Technology
Let ’ s consider several scenarios in which wireless capability was added to enhance the effectiveness of a system and missioncritical reliability of connectivity :
Smart Factory : Production Process Control for Industry 4.0
Connected devices are attractive in the manufacturing arena due to the potential improvements in overall yield . To achieve this , it is often necessary to gain remote control of various devices in the production chain to implement adjustments . An example is a control valve for a boiler operating in a chemical production process . Immediate and autonomous control of this valve can make real-time adjustments based on feedback from other stages in the process , leading to more optimized overall efficiency . activity with a high degree of confidence . This information can be relayed via wireless communications to the appropriate agency or unit , along with the location information , thus quickening the emergency response .
Challenges in Building Reliable Wireless Connectivity in Complex Environments
RF Obstacles Cause Missed Packets
Each of the examples mentioned above is subject to distinct environmental challenges that can negatively affect wireless communication . For example , the steel construction and thick walls of factories create large obstacles that may degrade the power of an RF signal to the point where it cannot be received by the target device . The sensitivity of the radio receiver used in the
Smart Healthcare : Vital Signs Monitoring target device will determine the tolerance level of signal Hospitals and care centers are looking to wireless connectivity to degradation . A change in sensitivity that is as low as 2 dB could be
monitor patient vital signs . Clunky wired solutions can be the difference between successful or unsuccessful reception of a replaced with wireless sensor patches connected through a local signal . Communication-system designers must pay close attention
gateway . Such systems enable more effective patient monitoring to receiver sensitivity when selecting a radio . while reducing the burden on healthcare staff .
Crowded Frequency Bands Cause Missed Packets Smart City : Event Sensing for Emergency Response
Connected devices will typically operate in the relevant industrial-
With advanced image and acoustic sensing and processing methods , systems mounted in public spaces ( for example , on lampposts ) can detect events like vehicle accidents and criminal
scientific-medical ( ISM ) band for a given region . ISM bands are license-free and can be used for a wide range of applications that require wireless connectivity . The 2.4-GHz band is standardized
ELE Times | 25 | March , 2017