PTA SCADA Network Diagnosis

ACE investigated a PTA SCADA network issue for the Public Transport Authority. The PTA reported a possible bottleneck or delay when CitectSCADA sent commands to field devices. These commands passed through a GE D25 remote terminal unit (RTU).

PTA SCADA software investigation

ACE reviewed the available CitectSCADA and PLC backups, event logs and supporting information. The investigation covered:

• CitectSCADA alarm logic and tags.
• Interlocking code in the programmable logic controller (PLC).
• Event records relevant to the reported command delays.
• Network packet capture on the existing control system network.

Checking the command path

The work examined both software logic and network communications. By reviewing these together, ACE investigated how commands travelled from the SCADA server through the RTU to field intelligent electronic devices (IEDs).

This case study demonstrates ACE’s diagnostic work on an existing transport control system. The scope focused on investigating the reported issue using software records and network traffic.

Learn about ACE’s SCADA engineering capabilities, or contact ACE to discuss a control system issue.