Wireless PAC system

Wireless local area networking (WLAN) capabilities have been added to all of Opto 22's ethernet-based Snap PAC system components, including all of its standalone and rack-mounted programmable automation controllers. Control system designers can now design systems with traditional ethernet wiring, wireless ethernet, or any combination of the two.

This gives engineers an effective, low-cost way to provide proof-of-concept for their projects - before investing in costly permanent wiring or building a wireless infrastructure throughout their factory or facility. It also gives them flexible options for segmenting their network.

Opto 22's wireless technology is based on the industry-standard IEEE-802.11 specification with support for a, b, and g networks operating in the licence-free 5 GHz (802.11a) and 2.4 GHz (802.11b/g) frequency bands. The 5 GHz (802.11a) option is particularly significant as it allows users to deploy Snap PAC wireless in a frequency other than the typically crowded 2.4 GHz band, where interference from other 2.4 GHz devices could reduce performance. Additionally, Snap PAC wireless supports both infrastructure mode, where communication among devices is routed through an access point, and ad-hoc mode, where each device can detect and communicate with any other similarly configured network device within range.