Abstract: A memory system is provided. The memory system includes a number of memory cells and a number of bit lines. The memory cells are interlocked with each other in rows and columns. The memory cells include respective capacitors, respective first transistors and respective second transistors. Respective upper plates of the respective capacitors are electrically connected to respective gates of the respective first transistors, and respective drains of the respective second transistors are connected to respective sources of the respective first transistors. The bit lines are arranged along an extending direction of the rows. Respective bit lines are connected to the respective first transistors through respective bit-line contacts, and each of the respective bit-line contacts is shared by two adjacent memory cells of the extending direction of the rows.

Abstract: A duty cycle calibration circuit and a frequency synthesizer using the same are provided. The duty cycle calibration circuit includes a single-ended correction circuit and a single-ended detection circuit. The single-ended correction circuit is configured to adjust a duty cycle of an input clock signal. The single-ended correction circuit includes a first slew rate controller, a second slew rate controller, and at least one logic gate. The first slew rate controller adjusts a rising slew rate of an output clock signal in response to a control signal. The second slew rate controller adjusts a falling slew rate of the output clock signal in response to the control signal. The single-ended detection circuit is configured to detect a duty cycle of the output clock signal by converting the duty cycle of the output clock signal to an average voltage to be served as the control signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image sensor semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first type of dopant; a semiconductor layer having a second type of dopant different from the first type of dopant and disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a photo-sensitive structure formed in the semiconductor layer; a multi-layer interconnect (MLI) structure disposed on the semiconductor layer; a color filter disposed on the MLI structure and disposed above the photo-sensitive structure; and a microlens disposed over the color filter and disposed above the photo-sensitive structure.

Abstract: A resistor calibration system includes a reference resistor, a first control circuit, a second control circuit, a comparator, a multiplexer and a de-multiplexer. The first control circuit calibrates a first resistor and a duplicated first resistor. The second control circuit calibrates a second resistor. The comparator includes a first input terminal receiving a reference voltage, a second input terminal and an output terminal. The multiplexer includes a first input terminal coupled to the reference resistor and the first resistor, a second input terminal coupled to the duplicated first resistor and the second resistor, and an output terminal coupled to the second input terminal of the comparator. The de-multiplexer includes an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the comparator, a first output terminal coupled to the first control circuit, and a second output terminal coupled to the second control circuit.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a first layer of a first dopant type in the semiconductor substrate. The non-volatile memory structure further includes a first well region of a second dopant type over the first layer, a second well region of the second dopant type over the first layer and spaced apart from the first well region, and a third well region of the first dopant type disposed between the first well region and the second well region and extending downward to the first layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device comprises a first active region, a second active region and a third active region, a first poly region, a second poly region, a third poly region, a first doped region and a second doped region. The first active region, the second active region and the third active region are separated and parallel with each other. The first poly region is arranged over the first and second active regions. The second poly region is arranged over the first and second active regions. The third poly region is arranged over the second and third active regions. The first doped region is in the second active region and between the first poly region and the second poly region. The second doped region is in the second active region and between the second poly region and the third poly region.

Abstract: A memory device includes at least one memory cell. The memory cell includes first and second transistors, and first and second capacitors. The first transistor is coupled to a source line. The second transistor is coupled to the first transistor and a bit line. The first capacitor is coupled to a word line and the second transistor. The second capacitor is coupled to the second transistor and an erase gate.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a first layer of a first dopant type in the semiconductor substrate. The non-volatile memory structure further includes a first well region of a second dopant type over the first layer, a second well region of the second dopant type over the first layer and spaced apart from the first well region, and a third well region of the first dopant type disposed between the first well region and the second well region and extending downward to the first layer.

Abstract: A memory device includes at least one memory cell. The memory cell includes first and second transistors, and first and second capacitors. The first transistor is coupled to a source line. The second transistor is coupled to the first transistor and a bit line. The first capacitor is coupled to a word line and the second transistor. The second capacitor is coupled to the second transistor and an erase gate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image sensor semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first type of dopant; a semiconductor layer having a second type of dopant different from the first type of dopant and disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a photo-sensitive structure formed in the semiconductor layer; a multi-layer interconnect (MLI) structure disposed on the semiconductor layer; a color filter disposed on the MLI structure and disposed above the photo-sensitive structure; and a microlens disposed over the color filter and disposed above the photo-sensitive structure.

Abstract: A level shifter for converting a first voltage range to a second voltage range includes a latch circuit, a stack device and a dynamic bias circuit. The latch circuit is used for outputting the second voltage range. The stack device, coupled to the latch circuit, includes a stack transistor, which is used for sustaining the second voltage range of the latch circuit. The dynamic bias circuit, coupled to the stack device, is used for turning on the stack transistor to toggle the latch circuit.

Abstract: A memory device is disclosed. The memory device includes a substrate, including a substrate, including a source region and a drain region; and a gate stack, formed over a surface of the substrate, wherein the gate stack includes: a tunneling layer; a first layer; a second layer; a third layer; and a blocking layer; wherein each of the tunneling layer and the blocking layer has an oxygen proportion higher than the first, the second and the third layers; the first layer has a highest silicon proportion among the first, the second and the third layers; the second layer has a highest oxygen proportion among the first, the second and the third layers; and the first layer has a highest nitrogen proportion among the first, the second and the third layers. An associated gate stack and a manufacturing method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an image sensor semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first type of dopant; a semiconductor layer having a second type of dopant different from the first type of dopant and disposed on the semiconductor substrate; and an image sensor formed in the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Storage device FirmWare (FW) and manufacturing software techniques include access to FW images and communication of a manufacturing software tool. The manufacturing software tool enables download of the FW images into an I/O device and controlling a manufacturing test of the I/O device that is a storage device providing a storage capability. Execution of the downloaded FW images enables an I/O controller of the I/O device to provide the storage capability via operation with one or more selected types of flash memory devices. The selected types are selected from a plurality of flash memory types that the I/O controller is capable of operating with by executing appropriate ones of the FW images. Optionally the manufacturing test includes testing the storage capability of the I/O device. The techniques further include an SSD manufacturing self-test capability.

Abstract: Memory cells and operation methods thereof are provided. A memory device includes a number of memory cells. Each of the memory cells includes a first transistor, a switch and a capacitor. The first transistor has a drain connected to a corresponding bit-line. The switch has a first terminal connected to a source of the first transistor and a second terminal coupled to a reference voltage. The capacitor has a first plate and a second plate, and the first plate of the capacitor is electrically connected to a gate of the first transistor. The second plate of the capacitor is connected to a corresponding word line. The switch is turned off when the memory cell is not selected to perform a write operation or a read operation.

Abstract: A method includes forming Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) regions to separate a first active region and a second active region of a semiconductor substrate from each other, etching a portion of the STI regions that contacts a sidewall of the second active region to form a recess, and implanting a top surface layer and a side surface layer of the second active region to form an implantation region. The side surface layer of the second active region extends from the sidewall of the second active region into the second active region. An upper portion of the top surface layer and an upper portion of the side surface layer are oxidized to form a capacitor insulator. A floating gate is formed to extend over the first active region and the second active region. The floating gate includes a portion extending into the recess.

Abstract: A memory device includes at least one memory cell. The memory cell includes first and second transistors, and first and second capacitors. The first transistor is coupled to a source line. The second transistor is coupled to the first transistor and a bit line. The first capacitor is coupled to a word line and the second transistor. The second capacitor is coupled to the second transistor and an erase gate.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a memory cell to store one or more bits of data. The memory cell includes a capacitor including first and second capacitor plates which are separated from one another by a dielectric. The first capacitor plate corresponds to a doped region disposed in a semiconductor substrate, and the second capacitor plate is a polysilicon or metal layer arranged over the doped region. The memory cell also includes a transistor laterally spaced apart from the capacitor and including a gate electrode arranged between first and second source/drain regions. An interconnect structure is disposed over the semiconductor substrate and couples the gate electrode of the transistor to the second capacitor plate.

Abstract: The NVM device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region. The NVM device includes a data-storing structure formed in the first region and designed operable to retain charges. The NVM device includes a capacitor formed in the second region and coupled with the data-storing structure for data operations. The data-storing structure includes a first doped well of a first-type in the semiconductor substrate. The data-storing structure includes a first gate dielectric feature on the first doped well. The data-storing structure includes a first gate electrode disposed on the first gate dielectric feature and configured to be floating. The capacitor includes a second doped well of the first-type. The capacitor includes a second gate dielectric feature on the second doped well. The capacitor also includes a second gate electrode disposed on the second gate dielectric feature and connected to the first gate electrode.

Abstract: A method includes forming Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) regions to separate a first active region and a second active region of a semiconductor substrate from each other, etching a portion of the STI regions that contacts a sidewall of the second active region to form a recess, and implanting a top surface layer and a side surface layer of the second active region to form an implantation region. The side surface layer of the second active region extends from the sidewall of the second active region into the second active region. An upper portion of the top surface layer and an upper portion of the side surface layer are oxidized to form a capacitor insulator. A floating gate is formed to extend over the first active region and the second active region. The floating gate includes a portion extending into the recess.