27 September 2007

Wild, wacky, wireless wars

By Jim Pinto

Two weeks ago, the Hart Communication Foundation (HCF) officially released the Hart 7 Specification, which includes WirelessHart, an open wireless communication specification specifically designed for process measurement and control. The specification came about through the combined, cooperative efforts of HCF member companies, which includes all industry leaders.

There was a 11th-hour appeal via an “open letter” from Honeywell, which itself is on the five-member HCF board of directors, recommending HCF adopt the not-yet-ready ISA100 for wireless networking. Other HCF board members are ABB, Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, and Siemens.

ISA100 is being developed to support multiple protocols, such as Hart, Profibus, CIP, and Foundation Fieldbus instead of just Hart-7. This is being coordinated by the ISA100 committee.

The HART vote predictably passed 4 to 1, snubbing Honeywell. WirelessHart became the first officially released industrial wireless communication specification. The expectation is multiple products will soon be available. Of course, WirelessHART approval does not end the arguments.

At the launch of ‘OneWireless’ offering in June 2007, Honeywell kept refusing to be drawn in on whether they supported WirelessHART, insisting instead they supported HART-over-wireless. Most observers did not really understand the semantic difference.

It is about two years since Emerson demonstrated its lead with its wireless products. Since then, Emerson released products in advance of agreement on the specification with an understanding users would be able to migrate to the standard once it won approval. The approval of WirelessHART now makes it easy for them to cement their lead, leaving Honeywell to protest about how ISA100 will provide better links to more protocols. Indeed, Emerson remains committed to working on ISA100, and wants to make sure WirelessHART technology is included in that standard—when it is eventually approved.

With WirelessHART, Emerson has the most to gain right now; Honeywell has the most to lose if the specification gains market traction. That is simply the basis of their two opposing positions.

Most companies in the automation industry recognize wireless as a new “inflection point” that will generate significant growth and market share for the leaders. So, the “Wireless Wars” are generating even more wild and wacky nonsense. Open letters are flying around, each person posturing for advantage in a confusing situation.

Related links:

• WirelessHART standard OK’d, released:
  http://www.isa.org/InTechTemplate.cfm?Section=InTech_Home1&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=63846
• Automation World – WirelessHart Ready for Prime Time:
  http://www.automationworld.com/view-3530
• Honeywell opposes HART, favors ISA-100 wireless; HART responds:
  http://www.controleng.com/article/CA6476044.html

Behind the byline

Jim Pinto is an industry analyst and founder of Action Instruments. You can e-mail him at jim@jimpinto.com or view his writings at www.JimPinto.com. Read the Table of Contents of his book, Pinto’s Points, at www.jimpinto.com/writings/points.html.