System Control Computer
DFA uses a Dell™ computer with a Microsoft Windows® operating system for the system
controller in most installations. System hardware availability and specifications change so frequently that the factory
needs to be consulted for the current PC configuration. On average the following hardware configuration is the current
SCC minimum standard or the latest available:
- Pentium 4 processor with 3.2 GHz speed minimum or latest available.
- 512M of RAM memory minimum or latest available.
- 40 GB Hard Drive minimum or latest available.
- 19" minimum SVGA Color Monitor with a minimum of 16M of video RAM.
- A 1.44 MB 3.5" floppy disk drive.
- CDRW optical device for software backup.
- Integrated network card.
- A 104 key QWERTY type AT compatible keyboard.
- Two button mouse with scroll.
- External, 56Kbps telephone modem.
- An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), 725-VA / 450 watts.
- An OKI Microline® 390 tractor feed 24-pin impact black and white printer
or other printer as specified by the customer.
- Connection ports for peripheral equipment shall be 1 parallel port and 3 serial ports.
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Licensed run-time versions of software loaded on the System Control Computer's hard drive include:
- Microsoft Windows® XP Professional operating system.
- Latest available Symantec pcAnywhere remote access software
that lets you connect to remote computers simply and securely.
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The SCC's software loaded on the hard drive that has been developed by DFA using National Instruments
LabVIEW®, a leading industry process control programming language, is as follows:
- Graphical user monitor and control software with charting capabilities developed by DFA. This type of software is
also known as the Human Machine Interface (HMI). For water and wastewater applications, the HMI is WaterMACS™;
For pivot irrigation applications, PivotMACS™; For natural gasfield and oilfield
applications, ProductionMACS™; For power substation applications, PowerMACS™.
- Auto alarm dialer software developed by DFA known as LVDialer™ (optional).
- Radio communications driver software developed by DFA known as LVMAC™.
- Report Module software for logging and reporting of all monitored and controlled points.
- DFA diagnostic support software.
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The SCC screens and controls may be duplicated at the Utility operator's home, laptop computer or PDA.
Web server is available for browser access to SCC which is useful for interface with cell phones and PDAs
that have internet access.
Every SCC must have a wide area network either radio, hardwire, phone, cellular, fiber optic, or internet to communicate
with the remote site RTU. Usually the DFA SCC is radio networked and accompanied by a wall mounted
base radio modem and related communication equipment.
DFA is an authorized OEM distributor for Dell, Inc. and Motorola, Inc. As such, DFA uses and recommends Dell™ computer
products and Motorola® radios.
Caution:
The System Control Computer (SCC) is tasked with real-time monitor and control system software.
Using the SCC for games or Office type products may cause operating problems for the SCADA / Telemetry System
and void the DFA warranty.
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