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Motorola MDLC Protocol

Introduction
MDLC - Wide Area Network 7 Layer Protocol

• Packet Switching
• High Data Transmission Rate
• Error Detection
• Adjusts itself for short or long messages
• Routing of data in complex networks
• Simultaneous “sessions” on one physical link
OPTIMIZED FOR SCADA
Functions of the MDLC Protocol Layers
• The actual content of the message.
Application • Functions required to maintain the SCADA System:
Polling, Control, Events, Diagnostics etc.
• Format Conversion
Presentation
• Compression, Encryption and Authentication
• Session control and message synchronization
Session • Ability to conduct several sessions simultaneously
• End-to-end flow control
• Sequencing and acknowledgment of “complete data”
Transport
• Multiplexing of logical channels
• Data routing (among different types of links)
Network • Network layer addressing (“source”- “destination”)
• Communication fail handling and re-routing
• Frame sequencing and acknowledgment
Link • Link layer addressing (“From”-”To”)
• Channel access priorities
• Bit/byte level encoding/decoding
Physical • Channel access and media interface:
Radio, RS-232, RS-485, IP based, etc.
The Ultimate (Built-in) “Router”
ACE3600
SCADA SCADA STS
Computer Computer Ethernet

Ethernet
IP Network
ACE3600 STS RS-232
Front End
Ethernet
Radio MDLC over IP
RTU
RTU
RTU Ethernet Plug-in
RS-232 board on P3
RTU RTU
RS-485

RTU

RTU

RTU RTU
19.2 Kbps
RS232
RTU
RTU
Fiber optic
19.2 Kbps RTU
RS232

Wireline 1200 bps RTU

Local SCADA / MMI
Multi Tasking Communications

SCADA Packet Switching:

Central
Simultaneous “Sessions”
Front via the same serial port
End
RTU RTU
10 17
1. Polling 3. RTU-to-RTU 2. Polling
Request Control Reply
(RTU 5)
RTU
5

4. Diagnostics 5. Diagnostics
Request (Remote Tool Box)
Programming (RTU 5)
STS RTU
25
Channel Access Mechanism

A good RF modem protocol

provides higher channel
availability defined by a Simple protocols
Mean time to clear avalanche

pre-set system priority

MDLC provides:
- Carrier Monitoring
- Queue, slots number
- ACK w/o Delay ( keep RF on )
- Dynamic Queuing

MDLC

0 25 50 75 100
Number of RTU’s in avalanche
Communication Methods - Polling
 The Control Center interrogates Tank Station/s
(polls) the RTUs for data. 1
 Polling Schedule (cycle) upon: RTU
– Scheduled time
– Operator’s request event 2
RTU

RTU
4 Pumping Station/s

RTU
Communication Methods – Contention (“Burst”)

 Autonomous report of an RTU to the

Control Center Tank Station/s
– Upon significant event (COS)
– Transmission cycle: Cannel RTU
Monitoring, Transmission,
Acknowledgment
– Possible Collisions RTU
– Retries if no Acknowledgment

RTU
Pumping Station/s

RTU
Communication Methods - “Polling of
Exceptions”
Tank Station/s
 Polling (initiated by Control center)
 The reply contains only new data
(upon COS = change of state) RTU

RTU

Poll Request

Reply (COS) RTU

Pumping Station/s

RTU
Communication Methods - RTU-to-RTU
Tank Station/s
 A message from one RTU to
another

Example:
 A “control” message to
activate a pump, upon
RTU
detection of low level in the
storage tank

RTU

Pumping Station/s
Communication Methods - “Store & Forward” Routing
(“Data Repeater”)
S&F “Repeater” Tank Station/s

All radio links use the

same frequency ! RTU

RTU RTU

Pumping Station/s Pumping Station/s