Remote Condition Monitoring Using Open-System Wireless Technologies

Condition monitoring involves the use of sensors and data acquisition equipment to assess the quality of a given process by determining the health of its components. Machinery condition monitoring, which affords one the ability to implement condition-based maintenance (as opposed to time-based maintenance or run to failure) assesses the health of critical machinery components to reduce catastrophic process downtime and extend the useful life of machinery. The advent of robust, open-system, spread-spectrum radio technology has brought about the ability to reduce unplanned maintenance by continuously monitoring the condition of critical machinery and processes remotely and affordably via network and computer interfaces. This article looks at the value of continuous condition monitoring through remote data access and the means in which that data can be cost effectively transmitted wirelessly without compromising its integrity. It provides information on available wireless system technologies, addresses the suitability of various applications, and briefly describes product solutions commercially available today.