Patent ID: 6865437
Filing Date: 2005-03-08
Classification: C01P,G05B,H01L,Y02P,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for synchronizing a wafer cluster tool, the wafer cluster tool including a plurality of process modules, the method comprising: a) generating a deterministic schedule for the wafer cluster tool, the deterministic schedule having a periodicity of a sending period; b) loading a first wafer set into a first process module in the cluster tool according to the schedule; c) in response to loading the first wafer set in the first process module, resetting a first local clock coupled to the first process module; d) recording a first time from the first local clock in a timetable, the timetable coupled to the plurality of process modules, the first time measured in units of the sending period; e) loading a second wafer set into a second process module in the cluster tool according to the schedule; f) in response to loading the second wafer set in the second process module, resetting a second local clock coupled to the second process module; g) recording a second time from the second local clock in the timetable in units of the sending period.