Versatile modular radio network keeps cost of environmental monitoring under control

August 2003 Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring

With its Versanet low power radio network, Radio Data Technology (RDT) is aiming to bring the benefits of low cost communications to a wider range of environmental monitoring and analysis applications.

The benefits of deregulated wireless telemetry have been used for many years by industry and the utilities as a cost effective means of providing data links. Versanet offers unlimited range by linking multiple RF transceiver networks and chains together for applications including waste water monitoring, atmospheric analysis, air and water pollution, land fill sites and water management.

The technology takes advantage of frequency allocations in the 406 to 470 MHz range which allows the operation of type approved equipment with or without licensing requirement. This means that a user may simply install a radio data system and avoid installation as well as ongoing costs that are incurred with line rental and call charges when using telecom lines, PSTN systems or the tariffs levied by cellular radio data networks.

Radio Data Technology's Versanet radio telemetry transceiver network is fully fieldbus compatible, using standard ModBus protocol as a transparent structure with Genesis for Windows software. Users can assemble their own custom HMI/scada or data logging system by combining the Genesis for Windows modular components, with a network of up to 250 Versanet radio transceivers.

This off-the-shelf system enables fully independent, cable free communications at distances of up to 20 km between any two radio nodes in the network. ModBus is RS232 based for polling architectures and long distance links with Master-Save technology. The system enables seamless interface with PLCs, loop controllers and digital I/O signals, collection of realtime data from any remote node.

A key feature of this radio telemetry network is its ability to use standard ModBus ASCII transmission mode, so there are no proprietary protocols to learn or support on site. The Versanet system also has a programmable alarm delay period. This avoids unnecessary site visits, because lost transmission is re-established automatically via another node in the network.

The transceivers are housed in IP67 enclosures and can be powered independently by battery, solar panel or wind generator.

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