Common Industrial Wireless Platforms Extend Connectivity Options

Increasing availability of a broad spectrum of industrial wireless technologies, including 4G LTE, 5G, WiFi 6, LPWANs, and CBRS, is driving the potential for mixed-use scenarios in real-world industrial installations.  In response, several industrial wireless suppliers are introducing multi-functional devices that allow users to mix and match communications options while sharing common hardware, software, and security platforms.

Industrial wireless network specifiers should look to capitalize on the emerging trend toward network infrastructure devices based on common platforms capable of supporting multiple technologies.  This is true in the case of emerging private CBRS installations in North America, where cellular providers are adding additional radios to 4G LTE (and in the future 5G) devices.  WiFi 6 capabilities are likewise pursued for indoor, mobile, and retrofit installations.  Cost-effective LPWAN and mesh network connectivity to low-cost sensors and endpoints is also increasingly common with the cellular network used as backhaul. 

Multifunction devices frequently share a family of industrial form factors, the same CPU and OS platforms, and common visualization, network management, and security capabilities.  This trend is also indicative of the increasing role of software and services in the connectivity realm, including centralized management capabilities in service of performance, security, and scale. 

Examples of Common Industrial Wireless Platforms

The common MDS Orbit industrial wireless platform from GE Grid Solutions supports a range of technologies that share form factors as well as common network services and security.  Among other options, the devices support 4G LTE, private LTE in CBRS, unlicensed or licensed 900 MHz narrowband, optional WiFi with an integrated active GPS, and an embedded serial terminal server for serial to Ethernet conversion.  Multiple communication ports allow connection to PLCs, RTUs, controllers, and other end devices. 

MDS PulseNET Network Management Software provides a common web page and command line interface for consistency across all MDS Orbit product models.  The technology-agnostic user interface provides common nomenclature, processes and Wizards for product and network configuration.   Security features focus on securing the device, the user, and the network with open standards-based algorithms and protocols.

HitachiABB Power Grids has debuted a new hybrid wireless architecture solution with the launch of its next-generation Tropos TRO600 portfolio.  TropOS is designed to seamlessly integrate 2G, 3G/4G LTE, CBRS PLTE, self-healing broadband mesh, and select sub-GHz technologies from its ecosystem partners into a single device.  TropOS wireless solutions share SuprOS, a unified network management platform designed to enable simpler and more efficient network deployment and operation as well as universal visualization, managing all the radios in the TropOS network from a single console.  The hybrid approach unifies communications to all devices, providing a combination of interoperable technologies on a single communication network.

Red Lion’s FlexEdge Intelligent Edge Automation Platform is designed to provide users with added flexibility to more easily modify functionality as application needs change, leveraging the capabilities of a single device across a functional spectrum ranging from advanced networking to automation.  The FlexEdge’s modular communications sleds allow users to deploy multi-cellular radio gateways, multiple isolated serial ports, routable Ethernet ports, optional serial, USB, Wi-Fi, and cellular communications sleds, as well as field-installable I/O.  The FlexEdge architecture combines Linux with the company’s Crimson 3.2 software, enabling a single FlexEdge controller to provide advanced networking, security, and automation functionality.  Additional functionality is enabled through field-unlockable software upgrades.

Examples of Multi-Functional Industrial Wireless Options

Material for this blog was taken from ARC’s recently released Industrial Cellular Router Global Market Research Study.  Further information on ARC’s coverage of the industrial IoT edge is available here.