Siemens has developed a new communication processor for telecontrol applications with Simatic S7-1200 controllers: Simatic CP 1243-1 DNP3 connects the controller to a control station, such as a process control system, via DNP3 protocol (Distributed Network Protocol). The communication processor transmits measured and set values as well as alarms to the control station cyclically or event-driven. In the 'Step 7' engineering tool, the user selects the data to be transmitted and specifies the desired communication parameters. Communication with the control station is based on the telecontrol protocol in accordance with DNP3 specification 2 (2007/2009), including security mechanisms for secure data transmission via long-distance networks. In addition to data transmission, the communication processor also has an e-mail function, for example to automatically inform maintenance personnel about predefined events. The device can buffer up to 64,000 values with a time stamp to prevent data loss in the event of a connection failure. When a new connection is established, the buffered values are automatically transmitted to the control center in the historically correct order. The communication processor is connected to the local communication network in the outdoor area via an Ethernet interface.