AXON Test 5 — Complete Guide for Telecontrol Protocol Simulation and FAT/SAT Testing

What Is AXON Test?

AXON Test (AT5) is a professional telecontrol protocol simulator and analyzer developed by Axon Group (Colombia), designed for engineers who need to test, verify, and commission Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), SCADA systems, and communication gateways in power automation and industrial control environments.

Version 5.0.2.1 is the current release. AXON Test 5 supports the most widely used industrial telecontrol protocols — DNP3, IEC 60870-5-104, and Modbus — and can operate in both master/client and slave/server roles simultaneously, allowing a single PC to simulate an entire SCADA architecture for testing purposes.

The primary use cases are:

FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) — verifying IED/RTU behavior at the manufacturer’s facility before installation
SAT (Site Acceptance Testing) — validating communication and control functions after field installation
Protocol interoperability testing — confirming that devices from different vendors communicate correctly
Pre-commissioning verification — testing control system behavior before connecting real field devices
Communication diagnostics — identifying and resolving protocol communication issues in operational systems

AXON Test is used by power utilities, substation automation engineers, system integrators, SCADA developers, and control system commissioning teams across Latin America, Europe, and internationally.

Why Protocol Simulation Matters for FAT/SAT Testing

Commissioning a power automation system — a substation SCADA, a distribution management system (DMS), or an industrial control network — traditionally required all physical devices to be present and connected before any testing could begin. This created a critical dependency: testing could not start until hardware was delivered, installed, and powered — compressing the test schedule and increasing project risk.

Protocol simulation breaks this dependency. With AXON Test:

A SCADA engineer can test the master station software against simulated RTUs before those RTUs are delivered from the field
An IED manufacturer can verify their device’s DNP3 or IEC 60870-5-104 implementation by connecting to a simulated master station
A system integrator can simulate the full communication hierarchy — master station → concentrator → multiple IEDs — on a single laptop
A commissioning engineer can reproduce specific protocol scenarios (spontaneous events, time-stamped data, group interrogations) to test edge cases without waiting for real-world conditions to occur

The result: test campaigns that previously required weeks of on-site time with full hardware can be partially executed in advance, with only final integration testing requiring field presence.

Supported Protocols

AXON Test 5 supports the following telecontrol protocols — each available in both master and slave roles:

DNP3 (Distributed Network Protocol 3)

The dominant protocol in North American power distribution systems and widely used globally:

DNP3 LAN/WAN — DNP3 over TCP/IP Ethernet networks (the most common modern deployment) DNP3 Serial — DNP3 over RS-232/RS-485 serial links (legacy and remote RTU applications)

Both master and outstation (slave) roles:

Master: Simulates a SCADA/DMS system polling data from DNP3 outstations — send polls, integrity polls, event requests, time synchronization, and control commands (CROB — Control Relay Output Block, Analog Output)
Outstation (Slave): Simulates a DNP3 RTU or IED — responds to master polls, generates spontaneous events, handles time synchronization, simulates binary input changes and analog input variations

IEC 60870-5-104

The international standard for SCADA communication over TCP/IP networks — dominant in European power utilities, Middle East, and internationally:

IEC 60870-5-104 — the telecontrol protocol over TCP/IP

Both control center (master) and controlled station (slave/server) roles:

Control Center (Master/Client): Sends general interrogation, group interrogation, clock synchronization, command sequences (single command, double command, setpoint)
Controlled Station (Server): Responds to interrogations, generates spontaneous telegrams with timestamps, handles commands, simulates ASDU (Application Service Data Unit) sequences

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Modbus

The ubiquitous industrial protocol used across virtually all industrial automation sectors:

Modbus TCP/IP (LAN/WAN) — Modbus over Ethernet Modbus Serial (RTU/ASCII) — Modbus over RS-232/RS-485

Both master and slave roles:

Master: Read coils, discrete inputs, holding registers, input registers; write single/multiple coils and registers
Slave: Simulate any Modbus device with configurable register maps

Modbus is included in the base AXON Test license. DNP3 and IEC 60870-5-104 are additional protocol licenses.

Core Features

Master/Client Mode — SCADA and Control Center Simulation

In master mode, AXON Test simulates a SCADA system or control center polling data from field devices:

Data polling and monitoring:

Continuous polling of connected IEDs/RTUs at configurable intervals
Display of real-time data — binary inputs (digital status), binary outputs (commands), analog inputs (measurements), analog outputs (setpoints)
Signal naming and description for easy identification during testing

Command execution:

Full command palette including all protocol-specific command types
Pre-configured commands for signals already defined in the signal database
Advanced Command window for ad-hoc commands not pre-configured
Command logging with response tracking — verify that the IED acknowledges and executes each command correctly

Interrogation and synchronization:

General interrogation (GI) / integrity poll to retrieve all current values from the connected device
Group/class interrogation for selective data retrieval
Clock synchronization — verify IED time synchronization behavior

Slave/Server Mode — IED and RTU Simulation

In slave mode, AXON Test simulates one or multiple IEDs or RTUs, allowing SCADA software and master station hardware to be tested without real field devices:

Signal simulation:

Define any number of binary inputs, binary outputs, analog inputs, and analog outputs with configurable addresses, data types, and initial values
Configure spontaneous events — binary input transitions, analog value changes — to test the master station’s event handling
Automatic value simulation — signals change according to configurable patterns, or manually triggered by the operator

Group simulation:

Configure multiple slave devices simultaneously
Simulate a complete substation hierarchy: concentrator → protection IEDs → measurement IEDs — all from a single AXON Test instance
Each simulated device has independent configuration, signal list, and communication state

Response behavior:

Configure response timing — simulate slow or intermittent communication to test master station timeout handling
Simulate communication errors and link failures — verify how the master station responds to lost connectivity

AutoTest — Automated FAT/SAT Test Sequences

AXON Test 5’s AutoTest module is the most productivity-enhancing feature for acceptance testing:

Test design:

Create sequential test scripts defining: commands to send, expected signal states, timing between steps, and pass/fail criteria
Include verification checkpoints — the AutoTest confirms that the IED/system responded as expected before proceeding to the next step

Automated execution:

Run the entire test sequence automatically — no manual intervention required once the script starts
Test conditions are precisely replicated in exactly the same order every time — eliminates variability between test runs

Report generation:

AutoTest automatically generates a structured test report with all executed steps, measured responses, pass/fail outcomes, and timestamps
Reports provide the documentary evidence required for FAT/SAT sign-off

For large-scale testing campaigns — a substation with 50+ IEDs each requiring the same test sequence — AutoTest transforms days of manual testing into hours of automated execution.

Trace Module — Protocol Communication Analysis

The trace module provides deep visibility into the protocol communication frames exchanged between AXON Test and connected devices:

Frame capture — all transmitted and received protocol frames are logged in real time
Frame decomposition — each captured frame is decoded and displayed with all protocol fields labeled (function code, addresses, data types, values, quality flags, timestamps)
Filters — filter the trace display by address range, data type, direction, or message type — focus on relevant traffic in high-volume scenarios
Communication status diagnostics — quickly identify malformed frames, unexpected responses, retransmissions, and timeout events

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The trace module is essential for debugging communication issues: when a device behaves unexpectedly, the trace reveals exactly what protocol frames were exchanged, making root cause identification straightforward.

Viewer Module — Signal Data Analysis

The viewer module provides signal-level data management:

Display all signals (binary and analog) with their current values, quality flags, and timestamps
Historical view — see how signal values have changed over the course of the test session
Filter signals by type, address range, or name
Export signal data for offline analysis

IP Scanner

A network discovery tool integrated into AXON Test:

Scan the network to discover all devices on a subnet
Identify IP addresses and check device reachability
Useful for confirming connectivity before starting a test session — verify that all IEDs and gateways are reachable before attempting protocol connections

Communication Monitor

A persistent network monitoring tool for ongoing observation of protocol traffic:

Monitor all active protocol channels simultaneously
Identify communication drops, retries, and errors across multiple connections
Support for mixed protocol environments where multiple protocols are active simultaneously

Licensing

AXON Test uses a modular protocol licensing model:

Modbus — always included in the base license
DNP3 (LAN/WAN + Serial) — add-on license
IEC 60870-5-104 — add-on license
Licenses can be expanded at any time — purchase only the protocols needed initially, add more as requirements grow

License delivery options:

Software license — tied to PC hardware (MAC address)
Hardware dongle (USB key) — portable license usable on multiple PCs by moving the dongle, without deactivating from one machine to activate on another — ideal for field engineers who work on multiple computers

Free demo: A 45-day fully functional trial is available for download from the Axon Group website, allowing complete evaluation before purchase.

AXON Test vs. Competing Protocol Simulators

Feature	AXON Test 5	Triangle MicroWorks TMWSCL	Sisco MMS-EASE Lite	Manual testing (actual hardware)
DNP3 Master/Slave	✅	✅	❌	Physical device required
IEC 60870-5-104	✅	✅	Limited	Physical device required
Modbus TCP/Serial	✅	Limited	❌	Physical device required
IEC 61850	❌ (separate Axon product)	✅	✅	Physical device required
AutoTest (scripted testing)	✅	Limited	❌	Not practical
Protocol trace/decoder	✅	✅	✅	External analyzer needed
Multi-device simulation	✅	Limited	Limited	Multiple physical devices
FAT/SAT report generation	✅	❌	❌	Manual documentation
Dongle license (portable)	✅	✅	✅	N/A
45-day free trial	✅	Limited	❌	N/A
Support language	EN/ES	EN	EN	N/A
Target market	Power/utility/SCADA	Utility/IED manufacturers	Utility	All

AXON Test’s key advantages: Combined master + slave simulation across all three major telecontrol protocols in a single application, with AutoTest automated scripting and integrated report generation specifically designed for FAT/SAT workflows. The dongle license makes it genuinely portable for field commissioning engineers.

Typical Use Cases

Scenario 1: Pre-FAT IED Verification

An IED manufacturer needs to verify their new DNP3 outstation implementation before a customer FAT. The engineer runs AXON Test as a DNP3 master, connects to the prototype IED, and runs a full AutoTest sequence covering all DNP3 function codes specified in the Data Communication Specification (DCS). The AutoTest report documents compliance — test evidence provided to the customer before the formal FAT.

Scenario 2: SCADA Software Testing Without Hardware

A SCADA integrator is developing a new energy management system (EMS) but the field RTUs won’t be delivered for another 3 months. Using AXON Test in IEC 60870-5-104 slave mode, they simulate 12 RTUs with realistic signal configurations. The SCADA software is tested against the simulated RTUs — all HMI displays, alarm handling, and control functions are validated without a single piece of real hardware present.

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Scenario 3: Site Acceptance Testing at a Substation

A commissioning engineer arrives at a substation for SAT. Using AXON Test as a temporary SCADA master, they test each protection IED individually — sending commands, verifying status indications, checking spontaneous event generation and timestamps. The AutoTest generates a detailed SAT report for each IED. After signing off the SAT, the actual SCADA system is connected.

Scenario 4: Communication Fault Diagnosis

An operational SCADA system is reporting intermittent communication failures with a remote RTU. The engineer connects AXON Test in monitoring mode alongside the existing SCADA connection. The trace module captures the failing communication exchanges, revealing that the RTU is generating malformed spontaneous event telegrams under certain conditions — leading to a targeted firmware fix.

System Requirements

Component	Minimum	Recommended
OS	Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)	Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
CPU	Intel Core i3	Intel Core i5 or better
RAM	4 GB	8 GB
Storage	500 MB free	SSD recommended
Network	Ethernet adapter	Gigabit Ethernet
USB	Required for dongle license	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Can AXON Test simulate master and slave simultaneously? Yes. AXON Test 5 can run multiple master and slave connections simultaneously across different protocols, simulating complex multi-tier architectures on a single PC.

Can I test IEC 61850 with AXON Test? IEC 61850 (MMS, GOOSE) is not included in AXON Test 5 — it is a separate Axon Group product (Axon IEC 61850 Simulator). AXON Test 5 covers DNP3, IEC 60870-5-104, and Modbus.

How does AutoTest handle unexpected device responses? AutoTest can be configured with pass/fail criteria for each step. If a device responds unexpectedly (wrong value, wrong quality, timeout), the AutoTest marks that step as failed, logs the actual vs. expected response, and continues with the next step (or halts, depending on configuration). The final report shows all passed and failed steps with details.

Can I use a single AXON Test license across multiple PCs? With a software (MAC-locked) license: one PC only. With a hardware dongle license: the dongle can be moved between PCs — effectively one license, multiple PCs (but only one at a time).

Is there IEC 60870-5-101 (serial) support? IEC 60870-5-101 (the serial version of the IEC 60870 standard) was supported in earlier AXON Test versions. Verify current protocol support with Axon Group for the latest version.

Summary

AXON Test 5 is a comprehensive telecontrol protocol simulation platform purpose-built for power automation and industrial control system engineers. Its combination of multi-protocol support (DNP3, IEC 60870-5-104, Modbus), simultaneous master and slave simulation, AutoTest automation for repeatable FAT/SAT execution, deep protocol trace analysis, and portable dongle licensing makes it the practical choice for engineers who need to test, verify, and commission complex communication systems efficiently.

For commissioning engineers, SCADA integrators, IED manufacturers, and utility engineers who regularly conduct acceptance testing, AXON Test 5 reduces test campaign durations, improves documentation quality, and eliminates the hardware dependencies that have traditionally extended project schedules.

For licensing assistance or questions about AXON Test, contact our team via Telegram: t.me/DoCrackMe