System and method for controlling a semiconductor manufacturing process
First Claim
1. A semiconductor manufacture and testing device, comprising:
- a process device configured to perform a semiconductor processing operation on a semiconductor wafer;
a testing device configured to perform a testing operation on the semiconductor wafer and generate real-time testing metrics relating to the testing operation;
a data storage element configured to store the real-time testing metrics as stored testing metrics;
a control and dispatch element configured to receive the stored testing metrics and generate dispatch control signals based on the stored testing metrics and a set of evaluation rules; and
a test routing element located between the process element and the testing element, and configured to route the semiconductor wafer either from the process element to the testing element or from the process element around the testing element, based the dispatch control signals.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A semiconductor manufacture and testing device is provided, comprising: a process device configured to perform a semiconductor processing operation on a semiconductor wafer; a testing device configured to perform a testing operation on the semiconductor wafer and generate real-time testing metrics relating to the testing operation; a data storage element configured to store the real-time testing metrics as stored testing metrics; a control and dispatch element configured to receive the stored testing metrics and generate dispatch control signals based on the stored testing metrics and a set of evaluation rules; and a test routing element located between the process element and the testing element, and configured to route the semiconductor wafer either from the process element to the testing element or from the process element around the testing element, based the dispatch control signals.
5 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A semiconductor manufacture and testing device, comprising:
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a process device configured to perform a semiconductor processing operation on a semiconductor wafer; a testing device configured to perform a testing operation on the semiconductor wafer and generate real-time testing metrics relating to the testing operation; a data storage element configured to store the real-time testing metrics as stored testing metrics; a control and dispatch element configured to receive the stored testing metrics and generate dispatch control signals based on the stored testing metrics and a set of evaluation rules; and a test routing element located between the process element and the testing element, and configured to route the semiconductor wafer either from the process element to the testing element or from the process element around the testing element, based the dispatch control signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A semiconductor manufacture and testing device, comprising:
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a testing queue configured to receive and hold a semiconductor wafer in preparation for a testing operation; a testing element configured to perform the testing operation on the semiconductor wafer and generate real-time testing metrics relating to the testing operation; an internal routing element located between the testing queue and the testing element, and configured to route the semiconductor wafer either from the testing queue to the testing element or from the testing queue around the testing element, without performing the testing operation on the semiconductor wafer, based upon dispatch control signals; a data storage element configured to store the real-time testing metrics as stored testing metrics; a control and dispatch element configured to receive the stored testing metrics and generate the dispatch control signals based on the stored testing metrics and a set of evaluation rules; and a test routing element located before the testing queue and configured to receive the semiconductor wafer and to route it either to the testing queue or around the testing queue and the testing element, without performing the testing operation on the semiconductor wafer, based on the dispatch control signals. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of fabricating semiconductor devices, comprising:
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performing a current semiconductor processing operation on a semiconductor wafer; generating real-time process metrics relating to the current semiconductor processing operation; storing the real-time process metrics in a set of stored evaluation metrics; generating dispatch control signals based on the set of stored evaluation metrics and a set of evaluation rules; and determining whether the semiconductor wafer needs to be tested based on the dispatch control signals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of fabricating semiconductor devices, comprising:
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receiving a semiconductor wafer; determining whether the semiconductor wafer needs to be tested based on dispatch control signals; performing a testing operation on the semiconductor wafer; storing the real-time testing metrics in a set of evaluation metrics; and altering the dispatch control signals based on the set of evaluation testing metrics and a set of evaluation rules. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A semiconductor manufacture and testing device, comprising:
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means for receiving a semiconductor wafer; means for determining whether the semiconductor wafer needs to be tested based on dispatch control signals; means for performing a testing operation on the semiconductor wafer; means for storing the real-time testing metrics in a set of evaluation metrics; and means for altering the dispatch control signals based on the set of evaluation testing metrics and a set of evaluation rules. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification