The Need for Redundant SCADA Communications Link

In mission critical Industrial applications such as Oil and Gas Production & Pipelines there is often the need for Redundant SCADA Communication.

When Communcations system fail, systems or sites may not continue to operate unmanned or automatically since it may become unmonitored or measurement history data may be lost.

Many SCADA Systems have Point to Multipoint Communications where multiple sites in a network are accessed from a single Master Site, via a Master Station Directly or Via Repeater Systems. If the Master Station Communication or Repeaters Systems Fail, multiple or all Remote site communications fail.

Master Stations/Repeater Sites

Hence, the first level of Redundancy to be considered would be Master or Repeater Site since impact all sites.

Redundancy at Critical or High Valve Remote Sites

Remote sites with high environmental impact (H2S or near rivers/lakes) may need redundancy.

Sites that have high production.

Redundancy at Difficult to Access Sites

Sites that are difficult to access may need rendundacy communications. The sites may be helicoper, skidoo, argo or ice road accessible only; or very far away.  These sites could be Remote Sites, or Master/Repeater Sites. Repeater Site are commonly harder to access since they may be on mountains or hills.

Equipment Redundancy

Redundancy can be 1+1 for the Communication Device (Radiomodem), the Antenna Systems, or the Power Systems.  Redundant equipment can be cold standby or hot standby.

Path Redundancy

Path Redundancy can be used to to protect against RF Fade or Interference, and/or Carrier Outages (Cellular, Satellite).