Siemens: release of SIMATIC RTU3041C with LTE-M/NB-IoT and GPS
The SIMATIC RTU3041C extends the compact low power RTU3000C family by a device with LTE-M and NB-IoT mobile wireless connection as well as GPS functionality. The SIMATIC RTU3041C and the firmware V4.0 for RTU3000C are hereby released for sale. The start of delivery is scheduled for the end of February 2020, the firmware V4.0 is now available as a download.
Product description
The devices of the RTU3000C family are compact telecontrol stations (Remote Terminal Units: RTUs) for autonomous energy systems. They are particularly suited for monitoring and control of external stations that are not connected to an energy supply network. The RTUs can autonomously record data with time stamp from connected sensors, preprocess this data and transfer it to a control center via the telecontrol protocols IEC 60870-5-104, DNP3, SINAUT ST7 or TeleControl Basic.
SIMATIC RTU3041C
The RTU3041C features an integrated modem for LTE-M and NB-IoT as well as special power-saving functions with the same functionality as the RTU3031C. The two supported mobile wireless standards LTE-M and NB-IoT are designed for low-power operation and IoT applications, and not for high data transmission rates. They enable long ranges and better network coverage as well as better building penetration, combined with high energy efficiency. Functions for the further optimization of power consumption are also supported. Like the RTU3031C, the RTU3041C features 4 additional digital outputs and also supports determination of position and time synchronization via GPS.
As of the start of delivery, the RTU3041C is delivered with firmware V4.0. It is recommended to upgrade the RTU3010C, RTU3030C and RTU3031C modules to firmware V4.0. Relevant firmware files are available for the upgrade (see section "5. Download firmware V4.0 for RTU3000C“ in this entry).
Intended use
The SIMATIC RTU3000C product family is specially designed for energy-autonomous operation in environments without a power supply system and optimized for low-power operation. The power supply is primarily ensured by battery, rechargeable battery or solar panel. It can also be operated via a 12-24 V DC power supply unit. The integrated I/Os are used to record process signals, count pulses, and measured values or to send switching commands. Using an optional I/O extension board (HART/RS 485), devices can be connected directly to the RTU3000C via Modbus RTU or HART Multidrop.
The RTU3000C communicates with the control center via mobile radio using a built-in modem (RTU303xC for UMTS/3G, RTU3041C for LTE-M/NB-IoT) or an external router connected to the Ethernet interface. The RTU3010C variant is connected exclusively via an external router (e.g. SCALANCE M) to wired or wireless communication networks. Two optional protective enclosures with IP68 degree of protection enable operation under harsh ambient conditions.
The RTU3000C is suitable in particular for use in the following applications in the areas of water/wastewater, agriculture and vendor managed inventory:
- Detection and monitoring of fill level/level/pressure/flow/temperature
- Detection of leaks and water loss
- Monitoring of pump stations, water towers and water reservoirs
- Flood control
- Remote monitoring of levels in tanks and silos
- Monitoring of irrigation systems in agriculture or greenhouses
The SIMATIC RTU3041C expands the field of application with applications in LTE-M and NB-IoT mobile networks. With the integrated GPS functionality, the RTU is also suitable for mobile applications that require localization features, such as container tracking and control and tracking of navigation signs.
Customer benefits
- The RTU3000C family offers a high degree of flexibility in the choice of communication network: Integrated modem LTE-M/NB-IoT, UMTS/3G, GPRS/2G or connection to external routers, such as SCALANCE M, depending on RTU3000C type.
With the LTE-M and NB-IoT two future-proof LPWA mobile standards (LPWA: Low-Power Wide-Area) are supported for low-power applications. - Reliable, autonomous operation in an extended temperature range from -40 °C to +70 °C thanks to rugged hardware.
- Data pre-processing for efficient data evaluation in the control center.
- Flexible power supply concept via battery, rechargeable battery, solar panel or standard power supply.
- Support for OpenVPN as well as for encrypted email connection and FTP connection for secure data transfer.
- Commissioning, configuring and firmware updating without additional software via integrated web server.
- Integrated tracking functionality via GPS for RTU3031C and RTU3041C.
- With the optional HART/RS 485 extension board, up to 8 devices can be connected to the RTU3000C via Modbus RTU (RTU FW V3.0 or higher) or HART Multidrop (RTU FW V3.1 or higher). Access to these devices is directly via the RTU3000C, so that a direct parameter assignment is possible.
- Access to field devices via SIMATIC PDM (RTU-FW V3.1 and higher) that are connected to the RTU3000C with Modbus or HART, see application example "Remote access to an RTU3000C via SIMATIC PDM": 109767945.
- Use as data logger by saving the process values to SD card.