Applications requiring centralized Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) as well as trending, logging etc., have need of a system similar to the basic DAS system.
SCADA systems are used to monitor and control plant or equipment via a system consisting of a central host (or master), one or more field data gathering and control units (or remotes), and a collection of standard and/or custom software used to monitor and control remotely located field data elements.
The control may be automatic or initiated by operator commands. Data for the system is gathered over data highways from systems such as the BMS, BAS or from Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) such as PLCs or DCS I/O modules.
SCADA systems located in a confined area usually communicate via a local area network (LAN), which is normally reliable and exhibits high-speed data transfer rates. Generally, SCADA systems cover larger geographic areas and rely on a variety of communications systems that are normally less reliable than a local area network (LAN).
The master scans the RTUs, and the data is processed to detect a change in field status. Data is principally of three main types: analog, digital (on/off) and pulse (e.g., counting revolutions of a meter), which are normally accumulated or counted. SCADA systems exhibit predominantly open-loop control characteristics although some elements of closed-loop control may also be present.
The SCADA systems designed by FPS are "event-driven" meaning that no changes occur in the master until a change occurs in the field. The remote RTUs are polled for changed values, which will be used to update the real-time database. The database update will trigger alarm evaluations, display updates and other events.
Software for our designed SCADA systems runs under Microsoft Windows NT/2000™, which comes equipped with an extensive library of custom tools, objects and live database connectivity. Every system can be easily configured and maintained by plant personnel upon receiving training.
We will engineer, design and build a SCADA system to monitor critical processes found in large and small industrial applications. Additionally, SCADA systems can be engineered to interface with existing DAS, BMS, and BAS systems to create a complete control, monitoring and data management package.
For more information, please contact us.
