Overview
IEC TS 60870-6-602:2001 is a technical specification in the IEC 60870-6 series that defines TASE transport profiles for telecontrol over wide area networks (WANs). It documents transport-layer profiles and WAN subnetwork access options used by distributed SCADA/EMS applications in control centres, power plants and substations. The specification is especially relevant to Smart Grid deployments seeking interoperable telecontrol between control systems and field sites.
Key topics
- Scope and architecture: Part of the Telecontrol Communication Architecture (TCA); describes WAN subnetwork access, reference points and an architectural model for end systems.
- Transport profiles: Defines a set of transport-level profiles (T‑profiles and L‑profiles) to map TASE application services onto standard network services - including connection-mode and connectionless-mode network services.
- Standardized mappings: References and leverages ISO/IEC and ITU‑T profiles such as CLNP (connectionless), X.25 (connection-mode), TP4, RFC1006 and profiles for frame relay and LAN access.
- Relaying and subnetwork access: Guidance on relaying connectionless network services (CLNP) and connection-mode services (ITU X.25), and on permanent vs. virtual access to packet networks.
- Normative references: Cites core OSI/transport/network standards (e.g., ISO/IEC 8072, 8073, 8348, 8473) and relevant ISPs and IEC 60870‑6 family documents (TASE.1/TASE.2 functional and protocol definitions).
Practical applications
- Interoperability planning: Helps utilities and suppliers choose interoperable transport profiles when deploying TASE.1/TASE.2 over WANs.
- System design for SCADA/EMS: Used by system architects to map telecontrol application services to appropriate WAN technologies (X.25, CLNP, frame relay, TCP/IP-capable environments).
- Vendor implementation: Reference for firmware/software developers implementing transport-layer conformance for telecontrol equipment and end systems.
- Migration and integration: Assists integrators planning migration paths or mixed-network deployments in substations, power plants and control centres - important for Smart Grid modernization.
Who should use it
- Utility communication engineers and architects
- SCADA/EMS system designers and integrators
- Protocol implementers and equipment vendors
- Standards teams assessing telecontrol WAN options and compliance
Related standards
- IEC 60870-6-501 / -502 / -503 / -601 / -701 / -702 (TASE functional and protocol parts)
- ISO/IEC 8072, 8073, 8348, 8473 (OSI transport/network)
- ITU‑T X.25 and related ISP profiles (TB/TC/TD/TE, TA series)
Keywords: IEC TS 60870-6-602:2001, TASE transport profiles, telecontrol, IEC 60870-6, SCADA, EMS, WAN transport, CLNP, X.25, TP4, Smart Grid.