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Real-time Visual Management for SCADA/HMI Applications
SCADA systems allow the
automation of complex industrial processes where
human control is impractical. However, with
all the raw data and real-time updates pouring
in, it can be difficult to decipher what is
going on and how to respond. All the numbers
on your screen, flashing lights, and blaring
alarms still leave you in the dark. Was the
security alarm triggered by an actual intruder
or accidentally set off by a new technician?
Or maybe it was that darn stray cat again. What
is missing from this picture? Simply this—the
picture. As helpful as the raw data can be,
they still do not provide the entire picture.
The solution is real-time visual management.
IP video technology has become one of the hottest
trends in the automation industry today, especially
since automation and surveillance systems have
both migrated to IP-based applications. Moreover,
the integration of IP surveillance software
with automation systems is gaining popularity
and momentum. Coincidentally, integrating real-time
visual surveillance systems with SCADA systems
via IP video technology is now both a viable
and affordable solution for system integrators.
The question we'd like to answer here is this:
How exactly does the integration of visual management
enhance your SCADA/HMI application?
The Benefits of Real-time Video Surveillance
Video surveillance is now commonly used with industrial automation applications thanks to the fast-paced advancement of IP surveillance technology. Real-time video surveillance offers automatic monitoring and control capabilities, enhancing remote monitoring applications with visual management. These capabilities not only save management costs for manpower, but also achieve total network automation.
Video images offer direct information and allow system users to respond faster and make better judgments. There are also many other invaluable benefits to real-time alarm videos, such as saving time and labor, decreasing system downtime, improving process control and operational quality, as well as achieving dramatic improvements in workplace safety since potential errors and personnel accidents can be reduced or avoided altogether.
| The advantages of using real-time video: |
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See what is happening onsite in real time, even if no one is at the site. |
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Save time and labor by being able to view equipment and the environment from off-site. |
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Give engineers better information about dangers at the site before sending them to the field site |
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Record events in real time, even when it is not possible to check in person. |
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Prevent sabotage and theft |
The Three Architectural Layers of an Integrated Automated System
Advanced automation systems require a high degree
of management and control; this is where integration
comes in. A complete integrated system provides
real-time visualization, which is an invaluable
tool for automation systems since it enables
the "automation" of human sight and
visual analysis for process control. Instruments
can only provide a somewhat abstract indication
of events, but our eyes can catch what instruments
miss and tell us more or even different things.
Networks for modern SCADA systems are migrating to Ethernet-based TCP/IP to provide better remote accessibility, integration capability, and easier deployment and management. This Ethernet-ready trend also applies to video surveillance devices. However, due to the complexities of video digitization and compression technologies, and the variety of video networking solutions on the market, system integrators may have trouble selecting and integrating suitable video networking solutions into their SCADA systems.
A complete integrated automation system has three important architectural layers: the management layer, the operation layer, and the device layer. However, these three different layers use different protocols such as OPC and Modbus/TCP, making integration and compatibility even more challenging.
Integrating Video
Surveillance into a SCADA System:
How Moxa's NVR Solutions Empower Integrated SCADA Systems
The underlying factors of a fully integrated
SCADA system are compatibility and reliability,
which can be easily achieved with the right
tools. This is where OPC (Object Linking and
Embedding (OLE) for process control) comes in.
OPC is a communication tool that facilitates
the SCADA system to communicate with other external
systems. This means that we can use OPC to build
a connection between the IP video system and
SCADA system, which are entirely independent
systems.
Moxa's NVR solution, SoftNVR-IA,
provides a number of features that are specifically
designed for the integration of real-time video
with SCADA/HMI systems. What sets Moxa's NVR
apart from general NVRs on the market is SoftNVR-IA's
built-in OPC communications. Moxa's
SoftNVR-IA is built for OPC servers to simplify
system communication and integration. Through
OPC tags, the status of the NVR, cameras, and
trigger tags are easily acquired. The OPC triggers
are listed in an event log, and this enables
quick connection and retrieval of video for
playback. SoftNVR-IA comes with Playback SDK,
which allows for fast event record searches
and video playback. Moxa's SoftNVR-IA empowers
industrially designed VPort™ products, and together
with your SCADA/HMI system, gives you a complete
industrial automation system that offers real-time
comprehensive views for all events. This also
holds true for very complex manufacturing processes
and large electrical plants, and provides the
information needed to correct errors and improve
efficiency.
| With Moxa's NVR solution, you can: |
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Manage video popups, PTZ control, two-way audio, snapshot capture, and real-time video |
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Remotely monitor field video devices through Modbus/TCP protocol |
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Achieve SNMP trap and instant image snapshots when an event is triggered. |
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Manage alarm video history and exercise the option of assigning your web server to activate a web browser for video streams in the event an alarm is triggered (through SDK Plus™) |
Rugged IP Surveillance Integration Products
Moxa's VPort™ IP video products (industrial IP cameras, industrial encoders/decoders, and industrial video servers) support the Modbus/TCP protocol for transmission via a TCP/IP network, and because the VPort™ supports Modbus/TCP, automation management systems such as SCADA can directly include VPort™ products in their device monitoring system. This means that the status of the VPort™ can be directly monitored from the automation system, as is done with all of the other industrial devices. As a result, system administrators no longer need to spend extra time and effort checking the status of the IP video devices through another independent video management system. A major benefit is that overall system efficiency is improved.
In addition, VPort™
products are tough thanks to rugged
features such as wide operating temperatures
and high IP-rated housing, and the no heater,
fanless design assures industrial-grade reliability
and extended operational life. Moxa's VPort™
IP video products are UL508/EN50155 certified,
and Moxa's industrial IP cameras support PoE
for power redundancy to provide users with maximum
installation flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
More on This Topic
Control Engineering, January 2009
Learn about Moxa's IP video solutions
Real-time video monitoring benefits for SCADA management
IP video surveillance in power substations
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