Abstract: A data communications protocol converter for interfacing manufacturing process equipment with a host computer comprises a controller that converts the messages transmitted by the host computer and equipment into messages that meet the protocol of the receiving side. A data acquisition system coupled between the controller and equipment provides a parallel interface to the process equipment and allows the converter to check for/activate logic signals from/to the process equipment. A user interface circuit provides the controller with a user friendly interface that enables the user to set any message parameters and conversation scheme and to interactively communicate with each attached device and edit and re-transmit previously send messages. A software support workstation coupled to the controller through a network provides capability for remote target machine access, software maintenance and configuration modification via the network.

Abstract: A protocol converter is provided for interfacing a host computer to manufacturing process equipment. Via a parallel input/output interface (PIO), a data acquisition system is coupled to the process equipment to check and activate various process equipment events. A user terminal provides a graphical user interface for controlling and monitoring the protocol converter. A protocol converter (PC) controller that enables the host computer, the data acquisition system and the user interface to exchange messages with the process equipment comprises a protocol conversion server (PCS) for interfacing the PC controller to the host computer, and the process equipment, a user interface server (UIS) for providing interface to the user terminal, and a data acquisition server (DAS) for supporting the PIO. A separate external mailbox is assigned to each of the servers to receive incoming messages from other servers in the PC controller.