The Pepperl+Fuchs WirelessHART components allow wireless access to existing field devices, using known tools and procedures for configuration, maintenance and diagnosis.
The system can be integrated into existing fieldbus infrastructures and uses a 2.4 GHz band as a transfer medium for several radio technologies. It uses a ‘flat-mesh’ network where all radio field devices form a network. Every participating station serves simultaneously as a signal source and a repeater. The original transmitter sends a message to its nearest neighbour, which passes the message on until the message reaches the base station and the actual receiver.
In addition, alternative routes are set up in the initialisation phase. If the message cannot be transmitted on a particular path, due to an obstacle or a defective receiver, the message is automatically passed to an alternative route. So, in addition to extending the range of the network, the flat-mesh network provides redundant communication routes to increase reliability.