According to the mobile radio manufacturer, Pulse allows SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) telemetry applications to be “quickly and cost effectively” deployed over DMR Tier III trunked networks. This is to deliver reliable communications at a time when wide-reaching low rate data is becoming an increasingly important part of the mission critical-mix. The system uses a fully integrated IP network to connect information sent from data modems or RTUs (Remote Telemetry Units) to SCADA masters and is designed to be effective in remote areas where cellular coverage is intermittent and installing wired networks has significant cost implications.
A further feature of using DMR to transmit telemetry data is its ability to carry voice communications over the same infrastructure. Simoco state that Pulse can be quickly and cost effectively scaled to include a full mission critical solution capable of meeting the needs of the smart grid age. The first model to be launched is the Simoco Pulse AIR data modem and will be followed by the Pulse AIR Pro data modem and Pulse ELITE Integrated RTU in the coming months.
The full portfolio consists of the following:
Simoco Pulse AIR and AIR Pro - Data Modems
For customers who already have RTUs either integrated into their equipment or have existing RTUs deployed over unreliable unlicensed channels or public networks such as 3G or GPRS. The data modem directly interfaces with any RTU that uses standard telemetry protocols, and transport data back to the SCADA master using reliable digital radio over licensed VHF or UHF channels.
Simoco Pulse ELITE - Integrated RTU
For in-field deployments, Simoco has developed a fully integrated RTU with digital and analogue outputs for the collection of data and status information from plant equipment such as actuators, meters, switchgear and PLCs (programmable logic controllers). The RTU also features digital outputs to enable wireless control or distributed automation of these remote devices via actuators.
Gateway
Simoco’s Gateway products enable SCADA masters to seamlessly interface with the digital radio infrastructure. This makes the radio infrastructure transparent to the SCADA application and requires no customisation or integration in order to deploy SCADA over radio. Systems can either be fully deployed over PMR or can be used to form part of mixed technology telemetry solutions
“Our new Pulse portfolio delivers a strong proposition to customers looking to set up communications infrastructure to support data transmission and control in remote, and often vast, operational areas,” said Mike Norfield, Simoco Group CEO. “These new products work together to deliver resilient and cost-effective radio communications that are particularly suited to the electricity, water and gas sectors, but are equally valuable to any sector that remotely monitors and automates smart grids over large distances.”
