SBIR-STTR Award

This proposal responds to the stated goals of DARPA SBIR topic 91-181 by proposingThree novel approaches: (a) develop Rapid Modeling Technology (RMT) tools for design, planning, and decision support of semiconductor factories, (b) recognizing the multi product complexity in semi conductor manufacturing, develop scheduling tools based on Lagrangian relaxation techniques with significant potential advantages over existing heuristic approaches, and (c) taking advantage of novel on-line sensitivity analysis approaches, develop real-time control mechanisms driven by actual real-time factory data; these mechanisms can obtain answers to a large number of "what-if" questions all in parallel, and hence rapidly identify (on line) optimal parameter settings or operating policies. In all cases, our Phase I goal is to establish feasibility of these novel approaches through explicit demonstrations of prototype software tools. We anticipate that the successful completion of the proposed Phase I effort will (a) lead to the development of easy-to-use commercial software tools for rapid modeling, design, and scheduling of semiconductor factories, (b) end extensions to other modern manufacturing environments, (c) inmate a radical new approach for real-time control of factory operations through the use of actual data, (d) lead to a novel way of building discrete event simulation tools with inherent massively parallel parametric analysis capabilities. Thus, a byproduct of this project will be a contribution towards solving one of the major problems identified in the 1990 DOD list of critical technologies (#5 simulation and modeling).

This Phase II proposal responds to the stated goals of DARPA SBIR topic 91-181 by proposing three specific development projects (a) development of a framework and decision support tools for strategic manufacturing design, planning, and operations of semiconductor factories based upon rapid modeling technology (RMT). (B) creation of tools and methodologies for evaluating different business and product introduction strategies based upon (a) and cost analysis principles. These will be used to analyze the early and middle phases of new product manufacturing. (Where the most yield learning is occurring) so as to realize maximal profits (termed rapid yield learning). (C) development of scheduling and learning tools, based on lagrangian realization and perturbation analysis techniques to deal with the complexity of multiple products in semiconductor manufacturing. These techniques have potentially significant advantages over existing heuristic approaches, and exploit some novel on-line sensitivity analysis approaches in order to develop real-time control mechanisms driven by actual real-time factory data. In all cases, our Phase II goal is to develop tools and methodologies that are readily accepted within the industry because of their (a) ease of use, b) business focus (rather than technical focus), c) implementation of standard user interfaces, and d) use of common database interfaces and standards. Anticipated

Benefits:
we anticipate that the successful completion of the proposed Phase II effort will include the development of easy-to-use commercial software tools for rapid modeling, design, and scheduling of semiconductor factories. These tools will lead to a greater focus on analysis of manufacturing and business strategies, consistent improvement, and increased learning from other manufacturing industries. As a byproduct, this project will contribute to solving one of the major problems identified in the 1990 DoD list of critical technologies (#5 simulation and modeling).