SCADA RTU

A stand-alone data acquisition and control unit.

A small computer that provides intelligence in the

field, and allows the central SCADA master to
communicate with the field instruments.
 Central
Main functions: SCADA
Control process equipment at the System
remote site
Acquire data from the process
Transfer the data back to the
central SCADA system
Communication
link

SCADA
RTU

Process
There are two basic types of RTU

Single board RTU: The "single board RTU"

which is compact, and contains all I/O on a single
board. A typical single board RTU normally has
fixed I/O
e. g. 16 digital inputs, 8 digital outputs, 8 analogue
inputs, and say 4 analogue outputs.

It is normally not possible to expand its capability. 

Modular RTU : The "Modular RTU" has a
separate CPU module, and can have other
modules added, normally by plugging into a
common "backplane" (a bit like a PC motherboard
and plug in peripheral cards).
 
The modular RTU is designed to be expanded by
adding additional modules. Typical modules may
be a 8 analog in module, a 8 digital out module.
Some specialized modules such as a GPS time
stamp module may be available.
RTU Hardware features:
 
CPU and volatile memory.
 Non volatile memory for storing programs and data.
 Communications capability either through serial port(s)
or sometimes with an on board modem.
 Secure Power supply (with battery backup).
 Watchdog timer (to ensure the RTU restarts if something
fails).
 Electrical protection against "spikes".
 I/O interfaces to DI/DO/AI/AO's.
 Real time clock.
 
RTU Software Features:
Real time operating system. This may be a
specific RTOS, or it may be code that started out
life as one big loop scanning the inputs, and
monitoring the communications ports.

 Driver for the communications system i.e. the

link to the SCADA Master.

 Device drivers for the I/O system i.e. to the

field devices.
RTU Software Features:
 SCADA application e. g. scanning of inputs, processing
and storing of data, responding to requests from the SCADA
master over the communications network.
 Some method to allow the user applications to be
configured in the RTU. This may be simple parameter setting,
enabling or disabling specific I/O's or it may represent a
complete user-programming environment.
 Diagnostics.
 Some RTU's may have a file system with support for file
downloads. This supports user programs, and configuration
files.
Types RTU's are as follows:
 
Tiny stand-alone systems that run off batteries for an entire year or more. These
systems log data into EPROM or FLASH ROM and download data when physically
accessed by an operator. Often these systems use single chip processors with
minimal memory and might not be able to handle a sophisticated communications
protocol.
 
Small stand-alone systems that can power up periodically and apply power to
sensors (or radios) to measure and/or report. Usually run off batteries that are
maintained by solar energy. The batteries are large enough to maintain operation for
at least 4 months during the darkness of the winter in the far northern hemisphere.
These systems generally have enough capability for a much more complex
communications scheme.
 
Medium systems. Dedicated single board industrial computers, including IBM-PC
or compatible computers either in desk-top enclosures or industrial configurations
such as VME, MultiBus, STD bus, PC104 etc.
 
Large systems. Complete Plant control with all the bells and whistles. These are
usually in Distributed Control systems in Plants, etc and often communicate over
high speed LANS. Timing may be very critical.
Standards
 

DNPs and IEC870 for communications

IEC1131-3 for programming RTU's.

 
 
 
 
 PLC's vs RTU's
 
A PLC (programmable logic controller) originally
had less communications capability and more
programmability

RTU's have ability to handle difficult

communications. RTU's originally had poor
programmability in comparison to PLC's.
 
At present we are seeing the merging of
RTU's and PLC's.
Document By
SANTOSH BHARADWAJ REDDY
Email: help@matlabcodes.com
Engineeringpapers.blogspot.com
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