Signalisatsiooni

Signalisatsiooni is a term used to describe signaling systems—the methods, devices, and protocols that convey information about the state of a system or process. It enables monitoring, control, and coordination by transmitting status, alerts, and instructions between sensors, controllers, and actuators.

The concept covers multiple domains. In telecommunications, signaling controls call setup, routing, charging, and network management. In transportation, railway and road traffic signaling use signals, interlocking, and traffic controllers to prevent hazards and manage flow. In buildings and security, signaling includes fire alarms, access control, and intrusion detection. In industrial automation, process signals connect sensors, programmable controllers, and actuators to regulate production and safety.

Core components typically include sensors that detect conditions, actuators that perform actions, indicators or alarms to convey information, and control logic such as PLCs or DCSs. Communication networks—wired or wireless—link devices across an installation or network. Signaling design emphasizes reliability, redundancy, fail-safety, and interoperability among diverse devices and systems.

Standards and practices vary by domain and region. International and regional bodies—such as IEC, ISO, and ITU-T—provide frameworks for general signaling concepts, while domain-specific standards govern railway, traffic, and industrial signaling. Safety-critical signaling often employs fail-safe architectures and rigorous validation.

Signalisatsiooni has evolved from simple visual and relay-based signals to sophisticated digital and networked signaling, enabling greater automation, efficiency, and safety across industries. See also traffic signaling, telecommunications signaling, industrial automation, interlocking, and SCADA.