Remote terminal unit

• US 6,628,992 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2001
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Automation Solutions, Inc., DJ Osburn Management LLC
• Original Assignee: Automation Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Osburn, Douglas C. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ramesh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr., Ronald D
• Application Number:
  US09/826,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20020147503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: 700/9, 700/22, 700/286, 340/3.1, 340/286.01, 340/310.01, 340/425.1, 340/425.2, 702/57, 702/62, 702/188-189
• US Class Current: 700/9
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4183 characterised by data acquisition, e.g. workpiece identification
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32404 Scada supervisory control and data acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0221 Preprocessing measurements, e.g. data collection rate adjustment; Standardization of measurements; Time series or signal analysis, e.g. frequency analysis or wavelets; Trustworthiness of measurements; Indexes therefor; Measurements using easily measured parameters to estimate parameters difficult to measure; Virtual sensor creation; De-noising; Sensor fusion; Unconventional preprocessing inherently present in specific fault detection methods like PCA-based methods
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0264 Control of logging system, e.g. decision on which data to store; time-stamping measurements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

Apparatus for communication for a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, the SCADA system comprising: an enterprise server; at least one intelligent electronic device (RTU), wherein the RTU measures a physical process and stores digital data representative of the measurement in a memory area for transmission; a configuration tool (AES) linking the SCADA server with the RTU; a connection device (TAC) for installing the SCADA system on related software program; a gel encapsulation layer (GEL), the method comprising the steps of: (1) communicating a command from the enterprise server to said RTU via the AES to configure said RTU; (2) permitting said RTU to receive data input and to store said data; and (3) transmitting said data back from the RTU to the enterprise server.

Claims

1. An remote terminatal unit (RTU) for use with a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, the RTU comprising:

(a) automation software;

(b) a generic encapsulation layer that interfaces RTU hardware to said automation software;

(c) conversion means for measuring a physical process and converting the measurements into digital representation values of the measurement;

(d) memory for storing digital representation values;

(e) processor means in communication with said conversion means for operating upon said digital representation values according to a predetermined function;

(f) said processor further being in communication with said memory for storing the digital representation values;

(g) a bidirectional communication means in communication with said memory and said SCADA system for selectively transferring said digital representation values to the SCADA system; and

(h) a default configuration that on application of power allows immediate use of bidirectional communication means enabling the automation software to perform at least one of the activities;

meter utilities, detect abnormal operating conditions, perform data processing and control operating conditions and combinations thereof.

2. The RTU of claim 1, further comprising a real time clock in communication with said automation software.

3. An remote terminatal unit (RTU) for use with a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, the RTU comprising:

(a) automation software;

(b) a generic encapsulation layer that interfaces RTU hardware to said automation software;

(c) conversion means for measuring a physical process and converting the measurements into digital representation values of the measurement;

(d) memory for storing digital representation values;

(e) processor means in communication with said conversion means for operating upon said digital representation values according to a predetermined function;

(f) said processor further being in communication with said memory for storing the digital representation values;

(g) an input port for communication with said memory and said SCADA system for selectively transferring said digital representation values to the SCADA system; and

(h) an output port for communication with said SCADA system; and

(i) a default configuration that on application of power allows immediate use of said input and output ports enabling the automation software to perform at least one of the activities;

meter utilities, detect abnormal operating conditions, perform data processing and control operating conditions and combinations thereof.

4. The RTU of claim 3, wherein said conversion means comprises an analog-to-digital converter.

5. The RTU of claim 3, further comprising a command register in communication with an enterprise server such that a first predetermined value stored in said command register indicates to said processor not to store digital representative values of the measurements and reconfiguration should occur.