New access point with Wi-Fi 6 for industrial automation

Phoenix Contact is extending its industrial wireless portfolio with new access points from the WLAN 2300 series, which support Wi-Fi 6 functions in accordance with IEEE 802.11ax. The devices can be used to create efficient and powerful WLAN networks with up to 100 devices per virtual access point interface.

By using modern technologies such as OFDMA (orthogonal frequency-division multiple access), the access point can communicate with multiple WLAN devices simultaneously. This ensures high efficiency and data rates as well as reliable real-time transmission, even in heavily used WLAN environments. In combination with the new client modules from the WLAN 1000 product family, the system offers significantly improved performance for applications such as automated guided vehicle systems (AGVS) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) used in production and logistics. The fully transparent bridge and VxLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) enable transparent Profinet and Profisafe communication, which is important in automation networks.

Access security is crucially important in future-oriented networks. This is why the access point was designed to be secure from the outset, following a process certified in accordance with IEC 62443-4-1 and meeting the requirements of the IEC 62443-4-2 standard. “With the WLAN 2300, we are offering our customers future viability, scalability, and industrial robustness for their wireless automation,” says Jürgen Weczerek, Product Manager for Network Technology at Phoenix Contact. “Our modules ensure seamless and efficient data transmission, which is essential for the success of modern industrial processes.”