Developer Guide: Implementing Installed Base Tracking for Semiconductor Equipment

Fab equipment configuration drift costs visibility into preventive maintenance windows and contract renewal timing.

In Brief

Build asset tracking by ingesting tool telemetry via REST APIs, maintain configuration state in your data lake, and run lifecycle queries using Python SDKs. Open integration avoids vendor lock-in while capturing serial numbers, chamber kits, and firmware versions across your fab's installed base.

Implementation Barriers for Asset Tracking Systems

Configuration Drift Goes Undetected

Fab tools change recipes, swap chamber parts, and receive firmware updates without automatic registry updates. Engineers discover discrepancies only when troubleshooting failures or planning upgrades.

37% Asset Records Out of Sync

Missing Serial Numbers Block Lifecycle Queries

Legacy equipment installations lack systematic serial number capture. Contract renewal systems cannot identify which tools qualify for service extensions or require EOL planning.

28% Installed Assets Untracked

Vendor Lock-In Prevents Custom Workflows

Closed ERP modules offer no API access to extend asset tracking logic. Teams cannot build custom predictive maintenance triggers or integrate with existing data science pipelines.

18 mo Average ERP Migration Time

Build Open Asset Tracking with Standard APIs

Bruviti's headless architecture exposes REST endpoints for ingesting equipment telemetry, maintaining configuration snapshots, and querying lifecycle state. Python and TypeScript SDKs let you build custom workflows without rewriting foundation models. POST telemetry streams from SECS/GEM interfaces, run configuration diff queries against your data lake, and trigger maintenance workflows in existing systems.

The platform stores asset state in your cloud tenant using open schemas. No proprietary data formats lock you into vendor ecosystems. You own the data model, extend it with custom attributes for recipe parameters or chamber consumables, and export snapshots for analytics tools. Integration points connect to SAP, Oracle, or custom databases without middleware translation layers.

Implementation Benefits

  • API-first design reduces integration time from 18 months to 6 weeks using standard REST calls.
  • Open schema ownership prevents $2M+ migration costs when switching ERP or MES platforms.
  • Python SDK enables custom lifecycle triggers without maintaining ML training infrastructure.

See It In Action

Semiconductor Fab Implementation Strategy

Architecture for Wafer Fab Asset Tracking

Semiconductor fabs run hundreds of lithography, etch, deposition, and metrology tools generating SECS/GEM data streams. Implementing asset tracking starts by selecting a single tool type with standardized telemetry protocols. Connect Bruviti's REST API to your SECS/GEM gateway, map equipment IDs to serial numbers, and configure chamber component tracking for consumable parts like electrodes, showerheads, and focus rings.

Once baseline asset records populate, extend configuration snapshots to capture recipe version numbers and process parameter drift. Query APIs return equipment lists filtered by firmware version, enabling systematic upgrade campaigns. Custom lifecycle rules trigger alerts when chamber cycle counts approach PM thresholds, feeding work orders into your MES without manual tracking spreadsheets.

Semiconductor-Specific Considerations

  • Start with etch or CVD tools where chamber kit cycles directly impact yield and PM is predictable.
  • Connect SECS/GEM equipment controllers to REST endpoints using existing protocol translators already in your fab.
  • Track PM cycle compliance and chamber consumable usage to prove value within one quarterly yield review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What data formats do the REST APIs accept for equipment telemetry?

APIs accept JSON payloads with equipment ID, timestamp, configuration parameters, and optional telemetry streams. SECS/GEM data can be posted directly after protocol translation, or you can send batch updates from MES exports. Python SDK includes helper functions for parsing common fab data formats including CSV dumps and SEMI standards.

How does the platform avoid vendor lock-in compared to ERP modules?

Bruviti stores asset data in your cloud tenant using open schemas you control. You can export complete datasets anytime in JSON or CSV, run queries directly against your data lake, and switch service providers without data migration costs. No proprietary binaries or encrypted databases prevent access to your configuration records.

Can I extend the data model to track custom fab-specific attributes?

Yes. The schema supports custom fields for recipe parameters, process module configurations, or fab-specific tracking like clean room location or qualification status. Python SDK lets you define custom object types and relationships without waiting for vendor feature requests. Extensions persist in your data store and remain accessible through standard API queries.

What integration points connect to existing SAP or Oracle systems?

REST APIs provide bidirectional sync with ERP systems. Query equipment lists from SAP for serial number validation, post configuration updates back to Oracle asset modules, or trigger work orders in your CMMS when lifecycle rules fire. Webhooks notify external systems when asset state changes occur, eliminating polling loops.

How long does initial asset registry population take for a typical fab?

Pilot implementations tracking 50-100 tools complete in 4-6 weeks. Initial data load pulls existing records from MES or ERP systems via API, then incremental updates capture ongoing configuration changes. Full fab rollout timeline depends on tool heterogeneity and existing SECS/GEM coverage, typically scaling linearly with equipment count.

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