Patent ID: 7006524
Filing Date: 2006-02-28
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
1. A modular SCADA communication apparatus adapted for relaying messages between an operations center and an equipment unit remote from the operations center, the communication apparatus comprising: a device communication module configured to directly connect to the equipment unit and to optionally encrypt/decrypt information passed between the device communication module and the equipment unit under the control of a controller; a transceiver communication module configured to communicate with the operations center via one or more designated communication networks using one or more associated transceivers so as to transfer data to and from the equipment unit and to optionally encrypt/decrypt said data, all under the control of the controller; a programmable hub module adapted to physically house the device communication module and the transceiver communication module and operative, under control of an associated set of computer-readable instructions, to: (a) act as a communications portal for routing and transcoding messages passing between the device communication module and the transceiver communication module, (b) act as the controller for instructing the device communication module and/or the transceiver communication module to encrypt their respective communications and to instruct the transceiver communication module as to which communication network to utilize in communicating with the operations center, and (c) provide primary and emergency power to the device communication module and the transceiver communication module.