Echelon Solution Opens Doors for LogiSync Customer

As a provider of embedded and networked control system products and services that use open system communication protocols, LogiSync is enlisted to substantially reduce development time and related costs for one of its customers, PRI Automation. An Echelon LonWorks control network is implemented to meet the challenge.

A Common Communications Protocol Key to Efficient Chip Production
Located in Massachusetts, PRI Automation is a leader in semiconductor factory automation that manufactures and markets the POD Door Opener. This device allows semiconductor processing tools to access the wafers housed in the POD, a plastic enclosure that can hold 13 to 25 300mm-diameter wafers.According to Tom McNabb, business unit director at PRI, "A computer chip may go through 400 processing steps while in the form of a wafer. There must be continuous, ongoing communication between the host computer and individual semiconductor processing tools."

Edward Yenni, president of LogiSync, agrees: "The continuing drive to improve manufacturing efficiency means that semiconductor processing tools must communicate via a common language or protocol." He notes that these tools usually communicate using serial interfaces that rely on proprietary schemes,which cause confusion within the semiconductor fab.

Yenni cited several design goals for the new POD Door Opener,including little or no changes to the existing POD Door Opener software, use of off-the-shelf hardware, creation of a production prototype in six weeks or less,and full compliance with end-user functional and performance requirements. "It was also absolutely essential that the POD Door Opener fully implement the system integrator’s specifications covering network management, configuration, and monitoring and control functions," says Yenni.

POD Door Opener Processes Communications Using LonWorks Media

Among the choices available to LogiSync, Echelon provided an ideal solution. "After evaluating other control networks, we determined that LonWorks technology offered the best price and performance on the market." comments Yenni. He adds that LonWorks products are mature, robust, fully featured, and implement all seven layers of the Open Systems’ Interconnect Reference Model.

The POD Door Opener uses the LogiSync Model IG-1 LonWorks Serial Gateway to convert the POD Door Opener’s RS232 serial interface to the LonWorks TPT/XF-1250 media. The LonWorks control network transmits configuration and setup network variables from a LonWorks host device to the POD Door Opener. The control network also enables the POD Door Opener to send process variables and status and alarm messages to the host on an event-driven basis.

To guarantee that the system is operating correctly, the LonWorks control network features a "heartbeat" function. The host periodically broadcasts a message containing a time stamp and address information to all network devices, assuring functionality.

Echelon Solution Provides Full Interoperability

The implementation of the LonWorks-based POD Door Opener helped PRI Automation significantly reduce development time and associated costs. "We cut 10 weeks from the original 16-week development schedule," states McNabb. He estimates that PRI saved approximately $90,000 in training and software integration and testing expenses.

The POD Door Opener can also now easily function with other types of LonWorks devices. "The LonTalk open system communications protocol greatly increases the potential use of the POD Door Opener," says McNabb." As a result, we anticipate substantially higher revenues for this product."

LogiSync’s Yenni is especially pleased with Echelon’s technical staff and their rapid and thorough response to any issue. He states, "I am very impressed with Echelon’s sincere interest in the customer.”

Key Benefits

• Continual product communication reduces development time
• LonWorks solution shaves $90,000 off bottom line
• LonWorks interoperability generates substantially higher product revenues

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