Patents by Inventor Huang-Yu Chen

Huang-Yu Chen 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: 8584052
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a cell layout for multiple patterning technology is provided. An area to be patterned is divided into alternating sites corresponding to the various masks. During a layout process, sites located along a boundary of a cell are limited to having patterns in the mask associated with the boundary site. When placed, the individual cells are arranged such that the adjoining cells alternate the sites allocated to the various masks. In this manner, the designer knows when designing each individual cell that the mask pattern for one cell will be too close to the mask pattern for an adjoining cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Huang-Yu Chen, Yuan-Te Hou, Ken-Hsien Hsieh, Ru-Gun Liu, Lee-Chung Lu
  • Patent number: 8539396
    Abstract: A method for creating double patterning compliant integrated circuit layouts is disclosed. The method allows patterns to be assigned to different masks and stitched together during lithography. The method also allows portions of the pattern to be removed after the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Hsiung Hsu, Huang-Yu Chen, Chung-Hsing Wang
  • Publication number: 20130174106
    Abstract: A method for creating double patterning compliant integrated circuit layouts is disclosed. The method allows patterns to be assigned to different masks and stitched together during lithography. The method also allows portions of the pattern to be removed after the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Hsiung HSU, Huang-Yu CHEN, Chung-Hsing WANG
  • Publication number: 20130154128
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electromigration tolerant power distribution network generated by an automatic place and route (APR) methodology. In some embodiments, an automatic place and route tool constructs a local power network having multi-level power rails. The multi-level power rails have interleaved segments of vertically adjacent metal layers, wherein each interleaved segment is shorter than a predetermined characteristic length corresponding to a Blech length. By limiting the length of the interleaved metallization segments, electromigration within the multi-level power rails is alleviated, allowing for the maximum current density requirement (Jmax) for mean time to failures (MTTF) to be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Hsing Wang, King-Ho Tam, Huang-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8453095
    Abstract: A method includes creating a technology file including data for an integrated circuit including at least one die coupled to an interposer and a routing between the at least one die and the interposer, b) creating a netlist including data approximating at least one of capacitive or inductive couplings between conductors in the at least one die and in the interposer based on the technology file, c) simulating a performance of the integrated circuit based on the netlist, d) adjusting the routing between the at least one die and the interposer based on the simulation to reduce the at least one of the capacitive or the inductive couplings, and e) repeating steps c) and d) to optimize the at least one of the capacitive or inductive couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ke-Ying Su, Ching-Shun Yang, Jui-Feng Kuan, Hsiao-Shu Chao, Yi-Kan Cheng, Huang-Yu Chen, Chung-Hsing Wang
  • Patent number: 8448100
    Abstract: A computer implemented system comprises: a tangible, non-transitory computer readable storage medium encoded with data representing an initial layout of an integrated circuit pattern layer having a plurality of polygons. A special-purpose computer is configured to perform the steps of: analyzing in the initial layout of an integrated circuit pattern layer having a plurality of polygons, so as to identify a plurality of multi-patterning conflict cycles in the initial layout; constructing in the computer a respective multi-patterning conflict cycle graph representing each identified multi-patterning conflict cycle; classifying each identified multi-patterning conflict cycle graph in the computer according to a number of other multi-patterning conflict cycle graphs which enclose that multi-patterning conflict cycle graph; and causing a display device to graphically display the plurality of multi-patterning conflict cycle graphs according to their respective classifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung Lung Lin, Chin-Chang Hsu, Ying-Yu Shen, Wen-Ju Yang, Hsiao-Shu Chao, Yi-Kan Cheng, Chin-Hsiung Hsu, Huang-Yu Chen, Yi-Chuin Tsai, Yuan-Te Hou, Chung-Hsing Wang
  • Publication number: 20130091476
    Abstract: A received layout identifies a plurality of circuit components to be included in an integrated circuit (IC) layer for double patterning the layer using two photomasks, the layout including a plurality of first patterns to be included in the first photomask and at least one second pattern to be included in the second photomask. A selected one of the first patterns has first and second endpoints, to be replaced by a replacement pattern connecting the first endpoint to a third endpoint. At least one respective keep-out region is provided adjacent to each respective remaining first pattern except for the selected first pattern. Data are generated representing the replacement pattern, such that no part of the replacement pattern is formed in any of the keep-out regions. Data representing the remaining first patterns and the replacement pattern are output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huang-Yu CHEN, Yuan-Te HOU, Chung-Min FU, Chung-Hsing WANG, Wen-Hao CHEN, Yi-Kan CHENG
  • Patent number: 8418111
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving multiple patterning compliant technology design layouts is provided. An exemplary method includes providing a routing grid having routing tracks; designating each of the routing tracks one of at least two colors; applying a pattern layout having a plurality of features to the routing grid, wherein each of the plurality of features corresponds with at least one routing track; and applying a feature splitting constraint to determine whether the pattern layout is a multiple patterning compliant layout. If the pattern layout is not a multiple patterning compliant layout, the pattern layout may be modified until a multiple patterning compliant layout is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Huang-Yu Chen, Fang-Yu Fan, Yuan-Te Hou, Lee-Chung Lu, Ru-Gun Liu, Ken-Hsien Hsieh, Lee Fung Song, Wen-Chun Huang, Li-Chun Tien
  • Patent number: 8418117
    Abstract: In a method of forming an integrated circuit, a layout of a chip representation including a first intellectual property (IP) is provided. Cut lines that overlap, and extend out from, edges of the first IP, are generated. The cut lines divide the chip representation into a plurality of circuit regions. The plurality of circuit regions are shifted outward with relative to a position of the first IP to generate a space. The first IP is blown out into the space to generate a blown IP. A direct shrink is then performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Huang-Yu Chen, Ho Che Yu, Chung-Hsing Wang, Hsiao-Shu Chao, Yi-Kan Cheng, Lee-Chung Lu
  • Patent number: 8365102
    Abstract: A method and system checks a double patterning layout and outputs a representation of G0-rule violations and critical G0-spaces. The method includes receiving layout data having patterns, determining whether each distance between adjacent pattern elements is a G0-space, find all G0-space forming a G0-rule violation, finding all G0-space that are critical G0-spaces, and outputting a representation of G0-rule violations and critical G0-spaces to an output device. By resolving G0-rule violations and critical G0-spaces, a design checker can effectively generate a double patterning technology (DPT) compliant layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dio Wang, Ken-Hsien Hsieh, Huang-Yu Chen, Li-Chun Tien, Ru-Gun Liu, Lee-Chung Lu
  • Publication number: 20130024822
    Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method includes providing an integrated circuit layout plan, the integrated circuit layout plan containing a plurality of semiconductor features. The method includes selecting a subset of the features for decomposition as part of a double patterning process. The method includes designating a relationship between at least a first feature and a second feature of the subset of the features. The relationship dictates whether the first and second features are assigned to a same photomask or separate photomasks. The designating is carried out using a pseudo feature that is part of the layout plan but does not appear on a photomask. The method may further include a double patterning conflict check process, which may include an odd-loop check process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ken-Hsien Hsieh, Huang-Yu Chen, Jhih-Jian Wang, Cheng Kun Tsai, Tsong-Hua Ou, Wen-Chun Huang, Ru-Gun Liu
  • Publication number: 20130014070
    Abstract: A method includes creating a technology file including data for an integrated circuit including at least one die coupled to an interposer and a routing between the at least one die and the interposer, b) creating a netlist including data approximating at least one of capacitive or inductive couplings between conductors in the at least one die and in the interposer based on the technology file, c) simulating a performance of the integrated circuit based on the netlist, d) adjusting the routing between the at least one die and the interposer based on the simulation to reduce the at least one of the capacitive or the inductive couplings, and e) repeating steps c) and d) to optimize the at least one of the capacitive or inductive couplings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ke-Ying SU, Ching-Shun Yang, Jui-Feng Kuan, Hsiao-Shu Chao, Yi-Kan Cheng, Huang-Yu Chen, Chung-Hsing Wang
  • Patent number: 8239806
    Abstract: A method includes receiving an identification of a plurality of circuit components to be included in an IC layout. Data are generated representing a first pattern to connect two of the circuit components. The first pattern has a plurality of segments. At least two of the segments have lengthwise directions perpendicular to each other. At least one pattern-free region is reserved adjacent to at least one of the at least two segments. Data are generated representing one or more additional patterns near the first pattern. None of the additional patterns is formed in the pattern-free region. The first pattern and the additional patterns form a double-patterning compliant set of patterns. The double-patterning compliant set of patterns are output to a machine readable storage medium to be read by a system for controlling a process to fabricate a pair of masks for patterning a semiconductor substrate using double patterning technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huang-Yu Chen, Yuan-Te Hou, Gwan Sin Chang, Wen-Ju Yang, Zhe-Wei Jiang, Yi-Kan Cheng, Lee-Chung Lu
  • Patent number: 8211807
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes forming a first and a second plurality of tracks parallel to a first direction and on a wafer representation. The first and the second plurality of tracks are allocated in an alternating pattern. A first plurality of patterns is laid out on the first plurality of tracks and not on the second plurality of tracks. A second plurality of patterns is laid out on the second plurality of tracks and not on the first plurality of tracks. The first plurality of patterns is extended in the first direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, so that each of the second plurality of patterns is surrounded by portions of the first plurality of patterns, and substantially none of neighboring ones of the first plurality of patterns on the wafer representation have spacings greater than a pre-determined spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Huang-Yu Chen, Ken-Hsien Hsieh, Tsong-Hua Ou, Fang-Yu Fan, Yuan-Te Hou, Ming-Feng Shieh, Ru-Gun Liu, Lee-Chung Lu
  • Publication number: 20120167021
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a cell layout for multiple patterning technology is provided. An area to be patterned is divided into alternating sites corresponding to the various masks. During a layout process, sites located along a boundary of a cell are limited to having patterns in the mask associated with the boundary site. When placed, the individual cells are arranged such that the adjoining cells alternate the sites allocated to the various masks. In this manner, the designer knows when designing each individual cell that the mask pattern for one cell will be too close to the mask pattern for an adjoining cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Huang-Yu Chen, Yuan-Te Hou, Ken-Hsien Hsieh, Ru-Gun Liu, Lee-Chung Lu
  • Publication number: 20120131528
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving multiple patterning compliant technology design layouts is provided. An exemplary method includes providing a routing grid having routing tracks; designating each of the routing tracks one of at least two colors; applying a pattern layout having a plurality of features to the routing grid, wherein each of the plurality of features corresponds with at least one routing track; and applying a feature splitting constraint to determine whether the pattern layout is a multiple patterning compliant layout. If the pattern layout is not a multiple patterning compliant layout, the pattern layout may be modified until a multiple patterning compliant layout is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Huang-Yu Chen, Fang-Yu Fan, Yuan-Te Hou, Lee-Chung Lu, Ru-Gun Liu, Ken-Hsien Hsieh, Lee Fung Song, Wen-Chun Huang, Li-Chun Tien
  • Publication number: 20120091592
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes forming a first and a second plurality of tracks parallel to a first direction and on a wafer representation. The first and the second plurality of tracks are allocated in an alternating pattern. A first plurality of patterns is laid out on the first plurality of tracks and not on the second plurality of tracks. A second plurality of patterns is laid out on the second plurality of tracks and not on the first plurality of tracks. The first plurality of patterns is extended in the first direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, so that each of the second plurality of patterns is surrounded by portions of the first plurality of patterns, and substantially none of neighboring ones of the first plurality of patterns on the wafer representation have spacings greater than a pre-determined spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Huang-Yu Chen, Ken-Hsien Hsieh, Tsong-Hua Ou, Fang-Yu Fan, Yuan-Te Hou, Ming-Feng Shieh, Ru-Gun Liu, Lee-Chung Lu
  • Publication number: 20110296360
    Abstract: A method and system checks a double patterning layout and outputs a representation of G0-rule violations and critical G0-spaces. The method includes receiving layout data having patterns, determining whether each distance between adjacent pattern elements is a G0-space, find all G0-space forming a G0-rule violation, finding all G0-space that are critical G0-spaces, and outputting a representation of G0-rule violations and critical G0-spaces to an output device. By resolving G0-rule violations and critical G0-spaces, a design checker can effectively generate a double patterning technology (DPT) compliant layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Dio WANG, Ken-Hsien HSIEH, Huang-Yu CHEN, Li-Chun TIEN, Ru-Gun LIU, Lee-Chung LU
  • Publication number: 20110193234
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a row of cells, with each of the cells including a VDD line and a VSS line. All VDD lines of the cells are connected as a single VDD line, and all VSS lines of the cells are connected as a single VSS line. No double-patterning full trace having an even number of G0 paths exists in the row of cells, or no double-patterning full trace having an odd number of G0 paths exists in the row of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Huang-Yu Chen, Yuan-Te Hou, Fung Song Lee, Wen-Ju Yang, Gwan Sin Chang, Yi-Kan Cheng, Li-Chun Tien, Lee-Chung Lu
  • Publication number: 20110119648
    Abstract: A method includes receiving an identification of a plurality of circuit components to be included in an IC layout. Data are generated representing a first pattern to connect two of the circuit components. The first pattern has a plurality of segments. At least two of the segments have lengthwise directions perpendicular to each other. At least one pattern-free region is reserved adjacent to at least one of the at least two segments. Data are generated representing one or more additional patterns near the first pattern. None of the additional patterns is formed in the pattern-free region. The first pattern and the additional patterns form a double-patterning compliant set of patterns. The double-patterning compliant set of patterns are output to a machine readable storage medium to be read by a system for controlling a process to fabricate a pair of masks for patterning a semiconductor substrate using double patterning technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huang-Yu Chen, Yuan-Te Hou, Gwan Sin Chang, Wen-Ju Yang, Zhe-Wei Jiang, Yi-Kan Cheng, Lee-Chung Lu