Abstract: An approach for providing cross-coupling-based designs using diffusion contact structures is disclosed. Embodiments include providing first and second gate structures over a substrate; providing a gate cut region across the first gate structure, the second gate structure, or a combination thereof; providing a first gate contact over the first gate structure; providing a second gate contact over the second gate structure; and providing a diffusion contact structure coupling the first gate contact to the second gate contact, the diffusion contact structure having vertices within the gate cut region.

Abstract: A method for enabling functionality in circuit designs utilizing colorless DPT M1 route placement that maintains high routing efficiency and guarantees M1 decomposability of a target pattern and the resulting circuit are disclosed. Embodiments include: determining a boundary abutting first and second cells in an IC; determining a side of a first edge pin in the first cell facing a side of a second edge pin in the second cell; determining a first vertical segment of at least a portion of the side of the first edge pin and a second vertical segment of at least a portion of the side of the second edge pin; designating an area between the first vertical segment and the boundary as a first portion of a routing zone; and designating an area between the second vertical segment and the boundary as a second portion of the routing zone.

Abstract: An approach for providing timing-closed FinFET designs from planar designs is disclosed. Embodiments include: receiving one or more planar cells associated with a planar design; generating an initial FinFET design corresponding to the planar design based on the planar cells and a FinFET model; and processing the initial FinFET design to provide a timing-closed FinFET design. Other embodiments include: determining a race condition associated with a path of the initial FinFET design based on a timing analysis of the initial FinFET design; and increasing delay associated with the path to resolve hold violations associated with the race condition, wherein the processing of the initial FinFET design is based on the delay increase.

Abstract: An approach for providing cross-coupling-based designs using diffusion contact structures is disclosed. Embodiments include providing first and second gate structures over a substrate; providing a gate cut region across the first gate structure, the second gate structure, or a combination thereof; providing a first gate contact over the first gate structure; providing a second gate contact over the second gate structure; and providing a diffusion contact structure coupling the first gate contact to the second gate contact, the diffusion contact structure having vertices within the gate cut region.

Abstract: An approach for providing SRAM bit cells with double patterned metal layer structures is disclosed. Embodiments include: providing, via a first patterning process, a word line structure, a ground line structure, a power line structure, or a combination thereof; and providing, via a second patterning process, a bit line structure proximate the word line structure, the ground line structure, the power line structure, or a combination thereof. Embodiments include: providing a first landing pad as the word line structure, and a second landing pad as the ground line structure; and providing the first landing pad to have a first tip edge and a first side edge, and the second landing pad to have a second tip edge and a second side edge, wherein the first side edge faces the second side edge.

Abstract: A method for enabling functionality in circuit designs utilizing colorless DPT M1 route placement that maintains high routing efficiency and guarantees M1 decomposability of a target pattern and the resulting circuit are disclosed. Embodiments include: determining a boundary abutting first and second cells in an IC; determining a side of a first edge pin in the first cell facing a side of a second edge pin in the second cell; determining a first vertical segment of at least a portion of the side of the first edge pin and a second vertical segment of at least a portion of the side of the second edge pin; designating an area between the first vertical segment and the boundary as a first portion of a routing zone; and designating an area between the second vertical segment and the boundary as a second portion of the routing zone.

Abstract: An approach for providing MOL constructs using diffusion contact structures is disclosed. Embodiments include: providing a first diffusion region in a substrate; providing, via a first lithography process, a first diffusion contact structure; providing, via a second lithography process, a second diffusion contact structure; and coupling the first diffusion contact structure to the first diffusion region and the second diffusion contact structure. Embodiments include: providing a second diffusion region in the substrate; providing a diffusion gap region between the first and second diffusion regions; providing the diffusion contact structure over the diffusion gap region; and coupling, via the diffusion contact structure, the first and second diffusion regions.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. One method includes creating a master pattern layout including first and second adjacent cells. The first adjacent cell has a first border pin with a first routing line. The second adjacent cell has a second border pin with a second routing line. The first and second routing lines overlap to define an edge-edge stitch to couple the first and second border pins. The master pattern layout is decomposed into sub-patterns.

Abstract: An approach for providing cross-coupling-based designs using diffusion contact structures is disclosed. Embodiments include providing first and second gate structures over a substrate; providing a first gate cut region across the first gate structure, and a second gate cut region across the second gate structure; providing a first gate contact over the first gate structure, and a second gate contact over the second gate structure; and providing a diffusion contact structure between the first and second gate cut regions to couple the first gate contact to the second gate contact.

Abstract: One illustrative device disclosed herein includes a continuous active region defined in a semiconducting substrate, first and second transistors formed in and above the continuous active region, each of the first and second transistors comprising a plurality of doped regions formed in the continuous active region, a conductive isolating electrode positioned above the continuous active region between the first and second transistors and a power rail conductively coupled to the conductive isolating electrode.

Abstract: One illustrative device disclosed herein includes a continuous active region defined in a semiconducting substrate, first and second transistors formed in and above the continuous active region, each of the first and second transistors comprising a plurality of doped regions formed in the continuous active region, a conductive isolating electrode positioned above the continuous active region between the first and second transistors and a power rail conductively coupled to the conductive isolating electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a diffusion region. A transistor is formed within the diffusion region. A power rail is disposed outside the diffusion region. A contact layer is disposed above the substrate and below the power rail. A via is disposed between the contact layer and the power rail to electrically connect the contact layer to the power rail. The contact layer includes a first length disposed outside the diffusion region and a second length extending from the first length into the diffusion region and electrically connected to the transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided for implementing at least one logic element. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate with a first transistor and a second transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate. Each of the transistors includes a source, a drain, and a gate. A CA layer is electrically connected to at least one of the source or the drain of the first transistor. A CB layer is electrically connected to at least one of the gates of the transistors and the CA layer.

Abstract: An approach for providing layout designs with via routing structures is disclosed. Embodiments include: providing a gate structure and a diffusion contact on a substrate; providing a gate contact on the gate structure; providing a metal routing structure that does not overlie a portion of the gate contact, the diffusion contact, or a combination thereof; and providing a via routing structure over the portion and under a part of the metal routing structure to couple the gate contact, the diffusion contact, or a combination thereof to the metal routing structure.

Abstract: An approach for providing cross-coupling-based designs using diffusion contact structures is disclosed. Embodiments include providing first and second gate structures over a substrate; providing a gate cut region across the first gate structure, the second gate structure, or a combination thereof; providing a first gate contact over the first gate structure; providing a second gate contact over the second gate structure; and providing a diffusion contact structure coupling the first gate contact to the second gate contact, the diffusion contact structure having vertices within the gate cut region.

Abstract: A computer-readable software product is provided for executing a method of determining the location of a plurality of power rail vias in a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes an active region and a power rail. Locations of a first via and a second via are assigned along the power rail. The spacing between the location of the first via and the location of the second via is a minimum spacing allowable. The spacing between the location of the second via and the locations of structures in the active region which may electrically interfere with the second via is determined. The location of the second via is changed in response to the spacing between the location of the second via and the location of one of the structures in the active region being less than a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An approach for providing timing-closed FinFET designs from planar designs is disclosed. Embodiments include: receiving one or more planar cells associated with a planar design; generating an initial FinFET design corresponding to the planar design based on the planar cells and a FinFET model; and processing the initial FinFET design to provide a timing-closed FinFET design. Other embodiments include: determining a race condition associated with a path of the initial FinFET design based on a timing analysis of the initial FinFET design; and increasing delay associated with the path to resolve hold violations associated with the race condition, wherein the processing of the initial FinFET design is based on the delay increase.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a diffusion region. A transistor is formed within the diffusion region. A power rail is disposed outside the diffusion region. A contact layer is disposed above the substrate and below the power rail. A via is disposed between the contact layer and the power rail to electrically connect the contact layer to the power rail. The contact layer includes a first length disposed outside the diffusion region and a second length extending from the first length into the diffusion region and electrically connected to the transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided for implementing at least one logic element. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate with a first transistor and a second transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate. Each of the transistors includes a source, a drain, and a gate. A CA layer is electrically connected to at least one of the source or the drain of the first transistor. A CB layer is electrically connected to at least one of the gates of the transistors and the CA layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided for implementing at least one logic element. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate with a first transistor and a second transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate. Each of the transistors comprises a source, a drain, and a gate. A trench silicide layer electrically connects one of the source or the drain of the first transistor to one of the source or the drain of the second transistor.