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Reserve Your Seat TodayA large U.S. state Department of Transportation (DOT) needed dependable remote visibility for both permanent communications huts and mobile disaster-recovery trailers. Using DPS Telecom RTUs, the team monitors temperature, humidity, and power conditions remotely and can respond to issues before a communications segment goes offline.
| Industry | Government - Transportation (State DOT) |
|---|---|
| Company Type | State government communications and transportation agency |
| Geography/Coverage | Statewide network across a large geographic area (state not disclosed) |
| Primary Challenge | Monitor permanent comm sites and mobile recovery trailers remotely; modernize aging RTUs while maintaining compatibility with the existing master system |
| Solution Deployed | TempDefender RTUs for trailer-based recovery sites; NetGuardian RTUs for permanent comm huts; SNMP reporting to Megasys Telenium |
| Key Result | Remote environmental and power alarming to reduce truck rolls and support faster corrective action |
| Implementation Timeframe | NetGuardian 832A deployed statewide since 2003; planning an upgrade and shipment schedule spread across up to a year |
| Products Used | TempDefender RTU; NetGuardian 832A; NetGuardian 216 G3 |
This success story comes from a U.S. state DOT responsible for keeping a statewide communications network available across a large and varied geography. For security and privacy reasons, the specific state is not disclosed.
During an on-site visit, DPS met with experienced DOT telecom managers focused on microwave and modern fiber infrastructure. The discussion centered on how they use DPS Telecom remote monitoring equipment across different site types - from staffed or unstaffed communications huts to trailer-based recovery assets used in emergency scenarios.
The DOT supports communications infrastructure that must remain operational through normal conditions and major events such as hurricanes or flooding. That creates two recurring monitoring needs:
On top of that, the DOT has long-lived RTU deployments. Over time, security requirements and field protocols evolve (for example, the need for modern security standards like TLS 1.2 and the increasing use of protocols such as Modbus). Cellular technologies also change faster than typical RTU lifecycles, which can affect how devices should be provisioned for long-term service.
The DOT standardized on DPS Telecom RTUs in two sizes to match site requirements: compact RTUs for mobile recovery assets and higher-capacity RTUs for permanent communications sites. This approach gives the DOT consistent alarm telemetry across the statewide network while allowing the hardware to fit the physical and operational constraints of each site type.
One DOT team member described how the group "uses TempDefenders in trailers for recovery scenarios." In these deployments, the TempDefender RTU provides remote alarming for key environmental and power conditions commonly associated with temporary communications sites.
Trailer-based radios and cell towers support continuity of communications after major events. Like any comm site, these deployments can be impacted by overheating, humidity issues, and power irregularities. TempDefenders installed in DOT disaster-recovery trailers detect changes in temperature, humidity, or power so the team can assess the trailer status without an immediate site visit.
By alarming on early warning conditions, the DOT can take corrective action quickly before an entire segment of the network goes offline.
For permanent sites, the DOT deployed NetGuardian 832A RTUs statewide about 20 years ago. The deployment includes both NetGuardian 832A G2 and G5 models.
The DOT also has several NetGuardian 216 G3 RTUs with built-in cellular. DPS and the DOT discussed the long-term strategy of using external cellular modems (such as DPS rCell wireless modems) when appropriate. The goal is to keep the RTU in service across multiple cellular generations, since an RTU that lasts 10 to 15 years will often outlast changes in carrier technology.
The DOT is actively considering an upgrade to the new NetGuardian 832A G6. The DOT is evaluating the G6 in part because it supports newer security standards like TLS 1.2 and additional protocols such as Modbus.
The DOT summarized their experience with DPS Telecom RTUs this way: "We've been very happy with your products. They've lasted since 2003. It's now time for an upgrade. We've always been very pleased with DPS Telecom's RTUs."
The DOT expects Modbus support could be useful because Cummins generators may use Modbus. The DOT plans to share a generator user manual so the interface can be verified and the monitoring points can be planned accurately.
The DOT also noted prior interest in Farscan (Harris Scan) compatibility, but indicated it is no longer relevant because they no longer use it.
Across the statewide network, there are currently about 90 NetGuardians deployed, so this upgrade will be a sizeable operation. The top-level master system is Megasys Telenium, and the DOT expects that aspect will require little to no configuration changes.
Because the DOT uses SNMP output for NetGuardian alarming (rather than the legacy DCP protocol), new RTUs are expected to continue reporting into the existing ecosystem using SNMP, supporting continuity of operations.
During upgrade builds, DPS aims to make new NetGuardians as similar as possible to their predecessors (for example, matching connectors and number schemes). This approach helps reduce upgrade time and field rework during large-scale replacements.
The DOT described their installation resources positively: "We have an excellent contractor for installs," so they are not concerned about the schedule being constrained by installer availability. They are "trying to do this project as a task-work order (no bid or prior budgeting required to use this flexible pool of funding)."
Even with an experienced contractor, replacing nearly 100 RTUs requires coordination. The DOT plans to schedule NetGuardian 832A G6 shipments out for a year (as DPS allows) to align deliveries with installation windows.
The DOT expects to work the purchase into the budget in the next 4 to 8 months. Because the upgrade is from older NetGuardians, the DOT can use DPS Telecom's 30% upgrade discount.
An important scheduling question was raised: "Can DPS do a DB conversion since there is no NGEdit for G6?"
DPS advised that, at minimum, a few RTU profiles would be manually converted as part of the project. In many environments, T/Mon automation can assist with profile conversion and normalization, but this site uses Telenium instead of a T/Mon master, so those on-site database/functions are not in play for this deployment.
As part of the equipment purchase, DPS offered to include a few hours of discounted engineering labor to help accelerate implementation planning and reduce risk during conversion and cutover work.
This upgrade has been in planning for some time, which is typical for statewide projects that must align to available budgets. DPS is preparing a detailed proposal based on a project created in the DPS system in 2021.
The proposal is expected to include:
For DOTs and other public-sector networks, this type of proposal structure helps stakeholders align technical requirements (protocols, security, environmental monitoring) with procurement planning and installation logistics.
The DOT noted that two new engineers "are coming up and taking over these projects" as part of the natural retirement cycle. While they were quiet for most of the meeting, the discussion provided a practical walk-through of the current monitoring devices in use and the options being considered for upgrades.
The group also reviewed additional monitoring options for site health, including solutions such as HVAC Controllers and BVM for individual battery monitoring. In many RTU deployments, these types of add-ons are used to extend visibility beyond basic door, power, and temperature alarms to include battery health and environmental control status.
For similar networks that need centralized alarm correlation across many sites, DPS Telecom also recommends evaluating the T/Mon alarm monitoring platform as a dedicated master for SNMP traps and site telemetry. In this DOT environment, the master system is Megasys Telenium, but the same RTU alarm design principles apply.
Common points include temperature, humidity, AC input, DC plant status, generator run/fail, rectifier alarms, door contacts, and intrusion indicators. DPS Telecom RTUs are designed to bring these discrete and analog points back to the master via SNMP or other supported methods.
Trailers are deployed quickly and may operate in more variable environments. A compact RTU such as TempDefender helps deliver critical environmental and power alarms with minimal installation complexity.
In an SNMP integration, the RTU reports alarm conditions to the master using SNMP traps (and may support polling for status). This supports consistent alarming across a mixed fleet and makes upgrades easier when maintaining the same SNMP reporting strategy.
Many generators, power systems, and environmental controllers expose detailed status via Modbus. An RTU that supports Modbus can collect richer telemetry than dry contacts alone, enabling earlier detection of issues and better troubleshooting context.
RTUs are often deployed for a decade or more. Cellular technologies can change multiple times in that period. Planning for external modem replacement where appropriate can help preserve the RTU investment while adapting to carrier transitions.
If you operate a DOT, utility, telecom, or public-safety network and need to monitor remote huts, shelters, or mobile response assets, DPS Telecom can help you design alarm points, select the right RTU form factor, and plan large-scale upgrades with minimal disruption.
Get a Free Consultation or call 1-800-693-0351 to speak with a DPS Telecom expert about your project. You can also email sales@dpstele.com.
Andrew Erickson
Andrew Erickson is an Application Engineer at DPS Telecom, a manufacturer of semi-custom remote alarm monitoring systems based in Fresno, California. Andrew brings more than 19 years of experience building site monitoring solutions, developing intuitive user interfaces and documentation, and opt...
