The aim of this specification is to create a state-of-the-art communication protocol for handling board transfers and associated data at surface-mount technology (SMT) production lines. Therefore, this new communication protocol has to cope with the following: 
• Replace the electrical SMEMA interface as specified in IPC-SMEMA-9851
• Extend the interface to communicate:
    – Unique identifiers for the handled printed circuit boards (PCBs)
    – Equipment identifiers of the first machine noticing a PCB
    – Barcodes
    – Conveyor speed and intended board route
    – A lightweight digital twin of the product containing, e.g.,
▪ Product type identifier
▪ Length
▪ Width
▪ Thickness
▪ Board state

With respect to version numbers The Hermes Standard adheres to the rules of Semantic Versioning 2.0.0 [SemVer_2.0.0].

Hints on naming:
• Wherever a feature is described by the word “shall” it is mandatory.
• The word “machine” is used for any equipment which can be found in a SMT production line (e.g., printers, placement machines, ovens, AOIs, transport modules, shuttles, stackers).
• The term “PCB” may also refer to carriers transporting PCBs.
• The word “Hermes” is used as abbreviation for “The Hermes Standard”.
• “The Hermes Standard” and IPC-HERMES-9852 are synonyms for the standard specified in this document and might be used interchangeably.