A framework for the development of monitoring systems software

This paper describes a framework for the development of software for monitoring installations. Usually, the monitoring of systems is carried out by building a programme for each installation, with no use of previously developed programmes or, alternatively, it is carried out by using SCADA programmes (Supervisory Control And Data Adquisition), although these tools are basically for controlling, rather than for monitoring; moreover, taking into account the small complexity of these type of installations, the use of a SCADA program is not justified. The proposed framework solves the monitorization of an installation in an easy way. In this framework the generation of a monitoring programme consists of three well established steps. The first step is to model the system or installation using a set of generic description rules and the XML language. The second step is to describe the communications among the different devices. To do this, we have used the OPC technology (OLE for process control). With this OPC technology, we have established an abstraction layer that makes it possible to communicate any devices in a generic way. We have built an OPC server for each device that does not depend on the type of device. In the third step, it is defined the way in which the monitored data will be stored and displayed. The framework also incorporates modules that make it possible to store and visualize all the data obtained from the different devices. We have used the proposed framework to build complete applications for monitoring three different solar energy installations.