I'm new in this tech, all my experience is over automation system.
I want do design a small RTU with local USB or Ether connection, Display and Up To 10 I/O and up to 4 Analog.
For telemetry, I thing I will need a GSM/GPRS addon with shield board. On future will analyze to implement over. Radio addOn.
I have a lot experience over C,C++ and C#, basically on VStudio, for windows system.
My doubt is what basic module to choice, and addOn must acquire?
Any can give advice for what have must considered?
I'm new in this tech, all my experience is over automation system.
great, you know the industrial terms and processes
I want do design a small RTU with local USB or Ether connection,
Ethernet, Ethernet shield or
Display and Up To 10 I/O and up to 4 Analog.
in addition to interface requirements
For telemetry, I thing I will need a GSM/GPRS addon with shield board. On future will analyze to implement over. Radio addOn.
several options available
I have a lot experience over C,C++ and C#, basically on VStudio, for windows system.
Two-edged sword! Little will translate (directly) to Arduino but may be helpful if you decide to interface directly with PC host software you write. You can always write in AVR-GCC instead of the Arduino sketch language. Of course, OOP concepts are applicable but PC are virtual memory systems and uC's are constrained memory systems: do not let this fact escape your research and awareness!
My doubt is what basic module to choice, and addOn must acquire?
You just stated these in your introduction. They are available individually to stack together or in combination boards. Clone products and deviations are also available. Note that not all boards are stack-compatible!
Any can give advice for what have must considered?
Research other options from vendors via Google. Document your needs (better.) Ensure required libraries are already available & mature to suit your needs. Investigate 3rd party support via Google or vendor forums.
Build a spreadsheet: identify interboard signaling (pin out) and resources (ex: SPI, interrupt, I2C, analog/digital dedicated requirements. Estimate core code structures and library memory requirements.
These Ardui o shields do not just jump together in transformer-like assembly, so spend extra time understanding your own design. You may find that just because you can do something w/ Arduino - that does not necessarily mean you should implement on Arduino.
My crystal ball tells me that it's probably a 'Radio Telemetry Unit' but, as he appears to want to keep it a secret, we'll probably never know for certain.
Our proposal is design a system that read values, like temperature, level, power, and so on, up to few analog data, and save that data on 30 minutes (at the beginning). During that period I must capture the MAX, MIN, AVG and STD by analog signal, and send only one line of each. By digital I plan to used like alarm or event occurrence and send that information to central, but also use the digital to count pulse, or open/close value, stop/run motor, etc.
My great doubt is what unit use, because as Wrote to my client I can design a RTU limit capabilities, and because I saw several modules, I can't decided, yet what is the best module for me.
In resume, I know very well what I want to do, and because Don't want use a common PLC I must provide a controller to my costumer, because price, hold knowledge and keep under control for both companies.
PJCAFONSO:
Our proposal is design a system that read values, like temperature, level, power, and so on, up to few analog data, and save that data on 30 minutes (at the beginning). During that period I must capture the MAX, MIN, AVG and STD by analog signal, and send only one line of each. By digital I plan to used like alarm or event occurrence and send that information to central, but also use the digital to count pulse, or open/close value, stop/run motor, etc.
You are still nowhere near clear enough for me to write a program that meets your needs (assuming I wanted to). I think it would be easier for everyone if you describe exactly what you want to do.
For example what temperature sensors are you going to use?,
What do you mean by "level"?
What exactly do you mean by "power"? - do you mean volts and amps - again, what sensors?
To my way of thinking temperature, level and power together constitute "a few" yet your "and so on" suggests there may be several more.
Then you seem also to plan to detect various alarms, unspecified events, and pulses as well as controlling valves and motors.
I hope you are not surprised by my confusion.
None of my questions would be very important if it weren't for the fact that you are looking for advice about which Arduino to use. Isn't it obvious that that depends critically on knowing precisely all the things you expect it to do.
For Clearify the analog signal will be all on the same unit engineer, 4 to 20 mA. So if we have Volt, Amp, 75 ! Or anything else, will be translate on server information system.
About the alarm, imagine a intrusion sensor, say that some one enter on the room or for instance open the electrical cabinet.
About the event, suppose I have a controller locally that give a signal about the Maximum set point (choose by operator directly).
I still do not understand why you need to know all specification about the sensor to define the controller, sorry for my question? Normally for automation and also for other RTU systems, First define the controller/CPU for to feel my needs! and the device on the field can be anything...
Once again, the terms you use, because it will be the first time I will be use arduine controller, only ask what are the difference about the several models we have!!!!!!
I find your last two replies almost incomprehensible. I appreciate that English is probably not your native language but it isn't only a language issue - you simply haven't said what you're trying to do. If you think you have clearly stated your requirements - you have not.
As far as I can work out you're asking what Arduino / compatible controller would be most suitable to read from some sensors and do some communication, and what additional shields or other hardware you would need. To have any idea, we need to understand what the device actually needs to do. If you're interfacing with some devices, you need to know the electrical characteristics of the device(s) you need to interface with so that you can work out how many pins and what type of pins they will require and get an idea of what software will be needed to drive them. Maybe all you need is an Arduino Ethernet with an LCD shield, but frankly you haven't supplied enough information for anyone to know.
PJCAFONSO:
For Clearify the analog signal will be all on the same unit engineer, 4 to 20 mA.
This gives me no idea of what electrical or logic requirements this will impose on an Arduino.
So if we have Volt, Amp, 75 ! Or anything else, will be translate on server information system.
And I have no idea if these things have anything to do with the "same unit engineer" in the first quote.
And, to be honest, I have no idea what you have in mind by 4 to 20mA either.
I would like to be helpful, but I can't think of what else to say.
Maybe the best thing would be for you to buy an Arduino Uno and see where you get to with that. Then you can come back with more specific questions based on your actual experience.
RTU is a remote terminal unit. It is part of a larger SCADA system. It has a CPU and modular I/O. It is a device very similar to a PLC. A typical application would be electrical substation monitoring.
4-20mA is an analog signal standard used in industrial automation.
On your link of RTU we can read:
"An RTU can monitor analog inputs of different types including 0-1 mA, 4–20 mA current loop, 0–10 V., ±2.5 V, ±5.0 V etc. Many RTU inputs buffer larger quantities via transducers to convert and isolate real world quantities from sensitive RTU input levels. "
So we 4-20mA on RTU and Industrial or Building Automation. After 30 years we already install several RTU, if you know my country, Portugal, I was the project and engineer head manager of 270 station of water distribution, on South of Portugal. Around Germany Install RTU on Distribution Substation for SIEMENS, around 1000.
My client ask a solution for connect to our web apps, similar a Data-logger or micro Mes, a low cost equipment to send and receive data of the site where be install by SMS message, or GPRS (TCP/IP) communication.
Robin
Sorry for my English, but yes my natural language is Portuguese, but I thing the big difference, that David already detect, I'm industrial and Building automation engineer, and when I need to talk of the basic of my education, electronics, at this moment is difficult! Sorry for that, but I will learn and gone choice better the expression of what I want to do.
Finally, I will buy a Arduino Ethernet with an LCD shield, and add a GSM board and verify what can I do with that!
Thanks to all, and sorry to take your time in this manner!
PJCAFONSO:
"An RTU can monitor analog inputs of different types including 0-1 mA, 4–20 mA current loop, 0–10 V., ±2.5 V, ±5.0 V etc. Many RTU inputs buffer larger quantities via transducers to convert and isolate real world quantities from sensitive RTU input levels. "
This is not language that makes sense in the Arduino world.
I have no experience of it and, from my knowledge of PCs and microprocessors I suspect it relates to a family of devices that are designed to interface with specific computer equipment so that the RTU user has no need to be aware of the interface details. In much the same way that every USB memory stick works on every PC and I don't need to know how.
Unfortunately (from your point of view) with an Arduino you have to program the interface yourself.