Development of a UHF scanning telemetry frequency plan for the UK

Three of the major utilities in the UK, namely the gas, electricity and water industries are seeking to increase automation of their remote plant and facilities by the use of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. Various communications media, such as land line, radio, and fibre optic cables are used for the transmission of data. Where there is a need for frequent or quasi-continuous communications UHF radio offers a highly reliable and economic information bearer between control centre (scanner) and remote sites (outstations). The authors discuss how the Department of Trade and Industry has set aside a part of the UHF spectrum for the exclusive use of scanning telemetry systems (STS). The new sub-band lies between 457.5 MHz and 458.5 MHz for scanner transmit, and 463.0 MHz and 464.0 MHz for outstation transmit. Performance specifications and frequency assignment criteria for equipment to be used in this sub-band were produced in January 1985 as specification MPT 1411. The sub-band consists of 80 channels spaced at 12.5 kHz