Check out our White Paper Series!
A complete library of helpful advice and survival guides for every aspect of system monitoring and control.
1-800-693-0351
Have a specific question? Ask our team of expert engineers and get a specific answer!
Sign up for the next DPS Factory Training!
Whether you're new to our equipment or you've used it for years, DPS factory training is the best way to get more from your monitoring.
Reserve Your Seat TodayIf you are doing research about remote monitoring, you most likely came across the word "RTU" a couple of times. For those curious about telemetry meaning, it's worth noting that RTUs play a key role in transmitting this kind of data. Especially if you want to deploy a brand new monitoring system for your network, it's critical that you understand what this equipment is and what exactly it does.
First, in order to understand the definition of an RTU, you need to know what the letters RTU stand for. Understanding the telemetry meaning in this context is essential, as RTUs are needed for collecting and sending data remotely. There are actually two different definitions, but they mean almost exactly the same thing:
Remote Terminal Unit (RTU)
Remote Telemetry Unit (RTU)
So, let's break down these 3 words, in order to understand remote telemetry units and remote terminal unit's definition. Grasping the telemetry meaning will clarify their purpose in your network.
An RTU is a electronic device that you install at a remote location to monitor and control the other equipment you have there (plus relevant environmental values like temperature, humidity, and water leakage that have a direct effect on electronic equipment). This remote functionality is helpful when exploring the telemetry meaning in modern network systems.
There's not much reason to have an RTU where you have full-time staffing, because those areas are already covered by watchful personnel at all times (OK, someone could fall asleep on the job, but you get the idea). When it comes to telemetry data transmission though, RTUs are indispensable.
This device is going to act as a terminal or system for transmitting telemetry data and information. The telemetry meaning here emphasizes the transfer of critical data over long distances. It's a terminal in the sense that data is collected from individual pieces of your equipment, aggregated at the RTU, then sent to you using your chosen communications method. The alarm data that's sent to you is known as "telemetry".
The word "telemetry" is also commonly used in hospitals to describe very similar data: a patient's health status (which is not much different from your network equipment's health status).
An RTU is a single unit/device that performs the functions described above. This unit's ability to facilitate telemetry highlights its relevance in the broader understanding of telemetry meaning.
Through out this article the numerous benefits of RTUs have been alluded to however, we haven't actually explained them. Below are the most prominent benefits of using an RTU:
One of the standout features of RTUs is their ability to gather and transmit data from remote locations seamlessly. This capability allows businesses to gain critical insights into asset performance, facilitating prompt, informed decision-making. By continuously acquiring data, RTUs help detect and address any anomalies or issues swiftly.
RTUs are equipped with automation features that enable them to perform tasks autonomously based on predefined conditions. This means they can automatically initiate maintenance, adjust equipment settings, or even halt operations to prevent damage, thereby reducing the risk of human errors and decreasing the dependency on on-site personnel.
RTUs play a vital role in minimizing downtime through rapid issue detection and automated preventative actions. Their proactive management capabilities help avert critical failures and disruptions, saving both time and resources in the long run.
By reducing the need for constant human oversight and manual intervention, RTUs offer significant cost savings. They optimize processes and manage assets effectively, which cuts down on labor costs and resource allocation. Furthermore, by preventing serious system failures, they help avoid expensive repairs and replacements.
Safety is significantly bolstered by RTUs as they continuously monitor and control potentially hazardous situations. They can trigger alarms and initiate corrective measures in real-time, thus ensuring the safety of personnel and protecting valuable assets.
The flexibility of accessing and managing RTUs remotely is a huge benefit, especially for assets situated in distant or difficult-to-reach environments. Operators can respond to emerging issues without the need for on-site visits, ensuring swift interventions when necessary.
In summary, RTUs offer a comprehensive suite of benefits that enhance industrial efficiency, improve decision-making, and support sustainable practices while optimizing costs and safety. These advantages make them a crucial component in the modern operation of industrial processes and infrastructure management.
Now that we understand what RTUs are and how they might benefit us we can discuss where they are used. Let's delve into some of the various industries that benefit from deploying RTUs:
In the utilities sector, companies leverage RTUs to monitor and control power grids and water distribution systems. RTUs enable real-time data collection and management, crucial for ensuring uninterrupted services and addressing outages swiftly.
RTUs serve a pivotal role in transportation by optimizing traffic management systems and railway operations. They facilitate the smooth functioning of critical systems such as signaling and scheduling, thus enhancing safety and reducing delays.
Within manufacturing, RTUs ensure efficient production workflows by managing machinery operations and providing analytics on equipment performance. This real-time responsiveness allows manufacturers to minimize downtime and reduce operational costs.
For infrastructure management, RTUs are instrumental in maintaining smart city environments. They streamline traffic flow, manage public utilities, and provide critical responses in emergency situations, making urban management more coherent and sustainable.
RTUs are an integral part of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. SCADA system is a monitoring and control system that is integral to many industries including power utilities, and manufacturing. SCADA's role aligns closely with the telemetry meaning as it focuses on data collection and remote operations.
These supervisory and data acquisition systems are all about process control and information gathering. This ensures that a site manager has all the information they need. When you think about telemetry meaning, it often ties directly to the kind of data SCADA systems process. You can read more about SCADA here.
Now that you know what RTUs are and what they actually do, you might be curious about their specific capabilities and how you can select the perfect-fit unit for your real-world scenario. Exploring telemetry meaning further will help you understand how RTUs fit into larger monitoring systems.
If so, you can always talk to one of our application engineers as well. They are experts in remote monitoring and can direct you to the best option for your network - no commitment required. So, give us a call today and learn more about RTUs and how they can benefit you. Understanding telemetry meaning can enhance your decision-making when choosing the right RTU.
All DPS Telecom products include comprehensive technical support. If you've purchased one of our products and are encountering any kind of issue, contact DPS Tech Support today at 559-454-1600.
At DPS Telecom, the representative who answers your call isn't an intern reading from a script. DPS Tech Support representatives are engineers who contribute to product development. And, if your problem requires additional expertise, the DPS Engineering Department that designed your product is right down the hall.
Help us connect you to the right engineer by filling out this quick questionnaire. Simply leave your contact information to get started, and we'll call you back. Most preliminary discussions are about 15 minutes, and afterward, we'll send you a custom application diagram of a recommended solution that'll make it easier to justify your project to management.
