Abstract: Methods of cutting gate structures and fins, and structures formed thereby, are described. In an embodiment, a substrate includes first and second fins and an isolation region. The first and second fins extend longitudinally parallel, with the isolation region disposed therebetween. A gate structure includes a conformal gate dielectric over the first fin and a gate electrode over the conformal gate dielectric. A first insulating fill structure abuts the gate structure and extends vertically from a level of an upper surface of the gate structure to at least a surface of the isolation region. No portion of the conformal gate dielectric extends vertically between the first insulating fill structure and the gate electrode. A second insulating fill structure abuts the first insulating fill structure and an end sidewall of the second fin. The first insulating fill structure is disposed laterally between the gate structure and the second insulating fill structure.

Abstract: A DC-DC converting controller is disclosed. The DC-DC controller includes a current sensing unit, a parameter setting pin, a parameter setting unit and an error amplifier. The current sensing unit provides a sensing current. The parameter setting pin is coupled to an external parameter setting unit. The parameter setting unit is coupled to the current sensing unit and the parameter setting pin. The parameter setting unit has an internal parameter setting unit. The parameter setting unit generates a droop current according to the external parameter setting unit and the sensing current. The error amplifier includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal. The first input terminal receives an output feedback voltage and the second input terminal receives a first reference voltage. The second input terminal is coupled to a terminal of the internal parameter setting unit.

Abstract: A DC-DC converting controller is disclosed. The DC-DC controller includes a current sensing unit, a parameter setting pin, a parameter setting unit and an error amplifier. The current sensing unit provides a sensing current. The parameter setting pin is coupled to an external parameter setting unit. The parameter setting unit is coupled to the current sensing unit and the parameter setting pin. The parameter setting unit has an internal parameter setting unit. The parameter setting unit generates a droop current according to the external parameter setting unit and the sensing current. The error amplifier includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal. The first input terminal receives an output feedback voltage and the second input terminal receives a first reference voltage. The second input terminal is coupled to a terminal of the internal parameter setting unit.

Abstract: A multiphase power converter has a plurality of phase circuits, each of which provides a phase current when being active. During single-phase operation of the multiphase power converter, an enhanced phase control circuit and method monitor the summation of the phase currents, and when the summation becomes higher than a threshold, switch the multiphase power converter to a higher power zone to increase the number of active phases. A high efficiency and high reliability multiphase power converter is thus accomplished.

Abstract: A multi-phase power controller is adapted for operating N power channels and is coupled to M drivers and an external system. The M drivers respectively have an enabling pin, and the multi-phase power controller includes a power state pin and M control pins. The power state pin is coupled to the enabling pin of each of the M drivers and the external system. The M control pins are coupled to the M drivers. In a power start period of the multi-phase power controller, the number of the power channels operated by the multi-phase power controller is less than N. After the power start period, the multi-phase power controller enables the M drivers through the power state pin and notifies the external system that a power start procedure has been completed through the power state pin.

Abstract: A power managing apparatus, a DC-DC control circuit, and a method for enabling a chip are disclosed. The power managing apparatus has an enable pin and the enable pin is used to couple a first level control circuit. The power managing apparatus includes a second level control circuit and a level detecting circuit. The second level control circuit is coupled to the enable pin. The level detecting circuit is coupled to the enable pin and used to detect a control signal on the enable pin. The control signal is transmitted from the first level control circuit. The control signal has at least three levels according to operations of the first level control circuit and the second level control circuit.

Abstract: A multiphase power converter has a plurality of phase circuits, each of which provides a phase current when being active. During single-phase operation of the multiphase power converter, an enhanced phase control circuit and method monitor the summation of the phase currents, and when the summation becomes higher than a threshold, switch the multiphase power converter to a higher power zone to increase the number of active phases. A high efficiency and high reliability multiphase power converter is thus accomplished.

Abstract: A multiphase power converter has a plurality of phase circuits, each of which provides a phase current when being active. During single-phase operation of the multiphase power converter, an enhanced phase control circuit and method monitor the summation of the phase currents, and when the summation becomes higher than a threshold, switch the multiphase power converter to a higher power zone to increase the number of active phases. A high efficiency and high reliability multiphase power converter is thus accomplished.

Abstract: A power managing apparatus, a DC-DC control circuit, and a method for enabling a chip are disclosed. The power managing apparatus has an enable pin and the enable pin is used to couple a first level control circuit. The power managing apparatus includes a second level control circuit and a level detecting circuit. The second level control circuit is coupled to the enable pin. The level detecting circuit is coupled to the enable pin and used to detect a control signal on the enable pin. The control signal is transmitted from the first level control circuit. The control signal has at least three levels according to operations of the first level control circuit and the second level control circuit.

Abstract: A probe structure is disclosed which includes a metal needle, a soft insulative tube and a metal layer. The metal needle has a first end-portion and a second end-portion opposite to each other. The first end-portion has a tip. The soft insulative tube has a through hole in which the metal needle is partially inserted. The tip of the metal needle protrudes from the through hole. The metal layer is coated on the outer surface of the soft insulative tube and is electrically isolated from the metal needle; the thickness of the metal layer has a thickness no larger than 10 micrometers. Therefore, good resilience and signal integrity could coexist in the probe structure. A probe card including several above-mentioned probe structures and a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned probe structure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multiphase power converter has a plurality of phase circuits, each of which provides a phase current when being active. During single-phase operation of the multiphase power converter, an enhanced phase control circuit and method monitor the summation of the phase currents, and when the summation becomes higher than a threshold, switch the multiphase power converter to a higher power zone to increase the number of active phases. A high efficiency and high reliability multiphase power converter is thus accomplished.