Patents by Inventor Chung-Hsien Hua

Chung-Hsien Hua 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: 9093126
    Abstract: A memory circuit is provided. The memory circuit includes a memory array having a bit line (BL), and a memory cell coupled to the BL; a sense amplifier (SA) coupled to the BL; a tracking bit line (TRKBL); and a comparator coupled to the TRKBL and configured to receive a reference voltage, and to output a strobe signal to the SA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chen-Lin Yang, Kao-Cheng Lin, Chung-Hsien Hua
  • Patent number: 8988949
    Abstract: One or more techniques or systems for controlling a supply voltage of a cell are provided herein. Additionally, one or more techniques or systems for mitigating leakage of the cell are provided. In some embodiments, a header circuit is provided, including a first pull-up p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistor including a first gate, a first source, and a first drain. Additionally, the header circuit includes a second pull-down PMOS transistor including a second gate, a second source, and a second drain. In some embodiments, the first drain of the first pull-up PMOS transistor is connected to the second source of the second pull-down PMOS transistor and a supply voltage line for one or more cells. In this manner, a pull-down PMOS is configured to control the supply voltage of the cell, thus facilitating voltage control for a write assist, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chung-Hsien Hua, Chung-Yi Wu, Chen-Lin Yang, Cheng Hung Lee
  • Patent number: 8848467
    Abstract: An integrated driver system is disclosed. The driver system includes decoding logic and a driver portion. The decoding logic is configured to receive select signals and data signals. The driver portion is configured to generate driver signals according to the decoded signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Hsien Hua, Yu-Hao Hsu, Chen-Li Yang, Cheng Hung Lee
  • Publication number: 20140269115
    Abstract: An integrated driver system is disclosed. The driver system includes decoding logic and a driver portion. The decoding logic is configured to receive select signals and data signals. The driver portion is configured to generate driver signals according to the decoded signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Hsien Hua, Yu-Hao Hsu, Chen-Lin Yang, Cheng Hung Lee
  • Patent number: 8830784
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes a word line driver and a negative voltage generator. The word line driver includes a first inverter configured to drive a word line at one of a first voltage supplied by a first voltage source and a second voltage supplied by a second voltage source. The negative voltage generator is configured to provide a negative voltage with respect to the second voltage to an input of the first inverter in response to a control signal for performing at least one of a read or a write operation of a memory bit cell coupled to the word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Lin Yang, Wei Min Chan, Chung-Hsien Hua
  • Publication number: 20140092695
    Abstract: One or more techniques or systems for controlling a supply voltage of a cell are provided herein. Additionally, one or more techniques or systems for mitigating leakage of the cell are provided. In some embodiments, a header circuit is provided, including a first pull-up p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistor including a first gate, a first source, and a first drain. Additionally, the header circuit includes a second pull-down PMOS transistor including a second gate, a second source, and a second drain. In some embodiments, the first drain of the first pull-up PMOS transistor is connected to the second source of the second pull-down PMOS transistor and a supply voltage line for one or more cells. In this manner, a pull-down PMOS is configured to control the supply voltage of the cell, thus facilitating voltage control for a write assist, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chung-Hsien Hua, Chung-Yi Wu, Chen-Lin Yang, Cheng Hung Lee
  • Publication number: 20140036580
    Abstract: A memory circuit is provided. The memory circuit includes a memory array having a bit line (BL), and a memory cell coupled to the BL; a sense amplifier (SA) coupled to the BL; a tracking bit line (TRKBL); and a comparator coupled to the TRKBL and configured to receive a reference voltage, and to output a strobe signal to the SA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chen-Lin YANG, Kao-Cheng LIN, Chung-Hsien HUA
  • Publication number: 20130094308
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes a word line driver and a negative voltage generator. The word line driver includes a first inverter configured to drive a word line at one of a first voltage supplied by a first voltage source and a second voltage supplied by a second voltage source. The negative voltage generator is configured to provide a negative voltage with respect to the second voltage to an input of the first inverter in response to a control signal for performing at least one of a read or a write operation of a memory bit cell coupled to the word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Lin Yang, Wei Min Chan, Chung-Hsien Hua
  • Patent number: 7714636
    Abstract: A charge pump cell with an input and output nodes includes a first, second, and third equalization units, and a first, second, and third capacitors. The input node is coupled to the inputs of the first, second and third equalization units, and the output node is coupled to the second equalization unit. One end of the second capacitor is coupled to the control end of the first equalization unit for enabling or disabling the first equalization unit, and also coupled to the output of the third equalization unit. One end of the third capacitor is coupled to the output of the second equalization unit. One end of the first capacitor is coupled to the control ends of the second and third equalization units, and also coupled to the output of the first equalization unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Yi Chang, Chung-Hsien Hua
  • Publication number: 20090134936
    Abstract: A charge pump cell with an input and output nodes includes a first, second, and third equalization units, and a first, second, and third capacitors. The input node is coupled to the inputs of the first, second and third equalization units, and the output node is coupled to the second equalization unit. One end of the second capacitor is coupled to the control end of the first equalization unit for enabling or disabling the first equalization unit, and also coupled to the output of the third equalization unit. One end of the third capacitor is coupled to the output of the second equalization unit. One end of the first capacitor is coupled to the control ends of the second and third equalization units, and also coupled to the output of the first equalization unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Yi Chang, Chung-Hsien Hua
  • Patent number: 7358768
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an XOR-based conditional keeper and an architecture implementing its application to match lines, wherein the XOR gate in the conditional keeper receives a clock signal synchronous with CAM (Content Addressable Memory) cells and cooperates with a floating signal from the floating node to create an XOR control signal, and the XOR control signal is transmitted to a P-type transistor to create a data signal to control the XOR-based conditional keeper so that the XOR-based conditional keeper can execute an appropriate corresponding action, which can replace the conventional keepers of merely “on” and “off” modes. Further, the XOR-based conditional keeper of the present invention can apply to the dynamic CAM match line architecture so that the dynamic match line can have lower power consumption, higher noise immunity, and high processing speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Chung-Hsien Hua, Chi-Wei Peng, Wei Hwang
  • Publication number: 20070103885
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an XOR-based conditional keeper and an architecture implementing its application to match lines, wherein the XOR gate in the conditional keeper receives a clock signal synchronous with CAM (Content Addressable Memory) cells and cooperates with a floating signal from the floating node to create an XOR control signal, and the XOR control signal is transmitted to a P-type transistor to create a data signal to control the XOR-based conditional keeper so that the XOR-based conditional keeper can execute an appropriate corresponding action, which can replace the conventional keepers of merely “on” and “off” modes. Further, the XOR-based conditional keeper of the present invention can apply to the dynamic CAM match line architecture so that the dynamic match line can have lower power consumption, higher noise immunity, and high processing speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Chung-Hsien Hua, Chi-Wei Peng, Wei Hwang
  • Patent number: 7190187
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power gating structure having data retention and intermediate modes and able to operate under multiple modes. A conventional power gating structure has only turn-on and turn-off functions, and is used to suppress a leakage current problem which has become more and more serious in advance manufacture processes, under a turn-off mode. However, in a memory circuit, such as latch, register and SRAM, when the power gate is turned off, a new power gating structure is required for data retention. The power gating structure of the present invention can be set into one of 4 different operational modes: a data retention mode for maintaining the static noise margin of the memory, an intermediate mode for reducing the interference on ground and power levels, an active mode used when the circuit operates in normal condition, and a standby mode used when the circuit does not operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Chung-Hsien Hua, Wei Hwang
  • Publication number: 20060119393
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power gating structure having data retention and intermediate modes and able to operate under multiple modes. A conventional power gating structure has only turn-on and turn-off functions, and is used to suppress a leakage current problem which has become more and more serious in advance manufacture processes, under a turn-off mode. However, in a memory circuit, such as latch, register and SRAM, when the power gate is turned off, a new power gating structure is required for data retention. The power gating structure of the present invention can be set into one of 4 different operational modes: a data retention mode for maintaining the static noise margin of the memory, an intermediate mode for reducing the interference on ground and power levels, an active mode used when the circuit operates in normal condition, and a standby mode used when the circuit does not operate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Chung-Hsien Hua, Wei Hwang