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Scada System: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Is A Control System Architecture

SCADA systems are used to monitor and control industrial processes and infrastructure. They consist of a supervisory computer system that communicates with remote terminal units (RTUs) and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in the field via communication networks. RTUs and PLCs connect to sensors and actuators to monitor and control the physical processes. The supervisory computer system includes human-machine interfaces (HMIs) that present process data to operators graphically. Operators use the HMI to issue commands and monitor the system in real-time.

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105 views10 pages

Scada System: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Is A Control System Architecture

SCADA systems are used to monitor and control industrial processes and infrastructure. They consist of a supervisory computer system that communicates with remote terminal units (RTUs) and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) in the field via communication networks. RTUs and PLCs connect to sensors and actuators to monitor and control the physical processes. The supervisory computer system includes human-machine interfaces (HMIs) that present process data to operators graphically. Operators use the HMI to issue commands and monitor the system in real-time.

Uploaded by

rashid sattar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SCADA SYSTEM

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is a control system architecture


that uses computers, networked data communications and graphical user interfaces
 for high-level process supervisory management, but uses other peripheral devices such
as programmable logic controller (PLC) and discrete PID controllers to interface with
the process plant or machinery. The use of SCADA has been also considered for
management and operations of project-driven-process in construction.
SCADA system components

A SCADA system usually consists of the following main element


Supervisory computers

This is the core of the SCADA system, gathering data on the process
and sending control commands to the field connected devices. It
refers to the computer and software responsible for communicating
with the field connection controllers, which are RTUs and and includes
the HMI software running on operator workstations. In smaller SCADA
systems, the supervisory computer may be composed of a single PC, in
which case the HMI is a part of this computer. In larger SCADA
systems, the master station may include several HMIs hosted on client
computers, multiple servers for data acquisition, distributed software
applications, and disaster recovery sites. To increase the integrity of
the system the multiple servers will often be configured in a 
dual-redundant or hot-standby formation providing continuous control
and monitoring in the event of a server malfunction or breakdown.
Remote terminal units

 Remote terminal units, also known as (RTUs),


connect to sensors and actuators in the process,
and are networked to the supervisory computer
system. RTUs are "intelligent I/O" and often have
embedded control capabilities such as 
ladder logic in order to accomplish boolean logic
operations
Programmable logic controllers

 Also known as PLCs, these are connected to sensors and


actuators in the process, and are networked to the
supervisory system in the same way as RTUs. PLCs have
more sophisticated embedded control capabilities than
RTUs, and are programmed in one or more IEC 61131-3
 programming languages. PLCs are often used in place of
RTUs as field devices because they are more economical,
versatile, flexible and configurable.
Communication infrastructure

 This connects the supervisory computer system to the RTUs and PLCs,
and may use industry standard or manufacturer proprietary protocols.
Both RTU's and PLC's operate autonomously on the near-real time
control of the process, using the last command given from the
supervisory system. Failure of the communications network does not
necessarily stop the plant process controls, and on resumption of
communications, the operator can continue with monitoring and
control. Some critical systems will have dual redundant data
highways, often cabled via diverse routes.
Human-machine interface
The human-machine interface (HMI) is the operator window of the supervisory system. It presents plant
information to the operating personnel graphically in the form of mimic diagrams, which are a schematic
representation of the plant being controlled, and alarm and event logging pages. The HMI is linked to
the SCADA supervisory computer to provide live data to drive the mimic diagrams, alarm displays and
trending graphs. In many installations the HMI is the graphical user interface for the operator, collects
all data from external devices, creates reports, performs alarming, sends notifications, etc.
Mimic diagrams consist of line graphics and schematic symbols to represent process elements, or may
consist of digital photographs of the process equipment overlain with animated symbols.
Supervisory operation of the plant is by means of the HMI, with operators issuing commands using
mouse pointers, keyboards and touch screens. For example, a symbol of a pump can show the
operator that the pump is running, and a flow meter symbol can show how much fluid it is pumping
through the pipe. The operator can switch the pump off from the mimic by a mouse click or screen
touch. The HMI will show the flow rate of the fluid in the pipe decrease in real time.
The HMI package for a SCADA system typically includes a drawing program that the operators or
system maintenance personnel use to change the way these points are represented in the interface.
These representations can be as simple as an on-screen traffic light, which represents the state of an
actual traffic light in the field, or as complex as a multi-projector display representing the position of all
of the elevators in a skyscraper or all of the trains on a railway.
A "historian", is a software service within the HMI which accumulates time-stamped data, events, and
alarms in a database which can be queried or used to populate graphic trends in the HMI. The historian
is a client that requests data from a data acquisition server
Smart" RTUs, or standard PLCs, are capable of autonomously
executing simple logic processes without involving the supervisory
computer. They employ standardized control programming languages
such as under, IEC 61131-3 (a suite of 5 programming languages
including function block, ladder, structured text, sequence function
charts and instruction list), is frequently used to create programs
which run on these RTUs and PLCs. Unlike a procedural language
such as the C programming language or FORTRAN, IEC 61131-3 has
minimal training requirements by virtue of resembling historic physical
control arrays. This allows SCADA system engineers to perform both
the design and implementation of a program to be executed on an
RTU or PLC.
A programmable automation controller (PAC) is a compact controller
that combines the features and capabilities of a PC-based control
system with that of a typical PLC. PACs are deployed in SCADA
systems to provide RTU and PLC functions. In many electrical
substation SCADA applications, "distributed RTUs" use information
processors or station computers to communicate with
digital protective relays, PACs, and other devices for I/O, and
communicate with the SCADA master in lieu of a traditional RTU.

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