Introduction to Real Time Data Acquisition System (RTDAS) and Real Time Data Decision Support System (RTDSS)

General Note on RTDAS 

Hydrometeorological observations serve a very important role in the decision-making process with the application of real-time monitoring systems. Real time knowledge of water resources helps planners make informed decisions for flood forecasting, water supply management, irrigation, hydro power generation, as well as environmental monitoring and planning. Hydrometric observations coupled with real-time telemetry become the basis for objective analysis of water resources. The telemetry and real-time Decision Support Systems (DSS) brings the data to life. This allows the operators to consider numerous operating criteria and the impact of any decision, rapidly, efficiently, and consistently.

A Hydrological Information System (HIS) is designed to monitor all the processes of the hydrological cycle, which includes rainfall, evaporation, flow of rivers, groundwater recharge and extractions, etc. In a modern HIS, automatic telemetric instruments are used to measure and transmit hydro-meteorological parameters on a real time basis.  Real Time HIS consists of sensors, a data collection platform, power supply, telemetry, database management system and dissemination systems.

Real Time Data Acquisition System works inin following three steps

Data Collection Platform (DCP): 

This is the platform where the sensors are mounted. The DCP supplies power to various sensors, charges the battery using solar panels, stores the data in the data logger and provides protection to equipment from dust, water and theft. Considering the non availability of electricity at real time network most stations are run by charging the batteries using solar enery.  

Telemetry Device:

This device receives data from the DCP (data logger) and transmits them to data centres via an appropriate telemetry method. The telemetry proposed under the project is based on technologies such as the Global System for Mobile (GSM)/ General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) and Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT).

Database Management System:

This system is installed at the data centres and receives the data from the telemetry device. The data is then checked for quality and consistency, stored in a structured format, and made available to stakeholders by different means. This section shares information about national database using management software, like E-SWIS/WIMS, which is already available with all Central agencies. 

Highlights on RTDAS

• Real Time Hydro-Met data acquisition network is established under this Hydrology Project (SW) Maharashtra, which provides key data required for forecasting Inflows into the Basin and other related activities. 
• A Real Time Data Acquisition System (RTDAS) consists of a Telemetry Network of Automated Rainfall Stations, automated weather station and water levels stations along rivers/reservoirs which will be installed to provide inputs to the RTDAS. 
• For the Implementation of this Abitious Project the advantage of madern data logger , data storage , processing & data communication technologies has been taken into account
• The real-time data acquisition system networks have the greatest possible reliability, thus minimizing the maintenance to the extent possible. 

Benefits of RTDAS

• Cost effectiveness
• High frequency of data
• Deployment in hostile locations
• Faster access to data
• Consistency in measurement 
• The ability to perform automatic data collection

Measurement frequency

ARS : Automatic Rain Fall Station

AWS/AFCS : Automatic Weather Station

ARWL & ODS : Automatic Reservoir Water Level & Outflow Discharge Station

ARWL & RDS : Automatic River Water Level & River Discharge Station

Note: 

Data Fields only marked with ‘*’ are directly collected at site.