Patents by Inventor Hui Zhong

Hui Zhong 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: 20230290766
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first and second active region extending in a first direction, and a floating gate, a first dummy gate, a first conductor and a second conductor extending in the second direction. The floating gate is electrically floating. The first dummy gate is separated from the floating gate in the second direction. The dummy gate and the floating gate separate a first cell that corresponds to a first transistor from a second cell that corresponds to a second transistor. The first and second conductors are separated from each other in the first direction, and overlap the second active region. The first and second conductors are electrically coupled to a corresponding source/drain of the second active region, and are configured to supply a same signal/voltage to the corresponding source/drain of the second active region. The floating gate is between the first and second conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Chia Chun WU, Chih-Liang CHEN, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Jerry Chang Jui KAO, Yung-Chen CHIEN
  • Patent number: 11755813
    Abstract: An IC structure includes a first cell and a first and second rail. The first cell includes a first and second active region and a first, a second and a third gate structure. The first active region having a first dopant type. The second active region having a second dopant type. The first gate structure extending in a second direction, overlapping the first or the second active region. The second gate structure extending in the second direction, and overlapping a first edge of the first or second active region. The third gate structure extending in the second direction, and overlapping at least a second edge of the first or second active region. The first rail extending in the first direction and overlapping a middle portion of the first active region. The second rail extending in the first direction and overlapping a middle portion of the second active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Ting-Wei Chiang, Li-Chun Tien, Shun Li Chen, Lee-Chung Lu
  • Patent number: 11756952
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a gated circuit configured to operate on a first or second voltage, a header circuit, a first power rail and a second power rail on a back-side of a wafer, a third power rail on the back-side of the wafer, and a fourth power rail on a front-side of the wafer. The first and second power rail extend in a first direction, and are separated from each other in a second direction. The third power rail is between the first and second power rail in the second direction. The third power rail is configured to supply the second voltage to the gated circuit. The fourth power rail includes a first set of conductors extending in the second direction. Each of the first set of conductors is configured to supply a third voltage to the header circuit, and is separated from each other in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuang-Ching Chang, Jung-Chan Yang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chih-Liang Chen, Kuo-Nan Yang
  • Patent number: 11756999
    Abstract: In at least one cell region, a semiconductor device includes fin patterns and at least one overlying gate structure. The fin patterns (dummy and active) are substantially parallel to a first direction. Each gate structure is substantially parallel to a second direction (which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction). First and second active fin patterns have corresponding first and second conductivity types. Each cell region, relative to the second direction, includes: a first active region which includes a sequence of three or more consecutive first active fin patterns located in a central portion of the cell region; a second active region which includes one or more second active fin patterns located between the first active region and a first edge of the cell region; and a third active region which includes one or more second active fin patterns located between the first active region and a second edge of the cell region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Chan Yang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Lee-Chung Lu, Ting-Wei Chiang, Li-Chun Tien
  • Publication number: 20230282639
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes generating a first well layout pattern corresponding to fabricating a first well in the integrated circuit structure. The generating the first well layout pattern includes generating a first layout pattern having a first width, and corresponding to fabricating a first portion of the first well, and generating a second layout pattern having a second width and corresponding to fabricating a second portion of the first well. The method further includes generating a first implant layout pattern having a third width and corresponding to fabricating a first set of implants in the first portion of the first well, generating a second implant layout pattern having a fourth width and corresponding to fabricating a second set of implants in the second portion of the first well, and manufacturing the integrated circuit structure based on the above layout patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Kam-Tou SIO, Chih-Liang CHEN, Charles Chew-Yuen YOUNG, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Jiann-Tyng TZENG, Yi-Hsun CHIU
  • Publication number: 20230281373
    Abstract: Metallization structure for an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a metal-to-diffusion (MD) layer disposed over an active region of a cell, gates disposed over the active region of the cell, and a first metallization layer including M0 tracks disposed over the MD layer and the gates. The integrated circuit further includes a second metallization layer including M1 tracks disposed over the first metallization layer. The M1 tracks include first M1 tracks each having a first predetermined distance from an edge of the cell and second M1 tracks each having a second predetermined distance from the edge of the cell, wherein the first MI tracks are longer than the second M1 tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shang-Hsuan Chiu, Chih-Liang Chen, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chi-Yu Lu, Jerry Chang Jui Kao
  • Publication number: 20230275081
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second cell rows, first to fourth fin shaped structures. The first cell row has a first row height. The second cell row is adjacent with the first cell row, and having a second row height. The first fin shaped structure extends across the first cell row. The second fin shaped structure extends across the first cell row, and separated from the first fin shaped structure. The third fin shaped structure extends across the second cell row. The fourth fin shaped structure extends across the second cell row, and separated from the third fin shaped structure. The first to fourth fin shaped structures are arranged in order along the first direction, each of the first, second and fourth fin shaped structure has a first conductive type, the third fin shaped structure has a second conductive type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Xiang-Dong CHEN, Lee-Chung LU, Tzu-Ying LIN, Yung-Chin HOU
  • Publication number: 20230268910
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device includes a master latch circuit having a first clock input and a data output, a slave latch circuit having a second clock input and a data input electrically coupled to the data output of the master latch circuit, and a clock circuit. The clock circuit is electrically coupled to the first clock input by a first electrical connection configured to have a first time delay between the clock circuit and the first clock input. The clock circuit is electrically coupled to the second clock input by a second electrical connection configured to have a second time delay between the clock circuit and the second clock input. The first time delay is longer than the second time delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Cheng-Yu LIN, Yung-Chen CHIEN, Jia-Hong GAO, Jerry Chang Jui KAO, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG
  • Publication number: 20230268339
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including a first cell and a second cell. The first cell includes a first plurality of active areas that extend in a first direction and a first plurality of gates that extend in a second direction that crosses the first direction, the first cell having first cell edges defined by breaks in the first plurality of gates. The second cell includes a second plurality of active areas that extend in the first direction and a second plurality of gates that extend in the second direction, the second cell having second cell edges defined by breaks in the second plurality of gates. Each of the second plurality of active areas is larger than each of the first plurality of active areas and the first cell is adjacent the second cell such that the first cell edges align with the second cell edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Pochun Wang, Chih-Yu LAI, Chi-Yu Lu, Shang-Hsuan CHIU, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chih-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 11735625
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, including: a first OD strip, a first doping region, a second OD strip, a second doping region, and a third doping region. The first OD strip extending in a first direction is disposed on the first OD strip, and includes a first-type dopant to define an active region of a first MOS. The second OD strip extending in the first direction and immediately adjacent to the first OD strip in a second direction, wherein the second direction is orthogonal with the first direction. The second doping region is disposed on the second OD strip, and includes a second-type dopant to define an active region of a second MOS. The third doping region is disposed on the second OD strip, and includes the second-type dopant and is configured to be a body terminal of the first MOS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Chan Yang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chih-Liang Chen, Ting-Wei Chiang, Cheng-I Huang, Kuo-Nan Yang
  • Patent number: 11734481
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for optimizing metal cuts in standard cells. The method includes placing a standard cell in a layout area and inserting a metal cut along a metal interconnect of the standard cell at a location away from a boundary of the standard cell. The method further includes disconnecting, at the location, a metal portion of the metal interconnect from a remaining portion of the metal interconnect based on the metal cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheok-Kei Lei, Chi-Lin Liu, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Zhe-Wei Jiang, Chi-Yu Lu, Yi-Hsin Ko
  • Publication number: 20230260786
    Abstract: A method includes forming a conductive member over a first conductive line; forming a second conductive line over the conductive member; and removing a portion of the conductive member exposed by the second conductive line to form a conductive via. The formation of the second conductive line is implemented prior to the formation of the conductive via. A semiconductor structure includes a first conductive line having a first surface; a second conductive line disposed above the first conductive line and having a second surface overlapping the first surface; and a conductive via electrically connected to the first surface and the second surface. The conductive via includes a first end disposed within the first surface, a second end disposed within the second surface, and a cross-section between the first end and the second end, wherein at least two of interior angles of the cross-section are substantially unequal to 90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: JOHNNY CHIAHAO LI, SHIH-MING CHANG, KEN-HSIEN HSIEH, CHI-YU LU, YUNG-CHEN CHIEN, HUI-ZHONG ZHUANG, JERRY CHANG JUI KAO, XIANGDONG CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230259686
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, method, and system of arranging patterns of the same are provided. The method includes generating a plurality of gate patterns and conductive patterns, wherein each of the plurality of gate patterns and conductive patterns is located at a first horizontal level and extends along a first direction. The method also includes selecting one of the gate patterns as an input pin or one of the conductive patterns as an output pin. The method further includes generating, based on a selected gate pattern or a selected conductive pattern, a plurality of metallization patterns. Each of the plurality of metallization patterns is located at a second horizontal level overlying the first horizontal level and extends along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: ANURAG VERMA, MENG-KAI HSU, JOHNNY CHIAHAO LI, SHENG-HSIUNG CHEN, CHENG-YU LIN, HUI-ZHONG ZHUANG, JERRY CHANG JUI KAO
  • Publication number: 20230261002
    Abstract: An IC device includes first and second power rails extending in a first direction and carrying one of a power supply or reference voltage, a third power rail extending between the first and second power rails and carrying the other of the power supply or reference voltage, and a plurality of transistors including first through fourth active areas extending between the first and second power rails, a plurality of gate structures extending perpendicularly to the first direction, and first and second conductive segments extending in the second direction across the third power rail. Each of the second and third active areas is adjacent to the third power rail, each of the first and second conductive segments is electrically connected to S/D structures in each of the second and third active areas, and the plurality of transistors is configured as one of an AOI, an OAI, or a four-input NAND gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: I-Wen WANG, Chia-Chun WU, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Yung-Chen CHIEN, Jerry Chang Jui KAO, Xiangdong CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230253406
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a standard cell, includes a first power supply line, a second power supply line, a first gate-all-around field effect transistor (GAA FET) disposed over a substrate, and a second GAA FET disposed above the first GAA FET. The first power supply line and the second power supply line are located at vertically different levels from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Guo-Huei WU, Jerry Chang Jui KAO, Chih-Liang CHEN, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Jung-Chan YANG, Lee-Chung LU, Xiangdong CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230253328
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device, includes forming an active region; forming first, second and third metal-to-drain/source (MD) contact structures which extend in a first direction, and correspondingly overlap and electrically couple to the active region; forming a via-to-via (V2V) rail which extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, overlaps at least the first MD contact structure and the third MD contact structures; forming a first via-to-MD (VD) structure over, and electrically coupled to, the first MD contact structure and the V2V rail; and forming a first conductive segment which overlaps the V2V rail, is in a first metallization layer, and is electrically coupled to the first VD structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Jung-Chan YANG, Chi-Yu LU, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Chih-Liang CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230253961
    Abstract: A flip-flop circuit includes a first inverter configured to receive a first clock signal and output a second clock signal, a second inverter configured to receive the second clock signal and output a third clock signal, a master stage, and a slave stage including a first feedback inverter and a first transmission gate. The first feedback inverter includes a first transistor configured to receive the first clock signal and a second transistor configured to receive the second clock signal, and the first transmission gate includes first and second input terminals configured to receive the second and third clock signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Yung-Chen CHIEN, Xiangdong CHEN, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Tzu-Ying LIN, Jerry Chang Jui KAO, Lee-Chung LU
  • Patent number: 11715733
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device includes a substrate, and a cell over the substrate. The cell includes at least one active region and at least one gate region extending across the at least one active region. The cell further includes at least one input/output (IO) pattern configured to electrically couple one or more of the at least one active region and the at least one gate region to external circuitry outside the cell. The at least one IO pattern extends obliquely to both the at least one active region and the at least one gate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Ren Chen, Cheng-Yu Lin, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Yung-Chen Chien, Jerry Chang Jui Kao, Huang-Yu Chen, Chung-Hsing Wang
  • Patent number: 11704465
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first and second power rail extending in a first direction and being located at a first level, a first and second set of conductive structures located at a second level and extending in a second direction, a first and second set of vias, and a first and second conductive structure located at a third level and extending in the second direction. The first set of vias coupling the first power rail to the first set of conductive structures. The second set of vias coupling the second power rail to the second set of conductive structures. The first conductive structure overlaps a first conductive structure of the first set of conductive structures and the second set of conductive structures. The second conductive structure overlaps a second conductive structure of the first set of conductive structures and the second set of conductive structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Chan Yang, Ting-Wei Chiang, Cheng-I Huang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chi-Yu Lu, Stefan Rusu
  • Publication number: 20230222278
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for generating a layout of a semiconductor device. The method includes placing a first cell and a second cell adjacent to the first cell, placing a first conductive pattern in a first track of the first cell extending in a first direction, wherein the first conductive pattern is configured as an input terminal or an output terminal of the first cell, placing a second conductive pattern in a first track of the second cell extending in the first direction, wherein the second conductive pattern is configured as an input terminal or an output terminal of the second cell, and aligning the first conductive pattern with the second conductive pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: ANURAG VERMA, CHI-CHUN LIANG, MENG-KAI HSU, CHENG-YU LIN, POCHUN WANG, HUI-ZHONG ZHUANG