As of June 15, 2022, this site no longer supports Internet Explorer. Please use another browser for the best experience on our site.

Case Study

The Cold Storage Warehouse Where Wireless Doesn't Get Frozen

  • Application Automated Material Handling Systems
  • Industry Manufacturing 
  • Region China

Introduction

An automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) is a smart system used in warehouses to enhance the efficiency of storage processes. This AS/RS features a shuttle-storage-shelving design that automatically moves goods up and down and back and forth between shelves, eliminating the possibility of human error. An AS/RS manufacturer in China helped a food company develop a smart storage warehouse to store fresh food at low temperatures. The application required a reliable wireless network. At the heart of the constantly mobile equipment are wireless devices that enable communications between the control center and the large number of shuttle systems. As these shuttle systems have limited space to carry a large number of devices, the wireless apparatus has to be small but rugged in design to ensure seamless operations.

System Requirements

  • Maintain normal operation even in sub-zero temperature environments
  • Small-sized wireless devices mounted in space-limited shuttle systems
  • Fast handover time ensures real-time control and monitoring the status of shuttle systems
  • Full wireless coverage on shuttle systems to stay connected with the control center
  • Isolation design to protect wireless devices from electrical interference generated by motors on the shuttle systems

Moxa Solution

An AS/RS makes it easy to store and retrieve goods and increases productivity compared with manual processes. The success of an AS/RS depends heavily on the deployment of reliable wireless devices throughout a network. To ensure that the shuttle systems in an AS/RS operate at peak performance, Moxa’s AWK-1131A wireless devices offer three benefits: a compact but rugged design, seamless roaming ability, and maximized wireless availability.

The rugged, palm-sized AWK-1131A was designed to keep wireless operations stable in harsh industrial environments, including cold storage warehouses in which the temperature could get as cold as -40°C, and to fit comfortably in space-restricted shuttle systems. Moreover, the AWK-1131A has power- and RF-isolation built in to protect wireless devices from electrical interference generated by motors. These two design features save space and eliminate the cost of installing extra isolator accessories. Roaming performance is always an essential feature of wireless devices. The AWK-1131A series has client-based Turbo Roaming technology that offers handover times in milliseconds to ensure client devices on shuttle systems can always connect with access points (APs), so that shuttle systems can move smoothly between shelves to increase productivity.

Finally, the AWK-1131A supports the 802.11n standard to offer a throughput rate of up to 300 Mbps and MIMO technology to maximize wireless availability in shuttle systems. Installing an antenna on the front and back sides of the shuttle system ensures seamless connections with APs mounted on the wall. Moreover, the 5 GHz channel offers a low-traffic channel for wireless communications to avoid unexpected time-out due to oversaturated channel usage.

reliable-wireless-system-cold-storage-warehouse.jpg

Why Moxa

  • The ability to operate at -40°C ensures nonstop operations in cold storage warehouses
  • Palm-sized design to save space in space-limited shuttle systems
  • Millisecond-level handoff times offered by Turbo Roaming technology ensure seamless shuttle system operations
  • Withstands electrical interference on shuttle systems with 500-volt insulation on power ports and level-4 ESD on antenna ports—for a worry-free integration
  • A throughput rate of up to 300 Mbps and 2x2 MIMO technology to maximize Wi-Fi coverage for shuttle systems—for cost-saving and future-proof technology

Products Used

  •   Print this page
  • You can manage and share your saved list in My Moxa

Contact us to get more assistance for your business.

Added To Bag
You have some items waiting in your bag; click here to finish your quote!
Feedback