Optimization-based dynamic scheduling and its testbed for IC sort and test

A dynamic scheduling system for an IC sort and test facility is developed by using a sort of feedback strategy. The scheduling system will take a snapshot to obtain the current floor information and use an optimizer to come up with a good pragmatic strategy, which is sub-globally optimal in terms of the current information. Dynamic rescheduling is then used to deal with stochastic variations. Before implementing the system in a manufacturing floor, a simulation testbed is developed to evaluate its performance in dynamic environments. Some test results are also presented to indicate its high potential for practical problems.