Patents by Inventor Lee Chung Lu

Lee Chung Lu 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: 20230387894
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first power node having a first voltage level, a second power node having a second voltage level different from the first voltage level, a reference node having a reference voltage level, a master latch that outputs a first bit based on a received bit, a slave latch that outputs a second bit based on the first bit and an output bit based on a selected one of the first bit or a third bit, a first level shifter that outputs the third bit based on a complementary bit pair, and a retention latch including a second level shifter and a pair of inverters that outputs the complementary bit pair based on the second bit. The slave latch and the first level shifter are coupled between the first power and reference nodes, and the retention latch is coupled between the second power and reference nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Kai-Chi HUANG, Yung-Chen CHIEN, Chi-Lin LIU, Wei-Hsiang MA, Jerry Chang Jui KAO, Shang-Chih HSIEH, Lee-Chung LU
  • Publication number: 20230378159
    Abstract: An IC device includes first through third active areas extending in a first direction and a first gate structure extending perpendicular to and overlying each of the first through third active areas. Each of the first through third active areas includes a first portion adjacent to the first gate structure in the first direction and a second portion adjacent to the first portion and including an endpoint of the corresponding active area, the first active area is positioned between the second and third active areas and includes the endpoint positioned under the first gate structure, and each of the second and third active areas includes the endpoint positioned away from the gate structure in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Chien-Ying CHEN, Lee-Chung LU, Li-Chun TIEN, Ta-Pen GUO
  • Publication number: 20230376661
    Abstract: A logic circuit (for providing a multibit flip-flop (MBFF) function) includes: a first inverter to receive a clock signal and generate a corresponding clock_bar signal; a second inverter to receive the clock_bar signal and generate a corresponding clock_bar_bar signal; a third inverter to receive a control signal and generate a corresponding control_bar signal; and a series-chain of 1-bit transfer flip-flop (TXFF) circuits, each including: a NAND circuit to receive data signals; and a 1-bit transmit gate flip-flop (TGFF) circuit to output signals Q and q, and receive an output of the NAND circuit, the signal q from the TGFF circuit of a preceding TXFF circuit in the series-chain, the clock_bar and clock_bar_bar signals, and the control and control_bar signals; and the first transfer TXFF circuit in the series-chain being configured to receive a start signal in place of the signal q from an otherwise preceding TGFF circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Chi-Lin LIU, Jerry Chang-Jui KAO, Wei-Hsiang MA, Lee-Chung LU, Fong-Yuan CHANG, Sheng-Hsiung CHEN, Shang-Chih HSIEH
  • Publication number: 20230378267
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: fins configured to include: first active fins having a first conductivity type; and second active fins having a second conductivity type; and at least one gate structure formed over corresponding ones of the fins; and wherein the fins and the at least one gate structure are located in at least one cell region; and each cell region, relative to the second direction, including: a first active region which includes a sequence of three or more consecutive first active fins located in a central portion of the cell region; a second active region which includes one or more second active fins 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 fins located between the first active region and a second edge of the cell region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Jung-Chan YANG, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Lee-Chung LU, Ting-Wei CHIANG, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Publication number: 20230376672
    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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Ting-Wei CHIANG, Li-Chun TIEN, Shun Li CHEN, Lee-Chung LU
  • Publication number: 20230336177
    Abstract: A circuit includes an input circuit, a level shifter circuit, an output circuit, and a first and a second feedback circuit. The input circuit is coupled to a first voltage supply, and configured to receive a first input signal, and to generate at least a second input signal. The level shifter circuit is coupled to a second voltage supply, and configured to generate at least a first and second signal responsive to at least the enable signal or the first input signal. The output circuit is coupled to at least the level shifter circuit and the second voltage supply, and configured to generate at least an output signal, a first and second feedback signal responsive to the first signal. The first and second feedback circuit are configured to receive the enable signal, and the inverted enable signal, and the corresponding first and second feedback signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Yu-Lun OU, Ji-Yung LIN, Yung-Chen CHIEN, Ruei-Wun SUN, Wei-Hsiang MA, Jerry Chang Jui KAO, Shang-Chih HSIEH, Lee-Chung LU
  • Patent number: 11790148
    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: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Ting-Wei Chang, Lee-Chung Lu, Li-Chun Tien, Shun Li Chen
  • Patent number: 11776949
    Abstract: An IC device includes a first active area extending away from a first endpoint in a first direction, a second active area extending away from a second endpoint in the first direction, a third active area positioned between the first and second active areas, and a gate structure perpendicular to the first through third active areas. The gate structure overlies each of the first and second endpoints and the third active area, and the third active area extends away from the gate structure in a second direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chien-Ying Chen, Lee-Chung Lu, Li-Chun Tien, Ta-Pen Guo
  • Patent number: 11757435
    Abstract: A circuit includes first and second power nodes having differing first and second voltage levels, and a reference node having a reference voltage level. A master latch outputs a first data bit based on a received data bit; a slave latch includes a first inverter that outputs a second data bit based on the first data bit and a second inverter that outputs an output data bit based on a selected one of the first data bit or a third data bit; a level shifter outputs the third data bit based on a fourth data bit; and a retention latch outputs the fourth data bit based on the second data bit. The first and second inverters and the level shifter are coupled between the first power node and the reference node, and the retention latch includes a plurality of transistors coupled between the second power node and the reference node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kai-Chi Huang, Yung-Chen Chien, Chi-Lin Liu, Wei-Hsiang Ma, Jerry Chang Jui Kao, Shang-Chih Hsieh, Lee-Chung Lu
  • Patent number: 11755798
    Abstract: A logic circuit including first and second inverters, first and second NAND circuits, a transmission gate, and a transmission-gate-substitute (TGS) circuit, and wherein: for each of the first and second NAND circuits, a first input is configured to receive corresponding first and second data signals, and a second input is configured to receive an enable signal; the first inverter is configured to receive an output of the first NAND circuit; the transmission gate and the TGS circuit are arranged as a combination circuit which is configured to receive an output of the second NAND circuit as a data input, and outputs of the first inverter and the second NAND circuit as control inputs; the second inverter is configured to receive an output of the combination circuit; and an output of the second inverter represents one of an enable XOR (EXOR) function or an enable XNR (EXNR) function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Lin Liu, Jerry Chang-Jui Kao, Wei-Hsiang Ma, Lee-Chung Lu, Fong-Yuan Chang, Sheng-Hsiung Chen, Shang-Chih Hsieh
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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: 20230275090
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first cell in a first row, wherein the first row extends in a first direction, the first cell having a first cell height measured in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The semiconductor device further includes a second cell in the first row, wherein the second cell has a second cell height measured in the second direction, the second cell height is less than the first cell height. The second cell includes a first active region having a first width measured in the second direction, and a second active region having a second width measured in the second direction, wherein the second width is different from the first width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Jiann-Tyng TZENG, Kam-Tou SIO, Shang-Wei FANG, Chun-Yen LIN, Sheng-Feng HUANG, Yi-Kan CHENG, Lee-Chung LU
  • Publication number: 20230275088
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a first conductive via, a second conductive via, and a connection line. The first transistor includes a first active region, a first gate electrode over the first active region; and a first channel in the first active region and under the first gate electrode. The second transistor includes a second active region, a second gate electrode over the second active region, and a second channel in the second active region and under the second gate electrode. The first conductive via is electrically connected to the first gate electrode. The second conductive via is electrically connected to the second gate electrode. The connection line electrically connects the first and second conductive vias. The first transistor and the first conductive via and the second transistor and the second conductive via are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a symmetry plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: WEI-LING CHANG, LEE-CHUNG LU, XIANGDONG CHEN, KAM-TOU SIO, HSIANG-CHI HUANG
  • Publication number: 20230253396
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an example method for routing a standard cell with multiple pins. The method can include modifying a dimension of a pin of the standard cell, where the pin is spaced at an increased distance from a boundary of the standard cell than an original position of the pin. The method also includes routing an interconnect from the pin to a via placed on a pin track located between the pin and the boundary and inserting a keep out area between the interconnect and a pin from an adjacent standard cell. The method further includes verifying that the keep out area separates the interconnect from the pin from the adjacent standard cell by at least a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fong-yuan CHANG, Chun-Chen CHEN, Sheng-Hsiung CHEN, Ting-Wei CHIANG, Chung-Te LIN, Jung-Chan YANG, Lee-Chung LU, Po-Hsiang HUANG
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20230197723
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first diffusion area for a first type transistor. The first type transistor includes a first drain region and a first source region. A second diffusion area for a second type transistor is separated from the first diffusion area. The second type transistor includes a second drain region and a second source region. A gate electrode continuously extends across the first diffusion area and the second diffusion area in a routing direction. A first metallic structure is electrically coupled with the first source region. A second metallic structure is electrically coupled with the second drain region. A third metallic structure is disposed over and electrically coupled with the first and second metallic structures. A width of the first metallic structure is substantially equal to or larger than a width of the third metallic structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Ali KESHAVARZI, Ta-Pen GUO, Shu-Hui SUNG, Hsiang-Jen TSENG, Shyue-Shyh LIN, Lee-Chung LU, Chung-Cheng WU, Li-Chun TIEN, Jung-Chan YANG, Ting Yu CHEN, Min CAO, Yung-Chin HOU
  • Publication number: 20230195991
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: M*1st conductors in a first layer of metallization (M*1st layer) and being aligned correspondingly along different corresponding ones of alpha tracks and representing corresponding inputs of a cell region in the semiconductor device; and M*2nd conductors in a second layer of metallization (M*2nd layer) aligned correspondingly along beta tracks, and the M*2nd conductors including at least one power grid (PG) segment and one or more of an output pin or a routing segment; and each of first and second ones of the input pins having a length sufficient to accommodate at most two access points; each of the access points of the first and second input pins being aligned to a corresponding different one of first to fourth beta tracks; and the PG segment being aligned with one of the first to fourth beta tracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Pin-Dai SUE, Po-Hsiang HUANG, Fong-Yuan CHANG, Chi-Yu LU, Sheng-Hsiung CHEN, Chin-Chou LIU, Lee-Chung LU, Yen-Hung LIN, Li-Chun TIEN, Yi-Kan CHENG