Remote - Fall 2012 - (Page 3)

Editor’s Choice SkyWave Mobile Communications has introduced the IP SCADA service, which works with its IDP series terminals designed for low power, reliability and ease of installation. IP SCADA allows IP-based pointto-point satellite communication connections between small remote sites and SCADA systems where leased lines, GSM, RF or satellite backhaul communications are unavailable, unreliable or cost prohibitive. With IP SCADA for IsatData Pro, SCADA managers can remotely connect and communicate with sites over satellite using an IP connection and without any special knowledge or handling of proprietary satellite protocols. There is no infrastructure investment, no antenna pointing and no large solar panels, all the things that make SCADA connectivity in remote areas laborious, cost prohibitive and often impossible. In the case of the oil & gas, water or wastewater industries, IP SCADA is a viable solution due to the remoteness and size of the sites. Providing quantitative measurement of processes, detecting and correcting problems and assessing trends at smaller sites enables the diagnosis of problems at the Network Operations Center (NOC). No longer are site alarms related to power outages, critically low battery, high temperature or flooding left unchecked thereby avoiding the site going out of commission and compromising the larger critical infrastructure network.. IP SCADA provides connection to existing VPNs already implemented for existing infrastructure and allows for no need for capital investment in RF infrastructure for private radio networks. Additionally, IsatDara Pro terminals have power consumption for unsolicited exception messages that averages less than half a watt of power, eliminating the need to invest in large solar panels at unpowered sites. With intelligent control and Modbus, IsatData Pro terminals with the IP SCADA service can be used as RTU replacements for sites that monitor analog or digital sensors or connect directly to existing RTUs. CAS DataLoggers has provided a data logging solution for an environmental organization monitoring outbreaks of algal blooms in a major river. The blooms had formed as a rapid increase in the population of aquatic photosynthetic microorganisms (such as phytoplankton or cyanobacteria) to the extent that the water became noticeably discolored. Researchers hoped that there was a way of allowing the river’s natural forces to inhibit its algae growth, given that the river was also dammed at frequent intervals by a system of locks and weirs. To this end, they required detailed knowledge of weather conditions on the river’s surface and a highly-accurate temperature stratification profile within the river itself. The team began looking for a stand-alone data logger with battery backup that could connect to a range of environmental sensors for unattended logging. High durability and easy USB data retrieval were also musts. Project researchers installed a dataTaker DT82I intelligent data logger inside a portable Pelican case, which was then placed in the river on a floating pontoon containing a weather station. The datalogger was then connected to a variety of sensors monitoring temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and wind speed/direction, along with a vertical column of 20 thermistors for precise water temperature readings. The dataTaker was also connected to a GSM modem which enabled researchers to access the data from their city office, and was easily programmed to accept the analog signals from the sensors at predetermined intervals, convert them to digital form and store them for later downloading to a notebook PC. The DT82I datalogger provided the project with an array of features including USB memory stick support, 18-bit resolution, added communications capabilities and a built-in display. The dataTaker’s dual channel concept allowed up to four isolated or six common referenced analog inputs to be used in many combinations, and the universal inputs enabled users to take measurements from sensor types including thermocouples, RTDs and thermistors. The DT82I formed a self-contained solution featuring support for FTP and Web interfaces, and regulated outputs to power sensors. Researchers left the dataTaker to log unattended using its internal battery, only visiting the station on a weekly basis to retrieve the data via USB stick; if necessary, the data could have been stored for much longer periods. The river monitoring project got off to a good start following installation of the data logging system. The logger’s universal inputs allowed connection with all the weather station’s environmental sensors to accurately measure the river’s surface temperature and other key conditions, while connection with the GSM modem and USB stick support made data collection hassle-free. After a month of collecting and analyzing the pontoon’s readings, it was found that the algal blooms had resulted from an excess of nutrients spread through fertilizer entering by water runoff. Identifying the cause helped team members to better inform local residents about algae prevention and water safety techniques. Remote Site & Equipment Management \ Fall 2012 SkyWave Introduces IP SCADA for IsatData Pro Volume 12, Issue 4 Editor & Publisher, David Webster Director of Content, Nick Depperschmidt Senior Editor, Shannon Given Associate Editor, Heather Krier Manager of Administration & Customer Service, Marsha Grillo Fulfillment Services & Circulation Marc Vang, Ross Webster Director of Sales, Jeremy Fleming Advertising, Sales & Marketing Laura Mayo, Jennifer Graham, Sue Hannebrink, Scott Webster Production Julie Hammond, Production Manager Julie Williams, Office Manager REMOTE SITE & EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT magazine (ISSN #1535-0347) is a publication of Webcom Communications Corp. Subscription price for one year (six issues) is free for qualified subscribers, $44 in the US for non-qualified subscribers; $60 in all other countries. Single copies are $20 each. Back issues are available. Payment must be made in US funds in order to process the order. Direct all subscription inquiries, orders and address changes to Fulfillment Services. Photocopy Rights: Permission to photocopy for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients is granted by REMOTE SITE & EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT for users through Copyright Clearance Center, provided that the base fee of $2.50 per copy of the article, plus $1.00 per page is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 USA (508) 750-8400. For government and/ or classroom use, the Copyright Clearance Center should be contacted. The rate for this is 3 cents per page. Please specify ISSN # 1535-0347. Reprints: For reprint requests contact Webcom Communications at 800-803-9488 x.111 or Nickd@infowebcom.com © Copyright 2012 Webcom Communications Corp. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. Requests for permission should be directed to the customer service manager. www.RemoteMagazine.com Environmental Monitoring of Algal Blooms Helps Clean River System 3 http://www.RemoteMagazine.com http://www.RemoteMagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Remote - Fall 2012

Remote - Fall 2012
Contents
Editor's Choice
New Opportunities in a Wireless World
Why Land-lines May Still be the Best Option for Your Remote Monitoring Network
SCADA Systems – The Best Choice For Water and Wastewater Remote Monitoring
M2M: Why Remote Monitoring Matters
SCADA
Networking
ZigBee Resource Guide
Security
Onsite Power
Enclosures
Environmental Monitoring
Naval Security and Energy Initiatives: Taking Control
Wireless Sensors and Cloud Platform Provides Real-Time Vineyard Environmental Monitoring
Industry News
Simulcast Expands Channel Availability and Cuts Expenses for Public Safety Communications

Remote - Fall 2012