Patent ID: 7580767

Claim:
A system for operation of processes and process tools for processing workpieces, the system comprising; a computer memory for storing information; a design of experiments module configured for generating a design of experiments for characterizing the processes and process tools, wherein the design of experiments specifies experiments needed to collect sufficient data for characterizing a process and process tool, the design of experiments module being connected with the memory for retrieving information for preparing the design of experiments and for storing the design of experiments in the memory; a data source for providing process data for the design of experiments, the data source being configured for storing and retrieving data in the memory, an information processor connected with one or more sensors for receiving signals from the sensors, the information processor being configured for data communication with the memory, the sensor apparatus being configured for measuring process parameters substantially equivalent to those experienced by the workpieces; a data analysis module for validating and screening the process data, the data analysis module being connected with the memory so as to store and retrieve information; and a perturbation model builder for providing a perturbation model representing the performance of the processes and process tools, the perturbation model builder being configured for retrieving information from the memory for building the model, and storing the perturbation model.