GE MDS Mercury 3650, Reference Manual

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12 Mercury Reference Manual 05-4446A01, Rev. E
to different SCADA hosts). A Mercury radio provides this capability
using a single remote unit. The unit’s serial port can be connected via IP
to different SCADA hosts, transporting different (or the same) proto-
cols. Both data streams are completely independent, and the transceiver
provides seamless simultaneous operation as shown in
Figure 1-8 .
Invisible place holder
Figure 1-8. Multiple Protocol Network
By using a single radio, the cost of deployment is cut in half. Beyond
requiring only one radio instead of two, the biggest cost reduction comes
from using half of the required infrastructure at the remote site: one
antenna, one feedline, one lightning protector and ancillary hardware.
Other cost reductions come from the system as a whole, such as reduced
management requirements. And above all, the radio provides the poten-
tial for future applications that run over Ethernet and IP, such as video
for remote surveillance.
1.3.6 Wireless LAN with Mixed Services
The transceiver is an excellent solution for a long-range industrial wire-
less LAN. It offers several advantages over commercial solutions, pri-
marily improved performance over extended distances. The rugged
construction of the radio and its extended temperature range make it an
ideal solution even in harsh locations. In extreme environments, a
simple NEMA enclosure is sufficient to house the unit.
The transceiver trades higher speed for longer range. Commercial
802.11a/b/g solutions are designed to provide service to relatively small
areas such as offices, warehouses and homes. They provide high data
rates but have limited range. The Mercury transmits at a higher power
level, uses a different frequency band, has higher sensitivity, and a nar-
NETview
SCADA Host
Total Flow
Access Point
Remote Serial
Remote Serial
SCADA Host
Modbus/IP
Remote Serial
Access Point
RTU
Flow Meter
EIA-232
EIA-232
EIA-232
EIA-232
EIA-232
EIA-232
ROUTER
HUB
Serial
Device
Serial
Device
Serial
Device
Serial
Device
HUB
HUB
HUB
WAN