Wireless connectivity technologies are widely used in consumer market all around us. Today, these opportunities are also in reach of the industrial market, replacing the standard cables of the past. The concept of the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Recently, the TI WiLink™ 8 Wi-Fi® + Bluetooth® combo-connectivity module was used by a well-known industrial electrical company in China. 
The end equipment that utilizes the WiLink 8 module monitors the status of- and records the data from a power line. A Sitara™ AM335x processor was used as the main controller for this system and data is wirelessly transmitted to the server using the WiLink 8 device. Leveraging the WiLink 8 solution’s Wi-Fi connectivity, users can control and diagnose the modules hanging on the electrical wire, which would traditionally be out of reach, via a tablet or cell phone.
Our WiLink 8 device brings a new way of working in traditional industrial businesses, such as the electric company discussed here. Companies can now access timely recorded data, either from their server or the cloud, for real-time data analysis, such as preventative maintenance, which brings extra value and selling points for their end products.
Below are some key advantages of the WiLink 8 module in this solution:
Seamless cloud connectivity
- Can provide better stability, robustness and high wireless throughput, which is a good choice for the industrial market
- Fully integrated connectivity solution with TI’s Sitara AM335x processor greatly reduces development time and resources while enabling a high-performance platform
- Industrial temperature range and precise time synchronization features
- WiLink 8 combo connectivity modules make the development process easier and do not require RF expertise from developers
- TI provides software, tools, reference designs, technical support and more to speed development time
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Our WiLink 8 module provides an amazing IIoT user experience in this power automation application but can also be used in applications such as surveillance, preventative maintenance and much more. Which application areas for WiLink 8 solutions would you like to learn more about?