🧩 Popular Open-Source SCADA Systems
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ScadaBR
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Language: Java
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Platform: Windows, Linux
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Key Features: Web-based interface, supports Modbus, OPC, BACnet, SNMP, and more.
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Website: https://github.com/ScadaBR/ScadaBR
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Notes: Good for educational and small industrial projects.
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OpenSCADA
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Language: C++
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Platform: Linux, Windows
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Key Features: Modular, supports multiple protocols (Modbus, OPC, SNMP), scripting support.
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Website: http://oscada.org
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Notes: Part of the OpenSCADA project under the Eclipse Foundation (Eclipse 4diac).
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Rapid SCADA
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Language: C#, .NET
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Platform: Windows (can run on Linux with Mono)
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Key Features: Web-based interface, supports Modbus, SNMP, and custom drivers.
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Website: https://rapidscada.net
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Notes: Actively developed, good for mid-scale projects.
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IndigoSCADA
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Language: C++
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Platform: Windows, Linux
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Key Features: Real-time data acquisition, historical logging, supports Modbus.
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Website: http://indigoscada.sourceforge.net
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Notes: Lightweight, suitable for embedded systems.
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Freedomotic
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Language: Java
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Platform: Cross-platform
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Key Features: Focuses more on building automation, plugin-based architecture.
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Website: https://freedomotic.com
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Notes: Useful for smart buildings and IoT environments.
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📌 Things to Consider:
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Protocol support: Make sure the SCADA system supports the industrial protocols you use (like Modbus, OPC-UA, etc.).
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Scalability: Open-source systems can be limited in terms of scalability and security, depending on the project.
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Community and Documentation: Look for active communities and good documentation to help with setup and troubleshooting.
Would you like help choosing one based on your use case (e.g., factory automation, home automation, water treatment plant, etc.)?
Yep, you're absolutely right — TCP/IP is widely used in robotics, especially for:
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Multi-threaded control of different components (e.g., arms, sensors, vision systems)
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Real-time telemetry and feedback
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Decoupling hardware modules (distributed control)
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Remote monitoring or control over Ethernet or Wi-Fi
It’s not uncommon to see setups like:
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One thread/socket handles motion commands
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Another handles sensor input
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A third handles status updates or logs
⚙️ How SCADA Fits Into This
If you're building or managing a robotics system with multi-threaded control over TCP/IP, using a SCADA platform can help with visualization, data logging, and manual override control — but you’ll often need to customize the SCADA system or write a custom driver.
🔧 SCADA Platforms Suitable for Robotics (TCP/IP Custom Comms)
| SCADA System | Why It's Good for Robotics |
|---|---|
| OpenSCADA | Highly programmable (C++ + scripts), good for custom TCP socket comms |
| Rapid SCADA | Supports custom TCP/IP channels using C#, easy to build specific logic |
| ScadaBR | Java-based, can write custom data sources using raw TCP/IP sockets |
| Node-RED (not a full SCADA) | Great for rapid prototyping; supports TCP nodes and MQTT, often used in robotics and IoT setups |
🧪 Real-World Examples
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ROS (Robot Operating System) often uses TCP/IP (via ROS TCP endpoints) for nodes to communicate — if you're integrating ROS with SCADA, you can use a TCP bridge or MQTT.
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Custom robotic arms with multiple motors/sensors connected over a LAN using Modbus TCP or even custom TCP binary protocols.
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AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) using SCADA to monitor paths, battery, motor status, etc., all via TCP/IP.
💡 Want to Build Your Own?
If you're coding the system yourself, you could:
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Use a SCADA system as the front end, while you manage the robotics logic in Python, C++, or Java.
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Use Node-RED or custom dashboards (e.g., Python + Flask + Socket.IO) for more flexibility.
Do you want to integrate SCADA with an existing robotics system? Or are you starting from scratch and trying to decide on a control architecture?
