Patents Assigned to TSMC CHINA COMPANY, LIMITED
  • Publication number: 20230387129
    Abstract: An IC structure includes first and second gates, first and second source regions, a shared drain region, and an isolation region. The first gate has a first portion extending along a first direction and a second portion extending along a second direction. The second gate has a first portion extending along the first direction and a second portion extending along the second direction. The shared drain region extends from the first portion of the first gate to the first portion of the second gate. The first source region is spaced apart from the shared drain region by the first gate. The second source region is spaced apart from the shared drain region by the second gate. The isolation region is between the first portion of the first gate and the first portion of the second gate, and resembles a quadrilateral pattern bordering the shared drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Tian-Yu XIE, Xin-Yong WANG, Lei PAN, Kuo-Ji CHEN
  • Patent number: 11831310
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a first power supply node configured to have a first power supply voltage level, a second power supply node configured to have a second power supply voltage level separate from the first power supply voltage level, an n-well, a bias circuit, and a level shifter. The n-well contains first and second PMOS transistors including first source/drain (S/D) terminals coupled to the first power supply node, and third and fourth PMOS transistors including second S/D terminals coupled to the second power supply node. The bias circuit includes the first PMOS transistor including a third S/D terminal coupled to the n-well and a gate coupled to the second power supply node, and the third PMOS transistor including a fourth S/D terminal coupled to the n-well and a gate coupled to the first power supply node. The level shifter includes the second and fourth PMOS transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: TSMC CHINA COMPANY, LIMITED, TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING LTD.
    Inventors: Yaqi Ma, Lei Pan, JunKui Hu
  • Publication number: 20230377623
    Abstract: A method includes: turning on a first switch coupled between a first array of memory and a voltage supply according to a first charge signal; turning on a second switch coupled between a second array of memory and the voltage supply according to a second charge signal different from the first charge signal; and generating the first charge signal and the second charge signal according to a word line address. The second array of memory is located between the second switch and the first array of memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiu-Li YANG, He-Zhou WAN, Kuan CHENG, Ching-Wei WU
  • Publication number: 20230378323
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a doped region of a first conductivity type in a substrate, a source/drain region of the first conductivity in the doped region, and a gate structure overlapping a portion of the doped region. The semiconductor device further comprises a multi-layer spacer over a first sidewall of the gate structure. The multi-layer spacer comprises a first spacer layer, a second spacer layer over the first spacer layer, and a third spacer layer over the second spacer layer. The first spacer layer and the second spacer layer are in contact with the first sidewall of the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Feng HAN, Lei SHI, Hung-Chih TSAI, Liang-Yu SU, Hang FAN
  • Patent number: 11824115
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a deep n-well, a field oxide, a gate structure, a p-type doped region, a source region, and a drain region. The deep n-well is in the semiconductor substrate. The field oxide is partially embedded in the deep n-well and having a tip corner in a position substantially level with a top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The gate structure is on the field oxide and laterally extends past the tip corner of the field oxide. The p-type doped region is in the deep n-well and is interfaced with the tip corner of the field oxide. The source region and a drain region are laterally separated at least in part by the p-type doped region and the field oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Zheng-Long Chen
  • Patent number: 11811404
    Abstract: A latch circuit includes a latch clock generator configured to generate a latched clock signal based on a clock signal and a first enable signal, and an input latch coupled to the latch clock generator to receive the latched clock signal. The input latch is configured to generate a latched output signal based on the latched clock signal and an input signal. In response to the first enable signal having a disabling logic level, the latch clock generator is configured to set a logic level of the latched clock signal to a corresponding disabling logic level, regardless of the clock signal. The latch clock generator includes a first inverter configured to generate an inverted signal of the first enable signal, and a NAND gate coupled to the first inverter to receive the inverted signal of the first enable signal. The NAND gate is configured to generate the latched clock signal based on the clock signal and the inverted signal of the first enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: XiuLi Yang, Kuan Cheng, He-Zhou Wan, Ching-Wei Wu, Wenchao Hao
  • Publication number: 20230352305
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes substrate, a first gate structure, a second gate structure, and an epitaxy layer. The first gate structure and the second gate structure are over the substrate, in which the first gate structure and the second gate structure each comprises a shielding electrode, a gate electrode over the shielding electrode, and a first gate dielectric layer vertically separating the shielding electrode from the gate electrode. The epitaxy layer is over the substrate and cups an underside of the first gate structure and the second gate structure, in which the epitaxy layer comprises a doped region laterally between the first gate dielectric layer of the first gate structure and the first gate dielectric layer of the second gate structure, a dopant concentration of the doped region being non-uniform along a lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Zheng-Long CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230352085
    Abstract: A circuit comprises a memory array, a tracking bit line and a timing control circuit. The memory array comprises a plurality of tracking cells. The tracking bit line is coupled between a first node and the plurality of tracking cells. The timing control circuit is coupled to the first node and comprises a Schmitt trigger. The Schmitt trigger generates a negative bit line enable signal in response to that a voltage level on the first node being below a low threshold voltage value of the Schmitt trigger. The timing control circuit generates a negative bit line trigger signal according to the negative bit line enable signal for adjusting voltage levels of a plurality of bit lines of the memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC Nanjing Company Limited, TSMC China Company Limited
    Inventors: Xiu-Li YANG, Lu-Ping KONG, Kuan CHENG, He-Zhou WAN
  • Patent number: 11799008
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first doped region in a substrate, wherein the first doped region has a first dopant type. The semiconductor device further includes a second doped region in the substrate, wherein the second doped region has a second dopant type opposite the first dopant type. The semiconductor device further includes a silicide structure on the substrate, wherein the silicide structure includes a main body and a silicide extension. The semiconductor device further includes a plurality of first gate structures on the substrate, wherein a space between adjacent gate structures of the plurality of first gate structures includes a first area and a second area, the silicide extension extends into the first area, the first doped region is in the substrate below the first area, and the second doped region is in the substrate below the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Ming Jian Wang, Xin Yong Wang, Cun Cun Chen, Jia Liang Zhong
  • Publication number: 20230326501
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array, a first latch and a first logic element. The memory array is configured to operate according to a first global write signal. The first latch is configured to generate a first latch write data based on a clock signal. The first logic element is configured to generate the first global write signal based on the clock signal and the first latch write data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC Nanjing Company Limited, TSMC China Company Limited
    Inventors: He-Zhou WAN, Xiu-Li YANG, Pei-Le LI, Ching-Wei WU
  • Patent number: 11769539
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes multiple memory cells, a first pair of complementary data lines, a second pair of complementary data lines, multiple first word lines, and multiple second word lines. The memory cells include a first array of memory cells and a second array of memory cells. The first pair of complementary data lines are coupled to the first array of memory cells. The second pair of complementary data lines are coupled to the second array of memory cells. Lengths of the first pair of complementary data lines are shorter than lengths of the second pair of complementary data lines. The first word lines and the second word lines are arranged according to a predetermined ratio of a number of the first word lines to a number of the second word lines. The predetermined ratio is less than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiu-Li Yang, He-Zhou Wan, Kuan Cheng, Ching-Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 11769772
    Abstract: An IC structure includes first and second gates, first and second source/drain regions, and an isolation region. The first and second gates each have a first portion extending along a first direction and a second portion extending along a second direction. The first source/drain regions are respectively on opposite sides of the first portion of the first gate. The second source/drain regions are respectively on opposite sides of the first portion of the second gate. The isolation region has a lower portion between a first one of the first source/drain regions and a first one of the second source/drain regions, and an upper portion partially overlapping with the second portion of first gate and the second portion of the second gate. A width of the lower portion is a less than a width of the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Tian-Yu Xie, Xin-Yong Wang, Lei Pan, Kuo-Ji Chen
  • Patent number: 11764288
    Abstract: A method includes forming a body region of a first conductivity type and a doped region of a second conductivity type in a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate structure the substrate, and first gate spacers respectively on first and second sides of the gate structure; depositing a second spacer layer and a third spacer layer over the gate structure; patterning the third spacer layer into third gate spacers respectively on the first and second sides of the gate structure; removing a first one of the third gate spacers from the first side of the gate structure, while leaving a second one of the third gate spacers on the second side of the gate structure; and patterning the second spacer layer into a second gate spacer by using the second one of the third gate spacers as an etching mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Feng Han, Lei Shi, Hung-Chih Tsai, Liang-Yu Su, Hang Fan
  • Patent number: 11764297
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising an n-type drift region, a gate structure directly on a first portion of the n-type drift region, a drain structure formed in a second portion of the n-type drift region, the gate structure and the drain structure being separated by a drift region length, a resist protective oxide (RPO) formed over a portion of the n-type drift region between the gate structure and the drain structure, a field plate contact providing a direct electrical connection to the resist protective oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD, TSMC CHINA COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Lianjie Li, Feng Han, Jian-Hua Lu, YanBin Lu, Shui Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 11764572
    Abstract: A device includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection switch and an ESD driver. The ESD driver is configured to receive a first voltage at a first terminal and receive a second voltage at a second terminal and includes a first trigger circuit and a first resistor. The first trigger circuit includes a first input terminal and a first output terminal. The first input terminal is configured to receive the first voltage. The first resistor is coupled between the first output terminal and the second terminal. When the first voltage received at the first terminal is a first overvoltage and a voltage difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is higher than a first voltage threshold, the ESD driver outputs a first trigger signal to turn on the ESD protection switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Hang Fan, Ming-Fang Lai, Shui-Ming Cheng
  • Publication number: 20230290395
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes integrated circuit includes a memory bank, a first group of word lines, a second group of word lines, an access circuit, a converter circuit and a decoder circuit. The first group of word lines is coupled to the memory bank. The second group of word lines is coupled to the memory bank, and arranged in order with the first group of word lines. The access circuit is configured to read the memory bank. The converter circuit is configured to control the access circuit at least based on a first control signal. The decoder circuit is configured to generate the first control signal at least according to a first bit and a second bit of an address signal. The first bit and the second bit indicates one group of the first group of word lines and the second group of word lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiu-Li YANG, He-Zhou WAN, Kuan CHENG, Ching-Wei WU
  • Patent number: 11748550
    Abstract: A method includes steps of dividing a first arrangement of metal lines in a circuit layout into two sets of metal lines, a first set of metal lines in a peripheral area, and a second set of metal lines in a center area. The arrangement of metal lines is configured to electrically connect to contacts of a second layer of the circuit layout. The method includes adjusting a metal line perimeter of at least one metal line in the center area to make a second arrangement of metal lines, where each adjusted metal line perimeter is separated from contacts in the second layer of the integrated circuit layout by at least a check distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: XinYong Wang, Qiquan Wang, Li-Chun Tien, Yuan Ma
  • Patent number: 11742207
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes substrate, a first gate structure, a second gate structure, and an epitaxy layer. The first gate structure and the second gate structure are over the substrate, in which the first gate structure and the second gate structure each comprises a shielding electrode, a gate electrode over the shielding electrode, and a first gate dielectric layer vertically separating the shielding electrode from the gate electrode. The epitaxy layer is over the substrate and cups an underside of the first gate structure and the second gate structure, in which the epitaxy layer comprises a doped region laterally between the first gate dielectric layer of the first gate structure and the first gate dielectric layer of the second gate structure, a dopant concentration of the doped region being non-uniform along a lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Zheng-Long Chen
  • Patent number: 11735251
    Abstract: A circuit includes a tracking word line, a power switch, a tracking bit line, a sense circuit. The power switch is coupled between the tracking word line and a first node. The power switch is configured to discharge a voltage level on the first node in response to a clock pulse signal transmitted through the tracking word line to the power switch. The tracking bit line is coupled between the first node and a plurality of tracking cells in a memory array. The sense circuit is coupled between the first node and a second node. The sense circuit is configured to generate a negative bit line enable signal in response to that the voltage level on the first node is below a threshold voltage value of the sense circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiu-Li Yang, Lu-Ping Kong, Kuan Cheng, He-Zhou Wan
  • Publication number: 20230253785
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a control circuit and first to second voltage generation circuits. The control circuit is coupled between a first voltage terminal providing a first supply voltage and a first node coupled to a first capacitive unit. The first voltage generation circuit includes at least one first transistor that has a source terminal receiving a second supply voltage, a drain terminal coupled to a second node in contact with a second capacitive unit, and a gate terminal coupled to the first node. The second voltage generation circuit is coupled to the first voltage terminal and the first and second nodes. Firstly the control circuit turns on the at least one first transistor to adjust a voltage level of the second node to have the second supply voltage. The second voltage generation circuit adjusts a voltage level of the first node to have the first supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Kai ZHOU, Lei PAN, Ya-Qi MA, Zhang-Ying YAN