FabLink® 7: Greater Flexibility for SEMI-Compliant Equipment Integration

With FabLink^® 7, Kontron AIS introduces a new generation of its solution for SEMI-compliant equipment integration in the semiconductor industry. The release offers OEMs greater flexibility in the selection of operating systems, hardware platforms, and custom integration concepts.

FabLink^® supports OEMs in implementing standards-compliant interfaces for SECS/GEM, GEM300, EDA, PV2, and SEMI A3. With the new version 7, the equipment integration solution has been technologically upgraded. The focus is on a platform-independent architecture, modern technology stacks, an open API concept, and measures that support current cybersecurity requirements.

Platform-Independent Architecture for Flexible Application Scenarios

FabLink^® 7 expands the range of applications for SEMI-compliant equipment integration. The new product generation supports operation on Windows, Linux, or containerized environments. This enables OEMs to adapt their integration solutions more flexibly to customer requirements, IT specifications, and production environments.

The extended platform support also provides greater flexibility in selecting suitable, cost-effective hardware, including ARM-based boards. At the same time, deployment and update scenarios become more flexible and easier to automate. This reduces dependencies on individual system environments and simplifies integration into a wide range of manufacturing architectures.

Modern Technology Stack 

Technologically, FabLink^® 7 is based on .NET 10, providing a modern development and runtime environment. OEMs benefit from a long-term maintainable architecture, improved resource utilization, and a future-proof foundation for further integration projects.

With its initial release, FabLink^® 7 already supports all relevant SECS/GEM functionalities. The integration of additional GEM300 capabilities will be implemented step by step. This addresses key requirements of equipment manufacturers that need to integrate their systems into highly automated semiconductor production environments in compliance with industry standards.

FabLink^® 7 also includes measures that support current cybersecurity requirements (dependency tracking, software bill of materials (SBOM)), in accordance with the requirements of the European Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). This provides OEMs with greater transparency regarding the software components used and a reliable foundation for security-related assessments.

Open API Concept for Custom Extensions

Another key feature of FabLink^® 7 is its open API concept. OEMs and integration partners gain access to clearly structured interfaces and can independently implement their own extensions, automation logic, or customer-specific functions. This allows individual project requirements to be realized without modifying the platform core. Kontron AIS supports customers in this process with documentation, training, workshops, and direct access to its integration experts.

Developed for the Next Generation of Semiconductor Manufacturing

FabLink^® 7 combines SEMI-compliant equipment integration with technological flexibility, open extensibility, and a modern software foundation. This reduces integration efforts, accelerates equipment commissioning, and allows follow-up projects to be implemented more efficiently.

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