AMADEUS LAB · KNOWLEDGE

Industrial automation glossary

Clear definitions for the industrial technologies that commonly appear in automation, monitoring and connected-device projects. Each guide gives a direct answer first, then enough context to help non-specialists plan a project.

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PLC

A PLC is a rugged industrial computer that reads inputs, runs programmed control logic and operates outputs such as motors, valves, alarms and machine sequences.

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SCADA

SCADA is a supervisory system used to monitor and, where authorised, control industrial equipment using data from PLCs, RTUs, sensors and other field devices.

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HMI

An HMI is the screen or software interface through which an operator views machine status, acknowledges alarms and performs permitted actions.

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OPC UA

OPC UA is an industrial interoperability standard for exchanging structured data between equipment, software and systems with built-in security capabilities.

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MQTT

MQTT is a lightweight publish-and-subscribe messaging protocol often used to move telemetry and event data between devices, gateways and cloud services.

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Modbus

Modbus is a widely used industrial communication protocol for reading and writing simple device data such as registers, coils and discrete inputs.

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RTU

An RTU is an industrial device that collects field data and controls remote equipment, especially where a central system needs to supervise geographically distributed assets.

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Industrial IoT

Industrial IoT applies connected sensors, devices, gateways and software to industrial operations so teams can monitor assets, analyse conditions and improve decisions.

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