Patents by Inventor Kao-Cheng Lin

Kao-Cheng Lin 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: 20240203461
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to an integrated circuit including a semiconductor layer. In one aspect, the semiconductor layer includes a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region may include a circuit array, and the second region may include a set of interface circuits to operate the circuit array. A side of the first region may face a first side of the second region along a first direction. The third region may include a set of header circuits to provide power to the set of interface circuits through metal rails extending along a second direction. A side of the third region may face a second side of the second region along the second direction. In one aspect, the first side extending along the second direction is shorter than the second side extending along the first direction, and the metal rails are shorter than the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Sheng Wang, Yangsyu Lin, Kao-Cheng Lin, Cheng Hung Lee, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang
  • Patent number: 11961554
    Abstract: A device includes a first power rail for a first power domain and a second power rail for a second power domain. A first circuit block is connected to the first power rail and a second circuit block is connected to the second power rail. The first and second circuit blocks are both connected to a virtual VSS terminal. A footer circuit is connected between the virtual VSS terminal and a ground terminal, and the footer circuit is configured to selectively control a connection between the virtual VSS terminal and the ground terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Kao-Cheng Lin, Wei Min Chan, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 11923034
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to an integrated circuit including a semiconductor layer. In one aspect, the semiconductor layer includes a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region may include a circuit array, and the second region may include a set of interface circuits to operate the circuit array. A side of the first region may face a first side of the second region along a first direction. The third region may include a set of header circuits to provide power to the set of interface circuits through metal rails extending along a second direction. A side of the third region may face a second side of the second region along the second direction. In one aspect, the first side extending along the second direction is shorter than the second side extending along the first direction, and the metal rails are shorter than the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Sheng Wang, Yangsyu Lin, Kao-Cheng Lin, Cheng Hung Lee, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang
  • Publication number: 20240046969
    Abstract: A memory device in an integrated circuit is provided, including an input/output (I/O) circuit, a first memory segment and a second memory segment that separated from the first memory segment in a first direction, a first pair of data lines on a first side of the integrated circuit, extending in the first direction and configured to couple the first memory segment to the I/O circuit, and a second pair of data lines separated from the first pair of data lines in a second direction, different from the first direction, on a second side, opposite to the first side, of the integrated circuit, and configured to couple the second memory segment to the I/O circuit. A first width of the first pair of data lines is different from a second width of the second pair of data lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Sheng WANG, Kao-Cheng LIN, Yangsyu LIN, Yen-Huei CHEN, Cheng Hung LEE, Jonathan Tsung-Yung CHANG
  • Publication number: 20240029769
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for a memory circuit that includes a bit cell responsive to a bit line signal line and a bit line bar signal line configured to store a bit of data. A pre-charge circuit is configured to charge one of the bit line and bit line bar signal lines prior to a read operation, where the pre-charge circuit includes a first pre-charge component and a second pre-charge component, the first and second pre-charge components being individually controllable for charging the bit line and bit line bar signal lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Wu, Kao-Cheng Lin, Chih-Cheng Yu, Pei-Yuan Li, Chien-Chen Lin, Wei Min Chan, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 11854970
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: 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: 20230378063
    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 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    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: 20230343390
    Abstract: A static random access memory includes a first and second memory cell array, a first word line, a bit line, a bit line bar, a primary driver circuit, and a first and second supplementary driver circuit. The first supplementary driver circuit is configured to pull a voltage of a first signal of the bit line or a second signal of the bit line bar to a first voltage level during a write operation in response to a supplementary driver circuit enable signal. The second supplementary driver circuit is configured to sense the voltage of the first or second signal. The second supplementary driver circuit includes a first pass-gate transistor. A first terminal of the first pass-gate transistor is coupled to a reference voltage supply. A second terminal of the first pass-gate transistor is electrically floating. A third terminal of the first pass-gate transistor is coupled to a first node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Yu LIN, Wei-Cheng WU, Kao-Cheng LIN, Yen-Huei CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230342272
    Abstract: An exemplary testing environment can operate in a testing mode of operation to test whether a memory device or other electronic devices communicatively coupled to the memory device operate as expected or unexpectedly as a result of one or more manufacturing faults. The testing mode of operation includes a shift mode of operation, a capture mode of operation, and/or a scan mode of operation. In the shift mode of operation and the scan mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a serial input sequence of data to the memory device. In the capture mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a parallel input sequence of data to the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Hung CHANG, Atul KATOCH, Chia-En HUANG, Ching-Wei WU, Donald G. MIKAN, JR., Hao-I YANG, Kao-Cheng LIN, Ming-Chien TSAI, Saman M.I. ADHAM, Tsung-Yung CHANG, Uppu Sharath CHANDRA
  • Patent number: 11749321
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for a memory circuit that includes a bit cell responsive to a bit line signal line and a bit line bar signal line configured to store a bit of data. A pre-charge circuit is configured to charge one of the bit line and bit line bar signal lines prior to a read operation, where the pre-charge circuit includes a first pre-charge component and a second pre-charge component, the first and second pre-charge components being individually controllable for charging the bit line and bit line bar signal lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Wu, Kao-Cheng Lin, Chih-Cheng Yu, Pei-Yuan Li, Chien-Chen Lin, Wei Min Chan, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 11734142
    Abstract: An exemplary testing environment can operate in a testing mode of operation to test whether a memory device or other electronic devices communicatively coupled to the memory device operate as expected or unexpectedly as a result of one or more manufacturing faults. The testing mode of operation includes a shift mode of operation, a capture mode of operation, and/or a scan mode of operation. In the shift mode of operation and the scan mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a serial input sequence of data to the memory device. In the capture mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a parallel input sequence of data to the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Hung Chang, Atul Katoch, Chia-En Huang, Ching-Wei Wu, Donald G. Mikan, Jr., Hao-I Yang, Kao-Cheng Lin, Ming-Chien Tsai, Saman M. I. Adham, Tsung-Yung Chang, Uppu Sharath Chandra
  • Publication number: 20230260572
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic circuit, a memory device, and a method for operating an electronic circuit. An electronic circuit comprises a driver circuit configured to provide a drive voltage to a word line of the electronic circuit, a suppression circuit electrically connected to the driver circuit and the word line, and a control circuit electrically connected to the suppression circuit. The suppression circuit is configured to generate a voltage drop in the drive voltage. The control circuit controls the suppression circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: WEI-CHENG WU, PEI-YUAN LI, KAO-CHENG LIN, CHIEN HUI HUANG, YUNG-NING TU
  • Patent number: 11676660
    Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) includes a first memory cell array, a second memory cell array, a first data line coupled to the first memory cell array and the second memory cell array, a second data line coupled to the first memory cell array and the second memory cell array, a primary driver circuit coupled to at least the first data line, and a supplementary driver circuit coupled to at least the first data line. The supplementary driver circuit is configured to receive a supplementary driver circuit enable signal, sense a voltage of a first signal of the first data line, and pull the voltage of the first signal to a first voltage level during a write operation of a first memory cell in the first memory cell array in response to at least a first NOR output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Yu Lin, Wei-Cheng Wu, Kao-Cheng Lin, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Publication number: 20230128141
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to an integrated circuit including a semiconductor layer. In one aspect, the semiconductor layer includes a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region may include a circuit array, and the second region may include a set of interface circuits to operate the circuit array. A side of the first region may face a first side of the second region along a first direction. The third region may include a set of header circuits to provide power to the set of interface circuits through metal rails extending along a second direction. A side of the third region may face a second side of the second region along the second direction. In one aspect, the first side extending along the second direction is shorter than the second side extending along the first direction, and the metal rails are shorter than the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Sheng Wang, Yangsyu Lin, Kao-Cheng Lin, Cheng Hung Lee, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang
  • Publication number: 20230042514
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate; and a cell region having opposite first and second sides, the cell region including active regions formed in the substrate; relative to an imaginary first reference line, a first majority of the active regions having first ends which align with the first reference line, the first side being parallel and proximal to the first reference line; relative to an imaginary second reference line in the second direction, a second majority of the active regions having second ends which align with the second reference line, the second side being parallel and proximal to the second reference line; and gate structures correspondingly on first and second ones of the active regions; and relative to the second direction, a first end of a selected one of the gate structures abuts an intervening region between the first and second active regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Ru-Yu WANG, You-Cheng XIAO, Kao-Cheng LIN, Pin-Dai SUE, Ting-Wei CHIANG
  • Patent number: 11538507
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to an integrated circuit including a semiconductor layer. In one aspect, the semiconductor layer includes a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region may include a circuit array, and the second region may include a set of interface circuits to operate the circuit array. A side of the first region may face a first side of the second region along a first direction. The third region may include a set of header circuits to provide power to the set of interface circuits through metal rails extending along a second direction. A side of the third region may face a second side of the second region along the second direction. In one aspect, the first side extending along the second direction is shorter than the second side extending along the first direction, and the metal rails are shorter than the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Sheng Wang, Yangsyu Lin, Kao-Cheng Lin, Cheng Hung Lee, Jonathan Tsung-Yung Chang
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11450605
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: 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: 20220254712
    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: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 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: 20220171688
    Abstract: An exemplary testing environment can operate in a testing mode of operation to test whether a memory device or other electronic devices communicatively coupled to the memory device operate as expected or unexpectedly as a result of one or more manufacturing faults. The testing mode of operation includes a shift mode of operation, a capture mode of operation, and/or a scan mode of operation. In the shift mode of operation and the scan mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a serial input sequence of data to the memory device. In the capture mode of operation, the exemplary testing environment delivers a parallel input sequence of data to the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Hung CHANG, Atul KATOCH, Chia-En HUANG, Ching-Wei WU, Donald G. MIKAN, JR., Hao-I YANG, Kao-Cheng LIN, Ming-Chien TSAI, Saman M.I. ADHAM, Tsung-Yung CHANG, Uppu Sharath CHANDRA