A system for analyzing IC layouts and designs by calculating variations of
a number of objects to be created on a semiconductor wafer as a result of
different process conditions. The variations are analyzed to determine
individual feature failures or to rank layout designs by their
susceptibility to process variations. In one embodiment, the variations
are represented by PV-bands having an inner edge that defines the
smallest area in which an object will always print and an outer edge that
defines the largest area in which an object will print under some process
conditions.