A Solution for the Uniform Integration of Field Devices in an Industrial Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System

Abstract

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are increasingly used solutions for monitoring and controlling various industrial processes. The existence of a large number of communication protocols helps to deploy complex systems that enable users to access data from one or more processes at a certain distance, and even control those processes. This article presents a solution for the uniform integration of field devices in an industrial SCADA system. This uniform integration is based on the CANopen communication protocol and the EDS files containing detailed descriptions of devices in a CANopen network. Based on the information and structure of the EDS files, we have designed and developed a database aimed at storing these data in an organization that enables them to be safely and efficiently processed. This database is the basis of a website application that enables the user to learn the characteristics of the field devices connected to the local industrial networks in a SCADA system.

SCADA and Distributed Control System of a Chemical Products Dispatch Process

“…The application of SCADA systems is diverse, however among the processes that use it the most are electricity generation, natural gas, mining deposits, thermal systems, oil pipelines and chemical products dispatch [18][19][20]. One aspect to highlight in SCADA systems is that they allow in a friendly way to show the behavior of the critical variables in a process, becoming a strategic element at the industrial level, integrally linking geographically dispersed subsystems arranged in a plant [21][22][23].…”