The Problem: Complexity, Cost, and Poor Scalability in Subfab Data Integration
A typical subfab contains a wide range of industrial equipment from multiple manufacturers, each of which provides different communication interfaces for retrieving operational data. In addition, certain status information must be sent to Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software in a platform-specific format.
There are many existing options for extracting and processing data using individual standardized and open communication protocols; however, the broad scope and often fragmented nature of industrial hardware configurations can lead to the creation of numerous custom, one-off solutions. This requires a significant upfront investment for each new piece of equipment, and the effort involved in maintaining such heterogeneous systems increases disproportionately with the size of the subfab.
The Solution: A Scalable Integration Hub
Subfab360 ATC provides an all-in-one solution for connecting heterogeneous data sources (devices/equipment) with data consumers (MES, ERP, monitoring, analytics, and reporting systems) in the subfab:
- On the one hand, Subfab360 ATC can communicate with devices to read operational parameters via standard interfaces.
- On the other hand, Subfab360 ATC bundles these data streams into a single shared format and forwards them to downstream data consumer systems, again via standard interfaces.
Subfab360 ATC can then proactively notify users via text message and email when predefined alarm or warning conditions occur.
A typical installation consists of a collection of separate nodes, each implemented as a field controller responsible for managing the devices at a specific field station within the subfab. Each Subfab360 VFC (Virtual Field Controller) can be managed remotely through a web-based user interface (UI) or via a terminal using SSH, a network protocol for securely accessing and managing remote devices.
In short, Subfab360 ATC serves as the integration hub of the subfab, seamlessly connecting field devices and enterprise systems. Think of it as the subfab’s traffic controller—collecting, normalizing, and distributing data where it is needed.
Summary:
Subfab 360 ATC
- acts as a middleware layer
- connects heterogeneous systems, devices, and applications
- handles protocol translation, data transformation, and routing
- reduces point-to-point integrations
- proactively notifies users via text message and email in the event of an alarm or warning
Implementation of Subfab360 ATC
The software takes a vendor-neutral approach:
- Several standard industrial protocols are supported out of the box, such as OPC UA, Modbus, and Interface-A
- Data streams and status notifications can be pushed to a variety of messaging services and databases, such as Kafka, Pulsar, InfluxDB, and MySQL.
- As soon as Subfab360 ATC has been installed and configured, and the necessary network requirements have been met, data will begin to flow from devices to the downstream systems.
Extendibility for new devices, communication protocols, and data consumers is built into the architecture of Subfab360 ATC. Algorismic collaborates with semiconductor equipment manufacturers to unlock the full potential of devices within the subfab data pipeline. At the same time, Algorismic works closely with the fab owner throughout the entire process—from requirements analysis and integration to ongoing deployment support.
The Benefits: One Platform, Full Control, Maximum Flexibility
- Subfab360 ATC provides production managers with a single, comprehensive platform for collecting and visualizing all Subfab operational data.
- A completely self-contained on-premises solution ensures full control over data without the need to communicate with external services.
- Thanks to its flexible deployment options, Subfab360 ATC can be deployed as a plug-and-play solution with dedicated hardware or integrated into existing IT infrastructure.
- Fab operators benefit from Algorismic's deep expertise in subfab operations and avoid building isolated solutions that are difficult to maintain.
- The modular architecture makes it possible to start with a small installation base and scale across the subfab as needed—there is no all-or-nothing approach.
- Most supported devices can be integrated without additional hardware.
- Minimal downtime thanks to standardized interfaces and flexible configuration, enabling easy reorganization and replacement of equipment.
- Subfab360 ATC is vendor-neutral. The use of established standard interfaces prevents vendor lock-in and protects existing data pipelines.
Authors: Yaroslav Petrov, CTO, algorismic gmbh, and
Hugh Wessel, Backend Developer, algorismic gmbh