Example: group configuration in relation to field devices

The configuration of AOR Groups allows you to link several field devices that should be seen and controlled together. Primarily, AOR affects who can see the data from specific field devices on station displays. This example explains how the AOR Group configuration corresponds to the field devices they are grouping.

The figure below displays a station display that represents equipment in the field and how it has been grouped for viewing and control. AOR Groups are assigned to Areas, which are used to configure the Areas Of Responsibility necessary for monitoring and controlling the equipment in the field.

This example shows how groups associate several field devices along a particular line segment. Group1, Group 2, and Group 3 are created to link all the field devices assigned to them. The Groups are then placed in Areas which are assigned to Controllers, simplifying their task load by limiting the station displays they can see. Furthermore, Authorities and Permissions will be used to affect whether the equipment belonging to the AOR is controllable or merely viewable by a Controller.

As shown above, groups can be used to break up a line segment geographically. Group 1 links the field devices on the north side of the line: all points on Line1A and Line1B belong to this group. Group 2 links all of the points associated with the switch, a device that connects the north and south side of the line. Group 3 links the field devices on the south side of the line; all points on Line2A and Line2B belong to this group. The groups that comprise an AOR will generally correspond to a particular geographical area in the field; however any given group can belong to two or more Areas. In other words, Areas of Responsibility (AORs) can overlap.

The figure above shows that Group 1 and Group 2 belong to the Area AOR North. Group 2 also belongs to the Area AOR South, which contains the switch and the south side of the line belonging to Group 3. Area AOR North is assigned to one Controller, and Area AOR South is assigned to the other Controller. Permissions would be used to determine whether the Area can be controlled by the Controller to which it is assigned. This example assumes that both Controllers have control over the Switch, but only one side of the line segment.

Note: DNAPermissions could be used to assign Viewer status to either Controller for the Area they do not control, in order to give them both the ability to see the entire line.