| Within the wireless communications industry today, | | | | to the field to replace a broken or defective antenna |
| there’s an urgent and serious battle being waged | | | | can easily exceed $100 an hour. It makes real sense, |
| for customer ownership. Customer ownership is all | | | | then, that increasing MTBF through investment in better |
| about creating and delivering compelling value. If | | | | antenna technology can very quickly pay for itself. In |
| you’re building out an existing SCADA system, or | | | | some cases, a 25% price premium for antenna |
| just getting started on one, a sure-fire way to create | | | | equipment may extend your site’s operating life |
| this value lies directly in your hands: by building in long | | | | from 12- 24 months to up to 10 years, depending on |
| lasting system performance and impeccable reliability. If | | | | the installation in question! Selection Criteria |
| we set aside the radio preference for the moment, the | | | | =>The antenna design, as well as the actual |
| single most important key to more reliable SCADA | | | | manufacturing process exerts the greatest influence |
| communication results from careful selection of | | | | on the long term performance and life-span of an |
| antenna equipment. Increasing Reliability Tenfold | | | | antenna. Consequently, seek out demonstrably |
| Ruggedized parts, optimized assembly techniques, and | | | | superior designs that incorporate sturdy materials and |
| specialized coatings, along with improved installation | | | | exhibit well-built construction. =>Antennas |
| procedures can, in some cases, deliver a tenfold (10X) | | | | manufactured with 6061 aluminum offer the best |
| increase over the lifespan of traditional aluminum | | | | combination of strength and light weight. =>Welded |
| antennas. Cost effective | | | | models typically provide the greatest long term |
| The Yagi-Uda, more familiarly known as the yagi, | | | | performance as they remain one piece, both |
| stands out as the pre-eminent antenna-of-choice for | | | | electrically and mechanically, under virtually all |
| most remote site applications. Some SCADA systems | | | | environmental conditions. In particular, avoid |
| may utilize up to 1000 Yagis pointing to an | | | | ‘press-fit’ antenna designs. =>Pitting and |
| omnidirectional antenna; a highly cost-effective | | | | corrosion occurs rather quickly with untreated |
| configuration that ensures broad geographic range at | | | | aluminum, leading to rapid mechanical deterioration and |
| minimal cost! | | | | electrical non-performance within as little as 2 years. |
| Given the continuous exposure to the elements, | | | | Therefore, choose one with either thermoset (powder |
| though, susceptibility to damage from wind, weathering | | | | coat) or anodized surface treatment; avoid those |
| and in some cases, chemical exposure, remains high. | | | | treated solely with chemical conversion coatings |
| We consider mean time between failures (MTBF) a | | | | (Alodine). |
| critical economic consideration when the cost to travel | | | | |