DSM devices are based on cost-effective Single Board Computers (SBC’s). They communicate via a peer to peer based protocol: S.P.R.I.T.E. – “Substation Protocol for Rapid and Interactive Transmission of Events”. The support applications developed for the DSM devices are not simply protocol converters. Each specific application is served by a special DSM application named the “Data Translation Service” (DTS). These might be used, for example, to convert out S.P.R.I.T.E. protocol to industry standard OPC, DNP, Modbus or whatever protocol is required by the end user service. Each DSM can handle multiple DTS ‘clients’ to receive data from and exercise control over the supported IED’s. Multiple endpoint applications such as a HMI or SCADA master can simultaneously interact with any element in the DSR system.

Each DSM application includes embedded diagnostics, allowing for fast analysis of system problems and enabling the customer to become expert trouble-shooters if necessary. Diagnostic and test functions are supported by the software. Special status points can be configured to indicate the health and status of the various IED’s in the system, including whether the IED is responding or not. The result is a drastic reduction in support costs and time.