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Presentation Topic:
SCADA: Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition

Muhammad Tariq 2010-MS-CH-31

Usman Farooq 2010-MS-CH-30
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Synopsis:

1. Introduction of SCADA
2. Applications of SCADA
3. SCADA Architecture
4. Components of SCADA System
5. How SCADA System Works?
6. Comparison of SCADA, DCS, PLC and Smart Instrument
7. Security and Vulnerability of SCADA Systems

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Introduction of SCADA:

S UPERVISORY (MONITOR OPERATIONS)

C ONTROL (ISSUE COMMANDS)
A ND
D ATA (INFORMATION)
A CQUISITION (ACHIEVED SUCCESSFULLY/ RETRIEVAL )

Collecting of the information, transferring it back to the

central site, carrying out any necessary analysis and
control and then displaying that information on a
number of operator screens or displays control actions
are then conveyed back to the process.
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Contd

SCADA encompasses the collection of information,

transferring the data over physical mediums, and the
processing and display of the data at the master station. The
SCADA master station displays sequence-of-event reports
and disturbance recordings when required, provides an
active operator interface for supervisory control, and remote
configuration of intelligent electronic device and other
devices.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780750658010500085
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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778812000722
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Contd.

SCADA system is often complex to configure - it is extremely

easy to operate

Not a full control system, but rather focuses on the supervisory
level

SCADA systems historically distinguish from other ICS
systems by being large scale, include multiple sites, and
large distances

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Applications of SCADA:

Electric power generation, transmission and distribution

Water and sewage

Buildings, facilities and environments

Mass transit

Traffic signals

Different processes include

 Industrial,
 Infrastructure
 Facility-based processes,

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Contd.

 SCADA Systems are used to automate complex industrial

processes where human control is impractical ; systems where
there are more control factors , and more fast moving control
factors than human beings can comfortably manage.

 SCADA systems are the computer safety valve for the

industries that drive the modern economy

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 SCADA Architecture:

SCADA systems have evolved in parallel with the growth and

sophistication of modern computing technology.

A. First Generation Monolithic

B. Second Generation Distributed
C. Third Generation Networked

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Monolithic SCADA Systems:

First Generation of SCADA Architecture 14

Distributed SCADA Systems:

Second Generation of SCADA Architecture 15

Networked SCADA Systems:

Third Generation of SCADA Architecture 16

 Components of SCADA System:

1. SCADA Hardware:

SCADA system involves essentially five levels or hierarchies:

1. Field level instrumentation and control devices

2. Marshalling terminals and RTUs
3. Communications system
4. The master station
5. The commercial data processing department computer system

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 TYPICAL SCADA SYSTEM

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Contd.

2. SCADA Software:

SCADA may be classified as:

1. Propriety (Protected by trademark or patent or copyright) :
Companies develop proprietary software to communicate to their hardware.
2. Open:
They have high interoperability to mix different manufacturers equipment
on the same system.

Key features of SCADA software

 User interface  RTU (and PLC) interface  Networking

 Graphics displays  Scalability  Fault tolerance and
 Alarms  Access to data redundancy
 Trends  Database  Client/server
 distributed processing
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How SCADA Works:

A SCADA system performs four functions:

1. Data acquisition
2. Networked data communication
3. Data presentation
4. Control

These functions are performed by four kinds of SCADA Components:

1. Sensors and control relays

2. Remote telemetry units (RTUs)
3. SCADA master units
4. Communications network
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Comparison of SCADA, DCS, PLC
& Smart Instruments

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SCADA System:

SCADA is the process which is used as a

monitoring& controlling device from a single place.

This is software that control two or more PLCs

Not a full control system, but rather focuses on the
supervisory level

SCADA is data-gathering oriented

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Typical SCADA System:

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 Contd
Benefits of SCADA system:

Overall Control requirements

More efficient & reliable,

Safer operations

Lower cost of operation

Master/operator control stations

Speed of communications/update time/system scan rates

System redundancy

Expansion Capability

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DCS :

A Distributed Control System (DCS), Process or any kind of dynamic
system, in which the controller elements are not central in location (like the
brain) but are distributed throughout the system with each component, sub-
system controlled by one or more controllers.

It is used to control very big plants by using simple GUI screens

Traditionally, DCS were large, expensive and very complex systems that
were considered as a control solution for the continuous or batch process
industries.

DCS is process oriented: it looks at the controlled process (the chemical

plant or whatever)

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Distributed Control System (DCS)

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Energy Monitoring and Control System with Direct Digital Control (EMCS)

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 PLC System :

A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is a digital

computer used for automation of electromechanical processes, such
as control of machinery on factory assembly lines

PLC is a Micro Processor based Electronic Device which is

used to control certain process according to predefined programs
which are saved in the PLC.

PLCs are used in both SCADA and DCS systems as the control
components of an overall hierarchical system to provide local
management of processes through feedback control.
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PLC Components:

Processor or central processing unit (CPU)

Rack or mounting

Input assembly

Output assembly

Power supply

Programming unit, device, or PC/software

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Smart Instruments:

Smart instrumentation is any field device that, in addition to

transmitting the measurement variable or receiving the control
variable, also transmits other process information and/or
diagnostic information about the device.

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Contd.

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Overall Comparison:

Obviously, a SCADA systems initial cost has to be justified.

Improved operation of the plant or process resulting in

savings due to optimization of the system

Increased productivity of the personnel

Improved safety of the system due to better information and
improved control

Improved energy savings due to optimization of the plant

Improved and quicker receipt of data so that clients can be
invoiced more quickly and accurately

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Security and Vulnerability of SCADA System:

Threats to SCADA Systems:

1. Criminal groups
2. Foreign intelligence services
3. Insiders
4. Spyware/malware authors

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 Contd.
Developing SCADA Security Strategies:

Border Router and Firewalls

SCADA Firewalls

Firewall between Corporate Network and Control Network

Proxy Servers

Operating Systems

SCADA Internal Network Design

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References:
1. David Bailey and Edwin Wright (2003), Practical SCADA for
Industry, Elsevier. Inc
2. ByCobus Strauss, CPEng BSc (ElecEng), Bcomm, SKM Engineers,
Practical Electrical Network Automation and Communication
System Perth, Australia.
3. Technical Information Bulletin 04-1 Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition (SCADA) Systems October 2004, Communication
Technologies, Inc.
4. Technical Manual on Spervisory Control and Data Acquisition
(SCADA) Systems for Command, Control, Communications,
Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4isr)
Facilities Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington, Dc,
January 2006

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