Wireless standards committee work intended to benefit end users
By Staff -- Plant Engineering, 9/1/2006
More than 20 companies from around the world have responded to a call for proposals from ISA's Wireless Systems for Automation standards committee.
The ISA-SP100 committee is establishing standards, recommended practices, technical reports and related information to define procedures for implementing wireless systems in the automation and control environment, with a focus on the field level. Guidance is directed towards those responsible for the complete life cycle and will apply to users, system integrators, practitioners, and control systems manufacturers and vendors.
Two working groups of ISA-SP100 simultaneously issued calls for proposals to provide input to the committee and to encourage a variety of industry experts to participate in the process. The CFP process solicited input to help solve critical issues associated with the deployment of wireless technology for industrial automation. The variety of responses ensures that end users will have their needs met by the standard, ISA said.
“We're thrilled with the responses that we've gotten, because innovative ideas and full participation from a wide variety of vendors will provide industrial end users with the long-term solutions they are seeking,” said Pat Kinney, co-chair of ISA-SP100.11. “We're trying to create a standard that will satisfy the global industrial community.”
The call for proposals was preceded by a call for end users to participate in a use-case effort, allowing them to describe their specific industrial wireless application requirements. The use-case studies will provide real-world input to the committee's working groups. End users can provide additional input by filling out an online survey at www.isa.org/SP100survey.
“End user input helps us to define and validate the technical requirements for the standard and ensure that the proposals we've received do meet the needs of the end user,” said Rick Enns, co-chair of ISA-SP100.14.
