Scenario

The Internet and mobile telephones have completely changed the world of communications during the last five years. While contact with data transmission and networks was reserved for specialists at the beginning of the 90s, today almost every child is familiar with PCs, modems, email and browsers. The spread of Internet standards to automation technology and measured data acquisition has already begun. Skalar is the logical result to combinate and create this serial production professionally.

Fundamental Internet Standard.

Integration and use of the Internet for communication is divided into two areas:
a) the support of the respective standard and
b) its application.
For support of the standard, Skalar implements the complete Internet protocol stack. Among these are the protocols PPP, IP and TCP for access protection, all providing data security and data transmission. In addition to an organized file system that files inbound and outbound data with information to sender, recipient, contents, authorizations and protection methods, the Skalar uses prior protocols of the Internet such as FTP, HTTP, POP3 and SMTP. Depending on the remote station and connection setup, various functions are activated such as FTP Server, FTP Client, Mail Client. Using these, Skalar can create, e.g. a PPP connection with an Internet provider (or Intranet server) and can receive or send a MIME coded email. As FTP Client the Skalar can also make a file transfer to a FTP Server, or like FTP Server itself, it can receive files by uploading, after secured connection setup. Thanks to this functionality, the entire operating system of the unit, or individual applications can be updated or newly imported.

Applications Structure.

The fundamental standards for data transmission with Internet protocols are implemented in the unit with the basic module "Internet". The execution of operations and callup of data is executed via the central job management. That means, the application of the Internet functionality is configured by the user. Here, the Internet protocol layers interact with possible other applications filed in Skalar.

An example taken from the electricity sector.
Using the basic module "Internet", Skalar can readout a data file from a meter and send it via email to a pre-configured recipient. The E-Mail and file contents can be coded and secured by digital signature.

If an additional module "IEC 1107" has been loaded in the Skalar, it can also evaluate the load profile data of the meter and select a certain timeframe for forwarding and check the integrity of the data. The email then contains, e.g., the load profile data of the last 7 days.

Furthermore, if a conversion module has also been loaded, e.g., EDIFACT-MSCONS, Skalar can convert the present data into any other data format and then transmit the data. Then, for example, the email would contain the load profile data of the meter point evaluated for the last 7 days, and the data can be sent as a pre-fabricated MSCONS message in EDIFACT standard to a registered recipient of the operator. This can be done by E-Mail or data transfer with FTP to a FTP Server in Internet or in an Intranet.

Resource-saving Communication

Using the Internet for data transmission provides an additional advantage for the Skalar user: Skalar can use the complete infrastructure of the Internet and data access of the provider used. Setting up central modem batteries for the callup of data, including maintenance, securing with firewalls, etc, are not needed when using the Internet. Skalar data can be received with standard tools like all other Internet messages.

The Skalar uses the data access of an Internet provider for dial-into the Internet. If T-Online (a german internet provider) is used for data transmission, Skalar dials into the Internet via the T-Online standard access (+49-191011) and submits the data. Depending on contractual agreement with the Internet provider, an autodial of the unit via the provider following callup of his IP address is also possible.

What was previously a main terminal station, can now be a simple E-Mail or a FTP Client. The current central system will also retain a part of its task in future, above all, in evaluating data formats protocolling of data and validating the integrity of inbound data. But the pure communication will be executed via present Internet or Intranet structures. This makes the use of Skalar very cost-effecitve and saves huge one-off infrastructure costs.

Security

The open software concept of Skalar can achieve any security level in application. From simple protocol and authorization checks, to digital coding, the mechanism can be scaled and adapted to the respective requirements. Meter data can be digitally coded without having to replace the meter or carrying out other implementations in the main terminal station. If a security method becomes obsolete or no longer adequate, it can be replaced by downloading an updated version. Here, authorized accesses are configured in several levels, so that the operator of the device, also co-users (e.g. the grid operator of a trader) and authorizations can be assigned and corrected at any time. Skalar simplifies and secures your application.

The Internet Module is available as an option add-on module to the operating system. It consists of the Internet protocol drivers as well as routines for managing import data, data management and export data and corresponding security administration.