Patents by Inventor Cheok-Kei LEI

Cheok-Kei LEI has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10685162
    Abstract: A layout of an integrated circuit includes: a first layout device; a second layout device abutting the first layout device at a boundary between the first layout device and the second layout device, wherein the second layout device is a redundant circuit in the integrated circuit; a conductive path disposed across the boundary of the first layout device and the second layout device; and a cut layer disposed on the conductive path and nearby the boundary for disconnecting the first layout device from the second layout device by cutting the conductive path into a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion according to a position of the cut layer; wherein the first layout device is a first layout pattern and the second layout device is a second layout pattern different from the first layout pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Cheok-Kei Lei, Yu-Chi Li, Chia-Wei Tseng, Zhe-Wei Jiang, Chi-Lin Liu, Jerry Chang-Jui Kao, Jung-Chan Yang, Chi-Yu Lu, Hui-Zhong Zhuang
  • Publication number: 20200134130
    Abstract: A method of making an integrated circuit includes operations to identify reverse signal nets of the circuit layout, determine when the conductive lines to the reverse signal net have parasitic capacitance, and determine how to adjust an integrated circuit layout to reduce the parasitic capacitance of the conductive lines to the reverse signal net. The method further includes an operation to determine whether to move one of the conductive lines in the integrated circuit layout, and an operation to determine whether to insert an isolation structure between the conductive lines of the reverse signal net having parasitic capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Cheok-Kei LEI, Jerry Chang Jui KAO, Chi-Lin LIU, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Zhe-Wei JIANG, Chien-Hsing LI
  • Publication number: 20190121931
    Abstract: A layout of an integrated circuit includes: a first layout device; a second layout device abutting the first layout device at a boundary between the first layout device and the second layout device, wherein the second layout device is a redundant circuit in the integrated circuit; a conductive path disposed across the boundary of the first layout device and the second layout device; and a cut layer disposed on the conductive path and nearby the boundary for disconnecting the first layout device from the second layout device by cutting the conductive path into a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion according to a position of the cut layer; wherein the first layout device is a first layout pattern and the second layout device is a second layout pattern different from the first layout pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: CHEOK-KEI LEI, YU-CHI LI, CHIA-WEI TSENG, ZHE-WEI JIANG, CHI-LIN LIU, JERRY CHANG-JUI KAO, JUNG-CHAN YANG, CHI-YU LU, HUI-ZHONG ZHUANG
  • Publication number: 20190095552
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for optimizing metal cuts in standard cells. The method includes placing a standard cell in an layout area and inserting a metal cut along a metal interconnect of the standard cell at a location away from a boundary of the standard cell. The method further includes disconnecting, at the location, a metal portion of the metal interconnect from a remaining portion of the metal interconnect based on the metal cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheok-Kei LEI, Chi-Lin Liu, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Zhe-Wei Jiang, Chi-Yu Lu, Yi-Hsin Ko
  • Patent number: 10163883
    Abstract: A layout method includes: selecting, by a processor or manual, a first layout device in a layout of an integrated circuit; selecting a second device abutting the first layout device at a boundary between the first layout device and the second layout device, wherein a conductive path is disposed across the boundary of the first layout device and the second layout device; and disposing a cut layer on the conductive path and nearby the boundary. The first layout device is a first layout pattern and the second layout device is a second layout pattern different from the first layout pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Cheok-Kei Lei, Yu-Chi Li, Chia-Wei Tseng, Zhe-Wei Jiang, Chi-Lin Liu, Jerry Chang-Jui Kao, Jung-Chan Yang, Chi-Yu Lu, Hui-Zhong Zhuang
  • Publication number: 20170365592
    Abstract: A layout method includes: selecting, by a processor or manual, a first layout device in a layout of an integrated circuit; selecting a second device abutting the first layout device at a boundary between the first layout device and the second layout device, wherein a conductive path is disposed across the boundary of the first layout device and the second layout device; and disposing a cut layer on the conductive path and nearby the boundary. The first layout device is a first layout pattern and the second layout device is a second layout pattern different from the first layout pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: CHEOK-KEI LEI, YU-CHI LI, CHIA-WEI TSENG, ZHE-WEI JIANG, CHI-LIN LIU, JERRY CHANG-JUI KAO, JUNG-CHAN YANG, CHI-YU LU, HUI-ZHONG ZHUANG
  • Patent number: 9659920
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an arrangement and a method of performance-aware buffer zone placement for a high-density array of unit cells. A first feature density of the array is measured and maximum variation for a parameter within a unit cell is determined. A look-up table of silicon data is consulted to predict a buffer zone width and gradient value that achieves a variation that is less than the maximum variation for the unit cell. The look-up table contains a suite of silicon test cases of various array and buffer zone geometries, wherein variation of the parameter within a respective test structure is measured and cataloged for the various buffer zone geometries, and is also extrapolated from the suite of silicon test cases. A buffer zone is placed at the border of the array with a width that is less than or equal to the buffer zone width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mu-Jen Huang, Hsiao-Hui Chen, Cheok-Kei Lei, Po-Tsun Chen, Yu-Sian Jiang
  • Publication number: 20150179627
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an arrangement and a method of performance-aware buffer zone placement for a high-density array of unit cells. A first feature density of the array is measured and maximum variation for a parameter within a unit cell is determined. A look-up table of silicon data is consulted to predict a buffer zone width and gradient value that achieves a variation that is less than the maximum variation for the unit cell. The look-up table contains a suite of silicon test cases of various array and buffer zone geometries, wherein variation of the parameter within a respective test structure is measured and cataloged for the various buffer zone geometries, and is also extrapolated from the suite of silicon test cases. A buffer zone is placed at the border of the array with a width that is less than or equal to the buffer zone width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Mu-Jen Huang, Hsiao-Hui Chen, Cheok-Kei Lei, Po-Tsun Chen, Yu-Sian Jiang
  • Patent number: 8978000
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an arrangement and a method of performance-aware buffer zone placement for a high-density array of unit cells. A first feature density of the array is measured and maximum variation for a parameter within a unit cell is determined. A look-up table of silicon data is consulted to predict a buffer zone width and gradient value that achieves a variation that is less than the maximum variation for the unit cell. The look-up table contains a suite of silicon test cases of various array and buffer zone geometries, wherein variation of the parameter within a respective test structure is measured and cataloged for the various buffer zone geometries, and is also extrapolated from the suite of silicon test cases. A buffer zone is placed at the border of the array with a width that is less than or equal to the buffer zone width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Mu-Jen Huang, Hsiao-Hui Chen, Cheok-Kei Lei, Po-Tsun Chen, Yu-Sian Jiang
  • Patent number: 8875076
    Abstract: A method and layout generating machine for generating a layout for a device having FinFETs from a first layout for a device having planar transistors are disclosed. A planar layout with a plurality of FinFET active areas is received and corresponding FinFET active areas are generated with active area widths. Mandrels are generated according to the active area widths and adjusted such that a beta ratio of a beta number for each FinFET active area to a beta number for each corresponding planar active area is within a predetermined beta ratio range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Tang Lin, Cheok-Kei Lei, Shu-Yu Chen, Yu-Ning Chang, Hsiao-Hui Chen, Chih-Sheng Chang, Chien-Wen Chen, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Publication number: 20140215420
    Abstract: A method and layout generating machine for generating a layout for a device having FinFETs from a first layout for a device having planar transistors are disclosed. A planar layout with a plurality of FinFET active areas is received and corresponding FinFET active areas are generated with active area widths. Mandrels are generated according to the active area widths and adjusted such that a beta ratio of a beta number for each FinFET active area to a beta number for each corresponding planar active area is within a predetermined beta ratio range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Tang LIN, Cheok-Kei LEI, Shu-Yu CHEN, Yu-Ning CHANG, Hsiao-Hui CHEN, Chih-Sheng CHANG, Chien-Wen CHEN, Clement Hsingjen WANN
  • Patent number: 8789004
    Abstract: A method and system optimizes or improves an electronic design by analyzing various signal paths in the electronic design and selecting certain critical paths, for example, failed-timing paths, to optimize. The optimizing method extracts the cascaded logic gates to create a megacell representing the function of the critical path, compare test parameters of the megacell with the critical path, and incorporate the megacell into the electronic design if the test parameters improve by an optimizing constraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Hui Chen, Shiue Tsong Shen, Cheok-Kei Lei
  • Publication number: 20140189625
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an arrangement and a method of performance-aware buffer zone placement for a high-density array of unit cells. A first feature density of the array is measured and maximum variation for a parameter within a unit cell is determined. A look-up table of silicon data is consulted to predict a buffer zone width and gradient value that achieves a variation that is less than the maximum variation for the unit cell. The look-up table contains a suite of silicon test cases of various array and buffer zone geometries, wherein variation of the parameter within a respective test structure is measured and cataloged for the various buffer zone geometries, and is also extrapolated from the suite of silicon test cases. A buffer zone is placed at the border of the array with a width that is less than or equal to the buffer zone width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mu-Jen Huang, Hsiao-Hui Chen, Cheok-Kei Lei, Po-Tsun Chen, Yu-Sian Jiang
  • Patent number: 8726220
    Abstract: A method for generating a layout for a device having FinFETs from a first layout for a device having planar transistors is disclosed. The planar layout is analyzed and corresponding FinFET structures are generated in a matching fashion. The resulting FinFET structures are then optimized. Dummy patterns and a new metal layer may be generated before the FinFET layout is verified and outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Tang Lin, Cheok-Kei Lei, Shu-Yu Chen, Yu-Ning Chang, Hsiao-Hui Chen, Chih-Sheng Chang, Chien-Wen Chen, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Patent number: 8621406
    Abstract: A method for generating a layout for a device having FinFETs from a first layout for a device having planar transistors is disclosed. The planar layout is analyzed and corresponding FinFET structures are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheok-Kei Lei, Yi-Tang Lin, Hsiao-Hui Chen, Yu-Ning Chang, Shu-Yu Chen, Chien-Wen Chen, Chih-Sheng Chang, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Publication number: 20130091483
    Abstract: A method and system optimizes or improves an electronic design by analyzing various signal paths in the electronic design and selecting certain critical paths, for example, failed-timing paths, to optimize. The optimizing method extracts the cascaded logic gates to create a megacell representing the function of the critical path, compare test parameters of the megacell with the critical path, and incorporate the megacell into the electronic design if the test parameters improve by an optimizing constraint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Hui CHEN, Shiue Tsong SHEN, Cheok-Kei LEI
  • Publication number: 20130019219
    Abstract: System and method for hierarchy reconstruction from a flattened layout are described. In one embodiment, a method for producing a reconstructed layout for an integrated circuit design from an original layout and a revised layout includes, for each pattern of the original layout, determining a pattern of the revised layout that corresponds to the pattern of the original layout; and assigning the corresponding pattern of the revised layout to a temporary instance, the temporary instance corresponding to an instance of the pattern of the original layout and citing to a temporary cell. The method further includes creating a temporary reconstructed layout from the temporary instances; and producing the reconstructed layout from the temporary reconstructed layout, wherein a hierarchy of the reconstructed layout is similar to a hierarchy of the original layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shu-Yu Chen, Yi-Tang Lin, Cheok-Kei Lei, Hsiao-Hui Chen, Yu-Ning Chang, Hsingjen Wann, Chih-Sheng Chang, Chien-Wen Chen
  • Publication number: 20120278777
    Abstract: A method for generating a layout for a device having FinFETs from a first layout for a device having planar transistors is disclosed. The planar layout is analyzed and corresponding FinFET structures are generated in a matching fashion. The resulting FinFET structures are then optimized. Dummy patterns and a new metal layer may be generated before the FinFET layout is verified and outputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Tang LIN, Cheok-Kei LEI, Shu-Yu CHEN, Yu-Ning CHANG, Hsiao-Hui CHEN, Chih-Sheng CHANG, Chien-Wen CHEN, Clement Hsingjen WANN
  • Publication number: 20120278776
    Abstract: A method for generating a layout for a device having FinFETs from a first layout for a device having planar transistors is disclosed. The planar layout is analyzed and corresponding FinFET structures are generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheok-Kei LEI, Yi-Tang LIN, Hsiao-Hui CHEN, Yu-Ning CHANG, Shu-Yu CHEN, Chien-Wen CHEN, Chih-Sheng CHANG, Clement Hsingjen WANN