Multi-function wireless adaptor!

Yokogawa has announced that it is releasing a newly developed multi-function wireless adaptor on the 1st December 2014. This adaptor enables wired devices that transmit and receive digital ON/OFF signals or receive 4-20 mA analogue signals to function as ISA100 Wireless™ field wireless devices. It is planed to target markets such as oil and gas, LNG, refining, petrochemicals, chemicals, power, pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, food, and iron and steel.  The adptor is designed for applications such as  use with switches, solenoid valves, and other device types that utilise digital ON/OFF signals, and transmitters that utilise 4-20 mA analogue input signals

Yokogawa's approach to field wireless comms Yokogawa released the world's first ISA100 Wireless system devices and wireless pressure and temperature transmitters in July 2010. In addition to enabling sophisticated control techniques in continuous processes, this gave customers a wider range of devices to choose from. In line with the "Wireless Anywhere" concept for field wireless solutions, Yokogawa will continue to expand its lineup of ISA100 Wireless transmitters and other devices such as adaptors to develop best-in-class solutions that provide higher value to customers, and promote the use of field wireless technologies.

Development background
Field wireless systems enable plant field devices and host-level monitoring, control, and other systems to communicate wirelessly with each other. Driven by the need to improve productivity and safety, companies are looking for ways to collect more data on their plant operations. Consequently, there is a rising demand for field wireless devices as they can be installed in difficult-to-wire locations. Field wireless devices have the added advantage of having a lower installation cost.

In addition to ISA100 Wireless-based field devices and systems, Yokogawa offers multi-protocol wireless adaptors that enable HART(R) and Modbus devices to function as ISA100 Wireless devices. The development of this new multi-function wireless adaptor demonstrates Yokogawa's ongoing commitment to promoting the spread of wireless communication technologies.

Product features
Plants use communication protocols such as FOUNDATION™fieldbus, HART, Modbus, and PROFIBUS to facilitate the exchange of data. In addition, digital ON/OFF, 4-20 mA analogue input, and other types of signals are used for a variety of purposes. This multi-function wireless adaptor has been developed with these latter signal types in mind. The mounting of this adaptor on a wired device that transmits and receives digital ON/OFF signals or receives 4-20 mA analogue signals enables it to function as an ISA100 Wireless device. This increases the variety of devices that can be used with field wireless systems, and is expected to lead to a wider use of such systems in plant operations.

1. Signal types
For use with limit switches, solenoid valves, analogue transmitters, and other device types, the adaptor has two channels for digital input signals that are used to monitor the ON/OFF state of devices, one channel for digital signals that output the ON/OFF state of devices, and one channel for receiving 4-20 mA analogue process value signals from transmitters.

2. Environmental resistance
An all-weather model that is waterproof and dustproof and an explosion-proof model that can be used in inflammable gas environments are expected to be released by the end of 2015.