Extra First Class COC Courses (Part “A”)

Subject: A5- Advanced Electrical, Electronic and Control Engineering Knowledge

Student Name and Number: Praveen Kumar, TMI/EFCE/2019/01

ASSESSOR: Dr. Dhiren P Dave

Date of Submission: 13.03.2019

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1. Introduction:
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is a system of equipments that provides
an operator at a remote location with sufficient information to determine the status of
particular equipment/process and make actions without being physically present. In the
following sections, architecture of SCADA system, it’s major components, various
technologies of network and major difference between SCADA and DCS will be described.

Main body:
SCADA involves two major activities- data acquisition (monitoring) of a process or
equipment and supervisory control of the process, thus leading to complete automation.

Fig.1- Architecture of a typical SCADA system

Fig.1 shows architecture of a typical SCADA system.

SCADA system has five major components-
1. Field devices (sensors, transmitters, actuators)
2. PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) or RTU (Remote Terminal Unit)
3. SCADA operations user workstation
4. SCADA sever computer
5. Communication network

Field devices are connected to I/O modules of PLC through busbars. Signals to/from PLC
may be discrete or analogue. E.g. discrete input signals are open and close limit switches,
push buttons, selector switches. Discrete output signals are pilot lights, motor control relays,
solenoid valves. Analogue input signals are levels, flow rates, current, voltage, pressure,

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temperature etc. Analogue output signals are motor speed control for variable speed drives,
valve positioning signals for modulating valves, analogue display devices.

PLC or RTU processes the input signals and controls the operation of the equipments
through output signals. Output signals are based upon application programming in the PLC.
PLC is the heart of monitoring and control of every process area in a SCADA system. Each
process area requires it’s own PLC in a SCADA system. Depending on the number of
signals, a PLC may consist of multiple no. of I/O modules which are configured. Each PLC
requires programming in one or more forms. Ladder logic, Function block diagram are some
of the programs.

SCADA operations user workstation is Human Machine Interface (HMI). It requires

programming of process graphic displays with animated links to many points in a process
database. The SCADA workstation presents the process graphic displays with user
interaction such as controlling the equipment and requesting the information. The software at
this level involves the creation of process graphic displays, historical trend, historical report
displays, alarm and event summary displays, and process database.

SCADA server computer is at the physical centre of star topology. The server computer
performs all communications with PLCs/RTUs on SCADA network. Each PLC collects and
maintains data pertaining to it’s process area. This data is then retrieved by server computer
to update current process and historical database. Commands and adjustments from
operations workstations are sent out to the PLCs/RTUs via the server computer. Another
purpose of server computer is to provide an interface to internet using Firewalls and SQL
interface calls. SQL is the programming language used in domain of RDMS (Relative
Database Management System).

Communications network- SCADA system components are connected via LAN (Local Area
Network), using Ethernet or other high-speed communication system. For remotely located
controllers, modem or optic fibre is used to connect to SCADA network.

There are three basic types of network topology used for SCADA system.
1. Bus topology
2. Star topology
3. Token Ring topology

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Bus topology consists of all hardware/software interconnection among all the nodes in the
system. That is all traffic/communications in the system is accomplished via the single bus-
type network. For increased traffic, network becomes overloaded and data transfer slows
down from one node to other node.
Star topology consists of multiple network paths out from a single master or host node. All
data transfer from various PLCs/RTUs is done through master or host node (server
computer) via individual connections to user workstations in a star configuration. Data
transfer is faster than bus topology because of multiple paths out from the master node.
Token ring topology works like a ring in which all nodes are interconnected by two network
connections. Information from the source node passes along the ring from node to node,
until data reaches the destination node. Duplicate rings in opposite directions provide
redundancy and security.
Apart from above mentioned network topologies, a combination can also be used in the
SCADA network.
Remote communications use dial-up and dedicated modem to transfer data between server
computer and remote PLCs. Modern method of remote communications use DSL (Digital
Subscriber Line) and Optic Fibre connection. These two methods provide substantial faster
data transfer and are significantly more reliable.

Major differences between SCADA and DCS (Distributed Control System)

- DCS is usually located within a more confined area. It uses LAN for communication.
SCADA covers larger geographical areas. It uses various communication links such
as LAN, WAN (Wide Area Network), modems, FTTH (Fibre to The Home).
- DCS is process oriented. That is it is process state driven. In a DCS system, data
acquisition and control functions are performed by a number of microprocessors
situated on local near to the field devices. A closely integrated set of user interface
(Man-machine interface) is provided for system configuration and operator control.
SCADA is data-acquisition oriented. It is event driven. Though it may also do some
complex process control (e.g. change in set points of any machinery/equipment). It
contains current data and time stamped historical data in relative database.

Conclusion:
Preceding section describes SCADA architecture and it’s major components with
different network technologies for interconnection and communication between these
components. It also explains that SCADA and DCS systems are different systems.

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2. Introduction:
A SCADA system integrates shipboard alarm monitoring and control system, engine
monitoring, pump and valve control and many other solutions. In the following sections,
functions of a shipboard SCADA system will be described.

Main body:
In a typical SCADA system, MAN-machine interface option ranges from pushbutton panels,
digital alarm readout, to redundant panel mounted PCs.
Any number of devices can be tied into the system including peripheral devices such as
autopilot and GPS, ECU (engine control unit).
SCADA system can incorporate additional shipboard systems. Expansion modules are
customized to meet specific customer needs.
Such expansions may include shipboard crane control, BT (bow thruster) control, propulsion
system etc.
Alarm & monitoring- The system monitors and displays status and alarms for propulsion,
M/E, A/Es, steering gear and bilges on a user interface. PC based user interfaces are
distributed in key areas of the ship (ECR, ship office, wheel house) and alarm
acknowledgement is synchronized with PLCs. The system includes graphic system
overview, alarm management, data logging and trending.
M/E and A/E control panels integration- This can be fully integrated with alarm & monitoring
system to annunciate alarms and gather historical data.
Pump & valve control- This allows user interface to remotely monitor and control entire ship’s
pump and valve control system.
Tank level monitoring- Centralized user interface reflects graphic layout of the ship and tank
plan. Level and alarms are easily located by their positions on the graphic.
Engineers’ callout- Digital readouts are provided in cabins, bridge and other prominent
locations. Group alarm provides alarm annunciation and allows remote acknowledgement.
Alarm escalation may be included for UMS application.

Conclusion:
In the light of above, SCADA system is said to be versatile, scalable and reliable in
functionality. It provides centralized user interface for effective and efficient alarm monitoring
and control. This leads to reduced man-hours and associated cost which would otherwise be
used in additional local monitoring and control on the ship.

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3. Introduction:
Fieldbus is an instrumentation cable of single shielded twisted pair. The following
section describes the characteristics of fieldbus and requirements to be met by
the fieldbus. NMEA 2000 protocol which is a communication standard, shall be
discussed subsequently.

Main body:
A single fieldbus segment allows to connect up to thirty-two field devices to I/O module of a
PLC/RTU. The driver software runs in microprocessor to make communication.
Requirements of a typical DCS or similar control system are-
Minimum device operating voltage: 9V
Maximum bus voltage: 32V DC
Maximum cable length: 1900 m
DC power required by the bus is sourced through a fieldbus power supply or power
conditioner. Typical power conditioner makes 350 to 500A available on the bus and usually
incorporates isolators to prevent segment to segment cross talk.

NMEA 2000 protocol is a communication standard as per IEC 61162-1 (International

Electrotechnical Committee). This is a plug and play cable used to connect marine sensors
and display unit on the ship. It runs at 250 kB/s and allows any sensor to talk to any display
unit or other device compatible with NMEA 2000 protocol. NMEA 2000 standard is
compatible with CANbus (Controller Area Network bus). This protocol is used to create a
network of electronic devices and marine instruments. Various instruments are connected to
one central cable of NMEA standard. This single cable powers each instrument and relays
data among all on the network. This allows one display unit to show many different types of
information.

Conclusion:
Above section describes Fieldbus concept and NMEA 2000 protocol in networking of
electronic devices and marine instruments.

4. Introduction:
Wireless Sensor Network uses radio frequency, bluetooth, or infrared to communicate
among sensor nodes and sink. In the following section, WSN technology and application of
this technology in marine will be explained.

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Main body:
WSN is defined as a self-configured and infrastructure-less wireless network to monitor
physical or environmental conditions, such as pressure, temperature, vibration, sound or
pollutants and to co-operatively pass their data to main location or base station (sink or
gateway node). On the base station interface, data can be observed and analysed. The user
can retrieve the required information from the network by sending queries and gathering
results from the base station. Typically, a WSN contains many numbers of sensor nodes.
The sensor nodes can communicate among themselves using radio signals.
A wireless sensor node is equipped with sensing and computing devices (microcontroller
with flash memory), radio transceiver and power components.

Marine application- WSN can be used in condition monitoring of ship’s machinery and
equipments to predict condition based maintenance. Another application is condition
monitoring of reefer containers on ships. One such system in use is Maersk-RCM (Remote
Container Management). RCM is WSN for reefer container monitoring in star topology.
Reefer containers are fitted with a RCD (Remote Container Device). Each RCD unit is
equipped with a 3G/4G sim card, GPS unit, ZigBee radio transceiver and antenna. RCM
base station receiving antennas are installed on bow and stern of the ship. They receive the
data from reefer containers and transmit them to VSAT dome of the ship, from where
encrypted data are sent to Maersk data centre.

Conclusion:
The above describes wireless sensor network and use of WSN technology in marine. WSN
technology can also be extended to ship’s crew for condition monitoring of reefer containers.
It will reduce considerable man-hours which will otherwise be used in additional local reefer
rounds, monitoring and log keeping. The saved man-hours can be utilized for other important
maintenance jobs.

References:
1. S. Dabadgaonkar, D. P. Dave, L. S. Tikore, K. A. Mehendale, G. Singh, L. Singh, M.
Mane, Advanced Electrical, Electronic and Control Engineering Knowledge Notes,
January 2015, Tolani Maritime Institute.
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCADA
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_sensor_network
4. https://electrical-engineering-portal.com/scada-operation

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5. I. Panic, J. Celic, A. Cuculic, Wireless Condition Monitoring of Machinery and

Equipment in Maritime Industry: An Overview, Scientific Journal of Maritime
Research 32(2018) 201-210 © Faculty of Maritime Studies Rijeka, 2018.
6. Marine SCADA Systems, VTScada, Trihedral.
7. Introduction to Fieldbus, MOORE HAWKE FIELDBUS WORLWIDE,
www.miinet.com/moorehawke
8. NMEA 2000, WIKIPEDIA.