Patent ID: 7401275

Claim:
A testing arrangement for testing a plasma cluster tool having system control software (SCS) for controlling said plasma cluster tool during production, the testing arrangement comprising: a data manager module for obtaining, via a computer network, specification data pertaining to a component of said plasma cluster tool, said specification data including at least simulation data for simulating operation of other possible hardware components of said plasma cluster tool other than said component of said plasma cluster tool; a test manager module configured to provide a set of tests for testing said component, said set of tests incorporating data obtained in said specification data; and a SCS interface engine configured to communicate said set of tests with said system control software of said plasma cluster tool, thereby enabling said SCS to execute at least a test in said set of tests to test said component of said plasma cluster tool, said test including at least simulated operation of said other possible hardware components of said plasma cluster tool according to said specification data.