A smart motion coordinator at the heart of ETEL’s decentralized control architecture, ULTIMET+ LIGHT ensures real-time synchronization, fast data exchange, and efficient multi-axis control.
ULTIMET+ LIGHT is ETEL’s latest motion controller and the master node of the TRANSNET bus, purpose-built for high-end decentralized control architectures. It enables multi-axis coordination with nanosecond-level synchronization, low-latency communication, and flexible embedded programming, all without becoming a performance bottleneck.

As the backbone of the TRANSNET real-time network, ULTIMET+ LIGHT enables direct slave-to-slave communication, bypassing delays typically introduced by master-routed bus topologies. For instance, this architecture enables ultra-fast real-time compensation between axes, even in complex systems.

The Real-Time Values (RTV) feature provides flexible and deterministic data sharing across all nodes, with cycle times down to 50 µs. As a key enabler within ETEL’s control ecosystem, RTVs support advanced functions like crosstalk compensation, axes positions oversensing, dynamic error corrections, etc. contributing to faster settling times and higher process accuracy, a proven requirement in the most advanced semiconductor equipment.

Characteristics

• Master controller for TRANSNET real-time bus
• Supports 50 µs and 100 µs cycle time
• Direct slave-to-slave data communication
• 2 ns jitter synchronization across all axes
• 4 concurrent user threads for programming
• Two variants: Gateway or Interpolation

Here are the key features:

• Nanosecond jitter level for more accuracy
  In high-dynamic systems, any jitter in axis synchronization can corrupt the data later injected into control loops, degrading overall accuracy. With just 2 ns jitter, TRANSNET ensures all latching events are perfectly aligned so positions, velocities, and tracking errors consistently reflect true machine behavior.
• Real-Time compensation made simple
  Thanks to TRANSNET direct slave-to-slave communication, latency is minimized—enabling cross-axis compensation to operate faster and more effectively, especially in tightly coupled systems.
• Embedded programming for multi-axes routines
  ULTIMET+ LIGHT includes 4 concurrent threads for user code, running at TRANSNET cycle time with access to all controller registers. Users can embed routines for multi-axis watchdogs, real-time focus control, event polling, and more, without access to machine PC.
• Multi-axes interpolation
  With the “interpolation” variant, ULTIMET+ LIGHT supports two groups of up to four axes each for real-time interpolation among any selected target axis over TRANSNET.
• Simple control design
  By pushing intelligence to the ACCURET+ level and supporting direct data exchange, ULTIMET+ LIGHT allows you to design complex multi-axis behavior with less master-side logic; streamlining development and debugging.