PLC (programmable logic controller)
A solid-state industrial controller with user-programmable memory that runs logic, timing, counting, and control functions against its inputs and outputs.
The network analogy
The control plane for a machine: it decides, the I/O devices act, and the network between them extends its reach to remote I/O.
Why it matters for wireless
The PLC is usually the far end of the connection whose timeout you are budgeting for. In PROFINET it is the IO controller; on EtherNet/IP it exchanges I/O with its devices at a configured RPI.
NIST defines a PLC as a solid-state control system that has a user-programmable memory for storing instructions for the purpose of implementing specific functions such as I/O control, logic, timing, counting, three mode (PID) control, communication, arithmetic, and data and file processing.
In PROFINET terms the PLC is typically the IO controller, providing outputs to IO devices and consuming their inputs. On EtherNet/IP the controller and each module exchange data at the configured RPI.
About this page
Built from 3 sources: 1 standards body or lab, 1 protocol owner or alliance and 1 vendor document. Researched and drafted with AI assistance, then reviewed and approved by Ben Rutter on . How pages are made
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Cite this page
Plain
Ben Rutter. "PLC (programmable logic controller)." OT Wireless, published October 5, 2026. https://otwireless.com/glossary/plc/
APA 7
Rutter, B. (2026, October 5). PLC (programmable logic controller). OT Wireless. https://otwireless.com/glossary/plc/
BibTeX
@misc{rutter2026plc,
author = {Rutter, Ben},
title = {{PLC (programmable logic controller)}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://otwireless.com/glossary/plc/}},
organization = {OT Wireless},
}