---
title: Cimetrix SECS/GEM Terminology
description: Cimetrix SECS/GEM Terminology including gem equipment, hsms, gem compliance, secs ii, pv2,
---

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- [Technologies ** ](https://www.cimetrix.com/secs-gem-terminology#)
  
    - [GEM](https://www.cimetrix.com/semi-secs-gem-intro?hsLang=en)
    - [PV2 Standard](https://www.cimetrix.com/pv2?hsLang=en)
    - [GEM300](https://www.cimetrix.com/gem300?hsLang=en)
  
  
    - [EDA/Interface A](https://www.cimetrix.com/interfacea?hsLang=en)
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          - [HostConnect](http://#)
          - [FactoryInsight](http://#)
    - [Utilities](http://#) 
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    - [PV2](http://#)
    - [GEM300](http://#)
    - [EDA/Interface A](http://#)
    - [SEMI Standards](http://#)

# SECS/GEM Terminology

| Term | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Alarm | An alarm is related to any abnormal situation on the equipment that may endanger people, equipment, or material being processed" [SEMI E30, 2]. GEM allows the host to be notified when alarm conditions are detected and cleared. |
| Collection Event | A collection event is a "detectable occurrence significant to the equipment" that "is considered to be significant to the host". [SEMI E30, 2] GEM allows the host to be notified when a collection event occurs. This allows the host to track the equipment's activity. |
| Data Variable | Data variables "…may only be valid upon the occurrence of a particular event". [SEMI E5, 6.6]. The host can gather data variable values from the GEM Equipment. The data variable values provide information specifically related to the event. |
| Equipment Constant | Equipment Constants are "settable by the Host"[SEMI E5 6.6]. The host can gather equipment constant values from the GEM Equipment. The host can also set equipment constant values on the GEM Equipment to control the equipment's behavior. |
| GEM Equipment | An "intelligent system which communicates with a host" [SEMI E4, 2.1] and complies to the SECS/GEM standard. |
| Host | "An intelligent system which communicates with the equipment." [SEMI E4, 2.1]. The host can be viewed as a line management system. GEM does not intend to define how the host should behave. The GEM SECS standard defines the set of messages a host must use when interacting with GEM Equipment. A GEM Equipment can communicate with one host. A host can communicate with multiple GEM Equipment. |
| HSMS-SS | [SEMI standard High Speed Message Service-Single Session](https://www.cimetrix.com/hsms?hsLang=en) which defines TCP/IP network communication used by SECS/GEM for host/equipment communication. It is replacing the SECS-I standard. Only one client host can use a specific port at a time. |
| [PV2](https://www.cimetrix.com/pv2?hsLang=en) | GUIDE FOR PV EQUIPMENT COMMUNICATION INTERFACES (PVECI), based on SECS/GEM, specifically for photovoltaic equipment suppliers. |
| Process Program | A Recipe (see Recipe) |
| Recipe | A set of instructions for the equipment. |
| Report | "A set of variables predefined by the equipment or defined by the host…". The host uses reports to gather status variable, data variable, and equipment constant values. The host can request a report explicitly or attach a set of reports to a collection event. |
| Status Variable | "Status variables may include any parameters that can be sampled in time such as temperature or quantity of a consumable." [SEMI E5, 6.5] "Status values … always contain valid information." [SEMI E5, 6.6]. The host can gather status variable values from the GEM Equipment. |
| SECS-I | SEMI Equipment Communications Standard 1 Message Transfer - defines RS-232 serial communication used by SECS GEM for host/equipment communication. It is phasing out due to inherent speed limitations. It is being replaced by the HSMS standard. |
| SECS-II | [SEMI Equipment Communications Standard 2 Message Content](https://www.cimetrix.com/secs-ii?hsLang=en). SECS GEM is a specific implementation of the SECS-II standard. SECS-II defines most concepts and functionality used in the SECS/GEM standard. Many SECS-II capable systems are not GEM compliant. |
| SECS-II Message | All GEM Equipment and host communication is accomplished using SECS-II messages. Each unique SECS-II message is identified by its stream number (S) and function number (F). The SECS-II standard defines a large set of SECS-II messages determining each one's purpose, content, and usage. The SECS GEM standard defines how to use a subset of these SECS-II messages yet allows other SECS-II messages to be used in addition to this subset. To learn more about SECS Messaging, download the [primer](https://www.cimetrix.com/secs-messaging-primer/?hsLang=en). |

 

![secs/gem semiconductor wafer](https://www.cimetrix.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cimetrix%20Feb2017%20Theme/Images/shutterstock_55287853%20(round).png?width=225&name=shutterstock_55287853%20(round).png "secs/gem semiconductor wafer")

Find out more by selecting from the material available or schedule a meeting with a Cimetrix representative.

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Products

- [**Smart Equipment**](https://www.cimetrix.com/equipment)
- [CIM300](https://www.cimetrix.com/cim300)
- [CIMConnect](https://www.cimetrix.com/cimconnect)
- [CIMPortal Plus](https://www.cimetrix.com/cimportal)
- [CIMControlFramework](https://www.cimetrix.com/cimcontrolframework)

- [**Smart Factory**](https://www.cimetrix.com/factory)
- [Sapience](https://www.cimetrix.com/sapience)

- [**Utilities**](https://www.cimetrix.com/utilities)
- [EquipmentTest](https://www.cimetrix.com/equipmenttest)
- [ECCEPlus](https://www.cimetrix.com/ecceplus)
- [EDATester](https://www.cimetrix.com/edatester)

Platform

- [Sapience](https://www.cimetrix.com/sapience)

Support

- [**Login](https://www.cimetrix.com/online-support)
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Ecosystem

- [Industries](https://www.cimetrix.com/industries)
- [Worldwide Partners](https://www.cimetrix.com/partners)
- [Support](https://www.cimetrix.com/support)
- [Training](https://www.cimetrix.com/training)

Technologies

- [SECS/GEM](https://www.cimetrix.com/semi-secs-gem-intro)
- [PV2](https://www.cimetrix.com/pv2)
- [GEM300](https://www.cimetrix.com/gem300)
- [EDA/Interface A](https://www.cimetrix.com/interfacea)
- [SEMI Standards](https://www.cimetrix.com/semi-standards)

Resources

- [Resources Home](https://www.cimetrix.com/resources)
- [Datasheets](https://www.cimetrix.com/resources-datasheets)
- [Tech Overviews](https://www.cimetrix.com/resources-technical-overviews)
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- [eBooks](https://www.cimetrix.com/resources-ebooks)
- [Case Studies](https://www.cimetrix.com/resources-case-studies)
- [Videos](https://www.cimetrix.com/resources-videos)
- [Presentations](https://www.cimetrix.com/resources-presentations)

Company

- [Blog](https://www.cimetrix.com/blog)
- [News](https://www.cimetrix.com/news)
- [Events](https://www.cimetrix.com/events)
- [About Us](https://www.cimetrix.com/about)
- [Contact Us](https://www.cimetrix.com/contact)

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