Patents by Inventor Hung-Jen Liao

Hung-Jen Liao 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: 11675505
    Abstract: Various embodiments for configurable memory storage systems are disclosed. The configurable memory storages selectively choose an operational voltage signal from among multiple voltage signals to dynamically control various operational parameters. For example, the configurable memory storages selectively choose a maximum voltage signal from among the multiple voltage signals to maximize read/write speed. As another example, the configurable memory storages selectively choose a minimum voltage signal from among the multiple voltage signals to minimize power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Hao Hsu, Cheng Hung Lee, Chen-Lin Yang, Chiting Cheng, Fu-An Wu, Hung-Jen Liao, Jung-Ping Yang, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang, Wei Min Chan, Yen-Huei Chen, Yangsyu Lin, Chien-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 11670362
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a memory system including unit storage circuits. In one aspect, each of the unit storage circuits abuts an adjacent one of the unit storage circuits. In one aspect, each of the unit storage circuits includes a first group of memory cells, a second group of memory cells, a first sub-word line driver to apply a first control signal to the first group of memory cells through a first sub-word line extending along a direction, and a second sub-word line driver to apply a second control signal to the second group of memory cells through a second sub-word line extending along the direction. In one aspect, the memory system includes a common word line driver abutting one of the unit storage circuits and configured to apply a common control signal to the unit storage circuits through a word line extending along the direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Tzu Chen, Ching-Wei Wu, Hau-Tai Shieh, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Publication number: 20230170281
    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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    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: 11651804
    Abstract: A memory macro includes a first memory cell array, a first tracking circuit, a first and a second transistor. The first memory cell array includes rows of memory cells and columns of memory cells. The first tracking circuit includes a first set of memory cells configured as a first set of loading cells responsive to a first control signal, a second set of memory cells configured as a first set of pull-down cells responsive to a second control signal, and a first tracking bit line coupled to the first and second set of memory cells. The first set of pull-down cells or loading cells is configured to track a memory cell of the first memory cell array. The first and second transistor are coupled to the first tracking bit line, and configured to charge the first tracking bit line to a pre-charge voltage level responsive to a tracking enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Kuo Su, Chiting Cheng, Pankaj Aggarwal, Yen-Huei Chen, Cheng Hung Lee, Hung-Jen Liao, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang, Jhon Jhy Liaw
  • Patent number: 11637108
    Abstract: A method of forming a memory circuit includes generating a layout design of the memory circuit, and manufacturing the memory circuit based on the layout design. The memory circuit is a four transistor memory cell that includes at least the first pass gate transistor and the first pull up transistor. The generating of the layout design includes generating a first active region layout pattern corresponding to fabricating a first active region of a first pull up transistor, generating a second active region layout pattern corresponding to fabricating a second active region of a first pass gate transistor, and generating a first metal contact layout pattern corresponding to fabricating a first metal contact is electrically coupled to a source of the first pull up transistor. The first metal contact layout pattern extends in a second direction, overlaps a cell boundary of the memory circuit and the first active region layout pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Chih-Yu Lin, Hsien-Yu Pan, Yasutoshi Okuno, Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Patent number: 11610628
    Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) includes a bit cell including a p-type pass gate, a bit information path connected to the bit cell by the p-type pass gate, and a read multiplexer connected to the bit information path. The read multiplexer includes an n-type transistor configured to selectively couple the bit information path to a sense amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Wu, Hung-Jen Liao, Ping-Wei Wang, Wei Min Chan, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Publication number: 20230064056
    Abstract: A device is disclosed and includes an input stage circuit, a switching circuit, and a first latch circuit. The input stage circuit generates a first input signal having a first voltage and a second input signal based on a third input signal. The switching circuit operates in response to a first control signal, and adjusts a voltage level of a first data line according to the first input signal and a voltage level of a second data line according to the second input signal. The first latch circuit is coupled to the switching circuit by the first data line and the second data line. The first latch circuit latches a data in response to the first control signal and a second control signal, and adjusts the voltage level of the first data line based on a second voltage different from the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hua-Hsin YU, Hung-Jen LIAO, Cheng-Hung LEE, Hau-Tai SHIEH
  • Publication number: 20230054498
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an example circuit for selecting a voltage supply. The circuit includes a first control switch, a first voltage supply switch, a second control switch, and a second voltage supply switch. The first control switch is configured to receive a control signal and a first voltage supply. The first voltage supply switch is electrically coupled to the first control switch and is configured to receive a second voltage supply. The second voltage supply switch is electrically coupled to the second control switch and configured to receive the first voltage supply. The first and second voltage supply switches are configured to selectively output the first and second voltage supplies based on the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Chen KUO, Yangsyu LIN, Yu-Hao HSU, Cheng Hung LEE, Hung-Jen LIAO, Jonathan Tsung-Yung CHANG
  • Patent number: 11579648
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to an integrated circuit to regulate a supply voltage. In one aspect, the integrated circuit includes a metal rail including a first point, at which a first functional circuit is connected, and a second point, at which a second functional circuit is connected. In one aspect, the integrate circuit includes a voltage regulator coupled between the first point of the metal rail and the second point of the metal rail. In one aspect, the voltage regulator senses a voltage at the second point of the metal rail and adjusts a supply voltage at the first point of the metal rail, according to the sensed voltage at the second point of the metal rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruki Mori, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Zhi-Hao Chang, Yangsyu Lin, Yu-Hao Hsu, Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao, Chiting Cheng
  • Patent number: 11574098
    Abstract: A system includes a net-identifying module and a false path-eliminating module. The net-identifying module is configured to receive first and second electronic lists associated with a circuit unit, to identify a net of the circuit unit based on the first electronic list, and to provide a net information output that includes information associated with the net. The false path-eliminating module is coupled to the net-identifying module and is configured to select, in the second electronic list, a path of the circuit unit that does not traverse through the net and provide a path information output that includes information associated with the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chun-Jiun Dai, Hung-Jen Liao, Wei-Min Chan, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 11562946
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 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
  • Publication number: 20220383947
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes embodiments of a write assist circuit. The 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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: 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: 11514952
    Abstract: A device disclosed includes first and second rows of memory cells, a first data line, and a first continuous data line. The first and second rows of memory cells are arranged in a first sub-bank and a second sub-bank, separated from the first sub-bank, respectively. The first data line is arranged across the first sub-bank and coupled to a first memory cell in the first row of memory cells. The first continuous data line includes a first portion arranged across the first sub-bank and a second portion arranged across the second sub-bank. The first continuous data line is coupled to a second memory cell in the second row of memory cells. The first portion of the first continuous data line is disposed in a first metal layer. The first data line and the second portion of the first continuous data line are in a second metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang, Cheng-Hung Lee, Chi-Ting Cheng, Hung-Jen Liao, Jhon-Jhy Liaw, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Publication number: 20220366950
    Abstract: A memory circuit includes a NAND logic gate configured to receive a first bit line signal and a second bit line signal, and to generate a first signal. The memory circuit further includes a first N-type transistor coupled to the NAND logic gate, and configured to receive a first pre-charge signal. The memory circuit further includes a second N-type transistor coupled to the first N-type transistor and a reference voltage supply, and configured to receive a first clock signal. The memory circuit further includes a first latch coupled to the NAND logic gate, and configured to latch the first signal in response to at least the first clock signal or the first pre-charge signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Yi-Tzu CHEN, Ching-Wei WU, Hau-Tai SHIEH, Hung-Jen LIAO, Fu-An WU, He-Zhou WAN, XiuLi YANG
  • Publication number: 20220366965
    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 that are connected correspondingly between the LWB and LWB_bar lines; and a distributed write driving arrangement including a global write driver and local write drivers included correspondingly in the segments; and the global write driver including a first equalizer circuit, arranged in a switched-coupling between the LWB line and the LWB_bar line, and arranged in a control-coupling with respect to signals correspondingly on the GWB line and the GWB_bar line, and the global write driver and the local write drivers each including first inversion couplings (coupled in parallel between the GWB line and the LWB line) and second inversion couplings (coupled in parallel between the GWB_bar line and the LWB_bar line).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Hung-Jen LIAO, Li-Wen WANG, Jonathan Tsung-Yung CHANG, Yen-Huei CHEN
  • Publication number: 20220367337
    Abstract: Circuit devices, such as integrated circuit devices, are constructed with combination circuits that include two or more cascading transistors, and one or more metal layers disposed over the cascading transistors. The cascading transistors include multiple internal nodes (e.g., common source/drain regions). The multiple internal nodes are not connected to a common metal stripe (the same metal stripe) in the one or more metal layers. The absence of the connections between the internal nodes and a common metal stripe reduce or eliminate the load on the internal nodes. The transistors in the cascading transistors are independent of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Yuan Chen, Cheng-Hung Lee, Hung-Jen Liao, Hau-Tai Shieh, Kao-Cheng Lin, Wei-Min Chan
  • Publication number: 20220359000
    Abstract: A memory device and a method of operating the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the memory device includes a plurality of memory arrays and a controller including a plurality of buffers including a first buffer connected to a first memory array and a second buffer connected to a second memory array. The first and second memory arrays are disposed on opposing sides of the controller. The memory device can include a first wire extending in a first direction and connected to the first buffer, a second wire extending in the first direction and connected to the second buffer, and a third wire connected to the first and second wires and extending in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The third wire can be electrically connected to the controller, and respective lengths of the first wire and the second wire are substantially the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: CHIEN-YUAN CHEN, Hau-Tai Shieh, Cheng Hung Lee, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Publication number: 20220359496
    Abstract: A device includes a diode circuit. The diode circuit is coupled between a first input/output (I/O) pin and a second I/O pin of a circuit, and is configured to be turned off. The diode circuit is configured to provide a first discharging path for the first I/O pin of the circuit and a second discharging path for the second I/O pin of the circuit. The diode circuit includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor is between a node and the first I/O pin. The second transistor is between the node and the second I/O pin. The node is configured to receive a first voltage, and control terminals of the first transistor and the second transistor are configured to receive a second voltage. A voltage difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is configured to turn off the first transistor and the second transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sahil Preet SINGH, Yen-Huei CHEN, Hung-Jen LIAO
  • Publication number: 20220359001
    Abstract: A twelve-transistor (12T) memory cell for a memory device that includes a transmission gate, a cross-coupled inverter circuit operably connected to the transmission gate, and a tri-state inverter operably connected to the cross-coupled inverter circuit. The cross-coupled inverter includes another tri-state inverter cross-coupled to an inverter circuit. Various operations for the 12T memory cell, as well as circuitry to perform the operations, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mahmut Sinangil, Yen-Huei Chen, Yen-Ting Lin, Hung-Jen Liao, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang
  • Publication number: 20220351773
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes an array of memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, with each memory cell including a plurality of bit cell transistors. The semiconductor memory device further includes a plurality of write assist circuits, including one or more write assist circuits within each column of the array of memory cells, each write assist circuit configured to provide a core voltage to memory cells within the same column and to reduce the core voltage during a write operation. The array of memory cells and the plurality of write assist circuits have a common semiconductor layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Sahil Preet Singh, Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao