The access points of the SCALANCE W700 product line are designed for both industrial use and for demanding climatic requirements outdoors. Versions for the inexpensive integration in cabinets or in machines are also available. They provide a reliable wireless link, redundancy mechanisms, and fast handover of nodes from one access point to the next (roaming). This allows processes to be monitored and loss of production due to machine downtimes to be avoided.

Industrial Wireless LAN (IWLAN) can also be used in time-critical applications in factory automation (PROFINET IO) or for safety-related signals (PROFIsafe).

Due to their high degree of protection (up to IP65) and extended temperature range from -40 °C to +70 °C, the access points are ideally suited for use outdoors. SCALANCE W products are silicone-free and can therefore also be used in paint shops.

When using the RCoax cable (radiating cable), operation is particularly reliable in conveyor systems and all track applications (e.g. storage and retrieval systems, suspended monorail).

Application examples:

• Automated guided vehicle systems and suspended monorails;
  prevents wear and offers high flexibility for traffic routing thanks to the wireless transfer of data to the vehicles. It is also possible to transfer PROFIsafe via IWLAN.
• Cranes;
  high flexibility due to access to data communication with the moving unit independent of the location
• Mobile control console;
  reliable intervention in the process thanks to data communication over IWLAN with mobile units (e.g. Mobile Panel 277(F) IWLAN); the number of operator panels is therefore determined by the number of personnel and no longer by the number of control desks.
• Wireless access to field devices for configuration and testing
• Passenger transportation systems;
  transmission in passenger information systems, e.g. high-quality video streams between the control center and buses or trains
• Tunnel application;
  reliable wireless link since the devices can handle multiple path propagation better by using the MIMO technology.
• Communication with moving stations (e.g. mobile controls and devices), container logistics, storage and retrieval machines, conveyor systems, conveyor belts, rotating machines, trucks
• Wireless coupling of communication segments and bridging of large distances for fast commissioning and cost-effective networks in applications where cable routing would be extremely expensive (e.g. on public roads, rivers, lakes, train lines)
• Localization of personnel and machines using WLAN tags and localization software from AeroScout