"An Overview of Wireless Technologies" presented by Peter Fuhr

Written on October 19, 2009 at 12:22 am

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“An Overview of Wireless Technologies” presented by Peter Fuhr, CEO, Wi-Fi Sensors Inc, received a warm welcome from audience at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Fleet-Wide Monitoring Interest Group Meeting which took place in Houston on 13-14OCT09. The primary focus of the group’s meeting was non-destructive condition monitoring and diagnostics. Dr. Fuhr gave fresh interpretation and visionary perspective on wireless technology. During a panel discussion entitled “Condition Monitoring with Wireless Sensors”, moderated by Aaron Hussey (EPRI) with panelists :John Sorge (Southern Company), Don Kerber (We Energies) and Dr. Fuhr a wide range of questions pertaining to secure wireless sensors and systems applicable to EPRI fleet deployment were discussed.
The 90 minute “Wireless Overview” presented on the 2nd day of the meeting began with an extract from an April 1911 issue of The Atlantic Constitution which described “why wireless Telegraphy may make us Toothless, Hairless and Insane”….. With this start, the wireless and security topics most on the minds of the EPRI meeting attendees were covered. A quick summary of the presentation and question & answer session follows: Nowadays wireless is considered to be integral to the future of industrial automation. A variety of standards have been developed to regulate operating frequencies for commercial use and communication protocols for both government and industrial facilities. Vendors are developing and marketing a wide range of wireless products that use the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) frequency. However, these ISM bands are shared by numerous devices including wireless LAN , cordless phones, video surveillance systems, baby monitors – the list goes on – all operating in the 900MHz, 2.4GHz and/or 5GHz frequency ranges. There is some level of sanity to the situation in that the IEEE regulates how the “standards-compliant” signals are being transmitted in terms of size, rate, number of channels, encryption, “right-of-way” etc.
Network architectures and reality were discussed highlighting three different type of topologies ( star, mesh and tree), different coverage such as PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN and applicable technologies. The comparison table for six different IEEE standards and intended applications were given in the presentation.
Dr. Fuhr described the major components of a generic wireless sensor and then addressed the attendees questions for first a description of and then a technical comparison of wireless sensors that use the same 802.15.4 radio platform. Examples of network deployment architectures using various combinations of 802.11 and 802.15.4 devices were discussed. Having individuals who have deployed such networks in power generation systems, most notably Clint Carter (Luminant), made for a very interactive discussion. These discussions led to the point that it is indeed possible to integrate different protocols and create co-existing wireless “eco” system. This approach is illustrated by example of Honeywell, Cisco and Emerson. Such a heterogeneous approach is advantageous for some applications. However the wireless sensor solution based on one protocol seems to be more robust, secure and straight forward considering the importance of secure, IT-friendly, data transfer. Wi-Fi sensors, 802.11-based, are the perfect solution of this situation.
Dr. Fuhr anticipated many frequently asked questions about wireless devices and networks by providing guidelines for network solution for off-shore oil platforms, titanium extraction facilities, major refineries and power generation facilities for future projects.
The Fleet-Wide Monitoring Interest Group (FWMIG) allows for open peer-to-peer information exchange among EPRI members, researchers and vendors on member-selected subjects. The Fleet-Wide Monitoring Interest Group helps guide EPRI research in on-line monitoring, diagnostics, and associated enabling technologies such as sensors. FWMIG meeting was held on Oct 12-14 2009 in Houston TX.