SECSConnect™ SECS/GEM Software Library
The SECSConnect software product is a library with simple functions for sending and receiving any SECS-II messages, message logging and communication diagnostics. Both HSMS-SS and SECS-I protocols are supported by this SECS/GEM library. Although SECSConnect is bundled with the CIMConnect product to implement SECS-II communication, SECSConnect is also available stand-alone. SECSConnect is suitable for both equipment suppliers and factories
SECSConnect has built-in queues for incoming and outgoing SECS-II messages. Messages are sent and received asynchronously. SECSConnect is compatible with Visual C++, C# and VB.NET in Microsoft Visual Studio .NET, and other IDE that support COM interfaces. While SECSConnect itself runs on a Windows computer, it is easy to use SECSConnect in a Unix-based architecture by introducing a simple Windows application to house SECSConnect and bridge to a Unix application.
- SECSConnect Software Architecture
- Features & Benefits
- Sample for Implementing SECS-II Messages
- Uses for the SECS-II Software Product
- Related SEMI Standards
- Additional Information & Resources
Cimetrix products are supported on Microsoft software development packages and platforms, along with VMware implementations of supported platforms. For more information about the specific development environments and platforms, request the SECSConnect Technical Overview.
Visit the SECSConnect Resources page for more information.
SECSConnect Architecture
Features & Benefits
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Communication Settings | Both SECS-I (serial) and HSMS-SS (network) communication protocols are supported. Either protocol can be selected at any time. Communication settings can be changed at any time. This makes it really easy for applications using SECSConnect to establish communication. |
| In Process DLL | Unlike most other SECS-II libraries, SECSConnect runs in-process so that it is embedded within the application and provides the highest performance. |
| COM Interfaces | Because it uses the Microsoft Component Object Model (COM) technology, SECSConnect can be used with many different development environments. |
| Binary, String-based, and XML Message Formats | SECSConnect allows the applications to build, receive and parse SECS-II messages using the high-performance binary functions, strings that use curly brace delimiters, or in an intuitive Cimetrix defined XML format. |
| Built-in Logging Callback | It is easy to change logging levels at runtime to see exactly what is happening in SECSConnect. By sending the logging information to the application in a callback, the application can pipe the logging information into any logging system. |
| Proven Technology | SECSConnect has been used in many different systems worldwide to implement SECS-II and GEM300 technologies. |
Host Sample from the SECS-II Library
SECSConnect includes a sample called 'Host'. This sample is written in Visual C++ 6.0. It demonstrates clearly how to send and receive messages and implement SECS-II message logs. Additional C# and VB.NET samples are available from Cimetrix.
Uses for the SECS-II Software Product, SECSConnect
Equipment Suppliers
Equipment suppliers may use SECSConnect in the following ways:
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Internal Host
Communicate with internal devices that support SECS-II communication. Used this way, the equipment acts like a host to the internal device(s). CIMConnect customers can use SECSConnect for this purpose without any additional license fees because SECSConnect is bundled with CIMConnect.
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Equipment Controller or Station Controller
Create an equipment controller/station controller to control the equipment from a remote computer. Bundle the equipment controller with the equipment or sell it as an option to the factory or labs. Because CIMConnect supports multiple hosts, the station controller can connect to a second or third host connection while leaving the primary host connection for the end user's MES system.
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Automated Test Suite
Create an automated or manual test suite to verify SECS/GEM/GEM300 functionality before shipping the machine. Many customers prefer to use SECSConnect instead of or in addition to point-and-click test tools like TESTConnect and other competing products. SECSConnect makes it easy to create powerful and flexible applications with or without a GUI that are not limited by GUI scripting capabilities.
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Non-GEM SECS-II Communication
In most cases, CIMConnect is the appropriate product to implement both SECS-II and GEM interfaces. However, when a SECS-II project is extremely simple or severely violates the GEM standard, then SECSConnect is the best product to use. Consult with Cimetrix engineers to determine whether to use CIMConnect or SECSConnect.
Factories
Factories may use SECSConnect in the following ways:
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Equipment or Station Controller
Use SECSConnect to communicate with factory equipment using the SECS-II protocol. Use it as a foundation for any Manufacturing Execution System (MES) or simply to gather data into a database for real-time data collection, trend analysis and statistics.
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Equipment Verification
Create an automated or manual test suite to verify the SECS/GEM/300mm functionality when receiving a machine. Create your own acceptance software to make sure the machine will meet your requirements. Many customers prefer to use SECSConnect instead of or in addition to point-and-click test tools like TESTConnect and other competing products. SECSConnect makes it easy to create powerful and flexible applications tailored for the factory's host requirements.
Supported SEMI Standards
- E4 SECS-I (serial protocol)
- E5 SECS-II
- E37 HSMS-SS (Ethernet protocol)
Additional Resources
Some of this information may require Acrobat Reader available for free from Adobe.
- Request the SECSConnect Technical Overview
- Visit the SECSConnect Resources page for more information on the product
- Download the complete white paper on the SEMI SECS/GEM Standards
- Learn more about High-Speed SECS Messaging (HSMS) and SECS-II(SEMI E5)
- See a sample GEM Compliance Statement
- Read an article in Semiconductor International, by Corina Mullen: The Evolving World of SECS/GEM - July 2001
- View the complete list of Cimetrix's SECS/GEM software products
Schedule an architecture discussion to discuss your individual project requirements.
