RFL Communications plc
RFL Communications specialise in the design and supply of communication systems for the demanding Power Utility, Transportation and Industrial markets throughout the UK and Overseas.
From point to point telemetry links to turnkey communications systems, RFL offers high levels of support to customers through all stages of an order, from tendering to post sales support.
Company
RFL Communications specialise in the design and supply of communication systems for the demanding Power Utility, Transportation and Industrial markets throughout the UK and Overseas.
From point to point telemetry links to turnkey communications systems, RFL offers high levels of support to customers through all stages of an order, from tendering to post sales support.
To ensure optimum solutions can be provided for all applications, RFL augments its own products with those manufactured by a selected number of strategic partners. This gives customers access to a full range of products and technologies across Power & Utilities, Transportation Systems, Oil & Gas, Maritime, Water, Government & Private Sector Industries.
History
RFL Communications plc was founded in 1996 by a group of highly skilled communications specialists with backgrounds in the power industry, transportation and the emergency services. Its products and systems are used by major corporations in the UK and overseas to provide power networks, intelligent transportation systems, CCTV, and offshore communications.
Profile
RFL Communications plc, with its in-depth knowledge of the market and its services, can provide technologies for fibre-optic based applications, digital networks, microwave and other radio systems, local and wide area networking, ISDN/PSTN communications systems and video (CCTV), audio and access control interfacing.
RFL is staffed by experienced engineers and designers, operating within the accredited ISO 9001:2000 environment, to ensure the highest quality standards are maintained throughout all aspects of every contract.
RFL can be differentiated from its competitors through its focus & experience in utility applications.
By nominating RFL Communications as your Infrastructure partner of choice and outsourcing your Telecommunication/Networking needs and support to maintain your systems, we will minimise your concerns regarding the latest technologies, equipment and support to provide you with the following benefits:
RFL is a manufacturer/supplier of utility specific products for control/protection and communication applications
Delivery of turnkey telecoms and IT solutions to the power industry
A full range of support services
Accurate knowledge management
Efficiency improvements made to your existing operations
A Solution that accounts for and offers scalability for any unforeseeable future growth needs
Encourage innovation internally though increased access to shared key tacit knowledge & market information.
Cost savings in the long-term from improved performance, reduced risk, resource efficiency and knowledge management
Reduced operating costs
Improved profit margins
Increased competitive advantage
Insulation from changes caused by your industry and by IT technological changes
High reliability / accurate usage of information
Custom driven environment to meet the needs of your employees, customers and suppliers
Product / Service Innovations
Shorter and quicker decision cycles
Wider distribution of knowledge and information in a controlled and secure environment
Products
To ensure optimum solutions can be provided for all applications, RFL augments its own products with those manufactured by a selected number of strategic partners. This gives customers access to a full range of products and technologies
RFL products range across LAN/WAN Networks, Multiplexers, Radio & Satelitte, Power Line Carriers, Protection and Telemetry, Tele-protection, Access, Substation Network Gateways, Network Management Systems, Network Monitoring and Management, CCTV and Video, and fibre optic communication.
Multiplexer
The RFL multiplexer range combines multi-service access for voice, data and video applications; multiplexing/cross connect functionality and connection to copper, fibre and radio backbone infrastructures, the primary rate E1 signal can be further multiplexed using PDH, SDH or ATM Technologies.
RFL IMUX 2000/2000E - IMUX 2000/2000E T1/E1 Intelligent Multiplexer.
RFL UMUX 1500/1200 - The UMUX1500 combines multi-service access for voice, data and video applications; multiplexing/cross connect functionality and connection to copper, fibre and radio backbone infrastructures, within a single high performance platform.
C37.94 Short Haul Fibre Card - The C37.94 protocol facilitates direct fibre connections from protection relays/devices across a sub-station site to a central telecoms room. The RFL C37.94 card provides a mechanism to translate the C37.94 protocol to an X.21 nx64 Kbit/s electrical signal, suitable for connection to any ITU-T compliant interface.
OPTIMUX - The OPTIMUX system serves for transmission of four independent 2 Mbps data streams (G/703) via one optical fibre. Transmission is bi-directional multimode/monomode at 1300nm.
Mini- DACS - RFL IMUX 2000 Digital Access Cross-Connect Switch; for the management, protection and routing of critical T1/E1 Traffic.
Radio & Satellite
RFL’s Satellite Communications Network offers innovative cost-effective solutions for remote control, monitoring and data collection within SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) networks. This system is competitive with using leased phone lines or when other conventional mediums cannot be applied.
Power Line Carrier
PLC is the term used to denote the entire process of communication that uses high voltage lines as a medium. The RFL PLC product range provide voice and data transmission in full duplex over a typical frequency between 30 and 500kHz and up to 81 kbit/s over high voltage power lines. Data stream multiplexing allows a more efficient use of the frequency spectrum so that speech, data and even teleprotection signals can share the transmission frequency band.
RFL 9785 Programmable ON/OFF Powerline Carrier System: Designed for directional comparison blocking applications in high-speed protective relaying communications.
RFL 9506 SSB Powerline Carrier System: This Single Sideband Powerline Carrier System is highly flexible and compact and thanks to its modularity, the configuration and features of the equipment can be easily adapted, at any time, to the particular requirement of the communication network.
RFL 9506D Digital Powerline Carrier System: This system makes it possible to transmit full-duplex digital signals of up to 81 kbit/s over high voltage power lines. Data stream multiplexing allows a more efficient use of the frequency spectrum so that speech, data and even teleprotection signals can share the transmission frequency band.
Protection & Telemetry
RFL offer distance and current differential relay products suitable for distribution and transmission line protection applications. The differential relaying technique used within the RFL9300 and equivalent GARD8000 plug in module, has been developed for communication over modern networks. The algorithm is significantly more stable than conventional percentage restraint current differential relays. It allows for up to 10 ms difference (+/- 5 ms error) in transmit and receive communication paths without any decrease in sensitivity for internal faults or loss-of-stability for external faults.
The GARD 8000 current differential protection provides sub-cycle tripping times, high sensitivity and stability for ct measuring errors and communication network switching. The current differential module can be complemented with an independent distance protection module, operating in parallel, or providing back up for channel failure.
The GARD 8000 distance protection can operate as a stepped distance relay without communications, or in a communications-aided scheme via any of the built-in communications interfaces in the GARD 8000 System. These interfaces include:
• Direct fibre
• G.703 digital
• Audio Tone, 2 wire or 4 wire
• ON/OFF – FSK Power Line Carrier
RFL 9660 Digital Switch: Provides a convenient way to connect intelligent relays, smart
Tele-protection
Protection signalling can be applied where there is a need to quickly and reliably transfer high integrity commands between remote sites. Command messages are sent within milliseconds, providing intelligence on the type of fault and initiating appropriate action to maintain the integrity of the network. This technology can be used in applications such as the power industry, rail networks, oil and gas and telecom providers preventing unnecessary consumer disconnections. Communications can be over digital or analogue links.
RFL products offer a C.37.94 complaint optional fibre interface. This is suitable for operation with all vendors adhering to the standard, providing a high integrity interface between relay and modern digital network.
RFL 9745 Teleprotection Channel: Fully programmable Teleprotection Channel suitable for Direct Transfer Trip, Permissive Transfer Trip, Blocking and Unblocking applications.
RFL 9785 Programmable ON/OFF Powerline Carrier System: Designed for directional comparison blocking applications in high-speed protective relaying communications.
T1/E1 Fibre Service Unit (FSU): A DC powered, environmentally hardened T1/E1 Fibre Service Unit that can be electrically interfaced to a SONET or SDH multiplexer to extend via fibre the communication signal to a IMUX 2000 T1 or E1 multiplexer. Additionally, by using two of the FSU's end to end, this product can provide an interface between any T1 or E1 multiplexer with compliant electrical T1 or E1 interface.
GARD 8000: A new era in protective relaying and communications has arrived!
One product for all your teleprotection and line protection needs.
Proven, high-speed, secure and reliable synchronous communications.
Use as a stand-alone teleprotection channel, line differential protection, distance relay, Power Line Carrier, or combine them in one device.
Straightforward web browser user interface for settings and diagnostics; no proprietary application program required.
Efficient use of your communications channel; up to 12 x 64 kbps per fiber or connection.
Up to 6 communication interfaces in one 6U device; use for redundant communication paths or to different remote terminals.
A wide range of communication interfaces to choose from.
Access
Products designed for Multi-Service Access systems for telecommunication operators worldwide. Enabling our customers to deliver a wide range of business and residential services, using copper (xDSL) and optical access solutions over varied network platforms.
RFL UMUX 1500/1200: The UMUX1500 combines multi-service access for voice, data and video applications; multiplexing/cross connect functionality and connection to copper, fibre and radio backbone infrastructures, within a single high performance platform.
HDSL 100: This has numerous applications within the utility and telecom market, providing a mechanism for interfacing digital services and coping with increased demands for bandwidth over existing copper pilots.
MUSIC 100: offers cost-effective high-speed data access for SOHO / SME and public service providers.
MUSIC 200: offers a wide range of services in a cost effective way. It works together with the highly integrated G.SHDSL/HDSL line card which is part of the UMUX 1500 / 1200 platform.
Substation Network Gateway
The Substation Network Gateway (eLAN SNG) and complementary HMI, provide a flexible combination for the acquisition, transmission and interrogation of data from IEDs, RTUs and Substation-LAN connected devices.
RFL SNG - RFL Substation Network Gateway: The widespread use of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), such as protection relays, meters, SCADA systems etc. within electrical networks has provided an opportunity for network managers to gain access to operational information not previously available to them.
eLAN in the substation: A modern substation contains vast amounts of data, subsets of which are of interest to control center or enterprise applications and users. Our substation-based eLAN products integrate all IEDs with multiple clients, including EMS, data warehouse, and engineering users. When you are challenged by issues such as capturing fleeting alarms, securely interfacing to proprietary IED protocols, fault file management or remotely configuring substation IEDs -- RFL solves this with eLAN.
eLAN in the network: Securely and efficiently managing communications over modern, hybrid network topologies is beyond the capabilities of most of today's IEDs. Our network-based eLAN products can enhance your existing communications infrastructure to maximize its performance and flexibility. If you have a problem communicating from multiple master stations to IEDs or need to dramatically speed up polling cycles, or you want to lower the high cost of leased lines - RFL solves this with eLAN.
eLAN in the control centre and enterprise: A modern utility has many applications that require field data. Our Control Center and Enterprise eLAN products provide each application with the data it needs, freeing applications from the burden of managing communications to remote sites. When engineering analysts have a problem accessing data only available at the SCADA master, or from IEDs whose protocols and data types are not compatible with existing data acquisition systems - RFL solves this with eLAN.
Network Management Systems
As a communication specialist RFL can provide both the management software and conduit to mange their product and systems remotely.
RFL recognise the importance of providing customers with a mechanism to monitor and ensure optimum performance from their products at all times. Software supplied varies and starts with the Windows based April LITE NMS, used to configure, commission and maintain the RFL protection products.
The multiplexer products can be supplied with two levels of NMS. A UMUX configuration software tool (UCST) or full blown UMUX Network Element Manager (UNEM). Both platforms provide access to configuration, setting and event log information. The UNEM adds a GUI interface to the UCST offering better visibility of the network architecture and improved performance stats.
In summary, RFL products are designed to be managed, providing ease of provisioning and feedback on their and the wider networks performance.