Hitachi Energy Expands Tropos Industrial Wireless Portfolio for Smart Grid and Industrial IoT

Hitachi Energy launched the TRO670 hybrid wireless router, the latest addition to its TRO600 series of high-throughput and low-latency industrial wireless communications devices to support a host of smart grid and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications.  The TRO670 incorporates multiple wireless technologies and fiber communication in a ruggedized router, enabling secure, reliable, and flexible wireless communications in remote and harsh environments. Backward compatibility across the Hitachi Energy wireless product line ensures organizations can extend their communications network without replacing existing infrastructure.

The latest router in the TRO600 series enables utilities, oil and gas companies, and mining operators to establish and expand a unified communications network for the collection and analysis of data from distributed assets.  The TRO670 can be installed in harsh environments on existing outdoor infrastructure to provide reliable yet cost-efficient ways to extend the connectivity of the operating network.

Hybrid Networks Enhance Reliability, Flexibility, Coverage

A hybrid converged network can combine private or public cellular, third-party radios, and broadband mesh, offering versatility and allowing the grid to adapt to different communication needs and scenarios. Cellular communications enable always-on connectivity for energy management and power distribution operations, while broadband mesh ensures a robust wireless connection, enhancing communication reliability and availability. This allows flexibility in network design and optimizes coverage, enabling critical applications such as asset performance management (APM), asset monitoring, grid modernization initiatives, and automated meter reading under a single unified network management system.

The TRO670 features a multi-layer security architecture from the core to the edge. Its certificate-based Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) security leverages public key infrastructure (PKI) to authenticate entities and create secure tunnels across public and private infrastructure. Security capabilities are automatically rolled out and extended as customers' networks expand.

The TRO600 series routers empower customers with enhanced performance, ensuring optimal connectivity for modern smart grid and smart city applications. From streamlined distribution to outage management systems and dispatch, the TRO670 enables efficient operations. Additionally, it supports diverse applications like intelligent transportation systems, EV charging infrastructure, kiosks, CCTV, and smart buildings, providing customers with a comprehensive and versatile communication solution.

Key features of TRO670

• Integrates multiple communication protocols, including public and private 4G cellular, broadband mesh (2.4GHz and 5GHz), and Wi-Fi access points

• Enables a converged internet protocol (IP) standards-based communications network, optimizing reliable connectivity paths

• IP67 certified to support installation in production facilities or on existing outdoor infrastructure

• Backward compatible to support network expansion and modernization

• Edge-compute ready

• Optional internal backup battery allows the device to work without external power for several hours

ARC Advisory Group is currently updating our coverage of the industrial WLAN market.  For further information on this and other ARC research into the industrial network infrastructure markets, see Digital Transformation at the Industrial IoT Edge.