Itron NIC515 User Manual

Bridges Hardware Guide

Silver Spring Networks
555 Broadway Street
Redwood City, CA 94063

www.silverspringnet.com

Bridges Hardware Guide

Bridges Hardware Guide

Document Number BRIDGESv2.0UG_Rev1

Confidential Information of Silver Spring Networks®, Inc., provided to licensed customer under NDA.

Copyright © 2010, Silver Spring Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Silver Spring Networks logo, UtilityIQ®, and UtilOS® are registered trademarks of Silver Spring Networks, Inc.
Smart Energy Networks™, Success.Guaranteed™, Metro Gateway™, Metro Relay™, Gas Interface Management
Unit™, and Water Interface Management Unit™ are trademarks of Silver Spring Networks, Inc.

All other company and product names are used for identification purposes only and may be registered trademarks,
trademarks, or service marks of their respective owners.

Please consider the environment before printing this document.

Revision
number Date Revision

1 June 16, 2010 Add FCC 15.247 information to Appendix, and incorporate updates to specify

max gain for sBridge and eBridge.

Bridges Hardware Guide Silver Spring Networks 2

Contents

Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The eBridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The sBridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Audience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Silver Spring Networks Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Customer Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2. Deploying Silver Spring Networks Bridges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Installing Bridges in the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Types of Bridge Deployments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Deployment Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Supported Network Topologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Master/Remote Topology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Centralized and Decentralized Master/Remote Deployments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Teaming Topology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Supported Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Serial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Deployment Mode Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Mixed IPv4 Sample Deployment (Master eBridge only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Serial Master/Serial Remote IPv6 Sample Deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

IPv6 Addressing in the RF Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Ethernet Teaming Sample Deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

A. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

eBridge and sBridge Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Silver Spring Networks eBridge Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Silver Spring Networks sBridge Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Regulatory Compliance - Module Certifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

FCC Certification (Radiated/Conducted Emissions Compliance FCC Part 15.247) . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Industry Canada Certification (Radiated/Conducted Emissions Compliance RSS-210) . . . . . . . . . 24

C-Tick Level 3 (Radiated/Conducted Emissions Compliance AS/NZS4268, AS/NZS4778) . . . . . . 25

Silver Spring Networks NIC, FCC IDs:
OWS-NIC515 IC: 5975A-NIC515 (sBridge)

OWS-NIC506, IC:5875A-NIC506 (eBridge) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Bridges Hardware Guide Silver Spring Networks 3

1 Introduction

1 Introduction

Silver Spring Networks’ Distribution Automation (DA) network is designed to help electrical
utilities manage field devices such as reclosers, capacitor banks, voltage regulators, and
transformers, through more efficient two-way communication. The utilities’ primary tools for
monitoring power distribution systems are called Remote Terminal Units (RTUs).

Utilities use Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) centers to remotely control
substation and distribution equipment through these RTUs. Unfortunately, many RTUs don’t
communicate effectively to SCADA management systems, making fault detection and field
response difficult. The DA network is designed to address this problem, by building a
comprehensive fault-tolerant wireless IP network for two-way communications with distribution
RTUs.

The devices used to improve communications between the utility’s SCADA central office and its

RTUs are the Silver Spring Networks eBridge
are separate bridge types that differ based on their provided types of port connectors.

®

and the Silver Spring Networks sBridge®. Each

Note: In this document, whenever applicable, the eBridge and sBridge will be referred to generically

as “bridges.”

Silver Spring Networks bridges are devices that provide a network for reliable and secure IP­based two-way communications between RTUs and the SCADA system. Faster communication
with RTUs helps create a smarter, more reliable electrical grid.

The eBridge

The eBridge provides the following interfaces:

• One (1) 100Base-T RJ-45 Ethernet interface.

• One (1) DB-9 nine-pin serial interface.

• One (1) 900 MHz RF wireless interface.

The Ethernet port on the eBridge often connects to the network leading to the back office or the
electrical substation SCADA system. A remote eBridge can use its Ethernet port to connect to one

Bridges Hardware Guide Silver Spring Networks 4

1 Introduction

or more RTUs. The RF interface connects all bridges together in a routable RF wireless network
for DA communications. A serial port can also be used for RTU connections.

Figure 1. Front and back view of the eBridge

The sBridge

Note: sBridges can be used for meter connectivity and for DA RTU connectivity.The application

described in this guide is for DA connectivity. sBridges are not designed for use as a master bridge.

The Silver Spring Networks sBridge provides similar functionality to the eBridge, with the
primary difference being support for two serial interfaces as shown in Figure 2. Serial port 1 is
designated as a remote communication port, passing raw serial traffic, for central offices to
diagnose, monitor and remotely configure the device. Serial port 2 connects to an RTU and
passes DNP3/IP traffic. Either port can be set to function in either mode. As with the eBridge, an
RF interface connects the sBridges to the RF network.

Serial port

Front

USB Ethernet

GPIO

Back

SMA female RF conn.

Power

Figure 2. Front and rear view of the sBridge

Serial Port 2

SMA female RF

Serial Port 1

Bridges Hardware Guide Silver Spring Networks 5

Power

connector

1 Introduction

Figure 3 shows an example of an RTU, which provides an Ethernet port, two serial ports and

terminals for the electrical equipment to which it connects.

Figure 3. An RTU

Note: For more information about network deployments of the eBridge and sBridge, refer to Chapter 2,

Deploying Silver Spring Networks Bridges on page 8. For instructions on how to configure eBridges and

sBridges, refer to the Bridge Configurator 2.0 User’s Guide.

Audience

This guide is intended for networking and IT professionals and system administrators who
perform one or more of the following tasks:

• Management of distribution electrical equipment

• Network Management

• Support information technology

• Install, monitor and troubleshoot devices

Silver Spring Networks Documentation

Silver Spring Networks provides the following documents:

• Bridges Hardware Guide (this document)

• Bridge Configurator 2.0 User’s Guide (software for configuring bridges)

• DA NEM 1.0 User’s Guide

Other documents may be available from the Silver Spring Networks web site:

www.silverspringnet.com

Bridges Hardware Guide Silver Spring Networks 6

1 Introduction

Customer Support

Silver Spring Networks offers expert technical support and guaranteed response times.

Table 1. Support Information

Country Email Telephone Hours

Australia [e-mail] +03 9607 8521 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Canada [e-mail] Toll free:

Worldwide [phone]

1-888-SSN-9876

(1-888-776-9876)

6:00 AM - 6:00 PM

US Pacific TimeUnited States

Bridges Hardware Guide Silver Spring Networks 7

2 Deploying Silver Spring Networks Bridges

2 Deploying Silver Spring Networks

Bridges

Essential to the complete creation of a DA network are the Silver Spring primary devices: the
eBridge and the sBridge. The DA network is designed to help utilities effectively communicate
with field-installed remote terminal units (RTUs) and power system device controllers in the
electrical distribution network.

This chapter introduces the use of Silver Spring Networks eBridges and sBridges to create and
support the Distribution Automation (DA) network, in the following topics:

• Installing Bridges in the Network on page 8

• Deployment Considerations on page 10

• Deployment Mode Examples on page 14

Note: For complete information on configuring and deploying bridges, please see the Bridge

Configurator 2.0 User’s Guide.

Installing Bridges in the Network

Four basic steps are required to install eBridges and sBridges for supporting Distribution
devices:

1. Physical Installation: bridges are not weather-hardened. They must be installed indoors
or inside a weather-hardened enclosure, normally in the same enclosure as the RTU or device
controller. Four mounting holes are located on the bottom edges of the bridge chassis.

2. Bridge Powerup: preferably, along with a battery backup.

3. RF Antenna Attachment: bridges may be connected with different antennas depending on
the application. All antennas connect to the SMA female RF connector on the back of all
bridges. Keep the following considerations in mind when attaching the proper antenna for
the current device:

CAUTION: With the sBridge, using an antenna with greater than 3dBi gain is not

allowed. Up to 6dBi is allowable with the eBridge.

a. The recommended antennas for use in outdoor environments are listed in Table 2, below.

b. An N-Female to SMA-male adapter is required for antenna cable connection to the SMA

connector on the back of the bridge.

c. Because the SMA connector is so small, physical stress may result when connecting a

heavy coaxial transmission cable to the back of the eBridge or sBridge during installation.
Use a pigtail on the SMA connector to support the weight of a heavy transmission line to
the bridge.

Bridges Hardware Guide Silver Spring Networks 8

2 Deploying Silver Spring Networks Bridges

4. Interface Connections: Connect the required interface cables between the bridge and the
RTU.

Table 2. Available antennas for Silver Spring Network bridges

SSN Antenna Part # Description

315-00012 Rev. 5 JPole antenna

315-000002 Rev. A sBridge: Rubber Duck, 3dBI maximum gain, SMA Female, Antenna

eBridge: Rubber Duck, 6dBI maximum gain, SMA Female, Antenna

Bridges can also connect to voltage, capacitor, tap changer and VAR management controllers,
which usually provide their own serial and Ethernet ports. The eBridge or sBridge must be
installed in the same enclosure as the controller.

Types of Bridge Deployments

RTUs are key components of the electrical system that act as collection points for sensor data and
issue simple commands to control relays, regulators and other electrical system distribution
devices. After installation, the bridges bring the RTUs into a new Distribution Automation (DA)
network. Figure 4 shows a highly simplified example.

Figure 4. Example of a Master/Remote bridge deployment

Bridges Hardware Guide Silver Spring Networks 9

2 Deploying Silver Spring Networks Bridges

Deployment Considerations

Before deploying bridges, allow for the following deployment considerations:

• Network topology

• Interfaces and protocols

• Deployment modes

Table 3 summarizes bridge deployment choices in the network.

Table 3. Bridge Deployment Topologies and Modes

Deployment
Considerations Description

Network topology Bridges can be deployed in the following network topologies:

• Master/Remote (with a centralized Master or decentralized Masters)

• Teaming

• Combination of Master/Remote and Teaming

For more information about DA network topology, refer to Supported Network

Topologies on page 11.

Interfaces and
protocols

Deployment modes The eBridge supports the following deployment modes:

The eBridge supports the following interfaces and protocols:

• Ethernet using IPv4

• Serial using IPv4 or IPv6

For more information on this topic, refer to Supported Interfaces on page 13.

The sBridge supports the following interfaces:

• Serial using IPv4 or IPv6

All bridges operate RF interfaces in a wireless network, running IPv6 by default.

• Mixed IPv4 (Ethernet Master/Serial Remote)

• Mixed IPv6 (Ethernet Master/Serial Remote)

• Ethernet Master/Ethernet Remote

• Ethernet Master/Serial and Ethernet Remotes

• Serial Master/Serial Remote

• Ethernet Teaming and Serial Teaming

The sBridge supports the following deployments:

• Serial Remote

• Serial Teaming

Note: The sBridge operates only as a Remote or in teaming mode. sBridges do not operate as a

Master.

Bridges Hardware Guide Silver Spring Networks 10

2 Deploying Silver Spring Networks Bridges

Supported Network Topologies

To accommodate placements of existing RTUs in the field, bridge units can be deployed in the
following network topologies:

• Master/Remote Topology

• Teaming Topology on page 13

• A combination of Master/Remote and Teaming Topology

In the Master/Remote topology, a master bridge connects to the SCADA (Supervisory Control
And Data Acquisition) master. The master bridge communicates over RF to remote bridges that
connect in turn to RTUs.

Master/Remote Topology

In the Master/Remote topology, an eBridge master residing at the substation communicates with
a larger set of remote bridges in the field.

Note: Master and Remote bridges are configured as Masters and Remotes at the manufacturing

facility. The first device to be deployed in the DA network is the master device, which can act as the
takeout point for DA management traffic bound for the CO. The master bridge may also connect to an
Access Point, that itself acts as the takeout point for the DA network. In our examples for this chapter,
an Access Point is not shown.

To deploy bridges in a Master/Remote topology:

• At a substation, connect the master bridge to the local SCADA master.

• In the field, connect an eBridge or sBridge Remote to the RTU.

When the SCADA master sends a message to the RTU, it passes through the master bridge,
which sends it on to the remote bridge in the field, wirelessly via RF. The remote, in turn,
passes the message to the RTU. In an extremely simplified manner, this system represents

Bridges Hardware Guide Silver Spring Networks 11