K-Tek, a Prairieville, La. instrumentation manufacturer, has released the DX80 Wireless Transmitter and Receiver. The DX80 includes two devices, a Node (wireless transmitter) that resides in the field and interfaces to K-TEK's precision measurement devices, and a Gateway (wireless receiver) that resides in the main control panel and interfaces to a PC or PLC. Each Node accepts up to two (2) analog and two (2) discrete switch inputs. Each Gateway accepts up to 55 Nodes. The products use Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) radios.
The DX80 wireless network includes an embedded site survey tool to ensure optimal performance. This function analyzes the strength of the radio signal between the Gateway and a specified Node. Signal results - the number of data packets received or missed - are displayed in a green (excellent), yellow (good), red (marginal), or missed format.