Abstract: A power switch multiplexer with configurable overlap is disclosed. An integrated circuit (IC) includes a first functional circuit block coupled to receive a supply voltage from a first supply voltage node. The IC further includes an input circuit and an output circuit. Responsive to receiving an input signal, the input circuit asserts an activation signal to cause one of a second supply voltage node and a third supply voltage node to be electrically coupled to the first supply voltage node. Subsequently the input circuit asserts a deactivation signal to cause the other one of the second and third supply voltage nodes to be electrically decoupled from the first supply voltage node. The output circuit is coupled to receive the activation signal and the deactivation signal, and configured to assert a first output signal subsequent to receiving the activation signal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of semiconductor wafers comprising micro-inspecting at least one location within at least one micro-inspected pattern field and determining at least one parameter value representing a property of the wafer at the micro-inspected location, macro-inspecting a plurality of locations within the at least one micro-inspected pattern field and determining, for each macro-inspected location of the macro-inspected pattern field, at least one parameter value representing the property of the wafer at the macro-inspected location based on the light intensity recorded for the macro-inspected location and on the at least one parameter value representing the property of the wafer at the micro-inspected location of this pattern field.

Abstract: Hardened programmable logic devices are provided with programmable circuitry. The programmable circuitry may be hardwired to implement a custom logic circuit. Generic fabrication masks may be used to form the programmable circuitry and may be used in manufacturing a product family of hardened programmable logic devices, each of which may implement a different custom logic circuit. Custom fabrication masks may be used to hardwire the programmable circuitry to implement a specific custom logic circuit. The programmable circuitry may be hardwired in such a way that signal timing characteristics of a hardened programmable logic device that implements a custom logic circuit may match the signal timing characteristics of a programmable logic device that implements the same custom logic circuit using configuration data.

Abstract: A ROM memory cell has significantly less total area than previously known ROM memory cells. Instead of using only one layer in the manufacturing process to program the memory cells, at least two layers are used to program the memory cells. This flexibility allows the memory cell to be reduced in area, which in turn produces a ROM that is more area efficient and consequently lower in cost. As the bitline length and capacitance are reduced, the speed and power consumption are also improved.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor layer as a channel, a conductive layer which is formed on a surface of the semiconductor layer with a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer interposed therebetween and functions as a control gate electrode; and a plurality of first charge storage layers formed between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer. The plurality of first charge storage layers are formed in isolation from one another along a surface of the first insulating layer. The first insulating layer is formed so as to protrude towards the semiconductor layer at a position where each of the first charge storage layers is formed.

Abstract: A mask read-only memory (ROM) device, which can stably output data, includes an on-cell and an off-cell. The on-cell includes an on-cell gate structure on a substrate and an on-cell junction structure within the substrate. The off-cell includes an off-cell gate structure on the substrate and an off-cell junction structure within the substrate. The on-cell gate structure includes an on-cell gate insulating film, an on-cell gate electrode and an on-cell gate spacer. The on-cell junction structure includes first and second on-cell ion implantation regions of a first polarity and third and fourth on-cell ion implantation regions of a second polarity. The off-cell gate structure includes an off-cell gate insulating film, an off-cell gate electrode and an off-cell gate spacer. The off-cell junction structure includes first and second off-cell ion implantation regions of the first polarity and a third off-cell ion implantation region of the second polarity.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a gate dielectric of a field effect transistor is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of removing a native oxide layer, forming an oxide layer, forming a gate dielectric layer over the oxide layer, oxidizing the gate dielectric layer, and annealing the layers and underlying thermal oxide/silicon interface. Optionally, the oxide layer may be nitridized prior to forming the gate dielectric layer. Optionally, the gate dielectric layer may be nitridized prior to oxidizing the gate dielectric layer. In one embodiment, at least portions of the method are performed using processing reactors arranged on a cluster tool.