Data Communications

This manual is for engineers and technicians who need a practical and extensive knowledge of the design and troubleshooting of Industrial Ethernet networks, as well as the selection, installation, and configuration of components such as routers and switches.

It deals in-depth with the underlying TCP/IP protocols, and specifically addresses both design and configuration issues related to IPv4 and the more recent IPv6.

It also covers the more advanced aspects and applications of Ethernet such as advanced switching and routing, CCTV over IP, OPC and Modbus/TCP over Ethernet, industrial security, intrinsically safe applications, switched rings (included the latest IEC 62439-3 redundant ring standard), and highly-deterministic Ethernet-based field buses (e.g. for servo control) capable of 1 millisecond repetition rates and jitter of less than 1 microsecond.

This manual outlines the best practice in designing, installing, commissioning and troubleshooting industrial data communications systems. In any given plant, factory or installation there are a myriad of different industrial communications standards used and the key to successful implementation is the degree to which the entire system integrates and works together.

With so many different standards on the market today, the debate is not about what is the best - be it Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus, Devicenet or Industrial Ethernet, but rather about selecting the most appropriate technologies and standards for a given application and then ensuring that best practice is followed in designing, installing and commissioning the data communications links to ensure they run fault-free.

This unique manual will equip you with the knowledge to analyze, specify and debug Data Communications and Networking systems in the instrumentation and control environment.

This is a comprehensive manual that provides the necessary background to understand the fundamentals of fibre optic systems and their individual components including: o fibres o cable construction o connectors o splices o optical sources and detectors. You will be able to use this knowledge to develop the required techniques for design, installation and maintenance of fibre optic systems.

Ethernet is fast becoming the obvious choice for industrial control networking worldwide. While the basic structure of Ethernet has not changed much, the faster technologies such as Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet have increased the complexity and choices you have available in planning and designing these systems. There has also been a convergence between Fieldbus and DeviceNet standards in that they are also increasingly becoming based on industrial Ethernet for the higher speed data transfer applications. There is a fair degree of confusion about where Fieldbus, DeviceNet and Ethernet are applied and this manual explains a clear comparison between the different standards and where they are applied.

More and more people who work in plants need to understand how data from the field is transmitted to the control room and even to Manufacturing Execution Systems located in head offices situated considerable distances from the plant. It is a technological marvel and this manual helps you to understand the flow of information and the various techniques involved in it.

The most important objective of wireless communications networks must be to achieve similar capacities, bandwidths, responsiveness and availability to that of wire-based communications systems. This manual covers the essential areas of robust wireless links, correct integration with the wired communications systems, and proper data security. Apart from covering wireless basics, this manual also provides an in-depth coverage of the main industrial wireless technologies in use today - radio modems, IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs (Wi-Fi) and IEEE 802.15.4 wireless PAN technology as implemented by a multitude of process control system vendors. This manual should give you a clear understanding of the choices available to you in designing and implementing your own industrial wireless network.

This manual covers the essentials of SCADA communication systems focusing on DNP3 and the other new developments in this area. The manual commences with a brief review of the fundamentals of SCADA systems hardware, software and the communications systems (such as RS-232 and RS-485 Ethernet and TCP/IP) that connect the SCADA operator stations together.

A solid review is then done on the DNP3 protocol where its features, message structure, practical benefits and applications are discussed. The manual is intended to be product independent but examples will be taken from existing products to ensure that all aspects of the DNP3 protocol are covered. The manual provides you with the tools to design your next SCADA system more effectively using DNP3 and draw on the latest technologies.

This manual will provide you with the necessary background to understand the fundamentals of fibre optic systems and their individual components including fibres, cable construction, connectors, splices and optical sources and detectors. Various pitfalls associated with the implementation of fibre optic systems are discussed and workable solutions to these problems are provided. It will provide you with the knowledge to develop the required techniques for design, installation and maintenance of fibre optic systems.

This manual provides solid practical advice on application, implementation and, most importantly, troubleshooting Voice Over IP (VOIP) systems.

This manual will give you valuable tools for designing, commissioning and installing your own industrial network. The focus is on the physical layer and installing and commissioning simple industrial networking systems.

This manual covers topics such as antennas and fixed systems. Other essentials of data communications (and Ethernet) are also reviewed as they apply to radio telemetry systems. A selection of case studies is used to illustrate the key concepts with examples of real-world radio telemetry systems in the water, electrical and processing industries. 

SCADA systems, Programmable Logic Controllers and even low level instruments are using TCP/IP and Ethernet to transfer information. The reasons are not hard to find. TCP/IP and Ethernet are truly open standards available to competing manufacturers and providing the user with a common standard. In addition, the cost of TCP/IP and Ethernet is low. This manual has been structured to cover the main areas of TCP/IP and Ethernet in detail, while going through the practical implementation of TCP/IP in computer and industrial areas and practical use of the Internet and intranets. Troubleshooting and maintenance of TCP/IP networks and communication systems in an office and industrial environment are also covered.

While the basic structure of Ethernet has not changed much, the faster technologies such as Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet have increased the complexity and choices you have available in planning and designing these systems. As Ethernet has become more complex, a number of misconceptions have arisen as to how Ethernet functions and how the system should be optimally configured. This manual addresses these issues in a clear and practical manner, thus enabling you to apply the technology quickly and effectively in your next project. This manual commences with a brief outline of the Fundamentals of Ethernet and its operation.

The method of access is discussed in depth, and topics such as full duplex and auto negotiation are explained. The best methods of designing and installing the cabling systems are then explored with the discussion ranging from 10Base-T over twisted pair to Gigabit Ethernet cabling. Methods of optimising Ethernet to obtain best performance are then defined. Finally the all important topic of troubleshooting is examined with a summary of the typical problems you are likely to encounter from a two station network all the way up to a system comprising 30,000 PCs.

Communications problems range from simple wiring problems to intermittent transfer of protocol messages. The communications system on your plant underpins your entire operation. It is critical that you have the knowledge and tools to quickly identify and fix problems as they occur, to ensure you have a secure system. No compromise is possible here. This manual distills all the tips and tricks learnt with the benefit of many years of experience. It offers a common approach covering all of the sections with each standard/protocol having the following structure: o Quick overview of the standard o Common problems and faults with this standard o Description of tools used Each of the typical faults are then discussed in depth with details on fixing them.

This manual focuses on the main issues of troubleshooting the industrial data communications network of today, enabling you to walk onto your plant or facility to troubleshoot and fix problems as quickly as possible. The focus is on the Modbus suite of protocols and their associated standards.

This manual covers the essentials of network management, including fault finding at Ethernet/IP/TCP and application levels.

This manual commences with an overview of wireless communications and how radio works, followed by a practical discussion of Ethernet as this is always a key ingredient in a successful wireless implementation strategy. It will give you a clear understanding of the choices available to you in designing and implementing your own wireless and associated Ethernet networks.

This manual goes through the basics of routers, routed and routing protocols and the basic rules to follow in building internet works. If you are using any form of communication system or are applying modern PLC's/SCADA systems this manual will give you the essential tools in working with your networks.

This manual takes all the latest techniques and know-how relating to industrial data communications systems and distills them into one book so you can update yourself in this fast-moving and powerful area. It also covers the latest information on Industrial Ethernet, Industrial Automation networks, Industrial Network Security and OPC. Finally it also looks at every system manager's nightmare - security - and will suggest some simple common-sense and internationally-accepted measures to keep the hackers at bay.

This manual covers the fundamentals of telecommunications and is suitable for anyone looking for a complete understanding of the essentials of the terms, jargon and technologies used. This manual is designed for those who require a basic but fundamental grounding in telecommunications and is of special benefit for those who want to apply the technology quickly.

This manual covers key issues in troubleshooting TCP/IP and Ethernet in detail, while going through the practical implementation of TCP/IP in office and industrial networks and the practical use of the Internet and Intranets. Troubleshooting and maintenance of TCP/IP networks and communication systems in an office and industrial environment are also covered.

WiMAX - The Essentials provides a snapshot of all aspects of mobile WiMAX networks, beginning with a discussion of the current state of wireless networks and a definition as to where WiMAX fits in. The WiMAX network architecture and its components are introduced to provide an end-to-end view of the WiMAX network.

The Fieldbus and DeviceNet standards are becoming a standard at the field and instrumentation level and replacing the traditional approaches in the plant today. Ethernet is also fast becoming the obvious choice for industrial control networking worldwide. While the basic structure of Ethernet has not changed much, the faster technologies such as Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet have increased the complexity and choices you have available in planning and designing these systems. There has also been a convergence between Fieldbus and DeviceNet standards in that they are also increasingly becoming based on industrial Ethernet for the higher speed data transfer applications.