Patents by Inventor Tomoaki Atsumi

Tomoaki Atsumi 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: 11430791
    Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of obtaining the threshold voltage of a transistor is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first transistor, a first capacitor, a first output terminal, a first switch, and a second switch. A gate and a source of the first transistor are electrically connected to each other. A first terminal of the first capacitor is electrically connected to the source. A second terminal and the first output terminal of the first capacitor are electrically connected to a back gate of the first transistor. The first switch controls input of a first voltage to the back gate. A second voltage is input to a drain of the first transistor. The second switch controls input of a third voltage to the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kunitake, Ryunosuke Honda, Tomoaki Atsumi
  • Patent number: 11410716
    Abstract: A novel storage device and a novel semiconductor device are provided. In the storage device, a cell array including a plurality of memory cells is stacked above a control circuit, and the cell array operates separately in a plurality of blocks. Furthermore, a plurality of electrodes are included between the control circuit and the cell array. The electrode is provided for a corresponding block to overlap with the block, and a potential of the electrode can be changed for each block. The electrode has a function of aback gate of a transistor included in the memory cell, and a potential of the electrode is changed for each block, whereby the electrical characteristics of the transistor included in the memory cell can be changed. Moreover, the electrode can reduce noise caused in the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Kiyoshi Kato, Tomoaki Atsumi, Shuhei Nagatsuka, Hitoshi Kunitake
  • Publication number: 20220208794
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a small characteristic variation due to operating temperature is provided. The semiconductor device includes an odd number of stages of inverter circuits that are circularly connected. The inverter circuit includes a first transistor and a second transistor. A gate of the first transistor is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the first transistor, the one of the source and the drain of the first transistor is supplied with a high power supply potential, and the other of the source and the drain of the first transistor is electrically connected to an output terminal out. A gate of the second transistor is electrically connected to an input terminal in, one of a source and a drain of the second transistor is electrically connected to the output terminal out, and the other of the source and the drain of the second transistor is supplied with a low power supply potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Hitoshi KUNITAKE, Kazuaki OHSHIMA, Kazuki TSUDA, Tomoaki ATSUMI
  • Patent number: 11355179
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a first memory cell, and a second memory cell thereover. The first memory cell includes first and second transistors, and a first capacitor. The second memory cell includes third and fourth transistors, and a second capacitor. A gate of the first transistor is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the second transistor and the first capacitor. A gate of the third transistor is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the fourth transistor and the second capacitor. One of a source and a drain of the first transistor is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the third transistor. The second and fourth transistors include an oxide semiconductor. A channel length direction of the first and third transistors is substantially perpendicular to a channel length direction of the second and fourth transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventors: Tomoaki Atsumi, Junpei Sugao
  • Publication number: 20220093141
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a high on-state current and high operating speed is provided. The semiconductor device includes a transistor and a first circuit. The transistor includes a first gate and a second gate, and the first gate and the second gate include a region where they overlap each other with a semiconductor layer therebetween. The first circuit includes a temperature sensor and a voltage control circuit. The temperature sensor has a function of obtaining temperature information and outputting the temperature information to the voltage control circuit. The voltage control circuit has a function of converting the temperature information into a control voltage. The first circuit applies the control voltage to the second gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoaki ATSUMI, Kiyoshi KATO, Tatsuya ONUKI, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220085019
    Abstract: A memory device having an error detection function and being capable of storing a large amount of data per unit area is provided. A driver circuit of the memory device is formed using a transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a memory cell of the memory device is formed using a thin film transistor. A plurality of layers each of which includes a memory cell using the thin film transistor can be stacked over the semiconductor substrate, so that the amount of data that can be stored per unit area can be increased. Part of a peripheral circuit including the memory device can be formed using a thin film transistor, and thus, an error detection circuit is formed using the thin film transistor and stacked over the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Hitoshi KUNITAKE, Tatsuya ONUKI, Tomoaki ATSUMI, Kiyoshi KATO
  • Publication number: 20220035980
    Abstract: A transistor model that achieves precise approximation of transistor electrical characteristics is provided. The transistor model is a field-effect transistor model. A first capacitor is provided between a gate and a source. A second capacitor is provided between the gate and a drain. Each of the first capacitor and the second capacitor is a non-linear capacitor whose capacitance value is determined depending on a gate voltage. The first capacitor may be composed of a plurality of variable capacitors. The second capacitor may be composed of a plurality of variable capacitors. When CV characteristics of the first capacitor and CV characteristics of the second capacitor are adjusted, more precise simulation data is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Hitoshi KUNITAKE, Kazuki TSUDA, Tatsuki KOSHIDA, Takeya HIROSE, Tomoaki ATSUMI
  • Publication number: 20210398988
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a semiconductor device suitable for miniaturization. To provide a highly reliable semiconductor device. To provide a semiconductor device with improved operating speed. [Solving Means] A semiconductor device including a memory cell including first to cth (c is a natural number of 2 or more) sub memory cells, wherein: the jth sub memory cell includes a first transistor, a second transistor, and a capacitor; a first semiconductor layer included in the first transistor and a second semiconductor layer included in the second transistor include an oxide semiconductor; one of terminals of the capacitor is electrically connected to a gate electrode included in the second transistor; the gate electrode included in the second transistor is electrically connected to one of a source electrode and a drain electrode which are included in the first transistor; and when j?2, the jth sub memory cell is arranged over the j-lth sub memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Tomoaki ATSUMI, Shuhei NAGATSUKA, Tamae MORIWAKA, Yuta ENDO
  • Publication number: 20210384228
    Abstract: A novel semiconductor device formed with single-polarity circuits using OS transistors is provided. Thus, connection between different layers in a memory circuit is unnecessary. This can reduce the number of connection portions and improve the flexibility of circuit layout and the reliability of the OS transistors. In particular, many memory cells are provided; thus, the memory cells are formed with single-polarity circuits, whereby the number of connection portions can be significantly reduced. Further, by providing a driver circuit in the same layer as the cell array, many wirings for connecting the driver circuit and the cell array can be prevented from being provided between layers, and the number of connection portions can be further reduced. An interposer provided with a plurality of integrated circuits can function as one electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Kiyoshi KATO, Tomoaki ATSUMI
  • Publication number: 20210383881
    Abstract: A semiconductor device that writes data to, instead of a defective memory cell, another memory cell is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first circuit and a second circuit over the first circuit; the first circuit corresponds to a memory portion and includes a memory cell and a redundant memory cell; a second circuit corresponds to a control portion and includes a third circuit and a fourth circuit. The memory cell is electrically connected to the third circuit, the redundant memory cell is electrically connected to the third circuit, and the third circuit is electrically connected to the fourth circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Tatsuya ONUKI, Takanori MATSUZAKI, Tomoaki ATSUMI, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 11195561
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a high on-state current and high operating speed is provided. The semiconductor device includes a transistor and a first circuit. The transistor includes a first gate and a second gate, and the first gate and the second gate include a region where they overlap each other with a semiconductor layer therebetween. The first circuit includes a temperature sensor and a voltage control circuit. The temperature sensor has a function of obtaining temperature information and outputting the temperature information to the voltage control circuit. The voltage control circuit has a function of converting the temperature information into a control voltage. The first circuit applies the control voltage to the second gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Atsumi, Kiyoshi Kato, Tatsuya Onuki, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20210367078
    Abstract: A semiconductor device in which an electrification phenomenon that leads to characteristic fluctuations, element deterioration, abnormality in shape, or dielectric breakdown is inhibited is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first region and a second region over the same plane. The first region includes a transistor. The second region includes a dummy transistor. The transistor includes a first wiring layer, a semiconductor layer including an oxide and provided above the first wiring layer, a second wiring layer provided above the semiconductor layer, and a third wiring layer provided above the second wiring layer. The dummy transistor has the same area as one or more selected from the first wiring layer, the second wiring layer, the semiconductor layer, and the third wiring layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Kiyoshi KATO, Tomoaki ATSUMI, Shuhei NAGATSUKA, Hitoshi KUNITAKE, Yoko TSUKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20210287732
    Abstract: A semiconductor device whose operating speed is increased is provided. The semiconductor device includes a write word line, a read word line, a write bit line, a read bit line, a first wiring, and a memory cell. The memory cell includes three transistors of a single conductivity type and a capacitor. Gates of the three transistors are electrically connected to the write word line, a first terminal of the capacitor, and the read word line, respectively. A second terminal of the capacitor is electrically connected to the read bit line. A source and a drain of one transistor are electrically connected to the write bit line and the gate of another transistor, respectively. Two of the three transistors are electrically connected in series between the read bit line and the first wiring. A channel formation region of each of the three transistors includes, for example, a metal oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Tomoaki ATSUMI, Kiyoshi KATO, Shuhei MAEDA
  • Patent number: 11114470
    Abstract: A novel semiconductor device formed with single-polarity circuits using OS transistors is provided. Thus, connection between different layers in a memory circuit is unnecessary. This can reduce the number of connection portions and improve the flexibility of circuit layout and the reliability of the OS transistors. In particular, many memory cells are provided; thus, the memory cells are formed with single-polarity circuits, whereby the number of connection portions can be significantly reduced. Further, by providing a driver circuit in the same layer as the cell array, many wirings for connecting the driver circuit and the cell array can be prevented from being provided between layers, and the number of connection portions can be further reduced. An interposer provided with a plurality of integrated circuits can function as one electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Kiyoshi Kato, Tomoaki Atsumi
  • Patent number: 11114449
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a semiconductor device suitable for miniaturization. To provide a highly reliable semiconductor device. To provide a semiconductor device with improved operating speed. [Solving Means] A semiconductor device including a memory cell including first to cth (c is a natural number of 2 or more) sub memory cells, wherein: the jth sub memory cell includes a first transistor, a second transistor, and a capacitor; a first semiconductor layer included in the first transistor and a second semiconductor layer included in the second transistor include an oxide semiconductor; one of terminals of the capacitor is electrically connected to a gate electrode included in the second transistor; the gate electrode included in the second transistor is electrically connected to one of a source electrode and a drain electrode which are included in the first transistor; and when j?2, the jth sub memory cell is arranged over the j?1th sub memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Atsumi, Shuhei Nagatsuka, Tamae Moriwaka, Yuta Endo
  • Publication number: 20210273110
    Abstract: A novel memory device is provided. The memory device includes a plurality of first wirings extending in a first direction, a plurality of memory element groups, and an oxide layer extending along a side surface of the first wiring. Each of the memory element groups includes a plurality of memory elements. Each of the memory elements includes a first transistor and a capacitor. A gate electrode of the first transistor is electrically connected to the first wiring. The oxide layer includes a region in contact with a semiconductor layer of the first transistor. A second transistor is provided between the adjacent memory element groups. A high power supply potential is supplied to one or both of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the second transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Tatsuya ONUKI, Kiyoshi KATO, Tomoaki ATSUMI, Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20210242220
    Abstract: A highly integrated semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a prism-like insulator, a memory cell string including a plurality of transistors connected in series. The prism-like insulator is provided over the substrate. The memory cell string is provided on the side surface of the prism-like insulator. The plurality of transistors each include a gate insulator and a gate electrode. The gate insulator includes a first insulator, a second insulator, and a charge accumulation layer. The charge accumulation layer is positioned between the first insulator and the second insulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Tomoaki ATSUMI, Yuta ENDO
  • Patent number: 11037622
    Abstract: A semiconductor device whose operating speed is increased is provided. The semiconductor device includes a write word line, a read word line, a write bit line, a read bit line, a first wiring, and a memory cell. The memory cell includes three transistors of a single conductivity type and a capacitor. Gates of the three transistors are electrically connected to the write word line, a first terminal of the capacitor, and the read word line, respectively. A second terminal of the capacitor is electrically connected to the read bit line. A source and a drain of one transistor are electrically connected to the write bit line and the gate of another transistor, respectively. Two of the three transistors are electrically connected in series between the read bit line and the first wiring. A channel formation region of each of the three transistors includes, for example, a metal oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Atsumi, Kiyoshi Kato, Shuhei Maeda
  • Publication number: 20210134847
    Abstract: A novel semiconductor device formed with single-polarity circuits using OS transistors is provided. Thus, connection between different layers in a memory circuit is unnecessary. This can reduce the number of connection portions and improve the flexibility of circuit layout and the reliability of the OS transistors. In particular, many memory cells are provided; thus, the memory cells are formed with single-polarity circuits, whereby the number of connection portions can be significantly reduced. Further, by providing a driver circuit in the same layer as the cell array, many wirings for connecting the driver circuit and the cell array can be prevented from being provided between layers, and the number of connection portions can be further reduced. An interposer provided with a plurality of integrated circuits can function as one electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Shunpei YAMAZAKI, Kiyoshi KATO, Tomoaki ATSUMI
  • Patent number: 10998447
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided in which the power consumption can be reduced by reducing the driving voltage and the on-state current can be increased in a period in which a transistor having an extremely low off-state current is brought into an electrically floating state. The semiconductor device comprises a memory cell, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The memory cell includes a first transistor. The first transistor includes a first semiconductor layer, a first gate electrode, and a first back gate electrode. The first gate electrode is connected to a word line. The first back gate electrode is connected to a back gate line. The first circuit supplies a signal for controlling the conduction state of the first transistor to the word line. The second circuit supplies a voltage for controlling the threshold voltage of the first transistor to the back gate line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Onuki, Kiyoshi Kato, Tomoaki Atsumi