This professional development course is designed for engineers and technicians who need to understand how to identify, prevent, and troubleshoot industrial data communications problems.
Modern industrial control and information systems employ a proliferation of technologies, including various hardware standards and protocols. For many of the personnel working with these systems, the technologies are ‘plug and play’ and are just there to be used. The problems arise when decisions have to be made regarding the most suitable technologies for a given application, or when things go wrong, and troubleshooting has to be performed. Without a thorough grasp of the working of the technologies involved, and without the availability of (and the ability to use) suitable diagnostic tools, this becomes a formidable challenge.
The world of industrial communications abounds with three-letter acronyms, protocols, layered communication systems, fieldbuses, and device networks. There are numerous networking and industrial bus standards, synchronous and asynchronous protocols, baseband and broadband systems, bus and star topologies, connection-oriented, and connectionless protocols. In addition, there is a pronounced migration towards the use of Ethernet and TCP/IP.
This program demystifies the jargon and places the most popular systems, technologies, hardware standards, and protocols in an Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) perspective. It explains how these technologies operate, and equips participants with the tools and skills to do basic hardware and protocol-related troubleshooting on both serial (RS-485) and Ethernet type networks.
Course Start Dates
- 3rd November 2026
- 13th April 2027
- 2nd November 2027
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Delivery mode
This course is available in the following study modes:
Entry Requirements
There are no formal academic requirements
Course fees
Course fee
$1,581
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Related career opportunities
This course will prepare you for the following roles.
About Engineering Institute of Technology
The Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is a leading engineering and technology education and training provider, offering online and on-campus programs. Our wide range of courses is driven by industry experts to ensure students (whether starting out or in the workforce) develop the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the ever-evolving world of modern engineering.
With campuses in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane, EIT delivers industry-focused professional certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees to students from over 160 countries.
Our study areas include electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering, renewable energy, industrial automation, data communications, industrial IT, electronics, as well as engineering management, safety, and risk and reliability engineering.
Their online and on-campus programs follow a unique delivery methodology that makes use of live and interactive webinars, an international pool of expert lecturers, dedicated learning support officers, and state-of-the-art technologies such as hands-on workshops, remote laboratories, and simulation software.
Our Mission
EIT’s mission is to provide students throughout the world with measurable and significant productivity gains in their workplace through cutting-edge and applied engineering vocational and higher education.
Our Vision
By 2032, EIT will be internationally recognized for its education in the engineering and technology areas and will be an Australian University College. EIT will draw students worldwide because of its reputation for strongly industry-oriented engineering programs, with graduate attributes that make EIT students employees of choice.
Legal name
Engineering Institute of Technology Pty Ltd
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