Three industrial products featuring UL ratings for hazardous environments, low power consumption, and extended temperature range for use in extreme environments were launched at September's ISA Conference & Exposition by Microwave Data Systems. MDS is a world leader in wireless data networking solutions with applications in the SCADA/telemetry, telecommunications, and online transactional markets. The new products address a broad range of wireless networking needs, from short range communication between in-plant devices to long-haul IP/Ethernet, and transparent data communication. The products can be combined to create an end-to-end solution to serve almost any data networking requirement.

• The MDS BluNET: a first meter (short range), license-free solution enabling affordable, wireless point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communication between devices such as sensors and RTUs/PLCs at distances up to a ½ mile. The BluNET dramatically lowers the cost per automated point in SCADA/telemetry, process control and industrial automation environments by eliminating the need to install cabling between devices. Ethernet, serial, and I/O options (4-20 mA, 0-5 V, contact closure) are available.


• The MDS iNET: an industrial-grade long range (30 miles), high speed (up to 512 kbps), wireless point-to-multipoint Ethernet bridge, offering a robust solution for wireless data transmission. The radio has one 10BaseT Ethernet port and two serial ports, allowing users to bridge legacy serial systems with Ethernet or IP networks. The MDS iNet enables secure access to enterprise-wide remote data in factories, oil and gas production facilities, pipelines, water and electric utilities, and financial institutions. The iNET can also be used for portable network access for vehicle-based operations.


• The MDS TransNET: is a long-haul transparent data radio designed to provide higher data throughput (up to 115.2 kbps), at lower power consumption in long range environments. The radio's low power consumption coupled with its sleep mode capability dramatically lower power system costs. Its compact size makes it well suited to applications where it will be mounted inside other devices such as RTUs, PLCs, EFMs or RPCs.

All of these new MDS products are supported by a Core Network Management System based on a platform-independent Java application. It is application independent with a centralized SNMP server and may be integrated with multiple vendor platforms.