Revised SEMI Standard Broadens the Role of Echelon Technology in Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing Market

Business Wire, July 12, 2005

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Echelon Corporation (NASDAQ:ELON), a pioneer in control networking, and the world's leading supplier of technology for the widely-used LonWorks(R) control networking platform, announced today that the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI(R)) organization has expanded the role of the control networking communications protocol originally created by Echelon in the international Sensor-Actuator Network (SAN) standard, SEMI E54. The series of standards is designed to ensure that products from different component suppliers can interoperate in the embedded sensor-actuator networks within a semiconductor manufacturing tool, and for the first time, specifies a complete solution for semiconductor equipment manufacturers to deploy the LonWorks protocol as the technology of choice for sensor-actuator network communications.

"In broadening the use of the protocol in E54, we believe that SEMI is enabling semiconductor equipment manufacturers to increase product reliability and improve productivity," said Michael Tennefoss, Echelon's vice president of marketing. "We believe that there will be an increased reliance of manufacturers on the E54 standard as the industry continues to strive for higher productivity and lower overall production costs."

An approved technology of the SEMI E54.6 standard since 1997, this enhanced suite of standards for sensor-actuator networks should help to reduce the cost and developmental time of both new process equipment and microprocessor-based components. The enhanced standard, SEMI E54.16, extends the LonWorks protocol into the following SEMI standards:

--SEMI E54.3 -- Specification for Sensor/Actuator Network Specific Device Model for Mass Flow Device

--SEMI E54.10 -- Specification for Sensor/Actuator Network Specific Device Model for An In-Site Particle Monitor Device

--SEMI E54.11 -- Specification for Sensor/Actuator Specific Device Model for an Endpoint Device

Various standards bodies worldwide have already adopted Echelon's platform into their industry standards in order to increase efficiency, help reduce overall manufacturing and maintenance costs, and to assist in opening the door for business opportunities around the globe. The building, home, industrial and transportation automation industries all currently have standards based upon the LonWorks platform and/or the communications protocol of the LonWorks platform (ANSI/EIA/CEA709.1-B).

About SEMI

SEMI is an international industry association serving companies participating in the semiconductor and FPD equipment and materials markets. SEMI maintains offices in Austin, Beijing, Brussels, Hsinchu, Moscow, San Jose, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.semi.org.

The SEMI Standards Program, established in 1973, covers all aspects of semiconductor process equipment and materials, from wafer manufacturing to test, assembly and packaging, in addition to the manufacture of flat panel displays and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). Several hundred volunteers worldwide participate in the program, which is made up of 17 global technical committees. Visit www.semi.org/standards for further details about SEMI Standards.

About Echelon Corporation

Echelon Corporation (NASDAQ:ELON) is a pioneer and world leader in control networking -- networks that connect machines and other electronic devices -- for the purpose of sensing, monitoring and controlling the world around us. Echelon's component and system-level hardware and software products are used by OEMs, VARs, system integrators, utilities -- and virtually every class of institution -- to design, build, deploy and/or operate robust, scalable, standards-based control networks and devices. Echelon technology can be found in thermostats, light switches and controllers, electricity meters, appliances, heating and air-conditioning systems, traffic signals, trains, aircraft, factories, and buildings -- in more than 50 million "smart" devices made by thousands of manufacturers.

Echelon is also the creator of the LonWorks platform, an extremely robust, flexible, and expandable standards-based control networking platform upon which manufacturers can build products and applications with unparalleled reliability, security, operational integrity, flexibility, and bottom-line value. The worldwide adoption of the platform prompted the formation of LonMark(R) International, an independent trade organization that certifies LonWorks based products against an interoperability specification that allows devices from differing manufacturers to work together; educates the market about the value of device interoperability and open control networks; and creates awareness programs for potential end-users, OEM manufacturers, and integrators of LonMark certified products and LonMark systems. For planners, system architects, or OEM designers of control network products and families there is no better choice than Echelon.

Echelon is a co-organizer of the LonWorld(R) 2005 Exhibition and Conference in Paris, France on October 20-21, 2005. Information about the LonWorld event may be found at http://www.lonworldexpo.com.