RTU/PLC integrated intelligence

October 2003 System Integration & Control Systems Design Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management

The Scadapack PLC/RTU Series is now available with an integrated spread spectrum wireless transceiver with a value adding GSM-SMS utility. This simplified panel design eliminates the need for separate power supplies and cables, resulting in a more compact package that simplifies installation and configuration. This affordable wireless solution eliminates the need for expensive licensing, higher start up or operational costs and supports remote programming, store-and-forward, and report-by-exception functionality.

In a recently completed project in Polokwane, both C programming and ladder logic programming environments were used to achieve on-site control and SMS alarm notification. The control application is written in ladder logic and the SMS alarm utility is written in C-language. The ladder and C runtime code both reside in the Scadapack processor and execute in parallel at the same time, demonstrating the processing power of the Scadapack in making use of higher level software such as C or C++. The serial port on the PLC and the link to the GSM modem is controlled and maintained by the C-program that changes the port protocol as and when needed. This makes it possible to communicate to almost any external device via the serial port.

The solution provides the end user with a highly sophisticated system that offers remote on-site control, remote monitoring, remote configuration, remote programming, remote diagnostic and also alarm notification through SMS functionality. It also saves on maintenance cost since the product can be supported and maintained remotely through a dialup link to the cellphone modem from almost any place in the world.

The alarm conditions and cellular phone numbers of applicable personnel are configurable through a user friendly, standalone front end utility that allows the RTU/PLC and communication settings to be set up in one simple procedure. The settings configured with the Front End Utility can be downloaded remotely to the PLC. This utility allows the end user to define different alarm categories that can be linked to different user groups, thus allowing specific alarms such as high and low levels, intruder, battery voltage and mains fail, to be sent to specific personnel responsible to act on specific conditions.

These alarms are sent via a cellphone modem without interfering with the ladder logic control program execution and data logging in the PLC.

For more information contact Supervisory & Control Engineering, 016 982 3700, [email protected], www.sce.co.za

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