现在,无线通信及其相关技术已经开始大量应用于商业与民用环境中。尽管如此,IMS对工厂自动化的最新调查研究显示,依然存在一些问题,阻碍了无线技术更为广泛的应用。
2007年,全球应用于工厂自动化的无线产品仅有50万节点,包括传感器、控制终端、PLC、远程IO、驱动器和无线网络接取点等在内的嵌入式无线功能产品。
预期到2013年,无线通信将达400万节点,但与商业应用相比较控制工程网版权所有,依然相形见绌。
现今机器制造商和最终用户采用无线通信的最大障碍在于无线通信的可靠性。重型机械的使用有可能会中断无线信号。工厂自动化中,收集可靠、详尽的机器数据的重要性加剧,有线解决方案目前来看还是最佳的选择。
工厂自动化中的保守派也限制了无线通信网络的建立,既然有线的还能用控制工程网版权所有,为什么要换成无线的呢?
话虽如此,还是有越来越多的公司加入到无线产品应用行列中来,开始专门定制工厂环境下坚固耐用的无线产品。这些公司通过选用正确的基础设施和无线技术,提高其工业网络的性能。
无线产品价格下降同样促进公司将有线网络转化为无线网络,或两者同时使用。尤其是在现在的经济形势下,无线网络的初期投入要低于有线网络。举例来说,一
状况监视应用无线网络同样能减少部件费用,例如用于监视旋转功能的集电环在无线条件下就无须购买,可以用一个无线传感器代替。
综上所述,2007年到2013年,全球工厂自动化中的无线通信系统应用将每年增加约40%。在某种程度上,增长将由自动化元件供应商促进完成。他们已经逐步认识到无线技术将是下一个技术腾飞的基础www.cechina.cn,大大提升工厂效能与保证用户的安全。现在机械制造商和最终用户需要考虑的问题是,如何去选择最为适用于无线网络的应用,以得到最大的利润。
Potential for Wireless Communications in Factory Automation
Wireless communication and its associated benefits are now well established in the commercial and consumer environments. However, a recent report from IMS Research on wireless communications in factory automation shows that obstacles not found in the office environment continue to hinder adoption.
In 2007, the estimated worldwide market for wireless products in factory automation was only 0.5 million units. This total included products with built-in wireless functionalitywww.cechina.cn, such as sensors, operator terminalswww.cechina.cn, PLCs, remote IO, drives and wireless access points.
By 2013, shipments are forecast to increase to almost 4 million units; however, they are dwarfed by shipments to commercial applications.
Currently, the biggest obstacle to adopting wireless communications for machine builders and end users alike is reliability. The presence of heavy machinery that can interrupt wireless signals, together with the increasing importance of gathering dependable, detailed machine data has convinced most, for now at least, that wired solutions are best.
The conservatism in factory automation has also inhibited the adoption of wireless communication netw