INTRODUCTION

SCADA is short for Supervisory Control and Data

Acquisition
SCADA refers to the combination of telemetry and data
acquisition. SCADA encompasses the collecting of the
information, transferring it back to the central site, carrying
out any necessary analysis and control and then
displaying that information on a number of operator
screens or displays. The required control actions are then
conveyed back to the process.
SCADA has been around as long as there have been
control systems. The first SCADA systems utilized data
acquisition by means of panels of meters, lights and strip
chart recorders.
Supervisory control was exercised by the operator
manually operating various control knobs. These devices
were and still are used to do supervisory control and
data acquisition on plants, factories and power generating
facilities.

NEED FOR SCADA SYSTEMS

There are a variety of areas where the SCADA systems
come handy for automation and control of remote facilities.
1) Groups of small hydroelectric generating stations which
are turned on and off according to the demand of users.
These stations are generally located in remote locations
and they can be controlled by opening and closing of
valves. They must also be monitored continuously.
2) Oil or Gas fields are usually located at uninhabitable
places with poor transport facilities. In order to monitor the
fluid readings and control the valves from a central
location, we require SCADA systems.
3) Chemical, Oil or Gas pipelines are generally spread
over large distances from the central control units. In order
to detect possible leaks and control the flow in the pipeline
effectively, SCADA Systems come handy.
4) Electric transmission systems cover thousands of
kilometers. In order to monitor the load changes in real
time and take necessary action, SCADA is used. It allows
us to remotely open and close any switches.

HISTORY OF SCADA SYSTEMS

In the first two-thirds of the nineteenth century,
Aircraft technology was advancing at a very fast pace.
During this time, Rocket technology was also developing.
The aircrafts present during these days were small and did
not have any space for engineers to collect any technical
flight data. Same problem persisted with the Rockets.
The solution to this problem came from the techniques
used by the Railway to monitor the changes in the tracks
through wired telemetry. But the problem with this
approach was that there was no way to provide any
control signals. So, the Railway operators at the far end
were informed by telegram.
During this period, Radio telemetry was also developing at
a fast pace but this too suffered at the hands of one way
communication. In the next few years, realizing the
absolute necessity for one, basic two way wire
communication system was developed. The Radio
technology followed too.
In early 1960s, Digital Computer appeared and
revolutionized the world of control and automation. With its
sheer compact form factor, control centers could be set up
easily. In 1970 the term SCADA was coined.

TYPES OF SCADA SYSTEMS

Various types of SCADA systems are as:

1) Monolithic SCADA Systems : These are also known as

co-located systems. In these systems, controlled units are
on the same site as the controlling units. There are wire
connections between the controlled units and the
controlling unit. There is no network thus there is no threat
of external attack. These systems are generally
proprietary and very specific.
2) Distributed SCADA Systems : It consists of many
SCADA systems networked together with a network
protocol. The network protocol generally used is LAN or
Local Area Networking. The distribution leads to the
division of work hence the individual size of the control
centers gets reduced. These systems are vulnerable to
attacks.
3) Networked SCADA Systems : These systems are not
isolated but connected to the external network. External
connection is provided through computers connected to
internet. These systems are highly vulnerable to attacks.

ELEMENTS OF SCADA SYSTEMS

The main elements of SCADA systems are as:
1) Human Machine Interface : It is also known as HMI. It
includes all the technologies or devices with an operator
perceives the data collected by SCADA system. This
system also enables the operator to send commands.
2) Master Terminal Unit : Generally known as MTU, it is
the central system controller. It is also sometimes known
as the Host Computer. In a modern SCADA system, an
MTU is always based on a Computer. It can monitor and
control the field even when the operator is not present.It
does this by an in built scheduler which can be
programmed to repeat commands at set intervals.
3)Communication Equipment: The remote communication
network is necessary to relay data from remote RTU,
which are out in the field or along the pipeline, to the
SCADA host located at the field office or central control
center. With assets distributed over a large geographical
area, communication is the glue or the linking part of a
SCADA system and essential to its operation.
4)Remote Terminal Units: Also known as RTUs, these
devices relay data from the field instruments to the MTU.
Also the MTU sends commands to RTU which directs the
field instruments accordingly.

References:
1) SCADA Systems 2012/ White Paper Schneider Energy
2) SCADA 3rd Edition by Stuart A. Boyer