Abstract: Different isolation liners for different type FinFETs and associated isolation feature fabrication are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes performing a fin etching process on a substrate to form first trenches defining first fins in a first region and second trenches defining second fins in a second region. An oxide liner is formed over the first fins in the first region and the second fins in the second region. A nitride liner is formed over the oxide liner in the first region and the second region. After removing the nitride liner from the first region, an isolation material is formed over the oxide liner and the nitride liner to fill the first trenches and the second trenches. The isolation material, the oxide liner, and the nitride liner are recessed to form first isolation features (isolation material and oxide liner) and second isolation features (isolation material, nitride liner, and oxide liner).

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus has: a direct current generator, for generating a direct current signal and a transmitter. The transmitter includes: an oscillating signal generator for generating an oscillating signal; a mixer for mixing one of the direct current signal and the transmitting signal with the oscillating signal according to a mode signal and generating a mixed signal; and an amplifying module for amplifying the mixed signal to generate an output signal. When the mode signal is represented that the wireless communication apparatus is under test, the direct current signal is being mixed with the oscillating signal and the mixed signal is a sinusoidal wave. When the mode signal is represented that the wireless communication apparatus is under transmitting, the transmitting signal is being mixed with the oscillating signal and the mixed signal is a modulated signal.

Abstract: A voltage regulating power supply includes: a switching regulator powered by a supply voltage level, the switching regulator for generating a first output voltage in accordance to a first reference voltage; and a linear regulator coupled to the first output voltage, the linear regulator for generating a second output voltage in accordance to a second reference voltage; wherein a noise sensitive circuit draws power from the second output voltage.

Abstract: A circuit apparatus having compensation circuits for unequal input/output common mode voltages is presented. The apparatus includes a circuit unit, a feedback path and a current source. The circuit unit has at least an input terminal for receiving an input signal and at least an output terminal for generating an output signal. The input terminal configured to provide an input common mode voltage and the output terminal configured to provide an output common mode voltage. The feedback path couples the output terminal and the input terminal. The current source is coupled to the input terminal to supply a current. The voltage drop generated at the feedback path compensates the difference between the input common mode voltage and the output common mode voltage.

Abstract: An amplifying circuit with a variable supply voltage and a method thereof are disclosed. The amplifying circuit employs a voltage converter to adjust the supply voltage, thereby upgrading the energy efficiency of the circuit. The circuit also includes a control device, which can generate a control signal for controlling the voltage converter according to an output signal or input signal of the circuit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for calibrating the center frequency of a power amplifier. The apparatus includes a capacitor unit and an inductor unit. The capacitor unit and the inductor unit are connected in parallel so as to control the center frequency of the power amplifier. The method includes: (a) controlling the capacitor unit to correspond with a plurality of test capacitance values; (b) inputting an input signal with the center frequency to the power amplifier, and recording a plurality of test output powers generated according to the test capacitance values and the input signal; and (c) selecting one predetermined power among the test output powers, and utilizing a test capacitance value corresponding to the predetermined power to set a capacitance value of the capacitor unit.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus has: a direct current generator, for generating a direct current signal and a transmitter. The transmitter includes: an oscillating signal generator for generating an oscillating signal; a mixer for mixing one of the direct current signal and the transmitting signal with the oscillating signal according to a mode signal and generating a mixed signal; and an amplifying module for amplifying the mixed signal to generate an output signal. When the mode signal is represented that the wireless communication apparatus is under test, the direct current signal is being mixed with the oscillating signal and the mixed signal is a sinusoidal wave. When the mode signal is represented that the wireless communication apparatus is under transmitting, the transmitting signal is being mixed with the oscillating signal and the mixed signal is a modulated signal.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit and method thereof is provided. The circuit comprises a clamping circuit, an inductor, a diode and a diode string. In order for a voltage swing of an output voltage to get rid of the influence of the ESD protection circuit, the number of diodes in the diode string must be greater than or equal to the voltage swing divided by the turn-on voltage of the diodes.

Abstract: A voltage regulating power supply includes: a switching regulator powered by a supply voltage level, the switching regulator for generating a first output voltage in accordance to a first reference voltage; and a linear regulator coupled to the first output voltage, the linear regulator for generating a second output voltage in accordance to a second reference voltage; wherein a noise sensitive circuit draws power from the second output voltage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an impedance calibration circuit and method for calibrating an equivalent impedance of a semiconductor circuit element. The disclosed impedance calibration circuit includes a reference circuit, a second circuit element, and a controlling circuit. The reference circuit receives a test signal and outputs a first signal. The second circuit element is coupled to the semiconductor circuit element to form a test circuit and receives the test signal and outputs a second signal. The controlling circuit is coupled to the reference circuit and the test circuit for comparing the first signal with the second signal and adjusting the equivalent impedance of the semiconductor circuit element accordingly.

Abstract: A circuit apparatus having compensation circuits for unequal input/output common mode voltages is presented. The apparatus includes a circuit unit, a feedback path and a current source. The circuit unit has at least an input terminal for receiving an input signal and at least an output terminal for generating an output signal. The input terminal configured to provide an input common mode voltage and the output terminal configured to provide an output common mode voltage. The feedback path couples the output terminal and the input terminal. The current source is coupled to the input terminal to supply a current. The voltage drop generated at the feedback path compensates the difference between the input common mode voltage and the output common mode voltage.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for calibrating the center frequency of a power amplifier. The apparatus includes a capacitor unit and an inductor unit. The capacitor unit and the inductor unit are connected in parallel so as to control the center frequency of the power amplifier. The method includes: (a) controlling the capacitor unit to correspond with a plurality of test capacitance values; (b) inputting an input signal with the center frequency to the power amplifier, and recording a plurality of test output powers generated according to the test capacitance values and the input signal; and (c) selecting one predetermined power among the test output powers, and utilizing a test capacitance value corresponding to the predetermined power to set a capacitance value of the capacitor unit.

Abstract: An amplifying circuit with a variable supply voltage and a method thereof are disclosed. The amplifying circuit employs a voltage converter to adjust the supply voltage, thereby upgrading the energy efficiency of the circuit. The circuit also includes a control device, which can generate a control signal for controlling the voltage converter according to an output signal or input signal of the circuit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an impedance calibration circuit and method for calibrating an equivalent impedance of a semiconductor circuit element. The disclosed impedance calibration circuit includes a reference circuit, a second circuit element, and a controlling circuit. The reference circuit receives a test signal and outputs a first signal. The second circuit element is coupled to the semiconductor circuit element to form a test circuit and receives the test signal and outputs a second signal. The controlling circuit is coupled to the reference circuit and the test circuit for comparing the first signal with the second signal and adjusting the equivalent impedance of the semiconductor circuit element accordingly.