Basic Description:

Conventional instrument wiring carries variable current, voltage, discrete, or data highway information between process sensors and control equipment.  Wireless Data Acquisition refers to an initiative within the process control industry, to replace these physical wires with radio waves.  The results when using some early generation wireless equipment have been mixed.  The chief advantages are in the cost savings of having no wiring and conduit hardware, plus the prevention of possible circuit interruption from wiring routes which pass through hazardous or out-of-service areas within the plant.  Traditional disadvantages have included the costs of the FCC license and relay towers, plant machinery interference with, or caused by the radio equipment, and the need for line-of-sight positioning between the transmitters and receivers.
 

The APEC Solution:

Acme Process Equipment Company, together with FEDD Systems, offers a unique family of wireless data acquisition equipment, based on a low power 900 Mhz spread spectrum technology, which eliminates most of the drawbacks found the earlier generation wireless equipment.  Its standard operating range is seven miles, with options available for extended ranges. FEDD Systems is most cost-effective for facilities which have, or anticipate having multiple sensing points instead of just one or two.  The initial cost, which includes the transmitter(s), receiver / control interface, and factory start up, can be as little as a few thousand dollars. Additional points are a few hundred dollars each, and only require plant personnel to bolt on a self-powered radio transmitter to the process sensor, and program the new address into the receiver.

Features:

• Patented low-power technology is neither affected by, nor creates any plant interference.
• No FCC license required.
• No relay towers required.
• No exposed antennas susceptible to breaking off.
• No line-of-sight requirements, except for extreme mounting locations, such as within solid metal buildings or enclosures.
• Can transmit most common process control and data highway signals.
• Can work with existing process sensors; or, can offer FEDD Systems' own combined process / radio transmitters for pressure, temperature, vibration, or VOC emissions monitoring.
• Combined pressure / radio transmitter can differentiate between a rupture disk leak and a burst.
• Optional on/off wireless relay control for discrete input devices.
• Can work from within hazardous environments or anywhere a battery-powered wristwatch can go.
• Can interface with most existing plant PLC, DCS, or PC-based control systems.
• One receiver / control interface unit can monitor approximately 2000 sensor inputs.
• Compatible with standard modem or satellite uplink systems for extended ranges.
• Factory start-up, plant control system interface programming, and training provided standard during the initial installation and available afterward upon request.
• PC-based plant monitoring software for facilities without an existing monitoring system.
• 3.2 volt lithium transmitter battery is typically good for 1-3 years, with remaining battery life monitored by the receiver.
• Solar panels optional, to power both the radio and process transmitters in some cases.

• Type and number of originating points to be monitored.
• Hazardous area classifications and approximate physical spacing of the originating points.
• Distance to the operator or system destination area.
• Building design or obstructions the radio signal will need to pass through.
• The destination monitoring equipment or type of display desired.