TECHNICAL NOTE: TN-26

Sensor Area Network

The MTECH AWOS architecture implements a Sensor Area Network across the whole system resulting
in the ultimate in connectivity, accessibility and control of the sensors, the communications equipment, the
workstations and displays. In this system each sensor is seen as a server. Therefore any client device
can connect to a sensor. Each sensor can have up to 4 simultaneous sessions running concurrently.

The concept of the DCP [ Data Collecting Platform] is a marshalling box containing power supply and
serial to ethernet equipment. [ SENC]

Note that each server computer has an internal software process running as a client, to collect data from
the sensors: all data comms channel error checking etc is handled by the TCP-IP protocol.

Full Link Diversity

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The computer network (consisting of server computers, displays and other network infrastructure) is
extended to the AWS sites via the fibre and UHF links and between buildings at the central site using
routers and LAN Bridges.

 MTECH Systems Pty Ltd 2008

TECHNICAL NOTE: TN-26
Ultimate Maintainability

Authenticated Users at any node can access all sensors and computers, communications devices and
this enables the ultimate in maintainability of the system

DCP
All sensors are connected in a LAN in the DCP at the remote site using the RSES [Remote Site Ethernet
Switch] at the remote site. Figure 4.2 below shows a typical Site configuration for Fibre and Microwave
datalink sub systems 500-CP using the RSES. Each sensor is assigned an IP address and port number
on its SENC channel.

All modules in the DCP enclosure are DIN rail mounted and are plug-in in most cases making the DCP
simple to maintain when changing modules and making it simple to expand if sensors need to be added
later.

 MTECH Systems Pty Ltd 2008

TECHNICAL NOTE: TN-26
Maintenance Laptop
Rather than have rarely used terminal equipment permanently located in the remote site equipment, a
laptop can be connected to the RSES at the site, or at another site.

As shown below, all the other sites and the servers can be accessed from the laptop in a secure and
authenticated session, anywhere in the system, ensuring system control throughout the system.

The MTECH Sensor Area Network implements a scaleable open system, with fully standardized
protocols and communication standards.

The system is scaleable and capable of diversity, redundancy, and is highly understandable and
serviceable, since it uses standard networking techniques with which many technical staff are familiar.

 MTECH Systems Pty Ltd 2008

TECHNICAL NOTE: TN-26