Patents by Inventor Hau-Tai Shieh

Hau-Tai Shieh has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11670362
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a memory system including unit storage circuits. In one aspect, each of the unit storage circuits abuts an adjacent one of the unit storage circuits. In one aspect, each of the unit storage circuits includes a first group of memory cells, a second group of memory cells, a first sub-word line driver to apply a first control signal to the first group of memory cells through a first sub-word line extending along a direction, and a second sub-word line driver to apply a second control signal to the second group of memory cells through a second sub-word line extending along the direction. In one aspect, the memory system includes a common word line driver abutting one of the unit storage circuits and configured to apply a common control signal to the unit storage circuits through a word line extending along the direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Tzu Chen, Ching-Wei Wu, Hau-Tai Shieh, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Publication number: 20230064056
    Abstract: A device is disclosed and includes an input stage circuit, a switching circuit, and a first latch circuit. The input stage circuit generates a first input signal having a first voltage and a second input signal based on a third input signal. The switching circuit operates in response to a first control signal, and adjusts a voltage level of a first data line according to the first input signal and a voltage level of a second data line according to the second input signal. The first latch circuit is coupled to the switching circuit by the first data line and the second data line. The first latch circuit latches a data in response to the first control signal and a second control signal, and adjusts the voltage level of the first data line based on a second voltage different from the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hua-Hsin YU, Hung-Jen LIAO, Cheng-Hung LEE, Hau-Tai SHIEH
  • Publication number: 20230053795
    Abstract: A bit line is pre-charged based on a clock signal internal to a bit line pre-charge circuit when a bit line pre-charge window is within a margin of a predetermined pre-charge window. A bit line is pre-charged based on a clock signal external to the bit line pre-charge circuit when the bit line pre-charge window is outside the margin of the predetermined pre-charge window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Che-Ju Yeh, Yu-Hao Hsu, Hau-Tai Shieh, Cheng Lee
  • Patent number: 11568121
    Abstract: A method of designing a circuit is provided. The method includes: providing a circuit; selecting a first NMOS fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) in the circuit; and replacing the first NMOS FinFET having a first fin number with a second NMOS FinFET having a second fin number and a third NMOS FinFET having a third fin number, wherein the sum of the second fin number and the third fin number is equal to the first fin number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Tzu Chen, Hau-Tai Shieh, Che-Ju Yeh
  • Publication number: 20220366950
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a NAND logic gate configured to receive a first bit line signal and a second bit line signal, and to generate a first signal. The memory circuit further includes a first N-type transistor coupled to the NAND logic gate, and configured to receive a first pre-charge signal. The memory circuit further includes a second N-type transistor coupled to the first N-type transistor and a reference voltage supply, and configured to receive a first clock signal. The memory circuit further includes a first latch coupled to the NAND logic gate, and configured to latch the first signal in response to at least the first clock signal or the first pre-charge signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Yi-Tzu CHEN, Ching-Wei WU, Hau-Tai SHIEH, Hung-Jen LIAO, Fu-An WU, He-Zhou WAN, XiuLi YANG
  • Publication number: 20220367337
    Abstract: Circuit devices, such as integrated circuit devices, are constructed with combination circuits that include two or more cascading transistors, and one or more metal layers disposed over the cascading transistors. The cascading transistors include multiple internal nodes (e.g., common source/drain regions). The multiple internal nodes are not connected to a common metal stripe (the same metal stripe) in the one or more metal layers. The absence of the connections between the internal nodes and a common metal stripe reduce or eliminate the load on the internal nodes. The transistors in the cascading transistors are independent of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Yuan Chen, Cheng-Hung Lee, Hung-Jen Liao, Hau-Tai Shieh, Kao-Cheng Lin, Wei-Min Chan
  • Publication number: 20220359000
    Abstract: A memory device and a method of operating the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the memory device includes a plurality of memory arrays and a controller including a plurality of buffers including a first buffer connected to a first memory array and a second buffer connected to a second memory array. The first and second memory arrays are disposed on opposing sides of the controller. The memory device can include a first wire extending in a first direction and connected to the first buffer, a second wire extending in the first direction and connected to the second buffer, and a third wire connected to the first and second wires and extending in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The third wire can be electrically connected to the controller, and respective lengths of the first wire and the second wire are substantially the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: CHIEN-YUAN CHEN, Hau-Tai Shieh, Cheng Hung Lee, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Patent number: 11468929
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a NAND logic gate, a first N-type transistor, a second N-type transistor, a first inverter and a first latch. The NAND logic gate is configured to receive a first bit line signal and a second bit line signal, and to generate a first signal. The first N-type transistor is coupled to the NAND logic gate, and configured to receive a first pre-charge signal. The second N-type transistor is coupled to the first N-type transistor and a reference voltage supply, and configured to receive a first clock signal. The first inverter is coupled to the NAND logic gate, and configured to output a data signal inverted from the first signal. The first latch is coupled to the NAND logic gate, and configured to latch the first signal in response to at least the first clock signal or the first pre-charge signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Yi-Tzu Chen, Ching-Wei Wu, Hau-Tai Shieh, Hung-Jen Liao, Fu-An Wu, He-Zhou Wan, XiuLi Yang
  • Patent number: 11450605
    Abstract: Circuit devices, such as integrated circuit devices, are constructed with combination circuits that include two or more cascading transistors, and one or more metal layers disposed over the cascading transistors. The cascading transistors include multiple internal nodes (e.g., common source/drain regions). The multiple internal nodes are not connected to a common metal stripe (the same metal stripe) in the one or more metal layers. The absence of the connections between the internal nodes and a common metal stripe reduce or eliminate the load on the internal nodes. The transistors in the cascading transistors are independent of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Yuan Chen, Cheng-Hung Lee, Hung-Jen Liao, Hau-Tai Shieh, Kao-Cheng Lin, Wei-Min Chan
  • Patent number: 11444608
    Abstract: A level shifter includes: a first inverter configured to receive an input signal in a low voltage domain and shift the input signal from the low voltage domain to a first output signal at a first output terminal in a high voltage domain higher than the low voltage domain in response to a logical high state of a first clock signal in the low voltage domain; a second inverter configured to receive a complement of the input signal and shift the complement of the input signal from the low voltage domain to a second output signal at a second output terminal in the high voltage domain in response to the logical high state; a first NMOS sensing transistor and a second NMOS sensing transistor; a PMOS transistor configured to equalize the first output signal and the second output signal in response to a logical low state of the first clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Yuan Chen, Cheng Hung Lee, Hung-Jen Liao, Hau-Tai Shieh
  • Publication number: 20220284941
    Abstract: A memory device includes an array of memory cells and a plurality of peripheral circuits operably coupled to the memory array. A power control circuit may be configured to individually control an application of power to each of the plurality of peripheral circuits and the array of memory cells. Inserting a switch device across the different power domains to achieve the same sequential wake-up path for the peripheral circuits connected to different power domains reduces peak current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Ju Yeh, Hau-Tai Shieh, Yi-Tzu Chen
  • Publication number: 20220277781
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a NAND logic gate, a first N-type transistor, a second N-type transistor, a first inverter and a first latch. The NAND logic gate is configured to receive a first bit line signal and a second bit line signal, and to generate a first signal. The first N-type transistor is coupled to the NAND logic gate, and configured to receive a first pre-charge signal. The second N-type transistor is coupled to the first N-type transistor and a reference voltage supply, and configured to receive a first clock signal. The first inverter is coupled to the NAND logic gate, and configured to output a data signal inverted from the first signal. The first latch is coupled to the NAND logic gate, and configured to latch the first signal in response to at least the first clock signal or the first pre-charge signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Yi-Tzu CHEN, Ching-Wei WU, Hau-Tai SHIEH, Hung-Jen LIAO, Fu-An WU, He-Zhou WAN, XiuLi YANG
  • Patent number: 11423962
    Abstract: A bit line is pre-charged based on a clock signal internal to a bit line pre-charge circuit when a bit line pre-charge window is within a margin of a predetermined pre-charge window. A bit line is pre-charged based on a clock signal external to the bit line pre-charge circuit when the bit line pre-charge window is outside the margin of the predetermined pre-charge window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Ju Yeh, Yu-Hao Hsu, Hau-Tai Shieh, Cheng Lee
  • Publication number: 20220254712
    Abstract: Circuit devices, such as integrated circuit devices, are constructed with combination circuits that include two or more cascading transistors, and one or more metal layers disposed over the cascading transistors. The cascading transistors include multiple internal nodes (e.g., common source/drain regions). The multiple internal nodes are not connected to a common metal stripe (the same metal stripe) in the one or more metal layers. The absence of the connections between the internal nodes and a common metal stripe reduce or eliminate the load on the internal nodes. The transistors in the cascading transistors are independent of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Yuan Chen, Cheng-Hung Lee, Hung-Jen Liao, Hau-Tai Shieh, Kao-Cheng Lin, Wei-Min Chan
  • Publication number: 20220199145
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a memory system including unit storage circuits. In one aspect, each of the unit storage circuits abuts an adjacent one of the unit storage circuits. In one aspect, each of the unit storage circuits includes a first group of memory cells, a second group of memory cells, a first sub-word line driver to apply a first control signal to the first group of memory cells through a first sub-word line extending along a direction, and a second sub-word line driver to apply a second control signal to the second group of memory cells through a second sub-word line extending along the direction. In one aspect, the memory system includes a common word line driver abutting one of the unit storage circuits and configured to apply a common control signal to the unit storage circuits through a word line extending along the direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Tzu Chen, Ching-Wei Wu, Hau-Tai Shieh, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Patent number: 11361810
    Abstract: A memory device includes an array of memory cells and a plurality of peripheral circuits operably coupled to the memory array. A power control circuit may be configured to individually control an application of power to each of the plurality of peripheral circuits and the array of memory cells. Inserting a switch device across the different power domains to achieve the same sequential wake-up path for the peripheral circuits connected to different power domains reduces peak current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Ju Yeh, Hau-Tai Shieh, Yi-Tzu Chen
  • Patent number: 11361812
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a memory system including unit storage circuits. In one aspect, each of the unit storage circuits abuts an adjacent one of the unit storage circuits. In one aspect, each of the unit storage circuits includes a first group of memory cells, a second group of memory cells, a first sub-word line driver to apply a first control signal to the first group of memory cells through a first sub-word line extending along a direction, and a second sub-word line driver to apply a second control signal to the second group of memory cells through a second sub-word line extending along the direction. In one aspect, the memory system includes a common word line driver abutting one of the unit storage circuits and configured to apply a common control signal to the unit storage circuits through a word line extending along the direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Yi-Tzu Chen, Ching-Wei Wu, Hau-Tai Shieh, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Publication number: 20220130446
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a memory system including unit storage circuits. In one aspect, each of the unit storage circuits abuts an adjacent one of the unit storage circuits. In one aspect, each of the unit storage circuits includes a first group of memory cells, a second group of memory cells, a first sub-word line driver to apply a first control signal to the first group of memory cells through a first sub-word line extending along a direction, and a second sub-word line driver to apply a second control signal to the second group of memory cells through a second sub-word line extending along the direction. In one aspect, the memory system includes a common word line driver abutting one of the unit storage circuits and configured to apply a common control signal to the unit storage circuits through a word line extending along the direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Yi-Tzu Chen, Ching-Wei Wu, Hau-Tai Shieh, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Patent number: 11302701
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fabricating a static random access memory (SRAM) cell in a multi-layer semiconductor device structure. An example SRAM device includes a first array of SRAM cells, a second array of SRAM cells, a processing component, and one or more inter-layer connection structures. The first array of SRAM cells are formed in a first device layer of a multi-layer semiconductor device structure. The second array of SRAM cells are formed in a second device layer of the multi-layer semiconductor device structure, the second device layer being formed on the first device layer. The processing component is configured to process one or more input signals and generate one or more access signals. One or more inter-layer connection structures are configured to transmit the one or more access signals to activate the first device layer or the second device layer for allowing access to a target SRAM cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chien-Yu Huang, Chien-Yuan Chen, Hau-Tai Shieh
  • Publication number: 20220093587
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) structure includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor includes a first active region and a first gate disposed on the first active region, in which the first gate has a first effective gate length along a first direction parallel to a lengthwise direction of the first active region. The second transistor includes a second active region and a second gate disposed on the second active region, and includes a plurality of gate structures arranged along the first direction and separated from each other, in which the second gate has a second effective gate length along the first direction, the second effective gate length is n times the first effective gate length, and n is a positive integer greater than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Yuan CHEN, Hau-Tai SHIEH