Patents Assigned to Yield Microelectronics Corp.
  • Patent number: 12250810
    Abstract: A small-area high-efficiency read-only memory (ROM) array and a method for operating the same are provided. The small-area high-efficiency ROM array includes bit lines, word common-source lines, and sub-memory arrays. Each sub-memory array includes first, second, third, and fourth memory cells connected to a bit line and a word common-source line. All the memory cells are connected to the same word common-source line and respectively connected to different bit lines. Sharing the gate and the source can not only greatly reduce the overall layout area, but also effectively reduce the load of the memory array to achieve the high-efficiency reading and writing goal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yu Ting Huang, Chi Pei Wu
  • Patent number: 11742039
    Abstract: A small-area side-capacitor read-only memory device, a memory array and a method for operating the same are provided. The small-area side-capacitor read-only memory device embeds a field-effect transistor in a semiconductor substrate. The field-effect transistor includes a first dielectric layer and a first conductive gate stacked on the first dielectric layer. The side of the first conductive gate extends to the top of the second dielectric layer and connects to the second conductive gate to generate a capacitance effect. The second conductive gate has finger portions connected to a strip portion. Thus, the memory device employs the smallest layout area to generate the highest capacitance value, thereby decreasing the overall area of the read-only memory and performing efficient reading and writing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yu Ting Huang, Chi Pei Wu
  • Patent number: 11502090
    Abstract: A low-cost and low-voltage anti-fuse array includes a plurality of sub-memory arrays. In each sub-memory array, the anti-fuse transistor of all anti-fuse memory cells includes an anti-fuse gate commonly used by other anti-fuse transistors. These anti-fuse memory cells are arranged side by side between two adjacent bit-lines, wherein the anti-fuse memory cells in the same row are connected to different bit-lines, and all anti-fuse memory cells are connected to the same selection-line and different word-lines. The present invention utilizes the configuration of common source contacts to achieve a stable source structure and reduce the overall layout area, and meanwhile minimizes the types of control voltage to reduce leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Wen-Chien Huang, Yu Ting Huang, Chi Pei Wu
  • Patent number: 11424252
    Abstract: A small-area and low-voltage anti-fuse element comprises four first gate dielectric layers each two symmetrically distributed; and an anti-fuse gate formed on the first gate dielectric layers, wherein four corners of the anti-fuse gate respectively overlap corners of the first gate dielectric layers, which are closest to the anti-fuse gate; each of the four corners of the anti-fuse gate is fabricated to have at least one sharp angle. The present invention is characterized in that four first gate dielectric layers share an anti-fuse gate and that the sharp angle has a higher density of charges. Therefore, the present invention can greatly reduce the size of elements, lower the voltage required to puncture the first gate dielectric layer, and decrease the power consumption. The present invention also discloses a small-area and low-voltage anti-fuse array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Wen-Chien Huang, Yu Ting Huang, Chi Pei Wu
  • Patent number: 11004857
    Abstract: An operating method of an EEPROM cell is provided. The EEPROM cell comprises a transistor structure disposed on a semiconductor substrate and the transistor structure comprises a first electric-conduction gate. The-same-type ions are implanted into the semiconductor substrate between an interface of its source, drain and the first electric-conduction gate, or into the ion doped regions of the source and the drain, so as to increase ion concentrations in the implanted regions and reduce voltage difference in writing and erasing operations. The operating method of the EEPROM cell provides an operating condition that the drain or the source is set as floating during operations, to achieve the objective of rapid writing and erasing of a large number of memory cells. The proposed operating method is also applicable to the EEPROM cell having a floating gate structure in addition to a single gate transistor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ying Wu, Cheng-Yu Chung, Wen-Chien Huang
  • Patent number: 10854297
    Abstract: An operating method of low current electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) array is provided. The EEPROM array comprises a plurality of bit line groups, word lines, common source lines, and sub-memory arrays. A first memory cell of each sub-memory array is connected with one bit line of a first bit line group, a first common source line, and a first word line. A second memory cell of each sub-memory array is connected with the other bit line of the first bit line group, the first common source line, and a second word line. The first and second memory cells are symmetrically arranged at two opposite sides of the first common source line. By employing the proposed specific operation and bias conditions of the present invention, rapidly bytes programming and erasing functions with low current, low voltage and low cost goals are accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Cheng-Ying Wu, Cheng-Yu Chung, Wen-Chien Huang
  • Patent number: 10643708
    Abstract: A method for operating a low-current EEPROM array is disclosed. The EEPROM array comprises bit line groups, word lines, common source lines, and sub-memory arrays. Each sub-memory array includes a first memory cell and a second memory cell. The first memory cell is connected with one bit line of a first bit line group, a first common source line, and a first word line. The second memory cell is connected with the other bit line of the first bit line group, the first common source line, and a second word line. The first and second memory cells are operation memory cells and symmetrically arranged at two sides of the first common source line. The method uses special biases to perform the bytes writing and erasing with low current, low voltage and low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chang Lin, Cheng-Yu Chung, Wen-Chien Huang
  • Patent number: 10242741
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a low voltage difference-operated EEPROM and an operating method thereof wherein at least one transistor structure is formed in a semiconductor substrate and each includes a first electric-conduction gate. An ion implantation is performed by masking partial regions to prevent the existence of the conventional lightly doped drain (LDD) structure. An undoped region is formed in the semiconductor substrate under the two sides of the first electric-conductive gate, to increase the intensity of electric field between the gate and the substrate or between the gate and the transistor, whereby to reduce the voltage differences required for writing and erasing. The present invention also discloses an operating method for the low voltage difference-operated EEPROM. The present invention applies to the EEPROM with a single gate transistor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chang Lin, Wen-Chien Huang, Chia-Hao Tai
  • Patent number: 10141057
    Abstract: An erasing method of a single-gate non-volatile memory is provided. The single-gate non-volatile memory has a single floating gate. The erasing method includes applying a voltage to the drain without applying to the gate to create and control an inversion layer. Therefore the required erasing voltage is reduced and the erasing speed is improved to avoid the over-erase problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chang Lin, Wen-Chien Huang, Wei-Tung Lo
  • Patent number: 9601202
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a low voltage difference-operated EEPROM and an operating method thereof, wherein at least one transistor structure is formed in a semiconductor substrate and each includes a first electric-conduction gate. Same type ions are implanted into a region of the semiconductor substrate, which is near interfaces of a source, a drain and the first electric-conduction gate, or ion-doped regions of the source and the drain, to increase the ion concentration thereof, whereby to reduce the voltage differences required for writing and erasing. The present invention also discloses an operating method for the low voltage difference-operated EEPROM, in addition to the EEPROM with a single gate transistor structure, the present invention also applies to the EEPROM with a single floating gate transistor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chang Lin, Wen-Chien Huang, Ya-Ting Fan, Chia-Hao Tai, Tung-Yu Yeh
  • Patent number: 9318208
    Abstract: A method for operating a small-area EEPROM array is disclosed. The small-area EEPROM array comprises bit lines, word lines, common source lines, and sub-memory arrays. The bit lines are divided into bit line groups. The word lines include a first word line. The common source lines include a first common source line. Each sub-memory array includes a first, second, third and fourth memory cells, which are connected with two bit line groups, a word line and a common source line. The first and second memory cells are symmetric. The third and fourth memory cells are symmetric. The group of the first and second memory cells and the group of the third and fourth memory cells are respectively positioned at two sides of the first common source line. The method operates all operation memory cells and uses special biases to program or erase memory cells massively in a single operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chang Lin, Wen-Chien Huang, Ya-Ting Fan, Yang-Sen Yeh, Cheng-Ying Wu
  • Patent number: 9281312
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory with a single gate-source common terminal and an operation method thereof are provided. The non-volatile memory includes a transistor and a capacitor structure both embedded in a semiconductor substrate. The transistor includes a first dielectric layer, a first electric-conduction gate and several first ion-doped regions. The capacitor structure includes a second dielectric layer, a second electric-conduction gate and a second ion-doped region. The memory may further include a third ion-doped region below the second dielectric layer. The first and second electric-conduction gates are electrically connected to form a single floating gate of the memory cell. The source and second ion-doped region are electrically connected to form a single gate-source common terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chang Lin, Ya-Ting Fan, Wen-Chien Huang
  • Patent number: 9240242
    Abstract: A method for operating a low-cost EEPROM array is disclosed. The EEPROM array comprises bit lines, word lines, common source lines, and sub-memory arrays. The bit lines are divided into bit line groups. The word lines include a first word line and a second word line. The common source lines include a first common source line. Each sub-memory array includes a first memory cell and a second memory cell, which are respectively connected with the first and second word lines. Each of the first and second memory cells is also connected with the first bit line group and the first common source line. The first and second memory cells are operation memory cells and symmetrically arranged at two sides of the first common source line. The method operates all the operation memory cells and uses special biases to program or erase memory cells massively in a single operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chang Lin, Wen-Chien Huang, Ya-Ting Fan, Yang-Sen Yeh, Cheng-Ying Wu
  • Patent number: 8305808
    Abstract: A low-voltage EEPROM array, which has a plurality of parallel bit lines, parallel word lines and parallel common source lines is disclosed. The bit lines include a first bit line. The word lines include a first word line and a second word line. The common source lines include a first common source line and a second common source line. The low-voltage EEPROM array also has a plurality of sub-memory arrays. Each sub-memory array includes a first memory cell and a second memory cell. The first memory cell connects with the first bit line, the first common source line and the first word line. The second memory cell connects with the first bit line, the second common source line and the second word line. The first and second memory cells are symmetrical and arranged between the first and second common source lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin Chang Lin, Chia-Hao Tai, Yang-Sen Yen, Ming-Tsang Yang, Ya-Ting Fan
  • Patent number: 8300461
    Abstract: An area saving electrically-erasable-programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) array, having: a plurality of parallel bit lines, a plurality of parallel word lines, and a plurality of parallel common source lines. The bit lines are classified into a plurality of bit line groups, containing a first group bit line and a second group bit line; the word line includes a first word line; and the common source lines include a first common source line. In addition, a plurality of sub-memory arrays are provided. Each sub-memory array contains a first, second, third, and fourth memory cells. Wherein, the first and second memory cells are symmetrically arranged, and the third and fourth memory cells are symmetrically arranged; also, the first and second memory cells, and the third and fourth memory cells are symmetrically arranged with the first common source line as a symmetric axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin Chang Lin, Chia-Hao Tai, Yang-Sen Yen, Ming-Tsang Yang, Ya-Ting Fan
  • Patent number: 8300469
    Abstract: A cost saving EEPROM array, having: a plurality of parallel bit lines, a plurality of parallel word lines, and a plurality of parallel common source lines. The bit lines contain a first group bit lines; the word line includes a first and a second word lines; and the common source line includes a first common source line. And, a plurality of sub-memory arrays are provided. Each sub-memory array includes a first and a second memory cells disposed opposite to each other and located on two different sides of the first common source line; the first memory cell is connected to the first group bit lines, the first common source line, and the first word line, and the second memory cell is connected to the first group bit line, the first common source line, and the second word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin Chang Lin, Chia-Hao Tai, Yang-Sen Yen, Ming-Tsang Yang, Ya-Ting Fan
  • Patent number: 8218369
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory low voltage and high speed erasure method, the non-volatile memory is realized through disposing a stacked gate structure having a control gate and a floating gate on a semiconductor substrate or in an isolation well, such that adequate hot holes are generated in proceeding with low voltage and high speed erasure operation through a drain reverse bias and making changes to gate voltage. In addition, through applying positive and negative voltages on a drain, a gate, and a semiconductor substrate or well regions, adequate hot holes are generated, so as to lower the absolute voltage in achieving the objective of reducing voltage of erasing memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin Chang Lin, Wen-Chien Huang
  • Patent number: 7508253
    Abstract: A charge pump device and an operating method thereof are proposed. The charge pump device is composed of a plurality of stages of charge transfer units and an output unit that are cascaded together. Each stage of the charge transfer units includes a first node for input, a second node for output, a first circuit and a first capacitor. The first node or the second node is biased at a bias provided for the first circuit. Thereby, the first capacitors of the odd-numbered stage and the even-numbered stage of charge transfer units can respectively receive two clock signals that are mutually opposite in phase for complementary switching operating. Collocated with the switching of the output unit, an output voltage with a high negative level can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Cheng Ying Wu, Hsin Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 7423903
    Abstract: A single-gate non-volatile memory and an operation method thereof, wherein a transistor and a capacitor structure are embedded in a semiconductor substrate; the transistor comprises: a first electrically-conductive gate, a first dielectric layer, and multiple ion-doped regions; the capacitor structure comprises: a second electrically-conductive gate, a second dielectric layer, and a second on-doped region; the first electrically-conductive gate and the second electrically-conductive gate are interconnected to form a single floating gate of a memory cell; a reverse bias is used to implement the reading, writing, and erasing operations of the single-floating-gate memory cell; in the operation of a single-gate non-volatile memory with an isolation well, positive and negative voltages are applied to the drain, the gate, and the silicon substrate/the isolation well to create an inversion layer so that the absolute voltage, the area of the voltage booster circuit, and the current consumption can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chang Lin, Wen-Chien Huang, Ming-Tsang Yang, Hao-Cheng Chang, Cheng-Ying Wu
  • Patent number: 7099192
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory and a method of operating the same are proposed. The nonvolatile memory has single-gate memory cells, wherein a structure of a transistor and a capacitor is embedded in a semiconductor substrate. The transistor comprises a first conducting gate stacked on the surface of a dielectric with doped regions formed at two sides thereof as a source and a drain. The capacitor comprises a doped region, a dielectric stacked thereon, and a second conducting gate. The conducting gates of the capacitor and the transistor are electrically connected together to form a single floating gate of the memory cell. The semiconductor substrate is p-type or n-type. Besides, a back-bias program write-in and related erase and readout operation ways are proposed for the single-gate memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Lee Zhung Wang, Daniel Huang, Hsin Chang Lin, Roget Chang