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Industrial data transmission - Knowing which solutions really work for – your gateway wireless unit modules wireless sensors

The right data transmission technology determines the success of your digitalization projects. From wired solutions such as Industrial Ethernet to wireless technologies such as 5G and LPWAN – we will show you which strategies work in practice and how leading companies from our network transmit their data securely, reliably and efficiently.

Strong partners, strong solutions

Our experts for data transsmission

Our platform brings together leading technology partners and solution providers to support you in implementing your data transmission projects. Benefit from tried-and-tested solutions and experienced specialists from the IIoT community who know which transmission technologies work reliably in demanding industrial environments.

A1 Digital

Data transmission Individual services and offerings

A1 Digital realises digitalization projects together with businesses: The focus is on industry-specific...

DeDeNet

Data visualization Predictive analytics

DeDeNet supports companies in the digitization of business processes and specializes in paperless,...

Deutsche Telekom IoT GmbH

Data transmission

As Europe’s leading telecommunications provider, Deutsche Telekom IoT delivers end-to-end solutions for...

IOX GmbH

Data Acquisition Data transmission

smart.click allows a new way to integrate IoT solutions into business processes. Our NB-IoT & LTE-M...

mioty alliance

Data standardization - communication Data transmission

...

Perinet GmbH

Data Acquisition Data preprocessing (Edge)

We develop forward-looking electronics to make sensors and actuators network-compatible. The new...

Schildknecht AG

Data Acquisition Data preprocessing (Edge)

Schildknecht AG has been developing innovative data transmission solutions for over 40 years and is an...

UPLINK Gruppe

Data transmission

UPLINK is a pioneer in cooperative network operation and provides - based on the globally recognized and...

Secure and proven data transmission

Transmit your data practically and securely – via suitable gateways. Our network relies on proven products and solutions from our partners to make this data efficiently usable.

WIRELESS

LPWAN

Energy-efficient transmission with long range: Our partners use LPWAN technologies like mioty, LoRaWAN, Sigfox, or NB-IoT / LTE-M to transmit data efficiently over long distances – even without a fixed LAN connection. Proven transmission solutions from our network are available for every application.

WIRELESS

Short-range radio

Our partners use technologies such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, NFC, or RFID to reliably transmit data over short distances – for example, in wearables, access systems, or building automation. Whether it’s for point identification or local sensor networking: Proven solutions from our network are available for every application.

WIRELESS

Satellite communication

Our partners rely on satellite connections to connect IoT devices even in remote or regions with poor infrastructure – such as offshore facilities, shipping or environmental monitoring. This ensures data streams are available even where traditional networks cannot reach.

WIRELESS

5G

Our partners use private 5G networks for mission-critical and time-sensitive applications like AGVs or machine control. Unlike Wi-Fi, 5G offers licensed frequencies, low latency, and high stability – realized through radio connection and fiber optics (wired) in the background. Ideal for campus networks with many parallel applications.

WIRED

OPC UA over MQTT

Our partners use OPC UA over MQTT to securely and bidirectionally transmit data from your controllers, such as Siemens or Beckhoff PLCs, directly to cloud systems with context. Unlike traditional point-to-point connections, this solution provides a scalable, event-based architecture. The structured information context is preserved – for AI, analysis, and automation.

WIRED

Modbus RTU

Our partners use RS-485-based Modbus RTU connections to cost-effectively integrate machines into the IIoT – for example, through retrofittable gateways like the RevPi and others. This allows for standardized data acquisition from older systems and transmission via cellular networks or MQTT Best practices for scalable and secure transmission from our network are essential.

WIRED

Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN)

Our partners use Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) to ensure precise synchronization of their motion and control processes in industrial networks (e.g., via CC-Link IE TSN or OPC UA over TSN). The technology offers deterministic communication with gigabit bandwidth – ideal for applications with high real-time and quality requirements.

OTHER

Looking for additional data transmission solutions?

Feel free to contact us anytime – we look forward to learning about you and your challenges.

Industrial data transmission

Bridges between machines, edge and cloud

Modern manufacturing, intelligent buildings, smart cities and critical infrastructures such as waterworks rely on efficient data transmission. Learn about the key technologies and strategies that are critical to successful IIoT implementations in these connected environments

What exactly is industrial data transmission?

Industrial data transmission encompasses all processes and technologies required for transporting data between various components of an industrial network. Unlike office-oriented solutions, transmission technologies in industrial environments must be particularly robust, reliable, and deterministic, as they often support safety-critical functions. It forms the backbone of any successful IIoT implementation and transports data from gateways, wireless sensors and other data collection components connected to machines to edge devices and cloud systems to create a functional overall system.

In the context of IIoT, data transmission requires a comprehensive understanding of the communication paths and levels. While horizontal communication enables data exchange between sensors, gateways and other field devices at the same level, vertical integration connects the collected data with higher-level control, analysis and business applications. Industrial transmission technologies must support both wired standards such as Industrial Ethernet with TSN for time-critical applications and wireless solutions such as LoRaWAN and mioty for long-range sensor networks. These technologies are specially designed for the demanding requirements of industrial environments – from extreme weather conditions in desert regions to electromagnetically shielded rooms, from battery-efficient data transmission to highly secure protocols for critical infrastructures.

What do companies need data transmission technologies for?

Requirements for industrial data transmission systems are diverse and application-specific. In the manufacturing industry, they enable the continuous monitoring of valve positions and vibrations in production systems as well as the precise recording of process data for quality assurance and optimization. In the energy supply sector, they ensure reliable remote monitoring of distribution grids, while in the oil and gas industry they ensure the integrity of boreholes through automated pressure measurements – even in remote desert regions.

Modern data transmission technologies such as LoRaWAN and mioty offer decisive advantages: they enable the reliable connection of thousands of sensors, even under the most difficult signal conditions such as underground shafts or electromagnetically shielded rooms. This allows large-scale, scalable applications to be realized – from remote monitoring of water meters in urban supply networks to comprehensive data acquisition in extensive industrial plants.

The integration of edge computing and IoT devices is also becoming increasingly important, with data transmission technologies bridging the gap between decentralized data processing and higher-level systems. The convergence of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) ensures that data is not only collected, but can also be used directly for intelligent analyses and predictive maintenance. This enables new approaches that meet industrial requirements for robustness and real-time capability as well as IT standards for security and integration.

Which standards and protocols are relevant?

Industrial data transmission is based on standardized protocols and technologies that guarantee interoperability and reliability. Although industrial fieldbus protocols such as PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT enable deterministic transmission properties for time-critical applications at the control level, they only transmit raw data points without context information. These protocols alone are not sufficient for vertical integration and cloud connectivity.

This is where technologies such as OPC UA over MQTT come into play, ensuring standardized, secure and bidirectional transmission to the cloud. The decisive advantage: this combination not only transmits data, but also its meaning and context – for example, information about which sensor the data comes from or which process it belongs to. This means that the data can be used directly for analytics applications and AI systems without time-consuming post-processing.

Wireless standards such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and LPWAN technologies (LoRaWAN, NB-IoT) complement wired solutions for applications where flexibility and mobility are key. Choosing the right protocol depends on factors such as bandwidth, latency, energy consumption and specific environmental conditions and requires a careful analysis of the application requirements.

How is security ensured in data transmission?

The integration of OT and IT systems in the context of Industry 4.0 significantly increases the attack surface of industrial infrastructures. Cyber threats are increasingly targeting critical production systems, with potentially serious consequences for business continuity and plant safety.

In wired IIoT architectures, the combination of OPC UA over MQTT forms the technological basis for secure and context-rich data transmission. Based on this, X.509 certificates within a PKI and zero-trust architectures guarantee the integrity and confidentiality of communication.

LPWAN technologies implement specialized security concepts for wireless IIoT applications. LoRaWAN uses a dual encryption system in which the network key secures the message integrity, while the application key ensures end-to-end encryption of the user data. The mioty technology complements conventional encryption methods with its Telegram splitting process, which fragments data packets and transmits them with a time delay – effective protection against eavesdropping attacks in industrial environments.

These multi-layered security architectures are complemented by continuous patch management processes and security-by-design principles in order to meet the increasing cybersecurity requirements in networked industrial environments.

Benefits of data transmission

Maximizing the potential of your network infrastructure

Industrial data transmission forms the basis for almost all digitalization initiatives in the production environment. Sophisticated communication solutions open up numerous advantages:

Real-time communication for time-critical processes

In modern production environments, machines, robots and control systems have to work together perfectly. Technologies such as TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking) ensure that all data streams are prioritized, synchronized and transmitted without delay - even when the network load is high. This enables sophisticated control tasks to be implemented reliably and creates the basis for adaptive, autonomous production processes.

Customized connectivity

Retrofit approaches can also be used to integrate older machines without digital interfaces into IIoT ecosystems. Special sensors, adapters and gateways record machine data and transfer it securely to cloud and IT systems via standardized protocols such as OPC UA over MQTT or LPWAN (e.g. LoRaWAN). This also provides existing systems with the capability for data-driven applications and enables new use cases without the need for expensive new purchases.

Redundant paths for secure communication.

Reliability is crucial in industrial networks. Wired protocols use ring structures and automatic error correction to avoid disconnections. Wireless technologies such as LoRaWAN and mioty ensure redundancy through multiple receptions across several gateways. This means no data is lost – even in the event of disruptions. Continuous monitoring helps detect and resolve issues at an early stage.

From the sensor to the cloud - seamless data security

Modern communication protocols like OPC UA over MQTT and LPWAN standards (e.g., LoRaWAN with end-to-end encryption for application data and mioty with Telegram Splitting) ensure secure and reliable data transmission from sensor to cloud – even in complex networks with numerous endpoints.

Scalable infrastructure for growing data volumes

With the increasing number of sensors and networked devices, the volume of data is growing exponentially. Modern data transmission protocols like OPC UA over MQTT and LPWAN technologies offer the scalability and flexibility needed to keep pace with this growth – without losing critical information or causing transmission bottlenecks.

Cost optimization through intelligent data filtering

Edge-based preprocessing enables intelligent data filtering right at the source. As a result, only relevant information is forwarded, reducing network load, optimizing bandwidth usage, and significantly cutting costs for data transmission and expensive cloud storage.

Successfully implementing IIoT projects - by sharing experiences and best practices

Gain valuable insights into real-world IIoT implementations, learn from the best practices of leading companies, and connect with the right contacts in the community – for well-informed decisions and future-proof strategies.

Discover Best Practices

Use our platform to discover hands-on best practices and industrial use cases. See how other companies are successfully implementing concrete IIoT projects.

Utilize expert knowledge

Talk to us – we listen, understand your challenges, and connect you with the right experts and contacts from our community.

Practice-oriented. Tested & Up to date.

Field-proven data transmission solutions as key components of successful IIoT projects

Discover how leading companies are using modern data transmission technologies to drive their digital transformation. Each of these examples shows how the right transmission technology as an integral part of a holistic IIoT concept contributes to success.

Adapter solution for efficient digitalization of production processes

Find out how Perinet and Zentinel are digitalizing machines with a smart adapter solution – without interfering with the automation. The ZentNodes record data directly at the source, process it locally and provide key figures for OEE and condition monitoring.

Open source: Data acquisition and visualization for sustainable gas production

Find out how kenbi reduces administrative burdens with DeDeFleet, documents vehicle data automatically and makes fleet management efficient thanks to Telekom’s IoT connectivity.

Documentation and traceability in metallurgy

Find out how melt review sheets from ALD seamlessly document melting processes, ensure the highest quality and increase traceability through integration into ERP & MES systems.

Energy-efficient building management with LoRaWAN submetering

Find out how LoRaWAN and submetering from Sontex and UPLINK precisely record consumption data, reduce energy costs and make building management transparent.

Further building blocks for your successful IIoT project - explained in a practical way

Many IIoT projects fail because the chosen technologies, products or solutions are expensive, inflexible or not scalable in later operation. Projects often only develop over time, meaning that requirements are not fully known at the start – or there is a lack of knowledge about existing options on the market. The result: rework, high costs or a failed business case.

On our platform, you will therefore find consolidated knowledge from the community and tried-and-tested best practices from real industry projects. We will show you which technologies and solutions work for specific use cases – and which pitfalls you should avoid in order to implement your project securely, sustainably and economically successfully.

Find out how other companies in our network are building their technology stack – from data acquisition, data transmission, standardization and security to IoT platforms and analysis.

Data Acquisition

Data acquisition forms the solid foundation of your IoT application. Whether machine, operating or sensor data - accurate and reliable data acquisition enables precise analyses and data-based decisions. Modern solutions capture data directly at the machine, standardized and in real time.

Data preprocessing

The efficient preparation and pre-processing of your raw data ensures that it can be used immediately. Whether edge computing or local pre-processing - reduce the amount of data and significantly improve the performance of your IoT systems.

Data standardization

Data standardization creates the basis for efficient, cross-manufacturer communication and consistent use of data throughout the entire life cycle. Whether through protocols such as OPC UA over MQTT for secure transmission or standardized product data and digital twins - your IIoT projects remain flexible, scalable and economical.

IT/OT integration

The convergence of production technology (OT) and information technology (IT) enables you to achieve a transparent data flow without media disruptions. This allows you to eliminate data silos, speed up decision-making and optimize your operational processes in the long term.

IoT platform

IoT platforms form the central nervous system of your digital infrastructure. As PaaS or SaaS solutions - for example in the form of customer portals for manufacturers - they store, visualize and manage IoT data. As a result, you always have a comprehensive overview of your processes and can make well-founded, data-based decisions.

Data Transmission

Reliable data transmission is essential for every IoT process. Choose between wired (e.g. Ethernet) and wireless technologies (e.g. 5G, LoRaWAN) based on your requirements in order to optimally combine stability and flexibility.

Data Security

Protecting sensitive industrial and process data is a top priority. Modern security concepts ensure that your data is transmitted and stored in encrypted form and that your systems always comply with current regulatory requirements.

Device Management

Efficient management of networked IoT devices is a key component of successful digitalization strategies. From commissioning and updates to decommissioning - structured device management reduces operating costs and significantly increases the security of your IoT infrastructure.

Data visualization

Visualized data enables faster and more precise decisions in your company. Modern dashboards and graphical presentations transform complex data streams into clear, real-time displays and create transparency at all levels of the company.

Data Analysis and Evaluation

The systematic analysis of your IoT data uncovers hidden correlations and identifies optimization potential in your processes. From descriptive statistics to complex analysis procedures - gain valuable insights from your operational data for well-founded business decisions.

Data analysis with ML & AI

Data analysis is the basis for data-driven IIoT applications - from process optimization to AI-supported predictions. While traditional evaluations work with fixed rules, AI algorithms independently recognize patterns and anomalies - for predictive maintenance or quality forecasts, for example. Both approaches complement each other and optimize the potential of your IoT data.

Use case apps

Industry-specific IoT applications address concrete challenges with preconfigured functionalities. From production optimization to asset tracking — these specialized solutions offer rapid time-to-value and can be flexibly adapted to individual requirements.

These technologies optimize data acquisition in your projects

Choosing the right standards and technologies determines the success of your data acquisition projects. Industry-leading standards form the foundation for reliable communication between your machines, sensors and IT systems. Our partners rely on established technologies that ensure seamless integration:

Cut through the technology jungle — with our free expert check

Our specialists analyze your requirements and identify the perfect transmission solution for your individual challenges — fast, precise, and independent of any manufacturer.

Network, exchange ideas, benefit.

Implementing IIoT projects together - with field- proven solutions

Our community brings together industry experts who have already implemented successful IIoT projects – openly, practically and on an equal footing. Gain insights into how other companies have solved challenges, share your use cases and discover new ideas and concrete solutions for your business.

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Solution examples

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Successful projects

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Active members

Take a look behind the scenes and hear what our network has to say

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Use Cases

Your use case has already been solved — see for yourself!

Every innovation starts with an idea. Discover proven use cases that support your digital transformation — from predictive maintenance to worker safety.

Condition monitoring

Real-time monitoring of machine and sensor data to reduce downtime.

Predictive Maintenance

Data-driven maintenance to detect failures early and cut costs.

Track & Trace

Seamless tracking of assets and material flows in production and logistics.

Digital Documentation

Automated collection and management of production and operational data.

Practical knowledge you can listen to

Our podcast episodes to listen to — practical knowledge on data transmission.

In our podcast, we bring together users and manufacturers to discuss concrete challenges in data transmission — from both a technical and business-case perspective. Tune in for practical insights and proven solution approaches.

"It’s like asking which car is the best — it depends on your needs. The same applies to IoT technology. Depending on the use case, different parameters are required. Communication over long distances usually means a lower data transmission rate, as the data is transported across various frequencies."

Precision through TSN - a revolution in industrial printing technology

CC-Link IE TSN is the only technology that combines gigabit bandwidth with time-sensitive networking. This connection enables the synchronized control of 70 motion axes and creates the necessary data capacity for Industry 4.0 applications with maximum precision.

Global mobile connectivity for tank monitoring

Schildknecht offers IoT gateways with an integrated SIM card and worldwide roaming for monitoring fuel tanks. Intelligent edge processing reduces data volumes, while the cloud system detects anomalies in real time and prevents theft.

UWB in electroplating: Centimeter-precise product carrier tracking

SICK’s ultra-wideband technology enables precise real-time localization even in demanding electroplating environments. With just 16 antennas for 3,500 m², goods carriers are detected with centimetre precision, processes are automatically controlled and transport routes are optimized.

Would you like to learn more about data transmission?

Whether you need initial insights, specific questions or concrete use cases – we can help you! Contact us for individual consultation and solutions.

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Explanation of terms

IoT is the common abbreviation for the Internet of Things. The definition to the meaning is wide, so we translate the terms from industry to practice here.

Whatever you call it, you’ll find it here without “buzzword bullshit bingo.”

Contact

We look forward to hearing from you!

Industrial data transmission - Knowing which solutions really work for – your gateway wireless unit modules wireless sensors

Our experts for data transsmission

A1 Digital

DeDeNet

Deutsche Telekom IoT GmbH

IOX GmbH

mioty alliance

Perinet GmbH

Schildknecht AG

UPLINK Gruppe

Secure and proven data transmission

WIRELESS

LPWAN

WIRELESS

Short-range radio

WIRELESS

Satellite communication

WIRELESS

5G

WIRED

OPC UA over MQTT

WIRED

Modbus RTU

WIRED

Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN)

OTHER

Looking for additional data transmission solutions?

Bridges between machines, edge and cloud

What exactly is industrial data transmission?

What do companies need data transmission technologies for?

Which standards and protocols are relevant?

How is security ensured in data transmission?

Maximizing the potential of your network infrastructure

Real-time communication for time-critical processes

Customized connectivity

Redundant paths for secure communication.

From the sensor to the cloud - seamless data security

Scalable infrastructure for growing data volumes

Cost optimization through intelligent data filtering

Successfully implementing IIoT projects - by sharing experiences and best practices

Discover Best Practices

Utilize expert knowledge

Field-proven data transmission solutions as key components of successful IIoT projects

Adapter solution for efficient digitalization of production processes

Open source: Data acquisition and visualization for sustainable gas production

Documentation and traceability in metallurgy

Energy-efficient building management with LoRaWAN submetering

Further building blocks for your successful IIoT project - explained in a practical way

Data Acquisition

Data preprocessing

Data standardization

IT/OT integration

IoT platform

Data Transmission

Data Security

Device Management

Data visualization

Data Analysis and Evaluation

Data analysis with ML & AI

Use case apps

These technologies optimize data acquisition in your projects

5G for industrial applications

LoRaWAN for energy-efficient long-range communication

Zigbee for flexible mesh networks

AMQP for reliable message delivery

NB-IoT for cellular IoT connectivity

Mioty for robust industrial wireless technology

Cut through the technology jungle — with our free expert check

Implementing IIoT projects together - with field- proven solutions

Solution examples

Successful projects

Active members

Take a look behind the scenes and hear what our network has to say

Your use case has already been solved — see for yourself!

Condition monitoring

Predictive Maintenance

Track & Trace

Digital Documentation

Our podcast episodes to listen to — practical knowledge on data transmission.

Precision through TSN - a revolution in industrial printing technology