SCADA Protocol Translator (SPT) Products
ASE has offered a Protocol Translation / Data Concentration / Front End processor solution for many years and continues to offer this solution based on latest software technology and operating systems within the SPT (SCADA Protocol Translator) family.
ASE currently offers two options for the SPT product, standalone single-board-computer and PC. The standalone embedded solution is the SPT4-NET and the PC based system (RCOM replacement), is the SPT-PC. Both options use the same software application but differ on the hardware platform.
To determine which product is best suited to your application some key points should be considered:
Total number of communication channels
Preferred translator location (Remote or Master site)
Total number of sites
Environmental issues, especially related to the presence of a rotating (disk) storage device
The SPT4-NET is a stand-alone protocol translator unit with no rotating memory and is designed primarily for operation at Remote sites. It supports two RS-485 or RS-232 serial channels, two additional RS-232 only serial channels, and an Ethernet port.
The SPT-PC is a Windows application (Windows 2000, XP, and XP Pro) designed primarily for operation at a Master location. SPT-PC supports up to 32 serial channels and a single network port.
The table below summarizes the main differences between the SPT-PC and SPT4-NET products. More information can be obtained by reviewing each product's web page and data sheet.
| Area | SPT4-NET | SPT-PC |
| Serial communication ports | 4 ports, 2 combination RS232 or RS485, 2 RS232-only | Up to 32 per PC, purchased separately |
| Network communication | Supported through onboard Ethernet port | Supported through standard PC network card |
| Power | 24-160 VDC or 110 VAC | As required by customer-supplied PC |
| Protocol Licensing | One time charge of $750 per protocol per direction (master or slave). Valid for unlimited use on all SPT4-NET and SPT-PC systems acquired by purchasing company. | |
| Per System Price | SPT4-NET , $1145 |
SPT-PC-4, $795 |
DNP 3.0 Serial, DNP 3 Wan/LAN, IEC 60870-5-101 , 60870-5-103 and 60870-5-104 protocols are implemented on all of the ASE platforms. A few of the legacy protocols supported include Telegyr 8979, Conitel Series, Harris 5000 protocols, RP570, CDC series. Click Here for a full list. In addition to the SCADA communication protocols, SPT also supports the OPC XML-DA (Client and Server) interface.