HART Making Progress on Wireless Protocol

The HART Communication Foundation (HCF, www.hartcomm.org) says it made significant progress toward technical standards for Wireless HART Communication at a recent meeting in Singapore. According to HART, several key decisions have been made on such key topics as mesh networking, frequency hopping, security/encryption, prototype test results, and field trials.

"The Wireless HART initiative will result in a robust and reliable technology that will ensure interoperable products and new connectivity solutions for leveraging the intelligence of HART-smart devices," said Kelly Orth, chairman of the Wireless HART Working Group, in a prepared statement.

To expedite the completion of the new standard, the Wireless HART Working Group meets each month. The group is coordinating activities with other industry wireless organizations, such as the ISA SP100 Wireless Committee, to ensure continuity and uniformity with wireless standardization efforts currently underway.

HCF member companies participating in the Wireless HART Working Group include major automation suppliers and leaders in wireless technology such as ABB, Adaptive Instruments, Dust Networks, ELPRO Technologies, Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, Flowserve, Honeywell, MACTek, Omnex Control Systems, Pepperl+Fuchs, Phoenix Contact, Siemens, Smar, and Yokogawa.

Draft specifications for Wireless HART Communication are expected by spring 2006.