Scada and Telemetry Basics

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SCADA and Telemetry Basics - SCADA System Basics
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SCADA Basics
As most of you probably know,
SCADA stands for Supervisory Control
and Data Acquisition. It’s a term that’s
been around since the 60s and grew out
of the utility power and natural gas
industries where it was necessary to
operate equipment at remote,
unmanned substations. (Read a detailed
history of SCADA ) In general terms,
SCADA allows for monitoring of
dispersed equipment and/or processes
and initiation of control of those same
dispersed elements.
Today, you can find SCADA systems

of some type in virtually every
industry, and most plants within an
SCADA basics
industry category. The efficiency
benefits of a SCADA system compared
to manually monitoring and adjusting equipment and processes are significant. Consider as an example, a
municipal water distribution system where pre-SCADA operation involved a technician driving from water
tank to water tank to read tank levels and initiate action accordingly.
SCADA Overview
A typical SCADA network consists of instrumentation located with each dispersed element, to
monitor/measure its condition or operation. Instrumentation can be as simple as level and flow measurements
to complex chemical analysis or material composition (think thickness and brightness measurement at
multiple points across the width of a sheet of paper as it speeds off a paper machine). Modern manufacturing
plants may employ vision systems to check quality. In essence, any parameter that can be recognized can be
incorporated into a SCADA system.
Instrumentation is connected to a remote terminal unit (RTU) which converts the signals from the equipment
into a data stream that is communicated to the central location, where a data concentrator collects the data and
feeds it to the operator terminal. In most cases, this terminal is a computer that provides the human-machine-
interface (HMI) which allows the operator to view the monitored data and initiate changes that may be
necessary. Depending on the elements/parameters being monitored and the type of system, some responses to
change information may occur automatically, while others may require operator intervention.
Telemetry Basics
The data stream from the RTUs to the central data concentrator constitutes the telemetry, which is the term
generally applied to the monitoring information being sent from the RTU. Telemetry signaling techniques
advanced over time to include pulse rate and variable frequency schemes. Technology advances also allowed
for multiplexing telemetry from multiple RTUs over a single communications channel, which led to allowing
operators to use selective telemetry systems to separate out the signals.
5 of 11 9/17/2018, 11:26 AM
Automated data loggers helped capture large volumes of telemetry data without requiring constant operator
attention. Solid state technology, improved recording systems, and computerized handling of the data have
elevated telemetry into modern monitoring and response systems.
SCADA Communications
The communications link itself has undergone massive changes through the years in the technology
employed. In the early years, telephone lines were used as the transmission medium, and telephone company
step-x-step switching technology was employed for signaling. This amounted to little more than sequences of
open-close electrical pulses created by the switches.
Advances in technology allowed improved signaling capabilities, first in half-duplex (one-way-at-a-time

signaling), then in full-duplex (simultaneous transmission both directions) mode. Pulse modulation techniques
and computerization have made possible today’s systems that can generate and receive the massive amounts
of data that feed a modern SCADA system.
Wireless Within a SCADA Network
Over time, hardwire connections became less practical and more expensive. Radio technology evolved to be
the preferred method of communicating telemetry signals. Licensed radio with limited bandwidth and power
made its way into the telemetry field. After WW II, spread spectrum technologies became available to the
factory floor and SCADA systems, allowing multiple users to operate in the same band.
In the 80s, the FCC stepped in and divided up frequency bands for different applications, and manufacturers
developed a variety of proprietary systems operating in different frequency ranges. Eventually, standards were
developed that made spread spectrum and licensed radio good options for implementing wireless
communications links within a SCADA network.
But radio also has some disadvantages. Antenna placement and height are often difficult to optimize for signal
strength, though radio surveys can minimize this problem by helping to determine the best of both parameters.
Another challenge with radio, sometimes experienced in water/wastewater systems, is that antennas high
enough to provide proper range and signal strength become lightning targets, causing equipment and system
outages and chewing through maintenance budgets.
The current trend that we’re seeing in wireless communications for SCADA networks is cellular technology.
Cellular networks now provide nearly universal geographic coverage. Cellular service is relatively
inexpensive compared to other technologies. And cellular technology allows RTUs to be located at ground
level, without the need for lightning attracting antennas.
Questions?
This has been a relatively simple overview of SCADA and its various elements. And for our many, more
experienced readers, it would probably qualify as overly simplistic. But SCADA is a huge term, forming the
heart of automation and control systems, and trying to address all of its elements in depth would go beyond
the practicality of a single blog post. But if you have specific elements, aspects, or issues of SCADA that you
would like us to address in more depth, please let us know. You many add comments below, use the Contact
Us function of the web site, or email us directly at revere@reverecontrol.com. We look forward to providing
more SCADA information at some point in the future.
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SCADA and Telemetry Basics - SCADA System Basics | Revere Contro... http://www.reverecontrol.

Oil & Gas

Machine & Electrical Safety Solutions

Legacy Controls Migration

Today, you can find SCADA systems

Advances in technology allowed improved signaling capabilities, first in half-duplex (one-way-at-a-time

Wireless Within a SCADA Network

8 Drivers of Clean Water Treatment Plant Digitalization

©2015 - 2018 Revere Control Systems All Rights Reserved |

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