4.1
Chapter 4
Creating Target
Configuration Files
ATS helps you adjust wafer handling equipment so that the equipment can pick up a wafer or
put down a wafer in exactly the right position. To determine the correct position, ATS uses a
target
, which is a round physical feature inside the equipment that ATS can recognize and
precisely locate. To recognize a target, ATS requires a target configuration file. A target
configuration file must contain information that is very specific to a particular target. The two
key pieces of information ATS needs are the diameter of the target and the distance from the
wafer to the target. Of the two, specifying an accurate target diameter is the most critical. If two
pieces of equipment have identical targets and wafer-to-target distances, you can use the same
target configuration file for both; otherwise, you need to create separate target configuration
files. The TeachTarget application is designed specifically for the task of creating target
configuration files.
Choosing a Target
Before you can create a new target configuration file, you need to decide which feature of the
equipment to use for the target. Look for a hole or similar round feature that is located in the
center of the equipment. A feature with a diameter of a few millimeters up to a few centimeters
works best. A target that fills between 1/8 to 1/3 of the view generally gives better results. The
target must be small enough that the entire target is visible in the video image in TeachTarget.
When you use TeachTarget, if the target you choose is too small, the application will ask you to
identify a secondary target. The secondary target must be concentric with the primary target.
For example, if a piece of equipment has a 4-mm hole and 30-mm ring, you could specify the
4-mm hole as the primary target; if TeachTarget requests a secondary target, you would specify
the 30-mm ring for the secondary target. If your equipment doesn’t have a feature that could be
used as a secondary target, TeachTarget will just do the best it can using the primary target.