Unplugged but connected

Wireless technologies are rapidly gaining a foothold in industrial automation. Their application leads to gains in productivity and flexibility. Complex wiring solutions can be dispensed with, device design can be simplified and setup and commissioning time reduced. In the first part of this article [1], ABB's WISA (Wireless Interface to Sensors and Actuators) was presented and the system architecture and wireless power supply discussed. This second part of the article concentrates on ensuring the reliability of wireless technology in hostile production environments and presents examples of how this technology was appied at customer facilities.