ASE2000 Version 1

The ASE2000 is a true 32-bit Windows application that retains all the functionality of the earlier model ASE RTU Test Sets and includes many new features which enhance the data viewing, test setup, and test function capabilities of the unit. The ASE2000 RTU Test set can be a DNP 3 Test set, it can be a Modbus Test set or it can be an IEC 870-5-101 Test set. Protocols are licensed to run on the same ASE2000 RTU test set platform.

ASE provides a total solution approach to the area of protocol test equipment with its’ family of PC based protocol test products that includes both laptop and desktop hardware configurations and operating environments for DOS and Windows based units. With the largest base of supported protocols in the industry (100+), most orders can be filled immediately. For example a ASE2000 RTU test set can be ordered with Tejas protocol, DNP 3 protocol and Conitel 2020. All protocols will operate on the same platform.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

The ASE2000 RTU Test Set is a full-featured protocol test unit that provides the user with a powerful and flexible tool for testing and maintaining SCADA RTU and SCADA IED equipment and diagnosing communication problems.

User Interface

The user interface for SCADA test set operation is a menu driven, screen window oriented interface with directional key or pointer device navigation. Set-up screens allow the user to define test session specific information and user preference information. For quick-start operation, the supplied default values for most test operations are sufficient and preclude the need for lengthy and complicated pre-test set-up.

For tests that do require special conditions, a set of intuitive and easy to use set-up screens is provided. Special set-up conditions can be saved to uniquely named files and easily retrieved for use in future sessions. Many users develop a library of frequently used test scenarios with this feature thereby eliminating repetitive set-up for future test sessions.

Display Options

Display screens provide dynamic data display during monitoring and simulation mode test sessions. Users are not limited to a single display format for message data. A number of data display options are available such as “update in place” or message scrolling. In addition, message data can be displayed in Interpretive Mode which identifies, in English, the various message elements and their values, Raw Data Mode which displays only the numeric message data, or both which is a combination to the two. Many other display options such as displaying analog data scaled in a ± 5Volt range, percentage of full scale, and selection of numbering base (decimal, hexadecimal, octal, and binary) are also available.

Modes of Operation

The ASE2000 test set has three modes of operation, Master Simulation (talking to a downstream device or RTU), RTU Simulation ( talking up to a master station), and Line Monitor (watch the communications between Master and RTU or Slave).

Master Simulation Mode provides the capability to issue data scan requests and supervisory control commands to one or more RTU’s on a communication line. The set-up screens for this mode allow the user to define a test scenario that identifies which device(s) to communicate with, which commands to issue for each device, frequency of commands, screen format and display format of message data.

RTU Simulation Mode allows the user to configure the ASE2000 RTU test set as one or more RTU’s that will respond to data scan requests and supervisory control commands with the proper response for the particular protocol. Convenient set-up menus allow the user to specify point types, number of points, and point ordering that will result in the proper data message structure. Point modeling can also be enabled to provide data value changes on successive data scans.

Line Monitoring Mode is used to monitor the communication between a master station and end SCADA terminal devices (RTU / IED) on a communication line. Message data for both directions is shown.

Advanced Features

A number of advanced features are available for specialized test requirements. The user configurable event log feature can be set up to capture specific events such as analog limit exceptions, digital point changes, selected message types (such as Trip/Close requests), and more. Trigger conditions can be tied to specific events.

FEATURES

General

• Graphics window / menu screen presentation with keyboard or pointer navigation
• Common user interface set-up displays, independent of protocol
• Custom display of data with protocol specific formatting
• User preference set-up and save
• Extensive On-Line help facility
• Supports Windows 2000/XP/Vista operating environments

Line Monitoring

• Real-time display of message data (bidirectional)
• Time stamped messages
• Interpreted and raw data display options
• Filtering options for selected data display
• Trigger options for identification of specific events
• Data display number base preference (decimal, hex, octal, binary)
• Disk storage / retrieval of message data from test sessions
• Communication statistics (message count, parity errors, security errors, etc.)

Master Simulation

• Data and control requests to one or more devices
• User defined test scenarios
• Continual “in place” update of received data or message scrolling

RTU Simulation

• User configurable to respond to master requests for multiple devices (party line)
• Point value modeling for data change activity (analog, digital, accumulator)

Advanced Features

• User configurable event log can capture, for later review, communication errors, analog limit exceptions, digital point changes, selected message types (supervisory control), and more
• Event triggering
• RTU response time measurement (1 msec. resolution BCOM-USB)
• Low level control over message structure, security error, message timing, and other fields to allow customization for advanced testing requirements
• Communication error generator for error detection testing
• Time synchronization for protocols that support Master/RTU time synchronization