He adds that a client can be any unit closest to the work being performed, such as mobile carts for patient monitoring in a hospital. Mobile technologies provide administrators and nurses with more flexibility because information is available where the care is given. On the shop floor, a client might be a personal computer integrated with a numerically controlled milling machine. Embedded intelligence is creating many applications for wireless communications, Micciche admits. This especially is true on the factory floor, where the need for sophisticated, timely information never has been greater.
Data flow to numerically controlled machine tools and bench monitoring devices on the shop floor.
Running fiber or copper is impractical because of reconfiguration needs and maintenance and environmental concerns, Micciche contends. He adds that spread spectrum techniques meet these needs and are adept at handling most industrial environmental noise. The most common military application involves base networking infrastructure, Curley states. Logistical considerations have been paramount. Military bases are moving and changing configurations.