Overview

RTU systems are designed to meet the needs of the water industry, the oil and gas sector, transportation, electrical utility and other infrastructures, where remote monitoring and telecontrol are essential to the management of a site and substations, which may be spread over a wide geographical area.

DNP3, IEC60870-5-101, and IEC60870-5-104 are global SCADA protocols, which are designed with various characteristics for RTU utilities (example: response event without request (unsolicited).

The Modicon X80 advanced RTU module (BMENOR2200H) is the new module on the Modicon M580 PAC platform, that provides more powerful features for different telemetry architectures and applications. You can configure this module for multiple Ethernet-based services, including RTU server and client implementation in a single module while supporting Ethernet and serial cable connections. Especially, the advanced RTU module supports M580 Hot standby systems and implements multiple cyber security functions. Engineering times are significantly reduced with a new configuration tool and method developed.

The module can operate properly only on a BME (X Bus and Ethernet) backplane.

Refer to the rack descriptions and slot restrictions in the installation chapter in the Modicon X80 Racks and Power Supplies, Hardware, Reference Manual

The BMENOR2200H advanced RTU module brings DNP3, IEC60870-5-101, and IEC60870-5-104 communications to the Modicon M580 platform:

1 Software: Control Expert 15.1, Automation Device Maintenance (firmware upgrade), Web Browser (cyber security settings)

2 BMENOR2200H module: M580 Hot Standby

3 BMENOR2200H module: M580 standalone

4 BMENOR2200H module: M580 Safety standalone, M580 Safety Hot Standby, non-interfering type 1

Red line Indicates the telemetry and remote architecture

Compared with standard X80 communications and I/O modules, the BMENOR2200H module is a long-factor module, the same height as the CPU. (Refer to the module dimensions topic.)

Install the module on a local Ethernet backplane in a Modicon M580 system. The module provides access to an Modicon M580 network through the external ports of the CPU and communication modules that may be installed on the local rack.

Main Features and Functionality

Module Features

The BMENOR2200H module addresses a wide range of telemetry requirements in an M580 system:

  • RTU protocol event routing as data concentrator.

  • DNP3 (Serial and NET) level 3, IEC60870-5-101, IEC60870-5-104. All protocols are certified by third-party agencies.

  • Channel redundancy for IEC60870-5-104 servers.

  • Ruggedized with conformal coating for operations in extended operating temperature ranges and harsh environments

  • Upstream communications with SCADA client stations for polling interrogation of data, backfilling of time-stamped event data, and receiving client commands

  • Downstream communications with other RTU substations, server field devices and IEDs (for data collection), sending commands, and synchronizing distributed control

  • Remote programming and downloading of control program with Control Expert software through the BMENOR2200H module (The file transfer to the CPU is via X Bus when the Modbus service is enabled.)

  • Remote cyber security settings and diagnostic monitoring with a built-in web server

  • Compatibility with an M580 Hot Standby systems

  • Occupies a single-point resource for event routing point

  • Bulk configuration (Excel file) for RTU mapping table

  • Cyber security enhancements:

    • More secure boot

    • Firmware signing and integrity check

    • More secure firmware upgrade

    • HTTPS-based Web pages

    • RBAC for Web page access

    • TLS for RTU protocols (DNP3 NET, IEC60870-5-104)

    • Password complexity

    • Secure mode selection with the rotary switch

    • DNP3 more secure authentication versions SAv2 and SAv5

    • More secure Hot Standby communication between modules

    • Achilles Level 2

    • DNP3 Secure Authentification qualified by third-part agency

  • High data throughput capacity when the module acts as an RTU server (transmits 4,000 events/second to client devices via Ethernet)

  • Maximum of 150,000 RTU events stored in module buffer

  • Up to 4GB storage size (in SD card) for data logging

  • SNMPv1 and SNMPv3

  • Time synchronization from SNTP, RTU protocol, or CPU

  • Modbus TCP server/client

  • Transfer Control Expert configuration data to the CPU via X Bus

Platform Features

The module shares these characteristics and applications that are available in an M580 environment:

  • Easy connectivity with an Ethernet backplane

  • Specialized function blocks (AGA, flow calculations)

  • Expandable rack-based modular I/O configurations and remote I/O capabilities

  • High-density, analog/discrete I/O and counting modules

  • Isolated input power supply (voltage ranges: 24 Vdc, 24/48 Vdc, 125 Vdc, 100/240 Vac)

  • Local and remote downloading of operating system firmware

  • Exclusive data exchange bandwidth for each module installed on the same rack

RTU Architecture

This sample architecture shows communications from an RTU substation that includes a BMENOR2200H module:

A A BMENOR2200H module communicates over the backplane with a CPU that is connected to a network router.

B The 3G/4G network forwards the communications.

C Communications are received by a router that connects to a control network and fieldbus devices.

BMENOR2200H and EcoStruxureTM

EcoStruxureTM is a Schneider Electric program designed to address the key challenges of many different types of users, including plant managers, operations managers, engineers, maintenance teams, and operators, by delivering a system that is scalable, flexible, integrated, and collaborative.

This document presents one of the EcoStruxure features, using Ethernet as the backbone around the Modicon M580 offer, in which an M580 local rack communicates with M580 RIO drops and distributed equipment in the same network.