The difference between DTU and RTU

#caimore #DTU #RTU #IOT #IIOT #M2M #remotecontrol #Datatransmission 

The Internet of Things has penetrated into every aspect of our lives at an unprecedented speed, creating countless opportunities and values. In the background of IoT, we often use two data transmission devices, namely DTU and RTU. So what is DTU and what is RTU? What are the differences between DTU and RTU? In practical applications, under what circumstances should DTU be selected and under what circumstances should RTU be selected? Let's take a look at the difference between them and how to choose. 

Basic Concept

DTU (Data Transfer Unit) is a wireless terminal device specially used to convert serial data into IP data or convert IP data into serial data for transmission through wireless communication network. DTU is widely used in electric power, environmental protection, LED information release, IoT, hydrology, meteorology and other industries.

RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) is the basic unit of SCADA system. It is used to monitor and measure sensors and equipment installed on remote sites, and is responsible for monitoring and controlling on-site signals and industrial equipment. Through its own software (or intelligent software) system, it can realize the functions of remote measurement, remote control, remote signaling and remote adjustment of the production site instruments by the central monitoring and dispatching system of the enterprise. The most direct application is in the water conservancy industry, where the RTU is directly connected to the water level gauge; it can also be used in temperature and humidity monitoring, heating network monitoring, gas monitoring, environmental protection testing, meteorological monitoring, traffic control and other industries.

Hardware Composition

The hardware components of DTU mainly include CPU control module, wireless communication module and power supply module. The advantages of DTU include rapid and flexible networking, short construction period, low cost, wide network coverage, good security and confidentiality, link support always-on, billing by traffic, and low user cost.

The hardware of RTU mainly includes functional modules such as CPU, memory, and various input and output interfaces. These modules are integrated into the circuit board, and the connection of each functional module of the RTU is completed through the circuit board wiring. The CPU is the central system of the RTU controller, which is responsible for processing various input signals, and completes the output after operation processing. Memory is the RTU memory system used to store various temporary or permanent data.

Features

The functions of DTU and RTU are to collect and upload data through wireless network.

DTU generally supports RS232/RS485 interface, which can transmit data transparently in both directions without complicated protocol regulations.

The RTU supports various interfaces such as RS232/RS485/DI/DO/AI, and adopts the Modbus-RTU protocol, which can not only transmit data, but also have the function of remote control.

Summarize

To sum up, compared with RTU, DTU is relatively simple, it only provides links, and you can set serial port parameters to connect to the acquisition device, while RTU is equivalent to DTU+ remote control, which can directly collect and output switch/analog Signal.

Simply, DTU is a data transmission device, and RTU is a remote measurement and control device. If you only need to realize the function of remote data transmission, you can choose DTU; if you also need to detect and control IO points, then choose RTU is more suitable. The two are easy to distinguish, and you can choose the corresponding product according to your actual needs.

Caimore focuses on the R&D, production, sales and technical services of DTU and RTU. The equipment produced has been applied in many fields such as environmental protection, electric power, water conservancy, medical treatment, municipal administration, finance, transportation, security, oil field, and catering.