H2 & H2 Cloud
Our data collection software H2 or H2 Cloud both support our own stations as well as data collection from other data loggers.
Supporting a broad spectrum of data loggers
H2 is a general data acquisition system that, in addition to Volue's own stations, also supports the collection from other data loggers. A wide range of protocols, both standardised and proprietary, are supported. Data is stored in an open SQL database and can be displayed in a web-based presentation module or forwarded to parent systems (e.g. operating centers) on standard protocols or file formats.
Web-based technology
H2 runs as a service on all modern Windows platforms and has web-based management and presentation tools. For easy access to collected data from third-party tools, there is a well-documented RestAPI as well as a SignalR interface. For access control to stations and data, user groups and station groups are used. A user group can have access to only selected stations and it is also possible to restrict access to individual measurements to selected user groups. H2 has its own module for calculating new measurement values based on collected data. This can be done, for example, by conversion between different units or calculation of water flow from water level. Notification of events based on e.g. limit values can be done via mail and SMS.
Data collection solution
We offer a wide range of data collection solutions used in different applications in the energy industry. The solutions usually consist of one or more data loggers and a number of sensors that measure different parameters. In addition, there is a data collection system that collects data from the various data collection units. The data collection system can be standalone or connected to SCADA or other top systems.
Vendor independent solution
Volue serves as an independent system integrator, offering a versatile selection of both proprietary data loggers and data collection units from various vendors. Our aim is to provide the most suitable solution tailored to the user's specific requirements. Below, we outline different types of data collection devices that we support:
- Dataloggers
- Field Stations / IED (Intelligent Electronic Device)
- RTU (Remote Terminal Unit)
- PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)
- Industry-PCs
- IO-controllers
These data collection units establish communication with a data collection system or a central system, such as SCADA. Communication typically occurs over traditional serial interfaces like RS232, RS485, RS422, or packet-based interfaces like Ethernet. The communication protocols employed are typically standard, such as IEC 101/104. While proprietary protocols are often utilized between the data collection system and the device, standard communication protocols, including TCP/IP, Modbus, or IEC-101/104, are commonly employed when interfacing with top systems like SCADA.
Our solution efficiently manages real-time and historical data, messages, and commands. Measurement data is initially stored locally within the data collection unit before being periodically transmitted to the data collection system. This system supports both scheduled data retrieval and the spontaneous submission of data. Additionally, it synchronizes all data collection units to ensure they share a common understanding of time.
Sensors are seamlessly connected to the data collection device using various interfaces, including analog interfaces such as 4-20 mA loops, digital interfaces like Modbus or SDI-12, and, at times, different proprietary ASCII protocols between the sensor and data collection device. Moreover, the solution offers support for digital inputs and outputs to control external equipment and facilitate communication with existing devices.
Our versatile solution draws power from one or more sources, including mains voltage, batteries, solar panels, or a combination of these. The equipment is housed in cabinets or other customized packages designed to withstand the specific environmental conditions in which it operates.
Do you want to know more about our solutions?
Marius Brenden, VP Sales Industrial IoT