REMOTE CONDITION MONITORING USING OPEN SYSTEM WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY

摘要

Condition monitoring involves the utilization of sensors and data acquisition equipment to assess the quality of a given process by determining the health of its components. Machinery condition monitoring, which affords one the ability to implement condition-based maintenance (as opposed to time-based maintenance or run-to-failure) assesses the health of critical machinery components, in order to reduce catastrophic process downtime and extend the useful life of the machinery. The advent of robust, open system, spread spectrum radio technology has brought about the ability to reduce unplanned maintenance by continuously monitoring the condition of critical machinery and processes remotely and affordably via LAN or PC direct interface. This paper will look at the value of continuous condition monitoring through remote data access, and the means in which that data can be cost effectively transmitted wirelessly without compromising its integrity. It will provide information on available wireless system technologies, address the suitability of each for various applications and briefly describe product solutions that are commercially available today.