The Wireless Industrial Networking Alliance (WINA) is a coalition of industrial end-user companies, technology suppliers, industry organizations, software developers, system integrators, and others interested in the advancement of wireless solutions for industry.

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Why WINA?

ISM frequencies… 802.11a/b/g… UWB… 1451.5… Zigbee… 802.15.4… cellular telephones… cyber-security… spread spectrum… Customers of wireless sensors and networks are bombarded with conflicting and confusing claims from diverse sources. The resulting confusion reminds us of earlier attempts to determine the best fieldbus for industrial applications (the "Bus Wars"). With the highly segmented nature of the market (see figure below), industrial end users need better access to clear, unbiased industry information on comprehensive wireless solutions.
View our brochure describing how WINA can benefit you!

What We're All About

The Wireless Industrial Networking Alliance (WINA) is a coalition of industrial end-user companies, technology suppliers, industry organizations, software developers, system integrators, and others interested in the advancement of wireless solutions for industry. Key aims of the group include:

• Improving our understanding of the benefits of using wireless in industrial applications
• Improving our confidence in wireless technology and access to solutions
• Focusing on the end user

WINA is looking out for our interests by:

• Influencing and supporting applicable standards
• Developing user-friendly information materials
• Forming industry partnerships to sponsor wireless plant demonstrations
• Supporting Web-based education and demonstration projects
• Certifying systems in specific applications
• Demonstrating robustness and reliability
• Reducing operating costs
• Defining essential requirements and working with industry alliances and standards bodies to achieve them

WINA's Charter

WINA works to accelerate the adoption of wireless technologies in the industrial sector:

• Identify, recommend, and certify appropriate wireless technologies
• Focus on customer requirements
• Promote effective standards, regulations, and practices
• Quantify and communicate the benefits and potential impacts of wireless technologies

The idea for WINA emerged during the Industrial Wireless Sensor Workshop sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in San Francisco (July 2002). To see the resulting vision document -- Industrial Wireless Technology for the 21st Century -- go to www.eere.energy.gov/industry and follow the links to "enabling," "sensors," and "publications."

WINA Background

Motivated by the potential energy and environmental benefits of wireless sensors in manufacturing (based on a forecast by a panel of Presidential advisors), the Department of Energy's Industrial Technologies Program sponsored a WINA "kickoff" workshop on September 4 and 5 in Coral Gables, Florida. This workshop provided a forum for technology end-users and suppliers to address the challenges that face American industry in accelerating adoption of wireless systems for process measurement and control.

While numerous technical, logistical, financial and programmatic matters were discussed by the 52 attendees, perhaps the most telling findings are the end users' likes and dislikes regarding wireless sensor networks, presented in Table 1.

Likes Mobility Compactness Flexibility Low cost Capability to monitor rotating equipment Short range (security) Ease of installation High reliability Impetus to enhance electronics support

Dislikes Change to status quo Complexity High cost for coverage in large plants Security issues Portability issues (power) Unproven reliability Too risky for process control Lack of experience in troubleshooting (staff) Restricted infrastructure flexibility once implemented

Table 1. End-User View of Wireless: Results of User Forum at DOE-sponsored Workshop

In keeping with the July 2002 meeting, workshop participants identified key issues and barriers to industry adoption, including user needs, standards, and technology, then mapped a strategy for WINA to address these needs. The group was reorganized into various task groups to hammer out appropriate roles and functions for the fledgling organization.

Interactions with Existing Wireless Standards (and their Organizations)

Frequent questions around WINA: "What? Another wireless standards organization?", "What about Zigbee?", "What about Bluetooth?", "What about 1451.5?", "What about 802.15.4?", "What about "…"?

WINA is not aimed at any specific wireless delivery technology (even though WINA members may have their personal/professional preferences). Specific target issues for WINA to address include:

• Help users understand wireless system capabilities based on application areas
• Improve user confidence and access to solutions
• Enlarge the entire market
• Focus on the end-user

The last item listed is paramount and bears reiterating: "Focus on the End-User." Therefore, with respect to an applicable wireless sensor delivery scheme such as that encompassed within Zigbee (www.zigbee.org), the WINA "position" towards Zigbee is that it is a fine delivery structure. Similarly, with respect to 1451.5 (details of 1451 may be found at http://motion.aptd.nist.gov/nistdemo.htm), the WINA "position" is that 1451 represents a fine identification and delivery structure for sensor information. In certain applications, the WiFi-802.11 (http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/11/) information delivery structure may be optimal. To reiterate, while WINA's members are acutely aware of these and other wireless methods for the delivery of sensor information, the organization's goal is to represent the End-User within the integration of sensors and wireless in the industrial arena.