Patents by Inventor Hao-I Yang

Hao-I Yang 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).

  • Publication number: 20190004915
    Abstract: An exemplary testing environment can operate in a testing mode of operation to test whether a memory device or other electronic devices communicatively coupled to the memory device operate as expected or unexpectedly as a result of one or more manufacturing faults. The testing mode of operation includes a shift mode of operation, a capture mode of operation, and/or a scan mode of operation. In the shift mode of operation and the scan mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a serial input sequence of data to the memory device. In the capture mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a parallel input sequence of data to the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Hung CHANG, Atul KATOCH, Chia-En HUANG, Ching-Wei WU, Donald G. MIKAN, JR., Hao-I YANG, Kao-Cheng LIN, Ming-Chien TSAI, Saman M.I ADHAM, Tsung-Yung CHANG, Uppu Sharath CHANDRA
  • Publication number: 20180342291
    Abstract: A sense amplify enable (SAE) signal is generated on a SAE line by receiving a trigger signal at a first circuit portion coupled to a first domain power supply and a second circuit portion coupled to a second domain power supply. The second domain power supply is separate and distinct from the first domain power supply. The first circuit portion and the second circuit portion are each further coupled to the SAE line for carrying the SAE signal. For a first period of time, a first portion of the SAE signal is generated based on the first domain power supply using the first circuit portion. And, for second period of time, a second portion of the SAE signal is generated based on the second domain power supply using a second circuit portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Fu-An Wu, Cheng Hung Lee, Chen-Lin Yang, Hao-I Yang, Tsung-Hsien Huang
  • Patent number: 10121520
    Abstract: A memory array includes a first column of memory cells, a second column of memory cells, a first pre-charge circuit, a second pre-charge circuit and a set of input output circuits. The first column of memory cells includes a first bit line, a first word line and a first bit line bar. The second column of memory cells includes the first bit line bar, a second word line and a second bit line. The first pre-charge circuit is coupled to the first bit line. The second pre-charge circuit is coupled to the first bit line bar. The first column of memory cells and the second column of memory cells are configured to share the first bit line bar. The first bit line and the first bit line bar are in a first plane. At least a portion of the first word line and at least a portion of the second word line are in a second plane intersecting the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Hao Hu, Yi-Tzu Chen, Hao-I Yang, Cheng-Jen Chang, Geng-Cing Lin
  • Publication number: 20180240505
    Abstract: A memory array includes a first column of memory cells, a second column of memory cells, a first pre-charge circuit, a second pre-charge circuit and a set of input output circuits. The first column of memory cells includes a first bit line, a first word line and a first bit line bar. The second column of memory cells includes the first bit line bar, a second word line and a second bit line. The first pre-charge circuit is coupled to the first bit line. The second pre-charge circuit is coupled to the first bit line bar. The first column of memory cells and the second column of memory cells are configured to share the first bit line bar. The first bit line and the first bit line bar are in a first plane. At least a portion of the first word line and at least a portion of the second word line are in a second plane intersecting the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Yu-Hao HU, Yi-Tzu CHEN, Hao-I YANG, Cheng-Jen CHANG, Geng-Cing LIN
  • Patent number: 9959911
    Abstract: A memory array includes a first column of memory cells, a second column of memory cells and a set of switching elements. The first column of memory cells includes a first bit line, a first word line and a second bit line. The second column of memory cells includes the second bit line, a second word line and a third bit line. The first and second column of memory cells are configured to share the second bit line. The first and second bit lines are in a first plane. At least a portion of the first word line and at least a portion of the second word line are in a second plane intersecting the first plane. An amount of bit line switching elements in the set of bit line switching elements is equal to N*2, where N is an amount of columns of memory cells in the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Hao Hu, Yi-Tzu Chen, Hao-I Yang, Cheng-Jen Chang, Geng-Cing Lin
  • Patent number: 9934845
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a first supply voltage, a second supply voltage, different from the first supply voltage; and a switching circuit. The switching circuit comprises an input configured to receive an input signal corresponding to the first supply voltage and an output configured to output an output signal corresponding to the second supply voltage. The switching circuit is a combined latch with a built-in level shifter that provides latching functionality and level shifting functionality and a leakage path is cut-off when the switching circuit is providing latching functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Campany Limited
    Inventors: Hao-I Yang, Cheng Hung Lee, Chi-Kai Hsieh, Fu-An Wu, Tsung-Hsien Huang
  • Publication number: 20170345487
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a first supply voltage, a second supply voltage, different from the first supply voltage; and a switching circuit. The switching circuit comprises an input configured to receive an input signal corresponding to the first supply voltage and an output configured to output an output signal corresponding to the second supply voltage. The switching circuit is a combined latch with a built-in level shifter that provides latching functionality and level shifting functionality and a leakage path is cut-off when the switching circuit is providing latching functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Hao-I Yang, Cheng Hung Lee, Chi-Kai Hsieh, Fu-An Wu, Tsung-Hsien Huang
  • Patent number: 9721651
    Abstract: A circuit includes: a first data line; a second data line; a write driver including first and second transistors; a first switch connected in series with the first transistor to form a first series-connected pair; a second switch in series with the second transistor to form a second series-connected pair; and a level shifter which includes the first and second transistors. The first series-connected pair is coupled between a first voltage node and the first data line. The second series-connected pair is coupled between the first voltage node and the second data line. Gate terminals of the first and second transistors are correspondingly cross-coupled with the second and first data lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hao-I Yang, Chia-En Huang, Cheng Hung Lee, Geng-Cing Lin, Jung-Ping Yang
  • Patent number: 9711209
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes a first layer including at least a first memory cell, a second layer including at least a second memory cell, and a wordline shared by the first memory cell and the second memory cell. The first and second memory cells can be above or below the wordline and be coupled to different bit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao-I Yang, Yi-Tzu Chen, Cheng-Jen Chang, Geng-Cing Lin, Yu-Hao Hu
  • Publication number: 20170169864
    Abstract: A memory array includes a first column of memory cells, a second column of memory cells and a set of switching elements. The first column of memory cells includes a first bit line, a first word line and a second bit line. The second column of memory cells includes the second bit line, a second word line and a third bit line. The first and second column of memory cells are configured to share the second bit line. The first and second bit lines are in a first plane. At least a portion of the first word line and at least a portion of the second word line are in a second plane intersecting the first plane. An amount of bit line switching elements in the set of bit line switching elements is equal to N*2, where N is an amount of columns of memory cells in the memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Yu-Hao HU, Yi-Tzu CHEN, Hao-I YANG, Cheng-Jen CHANG, Geng-Cing LIN
  • Patent number: 9583494
    Abstract: A memory array includes a first memory column having a first bit line, a first word line and a second bit line. The memory array also includes a second memory column having the second bit line, a second word line and a third bit line. The first memory column and the second memory column are configured to share the second bit line. The sharing of the second bit line facilitates sharing one or more memory array components between the first memory column and the second memory column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Hao Hu, Yi-Tzu Chen, Hao-I Yang, Cheng-Jen Chang, Geng-Cing Lin
  • Publication number: 20170018303
    Abstract: A circuit includes: a first data line; a second data line; a write driver including first and second transistors; a first switch connected in series with the first transistor to form a first series-connected pair; a second switch in series with the second transistor to form a second series-connected pair; and a level shifter which includes the first and second transistors. The first series-connected pair is coupled between a first voltage node and the first data line. The second series-connected pair is coupled between the first voltage node and the second data line. Gate terminals of the first and second transistors are correspondingly cross-coupled with the second and first data lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Hao-I YANG, Chia-En HUANG, Cheng Hung LEE, Geng-Cing LIN, Jung-Ping YANG
  • Patent number: 9484084
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first data line, a second data line, a first pulling device, a second pulling device, a third pulling device, and a fourth pulling device. The first pulling device is configured to be activated or deactivated responsive to a first control signal; and is configured to pull a first signal at the first data line toward a voltage level of a first voltage based on a second signal at the second data line when the first pulling device is activated. The second pulling device is configured to be activated or deactivated responsive to a second control signal; and is configured to pull the second signal at the second data line toward the voltage level of the first voltage based on the first signal at the first data line when the second pulling device is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hao-I Yang, Chia-En Huang, Cheng Hung Lee, Geng-Cing Lin, Jung-Ping Yang
  • Publication number: 20160240245
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first data line, a second data line, a first pulling device, a second pulling device, a third pulling device, and a fourth pulling device. The first pulling device is configured to be activated or deactivated responsive to a first control signal; and is configured to pull a first signal at the first data line toward a voltage level of a first voltage based on a second signal at the second data line when the first pulling device is activated. The second pulling device is configured to be activated or deactivated responsive to a second control signal; and is configured to pull the second signal at the second data line toward the voltage level of the first voltage based on the first signal at the first data line when the second pulling device is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Hao-I YANG, Chia-En HUANG, Cheng Hung LEE, Geng-Cing LIN, Jung-Ping YANG
  • Publication number: 20160211010
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes a first layer including at least a first memory cell, a second layer including at least a second memory cell, and a wordline shared by the first memory cell and the second memory cell. The first and second memory cells can be above or below the wordline and be coupled to different bit lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Hao-I YANG, Yi-Tzu Chen, Cheng-Jen Chang, Geng-Cing Lin, Yu-Hao Hu
  • Patent number: 9299391
    Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) circuit includes a first layer including at least a first memory cell, a second layer including at least a second memory cell, and a wordline shared by the first memory cell and the second memory cell. The first and second memory cells can be adjacent memory cells or bit cells coupled to different bit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao-I Yang, Yi-Tzu Chen, Cheng-Jen Chang, Geng-Cing Lin, Yu-Hao Hu
  • Publication number: 20150206555
    Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) circuit includes a first layer including at least a first memory cell, a second layer including at least a second memory cell, and a wordline shared by the first memory cell and the second memory cell. The first and second memory cells can be adjacent memory cells or bit cells coupled to different bit lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao-I YANG, Yi-Tzu CHEN, Cheng-Jen CHANG, Geng-Cing LIN, Yu-Hao HU
  • Publication number: 20150109847
    Abstract: A memory array includes a first memory column having a first bit line, a first word line and a second bit line. The memory array also includes a second memory column having the second bit line, a second word line and a third bit line. The first memory column and the second memory column are configured to share the second bit line. The sharing of the second bit line facilitates sharing one or more memory array components between the first memory column and the second memory column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Hao HU, Yi-Tzu CHEN, Hao-I YANG, Cheng-Jen CHANG, Geng-Cing LIN
  • Patent number: 8958237
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for executing a write operation in a static random access memory (SRAM) array including memory cells that are coupled to a plurality of word lines and to a plurality of bit lines are provided. A clock signal is generated to start a write operation. A pulse is generated on the plurality of word lines in response to the clock signal. An operation voltage of the SRAM array is lowered for a period of time during the write operation. The period of time is controlled and the pulse is ended using a tracking circuit. The tracking circuit includes a plurality of tracking memory cells. The plurality of tracking memory cells have a timing characteristic that emulates a timing characteristic of the SRAM array during the write operation. The tracking circuit controls the period of time and ends the pulse based on the emulated timing characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Hao-I Yang, Yi-Tzu Chen, Cheng-Jen Chang, Geng-Cing Lin, Yu-Hao Hu, Chia-Hao Hsu
  • Patent number: 8854897
    Abstract: A static random access memory apparatus and a bit-line voltage controller includes a controller, a pull-up circuit, a pull-down circuit and a voltage keeping circuit. The controller receives a bank selecting signal and a clock signal, and decides a pull-up time period, a pull-down time period and a voltage keeping time period according to the bank selecting signal and the clock signal. The pull-up circuit pulls up a bit-line power according to a first reference voltage within the pull-up time period. The pull-down circuit pulls down the bit-line power according to a second reference voltage within the pull-down time period. The voltage keeping circuit keeps the bit-line power to equal to an output voltage during the voltage keeping time period. The voltage keeping time period is after the pull-up time period and the pull-down time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Faraday Technology Corp., National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Ching-Te Chuang, Nan-Chun Lien, Wei-Nan Liao, Chi-Hsin Chang, Hao-I Yang, Wei Hwang, Ming-Hsien Tu