When starting a new host project the first step will be to add all the variables (vids) and events from the process tool to the project. Although it is possible to manually add each vid and ceid from the tool in TransSECS by reading the SECS/GEM manual for the tool, this is more easily done by “characterizing” the tool; that is, asking the tool for these data items then adding them to the TransSECS host project so you can set up reports (rptids) with these vids and ceids.

Characterization should only need a tool connection one time, and takes only a few minutes, which is ideal because tool time in a fab is often very hard to obtain. Also, many times the SECS/GEM manual will be out of date for the SECS/GEM software version running on the tool, leading to questions about whether a vid or ceid is actually valid on this tool. By automating this process through characterization you should only receive the valid ids in use on the tool.

This example will show you how to characterize ErgoTech’s sample tool (GEMTool) which is running as the StandAloneGEMTool application included in the TransSECS installation. The process is the same for any tool you can reach through a network in your fab.

To start this example run the StandAloneGEMTool application. If you find that this application does not start up it may have exceeded its limited trial period. please ask ErgoTech for an update. This application runs for about a year but can be refreshed after that time to renew its license.

The next step is to start TransSECS with the GEMHost project loaded. You may see the GEMTool project loaded when you first start TransSECS; if you do see the GEMTool, close this project and load the GEMHost project.

If this is the first time you have loaded the GEMHost project you will see empty VIDs, CEIDs, RPTIDs, and TRIDs nodes in the project.

If you have used the GEMHost project previously you may want to quit and copy the project to save your work. Rename the copy so it has no spaces in the name and is unique, such as GEMHostTest. Restart TransSECS and load this project. Right click on all the nodes, one at a time, and right-click and use Delete to remove them. Now right click on the project name to add the VIDs node and the CEIDs node.

The last step of the preparation is to connect to the tool. We will connect to the StandAloneGEMTool, which is waiting for an HSMS connection on port 5010, device id 1. Make sure your project is configured to connect to localhost (assuming your StandAloneGEMTool is running on this same computer as TransSECS), using HSMS port 5010 and device id 1.

Press the build-all button to build the code for the project (hammer/star button) and then go LIVE to open the connection to the tool by toggling the SIM button to LIVE.

When the host project connects to the tool you will see SECS/GEM messages to connect to the tool, such as S1F13 (Establish Communication) and S1F17 (Go-Online). You can see these messages in the Messages Panel by clicking on one of the messages in the host project.

Start characterization by right-clicking on the VIDs node and use “Online VIDs from Tool” to get all the VIDs from the tool. You will see the host send a message to the tool, and the tool will respond with the list of VIDs. You will see these ids listed in the VIDs node of the host project. You can save the host project and these vids will be saved with the project.

Likewise, right-click on the CEIDs node and use “Online CEIDs from Tool” to get all the CEIDs. Some older tools will not be able to send ceids to the host because they do not support these SECS/GEM messages. TransSECS will try a couple ways to obtain these ceids. If your CEIDs node remains empty after requesting these, you will need to add them manually to your project based on information in the SECS/GEM manual for the tool.

After adding the CEIDs you may request any defined RPTIDs from the tool. And then “Online RPTIDs from Tool” to get the RPTIDs, if any, from the tool.

After characterizing the tool your host project will be set up and ready to define reports (rptids) for data collection, or to use S1F3 polling.

A clear step by step GEMHost to Tool characterization guide with detailed screenshots instruction is provided here:

https://ergotech.com/files/guides/TransSECSGEMHostToolCharacterizationGuide.pdf

A video guide on the GEMHost connection to StandAloneGEMTool for characterization is also available on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MheNoWQf5vQ