Abstract:
A system is provided to aid in laying out circuits on a semiconductor wafer, in which a wafer map is automatically generated when entering chip sizes, arrangements and other enterable factors, with a goal to maximize yield probability. The subject system accommodates different chip types and arrangements within a wafer map and addresses edge exclusion, utilization of chiplets and accommodation of different centering techniques, including a variety of ways of measuring offsets, while outputting a display of replicated circuits on the wafer as well as chip count and density, utilizing a portable, tailorable, extendable PC-based program featuring an easy-to-use graphical interface. The software application provides a user with different graphical views customized for different process areas, such as lithography and dicing, with the application being useful for any semiconductor manufacturing facility, foundry or similar industry that needs to generate wafer maps automatically to maximize yield probability.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to wafer design and fabrication and more particularly to an automatic design system for replicating circuits across a wafer. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The capability of pattern 20 to 40 levels on wafers has resulted in the ability to fabricate large numbers of integrated circuits on a single wafer and to dice the wafer so as to provide individual integrated circuits or combinations of circuits. 
   Typically in wafer fabrication, a stepper is utilized which photographically replicates or reproduces a particular pattern of a layer for an integrated circuit across the wafer in a stepped fashion so that identical circuits can be fabricated across a given wafer. 
   For instance, taking a first metalization layer, one must first take a picture of the layer for the first chip to be replicated. One must then step to the next place where one wants to place a copy of the metalization layer, open the shutter and take the picture and then step to the next place in a step-and-repeat process performed by a so-called stepper. A photomask for microlithography is typically a quartz tile a quarter-inch thick and is covered with chrome. The chrome is then covered with photo-resist and, for a given level, a pattern is written onto the photo-resist and then the chrome is etched. When this tile is flipped upside down, it becomes a chrome-on-glass master mask for that particular level. One might have 20 to 40 of these master masks per device, depending on the number of levels required. With the masks, one goes layer by layer to build up the chip. 
   However, every time, one has to manually come back to photo and lay out the chips on the wafer in a desired pattern. It is noted that often times one puts down product chips at certain locations and then test chips or other product chips on the same wafer. 
   In terms of the design of a chip pattern on a wafer, the photo tooling that is capable of adequate resolution and overlay does not have the field size to be able to print the entire wafer at once. 
   To simplify, the mask contains a pattern for the circuitry for just one chip or if small enough for several chips or “chiplets”. Sometimes the complete integrated circuit is small enough to fit more than one chip image on a mask and subsequent exposure field. These are then referred to as “chiplets” for the purposes of wafer layout. With a wafer having a six-inch diameter, the wafer can accommodate 20 or more of these exposure fields. One first designs the chip, then fractures the data, then has a mask manufacturer write the data to a series of masks, with the artwork being replicated, for instance, 40 times for the 40 chips that are to be placed on the wafer. 
   Just designing a single chip and providing the photolithography and manufacturing step for the chip, while indeed complicated, is further complicated when one wants to replicate the process across a wafer and make efficient use of wafer real estate to be able to place the maximum number of chips on a given-size wafer. The chip designers then defer to the photo layout engineers, who manually create a pattern of the tile is flipped upside down, it becomes a chrome-on-glass master mask for that particular level. One might have 20 to 40 of these master masks per device, depending on the number of levels required. With the masks, one goes layer by layer to build up the chip. 
   However, every time, one has to manually come back to photo and lay out the chips on the wafer in a desired pattern. It is noted that often times one puts down product chips at certain locations and then test chips or other product chips on the same wafer. 
   In terms of the design of a chip pattern on a wafer, the photo tooling that is capable of adequate resolution and overlay does not have the field size to be able to print the entire wafer at once. 
   To simplify, the mask contains a pattern for the circuitry for just one chip or if small enough for several chips or “chiplets”. Sometimes the complete integrated circuit is small enough to fit more than one chip image on a mask and subsequent exposure field. These are then referred to as “chiplets” for the purposes of wafer layout. With a wafer having a six-inch diameter, the wafer can accommodate 20 or more of these exposure fields. One first designs the chip, then fractures the data, then has a mask manufacturer write the data to a series of masks, with the artwork being replicated, for instance, 40 times for the 40 chips that are to be placed on the wafer. 
   Just designing a single chip and providing the photolithography and manufacturing step for the chip, while indeed complicated, is further complicated when one wants to replicate the process across a wafer and make efficient use of wafer real estate to be able to place the maximum number of chips on a given-size wafer. The chip designers then defer to the photo layout engineers, who manually create a pattern of the desired chips across the wafer, which involves the pattern of the chip placement on the actual wafer. 
   While there exist steppers, such as provided by ASML of the Netherlands, what these steppers do are to step out pictures across the surface of the wafer in a pattern manually determined by the layout engineer. 
   However, the software for the steppers is relatively simplified and doesn&#39;t take into account the fact that one may wish to replicate different chips across the wafer and does not, for instance, take into account how to maximize the density of the chips, given the type of chips and placement one wishes. The stepper does not provide for a graphical interface which, aside from laying out the individual chips, accommodates such things as edge exclusion zones or edge areas that, while not being able to accommodate a full-sized chip, may nonetheless be utilized to fabricate so-called chiplets. Thus, with the stepper type of systems, there is no way to maximize the yield by being able to recognize that chiplets are possible, with the chiplets being manufacturable at the same time as the chips or full exposure field. 
   There is therefore a need for a system which allows the designer to enter in various parameters, such as wafer size, edge exclusion, flat-edge exclusion, periodicity in X and Y directions, and offsets in X and Y directions. 
   Also, when the integrated circuit chip is composed of a number of integrated circuits, oftentimes each of this number of integrated circuits can be characterized as a chiplet. Thus, when there is not enough room on a wafer for a complete chip, chiplets can be positioned on the wafer so they can be manufactured at the same time that the chips are manufactured. There is therefore a need for the layout engineer to be able to specify the location of these chiplets on the wafer, which involves specifying the number of chiplet rows and the number of chiplet columns. Moreover, it is important for the layout engineer to be able to specify the wafer type, meaning whether or not the wafer is notched or flat. 
   As will also be appreciated, there needs to be a way for the mask engineer to be provided with a wafer map or visual representation of where the chips and chiplets are on a wafer. Also there is a requirement to permit the designer to enter in field parameters, such as Usable Field attributes, Edge Field attributes and chiplet attributes. 
   Most importantly, there needs to be a graphical interface to be able to visually present to the wafer designer the placement of the various chips and chiplets, the areas which have the Usable Fields with circuits, or Edge Fields, which may or may not have circuits on them, as well as to indicate the number of chips and chiplets that are achievable with a given pattern. Note that a useable field is a field in which the outline of the chip does not touch the edge exclusion ring for the wafer, whereas an Edge Field is one in which at least a portion of the chip is in the exclusion region. 
   With such a handy tool in place, the wafer designer may lay out wafers not only by simply brute force replicating chips across a wafer, but rather placing them, organizing them in terms of the offset and other characteristics of the chips themselves, by defining chiplets and placing them at points where an edge exclusion does not affect the formation of the chiplet, and then by presenting the wafer designer with a chip count for his or her design. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   Rather than manually laying out a pattern of chips on a wafer, in the subject system the pattern is automatically generated by filling out a number of fields on a web page, in one embodiment, and having the system calculate the arrangement of the chips and chiplets and present to the designer the results of the arrangement in terms of a wafer map, along with the chip count achieved by the particular pattern. 
   In one embodiment, the designer is presented with a normal view of the layout of the chips as automatically performed; a stepper view, meaning how the layout is viewed by the stepper in terms of providing for replicated photographs of the various layers across the chip; and also a dicing view in which the designer can see how the wafer can be diced up to provide for the individual fabricated chips or chiplets. 
   Aside from predetermining the size of the chip or chiplets, one can review the results of an automatic operation when a chip is centered, when a chip corner is centered, when a chip side is centered, when the center of a chip is offset, and when a corner of a chip is offset. One can also specify the offsets in each of these cases and be presented with a result that visually indicates the automatically generated layout of the chips on the wafer. 
   The functionality of the subject system and its software to maximally lay out chips or chiplets on a wafer in a way that allows the designer to change various parameters such as edge exclusion, chip size, periodicity, grid offset, chiplet size, and wafer size. The system allows the designer to input chiplet dimensions in rows and columns within an exposure field. It also gives the designer graphical views customized for the different process areas such as lithography and dicing. 
   The result is a software application that generates a wafer layout map by inputting differing chip sizes, periodicities, arrangements, wafer sizes, edge exclusions, views, chip sites, chip types, and chiplet sizes. The application also calculates the number of chips and chiplets of each type that are laid out on a given wafer. The application graphically displays the wafer maps and allows designers to interactively change the parameters to suit their process needs. 
   Note that once the wafer has been laid out, the wafer design may be passed as a data set to a commercial stepper such as the ASML stepper. 
   In one embodiment, the wafer designer first provides input parameters enterable at the designer&#39;s screen or from a database. The application then determines Usable Fields, determines Edge Fields, and determines chiplets within Edge Fields. Thereafter, the application initializes the state of usable and Edge Fields, initializes the state of chiplets within the Edge Fields and initializes the edge exposure region. The system then computes the chip counts and draws a pattern of Usable Fields, Edge Fields, chiplets and the edge exclusion region. 
   Once being provided with a normal view, the wafer designer can update the pattern by placing a cursor on an x-y position. The application then searches for a Usable Field that bounds the cursor x-y position. If a Usable Field is found, then the application updates the state of Usable Fields and updates the chip counts. If no Usable Field is found, meaning that a field touches the edge exclusion region, then the application searches for Edge Fields that bound the cursor x-y position. An Edge Field is one in which there is some room to put down a chiplet without violating the edge exclusion region, but not enough room for a complete chip. If no Edge Field is found, the process ends. If an Edge Field is found, then the application decides whether or not there are chiplets contained in the Edge Field. If there are chiplets contained, then the application updates the state of the chiplets and updates the chip count. If there are no chiplets, again, the state of the Edge Field is updated and there is an update in chip counts. 
   A user can thus enter and thereby generate wafer layout maps automatically by entering the desired parameters in a web-based or standalone program. The user can also designate chiplet offsets or vary the orientations of the chips or chiplets. The user obtains the wafer map that automatically maximizes yield probability, distinguishes between chip types and can view maps in different modes. 
   The subject system thus solves the problem where no commercial software is available to create wafer maps showing chip sizes, arrangements and maximizing yield probability. While in the past wafer maps had to be created manually based on engineering judgment for maximum yield probability, the subject system now does so automatically. While in the past it was not possible to address different chip types or arrangements within a wafer map, one can now do so while at the same time addressing edge exclusion properties, chiplets, offsets, and to present the data with different map viewing capabilities. 
   The result is a portable, tailorable, extendable system that can be run on a desktop PC or as a web-based program featuring an easy-to-use graphical interface. The subject system provides exceptional functionality, allowing designers to change various parameters and even allows the designer to input chiplet dimensions in rows and columns within an exposure field. The subject system also provides the designer with different graphical views customized for different process areas and is very useful for any semiconductor manufacturing facility, foundry, or similar industry that needs to generate wafer maps automatically to maximize yield probability. 
   In summary, a system is provided to aid in the laying out of circuits on a semiconductor wafer, in which a wafer map is automatically generated when entering chip sizes, arrangements and other enterable factors, with the goal to maximize yield probability. The subject system accommodates different chip types and arrangements within a wafer map and addresses edge exclusion, the utilization of chiplets and the accommodation of different centering techniques, including a variety of ways of measuring offsets, while outputting a display of the replicated circuits on the wafer as well as chip count and density, utilizing a portable, tailorable, extendable PC-based program featuring an easy-to-use graphical interface. The software application provides the user with different graphical views customized for the different process areas, such as lithography and dicing, with the application being useful for any semiconductor manufacturing facility, foundry or similar industry that needs to generate wafer maps automatically to maximize yield probability. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features of the subject invention will be better understood in connection with a Detailed Description, in conjunction with the Drawings, of which: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic illustration of an individual utilizing the subject system to generate a wafer map, the output of which, in turn, could be coupled to a stepper; 
       FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic illustration of the wafer map generated in  FIG. 1 , including the layout of the individual chips and chiplets as well as the display of a chip count to indicate yield; 
       FIG. 3  is a screen shot of the computer of  FIG. 1 , illustrating fields in which data relating to wafer size, periodicity, chiplet rows, chiplet size and offsets in orthogonal directions may be entered; 
       FIG. 4  is a screen shot of the computer of  FIG. 1 , illustrating chip layouts used in determining centering, providing selectability for chip center centering, chip corner centering, chip side centering in either the x or y direction, chip center offsetting or chip corner offsetting, also indicating that with a change in centering, a different number of chips can be laid out on a wafer; 
       FIG. 5  is a screen shot of a normal view of the chip layout, indicating a number of chips that exist in Usable Fields, a number of chips which, through the utilization of chiplets, exist in an Edge Field for which at least some region is free of edge exclusion constraints and in which an edge exclusion region for the wafer is shown; 
       FIG. 6  is a screen shot of the stepper view for the wafer layout; 
       FIG. 7  is a screen shot of the computer of  FIG. 1 , illustrating that for a given wafer map, dicing lines are shown indicating where the wafer may be scribed so that individual chips or chiplets may be broken off; 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing how input parameters are treated in terms of determining Usable Fields, usable Edge Fields, chiplets within Edge Fields, initialization states and the initialization of edge exposure regions, followed by the computation of chip counts and the drawing of Usable Fields, Edge Fields, chiplets and edge exposure regions, given selected parameters; and, 
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating how to update the normal view of the wafer map so as to be able to include more chips or chiplets, thus to be able to update the wafer map and the parameters, and to calculate chip counts associated therewith. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , rather than manually laying out a wafer map and rather than utilizing the normal stepper software to provide a wafer layout, in the subject invention, an individual  10  at a keyboard  12  for computer  14  views a display screen  16  and enters in various parameters relating to the wafer map the individual seeks to generate. The wafer map, which is the layout of the chips or chiplets on a wafer, specifies the number of chips that can be successfully laid out, given the area and the size of the chips or chiplets that are to be fabricated onto the specified wafer. 
   In the past it was assumed that all the chips were to be of the same size and of the same functionality, such that they were simply laid out in a standard format. However, it is possible to increase the density on a given wafer for the integrated circuits utilized by understanding that some of the integrated circuits are made up of different subcomponents or circuits, herein referred to as chiplets, and by changing other parameters such as centering. By arranging the wafer map, taking into an account an exclusion zone or region around the periphery of the wafer and being able to visually ascertain where a particular layout touches or infringes upon the exclusion region, one can optimally and automatically lay out a wafer by placing of the chips and the chiplets for maximum benefit. 
   After the computer has performed the appropriate calculations, CPU  14  generates a wafer map  18 , the data from which is coupled to stepper  20 , which then provides the stepped photography to be able to generate masks  22 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , wafer map  18  generated by CPU  14  is displayed in terms of a wafer  24  having chips or chiplets  26  arrayed across the face of the wafer in accordance with calculations automatically done by CPU  14 . The layout of the chips and chiplets is referred to as the wafer map. The display at least in one instance provides a chip count so that individual  10  can ascertain at a glance whether or not the parameters that he has inputted by means of keyboard  12  into fields presented to him on display  16 , have in fact increased or decreased the chip count. If the chip count has not been increased to the individual&#39;s satisfaction or has in fact decreased, the individual can again re-enter or change the parameters inputted to CPU  14  so that the individual can manipulate the parameters to achieve a desired density or layout of the chips or chiplets on the wafer. 
   Table I is a listing of product parameters and field parameters that are inputtable by individual  10  to generate the automatic chip or chiplet layout. The product parameters are specified by the user for new wafer maps or are retrieved from a database for existing wafer maps. The field parameters are retrieved from the database for existing wafer maps only. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
             
           
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE I 
             
             
                 
             
             
               APPLICATION INPUT PARAMETERS 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               Product Parameters specified by user (new wafer maps) or retrieved 
             
             
               from database (existing wafer maps): 
             
           
        
         
             
               Product Name 
               Product name associated with the wafer 
             
             
                 
               map. 
             
             
               Wafer Size 
               Wafer map diameter (in mm). 
             
             
               Edge Exclusion 
               Size of wafer map edge exclusion region 
             
             
                 
               (in mm). 
             
             
               Flat Edge Exclusion 
               Wafer map flat edge exclusion. 
             
             
               Periodicity X 
               Periodicity X value (in mm). 
             
             
               Periodicity Y 
               Periodicity Y value (in mm). 
             
             
               Offset X 
               Wafer map x-offset from center value 
             
             
                 
               (in mm). 
             
             
               Offset Y 
               Wafer map y-offset from center value 
             
             
                 
               (in mm). 
             
             
               Number of Chiplet Rows 
               Maximum number of chiplet rows per Edge 
             
             
                 
               Field. 
             
             
               Number of Chiplet Cols 
               Maximum number of chiplet columns per 
             
             
                 
               Edge Field. 
             
             
               Scale Factor 
               Factor used in scaling the wafer map. 
             
             
               Wafer Type 
               Type of wafer map (notched or flat). 
             
           
        
         
             
               Field Parameters Retrieved from Database (existing wafer maps only): 
             
           
        
         
             
               Usable Field Attributes 
               Upper left and lower right (x, y) positions, 
             
             
                 
               state, and quadrant. 
             
             
               Edge Field Attributes 
               Maximum upper and lower (x, y) positions, 
             
             
                 
               state, and quadrant 
             
             
               Chiplet Attributes 
               Upper left and lower right (x, y) positions, 
             
             
                 
               state, and quadrant. 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   What will be seen is that at the user&#39;s discretion he can specify the wafer size, the edge exclusion region or zone, the flat edge exclusion region, periodicity in the x and y directions as well as offsets in the x and y directions, together with the number of chiplet rows and columns which refers to the maximum number of chiplet rows and columns per Edge Field. The individual can also enter into the system a scale factor used in scaling the wafer map and the wafer type, meaning whether it is notched or flat. 
   It will be appreciated that by being able to enter various parameters into the system before the automatic layout of the chips and chiplets to provide the wafer map, one can fine-tune or increase productivity by being able to see at a moment&#39;s glance the effect of the changes of the parameters and the resulting chip count so as to be able to know the effect of a given change in the parameters. 
   It is also possible to identify both chips and chiplet types so that one can specify what constitutes a chiplet and be able to place it at an appropriate position in the wafer map so as to maximize not only the number of chips that can be accommodated by the wafer but also the number of chiplets. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the screen shot indicates a product name may be assigned in field  30 , a stepper name in field  32  and as to the wafer map data, the wafer size as illustrated in field  34 . The user can specify the edge exclusion zone or region in field  36  and the x periodicity in field  38  as well as the y periodicity in field  40 . 
   One can also set the maximum number of chiplet rows as illustrated in field  42  and the maximum number of chiplet columns as illustrated in  44 , whereas in field  46  one can set the chiplet size in the x direction and in field  48  the chiplet size in the y direction. One can also specify in field  50  the x offset and in field  52  the y offset. Clickable regions  54  for submit,  56  for calculate,  58  for reset and  60  for going back make the subject system user friendly. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , what is presented to the user on display  16  is the effect of particular centering procedures and offset procedures. As illustrated at  62 , a series of chips  64  are shown arranged such that the center of chip  64 ′ is centered in the crosshairs  65  of the system. It will be noted that the system calculates the number of chips arrangeable within a given wafer and displays it in field  66  with the click of a preview button  63 . 
   Should, for instance, a chip corner be desired to be centered, then as illustrated at  70 , the corner of chip  72  is centered in crosshairs  65  as illustrated, and the resulting number of chips with this type of arrangement is displayed at field  74 . Again, the view is presented by the clicking on the preview button  63 . 
   If one chooses to center the chip on a horizontal side or edge, then as illustrated at  80 , chips  82  are indicated as having their horizontal edge centered along the horizontal crosshair, with the number of chips associated with such a centering arrangement illustrated in field  84 , again through clicking on the preview button  63 . 
   On the other hand, if it is desired to center the chips on a vertical edge as illustrated at  90 , then chips  92  are shown centered along the vertical crosshair, with the corresponding number of chips to be produced by such a centering illustrated in field  94 , again through clicking the preview button  63 . 
   Another way of potentially increasing the yield for the wafer is to off-center the entire chip map by off-centering or offsetting the center of a chip as illustrated at  100 , with chip  102  being off-centered in crosshairs  65 , with the number of chips for this arrangement being shown in field  104 , again with a clicking of preview button  63 . 
   If on the other hand it is desired to offset a corner of chips as illustrated at  110 , then chips  112  will have their corners offset with respect to crosshairs  65  and, as illustrated in field  114 , the number of chips will be calculated upon clicking preview button  63 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , display  16  of  FIG. 1  shows a rendering of the wafer map in which in the normal view, the periphery of the wafer  120  is shown with an edge exclusion region  122 . This region refers to the fact that no chips or chiplets can be successfully laid out in this area, since the area is so close to the periphery of the wafer. Laid out within the exclusion zone or region are a number of Usable Fields  124 , which are designated with letters A, C, D and TS. Shown on the screen at the upper portion are the parameters entered. 
   Here, A refers to a chip that may include a number of individual integrated circuits, as do chips C and D. These chips are arrayed in a cross-like fashion so that, at least as far as the Usable Fields are concerned, they all fit and do not touch the edge exclusion region. Thus, the term Usable Field means that, for a chip of a given size, it can be located in a Usable Field without fear of intruding upon the edge exclusion region. 
   Also indicated in this figure are Edge Fields  126 , which refers to areas or fields, some of which touches the exclusion region. 
   There are some Edge Fields, such as indicated at  128 , for which no subdivided chips or chiplets can be manufactured. This is simply because there is not enough space to provide for a subdivided circuit or chiplet. However, as can be seen at  130 , a chiplet, which is a subdivided portion of a chip, can successfully be located on the wafer without touching the edge exclusion region. For this reason, it is possible to lay out a wafer so as to provide usable space for chiplets as opposed to the chips themselves, which are larger. 
   For instance, if a chip is a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) that includes a number of separate circuits, to increase yield one may wish to fabricate several of the separate circuits on the same wafer as the total FPGA chips, thus to make use of the available space. One therefore designates the so-called chiplets, which are smaller in size than the FPGA chips themselves. 
   The result of the subject system is that on can visually represent the wafer layout or design with a program that will locate not only chips of a given size but also chiplets of a given size so that they can be successfully patterned onto the wafer without violating the edge exclusion region or zone. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , display  16  can be made to display the stepper view of the data outputted from the wafer-mapping application. Here it can be seen that from the stepper point of view, the stepper recognizes chips in Usable Fields such as chips  140 , which are designated by capital letters. The designation E refers to areas in which chiplets do not exist in an Edge Field. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , as illustrated at  150 , a dicing view of the wafer map of  FIG. 5  is shown in which it can be readily seen that a chip is either in a Usable Field or an Edge Field. Here chip  152  labeled A 0  is in a Usable Field. However, chiplets  154 , also labeled A 0 , exist in an Edge Field. It is also noted that, since one can subdivide chip A into subcomponents or chiplets A 0 , these chiplets will be manufactured where possible within an edge exclusion zone or region such that chiplets  154  can be produced at the same time their corresponding chips  152  are produced. 
   In this figure, the scribe lines for dicing, here shown at  160 , are shown so as to give the individual  10  of  FIG. 1  an idea of how the wafer that he has designed can be diced into individual product. Also, shown in the dicing view of  FIG. 7  is that there are invalid zones  166  for which no chips or chiplets will be available. 
   Here it takes some designer skill to be able to look at a chip and see what useful subcircuits can be manufactured at the same time as the corresponding chip. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , in terms of the application flow at startup, individual  10  gets input parameters from the user screen or database as illustrated at  170 . The system then determines Usable Fields as illustrated at  172  and Edge Fields, as illustrated at  174 . The Usable Fields are calculated from the size of the chips, whereas the Edge Fields are calculated as being those fields that contain chips but that touch the edge exclusion region. 
   The system then determines if it is possible to have chiplets within the Edge Fields of  174  as illustrated at  176  and, as illustrated at  178 , provides an initialized state of usable and Edge Fields and an initialized state of chiplets within those fields. The state of a field refers whether or not it is to be exposed and, if exposed, the type of chips contained in the region. The states of the Usable Fields within the wafer map are initialized to indicate exposed regions of product chips on the wafer map. The initial states of Edge Fields for the wafer map depends on whether chiplets are contained within its boundary. For Edge Fields that have chiplets, the initial states are set to display exposed regions of product chiplets on the wafer map. For Edge Fields that do not contain chiplets, the initial states are set to show unexposed regions on the wafer map. 
   As illustrated at  180 , the system initializes the edge exposure region based on the a priori knowledge of the wafer. In this context initializing an edge exclusion region means setting the initial state of Edge Fields that do not contain chiplets. 
   After the application arranges all of the chips and chiplets, the application computes chip counts as illustrated at  182 . 
   After the system lays out the chips and chiplets, given the parameters entered, the system draws a pattern of Usable Fields, Edge Fields, chiplets and the Edge Exclusion Region as illustrated at  184 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , if individual  10  of  FIG. 1  seeks to update or change the normal view he is presented with, then with a mouse, the individual sets a cursor on an x and y position as illustrated at  186 , at which point a search at  188  is performed for a Usable Field that bounds the cursor x-y position. As illustrated at  190 , if there is a Usable Field found, then as illustrated at  192  the system updates the state of the Usable Fields and updates the chip counts, at which point the system stops as illustrated at  194 . If no Usable Field is found at  190  for a particular x-y position of a chip, then a search is performed at  196  for an Edge Field that bounds the cursor x-y position. If an Edge Field is found as illustrated at  198 , then a determination at  200  is made as to whether or not the Edge Field contains chiplets. If so, as illustrated at  202 , there is an update of the state of the chiplets and an updated chip count, at which point the process stops as illustrated at  204 . 
   If there are no chiplets in the particular Edge Field found, then the system updates the state of the Edge Field, as illustrated at  206  and updates the chip counts, at which point the process ends as illustrated at  204 . 
   What is now presented is a program listing in Java that describes the generation of the wafer map in all of its forms, given the various inputs described above. 
   While the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications or additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended claims.