Wireless Access to the PLC

asterof · Feb 24, 2016

So I have a Ethernet loop located in a tower
about 350 feet above ground
I do not care to climb up to program the system
so I want to install a wireless connection into the remote
IO loop,(see drawing)
I have included a drawing and am asking for what
adapters I need to do this, because of all of the
wireless adapter types, it get confusing

DeKemp · Feb 24, 2016

Take a look at Ubiquiti, they have some point to point wireless solutions.

GTUnit · Feb 24, 2016

Since the ethernet network is isolated to the tower and doesn't need a connection to the plant network below:

Easiest thing to do would be to put a wireless Router or Wireless Access point up in the tower and create "Tower Wireless" network up there. Much like your home router your can connect to "Tower Net" over laptop wifi. You will need a router/AP and good antenna to give you the 350'+ range.

See if you can drop a CAT5 cable down one of the conduits leading to the ground. Most reliable solution.

mendonsy · Feb 24, 2016

They way you have it drawn would require a wireless bridge which requires 2 units but is a relatively secure system. If you put a wireless access point on the tower it would allow multiple PC's to access the system through the access point. There are also some devices out there that do both.

asterof · Feb 24, 2016

so for the tower will this work

Can I use this on the Tower ?

UUAP-LR
Frequency 2.4 GHz
2.4 GHz Throughput 300 Mbps
Range 183 m = 549 ft

http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-UniF...ie=UTF8&qid=1456342043&sr=8-1&keywords=UAP-LR

Now with this what do I need for the computer to reach this

GTUnit · Feb 24, 2016

Not if you want it to last. Whatever you put outdoors needs to be rated for outdoor use.
That device is meant for offices and living rooms.
Putting it in an enclosure will reduce the range/signal.

Do you plan on putting the Wireless device you buy in an enclosure or out in the open?
With external antennas a Access Point/Router can be happy in an enclosure.

http://www.moxa.com/Event/IW/2013/Industrial-grade/Index.html

Call these guys, ask for an applications engineer/support and tell them what you want.
They will give you options and good advice.

boneless · Feb 24, 2016

Not a pro, but.. Keep in mind you need devices that tackle that distance on both ends. If you have a wide area AP on your PLC side, but try to connect to it with your built in WiFi, you will be able to see/receive the signal, but will be unlikely to be able to transmit any information to it.

AustralIan · Feb 24, 2016

+1 for running a cable down the tower.

Replace the 6 port ethernet switch in your diagram with a 6 port + Fibre, and run a fibre optic cable down to a similar 6port + fibre switch at the base of the tower. 350 ft is about 20 ft too long for a CAT 5, 6 or 7 solution.

If I wanted reliable wireless at that range, I would pay for a wireless network specialist to do some sort of on site radio survey, preferably one with industrial automation knowledge.

ASF · Feb 24, 2016

+1 for the ubiquiti. I've set up a couple of them before and they were very quick and painless. Obviously running a cable down would be more reliable, but if that's not practical then a ubiquiti point-to-point unit should work nicely.

You could probably talk your local ubiquiti distributor into bringing a couple of units out to test over the distance, make sure you get a suitable one before you spend the money.

Phil Buchanan · Feb 24, 2016

Almost any WIFI router can perform in AP or Bridge mode among other modes.

Ubiquiti would be a good choice but a standard Ubiquiti AP and a directional antenna would work fine. You don't really need a dedicated point to point setup for this.

As far as security point to point bridge is no more secure than AP mode and can be less secure depending on the device.

Get something outdoor rated and give Ubiquiti a call and they can help you select the best antenna from their offerings.

Pudden · Feb 25, 2016

Another option could be to use 2 Anybus Bluetooth Wireless bridges. Once they are paired, they will only communicate with eachother. In a noisy enviroment, they are very robust as they use 8 frequencies at all times and will use frequency hopping in case of disturbance...
They are IP65 and the range is up to 300meters.
http://www.anybus.com/support/support.asp?PID=486&ProductType=Anybus Wireless Bridge

My 2 cents

Patrick L

asterof · Feb 25, 2016

I spoke with Ubiquiti Networks and they told me to use two of there
NanoStation locoM5 units.
locoM5
Frequency 5 GHz
Throughput 150+ Mbps
Range 10+ km

and set them up in POE bridge mode

Wireless Access to the PLC

asterof

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DeKemp

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GTUnit

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mendonsy

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asterof

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GTUnit

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boneless

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AustralIan

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ASF

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Phil Buchanan

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Pudden

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asterof

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