So Many Wireless Technologies … Which Is the Right One for My Application?
Don P. Dickinson · 2014
Wireless technology has transformed our world. The demand for mobile communications and computing continues its dramatic growth, driven by the proliferation of smartphones and tablets. The use of wireless in industry continues to grow as well. Wireless technology has been used in industry for many years and has provided reliable communications for monitoring and controlling remote processes, including mission-critical applications. However, licensefree wireless technologies are giving industry even more options for solving application needs, such as wireless networking for the mobile worker and wireless sensor networks for process optimization and asset management. But which is the right technology for your application? Understanding the capabilities and limitations of the various technologies will allow users to realize the benefits of wireless while avoiding the problems resulting from misapplication. This paper provides an overview of the various license-free, spread-spectrum technologies and their appropriate use for industrial applications. TABLE OF CONTENTS