UCOS SCADA Architecture

Here is an example of the highly flexible UCOS SCADA architecture. Click any component in the architecture to learn more about it.

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Details

Master Station

The master station supports the following components and functionality:

• The Engineering Workstation (EWS) is for project development, including configuration of graphics, logic, alarms, security, etc. Typically, the EWS is a PC running Windows 2000/XP.
• The Operator Workstation (OWS) provides the operator interface, including color graphics, faceplates, alarms, logging, trends, diagnostics, etc. The EWS includes an OWS for testing and troubleshooting. Typically, the OWS is a PC running Windows 2000/XP.
• The Process Historical Archiver (PHA) stores and retrieves historical data collected by the FCU, microFCU, SDS, or any other intelligent device in the system. The PHA can run standalone or can share an OWS workstation. Typically, the PHA is a PC running Windows 2000/XP.
• The SCADA Data Server (SDS) interfaces UCOS to PLCs, Fieldbus technologies, RTUs, PLC I/O, and other third-party devices. The SDS acts as a data gateway allowing UCOS to work with just about any device you can think of.
  
  Although not shown in the illustration, an SDS can also directly scan supported PLC I/O and execute sequential and regulatory logic under QNX, the leading real-time operating system.
  
  Typically, a UCOS SDS is a ruggedized industrial computer running Windows 2000/XP.
• A hub connects components on a LAN/WAN and can interface to satellite, radio, microwave, dial-up modem, etc.
• UCOS supports redundant and non-redundant fiber optic and Ethernet local networks using the TCP/IP networking protocol for standardized, advanced application connectivity.
• The LAN/WAN can be extended to other sites using such remote communications technologies as satellite, radio, microwave, and dial-up running such standard protocols as TCP/IP, Modbus, OPC, DDE, etc.

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Remote Station 1

Remote Station 1 illustrates a process that requires significant monitoring and control. A local operator uses the color graphic Operator Workstation (OWS) to monitor and control the process

The Field Control Unit (FCU) is a PLC or industrial computer that gathers data from multiple brands of PLC I/O, executes sequential and regulatory control logic, and sends operator-initiated commands to that I/O.

The I/O Subsystem supports I/O from all the standard industry suppliers. In a UCOS configuration, you don't necessarily need PLCs – just PLC I/O.

Exception-based technology is used to transfer only data that needs to be archived or shared with the master station or other remote sites, thus minimizing communications traffic.

Local monitoring and control also helps insulate this site from failures elsewhere in the system. (An optional redundant configuration makes even local shutdowns rare.) In fact, you could transfer control of the entire system from the master station to a remote station equipped similar to this one.

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Remote Stations 2 and 3

Remote Stations 2 and 3 illustrate a more traditional configuration.

The redundant SCADA Data Servers (SDS) at the master station gather data from remote RTUs, PLCs, flow computers, intelligent valve controllers, meters, and so forth via serial polling. It also transfers operator-initiated commands to those devices.

In fact, this configuration can also be used as a backup at Remote Station 4. If the primary connection fails, the master station's SDS can dial-up Remote Station 4 to establish communication with the field devices until primary communications can be re-established.

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Remote Station 4

Remote Station 4 serves as a true data concentrator. The process at this site does not require a local operator, but does benefit from local control.

The SCADA Data Server (SDS) gathers data from RTUs, PLCs, flow computers, intelligent valve controllers, meters, and so forth via serial polling. It also transfers operator-initiated commands to those devices.

Just like Remote Station 1, the configuration at Remote Station 4 minimizes communication traffic, isolates the site from failures elsewhere, and is available in a redundant configuration.

Typically, a UCOS SDS is a ruggedized industrial computer running Windows 2000/XP. An SDS can also process logic under QNX, the leading real-time operating system.

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Remote Station 5

Remote Station 5 requires local control but does not necessarily need an on site operator.

The UCOS microFCU is a small PLC that includes on-board I/O. The microFCU executes sequential and regulatory control logic, and sends logic- and operator-initiated commands to the I/O and field devices.

The UCOS microFCU can replace RTUs at a significant reduction in cost and power consumption – plus it can provide local intelligent control of devices, which RTUs can't do.

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