Powerful computers, software changing pipeline SCADA systems
W.R. True · Oil & gas journal/Oil and gas journal · 1992
This paper reports on advances in computing power in recent years which are enabling pipeline operators to collect more data at a central location and to transmit such data more rapidly than ever before. Additionally, more sophisticated, general-purpose scada software is enabling operators to do more with the data retrieved and to manipulate the information more conveniently and efficiently with advances in graphics capabilities and the power of personal computers. These developments have for many pipeline operating companies led to a merging of formerly distinct functions, especially of measurement and control. Most significantly, dominance by the traditional concept of a central host computer system and backup mainframe is being challenged by what's being called distributed systems. These typically rely on several clusters of computers which perform functions formerly residing in large monolithic systems. Such distributed systems have brought a degree of flexibility and power to newer scada systems only dreamed of in the early 1980s. A look at some recent projects will illustrate these trends.