The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast

The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 27 Invisible Design Practices Jul 20, 2026

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On with Episode 27!!

Every successful industrial wireless network has one thing in common, and it isn’t just great RF design. Behind every reliable deployment is a foundation of thorough documentation, consistent layouts, and disciplined engineering habits that often go unnoticed but make all the difference when it’s time to troubleshoot, expand, or hand the project off to someone else.

Wireless Designs Don’t Fail… Documentation Does
- One of the biggest reasons wireless projects become expensive isn’t RF coverage—it’s that nobody knows what was actually installed.
- Missing AP naming standards
- No cable labeling
- Unknown switch ports
- Missing VLAN documentation
- No IP address inventory
- Nobody knows why Channel 44 was selected

The Million-Dollar Visio
- Real documentation includes:
  - Fiber routes
  - Industrial switches
  - Patch panels
  - Wireless backhaul
  - Control cabinets
  - Antenna locations
  - Elevations
  - Cable lengths
  - Redundant paths

The Hidden Cost of “Future Me Will Remember”
- Every engineer has done this. “I’ll remember why I changed that.”
- Three years later… Nobody remembers.
- Examples:
  - Static routes
  - QoS changes
  - Radio power adjustments
  - Disabled data rates
  - DFS exclusions
  - RRM disabled
  - CurWB channel selections
- If there isn’t a note… It effectively never happened

Pictures Are Documentation
- Take pictures of EVERYTHING
- Examples:
  - Cabinet before wiring
  - Cabinet after wiring
  - Antenna mounting
  - Cable routing
  - Patch panels
  - Fiber trays
  - Grounding
  - Pole installations
  - Control room racks
- Phones have become one of the best engineering tools.

Build Documentation While You’re Walking
- Instead of:
  - Survey —> Finish Project —> Spend 3 days documenting
- Try to document continuously
  - Voice notes
  - Tablet/phone notes
  - OneNote
  - Hamina notes
  - Photos
  - GPS pins
- Documentation should happen during deployment whenever possible

Naming Things Is Hard… Until You Have Standards
- Everyone eventually invents names like:
  - AP-East
  - AP-East-2
  - AP-East-New
  - AP-East-New-Final
  - AP-East-Final2
- Instead, develop standardized naming conventions. Examples to include in names could be:
  - Building
  - Area
  - Floor
  - Cabinet
  - Function
- Same applies to:
  - Switches
  - Controllers
  - Fiber and copper patch panels
- Consistency matters more than creativity.

Standard Deliverables Every Wireless Project Should Include
- Create a checklist. For example:
  - RF heatmaps
  - Predictive models
  - Final validation surveys
  - Spectrum captures
  - Switch configs (where applicable)
  - AP configs
  - Firmware versions
  - IP & VLAN documentation
  - SSIDs
  - Authentication methods
  - Full devices inventory / BoM
  - Mounting details
  - Photos
  - Backup configs

Habits that save projects
- Not technical skills… Habits. Examples include:
  - Label every cable
  - Save configs before changes
  - Export controller backups
  - Verify drawings before leaving site
  - Document assumptions
  - Keep changelogs
  - Date every document

The “Invisible Design”
- Customers notice:
  - Fast Wi-Fi
  - Roaming
  - Coverage
- They never notice:
  - Naming conventions
  - Documentation
  - Labels
  - Change logs
  - Asset tracking
  - Configuration standards
  - Drawing quality
- Yet those invisible things are often what make the network maintainable.

“Good wireless is visible on Day One. Great engineering is invisible for the next five years.”

If you would like to connect with Trae or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Trae Rushing – https://www.linkedin.com/in/trae-rushing-7874a78a/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 26 Industrial Wireless Challenges Round Table Jun 01, 2026

In this round table episode of the Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast, Scott, Jeremy, Justin, and Troy dig into the real-world challenges that come with designing, troubleshooting, and securing wireless networks in industrial environments. The discussion covers the difference between industrial Wi-Fi and enterprise Wi-Fi, how harsh plant conditions affect wireless performance, why OT priorities differ from IT priorities, and where newer technologies like Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7, private LTE, and Wi-Fi HaLow fit into the picture.

Industrial wireless is rarely a one-size-fits-all problem. In manufacturing and other OT settings, teams have to think about uptime, reliability, roaming behavior, security, physical access, antenna placement, coverage, capacity, and the long-term maintainability of the system. This episode focuses on those practical realities and highlights why wireless in the plant is often more about dependable delivery than raw throughput.

Upcoming Events

Be sure to check out upcoming Wi-Co events at wi-co.org.

We also encourage you to visit our document library, where you’ll find free downloadable resources, including:

Miliwatt to dBm conversion table.
Wireless IoT reference charts for types and security.
Best-practice white papers designed to help you stay current.

Topics Covered

This episode was built as a round table discussion around 11 core topic areas:

1. RF in harsh environments

How heat, dust, humidity, metal, vibration, and washdown conditions affect wireless design and long-term reliability.

2. Industrial Wi-Fi vs. enterprise Wi-Fi

Where the design rules diverge, what enterprise teams often miss, and what industrial sites actually need from wireless.

3. RF interference and coexistence

How to deal with noise from motors, drives, arc welders, VFDs, and other radios in crowded plant environments.

4. Assessment and troubleshooting in OT

What a good wireless site survey looks like in a factory, what tools matter most, and how troubleshooting differs from office networks.

5. Mobility and roaming

Best practices for handhelds, AGVs, AMRs, forklifts, mobile HMIs, and other devices that depend on seamless roaming.

6. Coverage vs. capacity

When the issue is truly signal reach versus when it is client density, airtime contention, or application behavior.

7. Security in industrial wireless

How to balance security requirements with uptime, device constraints, legacy systems, and operational practicality.

8. Wireless for machine connectivity

Where wireless makes sense for PLCs, I/O, sensors, and control-adjacent applications, and where it still creates too much risk.

9. Designing for uptime and resilience

Redundancy, failover, mesh vs. infrastructure, backhaul options, and what “good enough” looks like in production environments.

10. Emerging technologies and what’s real

Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and 7, private LTE/5G, LoRaWAN, Wi-Fi HaLow, and how to evaluate which technologies are actually useful on the plant floor.

11. Antenna selection and third-party options

What to do when you don’t have a compatible antenna available that meets your application needs.

Guest Introductions

Troy Martin

Troy brings deep experience across a wide range of industrial environments, including pulp and paper, nuclear, oil and gas pipelines, and pharmaceuticals. His background includes Wi-Fi design tools, scanning and testing tools, mesh deployments, point-to-point links, camera backhaul, mustering solutions, and wireless sensor backhaul.

Connect with Troy on LinkedIn: Troy Martin

Justin Shade

Justin has spent two decades with Phoenix Contact and works across wireless and automation-related challenges. His perspective adds practical insight into industrial deployments, product development, and the realities of supporting customers in the field.

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn: Justin Shade
Phoenix Contact: phoenixcontact.com

Scott McNeil

Scott brings real-world industrial wireless and OT networking experience, including assessments, deployments, security concerns, and design tradeoffs in challenging environments.

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: Scott McNeil
GPA: global-business.net

Jeremy Baker

Jeremy contributes practical insight from the engineering and deployment side, especially around wireless design choices, emerging technologies, and plant-floor realities.

Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn: Jeremy Baker
Prism Systems Inc: prismsystems.com

Why Industrial Wireless Is Different

One of the biggest themes in this episode is that industrial wireless cannot be treated like ordinary enterprise Wi-Fi. In OT environments, availability often matters more than confidentiality, because a missed message can affect a process, a machine, or even worker safety. That means reliability, determinism, and resilience often take priority over designs that would be perfectly acceptable in an office network.

The panel also explains why many industrial sites still rely on flat networks, why security upgrades can be difficult to implement without downtime, and why wireless must often be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In many environments, the challenge is not whether wireless can work in theory, but whether it can work consistently in the presence of interference, harsh conditions, and operational constraints.

Security and Segmentation

Security is another major thread throughout the conversation. The group discusses how wireless signals can extend beyond the physical boundary of a plant, creating exposure far outside the immediate site perimeter. They also explain why segmentation, layered defense, and proper firewall policies are essential in OT, especially where wireless devices connect to systems that can influence real-world operations.

A recurring point in the episode is that baseline security matters more than advanced monitoring tools if the foundational architecture is weak. In other words, specialized detection platforms and advanced analytics only go so far if the network is still flat, overexposed, or poorly segmented.

Wireless in the Real World

The episode includes a number of practical examples that show why wireless design decisions matter. The panel talks about industrial sites where radios are visible far beyond the property line, where weak security leaves control systems exposed, and where wireless sensor data can create both value and risk. They also explore how cloud-connected sensor systems and wireless monitoring tools can improve visibility without needing to become part of the core control network.

Toward the second half of the episode, the conversation shifts to emerging wireless technologies. The team discusses Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 deployments, antenna challenges, spectrum availability, and what industrial teams should realistically expect from the newest standards. The consensus is clear: new technology is useful, but only when it solves an actual operational problem.

Conclusion

Episode 26 is a practical discussion for anyone working in industrial networking, automation, OT, or plant-floor wireless design. Whether you are dealing with RF interference, roaming, security, uptime, or the decision of whether wireless even belongs in a given application, this episode offers useful perspective from people who have spent real time in the field.

If your team is evaluating industrial Wi-Fi or trying to improve wireless reliability in manufacturing, this episode is built to help you think through the tradeoffs before making deployment decisions.

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 25 Industrial Wireless Clients** Mar 30, 2026

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Be sure to check https://wi-co.org/

Don’t forget to check out our new document library with free valuable downloadable content!

Miliwatt to dBm conversion table

Wireless IoT reference charts for types and security

Best practice white papers to help you stay on your game

**Why specialized industrial wireless clients?**

Wireless clients are the bridge between the past and the present. The vast majority of industrial devices, PLCs, drives, sensors, HMIs, and controllers, are engineered for deterministic performance and long service life, not wireless connectivity. They ship with Ethernet ports, not radios. Industrial wireless client radios exist specifically to give these wired-by-design devices a wireless presence without requiring any changes to the device itself or the control program running inside it.

Freedom of movement changes what’s possible on the plant floor. Conveyors, AGVs, robotic arms, transfer carts, and overhead cranes all move, and running Ethernet cable to something that moves is either impractical, expensive, or eventually guaranteed to fail. Wireless clients eliminate the cable entirely, giving mobile and rotating machinery reliable network connectivity that moves with the equipment.

Wireless clients enable the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) without a forklift upgrade. Adding wireless clients to existing field devices means real-time data, cycle counts, temperatures, fault codes, production rates, can flow to SCADA systems, historians, and cloud analytics platforms without replacing equipment that still has years of useful life left. The radio does the heavy lifting; the device just keeps doing its job.

In hazardous, remote, or physically inaccessible locations, wireless isn’t a convenience, it’s the only option. Tank farms, offshore platforms, grain elevators, and mining operations all present environments where pulling cable is either dangerous, cost-prohibitive, or physically impossible. Industrial-grade wireless clients, rated for wide temperature ranges, vibration, and hazardous area classifications, make instrumentation and control possible in places where no wire will ever go.

**Phoenix Contact 1021 Industrial Wireless Client Modes:**

In FTB mode, the client radio acts as a wireless bridge allowing multiple wired end devices to communicate transparently via Layer 2 or Layer 3 communication. FTB is used when wirelessly connecting to a Phoenix Contact WLAN module configured as an access point.

In SCB mode, data is transmitted transparently on Layer 2. Only the device whose MAC address is entered for the radio can be accessed via WLAN, and only one wired device may be connected.

In MCB mode, the Phoenix radio uses a Layer 2 NAT function when communicating to the access point, allowing multiple wired clients to communicate over the wireless connection. All wired clients behind the device are transmitted with the MAC address of the radio, the number of wired clients is unlimited.

Client (NAT) breaks into two sub-modes:

1:1 NAT, where each LAN device is allocated an IP address from the higher-level network so it can be reached from the WAN

IP masquerading, where the NAT device acts as a proxy and all LAN devices communicate externally using only the NAT device’s own WAN address — with TCP/UDP ports used to differentiate between devices. This is useful when you have duplicate IP address spaces across identical machine cells.

Client (VXLAN), the fully transparent bridge and VxLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) enable transparent PROFINET and PROFIsafe communication, which is critical in automation networks. This mode is documented in relation to the WLAN 1000 client family pairing with the new WLAN 2300 access points. It’s standards-based (RFC 7348), so it isn’t locked to Phoenix Contact infrastructure the way FTB is.

**What is VxLAN?**

VxLAN wraps a complete Ethernet frame inside a regular IP/UDP packet so it can travel anywhere IP travels, then unwraps it at the other end, making two distant devices believe they’re sitting on the same local wire.

**Why it matters for industrial wireless specifically**:

Protocols like PROFINET and PROFIsafe are “Layer 2 snobs”, they expect to see the real MAC address of the device they’re talking to, unmodified, end to end. Modes like MCB swap out MAC addresses behind the scenes, which breaks PROFINET. VxLAN mode preserves everything inside the tunnel, the receiving device opens it up and sees the exact original Ethernet frame, MAC address intact, as if the wireless hop never happened.

**VXLAN vs FTB — what’s the difference?**

Both achieve true Layer 2 transparency, but:

FTB is Phoenix Contact proprietary and requires a Phoenix Contact AP on the infrastructure side

VXLAN is standards-based (IETF RFC 7348) and works with any AP or controller that supports VXLAN termination, including the Phoenix Contact WLAN 2300 series access points

**ProSoft Technologies RLX2-IHNF-A, Four Operational Modes Explained**

Master – The Master is the anchor and root of the entire RLX2 wireless network. Every other radio in the network, Repeaters, Bridging Clients, and Clients, ultimately connects back to the Master, either directly or through a chain of Repeaters. There is typically one Master per wireless network, though multiple Masters can coexist without special programming for redundancy.

Repeater – The Repeater is the workhorse of the ProSoft network. It connects wirelessly to a Master (or another Repeater), extends the wireless coverage area, and simultaneously allows additional radios to connect through it. It is also the factory default shipping configuration, every RLX2 radio ships as a Repeater out of the box, ready to link to whatever Master it finds.

Bridging Client – Bridging Client is the mode used when you want to connect multiple wired Ethernet devices through a single RLX2 radio to a third-party 802.11 access point, not a ProSoft Master. Think of it as the “multi-device adapter” for foreign Wi-Fi infrastructure.

Bridging Client mode is specifically designed for environments where the access point is not a ProSoft radio. It uses standard 802.11 association and works with the AP’s existing SSID and security settings. Note that some third-party AP controllers (notably Cisco WLC systems) may require additional configuration to allow multiple MAC addresses over a single wireless association — the same consideration that applies to MCB mode in other industrial radio families.

Client – Client mode is the simplest connection mode in the RLX2 lineup — one radio, one wired device, one wireless connection to a third-party access point. It’s the “single device adapter” for foreign Wi-Fi infrastructure.

The radio can be configured in two sub-modes:

Auto, the radio automatically detects the MAC address of whatever is plugged into its Ethernet port and uses it for the wireless association. Easy, fast, and appropriate for most single-device setups

Specify, the operator manually enters the MAC address of the target device. The manual notes this is only necessary for devices that do not send unsolicited Ethernet packets — meaning the device is passive and doesn’t announce itself. ProSoft’s guidance is to try Auto first and only use Specify if Auto doesn’t work

As you probably know, Scott and Jeremy work with different application types for the most part. Jeremy primarily touches mobility applications with mixed/client and infrastructure.

Jeremy generally works with whatever infrastructure the end customer has for enterprise and occasionally gets to build both ends of the WLAN.

Jeremy’s team used to use the Aruba501, which had a lot going for it.

RSSI log, simple interface, remote packet capture, exportable logs.. <- You could do a lot to troubleshoot these devices.

I was just on a call with a vendor and it is both nice and disheartening to hear that telemetry and data can be hidden because the “casual end customer” will generate more nonsense complaints if the nerd knobs are exposed. Sometimes you have to get into the weeds, limiting MCS, NAT/IP Masquerading to work around passive client issues.

**What is a Passive Client?**

A passive client is a device that does **not actively participate in normal network communication unless it is polled or queried**.

In practical terms, a passive client:

Does not initiate traffic on its own

May not send ARP, DHCP renewals, or periodic data

Only responds when another device communicates with it

**Examples in industrial environments**

PLCs waiting for control traffic

I/O devices that only respond to cyclic polling

Sensors that do not generate unsolicited traffic

NAT, specifically IP masquerading, helps by making multiple downstream devices appear as a single active client to the wireless network. The radio handles all communication on behalf of the devices behind it, so the infrastructure only needs to track one MAC and IP address. This keeps passive devices reachable even if they never transmit, but the tradeoff is that Layer 2 transparency is lost, which can break protocols that rely on seeing the original MAC addresses.

So this is one of the main reasons we lean on the Siemens hardware.

**Siemens**

Siemens SCALANCE typical models:

W734 – WiFi 4 and WUM763/766

The WiFi4 stuff is well established and has tons of features.

Dynamic antenna selection

NAT/IP Masquerading

Remote capture on WLAN interface

Available APs <- helps identify interferers

Signal Recorder Piecewise site survey, lots of KPIs and if you have Siemens infrastructure you can get both sides of the conversation.

Detailed Logging

Config Plugs

iPCF

Force Roam on IP Down

Most of this is still present in the WiFi6 hardware.

PoE capability is not present in the WUM763.

Siemens cabinet based models are IP30

The hardened units are IP65, and typically use some variation of M12 connector. D-coded or X-coded 8 pin.

**1. Transparent Bridge (Default / Standard Mode)**

True Layer 2 bridge

Passes all MAC addresses unchanged

Supports:

PROFINET

PROFIsafe

Multiple devices behind the client are fully visible to the network

This is the **primary and most important mode** for all of these clients.

**2. Layer 2 Tunnel Mode (Used with IPCF)**

Required when running **IPCF (deterministic wireless)**

Encapsulates Ethernet frames for controlled delivery

Maintains **full Layer 2 transparency**

Used specifically for:

Real-time industrial communication

Deterministic cyclic traffic

Siemens explicitly calls out using **“Layer 2 Tunnel” MAC mode with IPCF**

**3. Standard Wi-Fi (DCF) vs IPCF Operation**

This is a major behavioral “mode” difference:

**DCF (Default Wi-Fi)**

Standard contention-based Wi-Fi

Works with any infrastructure

Non-deterministic

**IPCF Mode**

Scheduled medium access (deterministic)

AP controls airtime

Used for:

Motion control

Real-time automation

**Important:**

IPCF and standard Wi-Fi cannot be mixed in the same cell

**Aunex**

Aunex wireless clients are designed to be flexible and infrastructure-agnostic. They behave more like traditional Wi-Fi clients with options for bridging or NAT, making them easy to integrate into mixed networks. The tradeoff is that they rely on standard Wi-Fi behavior, so they don’t provide the same level of deterministic performance or deep diagnostics that more specialized industrial platforms offer.

They have 6E Clients.

**Core Design Approach**

MODAS clients follow a **standard 802.11 client model** and are designed to work with a wide range of third-party access points and controllers. They support:

Single-device client operation

Multi-device bridging

Layer 3/NAT-based connectivity

The focus is on adaptability rather than tightly controlled, deterministic wireless behavior.

**Networking Behavior**

Layer 2 Bridging

Can pass Ethernet frames between wired devices and the WLAN

May support multiple MAC addresses depending on configuration and infrastructure

Works best in networks that allow multi-MAC clients

**NAT / Routing Modes**

Supports **Layer 3 NAT / IP masquerading**

Useful for:

Handling duplicate IP address spaces

Reducing MAC scaling challenges on controllers

Simplifying machine-level network integration

**MAC Handling**

Can operate as:

Transparent bridge (when supported)

Single visible client using NAT

**Wireless Capabilities**

Operates using standard Wi-Fi (DCF)

Supports common enterprise features:

WPA2/WPA3

Roaming (model dependent)

No deterministic scheduling mechanism like IPCF

**Legacy Interface Flexibility (Key Differentiator)**

One area where MODAS clients stand out is **support for legacy industrial interfaces**, including:

**RS-232 / RS-485 serial connectivity**

Serial-to-IP conversion (serial tunneling)

Ability to transport legacy protocols over Wi-Fi

**Why this matters**

Many industrial systems still rely on serial communications

MODAS devices can act as a **bridge between legacy serial equipment and modern IP networks**

Enables:

Retrofit of older machines without replacing hardware

Wireless connectivity for devices that were never designed for Ethernet

**Typical behavior**

Serial data is encapsulated into IP packets

Transported over Wi-Fi

Reconstructed at the receiving end

This allows legacy devices to function across a wireless link as if they were locally connected.

**Diagnostics and Management**

Provides standard industrial diagnostics:

RSSI / signal strength

Link status

Throughput and error counters

Typically lacks deep RF time-series logging found in more specialized platforms

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 24 Clip, Click, Survey!** Feb 09, 2026

**IWS Episode 24 Show Notes – Clip, Click, Survey: Modern Tools for Industrial Wireless**

Upcoming Events!

WLPC – Phoenix AZ USA 2026

Main Conference: 17-19 FEB 2026

Boot Camps: 14-16 FEB 2026

Upcoming Wi-Co Events

Thursday, 12 March 2026 — Stockholm, Sweden (Downtown Camper by Scandic)

Thursday, 9 April 2026 — Helsinki, Finland (Epicenter)

Thursday, 16 April 2026 — Philadelphia, PA, USA (1100 Pattison Avenue)

Wednesday, 22 April 2026 — Toronto, Canada (Steam Whistle Brewing)

Wednesday, 29 April 2026 — Frankfurt, Germany (Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt City Centre)

Thursday, 21 May 2026 — Brussels, Belgium (Park Inn by Radisson)

Wednesday, 3 June 2026 — Oslo, Norway (Telnor Expo)

Thursday, 2 July 2026 — Lyon, France (Mob Hotel)

Wednesday, 9 September 2026 — Manchester, UK (Stoller Hall)

Thursday, 24 September 2026 — Cleveland, OH, USA

Wednesday, 7 October 2026 — Montreal, Canada

Tuesday, 10 November 2026 — Washington, DC, USA

Don’t forget to check out our new document library with free valuable downloadable content!

Miliwatt to dBm conversion table

Wireless IoT reference charts for types and security

Best practice white papers to help you stay on your game

IWS Episode 24 – Clip, Click, Survey: Modern Tools for Industrial Wireless

Device Positioning & Strategy

What problems Hamina aimed to solve with the Clip, e.g., reduction of cables, simplification of surveys, lighter carry-loads vs traditional hardware.

Hardware Design Philosophy

Explaining the rugged and compact industrial design:

Dust/splash resistance

Drop and temperature tested

Silent with no active cooling needed

All-day battery life with USB-C charging.

Clip vs Nomad Comparison

The product page clearly separates Clip from Nomad, a more traditional shoulder-strap survey device with advanced packet capture and spectrum capability.

What were the tradeoffs and why two device formats?

Airtool and WiFi Explorer sensors

Wireless Connection Workflow

How Clip connects wirelessly via BLE to phones/tablets (vs USB-C for Nomad) and why that matters for field surveys, including reliability and freedom of movement.I

Integration with Hamina Onsite

Clip is designed to work seamlessly with the Hamina Onsite app, covering multi-floor surveys, real-time troubleshooting, and live heatmapping.

How does this tight integration improve productivity?

Wi-Fi Generation Support

Support for 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz Wi-Fi including Wi-Fi 7 and earlier standards

why multi-band support is crucial today.

Spectrum Capabilities

Clip offers a standard RF spectrum view without full raw RF energy, ideal for most surveys, while Nomad can be expanded with tools like NetAlly NXT-2000 for full spectrum analysis.

How does the base capability serve most use cases vs advanced stakeholders?

Real-World Testimonials

Clip’s official product page shows quotes from Wi-Fi experts (HPE, Cisco, and independent professionals) praising its clip-on mobility and cable-free operation.

Who all has had a chance to put this new device through its paces?

Survey Speed & Accuracy

What are the operational impacts of lighter tools?

More surveys per day, faster thank-you motion compared to traditional bulky gear.

How can the Hamina Clip Benefit OT Wireless Deployments?

Rapid Field Validation

The Clip’s portability enables quick turn-key surveys on manufacturing floors, warehouses, and other OT sites where wired hardware is impractical.

Cable-Free Freedom

Field engineers no longer need to carry or manage USB cables, especially useful in large industrial spaces or dense production aisles.

Lightweight for Frequent Use

At ~282 g, the Clip stays in everyday bags, encouraging more frequent and thorough surveys.

BLE Connected Surveys

Wireless BLE connectivity allows uninterrupted survey data capture even while moving through metal-rich OT spaces with reflection and interference.

Environmental Ruggedness

Designed to withstand dust, splash, heat, and cold, essential for industrial and factory climates.

Multi-Band Wi-Fi Coverage

Coverage of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands gives visibility into dense enterprise/OT traffic environments and supports future-proof deployments.

Efficient Troubleshooting

Instant heatmaps with Hamina Onsite allow engineers to quickly identify dead spots, interference zones, and roaming boundaries in OT environments.

Training & Documentation

Ease of use lowers the learning curve for technicians new to site surveys, reducing training costs and increasing survey adoption.

Site-Wide Consistency

Lighter tools mean more consistent usage across large facilities, improving coverage baseline documentation for OT support and SLA validation.

Flexible Deployment Model

The existence of both Clip and Nomad allows teams to choose the right tool for the job, lightweight speed or full technical capability, without sacrificing unified software workflows.

https://ai-tools.teigenrf.org/

Joel’s site – https://clipboard.potatofi.com/

Joel’s site – https://spectrum.potatofi.com/

If you would like to connect with Jerry or learn more about his employer, Hamina, then check the following:

Jerry Olla – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerryolla/

Hamina – https://www.hamina.com/

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 23 What’s on the Bench? Dec 26, 2025

Upcoming Events!

WLPC – Phoenix AZ USA 2026
- Main Conference: 17-19 FEB 2026
- Boot Camps: 14-16 FEB 2026

Jeremy – I got a 20 minute talk at WLPC, Common Industrial WLAN Deployments

Don’t forget to check out our new document library with free valuable downloadable content!

Miliwatt to dBm conversion table
Wireless IoT reference charts for types and security
Best practice white papers to help you stay on your game

IWS Episode 23 – What’s on the Bench?

Links to all of the interesting things we were talking about!

Milesight LoRaWan Field Tester – https://www.milesight.com/product/accessories/ft101
- The Milesight Field Tester FT101 is the ultimate companion for signal assessment and optimization in LoRaWAN® networks. Featuring a 5.72-inch HD touch screen, it provides real-time network signal testing and analysis at your fingertips, making it easier to deploy and manage LoRaWAN® devices.

Heltec Wi-Fi HaLow Dongle v2 – https://heltec.org/project/ht-hd01/
- A long-range communicator based on Wi-Fi HaLow, the communication range is 1–2 km. It can be used to extend the coverage of traditional networks through bridging, to set up LAN, or to serve as an IoT protocol. Pair two devices for use, or work with the HaLow gateway.

Epitiro – https://www.epitiro.com/wi-fi-7-capable-agent/
- Ensuring better internet today and tomorrow. Wi-Fi 7 is on its way. If you’re looking to monitor your current and future internet performance, get ahead of the curve with our new 6177 agent. Our new agent ensures you can reliably monitor, test and remotely troubleshoot your existing Wi-Fi networks and any upgraded or future Wi-Fi 6, 6E, or 7 network. This means you can confidently deploy our best-in-class monitoring solution knowing your investment is futureproofed to work today and for years to come.

WLAN Pi – https://www.wlanpi.com/
- It all began with an idea. Then a community of wireless engineers formed to create an affordable tool tailored to the every day needs of someone in Wi-Fi.

Sidos Wave – https://www.sidos.com/sidos-wave/
- Introducing Sidos Wave, the most advanced and accurate Wi-Fi measurement device on the market. The Wave is rugged, blazing fast, lightweight, and capable of performing high-precision surveys across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands.

Fünfeinhalb (BlitzFunk wireless radios) – https://fuenfeinhalb.de/en/products#W10=
- Conventional Wi-Fi was designed for people, not for machines. When multiple wireless devices are involved and movement occurs, delays can bring systems to a halt.
- For industrial control systems, the maximum latency and minimum data rate in the worst case are what matter — not just the advertised best values. We promise nothing we cannot uphold in 99.9999% of cases.

NetAlly Cyberscope Air – https://cyberscope.netally.com/products/cyberscope-air
- CyberScope Air enables SecOps or NetOps teams to discover, validate, and scan edge infrastructure and IoT, OT, and ICS devices whether WiFi or Bluetooth/BLE. Assessing cybersecurity posture of WLANs against policies, generating reports, and performing ongoing monitoring for changes has never been easier.

NetAlly LinkRunner 4000 – https://www.netally.com/products/linkrunner-4000/
- The LinkRunner AT 4000 is a cutting-edge network cable tester for modern networking tasks and infrastructural diagnostics. Designed for network engineers requiring a robust toolset for both fiber and Multigigabit Ethernet environments

NetAlly Test Accessory – https://www.netally.com/products/testaccessory/
- This portable iPerf tool allows you to proactively validate network performance conveniently, even when infrastructure accessibility is limited. It accomplishes the same network port tests as LinkSprinter and seamlessly reports back to Link-Live.

Air Console – https://www.get-console.com/shop/en/27-airconsole
- Airconsole is our popular portable, battery powered, RS232 Serial over WIFI and/or BT Adaptor. Designed to be seamlessly used with Mobile Apps on iOS, Android and also on PC, MAC OSX and Linux, Airconsole provides flexible and convenient access to physical Serial and Ethernet ports from devices (such as iPads and iPhones) that have only WIFI or BT interfaces.

IP Explorer – https://plctools.com/products/sim-ipe
- Discover unknown IP addresses, assign an IP address via BOOTP or DHCP, and set to static or change the IP address of Ethernet/IP enabled devices.
- It replaces your computer based BOOTP/DHCP Server and will quickly assign any IP address to any industrial BOOTP or DHCP enabled control device, like Programmable Controller, PLC communication modules, smart switches and I/O adapters.
- This is not a port scanner that chokes networks. It actively listens to network traffic to discover devices by looking for EtherNet/IP, Profinet, GigE, ARP, and other discoverable packets. If a device sits silently on the network, it will not be discovered.
- It works with many brands of Ethernet devices including Allen Bradley and Siemens. We do not have a comprehensive list of brands that it works with. DHCP and BOOTP assignment will always work, IP discovery works with popular devices, and Set to Static and Change Static IP require that the device be Ethernet/IP compliant.

WiFi Explorer – https://www.intuitibits.com/products/wifiexplorer/
- Determine a better placement for your access point, identify channel conflicts or troubleshoot configuration issues that may affect your Wi-Fi network’s connectivity and performance.

WLPC – https://www.thewlpc.com/
- WLPC is all about the people. Whether you’re just starting your career in WLAN technologies or you’ve been in the field for decades, we would love to see you at one of our upcoming events.
- #WLPC is a vendor-neutral event, free of sales pitches, where Wi-Fi enthusiasts gather to discuss technology, share knowledge, and engage in one of the best tech communities in the world. Each event offers multiple ways to learn and grow your skills and knowledge through Boot Camps, Deep Dives, and Presentations, along with valuable connections and learning that happen over meals, drinks, and in the hallways.

Wi-Co – https://wi-co.org/
- Wi-Co, short for Wireless Community, is the brainchild of Peter Mackenzie and Alan Blake, on a mission to make the Wireless Community party like it’s 1999 (but without the B rates).
- Their strategy? Well, it’s all about “bringing the herd together” by organising Affordable, Accessible, Local Events, all over the world, where knowledge is shared.
- They’ve got the leading technology companies in on the action too! With the help of these benevolent backers, Wi-Co ensures that their events are not just Wireless strong but also financially fit.

If you would like to connect with Ali or learn more about his employer, Nile, then check the following:

Ali – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mali77/

Nile – http://www.nilesecure.com

If you would like to connect with Mark or learn more about his employer, Northeastern Utah Educational Services, then check the following:

Mark Houtz – https://www.linkedin.com/in/markhoutz/

NUES – http://www.nucenter.org

If you would like to connect with Nick or learn more about his employer, Blitsfunk, then check the following:

Nick Schwarzenberg – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-schwarzenberg/

Blitzfunk – https://fuenfeinhalb.de/en

If you would like to connect with Tobias or learn more about his employer, Aunex, then check the following:

Tobias Meyer – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobimeyer/

Aunex Inc. – https://aunex.io/en-us/

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 22 Industrial Strength, Wireless Freedom!** Dec 09, 2025

Free 3D Printer Plans!

Oscium WiPry790x and Clarity/Lucid DIY bracket posted on Thingiverse. Bring your own hair ties. I have been informed that Printables is better so I will post it there soon.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6991943

Upcoming Events!

Wi-Co

End of year, none currently scheduled

WLPC – Phoenix AZ USA 2026

Main Conference: 17-19 FEB 2026

Boot Camps: 14-16 FEB 2026

Jeremy – I got a 20 minute talk at WLPC, Common Industrial WLAN Deployments

Don’t forget to check out our new document library with free valuable downloadable content!

Miliwatt to dBm conversion table

Wireless IoT reference charts for types and security

Best practice white papers to help you stay on your game

IWS Episode 22 – Industrial Strength, Wireless Freedom

Cybersecurity differs between IT systems, OT (operational technology), and ICS (industrial control systems) in factory automation because their priorities aren’t the same.

CIA Triad (IT Focus)

Confidentiality

Ensures sensitive data remains accessible only to authorized users through measures like encryption and access controls. This prevents unauthorized disclosure, such as in data breaches or eavesdropping.

Integrity

Maintains data accuracy, completeness, and trustworthiness over its lifecycle using checksums, hashing, and version control. It protects against unauthorized modifications, ensuring information cannot be altered without detection.

Availability

Guarantees timely and reliable access to data and systems for authorized users via redundancies and protection from disruptions like DDoS attacks. This supports business continuity by minimizing downtime from failures or threats.

AIC Triad (OT Focus)

Availability

Prioritizes uninterrupted system operation to avoid production halts in operational environments. It ranks highest because downtime in factories can cause significant financial losses or safety risks.

Integrity

Ensures processes and data remain accurate and unaltered for precise control of physical operations. This prevents errors that could lead to equipment damage or faulty outputs.

Confidentiality

Protects trade secrets and process knowledge, though it takes lower priority than uptime and accuracy. Measures focus on preventing leaks without compromising operational access.

SRP Triad (ICS Focus)

Safety

Protects human lives, health, and the physical environment from harm due to system failures or cyberattacks. It demands fail-safes that halt operations if risks emerge, overriding other concerns.

Reliability

Ensures predictable, continuous operation with minimal unplanned downtime in industrial processes. This maintains stable performance under varying conditions without surprises.

Productivity

Maximizes efficiency and output while implementing security that does not hinder operations. It balances protections to sustain high throughput in automation

systems.

Form factors

Industrial OT network equipment, like switches, routers, and firewalls comes in tough, compact “brick-like” designs that fit right into factory cabinets or on machines. These smaller, modular boxes snap onto DIN rails, stick to walls, or even mount on poles, with rugged metal cases that seal out dust, shakes, vibrations, extreme heat or cold, and chemicals—think gear built to survive a noisy plant floor 24/7 without failing.

In contrast, standard enterprise IT network gear is shaped like slim, rack-sized trays for offices or data centers, sliding neatly into 19-inch shelves with fans for cooling in air-conditioned rooms. These flat boxes pack tons of ports on the front for easy cabling in clean spaces, using standard plugs and relying on steady power and no harsh conditions, so they’re lighter on armor but great for quick setups in controlled environments.

PoE structure

Power over Ethernet (PoE) in industrial switches works by sending low-voltage DC power alongside data signals through standard Ethernet cables, eliminating the need for separate power lines to devices like cameras, sensors, or lights on a factory floor. The switch acts as the power source (PSE), detecting compatible powered devices (PDs) via a handshake process before delivering power over spare wire pairs (Mode B) or data pairs (Mode A), ensuring safe delivery up to set limits without harming non-PoE gear. This simplifies wiring in harsh environments where outlets are scarce, and industrial models add ruggedness for vibration, dust, and temperature extremes.

PoE standards have evolved from basic IEEE 802.3af (Type 1, up to 15.4W PSE/12.95W PD at 44-57V) for simple devices, to 802.3at (Type 2/PoE+, 30W PSE/25.5W PD at 50-57V) using two pairs for more demanding ones, then 802.3bt Type 3 (PoE++/60W PSE/51W PD) and Type 4 (90W PSE/71.3W PD), which tap all four pairs for high-power needs like pan-tilt-zoom cameras or wireless access points. Higher versions support more current (up to 960mA per pair in Type 4) and precise power negotiation via LLDP for efficiency.

Stronger PoE versions demand more robust DC input power to the switch itself—often 48-54V or higher (up to 60V+ in some industrial setups), compared to basic 24V systems in low-power OT environments—because they must convert and budget higher wattage across multiple ports without overheating. For instance, a Type 4 switch powering several 70W devices needs beefier internal supplies and cooling, pulling from redundant DC sources to maintain uptime, while lower PoE sticks to lighter 24-48V rails common in factories. This scales power handling but requires matching the switch’s input rating to avoid failures in high-density setups.

Rockwell PoE issues – https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rockwell-versus-power-over-ethernet-matthew-parris-xfmte/

Fortinet PoE issues – https://www.linkedin.com/posts/varghesejm_fortinet-recently-pointed-me-to-the-quick-activity-7373461970416693249-sms5?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAPsxa4B_yPRdD-zav6c1LUwE6mnfUUJBwU

Handy tools

NetAlly LinkRunner 4000 – https://www.netally.com/products/linkrunner-4000/

NetAlly Test Accessory – https://www.netally.com/products/testaccessory/

Air Console – https://www.get-console.com/shop/en/27-airconsole

IP Explorer – https://plctools.com/products/sim-ipe

High-level overview of Traceroute Con – https://www.traceroutellc.com/training

If you would like to connect with Josh or learn more about his business, TraceRoute, then check the following:

Josh Varghese – https://www.linkedin.com/in/varghesejm/

TraceRoute – https://www.traceroutellc.com/

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 21 HaLow Can You Go!** Nov 03, 2025

Free 3D Printer Plans!

Oscium WiPry790x and Clarity/Lucid DIY bracket posted on Thingiverse. Bring your own hair ties. I have been informed that Printables is better so I will post it there soon.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6991943

Upcoming Events!

Wi-Co

November 6th – Washington, DC

November 10th – Dublin, Ireland

November 19th – Utrecht, Netherlands

WLPC – Phoenix AZ USA 2026

Main Conference: 17-19 FEB 2026

Boot Camps: 14-16 FEB 2026

Voting for presentations is open

Embedded World North America Annaheim, California

Nov 4-6, Gateworks will be doing a fireside chat with Morse Micro and U-Blox discussing development of AMRs (AMR = Autonomous Mobile Robots)

Jeremy – I submitted two presentation options for WLPC Phoenix!

Common Industrial Deployments for complicated WLANS

Redundant Wireless Links: PRP over wireless, MPO, and other methods.

Voting is open until 11/14 we will put a link in the show notes and check linkedin.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WLPCPHX2026

HaLow Outdoor Site Survey Deep Dive

https://www.thewlpc.com/presentations/802-11ah-wi-fi-halow-outdoor-site-survey-deep-dive-phx-26

HaLow Development kit from Gateworks

https://www.gateworks.com/products/single-board-computer-development-kits/wifi-halow-development-kit/

Morse Micro Community

https://community.morsemicro.com/

Don’t forget to check out our new document library with free valuable downloadable content!

Miliwatt to dBm conversion table

Wireless IoT reference charts for types and security

Best practice white papers to help you stay on your game

IWS Episode 21 – HaLow Can You Go

HaLow Basics

Wi‑Fi HaLow is based on IEEE 802.11ah, a standard in the Wi‑Fi family that extends connectivity for IoT and machine‑to‑machine devices .

It operates in Sub‑1 GHz frequency bands ( 902–928 MHz in the U.S.), enabling long‑range communication—up to about a1 km outdoors and superior object penetration .

HaLow uses narrow channel widths (1–16 MHz), which improve range and energy efficiency compared to traditional Wi‑Fi that uses 20–160 MHz .

Supported modulation schemes include BPSK, QPSK, 16‑QAM, 64‑QAM, and 256‑QAM, offering adaptable data rates from 150 Kbps to 80 Mbps (*theoretical with 4 spatial streams*) depending on channel width and link quality .

It relies on OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) to reduce interference and maintain link stability across multiple subcarriers .

Features like Target Wake Time (TWT) and long sleep cycles keep devices in low‑power mode most of the time, drastically extending battery life .

Security uses WPA3 and Wi‑Fi Enhanced Open, comparable to current enterprise‑grade Wi‑Fi .

Rumor has it you can link 88 of them together and push 1.21 Gigawatts

Frequencies

900MHz

USA: 902-928 MHz

Australia, New Zealand: 915–928 MHz

Japan: 916.5–927.5 MHz and 920.5–921.5 MHz…trials underway to open up spectrum at 850MHz across Japan for Wi-Fi HaLow

China: 755–787 MHz or sometimes 779–787 MHz

Korea: 917.5–923 MHz and 925–931 MHz

Vietnam: 918–923 MHz

Europe

Wi-Fi HaLow (IEEE 802.11ah) in Europe operates mainly within the 863–868 MHz sub-GHz ISM band, which offers significantly less spectrum compared to the U.S., creating certain limitations and regulatory constraints.

The European channel plan allocates just 5 MHz of spectrum in the 863–868 MHz range, split into five 1 MHz channels—much narrower than the U.S. allocation.

In some parts of Europe, an additional 2 MHz covering 915.8–917.4 MHz and 917.4–919.4 MHz is available for two additional channels, but full uptake is limited.

Channels typically available: 1 MHz and 2 MHz channel widths only.

Duty Cycle and Power Limitations

European regulations (ETSI/EN 2202, ERC Recommendation 70-03) strictly limit duty cycles—access points usually have a duty cycle restriction of 10%, while client stations are often restricted to 2.8%.

These limits mean Wi-Fi HaLow data transmissions can only occupy the airwaves for a small fraction of time, making it less suitable for continuous, high-bandwidth uses like video streaming

What does HaLow look like on spectrum analysis?

HaLow testing at a 2MHz wide channel

HaLow testing at a 4MHz wide channel

HaLow testing at a 8MHz wide channel

“I’m fine to make the offer that the first 10 people to screen grab this image and send it out on their socials to their customers to see what their customers would like to do with the extra data throughput we can offer at hundreds of meters of distance…will get 2 x HaLowLink 1 devices from me to start their Wi-Fi HaLow journey. Just ask them to tag me (Andy), Morse Micro and the Industrial Wi-Fi Shop of course!!!” – Andy McFarlane

Just right click and “save as” for the image above! Don’t forget to tag Scott & Jeremy too!

Let’s talk Use Cases / Applications

Worth initially positioning Wi-Fi HaLow as the connectivity power behind IoT 2.0 … .being clear on how the first generation of IoT use cases opened up, what their restrictions are and how Wi-Fi HaLow is underpinning a new generation of higher throughput use cases.

Commercial / Enterprise

Video Security Cameras

Smart Meters (Electricity meters rather than water or gas meters)

Smart Buildings (Door locks, behind the meter devices ref power load management)

Industrial / Manufacturing

AMR’s both inside the factory/warehouse and outdoors

Grid monitoring

Transportation: Rail, Fleets, Asset Tracking

UAV

Retail security, asset tracking and ESL(Electronic Shelf Labels)

Are there any verticals we missed?

Doing some AI digging (*fast becoming a secondary hobby of mine*):

**********

Several HaLow vendors have established partnerships with major industrial control companies like ABB, Honeywell, and Rockwell Automation to deploy robust industrial IoT solutions.

Notable HaLow Vendor Partnerships

Morse Micro and Gateworks: This partnership focuses on bringing Wi-Fi HaLow to industrial IoT environments including smart factories, transportation systems, and energy infrastructure. Their collaboration emphasizes secure, long-range, low-power wireless connectivity tailored for industrial settings, which aligns with the needs of companies like ABB and Rockwell Automation.

**********

Gateworks (Whole USA Solution) How does this figure in with tariffs, MM and working with customers with something like a no China policy?

**********

Morse Micro and Gateworks are collaborating on projects that deliver industrial-grade Wi-Fi HaLow (IEEE 802.11ah) connectivity designed specifically for tough industrial environments such as smart factories, transportation systems, and energy infrastructure. Together with Silex Technology, they have developed a high-performance ecosystem that enables secure, low-power, long-range wireless connectivity ideally suited for:

Large sprawling industrial facilities and remote infrastructure with Wi-Fi coverage exceeding 1 km

Battery-powered sensors and devices requiring ultra-low power consumption

Smart factory applications including wireless sensors, automated mobile robotics, and machine health monitoring

Smart transportation projects such as train safety systems, fleet management, and predictive maintenance

Smart energy solutions including grid management, solar inverters, wireless EV charging, and smart meters

Key technology developed by the partnership includes the GW16159 industrial-grade M.2 Wi-Fi HaLow card, manufactured by Gateworks using Morse Micro’s MM6108 SoC. Gateworks also released the GW11056 Development Kit for accelerated evaluation and prototyping, enabling faster time-to-market for industrial automation and monitoring use cases.

Additionally, here’s a few links you might like to use.

Here’s MM’s community page I referenced at the end of the podcast. https://community.morsemicro.com/

Here’s MM’s GitHub site. https://github.com/MorseMicro

Here’s a recently uploaded unboxing video for one of our HaLowLink test devices… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISVt7QTAP_0&t=22s

Plus our YouTube page… https://www.youtube.com/@morsemicro1641

Same for Instagram… https://www.instagram.com/morse.micro

And for those preferring more brain rot in their lives…our TikTok page… https://www.tiktok.com/@morse.micro

**********

If you would like to connect with Kelly Peralta or learn more about her employer, Gateworks, then check the following:

Kelly Peralta – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-peralta-ab6ab23/

Gateworks – https://www.gateworks.com/

If you would like to connect with Andy McFarlane or learn more about his employer, Morse Micro, then check the following:

Andy McFarlane – https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymcf/

Morse Micro – https://www.morsemicro.com/

Here’s our GitHub site. https://github.com/MorseMicro

Here’s a recently uploaded unboxing video for one of our HaLowLink test devices… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISVt7QTAP_0&t=22s

Plus our YouTube page… https://www.youtube.com/@morsemicro1641

Same for Instagram… https://www.instagram.com/morse.micro

And for those preferring more brain rot in their lives…our tiktok page… https://www.tiktok.com/@morse.micro

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 20 900MHz or Bust!** Sep 16, 2025

Free 3D Printer Plans!

Oscium WiPry790x and Clarity/Lucid DIY bracket posted on Thingiverse. Bring your own hair ties. I have been informed Printables is better so I will post there soon.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6991943

Upcoming Events!

Wi-Co

October 1st – Montreal, Canada

November 6th – Washington, DC

November 19th – Utrecht, Netherlands

WLPC

Prague, Czech Republic

October 11-13 – boot camps

October 14-16 – main conference

Keith Jones CEO of Prism Systems has provided 2 license codes for the PrismStats Live software (iOS) a URWB commissioning tool. Helpful for spot checking, parsing, and troubleshooting Cisco URWB Fluidity deployments created by Prism Systems! Email Jeremy if interested!

Don’t forget to check out our new document library with free valuable downloadable content to help you in your wireless endeavors in the industrial and manufacturing air space!

On with the show! IWS Episode 20 – 900MHz or Bust

A little bit about 900MHz in general

ISM frequency space

802.11 channel designations

902 – 928 MHz

1 MHz wide channels

General dynamics of 900MHz

distances/ranges

Penetration values

Power consumption

Esteem Horizon 900 radios

Channel structure

Channel widths

5, 10 and 20 MHz wide options

Realistic bandwidth and constraints

Up to 72mbps at 20 MHz wide channel

OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing – I wanted to sound smart)

Power

802.3at PoE+

12VDC Direct

IndustrialMESH and path redundancy

What is IndustrialMESH?

How is it handled

Self-Healing, redundant, backup communication paths – Automatic Switching

Uses standard network Spanning Tree Protocol (STP, RSTP, MSTP)

Routes can be configured, controlled and prioritized by user or Auto-MESHing (“Rapid Ready” Mode of operation – similar to an ad-hoc network.)

Can this be configured dynamic or does it have to be manually configured/static. (See above)

Additionally, the MESH Bridge links can be individually configured for always up status or dynamically controlled based upon RSSI thresholds

Security

Proprietary communication protocol

Bridging

Encryption

WEP (64 or 128 bit)

TKIP

AES-CCMP (128 or 256 bit)

AP / Client Modes

WPA

PSK

Enterprise 802.1x w/RADIUS

WPA2

PSK

Enterprise 802.1x w/RADIUS

AP Router / Client

Access Point Mode

Client Mode

Masquerade mode

Access point mode

Client client

Station Bridge Mode

Mobile Client – Bridge functionality

Twin Bridge Mode

Secondary Bridge/MESH network

Common Hardware

Isolated Traffic

Wi-Fi HaLow 4 MHz wide broadcast

Esteem 5 MHz wide broadcast

Compare/contrast how Esteem works vs Wi-Fi HaLow

Frequency utilization

Efficiency

What it looks like in spec-an

Primary use cases / verticles

Agriculture

Water / Waste water systems

Mining

Oil & gas / Energy

Factory floor

AGV/Autonomous Vehicles

What other offerings does Esteem have?

Models/operation modes

Frequency usages

Use cases

Do you have ability to cover 5.9, plans for 6 GHz?

With the industrial verticals you guys operate in, what you see coming in the future of industrial wireless applications.

If you would like to connect with Dan Tolley, Eric Marske or learn more about their employer, Esteem, then check the following:

Dan Tolley – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieltolley/

Eric Marske – https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-marske-51029b21/

Esteem – https://esteem.com/

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 19 CURWB Appeal!** Aug 19, 2025

**IWS Episode 19 Show Notes – C-URWB Appeal!**

Free 3D Printer Plans!

Oscium WiPry790x and Clarity/Lucid DIY bracket posted on Thingiverse. Bring your own hair ties. I have been informed Printables is better so I will post there soon.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6991943

Upcoming Events!

Wi-Co

September 10th –UK South / london

October 1st – Montreal, Canada

November 6th – Washington, DC

November 19th – Utrecht, Netherlands

WLPC

Valencia, Spain

September 12-14 – boot camps

September 15-16 – main conference

Prague, Czech Republic

October 11-13 – boot camps

October 14-16 – main conference

Keith Jones CEO of Prism Systems has provided 2 license codes for the PrismStats Live software (iOS) a URWB commissioning tool. Helpful for spot checking, parsing, and troubleshooting Cisco URWB Fluidity deployments created by Prism Systems!

If you are interested in one of these two license keys, please email Jeremy at Jeremy@industrialwifishop.com

Don’t forget to check out our new document library with free valuable downloadable content to help you in your wireless endeavors in the industrial and manufacturing air space!

On with the show! IWS Episode 19 – C-URWB Appeal!

URWB technology was first introduced in the market in 2005 by Fluidmesh Networks, focusing on ultra-low latency and ultra-reliability for mission-critical wireless connectivity.

Cisco acquired Fluidmesh Networks in 2020, integrating URWB technology into its portfolio and advancing its capabilities alongside Wi-Fi technology.

URWB uses a specialized implementation of MPLS over wireless links to enable very low latency and reliable transmission in mobility scenarios, supporting “make-before-break” handovers for seamless connections to moving vehicles.

*** What is MPLS! ***

Multiprotocol Label Switching, is a networking technology that uses labels to route data more packets efficiently. MPLS works by attaching a small “label” to each data packet as it enters the network. This label acts like a shortcut, indicating the path the packet should take through the network. Instead of routers making complex routing decisions based on destination IP addresses, they can quickly forward packets based on the attached label, leading to faster data transmission

The technology features patented Multipath Operations (MPO), which delivers uninterrupted connectivity by duplicating high-priority traffic on multiple uncorrelated frequency paths, dramatically reducing packet loss and latency. This provides greater redundancy for implementations.

URWB has been widely adopted in various industries including mining, entertainment, utilities, ports, manufacturing, rail, and smart cities, supporting heavy applications like autonomous vehicles, remote-controlled cranes, and industrial automation.

In 2025, Cisco announced combining URWB functionality with Wi-Fi capabilities in its access points, allowing unified infrastructure and management to support both technologies simultaneously, thus simplifying deployments and reducing operational overhead.

C-URWB is NOT 802.11 !!! – although it is built upon and extends the 802.11 technology foundation.

802.11 is mainly an access technology for end-user devices like computers and smartphones, URWB functions as a wireless backhaul technology. It connects network infrastructure elements (such as access points, controllers, and industrial devices) with managed, optimized communication links.

URWB offers features beyond standard Wi-Fi, including seamless “make-before-break” handoffs, multipath operations (sending duplicate packets over separate paths to ensure reliability), and RF interference mitigation for highly reliable connectivity in challenging environments.

Has two flavors: FluidMax which is the backhaul (fixed point) and Fluidity where mobile clients need to roam as in rail or warehouse AGVs.

Igor – been at Cisco 5 years as a pre-sales engineer, came over as part of the Fluidmesh acquisition in 2020. Prior to that, worked in the transportation sector as a systems integrator for airport people, movers and commuter rail systems for about 7 years. Back in 2012 i was tasked with finding a commercial off the shelf wireless product that would be good for mobility and wire-like roaming for airport people movers. It was at that time we were testing cisco, fluidmesh, and a few other vendors to see what would meet our success criteria as our wireless product for our train systems. We initially went with cisco 3602Es and 5500 wlc controllers running WGB and pre .11r neighbor table configurations…with later projects shifting to Fluidmesh, Fluidity architectures, and that seamless roaming, high-throughput and low latency connectivity over wireless.

Matt – been at Cisco for 18 years, pre-sales engineer supporting lots of customers – financial, professional services, hosted collaboration, shuffled to the IoT team about 4 years ago. I grew up farming and live on a small farm now, about 60 acres give or take. I have the property covered in Wifi+CURWB and have hundreds of IoT devices on-net across the property. Neck deep in all things RF and wireless – lora, 433, BLE, you name it and i’m interested. 4400, 5500, 9800, I’ve worked with all the things.

What is URWB and why should we care about it?

High level, it’s an ethernet backhaul technology over wireless, which utilizes the unlicensed 5 GHz and eventually 6 GHz spectrum with our recent announcement with catalyst 9800 controllers

It’s great for fixed point to point point, multipoint and mixed backhaul for static environments with a set and forget antenna alignment and stable RSSI

As well as mobility connectivity, to connect moving assets such as trains, utility vehicles, ship the shore cranes, mining dozers, and AGVs back to their OT edges and cores

What is the next big release on the roadmap?

17.18.1

Next would be Catalyst Center support and configuration…sometime next year

Currently, this is considered a beta release, with the gold star release firmware coming out in 3-6 months.

Highly encourage downloading and playing with it.

What problems will the 802.11/URWB simultaneous modes solve?

1 box solution for reliable WiFi and wireless backhaul to Cisco controllers via URWB

Providing a cheaper solution (vs 2 box), less SmartNet and DNA license seats…and a true commercial grade wireless backhaul product on a proven Cisco Catalyst wireless platform.

Digital divide or equity projects, where you want wi fi for underserved areas (mostly outdoor)

Similarly, providing Wi-Fi on moving vehicles. Take for example a commuter rail system that has public facing Wi-Fi in the vehicle and an external URWB Fluidity backhaul to the trackside network. Couple that with urwb seamless roaming, you’ll have bidirectional high-throughput, and low-latency connectivity for Wi-Fi passenger use.

Wi fi hotspots in typical IoT vehicles. Think of your outdoor utility vehicles, container handler vehicles at a port. Maybe it’s a forklift running over urwb and then providing wi fi connectivity within a hundred foot radius of that parked forklift for tablet, cell phone connectivity, whatever is needed to manage the day to day operations and manufacturing process at that site.

Overhead crane connectivity in manufacturing environments to backhaul fisheye cameras and PLC comms.

Are there any plans to provide beacons so standard tools can be used for RF Validation, or is Telemetry king?

For now, telemetry is king, and using software tools such as PrismStats to capture, analyze and post process the telemetry stream for both fixed and mobile connectivity. Nothing beats real empirical measurements in RF environments, and PrismStats is a quick, easy, cheap and reliable way to get this data in the hands of the engineers.

TBD, I’m sure there will be better hooks into AI-RRM, Wireless Config Analyzers, and other standard features you see with Cisco Wireless, though it’ll take some time to fully integrate to the bells and whistles we offer with Wifi.

What are the most useful documents you reference even at your current level of expertise?

Right now, digging into the Cisco Live On Demand Library. Lots of great wi fi and u r w b content there…and goes back a few years.

Unplugged Connectivity YouTube channel. 100s of videos and episodes about all things Cisco Catalyst and Meraki Wireless…and a few URWB sessions there

Cisco TDM, Ordering Guides, and CVDs

Google AI searches…digging through all of the public facing configuration guides; hardware install guides, datasheets, etc to answer very specific RF questions.

Tell us about an interesting project you have worked on and how URWB solved the complications the customer faced.

Igor – Digital divide during covid using Meraki MRs for wifi and FM URWB radios to underserved areas in Dallas-Fort Worth, as well as City of Wake Forest. PtMP and relay architectures mostly. Something that can also be replicated with outdoor campus connectivity we see in hospitals, colleges, and corporate campuses. With DoTs, lots of intersection connectivity to traffic management solutions and cctv cameras on those tall vertical assets. So next time you are at a red light, look up and you might see a square panel used as the directional backhaul to another traffic light a quarter mile away.

Indoor AGV connectivity has also been a top use case with fluidity, so various customers there using fluidity, and in some cases, using wi fi wgb for not so mission, critical connectivity. MPO is a great benefit here, with packet duplication/deduplication of that mission-critical PLC.

Ports and terminals, fluidity, connectivity to these vehicles using multiple 90 degree horn antennas off of those high mast light poles to provide connectivity for terminal operating system (tos) applications.

Train to ground for mission-critical traffic backhaul, as well as not so mission-critical wifi ap backhaul, passenger signage and VoIP e-tel

Open pit mining, combination of fixed PtP and PtMP backhaul to temporary trailer setups, and then configuring fluidity to those large mining vehicles. Great for ad hoc environments with constantly changing topology and redesigning with line of sight in mind.

Jeremy- I really like the new hardware, no more overly protective hiding of my M12 cable.

Use cases & Stories

Scott – I deployed what was originally a FluidMesh system for a wood chip yard for a paper mill. Four giant automated machines for the dispersal and reclamation of wood chips for the beginning of the paper making process. Two monster chip “Stackers” and two giant chip “Reclaimers”

Deployment ran great for several years. Ended up replacing original FluidMesh hardware with updated C-URWB hardware due to FM being end-of-life and could not get spares (well, and one did fill with water after a particularly bad storm)

Jeremy – I have participated in several POCs for passenger rail control, a Smart Farm using Fluidity and FluidMax as the backhaul. Commissioned production systems include several steel mill cranes, a port or two, some modified R-Coax applications, several themed rides, and a partridge in a pair tree.

If you would like to connect with Matt Virus or Igor Moiseev or learn more about their employer, Cisco, then check the following:

Matt Virus – https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-virus-1953869/

Igor Moiseev – https://www.linkedin.com/in/igormoiseev1989/

Cisco – https://www.cisco.com/ go/curwb

Unplugged Connectivity – https://www.youtube.com/@getunplugged

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 18 The Magic of BLE!** Jul 16, 2025

**IWS Episode 18 Show Notes – The Magic of BLE!**

Free 3D Printer Plans!

Oscium WiPry790x and Clarity/Lucid DIY bracket posted on Thingiverse. Bring your own hair ties.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6991943

Upcoming Events!

**Wi-Co**

**UK South, London – 9/10-11**

Register now!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wi-co-gathering-the-herds-london-uk-tickets-1345627029669?aff=oddtdtcreator

**Montreal, Canada – 10/1**

Register now!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wi-co-bringing-the-herd-together-montreal-qc-ca-tickets-1297281677419

METAGEEK UPDATE NEWS:

On Monday, July 14th, Metageek will be dropping their latest update for Chanalyzer. In this update they will have channel breakouts for both Bluetooth Standard/Classic (79) and Bluetooth Low Energy (40)

The Basics of Bluetooth

Handy spectrum reference, Bluetooth channels included.

https://spectrum.potatofi.com/

Class 3

Maximum Power Output: 1 mW (0 dBm)

Typical Range: Up to 1 meter (3 feet)

Applications: Wearables, fitness trackers, and devices where low power is critical

Notes: Rarely used due to extremely limited range.

Class 2

Maximum Power Output: 2.5 mW (4 dBm)

Typical Range: Up to 10 meters (33 feet)

Applications: Most smartphones, tablets, laptops, and Bluetooth headsets

Notes: Most common class for consumer electronics.

Class 1.5

Maximum Power Output: 10 mW (10 dBm)

Typical Range: Up to 20 meters (65 feet)

Applications: Some Bluetooth headsets and mid-range devices

Notes: Not as common as other classes; sometimes grouped with Class 1 in specifications.

Class 1

Maximum Power Output: 100 mW (20 dBm)

Typical Range: Up to 100 meters (330 feet)

Applications: Industrial equipment, long-range wireless peripherals

Notes: Both devices must be Class 1 to achieve maximum range.

Key Points

Range depends on both devices: The effective range is determined by the lower class (lower power) device in the connection.

Power vs. Range: Higher power output allows for greater range but increases energy consumption.

Class 2 is standard: Most consumer Bluetooth devices use Class 2 for a balance of range and battery life.

All about BLE (in general)

Ultra-Low Power Consumption:
BLE is optimized to use minimal energy, allowing devices to operate for months or even years on small batteries. It achieves this by keeping the radio off most of the time and transmitting data in short, infrequent bursts.

Short-Range Communication:
BLE typically operates within a range of 10 to 50 meters indoors, but with Bluetooth 5.0 and newer, the range can extend up to 150 meters in open environments.

Efficient Data Exchange:
BLE is designed for applications that require periodic transmission of small amounts of data, such as sensor readings or device status updates. It is not suitable for continuous, high-bandwidth tasks like audio streaming.

Fast Connection and Low Latency:
BLE enables quick device discovery and connection, with latency as low as 6 milliseconds—much faster than classic Bluetooth, which has around 100 ms latency.

Frequency and Channels:
BLE operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, using 40 channels (each 2 MHz wide), compared to 79 channels in classic Bluetooth. This helps reduce interference and improve efficiency.

How BLE Works

Advertising and Scanning:
BLE devices periodically broadcast small advertising packets on three primary channels. Other devices scan for these packets to discover and connect with peripherals.

Connection Roles:
BLE uses an asymmetric design:

Central: Typically a smartphone or computer, handles more processing and power.

Peripheral: Usually a sensor or wearable, optimized for minimal energy use.

Data Transmission:
Once connected, devices exchange data in short bursts, then return to sleep mode. This pulsed operation leverages battery recovery effects, further extending battery life.

BLE employs two main channel selection algorithms for frequency hopping:

1. Algorithm #1 (CSA #1)

Introduced in the original BLE specification.

Uses a simple, incremental approach to select the next channel.

The sequence is uniform and deterministic, without randomization.

Primarily used in earlier versions of BLE.

2. Algorithm #2 (CSA #2)

Introduced in Bluetooth 5.0 to enhance security and randomness.

Generates a pseudo-random sequence of channels for each connection event.

Provides better distribution and reduces predictability, making it harder for attackers to track or jam communication.

Now the preferred algorithm in modern BLE devices.

Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH)

BLE divides the 2.4 GHz band into 40 channels (each 2 MHz wide), with 37 used for data and 3 for advertising.

AFH continuously monitors the radio environment for interference.

Channels identified as “bad” (due to high interference or error rates) are excluded from the hopping sequence.

The channel map, updated dynamically, ensures only “good” channels are used for hopping.

How It Works

At each connection event, the devices select the next channel using the current channel selection algorithm and the updated channel map.

The hopping sequence is synchronized between connected devices, ensuring reliable and interference-avoiding communication.

**Feature** **Algorithm #1 (CSA #1)** **Algorithm #2 (CSA #2)**
Introduction Original BLE spec Bluetooth 5.0
Selection Method Incremental, deterministic Pseudo-random, more secure
Randomization None Yes
Interference Avoidance Basic Improved
Current Usage Legacy devices Modern BLE devices

Key Takeaways

BLE uses adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) with either Algorithm #1 or Algorithm #2 for channel selection.

Algorithm #2 is now the standard for newer BLE versions, offering improved security and interference mitigation.

Channels are dynamically assessed and “bad” channels are avoided in real time to maintain reliable connections.

General questions about Aunex BLE

Do the Dataeagle series of radios use BLE as per the standard set forth by the Bluetooth SIG or do they modify it in any fashion?

How does Aunex get such crazy ranges/distances out of BLE?

Special software?

Low level chip access?

Proprietary marshmallow magic?

What kind of latency do you see for data transport?

100ms?

50ms?

Less?

What other products

If you would like to connect with Tobias or learn more about his employer, Aunex, then check the following:

Tobias Meyer – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobimeyer/

Aunex Inc. – https://aunex.io/en-us/

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 17 Nothin’ but Net!** Jun 06, 2025

**Free 3D Printer Plans!**

Oscium WiPry790x and Clarity/Lucid DIY bracket posted on Thingiverse. Bring your own hair ties. (Scott tell me how much you love it.)

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6991943

**Upcoming Events!**

**Wi-Co**

**Bordeaux, France – 7/3**

Register now!

https://wi-co.org/upcoming-events/france-july-2025

**Bay Area, CA – 7/7**

Register now!

https://wi-co.org/upcoming-events/bayarea-june-2025

**OT SCADA-Con** presented by Automation Ladies

https://www.otscada.com/

**July 23-25th in Houston** (Might be hot, so wear your cargo shorts)

Here are a few of the topics that they will have speakers present on:

PLCs and I/O, HMI, Machine Safety, Machine Vision, Robots, Cobots, DCS, OT Cybersecurity and many more.

Automation Ladies Podcast – https://www.automationladies.io/

**On With The Show…**

What is an AirCheck G3. What can you use it for? How is it different from other tools?

Ruggedized handheld solution

Android based device, capable of running additional approved apps from the NetAlly app store

All in one

Incredible battery life

Both passive and active testing

Not only a site survey and spectrum analysis tool, it is more of daily troubleshooting and validation solution

Can be used for network discovery and topology mapping

Supports external antenna for device location

You can expand its functionality by using USB accessories or installing third party apps.

**The Breakdown**

Active / Passive surveys

1 single device to carry around, no adapters or tethers to other devices

Auto samples while you move, just like most other survey devices

Simply tap when you change direction

Load drawings / floor plans to Link-Live cloud account, name and calibrate. Multiple formats acceptable

Push plans to the device and you are ready to go!

Completed surveys can be analyzed in Link-live, downloaded to AirMagnet or even exported to Hamina or other tools!

Spectrum Analysis

Honestly, used to be good for a few spot checks here and there but the new adapter (the NXT-2000) has completely changed NetAlly’s game with spec-an

Increased scan rates

Increased resolution

Much easier to recognize classic RF signatures like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and other notable protocols like FHSS/DSSS

Currently can only take snapshots of readings but actual recordings are on the development roadmap.

Wi-Fi analytics (sheesh, where to start…)

General Wi-Fi network detection

W-Fi client detection

Per SSID

Wi-Fi type / protocols (wi-fi 3, 4 5 etc…)

Security types recognition and validation

Great tool called “Insights” which can identify and highlight potential issues based off of wireless best practices

Chanel widths

Legacy wireless types (wireless b for example)

Legacy security

TX power limits

Identifies devices with high/very high retransmits and highlights them

Full network scans on connected networks for device inventory and security checks/validation

Sooo much more!

Link-Live

One stop shop for analytics on everything the device reports

Little bit of a learning curve on site navigation / file structure

Outstanding graphs and charts depicting multiple different points of interest from the analytics.

These are easily downloaded in your choice of several different formats to include in custom reporting

Can share data with other link-live accounts

What is a CyberScope? How is it different from an AirCheck?

NMap

Comes with 5 or 6 premade scripts ready to run

Can upload custom scripts to run

Access to other Android based apps

**Important links**

Where can we see NetAlly in action?

https://www.netally.com/on-the-road/

Aircheck G3 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5I1kWc2eao

Cyberscope Air – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GriSMAbJ5c

If you would like to connect with Julio or learn more about his employer, NetAlly, then check the following:

Julio Petrovitch – https://www.linkedin.com/in/julio-petrovitch-99a050345/

NetAlly – https://www.netally.com/

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 16 Sweet 16!** Apr 30, 2025

**Winners!**

Wi-Fi Explorer Pro 3 – The Definitive User Guide Giveaway Winner

There are two copies of the Wi-Fi Explorer Pro 3 – The Definitive User Guide by Nigel Bowden and Adrian Granados

Winners were drawn randomly

The winner from IT is – J. W. Hannam (book)

The winner from OT is – Heath Weeks (book)

Carlos Assunção (lic. key)

Robin Decloedt (lic. key)

Wi-Fi Explorer Pro 3 Software Winner if applicable

If you are curious about WE3 check out this awesome interview with Adrian Granados and Nigel Boden on Keith Parsons Heavy Wireless: Episode 45 for a deeper look at the tool. https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/heavy-wireless/hw045-a-comprehensive-guide-to-wi-fi-explorer-pro-3-features-insights-and-more/

Oscium WiPry790x and Clarity/Lucid DIY bracket posted on Thingiverse. Bring your own hair ties. (Scott tell me how much you love it.)

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6991943

**Upcoming Events!**

**Wi-Co**

**Chapel Hill NC – 5/14** – Scott presenting “Fun with Spectrum Analysis! Interesting and crazy interferers I have recorded in the field!”

There are still a few more spots open! Register now!

https://wi-co.org/upcoming-events/northcarolina-may-2025

**Philadelphia PA – 5/15** – Our good friend Ali will be there!

There are still a few more spots open! Register now!

https://wi-co.org/upcoming-events/philly-may-2025

**Nashville 5/29** – Jeremy presentation on CURWB

Not sure if spots are left, but it is going to be fun.

https://wi-co.org/upcoming-events/nashville-may-2025

**OT SCADA-Con** presented by Automation Ladies

https://www.otscada.com/

**July 23-25th in Houston** (Might be hot, so wear your cargo shorts)

Here are a few of the topics that they will have speakers present on:

PLCs and I/O, HMI, Machine Safety, Machine Vision, Robots, Cobots, DCS, OT Cybersecurity and many more.

Automation Ladies Podcast – https://www.automationladies.io/

**NIST In The News!**

NIST-Led Industrial Wireless Standard IEEE 3388 Passes Important Review Steps

https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2025/02/nist-led-industrial-wireless-standard-ieee-3388-passes-important-review

NIST stands for the National Institute of Standards and Technology

Rick Candell, NIST’s Industrial Wireless Systems Project Leader, and his team have led the working group developing the draft IEEE 3388 Standard.

The standard focuses on the Performance Assessment of Industrial Wireless Systems.

A major milestone was reached:

The draft passed the IEEE Standards Association RevCom (Standards Review Committee) review.

It received approval from the IEEE Standards Association Standards Board.

Key features of the standard:

Establishes a functional model for RF industrial wireless performance degradation factors (called “aggressors”).

Provides a reference test architecture for evaluating the performance of industrial wireless networks.

Target applications:

Manufacturing

Power generation

Precision time-sensitive sensing

Closed-loop control

Any mission-critical use where wireless is the primary communication mode

Benefits:

Enables standardized testing before deployment.

Enhances reliability of wireless systems in mission-critical environments.

Next steps:

Detailed specification of interference and propagation aggressors.

Creation of profiles tailored to specific industry verticals.

This milestone reflects:

The team’s dedication to advancing industry standards.

A strong commitment to fostering innovation in critical wireless communication applications.

**Growth of Industrial related Wireless communications**

The Exactitude Consultancy report on the Industrial Wireless Automation Market, published in April 2025, provides a comprehensive analysis of the market’s current status and future prospects.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/51486/industrial-wireless-automation-market

**Market Overview:**

**2024 Market Value:** Estimated at $26.5 billion.

**Projected 2034 Market Value:** Expected to reach $50.8 billion.

**Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR):** Forecasted at 6.9% from 2025 to 2034.

**Historical Data Period:** Covers data from 2020 to 2023.

**Largest Market Region:** North America.

**Market Segmentation:**

**By Product Type:**

Wireless Sensors

Wireless Controllers

Wireless Gateways

**By Application:**

Process Automation

Factory Automation

Machine Automation

**By End User:**

Manufacturing

Oil and Gas

Energy and Power

**By Technology:**

Wi-Fi

Zigbee

CellBluetooth

**Key Market Drivers**

**Adoption of IIoT**: The increasing implementation of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies is enhancing connectivity and real-time data exchange in industrial settings.

**Operational Efficiency**: Wireless automation solutions are contributing to improved operational efficiency and cost savings across various industries.

**Advancements in Wireless Technologies**: Developments in technologies like 5G and LPWANs are facilitating faster and more reliable wireless communication.

**Top 15 Key Competitors**

Siemens AG

Schneider Electric SE

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

Honeywell International Inc.

ABB Ltd.

Emerson Electric Co.

Yokogawa Electric Corporation

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

General Electric Company

Panasonic Corporation

Continental AG

Advantech Co., Ltd.

Omron Corporation

Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG

Belden Inc.

**Importance of Best Practices**

Best practices in industrial wireless applications are crucial for several reasons — they ensure reliability, safety, scalability, and long-term maintainability of the system. Here’s a breakdown of why they matter:

**1. Reliability**

Industrial environments are often full of interference (from motors, metal structures, etc.), so best practices help mitigate:

Signal dropouts

Latency issues

Data loss By following established design principles like proper frequency planning, antenna placement, and interference mitigation, wireless systems can perform consistently.

**2. Security**

Wireless systems are more vulnerable than wired ones. Best practices enforce:

Encryption protocols (e.g., WPA3, TLS)

Authentication

Access control to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats or sabotage.

**3. Safety**

In industrial environments, failures can be dangerous. For instance, if a sensor signal is lost and a machine doesn’t stop, it could lead to injury or damage. Adhering to best practices ensures:

Redundancy

Fail-safe mechanisms

Real-time communication standards (like ISA100 or WirelessHART)

**4. Scalability & Performance**

As operations grow, wireless systems need to:

Handle more devices

Maintain low latency

Manage network congestion Best practices guide network architecture that can expand smoothly (e.g., mesh networks, QoS policies).

**5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting**

Standardized practices make diagnosing problems and upgrading systems easier by:

Using documented configurations

Employing remote management tools

Ensuring interoperability between devices from different manufacturers

**6. Compliance and Standards**

Industries often need to comply with regulations like:

IEEE 802.11/802.15 standards

FCC/ETSI rules

Industry-specific protocols (e.g., IEC, ISA standards) Best practices ensure you’re not just compliant, but also audit-ready.

**7. Long Term Support**

Just general comments about how best practices keep things easy to use later.

Eliminates dependence on tribal knowledge

Starting in May, the **Industrial Wi-Fi Shop** will begin releasing a series of wireless best practices guides. Topics will include everything from CIP Safety over wireless to best practices for radiant coax. Possibly redundant wireless links, iPCF, These resources will be freely available to our audience as a way of giving back to the wireless community that has supported us.

**What’s on the bench?**

What are some projects or technologies we have been trying out.

WLAN Pi Go/WEPi

Eero Pro/Con

Halowlink mention some of the stuff from slack – tests people have. (enter giveaways, free hardware is awesome)

Data Eagle

**What’s next?**

Aunex Tobias Meyer

NetAlly TBA

Maybe a different approach to RCoax

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 15 What’s the Frequency, Kenneth!? Mar 31, 2025

IWS Episode 15 Show Notes – What’s the Frequency Kenneth?

Last Call!

Wi-Fi Explorer Pro 3 – The Definitive User Guide Giveaway details
- There are two copies of the Wi-Fi Explorer Pro 3 – The Definitive User Guide by Nigel Bowden and Adrian Granados
- Winners will be drawn randomly
- ONE winner will be from IT
- ONE winner will be from OT
- Click the link below to enter the drawing! (One entry per person)
- —> https://forms.gle/mxBummi96eAz15G2A ← (its a google forms entry)
But wait, there’s more. Adrian has agreed to give us a few licenses to go with the books.
- If you currently have WE3 and you are selected we will send you the book, and pull a name from someone who enters but does not have the software, that way we can get this tool in the hands of a listener who hasn’t yet seen the beauty of WiFi Explorer Pro 3.
- If you are curious about WE3 check out this awesome interview with Adrian Granados and Nigel Boden on Keith Parsons Heavy Wireless: Episode 45 for a deeper look at the tool. https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/heavy-wireless/hw045-a-comprehensive-guide-to-wi-fi-explorer-pro-3-features-insights-and-more/
Oscium WiPry790x and Clarity/Lucid DIY bracket posted on Thingiverse. Bring your own hair ties.
- https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6991943
Really cool blog I wish I would have heard about sooner. Robin Decloedt is behind the robinwifi blog, where he covers his experience pursuing several certifications. It is thoughtful and he puts together nice summaries of the chapters. Wish I would have known about this before all of my CWAP prep.
- https://robinwifi.eu/

Upcoming Events!

Wi-Co
- Chapel Hill NC – 5/14 – Scott presenting “Fun with Spectrum Analysis! Interesting and crazy interferers I have recorded in the field!”
- Philadelphia PA – 5/15 – Our good friend Ali will be there!
- Nashville 5/29 – Jeremy possible presentation on CURWB
OT SCADA-Con presented by Automation Ladies
- https://www.otscada.com/
- This is a young conference, but seems like there is lots of potential.
- Last year they had 50 attendees, this year they are looking to double. I saw the lineup and it seems like there is a little something for everyone.
- July 23-25th in Houston (Might be hot, so wear your cargo shorts)
- Here are a few of the topics that they will have speakers present on:
  - PLCs and I/O, HMI, Machine Safety, Machine Vision, Robots, Cobots, DCS, OT Cybersecurity and many more.
- Automation Ladies Podcast – https://www.automationladies.io/

What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?

MetaGeek

Chanalyzer

Some of the most popular spectrum analyzer software out there for PC/MAC
- Dongles for 900MHz, 2.4, 5 and 6GHz
- Solid reporting tool built in with great spectrum visualization and exporting abilities
- Easy to learn, read and use
Any plans to make Chanalyzer available for tablets? ( iPad / Android )
Includes some base signatures for identification, possible expansion of signatures?
BRING BACK THE WI-SPY900 !!!

Eye P.A. / Tonic / Chanalyzer 6

Wireless packet capture and analysis tools
Is it now the “MetaGeek App”?

inSSIDer (First scanner I cut my wireless teeth on!)

Comprehensive Wi-Fi scanner tool

Oscium

Where did the name “Oscium” come from?

Oscium offers a range of spectrum analyzers designed for wireless professionals, engineers, and field technicians. They also built the Nomad for Hamina Onsite.

For Spectrum Analysis, different dongles support 300–348 MHz and 387–464 MHz (EOL), 900 MHz, dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and tri-band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz for Wi-Fi 6E/7) depending on the model.

WiPry340x (handheld spectrum analyzer 300-464 MHz) (EOL)
WiPry 790x (handheld spectrum analyzer 755-928 MHz)
WiPry 2500x (Wi-Fi Spectrum Analyzer 2.4 & 5 GHz)
WiPry Clarity (Wi-Fi spectrum analyzer 2.2 – 7.25 GHz) (EOL)
Wi-Spy Lucid (Wi-Fi spectrum analyzer 2.2 – 7.25 GHz)

Works with iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. APIs available.

Lucid details, the new flagship product.

Hardware Specifications

Hardware Frequency Range: 2.2 GHz – 7.25 GHz
Frequency Resolution: 25 KHz
Amplitude Range: -95 dBm to -5 dBm
Filter Bandwidth: 58 KHz to 812 KHz
Antenna: Included Tri-Band Omni-directional Antenna
Antenna Port: RP-SMA

Integrates with multiple tools, Hamina, WiFi Explorer 3, Chanalyzer Lite and Pro, Chanalyzer 6, Tamograph.

Then it gets cooler, they acquired MetaGeek in October of last year.

What does MetaGeek bring to the table?
How long was this in the works?
Any cool new products?
AI integration?
Any plans for macOS?
If so, realistically how long would it take?
What are the overall plans for the MetaGeek App?
How about Chanalyzer 5 and inSSIDer?
Who is the target audience?
What is guiding product development these days?
What is spectrum analysis missing?
What happened to the Pirate MetaGeek logo?
What has been the most challenging part since the acquisition of MetaGeek by Oscium?

Link to the WLAN Pi Go section of WLPC: https://youtu.be/RWSl6EQNBVw?si=zQFBY0799-bNMBju&t=186

Chanalyzer 5 + Wi-Spy User Guide: https://support.metageek.com/hc/en-us/articles/201872824-Chanalyzer-5-Wi-Spy-User-Guide

WLAN Pi Go Intro from WLPC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWSl6EQNBVw&t=186s

Evolution of Spectrum Analysis, David Coleman from WLPC: https://youtu.be/tfbURuNlQeI?si=GwLGnEjrnYpBFK0T

If you would like to know more about our guests, check them out on LinkedIn:

Bryan Lee – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanrlee/

Brian Tuttle – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuttleid/

Oscium – https://oscium.com/

MetaGeek – https://www.metageek.com/

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 14 I Have the Power! Mar 03, 2025

CWIDP Guide Giveaway WINNERS
- There are two copies of the Certified Wireless IoT Design Professional (CWIDP) study/reference guides
- IT Winner – Phil LaFontaine, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN area
- OT Winner – James Mifsud, Brisbane, Australia
Wi-Fi Explorer Pro 3 – The Definitive User Guide Giveaway details
- There are two copies of the Wi-Fi Explorer Pro 3 – The Definitive User Guide by Nigel Bowdenand Adrian Granados
- Winners will be drawn randomly
- ONE winner will be from IT
- ONE winner will be from OT
- Click the link below to enter the drawing! (One entry per person)
- —> https://forms.gle/mxBummi96eAz15G2A ← (its a google forms entry)
But wait, there’s more. Adrian has agreed to give us a few licenses to go with the books.
- If you currently have WE3 and you are selected we will send you the book, and pull a name from someone who enters but does not have the software, that way we can get this tool in the hands of a listener who hasn’t yet seen the beauty of WiFi Explorer Pro 3.
- If you are curious about WE3 check out this awesome interview with Adrian Granados and Nigel Boden on Keith Parsons Heavy Wireless: Episode 45 for a deeper look at the tool. https://packetpushers.net/podcasts/heavy-wireless/hw045-a-comprehensive-guide-to-wi-fi-explorer-pro-3-features-insights-and-more/

Brief announcement:

One of the things we love is sharing information that makes all of our lives easier.

If you need to do multi-channel capture, the Oscium Nomad (Hamina’s WiFi measurement device) has been integrated with Airtool 2 to allow simultaneous capture of up to 4 separate channels. This works in 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz. Airtool also allows Zigbee and BLE capture with appropriate dongles.

https://twitter.com/adriangranados/status/1891628259202240810

https://www.intuitibits.com/products/airtool2/)

Awesome to see vendors open tools to make our lives easier.

Upcoming Events!

Wi-Co
- Chapel Hill NC – 5/14 – Scott presenting “Fun with Spectrum Analysis! Interesting and crazy interferers I have recorded in the field!”
- Nashville 5/29 – Jeremy possible presentation on CURWB
OT SCADA-Con presented by Automation Ladies (Scott give them a plug)
- https://www.otscada.com/
- This is a young conference, but seems like there is lots of potential.
- Last year they had 50 attendees, this year they are looking to double. I saw the lineup and it seems like there is a little something for everyone.
- July 23-25th in Houston (Might be hot, so wear your cargo shorts)
- Here are a few of the topics that they will have speakers present on:
  - PLCs and I/O, HMI, Machine Safety, Machine Vision, Robots, Cobots, DCS, OT Cybersecurity and many more.
- This just looked really cool and is probably a great way for the OT curious to get a broad feel for what we touch on in Operational Technology. It is probably an even better opportunity for the swiss army person to deepen their knowledge about some of the systems us wireless and networking folks get asked to get talking.
- Automation Ladies Podcast – https://www.automationladies.io/

Which makes it a perfect segway into our guests today.

What is NearFi?

First, NearFi is NOT NFC or Near Field Communication which is used for things like phone to phone data communications or payment card chip reading
It is a contactless technology for real-time transmission of power and data across short distances, typically a few centimeters.

How does it work?

Data transfer
- Speeds? – 100 Mbps full duplex
- Frequency? 60 GHz
- Latency? 1 Microsecond “faster than 5G”
- Supported protocols? Any Ethernet Protocol, communication is transparent
- Range? 10 cm
Power transfer (power induction)
- How is this done? Inductive coils
- How much power can be transferred? 50W per pair
- How is that energy then passed to other devices? The remote coupler has a power output connector that allows the induced power to be transferred to a cable
- Range? 1cm
- How safe is this technology? Very safe, power transfer is over very short distances. Additionally, industrial use cases by their nature prevent people from getting close while the devices are transferring power.

Use Cases

End effector tool change on robotic arm
AGV/AMR communicating with work cell or loading dock
Slip ring replacement – indexing tables or turntables
Machines that move/rotate
Modular machines
Presses
Workpiece tracking
Comms between train cars, entertainment systems, standard connectors don’t have pins available to support increasing data needs.
Clean room systems

NearFi Video Links

youtube weld spatter video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRn4Mg1qZts
transmitting through some plexiglass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeizIuthjP0
Robot arm and tools example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O6OJ7ve_aA

What is Wireless I/O

First – what is I/O?
- I/O is… (Input/Output) refers to the systems and devices that enable communication and data transfer between industrial equipment, control systems, and computers in manufacturing and automation environments. I/O systems play a crucial role in monitoring, controlling, and managing industrial processes by handling inputs from sensors and outputs to actuators and other devices.
- Sometimes these communication signals are analog (4 to 20 milliamp for example) and sometimes they are digital
Thus, wireless I/O is… the same thing with the exception of some kind of wireless module takes the place of copper or fiber cabling backhauling the information to other systems

How does it work?

Do Phoenix Contact wireless I/O modules base communication on 802.11, 802.15.4 or some kind of proprietary protocol?
- Uses proprietary FHSS protocol on the 868 MHz (Europe), 900 MHz, (Americas) and 2.4 GHz (Worldwide)
Speeds?
- Up to 500 kbps
Frequency?
- See above
Latency?
- Depends on the data rate and application, but the dwell time on the frequency hopping can be as fast as 16 ms
Range?
- Miles depending on environment

Wireless I/O Videos

Rad-900 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ULTEtWfAII
Radioline PLC configuration – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu0Ebk6UW2Y

If you would like to know more about our guests, check them out on LinkedIn:

Justin Shade – https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-shade-a44817b/

Danny Walters – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-walters-37428985/

Phoenix Contact – https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-us/

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 13 The One Ring!** Jan 22, 2025

CWIDP Guide Giveaway details

There are two copies of the Certified Wireless IoT Design Professional (CWIDP) study/reference guides

Winners will be drawn randomly on episode 15 (episode title TBD)

ONE winner will be from IT

ONE winner will be from OT

Click the link below to enter the drawing! (One entry per person)

—> https://tinyurl.com/4nbz3rkv ← (its a google forms entry)

Welcome to the 1 Year Anniversary episode of the IWS!!

Upcoming Events!

Wi-Co

-Chapel Hill NC- 5/14 -Scott presenting or maybe another hands on lab

-Nashville 5/29- Jeremy possible presentation on CURWB

WLPC

Jeremy – 10 talk on site surveys in machine cells and entertainment…

For those not familiar, what is Token Ring?

A LAN technology that uses a token to control data transmission between devices. It was created by IBM in the early 1970s and standardized as IEEE 802.5 in 1989

How it works

A token is passed around a logical ring of devices.

A device can only transmit data when it has the token.

When a device has data to send, it captures the token and converts it to a “busy” token.

The device then transmits a data frame, which travels around the ring until it

reaches its destination.

The destination device copies the data and sends an empty frame back around the ring.

When the originating device receives the empty frame, it releases a new token for other devices to use.

Benefits

Token ring ensures that every device gets a chance to transmit data, which makes the network more reliable and predictable.

It eliminates collisions that can occur when multiple devices try to transmit data at the same time.

History of EchoRing and Technology Deep Dive

James Gross and Christian Dombrowski laid the foundations of Echoring technology. James Gross was an assistant professor at RWTH Aachen University from 2008 to 2012 in the DFG-funded research center UMIC (Ultra High-Speed Mobile Information and Communication), working on a wireless, highly available real-time communication solution using the Token Ring protocol. Christian Dombrowski completed his PhD under Gross.

Together, they used mathematical methods to prove the reliability of the technology. Christian Dombrowski started implementing Echoring on an FPGA-based Wireless Open-Access Research Platform (WARP) as part of his PhD thesis in 2010. They mainly used a PTA (Probabilistic Timed Automata) to evaluate the communication protocol. In 2012, a patent application was filed for the Echoring protocol. 2014, the system was stable for the first time and successfully tested in real scenarios in several BMBF-funded projects.

2015 James Gross and Christian Dombrowski founded the company R3 with Mathias Bohge and Florian Bonanati. The Echoring protocol is implemented on a ‘WiLink 8’ Bluetooth chip from Texas Instruments, making it ready for mass production. In 2017, the ‘Echoring Radio Board,’ the first product with Echoring technology, was released in collaboration with Schleicher.

2018, the seamless roaming function was implemented, and a patent was filed. End of 2019, the ‘Bridge E’ was launched at the SPS trade show in Nuremberg, Germany.

EchoRing Technology facts – The Lord of the Ring

Echoring is a highly reliable, decentralized, wireless radio protocol capable of real-time use due to two measures.

The first measure is that Echoring is based on the idea of token ring technology. Each participant in the Echoring network acts both as a sender and as a receiver. In line with the concept behind the token ring, only the token holder can send and effectively prevent collisions. Also, the token ring ensures a deterministic sequence in the system, which is perfect for industrial control systems.

As a second measure, echoring achieves high reliability using an ‘echo system’ to achieve ‘massive cooperative communication .’In this case, should the connection between a sender and a receiver be interrupted, the signal is automatically sent to the actual receiver by a third network participant.

The measures described as core functions allow for calculating the signal runtime and reliability, making Echoring suitable for use in time-critical industrial applications.

An Echoring network consists of at least two network nodes. A third node is recommended as an echo station. The reliability of Echoring networks increases with the number of network nodes. We specify the maximum number of network nodes in one radio channel as 20.

If more extensive networks are to be formed, individual Echoring networks can be operated as sub-networks and connected to create a more extensive network. Applications with mobile network nodes, such as skillets, overhead monorail, or AGV/AMR applications, can seamlessly switch from one sub-network to the next via roaming and handover.

Echoring is transparent to the network technologies used and can be used for a wide range of technologies. Numerous field buses and industrial Ethernet technologies, such as PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, CIP Safety, Ethernet Powerlink, and CC-Link, can be transmitted via an EchoRing network.

This is the first spectrum capture. The radios were set for 5GHz channel 153. For reference, there is a Wi-Fi access point in channel 157 with no clients connected (it’s one of my lab AP’s). It’s about 10 minutes. Can you see the center line I was talking about on the show?

This is the entire 40 minute capture.

Additional Information

EchoRing Paper – https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7147716

DECT – https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7269953621620924417

350 m Deployment – https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7280100469970997248

If you would like to know more about our guests, check them out on LinkedIn:

Florian Bonanati – https://www.linkedin.com/in/florianbonanati/

Curtis Combs – https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-combs-148149b3/

Margaret Locascio – https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-locascio-8b37a76/

R3 Solutions – https://www.r3.group/en/

If you would like to connect with Scott or learn more about his employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 12 Lucky number 7! Dec 17, 2024

Advantech CVE

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/critical-vulnerabilities/

Wireless and 5g impact on smart manufacturing

https://iebmedia.com/technology/industrial-5g-wireless/industrial-wireless-impact-on-smart-manufacturing/

Cisco CURWB CVE’s

https://thehackernews.com/2024/11/cisco-releases-patch-for-critical-urwb.html

Critical vulnerability in Cisco industrial wireless access points fixed (CVE-2024-20418)

Mobility Field Day 12 Announcement

WiFi and CURWB simultaneously

Remove need for parallel infrastructure
Is this a headache? (Yes)
Implications
Local and FlexConnect support

Drones in manufacturing

site surveys
But what else?
RFID inventory like at BMW
LiDar mapping?

Siemens

LTE backwards compatible
CBRS
Private 5G
Public carriers (it depends) certifications in process for some.
WiFi 7 rumblings, I hear it is on the roadmap

Phoenix Contact

2 current Wi-Fi 6 industrial wireless access point models
6e models in the works

Waveriders Collective

ad hoc 5G deployments
will these be usable for bringing plants back online/bridging a permanent infrastructure
POCs

R3

Edge X is 802.11 but has m2 slot and is looking to support echo ring at some point.
soft PLC on board
Edge X is the platform as well.

https://www.r3.group/de/support-downloads/?file=files/media/downloads/products/R3_Edge-X_DataSheet_EN_2024-11.pdf&cid=1911

Fortinet

Products coming out next year will include a host of industrial geared hardware.
WiFi 7 and 5G capabilities.
Leaning on track record and security focus.

Aunex

axe client (data sheet)
Data Eagle (Scott will like this) 2.4/BT/900 MHz time sensitive protocol focus
CIP etc

RTLS? Are any listeners deploying this? Send us an email.

Sub Gig

Meshtastic, is it useable in Industrial or is it still sorta niche/fun (Line of sight)
https://meshtastic.org/

Wi-Fi 7 possibilities in Industry, manufacturing and safety

Are massive gains in throughput a selling point for manufacturing
- 4096 QAM
- Massive channel widths (320 plus non-contiguous)
- What about Multi-Link Operation (MLO), a feature that increases capacity by simultaneously sending and receiving data across different frequency bands and channels. (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz)
Wi-Fi 7 claims dramatically lower overall latency
Probably going to be great for camera systems.

Oscium/Metageek

Q1 planned discussion around the merger, spectrum analysis, potential new hardware,

old friends

WLAN Pi

App and API
M4 Plus
OTG
Go
HaLow surveying?

WLPC 2025

Surveying private cellular Mark Houtz looks like it is on the horizon. Heatmaps, pcaps, oh my

https://markhoutz.com/
Presenting on this at WLPC Phoenix 2025
WLPC 10 talk on site surveys in machine cells and entertainment…

WiCo

-Chapel Hill NC- 5/14 -Scott presenting on …

-Nashville 5/29- Jeremy possible presentation on CURWB

What’s coming up for the IWS in 2025?

Some great guests lined up
- Oscium – Lord High Commanders of Spectrum Analysis
- Dr. Rick Candell from NIST/IEEE
- Dr. Emmett Brown to discuss 1.21 gigawatt power thresholds
- The gang from Industrial Wireless manufacturers Phoenix Contact
January will be the 1 year anniversary of the IWS!!!
New CWNP study guide giveaway opportunity!

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 11 Cable Guy!** Nov 06, 2024

Contact the guys at the Industrial Wi-Fi Shop!
Scott – scott@industrialwifishop.com
Jeremy – jeremy@industrialwifishop.com

**R-Coax Deep Dive**

**High Level**

What is Radiating Cable? Is it “Wire for a wireless system?” Let’s dig in.

Leaky Coax is an extruded copper core, with an external copper sheath. Featuring slits along one side which allow RF to escape (the matrix).

It is composed of just four components. An inner conductor, a dielectric or low density PE layer, an outer conductor with slots, and a cable jacket. This technology has been around for 40-50 years from what I can tell.

The slits allow emission of certain frequencies.

It goes by several names, but most commonly referred to (by me) as leaky coax. You may have heard of:

Radiant Coax

Radiating Cable

Leaky Coax

Leaky Feeder

RCoax

<expletive deleted>

The standard boiler plate use cases are AGV systems, overhead cranes, rotating machinery, skillet systems, monorails, mining, even tunnels in some cellular applications. We deploy it in these scenarios and also entertainment applications.

This stuff is a pain to get in, stiff and easy to damage if you aren’t careful. Siemens documentation says it has a spatially limited radio link, but the stuff can be detected up to 30 meters away if using enough power from the radio.

The main benefit is that it replaces things like slip rings where constant flexing of ethernet cables leads to wear and failure.

**RF Propagation**

This can work in 2.4GHz, 5GHz and also the new 1.21 Gigawatts band they teased for release in early 2025

Think about it kinda like one of this perforated garden hoses, a little water comes out at every inch of the cable.

I call it the astropop, essentially at the head end, where the most energy comes out it’s the broad base of a cone and tapers to the end of the cable.

Near field 2-10 cm

Far Field: 0 to 3M

Typical loss (approximate) per 100m 17dbm for 2.4 and 27 for 5GHz

Segment length reduces transmission rate.

**Installation**

There is a ridge on the back side of the transmission surface, which is used to align the cable. Make sure your antenna is on the side of the remote antenna.

Not intended to be mounted directly to surfaces, requires standoffs with a minimum of about 5cm.

Secure with a clip at least every meter. There are metal reinforced clips available for more secure mounting and can be interspersed every 10 meters. YMMV

DO NOT MOUNT CLOSE TO BUS BARS!!!

A 480 bus bar is an electrical connection point that distributes and transports electricity.

SHOEs or Induction of current. Think of a trolley.

<— Wanna hear about how I got shocked?

Some radio vendors recommend overlap, some don’t.

Can be installed outdoors. If it is in danger of being stepped on you can protect with something like cable tray. <— Picked this tip up from some smart guys on a carousel installation

A hacksaw file and a few wrenches is all you really need to put the N-Type connectors on the end. Don’t use snips.

You can also use rubber pipe wrenches to help grip for twisting the cable as you lay it or fix misalignments.

**Best Practices**

Keep the antenna within 1” to 2 meters, you can get away with a longer distance though. The signal will degrade the further you get away from the cable. If you can reach out and touch the coax, you should be good to go.

Don’t put it in channels.

Check the alignment with the ridge, then check it again every few weeks after initial install make sure it settles into the installation. This stuff will relax after some time.

Don’t get shocked, or do, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. Keep it the minimum distance from high voltage rails.

Keep the remote antenna in line with the central axis of the EM field.

Mind the bend radius.

Torque stripe the cable at the clips for easy visual inspection. Do this after the cable has settled.

Don’t install the radio in EX zones (Class1, Div 2 – explosive zones),

cable is passive so treat it like an antenna

Be mindful of common outdoor, corrosive environments and follow the same component sealing best practices.

Not sure about direct burial of this stuff, but it might work.

Typically we only use this as SISO, though it appears ProSoft will allow you to install using two tx chains.

You can dual feed and use something like a UNII-1 and UNII-2 channel to send signals from both ends.

This is an exotic application so be wary of the hardware you use.

Angling antennas slightly improves performance.

**Fun Stuff**

My most famous project and probably the only one I can talk about with much detail is the Secret Life of Pets ride in Universal Studios Hollywood. Got it in right before Covid locked everything down.

We won an award for this ride.

It is what is referred to as an omni mover. The cable is installed inside the machine guarding and has tons of bends and turns in it.

A few takeaways, not all unions are the same, which is fun. I learned about the delicate nature of sitting around waiting on someone who has no idea what they are doing install hardware while I scream internally. Mostly good people, so don’t take this as a total knock against union workers.

We made some on the fly brackets after the custom client brackets we built hit some stuff in line of travel which wasn’t supposed to be there. Amazing what you can do with bar stock, a bench vise, a step bit, and a hammer.

We got to figure out how to make the Fluidmesh radios work with this cable. So that was fun.

Acceltex Clear Antennas

**End of show question**

How would you apply RCoax at your site?

How does Fluidity work vs traditional 802.11 communications? Might be a good topic for an upcoming episode.

Links Referenced:

Siemens

Click to access SYH_RCoax_76.pdf

ProSoft

Others

If you would like to connect with me or learn more about my employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 10 Wi-Fi of Steel** Oct 10, 2024

CWISA Guide Giveaway details
There are two copies of the Certified Wireless IoT Solutions Administrator (CWISA) study/reference guides
Winners have been drawn at random
The winner from IT is: Hiten Thakkar from Santa Cruz, CA
The winner from OT is: Jace Allen from Kaysville, UT
(WEST Coast BIAS!!!)

Congratulations!! I have your email addresses and will be reaching out for shipping information!

Let’s dive into the environment first
Outside of the office spaces, what’s it like down in the dark and dirty spaces?
Heat?
Humidity?

Dust, dirt and grime.

To that end, is the dust more metallic and if so does that cause you problems?

Tools of the trade
What is your use of wireless technologies primarily for?
Standard Wi-Fi for user client connections?
Mobility deployments?
Machine to Machine communication?
Specific industrial wireless protocols?
Any special tools for remote support?
What wireless systems are deployed on site?
Example – Cisco or Aruba
Any specialty systems for sensors like LoRaWAN?
Wireless I/O?
Any special tools you use to help solve issues?
Spectrum analysis
Wi-Fi scanners
Etc.

What do you use for planning?

Now for the fun stuff
What are the main issues you have to deal with on siteWhat is the most challenging area at your site?Did you really have an antenna (maybe an AP) or two melt?
If so, story time, we want to know!

Melted antenna (radio isn’t looking to great either)

What kinds of RFI/EMI do you run into?

Is an arc furnace in use?

What are some interesting technologies you have been looking into?

Scott got R3 test units, and we are going to look into their capabilities.
Interesting that they integrate well with Rockwell
Would like to get more familiar with EchoRing protocol
Where do they fit in with low bandwidth capabilities?

HaLow as backhaul

Jeremy submitted a talk for WLPC Phoenix!

IPCAM Power, Moxa POE Splitters
IPCAM is pretty beefy

Resolves issue we saw with Siemens D-Coded pinout not pulling power from Acceltex POE battery

Jeremy is planning an informal documentation round table!

NDA Friendly, please don’t get yourself in trouble even though we really want to know about the secret cool stuff.

Scott, what are you working on?

Started developing a 2 day, hands on industrial wireless class

Heath, what are you working on?

Migration to Juniper/Mist

If you would like to know more about our guests, check them out on LinkedIn:

Heath Weeks – https://www.linkedin.com/in/heath-weeks-3346a81a/

Gerdau Special Steel – https://gsn.gerdau.com/

If you would like to connect with me or learn more about my employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 9 Wi-Fi Fight Club!** Sep 03, 2024

CWISA Guide Giveaway details

There are two copies of the Certified Wireless IoT Solutions Administrator (CWISA) study/reference guides

Winners will be drawn randomly on episode 10 (episode title TBD)

ONE winner will be from IT

ONE winner will be from OT

Click the link below to enter the drawing! (One entry per person)

—> https://forms.gle/eE4rYtixhbppyMti8 ←- (Link now inactive)

**WiFi6 and Mobile Robots**: AS/RS, Conveyors, AGVs, AMRs, Automotive Skillet Lines, Electrified Monorails…. All have one thing in common: THEY ROAM…. A lot!

*Challenges going to WiFi6*

The OT traffic is different than IT.

Instead of pushing big-huge files through the air, mobile robot applications need to move lots of small files – rapid fire, fast!

PLC-to-PLC communication.

The reliable, uninterrupted, consistent nature of the OT traffic is different with mobile bots.

The OT networks are different.

Think 20ms RPI, so the roam time has to be a fraction of that.

The generation level of the WiFi ***doesn’t necessarily matter***. … except for 6E (that “E” is really nice). How will we handle the common need for “purpose built” antennas/ signal reciprocity. For example a linear stacker crane usually only needs directional/ bi-directional antennas. No external antennas means you waste energy. The power differential is also a concern.

The changes in generation levels focus on more volume of data thru the air.

The changes are not necessarily focused on reliability.

The fast-roaming standard hasn’t changed.

95% of the chips end up in enterprise IT, and the current roaming standard satisfies that IT market.

Adding video, bandwidth, machine learning, etc. is important to enterprise IT, usually not to the bots.

The ProSoft radios do not support multiple SSIDs, on purpose. The idea is to have the SSID dedicated to the robot “fleet” network. Any additional WiFi required nearby will be handled by a completely different AP.

Automotive skillet lines and AS/RS roaming bots don’t need that. They need really, really reliable connections and ultra-fast roams.

Think Safety I/O

Think CIP Safety, ProfiSafe.

Think 20ms RPI and 40ms timeouts.

ProSoft buys the RF modules like everyone else.

Ex: We buy Qualcomm, package it, and sell it with ***our software*** running on it. I don’t know exactly how we do it, but somehow we hijack the chip and take control of many of the low-level decisions.

WiFi4 (802.11n) gave us access to the chip’s low-level functions.

We could monitor data from the RF chip so our software makes the roaming decisions, not the chip. The chip’s roaming standard is too slow.

We run our own calculations. We had ***a lot of control***, resulting in consistent roams under 10ms – often down to 2ms if the client and AP were both the ProSoft RLX2-IHNF-A.

We can roam on the same channel.

These are ProSoft’s killer features for mobile applications.

What is the most common installation case for ProSoft? Were you always geared towards single-band applications? The radios have always offered 2.4 and 5.0. We had another line of 900MHz frequency hoppers, but discontinued them in 2020.

Most common installations are AMRs in automotive, warehousing, oil/gas, cranes.

With WiFi6, the downside is we’ve been locked out by the chip makers, and don’t have access to those low-level functions. We can only do high-level computations.

So the WiFi6 chip handles the roam. Is this part of the standard? Does this lock you out from using the chipset and modified frames? There is a roaming standard, but from a ProSoft point of view, it’s too slow. That’s why we take control of the roaming decision. For whatever reason, we were not locked out of accessing the low-level functions required to take over the roaming decision. Now, with WiFi6, the manufacturers of the chipsets have locked that down.

Unfortunately, the 802.11r standard is ***way too slow***.

Challenge: Can we figure a way to still get to that low-level data? ProSoft is working on it.

Fluid Mesh puts 2 radios in each bot, and this might be the only way to fast-roam with WiFi6. Literally 2-4 radios that link logically. Newer hardware has two internal radios. Similar function. Splitting fleets is also a use case here.

Radio A talks to AP1

Radio B talks to AP2

When radio A is moving out of range of AP1, it starts roaming to AP3… in the meantime Radio 2 is still linked with AP2,

Siemens says IPCF does not currently work with WiFi6 to accomplish fast roaming. They also lost the second radio model from the W788 so those deployments are getting forced into WiFi6 one way or the other. Give and take with RPI and timeouts, some of these applications will have to relax constraints to get it to function. I see that give and take a lot, especially before I start talking to them. Slowing down RPIs and timeouts to allow for the longer roams.

**BENEFITS of WiFi6:**

If you need more bandwidth,

If you have pushing gobs of data,

Machine vision.

video

If you have a huge number of bots (clients) tied to 1 AP.

As the bot count goes up – 700, 800, 1,000 bots all in one warehouse – WiFi6 manages the data and traffic more efficiently.

**WiFi6E** is nice, opening up that 6GHz spectrum, you go from 8-9 channels to almost 60 more channels (at 20MHz)

2.4 is almost never used by ProSoft. It’s there. You can use it. But it’s too crowded with bluetooth, cordless things, microwave ovens, everyone’s cell phone which makes for an unreliable connection handling 20ms RPIs. Unreliable when you’ve got 500+ bots in a warehouse, and there are people there too with cell phones, and airpods, and apple watches. I learned the hard way that airpods really are a no-no when surveying 2.4 :).

We use 5.0, including the DFS channels.

More channels, more likely to get customer’s IT to ***STAY OFF*** a few of them.

Avoids all that saturated 2.4 traffic.

Siemens iPCF will not work on DFS channels.

**WiFi4 is going away, one day. RIP**

We need to get WiFi6 functioning in the OT space similar to how we currently have it with WiFi4, i.e. Ultra Fast Roaming <10ms in the RLX2-IHNF-A

For mobile applications, it has to support Safety I/O, CIP Safety, ProfiSafe, etc., etc.

For mobile applications, it has to support high client density (bot swarms), 6E is the answer, if we could only now just get it to fast roam.

If you would like to know more about our guests, check them out on LinkedIn:

Vic Paraenglo – https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorparangelo/

Prosoft Technology wireless products – https://www.prosoft-technology.com/Products/Industrial-Wireless

If you would like to connect with me or learn more about my employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to connect with Jeremy or learn more about his employer, Prism Systems Inc, then check the following:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems Inc – https://www.prismsystems.com/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 8 Respect My Securit-ahh!** Jul 30, 2024

CWISA Guide Giveaway details

There are two copies of the Certified Wireless IoT Solutions Administrator (CWISA) study/reference guides

Winners will be drawn randomly on episode 10 (episode title TBD)

ONE winner will be from IT

ONE winner will be from OT

Click the link below to enter the drawing! (One entry per person)

—> https://forms.gle/eE4rYtixhbppyMti8 ←- (link now inactive)

Let’s talk security – Owning your industrial airspace

Three things you need to consider

Situational awareness of your site

Understanding the current RF landscape

Securing your wireless assets

Situational awareness

Where is your site

Is it in an industrial park?

Is it in an urban area close to other buildings and businesses?

Is it out in the middle of “nowhere”?

What is around your site

Residential?

Commercial?

Industrial / manufacturing?

Who is around your site

Static residential

High volume transient population

Lions, tigers and bears, oh my!

What is your risk

Understand your RF landscape

What other structured wireless networks are operating on your site?

802.11

802.15.4

Proprietary wireless

Are there transient wireless networks

Mobile hotspots

Transportation and fleet management

Are there and sources of EMI / RFI

How bad

What frequencies

What is your risk?

Securing your wireless assets

802.11 security

Obviously, do not use WEP or WPA (granted I do know that there are still legacy devices in production environments out there and that sometimes you have no choice. Be sure to document what you cannot mitigate!)

WPA2 still the most common, enable Protected Management Frames if you can/have the option

WPA3 the most preferable

Advanced and improved encryption

MFP is mandatory

802.15.4 security

128-bit AES encryption is built into the standard

After layer 2 in the OSI, these compliant devices often implement other security options from onboarding to CRCs, it depends on the vendor

Want to know more about Bluetooth security – check out episode 6

Want to know more about WirelessHART or ISA100 security – check out episode 4

Proprietary wireless security

Usually have encryption options

Unique onboarding processes for mesh devices

Contextless data transfer

Management access

Disable Over-the-air (OTA) management

Use HTTPS/SSH whenever possible

VLAN/segment out management IP addresses whenever possible

NEVER use default passwords and security settings

Key takeaways

Owning your industrial airspace is much more than simply encrypting wireless traffic

You need to look at your site as a whole to fully realize and understand your overall risk

You do not have the luxury of deciding whether or not you are a target

This is what my 900MHz signal generator looks like in spectrum analysis. It’s definitely a unique signature from the Density view at the top to the Waterfall view in the middle. You can also see in the bottom panel how it just eats up airtime utilization.

If you would like to know more about our guests, check them out on LinkedIn:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

If you would like to connect with me or learn more about my employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 7 Industrial Wi-Fi Gets The ax! Jul 04, 2024

Wi-Co event
- Event was held in Chapel Hill NC on June 12th
- Lots of great presentations
- 2 hour hands on industrial wireless lab
  - Participants got to physically wire up 24v power supplies and the corresponding industrial radios
  - Full configuration lab followed the physical wiring
- Great people there from all over NC and even the Washington DC area!
- https://wi-co.org/
Wi-Fi 6 comes to Industrial radios!
- Will the expanded spectrum (6GHz) find a home in the industrial universe?
- While spectrum use is up in the air, I know the enhanced stability of the ax protocol is sure to make a difference
- Phoenix Contact skipped Wi-Fi5 all together
  - Phoenix Contact WLAN 1020 and 1120 series
- Prosoft also skipped Wi-Fi5
  - Just released the ELXM-SW6, a Wi-Fi6 wireless bridge
  - Looking to release full Wi-Fi6 AP by Q4 2024
  - Adding 6 GHz early 2025
- Siemens is transitioning from Wi-Fi5 into Wi-Fi6
  - Siemens SCALANCE WAM763-1
  - Siemens SCALANCE WUM763-1
- Aunex AMC2X8-A-SL-WK8
- How will Wi-Fi6 affect radial coax? (“leaky coax”) Protocol level
- Customers demanding WiFi6/newer features. Actually, pushing for WPA3
Trends:
- Industrial IoT trends/predictions
  - Increasing importance on
    - Condition monitoring & predictive maintenance
    - Sensor advances and innovations
  - Digital Twins
  - Fog Computing
    - “This technology relocates intelligence to the edge of the network, where the machinery exists. This enables real-time control as well as enhanced security and greater manageability. It’s easy to see how fog computing in IIoT should become standard practice throughout the industry.”
  - Largest manufacturer of industrial wireless devices worldwide (in descending order)
    - Emerson (over 10% themselves)
    - Honeywell International (Honeywell & Siemens combined are another 10%)
    - Siemens (Honeywell & Siemens combined are another 10%)
    - ABB
    - GE
    - Eaton
    - Cisco
    - Yokogawa
    - Rockwell Automation
    - Advantech
    - Arris
  - Top industrial verticals for wireless (in descending order)
    - Chemical
    - Oil & Gas
    - Pulp & Paper
    - Electric Power
    - Water & Wastewater
    - Metallurgy & Mining
    - Food & Beverage
    - Pharma & Biotech
    - Then everyone else
  - Worldwide, Chemical, oil & gas and the Pulp & Paper industries are the three largest consumers of Industrial Wireless Devices which are responsible for about 38 percent of Industrial Wireless Device consumption.
  - Largest markets for industrial wireless devices (in descending order)
    - North America (S., Mexico & Canada)
    - Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey)
    - Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam)
    - South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia)
    - Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)

Sources/Resources:

Precision Reports: 2024 Industrial Wireless Devices Market Trends Research Report to 2032
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2024-industrial-wireless-devices-market-trends-shkye/?published=t
Advanced Tech: iiot trends
- https://www.advancedtech.com/blog/iiot-trends/
- https://www.advancedtech.com/blog/fog-computing-industrial-iot/
Siemens Links
Phoenix Contact Links
- External Antenna model 1020 https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-pc/products/wireless-module-fl-wlan-1020-2702992
- Internal Antenna model 1120 https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-pc/products/wireless-module-fl-wlan-1120-1386091

If you would like to know more about our guests, check them out on LinkedIn:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

If you would like to connect with me or learn more about my employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

If you would like to know more about our guests, check them out on LinkedIn:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

If you would like to connect with me or learn more about my employer, Global
Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 6 Bluetooth!** May 16, 2024

The Basics

The IEEE standardized Bluetooth as 802.15.1 but no longer maintains the standard

Bluetooth is managed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group of which there are over 35,000 member companies

As of 2021 over 4 BILLION Bluetooth integrated chipsets are shipped annually

Geek Stuff

Frequencies used:
2.400 GHz through 2.4835 GHz
However, there are “guard” or buffer bands at the top and bottom of this range with the bottom being 2 MHz wide and the top being 3.5 MHz wide

Actual used frequency range is 2.402 GHz through 2.480 GHz

Channels:
Versions prior to 4.0, what is referred to as “Bluetooth Classic”
79 channels at 1 MHz wide

Versions 4.0 and up, better known as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

40 channels at 2 MHz wide
3 channels are referred to as primary advertisement channels which are channels 37, 38 & 39
37 = 2.402 GHz, 38 = 2.426 GHz, 39 = 2.480 GHz

That leaves 37 channels to use for data

Data rates:
Bluetooth Classic
Original Bluetooth using GSFK (*Gaussian frequency-shift keying*) modulation, said to be operating in basic rate (BR) up to 1Mbit per second
Later versions (2.0+) using DPSK (*Differential phase-shift keying*) modulation, described as Enhanced Data Rate or EDR
EDR2 – 2Mbit per second
EDR3 – 3Mbit per second
2019 Apple published an extension referred to as HDR using DQPSK (*Differential quadrature phase-shift keying*)
HDR4 – 4Mbit per second
HDR8 – 8Mbit per second

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Bluetooth 4 – up to 1Mbit per second

Bluetooth 5 – up to 2Mbit per second

Range for the most part is based upon class, and class is based upon power levels. However, there is lots of conflicting data on this due to sales and media hype of various device manufacturers
Class 1 devices
Power ranges from 10 to 100 mW
Range considered up to approximately 100 meters
BD/EDR devices loosely called class 1.5 are technically considered class 1 with power ranging from 2.5 to 10 mW. Max theoretical range being approximately 50 meters
Class 2 devices
Power ranges from 1 to 2.5 mW
Range considered up to approximately 10 meters (or 33 feet)
BLE
BLE 4 – approximate max theoretical range – 100 meters
BLE 5 – approximate max theoretical range – 400 meters

***It is important to note that in all cases, no matter the class of the device, the environment plays an important role in real world range and data throughput***

Reliability

Adaptive Frequency Hopping
Adaptive frequency hopping helps ensure data successfully makes its way through the noise. Individual messages are broken into small data packets, which are sent over different channels in a pre-defined sequence, known only to the transmitting and receiving devices. As many as 1600 channel-switches can take place every second. Any data packets that don’t reach their destination correctly are re-sent, and if the problem was caused by the channel, this gets flagged up so it can be avoided in the future.
In noisy environments, or where data is transmitted over longer distances (more on this below), there’s a chance of bit errors slipping into messages. Bluetooth can detect these, and take action to avoid unreliable channels, if they’re the cause.

It can also use what’s called ‘forward error correction’ (FEC) to rectify errors once data arrives at the receiver.

What is FEC? – FEC is a digital signal processing method that reduces the bit error rate of communication by adding parity bits to the data at the transmitter side so that the receiver side then uses those parity bits to detect and correct errors that may have been introduced over the course of the transmission

Security
adaptive frequency hopping that we talked about earlier sees the transmitter send out data on a pseudo-random sequence of channels. Only the transmitter and the receiver know which channels these will be
Bluetooth 4.2 and up use pairing mechanisms. These mechanisms prevent data in transit from being vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks
Once connected/paired to target devices, BLE can then be put into a hidden/invisible mode that turns off local scanning for other BLE devices and makes the configured BLE device non-discoverable

Security levels (source – https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-articles/bluetooth-le-security-modes-and-procedures-explained/)
Sec Lvl 1 – No security
No authentication, no encryption. Easy to use/set up, vulnerable to everything
Sec Lvl 2 – Unauthenticated pairing with encryption
No authentication but adds encryption – easy to use, data in transit is secured with 128-bit AES but pairing is vulnerable to everything
WiFi comparison – WPA2 with no management frame protection
Sec Lvl 3 – Authenticated pairing with encryption
Pairing is protected by using either out of band associations OR a passkey method then followed up with 128-bit AES encryption
Eliminated man in the middle type attacks

Sec Lvl 4 – “Authenticated LE Secure Connections Pairing with Encryption Using a 128-Bit Strength Encryption Key”

“Devices at this level implement pairing via the *LE Secure Connections* pairing method, superseding the legacy method. This pairing process incorporates the *Numeric Comparison* association model and requires a robust 128-bit strength encryption key.”

Functionality & use cases for industry and manufacturing

Serial ports are widely used in industrial applications.
Serial Port Profile (SPP) emulates a full serial interface, complete with hardware handshaking via Bluetooth.
serial cables can be replaced with a wireless Bluetooth link, with either multi-point or point-to-point operation

can be used in remote I/O applications in industry and manufacturing in a similar fashion as WirelessHART or ISA100 Wireless

its reliability makes it ideal for a variety of wireless sensor types from tank farm levels to preventive maintenance applications like vibration, temperature and moisture sensors

Smart building sensors (that’s right, more sensors…)
HVAC connections with central controller capturing all types of information
Temperature
Humidity
Air quality
Even occupancy sensing data
Wireless thermostats

Automated lighting controls

RTLS and other location tracking
Personnel tracking in hazardous locations

Industrial truck / fork truck tracking and association with “hit-not” devices for foot traffic

Robotics and industrial mobility
Automated Guided Vehicles (AVG’s)
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR’s)
Collaborative Robots (cobots)

These machines require local connectivity for safe navigation within dynamic environments. Robot tasks or routes can be updated at any time with a direct Bluetooth connection between the machine and the user’s mobile device or industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI)

Sources and other related material:

https://semfionetworks.com/blog/ble-advertisment-channels/ (Francois from Clear to Send)

https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-us/technologies/communication-technologies/industrial-bluetooth

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/technical-articles/bluetooth-le-security-modes-and-procedures-explained/

https://response.nordicsemi.com/the-complete-guide-to-bluetooth-low-energy

https://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected/things-you-should-know-about-bluetooth-range

https://www.u-blox.com/en/blogs/insights/seven-reasons-why-bluetooth-perfect-industrial-iot

If you would like to know more about our guests, check them out on LinkedIn:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

If you would like to connect with me or learn more about my employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 5 Wireless Design – Industrial vs. Enterprise Roundtable part 2 Apr 13, 2024

Wireless network design can be very challenging. However there are distinct differences in design depending on the environment. This is part two of a round table discussion of four wireless engineers, two who work primarily in the enterprise realm and two from the world of industry and manufacturing.

The discussion covers the differences and similarities across multiple topics, including:

Assessment tools
Environmental challenges
Location Access
Safety
Design
Reporting
Project adversities

We discuss many of our favorite tools, most of which are linked below:

https://www.hamina.com

https://www.metageek.com/chanalyzer

https://ibwave.com

https://ekahau.com

https://www.eino.ai

https://www.wlanpi.com

https://www.printables.com/model/265668-wlan-pi-r4-fascia-essentials

If you would like to know more about our guests, check them out on LinkedIn:

Mark Houtz – https://www.linkedin.com/in/markhoutz/

Ali Mohammad – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mali77/

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

If you would like to connect with me or learn more about my employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 5 Wireless Design – Industrial vs. Enterprise Roundtable part 1 Mar 26, 2024

Wireless network design can be very challenging. However there are distinct differences in design depending on the environment. This is part one of a round table discussion of four wireless engineers, two who work primarily in the enterprise realm and two from the world of industry and manufacturing.

The discussion covers the differences and similarities across multiple topics, including:

Assessment tools
Environmental challenges
Location Access
Safety
Design
Reporting
Project adversities

We discuss many of our favorite tools, most of which are linked below:

https://www.hamina.com

https://www.metageek.com/chanalyzer

https://ibwave.com

https://ekahau.com

https://www.eino.ai

https://www.wlanpi.com

https://www.printables.com/model/265668-wlan-pi-r4-fascia-essentials

If you would like to know more about our guests, check them out on LinkedIn:

Mark Houtz – https://www.linkedin.com/in/markhoutz/

Ali Mohammad – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mali77/

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

If you would like to connect with me or learn more about my employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

**The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 4 Industrial Wireless Protocols: WirelessHART and ISA100** Feb 26, 2024

WirelessHART and ISA100.11a are two wireless protocols designed specifically for industrial applications. Based on the IEEE 802.15.4 wireless standards and utilizing Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum, these protocols provide robust and reliable low data rate wireless communications for a variety of industrial sensors and sometimes even controls.

While I dont have captures of these two protocols specifically, I do have several examples of what Frequency Hoping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) and DSSS looks like in spectrum analysis. The images below are examples of FHSS and DSSS from several different device deployments. While these are FHSS and DSSS, they are running on top of proprietary protocols as opposed to IEEE 802.15.4.

FHSS wireless camera system

The image above is from a deployment of Lorex LW2232 wireless cameras utilizing FHSS across the 2.4GHz spectrum. The deployment consisted of twelve cameras and transceivers all transmitting at their full power capacity of 16dBm. As you can see, at these levels they were disrupting the coexisting Wi-Fi due to the high utilization.

DSSS Phoenix Contact RAD900 Wireless IO

This is a capture I took in my lab while testing several Phoenix Contact RAD900 Wireless IO devices. These run on a proprietary protocol on 900MHz, but still used DSSS for frequency transmission. You can see the communication is very organized and while there is a lot of data going back and forth, the actual bursts of communication are very small. This helps dramatically with contention for airtime.

DSSS Banner Engineering 900MHz sensors

This capture was from a network of Banner Engineering 900MHz sensors around a waste water treatment facility. Though there were over twenty devices in the network, you can see that there is plenty of airtime and no contention. Though Banner uses proprietary protocols, DSSS keeps the data flowing reliably and continuously.

If you would like to learn more about WirelessHART, check out these links:

PxC – https://www.phoenixcontact.net/microsites/wireless-hart/895.htm#:~:text=A%20key%20attribute%20of%20WirelessHART,installed%20range%20of%2050%2D100m.

FieldComm Group: https://www.fieldcommgroup.org/technologies/wirelesshart

If you would like to learn more about ISA100 wireless, check out these links:

Yokogawa – https://web-material3.yokogawa.com/fld-field-test-report-vol01.pdf

Rfwireless-world – https://www.rfwireless-world.com/Tutorials/ISA100-wireless-tutorial.html

ISA100 and the OSI Model – https://isa100wci.org/about-isa100-wireless/isa100-and-the-osi-model

If you would like to connect with me or learn more about my employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 3 RF, Antennas & Microwave Burritos Feb 08, 2024

Jim Palmer came into the shop to talk about Radio Frequency (RF), how antennas work and propagate RF energy. Jim packs quite a bit of knowledge into this conversation and I had to take notes!

The conversation gets fairly deep into Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power, or EIRP, which is the total radiated power from a transmitter antenna times the numerical directivity of the antenna in the direction of the receiver, or the power delivered to the antenna times the antenna numerical gain.

At one point in the discussion, we talk about the Tacoma Narrows bridge and how it collapsed due to a phenomena known as harmonics. Here is a link to a video of that event: https://youtu.be/j-zczJXSxnw?si=zCXid0Pr8ZJ97knu .

If you would like to know more about the incident, check the Wikipedia page here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacoma_Narrows_Bridge_(1940)

Jim can be found on both LinkedIn and Twitter/X: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-palmer-09363615a/ and at @WirelessJimP respectively. He also blogs extensively and is considered an authority on RF and antennas by those in the wireless community. You can find his blog at: https://jimswirelessworld.wordpress.com/

If you would like to know more about Ruckus Wireless, you can find them on the web at: https://www.ruckusnetworks.com/

If you would like to connect with me or learn more about my employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 2 Industrial Wireless Safety & Mobility Jan 15, 2024

Episode 2 brings Jeremy Baker into the shop to talk with me about industrial wireless safety and mobility. From theme park rides to heavy industrial equipment, we cover a lot of material so be sure to pay attention.

One of the places we discuss is Kelly Slaters Surf Ranch. If you would like to see what that place is like, check out the link: https://youtu.be/AXtVnLe2SUc?si=W4iOo17xdmDXcsOX

If you would like to connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn and know more about his employer, Prism Systems, see below:

Jeremy Baker – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyabaker/

Prism Systems – https://www.prismsystems.com/

Finally, if you would like to connect with me or learn more about my employer, Global Process Automation (GPA), then check the following:

Scott McNeil – https://www.linkedin.com/in/americanmcneil/

GPA – https://www.global-business.net/

The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Ep. 1 Industrial Wireless Assessments Jan 04, 2024

In this first episode, I joined by Justin Shade from Phoenix Contact to discuss the importance of wireless assessments in industrial and manufacturing and how they should be an essential part of any new wireless projects.

Justin can be found on LinkedIn at – https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-shade-a44817b/

If you would like to learn more about Phoenix Contact and their line of industrial wireless gear, check them out at https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-us/products/industrial-communication/industrial-wireless

Thanks for listening and I hope you hang around for the next episode!

The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast – Teaser 1 Dec 13, 2023

A quick snippet of a conversation between myself and Justin Shade from Phoenix contact

Feature	Algorithm #1 (CSA #1)	Algorithm #2 (CSA #2)
Introduction	Original BLE spec	Bluetooth 5.0
Selection Method	Incremental, deterministic	Pseudo-random, more secure
Randomization	None	Yes
Interference Avoidance	Basic	Improved
Current Usage	Legacy devices	Modern BLE devices

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The Industrial Wi-Fi Shop Podcast

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Topics Covered

1. RF in harsh environments

2. Industrial Wi-Fi vs. enterprise Wi-Fi

3. RF interference and coexistence

4. Assessment and troubleshooting in OT

5. Mobility and roaming

6. Coverage vs. capacity

7. Security in industrial wireless

8. Wireless for machine connectivity

9. Designing for uptime and resilience

10. Emerging technologies and what’s real

11. Antenna selection and third-party options

Guest Introductions

Troy Martin

Justin Shade

Scott McNeil

Jeremy Baker

Why Industrial Wireless Is Different

Security and Segmentation

Wireless in the Real World

Conclusion

DCF (Default Wi-Fi)

CIA Triad (IT Focus)

AIC Triad (OT Focus)

SRP Triad (ICS Focus)

Notable HaLow Vendor Partnerships

Top 15 Key Competitors

1. Reliability

2. Security

3. Safety

4. Scalability & Performance

5. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

6. Compliance and Standards

7. Long Term Support

What’s on the bench?

What’s next?

The Basics

Geek Stuff

Functionality & use cases for industry and manufacturing

Sources and other related material:

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