There’s a lot of investment going into the wireless communication market, particularly its industrial sector.. According to research, the number of installed active wireless IoT devices will increase from 56.5 million units in 2023 to 110.3 million units by 2028—that’s a compound annual growth rate of 14.3%. The market itself is also predicted to grow to a value of $7.0 billion by 2030.
What does that mean for industrial wireless communication? It means everything is about to get bigger and better. From improved flexibility to reduced costs, the evolution will shape industries and drive us toward the adoption of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Read on to find out more.
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What Is Industrial Wireless Communication?
As the name suggests, industrial wireless communication, from its very definition, is the form of telecommunication in the industry in which data is communicated with no wires or cables, following different protocols in the industrial setting. Instead, it uses radio waves, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and IO-Link Wireless, and a few other telecommunication devices.
The retail industry, and other major sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and cold chain infrastructure, massively benefit from this technology by creating real-time automation, monitoring, and remote control of various equipment. Most importantly, this would also free the industry of wired limitations, allowing it to be far more cost-effective and flexible. This formulation will allow further development by melding with technologies like PROFINET, OPC UA, EtherCAT, and more.
The interconnectedness of various devices has always been the key.
How Does Wireless Communication Work in an Industrial Setting?
Wireless communication in industrial environments mainly functions through data exchange using radio waves. That involves several steps, which include:
- Data Transmission: Sensors and actuators collect data, which is then later encoded and transmitted through electromagnetic waves.
- Signal Propagation: The signal moves across space despite the existence of other barriers and interferences, up to a device meant to receive it.
- Data Decoding: The last device to receive the signal processes the content by transforming the data into something useful once again.
Communication technologies like IO-Link Wireless assist in this procedure by providing excellent reliability with minimum delay, which is required by industrial use cases. For example, an automated production line using cross belt sorters needs multiple machines to work together and therefore there must be easy wireless communication between the machines.
Using the adaptive frequency hopping of IO-Link Wireless decreases interference even more, rendering it suitable for densely populated industries.
Why Are Wireless Communications Replacing Wired Connections?
A combination of factors encouraged the transition from wired to wireless systems. These are significant advantages:
- Cost Savings: A wired network is quite pricey to set up, maintain, and upgrade. Wireless systems save a great deal of money, especially in terms of costs of large or unstable configurations.
- Flexibility: Wireless communication makes it possible to reconfigure systems while keeping them operational, which is essential for industries that are constantly changing layouts or processes. It becomes easy to move machines without rewiring.
- Reduced Downtime: Wireless networks are easier and faster for troubleshooting and maintenance because there are no physical wires that can cause wear and tear damage.
- Scalability: As smart factories and IoT technology advance rapidly, wireless networks readily incorporate new devices and developments.
Challenges in Industrial Wireless Communication
Obviously, there are challenges. Some of the biggest challenges include:
- Interference: Most workplaces have many electronic devices piled together in a small area which massively increases interference between signals.
- Security Risks: Wireless systems are susceptible to attacks, so strong encryption systems and authentication techniques are essential in safeguarding data. These can become costly.
- Reliability: Achieving a steady performance in unpleasant industrial conditions that feature large temperature extremes or heavy vibration is tricky.
Still, wireless communication is more reliable, faster, and cost-effective. The challenges don’t mean it’s an unworthy investment.
The concept of industrial wireless communication is not something new, but it does represent a significant change. It allows businesses to adopt the Industrial Internet of Things, which makes businesses more competitive and cost-effective with flexible and scalable solutions. There will always be cross-talk, dangerous interference, and security issues to be solved, but IO-Link Wireless, for example, suggests a great integration that’s coming to revolutionize the industrial sector.
