange in Nashville last month, was heralded as "a wireless platform for everyone," with reliability, low costs, and easy setup.

With PlantWeb digital plant architecture, HART communication and diagnostics, and Emerson instrumentation, the new wireless platform aims to provide a seamless path from individual device to control system. The new designs were field tested at BP's Cherry Point Refinery. David Lafferty, senior technology consultant with BP, said, "Through the trials, we found that Emerson's wireless approach is flexible, easy to use, reliable, and makes a step change reduction in installed costs." It's expected to change BP's approach to a planned $3 billion refit of their Whiting refinery as well as other renovations, new building projects, and even offshore platforms.

During a demonstration at the conference, Emerson added a new device to an operating network by inserting the battery. Emerson's Smart Wireless equipment requires no site surveys or special tools. It supports SP100 control and monitoring application classes 1-5 and the network is scalable from 5 to more than 100,000 devices. High efficiency allows for battery life of 5 to 15 years with options for other power scavenging methods, depending on application.

www.emersonprocess.com/smartwireless