SCADA Communications Gateways, Routers, and Modems

SCADA Communications Gateways, Routers, and Modems

MCA CNS TeamMCA News

Communications Solutions for SCADA Applications

Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) applications are computer systems for gathering and analyzing real-time data. They can monitor and control a plant or equipment in telecommunications, water and waste control, energy, oil and gas refining, and transportation. The system gathers information, such as where a leak on a pipeline has occurred. It then transfers the information back to a central site, alerting the home station that the leak has occurred. The system conducts necessary analysis and control, such as determining if the leak is critical and then displaying the information logically and organized.

A Curated Collection of Routers for SCADA Use Cases

MCA's Cellular Networking Solutions (CNS) team provides a meticulously curated portfolio of communication devices from industry-leading manufacturers such as Semtech, Cradlepoint, Digi International, and MultiTech Systems. These devices are specifically tailored to meet the demands of SCADA applications, ensuring reliable connectivity and seamless integration with existing infrastructure. In this article, we will explore the key features of three devices from each manufacturer, shedding light on their capabilities and how they can enhance SCADA operations.

Semtech Devices for SCADA

With SemTech’s device management cloud application, organizations can deploy AirLink devices faster and reduce their operational costs. AirLink Complete configures, deploys, and monitors AirLink gateways over the air, making managing a thousand devices as easy as managing ten. The interactive monitoring dashboard and map show all deployed devices' status, signal strength, and location. 

AirLink RV50x

The AirLink RV50X is the trusted choice for SCADA applications, offering robust and reliable connectivity for remote monitoring and control in industrial environments. With its rugged design and advanced features, including dual SIM support for failover protection and LTE-Advanced capabilities for high-speed data transfer, the RV50X ensures uninterrupted communication even in challenging conditions.

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 Its remote management capabilities, secure VPN connections, and compatibility with leading SCADA systems make it the ideal solution for maintaining operational efficiency and ensuring seamless data transmission in critical infrastructure deployments. Whether monitoring pipelines, utilities, or remote assets, the AirLink RV50X provides the connectivity needed to optimize performance and enhance productivity in SCADA applications.

AirLink RX55

Tailored specifically for SCADA applications, the AirLink RX55 is engineered with unparalleled low idle power consumption in its class, making it ideal for industrial IoT deployments. With a rugged design built to withstand extreme conditions, the RX55 ensures reliable operation in harsh environments. Equipped with advanced networking capabilities and compatibility with industry-standard containers, this router delivers secure edge intelligence, supporting mission-critical SCADA operations on both public and private networks.
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AirLink XR60

The XR60 router offers unparalleled performance tailored for SCADA communications, featuring Wi-Fi 6, 5 Gbps Ethernet, and 5 Gbps USB-C capabilities, along with high VPN throughput for swift data transfers across LAN and WAN connections. Its ultra-compact design makes it ideal for deploying 5G in constrained environments, while its rugged build ensures durability in extreme industrial and mobile settings, with protection against overvoltage and brownouts. 

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With redundant USB-C power delivery, it guarantees maximum reliability by seamlessly switching to a secondary power source during voltage drops. Additionally, the XR60 provides hybrid cloud management through Semtech's unique platform, ensuring ultimate security and control.

Digi Devices for SCADA

Elevate your operational efficiency and gain invaluable insights into your deployed devices with Digi Remote Manager (Digi RM) powered cellular routers. The centralized command center for your deployment. Digi RM, a cloud-based solution, simplifies the setup process, facilitates mass configuration, enables seamless maintenance, and offers comprehensive visibility into the health of your network, regardless of whether you deploy dozens or thousands of devices.

Digi IX10

The Digi IX10 offers a compact and economical connectivity solution with an industrial feature set tailored for critical industrial applications. Its rugged design ensures reliability even in demanding environments, providing peace of mind for continuous operation. With redundant connectivity enabled by dual SIMs and Digi SureLink®, users can rely on uninterrupted communication. Moreover, the Digi IX10 simplifies deployment with support for global and regional bands through a single part number, streamlining distribution and management efforts. 
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Additionally, built-in Digi TrustFence® technology enhances device security, identity, and data privacy, ensuring the integrity of sensitive information.

Digi IX20

With flexible power and connectivity options, the Digi IX20 is an ideal choice for various environments, such as industrial infrastructure, digital signage, retail kiosks, service terminals, and other critical assets that require secure transactions. Driven by a high-performance architecture, the Digi IX20 router offers automatic and software-selectable primary and backup WWAN connectivity across multi-carrier cellular LTE networks. 
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Advanced security features, including stateful firewall, MAC filtering, and VPN support, ensure robust protection, while cellular redundancy via Digi SureLink® enhances reliability.

Digi IX30

The Digi IX30 is an intelligent 4G LTE router designed to deliver optimal performance and unwavering reliability across various critical infrastructure and industrial applications. This solution integrates cutting-edge software and robust security measures, ensuring a secure and dependable connection to industrial controllers, process automation equipment, and smart grid assets in third-party sites or remote locations.
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Cradlepoint Devices for SCADA

NetCloud for IoT services from Cradlepoint offers a comprehensive solution tailored for SCADA applications, providing robust connectivity and management capabilities for industrial IoT deployments. With features such as secure and reliable LTE connectivity, advanced routing functionalities, and centralized cloud management, NetCloud for IoT ensures seamless integration and operation of SCADA systems. Its scalability and flexibility make it ideal for deploying and managing large-scale SCADA networks, while its security features protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry regulations. Whether in remote locations or challenging environments, NetCloud for IoT empowers organizations to monitor and control critical infrastructure with confidence and efficiency.

Cradlepoint IBR600C

The IBR600C router from Cradlepoint offers industry-leading LTE connectivity and Ethernet and Wi-Fi capabilities. Management is simplified through NetCloud Service for IoT, offering streamlined configuration and continuous cloud, modem, and router software feature enhancements. This subscription-based service ensures that your router remains up-to-date with the latest features and security enhancements, providing peace of mind for your IoT deployments.
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Cradlepoint S700

Designed for IoT deployments, the S700 Series router from Cradlepoint, paired with NetCloud Service for IoT, is a robust cloud-managed network solution. It’s ideal for high-availability portable or fixed applications, including surveillance cameras, digital signs, oil and gas monitoring, and parallel networking. It can be rapidly deployed, easily scaled, and zero-trust secured, ensuring seamless operation for your critical IoT deployments.

Cradlepoint S700 and S750 Cellular IoT Router

Cradlepoint R920

Engineered for vehicle and IoT deployments, the R920 Series LTE router can meet diverse connectivity requirements. This versatile router caters to a wide range of use cases, including mass transit, public safety, and other organizations, by offering support for a 5G modular modem, edge computing capabilities, Bluetooth®, and CBRS for private networking. 

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Its ability to provide flexible connectivity and standardization makes it an ideal choice for organizations requiring reliable and advanced networking solutions. Powered by NetCloud management, it ensures seamless configuration and management, enhancing operational efficiency and scalability for IoT deployments.

Multi-Tech Devices for SCADA

Multitech provides a suite of software solutions tailored for SCADA applications, comprising mPower, Device HQ, and Lens.

mPower offers programmable embedded software that bolsters security and enables task execution at the edge, reducing latency and optimizing costs. It features enhanced security and routing capabilities, along with application hosting for real-time responses and a unified user interface across platforms. Additionally, it supports application sharing and synchronous updates across all "intelligent" platforms.

Device HQ, a cloud-based Application Store and IoT Device Management platform, simplifies field deployment of gateways through zero-touch provisioning and enables centralized management of deployed assets. It facilitates remote firmware and custom application updates, streamlining maintenance and reducing operational costs.

Finally, Lens provides a LoRaWAN®-optimized embedded network server and key management toolset, allowing for the loading of custom applications on Gateways and significant savings on WAN backhaul costs compared to traditional networks. It empowers the deployment and management of LoRaWAN devices at scale with global coverage

Multi-Tech rCell

The MultiConnect® rCell 600 Series cellular router is engineered with intelligent software and versatile industrial hardware interfaces, ensuring highly reliable, redundant, and secure connections for enterprise assets and SCADA applications. Featuring LTE Cat 12 OnGo CBRS shared wireless spectrum, it's ideal for establishing Field Area Networks (FAN) with high-speed internet access without compromising performance or disrupting existing wireless networks.
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Multi-Tech eCell

The MultiConnect® eCell cellular to Ethernet bridge offers a seamless solution for integrating cellular connectivity into existing wired assets with speed and ease. Designed to ensure continuous, reliable connectivity, it provides wireless failover to safeguard against network outages for various fixed assets like vending machines, kiosks, digital signs, and ATM machines.  The MultiConnect® eCell Cellular to Ethernet Bridge is compatible with Private LTE OnGo CBRS networks, offering additional unique features tailored for specialized networking needs.
Multitech eCell Router

Multi-Tech Conduit

The Conduit® offers unmatched configurability, manageability, and scalability for industrial IoT applications. It provides various network connectivity options, including carrier-approved 4G-LTE, 3G, and Ethernet, ensuring seamless integration with your preferred data management platform. Boasting a comprehensive feature set, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BT/BLE), GNSS, and two accessory card slots, it can support a diverse range of wired or wireless interfaces to connect with a wide array of assets locally to the gateway.

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In Summary

The carefully selected range of SCADA devices offered by MCA's CNS team provides a comprehensive solution for industrial IoT applications. Whether it's Semtech's robust XR60 router, Cradlepoint's reliable NetCloud for IoT services, or MultiTech's versatile software offerings, these devices and applications are engineered to optimize efficiency, enhance security, and ensure seamless connectivity in SCADA environments. With the right tools at their disposal, organizations can confidently navigate the complexities of industrial automation and drive success in their operations.

Contact us to learn more about which devices and applications are most suited to your organizations individual needs and requirements.

About MCA and Our CNS Team

MCA is one of the largest and most trusted integrators in the United States, offering world-class voice, data, and security solutions that enhance the quality, safety, and productivity of customers, operations, and lives. More than 65,000 customers trust MCA to provide carefully researched solutions for a safe, secure, and more efficient workplace.

Our Cellular Networking Solutions (CNS) team (formerly known as USAT) is made up of certified experts in designing and deploying fixed and mobile wireless data connectivity solutions for public and private enterprises nationwide - complete with implementation, training, proof of concept (POC), system auditing, and on-site RF surveying services with optional engineering maintenance contracts.

Our extensive catalog of world-class routers, gateways, and software designed for remote monitoring and management in even the harshest environments allows us to deliver a full suite of reliable technologies capped with a service-first approach.

Contact Our CNS Team >>

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