SWIG Seminar on Leakage and Closed-Pipe Flow

Bletchley Park 22 June 2004

Presentation Abstract

“USING GSM/GPRS NETWORKS FOR DATA GATHERING”

Speaker John Hother (Proneta ltd)

In most situations where you have widely distributed sensors onshore, you can use the existing mobile phone network (GSM or GPRS) to link all your sensors together digitally, and back to a central control computer via the Internet. Then you can have remote monitoring of many sites. This is far less expensive than a dedicated network (hard-wired or radio). Most onshore sites are already within coverage in order to provide mobile phones for personnel communications.

BENEFITS

· Low cost to install
· Low cost to maintain
· High reliability
· Quick implementation
· Quick, low-cost extension for additional sites
· Ability to perform real-time monitoring
· Quick recognition of alarm condition at any site
· Fewer maintenance visits to sites means -

       cost reduction

       reduced safety risk to personnel

This presentation explains how you can use the currently available GSM or GPRS networking technology, linked through the Internet to -

· Interface easily to local equipment (sensors and actuators) at the remote sites using existing standard interface standards such as FieldBus.
· Provide fit-for-purpose central control facilities, avoiding overkill.
· Provide security through encryption of data, and different levels of access for different users.
· Monitor sensor values, as current value and trend plots
· Control actuators such as valves
· Originate an alarm from any site for –

       out-of-limits sensor values

       local power failure

       intruder detected (with picture!)
· Trigger an alarm of either type –

       on-screen pop-up at central control

       SMS text message to any designated mobile phone
· Access all locally stored data by a maintenance technician plugging-in his laptop at the remote site
· Provide a ‘Black-box’ memory facility at every remote site, immune to power failure