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ASE2000 Test Set OverviewASE's protocol and communication test products, first introduced in 1989, are currently in use worldwide by RTU and IED equipment manufactures, electric power utilities, and SCADA system vendors. The earliest versions of the ASE RTU Test Set (Comm/32 and Comm/64) were DOS based applications that were adapted for operation under Windows 3.x and Windows 95/98. While these models have served the SCADA and RTU community extremely well for over 10 years, 1999 brought the introduction of a new model to the well established ASE RTU Test Set family, the ASE2000 Communication Test Set. The latest in the ASE family of SCADA Test Set products, the ASE2000 is a true 32-bit Windows application that retains all the functionality of the earlier model ASE RTU Test Sets and includes many new features which enhance the data viewing, test setup, and test function capabilities of the unit. The ASE2000 RTU Test set can be a DNP 3 Test set, it can be a Modbus Test set or it can be an IEC 870-5-101 Test set. Protocols are licensed to run on the same ASE2000 RTU test set platform. ASE provides a total solution approach to the area of protocol test equipment with its' family of PC based protocol test products that includes both laptop and desktop hardware configurations and operating environments for DOS and Windows based units. With the largest base of supported protocols in the industry (100+), most orders can be filled immediately. For example a ASE2000 RTU test set can be ordered with Tejas protocol, DNP 3 protocol and Conitel 2020. All protocols will operate on the same platform. Adding support for previously unsupported protocols (continuously ongoing activity) typically adds only one to two weeks to delivery time. One protocol (customer choice) is included in the price of each unit. Additional protocols can be purchased at any time for $250.
Functional Capabilities of the ASE2000The ASE2000 RTU Test Set is a full-featured protocol test unit that provides the user with a powerful and flexible tool for testing and maintaining SCADA RTU and SCADA IED equipment and diagnosing communication problems. User InterfaceThe user interface for SCADA test set operation is a menu driven, screen window oriented interface with directional key or pointer device navigation. Set-up screens allow the user to define test session specific information and user preference information. For quick-start operation, the supplied default values for most test operations are sufficient and preclude the need for lengthy and complicated pre-test set-up. For tests that do require special conditions, a set of intuitive and easy to use set-up screens is provided. Special set-up conditions can be saved to uniquely named files and easily retrieved for use in future sessions. Many users develop a library of frequently used test scenarios with this feature thereby eliminating repetitive set-up for future test sessions. Display OptionsDisplay screens provide dynamic data display during monitoring and simulation mode test sessions. Users are not limited to a single display format for message data. A number of data display options are available such as "update in place" or message scrolling. In addition, message data can be displayed in Interpretive Mode which identifies, in English, the various message elements and their values, Raw Data Mode which displays only the numeric message data, or both which is a combination to the two. Many other display options such as displaying analog data scaled in a ± 5Volt range, percentage of full scale, and selection of numbering base (decimal, hexadecimal, octal, and binary) are also available.
Modes of OperationThe ASE2000 test set has three modes of operation, Master Simulation (talking to a downstream device or RTU), RTU Simulation ( talking up to a master station), and Line Monitor (watch the communications between Master and RTU or Slave). Master Simulation Mode provides the capability to issue data scan requests and supervisory control commands to one or more RTU's on a communication line. The set-up screens for this mode allow the user to define a test scenario that identifies which device(s) to communicate with, which commands to issue for each device, frequency of commands, screen format and display format of message data. RTU Simulation Mode allows the user to configure the ASE2000 RTU test set as one or more RTU's that will respond to data scan requests and supervisory control commands with the proper response for the particular protocol. Convenient set-up menus allow the user to specify point types, number of points, and point ordering that will result in the proper data message structure. Point modeling can also be enabled to provide data value changes on successive data scans. Line Monitoring Mode is used to monitor the communication between a master station and end SCADA terminal devices (RTU / IED) on a communication line. Message data for both directions is shown.
Advanced FeaturesA number of advanced features are available for specialized test requirements. The user configurable event log feature can be set up to capture specific events such as analog limit exceptions, digital point changes, selected message types (such as Trip/Close requests), and more. Trigger conditions can be tied to specific events.
Hardware Configuration OptionsThe ASE2000 RTU Test Set is available in three hardware models as described below. The models differ only by the communication hardware they utilize; the software is identical. Only Byte protocols (6, 7, 8 data bits) are supported on the ASE2000-COM . Standard PC COM ports cannot support bit-oriented protocols. All protocols are supported on the PCM model. Otherwise, operation of the two models is virtually identical. ASE2000-PCMASE2000-PCM-RS / ASE2000-PCM-M - These models utilize the ASE dual-channel PCMCIA I/O card for serial RS-232 operation on laptop or desktop computers. The model ASE2000-PCM-M includes a dual-channel PCMCIA I/O card and the optional ASE dual-channel Bell-202 modem. The modem is powered through the PCMCIA card so a separate power source is not required. The model ASE2000-PCM-RS includes the dual-channel PCMCIA card but not the modem. When ordering a PCM model, be sure to specify which model, -RS or -M. To use these models in a desktop computer, a separate PCMCIA to PCI Bus adapter must be used. ASE does not sell these adaptors but can, upon request, provide information on these adaptors. ASE2000-COMDesigned for both laptop and desktop computers, the ASE2000-COM utilizes standard PC COM ports and is suitable for users that require support for byte oriented protocols only. For applications requiring bit oriented protocol support, or bit and byte oriented protocol support, the ASE2000-PCM is required. There are four points to note with this option:
In addition, when the COM version is used with Windows 95 or 98, the ASE2000 will only operate in constant carrier mode. This is due to a known problem in the Microsoft Windows 95 and 98 standard COM port I/O driver. This is not a problem with Windows NT. It is not known when or if Microsoft will correct this problem. For users that require switched carrier operation, it is recommended that you purchase a version of the test set (PCM-M or PCM-RS) that uses ASE I/O hardware and I/O drivers or run the Test Set under Windows NT. If you would like more information on this problem, please feel free to contact us at 408-364-0500. Bell 202T Compatible Dual Channel ModemThe optional dual channel modem provides two Bell 202T compatible modem channels and can be used in conjunction the ASE2000-PCM I/O card. The modem is powered through the supplied cable. Packaged System or Kit FormASE offers the test set in kit form or as a packaged system. The test set kit consists of the appropriate I/O board, cables, adapters, software, and user's guide. The packaged system consists of the test set kit integrated into a PC of the user's choice.
ASE2000 Summary of Features & SpecificationsGeneral
Line Monitoring
Master Simulation
RTU Simulation
Advanced Features
SCADA or RTU : Test Set vs. Protocol Analyzer vs. Protocol TranslatorOver the years various names have been given to a box which essentially performs the following functions: Test the Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) communication and point I/O; Test the Master station communication and point I/O; Test the communications circuits between the Master and RTU units; advanced testers capable of analyzing the communications data stream from Master to RTU; capable of converting raw hexadecimal values into Readable characters for human users; even more advanced features for data acquisition and control capabilities and automated testing. The ASE2000 can perform all of these functions. SCADA Test Set: Most original RTU manufacturers who developed proprietary protocols to speak from their master station to their RTU, also created a testing box. This Box became known as a RTU Tester, RTU Test Set, and sometimes I/O Test set. These large heavy duty test sets could withstand a lot of abuse. Conitel 2020, Harris 5000/6000, CDC Type 1, Tejas 3 and Tejas 5, BBCSI, are a few of the manufacturers' boxed test set we have worked with in the past. They are still in the field and are very reliable, however they weighed 50 pounds and could only emulate one protocol. Protocol Analyzer: With the advent of Personal computers, and a few clever software developers, a second generation of 'Test sets' arose. They first appeared on "Lunch box" or "luggable" portable computers (Although movable, they were not particularly light, and were definitely not for your lap!). www.tprthai.net/goldold.htm has some wonderful pictures of these computers from our recent past! This generation of protocol analyzer was based on DOS operating system, and had no mouse support. Function keys ran everything. (only F1 through F8). However the bits and bytes could now be analyzed and displayed in ASCII or Text for a human to read. This version of the Protocol Analyzer grew in functionality as did the personal computer. Today we have the full featured Windows XP Pro/Vista version, which has all of the capabilities listed above. Protocol Translator: Although North Americans have called capabilities listed above, one of the following: RTU Test Set, IED Test Set, SCADA Test Set, RTU Protocol Analyzer, IED Protocol Analyzer, or SCADA Protocol Analyzer; the international community has requested a 'Protocol Translator' (translate a protocol to english) test set. In North America we normally consider a protocol translator to be a device (like the SPT4-NET) which converts one protocol to another protocol (DNP 3 to IEC 870-5-101) . If you have some fond memories of systems from the past, please use our contact us form, and we will try to post relevant informative information in regards to legacy test test units.
For more information about the products and services Applied Systems Engineering provides, select from the main menu on the top or please feel free to contact us directly if you have any questions or would like to discuss your requirements with an application engineer. You may contact us in Campbell, CA by phone at 408-364-0500, fax to 408-364-0550, or via email at products@ase-systems.com. Normal business hours are 9:00AM to 6:00PM Pacific Time, M - F. Products | Support | Downloads | Training | FAQs | About Us Applied Systems Engineering, Inc. Copyright ©2003-2007 Applied Systems Engineering, Inc. |
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