HSMS Pass-Through Agent with Ethernet Bypass Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In semiconductor manufacturing, existing methods for intercepting and forwarding High-Speed SECS Message Services (HSMS) communication between entities are not effective, as they require reconfiguration of hosts and tools, lack invisibility in operation, and do not provide a fail-safe bypass mechanism, leading to communication disruptions upon failure of the intercepting agent.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an Ethernet-based pass-through agent with a bypass mechanism that intercepts and forwards HSMS messages between entities, using an Ethernet bridge and bypass card to ensure seamless communication without reconfiguration, and providing a fail-safe mode to maintain connectivity even if the pass-through agent fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pass-through agent is placed between host and tool to intercept SECS communication, then a third entity can participate in communication and collect data, but the communication link becomes vulnerable to disruption when the agent fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bypass mechanism as an intermediary component that can take over communication when the pass-through agent fails. The bypass card with mechanical shunt acts as a backup mediator that automatically engages to maintain communication between host and tool, resolving the reliability issue while preserving the adaptability benefit of having a third entity participate in normal operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a fail-safe bypass mechanism that is prepared in advance to cushion against agent failure. The bypass card is pre-configured with mechanical shunts and wiring that automatically connect host and tool ports if the agent fails, providing prior protection against communication disruption without affecting normal agent-mediated communication
2Adaptability or versatility
If an Ethernet bridge is used to intercept HSMS messages, then message interception and forwarding is enabled, but reconfiguration of hosts and tools is required
Solution Approach 1:
The Ethernet bridge acts as an intermediary device that operates at the data link layer, transparently forwarding frames between ports. It enables message interception and forwarding without requiring hosts and tools to be reconfigured, as the bridge handles address learning and frame forwarding automatically based on MAC addresses, thus resolving the configuration complexity issue while maintaining interception capability
Solution Approach 2:
The Ethernet bridge creates copies of incoming frames and forwards them to appropriate ports based on its address table. This copying mechanism allows the bridge to intercept and forward messages without altering the original communication path or requiring reconfiguration of end devices, enabling transparent message interception while maintaining simple device configuration
3Reliability
If a mechanical shunt is used for bypass, then automatic failover is achieved, but the bypass mechanism only works for SECS-I serial communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts the mechanical shunt bypass concept to work with Ethernet-based HSMS communication by using an Ethernet bridge that operates at the data link layer. This universal approach allows the bypass mechanism to function across different protocols (SECS-I serial and HSMS Ethernet) by operating at a lower layer that is protocol-agnostic, thus achieving both automatic failover and protocol compatibility through multi-functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for intercepting and forwarding High-Speed SECS Message Services (HSMS) communication between at least two entities, includes a fail-safe bypass to ensure the communications link between the entities is not severed upon failure of the intercepting/forwarding agent. A “pass-through” agent is placed in between two entities communicating via an HSMS link, such that the pass-through agent is able to intercept messages from one entity and forward it to the other entity, and vice versa. The pass-through agent is able to see all messages between the two entities, and is also able to create HSMS messages and send them to one of the entities as if the message had come from the other entity, thereby conferring the ability to inject additional HSMS messages. Should the pass-through agent fail, a bypass mechanism ensures that the two entities can automatically resume HSMS communication without the pass-through agent.