The CIMScan architecture is very straightforward and easily understood. The simple diagram below shows how it works.

Sensors, including particle counters, send their measurement values to a sensor interface called an eLink Controller. The eLink forwards the data to the server over the facility's local area network (or a private LAN or the Internet).

ELINK CONTROLLERS

Measurement data is gathered from the remote instrumentation using one of three remote device controllers called eLink Controllers. They measure 5.50” x 3.35” x 1.36” deep and weigh about 8 ounces. A port is provided to connect the eLink to the server via the facility’s LAN.

eLinks have the ability to buffer measurements during LAN or server outages and automatically transmit them to the server when communications is restored. All of the eLinks communicate with the instruments over an RS-485 twisted pair multi-drop network.

Each of the three eLinks communicates using a different protocol.

• DA-06 = PodNet, a proprietary ASCII command response protocol
• DA-07 = Modbus, an industry standard fieldbus protocol
• DA-08 = FX, a protocol for communicating with Hach Particle Counters

The diagram below shows how the eLinks are connected to the remote devices and to the server.

The table below shows some of the more popular instruments that are used for cleanroom monitoring and which eLinks support them.

Virtually any instrument that supports the Modbus protocol and has a RS-485 port can communicate with the DA-07 eLink.

SENSORS & TRANSMITTERS THAT WE PROVIDE

CIMTechniques can provide a variety of inexpensive data acquisition devices that communicate with a DA series eLink over a common 4-wire communications bus.

Data Acquisition Units

The following data acquisition units are available.

ALARM INDICATORS AND DISPLAYS

A variety of stacklight alarm indicators and remote value displays are available. These components are easily installed on the same 4-wire network as the instruments (Temp/RH/Particles). All units are NEMA-4 rated and suitable for use in cleanrooms that are routinely washed down.

THIRD PARTY INSTRUMENTS

Numerous third party instruments are available for connection to a CIMScan system through one of the standard eLinks.

• Airborne Particle Counters
• TOC Instrumentation
• Liquid Particle Counts
• Tank Level (ultrasonic ranging)
• Liquid Flow Meter (ultrapure water and chemical flow)

Contact CIMTechniques for a list of available devices.