Overview
ISO/TR 11065:1992 - Industrial automation glossary is a Technical Report (type 3) published by ISO/TC 184 (Industrial automation systems and integration, SC5). It provides a harmonized glossary of more than 550 terms used in industrial automation and manufacturing environments. The entries are bilingual (English/French) and compiled from previously approved ISO publications (sources listed in Annex A). As a type 3 Technical Report, it offers a “state of the art” terminology guide rather than a prescriptive International Standard.
Key topics
The glossary covers terminology across the range of industrial automation, including but not limited to:
- Control and programming: absolute programming, absolute coordinates, absolute vector
- Sensing and measurement: absolute position sensor, accuracy, absolute error, acceleration
- Actuation and hardware: actuator, active devices, active output
- Analog and digital interfaces: analog input channel, analog output channel amplifier, analog representation
- Communications and data transmission: abbreviated address calling, anisochronous transmission
- Control strategies: adaptive control, active accommodation (sensor-in-the-loop adjustments)
Each term entry includes a concise definition and cites the ISO source document. Terms printed in italics in a definition refer to other glossary entries, ensuring consistent cross-referencing.
Applications
ISO/TR 11065 is practical for anyone needing consistent, standardized terminology in industrial automation:
- Systems engineers and integrators - for clear specifications and interface definitions when designing PLC, DCS, robot or CIM systems
- Manufacturers and suppliers - to align product documentation, datasheets and user manuals with accepted ISO vocabulary
- Technical authors and trainers - to standardize teaching materials, course content and operator manuals
- Procurement and quality teams - to reduce ambiguity in contracts, requirements and compliance checks
- Standards committees and researchers - as a reference when drafting or harmonizing new standards in automation and control
Using a common glossary reduces misinterpretation across disciplines (mechanical, electrical, software, control, communications) and supports interoperability and system integration.
Related standards
- Developed by ISO/TC 184 (Industrial automation systems and integration) with liaison to the IEC on electrotechnical terms.
- Term sources are previous ISO publications listed in Annex A of ISO/TR 11065.
- Intended as a companion reference to other ISO/IEC standards covering control systems, communications, robotics and manufacturing automation.
Keywords: ISO TR 11065, industrial automation glossary, automation terminology, ISO glossary, manufacturing automation terms, control systems vocabulary, robot programming terms.
