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		May 18, 2008
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Case Studies

Into a nuclear power plant with B&B Electronics 802.15.4 wireless

U.S Department of Energy chimes in on improving motor efficiencies via 802.15.4 wireless sensors

eWireless Connections Newsletter

Following the spirit of the free-wheeling and immensely popular eConnections newsletter, B&B Electronics is launching a new companion newsltter devoted to wireless data communications - eWireless Connections.

eWC will provide frank analyses of the emerging wireless technologies in Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11, ZigBee 802.15.4, WiMax 802.16 and whatever else appears on the wireless horizon. We'll talk about the practical uses of these new communication systems - direct and to the point - no marketing hype.

Here are a few popular
Wireless downloads
from our extensive
Tech Notes Library:

Serial RF Products Comparison Guide - Problem Solver Walks You Step by Step

Getting from Here to There: Serial Communications Systems - When is wireless the right solution? And what are your options? This brief discussion of serial communications systems is a good starting point in your decision making process.

Home > Products > Industrial WIreless Communications

Stepping up to Wireless?

Let B&B help make the transition to Industrial Wireless Communications

Thinking back, it has not always been possible, practical, or cost effective to run network cables to every device, sensor or roving unit on the factory floor. Today's wireless technologies can eliminate physical and cost barriers, offering a new world of remote communication solutions. Reliable, on-demand communication with control and monitoring down to the individual embedded machine-level sensor is becoming possible with wireless.

As wireless network equipment emerges, interest in the use of wireless within industrial environments has surged. But navigating and understanding the technical aspects of the various technologies and standards is essential in the selection of suitable wireless equipment for your application.

Selecting the right technology and equipment will ultimately lead to a successfully installed, well-designed, reliable and efficient communication system. The following diagram and chart offers insight into the different wireless standards and applications best suited for each of the new Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN), Local Area (WLAN) and Metropolitan Area (WMAN) Networks applications. These include wireless standards and acronyms such as: 802.15.4 and ZigBee, 802.1a and Bluetooth, WUSB, Proprietary Radio Modems, 802.11 and Wi-Fi and finally 802.16 and WiMAX.

Wireless PAN / LAN / MAN Technologies

Standards & Characteristics	802.15.4 & Zigbee	Wireless USB	Proprietary Radio Modems	802.1a Bluetooth	802.11x Wi-Fi	802.16 WMAN WiMAX
Operation Frequency	868 MHz, 902-982 MHz, 2.4 GHz	2-11 GHz	900 MHz, 2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz	b/g - 2.4 GHz a - 5.0 GHz	2-11 GHz
Data Rate	20 kbps, 40 kbps, 250 kbps	480 Mbps	9.6 kbps, 19.2 kbps, 115 kbps	1 Mbps	11 Mbps, 54 Mbps	100-500 Mbps
Distance	10-50m	10m	100m, 30km	10m - 100m	b/g - 100m a - 50m	50 km
Networking	ad hoc, static, peer-to-peer	point-to-point	peer-to-peer point-to-point point-to-multipoint	ad hoc, pico net	point-to-multipoint	point-to-point
Complexity	low	low	medium	medium	high	medium
Power Consumption	very low	low	medium	medium	high	high

As the wireless technologies and equipment continue to evolve, B&B remains committed to be the technology leader and offer best-in-class equipment for industrial applications. End-to-End solutions with B&B wired and wireless components have proven themselves in the tough world of the factory floor where reliability and cost effective network communication are vital.