1
The world of RTU
Ivanna Melissa Pai Zambrano, Mably Bolena Escobar Ortiz and Jhon Edinson Castilllo Alarcon
Universidad DeL Cauca, Popayan - Cauca
melissa.pzmbrn@unicauca.edu.co
mably@unicau.edu.co
Jhonedicastillo@unicauca.edu.co
AbstractThe following text is intended for person-
nel dedicated to the study of networks or industrial
communication where processes that require monitoring,
monitoring and controlling variables associated with such
processes. In the development of the content there is
information as to the definition of the RTU or remote ter-
minal unit its importance within the industrial processes,
characteristics and protocols known for communication,
in addition to seeing the technologies that have been
incorporated and as have been generated new needs,
information on programming languages and some RTU
references.
I. INTRODUCTION
The growing development of information technology,
electronics and telecommunications has resulted in to the
integration of most of the elements of the local process-
ing and local control subsystem. As a consequence, the
I/O modules, the CPU, the communications module, the
modem, the radio transmitter, a functional keyboard and
power supplies have been integrated into a single unit.
This unit is called Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) and is
widely used in the oil industry in remote facilities. All
elements are integrated in an armored cabinet enclosure
that complies with the usual safety recommendations
for field use. According to the ANSI, the term remote
terminal unit refers to the equipment of a remote station
of a supervisory system, and terminating supervisor
includes all control, indication and associated telemetry
equipment in the master station, and all complementary
devices at the remote station(s). As the RTU is the
interface with the field devices, it can be considered
as the eyes, ears and hands of a master station. The
inclusion of computer modules with microprocessors
has made it possible to download the communications
channel and the computers of global processes, of many
task which they previously developed. As a result, total
costs have been reduced, flexibility has improved and
the benefits of local and global systems increased. It
is important that note the similarity between the PLC
and the RTU; However do not may confuse them. The
PLC is a control device, while the RTU is a control and
communication device.
II. REMOTE TERMINAL UNIT - RTU
The remote terminal unit (RTU) is an important
part of a SCADA system, to the point that many do
not conceive of a SCADA without them. An RTU is
a computer installed in a locality remote that collects
data and after encoding in a format that allows it to
be transmitted to a central station (Master Terminal
Unit - MTU) or another RTU. An RTU also receives
information from the central station, it encodes the
data sent and enables the execution of commands sent
from it same. A RTU is equipped with input channels
for detection and measurement of process variables
and with output channels to control the activation of
actuators and alarms and it has a communications port.
The most common communication services are: Ethernet
TCP/IP and modem.
There are two basic kinds of RTU:
Compact RTU:
Contains all input / output modules on the same
main circuit, including an RF transmitter or Spread
Spectrum. Generally it has a number of input /
output channels, for example, 16 digital inputs, 8
digital outputs and 4 analog outputs. But, It is not
possible, in most models, to expand its original
capacity.
Modular RTU:
It has a CPU to which other modules can be added,
usually connected to expansion slots. It is designed
to be to add more modules, including specialized
modules such as a GPS placeholder.
These devices differ from Programmable Logic Con-
trollers (PLCs) in that in these are most suitable for
the development of telemetry over long geographic dis-
tances, usually through wireless communication (PSTN,
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GSM, Radio). In contrast, PLCs are more apt for local

area control, where the system uses the physical means
for monitoring.
The RTUs of last generation are capable of executing
simple programs autonomously, without operator inter-
vention. In the case of a modern water management
system, the RTU will typically be programmed to modify
its behavior when the physical switch of process is
activating by maintenance. This, due to security reasons;
Any no-communication between system operators and
maintenance personnel could, for example, cause oper-
ators to mistakenly enable the power in a water pump
being replaced.
Among the target fields of application are the remote
monitoring of instrumentation in petroleum plants (mar- Figure 1. Typical RTU Available:[11]
itime platforms and terrestrial wells); Remote pumping
stations (pick up and treatment of wastewater, or water It has communication skills either by on a serial
supply); Control and monitoring (water supply, dams, port or, some include an internal MODEM. By means
sewage systems); Environmental monitoring systems (air of the MODEM can be connected to any means of
pollution, air quality, emission control); Monitoring ap- communication, like for example radio of RF or with
plications in mining operations, and remote management technology Spread Spectrum, or cellular telephony. It
of public lighting. has a power source, usually with a battery backup, a
Watchdog timer to ensure that the RTU can recover
A. Basic Operation correctly after a fault occurs. It has electrical protection
against transients and also a clock in real time.
An RTU operates by sweeping its entrances normally
at a fairly rapid rate. Adds date and time to the received
1) Input Module: The input module has the function
data, it are stored and prepared them for transmission.
of acquiring the fields information supplied by the
Then, it waits for what the SCADA master to com-
transducers and conditioning it to their operation levels.
municate with him. Some RTUs have the ability of
The input module allows the control of discrete and
start sending reports to the master unit, although in
analogue information, with the treatment of each
most models is the master of the SCADA which that
one being different. Discrete information is usually
communicates with the RTU requesting information and
taken through an interconnect panel which relays the
/ or the execution of actions from simple to complex
field signals and is represented as two voltage levels,
control tasks.
this being converted into digital information by the
input module in order to be processed. It should be
B. Architecture Of Remote Terminal Units (RTU) noted that: The field analogue information typically
The architecture of the RTU typically consists of: is represented in voltages from 0 to 5 V or by a
Input Module current flow of 0 to 1 mA. The analog input module
Control Module processes this information by an analog/digital converter
Information Processing Module (CPU) (A/D) transforming it into binary information so that
Communications Module it can be processed by the information processor module.
Time Synchronization Module (GPS)
The block diagram of a typical RTU is shown in figure(1) 2) Control Module: This module has the function of
registering, receiving and transmitting control commands
received from the master unit or monitoring system.
You must ensure the reliability of the operation by using
security mechanism and error detection. In general, the
control module receives the messages from the master
unit and checks the code to determine if there has been
a transmission error. After successful code verification
and decoding of the address, a response message is sent
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to the station or master unit. computers. DNP3 uses the term outstation to refer to
remote stations that are in the field. The master term is
3) Information Processing Module (CPU): The used for the stations in the control center. DNP3 is not a
CPU is the controller unit for all functions of the general purpose protocol, but for SCADA applications.
remote terminal unit, since it directs all data transfers The DNP3 protocol it divides in layered to provide
between registers and memory locations, and controls reliable data transmission and a method for transmitting
the interruptions of the communication interface data and commands. DNP3 works with the physical, data
which sends the RTU data To the master unit. The link, and application layers of the OSI model.
microprocessor of the RTU contains a series of registers
destined for the temporary storage of instructions,
memory addresses and / or results of certain operations.
This central processing unit is responsible, as the name
implies, of processing the information acquired from
the field or transmitted by the master unit, in order
to perform the corresponding task, either a control or
communication action. The data processing functions
of the RTU are known in a sequence determined by
the RTU software. The data and instructions are stored
in RAM and / or ROM modules and the program
instructions are sequenced by a real time clock. This
module places a timestamp accurate to 1 millisecond to
recorded events.

4) Communications Module: This module is respon-

sible for encoding the information received from the
field to be transmitted by the communication channels;
In the same way the information received from the
master station is processed by this module and de-
coded. Motivated that the transmission of information is
performed between remote computers and through the
use of communication channels with limited bandwidth,
it is required that the information is appropriate and
coded in an appropriate way, including methods of error
verification.
C. RTU Communication Protocols
The data collected in the RTUs prior to transmission
are encapsulated, it obeying protocols such as DNP3,
IEC 870-5-101, Modbus, Modbus TCP, ASCII,
MICROBUFFER, HART and transmission media such
as PSTN, GSM and Radio.
Figure 2. Layers of DNP3 Available:[11]
The top layer is the user layer. In the master,
this layer represents software that interacts with
the database and starts the data requests to remote
stations. In the remote station, it is the software
which captures from the remote database the data
requested by the master.
The application layer handles messages. A message
from the application layer is divided into fragments
and frames. Fragmentation of messages is the re-
sponsibility of the application layer. The transport
layer is included in the application layer.

1) DNP3: The DNP protocol was originally devel-

oped by GE-Harris Canada in 1990 and issued in 1993.
It is now managed by the DNP Users Group. DNP3
is a protocol for transmitting data from point A to
point B using serial communications or IP. It is mainly
used for electric or drinking water companies, but at
present works very well in other applications. DNP3 was
designed to optimize the transmission of field data and
control commands between remote stations and master
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The physical layer defines the so-called application

service data units (ASDU). ASDUs are specified as
variable length frames.
The link layer specifies a frame format type FT1.2.
Fixed and variable length frame formats are sup-
ported, as well as a control character.
In the physical layer, this protocol is able to support
several topologies such as those shown below.

Figure 3. Diagram, fragment, sandplots in DNP3 Available:[11]

The data link layer is responsible for keeping

trustworthy the physical link. This provides error
detection and frames doubling.
The physical layer defines the physical topologies
that are used in DNP3

Figure 5. Topologies to which it gives contribution IEC 870-5-101

Available:[11]

3) MODBUS protocol: Control by Digits,

asynchronous FDX / HDX transmission, eight-digit
NRZ basic character in pure binary, a master can control
up to 247 remotes, normal response mode operation, star
topology, RS-232c, RS-485 or 4 At 20mA, transmission
speeds between 300 and 19200 bps by means of coaxial
twisted pair transmission or radio.

4) ASCII protocol: They are very popular because

of their simplicity. Suitable for simple industrial instal-
lations, usually a Master and a Remote. The ASCII
protocol has two types which are:
ASCII Protocol for Digital Transmitters: It is s
characterized by perform a control by character,
asynchronous HDX transmission with speeds be-
Figure 4. Physical topologies Available:[11]
tween 300 and 1200 bps, RS-232c interfaces in
point-to-point operation and RS-485 if a multipoint
2) IEC 870-5-101: Within the terminology of this is used.
ANSI X3.28-2.5-A4 ASCII Protocol:It is s charac-
protocol the terms Controlled Station are used to refer
to Outstation, Remote Station, Remote Terminal Unit terized by perform a control by character, asyn-
(RTU) and Slave Station Monitored or commanded by chronous HDX transmission with a character format
a master station. Also, Controlling Station to the master a strat bit, seven information bits, one parity or non-
station where the remote control of the stations is carried parity bit and one stop bit with a speed of 300 to
out. In the same way as the DNP3 protocol, IEC 870- 19200 bps, a processor can control up to 32 devices
5-101, like all communication protocols, obeys a layer With an RS-485 preference interface.
scheme. 5) HART Protocol: It is characterized by control
by count of bytes, FDX/HDX transmission point-to-

point and multipoint, basic character, one start bit, 8
information bits, one odd parity bit and one stop bit,
a master can control up to 15 remote, it has a normal
response mode operation, working distances of 3000
meters with shielded twisted pair AWG 24, RS-232D
and RS-485 associated interfaces.
6) MICROBUFFER Protocol: Control by Character
Counting, Bar Topology (BUS) in LAN; Topology Type
Star, MTU to center (HUB) and remote radial lines.
Point to point and multipoint configurations, Maximum
number of 64 nodes per line, Asynchronous and
Synchronous Transmission HDX and FDX, Interfaces:
RS-232C and RS-485. The transmission speed depends
on the medium used.
III. P ROGRAMMING L ANGUAGES
The program within an RTU is written in accordance
to the ladder logic, C language and Delphi Language.
A. Ladder Lenguage
The ladder diagram was one of the first languages
used to program PLCs because of their similarity to the
relay diagrams that technicians already knew.
This language allows graphically representing the
control circuit of a process, using normally closed
(NC) and normally open (NO) contacts, relays, timers,
counters, shift registers, etc. Each of these symbols
represents A logical variable whose state may be true
or false.
Figure 6. Available:[11]
In the ladder diagram, the power source is represented
by two vertical rails, and the horizontal connections
connecting the two rails represent the control circuits.
The left side rail or bar represents a positive voltage
conductor and the right side rail or bar represents
ground or ground.
The program runs from top to bottom and from left
to right. Observe the diagram above, which shows the
circuit for driving a motor. This motor is activated
when the SW switch is closed and allows the current
flow from the left side rail to the right side rail through
5
it. Remember that the left rail is the conductor with
voltage and the rail or right bar is the ground. The
diagram below shows the representation of the previous
diagram in ladder language.
Figure 7. Available:[11]
X represents the normally open switch and is
represented by that letter because it is an input. Y
represents the motor you want to activate and is
represented with that letter because it is an output.
When X is activated, the circuit between the left
and right rail is completed through the motor (Y),
which is started.
When X is deactivated, the circuit between the left
rail and the right rail opens and the engine stops
running.
B. C language
In addition to the I/O slave functionality, it is also a
C-language programmable controller that is equipped
with a MiniOS7 operating system. Users can use C
compilers that can create 16-bit executable files (*
.exe) to develop a program and then download it to
the controller. This allows the controller to function
autonomously. There are 2 free compiler versions
(Turbo C 2.0 and Turbo C ++ 1.01), it is suggested to
users to use the Turbo C++ 1.01.
Using the software development tools provided,
you can configure the firmware. The SDK provides
rich functions for Modbus communications such as
Modbus/Master/slave TCP, Modbus/RTU master/slave,
Modbus/ASCII master, etc.[8]
C. Delphi Language
It is a programming language that was created with the
purpose of speeding up the creation of software based
on visual programming. In Delphi we use a more current
Pascal version known as Object Pascal as programming
language. Delphi is a very versatile language used for
almost any project such as operating system services,
establish communication between a web server and a
program, console applications, database connectivity, to
make visual applications, etc. This language produces
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applications in machine code, so the computer interprets
them immediately and does not need an interpreter
language as is necessary in other programming lan-
guages.[9]
IV. T ECHNOLOGIES I NCORPORATED
Solid state technology has revolutionized the
electronic design of RTUs in recent years, extending to
the use of microprocessor units equipped with Electronic
Read Only Memory (EEPROM) and the type of Access
Direct (Random Acces Memory, RAM) backed up with
lithium battery to safeguard the programming in case
of electrical faults and incorporating a human-machine
interface (HMI), communication capabilities with
measuring systems, transducers, programmable logic
controllers (PLC), etc.
B. VPN technology on RTU control devices
Because RTUs receive and send information from an
industrial process, it must be ensured that information
is neither looted nor altered, from this arises the need
to incorporate a technology that guarantees information
security. Thus is incorporate the Virtual Private Network,
Its main advantages are:
Any communication protocol regardless of its
weakness can travel through a VPN in complete
safety.
The information travels encrypted and can not be
altered by a malicious user.
C. AUS13
Telecontrol through RTU.

A. RTUs with GSM

The global system for mobile communications is one
of the technologies incorporated in the remote terminal
units because in many of the industries there is an
orographic difficulty or the excessive dispersion of the
points to be controlled and this makes radio communica-
tion impossible and gives way to this technology which is
much easier to implement because do not need licenses,
towers or repeaters and have some special features that
make the difference when providing a solution, these are:
Universal coverage with small antennas. Figure 8. AUS13 Available:[1]
RTUS has been developed with internal antennas
which reduces a cost in terms of the external
D. AUR13
installation.
The possible applications of this type of RTU are Manual or telecontrol operation (RTU).
multiple and mostly novel, since until now the alternative
technologies offered costs too high to implement them.
As an example, we will mention some in different fields:

Waters: flood control in torrents, water quality con-

trol or network sectoring, well control and water
treatment plant control.
Industrial safety: supervision of electrical systems,
control of the environment in industrial buildings
and cold stores.
Industrial transport: safety control in transport of
hazardous materials. Figure 9. AUR13 Available:[1]
Energy: control of mini-hydro plants, wind or solar
generators.
V. R EFERENCES RTU
Agricultural sector: meteorological and survey sta-
tions. A. SYNC 2100 - RTU
Environmental sector: meteorological stations and Kalkitech SYNC 2100 Series Remote Terminal Units
pest control. / Controllers are ideal for low and medium level I / O
 7

monitoring. With option of customizable cards DI, DO,

AI. The SYNC 2100 products are ideal for distributed
automation and I / O monitoring requirements including
Feeder RTU (FRTU), Main Cells (RMUs), Recloses
and Disconnections. The device has a Linux embedded
system in real time and supports a series of protocols
such as IEC 60870-5-101 / 104, Modbus, as well as
the option of having IEC 61850, DNP 3.0 and wireless
communications such as GPRS / CDMA and 3G through
a secure VPN connection. [2]
Figure 11. M60-RTU-H Available:[3]

Figure 10. SYNC 2100 - RTU Available:[2]
B. M60-RTU-H
85-265 VAC/VDC; Digital repeater of panel for
Modbus RTU protocol, for all types of applications in
industry. Versatile and reliable model, it has a wide
range of references with a variety of output options and
accessories. Modular design architecture, allows the
flexibility to replace, change, add or replace any of its
modules to extend functionality when needed. Digital
indicator to control the value of the indication using
the Modbus RTU protocol from the PLc or SCADA
of the network. It allows to work with registers of 16
or 32 bits and control of alarms in local or remote
mode. 6-digit display between 999999 and -199999 and
decimal point.[3]
C. ACE3600
The RTU ACE3600 combines the local processing
capability of a PLC with the unrivaled communications
capability of an RTU to create a high-performance
all-in-one unit. It allows perfect integration with
PLC, RTU and intelligent electronic devices (IED).
A powerful processor combined with versatile input /
output modules allow the use of this RTU for the most
demanding SCADA applications. This modular RTU
can be expanded and upgraded over multiple concurrent
communication ports. Provides secure communications
over wide area and local area networks. Protocols
Accepted by Industry: The ACE3600 supports a wide
range of industry-accepted protocols such as Modbus
via RS-232 and IP, DF-1 via RS-232 (Maestro), DNP3.0
via RS-232, RS-485 and IP, and IEC 60870-5-101, and
allows the direct connection of intelligent sensors, PLC
and IED.[4]

Figure 12. ACE3600 Available:[4]

D. RTU ION7550
The PowerLogic ION7550 is a smart RTU, Web-
enabled device ideal for the combined utilities of charg-
ing of Water, air, gas, electricity and steam tariffs
(wages). He Device collects, scales, and records the

readings of a large number Of connected counters or
transducers and delivers the information to one or more
header systems through a unique combination of inte-
grated communication gateways.[5]
Applications:
WAGES (water, air, gas, electricity, steam) measure-
ment
Built-in utility metering with advanced pro-
grammable mathematical functions
Concentration data via multiple ports, multi-
protocol communications
Monitoring and control equipment
Setpoints for programmable triggers out of limits or
alarm conditions
Figure 13. RTU ION7550 Available:[5]
VI. OTHER F EATURES
The RTU connects to the equipment physically and
reads status data such as open/closed states from a
valve or switch, reads measurements such as pressure,
flow, voltage, or current. For the equipment the RTU
can send signals that can control it: to open it, to close
it, to interchange the valve or to configure the speed of
the pump, to start it, to stop it. The RTU can read the
status of digital data or analog data measurements and
output digital commands or analog setpoints. One of
the most important parts of the SCADA implementation
is the alarms. An alarm is a digital status point that
has each NORMAL or ALARM value. The alarm can
be created at every step that the requirements require.
An example of an alarm is the empty fuel tank light
of the car. The SCADA operator pays attention to
the part of the system that requires it, by the alarm.
They can be sent by email or text messages with the
activation of an alarm, alerting the administrator or
even the SCADA operator. Frequently the RTUs are
installed in remote sites and for this reason they need
to have some characteristics such as: communication
8
capacity over long distances (radio modem or GSM /
SMS among others), low consumption, capacity to store
data, Temperature range, DC power supply.
Can be inferred that the RTUs are elements of control
and monitoring which must be based on the ISA 100,
because it is wireless devices. This standard poses the
following:
The ISA100 Committee will establish standards,
recommended practices, technical reports, and related
information that will define technologies and procedures
for implementing wireless systems in the automation
and control environment with a focus on the field
level (Level 0). Guidance is directed towards those
responsible for the complete life cycle including
the designing, implementing, on-going maintenance,
scalability or managing manufacturing and control
systems, and shall apply to users, system integrators,
practitioners, and control systems manufacturers and
vendors.
The Committees focus is to improve the confidence,
integrity, and availability of components or systems
used for manufacturing or control, and provide criteria
for procuring and implementing wireless technology
in the control system environment. Compliance with
the Committees guidance will improve manufacturing
and control system deployment, and will help identify
vulnerabilities and address them, thereby reducing the
risk of compromising or causing manufacturing control
systems degradation or failure. [10]
VII. C ONCLUSIONS
The RTUs or remote terminal units are a funda-
mental part of systems dedicated to monitoring,
supervise and controlling because they facilitate the
reading of data in real time.
The RTUs due to their robustness and technological
equipment can be installed in any hostile environ-
ment and will perform efficiently.
The RTUs can be easily implemented because they
handle industry-recognized communication proto-
cols.
R EFERENCES
[1] Avanzados seccionadores y reconectadores
Aereos con aislacion en SF6[Online]. Available:
http://www.autotrol.net/download/06aus13.pdf
[2] Fanox [Online]. Available: http://www.fanox.com/es/products/sync-
2100-rtu-unidad-terminal-remota/
[3] Fema[Online]. Available: http://www.fema.es/producto
 9

[4] Motorola [Online]. Available:

https://www.motorolasolutions.com/esxl/productos
[5] scheider electric [Online]. Available: http://www.schneider-
electric.com.mx/es/product-range/1872-rtu-ion7550/
[6] http://repositorio.uis.edu.co/jspui/bitstream/123456789/3176/2/119444.pdf
[Online]. Available: http://repositorio.uis.edu.co
[7] Sistemas de visualizacion Cap. 1 [Online]. Available:
http://www.marcombo.com/Descargas/8426714188-
SCADA/CAPC38DTULO20I.pdf
[8] logicbus [Online]. Available: http://www.logicbus.com.mx/categrack4.php
[9] Lenguaje de Programacion Delphi [Online]. Available:
http://lenguajedeprogramaciondelphi.blogspot.com.co/
[10] ISA100, Wireless Systems for Automation [Online]. Available:
https://www.isa.org/isa100/
[11] Luis Corrales, Interface de comunicacion indultrial. Diciembre
2007