Fieldbus & Industrial Networking


Serial wireless data transmission

April 2010 Fieldbus & Industrial Networking

Phoenix Contact’s new FL Comserver WLAN 232/422/485 permits wireless access to machines, plants, and systems equipped with serial interfaces. Mobile industrial applications with RS232/422/485 or USB interfaces can be integrated into wireless LAN networks via this device server.

Wireless connectivity according to IEEE 802.11 b/g with a maximum data transmission rate of 54 Mbit/s can be reliably secured using encryption mechanisms according to WPA/WPA2 (AES and TKIP) as well as WEP. The simple substitute for cable-based systems in mobile applications is realised with the ad-hoc or infrastructure mode. This means that serial devices can be directly connected with one another or can be integrated into a network via access points.

Comprehensive diagnostic displays and an LED bar graph indicating the RF power received are integrated in the device. They facilitate simple commissioning and continuous monitoring in operation. Further, the actual signal strength can be digitally displayed and externally processed. The extended temperature range from -25 to +60°C allows stable operation under extreme conditions. As a consequence, special serial applications with drag chains or slip rings can be simply replaced using the international WLAN standard.

For more information contact Andre Kemp, Phoenix Contact, +27 (0)11 801 8200, [email protected], www.phoenixcontact.co.za



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