Remote intelligence expands SCADA's use upstream
G. Moritis · Oil & gas journal/Oil and gas journal · 1992
Improved electronics and computer equipment, available at much less cost, are replacing older components and increasing the number of oil and gas fields automated with scada (supervisory and control and data acquisition) systems. These new systems include components such as intelligent or smart RTUs (remote terminal units) that process data at the lease location. This paper reports that this remote intelligence can maintain supervisory control even after losing communication links. In other words, these newer systems offer distributed architecture or control. Unlike older systems, designs of the newer generation of components include nonproprietary data transmission protocols. Because there is a mix of old and new technologies in the field, the term scada often refers to a number of different generations of automation technology. The simpler systems might not fall into the true scada category. Likewise, some complex systems can be a part of a DCS (distributed control system); or vice versa, the DCS might be part of the scada system. The basic function of a scada system is to respond to various monitor and control elements. Then scada transmits this information to a central location commonly called an MTU ( master terminal unit) or host computer.