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).

  • Publication number: 20200020363
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an internal supply rail; a plurality of first main header switches for coupling the internal supply rail to a first power supply; a plurality of second main header switches for coupling the internal supply rail to a second power supply; an auxiliary circuit including a first auxiliary header switch for coupling the internal supply rail to the first power supply and a second auxiliary header switch for coupling the internal supply rail to the second power supply; a feedback circuit, the feedback circuit tracking a status of the first and second main header switches; and a control circuit, the control circuit controlling the first main header switches, second main header switches and first and second auxiliary header switches responsive to the switch control signal and an output of the feedback circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-An Wu, Cheng Hung Lee, Chen-Lin Yang, Hung-Jen Liao, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang, Yu-Hao Hsu
  • Publication number: 20200020386
    Abstract: A latch formed from a memory cell includes a clock input terminal configured to receive a clock signal, complementary first and second data terminals, and a latch circuit. The latch circuit has first and second inverters. The first inverter has an input terminal coupled to the first data terminal, and the second inverter has an input terminal coupled to the second data terminal. A first pass gate transistor is coupled between an output terminal of the second inverter and the first data terminal. A second pass gate transistor is coupled between an output terminal of the first inverter and the second data terminal. The first and second pass gate transistors each have a gate terminal coupled to the clock input terminal. The input terminal of the first inverter is not directly connected to the output terminal of the second inverter, and the input terminal of the second inverter is not directly connected to the output terminal of the first inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Hua-Hsin Yu, Cheng Hung Lee, Hung-Jen Liao, Hau-Tai Shieh
  • Publication number: 20200020383
    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; each of the bit cells including a latch circuit and first and second pass gates connecting the corresponding LWB and LWB_bar lines to the latch circuit; and a distributed write driving arrangement. The distributed write driving arrangement includes: a global write driver including a first inverter connected between the GWB line and the LWB line, and a second inverter connected between the GWB_bar line and the LWB_bar line; and a local write driver included at an interior of each segment, each local write driver including a third inverter connected between the GWB line and the LWB line; and a fourth inverter connected between the GWB_bar line and the LWB_bar line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Hung-Jen LIAO, Li-Wen WANG, Jonathan Tsung-Yung CHANG, Yen-Huei CHEN
  • Patent number: 10529415
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Sahil Preet Singh, Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Publication number: 20200005877
    Abstract: A write line circuit includes a power supply node configured to carry a power supply voltage level, a reference node configured to carry a reference voltage level, a first input node configured to receive a first data signal, a second input node configured to receive a second data signal, a third input node configured to receive a control signal, and an output node. The write line circuit is configured to, responsive to the first data signal, the second data signal, and the control signal, either output one of the power supply voltage level or the reference voltage level on the output node, or float the output node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Manish ARORA, Hung-Jen LIAO, Yen-Huei CHEN, Nikhil PURI, Yu-Hao HSU
  • Publication number: 20200005859
    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: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Yen-Huei CHEN, Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Hung-Jen LIAO, Jonathan Tsung-Yung CHANG
  • Publication number: 20200005858
    Abstract: A read assist circuit is disclosed that selectively provides read assistance to a number of memory cells during a read operation of the number of memory cells. The read assist circuit includes a voltage divider circuit and a number of write line driver circuits. The voltage divider circuit is configured to voltage-divide a power supply voltage and provide a source write line voltage at an output of the voltage divider circuit to the number of write line driver circuits. Each write line driver circuit is configured to receive the source write line voltage and selectively apply the source write line voltage to a corresponding write line according to a corresponding individual enable signal that controls each write driver circuit. Further, each write line driver circuit is coupled to a corresponding memory cell of the number of memory cells via the corresponding write line so that the corresponding write line provides a corresponding write line voltage to provide read assistance during the read operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Hung-Jen LIAO, Hsien-Yu PAN, Chih-Yu LIN, Yen-Huei CHEN, Sahil Preet SINGH
  • Publication number: 20190393228
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that includes a memory bit cell coupled to a bit line, a word line, a pair of metal islands and a pair of connection metal lines. The word line is electrically coupled to the memory bit cell and is elongated in a first direction. The pair of metal islands are disposed at opposite sides of the word line and are electrically coupled to a power supply. The pair of connection metal lines are elongated in a second direction, and are configured to electrically couple the pair of metal islands to the memory bit cell, respectively. The pair of connection metal lines are separated from the bit line in a layout view. A method of fabricating the device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Wei-Min CHAN, Chih-Yu LIN, Yen-Huei CHEN, Hung-Jen LIAO
  • Publication number: 20190385672
    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: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Mahmut Sinangil, Yen-Huei Chen, Yen-Ting Lin, Hung-Jen Liao, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang
  • Patent number: 10510403
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a semiconductor memory device includes an array of semiconductor memory cells arranged in rows and columns. The array includes a first segment of memory cells and a second segment of memory cells. A first pair of complementary local bit lines extend over the first segment of memory cells and is coupled to multiple memory cells along a first column within the first segment of memory cells. A second pair of complementary local bit lines extend over the second segment of memory cells and is coupled to multiple memory cells along the first column within the second segment of memory cells. A pair of switches is arranged between the first and second segments of memory cells. The pair of switches is configured to selectively couple the first pair of complementary local bit lines in series with the second pair of complementary local bit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mahmut Sinangil, Hidehiro Fujiwara, Hung-Jen Liao, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang, Yen-Huei Chen, Sahil Preet Singh
  • Patent number: 10510380
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an internal supply rail; a plurality of first main header switches for coupling the internal supply rail to a first power supply; a plurality of second main header switches for coupling the internal supply rail to a second power supply; an auxiliary circuit including a first auxiliary header switch for coupling the internal supply rail to the first power supply and a second auxiliary header switch for coupling the internal supply rail to the second power supply; a feedback circuit, the feedback circuit tracking a status of the first and second main header switches; and a control circuit, the control circuit controlling the first main header switches, second main header switches and first and second auxiliary header switches responsive to the switch control signal and an output of the feedback circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fu-An Wu, Cheng Hung Lee, Chen-Lin Yang, Hung-Jen Liao, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang, Yu-Hao Hsu
  • Patent number: 10510401
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprising a plurality of memory cells configured to store digital data and an input multiplexer configured to enable the selection of a particular memory cell from the plurality of memory cells. The semiconductor memory device further comprises a read/write driver circuit configured to read data from the selected memory cell and write data to the selected memory cell, and a write logic block configured to provide logical control to the read/write driver circuit for writing data to the selected of memory cell. The read/write driver circuit may be coupled to the read/write input multiplexer by a data line and an inverted data line and the read and the write operations to the selected memory cell occur over the same data line and inverted data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semicondutor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chien-Yuan Chen, Che-Ju Yeh, Hau-Tai Shieh, Cheng-Hung Lee, Hung-Jen Liao, Sahil Preet Singh, Manish Arora, Hemant Patel, Li-Wen Wang
  • Patent number: 10503421
    Abstract: Various embodiments for configurable memory storage systems are disclosed. The configurable memory storages selectively choose an operational voltage signal from among multiple operational voltage signals to dynamically control various operational parameters. For example, the configurable memory storages selectively choose a maximum operational voltage signal from among the multiple operational voltage signals to maximize read/write speed. As another example, the configurable memory storages selectively choose a minimum operational voltage signal from among the multiple operational voltage signals to control minimize power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    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
  • Publication number: 20190348110
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a static random access memory (SRAM) device is provided. The SRAM device includes a memory cell, a bit line couple to the memory cell, a voltage supply line coupled to the memory cell, a control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to charge a voltage supply line while the voltage supply line is electrically isolated from a bit line. A portion of the charge is transferred from the voltage supply line to the bit line. The voltage supply line is recharged while the voltage supply line is electrically isolated from the bit line storing the transferred portion of the charge. The memory cell is accessed using the recharge on the voltage supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Mahmut Sinangil, Chiting Cheng, Hung-Jen Liao, Tsung-Yung Chang
  • Publication number: 20190341346
    Abstract: A method of designing a memory circuit is provided that includes generating a layout of a first memory cell using an integrated circuit design system. The layout of the first memory cell is generated by routing a first word line in a first layer on a first level, and routing a second word line in the first layer. Also, the method includes generating a layout of a second memory cell using the integrated circuit design system. The layout of the second memory cell is generated by routing a third word line in the first layer, the second word line being between the first word line and the third word line, and routing a fourth word line in the first layer, the third word line being between the second word line and the fourth word line. Moreover, the method includes assigning a first color scheme to the first word line and to the third word line, and assigning a second color scheme to the second word line and to the fourth word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Hidehiro FUJIWARA, Li-Wen WANG, Yen-Huei CHEN, Hung-Jen LIAO
  • Publication number: 20190326302
    Abstract: A memory circuit including: a first column of memory cells, each memory cell of the first column including a first supply segment; a first supply voltage line in a first conductive layer, the first supply voltage line being made of at least the first supply segments of the first column; a second supply voltage line; a first resistive device electrically connecting the first and second supply voltage lines, and being located in a via layer; a first material, from which the first resistive device is formed, being different than a second material from which a first type of via plug in the via layer is formed; and a supply voltage source electrically coupled with first supply voltage line through one or more conductive paths, and the second supply voltage line and the first resistive device being in a lowest resistance path of the one or more conductive paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao, Chih-Yu Lin, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang, Wei-Cheng Wu
  • Patent number: 10431295
    Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) that includes a memory cell comprising at least two p-type pass gates. The SRAM also includes a first data line connected to the memory cell, a second data line connected to the memory cell and a voltage control unit connected to the first data line, wherein the voltage control unit is configured to control the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Li-Wen Wang, Chih-Yu Lin, Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Publication number: 20190295632
    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: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Sahil Preet Singh, Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Patent number: 10410715
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a static random access memory (SRAM) device is provided. The SRAM device comprises a plurality of memory cells, a bit line coupled to a first set of the plurality of memory cells at data nodes, and a first voltage supply line coupled to a second set of the plurality of memory cells. The SRAM device further comprises a first switch for selectively coupling the first voltage supply line to a first voltage source to charge the first voltage supply line to a first voltage level and a second switch for selectively coupling the first voltage supply line to the bit line for pre-charging the bit line to a bit line voltage level that is less than the first voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Mahmut Sinangil, Chiting Cheng, Hung-Jen Liao, Tsung-Yung Chang
  • Patent number: 10411019
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that includes a memory bit cell, a first word line, a pair of metal islands and a pair of connection metal lines. The first word line is disposed in a first metal layer and is electrically coupled to the memory bit cell. The pair of metal islands are disposed in the first metal layer at opposite sides of the word line and are electrically coupled to a power supply. The pair of connection metal lines are disposed in a second metal layer and are configured to electrically couple the metal islands to the memory bit cell respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Wei-Min Chan, Chih-Yu Lin, Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao