# Glossary

A
ACKNOWLEDGMENT | The act of advising the Catalyst (RTU) that the alarms message has been heard. Acknowledgement is accomplished by either pressing a designated touch-tone digit, or by calling the RTU back after the alarm call has ended. The ability to do this is dependent upon PIN configurations. Once acknowledged, further activity on that particular channel will not cause further dialing until the expiration of the Alarm Reset Time.
ALARM REPORT | A channel status report that is delivered to eligible destinations whenever an Unacknowledged Alarm condition exists. The Alarm report is a component of the Notification report. The alarm report includes alarm status information for linked channels when a violation condition persists for the entire trip delay period. Upon initiating an alarm report, the RTU will report only those linked channels that are currently in alarm status.
ALARM RESET TIME | The period of time, beginning at the moment an alarm is acknowledged, during which alarm dialing on behalf of that specific channel is suspended, regardless of further activity of its input circuit. At the end of the period, the Acknowledged Alarm status is cleared for that channel. Thus, if an alarm criteria violation still exists at that time, a new Unacknowledged Alarm will be created and a new series of alarm calls will be placed.
ALARM TRIP DELAY | The time required for an input violation to remain continuously in violation, before the channel trips into the Unacknowledged Alarm state.
ALARM VIOLATION CRITERIA | This is the configuration setting for a given channel that establishes what value, or condition, constitutes an alarm violation. The available choices depend upon channel data type (analog, discrete, physical, etc.) For example, if a channel with discrete data type is configured with an alarm violation criteria of "Alarm on 0", then whenever the channel's value is 0, a violation is considered to exist. If the violation remains in place for the duration of the configured alarm trip delay, an Unacknowledged Alarm state will be created for that channel. For any given channel, the alarm violation criteria can also be set to give an alarm only when there is a communications failure for that channel, or never to give an alarm (status only), or even to turn off (disable) the channel entirely so that it effectively does not exist.
ALARMWARE™ | Windows-hosted software used to configure the RTU. May also be used to receive alarm, event, and data logging information from the RTU. Provision is made for ALARMWARE™ to be used on a portable computer, temporarily connected directly to a serial configuration port on the RTU, or remotely via modem.
ANALOG | Analog signals have variable values of current or voltage, with the specific value generally representing some physical parameter such as water level or pressure. The most common type of analog signal is 4-20 ma current loop, with a transmitter (transducer and associated power supply) governing the current in a loop. This current is detected by one or more receiving devices in the loop, such as a PLC.
ALIASING | In pulse generation, aliasing is the generation of a false (alias) frequency along with the correct one when doing frequency sampling.
APS | Allen-Bradley’s Advanced Programming Software.
AUTOCALL | A special test calling function. When Autocall is turned on, the RTU places test calls at regular intervals to provide ongoing assurance of RTU and phone line operation.
AUTODIALER | A device that constantly monitors a set of inputs from various external sensors, and places outgoing alarm calls when there is an alarm condition. It also allow inquiry calls. Also referred to as an RTU (Remote Telemetry Unit) or Dialer.

B

C
CALL OUT | The action of the RTU placing calls to outside personnel or facilities.
CALL IN | The action of calling a RTU from a telephone line. Includes OTP, Alarmware™, and Log File download sessions.
CHANNEL | A channel consists of: A channel number. A data value. A SNA (Source Network Address) from which to obtain the value reading. Parameters about what sorts of values to treat as alarms ( alarm violation criteria). Information about how to process alarms (Annunciator sequence parameters). How to announce the channel’s status (messages).
CHANNEL NUMBER | The channel number is an ordinal number used to identify a particular channel. You can assign data points to channels in any way desired. Channels with the lowest numbers are reported first. Exception: the RTU can be configured to report based upon lowest Destination number first. Any channel can get data from any source.
CHANNEL SOURCE NET ADDRESS | The Channel Source Net Address (SNA) specifies from where the channel data comes. Every active channel must have a SNA. Possible sources include; Local Hardware (Physical I/O channels) Industrial Networks (PLCs) Internal Data Tables Other Channels
CHANNEL DESTINATION NET ADDRESS | The optional Channel Destination Net Address (DNA) specifies a location to which to direct the transformed channel data. Unlike the SNA, channels do not need to have DNA’s established. Possibilities here are the same as for the SNA. This capability provides for channel linking. Factory default is no DNA. DNA’s should not be confused with destinations. Destinations receive reports only upon occurrence of certain conditions, while DNA’s are continuously updated with the value of the channel configured with the DNA, at the RTU’s scan rate.
CLOSED CIRCUIT CONDITION | One of two possible states of a contact closure input circuit. This would most commonly apply to the Physical input channels, rather than channels which get their data from a network address. Closed Circuit is the condition in which the contacts complete the electrical circuit connection. Open Circuit is the opposite condition, in which the contacts do not complete the electrical circuit connection. The Open Circuit condition is electrically equivalent to having no connection to the input circuit. A closed circuit on a physical input channel will measure zero volts DC from the input connection to the common connection point. An Open Circuit input channel will measure 5 volts DC.
COMALARM | Communications alarm. Network Communications failed for the duration of the communications alarm trip delay.
COMMON | This is the combined electrical return connection point for all contact closure inputs, for physical channels. One side of all contact inputs are connected to Common. Physically, this Common connection point is any of the 4 terminals marked C on terminal strip P7. The circuit board internally connects Common to the enclosure ground.
CONTACTED | In the area of notification sequencing, the term “contacted” refers to a destination answering the phone. No acknowledgment is needed to satisfy the RTU, just the act of answering the phone.

D
DATA TRANSFORMATION | The optional data transformation parameters define how the default channel data converts to the value used for reports, and alarm condition comparisons. These parameters support: Analog Scaling Gain and Offset
DCS | Distributed Control System.
DEFAULT | Configuration values which are built into the RTU, and remain in effect until an operator alters them. Also includes, permanently available speech messages, which are utilized when an operator has not recorded any messages.
DEFAULT VALUE | The initial factory setting of a configurable parameter.
DESTINATION | A Destination is a location that can receive reports. A Destination is generally a phone number, but other possibilities exist. They include: Pagers (numeric, beeping, and alpha numeric) Local Printer (LDL) Remote Data Terminals (RDT) Log file Central Station SCADA (available with S models only)
DESTINATION CHANNEL GROUPING | Special programming established to cause specific input channels to notify only selected destinations. Typically used to provide separate alarm functions, according to category of personnel, such as maintenance, security, plumbing, etc.
DESTINATION NUMBER | The Destination Number is used to determine which destination is notified about an alarm condition. When there is an alarm on a given channel, report delivery attempts are made to destinations which are eligible for that channel (based upon any Destination Channel Grouping), with the lowest Destination numbers first. Therefore, you have complete control over annunciation priorities.
DIALER | See Autodialer or RTU.
DNA | See Channel Destination Net Address.
DRY | Description of a sensor contact circuit that is not connected to any power source.
DUTY CYCLE | Duty cycle is the proportion of time during which a component, device, or system is operated. The duty cycle can be expressed as a ratio or as a percentage. Suppose a pump operates for 1 second, then is shut off for 99 seconds, then is run for 1 second again, and so on. The pump runs for one out of 100 seconds, or 1/100 of the time, and its duty cycle is therefore 1/100, or 1 percent.

E
EtherNet/IP | EtherNet/IP (Ethernet Industrial Protocol) is a communications protocol originally developed by Rockwell Automation, currently managed by the Open DeviceNet Vendors Association (ODVA) and designed for use in process control and other industrial automation applications

F
FIRMWARE | Firmware is the operating code (similar to software in a computer) which controls the operation of the microprocessor system in the RTU. It is stored in part of the Flash memory system in the RTU. It remains fixed except for special occasions when an update of the firmware is done in order to incorporate improvements, or include new features. Firmware updates are made using Alarmware™ and the .rfw file provided.
FLOOBYDUST | Miscellaneous. A contemporary term derived from the archaic Latin miscellaneous, whose disputed history probably springs from Greek origins (influenced, of course, by Egyptian linguists) – meaning here “a mixed bag.”
FRONT PANEL (FP) | Includes Front Panel keys, microphone , speaker, and LEDs.
FULL DUPLEX DF1 | A particular variant of the DF1 protocol.

G
GLOBAL | Essentially “over all” or “universal.” Configurations that simultaneously sets the same value for all channels, or all destinations, etc.
GROUPING | See Destination Channel Grouping.

H

I
ID MESSAGE | A name that identifies the associated device. ID messages are configurable for: Destinations RTUs Networks PINs
INDUSTRIAL NETWORK | A network using: DF1 DH485 Modbus ModbusTCP or EtherNet/IP Other Industrial Protocol
INQUIRY CALL | A call placed by personnel to the RTU. Also known as a “Call-in.”
INTERSESSION DELAY | The waiting time from the end of one attempt to reach a given phone Destination, until the start of the next attempt. Note that there may be multiple attempts to the same destination – according to configuration settings. During this interval, personnel may call the RTU back, which may acknowledge the alarm and suspend further calling.
I/O | Input / Output. A point, or channel, that senses or controls real-world devices.

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L
LED | Light Emitting Diode. A lighted legend indicator on the front panel.
LATENCY | The measure of how long it has been since the value for a channel was last updated. Latency is affected by: Scan time (which in turn is strongly influenced by the number of active channels being scanned). Response time of the remote node. The occurrence of communications glitches.

M
MESSAGE | A voice or text phrase which conveys the status, of a channel or of the RTU. RTUs, Destinations, Networks, and PINs may be given names, and in that context the term “message” and “name” is used somewhat interchangeably. Channel messages refer to the status of a channel. Note that the RTU appends Tag Words to channel status messages, so the messages should be planned with this in mind.
MIME | The name for the mail protocol used to handle attachments.
MMI | Man-Machine Interface
MODBUS | Non-proprietary industrial protocol allowing programmable controllers and other devices to communicate with each other over an RS-232C or ModbusTCP network. See also the Modicon Modbus Protocol Reference Guide, pi-mbus-300 rev.D, AEG, Inc.
MODEM | Modulator/Demodulator: A device which allows digital data (as opposed to voice data) to be transmitted between two sites, usually via public telephone lines. In the case of a RTU, a modem is built-in so that no external modem is required.
MODSOFT | Modicon's controller programming software package.

N
NETWORK | A collection of devices, called nodes, connected in a way that allows information to be exchanged between the nodes. Includes the physical and higher level protocols for a specific vendor's PLC data communications. The RTU can support a maximum of 3 networks simultaneously. The actual number of networks and types of protocols are hardware options, and software configurable.
NET ADDRESS | The concatenation of the network number, node, and PLC data table address. It is sometimes symbolized by '/net/node/address' where: Net is the network number Node is the node address Address is the PLC address The network address uniquely identifies any data object that the RTU can access. For the RTU's purposes, network addresses are generally Source Network Addresses (SNAs) or Destination Network Addresses (DNA's).
NET NAME (ID) MESSAGE | A message (text or speech) identifying a specific network. By default, the message is "Net N," where 'N' is a number from 1 to 3. Custom speech messages may be recorded and custom text may be entered using Alarmware™.
NET 1 | Refers to devices connected to the “NET1’ port on the RTU. Protocol is Modbus, ModbusTCP or ETherNet/IP.
NET 2 | Refers to devices connected to the ‘NET2’ port on the RTU. Protocol is Printer.
NET 3 | Refers to devices connected to the "NET3" port on the RTU. Protocol is Aware.
NODE | The address of a specific PLC node on the network. Each PLC is already configured with a unique integer as its node address. The RTU must also be given a unique number as its node address on each network to which it interfaces. The network number and node together suffice to uniquely identify any PLC.
NORMAL CONDITION | For contact closure inputs, the Normal Condition is that condition (open or closed circuit) which normally exists. The opposite condition would create an alarm.
NON-VOLATILE MEMORY | All configurations and all user recorded messages are kept in flash memory which is completely non-volatile. Unit is not affected by power interruptions.
NOTIFICATION | The primary goal of the product is to notify operators of abnormal conditions, within specific operating parameters.

O
OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION | See Closed Circuit Condition.
ORDINAL | Ordinal numbers are used to indicate the “numerical order” of items such as input channels or destinations. From that standpoint, a channel number is really a channel ordinal number. Channel and Destination numbers determine the priority basis upon which alarm reports are delivered.
OTP (OVER THE PHONE) | One of the ways to configure the RTU is by placing a phone call to it from a remote telephone. Once in PROGRAM mode over the Phone (OTP), configuration can then be performed via DTMF keys on the calling telephone.

P
PAGING SYSTEM TERMINAL | An automated system to receive numeric and alphanumeric text messages that will then be transmitted over the pager network to a specific pager device.
PCRASH | The term PCRASH is short for "Power Crash." A power crash is when there is an AC power failure and the battery backup has exhausted it's power supply. The RTU will try to protect the following data by saving it just prior to the unit completely loosing power; RTU State (arm/disarm) Internal System Clock Channel States Channel Values Statistics and Counts
PHYSICAL CHANNELS (PIO) | Input channels that are associated with physical, point-by-point wiring connections. Physical channels are assigned to Net 0. By factory default until altered by the user, the first four channel numbers are the first four physical channels. These four physical channels are available for connection to dry (non-powered) contact closure inputs, or 5-volt logic levels, at terminal strip P7 on the main circuit board.
PIN | Personal Identification Number. Once configured, a PIN will be required to access the Dialer from OTP or ALARMWARE™™. PINs can be up to five digits long. Privilege level must also be assigned: Listen Acknowledge Program Administrator
PLC | Programmable Logic Controller.
PLC ADDRESS | The data table location of an object within a specific PLC's internal memory. The format of the PLC address is vendor dependent. For Net 0, the "PLC address" is the physical channel number.
POINT | A source of data. Includes PLC registers, data table locations, IO, or channels.
POWER FAILURE | The disappearance of primary power to the RTU. The Dialer will continue to operate under power failure until its internal sealed lead-acid battery is discharged. A power failure alarm will be created if the failure endures for the configured power failure alarm trip delay.

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R
RACO | RACO Manufacturing and Engineering Company 1400 62nd Avenue Emeryville, CA 94608 510.658.6713 (main) 800.449.4539 (customer support) 510.658.3153 (fax) customerservice@racoman.com (email) http://www.racoman.com/ (web site)
RECORDING RATE | n the process of digitally recording the User's voice messages into speech memory, the message is recorded into memory at one of two possible rates. The faster the rate of memory usage, the higher the recording quality, but the total available recording time is reduced correspondingly. 3600 bps is the factory default setting. 1800 bps is the other available rate, allowing more recording time.
REMOTE DATA TERMINAL | A kind of Destination consisting of a modem and computer which is running communication software, e.g. Procomm Plus. Used to download log files for permanent storage and data processing.
REPORT | A report is a sequence of messages intended to communicate complete information about a RTU state or configuration. The message sequence conveys the nature and extent of the report information.
RING ANSWER DELAY | The nominal number of rings required before the RTU will answer an inquiry call. Depending upon timing factors, any given inquiry call may be answered in one more or one less ring than the configured value.
RTU (REMOTE TELEMETRY UNIT) | A monitoring device, interfaced to a communication medium, whose mission is to communicate conditions from a remote or inaccessible site. A central computer on some schedule, or interval, usually polls RTUs. Additionally, RTUs may request polling to report any exceptions such as alarms or other events that require the attention of the central computer or its operators. The Catalyst RTU is capable of receiving polling calls from a computer running Alarmware™ configuration software, a fax machine, or other type of communications software programs such as Procomm.
RTU ID MESSAGE | A message that is always included in all calls made to or from the RTU, intended to identify the RTU, or its physical location.

S
SCADA | Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System.
SCALE FACTOR | Scale and offset factors can be configured for analog input channels, to transform the raw reading into the desired end units.
SESSION | Sessions occur between the RTU and a Destination. They consist of an exchange of information that is termed a report. An example of a session is what occurs when an RTU calls an operator’s phone number to deliver a voice report. Another example is when central computer calls an RTU for a log file download. They are both sessions. Sessions have a beginning and an end. For example, a phone session with an operator starts when the RTU dials a phone number, and ends when either the operator or the RTU terminates the call.
SNA | See Channel Source Net Address.
SPEECH MEMORY RATE | See Recording Rate.
STATE | The state of an input channel reflects additional information beyond its current reading status or value. From a conceptual standpoint only, the primary set of states for a channel are Normal, Alert, Alarm, Acknowledged Alarm, and Acknowledged Alarm, Now Normal. These primary states reflect the progress of an alarm condition: From the moment the violation is detected (Alert) To the moment the Alarm Trip Delay elapses (Alarm) To the moment the alarm is acknowledged (Acknowledged Alarm) Until the alarm reset time elapses and clears the alarm (Normal) States are manifested in reports via the appending of Tag Words to the channel status messages.

T
TAG WORDS | Supplemental words or phrases which are automatically appended to a report, that indicate the state of the channel or of the RTU. Tag words include: Normal Alarm Alarm, Acknowledged Now Normal Now Normal, Acknowledged Alert High Setpoint Low Setpoint DNA SNA Status Only The factory default tag words can be reconfigured to whatever text and voice words that are appropriate for the RTU. For additional information on Tag Words, please refer to the Operator's Manual section on Terminology and Concepts: Tag Word and States.
TAP | An abbreviation for Telocator Alphanumeric protocol. A communications protocol used to transmit simple text-only messages to a paging system terminal.
TRANSITIONS | The channel's current data value; the channel alarm conditions, operator actions, and the Annunciator all drive transitions between state sequence parameters. These parameters include; trip delay, acknowledgment, reset, lock-in, ringback, and first-out designations.
TOD | Time of Day

U

V

W
WATCHDOG | The Watchdog is integrated into the firmware of the RTU watching over all RTU activities. When the Watchdog detects that a process is not running as intended, it will initiate a firmware reboot. This will prevent any of the unit processes from being offline for more than 90 seconds.

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