Progressive digitalization means that semiconductors are now installed in almost every device. These highly integrated chips can process digital information, and the demand for semiconductors is increasing every year. However, semiconductors are among the most complex products, also in terms of their production, as is shown in the following simplified illustration of the individual production steps.

The comX communication module was developed to equip automation devices with a network interface. Here, all communication tasks are executed autarchically on the module - independent of the target platform processor.

The future prospects for the semiconductor industry are quite positive, with a projected growth of around 9% in 2022. However, the industry is repeatedly faced with supply bottlenecks due to the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, amongst other things. By developing a new comX communication module, especially suited for the semiconductor industry, Hilscher is supporting to cope with the current situation.

By definition, Ethernet technology does not allow any physical loop structures and, due to the broadcast characteristics of Ethernet, no redundant communication paths are possible. However, the reliability and the use of redundant architectures are fundamental requirements of many automation systems. Industrial Ethernet protocols such as EtherCAT deliver redundancy methods to realize more robust and fail-safe networks.

The latest card of Hilscher’s cifX portfolio is the world's first master and slave solution in an M.2 format. This card opens up the possibility for users to equip their automation devices with an industrial communication interface via an M.2 socket. As a multi-protocol card, the new M.2 PC-card offers a wide variety of Real-Time Ethernet and fieldbus communication protocols with a uniform application interface.