Edge101 Industrial ESP32 IoT Controller

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

4G LTE

4G LTE is a cellular data standard used for internet access over mobile networks. When a product offers 4G LTE connectivity, it can provide remote internet access where wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi is not available, given suitable coverage and a SIM or data plan.

anti-static

Anti-static materials help drain away small static charges instead of letting them build up. This can matter for clothing, brushes, or handling electronics where static discharge could be annoying or damaging.

BLE

BLE stands for Bluetooth Low Energy, a Bluetooth mode designed for low power use and broad compatibility with modern phones and computers. It connects well to battery-powered and mobile devices, including Apple hardware, though it behaves differently from Bluetooth Classic and its serial-style profiles.

CAN bus

CAN bus is a reliable two-wire communication network originally designed for vehicles and now common in machinery and robotics. It matters when you need multiple controllers or devices to share status and control messages in a noisy electrical environment.

DC

DC means direct current, where electricity flows in one constant direction, as supplied by batteries, USB ports and many plug-pack power supplies. When a product specifies DC, it runs from a DC supply rather than mains AC, so you need to provide the correct voltage and polarity.

DIN

As a pin label, DIN stands for 'data in', the input through which a device receives serial data from a controller, as found on SPI displays, LED drivers and other serial modules. DIN can also refer to the German standards body of that name, as in a round multi-pin DIN connector or DIN-rail mounting.

DIN rail

DIN rail is a standard metal mounting rail used inside industrial electrical cabinets. When a product is DIN rail mountable, it can be clipped neatly alongside power supplies, relays and other automation hardware in a panel.

ESP32

ESP32 is a family of low-cost microcontroller chips and modules from Espressif with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth. They support programmable firmware and over-the-air updates, and are commonly programmed with toolchains such as the Arduino core and ESP-IDF.

GPIO

General-purpose input/output pins are microcontroller pins you can set in software to read signals, switch devices on and off, or connect to peripherals. The number of GPIO pins matters because it limits how many buttons, LEDs, sensors, and other parts you can wire directly to the board.

I2C

I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.

IoT

Short for Internet of Things, meaning physical devices that connect to networks or the internet to send data or be controlled remotely. It matters if you want projects such as connected sensors, remote controls or classroom data-logging activities.

Modbus

Modbus is an industrial communication protocol used by many meters, sensors, PLCs and automation devices. When a product lists Modbus support, it is generally easier to integrate with existing industrial equipment that speaks the same protocol.

Modbus RTU

Modbus RTU is a version of the Modbus protocol that runs over serial wiring, commonly RS485. When a product lists Modbus RTU, it can connect to industrial sensors, meters or drives that use serial Modbus rather than Ethernet.

Nano SIM

Nano SIM (the 4FF form factor) is the smallest common SIM card size, used by many phones and cellular modules. When a product needs a Nano SIM, you must supply a matching SIM card and an active mobile service plan before it can connect to a cellular network.

NB-IoT

NB-IoT is a low-power cellular network standard designed for sending small amounts of data from remote devices on long battery life. When a product lists NB-IoT, it can report readings from places without Wi-Fi or Ethernet, provided there is suitable cellular coverage and a data plan.

RAM

RAM (random-access memory) is fast, temporary memory a device uses for working data while it is running; in its common volatile form, its contents are lost when power is removed. Some devices offer a mode that applies settings to RAM only, which is handy for testing changes temporarily because they are not stored permanently and disappear at power-off.

reverse polarity protection

A circuit feature that helps protect the board if power is connected the wrong way around. It matters because it can reduce the chance of damaging the breakout during wiring mistakes, especially in classroom or prototyping use.

RS485

RS485 is a robust differential serial communication standard often used in factories, farms and buildings where cables may be long or electrically noisy, and it can link many devices on a single pair of wires. When a product lists RS485, it can communicate with industrial sensors, meters and control equipment over longer distances than typical hobby serial wiring.

RTC

A Real-Time Clock keeps track of time even when the main processor is asleep or powered down, usually with a small backup battery. It matters for data logging and tracking projects that need accurate timestamps.

SCADA

SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, a type of system used to monitor and control industrial processes from computers or control rooms. SCADA compatibility matters when a device needs to report to or take commands from such a larger central control or automation setup.

SRAM

Fast temporary memory used by a processor while a program is running. More SRAM helps with projects that handle larger data buffers, networking, displays, or more complex code.

Terminal block

A terminal block is a connector that joins wires together in a neat, removable, or serviceable way, usually clamping each wire under a screw or spring instead of soldering. It makes it easier to connect, change, or service wiring without permanent joints.

Type-C

USB Type-C (USB-C) is a small, reversible USB connector used for charging, power, and data transfer on many modern devices. A Type-C port or plug indicates the cable and charger connection needed to power, charge, or communicate with a device.

USB Type-C

USB Type-C is a small, reversible USB connector used for power, data and sometimes video on many modern devices. The connector itself does not guarantee a particular speed or voltage, so check the supported USB version, data rate and whether it carries more than 5V via USB Power Delivery.