Mobile SCADA Needs Ubiquitous Wireless Communications

Mobile SCADA is a term used for systems for remote monitoring of mobile and portable equipment in applications including:

• Well Testing
• Water Transfer Systems
• LNG/CNG Filling and Storage Systems
• Heating Systems
• Portable Generator Systems
• Mobile Compressors

The mobile equipment will often be deployed in remote areas with limited terrestrial communications.  The mobile equipment could be required at a site for days up to months.  There is the requirement for these systems to be rapidly deployed and operational.

To achieve this requirement, the Mobile SCADA systems typical will incorporate integrated self-contained communications systems and not rely on site infrastructure provided by others.  Mobile SCADA systems typically need to use  multiple ubiquitous Wireless Communications networks such as:

• Satellite
• Cellular
• WiFi
• License-Free Wireless

For Wireless Communications Technologies to be ubiquitous,  the systems must be deployable without site specific RF licensing and be rapidly deployed. Satellite or Cellular networks are public telecom networks available by subscriptions.  License Free Networks (WiFi or Proprietary) do not require site specific licensing to use.

Antenna systems for these systems must not require specialized tools or knowledge. Satellite systems may either have omni-directional antennas or possibly have self-pointing systems.  Similarly, cellular systems may use omni-directional antenna systems to minimize the requirement for antenna pointing.

WiFi and Licenses free radio technology can be used to connect interconnect equipment nodes together or to connect a node site with good WAN or Internet access.

Following pictures show the SCADALink SAT130 IoT Gateway system with has Cellular, Satellite, and WiFi connectivity. Note the omni direction antenna systems of all 3 radio technologies.