Application Note On SCADA / Process Automation System
Application Note On SCADA / Process Automation System
Application Note On SCADA / Process Automation System
Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are typically used by utilities such
as power, Oil & Gas, water and waste management, etc. SCADA systems are also used by
Process Industries including petrochemicals, fertilizers, cement, paper and pulp, steel industries,
and aluminum plants.
Many installations of these systems are in areas where it is exposed to harsh environments of
EMI, RFI, multiple/dirty ground, and lightning where in the conventional communication cables
have to be protected to run SCADA properly. Apart from this, distances to be covered may
involve additional devices such as repeaters, boosters, or line drivers. This puts pressure on the
proper installation methods used and supervision of extra testing to make sure that it will not
surprise in future or require corrective action when problems develop. Fiber optic
communication provides a clean and safer solution in this case. With a fiber optic system,
SCADA systems can be set up without repeaters and can cover a much larger geographical area.
These could be RTUs, PLCs, Remote I/o devices, Energy meters, Controllers, Intelligent
I/O electronic devices (IEDs), Instruments, etc.
Here the two-tier communication is envisioned. Between master and front end is generally at a
higher speed where as the I/Os are at a lower speed. The I/Os are connected in various
configurations such as individual, star connected (broad cast), or multidrop.
Master S. I. Tech
Bit-Driver
S. I. Tech
Bit-Driver
Front
Computer End
FIBER
System Devices
S. I. Tech S. I. Tech
Bit-Driver Bit-Driver
To other
devices on fiber Fiber of
1 1 I/O I/O different type
2 2
2 3 4 4 5
Front end
Devices /
data I/O I/O
I/O
concentrator
To other
devices on fiber
6 7 7 6
I/O I/O
I/O I/O I/O
The above diagram shows how individual connectivity of multidrop is possible either on fiber or
in combination of copper and fiber. Also combination of different fiber types such as multimode,
single mode, or plastic fiber is possible to cover different distances like in a wide industrial
complex, electrical distribution network, etc. where devices or locations are spread over long
distances and needs connectivity end to end.
Example 1:
These configurations are used in many applications by our various valuable customers for over a
long period with satisfactory performance. The product range provides flexibility in engineering
as per the other SCADA system components and user requirements.