Shorter time to market for semiconductor device manufacturers with comX communication module

Hilscher offers compliance, compatibility and reliability for EtherCAT-based automation devices used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment with its highly capable communications module comX 51CA-RE\R. The multiprotocol-capable embedded module comX is constantly improved by Hilscher in order to meet the continuously developing industry standards for industrial communication in the chip industry.

Optimized for semiconductor manufacturing, this module for EtherCAT Slave applications streamlines automated device integration and meets the ETG.5003.1 standard for Common Device Profile (CDP). It is an upgrade to our standard comX module and allows devices like lasers, mass flow controllers and vacuum valves to be easily equipped with a network interface.

A key enabling feature of the comX 51CA-RE\R is the addition of three hexadecimal rotary switches, which allow the module to address devices via an ETG.5003.1-required Explicit Device ID. Meeting this requirement brings devices equipped with the comX 51CA-RE\R additional benefits like hot-connect and cable misconnection avoidance.

In addition, the configuration process simplifies device integration. After downloading the configuration package, the software integrates all functionalities the manufacturer needs. The protocol stack, firmware, drivers, tools and enhanced documentation are included with no licensing or royalty fees. And, if device makers run into any issues, full customer support is included at no additional cost.

Here are some other comX 51CA-RE\R features:

• 70 by 30 by 21.5 millimeters
• 16 kByte, 8-/16 bit dual-port memory
• netX 51 processor
• 2 RJ45 10 and 100 Mbit/s Ethernet interfaces

Device manufacturers can continue to integrate EtherCAT network capabilities without the new comX 51CA-RE\R module addressing feature, but they will add complexity, time and cost to their product development. Instead, this solution allows device makers to spend less time on development and reduce their time to market.