Analysis of communication alternatives in a heterogeneous network for a supervision and control system

Different communication alternatives that form an Heterogeneous Network for a Supervision and Control System of the purification network of a large city are evaluated in order to determine their viability for the supervision and control of the system. In addition there is a study of which offers the best services and costs for different scenarios. Four communication alternatives (which assure a 100% geographic cover of the stations) for the interconnection of the Remote Station and the Central Station are analysed, all of which are situated in the metropolitan area of a large city: point-to-point connections over ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), Virtual Private Networks VPNs/IP over ISDN, VPN over ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) and wireless link 802.11. For the communication between the Central Station and the mobile remote clients, the connection via GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and the connection by means of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) are evaluated. For the measurements and posterior analysis, control information and images have been transmitted. The viability of these types of solutions in the proposed scenarios is shown and the costs involved in each solution are analysed. q 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.