ipConvOPC Use Cases

A standard application for ipConvOPC provides the connection of IEC 60870-5-104 substations to an HMI system via the OPC Classic interface.
The RWE Mosel Hydro Power Stations project is a good expample of this setup.

Both servers communicate simultaneously with the substations, so that both systems have an identical database. The OPC client can decide which server to access for data.

ipConvOPC can also assume the tasks of a node. On the one hand, an HMI system is supplied with data via the OPC interface. On the other hand, a superior control station can be supplied with data via a different protocol (e.g. SEAB 1F, Sinaut ST1 etc.).
This concept is particularly attractive if obsolete control systems that need to be replaced by more modern ones. Especially during the transition stage, it is very important that both systems can be supplied with data.

Combining ipConvOPC with ipRoute permits the implementation of an interesting solution where remote IEC 60870-5-101 substations are connected via TCP/IP.
With ipRoute, a dedicated point-to-point line is no longer necessary as all communication is effected via the network. This concept was implemented in the BLS AlpTransit - Lötschbergtunnel project.

The combination of ipRoute and ipConvOPC offers a smart solution for connecting visualization systems to IEC 60870-5-101 substations.
With ipRoute, the usually redundant servers can still be simultaneously supplied with data, should there be only one line for each substation.

Communication between server and ipRoute is implemented via IEC 60870-5-104 (TCP/IP). This means your server needs no extra upgrade with serial interfaces (which again might reduce server availability).

Of course,  ipRoute can also be operated in redundant mode, meeting even the highest demands on availability.

If data needs to be transferred via serial RS232/RS422/RS485 interfaces, Serial Device Servers can be used, which enable serial communication over Ethernet. These allow ipConvOPC to communicate with corresponding devices as if they were directly connected by a serial interface. The processing, conversion and transmission of information from serial protocols (such as IEC 60870-5-101, Modbus, DNP 3.0) thus become possible even across network boundaries.

In addition to the processing of raw process communication data, ipConvOPC supports the remote configuration of the virtual COM ports of those serial-to-Ethernet solutions (according to RFC2217).