ISA NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Infantino
(919) 990-9287
jinfantino@isa.org
Wireless Users Summit Discusses Standards for Industrial Automation Implementation
Research Triangle Park, NC -ISA's Wireless Systems for Automation standards committee (ISA-SP100) and other interested parties met last week in Research Triangle Park, N.C. to discuss wireless technology implementation and standards development logistics.
The Wireless Users Summit attracted about 40 key end users from a range of industries including petrochemical and power generation to help define the needs of the user community and guide the standards development activity. The Summit preceded a meeting of the ISA-SP100 committee, a collaboration of end users and technology suppliers working to establish standards, recommended practices, technical reports, and related information that will define procedures for implementing wireless systems in the automation and control environment with a focus on the field level.
Committee co-chair Richard Sanders of ExxonMobil said, "We're pleased with the end users who joined us this week. It is critical that we understand the needs of users and work together with suppliers and integrators to develop practical solutions that can be extended across diverse applications. This is one of the key values of standardization work and the reason why we participate in this committee."
Compliance with the ISA-SP100 guidance will improve wireless manufacturing and control system deployment as well as identify vulnerabilities. The committee will address end user needs for wireless manufacturing and control systems across a range of application classes.
ISA-SP100 has identified 6 different classes of applications ranging from critical safety applications (class 0), to basic wireless monitoring and logging for condition based maintenance and simple regulatory compliance (class 4 and 5).
"The technology is ready, but additional details need to be resolved for widespread adoption to occur," said committee co-chair Wayne Manges of Oak Ridge National Lab. "A number of efforts are underway in the industry, including projects under the Sensors and Automation Crosscut in the Department of Energy's Industrial Technologies Program. These efforts, in cooperation with ISA's, will permit the introduction of an entire suite of wireless products into the industrial environment."
Sanders further commented, "This is a pivotal time for industry. Any end users interested in participating and helping shape the future of wireless industrial applications should contact ISA."
At the committee meeting after the Summit, two working groups were approved to produce practical standards defining the OSI layer specifications, security specifications, and management specifications for wireless devices and networks.
*The SP100.11 working group will strive to provide a wireless connectivity standard for applications in classes 1-5, and possibly class 0.
*The SP100.14 working group seeks to provide a wireless connectivity standard for class 4 and 5 applications.
Watch for future updates on the activities of these working groups.
The next meeting of the ISA-SP100 committee will be at SENSORS Expo in June, followed by a meeting at ISA EXPO 2006 in October.
About ISA
Founded in 1945, ISA (www.isa.org) is a leading, global, nonprofit organization that is setting the standard for automation by helping over 30,000 worldwide members and other professionals solve difficult technical problems, while enhancing their leadership and personal career capabilities. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, ISA develops standards; certifies industry professionals; provides education and training; publishes books and technical articles; and hosts the largest conference and exhibition for automation professionals in the Western Hemisphere. ISA is the founding sponsor of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
About WBF
WBF provides an open forum for the exchange of information related to the management, operation, and automation of manufacturing processes. Created in 1994, members of the non-profit, professional organization include end-users, vendors, consultants and academics. WBF provides organization, management, and structure to facilitate networking among its members and sharing of knowledge and information related to manufacturing processes. WBF documents best practices and guidelines for implementation of standards that apply to batch control and the exchange of batch data, as well as conducting technical conferences and technical training programs. WBF is a founding charter member of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org). More information about WBF is available at www.wbf.org.
About OMAC
OMAC–The Open Modular Architecture Controls Users’ Group (www.omac.org) is an affiliate organization of ISA- The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society- and works to collectively derive common solutions for both technical and non-technical issues in the development, implementation, and commercialization of open, modular architecture control (OMAC) technologies, and to facilitate the accelerated development and convergence of industry and government developed OMAC technology guidelines to one set that satisfies common use requirements. OMAC has about 500 member representatives from end-user companies, OEM's, and technology providers and integrator companies. OMAC currently operates three Work Groups: Packaging Machinery, Manufacturing Infrastructure, and Machine Tool. OMAC is a founding charter member of The Automation Federation (www.automationfederation.org).
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