Patents by Inventor Hidehiro Fujiwara

Hidehiro Fujiwara 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: 11978723
    Abstract: A 3D IC structure includes multiple die layers, such as a top die layer and a bottom die layer. The top die layer and/or the bottom die layer each includes devices such as computing units, Analog-to-Digital converters, analog circuits, RF circuits, logic circuits, sensors, Input/Output devices, and/or memory devices. The devices on the first and the second die layers are laterally surrounded by, or adjacent, vertical interconnect structures (VIS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsien Yang, Hiroki Noguchi, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yih Wang
  • Publication number: 20240145385
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells disposed over a substrate and formed as an array that has a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each of the plurality of memory cells includes a plurality of transistors. A first subset of the plurality of memory cells, that are disposed in first neighboring ones of the plurality of rows, are physically coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of second interconnect structures that carries a supply voltage through a corresponding one of a plurality of first interconnect structures. The plurality of first interconnect structures extend along a first lateral direction in parallel with a lengthwise direction of a channel of each of the transistors of the memory cells, and the plurality of second interconnect structures, disposed above the plurality of first interconnect structures, extend along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Chih-Yu Lin, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 11961554
    Abstract: A device includes a first power rail for a first power domain and a second power rail for a second power domain. A first circuit block is connected to the first power rail and a second circuit block is connected to the second power rail. The first and second circuit blocks are both connected to a virtual VSS terminal. A footer circuit is connected between the virtual VSS terminal and a ground terminal, and the footer circuit is configured to selectively control a connection between the virtual VSS terminal and the ground terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Kao-Cheng Lin, Wei Min Chan, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 11948627
    Abstract: A write assist circuit can include a control circuit and a voltage generator. The control circuit can be configured to receive memory address information associated with a memory write operation for memory cells. The voltage generator can be configured to provide a reference voltage to one or more bitlines coupled to the memory cells. The voltage generator can include two capacitive elements, where during the memory write operation, (i) one of the capacitive elements can be configured to couple the reference voltage to a first negative voltage, and (ii) based on the memory address information, both capacitive elements can be configured to cumulatively couple the reference voltage to a second negative voltage that is lower than the first negative voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Chih-Yu Lin, Sahil Preet Singh, Hsien-Yu Pan, Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Publication number: 20240105241
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a memory device. In one aspect, a memory device includes a set of memory cells. In one aspect, the memory device includes a first bit line extending along a direction. The first bit line may be coupled to a subset of the set of memory cells disposed along the direction. In one aspect, the memory device includes a second bit line extending along the direction. In one aspect, the memory device includes a switch coupled between the first bit line and the second bit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Lin, Yi-Hsin Nien, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Publication number: 20240094943
    Abstract: A circuit includes a data register configured to receive and output successive data elements of a plurality of data elements responsive to a clock signal, wherein each data element of the plurality of data elements includes a total number of bits N. A signal generation portion is configured to output a first selection signal responsive to the clock signal, the first selection signal includes two alternating sequences, values of the first sequence increment from zero to N?1, and values of the second sequence decrement from N?1 to zero. A selection circuit coupled to the data register is configured to output the N bits of each data element of the plurality of data elements in a first sequential order responsive to the first sequence of the first selection signal, and in a second sequential order opposite the first sequential order responsive to the second sequence of the first selection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Haruki MORI, Wei-Chang ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20240096757
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) die includes first through third adjacent rows of through-silicon vias (TSVs), and first and second adjacent rows of memory macros. TSVs of the first row of TSVs extend through and are electrically isolated from memory macros of the first row of memory macros. TSVs of the third row of TSVs extend through and are electrically isolated from memory macros of the second row of memory macros.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Tze-Chiang HUANG, Hong-Chen CHENG, Yen-Huei CHEN, Hung-Jen LIAO, Jonathan Tsung-Yung CHANG, Yun-Han LEE, Lee-Chung LU
  • Patent number: 11935586
    Abstract: A memory device has a memory array of a plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. The memory cells in each of the plurality of columns include first memory cells and second memory cells alternately arranged along a column direction of the plurality of columns. A first computation circuit is coupled to the first memory cells in each of the plurality of columns, and is configured to generate first output data corresponding to a first computation performed on first weight data stored in the first memory cells. A second computation circuit is coupled to the second memory cells in each of the plurality of columns, and is configured to generate second output data corresponding to a second computation performed on second weight data stored in the second memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Haruki Mori, Wei-Chang Zhao
  • Patent number: 11929116
    Abstract: A memory device and a method for operating the memory device are provided. The memory device includes a memory cell and a bit line connected to the memory cell. A negative voltage generator is connected to the bit line. The negative voltage generator, when enabled, is operative to provide a first write path for the bit line. A control circuit is connected to the negative voltage generator and the bit line. The control circuit is operative to provide a second write path for the bit line when the negative voltage generator is not enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Chih-Yu Lin, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Publication number: 20240079052
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first memory bank, a second memory bank and a first write driver. The first memory bank is coupled to a plurality of first data lines, and configured to operate according to a first data signal. The second memory bank is configured to operate according to the first data signal. The first write driver is disposed between the first memory bank and the second memory bank, and configured to adjust a voltage level of one of the plurality of first data lines when the first memory bank is written according to the first data signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nikhil PURI, Venkateswara Reddy KONUDULA, Teja MASINA, Yen-Huei CHEN, Hung-Jen LIAO, Hidehiro FUJIWARA
  • Patent number: 11908545
    Abstract: A memory device and an operating method for computing-in-memory (CIM) are provided. The memory device for CIM comprises a plurality of memory banks and a global multiply accumulate (MAC) circuit. Each of the memory banks comprises a first memory array, a first latch circuit, a second latch circuit and a local MAC circuit. The first latch circuit latches a first data from the first memory array in a first read cycle. The second latch circuit latches a second data from the first memory array in a second read cycle. The local MAC circuit performs a first stage CIM operation on a first latched data latched in the first latch circuit and the second latched data latched in the second latch circuit to provide a first stage CIM result. The global MAC circuit performs a second stage CIM operation on a plurality of first stage CIM results from the memory banks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Haruki Mori, Wei-Chang Zhao
  • Patent number: 11910587
    Abstract: An apparatus includes memory cells. A first memory cell of the memory cells includes a first write port laid out in a first doping region and a first read port laid out in a second doping region. The first read port is separated from the first write port by a second write port of a second memory cell of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yi-Hsin Nien, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Publication number: 20240046979
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes: a local write bit (LWB) line; a local write bit_bar (LWB_bar) line; a global write bit (GWB) line; a global write bit_bar (GWBL_bar) line; a column of segments, each segment including bit cells; each of the bit cells being coupled correspondingly between the LWB and LWB_bar lines; and a distributed write driving arrangement including local write drivers correspondingly coupled to the segments; and a global write driver coupled to each of the local write drivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Hung-Jen LIAO, Li-Wen WANG, Jonathan Tsung-Yung CHANG, Yen-Huei CHEN
  • Publication number: 20240028254
    Abstract: A charge sharing scheme is used to mitigate the variations in cell currents in order to achieve higher accuracy for CIM computing. In some embodiments, a capacitor is associated with each SRAM cell, and the capacitors associated with all SRAM cells in a column are included in averaging the RBL current. In some embodiments, a memory unit associated to an RBL in a CIM device includes a storage element adapted to store a weight, a first switch device connected to the storage element and adapted to be controlled by an input signal and generate a product signal having a magnitude indicative of the product of the input signal and the stored weight. The memory unit further includes a capacitor adapted to receive the product signal and store an amount of charge corresponding to the magnitude of the product signal. The memory unit further include a second switch device adapted to transfer the charge on the capacitor to the RBL.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan Tsung-Yung CHANG, Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Hung-Jen LIAO, Yen-Huei CHEN, Yih WANG, Haruki MORI
  • Publication number: 20240021240
    Abstract: A memory array is disclosed. The memory array includes a plurality of memory cells disposed over a substrate. Each of the memory cells is coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of word lines and a corresponding one of a plurality of bit line pairs. First four of the memory cells that are coupled to four consecutive ones of the word lines and to a first one of the bit line pairs are abutted to one another on the substrate along a single lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Chih-Yu Lin, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Publication number: 20230418557
    Abstract: A circuit includes a multiplier circuit that receives a signed mantissa of each data element of pluralities of input and weight data elements and generates two's complement products by performing multiplication and reformatting operations on some or all of the input data element signed mantissas and some or all of the weight data element signed mantissas, a summing circuit that receives an exponent of each data element of the pluralities of input and weight data elements and generates sums by adding each input data element exponent to each weight data element exponent, a shifting circuit that shifts each product by an amount equal to a difference between a corresponding sum and a maximum sum, and an adder tree that generates a mantissa sum from the shifted products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Chia-Fu LEE, Cheng Han LU, Yu-Der CHIH, Jonathan Tsung-Yung CHANG, Yen-Huei CHEN, Chen-En LEE, Wei-Chang ZHAO, Haruki MORI, Hidehiro FUJIWARA
  • Patent number: 11854943
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) package includes a logic die, a substrate, a memory die positioned between the logic die and the substrate, and a power distribution structure configured to electrically couple the logic die to the substrate. The power distribution structure includes a plurality of conductive segments positioned between the logic die and the memory die, a plurality of bump structures positioned between the memory die and the substrate, and a plurality of through-silicon vias (TSVs) electrically coupled to the plurality of conductive segments and the plurality of bump structures, and a TSV of the plurality of TSVs extends through, and is electrically isolated from, a memory macro of the memory die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Tze-Chiang Huang, Hong-Chen Cheng, Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang, Yun-Han Lee, Lee-Chung Lu
  • Patent number: 11853596
    Abstract: A circuit includes a data register configured to receive a signal including a plurality of data elements, a first selection circuit coupled to the data register, a counter, a second selection circuit coupled to the counter, and an inverter coupled between the counter and the second selection circuit. The data register outputs a plurality of bits of each data element to the first selection circuit, the counter and the inverter generate complementary signals in which sequential data elements have cyclical values that step in opposite directions, the second selection circuit alternatively outputs each of the complementary signals as a selection signal to the first selection circuit, and the first selection circuit, responsive to the selection signal, outputs the pluralities of bits of the data elements in alternating sequential orders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Haruki Mori, Wei-Chang Zhao
  • Publication number: 20230410851
    Abstract: Header circuitry for a memory device includes multiple backside power rails that form distinct voltage sources for a plurality of switching devices in the header circuitry. The header circuitry includes at least one region of a first conductivity type. A first section in the first region includes one backside power rail (BPR) that forms a first voltage source that provides a first voltage. A second section in the same first region includes another BPR that forms a second voltage source that provides a second voltage that is different from the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruki MORI, Chien-Chi TIEN, Chia-En HUANG, Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Yen-Huei CHEN, Feng-Lun CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230395143
    Abstract: A method of performing an in-memory computation includes storing a first subset of data in a first segment of a first memory array and a second subset of the data in a second segment of the first memory array, latching a first data bit from a first column of memory cells in the first segment of the first memory array, sequentially reading a plurality of second data bits from a second column of memory cells in the second segment of the first memory array, and performing a logic operation on each combination of the latched first data bit and each second data bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Yen-Huei CHEN, Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Hung-Jen LIAO, Jonathan Tsung-Yung CHANG