Systems and methods for exhaust gas recirculation in which at least a desired effective oxygen concentration is maintained for stable combustion at increased recirculation rates. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a method for determining one or more characteristics of a partially processed integrated circuit. The conveyance portion includes a first conveyance portion and a second conveyance portion provided in a position separated from the first conveyance portion in a direction in which the belt extends. A skew detection circuit in the sink device detects the skew in the N bit digital data signal and generates a skew detection signal.