Abstract: A method for performing template-based intra mode derivation (TIMD) with enhanced candidate intra-prediction modes is provided. A video coder determines a set of most probable modes (MPMs) for intra-coding the current block based on intra-prediction modes used to code neighboring blocks of the current block. The video coder determines a template of the current block among already-reconstructed pixels neighboring the current block. The video coder determines a set of candidate intra-prediction modes to include (i) the set of MPMs and (ii) one or more intra-prediction modes neighboring an MPM in the set of MPMs. The video coder derives an intra-prediction mode from the set of candidate intra-prediction modes based on the determined template and the set of candidate intra-prediction modes. The video coder encodes or decodes the current block by using the derived intra-prediction mode to generate an intra-prediction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for video coding are disclosed. According to one method, a selected set of angular intra prediction candidate modes corresponding to a subset of an initial set of angular intra prediction modes is used to derive DIMD candidates. In another method, a delta angle between the final intra prediction mode and a DIMD derived mode is signalled or parsed. In yet another method, a DIMD candidate mode is determined by using a process including comparing gradient magnitudes of the gradient filtered results with a threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for video coding. A current block is partitioned into one or more sub-blocks. The partitioning process comprises: signalling or parsing a first syntax where the first syntax is indicative of whether to split the current block; and in response to the first syntax indicating the current block being split, signalling or parsing a second syntax where the second syntax is indicative of whether to use a shortcut mode to indicate a target partition from predefined partitions directly. The sub-blocks are then encoded or decoded. According to another method, the partitioning process comprises signalling or parsing a first syntax where the first syntax is indicative of whether to split the current block; and in response to the first syntax, signalling or parsing a second syntax where the second syntax is indicative of one or more conditions comprising whether one of predefined partitions being applied to the current block.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for forming gate stack layers with a fluorine concentration up to about 35 at. %. The method includes forming dielectric stack, barrier layer and soaking the dielectric stack and/or barrier layer in a fluorine-based gas. The method further includes depositing one or more work function layers on the high-k dielectric layer, and soaking at least one of the one or more work function layers in the fluorine-based gas. The method also includes optional fluorine drive in annealing process, together with sacrificial blocking layer to avoid fluorine out diffusion and loss into atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video coding. According to the method for the decoder side, coded data associated with a current block to be decoded is received. A curved intra prediction model associated with a curved intra prediction mode is determined for the current block, where the curved intra prediction model is derived based on a template of the current block or based on decoder side intra mode derivation using statistics or histogram of angle field derived from the template of the current block. The template comprises at least 3 lines in a neighbouring region of the current block. The current block is decoded using one or more intra prediction mode candidates including the curved intra prediction mode.

Abstract: A LiDAR and a method of a fast photon-count integration for a LiDAR are disclosed. The proposed method, wherein the LiDAR includes a laser, includes: providing a target and the LiDAR; causing the laser to fire a laser pulse towards the target according to a random mechanism; and causing an interval between two adjacent laser pulses to be less than a time that the laser spent for a round trip of maximum unambiguous range to speed up a detection and a ranging of the target.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for the formation of gate stacks having two or more titanium-aluminum (TiAl) layers with different Al concentrations (e.g., different Al/Ti ratios). For example, a gate structure can include a first TiAl layer with a first Al/Ti ratio and a second TiAl layer with a second Al/Ti ratio greater than the first Al/Ti ratio of the first TiAl layer.

Abstract: A method for signaling arbitrary partition boundaries is provided. A video coder derives a partitioning structure for splitting the current block by identifying a partitioning position having a lowest cost. The video coder splits the current block into first and second partitions according to the identified partitioning position. The video coder encodes or decodes the first and second partitions of the current block. The first and second partitions may be associated with first and second templates that are constructed based on reconstructed pixels neighboring the current block. The video coder may identify the partitioning position by computing a first cost based on the first template and a second cost based on the second template and optimizing the partitioning position to minimize a sum of the first and second costs.

Abstract: A method includes providing a structure having a substrate, a semiconductor channel layer over the substrate, an interfacial oxide layer over the semiconductor channel layer, and a high-k gate dielectric layer over the interfacial oxide layer, wherein the semiconductor channel layer includes germanium. The method further includes forming a metal nitride layer over the high-k gate dielectric layer and performing a first treatment to the structure using a metal-containing gas. After the performing of the first treatment, the method further includes depositing a silicon layer over the metal nitride layer; and then annealing the structure such that a metal intermixing layer is formed over the high-k gate dielectric layer. The metal intermixing layer includes a metal oxide having metal species from the high-k gate dielectric layer and additional metal species from the metal-containing gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inter prediction in video coding system are disclosed. According to the method, one or more model parameters of one or more cross-color models for the second-color block are determined. Then, cross-color predictors for the second-color block are determined, wherein one cross-color predictor value for the second-color block is generated for each second-color pixel of the second-color block by applying said one or more cross-color models to corresponding reconstructed or predicted first-color pixels. The input data associated with the second-color block is encoded using prediction data comprising the cross-color predictors for the second-color block at the encoder side, or the input data associated with the second-color block is decoded using the prediction data comprising the cross-color predictors for the second-color block at the decoder side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video coding are disclosed. According to the method for the decoder side, a first syntax, related to whether the current block is coded in a CCLM related mode, is parsed from a bitstream comprising the encoded data for the current block. If the first syntax indicates the current block being coded in the CCLM related mode, a second syntax is parsed from the bitstream, wherein the second syntax is related to whether a multiple model CCLM mode is used or whether one or more model parameters are explicitly signalled or implicitly derived. The model parameters for the second-colour block are determined if the first syntax indicates the current block being coded in a CCLM related mode. The encoded data associated with the second-colour block is then decoded using prediction data comprising the cross-colour predictor for the second-colour block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video coding are disclosed. According to the method for the decoder side, encoded data associated with a current block comprising a first-colour block and a second-colour block are received. An inherited model parameter set is determined from a previously coded block coded in a first CCLM related mode, wherein the inherited model parameter set comprises a first scaling parameter associated with the first CCLM related mode. A final inherited model parameter set is derived if an update value for the inherited model parameter set is determined, where the final inherited model parameter set is determined based on the first scaling parameter and the update value. Then, the encoded data associated with the second-colour block are decoded using prediction data based on an updated CCLM related model associated with the final inherited model parameter set. A method and apparatus for the encoder side are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inter prediction in video coding system are disclosed. According to the method, input data associated with a current block comprising at least one colour block are received. A blending predictor is determined according to a weighted sum of at least two candidate predictions generated based on one or more first hypotheses of prediction, one or more second hypotheses of prediction, or both. The first hypotheses of prediction are generated based on one or more intra prediction modes comprising a DC mode, a planar mode or at least one angular modes. The second hypotheses of prediction are generated based on one or more cross-component modes and a collocated block of said at least one colour block. The input data associated with the colour block is encoded or decoded using the blending predictor.

Abstract: A video coding system that uses multiple models to predict chroma samples is provided. The video coding system receives data for a block of pixels to be encoded or decoded as a current block of a current picture of a video. The system constructs two or more chroma prediction models based on luma and chroma samples neighboring the current block. The system applies the two or more chroma prediction models to incoming or reconstructed luma samples of the current block to produce two or more model predictions. The system computes predicted chroma samples by combining the two or more model predictions. The system uses the predicted chroma samples to reconstruct chroma samples of the current block or to encode the current block.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes method to form a semiconductor device having a gate dielectric layer with controlled doping and to form multiple devices with different Vt. The method includes forming a gate dielectric layer on a fin structure, forming a buffer layer on the gate dielectric layer, and forming a dopant source layer including a dopant on the buffer layer. The gate dielectric layer includes an interfacial layer on the fin structure and a high-k dielectric layer on the interfacial layer. The method further includes doping a portion of the high-k dielectric layer adjacent to the interfacial layer with the dopant, removing the dopant source layer and the buffer layer, forming a dopant pulling layer on the gate dielectric layer, and tuning the dopant in the gate dielectric layer by the dopant pulling layer.

Abstract: A video coding system that uses multiple models to predict chroma samples is provided. The video coding system receives data for a block of pixels to be encoded or decoded as a current block of a current picture of a video. The video coding system derives multiple prediction linear models based on luma and chroma samples neighboring the current block. The video coding system constructs a composite linear model based on the multiple prediction linear models. The video coding system applies the composite linear model to incoming or reconstructed luma samples of the current block to generate a chroma predictor of the current block. The video coding system uses the chroma predictor to reconstruct chroma samples of the current block or to encode the current block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video coding system that uses intra prediction based on cross-colour linear model are disclosed. According to the method, model parameters for a first-colour predictor model are determined and the first-colour predictor model provides a predicted first-colour pixel value according to a combination of at least two corresponding reconstructed second-colour pixel values. According to another method, the first-colour predictor model provides a predicted first-colour pixel value based on a second degree model or higher of one or more corresponding reconstructed second-colour pixel values. First-colour predictors for the current first-colour block are determined according to the first-colour prediction model. The input data are then encoded at the encoder side or decoded at the decoder side using the first-colour predictors.

Abstract: Video data may be palette decoded. Data defining a palette table may be received. The palette table may comprise index values corresponding to respective colors. Palette index prediction data may be received and may comprise data indicating index values for at least a portion of a palette index map mapping pixels of the video data to color indices in the palette table. The palette index prediction data may comprise run value data associating run values with index values for at least a portion of a palette index map. A run value may be associated with an escape color index. The palette index map may be generated from the palette index prediction data at least in part by determining whether to adjust an index value of the palette index prediction data based on a last index value. The video data may be reconstructed in accordance with the palette index map.

Abstract: A video coding system that uses chroma prediction is provided. The system receives data for a block of pixels to be encoded or decoded as a current block of a current picture of a video. The system constructs a chroma prediction model based on luma and chroma samples neighboring the current block. The system signals a set of chroma prediction related syntax element and a refinement to the chroma prediction model. The system performs chroma prediction by applying the chroma prediction model to reconstructed luma samples of the current block to obtain predicted chroma samples of the current block. The system uses the predicted chroma samples to reconstruct 10 chroma samples of the current block or to encode the current block.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a semiconductor device having metal boundary trench isolation with electrically conductive intermediate structures acting as a metal diffusion barrier. The semiconductor structure includes a first fin structure and a second fin structure on a substrate, an insulating layer between the first and second fin structures, a gate dielectric layer on the insulating layer and the first and second fin structures, and a first work function stack and a second work function stack on the gate dielectric layer. The first work function stack is over the first fin structure and a first portion of the insulating layer, and the second work function stack is over the second fin structure and a second portion of the insulating layer adjacent to the first portion. The semiconductor structure further includes a conductive intermediate structure on the gate dielectric layer and between the first and second work function stacks.