RF Tag Tracking for Semiconductor Supply Chain Data Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current supply chain management systems face challenges in tracking elements accurately across multiple stages and chains due to differences in terminology, protocols, and information exchange formats among participants, leading to errors and loss of identity information, especially in hierarchical processing environments like the semiconductor industry.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of radio-frequency (RF) tags permanently attached to elements, which communicate wirelessly with RF communicators using a defined protocol, allowing for secure storage and retrieval of information and maintaining identity throughout processing stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual data entry and human operations are used for tracking elements, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but data errors and information accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual data entry operations with automated RFID reading and writing systems. RFID tags attached to elements automatically transmit identification and status information to tracking systems, eliminating human intervention in data collection and reducing errors while maintaining system flexibility through programmable tracking rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of element information stored in RFID tags and centralized databases. These digital replicas allow multiple users and systems to access identical data without manual copying, ensuring consistency and accuracy across the supply chain while reducing human error in data transcription.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different participants use different parameters, terminology, and protocols, then each participant can optimize for their specific needs, but information exchange accuracy and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal RFID tag standard that can store multiple types of information in standardized fields. The tags use common protocols (ISO 15693, ISO 14443) that all participants can read and write, while allowing custom data fields to accommodate participant-specific requirements. This enables information exchange without loss of accuracy while maintaining adaptability to different participant needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the RFID tag data structure to be configured with standardized parameters for common information (identification, tracking number) and customizable parameters for participant-specific data. The system can dynamically adjust data formats and protocols based on participant requirements while maintaining a core standardized framework for reliable information exchange.
3Loss of information
If identity information is stored in hierarchical structures (lots, wafers, dies, devices), then comprehensive tracking is achieved, but information loss occurs during processing transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested hierarchical data structure where RFID tags at each level (lot, wafer, die, device) contain references to parent levels and can store child level information. For example, a wafer tag contains lot information and references to individual dies, while die tags contain wafer information and device identifiers. This nested structure preserves complete identity information through all processing transitions without requiring complex external database lookups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-loads RFID tags with hierarchical identification information at the earliest appropriate stage in the processing chain. Lots receive tags with batch information before wafer fabrication, wafers receive tags with lot references before die cutting, and dies receive tags with wafer and lot references before device assembly. This preliminary population of hierarchical data ensures identity information is preserved and accessible throughout subsequent processing without requiring complex real-time data management.
4Loss of time
If remote databases are used for data storage and retrieval, then centralized information management is achieved, but data retrieval timeliness and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized database into distributed RFID tags attached to individual elements at various locations in the supply chain. Each tag stores and processes its own data locally, eliminating the need for constant remote database access. This segmentation enables immediate data retrieval at any point in the chain while maintaining data integrity through standardized formats and periodic synchronization with centralized systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures accurate and consistent tracking of elements across stages and chains, reducing errors and maintaining identity information, even in hierarchical processing environments, by providing a reliable and efficient means of data exchange and storage.
Implementation Method 1
radio-frequency (RF) tags permanently attached to elements, which communicate wirelessly with RF communicators
Data Source
AI summary
A system for tracking elements employing fixed tags that are permanently attached internally or externally to elements. The tags include radio-frequency (RF) communication units that have wireless communication with RF communicators. The wireless communications between the RF tags and the RF communicators operate with a tag communication protocol that defines the operations and sequences for storing information into and retrieval of information from tags. Each communicator has a processor for controlling a security routine with the tag. Each tag has a tag memory having storage locations for storing security information, a controller for accessing the tag memory to access security information in response to the security routine and an I/O unit for electronic communication with the controller and for RF communication with the communicator.