Automated data management system for analysis and control of photolithography stepper performance

摘要

An automated data management system for enabling the analysis and control of the performance of photolithography steppers in a submicron fabrication facility disclosed. In a preferred embodiments, software running on each of a plurality of first personal computers (PCs), each of which is connected to one of a plurality of steppers, is used to append printer data generated by the steppers responsive to tests, performed therein to ASCII files associated with the steppers and subsequently to upload the ASCII files to a network drive at specified time intervals. Once the ASCII files have been uploaded to the VAX drive, the files may be accessed by a user outside the facility using a second PC on which is running a utility of the present invention for providing automated analysis of the data for a particular stepper as requested by a user. In one aspect of the invention, the utility of the present invention comprises a windows-based user interface for enabling the user to select and initiate analysis procedures by selecting from a variety of options displayed on the user's PC. In another aspect of the invention, the utility of the present invention enables the user to select from among a variety of formats, including browse tables, charts and graphs, for viewing the resulting analysis data.