Internet SCADA Utilizing API’s as Data Source

Rosslin John Robles1, Haeng-kon Kim2, and Tai-hoon Kim1,*

1
Multimedia Engineering Department, Hannam University,
Daejeon, Korea
2
Dept. of Computer and Communication, Catholic Univ. of DaeGu, Korea
rosslin_john@yahoo.com, taihoonn@hnu.kr

Abstract. An Application programming interface or API is an interface imple-

mented by a software program that enables it to interact with other software.
Many companies provide free API services which can be utilized in Control
Systems. SCADA is an example of a control system and it is a system that col-
lects data from various sensors at a factory, plant or in other remote locations and
then sends this data to a central computer which then manages and controls the
data. In this paper, we designed a scheme for Weather Condition in Internet
SCADA Environment utilizing data from external API services. The scheme was
designed to double check the weather information in SCADA.

Keywords: SCADA, Control Systems, API, Control Systems.

1 Introduction
SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. SCADA refers to a
system that collects data from various sensors at a factory, plant or in other remote
locations and then sends this data to a central computer which then manages and con-
trols the data. Data acquisition is the process of retrieving control information from the
equipment which is out of order or may lead to some problem or when decisions are
need to be taken according to the situation in the equipment. So this acquisition is done
by continuous monitoring of the equipment to which it is employed. The data accessed
are then forwarded onto a telemetry system ready for transfer to the different sites. To
improve the accuracy of data and to improve the performance of SCADA systems, we
design a double checking scheme for Weather. This scheme uses data from weather
API Providers. Many API Provider such as Google, Yahoo, etc have Weather API’s.
Weather API’s can give weather condition and forecast about a specific place.

2 SCADA and API

2.1 SCADA Systems

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition software can be divided into proprietary
type or open type. Proprietary software are developed and designed for the specific

* Corresponding author.

T.-h. Kim et al. (Eds.): SecTech/DRBC 2010, CCIS 122, pp. 269–275, 2010.
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010
270 R.J. Robles, H.-k. Kim, and T.-h. Kim

hardware and are usually sold together. The main problem with these systems is the
overwhelming reliance on the supplier of the system. Open software systems are de-
signed to communicate and control different types of hardware. It is popular because of
the interoperability they bring to the system. [1] WonderWare and Citect are just two of
the open software packages available in the market for SCADA systems. Some pack-
ages are now including asset management integrated within the SCADA system.
Typically SCADA systems include the following components: [2]

1. Operating equipment such as pumps, valves, conveyors and substation breakers that
can be controlled by energizing actuators or relays.
2. Local processors that communicate with the site’s instruments and operating
equipment.
3. Instruments in the field or in a facility that sense conditions such as pH, temperature,
pressure, power level and flow rate.
4. Short range communications between the local processors and the instruments and
operating equipment.
5. Long range communications between the local processors and host computers.
6. Host computers that act as the central point of monitoring and control.

The measurement and control system of SCADA has one master terminal unit (MTU)
which could be called the brain of the system and one or more remote terminal units
(RTU). The RTUs gather the data locally and send them to the MTU which then issues
suitable commands to be executed on site. A system of either standard or customized
software is used to collate, interpret and manage the data.
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is conventionally set upped in
a private network not connected to the internet. This is done for the purpose of isolating
the confidential information as well as the control to the system itself. Because of the
distance, processing of reports and the emerging technologies, SCADA can now be
connected to the internet. This can bring a lot of advantages and disadvantages which
will be discussed in the sections.

Fig. 1. Typical SCADA System