This specification defines a standard implementation framework of SECS-II messages for basic semiconductor manufacturing equipment. By defining a common set of equipment behavior and communications capabilities around data collection, alarm management, remote control, configuration, and control, this Standard allows equipment suppliers to develop a single SECS-II interface that provides a solid foundation for host automation. It also allows device manufacturers to implement unique automation solutions within a common industry framework. This standardization reduces the cost of software development for both equipment suppliers and device manufacturers, which would in turn allow device manufacturers to automate semiconductor factories more quickly and effectively.
GEM defines a standard implementation of SECS-II for all semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The GEM standard defines a common set of equipment behavior and communications capabilities that provide the functionality and flexibility to support the manufacturing automation programs of semiconductor device manufacturers. Equipment suppliers may provide additional SECS-II functionality not included in GEM as long as the additional functionality does not conflict with any of the behavior or capabilities defined in GEM. Such additions may include SECS-II messages, collection events, alarms, remote commands, processing states, variable data items (data variables, status variables, or equipment constants), or other functionality that is unique to a class (etchers, steppers, etc.) or specific instance of equipment.
GEM is intended to produce economic benefits for both device manufacturers and equipment suppliers. Equipment suppliers benefit from the ability to develop and market a single SECS-II interface that satisfies most customers. Device manufacturers benefit from the increased functionality and standardization of the SECS-II interface across all manufacturing equipment. This standardization reduces the cost of software development for both equipment suppliers and device manufacturers. By reducing costs and increasing functionality, device manufacturers can automate semiconductor factories more quickly and effectively. The flexibility provided by the GEM Standard also enables device manufacturers to implement unique automation solutions within a common industry framework.
The GEM Standard is intended to specify the following:
• A model of the behavior to be exhibited by semiconductor manufacturing equipment in a SECS-II communication environment,
• A description of information and control functions needed in a semiconductor manufacturing environment,
• A definition of the basic SECS-II communications capabilities of semiconductor manufacturing equipment,
• A single consistent means of accomplishing an action when SECS-II provides multiple possible methods, and
• Standard message dialogues necessary to achieve useful communications capabilities.
The GEM Standard contains two types of requirements:
• fundamental GEM requirements and
• requirements of additional GEM capabilities.
The fundamental GEM requirements form the foundation of the GEM Standard. The additional GEM capabilities provide the functionality required for some types of factory automation or functionality applicable to specific types of equipment. A detailed list of the fundamental GEM requirements and additional GEM capabilities can be found in § 11, GEM Compliance. Figure 1 illustrates the components of the GEM Standard.
Equipment suppliers should work with their customers to determine which additional GEM capabilities should be implemented for a specific type of equipment. Because the capabilities defined in the GEM Standard were specifically developed to meet the factory automation requirements of semiconductor manufacturers, it is anticipated that most device manufacturers will require most of the GEM capabilities that apply to a particular type of equipment. Some device manufacturers may not require all the GEM capabilities due to differences in their factory automation strategies.
The scope of the GEM Standard is limited to defining the behavior of semiconductor equipment as viewed through a communications link. The SEMI E5 (SECS-II) Standard provides the definition of messages and related data items exchanged between host and equipment. The GEM Standard defines which SECS-II messages should be used, in what situations, and what the resulting activity should be.
Referenced SEMI Standards (purchase separately)
SEMI E4 — Specification for SEMI Equipment Communications Standard 1 Message Transfer (SECS-I)
SEMI E5 — Specification for SEMI Equipment Communications Standard 2 Message Content (SECS-II)
SEMI E23 — Specification for Cassette Transfer Parallel I/O Interface
SEMI E37 — Specification for High-Speed SECS Message Services (HSMS) Generic Services
SEMI E173 — Specification for XML SECS-II Message Notation (SMN)
Source From: SEMI