Motorola V186 - Cell Phone - GSM System Planner Manual page 6

ACE3600 System Overview
• The Front End Processor (FEP):
The Front End Processor is used at the central site(s) to provide a two-way path to the
communication system and the distant RTUs from the SCADA Manager hardware and
software. The FEP converts MDLC protocol data from the RTUs to a protocol used by
the SCADA Manager vendor: when the OPC or ModBus protocol is used, the FEP will
maintain a local database of all the data from the multiple in-field sites; when TCP/IP
gateway is used, the FEP is simply a gateway between the two different protocols. The
FEP always acknowledges all RTU-initiated messages. The FEP can also provide a two-
way path between the ACE3600 STS and the field RTUs for those functions unique to
ACE3600 that are not provided by the SCADA Manager software (over-the-air
programming download, diagnostics upload, and more.)
• SCADA Manager:
The SCADA Manager provides the operator with the display and report tools necessary
to view and manage the associated process(es). The SCADA Manager obtains data from
the FEP according to its needs and typically presents that data on custom-created display
formats; control messages may also be initiated from these custom screens. Security is
typically implemented via permission levels activated by the operator's sign-on
password. Microsoft Windows is becoming the operating system of choice because it
easily supports the desired graphic symbols used on the custom screens. The report
capability may be provided by the SCADA software or a data export to Microsoft Excel
or equivalent may be utilized. The end result is an easy to use pictorially-described
representation of the field status of key equipment items plus the means to make changes
in how those pieces of equipment operate.
• System Tools Suite (STS):
The ACE3600 STS is a software program that allows the system engineer to set up and
maintain the ACE3600 system in accordance with system-specific requirements. The
STS computer (PC) may be connected to any RTU/FEP or to the other network points in
the system and have connectivity established with any other site through the store-&-
forward capability of the MDLC protocol; all the capabilities available during a local
connection may then be enjoyed by the remotely-connected system engineer: the
communication network topography may be defined; the application(s) for each site may
be created and downloaded into the RTUs; run-time and diagnostic data may be
uploaded.
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