For those grounded in wired networks, untangling Wireless-related issues for plant-floor applications can be as intimidating as reworking networked I/O connections without documentation. If you haven’t jumped into wireless communications yet on the plant floor, or even if you have, here are some questions and answers to help clear the air about wireless. For more, also see the control Engineering Wireless Implementation Guide, online.
　　Providing answers are:
　　Bob Gardner控制工程网版权所有, Banner Engineering,

SureCross wireless product manager;
　　Jim Toepper, Moxa Americas product manager控制工程网版权所有, connectivity group, industrial wireless group;
　　Robert JacksonCONTROL ENGINEERING China版权所有, National Instruments senior product marketing manager控制工程网版权所有, wireless; and
　　Paul Brooks, business development manager控制工程网版权所有, networks portfolio, and Cliff Whiteheadwww.cechina.cn, manager控制工程网版权所有, strategic applications控制工程网版权所有, Rockwell Automation.

控制工程网版权所有, Banner Engineering says. " hspace="0" src="http://www.cechina.cn/upload/article/81c6685b-976e-48f2-a1ec-a2a97911d3b9/1_new.jpg" width="300" border="0">

　　Automated guided vehicles are among many plant floor wireless applications控制工程网版权所有, Banner Engineering says.

　　Q: Is wireless networking ready for prime-time factory applications?
　　Gardner: Yes! My garage door has been wireless for more than 20 years, not to mention the WiFi connection built into my laptop. To implement wireless in plant environments, factories require reliable deterministic signals with a known output condition if an error were to occur. Wireless communication of I/O and serial data is the next step for plants that want to optimize resources and ensure all assets are performing at peak capabilities.
　　Jackson: Wireless is ready for a more central role as an add-on system to the existing wired infrastructure. This ability to combine wired and wireless measurements will allow end users to preserve investments and use wireless technology in applications where it makes sense.
　　Q. What are some common uses for wireless networks in a factory?
　　Brooks and Whitehead: Today’s wireless deployments generally occur in applications where wired networks present challenges, making wireless increasingly simple and cost-effecti