German Utility Uses RAD Access Devices for Telecontrol and Voice and Data Communications Network

Local utility Stadtwerke Rostock AG (SWR) supplies electricity, natural gas, heating and urban lighting to urban and regional markets in the vicinity of Rostock, Germany. It selected the Megaplex-2104 multiplexer from RAD Data Communications to work as an interface multiplexer for integrating process control systems in its new, SDH backbone-based network.

SWR needed a high bandwidth data transmission network to operate its new power distribution network management system. The new data network will be used for telecontrol purposes, enabling the real-time transmission of process data from transformer stations, cross connects and power plants.

“It was important for us to have a flexible, scalable, future-proof network that can be expanded step-by-step and that supports a whole range of standard interfaces for transmitting telecontrol, security and metering data,” says Ralf Haenschke, SWR control engineer. “In addition, we needed a central network management system that could ensure economical and uninterrupted network operation by monitoring and managing all the different components,” he adds. The overall concept also needed to support integration of an enterprise-wide office communication system, including tie-ins of external outposts, an energy consulting center, a call center, and equipment used by other departments at Stadtwerke Rostock.

SWR implemented the project jointly with ITM, a systems integrator and local RAD distributor. ITM developed a future-proof and economical concept using a fiber optic SDH backbone based on Sagem add-drop multiplexers (ADMs).

RAD’s Megaplex-2104 multiplexers provide transparent transmission of data from process control systems with a V.24 interface. These flexible, integrated access devices are used as interface multiplexers to deliver the V.24 data coming into telecontrol nodes from measuring, control and metering units over dedicated E1 lines to the ADMs. These modular Megaplex devices support transparent transmission of high and low speed data for a wide selection of TDM-based services, including dedicated point-to-point data connections, voice, ISDN, video and LAN interconnect.

“The Megaplex-2104 devices fit perfectly into our overall planning budget,” reports Haenschke. “Together with the Sagem SDH multiplexers, they guarantee an interruption-free tie-in of telecontrol, phone, fax and LAN services. This gives us a future-proof solution, allowing us to expand our network at any time without any problems.”