CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, a unit of GE Enterprise Solutions, announced the introduction of its new TranSphere Wireless communications products for automation. The offering includes extended-range IP networking, wireless IP/Ethernet connectivity, and Ethernet and serial communications radio modem solutions. GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms is also introducing the TranSphere Wireless remote I/O for analog and discrete I/O signals.
"Wireless communication is a major trend that is gathering strength in the automation arena," said Bill Black, Controllers Product Manager for GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms. "GE Fanuc is at the forefront of this wave, as we now offer our customers the ability to integrate wireless communications into their automation environments. Data that previously had to be passed over kilometers and kilometers of wires that were in the factory can now be passed in real time wirelessly. This reduces the cost of wires, the cost of termination devices, and the labor associated with all of the wiring."
The TranSphere Wireless solution reduces wiring and termination costs between devices, machines, and controllers. It also reduces integration, configuration, and support costs found with multi-box solutions. In addition, it provides users with the freedom to align with their unique distance and I/O requirements. TranSphere is also "ideal for applications outside the factory, such as tank farms, remote pumping stations, treatment plants, and other applications where connecting via wire is not practical or cost efffective."
The devices support multiple users connecting to multiple applications via multiple protocols on the same unit or the same network, and provide for wireless operation with multiple layers of protection, including 128-bit data encryption, two-way authentication, and dynamic key rotation. TranSphere is a global product that supports both 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz frequencies.
The TranSphere Wireless solution provides the longest range industrial product in its class. It is resilient—built to increase the availability of mission-critical point-to-multi-point networks. And it adheres to open standards, allowing it to interface with a wide range of external devices, enabling both new and old technologies to communicate.
"This is really exciting technology," continued Black. "It has amazing security precautions and ultimately reduces cost for the end user. These kinds of products represent how data will be controlled in the future."
The TranSphere Wireless communications solution is available immediately and will be demonstrated at the GE Fanuc Discover 2007 Users Conference, being held this week in St. Louis, MO.
About GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms
GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, a joint venture between General Electric and Fanuc Ltd. of Japan, is a high-performance technology company and a global provider of hardware, software, services, expertise, and experience in automation and embedded computing, with products used in virtually every industry, including manufacturing automation, defense, automotive, telecommunications, healthcare, and aerospace. GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms is a worldwide company, headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, and is part of GE Enterprise Solutions.