Home Generation Control Scheduling Network Apps Training Simulator Architecture Case Studies

System Architecture

Three-Tier Architecture | Multi-User | Scalable | High Availability

Three-Tier Architecture

GUI Layer

  • RS User Interface
  • GUI Builder
  • Database Xcessory
  • One-Line Diagrams
  • Tabular Displays

Application Layer

  • RS EXECUTABLE
  • RDBSHL
  • AGC/ED Processes
  • State Estimation
  • Contingency Analysis
  • OPF Engine

Database Layer

  • Oracle RDBMS
  • RS Tables
  • Historical Data
  • Equipment Models
  • SCADA Archive

Standard SQL access for easy data sharing across corporate LAN

Hardware Architecture

Primary EMS Server
Production
Backup EMS Server
Hot Standby
DTS Server
Training
Historian
Data Archive
Ethernet Backbone / Dual Redundant LAN
Operator Console 1
Operator Console 2
Study Console
Instructor Console
Redundant CPUs Hot Swap
RAID Storage Mirroring
UPS Backup Dual Power

Integration Interfaces

RTU
Remote Terminal Units
Front-End
Protocol Conversion
EMS Core
Applications
Historian
Long-term Storage

External Interfaces

  • ICCP - Inter-control center communication
  • OASIS - Open Access Same-time Information System
  • E-Tagging - NERC Policy 3 electronic tagging
  • Weather Service - Automated forecast retrieval

Internal Interfaces

  • SCADA - Real-time data acquisition
  • MMI - Man-machine interface
  • Historian - Data archiving and retrieval
  • Reporting - ODBC to Excel/Access

Database Architecture

Real-Time Database

  • In-memory for fast access
  • Scan rates: 2-10 seconds
  • Point-oriented structure
  • 50,000-500,000 points

Historical Database (Oracle)

  • Long-term data retention
  • ODBC access
  • User-defined reports
  • Automatic printing
MS Excel MS Access 4GL Custom Apps

ODBC interface for PC LAN connectivity

Communication Protocols

SCADA Protocols

  • DNP3
  • Modbus
  • IEC 60870-5-101
  • IEC 60870-5-104
  • RP-570

Inter-Control Center

  • ICCP (TASE.2)
  • ELCOM
  • Web Services

Enterprise Integration

  • ODBC/JDBC
  • Web Services (SOAP/REST)
  • MQ Series
  • FTP/SFTP

Security Architecture

Firewall
Authentication
Authorization
Audit Logs

Security Layers

  • DMZ with firewalls
  • Role-based access control
  • Encrypted communications
  • Intrusion detection

Compliance

  • NERC CIP
  • FERC
  • ISO 27001

Scalability

1,000
to
50,000+
SCADA Points
1
to
100+
Operator Consoles
1
to
50+
Application Servers

Distributed architecture allows incremental growth