Through the adoption of the ISA100 Wireless™ , the company is focusing on a compatibility link between wireless and wired solutions
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the wireless solutions market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Yokogawa Electric Corporation (Yokogawa) with the 2014 Global Frost & Sullivan Award for Enabling Technology Leadership. The concept of a connected industry is increasingly becoming a reality as industries such as oil and gas, chemicals, power, pharmaceuticals, steel, water, mining, food, and beverage move towards a digital operating environment for better connectivity, productivity, and cost effectiveness. This wave of digitization has driven Yokogawa to focus on the concept of "Wireless Anywhere" by fusing openness, interoperability, and reliability into a total wireless solution.
Integration of wired instrumentation systems and wireless networks with IT infrastructure often poses problems for solution providers in terms of security, interoperability capabilities, installation and maintenance, as well as scalability and functions. In response to these concerns, Yokogawa has developed three new key solutions to support large and reliable plant wireless networks. The first is a field wireless management station, which aids effective and secure connectivity between production control systems and field wireless devices. The second is a field wireless access point, which is a new router device for connecting field wireless devices and gateways. The third is a wireless media converter for converting data from 100BASE-TX to 100BASE-FX and extending connectivity distance and security.
The new wireless devices have backup devices that ensure uninterrupted communication between the systems. The new field wireless management station can support and manage up to about 10 times the number of wireless devices as existing systems. Furthermore, these systems enhance flexibility in various operations and increase the scale of systems used, ensuring that network expansions are effectively supported. Yokogawa also utilizes a modularization concept to speed up product developments and expand its product portfolio.
"Yokogawa's new wireless systems have aided the enhancement of both host systems and field devices such as the wireless pressure and temperature transmitters," said Frost & Sullivan Senior Analyst Sonia Francisco. "The company's considerable experience has helped it mitigate the trade-off between battery life and power consumption."
Yokogawa's "Wireless Anywhere" architecture ensures reliability through the Duocast technology. Its high-speed capabilities across long distances creates an intricate wireless infrastructure that supports the inclusion of third-party field wireless devices, as well as diverse protocols and hosts, to provide best-in-class solutions. These capabilities permit customers to set up wireless devices across the plant, regardless of locations, while managing data to improve production efficiency.
Yokogawa utilizes the ISA100 Wireless to realize the application potential of the wireless solution, which ranges from monitoring to control. The ISA100 Wireless ensures healthy integration with various standards such as FOUNDATION™ fieldbus, HART® and PROFIBUS. While traditional communication protocols have limited capabilities, the ISA100 Wireless utilizes a robust encryption system that supports the implementation of multiple applications on a single wireless network. Furthermore, the standard enables solutions with minimal investment requirements, as it can be integrated with existing wired systems to create a holistic solution.
Due to the increasing adoption of mobile devices, the concept of mobility is integral to Yokogawa's solution development as it moves towards its vision of the "VigilantPlant." The utilization of core technologies and concepts facilitates deployment and added value for customers implementing Yokogawa's solutions.
Frost & Sullivan Industry Manager Muthuraman "Ram" Ramasamy also noted, "The organization's competitiveness in the field device solutions market has allowed it to create a superior network of technology solutions. Its digital wireless communication technology ensures high-speed data transmission, while effectively resolving traditional wireless issues such as dropped connections and lost data."
Yokogawa's capability in sustainable innovation is in line with its culture of effectively addressing customers' challenges and delivering cutting edge of technology to the markets.
Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to a company that has developed a pioneering technology that not only enhances current products but also enables the development of newer products and applications. The award recognizes the high market acceptance potential of the recipient's technology.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.
