工業自動化中低功耗無線網絡的不同協議評估

　　低功耗正在成為工業自動化網絡設計和實現中的一個越來越重要的因素，并且有新的協議可以幫助降低功耗和成本。

　　盡管人們認為功耗并不是工業自動化中的一個關鍵設計問題，但由于幾個原因，低功耗設計在過去幾年中變得非常重要。首先是明顯的權力成本。更多的系統被遠程控制，控制器和無線系統的功耗增加。這在世界范圍內達到了數百萬美元，削減這個法案是石油價格如此高的一個重點。許多工業用戶也有依賴于電力供應的關稅，而且在需求量增加的情況下，他們的電力供應會減少，使電力的運營能力降低。

　　無線技術可以用多種方式來降低電力成本。通過低功率硅、適當的協議和功率感知軟件降低無線收發器的功耗，有助于降低直接成本。此外，無線控制器也可用于工廠周圍控制暖氣，照明和高壓空調的水平，這取決于當時的活動和人員配置水平。這可以大大降低設備的整體直接功耗。

　　There are other drivers for cutting the power consumption. Technology developments in the design and manufacture of the transceiver silicon are now bringing wireless devices and modules within the abilities of energy harvesting. This means that power scavenged from the environment – often from vibrations or the temperature of the factory floor – can be used to power a sensor and a wireless link without the need to replace a battery regularly. This allows sensors to be placed in a larger number of locations that were not previously accessible if they needed a cable or battery replacement. This allows equipment to be more closely monitored， and repaired or replaced before a failure brings the manufacturing line to a halt. This use of wireless sensors also brings direct cost savings to industrial customers.