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PULLMAN, Wash. — Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL) today announced the addition of bit-based, serial-to-Ethernet conversion capabilities to its security gateway and port server family. This new capability allows utility infrastructure owners and operators to migrate from analog leased lines to new Ethernet-based communications circuits without requiring the replacement of existing SCADA communications front ends (CFEs), remote terminal units (RTUs) and intelligent electronic devices (IEDs).

The SEL-3610, SEL-3620 and SEL-3622 provide a solution to help ease the burden of transitioning from analog to Ethernet services. For years, telecommunication companies have been transitioning critical infrastructure utility customers from analog leased-line to digital, packet-based Ethernet services. With the obsolescing of analog leased-line services, many utilities face the challenge and expense of replacing or upgrading CFEs, RTUs and IEDs to support Ethernet-based communication. The SEL devices provide a cost-effective migration solution to allow utilities to maintain existing CFEs, RTUs and IEDs and convert bit-based serial data interfaces to Ethernet.

The bit-based serial conversion technology in the SEL security gateway and port server product line allows operators to seamlessly convert existing bit-based serial protocols, such as Conitel, Tejas, Van Comm, Redaj and others, to Ethernet packets on the near side of a link, then reconvert those Ethernet data back into bit-based form on the remote side. This allows the devices to be used as drop-in replacements for analog leased-line modem technology without disrupting existing equipment, and with minimal additional latency.

The cost-effective solution also helps infrastructure owners and operators with their NERC CIP compliance efforts through additional features, such as password management, multifactor authentication and exe-GUARD™ anti-malware. For more information on the features, benefits and applications of the security gateway and port server product line or SEL’s cybersecurity solutions, visit  www.selinc.com/p227 or contact Colin Gordon (+1.509.334.8083) or Rhett Smith (+1.509.336.7939).

SEL serves the power industry worldwide through the design, manufacture, supply and support of products and services for power system protection, monitoring, control, automation, communications and metering. For more than 30 years, SEL has provided industry-leading performance in products and services, local technical support, a 10-year worldwide warranty and a commitment to making electric power safer, more reliable and more economical.