An Analysis of Implementing Wireless LAN Technology in Nuclear Power Plants

The use of new wireless mobile technologies in nuclear power plants is growing fast. The WLAN technology based on the IEEE 802.11 standard has a very promising future for its use in nuclear power plants due to features like mobility, reliability, security, scalability and compatibility with other communication networks technologies. However, wireless technology may exhibit greater vulnerability to the nuclear power plant EMI/RFI environment than existing instrumentation and control systems. This paper gives an analysis of the most relevant wireless technologies currently available that can be implemented in nuclear power plants. Also, this work identifies nuclear regulatory guidelines, wireless networks standards, electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference standards. In addition, experiences of the successful implementation of wireless technologies in nuclear power plants, are presented.