Moxa: AWK Series Industrial Wi-Fi Access Points/Clients

March 2, 2023

Moxa has recently introduced its AWK Series, a new lineup of next-generation industrial wireless networking solutions offering 802.11ac Gigabit Wi-Fi, IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 certified security, and dual-band Turbo Roaming for unmatched wireless reliability and availability. When combined, these advanced features meet the current and future demands of applications where Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are at the heart of boosting productivity and operational safety, such as mobile automation and IP surveillance in mining, manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation, among others.

The Moxa AWK Series is made up of three models: the AWK-3252A, AWK-4252A, and AWK-1151C AP/bridge/client.

Enabling Futureproof Wireless Automation 

According to LogisticsIQ’s latest market research study, AGV and AMR Market, the market for AGVs and AMRs are expected to exceed $18 billion (USD) by 2027 with an estimated growth rate of roughly 24% and 43% for the AGV and AMR segments, respectively. The combined number of AGV and AMR installations is set to cross the 2.4 million mark by 2027, paving the way for mobile robots to become the new normal for day-to-day operations.

“AGVs and AMRs bring remarkable benefits to a variety of industries, making them a firmly established part of day-to-day operations, anywhere from manufacturing sites, logistic and warehouse centers, to mining farms, hospitals, and even last-mile delivery vehicles for packages and goods,” said Tony Chen, Product Manager, Industrial Wireless, Moxa, Inc. “We are seeing sophisticated applications emerging in mining, for example, where handling devices are being enhanced with HD video streaming and 3D sensing technology to improve operational efficiency and safety. These developments give rise to innovative remote-controlled solutions that require high-bandwidth wireless infrastructure capable of seamlessly integrating mobile systems and operations.”

Moxa AWK Series AP/bridge/clients simplify wireless operations and the integration of mobile systems outfitted with complex sensors and cameras, while also addressing the heightened requirements for industrial-grade reliable networks. With speeds of up to 400 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band, AWK Series AP/bridge/clients enable a high-bandwidth, dynamic mobile environment to accommodate a large number of devices and support high-volume data communication. In addition, support for one-to-many network address translation (1-to-n NAT) helps optimize the machine integration flow by simplifying IP address assignment while avoiding IP conflicts between existing devices connecting to the OT network wirelessly.

Security Built for IACS

Moxa considers security an integral part of network reliability**. Engineered on the principle of Secure-by-Design, the AWK-3252A, AWK-4252A, and AWK-1151C are certified for IEC 62443-4-2 by the IECEE*. Compliance with this standard not only ensures device-level security for industrial automation and control systems (IACS), but also verifies that these devices are suitable for building an IEC 62443-3-3 compliant security environment, resulting in lower development risk, time, and cost. The lineup also supports the latest WPA3 encryption for an additional layer of WLAN security.

Seamless, Reliable Wireless 

Wireless reliability is a key challenge for mobile automation applications. Several long-term stability tests showed Moxa AWK devices achieved an average roaming handover time of less than 150 ms and an average network availability rate of 99.95%. Powered by 802.11ac, the AWK devices support millisecond-level Turbo Roaming and automatic 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band switching to ensure a seamless transition between APs while on the move.

Best-in-Class RF Compliance 

Moxa AWK devices have RF compliance certifications from the FCC, Industry Canada, Europe, and many other countries. Combined with an intuitive RF configuration tool, the new devices allow users to build a cost-effective single-model inventory for global market development without the need to stock diverse wireless devices due to regional RF regulations.

Streamlined Usability

The AWK’s modern user-interface simplifies device configuration and network management. Additionally, a full-feature set of tools simplifies collecting specific data, such as Wi-Fi performance and network services for review and troubleshooting. From the intuitive dashboard, users can get a clear overview of system status. Physical LED indicators on both sides of the device display the status of the AWK regardless of mounting orientation.

Industrial Certifications

Moxa AWK Series models are certified for IECEx, C1D2, ATEX Zone 2, and E1 Mark to support a wide variety of demanding industrial applications, including hazardous areas.

AWK Series Summary

• Moxa AWK Series industrial wireless solutions are designed to help build reliable wireless infrastructure for AGV and AMR applications
• The 802.11ac-powered AWK Series industrial wireless devices are certified for IEC 62443-4-2 by the IECEE
• The new AWK solutions support 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band Turbo Roaming with an average handover time of under 150 ms

For more information, visit Moxa HERE.