Patents by Inventor Ken Shibata

Ken Shibata 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: 9478554
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a high degree of freedom of layout has a first part AR1, in which a plurality of p-type wells PW and n-type wells NW are alternately arranged to be adjacent to each other along an X-axis direction. A common power feeding region (ARP2) for the plurality of wells PW is arranged on one side so as to interpose the AR1 in a Y-axis direction, and a common power feeding region (ARN2) for the plurality of wells NW is arranged on the other side. In the power feeding region (ARP2) for the PW wells, a p+-type power-feeding diffusion layer P+(DFW) having an elongate shape extending in the X-axis direction is formed. A plurality of gate layers GT extending in the X-axis direction to cross the boundary between the PW and NW wells are arranged in the AR1, and a plurality of MIS transistors are correspondingly formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Shibata, Yuta Yanagitani
  • Publication number: 20160300597
    Abstract: A semiconductor device enabling expansion of a noise margin. For example, in a memory area in which each memory cell MC is coupled to a word line WLA for a first port and a word line WLB for a second port, and a plurality of memory cells MC are disposed in a matrix shape, each word line is disposed in the order of WLA0, WLB0, WLB1, WLA1, WLA2. Further, a pitch d2 between WLA-WLA and between WLB-WLB is made smaller than a pitch d1 between WLA-WLB. As such, the word lines of an identical port are disposed at the pitch d2 on one of both sides of a certain word line and the word lines of different ports are disposed at the pitch d1 on the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Kiyotada FUNANE, Ken SHIBATA, Yasuhisa SHIMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20160240246
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device provided can increase a write margin and suppress increase of a chip area. The semiconductor storage device includes plural memory cells arranged in a matrix; plural bit-line pairs arranged corresponding to each column of the memory cells; a write driver circuit which transmits data to a bit-line pair of a selected column according to write data; and a write assist circuit which drives a bit line on a low potential side of the bit-line pair of a selected column to a negative voltage level. The write assist circuit includes first signal wiring; a first driver circuit which drives the first signal wiring according to a control signal; and second signal wiring which is coupled to the bit line on the low-potential side and generates a negative voltage by the driving of the first driver circuit, based on inter-wire coupling capacitance with the first signal wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Toshiaki SANO, Ken SHIBATA, Shinji TANAKA, Makoto YABUUCHI, Noriaki MAEDA
  • Patent number: 9378773
    Abstract: A semiconductor device enabling expansion of a noise margin. For example, in a memory area in which each memory cell MC is coupled to a word line WLA for a first port and a word line WLB for a second port, and a plurality of memory cells MC are disposed in a matrix shape, each word line is disposed in the order of WLA0, WLB0, WLB1, WLA1, WLA2. Further, a pitch d2 between WLA-WLA and between WLB-WLB is made smaller than a pitch d1 between WLA-WLB. As such, the word lines of an identical port are disposed at the pitch d2 on one of both sides of a certain word line and the word lines of different ports are disposed at the pitch d1 on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyotada Funane, Ken Shibata, Yasuhisa Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 9349438
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device provided can increase a write margin and suppress increase of a chip area. The semiconductor storage device includes plural memory cells arranged in a matrix; plural bit-line pairs arranged corresponding to each column of the memory cells; a write driver circuit which transmits data to a bit-line pair of a selected column according to write data; and a write assist circuit which drives a bit line on a low potential side of the bit-line pair of a selected column to a negative voltage level. The write assist circuit includes first signal wiring; a first driver circuit which drives the first signal wiring according to a control signal; and second signal wiring which is coupled to the bit line on the low-potential side and generates a negative voltage by the driving of the first driver circuit, based on inter-wire coupling capacitance with the first signal wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sano, Ken Shibata, Shinji Tanaka, Makoto Yabuuchi, Noriaki Maeda
  • Publication number: 20160118389
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a high degree of freedom of layout has a first part AR1, in which a plurality of p-type wells PW and n-type wells NW are alternately arranged to be adjacent to each other along an X-axis direction. A common power feeding region (ARP2) for the plurality of wells PW is arranged on one side so as to interpose the AR1 in a Y-axis direction, and a common power feeding region (ARN2) for the plurality of wells NW is arranged on the other side. In the power feeding region (ARP2) for the PW wells, a p+-type power-feeding diffusion layer P+(DFW) having an elongate shape extending in the X-axis direction is formed. A plurality of gate layers GT extending in the X-axis direction to cross the boundary between the PW and NW wells are arranged in the AR1, and a plurality of MIS transistors are correspondingly formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Ken SHIBATA, Yuta YANAGITANI
  • Patent number: 9245614
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a high degree of freedom of layout has a first part AR1, in which a plurality of p-type wells PW and n-type wells NW are alternately arranged to be adjacent to each other along an X-axis direction. A common power feeding region (ARP2) for the plurality of wells PW is arranged on one side so as to interpose the AR1 in a Y-axis direction, and a common power feeding region (ARN2) for the plurality of wells NW is arranged on the other side. In the power feeding region (ARP2) for the PW wells, a p+-type power-feeding diffusion layer P+(DFW) having an elongate shape extending in the X-axis direction is formed. A plurality of gate layers GT extending in the X-axis direction to cross the boundary between the PW and NW wells are arranged in the AR1, and a plurality of MIS transistors are correspondingly formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Shibata, Yuta Yanagitani
  • Publication number: 20150279454
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device provided can increase a write margin and suppress increase of a chip area. The semiconductor storage device includes plural memory cells arranged in a matrix; plural bit-line pairs arranged corresponding to each column of the memory cells; a write driver circuit which transmits data to a bit-line pair of a selected column according to write data; and a write assist circuit which drives a bit line on a low potential side of the bit-line pair of a selected column to a negative voltage level. The write assist circuit includes first signal wiring; a first driver circuit which drives the first signal wiring according to a control signal; and second signal wiring which is coupled to the bit line on the low-potential side and generates a negative voltage by the driving of the first driver circuit, based on inter-wire coupling capacitance with the first signal wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Toshiaki SANO, Ken SHIBATA, Shinji TANAKA, Makoto YABUUCHI, Noriaki MAEDA
  • Publication number: 20150003140
    Abstract: A semiconductor device enabling expansion of a noise margin. For example, in a memory area in which each memory cell MC is coupled to a word line WLA for a first port and a word line WLB for a second port, and a plurality of memory cells MC are disposed in a matrix shape, each word line is disposed in the order of WLA0, WLB0, WLB1, WLA1, WLA2. Further, a pitch d2 between WLA-WLA and between WLB-WLB is made smaller than a pitch d1 between WLA-WLB. As such, the word lines of an identical port are disposed at the pitch d2 on one of both sides of a certain word line and the word lines of different ports are disposed at the pitch d1 on the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Kiyotada FUNANE, Ken SHIBATA, Yasuhisa SHIMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 8867253
    Abstract: A semiconductor device enabling expansion of a noise margin. For example, in a memory area in which each memory cell MC is coupled to a word line WLA for a first port and a word line WLB for a second port, and a plurality of memory cells MC are disposed in a matrix shape, each word line is disposed in the order of WLA0, WLB0, WLB1, WLA1, WLA2. Further, a pitch d2 between WLA-WLA and between WLB-WLB is made smaller than a pitch d1 between WLA-WLB. As such, the word lines of an identical port are disposed at the pitch d2 on one of both sides of a certain word line and the word lines of different ports are disposed at the pitch d1 on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotada Funane, Ken Shibata, Yasuhisa Shimazaki
  • Publication number: 20140177312
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a high degree of freedom of layout has a first part AR1, in which a plurality of p-type wells PW and n-type wells NW are alternately arranged to be adjacent to each other along an X-axis direction. A common power feeding region (ARP2) for the plurality of wells PW is arranged on one side so as to interpose the AR1 in a Y-axis direction, and a common power feeding region (ARN2) for the plurality of wells NW is arranged on the other side. In the power feeding region (ARP2) for the PW wells, a p+-type power-feeding diffusion layer P+(DFW) having an elongate shape extending in the X-axis direction is formed. A plurality of gate layers GT extending in the X-axis direction to cross the boundary between the PW and NW wells are arranged in the AR1, and a plurality of MIS transistors are correspondingly formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Shibata, Yuta Yanagitani
  • Publication number: 20140140145
    Abstract: A data input buffer is changed from an inactive to an active state after the reception of instruction for a write operation effected on a memory unit. The input buffer is a differential input buffer having interface specs based on SSTL, for example, which is brought to an active state by turning on a power switch to cause a through current to flow and receives a signal therein while immediately following a small change in small-amplitude signal. Since the input buffer is brought to the active state only when the write operation's instruction for the memory unit is provided, it is rendered inactive in advance before the instruction is provided, whereby wasteful power consumption is reduced. In another aspect, power consumption is reduced by changing from the active to the inactive state in a time period from a write command issuing to a next command issuing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicants: HITACHI DEVICE ENGINEERING CO., LTD., RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Binhaku TARUISHI, Hiroki MIYASHITA, Ken SHIBATA, Masashi HORIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8644090
    Abstract: A data input buffer is changed from an inactive to an active state after the reception of instruction for a write operation effected on a memory unit. The input buffer is a differential input buffer having interface specs based on SSTL, for example, which is brought to an active state by turning on a power switch to cause a through current to flow and receives a signal therein while immediately following a small change in small-amplitude signal. Since the input buffer is brought to the active state only when the write operation's instruction for the memory unit is provided, it is rendered inactive in advance before the instruction is provided, whereby wasteful power consumption is reduced. In another aspect, power consumption is reduced by changing from the active to the inactive state in a time period from a write command issuing to a next command issuing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignees: Renesas Electronics Corporation, Hitachi Device Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Binhaku Taruishi, Hiroki Miyashita, Ken Shibata, Masashi Horiguchi
  • Publication number: 20130286753
    Abstract: A data input buffer is changed from an inactive to an active state after the reception of instruction for a write operation effected on a memory unit. The input buffer is a differential input buffer having interface specs based on SSTL, for example, which is brought to an active state by turning on a power switch to cause a through current to flow and receives a signal therein while immediately following a small change in small-amplitude signal. Since the input buffer is brought to the active state only when the write operation's instruction for the memory unit is provided, it is rendered inactive in advance before the instruction is provided, whereby wasteful power consumption is reduced. In another aspect, power consumption is reduced by changing from the active to the inactive state in a time period from a write command issuing to a next command issuing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI DEVICE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Binhaku TARUISHI, Hiroki MIYASHITA, Ken SHIBATA, Masashi HORIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20130258741
    Abstract: A semiconductor device enabling expansion of a noise margin. For example, in a memory area in which each memory cell MC is coupled to a word line WLA for a first port and a word line WLB for a second port, and a plurality of memory cells MC are disposed in a matrix shape, each word line is disposed in the order of WLA0, WLB0, WLB1, WLA1, WLA2. Further, a pitch d2 between WLA-WLA and between WLB-WLB is made smaller than a pitch d1 between WLA-WLB. As such, the word lines of an identical port are disposed at the pitch d2 on one of both sides of a certain word line and the word lines of different ports are disposed at the pitch d1 on the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotada FUNANE, Ken SHIBATA, Yasuhisa SHIMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 8482991
    Abstract: A data input buffer is changed from an inactive to an active state after the reception of instruction for a write operation effected on a memory unit. The input buffer is a differential input buffer having interface specs based on SSTL, for example, which is brought to an active state by turning on a power switch to cause a through current to flow and receives a signal therein while immediately following a small change in small-amplitude signal. Since the input buffer is brought to the active state only when the write operation's instruction for the memory unit is provided, it is rendered inactive in advance before the instruction is provided, whereby wasteful power consumption is reduced. In another aspect, power consumption is reduced by changing from the active to the inactive state in a time period from a write command issuing to a next command issuing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Binhaku Taruishi, Hiroki Miyashita, Ken Shibata, Masashi Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 8467214
    Abstract: A semiconductor device enabling expansion of a noise margin. For example, in a memory area in which each memory cell MC is coupled to a word line WLA for a first port and a word line WLB for a second port, and a plurality of memory cells MC are disposed in a matrix shape, each word line is disposed in the order of WLA0, WLB0, WLB1, WLA1, WLA2. Further, a pitch d2 between WLA-WLA and between WLB-WLB is made smaller than a pitch d1 between WLA-WLB. As such, the word lines of an identical port are disposed at the pitch d2 on one of both sides of a certain word line and the word lines of different ports are disposed at the pitch d1 on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotada Funane, Ken Shibata, Yasuhisa Shimazaki
  • Publication number: 20120327723
    Abstract: A data input buffer is changed from an inactive to an active state after the reception of instruction for a write operation effected on a memory unit. The input buffer is a differential input buffer having interface specs based on SSTL, for example, which is brought to an active state by turning on a power switch to cause a through current to flow and receives a signal therein while immediately following a small change in small-amplitude signal. Since the input buffer is brought to the active state only when the write operation's instruction for the memory unit is provided, it is rendered inactive in advance before the instruction is provided, whereby wasteful power consumption is reduced. In another aspect, power consumption is reduced by changing from the active to the inactive state in a time period from a write command issuing to a next command issuing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Binhaku Taruishi, Hiroki Miyashita, Ken Shibata, Masashi Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 8264893
    Abstract: A data input buffer is changed from an inactive to an active state after the reception of instruction for a write operation effected on a memory unit. The input buffer is a differential input buffer having interface specs based on SSTL, for example, which is brought to an active state by turning on a power switch to cause a through current to flow and receives a signal therein while immediately following a small change in small-amplitude signal. Since the input buffer is brought to the active state only when the write operation's instruction for the memory unit is provided, it is rendered inactive in advance before the instruction is provided, whereby wasteful power consumption is reduced. In another aspect, power consumption is reduced by changing from the active to the inactive state in a time period from a write command issuing to a next command issuing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignees: Renesas Electronics Corporation, Hitachi Device Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Binhaku Taruishi, Hiroki Miyashita, Ken Shibata, Masashi Horiguchi
  • Publication number: 20120206952
    Abstract: A semiconductor device enabling expansion of a noise margin. For example, in a memory area in which each memory cell MC is coupled to a word line WLA for a first port and a word line WLB for a second port, and a plurality of memory cells MC are disposed in a matrix shape, each word line is disposed in the order of WLA0, WLB0, WLB1, WLA1, WLA2. Further, a pitch d2 between WLA-WLA and between WLB-WLB is made smaller than a pitch d1 between WLA-WLB. As such, the word lines of an identical port are disposed at the pitch d2 on one of both sides of a certain word line and the word lines of different ports are disposed at the pitch d1 on the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyotada FUNANE, Ken SHIBATA, Yasuhisa SHIMAZAKI