Fault detection apparatuses and methods for fault detection of semiconductor processing tools
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for detecting a fault of a semiconductor production tool during an operation thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
- sensing a signal associated with a test component of the semiconductor production tool during the operation of the semiconductor production tool;
converting the signal to an electronic test signal;
providing a prerecorded signature signal corresponding to the test component, the prerecorded signature signal created prior to the sensing; and
comparing the test signal and the prerecorded signature signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Fault detection apparatuses and methods for detecting a processing or hardware performance fault of a semiconductor production tool have been provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for detecting a fault of a semiconductor production tool includes sensing a signal associated with a test component of the production tool during operation of the production tool and converting the signal to an electronic test signal. A prerecorded signature signal corresponding to the test component is provided and the test signal and the prerecorded signature signal are compared.
23 Citations
34 Claims
-
1. A method for detecting a fault of a semiconductor production tool during an operation thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
-
sensing a signal associated with a test component of the semiconductor production tool during the operation of the semiconductor production tool; converting the signal to an electronic test signal; providing a prerecorded signature signal corresponding to the test component, the prerecorded signature signal created prior to the sensing; and comparing the test signal and the prerecorded signature signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for detecting a fault of a semiconductor production tool, the method comprising the steps of:
-
recording and storing a signature signal corresponding to a test component of the semiconductor production tool; mounting at least one detection device so that it is capable of sensing a signal from the test component; operating the semiconductor production tool after the step of recording and storing; sensing a test signal produced by the test component during operation of the semiconductor production tool; comparing the signature signal to the test signal; and producing a fault detection signal based on results of the comparison of the signature signal and the test signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. A fault detection apparatus for a semiconductor production tool, wherein the fault detection apparatus comprises:
-
a detection device configured to sense a signal from a test component of the semiconductor production tool during operation of the semiconductor production tool and produce a test signal corresponding to the signal; a signature signal database that stores a signature signal corresponding to operation of the test component in a known state, wherein the signature signal database is created before the detection device senses the signal; and a comparator in electrical communication with the detection device and the signature signal database, wherein the comparator is configured to compare the test signal received from the detection device and the signature signal received from the signature signal database. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
-
Specification