SCADA Communications

… Technology and future

Author: Birinder Singh

H.O.D. Projects
RBH Solutions Private Limited
 Introduction
• Objectives
• SCADA Architecture
– Brief introduction and key components of SCADA
System
• Communication System
– Definition and Requirements
– Key Technologies and Standards
– Network Topology and Architecture
– Introduction to Communication Protocols
• Communication Protocols
– Open and Layered Systems
– Key SCADA Communication Protocols
SCADA System
… Basic Overview
 SCADA Architecture
• 3 Layer High Level SCADA System
 SCADA Architecture
• SCADA System Components:
• SCADA systems typically have four major
elements:
– Master Terminal Unit (MTU)
– Remote Terminal Unit (RTU)
– Communication Equipment *
– SCADA Software

This communication system can be wire, fiber optic, radio, telephone

line, microwave and possibly even satellite.
 SCADA Architecture
• Key Components

` ` `

Engineering Workstation HMI Computer 1 HMI Computer 2

WAN: X25 / Internet / VSAT / PSTN

LAN: Ethernet / TCP-IP Network
Point to Point: Serial Communication

RsS Server 1 RsS Server1

Wireless: RF / UHF / Microwave

Physical Media: Ethernet / Serial / Devicenet / Controlnet
Protocols: MODBUS / IEC / DNP / CIP

PLC 1 PLC 2 PLC 3

Control Panel Control Panel Control Panel
 SCADA Architecture
• The Backbone: Communication System
• SCADA encompasses the collecting of the
information from RTU (remote terminal unit)
over Communication Medium
• SCADA Servers carrying out any necessary
analysis and control and,
• From Servers using Communication medium,
Displaying that information on a number of
operator screens or displays.
• The required control actions are then conveyed
back to the process using Communication
System.
 SCADA Architecture
• Communication System Selection: Key
Consideration Factors
• Overall control and monitoring requirements
• SCADA System Topology
• Reliability/availability
• Speed of communications/update time/system
scan rates
• System redundancy
• Expansion capability
Communication System
… Technical Overview
 Introduction
• What is “Communication”?
• It is a technique used in transmitting and
receiving information or data over a medium.
• The information can be measurements, such as
voltage, speed or flow.
• These data are transmitted to another location
through a medium such as cable, telephone or
radio.
• Information may come from multiple locations.
• A method of addressing these different sites is
incorporated in the system.
 Introduction
• Need of Communication System?

SCADA System

Remote Device
 Network Technologies
• Technologies used to transmit data
• With the evolution of Digital Communication
following technologies has emerged:
– Serial Communication (RS-232, RS-485)
– LAN Systems (Fiber Optic, Infrared , Ethernet)
– Wireless
» Satellite (Uplink and Bent Pipes)
» Cellular/PCS (CDPD, GPRS, CDMA)
» Radio Frequency (VHF, UHF, Spread Spectrum)
» Microwave (Licensed and Unlicensed)
 Communication System
• Serial Communication (RS 232): Modes
 Communication System
• RS 232 Connectors
 Communication System
• RS 232 Connectors
 Communication System
• RS 232 Pin Details (DB 25)
• Pin 1 – Protective ground (shield)
– Their purpose is to prevent hazardous voltages, by
ensuring that the DTE and DCE chassis are at the
same potential at both ends.
• Pin 2 – Transmitted data (TXD)
– This line carries serial data from pin 2 on the DTE to
pin 2 on the DCE.
– The line is held at MARK (or a negative voltage)
during periods of line idle.
• Pin 3 – Received data (RXD)
– This line carries serial data from pin 3 on the DCE to
pin 3 on the DTE.
 Network Topology
• RS 232 Pin Details
• Pin 4 – Request to send (RTS)
• Pin 5 – Clear to send (CTS)
– When it becomes the DTE’s turn to transmit, it
advises the modem by asserting the RTS pin.
– When the modem asserts the CTS it informs the DTE
that it is now safe to send data.
– The procedure is reversed when switching from
transmit to receive.
• Pin 6 – Data set ready (DSR)
– This is also called DCE ready. In the answer mode,
the answer tone and the DSR are asserted two
seconds after the telephone goes off hook.
 Network Topology
• RS 232 Pin Details
• Pin 7 – Signal ground (common)
– This is the common return line for the data transmit
and receive signals.
– The connection, pin 7 to pin 7 between the two ends,
is always made.
• Pin 20 – DTE ready (or data terminal ready)
– DTE ready enables, but does not cause, the modem
to switch onto the line. In originate mode, DTE ready
must be asserted in order to auto dial. In answer
mode, DTE Ready must be asserted to auto answer.
• Pin 22 – ring indicator
– This pin is asserted during a ring on the line.
 Communication System
• RS 485 Media / Standard

Two Wire Multidrop Network Four Wire Multidrop Network

 Communication System
• RS 485 Sample Network
Two Wire Connector

Four Wire Connector

 Communication System
• RS 232 - RS 485 Comparison
• RS 232 Disadvantage
– Only point-to-point communications is possible
– The distance limitation (typically 15 meters)
– The voltages of –3 to –25 volts and +3 to +25 volts are
not compatible with many modern power supplies (in
computers) of +5 and +12 volt
– The standard has high noise susceptibility
• RS 485 Advantage
– Distances of up to 1200 m
– Data rates of up to 10 Mbps
– Only one line driver is permitted on a line
– Up to 32 line receivers over single line
 Communication System
• LAN Systems
• A computer network covering a small
geographic area, like a home, office, or group
of buildings.
• The defining characteristics of LANs, in
contrast to Wide Area Networks (WANs):
– Include their much higher data transfer rates
– Smaller geographic range
– Lack of a need for leased telecommunication lines.
 Communication System
• LAN Sample Implementation
 Communication System
• LAN Characteristics
• The following characteristics differentiate one
LAN from another:
– Topology
» The geometric arrangement of devices on the network.
For example, devices can be arranged in a ring or in a
straight line.
– Protocols
» The rules and encoding specifications for sending
data.
– Media
» Devices can be connected by twisted-pair wire, coaxial
cables, fiber optic cables, or radio waves.
 Communication System
• LAN Topology:

Bus Topology

Star Topology Ring Topology

 Communication System
• LAN Topology: Bus Topology
• Bus topology advantages
– A bus uses cost-effective and simple to implement
– Scalable
– The broadcasting of messages is advantageous for one-to-
many data transmissions.
• Bus topology disadvantages
– Security Problem, since every node may see every message
– even those that are not destined for it.
– Diagnosis / troubleshooting (fault-isolation), can be difficult
– No automatic acknowledgment of messages, since
messages get absorbed at the end of the bus
– Failure of single nod isolates the subsequent nodes
– Bottleneck during heavy traffic as nodes can spend much of
their time trying to access the network.
 Communication System
• LAN Topology: Star Topology
• Star topology advantages
– Troubleshooting and fault isolation are easy.
– It is easy to add or remove nodes and to modify the cable
layout.
– Failure of a single node does not isolate any other node
– The inclusion of a central hub allows easier monitoring of
traffic for management purposes.
• Star topology disadvantages
– If the hub fails, the entire network fails. Sometimes a
backup central machine is included, to make it possible to
deal with such a failure.
– A star topology requires a lot of cable.
 Communication System
• LAN Topology: Ring Topology
• Ring topology advantages
– A physical ring topology has minimal cable requirements
– No wiring center or closet needed
– The message can be automatically acknowledged
– Each node can regenerate the signal
• Ring topology disadvantages
– If any node goes down, the entire ring goes down.
– Diagnosis/troubleshooting (fault isolation) is difficult
because communication could be only one-way.
– Adding or removing nodes disrupts the network.
 Communication System
• LAN Media: Twisted Pair Cable
• To reduce crosstalk or electromagnetic
induction between pairs of wires, two insulated
copper wires are twisted around each other
• Two Types
– Shielded Twisted Pair
– Unshielded Twisted Pair
 Communication System
• LAN Media: Coaxial Cable
• A: outer plastic sheath
• B: copper screen
• C: inner dielectric insulator
• D: copper core
 Communication System
• LAN Media: Coaxial Cable Connectors
 Communication System
• LAN Media: Fiber Optic
 Communication System
• LAN Media: Fiber Optic - Mode of
operations
 Communication System
• Fiber Optic: Advantages
• The main benefits of fiber optic cables are:
– Enormous bandwidth (greater information carrying
capacity)
– Low signal attenuation (greater speed and distance
characteristics)
– Inherent signal security
– Low error rates
– Noise immunity (impervious to EMI and RFI)
– Total galvanic isolation between ends (no conductive
path)
– Safe for use in hazardous areas
– No Crosstalk
 Communication System
• Radio Frequency
 Communication System
• Ethernet: Introduction
• The IEEE 802.3 standard defines Ethernet at
the physical and data link layers of the OSI
network model. Most Ethernet systems use the
following:
– Carrier-sense multiple-access with collision detection
(CSMA/CD) for controlling access to the network
media.
– A method for packing data into data packets called
frames
– Transmit at 10Mbps, 100Mbps, and 1Gbps.
 Communication System
• Ethernet System: Types

Ethernet Cable Speed Topology Nodes/Net Max Segments Max Seg Length

10Base5 Coaxial 10Mbps Bus 100 5 500 meters

10Base2 Coaxial 10Mbps Bus 5/4/2003 5 185 meters

UTP Cat 3, 4
10BaseT4 pair 10Mbps Star 1024 4 hubs in a row 100 meters

UTP Cat 3, 5
10BaseT5 pair 10Mbps Star 1024 4 hubs in a row 100 meters

UTP Cat 5, 2
10BaseTX pair 10Mbps Star 1024 4 hubs in a row 100 meters

10BaseF Fiber 10Mbps   1024   2000 meters

Communication Protocols
… Introduction and Architecture
 Introduction
• Communication Protocols
• Protocol is an agreed-upon format for
transmitting data between two devices
• The protocol should basically determine the
following:
– The format for Transmitting the Data
– Format of receiving the Data
– Format for error checking and error reporting
– Format to define the start / end of data
 Protocols
• Must Define
• One set of instructions for the master protocol,
containing the valid statements for master
station initiation or response
• One set is the RTU protocol, containing the
valid statements an RTU can initiate and
respond to.
• In most but not all cases, these sets form pairs
that can be considered a poll or request for
information or action and a confirming
response.
 Protocols
• Need for Standards
• Advantages
– Availability of open system connectivity
– Vendor independence
– Reliable products at optimized costs
– Easily available knowledge and specification
• Disadvantages
– Reduced Efficiency
– Unable to realize the full functionality of the device
 Protocols
• OSI Model
 Protocols
• OSI Layers
• Application Layer
– This layer is responsible for giving user applications
access to the network
• Presentation Layer
– The presentation layer is responsible for presenting
information in a manner suitable for the applications
or users dealing with the information
• Session Layer
– The session layer is responsible for synchronizing
and sequencing the dialogue and packets in a
network connection.
 Protocols
• OSI Layers
• Transport Layer
– The transport layer is responsible for providing data
transfer at an agreed-upon level of quality
– The transport layer is crucial as it sits between the upper
layers (which are strongly application-dependent) and
the lower ones (which are network-based).
• Network Layer
– Determining network addresses
– Finding a route between a source and a destination
– Fragmentation of large packets of data into frames
which are small enough to be transmitted by the
underlying data link layer (fragmentation).
 Protocols
• OSI Layers
• Data link Layer
– The data link layer is responsible for creating,
transmitting, and receiving data packets
– The data link layer creates packets appropriate for the
network architecture being used
• Physical Layer
– This layer gets data packets from the data link layer and
transmits packets over Transmission media.
– The mechanical and electrical properties of the
transmission medium are defined
» The type of cable and connectors used
» The pin assignments for the cable and connectors
» Format for the electrical signals
 Protocols
• LAN Layer Architecture
 Protocols
• TCP / IP Layer Architecture
 Protocols
• TCP / IP Layers
• Application layer
– Interact with the transport level protocol to send or receive
data
• Transport layer
– The transport layer provides end-to-end communications.
– It ensures that data integrity and sequence
• Internet layer
– This performs the encapsulation data in an IP datagram
– Determine route to target device
• Network interface or physical layer
– Accepting IP datagram and transmitting them over a
specific network
SCADA Protocols
… Present and Future
 Introduction
• SCADA Protocols
• SCADA Communication basic data types
• SCADA Communication basic philosophies
• Protocols to be discussed
– IEC 60870 – 5 – 101
– IEC 60870 – 5 – 104
 SCADA Protocols
• Communication Architecture
• There are two main physical communication
architectures possible. The approaches can be
combined in one communication system
– Point-to-Point (two stations)
» Most simple type of communications
» One station talks directly to the other
– Multipoint (or multiple stations)
» Most common type
» Can be One to Many and Peer to Peer
 SCADA Protocols
• Basic Data Types
• Analog data (real numbers):
– Analog data are usually represented by integers or
IEEE floating-point numbers
– Analog data can be transmitted periodically or as
event in case of change of analog value is greater
than defined DELTA (difference) Values.
• Digital data (on/off or open/closed):
– Digital data may be used to represent the status,
depending on the state (on/off or open/closed)
reflected by the data.
– Digital data can be transmitted periodically or as
event in case of change of state.
 SCADA Protocols
• IEC 60870-5-101 Standard
 SCADA Protocols
• IEC 60870-5-101 Standard and OSI Layers
 SCADA Protocols
• IEC 60870-5-101 Topology
• System Topology (Serial Communication)
– Balanced communication – limited to point-to-point
links only:
» Master / Slave either can initiate transaction
» Better efficiency of communications system usage
» Collision problems as two stations can transmit
simultaneously. Collision avoidance and recovery
required
» However, only for point-to-point links under IEC 101
– Unbalanced communication – suitable for multidrop:
» Only master can send primary frames
» Collision avoidance is not required
» Slave data link layer function is simpler
 SCADA Protocols
• IEC 60870-5-101 Message Structure
 SCADA Protocols
• IEC 60870-5-101 Application Objects
 SCADA Protocols
• IEC 60870-5-104 Architecture
 SCADA Protocols
• IEC 60870-5-104 Standard and OSI Layers
 SCADA Protocols
• IEC 60870-5-104 Standard Provisions
 SCADA Protocols
• IEC 60870-5-104 TCP/IP Adaptation
• IP Address
– To define the Master and Slave
• TCP Socket
– Define to create connection between Master and
Slave
• Sequencing
– Method implemented in the Application layer to
sequence the data packets send to avoid duplication
and loss of data