Explosion-resistant access points for industrial and outdoor applications

(08/02/2008)

Industrial access points are typically mounted in inaccessible areas to put them out of harm’s way. To reduce set-up and maintenance time, over-the-air management enables the access points to be configured, updated, and repurposed without physically accessing the hardware.

Aruba Networks has announced a new series of high performance, explosion-resistant access points targeted at industrial and outdoor applications.

Aruba designed the new AP-85 Dual-Radio Outdoor Access Point family with radio, packaging, and operational features designed specifically for petrochemical, material handling, shop-floor, logistics, and SCADA applications. Robustly constructed yet simple to install, the access points include features targeted specifically at reducing both operating and capital expenditures.

The new AP-85 access points feature dual, high-power radios that deliver up to 200mW (23dBm) for wide area coverage. The weatherproof enclosure and ATEX Zone 2 safety rating enable the access points to operate in explosion hazardous environments and across temperatures from -30 to +55 degrees Centigrade without extra-cost housings.

High-intensity data, signal, and power LEDs mounted behind a front panel window are readily visible from a distance, providing a simple means of verifying RF signal and link alignment and checking status. These features facilitate fast deployment without the services of highly skilled technicians.

Users have a choice of 10/100BaseT or single/multimode fibre optic data interfaces. Fibre optic data interfaces are ideal in hazardous environments, whereas wire connections often work best in retrofit applications. Power options include standard 802.3af Power-over-Ethernet and 12VDC, or in the case of fibre models, auto-ranging 90-288VAC. 12VDC low voltage power can be drawn from either plant bus power sources used for industrial sensors and actuators, vehicular power cells, or a solar panel array.

When data cabling is too expensive to install, the AP-85 access points can operate in a secure, resilient, self-healing mesh. In this mode the radio signals hop from access point to access point, an ideal arrangement for open-field, SCADA, and oil/gas applications. For completely wire-free operation, including tactical deployments, the solar power option can be used. The mesh mode allows networks to be set up quickly and inexpensively in even the harshest environments, without costly site modifications, and is ideal for overcoming difficult installation scenarios in both indoor and outdoor locations.

“Field workers need secure access to both business – and process – critical information, and reaching them in the harsh environments in which they work requires a purpose-built solution,” said Ken Jensen, Aruba’s director of product management. “To meet the needs of our growing base of industrial customers we created a family of tailor-made access points that leverage Aruba’s Adaptive Radio Management and identity-based security technology to reliably and securely work in these harsh environments.”

The AP-85 Dual-Radio Outdoor Access Point family will be shipping in the first quarter of 2008.

Related topics:  Mobile and Wireless Security   Network Security 

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