By Hany Fouda, Control Microsystems
Introduction
Integrating wireless instrumentation with SCADA systems can drive operational efficiency and reduce deployment costs.
The use of wireless instruments in pipelines and gas production operations has been gaining momentum over the past few years. Driven by cost cutting measures and the need to gain more operational visibility to meet regulatory requirements, wireless instruments eliminate expensive trenching and cabling while providing access to hard-to-reach areas using self-contained, battery-powered instruments. However, SCADA engineers and operators are facing the challenge of integrating wireless instrumentation networks with other communication infrastructure available in the field. Managing and debugging dispersed wireless networks presents a new level of complexity to field operators that could deter them from adopting wireless instrumentation despite the exceptional savings.
This paper will look into the particular ways in which operators can tightly integrate wireless instrumentation networks with SCADA and realize the full benefits of such an integrated solution.
The Evolution of Wireless
Since Guglielmo Marconi sent the first telegraph signal across the Atlantic, wireless became part of our everyday lives. However, the last ten years have seen a dramatic change not only in the radio technology but more importantly in how we use it as consumers and oil and gas professionals. Gas producers and pipeline companies have relied for many years on long range wireless technology to transmit and distribute critical operational data using a wide range of technologies, including satellite, VHF, UHF and license-free spread spectrum. As more consumers lined up to acquire the latest Smart Phones with embedded Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and broadband capabilities, the price of radio modules have plummeted over the past three years. This has made it easy on industrial vendors to integrate radio modules into a long list of devices and sensors. As a result, the O&G industry has seen an increase in wireless instrumentation, also broadly known as wireless sensor networks, offered from major process control and SCADA suppliers. Wireless became the holy grail of the industry with editors and pundits predicting double digit annual growth and a $1.2 billion market by 2012.
Introduction
Integrating wireless instrumentation with SCADA systems can drive operational efficiency and reduce deployment costs.
The use of wireless instruments in pipelines and gas production operations has been gaining momentum over the past few years. Driven by cost cutting measures and the need to gain more operational visibility to meet regulatory requirements, wireless instruments eliminate expensive trenching and cabling while providing access to hard-to-reach areas using self-contained, battery-powered instruments. However, SCADA engineers and operators are facing the challenge of integrating wireless instrumentation networks with other communication infrastructure available in the field. Managing and debugging dispersed wireless networks presents a new level of complexity to field operators that could deter them from adopting wireless instrumentation despite the exceptional savings.
This paper will look into the particular ways in which operators can tightly integrate wireless instrumentation networks with SCADA and realize the full benefits of such an integrated solution.
The Evolution of Wireless
Since Guglielmo Marconi sent the first telegraph signal across the Atlantic, wireless became part of our everyday lives. However, the last ten years have seen a dramatic change not only in the radio technology but more importantly in how we use it as consumers and oil and gas professionals. Gas producers and pipeline companies have relied for many years on long range wireless technology to transmit and distribute critical operational data using a wide range of technologies, including satellite, VHF, UHF and license-free spread spectrum. As more consumers lined up to acquire the latest Smart Phones with embedded Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and broadband capabilities, the price of radio modules have plummeted over the past three years. This has made it easy on industrial vendors to integrate radio modules into a long list of devices and sensors. As a result, the O&G industry has seen an increase in wireless instrumentation, also broadly known as wireless sensor networks, offered from major process control and SCADA suppliers. Wireless became the holy grail of the industry with editors and pundits predicting double digit annual growth and a $1.2 billion market by 2012.
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