Mission Critical Communication (MCC) Systems

Reliable communication is the foundation of safe and efficient operations. TLE designs and implements Mission Critical Communication (MCC) systems that ensure secure, redundant, and uninterrupted data exchange across industrial and energy infrastructures.

Illustration of a ring network rerouting traffic around a failed link Five sites are joined in a ring. Traffic runs from the control centre to a substation along the shortest path. When a link fails, traffic takes the other way round the ring. Control centrePipeline stationSubstationTerminalRemote site Link fault: traffic rerouted
Illustration of ring protection: when a link fails, traffic takes the other way round the ring. Not measured data.
Communication systems

One Network for
Voice, Data and Control

From pipelines to substations, our MCC platforms support voice, data, and control traffic with guaranteed availability even in harsh environments.

  • Redundant Fiber Optic and Wireless Networks
  • IP/MPLS, SDH, and Ethernet-Based Architectures
  • Integration with SCADA and Security Systems
  • VoIP, Radio, and Telemetry Solutions
  • Network Monitoring and Cybersecurity Controls
  • Failover and Recovery Design
Architecture

What Carries What

Services ride on a transport layer, which rides on fibre, radio or satellite. Select any block to see how it fits and what standards apply.

Services
Transport
Media
Failover and recovery design

What Happens When
a Link Fails

Redundancy is designed so that a fibre cut or a failed node does not stop operations. The two common approaches recover on very different timescales.

Ring protection switchingSDH, MPLS-TP
Generally required: under 50 ms
Ethernet PRP and HSRIEC 62439-3
Zero recovery time
Link fails25 ms50 ms75 ms100 ms

The amber bar is the protection-switching limit generally required for services such as voice and private line, not a measured result. IEC 62439-3 PRP and HSR give seamless failover with zero recovery time.

Security and monitoring

Network Monitoring and
Cybersecurity Controls

A communication network that reaches every site is also a path into every site, so it is built with security controls and watched in operation.

Network security viewSimulated, not measured data
Illustration of network zones joined by monitored conduitsTelemetry and control commands pass between the field zone and the control centre zone through a monitored conduit. An unexpected connection from an outside network is stopped at its conduit.Outside networkControl centre zoneField zoneUnknown sourceSCADA serverOperator voiceRTUField radioConduitConduitIllustration of network zones joined by monitored conduitsTelemetry and control commands pass between the field zone and the control centre zone through a monitored conduit. An unexpected connection from an outside network is stopped at its conduit.OutsideControl centreFieldUnknown sourceSCADA serverOperator voiceRTUField radioConduitConduit
  • TelemetryField zone to control centre zoneAllowed
  • Control commandControl centre zone to field zoneAllowed
  • Unexpected connectionOutside network to control centre zoneBlocked at conduit

Zones and conduits

  • Group by security need

    The ISA/IEC 62443 approach groups assets into zones that share security requirements, and controls the communication paths between zones, called conduits.

  • Shared responsibility

    The series sets requirements for asset owners, product suppliers, integrators and service suppliers, so security is built in by everyone involved.

  • Built for operations

    Securing operational technology means accounting for its performance, reliability and safety requirements, so controls are designed around how the operation runs.

In the field

Communication Networks in Operation

Metro train arriving at an elevated station platform
Rail & Transport

Metro Railway Communications Network

STM-16 SDH backbone linking every station to headquarters, carrying SCADA, CCTV, passenger information and legacy telephony.

  • SDH STM-16
  • SCADA / CCTV
  • 24-month delivery
View case study
High-voltage substation insulators and equipment
Power & Utilities

Power Utility Teleprotection Interface

Restored 87L differential relay communications over existing E1 and SDH networks using custom C37.94 interfaces, with no new fibre required.

  • C37.94
  • E1 / SDH
  • Remote commissioning
View case study
Questions answered

Communication Systems:
Common Questions

Straight answers on what a Mission Critical Communication network carries, how it survives a failure and how it is secured.

What is a Mission Critical Communication (MCC) system?

TLE designs and implements Mission Critical Communication (MCC) systems that ensure secure, redundant and uninterrupted data exchange across industrial and energy infrastructures. From pipelines to substations, the platforms support voice, data and control traffic with guaranteed availability even in harsh environments.

What technologies do TLE communication systems use?

Redundant fibre optic and wireless networks, IP/MPLS, SDH and Ethernet-based architectures, VoIP, radio and telemetry solutions, with integration to SCADA and security systems. Services ride on a transport layer, which rides on fibre, radio or satellite.

What happens when a link fails?

Redundancy is designed so that a fibre cut or a failed node does not stop operations. Ring protection switching (SDH, MPLS-TP) generally needs to complete in under 50 ms, while Ethernet PRP and HSR (IEC 62439-3) give zero recovery time.

How are industrial communication networks secured?

A network that reaches every site is also a path into every site, so it is built with security controls and watched in operation. Assets are grouped into zones that share security requirements, and the communication paths between zones, called conduits, are controlled.

Can the network integrate with SCADA?

Yes. TLE communication systems integrate with SCADA and security systems, and carry voice, data and control traffic, including telemetry and radio solutions.

Has TLE delivered communication networks in operation?

Yes. Examples on this page include an STM-16 SDH backbone linking every station of a metro railway to headquarters, carrying SCADA, CCTV, passenger information and legacy telephony, and a power utility teleprotection interface that restored 87L differential relay communications over existing E1 and SDH networks with no new fibre.

Every project is unique

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