Features

• The Conitel protocol organizes a network connecting together a central controller (or master) with up to 15 slaves. A slave device in the system can be a remote terminal unit (RTU), a programmable logic controller (PLC) or an intelligent electronic device (IED). All communication is initiated by the master. For each message sent by the master, the targeted slave returns one response.
  
  

Purpose

• The Conitel protocol includes two types of messaging: data requests and control commands. The data requests collect data from sensors and monitors and the control commands instruct PLCs how to modify the equipment they control. The system is used in factories for process automation, environmental monitoring or security systems.
  
  

Rivals

• There are a number of alternative proprietary protocols which perform the same tasks as the Conitel protocol. The most popular of these are the DNP3 protocol and T101. Other systems are process field bus (PROFIBUS), MODBUS and RP-570.