Mar/April 2009

Although the 'draft N' Wi-Fi wireless networking standard has been around for several years now, some commercial users have understandably been wary of migrating to it from the established Wi-Fi standards.

However, German manufacturer Hirschmann Automation and Control, a Belden company, may have made that process easier with the launch of a range of 802.11n (draft 2.0)-compliant access points. It claims that the technology offers significantly higher reach and better reliability and stability of wireless transmissions.

Moreover, it adds that draft N's MiMo (multiple input, multiple output) capabilities are particularly suitable for applications where typical industrial interference must be expected, such as reflections.

It also claims that WLAN devices equipped with wireless interfaces built to older IEEE802.11a/b/g/h standards benefit from the greater reach of the new access points.

 

The new units include water and dust protection to IP65 and IP67 standard for installation in the field.