Introduction

SCADA or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition is a distributed measurement and

control system for large-scale industrial automation. SCADA has applications in
automated operations like chemical manufacturing and transport, supply systems and
power generation.

How SCADA Works

The SCADA technology was developed as part of Instrumentation Engineering.

Monitoring systems such as SCADA have been in use for quite some time now. Such
systems are collectively called DCS (Distributed Control System). DCS have
conventionally been used for facilities like factories. However such systems are not
effective in covering large geographical areas like those involved in gas transport
systems. SCADA has been specifically developed to meet requirements covering large
territories.

A SCADA system at the machine level consists of a central station for gathering data and
managing the overall operation. It also has sensors (these could be Remote Terminal
Units or RTUs, or Programmable Logic Controller) placed in proximity to where the
action is. The RTU or the PLC collects the information locally and then passes it on to
the central station which is often several miles away. RTUs and PLCs today are capable
of controlling the operations within its purview through closed loop feedback systems.
The central station oversees the overall performance of the one or more RTU/ PLC under
its control. SCADA systems also allow operators or supervisors to change the settings as
appropriate at the level of the RTU or the central station. Alarming conditions like high
temperature are recorded and displayed.

Where Programming Comes In

All of this requires that physical conditions be translated into machine language and then
signals that humans can read, record and analyze. Thus a full fledged SCADA system has
to comprise of both hardware and software elements. Today’s sophisticated SCADA
systems include input/output signal devices, control equipment, HMI (Human Machine
Interface), networking, communication systems, databases and software.

Thus SCADA system development involves programming at various levels. Data

collected at the RTU has to be converted into signals, and for interpreting this data an
operator requires HMI. Often the data also has to be compiled and stored (history
databases) for recognizing trends and analysis work. Thus customized database systems
have to be developed. Networks, communication systems etc bring in more varied
requirements for programming.

Add to this the fact that SCADA systems are still evolving. Industries are awakening to
challenges like possibility of terrorist strikes. Thus R&D for better, more fool-proof
systems is still on at both hardware and software levels. SCADA programming this way
has a lot of possibilities.

SCADA Trends

As the requirements and the systems themselves are getting more complex, SCADA
users today tend to source PLC, HMI and networking software from different vendors
and put them all together, rather than buy them all from the vendor who manufactures the
hardware. Mix-and-match is the name of the game. Thus the SCADA softwares of today
have to pitch for open communications.

We have to wait and watch to see if this becomes a weak point for SCADA systems.
Open systems as we know are more vulnerable to real and cyberspace attacks by
terrorists. Suitable security measures like firewalls and VPN solutions could counter this
threat effectively and this becomes another area with scope for a lot of work. SCADA
seems to be here to stay, as its overall benefits outweigh the risk factor.

Document By
SANTOSH BHARADWAJ REDDY
Email: help@matlabcodes.com
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