**Evaluate this course. **
This course provides a fresh, unbiased perspective of communications technologies for field applications such as SCADA, distribution automation (DA), distributed generation (DG), advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and others. Instructors introduce a methodology for developing a utility-wide strategic communications plan, including typical application-level requirements, and review the various alternative communications technologies as well as viable vendors. They present information on latency, reliability, coverage, CIP compliance, throughput, security and networking equipment. Discussion covers the benefits, risks and costs of each viable technology, including:
- Cellular with a variety of hardened products
- Licensed narrowband/broadband at 220 MHz, 450 MHz, 700 MHz, and 900 MHz
- Unlicensed point-to-multipoint and mesh products and 900 MHz LoRa
- Fiber optics (ADSS, OPGW, carrier lease) and dark fiber leases
- Licensed and unlicensed point-to-point microwave.
- Other emerging technologies such as FirstNet, Software Defined radio
- Pros/cons and design requirements for using AMI as the backhaul for DA and DG
Who should attend this course?
- IT and engineering managers responsible for making decisions about the backhaul communications technology for SCADA, AMI, DA and other field applications.
- Application-level project managers who oversee AMI, DA, DG, and other applications.
- All levels of utility personnel from technician to senior management