Reliable radio communication for DHL freight centers

The mobile conveyor belts in the DHL freight centers take on the task of transporting parcels from the delivery vehicles to the central distribution belts. These belts are integrated into the Siemens S7 automation system and communicate with the control system via a Profibus radio solution. It was particularly important to the operator that the system could be easily integrated and used seamlessly like a wired connection.

After a successful practical test lasting several months in a DHL parcel center near Freiburg, the decision was made: The widespread use of Schildknecht AG's DATAEAGLE radio systems. These are characterized by their robust and highly available radio technology, which works reliably even in demanding steel environments. The devices integrate into the existing Profibus infrastructure like a cable and have an integrated diagnostic slave that provides the control system with permanent feedback on the radio and Profibus status.

The solution is provided by a PROFIBUS radio data transmission system in which the power electronics are directly connected to the rail as slaves. The DATAEAGLE 3712 radio module with Schildknecht AG's patented data pre-processing takes over the wireless communication between the stationary master and the moving elements. This radio data transmission system reliably filters out short-term radio interference and ensures a stable radio connection. A 2.4 GHz Bluetooth connection is used for radio transmission, which has largely replaced the WLAN technology previously used in stage technology.

• PROFIBUS radio data transmission system
• DATAEAGLE 3703 radio module

By upgrading to DATAEAGLE, DHL was able to significantly increase the reliability and efficiency of its conveyor technology. Wireless communication ensures maximum flexibility and at the same time reduces maintenance costs and downtimes. Today, a total of around 250 radio links with around 700 devices are in use in 37 DHL freight centers - trouble-free, stable and ready for operation around the clock. DATAEAGLE has thus become the proven solution for modern logistics automation.