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ASi-5: ready for production

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AS-Interface Solution: State of the art Fieldbus

AS-Interface (Actuator Sensor Interface) is a Fieldbus system for low-level field applications in industrial automation. The main application is communication with small binary sensors and actuators. Renesas AS-Interface products meet all the requirements of the latest AS-I standards, as defined by the AS-International Association, and provide customers with quick access to the world of AS-Interface technology.

AS-Interface modernizes automation systems effectively, saving costs and installation time. The easy plug and play capabilities of AS-Interface products minimize maintenance costs. An important feature of AS-Interface is the "Yellow Wire". The 2 wires of the AS-I cable transmit power and data to all points in the network. To transform binary data in the AS-Interface physical layer, highly integrated circuitry is required.

ASi-5 solution and Renesas tools

For ASi-5, Renesas provides the silicon in a 64-pin QFN package (9 x 9 mm, 0,5 mm pitch), which consumes about half a watt in a typical application. Withstands a temperature range from -40°C to 85°C. Renesas also provides reference circuits. Renesas is committed to providing the easiest access to ASi-5 technology. Their starter kit comes with a rich set of documentation, examples, software, and tools. More information is available at https://info.renesas.com/en-free-asi-5-starter-kit-request, where those interested can also request a free starter kit.

For each ASi-5 device, users can configure an extensive set of parameters. Some of them are required while others are optional. For example, each ASi-5 device has a unique ASIID, which is made up of a 2-byte Vendor ID and a 5-byte Product ID. The ASIID is a mandatory parameter for every ASi-5 device. All these parameters are pre-programmed in the non-volatile memory of the ASI4U-V5 in binary format. To facilitate the generation of this binary image, Renesas provides a tool with which all these parameters can be easily configured.

Once a product is designed with the ASi-5 device, how can the device-specific binary image and software be used in a production process?

64 pin processor

Data I/O Production Tools

Data I/O is the world's leading provider of advanced data programming and security implementation solutions for microcontrollers, security ICs, and memory devices for the electronics manufacturing industry.

Poorly programmed devices with poor algorithms, continuity, and physical handling can result in devices that can fail during programming, on-board testing, functional testing, or in the field. The cost of the error increases exponentially if the error is caught later. Ensuring a quality scheduling process saves time and money, allowing customers to get products to market faster. Three major components critical to achieving this in production include:

– Custom algorithm and adapter

- Programmer

– Use of automated scheduling system

The quality of a programming solution directly affects the cost of the final product and the time to market. Renesas solutions enable ASi-5 customers to program devices quickly and with high quality. This can result in production yields of up to 99,8%, minimizing costs and allowing customers to get their products to market quickly.

programming graph

algorithm and adapter

To configure silicon device settings and schedule binary image files on each device in a production environment, ASi-5 clients need a specific algorithm, adapter, and socket designed to communicate with the scheduler. The algorithm is a set of instructions that define digital timing through current and voltage levels to program data into the specific device. The adapter is designed to communicate between the device and the programming engine for easy connection. The quality of the algorithm and the adapter directly contribute to the correct operating characteristics of the device, which affects the useful life of the final product in the field.

The custom data I/O algorithm for the ASi-5 device is written according to the Renesas device specifications. The Data I/O adapter designed to facilitate communication between the ASi-5 device and the Data I/O programming engine uses high-quality materials to deliver low-noise programming signals for clean signal integrity to ASi cables. -5. The algorithm and adapter are thoroughly tested before release. Details about the Data I/O ASi-5 algorithm can be found on the dataio website.

Programmer

The programming engine is the core of Data I/O programming solutions. The Renesas ASi-5 device is compatible with the Data I/O FlashCORE programmer. The programming engine and algorithm affect the programming speed, floating gate charge, and threshold voltage of the cell, which affects cell margin and long-term data retention of the device.

The FlashCORE programming engine is capable of programming the ASi-5 device in 3 seconds and can complete the full erase, program and verify cycle in 6 seconds. Each programmer is capable of programming three ASi-5 devices in parallel every 6 seconds. Data I/O offers manual desktop programmers that customers can use to program small batches to validate the image file during first article validation and NPI production before moving to volume production.

programadores

Automated Programming System

To program the ASi-5 device in high-volume production, Data I/O integrates its programming engine into its PSV automated device driver. The Data I/O PSV7000 is capable of programming up to 72 ASi-5 devices in parallel and the PSV5000 can program up to 18 ASi-5 devices in parallel. With support for tray, tape, and tube media I/O options, the PSV7000 offers throughput speed and flexibility with industry-leading quality.

PSV systems are designed for precision robotic handling and alignment of devices to ensure that they are handled without damaging the device before, during or after the programming process. Throughout the device programming process, the programming system validates good continuity between the ASi-5 device leads and the socket pins to ensure signal integrity.

PSV Systems

After the programming process, each device goes through a verification function to ensure that it has been programmed correctly. Customers then have the option of running the programmed devices on top of an integrated 3D coplanarity vision system. This provides physical inspection to measure and confirm that the device leads or balls are within manufactured tolerances (coplanarity). Devices that fail the programming process validation or 3D vision inspection are rejected, ensuring that only tested and well-programmed devices are placed on the output media.

With over 50 years of deep technical semiconductor experience and a strong relationship with Renesas, Data I/O develops programming solutions that ensure ASi-5 customers can bring products to market quickly and with high quality.