Abstract: An apparatus and method comprising a memory containing a fault detection program and a processor operably connected to the memory and to a communication network. The communication network is connected to a plurality of processing devices through at least one communication port. The processor is configured to execute the fault detection program to send status requests on the communication network requesting the operational status of the communication port from each processing device and to receive the operational status of the communication port from each processing device. The fault detection program analyzes the received operational status of the communication ports to isolate faults in the communication network between two of the processing devices.

Abstract: A method includes automatically assigning, by at least one processor, an IEC address to an I/O binding variable for an RTU. This includes identifying a type of the I/O binding variable and identifying a size of the I/O binding variable based on the identified type. The size represents a number of memory locations to be used to store the I/O binding variable in at least one memory of the RTU. This also includes, in response to determining that the at least one memory contains a free space to store the I/O binding variable based on the identified size, assigning the IEC address identifying the free space to the I/O binding variable.

Abstract: A system includes a remote terminal unit (RTU) and a portable storage medium (PSM), such as a secure digital (SD) card. The RTU includes processing circuitry. The RTU includes a portable storage interface configured to physically connect to the PSM and electrically couple the PSM to the processing circuitry. The RTU includes on-chip memory. The processing circuitry is configured to determine that the PSM is coupled to the processing circuitry and access a specified folder of the PSM. The processing circuitry is configured to: in response to determining that the PSM stores function code in the specified folder, perform a specified function corresponding to the function code by executing the function code.

Abstract: A method includes automatically assigning, by at least one processor, an IEC address to an I/O binding variable for an RTU. This includes identifying a type of the I/O binding variable and identifying a size of the I/O binding variable based on the identified type. The size represents a number of memory locations to be used to store the I/O binding variable in at least one memory of the RTU. This also includes, in response to determining that the at least one memory contains a free space to store the I/O binding variable based on the identified size, assigning the IEC address identifying the free space to the I/O binding variable.

Abstract: A system includes a remote terminal unit (RTU) and a portable storage medium (PSM), such as a secure digital (SD) card. The RTU includes processing circuitry. The RTU includes a portable storage interface configured to physically connect to the PSM and electrically couple the PSM to the processing circuitry. The RTU includes on-chip memory. The processing circuitry is configured to determine that the PSM is coupled to the processing circuitry and access a specified folder of the PSM. The processing circuitry is configured to: in response to determining that the PSM stores function code in the specified folder, perform a specified function corresponding to the function code by executing the function code.