Popular Open-Source SCADA Systems

 

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🧩 Popular Open-Source SCADA Systems

1. ScadaBR

   • Language: Java

   • Platform: Windows, Linux

   • Key Features: Web-based interface, supports Modbus, OPC, BACnet, SNMP, and more.

   • Website: https://github.com/ScadaBR/ScadaBR

   • Notes: Good for educational and small industrial projects.

2. OpenSCADA

   • Language: C++

   • Platform: Linux, Windows

   • Key Features: Modular, supports multiple protocols (Modbus, OPC, SNMP), scripting support.

   • Website: http://oscada.org

   • Notes: Part of the OpenSCADA project under the Eclipse Foundation (Eclipse 4diac).

3. Rapid SCADA

   • Language: C#, .NET

   • Platform: Windows (can run on Linux with Mono)

   • Key Features: Web-based interface, supports Modbus, SNMP, and custom drivers.

   • Website: https://rapidscada.net

   • Notes: Actively developed, good for mid-scale projects.

4. IndigoSCADA

   • Language: C++

   • Platform: Windows, Linux

   • Key Features: Real-time data acquisition, historical logging, supports Modbus.

   • Website: http://indigoscada.sourceforge.net

   • Notes: Lightweight, suitable for embedded systems.

5. Freedomotic

   • Language: Java

   • Platform: Cross-platform

   • Key Features: Focuses more on building automation, plugin-based architecture.

   • Website: https://freedomotic.com

   • Notes: Useful for smart buildings and IoT environments.

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📌 Things to Consider:

• Protocol support: Make sure the SCADA system supports the industrial protocols you use (like Modbus, OPC-UA, etc.).

• Scalability: Open-source systems can be limited in terms of scalability and security, depending on the project.

• Community and Documentation: Look for active communities and good documentation to help with setup and troubleshooting.

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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:

• Multi-threaded control of different components (e.g., arms, sensors, vision systems)

• Real-time telemetry and feedback

• Decoupling hardware modules (distributed control)

• Remote monitoring or control over Ethernet or Wi-Fi

It’s not uncommon to see setups like:

• One thread/socket handles motion commands

• Another handles sensor input

• 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.

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🔧 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

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🧪 Real-World Examples

• 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.

• Custom robotic arms with multiple motors/sensors connected over a LAN using Modbus TCP or even custom TCP binary protocols.

• AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) using SCADA to monitor paths, battery, motor status, etc., all via TCP/IP.

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💡 Want to Build Your Own?

If you're coding the system yourself, you could:

• Use a SCADA system as the front end, while you manage the robotics logic in Python, C++, or Java.

• Use Node-RED or custom dashboards (e.g., Python + Flask + Socket.IO) for more flexibility.

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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?