Industrial Wireless Networks: Broadband Meets URLLC

At the start of SPS 2022 in Nuremberg, R3 Solutions, the specialist in industrial wireless networks, is introducing an industrial-grade solution for wireless real-time data transmission based on Wi-Fi 6 and EchoRing. The high-performance, real-time-capable wireless Ethernet bridge was specifically designed for automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

Modern industrial manufacturing can no longer do without autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs). AGVs and automated mobile robots (AMRs) increasingly require real-time wireless data transmission when operating in safety-critical scenarios. A particular challenge is that AGVs require very space-efficient modules that ideally exchange sensor data via broadband connections while simultaneously transmitting control data over real-time networks. With the new Bridge X, Berlin-based R3 Solutions GmbH addresses both of these demanding requirements.

The Bridge X is equipped with the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, which enables broadband data transmission in the gigabit range. In addition, the housing—which is only about two and a half centimeters thick—contains a second radio transmitter that uses the proven EchoRing wireless technology to enable ultra-reliable real-time communication (URLLC). This allows the Bridge X to handle all communication between vehicles and with the infrastructure. For in-vehicle data communication or for use in and on other industrial machines, the developers have equipped the Bridge X with two Gigabit Ethernet ports, two CAN bus interfaces, and a versatile GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pin header.

Bridge X offers the highest level of reliability by simply adding robust connectivity to existing transmission technologies for the wireless control of industrial transport and production systems, as well as industrial robots and other machines. Bridge X utilizes R3’s proprietary EchoRing technology and is specifically designed for environments where autonomous systems must operate without interruption and be fail-safe.

Product Manager Thomas Förste, Chief Product Officer at R3 Solutions, explains: “Our Bridge X is the all-in-one solution for intralogistics. It integrates seamlessly into even the slimmest AGV designs and can handle any type of wireless communication. The real-time control interface, remote manageability, and AGV form factor make the Bridge X the ideal wireless data communication device for AGV/AMR OEMs and system integrators.”

The Bridge X will begin shipping to selected project partners and pilot customers in early 2023. The all-in-one communication device is expected to be generally available in the third quarter of 2023.

In addition to the new Bridge X product, R3 is also showcasing the proven Bridge E at SPS 2022 in Nuremberg through November 11 (Hall 5, Booth 139). With the recent summer release, the reliability of the Bridge E has been increased by one to two orders of magnitude, with fewer packet losses, and it boasts new features. Among other things, Bridge E now features a new type of software control interface (External Runtime Control Interface, ERCI), which allows the status of connected devices to be monitored via scripts and their respective functions to be adjusted using control commands. In addition, the R3 team will present specific applications of EchoRing technology from various industries at SPS 2022.