Two new access point lines for industrial wireless LANs (IWLAN) are now available from Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D). The devices in the Scalance W-786 family are particularly suitable for installation in outdoor radio networks, for instance in public areas, mass transit systems, ports, offshore equipment, or container logistics. 

Scalance W-786 access points are particularly suitable for applications with high climatic requirements such as in outdoor networks. These scalable products can be supplied in several variants from a single radio card and two antennas to three radio cards and six antennas. Variants with internal antennas, designed for temperatures from -40°C to +70°C, are sufficiently robust to withstand even the most problematic environments. They are insensitive to UV and salt spray, and accommodated in a rugged plastic housing that is resistant to both impact and crushing. No additional mechanical protection is required because there are no external parts that are capable of destruction. Scalance W786-1PRO has one integrated radio card and is offered with two internal antennas or sockets for external antennas. Scalance W786-2PRO has two integrated radio cards and is offered with four internal antennas or sockets for external antennas. Scalance W786-3PRO has three integrated radio cards and sockets for external antennas. Variants with an RJ45 or optical fiber connector are available for connection to a wired Ethernet.

The new range of IP30 client modules integrates one or more nodes in an IWLAN radio network. Scalance W744-1 establishes a radio link between one mobile unit with an Ethernet interface and a radio network. Scalance W746-1 manages the radio link for up to eight connected devices with an Ethernet interface. The module automatically detects a device that has been replaced and manages the new address. Scalance W747-1 differs from the W746-1 module with regard to the rapid roaming function. This provides realtime radio communication even if the nodes cross radio cell boundaries.

More information:
www.automation.siemens.com
www.siemens.com/scalance 

Posted July 2, 2007