s://ProdSppt/Concept Two/DLCM/Bkm_proc/DLC004.DOC

DATE:	November 3, 1998
TITLE:	RS232 Monitoring and Logging for TM Robot, 
	Indexer Robot, Throttle Valve, or any serial device.
PRODUCT:All C2 and C3 Products
AUTHOR:	Rich Blank
SITE:	San Jose

1. Purpose
	To describe the usage of the RS232 Monitoring Cable (Cable) and the Novellus Systems RS232 Communications Tools (Software) for monitoring communications between the module controller and standalone device (i.e. TM Robot, Indexer Robot, Throttle Valve, SMIF Buffer).

2. Scope
	Use of the Cable and Software for any RS232 device using software handshaking.  Examples are TM Robot, Indexer Robot, and Throttle Valve.  

3. Applicable and  Reference Material
 Novellus Systems RS232 Communication Tool is available on the network drive at Knowman\Shared\ProdSppt\Concept Two\DLCM\Software\rs232.zip

4. Special Tooling
 RS232 Monitoring Cable 	02-056530-00
 Novellus Systems RS232 Communication Tool				

5. Discussion

The Cable and Software can be used to diagnose communication problems with module controller and a standalone device (i.e. robot).  By monitoring the communication it is possible to differentiate which is not communicating.  This is very useful when errors such as "Can not establish communications" occurs.   

Another use for the Cable and Software is for logging the TM robot communications during intermittent robot errors.  For example,  a customer may report that a tool has been experiencing TM robot error 204’s at random times.  However, there is  not enough information for you to determine what the robot was doing prior to an error (i.e. where the robot arm was, etc.).   Using the Cable and a PC with the Software you will be able to log all robot communication with time stamping.  Then when an error is reported, you can look at the stored communication to see exactly the move the robot was executing prior to an error.

6. Instructions for Use 
6.1 Hardware
The Cable as shown below is used to tap into the RS232 communication and port both signals to a computer serial port. (For figure, see the original Document)

The PS/2 keyboard port connection is used to get +5V to power the IC’s within the plastic box of the cable.  J1 and J2 are connected straight through.  J3 connects to the PC’s serial port and ports the data from both the Standalone device and the Module Controller.  
NOTE:  This cable will only function correctly if only one monitored device talks at a time. 

6.2 Software
6.2.1 Description and Downloading
Novellus Systems RS232 Communications Tool (Software), a Windows based (Windows 3.1, 95, or NT) software program has been written to be used with the Cable.  This program can be used to view and log communication data on a personal computer.  The Software can time stamp every command for the ability to trace the date and time of the event.  The Software can also be used as a simple terminal program to directly talk to robots, aligners, etc.
NOTE:  To talk directly to the standalone device you must use a different cable such as the RS232 Serial Cable (P/N 27-054270-00).
The Novellus Systems RS232 Communication Tool is located on the network drive at Knowman\Shared\Prodsppt\ConceptTwo\DLCM\Software\rs232.zip.  The program is also available in an unzipped format, just copy all the files except the zip file.  
NOTE:  The RS232 Monitoring Cable will function with any Terminal program such as ProComm, Windows Terminal, etc. although they do not have time stamping ability comparable to our Software.

6.2.2 Directions for Installation
(1) Make a directory on your hard drive called C:\nvlsterm.  
(2) Copy all 8 files to this directory.
(3) To make an icon in Windows, go to the Program Manager, select: New, Program Item, Browse, and select the RS232.exe file.  

6.2.3 Instructions for Use
(1) Start Program: Double click on the Icon you created in the step above.
(2) Set Communications:	Under pull down menu Tool select the communication setting,  TM robot and Throttle Valve have their own icons.  
(3) Open Communication Port: Open the port using the Port Open command under the pull down menu Tool.  
(4) Data Logging: Data logging can be activated under the File pull down menu.  Data logging will start automatically after you successfully open the log file.  You can stop the logging by press command button: Stop Logging.  When it is logging, the logging light will flash. 
(5) Time Stamping: When loggin data, Time Stamping can be activated or deactivated under the Tool pull down menu by selecting "Date Time Label when Logging"

6.2.4 View Logging data
To view logged data, use a text viewer such as MSWord or Notepad. 
