A system, device, and method are disclosed for wirelessly coupling a controlling device to a programmable industrial control equipment such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). The controlling device may, for example, be a personal computer used for programming the PLC. The system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) unit located at one end of this wireless connection, and also includes at least one antenna at the other end, for communicating with the RFID unit. The RFID unit acts as an intermediary for communication between the programmable industrial control equipment and the controlling device. In case a product in a production line, or a newly added input/output module, provides information that controls a PLC, this control is enhanced by the RFID connection.