The M2M stands for Machine-to-Machine. It refers to direct communication between two or more devices without direct human intervention. The communication can occur over any channel, whether wired (like Ethernet) or wireless (like cellular or Wi-Fi). M2M is a broad concept that forms the foundation for more advanced systems like the Internet of Things (IoT).
The key idea is the automation of data exchange and action. For example, in a smart factory, a sensor on a conveyor belt (machine 1) could detect that a part is in position and send a signal directly to a robotic arm (machine 2) to pick it up. In this scenario, no person needed to monitor the sensor and command the robot; the machines communicated and coordinated among themselves. M2M is distinct from, but related to, IoT. While M2M focuses on the direct communication link between devices, IoT often implies that this data is also sent over the internet to a central cloud platform for broader analysis, monitoring, and control.
In the context of programmable power supplies, an M2M application could involve a power supply communicating directly with a device under test (DUT) to adjust its output based on the DUT's reported temperature, or it could communicate with a data logger to record its output parameters at specific intervals, all happening automatically as part of a pre-programmed test sequence.