Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is a system that uses coded signals over telecommunications lines to control remote equipment, using typically, a single communication channel for each remote station. SCADA was first launched in the 1960s, over the years it has had significant developments and used extensively by numerous industries that have required the development of Application.

SCADA is one of many Industrial Control Systems (ICS) that is the terminology that covers a number of control systems, for example a Distributed Control System (DSC) as well as other smaller Control Systems, such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). These Systems are deployed to control and monitor equipment or a plant in industries like water and waste control, telecommunications, energy, transport (roads and railways), oil and gas refining, etc.

SCADA is a computer system used to gather and analyze real-time data. This data is processed by the computer and is presented on a regular basis. SCADA also saves and make logs for every event into a log file that is saved on a hard drive or is sent to a printer. SCADA gives warnings by sounding alarms if situations develop into hazardous scenarios. The diagrams below are two (2) simple examples of SCADA configurations.

ELECTRICAL SUB STATIONS FOR POWER DISTRIBUTION: A SCADA System is designed to selectively control Power Reclosers at Sub-Stations.

Each Recloser is connected to a CesCom CE-0029D48V RS232 – RS422/485 Converters RS232 port. Each Isolated RS422/485 port of the CE-0029D48V Converters are connected in a multi-drop configuration. The end of the RS485 multi-drop network is connected to the remote side of a CE-0029D48V RS232 to RS485/422 Converter which has its isolated RS232 stage connected to the RS232 port of a Remote Terminal Unit (RTU).

This system enables commands generated at the RTU to control all Reclosers at the Sub-Station.

REMOTE “PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER” (PLC) MONITORING: A SCADA System can be deployed in a traffic movement environment. The SCADA System is designed to monitor the progress of the movement of traffic over a designated traffic corridor. A series of PLCs positioned along a remote corridor several hundreds of metres apart; each PLC is connected to the Host side of a CesCom CE-0019D, RS422/485 to RS422/485 Isolator.

Each remote side of all CesCom CE-0019D Isolators are connected in a multi-drop configuration as well as to the remote side of a CesCom CE-0029D Isolated RS232 to RS422/485 Converter at the site office which is located several hundred metres from the Remote corridor. The RS232 side of the site office CE-0029D Isolated Converter is connected to a RS232 computing device that is used to continuously poll the network. As movement of the traffic occurs in the remote corridor responses are transmitted to the site office via the CesCom CE-0019D Isolator and CE-0029D Converter, thus monitoring Traffic movement.

Isolation, both optical and electrical, is achieved through the CE-0019D and CE-0029, nullifying any harmful transients induced by action such as tropical lightning and thunder storms.

It is essential that Utilities have reliable and secure networks to manage the large investments that they have made, and will continue make, in maintaining and expanding their Grid(s). CesCom appreciates the needs of Utilities in the design and reliability of the equipment and the cost of the equipment. In addition the Utilities require an easy to manage and reliable network: CesCom contributes to this requirement by designing equipment that have a greater than 14 years “Mean Time between Failures”.

Utilities Profile

Utilities require a secure and reliable grid: they understand and address security requirement throughout the implementation of their network(s).

Security objectives are top priority. Security must be provided for all communication to remote devices distribution devices. Failure in addressing security for their communication links can lead to power systems outages or instability. Implementing a modern power grid requires in–depth knowledge of power systems engineering as well as advanced communications technology knowledge. This stringent set of skills that is very difficult to implement and maintain those skills.

Solution and Results

CesCom brings together strong power system communications technology with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisitions (SCADA). For example CesCom will work with the utility to:

Analyse Modbus traffic.
Analyse network and SCADA communication traffic.
Characterise bandwidth and latency requirements.
Identify vulnerabilities.

CesCom.

Analyses Modbus
Implemented standalone IPS device design at the control centre between SCADA master and slave.
Delivered a modern design that met bandwidth and latency requirements.
Provide day one support to adjust signatures.

“Together CesCom and Utilities can design and roll-out solutions to monitor the network of the Unilities, while at the same time protect the network by the reliability of the products of CesCom”.   

Source : http://www.cescom.com.au/news/