With the ICON, you choose the best transport option to meet your organizations networking strategy.

1. Segregated OT Network—SONET Transport
   A dedicated network for mission-critical OT applications provides the highest level of control over what traffic is transported over the network and typically will provide the highest level of performance.
   • SONET still provides the best-performing solution for critical teleprotection applications
   • <1 ms latency, <0.01 ms asymmetry, and <5 ms healing.

   

   Network Topologies and Use Cases:
   • With the ICON, you can continue to run and maintain your SONET network infrastructure well into the future.
   • You can deploy the ICON in single-ring, multiple-ring, linear, and hybrid ring–linear topologies.
   • Flexible line rate support (OC-3, OC-12, and OC-48) enables the ICON to make use of TDM radio or microwave links to provide communication to sites that lack fiber connectivity.
2. Segregated IT Network—Ethernet Transport
   • The ICON now supports Ethernet transport, providing the option to migrate your network to a packet-based technology.
   • ICON deterministic packet transport preserves the performance of TDM with no degradation when converting to Ethernet.

   

   Network Topologies and Use Cases
   • ICON Ethernet transport can operate in single-ring, multiple-ring, linear, and hybrid ring–linear topologies.
   • You can configure the ICON to run with Ethernet-only transport or mixed Ethernet/SONET, providing the ideal migration solution.
   • The Ethernet transport mode lets you choose Ethernet radio options for network links that don’t have fiber connectivity.
3. Converged IT/OT Network
   • A converged IT/OT network should not compromise performance for critical circuits. ICON VSN delivers mission-critical traffic with low and deterministic latency over Ethernet transport Network.
   • In addition to encapsulating critical services into the VSN container for deterministic transport, the ICON can allocate noncritical services, such as video and SCADA, into standard IEEE 802.1Q Ethernet outside the VSN container.

   

   Network Topology and Use Cases
   • In the converged mode of operation, the ICON operates as an edge multiplexer with support for all substation circuits (EIA-232, EIA-422, EIA-485, 2-wire FXO/FXS, 4-wire VF, DTT, IEEE C37.94, and DS1/E1) and delivers a Gigabit Ethernet line interface.
   • ICON deterministic transport uses point-to-point tunnels provisioned through MPLS or Carrier Ethernet core networks combined with an innovative ultra-efficient approach of packetizing TDM data to achieve <1 ms latency, <0.5 ms asymmetry, and <5 ms healing.
   • The ICON’s simplified provisioning model and bandwidth-efficient packetization process maintains the performance of critical circuits when there are changes on the core network. It also avoids the need to individually manage each protection circuit.
4. Migrating Analog Leased Services
   With the major carriers announcing the end of service for leased analog services, many utilities are facing a forced migration to leased Ethernet circuits. This creates the challenge of translating the analog circuit interface to Ethernet, and the resulting degradation in latency and asymmetry performance makes the circuit unsuitable for critical applications, such as direct transfer trip. The ICON provides a solution.

   

   Network Topology and Use Cases You can combine ICON VSN with dedicated analog drop interfaces that include 2-wire FXO/FXS, 4-wire analog voice frequency, and direct transfer trip. This preserves existing analog end equipment and creates a low-latency circuit through your leased service provider to maintain end-to-end communications channel performance for critical applications.
5. Network-Distributed Time Synchronization
   The ICON supports GPS timing at each node or can synchronize timing over the WAN using either SONET or Ethernet transport. To synchronize IEDs in substations, the ICON supports IRIG-B and PTP Power Systems Profile (IEEE 1588 and IEEE C37.238) outputs.

   

   Network Topologies and Use Cases
   • ICON nodes can be time-synchronized using four methods—GPS (with the addition of a GPS antenna), SONET timing over the WAN, IEEE 1588 Telecom profile time over the WAN, and IRIG input from a local GPS clock.
   • The ICON can distribute timing to IEDs in the substation using the IEEE 1588 Power System profile and IRIG-B.
   • If there is a timing mismatch between WAN timing and local GPS timing, the ICON network can determine which source is correct.
   • The SEL-5051 Client and SEL-5052 Server Network Management System Software provide situational awareness of timing across the entire power system.

Deterministic Packet Transport
ICON VSN preserves TDM performance for critical protection circuits across Ethernet core transport networks. The ICON interoperates with both MPLS and Carrier Ethernet to provide a core network technology agnostic solution.

The Cube Chassis
The ICON offers flexible mounting options for space-restricted installations, such as pad mounts, repeater sites, and industrial and petrochemical platforms. It is available in four mounting options:

• Panel
• Dual DIN rail
• 19" single-cube rack
• 19" double-cube rack

Ethernet Bridging Access Module (EBAM)
The EBAM combines Ethernet, copper, and fiber connectivity with up to 1 Gbps per port for local-area networking that is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI). The EBAM with the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) provides support for the IEEE 1588 Power Profile (IEEE C37.238-2017).

Nx64F Module
The Nx64F Module supports the IEEE C37.94 single-mode standard, enabling up to 20 km connections to IEDs.

Linear Spur and Subtended Ring Topologies
These topologies allow flexible network design and new node additions at locations with limited fiber connectivity.

Software
Manage SEL ICON networks with either standalone SEL-5051 Client Software or a combination of SEL-5051 Client and SEL-5052 Server Software.

Designed for Extreme Environments
The ICON is designed and built to address demanding communications needs and operate in extreme environments. The ICON is suited for utilities, light-rail and highway transportation, manufacturing, petrochemical plants, pipelines—anywhere dependable communication is required to support critical applications.

Wide-Area Time Synchronization Over Packet Transport With EPLM
The ICON network can now distribute precise time across a packet-based WAN to substation IEDs with better than 1 μs accuracy. The ICON timing solution overcomes vulnerabilities of timing implementations that rely on GPS as the primary time source at each substation. When using Ethernet transport, the ICON Enhanced Protected Line Module (EPLM) receives IEEE 1588 PTP telecom profile timing from a centralized grand master timing reference over an MPLS or Carrier Ethernet WAN. Each ICON can support local GPS and IRIG-B from a substation clock as additional time sources for verification and resiliency. The ICON distributes time is to substation IEDs using IRIG-B or IEEE 1588 PTP (power system and default profiles).