Introduction
Semiconductor plants have one
characteristic that in the past has made management
difficult. The plants use different types of machines
that use different protocols, making it hard to design
a coordinated system that can collect, analyze, and
process data from all stations in the plant. MOXA's
UC-7420 helps solve this problem by providing an "open" programming
platform for users to download their own custom protocol
conversion software. Data can also be transferred to
several backend hosts at the same time.
Protocol Conversion and Front-end Data Processing
The data collected by a FAB
floor can come from different devices. One of the tasks
that the UC-7420 unit must handle is protocol conversion,
since there is no guarantee that all of the devices
will use the same protocol. In addition, the UC-7420
can be used to do preliminary data processing before
downloading data to the central computer. MOXA's UC-7420
is ideally suited for these tasks, since the user can
easily embed a C program that is custom written for
the devices used at the station. If future changes
involve adding or removing devices, the programmer
simply needs to modify the C code, recompile it, and
then download the executable program to the UC-7400
unit.
Connecting to the Network and the Internet
In addition to being programmable,
MOXA's embedded computers also offer users with an
array of connection options. To begin with, data entering
the serial ports from attached sensors can be processed
and then forwarded through one or both of the dual
Ethernet ports to the LAN. One of the serial ports
can also be connected to a V.90 or GPRS modem for PPP
connections, and a PCMCIA port is available for installing
a wireless LAN card for 802.11b/g networks.
Benefits
- No fan, no hard drive design for longer MTBF
- CompactFlash slot
for adding gigabytes of storage space
- Multiple connection options for greater networking versatility
- Programmability gives system integrators infinite possibilities
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