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ISA Standards Department Starts New Committee to Focus on Wireless Technology

Research Triangle Park, NC (14 February 2005) – A new ISA standards committee, ISA-SP100,  has been established to create standards, recommended practices, and/or technical reports to define procedures for implementing wireless systems in the automation and control environment at the field level. Committee Chair Wayne Manges of Oak Ridge National Laboratory expects their work to “assure the confidence in and integrity of wireless technology, and provide criteria for implementing it in manufacturing automation and control systems.” Technology covered will include:

  • Field sensors used for monitoring, control, alarm, and shutdown.
  • Wireless technology whose uses include real time field-to-business systems.
  • Fluid processing, material processing, and discrete parts manufacturing.

The committee will address various aspects of wireless manufacturing and control systems technology, including the environment in which it is deployed, the technology life cycle, and applications. According to Manges, the new standards will “assure successful system deployment, help identify and address any vulnerabilities, and improve overall system performance by eliminating failure modes.”

ISA recognizes that in order to exploit emerging wireless opportunities to improve industrial systems, collaboration among vendors, R&D communities, and end users is essential. Therefore, Committee members include representatives from 3e Technologies International Inc., Adaptive Instruments Corp., Apprion Inc., BP America Inc., CMC Associates, Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, Exxonmobil Research & Engineering, Honeywell, Invensys I/A, Medida Inc., Motorola Labs, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oceana Sensor, Omnex Control Systems Inc., OPTI Canada Inc., Shell, and Syncrude Canada Ltd. The cooperation of this diverse group will also assure that components are available to provide for successful deployment.

ISA is globally recognized as a standards writing organization, developing consensus standards for automation, security, safety, batch control, control valves, fieldbus, environmental conditions, measurement, and symbols. Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), ISA has published more than 135 standards, recommended practices, and technical reports, through the dedicated efforts of a network of industry experts.

For further information about ISA-SP100, including the complete scope and purpose, as well as a list of committee members, visit www.isa.org/community/SP100. For information on other ISA standards committees, visit www.isa.org/standardscommittees.

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).