QUICK FACTS
Winbond Electronics chose JWAVE as a development tool for their
engineering data analysis database. This helped them to speed up
the processing of large amounts of data and graphics, improve the
overall efficiency, meet the requirements of the company's e-strategy
and build a Web-based user interface. This resulted in improved
efficiency of yield analysis and a reduction in the number of defective
products.
THE PROBLEM
The manufacturing process for integrated circuits is a very sophisticated
and delicate process with production cycles of up to 2-3 months.
It involves hundreds of different procedures and many different
types of machines. The entire production flow is controlled by the
Manufacturer Executive System (MES). Many departments, such as Process
control and equipment parameter adjustment, play important roles
in the final yield of the integrated circuits. Therefore, during
the manufacturing of IC's (Integrated Circuits), a variety of different
types of data, Metrology and defects, etc. will be collected and
incorporated into an engineering data analysis database.
The purpose of an engineering data analysis system is to use various
graphic and statistical methods to analyze different types of data
in the database to find the factors that affect the yield of the
IC. In short, this database is used to improve the yield.
Winbond Electronics built a complete data analysis system several
years ago. The system has been constantly improved as the advancement
of information technology and manufacturing processes. However,
in order to speed up the processing of large amounts of data and
graphics, improve the overall efficiency, meet the requirements
of the company's e-strategy, and build a Web-based user interface,
Winbond Electronics needed a new data analysis system development
tool.
THE SOLUTION
Winbond's search for a new development tool for their engineering
data analysis database led them to JWAVE from Visual Numerics, Inc.
JWAVE is Web-based software that supports Java Technology such as
Java class, applets, java server pages, etc. It lets users quickly
access and understand what their data means, from anywhere, at anytime.
Based on a multi-tiered architecture, JWAVE lets users easily create
applications that embrace open standards and will grow as their
organization grows.
By
using Java technology, JWAVE allows engineers to manipulate graphics
intuitively and interactively. For example, one can click graphical
data to display relevant information, select a graphic for instant
zooming in or out, change the color of the bin of wafer, drill down
graphics and so on. Interactive graphic analysis changes the traditional
static graphic display and enables engineers to carry out instant
and cross analysis on data, resulting in improved work efficiency.
At the core of JWAVE is a fourth generation script language called
PV-WAVE 4GL, which is especially good for visual data analysis.
The 4GL language saves engineers a great deal of coding time and
speeds-up the development of applications. This allows them to process
a larger amount of data calculations, resulting in an improved efficiency
of applications. With complete graphical, mathematical and statistical
modules built into JWAVE, the user's current and future system expansion
needs are completely satisfied.
RETURN ON INVESTMENT
In addition to JWAVE's features and functions that have met Winbond's
need for development of a new data analysis system, Visual Numerics
has also provided Winbond with professional consulting services.
In the last six months, the consulting team from Visual Numerics
has teamed with Winbond's engineers to develop a new interactive
data analysis system. Those who have been involved in the project
are extremely pleased with their success.
Mr. Yang Ching Sheng, Deputy Manager of Parameter Engineering Section
of Process Integration Department of Winbond Electronics says, "Based
on logical thinking and the streamlined way of collecting yield
data and determining the factors affecting yield that Visual Numerics
has provided, we were able to not only improve the efficiency of
yield analysis, but also reduce the number of defective products.
The result is improved production efficiency."
WORLD CLASS PRODUCTS, SERVICES,
AND SUPPORT
Visual Numerics has provided technical software
solutions for numerical analysis and visualization for over 30 years.
The company's software products help users understand complex data
from a variety of sources and build business-critical applications.
Visual Numerics offers two product lines: the IMSL® Numerical
Libraries for powerful mathematical and statistical analysis and
the PV-WAVE® visual data analysis development environment. Visual
Numerics also offers customized consulting services for applications
that involve mathematical, statistical, or visual data analysis
to meet today’s business analytical needs.
