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).

  • Publication number: 20220358992
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array having a first memory cell in a first column of the memory array, a second memory cell in the first column of the memory array, a first read bit line extending in a column direction and connected to the first memory cell to read data from the first memory cell, and a second read bit line extending in the column direction and connected to the second memory cell to read data from the second memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yi-Hsun Chiu, Yih Wang
  • Publication number: 20220359002
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first word line and a second word line. A first portion of the first word line is formed in a first metal layer, a second portion of the first word line is formed in a second metal layer above the first metal layer, and a third portion of the first word line is formed in a third metal layer below the second metal layer. A first portion of the second word line is formed in the first metal layer. A second portion of the second word line is formed in the second metal layer. The first portion, the second portion, and the third portion of the first word line have sizes that are different from each other, and the first portion and the second portion of the second word line have sizes that are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Hsin NIEN, Wei-Chang ZHAO, Chih-Yu LIN, Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Yen-Huei CHEN, Ru-Yu WANG
  • Patent number: 11482276
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array having a first memory cell in a first column of the memory array, a second memory cell in the first column of the memory array, a first read bit line extending in a column direction and connected to the first memory cell to read data from the first memory cell, and a second read bit line extending in the column direction and connected to the second memory cell to read data from the second memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yi-Hsun Chiu, Yih Wang
  • Publication number: 20220328455
    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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsien Yang, Hiroki Noguchi, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yih Wang
  • Publication number: 20220328096
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a first memory array including first memory cells wherein a plurality of first word lines is coupled with a plurality of rows of first memory cells in a first segment of the first memory array, and a plurality of second word lines is coupled with the plurality of rows of first memory cells in a second segment of the first memory array. The memory circuit also includes a read circuit configured to retrieve data from the first memory cells of the first memory array and a computation circuit configured to perform a matrix computation by combining first data retrieved from the first memory cells of the first segment with second data retrieved from the first memory cells of the second segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Yen-Huei CHEN, Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Hung-Jen LIAO, Jonathan Tsung-Yung CHANG
  • Publication number: 20220328077
    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: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    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: 20220293492
    Abstract: A memory macro structure includes a first memory array, a second memory array, a cell activation circuit coupled to the first and second memory arrays and positioned between the first and second memory arrays, a control circuit coupled to the cell activation circuit and positioned adjacent to the cell activation circuit, and a through-silicon via (TSV) extending through one of the cell activation circuit or the control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    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
  • Publication number: 20220278111
    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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Yi-Hsin NIEN, Hung-Jen LIAO
  • Patent number: 11423977
    Abstract: The disclosed 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 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Chih-Yu Lin, Sahil Preet Singh, Hsien-Yu Pan, Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Patent number: 11423974
    Abstract: A method of fabricating (a distributed write driving arrangement for a semiconductor memory device) includes: forming bit cells and a local write driver in a first device layer; forming a local write bit (LWB) line and a local write bit_bar (LWB_bar) line in a first metallization layer; connecting each of the bit cells correspondingly between the LWB and LWB_bar lines; connecting the local write driver to the LWB line and the LWB_bar line; forming a global write bit (GWB) line and a global write bit_bar (GWBL_bar) line in a second metallization layer; connecting the GWB line to the LWB line; connecting the GWB line and the GWBL_bar line to the corresponding LWB line and LWB_bar line; forming a global write driver in a second device layer; and connecting the global write driver to the GWB line and the GWBL_bar line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Hung-Jen Liao, Li-Wen Wang, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Publication number: 20220244916
    Abstract: A compute-in-memory (CIM) device has a memory array with a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns. The plurality of memory cells includes a first memory cell in a first row and a first column of the memory array and a second memory cell in the first row and a second column of the memory array. The first and second memory cells are configured to store respective first and second weight signals. An input driver provides a plurality of input signals. A first logic circuit is coupled to the first memory cell to provide a first output signal based on a first input signal from the input driver and the first weight signal. A second logic circuit is coupled to the second memory cell to provide a second output signal based on a second input signal from the input driver and the second weight signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Po-Hao Lee, Chia-Fu Lee, Yi-Chun Shih, Yu-Der Chih, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Haruki Mori, Wei-Chang Zhao
  • Patent number: 11404115
    Abstract: The disclosure introduces a write assist scheme that boost the word line of a selected memory cell by using a parasitic capacitor element coupled between the word line and a bit line of at least one unselected memory cell. The SRAM includes a word line, a first bit line, a second bit line, a first memory cell coupled to the first bit line and the word line, a second memory cell coupled to the second bit line and the word line, and a write assist circuit coupled to the second bit line. The write assist circuit is configured to clamp the second bit line to the word line during a write operation of the first memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Hung-Jen Liao, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 11404113
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first program line and a second program line. A first portion of the first program line is formed in a first conductive layer, and a second portion of the first program line is formed in a second conductive layer above the first conductive layer. A first portion of the second program line is formed in the first conductive layer. A second portion of the second program line is formed in the second conductive layer. A third portion of the second program line is formed in a third conductive layer above the second conductive layer. The first portion and the second portion of the first program line have sizes that are different from each other, and the first portion, the second portion and the third portion of the second program line have sizes that are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Wei-Chang Zhao, Chih-Yu Lin, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen, Ru-Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 11398257
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Haruki Mori, Chien-Chi Tien, Chia-En Huang, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen, Feng-Lun Chen
  • Patent number: 11398275
    Abstract: A circuit includes a memory array, a write circuit configured to store data in memory cells of the memory array, a read circuit configured to retrieve the stored data from the memory cells of the memory array, and a computation circuit configured to perform one or more logic operations on the retrieved stored data. The memory array is positioned between the write circuit and the read circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang, Hidehiro Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20220172758
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for a memory circuit. In embodiments, the circuit includes a plurality of memory cells corresponding to a word of data and a global write word line. A plurality of local write lines are connected to a subset of the plurality of memory cells of the word of data. Selection logic is configured to activate a particular subset of memory cells for writing via a particular local write line based on a signal on the global write word line and a selection signal associated with the particular subset of memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Yi-Hsin Nien, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Publication number: 20220139450
    Abstract: The disclosure introduces a write assist scheme that boost the word line of a selected memory cell by using a parasitic capacitor element coupled between the word line and a bit line of at least one unselected memory cell. The SRAM includes a word line, a first bit line, a second bit line, a first memory cell coupled to the first bit line and the word line, a second memory cell coupled to the second bit line and the word line, and a write assist circuit coupled to the second bit line. The write assist circuit is configured to clamp the second bit line to the word line during a write operation of the first memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Hung-Jen Liao, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Publication number: 20220139440
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array having a first memory cell in a first column of the memory array, a second memory cell in the first column of the memory array, a first read bit line extending in a column direction and connected to the first memory cell to read data from the first memory cell, and a second read bit line extending in the column direction and connected to the second memory cell to read data from the second memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yi-Hsun Chiu, Yih Wang
  • Patent number: 11322198
    Abstract: A memory macro system may be provided. The memory macro system may comprise a first segment, a second segment, a first WL, and a second WL. The first segment may comprise a first plurality of memory cells. The second segment may comprise a second plurality of memory cells. The first segment may be positioned over the second segment. The first WL may correspond to the first segment and the second WL may correspond to the second segment. The first WL and the second WL may be configured to be activated in one cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Hsien-Yu Pan, Chih-Yu Lin, Yen-Huei Chen, Wei-Chang Zhao
  • Patent number: 11308999
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various exemplary memory storage devices that can be programmed to bypass one or more memory cells in a bypass mode of operation. The various exemplary memory storage devices can adjust, for example, pull-up or pull-down, the electronic data as the electronic data passes through these exemplary memory storage devices in the bypass mode of operation. In some situations, the various exemplary memory storage devices may introduce an unwanted bias into the electronic data as the electronic data passes through these exemplary memory storage devices in the bypass mode of operation. The various exemplary memory storage devices can pull-down the electronic data and/or pull-up the electronic data as the electronic data is passing through these exemplary memory storage devices in the bypass mode of operation to compensate for this unwanted bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Yen-Huei Chen