The coming of age [wireless Ethernet in industrial applications]
D. Brandt, Richard Piggin · Computing & Control Engineering Journal · 2006
Wireless technology continues to evolve for the industrial market; however there are several issues and challenges that must be addressed to help ensure successful implementation, such as interference, coverage, compatibility safety, security and costs. One of the most successful applications is wireless Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), where wireless is used to economically communicate across long distances in process and utility industries. Cost savings are also achieved when wireless is used to bridge communication across obstacles such as walls and rivers. Another excellent application is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), which has numerous advantages over barcode, including less susceptibility to orientation and greater data storage. Innovation in this area is providing the opportunity for greater automation. Wireless sensing is an emerging market, promising massive growth due to the large number of potential networked devices, but it still faces numerous challenges. Wireless I/O for control is a popular topic of investigation, but has not gained widespread acceptance.