COMPONENTS OF A SCADA SYSTEM

SCADA communication system :

encompasses the transfer of data between a SCADA central host computer and a number of remote sites (Remote Terminal Units or RTUs), and the central host and the operator terminals. Figure 1 shows a generic SCADA system that employs some form of data multiplexing (process of sending more than one message simultaneously through a multiplex system )

multiplexers (MUXs)

: between the central host and the RTUs. These multiplexers serve to route data to and from a number of RTUs on a local network, while using one or very few physical links on a Wide Area Network (WAN) backbone to pass data back to the central host computer

SCADA systems consist of

One or more field data interface devices usually called Remote Stations, Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), or Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), which interface to field sensing devices and local control switchboxes and valve actuators.

 A communications system used to transfer data between field data interface devices and control units and the computers in the SCADA central host. The system can be radio, telephone, cable, satellite, and so on, or any combination of these.

(computer that provides services to other computers that are connected to it )server or servers (sometimes called a SCADA Center, master station, master terminal unit, or MTU).

A central host computer :

A communications system to support the use of operator workstations that may be geographically remote from the central host computer.

A collection of standard and/or custom software [sometimes called Human Machine Interface (HMI) software or Man Machine Interface (MMI) software] systems used to provide the SCADA central host and operator terminal application, support the communications system, and monitor and control remotely located field data interface devices.

Field Data Communications System

The field data communications system is intended to provide the means by which data can be transferred between the central host computer servers and the field-based RTUs.

Bandwidth. An important property of a communications channel is its

capacity to

carry data. The term bandwidth is used to describe this capacity. Originally, the term bandwidth applied to the width, in Hertz, of an analog channel. For example, a telephony voice channel that occupies the nominal band 0.3 to 3.4 kHz has a bandwidth of 3.1 kHz and a radio channel that occupies the spectrum from 929.88875 to 929.8875 MHz has a channel bandwidth of 12.5 kHz. With digital transmission, the term bandwidth has been extended to include the data transmission rate in bits per second (bps).

SCADA Communications Availability and Protocols. The availability

imposed by the communications infrastructure is an important aspect of the SCADA system. Because SCADA systems are typically deployed over large geographical areas, links to remote SCADA outstations from the central host computer are often multilayered, meaning that there may be several physical and logical paths through which data must be routed before it reaches the intended destination. Such longhaul links may impose a heavy financial consideration on the type of communication systems used and the bandwidth used on those links.
What the differences between SCADA communication system and backbone communication system?

As a result of cost constraints, SCADA communications links generally offer less

bandwidth and lower reliability than that offered by communications backbones commonly used on a process plant, where there are few geographical constraints and highspeed fiber optic LAN infrastructures may be employed. Process plant communication backbones may exhibit 99.9 percent availability (less than 9 hours outage per year) and bit error rates of better than 10-9 (1 error in every 109 bits). Comparatively on SCADA links, where a combination of data radio, telephone line, and satellite link technology may be employed, the availability may be as low as 99.0 percent (an average of approximately 90 hours outage per year) and bit error rates of 10-6 (1 error in every 106 bits) or greater.

The availability discrepancy can be attributed to the fact that the multilayer SCADA links traverse a greater number of media conversion and data routing ports as compared to high-speed optic fiber LAN backbones. Therefore, there are many single points of failure in a diverse SCADA communications network. Communications outages typically result from equipment and power supply failures and human interference. Better availability is possible through the use of redundant communications paths to outstations; however, such designs can contribute significantly to the cost of a communications system and therefore may not be financially viable if the communications link is not crucial to operational security.

SCADA communication protocols :are designed specifically for the

reduced reliability

communications links typically employed with SCADA systems and to provide secure transmission of data, guaranteeing reliable delivery of data to the intended destination in most circumstances. The protocols employ error detection and message retry techniques usually by receive/transmit handshaking established through the use of headers and footers attached to the raw data under transmission. Such extra information introduces an overhead to the transmission of data, resulting in a trade off between speed of data transmission and the reliability of the communications link. As a result, the speed of data communications associated with SCADA is regularly slower than that typical of a communications backbone commonly used on a process plant, office, or factory floor application. Not only do the latter boast links using media such as hard wired optic fiber, which usually allows higher speeds of data transmission than available over radio links, but the communications protocols associated with SCADA systems introduce data transmission overheads which further slow the rate of data transfer. Where media such as low bit error rate optic fiber cabling is available, simple communications protocols may be used which do not require substantial transmission overheads.

Users of SCADA systems and the resulting data do not need to be aware of the communications protocols used. In fact, the protocols should be transparent to the user. However, it is important to understand that with the use of communications links such as radio, there is a possibility, albeit small, that communication errors will occur. For example, a control command could be sent to the wrong destination. SCADA systems

often request confirmation from an operator to confirm that a control action is required. This approach provides some level of protection against a control message being sent to the wrong destination. It is much more likely, however, that the operator has made the error and the control action has been requested of the incorrect outstation. The control confirmation check gives the operator another chance to select the correct outstation for control.

An example of a SCADA communications protocol includes DNP 3.0 (Distributed Network Protocol), a vendor independent protocol that incorporates multiple layers of error detection and correction and allows a select/confirm regime for control actions. Modbus is another widely used protocol for SCADA, but it does not offer the same level of data transmission security as DNP 3.0. There are also a large variety of protocols that are proprietary to individual SCADA vendors and offer capabilities similar to those described in this section.

Common Communications Media. The following communications

media are common: Licensed radio links (UHF and VHF) Unlicensed spread spectrum radio links Public switched telephone networks Mobile telephony Microwave Cable TV networks Dedicated satellite links Dedicated cable, including fiber optics (for very short distance communication) Corporate WAN computer communications systems

For highly critical sites, it is not uncommon for combinations of these different media to be used to ensure high reliability of communications to the site.

Selection of the preferred communications media depends on several important factors:

The remoteness of the field equipment site

 The required reliability of the communications media (primarily determined by the perceived operational importance of the remote site) Availability of communications options Cost of each option for the particular application Availability of power (power company, battery, solar, or other)

The communications systems used for SCADA are often split into two distinct parts: a Wide Area Network backbone (WAN) and numerous Local Area Networks (LANs). The interface between the two parts is commonly achieved through some form of multiplexing.

Wide Area Network Backbone. The WAN connects the central host
computer to the multiplexers. It may comprise cable, radio, or satellite data communications links depending on the geographic distribution of the SCADA system.

The WAN links are generally full duplex (they provide simultaneous data transmission in both directions) and may be configured in a star or loop topology. The star and loop topologies employ dedicated point-to-point communications links

between multiplexers. The star configuration (as shown in Figure 1) does not provide WAN redundancy. The loop configuration (see Figure 4) links adjacent multiplexers and provides alternative communications paths for redundancy, therefore providing higher reliability. Looped WANs require data traffic routers, and links must be dimensioned to carry all WAN traffic

In some cases, a WAN is not needed. An example is a simple SCADA system where all RTUs are connected directly to the central host computer via a single multi-drop communications link. These systems therefore effectively only contain an RTU local area network.

Multiplexers. Generally, some form of multiplexing is required to connect

a

WAN backbone to a local network of RTUs. Multiplexers allow different data streams to share a single data link, as shown in Figure 5. Multiplexers combine communications paths to and from many RTUs into a single bit stream, usually using time division multiplexing (TDM) or other such bit stream manipulation techniques. The multiplexers must be able to combine the traffic to and from tens or sometimes hundreds of RTUs for transmission over the SCADA WAN.

A simple form of multiplexer is to use a data traffic router together with a point-tomultipoint radio, as shown in Figure 6. In this diagram, LR refers to Local Radio, PMR to Point to Multipoint Radio, and ROUT to data router.

The multiplexer may itself be a SCADA processing device that manages the local network and not only combines the data, but also reduces the amount of data that must be interchanged with the central host. The SCADA system may employ a tree network with multiple hierarchical levels of multiplexer processors, as shown in Figure 7.

Local Networks. Local networks connect the RTUs to the multiplexers,

or directly to the SCADA central host computer if there is no need for a WAN connection. Like the WAN, the local network may comprise cable, radio, or satellite data communications links depending on the geographic distribution of the SCADA system. The links may be private or rented from a telephone company.

The Central Host Computer

The central host computer or master station is most often a single computer or a network of computer servers that provide a man-machine operator interface to the SCADA system. The computers process the information received from and sent to the RTU sites and present it to human operators in a form that the operators can work with. Operator terminals are connected to the central host computer by a computer network so that the viewing screens and associated data can be displayed for the operators. Recent SCADA systems are able to offer high resolution computer graphics to display a graphical user interface or mimic screen of the site or water supply network in question. Figure 8 shows the types of display screens offered by most systems. Some examples include System overview pages displaying the entire water distribution system and often summarizing SCADA sites that might be operating abnormally

 Site mimic screens for each individual RTU location showing up to the minute site information and offering an interface to control items of equipment at that site Alarm summary pages displaying current alarms, alarms that have been acknowledged by an operator, and alarms that have returned to normal but remain unacknowledged by an operator Trend screens enabling an operator to display the behavior of a particular variable over time Historically, SCADA vendors offered proprietary hardware, operating systems, and software that was largely incompatible with other vendors SCADA systems. Expanding the system required a further contract with the original SCADA vendor. Host computer platforms characteristically employed UNIX-based architecture and the host computer network was physically removed from any office computing domain. However, with the increased use of the personal computer, computer networking has become commonplace in the office and as a result, SCADA systems are now available that can network with office-based personal computers. Indeed, many of todays SCADA systems can reside on computer servers that are identical to those servers and computers used for traditional office applications. This has opened a range of possibilities for the linking of SCADA systems to office-based applications such as GIS systems, hydraulic modeling software, drawing management systems, work scheduling systems, and information databases.

Operator Workstation Communications System SCADA systems, several operators may require simultaneous access to the SCADA central host computer to view the performance of the system. SCADA systems are often designed to accommodate this requirement by including communications channels between the central host and the remote workstations accessed by the operators. Operator workstations are most often computer terminals that are networked with the SCADA central host computer. The central host computer acts as a server for the

SCADA application and the operator terminals are clients that request and send information to the central host computer based on the request and action of the operators. The communications system in place between the central host computer and the operator terminals is a Local Area Network. SCADA LANs enable multiple users in a relatively small geographical area to exchange files and messages, as well as access shared resources, such as the central host computer.

Historically, SCADA LANs have been dedicated networks; however, with the increased deployment of office LANs and Wide Area Networks (WANs) as a solution for interoffice computer networking, there exists the possibility to integrate SCADA LANs into everyday office computer networks.

The foremost advantage of this arrangement is that there is no need to invest in a separate computer network for SCADA operator terminals. In addition, there is an easy path to integrating SCADA data with existing office applications, such as spreadsheets, work management systems, data history databases, GIS systems, and water distribution modeling systems. However, there are several disadvantages that should be considered before integrating SCADA operator terminal LANs with office LANs:

Corporate networks are often only supported during office hours while SCADA LANs are most often required 24 hours per day, 7 days per week

 Communications links associated with SCADA may present a networking security breach into the corporate computer network because some links may bypass the office networks usual security precautions During office hours, data traffic on the network associated with the corporate network may seriously slow the networking of the SCADA operators SCADA network traffic generated during emergency operation procedures may seriously slow the corporate computer network Linking the SCADA system with the office LAN provides ways for hackers or terrorists to interfere with operation of the system

Common Communications Media.

There are many communication methods available. Evaluation of different communication systems for data communication among the system elements is required at the planning stage. The fundamental requirements for communication infrastructure are: If it can handle the requisite amount of data and multitasking; (ii) Determination of system average message rate; (iii) Data through put and system response times should meet various application requirements; (iv) It should allow for network growth and added applications. The communication methods may be used individually or combined.
(i)

Public Telephone Communication (PTC)

Dial-up and dedicated leased telephone lines are often used for Distribution Automation. Telecommunication services through Packet Switching Network (PSN) ),( wide area network in which the transferred information is divided
into segments which are sent separately with the attachment of the destination computer's address )

cellular radio or rural radio are viable, and may have the advantages of providing services in otherwise inaccessible places.

Power-Line Carrier (PLC)

It has an advantage of using the power network owned by the utility. It can reach any point on the network and extend automatically to newly added network elements. It has very limited bandwidth, in most cases less than 100 bits/second. This technology is useful for consumer load management and automatic meter reading of the consumer. PLC technologies are:

Ripple control very low-frequency signals injected at high-voltage levels Signaling by changing the power waveform on distribution feeders, so that the time of zero crossing is shifted. Distribution line-carrier-signals in the range of 5-12 kHz injected into distribution feeders. Ripple control is slow and suitable for applications such as one way load control and capacitor control The other two technologies can provide twoway communications at up to a few dozen bits per second (bps) between substations and devices on the distribution network.

Radio Communication
Radio communication systems, like PLC systems, are usually owned by the utility, but they have the important advantage of their operation being independent of the condition of the power system. Furthermore, many data channels, including high-speed channels, as well as voice communication can be provided. Radio technologies require licensinggenerally UHF, and VHF radio is the most widely used medium. The disadvantages of radio are the limited channels available from licensing authorities, the relatively low data rate possible (typically 1200 bits/sec.). The radio technologies generally used are:

(a) UHF Point-to-point Radio

UHF radio in the 800-900 MHz range is widely used by utilities for two way point-to-point communications. Systems in the 400 MHz range are also available. These systems usually support up to 15 voice and data channels operating at 4800 or 9600 bps. They require line of sight operation, in particular for the 900 MHz frequency bands. With flat terrain and antennas mounted at a reasonable height, reliable operation over a range of 30 to 40 km is practical. Dish antennas are used for point-topoint radios.

(b) UHF Multi Address System Radio Multi address systems were developed as a substitute for dedicated telephone lines, and are widely used for SCADA/EMS/distribution automation application. They consist of master radio station which communicates with several remote radios with IRTU (RTU interfaced with distribution equipment). Each system uses a pair of frequencies (400 MHz-l000 MHz)one for master-to-remote communications and the other for remote to master, so that duplex communication is possible. Coverage can be increased by providing remote more sub-master stations. An omnidirectional rod antenna is used at the master radio. At the remote radios, directional antennas provide better performance, but less expensive, less conspicuous and vulnerable "stick" antennas are also used. Typical MAS system has been shown in Fig. 5. This technology is useful for load management.

(c) VHF Radio One-way VHF radio (typically, the 154 MHz band widely used in the USA) is generally used to send load control commands. Inexpensive radio receivers / switches are available for giving load control switching commands.

(d) Packet Switching Network (PSN)

A packet switching network uses low power UHF spread spectrum transmission (typical 900 MHz band) and does not require licensing of frequencies. It is a unique solution to frequency management using spread spectrum technology. Due to its very low power density spectrum, it minimises interference to existing services. The packet switching send short burst of digital information over low power radios. These are data transmission networks with computerized nodes that perform specific communication tasks such as routing. Many power utilities in the world are using packet switching networks for many purposes, ranging from real-time SCADA, EMS to line and capacitor switching, administrative data; and from inter-utility to intra utility communications. The typical PSN system is shown in Fig. 6. for WAN and LAN through PLC. PSN technology is convenient for use in inter-utility communication, line switching in energy management systems and in data transmission between control centers. A number of utilities are using CCTIT's X.25 protocol in these applications. X.25 is the ideal method to harmonize the different hosts. (e) Cellular Radio This system is widely used for AMR, DSM and DA. Its benefits include wide-area broadcast and monitoring capability, and independence from communication utilities. This technology offers very high-speed (9600 baud) real-time, bidirectional data gathering systems control, and should be ideal for field operations. The typical cellular radio architecture is shown, in Fig. 7. The system has two levels of communication. A digital cellular for wide area network (WAN) at 900 MHz range and a low power spread spectrum RF as well as PLC channel for local area network (LAN).

Fiber Optics
Fiber optics, with its explicit downward cost trend in terns of product as well as installation and maintenance costs, has become a widely accepted choice, as it offers both technical and commercial advantages over conventional systems that use metallic cables and radio links.

The communication basically consists of a transmitter, and a receiver for information signals coming from the user's device, which is connected through copper wires to the switching center or exchange, where it is changed into a digital signal like 1s or 0s for easy handling. The signal is then transferred to the transmitter. In the transmitter, the information

signal which is electrical, drives an optical source: Laser or a light emitting diode (LED), which in turn, optically modulates the information signal, which get coupled into the optical fiber. The receiver located at the other side of the link detects the original signal and demodulates or converts back the optical signal to the original information signal (electrical). The signal is then connected through copper wires to the switching device or exchange for selection and connection to the proper user or user device. This type of communication is important for trunk routes power transmission lines. In such a situation, the problem of electrical interference is not encountered. This has the advantage of high data rate (9600 bits and much more) and f immunity from noise. Optical fibers are available in cable form. Such cables can be laid in cable trenches. There is a trend to associate optical fibers with power cables or conductors themselves. Optical fibers are embedded within the cables/conductors, either earth or phase conductor. Optical fiber communication is expected to play an important role in future protection signaling, either " as a dedicated protective relaying link, or as channels within a multiplexed system which carry all communication traffic such as voice, telecontrol, telemetering and protection signaling.

SatelliteCommunication

This technology is useful for load management controls. Satellite-based VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) network communication is used for power systems. It has a 99.5% reliability factor. A communication signal is sent from a VSAT to the satellite at a particular frequency (see Fig.9). The signal is amplified, shifted to a different frequency and sent back to the VSA T at the destination. A VSAT network is distance insensitive. One has to pay only for the cost of VSATs and service charges which are very reasonable. The whole network can be monitored and controlled centrally. If there is any problem in the network, it can be diagnosed from the hub. Primarily, there are three types of technologies for VSAT networks. The 'Star' technology is approved by the Government of India. In this configuration, at the center of the network is a big earth station known as the hub with a dish diameter of 6-11 metres. The control of the network is at the hub and it maintains a communication link between VSATs scattered all over the country or region. The configuration is therefore called the Star.

The other technology is the 'Mesh' technology. The configuration permits a group of VSATs to communicate directly with other VSATs going through the central hub. In this type of configuration, anyone of the VSATs functions as a hub and controls the whole network. This configuration enables better voice and video communication than the Star configuration. This technology has also been introduced in India. In the third type of configuration, there is point to point connection between the VSA Ts. In such a network, data, voice and video signals are carried directly between the locations. In satellite communication, an extended C-band is used for communicating the data. HCL COMNET, VSNL, Wipro BT, AT&T, HECL, MAX, RPG satellite and communications have emerged as the large VSAT service operators in the country. VSATs are readily available in the market.

Transmitter This provides output (transmittable) signals after converting and amplifying low level signals of basic sensor elements. Modern transmitters are smart and microprocessor based, performing many other functions such as alarm, signal etc. . Transducer This is a measuring element that senses the external action. It gathers parameters and supplies through remote telecommunication capabilities.

Why TSATs Private Satellite Network is the best solution for your company
YOU GET FULL CONTROL Operating via a private HUB gives you full control over your network. You do not have to rely on shared public networks prone to malfunction and operating failure. Because the HUB is placed at your control center, the cost of a leased line normally associated with a shared HUB solution is eliminated. YOU GET LOWER COST TSAT features the lowest cost HUB on the market. In addition it requires very low bandwidth, thus making your

space segment cost negligible. YOU GET SECURITY AND RELIABILITY Our experience shows that TSAT provides greater security and higher reliability than radio systems, public networks and internet solutions. It is less prone to unauthorized access (hacking), virus infections and disruption in service due to public works.

TSAT offers Satellite Based Private Network

TSAT is a unique satellite communication solution developed for the SCADA market. It is a tailor-made solution for managing geographically dispersed assets through a unified, yet simple communication solution. The unique system design provides low cost solutions to traditional problem areas such as frequency stability, phase noise and interference requirements. Our customers are electrical utilities, oil and gas companies and water resource management companies all over the world.

Low cost, tailor-made solutions

Each system is tailor-made to our customers specific needs. The unique technical solution offers flexibility and cost effectiveness due to features like: _ low cost HUB _ low cost space segment _ safe and reliable communications link _ proprietary, dedicated HUB _ flexible access schemes and protocol options _ competitive with PSTN, radio links, and VSAT shared HUB solutions.

Fields of application

TSAT operates at data rates between 2400-14400 bps. The system features flexible and highly reliable solutions for collection and distribution of data in a wide array of SCADA applications such as: ELECTRICAL POWER Hydro-power generation, windfarms, load/energy management, automated meter reading, substation automation, automatic switching operations, earth fault detection, transformer monitoring etc. OIL & GAS Pump and valve control, flow measurement, pressure and temperature monitoring, leak detection, corrosion monitoring etc. WATER River, dam and reservoir level control, water flow, flood warning/alarm systems, dike management, coastal monitoring etc.

Easy, cost-effective network management

The TSAT NMS runs under Windows NT/2000/XP on a normal PC. This makes it very easy to manage your network. Since the system is simple and uncomplicated to learn, it will reduce the time and cost of training your staff on the operation of the network.

Unique, optional features

In addition to all standard features, the following options are also available: _ Additional inbound/outbound channels which improves your network capacity in case of high traffic and high response time requirements. _ Redundant and load sharing HUBs with remote terminals being able use a secondary HUB if the primary HUB is not available. _ Protocol adapter to minimise link delays and increase network capacity.