Patent ID: 7895547

Claim:
A method for performing a process model calibration, the method comprising: using a computer for: calibrating a plurality of sub-process models for a set of sub-processes; creating a lumped-process-model incorporating said set of sub-processes; calculating a first set of output patterns from a set of test patterns by using said plurality of sub-process models, wherein calculating said first set of output patterns comprises: applying a first sub-process model of said plurality of sub-process models to said set of test patterns to generate a first set of simulated test patterns, said first sub-process model corresponds to a first sub-process in a process flow; applying a second sub-process model of said plurality of sub-process models to said first set of simulated test patterns to generate a second set of simulated test patterns, said second sub-process model corresponds to a second sub-process in said process flow; continuing applying a subsequent sub-process model of said plurality of sub-process models to simulated test patterns generated from a preceding sub-process model to generate new simulated test patterns; and obtaining said first set of output patterns as a set of simulated test patterns generated by a last sub-process model of said plurality of sub-process models in said process flow; calculating a second set of output patterns from said set of test patterns by using said lumped-process-model; and calibrating said lumped-process-model to match said second set of output patterns with said first set of output patterns.