IEC 60870-101 Protocol SCADA

IEC 60870-101 Protocol

IEC 60870-101 Protocol 

IEC 60870-101 is a widely used protocol for communication between supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and remote terminal units (RTUs). It is particularly common in the energy industry, including power generation, transmission, and distribution.

IEC 101 Protocol
IEC 60870-101 Protocol Master/Slave



Key features and components of IEC 101:

  1. Asynchronous serial communication: It uses asynchronous serial communication, which is a common method for transmitting data over serial lines, such as RS-232 or RS-485.
  2. Master-slave architecture: The protocol follows a master-slave architecture, where the SCADA system acts as the master and controls the RTUs, which are the slaves.
  3. Cyclic data transfer: IEC 101 uses a cyclic data transfer mechanism, where the master periodically polls the slaves for data. This ensures that the SCADA system has up-to-date information about the status of the remote equipment.
  4. Message types: IEC 101 defines various message types for different functions, including:
  5. Initialization messages: Used to establish communication between the master and slaves.
  6. Control messages: Used to send control commands to the slaves, such as starting or stopping equipment.
  7. Data messages: Used to transmit measurement data from the slaves to the master.
  8. Status messages: Used to report the status of the slaves and their connected equipment.
  9. Error detection and correction: IEC 101 includes mechanisms for error detection and correction, such as parity checking and cyclic redundancy checks (CRCs), to ensure data integrity.
  10. Security features: While IEC 101 does not have built-in encryption, it can be used in conjunction with other security measures to protect data transmission.

Advantages of IEC 101:
  1. Widely adopted: IEC 101 is a well-established protocol with a large user base, making it easy to find compatible equipment and software.
  2. Reliable: The protocol has a proven track record of reliability, making it suitable for critical applications.
  3. Flexible: IEC 101 can be used in various SCADA systems and with different types of RTUs.
  4. Cost-effective: Due to its widespread use, IEC 101 equipment is generally cost-effective.

Disadvantages of IEC 101:
  1. Limited security: Without additional security measures, IEC 101 may be vulnerable to attacks.
  2. Performance limitations: In some cases, the cyclic data transfer mechanism may not be efficient enough for high-speed applications.

Overall, IEC 101 is a valuable protocol for SCADA systems, offering a reliable and flexible solution for communication between central control stations and remote equipment. However, it is important to consider its security limitations and potential performance bottlenecks when selecting it for a particular application.