Integra-TR for SCADA: COM interfaces, the controller and data-transfer testing

When choosing a radio modem for SCADA, it is important to link three parts: the controller port, the radio channel parameters, and the software polling rules. Transparent exchange of Integra-TR retains the useful role of a serial line, but does not cancel the check of the electrical interface, timings and operation of the installed system.

Catalogue image of radio modem family Integra — Catalog image of the Integra family: ANTENNA, SETUP and COM connectors are visible. The full code, hardware version, condition and set of the instance are confirmed separately.

Start with the facility equipment model

Write down the RTU or PLC model, port and protocol, software version, and connection scheme. Add the full Integra-TR designation. For position 242-4018-630 from our catalog, the instance documentation and settings are agreed separately: the line manual is not a passport of any device with a similar name.

A practical example is water intake with a sequential polling. Here, the buyer needs to maintain a clear exchange with the controller and an acceptable response time. Adding a radio modem changes line delays; checks should be done on real requests and responses, not just the reception indicator.

COM and SETUP perform different tasks

Connection	Family leadership role
COM	Data exchange with equipment via RS-232
SETUP	Configuration and diagnosis
Antenna connector	Radio frequency path of the selected configuration
Entry power supply	Checked DC source and separate cable line

Separate connectors do not prove that parameter programming will maintain a continuous working polling. Reading, changing settings, and updating software have different consequences. For the current system, agree in advance the service window and the procedure for returning to the accepted configuration.

The RS-232 cannot be replaced by a matching connector housing

The manual describes the modem as DCE; the cable and control circuits are matched to the DTE documentation being connected. For a particular controller, special wiring may be required. Do not assign a cable to a single nine-pin connector appearance.

If the controller is running on RS-485, a consistent electrical interface converter is needed. If the system uses Modbus TCP, the gateway and exchange architecture are considered separately. Transparent sequential transmission does not, by itself, translate TCP into RTU and does not establish compatibility with any SCADA.

Check the port format and broadcast

Bring UART speed, bit rate, parity, stop bits and transmission control to one network table. The family guide describes RTS and DOX. The desired mode is determined by the actual capabilities of the equipment and the agreed circuit of the cable, not only by the desire to reduce the number of conductors.

COM speed and radio speed are checked separately. For the polling of several objects, the request, response, service data, switching and possible repeated attempts are taken into account. Raising the speed of a serial port without evaluating radio exchange is not enough to speed up the entire cycle.

Timeouts are checked on a useful exchange

Make a short acceptance program: one node response, pass through all objects, pause in the absence of a response, restore after a skip and restart power supply. For each case, determine the expected behavior of the dispatcher software. Compare the integrity and timeliness of data, not just the presence of a carrier.

If the protocol depends on pauses between characters or a limited response time, this is a separate checkpoint. The coincidence of the name of the protocol on two devices does not guarantee the preservation of the necessary timings after the radio channel is turned on. Preliminary tests at the stand reduce uncertainty before installation.

What to send for selection

Attach controller models, interface description, network schema, and sample polling requirements. Suffice scheme with node names and roles; passwords, keys and working secrets in the usual application do not need to include. To replace, add the nameplate of the old device and the document with the accepted configuration.

“Integra-TR is needed to communicate [the controller] with [the polling system]. Interface - [type], protocol - [name], period and allowable delay - [values]. We attach the diagram and code of the installed modem. Please agree on configuration, cables and verification.”

Related issues: polling-cycle, power supply and waiting, radio-modem.

Request for delivery and city of receipt

To buy Integra-TR for an object or party, specify the city: St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Astana or another point in Russia and Kazakhstan. Attach the full designation, the number by configuration and the requirements for the kit. The cost, current availability and delivery conditions will be confirmed in the quotation.

One SCADA, different sections of water intake and river base

For water intake in the Irtysh area of Pavlodar, the survey table is first compiled: the central post, remote controllers, the requested values and the required frequency. One node can transmit the state of the equipment, another - several measurements. The number of objects by itself does not indicate the load on the line and the allowable waiting time for a response.

For pumping facilities along Kama in the Perm area, it is useful to note standby lines and post-service return order separately. Saved modem setting and performance of the entire exchange - different results: acceptance is carried out on real operations of the control room. Existing ports, cables, and settings can be used to replace a single Integra-TR node without unplanned changes to other controllers.

Questions before ordering

Two consecutive connectors mean working without stopping when set up?

Nope. COM and SETUP have different roles; the consequences of reading and changing parameters are checked against documentation and agreed upon service window.

Can the RS-485 be connected as the RS-232?

Different electrical interfaces require a proven conversion scheme. A similar connector does not establish compatibility.

Does the transparency of the modem guarantee the operation of any SCADA?

Nope. Check the interface, protocol, timings and real requests and responses of the equipment.

Selection materials

Related issues

Radio modem or cellular service for telemetry: comparing cost and reliability

Family documentation: CalAmp PN 001-4008-100 Rev 3, April 2012; Guide at CalAmp, Rev 6, February 2013. Code 242-4018-630 is agreed on the marking and applicable documentation of the instance; the common table of other configurations does not confirm the finished replacement.