Industrial Control Systems

When timely intelligence is critical...

Facilitating Industrial Control Systems (ICS) is a key part of Ground Control’s mission. The sectors we work with – Energy, Water, Transport, Manufacturing and Pharmaceuticals – seek to ensure secure and reliable transmission of data from field RTUs to distributed control or SCADA systems.

Businesses have a choice of cellular or satellite connectivity as their primary means of communication, with one or the other providing a failsafe. Cellular is low cost but less reliable and secure than satellite, and, as the Colonial pipeline ransomware incident proved in 2021, security in the Industrial and Power sectors is frequently mission critical.

Engineer working on industrial control systems

“[In the Industrial and Power sectors], more than half (53%) said they are unable to fully monitor connected systems entering their controlled environment, and 61% have limited visibility into changes in security vendors within their supply chain.” – Tim Erlin, Tripwire

What you choose to retrieve your data from remote locations is likely to depend on several parameters: how frequently do you need the data to be sent? How much data do you need to send? How will you power the device? And do you need to move the device often?

Ground Control can help you narrow the field of choices down; moreover, we’re specialists in helping lower the cost of satellite connectivity, both through device optimization and our Cloudloop platform, so this is likely to be lower than you’re projecting.

You may further add a security element to this. Most satellites send your data to a ground station, and that data is backhauled to your base of operations – this can be an interconnect or a VPN, depending on your needs. However, if you want to remove all reliance on public infrastructure, a private satellite network might be the answer.

Case Studies

Case Study

SCADASat and Garth Wind Shetland Islands Scotland

The SCADASat solution provides the connectivity between the wind farm and the termination point, reporting the data in real-time to effectively control the power generation. This is a crucial function to prevent power saturation at the point of termination and ensure most economic use of the power generated.

Case Study

Drifting Buoys for Multi-Use Projects

Drifting Buoys are versatile kits that anyone with the know-how can use to retrieve their own oceanic data. Generally, the main purpose of drifting buoys is to measure ocean currents and sea temperatures, the data of which is then transmitted back to research labs on the mainland for analysis.

Recommendations for SCADA connectivity

The SCADASat powered by TSAT provides companies their own private satellite network, so your system will be independent of any public infrastructure, and completely secure. Ground Control can also offer shared frequency bandwidth with our VSAT satellite solution, or, for a more weather robust, less power-hungry, and flexible solution, we’d suggest our BGAN M2M technology, or the RockREMOTE powered by LTE / Iridium Certus.

SCADASat by TSAT delivers a private satellite network for your business

The RockREMOTE leverages LTE (cellular) and Iridium Certus satellite connectivity

The Hughes 9502 can abe delivered as a one or two piece setup, with 'always-on' connectivity

Can we help?

Ground Control specializes in satellite and cellular M2M and IoT connectivity, ensuring that your sensor data is passed securely and reliably to your base of operations – however remote or distributed the sources of data may be. We know how to make satellite work cost-effectively by sending only what data you need; give us a call, or complete the form, if you’d like to discuss your requirements with our connectivity experts.

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