SCADA

SCADA
• SCADA is an acronym for Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition.
• SCADA systems are used to MONITOR AND CONTROL a plant
or equipment in industries such as telecommunications,
water and waste control, energy, oil and gas refining and
transportation.
• These systems encompass the transfer of data between a
SCADA central host computer and a number of Remote
Terminal Units (RTUs) and/or Programmable Logic
Controllers (PLCs), and the central host and the operator
terminals.
What it will do……
• A SCADA system gathers information (such as
where a leak on a pipeline has occurred),
transfers the information to a central site,
then alerts the home station that a leak has
occurred, carrying out necessary analysis and
control, such as determining if the leak is
critical, and displaying the information in a
logical and organized fashion.
Communication…
• SCADA systems have made use of the Public
Switched Network (PSN), Today many systems
are monitored using the infrastructure of the
corporate Local Area Network (LAN)/Wide
Area Network (WAN)
• Wireless technologies are now being widely
deployed for purposes of monitoring.
SCADA
 SCADA systems consist of
• One or more field data interface devices, usually RTUs, or 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, etc., or any
combination of these.
• A central host computer server or servers (sometimes called a SCADA
Center, master station, or Master Terminal Unit (MTU)
• 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
Typical SCADA System
 Field Data Interface Devices
• "Eyes And Ears" of a SCADA system for water distribution system
Devices such as
 RESERVOIR LEVEL METERS
 WATER FLOW METERS
 VALVE POSITION TRANSMITTERS
 TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTERS
 POWER CONSUMPTION METERS
 PRESSURE METERS
All provide information that can tell an experienced operator how well a
water distribution system is performing.
• The information that is passed to and from
the field data interface devices must be
converted to a form that is compatible with
the language of the SCADA system.
• To achieve this, some form of electronic field
data interface is required. RTUs, also known
as Remote Telemetry Units, provide this
interface.
 Communications Network
• By which data can be transferred between the central
host computer servers and the field-based RTUs.
• The Communication Network refers to the equipment
needed to transfer data to and from different sites.
The medium used can either be cable, telephone or
radio.
• SCADA networks have been dedicated networks;
however, with the increased deployment of office
LANs and WANs as a solution for inter office computer
• networking, there exists the possibility to integrate
SCADA LANs into everyday office computer networks.
 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
• Present it to human operators in a form that the operators can
work with
• 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.
• SCADA systems to office-based applications such as GIS systems,
hydraulic modelling software, drawing management systems, work
scheduling systems, and information databases
 Operator Workstations
• Computer terminals that are networked with the
SCADA central host computer.
• Central host computer acts as a server for the SCADA
application, and the operator terminals are clients.
• Most obvious software component is the operator
interface or Man Machine Interface/Human Machine
Interface (MMI/HMI) package
• When software is well defined, designed, written,
checked, and tested, a successful SCADA system will
likely be produced.
 SCADA Architectures
• Evolved in parallel with the growth and
sophistication of modern computing
technology
• First Generation – Monolithic
• Second Generation – Distributed
• Third Generation – Networked
First Generation SCADA Architecture
• Improvement in system miniaturization and
Local Area Networking (LAN) technology
• Multiple stations, each with a specific
function, were connected to a LAN and shared
information with each other in real-time
• The networks that connected to individual
systems were generally based on LAN
protocols and were not capable of reaching
beyond the limits of the local environment.
Second Generation SCADA
Architecture
• Distribution of system to improve the
redundancy and reliability
• The distributed architecture often kept all
stations on the LAN in an online state all of the
time.
• For example, if an HMI station were to fail,
another HMI station could be used to operate
the system, without waiting for failover from the
primary system to the secondary.
• The WAN used to communicate with devices
Third Generation SCADA System
• Closely related to that of the second generation, with the primary
difference being that of an open system architecture rather than a vendor
controlled, proprietary environment.

• Opening the system architecture, utilizing open standards and protocols

and making it possible to distribute SCADA functionality across a WAN and
not just a LAN.

• utilization of off-the-shelf systems makes it easier for the user to connect

third party peripheral devices (such as monitors, printers, disk drives, tape
drives, etc.) to the system and/or the network.

• WAN protocols such as the Internet Protocol (IP) for communication

between the master station and communications equipment. Vendors are
now producing RTUs that can communicate with the master station using
an Ethernet connection.

• This allows the portion of the master station that is responsible for
communications with the field devices to be separated from the master
station “proper” across a WAN.
APPLICATION EXAMPLE
Water Treatment Plant

Master PLC Slave

Sub-Master
PLC PLC
Control Valve
Network, Fiber
Optic, or Phone
Line

Slave Slave Slave Slave

PLC PLC PLC PLC

Pump Station Filter Control Water Tank Pump Station

Printer
Operator
Workstation
 FUNCTIONS OF SCADA
• Graphical Representation of Entire
System
• Continuous Information at Operator
Workstations
• Automatic Control
• Remote Control
• Alarming/Paging
• Trending/Reporting
• Easily Expandable
Economic Advantages of SCADA
• Implementation of “On-Call” shifts
• Reduced Operator Travel Time
• Greater Speed, Accuracy, and efficiency
• Increased Reliability
• Reduced Maintenance
• Safety and Security
SCADA Functions (1) : MMI
 SCADA Functions (2)
Alarm Handling
• Alarms are time stamped and
logically centralised *
• Notifications (audible, visual,
Email, GSM)
• Multiple alarm priority levels
• Grouping of alarms and handling
of groups is possible
• Filtering of alarms is possible
 SCADA Functions (3)
Powerful and effective analysis tools - Trending

Be sure to make the right decisions with effective, just-in-time tools for
analyzing production performances.

•Multiple trending charts

•Charts are pre-defined or

configured on-line

•Charts contain multiple pens,

•Zooming, scrolling, panning,
‘Hairline’

•Real-time and historical

trending
 SCADA Functions (4)
• Access Control
• Users organised in groups with a set of allocated privileges
• Large number of groups possible
• Privileges limit write access to process parameters
• Some allow access to graphics and functionality to be limited

• Automation
• Actions can be initiated automatically triggered by an event *
• Recipes
• Sequencing and scripting possibilities
 SCADA Functions (5)
• Report Generation
• Reports created using SQL type queries to the RTDB or logs
• Automatic generation, printing and archiving of reports
• Use of ‘components’ for report generation
 SCADA Functions (5)
• Logging, Archiving
• Data stored in compressed and proprietary format
• Logging / Archiving either for a set number of parameters or for
a set period of time
• Logging / Archiving can be frequency or event driven *
• Logging of user actions together with a user ID
• VCR facility for playback of stored data
• Report Generation
• Reports created using SQL type queries to the RTDB or logs
• Automatic generation, printing and archiving of reports
• Use of ‘components’ for report generation
 Interfaces to H/W and S/W
H/W
• Multiple communication protocols supported in a single system
(in particular CERN supported Field busses)
• Support for major PLCs / DCSs
S/W
• API
• ODBC, DDE and OLE I/F to PC Products
• OPC Client
• ActiveX Containers
• Web clients
REMOTE TERMINAL UNITS
 RTU cabinet with
RTU (center), radio
(top center), and
field
wiring
terminations
(left)
 RTUs
• Modular high performance RTUs include
additional hardware features, power supplies
with multiple AC/DC voltage rails, diagnostic
displays, and provide support for integrated
battery backup.
• Furthermore, RTUs must withstand the harsh
environmental conditions encountered at
offshore drilling platforms, arctic power
stations etc…
 Key hardware specifications
• Modularity – RTU systems that use a modular approach enable flexible
CPU, I/O, and radio/modem configurations. As a result, RTU modules
provide mission-driven configurations and enable quick expansion as
needs change.

• Intelligent power management, battery backup and optimized

temperature compensated battery charging for overcharging and
discharging protection.

• Some provide accurate remaining battery life to permit alarm or shut

down procedures

• Temperature and hazardous environment hardening

 Programmable
Logic
Controller (PLC)
performing local
control functions,
physically
separated,
but wired to a
nearby
Remote Terminal
Unit
(RTU)
• CPU – RTUs require high processing capability to manage complex control
tasks efficiently. For example, RTUs that contain a 200 MHz, 500 Million
Instructions per Second (MIPS) CPU with multiple communication port
support are optimal for performing simultaneous communications,
networking, and control tasks.
• Ladder and C source code – Support for legacy, current, and future software
applications and upgrades.
• Scan times – High processing power, I/O counts, and data rates translate
directly into high scan rates. RTUs with high scan rates in the order of 1-ms
SOE (Sequence of Events) resolution helps enable rapid respond to changing
conditions at the remote site.
• Real Time Operating System (RTOS) – PLCs generally employ a proprietary
OS architecture, while some RTUs use inefficient non-RTOS architectures.
Because RTOS kernels use a highly optimized, efficient data model requiring
minimal source code, RTUs built with RTOS benefit from faster task
processing, reduced memory requirements, and lower risk of failure due to
overly complex code.
 Features
• Time synchronization – Ensure that the unit can time sync to the required
accuracy.
• Store and forward – Allows easy extension of radio networks without
additional, expensive RF equipment;
• Dual link communications – Improves system redundancy through full
two-way messaging with acknowledgements on both links; also allows the
data to travel “through” the RTU and communication medium
simultaneously.
• Alternate links – Equipping the unit with multiple links increases the
likelihood that communications reach their destination. For example, if
path 1 fails, use path 2, or path 3.
• Dual mode operation – Make sure the unit can operate and easily switch
between master/slave and peer-to-peer operation
 Features
• Two-way radio operation – Supporting multiple radio types and spectrums
provides flexibility, especially in areas with high RF (Radio Frequency)
interference:
• – Mobile/portable two-way radio
• – Analog/digital trunking
• – MAS 900 MHz
• – Broadband (WLAN, Canopy™, iNet900, etc)
• – Cellular modem (GPRS)
• Report by exception – Enables fast reporting of alarm conditions, yet
minimizes channel use because the system only reports when necessary.
• Data logging – To perform event data logging, systems require large
amounts of available program and or user memory.
RTU Vs PLC
 PROCESSING OF DATA FROM THE FIELD
Data can be of three main types:
• Analog data (real numbers), which will be trended (placed in
graphs)
• Digital data (on/off), which may have alarms attached to one
state or the Other Pulse data (for example, counting
revolutions of a meter) is analog data normally accumulated
or counted.
• Such data are treated within the SCADA operator terminal
software displays as analog data and may be trended.
HMI
HMI