SCADA Antenna Installation- 8 ways to Save Money, Increase Reliability and Improve Performance

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With limited SCADA system operating budgets and tight schedules, it’s never been more important to get the installation done right the first time.

As anyone who has ever installed an RTU for oil or gas-field application knows, ensuring a watertight seal on the connection between the yagi antenna and the feed cable can be time-consuming and sometimes a real pain, particularly with those antennas with a connector midway up the boom!  But we all know the consequences if this critical step is not done properly:  it can come back to plague us with poor SCADA system performance, or even complete communication failure... usually in the worst weather!

A simple way to save money and improve reliability

A proven method to reduce installation time, improve system performance, and increase reliability is to deploy yagi antennas manufactured with a custom length, factory-installed integral feedline.   We’re not talking about a long patch cable that’s been heat shrunk to the existing pigtail or N connector, but rather a one-piece, engineered solution that completely eliminates the connector at the antenna.

A custom length cable attached directly to the driven element

When you install a yagi antenna made with a standard pigtail, or worse yet, one with the connector midway up the boom, the antenna jumper cable needs to be meticulously taped and sealed to prevent water leaking in.  How about this instead! A factory installed custom length cable, integrated directly with the active element with no connector at the antenna. This ingenious antenna innovation completely eliminates the connector at the antenna, resulting in many cost-saving benefits.  For the most part, 50 feet or less is likely to meet the requirements of many SCADA applications, where the majority of sites are ‘cookie-cutter’ installations and can effectively make use of same-length cables.

How Does This One Piece Feedline Benefit You? Cost reduction

1.       dramatically reduces installation time: simply remove the antenna from the box, unroll the cable, and it’s ready to install

2.       eliminates the requirement to make up a patch cord

3.       minimizes storage space requirements, eases material handling issues by combining previously separate components into one box

4.       reduces the overall cost-of-ownership by minimizing the need for costly truck rolls to replace impaired or failed antennas due to compromised connections

5.       reduces the need for  RF training to successfully perform the installation

Improves system performance and reliability

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6.       improves the efficiency of the antenna from ½ to ¾ dB by entirely eliminating one connector site. This is particularly important with spread spectrum SCADA systems

7.       eliminate weatherproofing concerns at the antenna: no connector, no concern

8.       provides greater long term dependability of the entire installation

 

Oil & Gas SCADA; Traffic Control; Water Management; Utilities

While oil and gas industry applications are the primary beneficiaries of custom length integral feed cables, other industries that have recognized the clear advantages of this innovation include Intelligent Traffic Systems, Water & Waste Water Management, and Utility T & D SCADA applications. 

I concede that outside of the Oil & Gas SCADA market, the height and configuration of each site in a SCADA system may vary, in which case it’s neither practical nor desirable to stock only a single model  antenna made with a fixed length cable. In such cases, the system operator should give serious consideration to have on hand a selection of gain values manufactured with varying cable lengths to accommodate the height requirements.  In view of the many obvious advantages listed above, advance planning of antenna placement (and consequent cable length) can ensure compelling value by trimming installation time, bolstering productivity, increasing system performance, and extending site reliability. 

Good SCADA automation can become GREAT using optimum antenna technology incorporated into the design from the start. Visit us to learn more and see what great antenna options Wavelink Antenna Systems offers. Gary Tootle advises and supports wireless communications professionals throughout USA and Canada  http://www.wavelinkantenna.com/contact.php