Honeywell announces 'OneWireless'
OneWireless is a clever idea: a 3-in-1 box multiradio, multiport wireless access point that supports multiple industrial protocols and applications simultaneously. OneWireless supports mesh networks with HART protocol, WiFi and FHSS radio: all in one box. Bandwidth control provides increased security and capacity, scalable to 30 000 devices.
What about wireless standards? End-users clearly do not want a repeat of the fieldbus fiasco (several competing protocols).
At this stage, it quickly becomes semantics: 'Wireless HART' is the standard (near completion) promoted by the HART Communication Foundation (HCF), with 150+ members. OneWireless transmits HART protocol data over wireless, similar to the way HART data moves over other industrial networks like Profibus.
But Honeywell keeps insisting that it is 'HART wireless' rather than using the term 'Wireless HART'. Hmmm... I think I feel another poem brewing.....
As if to prove that OneWireless was not just smoke-and-mirrors, Honeywell took a cue from Emerson and offered a starter kit.
I challenged Honeywell's key people to lower the price to stimulate wider trials and usage. It is not just the price; it is more a symbol of chutzpah. It remains to be seen whether Jack Bolick & Co. will take me up on that challenge.
To the winner go the spoils. In this case, market-share.
Industrial wireless standards
Inflection-points bring opportunities for new winners.
The two big inflection points in the industrial automation business were the introduction of DCS (by Honeywell in the '70s) and PLCs (invented by Dick Morley and others) also in the '70s. After that there was nothing significant.
In my view, wireless will be another inflection point.
Here is the key: the justification for most projects is based on the return on financial investment, which could take years. With wireless, the infrastructure investments (digging cable trenches, pipes, wiring) are reduced immediately, and returns are dramatic. Projects that previously could not be considered become immediately worthwhile. It is win-win all round.
Many of the wireless applications now being discussed in the process industries can and have been achieved with commercial technology. This is similar to how Ethernet migrated from the business world into factory and process environments.
For industrial and process controls, what remains to be settled is a standard for low power, reliable, sensor/actuator wireless networks. Many technologies have been tried, but no standard exists that excels at the combination of very high reliability, ultra low power, and the security needed.
Both ISA's SP-100 Committee and the HART Communications Foundation (HCF) have been working on industrial wireless standards. SP-100 is chartered with a broader scope, extending from sensors and actuators to the boardroom. Wireless HART has already achieved draft standard status; SP-100 is at an earlier stage. Both groups have agreed to use the IEEE 802.15.4 radio standard for the physical layer, and self-organising mesh network technology for reliability.
Clearly, it would be best for the industry to have a single standard. The concepts and direction being pursued by SP-100 are very similar to those of Wireless HART, which should be incorporated as part of the standard. SP-100 should then focus its efforts on the remaining portions of industrial standards - from the field and the plant to the office and boardroom.
HART originated from Rosemount, now part of Emerson which is Honeywell's primary competitor. But HCF is now 'open', with 150+ members that would support standards with a proliferation of products and applications. So, Honeywell, just support 'Wireless HART' as the SP-100 standard and get on with the business of doing business.
Engineer - re-engineer yourself
In the global economy when both engineering and manufacturing are going offshore, engineering leadership is at risk. Engineers must re-engineer themselves to revitalise their own careers and generate renewed success.
Decades ago, technology brought the era of 'specialisation' - knowing more and more about less and less. To advance faster you had to focus. But now technology has spread beyond national boundaries. Many emerging countries are developing comparable technical skills. New developments have accelerated to the point where companies must generate winning strategies beyond narrow technical advantages. Broad leadership vision and teamwork have become important.
If you are an engineer, this is for you. How are YOU doing?
Do you still have your nose glued to your job, just hoping that others - Marketing, or Sales, or whatever - do not screw up and you will get laid-off when your company gets down-sized?
Engineer, broaden your scope! Start thinking about the other factors that affect your success. Heed the advice of engineering guru's to learn 'Total Concept Engineering'.
Engineer - it is time to re-engineer yourself.
Jim Pinto is an industry analyst and commentator, writer, technology futurist and angel investor. His popular e-mail newsletter, JimPinto.com eNews, is widely read (with direct circulation of about 7000 and web-readership of two to three times that number). His areas of interest are technology futures, marketing and business strategies for a fast-changing environment, and industrial automation with a slant towards technology trends.
© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved
printer friendly version