Glossary

Last Updated on : 2024-04-12 07:08:35download

This topic describes the commonly used terms on the Tuya Developer Platform.

Hardware development

Smart product

Term	Description
Device	A device is any piece of equipment made for a particular purpose, especially a mechanical or electrical one. During long-term use, a device keeps its original form and functions unchanged. Generally, a device refers to a product on the platform and has the same meaning as hardware.
Hardware	Hardware refers to physical components and devices that you can see and touch. Generally, it refers to products.
HSV	HSV stands for hue, saturation, and value. HSV is a color model that uses three-dimensional coordinates to perceive the color.
IPC	IPC stands for IP camera. IPC is a new generation of a camera that integrates a traditional camera with network technology.
SoC	SoC stands for system on a chip. An SoC device does not have a microcontroller unit (MCU). The control programs are written into SoC or the module.
OSD	An on-screen display (OSD) is an on-screen menu for adjusting the display. After you press the Menu button, the screen pops up a rectangular menu of the display. You can select viewing options or adjust components of the display, such as the color, mode, and geometric shape, to achieve optimal display status.
Network module	A network module is a component that is integrated into an embedded electronic system to connect the system to a network. Each module is the circuit module that connects the embedded system to the network. Currently, Tuya provides the following modules for network connections in different modes: Wi-Fi module GPRS module Bluetooth mesh module Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) combo module Zigbee module Sub-GHz module NB-IoT module
DP	A data point (DP) represents a smart device function. Tuya abstracts each function into a data point. DPs are defined in different data types, such as Boolean, enumeration, and integer. DPs have read and write attributes. For example, a 2-gang switch has two Boolean DPs, and each DP has either a `True` or `False` value, which can be read and written. To read means to get the current value of the switch, and to write means to change the current value of the switch.
DPID	DP ID represents the ID of a DP event under a communication protocol.
Device ID	An identifier that uniquely identifies each device.
DPCode	The unique identifier of a DP event. In most cases, the DPCode is the same for the same DP event under different communication protocols.
AuthKey	The device authentication key issued by the platform. The AuthKey is strongly bound with the product ID (PID) and universally unique identifier (UUID). Note: This parameter is very important and will be used during device authentication. Keep the value safe.

Communication

Term	Description
Gateway	Bluetooth mesh and Zigbee devices cannot directly connect to the network, so a gateway is required, which has both Bluetooth communication and network connection capabilities. Through the gateway, local Bluetooth mesh and Zigbee devices can upload data to the cloud and receive data from the cloud. The gateway can act as a bridge to enable bidirectional communication between these devices and the cloud. Besides network communication, a versatile gateway can work as a light, a socket, or an alarm.
Zigbee	Zigbee is a short-range, simple, low-power, low-data-rate, low-cost, and two-way wireless communication technology. It applies to short-range, low-power, and low-rate data transfer between various electronic devices, periodic data transfer, intermittent data transfer, and data transfer at a longer interval.
Z-Wave	Z-Wave is a wireless communication protocol developed by Zensys, a Danish company. Z-Wave Alliance members are smart home product manufacturers throughout the globe. Over 160 of them are world-renowned companies, and their product application scopes have almost covered all the countries and regions in the world.
NB-loT	Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-loT) is a cellular technology that limits the bandwidth to about 180 kHz. It can be used directly on a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), or Long Term Evolution (LTE) network to reduce the cost and enable a smooth upgrade. NB-IoT ensures long battery life and efficient connections of devices that have high network requirements. As an emerging technology in the IoT field, NB-IoT supports cellular data connection of low-power devices in Wide Area Network (WAN), which is also known as Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN). NB-IoT has four benefits including low power consumption, wide coverage, mass connection, and low cost.
GPRS	General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a packet-oriented mobile data standard on the 2G and 3G cellular communication network’s global system for mobile communications (GSM). Generally, GPRS is defined as a mobile communication technology specification that cannot directly transfer information such as email and software, but only transfers calls, time, and date. However, text messages can be executed in some specifications. It is usually called Personal Communication Service (PCS) in the United States.
LoRa	Long Range (LoRa) is a physical layer or wireless modulation to create long range WAN connections. LoRa technology is based on Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) modulation technology and supports a much longer communication range than traditional frequency-shift keying (FSK) technology. It features a long transmission distance and strong anti-interference capabilities. CSS has been widely used in military and space communications.
eMTC	Enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC) is an IoT technology based on the LTE protocol that supports mobility and fast locating. The cost of an eMTC chip is about 25% of that of an LTE Cat 1 chip, whereas the eMTC rate is four times the GPRS rate.
Bluetooth	Bluetooth technology is an open global specification that is designed to enable short-range wireless voice and data communication. Through low-cost, short-distance wireless connections, Bluetooth is used to exchange data between fixed and mobile devices. This way, portable devices and other digital devices can connect to the internet through wireless connections, without the need for wires or cables.
SIG	The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) is a Bluetooth standards organization. Only Bluetooth SIG certified devices can use the Bluetooth word mark and logo.
Bluetooth LE	Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) is a short-range wireless communication technology developed and marketed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) for creating personal area networks. Bluetooth 4.0 and later support Bluetooth LE. The versions earlier than Bluetooth 4.0 are known as Bluetooth Classic. Bluetooth LE is aimed to maintain the same communication range, but with significantly reduced power consumption and cost. This technology is commonly used in fields, such as healthcare, sports and fitness, wearables, lighting, security, and home entertainment. Bluetooth LE mesh, Bluetooth LE beacon, and beacon mesh are application-layer protocols optimized for specific fields. These protocols are advertising extensions developed on top of Bluetooth LE. A point-to-point connection is created to connect to a Bluetooth LE device. This connection does not use the mesh or beacon technology.
Bluetooth mesh	Also known as Bluetooth LE mesh, it is a mesh networking protocol released by the Bluetooth SIG. Bluetooth mesh is built on top of the Bluetooth LE stack and allows for many-to-many communication among mesh devices over Bluetooth radio. Devices that support the Bluetooth mesh protocol also support Bluetooth 4.0 and 5.0 protocols. Bluetooth mesh devices can communicate with other devices that support Bluetooth 4.0, such as mobile phones and computers. Mesh devices communicate through Bluetooth advertising channels. The devices continuously scan the advertising channels to receive data. To exchange data among devices, the packets are reassembled and encrypted over the mesh protocol stack before they are transmitted through the advertising channels. Bluetooth mesh devices support data relaying and forwarding. Over a mesh network, devices are interconnected to relay and forward data and extend the network range beyond the gateway or other central device. Bluetooth mesh comes with proxy nodes. These nodes expose a Generic Attribute Profile (GATT) interface that mobile phones can use to interact with nodes of a mesh network. Bluetooth mesh is applicable to scenarios where lights, electrical devices, sensors, or other widely-distributed devices are networked. However, due to the network structure and packet reassembly protocols, data is transmitted at a low rate, but an excellent consistency and success rate can be achieved when multiple devices are controlled in bulk. Theoretically, Bluetooth mesh supports more devices on a network than Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth beacon	Tuya provides this proprietary application-layer protocol that enables broadcasting short messages based on Bluetooth LE. Bluetooth beacon supports the following scenarios: Bluetooth beacon remote controls send control commands to target devices. Certain Bluetooth LE devices in the disconnected state transmit short messages to mobile phones or gateways. For example, a Bluetooth LE temperature and humidity sensor transmits real-time data in the format of short messages to a mobile phone over Bluetooth beacon. The sensor also transmits historical data to the mobile phone through connections. Devices that support Bluetooth roaming report roaming data.
Beacon mesh	This is Tuya’s proprietary protocol, also known as beacon 2.0. Beacon mesh is a mesh network protocol that enables communication based on Bluetooth LE advertising. Bluetooth mesh devices do not have subordination relations and communicate with each other in advertising mode. This protocol also applies to the communication between a mobile phone or gateway and a mesh node. After a mobile phone sends an instruction, all Bluetooth mesh devices within the advertising range of the mobile phone can receive the instruction. In turn, within the advertising range of each mesh device, the device retransmits the instruction to other devices. In this way, the complete instruction can eventually reach the destination or cannot be received. No partial data loss occurs. Theoretically, beacon mesh supports more devices on a network than Wi-Fi. Compared with Bluetooth mesh, beacon mesh shows higher cost efficiency and is suitable for small-scale scenarios, for example, simple group control of dozens of devices.
Mesh parameters	Transmission speed: 30 bytes/second. Transmission distance: 10 meters for indoor transmission, and 30 meters for barrier-free transmission. Number of networked devices: More than 150 devices can be networked and run stably. Theoretically, up to 65,000 devices are supported in a network. Bluetooth technology: Standard Bluetooth mesh protocol, and Telink protocol based on Bluetooth 4.0 in a few cases.
NFC	Near-field communication (NFC) is a new technology to enable two devices (such as mobile phones) that are geographically near each other to exchange data. NFC is rooted in radio-frequency identification (RFID) and interconnection technologies. An NFC chip has a contactless reader, contactless smart card, and point-to-point communication functions. NFC-enabled mobile terminals apply to scenarios such as mobile payment, e-ticketing, access control, mobile identity authentication, and anti-counterfeiting.
RFID	Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a communication technology or electronic tag that is used to identify specific objects and read and write data through radio signals. The identifying system and identified objects do not need to establish mechanical or optical connections.
P2P	Peer-to-peer (P2P) networking is a distributed application architecture that partitions tasks or workloads between peers. P2P is a networking or network type that is formed by peer computational models at the application layer.
RTP	The Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) is a network protocol for end-to-end (E2E) real-time data transmission. For example, deliver interactive audio and video or analog data over multicast or unicast networks. RTP is widely used in communication and entertainment systems that involve streaming media, such as telephone, video conferencing, television services, and web-based push-to-talk features.
Socket	A socket is an endpoint of a two-way communication link between two programs running on a network. A communication link involves at least two sockets, each of which is bound to a port number. In essence, a socket refers to an application programming interface (API) that is provided to programmers for network development during Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/IP encapsulation. In this context, the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) provides a specific form of data encapsulation or display, and the socket enables network communication.
MQTT	Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) is a publish-subscribe-based messaging protocol that IBM has developed. MQTT supports all the platforms and can connect most IoT products to the external environment. It is used as a communication protocol for sensors and brakes.

Hardware

Term	Description
I/O pin and GPIO	Indicates the pins on the module, which is the input/output channel. GPIO refers to a general-purpose input/output pin.
Pin	A pin links the internal circuit of an integrated circuit (chip) to an external circuit. All pins of a chip form interfaces of the chip.
EP	An endpoint (EP) is a smart hardware device.
Control board	A control board is a circuit board. Its application scope is not as wide as that of the circuit board, but it is more smart and automatic than the general circuit board. Generally, only circuit boards with a control function are called control boards.
AC-DC power module	An AC-DC power module provides a constant current in the circuit, including dry cells, storage batteries, and DC generators.
Inductor	When an electric current flows through a conductor, it creates an electromagnetic field around that conductor. `Electromagnetic field ÷ current = inductance`. Formula: `L = phi ÷ i`. The unit is henry (H). An inductor is typically used with a capacitor in an LC filtering circuit. Capacitors block DC while allowing AC to pass, whereas inductances block AC while allowing DC to pass.
LDO	A low-dropout linear regulator (LDO) is a DC linear voltage regulator that can regulate the output voltage even when the supply voltage is very close to the output voltage.
Development board	A development board is a circuit board that assists embedded system development.
PCB	A printed circuit board (PCB) mechanically supports and electrically connects electrical or electronic components using conductive tracks, pads, and other features etched from one or more sheet layers of copper laminated onto and/or between sheet layers of a non-conductive substrate.
PCBA/PCB’A	Printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is the overall process of placing components onto a blank PCB using surface-mount technology (SMT), and then through-hole mounting dual in-line packages (DIPs) into the PCB. Developers in China usually use PCBA, whereas the standard spelling is PCB’A in Europe and America.
Antenna interface	An antenna is a hardware component that receives and transmits signals through wireless connections. Typical antennas PCB antennas, helical antennas, ceramic chip antennas, FPC antennas with I-PEX connectors, and rod-shaped copper antennas.
Antenna gain	Antenna gain is the ratio of the power density of the actual antenna signal to the ideal radiation unit at the same point in space, given equal input power. Antenna gain quantitatively describes how well an antenna converts input power to radio waves headed in a specified direction.
Receiving sensitivity	Receiving sensitivity is a measure of the minimum signal level that the receiver can recover demodulation. This value is a negative number. The smaller the value, the better the receiver performance.
Country code	The power limit and spectrum planning requirements for all the countries and regions.
TRP	The total radiated power (TRP) in the OTA test, including the horizontal and vertical parts.
TIS	Total isotropic sensitivity (TIS) in OTA test, including horizontal and vertical parts.
EVM	The error vector magnitude (EVM) is used to measure the accuracy of digital modulation.
OpenCPU	The firmware that is originally run on the MCU will be run on the SoC on the Cat.1 module. The functions based on serial communication will be implemented based on the OpenAPI. OpenCPU SDK is applied to software development, compiling, and firmware flashing. The OpenCPU SDK includes the OpenAPI used to interact with the external circuits, as well as tools for compiling and flashing the external firmware.
Cool white light (C)	A cool white lighting product (C light) emits cool white light with adjustable brightness.
Cool and warm white light (CW)	A cool and warm lighting product (CW light) emits cool and warm white light with adjustable brightness and color temperatures.
Colored light (RGB)	The red, green, and blue (RGB) color model is an industry-standard color model in which red light, green light, and blue light overlay in various ways to reproduce a broad array of colors. An RGB lighting product has three adjustable light colors. The model can reproduce almost all colors that the human eye can perceive, and it is one of the most widely-used color models. An RGB value is the brightness that is represented with an integer. Each of the red, green, and blue color channels has values from 0 to 255. An RGB system can have 16,777,216 (`256 × 256 × 256 = 16777216`) possible colors. The RGB system is also called 16 million colors or 24-bit colors (2²⁴).
Cool white and colored light (RGBC)	An RGBC lighting product has adjustable light colors and brightness. RGBC stands for red, green, blue, and cool white.
White and colored light (RGBCW)	An RGBCW lighting product has adjustable light colors, brightness, and color temperatures. RGBCW stands for red, green, blue, cool white, and warm white.

Embedded programming

Term	Description
MCU	A microcontroller unit (MCU) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit, with very high integration, rich functions, very high response speed, reliability, and a wide application field. Devices with the MCU have their own control boards, which define the product functions. Network modules connect to control boards to implement the network connection.
SDK	A software development kit (SDK) contains the documents, examples, and tools required to develop software. Tuya provides free SDKs to encourage developers to use their systems or languages.
Firmware	Firmware refers to programs written into the erasable programmable read-only memory (EROM) or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The firmware drives programs embedded in devices, for example, CD-ROM and CD-R. The firmware enables operating systems to drive devices based on standard device drivers. Firmware is the software that completes the most basic bottom-layer tasks of a system.
OTA	An OTA update is the wireless delivery of new software, firmware, or other data to connected IoT devices. Firmware updates can be wireless or wired. Firmware over-the-air (FOTA) is a wireless update method.
Serial port	A serial port, also known as a serial communications port (generally referred to as a COM port), is an extended port that uses the serial communication mode. A serial port transfers one bit at a time. It features simple communication paths. A pair of transmission cables, for example, a pair of telephone lines, can enable two-way communications between two serial ports, greatly reducing communications costs. Serial ports specifically focus on long-range communication but with a low transmission speed.
UART	A universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) is a computer hardware device that converts parallel input signals to serial output signals. A UART is usually integrated into other communication interface devices, such as independent modular chips or peripherals integrated into microprocessors.
Serial communication protocol	Serial communication protocol enables a serial port to transmit and receive data on a per-bit basis. Although serial communication is slower than parallel communication in which data is exchanged by byte, a serial port can use one link to send data, and another link to receive data at the same time. Common serial communication protocols include RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485.
RTC	A real-time clock (RTC) is a device that is independent of the system timer. It is used to set the system clock and provide an alarm or periodic timer.
Arduino	Arduino is one of the most popular open source hardware products in the world, an excellent hardware development platform, and the trend of hardware development. With simple development, Arduino allows you to pay more attention to creative ideas and implementation, complete their project development more quickly, reduce learning costs, and shorten development cycles.
No-code development solution	Also known as a development-free solution. It allows you to develop embedded programs quickly without coding. All features of the firmware can be configured online. You only need to complete the hardware and UI design before mass production.
Module debugging assistant	Tuya module debugging assistant is a serial port debugging tool that integrates the communication protocols of Tuya modules. With diversified functionality and convenient use, this tool is used for debugging during development with general MCU integration solutions. Common protocols of Tuya modules are supported, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and NB-IoT. This tool can be used to simulate the module to verify the MCU code logic and simulate the MCU to debug the pairing feature.
Firmware identifier	The firmware name used for firmware compilation and subject to certain naming rules.
Firmware configuration	Used to set firmware parameters in no-code hardware development and can be written to a module by a flashing tool.
Firmware key	The unique identifier generated after the firmware is uploaded to the platform. The value length is 16 bytes by default, and 8 bytes by default for Bluetooth and Zigbee protocols.

TuyaOS

Term	Description
TuyaOS	Built on top of the RTOS, Linux, and Non-OS, TuyaOS is a distributed and platform-agnostic operating system. With a standard kernel at the core, TuyaOS is designed to tackle the heterogeneity of platforms, systems, and protocols in order to enable quick and reliable integration, interconnection, and interoperability. The tiered and plug-and-play architecture design allows you to quickly tailor a solution based on your hardware resources, and delivers a cost-effective development experience. The efficient remote procedure call (RPC) mechanism and proprietary data point (DP) protocols make communication across protocols possible and easy.
TuyaOS Link SDK	TuyaOS Link SDK is the development material for device connection that is enabled based on the definitions of data points. This SDK applies to existing products that have been developed without Tuya’s modules.
TuyaLink SDK	TuyaLink SDK is the development material for device connection that is enabled based on the definitions of things data models. This SDK applies to existing products that have been developed without Tuya’s modules.
Tuya Wind IDE	Tuya Wind IDE (integrated development environment) provides comprehensive facilities for TuyaOS development. Installed on Visual Studio Code as an extension, Tuya Wind IDE helps you tailor applications on top of the TuyaOS development framework as needed. You can write code, build projects, flash firmware, and debug applications in one place with ease.

Cloud development

Term	Explanation
Tuya IoT Cloud	The device management hub for Tuya’s global deployment. This hub connects to `Powered by Tuya` (PBT) devices through southbound interfaces and communicates with IoT applications through northbound interfaces. Provide the capabilities to process more than 100 million concurrent requests and offer uninterrupted device management services of high stability.
Customer’s cloud	The cloud services subject to your business deployment as required.
Cloud project	The unit of your data storage. All kinds of development permissions and data are managed based on the cloud projects. For example, you can select a cloud project and configure the associated device permissions, API permissions, and data assets as required. Resources deployed for each project are isolated from those for other projects.
Cloud service	A collection of OpenAPIs that can be called to implement features in a specific scenario. Before you make API requests, you must subscribe to the proper cloud service version and authorize the project to access the cloud service.
Link	During cloud integration, you can link existing apps, PIDs, and other business data with a cloud project. This way, the cloud project is granted access to the business data for further development.
Consumer app	A proprietary app or WeChat mini program that you develop to serve end users.
Home	A structure that is equipped with connected smart devices in smart home scenarios. Each home consists of one or more rooms and smart devices can be assigned to the rooms.
Asset	A structure that is equipped with connected smart devices in custom development scenarios. Each asset is a hierarchical tree structure of up to 5 layers. This structure is applicable to device management in various industry scenarios. In actual projects, each asset indicates an actual physical space, such as an office building, an agricultural shed, or a truck.
`accessId` and `accessKey`	Also known as a cloud application key pair. After a cloud application is created in the cloud development section of the platform, `accessId` and `accessKey` are generated automatically in the background. They are used for authorization and authentication of API operations.
Standardization	Standardization is a philosophy used in the process of product connection to abstract category-specific repetitive control protocols and concepts into unified things data models and standard control protocols. In the connection to products developed on the platform, you can control products of multiple models in the same category. This helps you reduce the repetitive workload and improve efficiency.
Instruction set	One or more sets of control instructions used to control devices. Instruction sets are distinguished by product categories. The instruction set under the same category includes the instruction set collections under different PIDs of the category. Therefore, the instruction set of a PID is a subset of the instruction set of the category to which the PID belongs.
Status set	A collection used to describe the function status reported by a device. Similar to instruction sets, status sets are distinguished by product categories. A status set under the same category is a collection of statuses for all PIDs that belong to the category. Therefore, the status set of a PID is a subset of the status set of the category to which the PID belongs. Note: There is no strict one-to-one correspondence between instruction sets and status sets. You can use instruction sets or status sets to implement data sending and reporting as required.
`schema`	The unique identifier of an app used to isolate user data in your project that is deployed on top of Tuya’s Cloud Development. A schema can be widely used in cloud integration scenarios, for example, to sync and query users.
Alert message	If messages pile up in a third-party service and the alert threshold that you have set in Tuya’s Cloud Development is reached, the system will send alert messages to your registered mobile phone and email address. This way, you can be timely notified to solve the pileup problem for the third-party service.
Message Service	A feature provided by Tuya for third-party services to receive messages from smart devices connected to the platform.
Message pileup	If message consumption is accidentally delayed in a third-party service due to program performance or other reasons, the unconsumed messages pushed by devices will pile up, waiting to be consumed and processed by the third-party service.
WeChat mini program app ID	A string of characters that Tencent WeChat official development platform assigns to each mini program. Each app ID uniquely identifies a specified WeChat mini program.
WeChat mini program app secret	An access key that Tencent WeChat official development platform assigns to each mini program. During the communication between Tuya’s Cloud Development services and Tencent WeChat servers, an app secret is required for authentication.
API grouping	A method used to include multiple API services with common features in the same group. In most cases, API services are grouped by functional modules.

Common terms

Term	Description
OAuth 2.0	Open Authorization (OAuth) is a development standard that allows you or your users to authorize third-party applications to access or control assets deployed in Tuya. No password is required for the access and control. The assets can be devices, scene data, and more. OAuth can be applied to the following scenarios: End users: Users of the Smart Life app can authorize third-party cloud voice platforms, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home, to control the devices that are added to the app. Business developers: Based on the cloud application key issued by Tuya, you are granted password-free access or control of your development resources provided by Tuya. These resources can be data respecting users, devices, products, apps, and more.
Simple mode	Simple mode is one of the authorization modes in the OAuth 2.0 protocol specification. It is also known as the Client Credentials Grant. The client accesses the API based on the Tuya API specification. After Tuya’s authentication server completes the authentication, it can issue an access token.
Authorization code mode	Authorization code mode is one of the authorization modes in the OAuth 2.0 protocol specification. It is also known as the authorization code grant mode. The client uses the authorization code to exchange access tokens, and thus gains access to user data.
`access_token`	An access token, also called authentication credential, must be provided when calling Tuya Cloud Open API. Only after you complete the authentication by Tuya’s authentication server, can relevant business operations be carried out.
`refresh_token`	A refresh token. When the access token becomes invalid, a new access token can be obtained through the refresh token that can be used only once.
RESTful	RESTful is a design style and development method for web applications. Based on HTTP, it can be defined in XML format or JSON format. RESTful is suitable for scenarios where mobile internet service providers use it as business enabling APIs, so third parties can use mobile network resources in the way of over the top (OTT). The action types include adding, changing, and deleting the called resources. Tuya IoT Cloud provides API services to external developers with RESTful APIs.
Message Queue	A message queue refers to the container in which messages are stored during transmission.
Pulsar	Pulsar is a multi-tenant, high-performance server-to-server messaging solution. Originally developed by Yahoo, it is now managed by The Apache Software Foundation. Tuya has made customized improvements based on the open source Pulsar system. Tuya actively pushes various event data to external partners through Pulsar. Pulsar SDK provided by Tuya can complete message access and meet the requirements of partners for real-time messaging and message persistence.
NLP	Natural language processing (NLP) is a subfield of artificial intelligence (AI) concerned with the interactions between computers and human (natural) languages, in particular how to program computers to process and analyze large amounts of natural language data.
PaaS	Platform as a service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model in which applications are developed or procured by you through Java, Python, and .NET development languages. PaaS is designed to deploy the applications on the cloud computing infrastructure. You can control the deployed applications and configure the hosted environment where the applications run. You do not need to manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure, including the networks, servers, operating systems, and storage.
IaaS	Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is a service model in which you can use all computing infrastructure resources, including the CPU, memory, storage, network, image, firewall, and other computing resources. This allows you to deploy and run any software, including operating systems and applications.
GDPR	The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European Union (EU) regulation on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA). It has high requirements for data protection, security, and standards compliance.
SSID	A service set identifier (SSID) divides a wireless local area network (WLAN) into several subnetworks that require independent identity verification. Only authenticated users can access the WLAN. This prevents unauthorized access and ensures network security.
AP isolation	A computer mode. As a computer mode, AP isolation is used to isolate connected PCs, ensuring user data security.
PB	The petabyte (PB) is a storage unit. One petabyte is equal to 1024 terabytes (TB).
PID	Stands for the product ID. Each product created on the platform is assigned a unique PID. Each PID is associated with the details of a specific product, including the data points (DPs), app control panel, and purchase information. A PID can be regarded as the identity card of the associated product.
UUID	A universally unique identifier (UUID) is the unique ID assigned to a product developed on the platform. AuthKey is the authentication key to register the device to the cloud, and UUID has a one-to-one mapping to the AuthKey. A UUID is a 20-character string, and an AuthKey is a 32-character string.
API	Application programming interfaces (APIs) are predefined functions that enable application programs and developers to access the library based on software or hardware, without accessing the source code or understanding details about the internal operating mechanism.
Cloud API	Cloud APIs enable you to use a cloud application programming interface that has a service delivered by cloud service providers.

App

Term	Description
All-in-one app	Tuya’s all-in-one app, also known as the Smart Life app. This app boasts features of being free, ready-to-use, easy control, diversified scenarios, useful features, and world readiness.
OEM App	The one-stop branded OEM app building and management solution provided by Tuya. You can customize an app consistent with your brand guidelines based on our standard templates. With app version management, app data operation, and other management services, you can quickly bring products to market.
Tap-to-run (scene)	A tap-to-run scene is a set of cloud-based preset actions, including device operations and delay. The tap-to-run actions can be executed remotely.
Automation (scene)	You can set trigger conditions for tap-to-run scenes. For example, the conditions can be time, device status, geographic location, and weather.
Device group	A device group is constituted by devices of the same type in a home. Therefore, these devices can be controlled together.
Smart Life App SDK	Smart Life App SDK is a set of SDKs launched by Tuya for the smart home field. You can quickly complete app functionality development based on the SDK to provide a variety of smart device operations, including device pairing, device control, firmware updates, scheduled tasks, and smart scenes.
Extension SDK	Extension SDK involves the IPC SDK, smart lock SDK, and sweeper SDK. These SDKs encapsulate specified features for the vertical resources and facilitate the development of products in vertical fields.
AP pairing	AP pairing is also known as hotspot mode. It is a connection capability for pairing over Wi-Fi. After a mobile phone is connected to the Wi-Fi hotspot of a target device, the app is paired and communicates with the mobile phone over Wi-Fi. With a high success rate and good reliability, this mode adapts to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz dual-band routers. However, users need to manually switch between the Wi-Fi bands connected to the mobile phone.
Wi-Fi EZ mode	Wi-Fi EZ mode is also known as the Wi-Fi Easy Connect (EZ) or SmartConfig mode to pair devices over Wi-Fi. After a user connects a mobile phone to a router, the router broadcasts packets to communicate and pair with a target smart device. It is easy-to-use, but has compatibility requirements for mobile phones and routers. The success rate is lower than that of AP or hotspot pairing.
Pairing through gateway	Gateways are classified into Zigbee gateways and Bluetooth gateways. If a gateway is controlled, all its sub-devices can be controlled. Regarding the connection method, gateways also include wired gateways and wireless gateways. For a wired gateway, its sub-devices are paired through wired connections. For a wireless gateway, its sub-devices are paired in Wi-Fi EZ mode.
Control panel	A control panel is a program that runs on the Smart Life app, an OEM app, or an app developed based on Tuya’s Smart Life App SDK. It is a graphical user interface (GUI) application that controls smart devices within Tuya’s ecosystem. Built on top of the Smart MiniApp or React Native framework, each control panel supports updates on the fly and keeps the smooth experience of native apps to the maximum extent possible. A control panel that is implemented based on Smart MiniApp is also known as a panel miniapp.
UI BizBundle	Tuya provides a variety of UI BizBundles on top of the Smart Life App SDK. These UI BizBundles provide specific business logic and UI encapsulation. You can implement all required services simply by API requests and accelerate application development. Common UI BizBundles include Device Control UI BizBundle and Scene UI BizBundle.
Panel SDK	Panel SDK is a collection of tools provided by the panel container to assist you in the development of control panels.
Real device	A real device is a device that integrates a network module to implement firmware logic.
Virtual device	A virtual device is a non-real device for you to try out panels and functional logic built in smart devices.
UIID	A UIID is an ID assigned to the control panel of a smart product. Each UIID uniquely identifies a UI package that is generated after the respective panel project is developed and uploaded.
All-in-one panel	The all-in-one panel is generally available on the platform and is applicable to a series of product categories. This type of panel is designed to accelerate and empower your development of smart products.

SaaS development

Term	Description
SaaS	Software as a Service (SaaS) is a software distribution model in which a service provider hosts applications based on cloud computing infrastructure and makes them available to you on clients, for example, browsers. You do not need to manage or control the cloud computing infrastructure, including the networks, servers, operating systems, and storage. All the cloud computing infrastructure is managed and operated by SaaS providers.
SaaS Development Framework	SaaS Development Framework is a one-stop SaaS development solution provided by the platform to empower your business. This framework offers basic applications to help you deliver SaaS products without coding. It also provides a full set of development tools. You can benefit from the simplified SaaS development process and implement personalized SaaS features with ease. The SaaS Development Framework introduces concepts of main application and microapp. This framework provides a modular approach to selecting or building applications for your SaaS offerings. In simple terms, this framework abstracts SaaS development into the following philosophy: SaaS system = Main application + Ready-to-use basic microapps + Customized microapps. This design increases flexibility and efficiency in the development of SaaS offerings.
Main application	As a runtime container of microapps, a main application provides a variety of common capabilities, such as a unified system layout and global state management. A main application can be provided by the platform. It can also be an open source or customized one. Note that only one main application can be used in a SaaS system.
Microapp	On top of SaaS Development Framework, each feature of a SaaS system is abstracted into a microapp. You can choose desired ready-made microapps from the platform to configure SaaS features. This allows for quick delivery of a SaaS solution. Alternatively, you can develop a custom microapp. This way, you can create a SaaS solution that fits your needs at a minimal cost. For example, device management is a must-have feature in most IoT SaaS applications. The SaaS Development Framework implements this feature as a separate microapp. You can simply select this microapp to integrate it into your application. With the business advancement, your requirements might go beyond the device management microapp provided by the platform. In this case, based on the source code of this microapp, you can bring a custom device management microapp to life. Microapps have the following characteristics: Each feature can be implemented separately as a microapp. Each microapp can be developed and published independently. Micro applications can be assembled on demand to rapidly deliver an integrated SaaS application. Each microapp has its own permissions, menus, and dependencies. In general, application development refers specifically to microapp development.
App Key and Secret Key	App Key and Secret Key are the credentials for you to publish a microapp and get the SaaS configuration information. Your account of the platform identifies you as a microapp developer. Go to the platform and click View Development Credentials in the top right corner to get the App Key and Secret Key.
sdf-cli	A command-line tool for publishing a microapp. You can use `sdf publish` to build and publish the microapp on the platform.

Third-party connection

Term	Description
WWA	Works with Alexa (WWA) certification is a paid service that Amazon provides to test, verify, and certify products of the partners based on Amazon’s standards.
Amazon Echo	Amazon Echo is a brand of smart speakers developed by Amazon. Amazon Echo has three versions, including a basic Echo Dot, a standard Amazon Echo, and a portable Amazon Tap. Similar to common Bluetooth speakers, the Echo speakers do not have a screen and only support the voice interaction mode.
Amazon Alexa	Amazon Alexa is a cloud-based voice service provided by Amazon. Amazon Alexa-enabled Echo speakers allow users to give voice commands to interact with smart devices and acquire related services, including playing music, answers to questions, and setting alarms. At present, Alexa only supports the English language. Alexa serves as the brain of Echo. All input and output messages are processed by Alexa.
Alexa skill	An Alexa skill is a third-party service of Alexa.
IFTTT	If This Then That (IFTTT) is a free web-based service platform that allows you to create chains of simple conditional statements for easier use. IFTTT consists of three parts, including tasks, triggers, and actions.
Google Home	Google Home is a brand of smart voice-activated home speakers.
Google Assistant	Google Assistant is an AI voice assistant that supports multiple languages and device categories. It activates the voice interactions with Google Home speakers.
Google Action	Google Action is a development platform for Google Assistant. This platform enables third-party development of actions that are known as the applets for the Google Assistant to provide extended functionality.
Google Mini	Google Mini is a Google Search appliance designed for businesses to set up a search engine.
HomeKit	HomeKit is a smart home platform that Apple launched in 2014. HomeKit regards a home as a collection of smart home appliances and allows users to manage smart home appliances based on homes, rooms, and zones. HomeKit supports common smart home protocols and secure pairing. It provides an open API for pairing and interconnections with smart home appliances. This way, users can talk to Siri and control smart home appliances.
Home Assistant	Home Assistant is a Python-based open source smart home system. It supports smart home devices of multiple brands and enables easy voice control and automation of devices. Home Assistant is intended primarily for individual developers or users, and is not commercially available.

Data services

Term	Description
Data source	A data source provides the data to be processed on Data Analytics Platform. In this process, you access the data source, and perform data operations, such as data subscription, cleansing, and transfer. Data Analytics Platform involves real-time data sources respectively for products and cloud projects.
Real-time task	A real-time task is a logic script that processes your business data. The script is implemented based on the underlying Flink SQL. Therefore, you can filter and aggregate data, and associate tables to get the desired data.
Data table	A data table stores data for data analytics and is classified into the real-time table, offline table, and time-series table. Data storage methods and features can vary, depending on different table types. You can choose the desired data tables as needed.
Data services	You can generate an API from the stored data and call it in the panel or other applications. Currently, panel APIs and application APIs can be generated in different scenarios. You can choose the desired APIs as needed.
Computing resource	Computing resources are the basis for Data Analytics. All of offline SQL analytics jobs, time-series analytics, and real-time streaming jobs depend on computing resources.
SQL job	A SQL job is an execution entity that is mapped to an operation for a SQL job editor to execute a SQL statement, import data, or export data.
Scheduled task	A scheduled task can be set to be run by a SQL job in a recurring period. For example, the start time, end time, and execution cycle can be configured.

Others

Term	Description
OEM	An original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is a company that produces parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer.
ODM	An original design manufacturer (ODM) is a company that designs and manufactures a product, as specified, that is eventually rebranded by another firm for sale. Alternatively, the design is modified slightly for production. The manufacturer that designs and manufactures products is called ODM, and the products are ODM products.
OBM	An original brand manufacturer (OBM) is typically a company that sells an entire product made by a second company or including a component from a second company sources as its own branded product.
MOQ	A minimum order quantity (MOQ) is the smallest number of products that you can order at a time.
AI	Artificial intelligence (AI) is a new technology science for researching and developing the theories, methods, technologies, and application systems to mimic, extend, and expand human intelligence. AI research includes robotics, speech recognition, image recognition, natural language processing, and expert systems.

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