Discrete Manufacturers Keep Close Eye on Wireless Developments in Process Industries

Recent process industry developments such as introduction of a wireless version of the HART protocol for process sensors, plus the ISA 100 initiative for wireless process sensing, are of significant interest to discrete manufacturers. However numerous differences between discrete versus process requirements will limit their applicability to discrete manufacturers.

The worldwide market for wireless devices in discrete manufacturing is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 16.2% over the next five years. The discrete wireless market for ISA SP50 levels 0 through 2 totaled $368.0 million in 2007 and is forecasted to grow to over $780 million in 2012, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study.

"While the business drivers are in place, including wireless' status as 'the ultimate Fieldbus' from the perspective of wiring reduction, the lag in technology and standards development suitable to meet discrete industry requirements will contribute to an ongoing fissure in growth prospects for discrete vs. process industries over the next five years. Divergent issues such as higher speed discrete processes that cannot tolerate the latency times of current wireless communications and the longer potential time-line for standardization at the sensor/actuator level are just a few of the potential detractors to potential growth," according to ARC Vice President Chantal Polsonetti.

For more information on this study, go to: www.arcweb.com/res/wireless-d