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How Wi-Fi 6 Is Revolutionising the Manufacturing Industry
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June 22, 2023 Blogs Network Wi-Fi Wireless

 

Dare To Defy the Wi-Fi Status Quo: The Revolution Is Here
Are you ready to defy the status quo and leap into the future of manufacturing? Wi-Fi 6 is taking the world by storm, and it’s time for you to experience the game-changing innovations it brings. Dive into the realm of Industry 4.0 and explore how RUCKUS® Wi-Fi solutions can transform your operations.

Avoid falling behind the times! CLICK HERE to find out more.

 

As we enter the era of Industry 4.0, the dawn of smart factories and intelligent automation, the need for a robust and reliable wireless infrastructure becomes paramount. Wi-Fi 6, the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology, is poised to revolutionise the manufacturing industry with its lightning-fast speeds, improved network capacity, and groundbreaking features.

According to ABI Research, a prominent technology intelligence firm, Wi-Fi 6 is projected to dominate the enterprise Wi-Fi market by 2023. This is due to the anticipated surge in Wi-Fi 6 enterprise access point shipments, which are expected to rise from 4.3 million in 2021 to 13.4 million in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25%.

Harmonising Connectivity

As we delve deeper into the Wi-Fi 6 revolution, let’s examine the key features of this technology that make it a perfect fit for the manufacturing industry. It’s these innovations that elevate Wi-Fi 6 from a mere evolutionary upgrade to a transformative force in the world of manufacturing:

  • Target Wake Time (TWT)
    This energy-efficient scheduling mechanism allows a Wi-Fi 6 access point to determine the optimal wake time for each connected device, based on their individual requirements and traffic activity. By doing so, TWT extends battery life in IoT sensors, facilitating more flexible device placement and more reliable data inputs. As a result, TWT empowers manufacturers to connect previously unconnected machinery and streamline energy management in power-sensitive applications.
  • Low Latency
    A critical component for enhanced Augmented Reality (AR) applications in manufacturing. AR headsets, smart glasses, and other devices offer a plethora of new ways to interact with data and access information. From maintenance crews gaining hands-free access to advanced diagnostics and repair instructions to warehouse workers locating items faster, Wi-Fi 6 delivers the necessary low latency, robustness, and reliability required to support these AR use cases effectively.
  • Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)
    Another standout feature of Wi-Fi 6. By allowing multiple users with varying bandwidth needs to simultaneously use the channel, OFDMA enables Wi-Fi 6 to deliver more deterministic industrial networking performance than ever before. This translates to a higher Quality of Service (QoS) compared to previous Wi-Fi standards, ensuring that every connected device, be it a small sensor or a fully automated robot, enjoys faster and more efficient service.
  • Beamforming
    A transmission technique that enhances network capacity and reliability. Beamforming allows Wi-Fi 6 to deliver higher data rates at a given range, accommodating more devices on the network simultaneously. While beamforming is not new to Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 6 takes it a step further by increasing the number of beamforming streams from four to eight, significantly boosting network range, throughput, and capacity. This improvement enables industrial deployments to expand and support more devices while maintaining reliable connectivity.

Revolutionising The Industry with RUCKUS

Wi-Fi 6 will undoubtedly have a transformative impact on the manufacturing industry. By embracing this cutting-edge technology, manufacturers can significantly increase their operational efficiency, boost ROI, and gain a competitive edge in the market.

A key player enabling this transformation is RUCKUS, with their innovative solutions designed to amplify the power of Wi-Fi 6. Their converged network offerings streamline management through a single dashboard for all RUCKUS ‘features’, Cloudpath®, and IoT. This makes deployment and integration easier, while also simplifying licensing and supporting edge deployment with vRIoT integrations and cloud support for DataPlane.

RUCKUS® Cloudpath® Enrollment System is a secure, reliable, and user-friendly connectivity solution that ensures every connection is fortified with enterprise-grade encryption while performing up-front security posture checks during network onboarding. Its ability to provide visibility and control over the devices on the network, as well as its capacity to segment the network, make it a standout solution for enhancing network security and improving user experience.

Finally, RUCKUS’ converged access components further enrich the offering. These components, ranging from traditional access points that adopt new IoT and cellular wireless technologies, to simple, flexible, and scalable switches, work in unison to create a unified network ecosystem. This holistic approach not only simplifies controls and provides actionable insights across data but also significantly reduces infrastructure spending on IoT.

A prime example of Wi-Fi 6’s potential in a real-world setting is the success story of Ocean State Job Lot. This closeout retailer needed a stable, pervasive Wi-Fi solution for its 1.5 million square foot warehouse in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. By deploying RUCKUS® Wi-Fi, which included 75 indoor and eight outdoor access points, as well as dual RUCKUS ZoneDirector Controllers, Ocean State Job Lot achieved reliable Wi-Fi coverage throughout its distribution centre and corporate headquarters. This high-performance Wi-Fi enabled enhanced stocking flexibility and improved inventory management processes, showcasing the transformative power of Wi-Fi 6.

As we stand on the cusp of a new era in manufacturing, it’s crucial for businesses to recognise and capitalise on the tremendous potential of Wi-Fi 6. Don’t let your organisation be left behind in the Wi-Fi 6 revolution – discover the extraordinary benefits that RUCKUS® Wi-Fi solutions can bring to your manufacturing operations. To learn more about how RUCKUS can elevate your enterprise to new heights, click on the link below and embark on your own adventure into the world of Wi-Fi 6.


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