Abstract: A switching control circuit for use in controlling a resonant flyback power converter generates a first driving signal and a second driving signal. The first driving signal is configured to turn on the first transistor to generate a first current to magnetize a transformer and charge a resonant capacitor. The transformer and charge a resonant capacitor are connected in series. The second driving signal is configured to turn on the second transistor to generate a second current to discharge the resonant capacitor. During a power-on period of the resonant flyback power converter, the second driving signal includes a plurality of short-pulses configured to turn on the second transistor for discharging the resonant capacitor. A pulse-width of the short-pulses of the second driving signal is short to an extent that the second current does not exceed a current limit threshold.

Abstract: A resonant flyback power converter includes: a first and a second transistors which form a half-bridge circuit for switching a transformer and a resonant capacitor to generate an output voltage; a current-sense device for sensing a switching current of the half-bridge circuit to generate a current-sense signal; and a switching control circuit generating a first and a second driving signals for controlling the first and the second transistors. The turn-on of the first driving signal controls the half-bridge circuit to generate a positive current to magnetize the transformer and charge the resonant capacitor. The turn-on of the second driving signal controls the half-bridge circuit to generate a negative current to discharge the resonant capacitor. The switching control circuit turns off the first transistor when the positive current exceeds a positive-over-current threshold, and/or, turns off the second transistor when the negative current exceeds a negative-over-current threshold.

Abstract: A layout of a semiconductor memory device includes a substrate and a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM). The TCAM is disposed on the substrate and includes a plurality of TCAM bit cells, where at least two of the TCAM bit cells are mirror-symmetrical along an axis of symmetry, and each of the TCAM bit cells includes two storage units electrically connected to two word lines respectively, and a logic circuit electrically connected to the storage units. The logic circuit includes two first reading transistors, and two second reading transistors, where each of the second reading transistors includes a gate and source and drain regions, the source and drain regions of the second reading transistors are electrically connected to two matching lines and the first reading transistors, respectively, where the word lines are disposed parallel to and between the matching lines.

Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor includes the following steps. First, a substrate is provided. A dielectric layer is formed over the substrate. A first patterning process is performed to form a first contact plug through the whole thickness of the dielectric layer and a second patterning process is performed to form a second contact plug in the dielectric layer and spaced apart from the first contact plug in a pre-determined distance, wherein the first contact plug and the second contact plug are capacitively coupled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test key structure for measuring or simulating a target via array. The structure includes a substrate with a test region, a plurality of first conductive lines in the test region; a plurality of second conductive lines in the test region and on the first conductive lines, wherein the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines overlaps vertically in a plurality of target regions, and a plurality of vias disposed between the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines, wherein at least two vias vertically contact one of the first conductive lines and one of the second conductive lines. The present invention further provides a method of measuring resistance by using the testkey structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor includes the following steps. First, a substrate is provided. A dielectric layer is formed over the substrate. A first patterning process is performed to form a first contact plug through the whole thickness of the dielectric layer and a second patterning process is performed to form a second contact plug in the dielectric layer and spaced apart from the first contact plug in a pre-determined distance, wherein the first contact plug and the second contact plug are capacitively coupled.

Abstract: An intra-metal capacitor is provided. The intra-metal capacitor is formed in a dielectric layer and comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode penetrate through the whole thickness of the dielectric layer, and the second electrode does not penetrate through the whole thickness of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test key structure for measuring or simulating a target via array. The structure includes a substrate with a test region, a plurality of first conductive lines in the test region; a plurality of second conductive lines in the test region and on the first conductive lines, wherein the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines overlaps vertically in a plurality of target regions, and a plurality of vias disposed between the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines, wherein at least two vias vertically contact one of the first conductive lines and one of the second conductive lines.

Abstract: An intra-metal capacitor is provided. The intra-metal capacitor is formed in a dielectric layer and comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode penetrate through the whole thickness of the dielectric layer, and the second electrode does not penetrate through the whole thickness of the dielectric layer.