Microsoft is involved in the IC equipment industry to participate in the formulation of standards for data collection

In order to start a new semiconductor equipment data acquisition standard, International Sematech and semiconductor equipment and Materials International (SEMI) from an unlikely partner - Microsoft (Microsoft Corp.) where to seek help.

According to the plan, Microsoft will be involved in the semiconductor equipment in the world, with Sematech and SEMI cooperation, for the data collection standard "new Interface A" development and provide software solutions.

Microsoft hopes to adjust its.NET products, make it become the basic technology of Interface A. .NET is a set of software technologies used to connect systems and devices, clearly covering semiconductor devices.

Interface A refers to the manufacturing equipment of the port, to transfer from the tool to the factory system data. This interface allows the FAB to obtain detailed process, measurement, and operational data from the wafer device.

Microsoft high tech industry manager John McCallum said that Microsoft hopes to use its software technology to help in the semiconductor industry to promote Interface A standard.

Microsoft is working with a number of organizations and equipment manufacturers in the field of cooperation. He said: "we have just started."

According to McCallum, Microsoft plans to implement electronic semiconductor factory some day in the future, which means the remote diagnosis (e-Diagnostics) to solve the problems of semiconductor production equipment.