Reliable in wind and any weather
Average ship capacity has increased more than tenfold since the beginning of container transport, currently exceeding 8,000 TEU compared with about 700 TEU in the 1960s. Even capacities of over 13,000 TEU are not rare.
The resulting challenges for container terminals are enormous – and demand innovative solutions. Examples are warehouse blocks with gantry cranes, driverless transport vehicles, and automated container transport vehicles. These innovations, however, need to work together efficiently as part of an overall system to make full use of their potential. Industrial wireless networks play a key role: Even in extreme conditions, they ensure secure data communication in real time along the entire value chain – and also maximum reliability, efficiency, and availability at the container terminal.
Wireless networks for industrial settings
There’s a lot in favor of WLAN in industry: significant cost savings thanks to lower wiring expense and clear benefits in flexibility and mobility. Wireless networks can also contribute to reducing energy and material consumption, cutting production costs, and improving productivity. But they also have to meet the special requirements imposed by the industry.
Expertise in design and implementation
How can industrial WLAN networks be designed right now for the demands of the future? At first glance, the process should be the same as for an office setting, but a closer look shows some differences – sometimes quite significant ones – that need to be considered, not just during implementation but ideally during the initial design stages. At an early stage, network experts should review the situation by taking measurements and checking the WLAN networks that may already be in place plus any new ones required, as well as potential new access points.
