Hub which converts scada protocols to the BLUEJAYTM protocol

• US 20040213263A1
• Filed: 05/22/2004
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert W. Beckwith
• Original Assignee: Robert W. Beckwith
• Inventors: Beckwith, Robert W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,027,452 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/395.5
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 1/0061 concerning transmission of signals transmission of measured quantities or switching orders; sectionalised protection involving signal transmission between at least two stations H02H7/261; comparison of the voltage or current values at two spaced portions of a single system H02H3/28; transferring the output of a sensing member to another variable G01D5/00; electrical measuring arrangements using modulation of electromagnetic waves, e.g. light beams G01R15/24, G01R15/26
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A wireless hub uses a first processor to communicate with IEDs, uses a second processor to communicate with landline SCADA devices, and uses a third processor to extract, store and exchange messages between SCADA protocols and IED data formats so as to as to permit two way communications between SCADA users and IEDs which are independent of protocol data formats and time of exchange.

Claims

1. A hub device providing communications between SCADA users having protocols of choice and legacy IEDs using BLUEJAY™

wireless protocol comprising in combination;

a) first processor means for using BLUEJAY™

wireless transceivers for exchanging IED messages in legacy IED memory format with said hub,

b) second processor means for exchanging SCADA user messages in data format in bit streams using SCADA users protocols of choice,

c) third processor means in said hub for two way converting messages held in IED memory format and messages held in bit stream data formats as required for said SCADA users protocols of choice,

e) digital communications means for two way communicating IED messages between said first and said third processors, and

f) digital communications means for two way communicating SCADA messages between said second and said third processors

whereby SCADA users can communicate via a hub with legacy IEDs.

2. A hub device as in claim 1 further comprising in combination:

a) program means in said third processor for extracting messages contained in said bit-streams and converting message formats in either direction between that of IEDs and that of SCADA devices, and

b) storage means in said third processor for storing messages for a selected time before sending in either direction through said hub

whereby communications through said hub are not constrained by individual protocols or by time of transmission or reception.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said program means for said third processor converting said messages to a generic format for converting message formats as they flow in either direction through said hub.

4. A device as in claim 1 wherein said third processor includes non-volatile memory.

5. A device as in claim 1 further comprising in combination:

a) non-volatile memory means for using with said first processor,

b) synchronous serial port means for using with said non-volatile memory,

c) connection means between said synchronous serial port and said wireless transceiver means for exchanging digital bit-streams in either direction between said IEDs and said hub, and

d) program means for said first processor for exchanging digital bit streams in either direction between said IEDs and said first processor of said hub.

6. A device as in claim 1 further comprising in combination:

a) program means in said third processor for converting digital bit streams to SCADA protocol formats,

b) program means in said first processor for exchanging said bit streams with said second processor,

c) program means in said second processor for exchanging said bit streams with said third processor, and

d) program means in said second processor for exchanging said bit streams with said SCADA users

whereby SCADA users communicate with IEDs in either direction and with selective time delays in communications.

7. A device as in claim 1 for a single device means providing clock signals to said first, second and third processors

whereby said first, second and third processors operate in synchronism.

8. A device as in claim 1 further comprising in combination:

a) two position parallel bus connection device means for selectively providing parallel communications between said first and third processors or between said second and third processors,

b) connection means for connecting said first processor and a first input of said two position parallel bus connection device,

c) connection means for connecting said second processor and a second input to said two position parallel bus connection device,

d) connection means for connecting said third processor means and a common input to said two position parallel bus connection device,

e) binary control connection means for connecting between said first processors and said two position parallel bus connection device,

f) binary control connection means for connecting between said second processor and said two position parallel bus connection device,

g) program means for each said first and second processors for switching the direction of said two position parallel bus connection device, and

h) further program means for said third processor choosing between communications with said first processor and communications with said second processor

whereby digital bit streams are exchanged at high speeds using parallel bus connections.

9. A device as in claim 1 wherein said first processor communicates wirelessly with IEDs,

10. A device as in claim 1 wherein said second processor communicates with selected SCADA devices using the protocol format of said selected SCADA protocols.

11. A device as in claim 1 for said third processor means storing messages, converting protocol formats and exchanging messages between IED devices and SCADA protocols.

12. A device as in claim 1 further comprising in combination:

a) computer means for users communicating with said hub,

b) RS232 port means for connecting said user interface computer for communicating with said hub,

c) paralleling device means for paralleling RS232 ports,

d) RS232 port means for communicating with said paralleling device,

e) connection means for connecting said paralleling device to RS232 ports for use with said user interface computer,

f) connecting means for connecting between said paralleling device and asychronous ports of each of said first, second and third processors, and

g) program means for said user interface computer for entering required programs into each of said first, second and third processors.

13. Interface computer means as in claim 12 for entering SCADA protocol programs into said second processor

whereby the choice of SCADA protocol is independent of the memory format of any IED.

14. Interface computer means as in claim 12 for entering programs for operation of said communications hub into said first, second and third processors.

15. Interface computer means as in claim 12 for users entering data as required for any specific IED.

16. Interface computer means as in claim 12 for users reading data related to any specific IED.

17. A communications hub comprising in combination:

a) a first microprocessor means for processing bit-streams in either direction using a plurality of first message protocol formats,

b) digital port means for said first microprocessor exchanging bit-streams in either direction with first outside sources,

c) second microprocessor means for processing bit-streams in either direction using a plurality of second message protocols,

d) digital port means for said second microprocessor exchanging bit-streams in either direction with second outside sources,

e) third microprocessor means for storing, converting message protocols and exchanging digital bit-streams in either direction with said first microprocessor for communications with said first outside sources, and

f) said third microprocessors also having means for storing, converting message protocol formats and exchanging digital bit-streams in either direction with said second microprocessor for communications with said second outside sources.

18. A method of providing communications between IEDs and land line devices, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a communications hub having multiple digital processors for processing bit-streams flowing between SCADA devices and IEDs,

b) connecting bit-streams flowing between a first of said processors in the format of said IEDs,

c) connecting bit-streams flowing between a SCADA device and a second of said processors in the format of said SCADA device,

d) selectively switching from communicating between said first and a third of said processors and communicating between said second and said third processor,

e) in said third processor, converting messages in the memory format of said IEDs, as contained in bit-streams flowing between said IEDs and said hub, into a generic format,

f) in said third processor, converting messages in the data format of said SCADA protocols as contained in bit-streams flowing between said land line devices and said hub, into a generic format,

g) in said third processor, using generic formats for converting messages in either direction between IED memory formats and SCADA protocol formats, and

h) storing said converted messages in said third processors for subsequent transmission,

whereby communications through said hub are not constrained by individual protocol formats or by time of transmission or reception.

19. A method as in claim 18 further including the steps of:

a) connecting an interface computer in parallel to asynchronous ports in each of said three processors, and

b) providing inputs through said interface computer to activate selected programs in said three processors, and to enter and receive selected data to and from said processors.

20. A method as in claim 18 including the following steps:

a) communicating between said first and third processors using bus to bus parallel transferring of data,

b) communicating between said second and third processors using bus to bus parallel transferring of data,

c) using first pairs of control lines definable as A and B for enabling communications between said first and third processors,

d) using second pairs of control lines definable as C and D for enabling communications between said second and third processors, and

e) selectively enabling only one of said pairs of control lines during a given time and inhibiting the other of said pairs

whereby data crashes of data flowing in either of two directions through said hub are avoided.