Revised SEMI Standard Broadens the Role of Echelon Technology in Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing Market(SAN JOSE, CA - July 12, 2005) - Echelon Corporation (NASDAQ: ELON), a pioneer in control networking, and the world’s leading supplier of technology for the widely-used LonWorks® control networking platform, announced today that the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI®) organization has expanded the role of the control networking communications protocol originally created by Echelon in the international Sensor-Actuator Network (SAN) standard, SEMI E54. The series of standards is designed to ensure that products from different component suppliers can interoperate in the embedded sensor-actuator networks within a semiconductor manufacturing tool, and for the first time, specifies a complete solution for semiconductor equipment manufacturers to deploy the LonWorks protocol as the technology of choice for sensor-actuator network communications. "In broadening the use of the protocol in E54, we believe that SEMI is enabling semiconductor equipment manufacturers to increase product reliability and improve productivity", said Michael Tennefoss, Echelon's vice president of marketing. "We believe that there will be an increased reliance of manufacturers on the E54 standard as the industry continues to strive for higher productivity and lower overall production costs." An approved technology of the SEMI E54.6 standard since 1997, this enhanced suite of standards for sensor-actuator networks should help to reduce the cost and developmental time of both new process equipment and microprocessor-based components. The enhanced standard, SEMI E54.16, extends the LonWorks protocol into the following SEMI standards:
Various standards bodies worldwide have already adopted Echelon’s platform into their industry standards in order to increase efficiency, help reduce overall manufacturing and maintenance costs, and to assist in opening the door for business opportunities around the globe. The building, home, industrial and transportation automation industries all currently have standards based upon the LonWorks platform and/or the communications protocol of the LonWorks platform (ANSI/EIA/CEA709.1-B). About SEMI The SEMI Standards Program, established in 1973, covers all aspects of semiconductor process equipment and materials, from wafer manufacturing to test, assembly and packaging, in addition to the manufacture of flat panel displays and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). Several hundred volunteers worldwide participate in the program, which is made up of 17 global technical committees. Visit www.semi.org/standards for further details about SEMI Standards. About Echelon Corporation Echelon is also the creator of the LonWorks platform, an extremely robust, flexible, and expandable standards-based control networking platform upon which manufacturers can build products and applications with unparalleled reliability, security, operational integrity, flexibility, and bottom-line value. The worldwide adoption of the platform prompted the formation of LonMark® International, an independent trade organization that certifies LonWorks based products against an interoperability specification that allows devices from differing manufacturers to work together; educates the market about the value of device interoperability and open control networks; and creates awareness programs for potential end-users, OEM manufacturers, and integrators of LonMark certified products and LonMark systems. For planners, system architects, or OEM designers of control network products and families there is no better choice than Echelon. Echelon is a co-organizer of the LonWorld® 2005 Exhibition and Conference in Paris, France on October 20-21, 2005. Information about the LonWorld event may be found at http://www.lonworldexpo.com. Echelon is based in San Jose, California, with international offices in China, France, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Further information regarding Echelon can be found at http://www.echelon.com. ### Echelon, LonWorks, LonMark, LonWorld, and the Echelon logo are registered trademarks of Echelon Corporation registered in the United States and other countries. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. This press release may contain statements relating to future plans, events or performance. Such statements may involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated the with market acceptance and adoption of the enhanced SEMI E54 standard or Echelon’s platform; risks that the broadened role of E54 may not result in sales of Echelon products and services; risks associated with uncertainties pertaining to the timing and level of customer orders and demand for Echelon products and services, and the growth of the LonWorks industry generally; and other risks identified in Echelon's SEC filings. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Echelon undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Contact Information
|
||||||
 |