How do you modernise a mission-critical water management network after 17 years of reliable operation – without disrupting service and while enabling future IP-based SCADA? For VaKHB in Czechia, the answer is RipEX2.
https//www.racom.eu/ru/case/ripex2-expands-capacity-for-water-management-scada
Challenge: Legacy Networks at Capacity and Increasing Data Demands
Vodovody a kanalizace Havlíčkův Brod, a.s. (VaKHB) provides drinking water to more than 71,000 residents, operates 3 water treatment plants and manages 888 km of water mains. It also handles wastewater services for 55,000 people, including 11 wastewater treatment plants and 325 km of sewage pipes.
Since 2003, VaKHB has operated two independent radio networks based on RACOM MR25 and MR400 radio modems. These systems:
- connected legacy RTUs over RS232
- used serial telemetry protocols
- remained highly reliable even after 17 years
However, the increasing demand for telemetry and SCADA data outpaced the old network’s capacity. VaKHB needed a system that:
- significantly increased throughput
- maintained high reliability and coverage
- enabled migration toward modern IP-based communication
- supported enhanced cybersecurity features
- allowed multi-year, phased migration without service interruption
Solution: RipEX2 Migration Network with 16DEQAM and Flexible Protocol
VaKHB compared RipEX2 with competing solutions and quickly confirmed that RACOM’s platform offered superior performance and long-term sustainability.
The project was designed and implemented through close cooperation between:
- VaKHB’s SCADA engineering department
- RACOM’s technical team
- system integrator Tele Data Control (TDC), a long-time RACOM partner
Key technical features:
- new radio network operating on a third frequency with a 25 kHz channel
- 16DEQAM modulation providing double the capacity of the legacy network
- continued use of serial RTU communication during migration
- future-ready infrastructure for TCP/IP and report-by-exception
- Flexible protocol enabling communication through up to four repeaters
- preparation for a second control centre with full network access
As migration progresses, the number of parallel networks will be reduced from two to one – or potentially unified completely.
Results: Higher Capacity and a Clear Path to Modern IP SCADA
RipEX2 has already delivered major operational improvements:
- doubled data throughput
- full compatibility with existing legacy RTUs
- seamless, disruption-free migration
- significantly improved coverage over long repeater chains
- readiness for future upgrades to fully IP-based communication
As Vratislav Straka from VaKHB’s SCADA department states:
“RipEX2 helped us solve the problem with data capacity in our radio network. It is also the first step toward migration of the entire network to a modern IP solution meeting the latest demands on data communication in mission-critical SCADA networks.”
RipEX2 now forms the cornerstone of VaKHB’s long-term SCADA communication strategy – robust today and ready for tomorrow.
