Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided, which can include an engineering change order (ECO) base. A base layout cell includes metal layer regions, conductive gate patterns arranged above metal layer regions; oxide definition (OD) patterns, metal-zero layer over oxide-definition (metal-zero) patterns, at least one cut metal layer (CMD) pattern; and at least one via region. The base layout cell can be implemented in at least two non-identical functional cells. A first functional cell of the at least two non-identical functional cells includes first interconnection conductive patterns arranged connecting metal-zero structures corresponding to at least two metal-zero patterns in a first layout, and a second functional cell of the at least two non-identical functional cells includes second interconnection conductive patterns arranged connecting metal-zero structures corresponding to at least two metal-zero patterns in a second layout.

Abstract: A method includes fabricating a first-type active-region semiconductor, depositing a layer of dielectric material covering the first-type active-region semiconductor structure, and fabricating a second-type active-region semiconductor structure atop the layer of dielectric material. The method includes forming a front-side power rail and a front-side signal line extending in the first direction in a front-side metal layer overlying a first insulating material that covers the first-type active-region semiconductor. The front-side power rail is conductively connected to a second source conductive segment intersecting the second-type active-region semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a back-side metal layer on a backside of the substrate, and forming a back-side power rail and a back-side signal line extending in the first direction in the back-side metal layer.

Abstract: A method is provided, including the following operations: arranging a first gate structure extending continuously above a first active region and a second active region of a substrate; arranging a first separation spacer disposed on the first gate structure to isolate an electronic signal transmitted through a first gate via and a second gate via that are disposed on the first gate structure, wherein the first gate via and the second gate via are arranged above the first active region and the second active region respectively; and arranging a first local interconnect between the first active region and the second active region, wherein the first local interconnect is electrically coupled to a first contact disposed on the first active region and a second contact disposed on the second active region.

Abstract: A circuit structure includes a substrate that includes a first transistor stack over the substrate that includes: a first transistor where the first transistor is a first conductivity type; and a second transistor, above the first transistor, where the second transistor is a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The structure also includes a plurality of first conductive lines in a first metal layer above the first transistor stack, the plurality of first conductive lines electrically connected to the first transistor stack. The structure also includes a plurality of second conductive lines in a second metal layer below the substrate and underneath the first transistor stack, the plurality of second conductive lines electrically connected to the first transistor stack. The plurality of first conductive lines are configured asymmetrically with respect to the plurality of second conductive lines.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, includes a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and at least one conductive via. The first metal layer has a first conductor that extends in a first direction and a second conductor that extends in the first direction, wherein the second conductor is directly adjacent to the first conductor. The second metal layer has a third conductor that extends in a second direction, wherein the second direction is transverse to the first direction. The at least one conductive via connects the first conductor and the second conductor through the third conductor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a first transistor on a first side of the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a first electrode contacting a first region of the first transistor. The semiconductor device further includes a spacer extending along a sidewall of the first transistor. The semiconductor device further includes a self-aligned interconnect structure (SIS) separated from at least a portion of the first electrode by the spacer, wherein the SIS extends through the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a second electrode contacting a surface of the first electrode farthest from the substrate, wherein the second electrode directly contacts the SIS.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a first conductive pattern on a substrate, a second conductive pattern above the first conductive pattern, and a third conductive pattern above the first conductive pattern, all extending along a first direction. The first conductive pattern is electrically connected in parallel to the second conductive pattern and the third conductive pattern.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first conductor segment intersecting a first active-region structure at a source/drain region and a second conductor segment intersecting a second active-region structure at a source/drain region. The first conductor segment and the second conductor segment are separated at proximal edges by a separation distance. The first conductor has a distal edge separated from a first power rail, and the second conductor segment is connected to a second power rail through a via-connector. A distance from the first power rail to a proximal edge of the first conductor segment is larger than a distance from the second power rail to a proximal edge of the second conductor segment by a predetermined distance that is a fraction of the separation distance.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit. The method includes generating two first-type active zones and two second-type active zones, and generating a gate-strip intersecting the two first-type active zones and the two second-type active zones. The method further includes patterning one or more poly cuts intersecting the gate-strip based on a determination of a difference between the poly extension effect of a p-type transistor and the poly extension effect of an n-type transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor cell structure includes first-type transistors aligned within a first-type active zone, second-type transistors aligned within a second-type active zone, a first power rail and a second power rail. Each of the first-type active zone and the second-type active zone is between a first alignment boundary and a second alignment boundary extending in a first direction which is perpendicular to a second direction. A first distance along the second direction between the long edge of the first power rail and the first alignment boundary of the first-type active zone is different from a second distance along the second direction between the long edge of the second power rail and the first alignment boundary of the second-type active zone by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a gated circuit configured to operate on at least a first or a second voltage, a header circuit coupled to the gated circuit, a first and second power rail on a back-side of a wafer, and a third power rail on a front-side of the wafer. The header circuit is configured to supply the first voltage to the gated circuit by the first power rail. The first power rail includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the third portion being between the first portion and the second portion. The second power rail is configured to supply the second voltage to the gated circuit, and is between the first portion and the second portion. The third power rail includes a first set of conductors. Each of the first set of conductors being configured to supply a third voltage to the header circuit.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an input circuit of a flip-flop including: depositing a first gate strip, a second gate strip, a third gate strip, and a fourth gate strip, wherein a distance between the first and second gate strips, a distance between the second and third gate strips, and a distance between the third and fourth gate strips equal; executing a cut-off operation upon the first gate strip to generate a first first gate strip and a second first gate strip; executing a cut-off operation upon the third gate strip to generate a first third gate strip and a second third gate strip; and directing a first signal to the first first gate strip and the second third gate strip, and a second signal to the second first gate strip and the first third gate strip.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of fin structures extending in a first direction over a semiconductor substrate. Each fin structure includes a first region proximate to the semiconductor substrate and a second region distal to the semiconductor substrate. An electrically conductive layer is formed between the first regions of a first adjacent pair of fin structures. A gate electrode structure is formed extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction over the fin structure second region, and a metallization layer including at least one conductive line is formed over the gate electrode structure.

Abstract: A method includes fabricating semiconductor structures extending in a first direction and fabricating gate-conductors extending in a second direction intersecting the semiconductor structure. The method also includes patterning a first metal layer to form horizontal conducting lines extending in the first direction, and patterning the second metal layer to form vertical conducting lines extending in the second direction. A first vertical conducting line is aligned with a first gate-conductor underneath and a second vertical conducting line is aligned with a vertical boundary of a circuit cell. The first vertical conducting line is directly connected to a first horizontal conducting line through a first pin-connector, and the second vertical conducting line is directly connected to a second horizontal conducting line through a second pin-connector.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a set of gates, a first, second and third conductive structure, and a first, second and third via. The set of gates includes a first, second and third gate. The first, second and third conductive structure extend in the first direction and are located on a second level. The first via couples the first conductive structure and the first gate. The second via couples the second conductive structure and the second gate. The third via couples the third conductive structure and the third gate. The first, second and third via are in a right angle configuration. The first and second gate are separated from each other by a first pitch. The first and third gate are separated from each other by a removed gate portion. The first and second conductive structure are separated from each other in the first direction.

Abstract: Methods and Apparatuses for making an integrated circuit (IC) are disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, a method including forming one or more decoupling capacitor (DCAP) cells comprising one or more polysilicon (PO) layers openings formed based on one or more photoresist layer openings formed to solve one or more design rule check (DRC) violations. The one or more DCAP cells also provide decoupling capacitors for the IC.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) structure includes two active areas extending in a first direction, two gate structures extending in a second direction, a first metal segment extending in the second direction in a first metal layer, second and third metal segments extending in the first direction in a second metal layer, and a gate via structure extending from the third metal segment to one of the gate structures. The gate structures overlie the active areas, the first metal segment overlies each of the active areas between the gate structures, the second metal segment overlies a first active area and overlies and is electrically connected to the first metal segment, and the first and second metal segments are electrically connected to the second active area, isolated from the first active area between the gate structures, and connected to the first active area outside the gate structures.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first transistor stack over a substrate. The first transistor stack includes: a first transistor of a first conductivity type, and a second transistor of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The second transistor is above the first transistor. A plurality of first conductive lines is formed in a first metal layer above the first transistor stack. The plurality of first conductive lines includes, over the first transistor stack, a power conductive line configured to route power to the first transistor stack, one or more signal conductive lines configured to route one or more signals to the first transistor stack, and a shielding conductive line configured to shield the routed one or more signals. The one or more signal conductive lines are between the power conductive line and the shielding conductive line.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) structure includes first and second active areas extending in a first direction in a semiconductor substrate, first and second gate structures extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein each of the first and second gate structures overlies each of the first and second active areas, a first metal-like defined (MD) segment extending in the second direction between the first and second gate structures and overlying each of the first and second active areas, and an isolation structure positioned between the first MD segment and the first active area. The first MD segment is electrically connected to the second active area and electrically isolated from a portion of the first active area between the first and second gate structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate with active regions and a first buried metal layer provided below the semiconductor substrate. The first buried metal layer includes a first buried conductive rail, a first set of buried conductive fingers that extends from the first buried conductive rail, and a second set of buried conductive fingers that are interleaved with the first set of buried conductive fingers. The first set and the second set of buried conductive fingers extends beneath more than one of the active regions. In this manner, the first set and the second set of buried conductive fingers can be utilized to distribute different voltages, such as an ungated reference voltage TVDD and a gated reference voltage VVDD in a header circuit with reduced resistance.