Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving the implementation of automated job management for equipment in a factory. A multi-protocol multi-client equipment server is provided for communicating with equipment and clients utilizing multiple protocols. The equipment server incorporates an object model of each tool and communicates directly in real-time with factory equipment. By providing a multi-protocol multi-client platform, data consumer clients are effectively decoupled from job management clients, allowing next generation station controllers for monitoring and controlling equipment processing to be easily implemented.

Abstract: A multi-client multi-protocol equipment server includes: a host interface that facilitates communication with a manufacturing execution system (MES); a plurality of client interfaces, wherein each client interface facilitates communication with a client based on a Common Equipment Model (CEM) for a semiconductor manufacturing tool; and a plurality of tool interfaces, wherein each tool interface facilitates communication with a semiconductor manufacturing tool, wherein at least one of the interfaces is a Semi Equipment Communications Standard/Generic Model for Communications and Control of Manufacturing Equipment (SECS/GEM) interface that is configured in a single XML file that defines attributes of the CEM for the semiconductor manufacturing tool which uses the SECS/GEM interface, and wherein a computer executes the multi-client multi-protocol server.