I need a little help guys. I have a customer that has a SCADA system we
placed for his pump house operations, and now he wants to tie in a few
other data sources. Problem is that they're very unusual system to me.

The first is a greenhouse control system from Argus Controls from their
Titan line. It's a completely proprietary system from what I have found.
He hasn't purchased this one yet, but he's pretty well set on the idea
of buying a "greenhouse control package" rather than rolling his own
from a PLC. So far haven't found any information that gives me the
feeling that I'm going to be able to talk to this thing via our OPC
server. If anyone knows anything about this animal, or has an
alternative "green house control package" that I can talk to via OPC -
like maybe it's based on some kind of PLC - then please let me know.

The second is a refrigeration system controller from Computer Process
Control. From what I can gather about this one it apparently uses
Lonworks for communications. I don't know much about Lonworks,but at
least I've heard the name a few times and do know that it's not
something from Mars. Does anyone know anything specifically about these
controllers, or generally about Lonworks, that can shed a little light
on how I'll get this into a central SCADA system?

Thanks,
Michael

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Michael,
As far as the Argus package goes, I couldn't find any (good) way to interface with it. Their system connects a single PC (Local Argus Server PC) via serial port to Titan controllers strung by "Controller System Network". They didn't make reference to any standard means of communication. I couldn't find an OPC server or anything having to do with: Databases, web services, DCOM/DDE, drivers, etc. The Titan controllers can interface with I/O devices over the "Classic I/O Network" via: X100(CL100), EX16, and SM12 (I have no idea...). I wouldn't count on interfacing with this system beyond physical means.

http://www.arguscontrols.com/articles/Argus News Summer 2006.pdf

LonWorks (ANSI/EIA709.1) appears to be pretty widespread. I had lots of hits in the building automation arena (which I'm inexperienced in) and Europe. There is a large LonWorks install base and hardware and software OPC servers for it. There was also mention of LonWorks with greenhouse projects, but I didn't find anything pre-canned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LonWorks

http://www.opcfoundation.org/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?CM=1&RI=8328&CU=1

http://www.gesytec.de/frameset_eng.php?ziel=englisch/products/easylon/el_opc-server.htm

Lonworks shouldn't be too hard to get into your SCADA app - go for a free/cheap trial. Good luck with the first. I'd like to hear how this one goes.

----
Nathan Boeger
http://www.inductiveautomation.com
boeger AT inductive automation DOT com
"Design Simplicity Cures Engineered Complexity"

 

I don't have any first hand experience with greenhouses, but my understanding is that if you have a large commercial greenhouse operation then proper control of it is rather involved. The "roll your own" approach does not sound like a good idea unless you know a lot about controlling greenhouses and are prepared to put a lot of work into it. I'm assuming this is a multi-hectare operation, and not just a farmer with a couple of tobacco greenhouses. For a large operation, there are a lot of factors to measure and control to optimise overall profitability.

While I don't know much about the Argus Titan, it seems as if it already has a SCADA system which is an integral part of it. Perhaps you should be talking to Argus about tying your pump house into their system rather than the other way around? That might be more what the customer needs anyway, if he wants to see reports that do things like correlate wind speed with water consumption. I had a look at the Argus web site, and it looks to be a fairly large and sophisticated system that can be customised by the end user if necessary.

Lonworks is a proprietary communications system from Echelon. They produce development systems and chips, and also license out designs that other companies use to develop their own products. You'll need to talk to Computer Process Control (I think they're part of Emerson) to find out how they actually used it. You'll also need to find out more information on what the customer is actually buying. The Lonworks might be used just for sensors and actuators (typical usage), while the actual controller might have an ethernet interface.

 

I just have to update and make some corrections. EIA-709 (LON) is a standard. Soon to be ISO standard. Further, many companies use LON to make controllers, not just sensors. In fact, sensors have never been a "typical" use. Additionally, Echelon is not the only source for "chips". For reference, Loytec makes OPC servers and even has a programmable available to handle this type of system... however, they make no LON based sensors. In fact, I can't think of anybody that does so you will have to use controllers and conventional sensors.