The architecture's intent is to provide well-defined application programming interfaces for process repositories and the surrounding services. Platform interoperability is essential for a distributed software architecture to reach a broad user base. It provides a path for integrating existing applications and encourages the reuse of existing services in new applications. The distributed architecture will provide numerous benefits for semiconductor processing research. It will enable engineers to choose between any simulator, editor, or synthesis tool available without being restricted by the type of operating system and hardware that it uses.
Semiconductor fabrication can also benefit from the distributed software architecture.
Due to expenses associated with fabricating semiconductors, the subset of available equipment often limits research facilities. A distributed software architecture will facilitate the sharing of remote resources and equipment. Repositories of process information provide valuable information to engineers, designers, and manufacturers of semiconductors. This limits the sharing of information between repositories residing at different facilities. A common interface to access semiconductor process repositories is essential for process designers to share and exchange information between repositories.