Plants use all kinds of field devices to measure items such as temperature, pressure, liquid level, gas concentration, and vibration. With a field wireless system, communication between field devices and host monitoring and control systems is done wirelessly. To boost productivity and make plants safer, there is a growing need for the collection of more data on plant operations; this in turn is driving up demand for field wireless devices, which can be placed in locations that cannot be accessed by conventional wired devices and cost less to install.

Field wireless devices require communication modules that can convert sensor data into signals that conform with specific field wireless protocols, for transmission to field wireless networks. Through this alliance, Yokogawa will license its ISA100 Wireless communication module technology to Murata, and Murata will use this to develop wireless communication modules and driver software.

Murata has a solid track record in developing wireless communication modules for use in mobile phones, PCs, and other devices, and Yokogawa has developed a number of leading-edge technologies for use with ISA100 Wireless devices and systems. By making combined use of these technologies, the two companies aim to quickly develop and provide new communication modules to field wireless device manufacturers and sensor manufacturers around the world.

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