{"id":"rtu","model_id":"remote terminal unit","name":"Remote Terminal Unit","summary":"A remote terminal unit (RTU) is a computer with radio interfacing used in remote situations where communications via wire is unavailable. It is usually used to communicate with remote field equipment. PLCs with radio communication capabilities are also used in place of RTUs.","study_notes":["Definition source: NIST SP 800-82r3, from NISTIR 6859.","PLCs with radio communication capabilities can substitute for RTUs."],"safety_notes":[],"sources":[{"url":"https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/remote_terminal_unit","title":"remote terminal unit - Glossary | CSRC","accessed":"2026-10-25"}],"verification":{"status":"source_checked","checked_at":"2026-10-25","values":2,"method":"llm_source_check"},"updated_at":"2026-10-25","type":"operational","spec":{"kind":"system","origin":"NIST SP 800-82r3 (from NISTIR 6859)","related":[]},"url":"https://machineschema.com/operational/rtu","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"}