Abstract: A method and a system including a processor performing a failure region exploration through uniform sampling of plurality of variables related to a circuit, the processor shifting probability distributions to explore failure probability, the processor estimating the failure probability and standard deviation by determining mean and standard deviation of failure probability of a circuit, the processor terminating sampling when a confidence interval bounds converge, and a peripheral device providing a report on the failure of the circuit when the sampling is terminated by the processor.

Abstract: A method and a system including a processor performing a failure region exploration through uniform sampling of plurality of variables related to a circuit, the processor shifting probability distributions to explore failure probability, the processor estimating the failure probability and standard deviation by determining mean and standard deviation of failure probability of a circuit, the processor terminating sampling when a confidence interval bounds converge, and a peripheral device providing a report on the failure of the circuit when the sampling is terminated by the processor.

Abstract: A method (and program) for conducting numerical analysis, includes defining a plurality of components in a system and a condition to be analyzed, performing a table look-up for components of the plurality of components, if a component of the plurality of components is defined in the table, acquiring a result for the condition to be analyzed based on the table information, and conducting the analysis of the system using the result based on the table information for the component.

Abstract: A method (and program) for conducting numerical analysis, includes defining a plurality of components in a system and a condition to be analyzed, performing a table look-up for components of the plurality of components, if a component of the plurality of components is defined in the table, acquiring a result for the condition to be analyzed based on the table information, and conducting the analysis of the system using the result based on the table information for the component.

Abstract: Techniques are presented that include accessing results of forward simulations of circuit yield, the results including at least circuit yield results including simulated device shapes. Using the circuit yield results, high-level traits of at least the simulated device shapes are determined. Based on the determined high-level traits and using the circuit yield results, a compact model for predicted yield is constructed, the compact model including a plurality of adjustable parameters, and the constructing the compact model for predicted yield including adjusting the adjustable parameters until at least one first predetermined criterion is met. An optimization problem is constructed including at least the compact model for yield, an objective, and a plurality of constraints. Using the optimization problem, the objective is modified subject to the plurality of constraints until at least one second predetermined criterion is met.

Abstract: Techniques are presented that include accessing results of forward simulations of circuit yield, the results including at least circuit yield results including simulated device shapes. Using the circuit yield results, high-level traits of at least the simulated device shapes are determined. Based on the determined high-level traits and using the circuit yield results, a compact model for predicted yield is constructed, the compact model including a plurality of adjustable parameters, and the constructing the compact model for predicted yield including adjusting the adjustable parameters until at least one first predetermined criterion is met. An optimization problem is constructed including at least the compact model for yield, an objective, and a plurality of constraints. Using the optimization problem, the objective is modified subject to the plurality of constraints until at least one second predetermined criterion is met.

Abstract: Techniques are presented that include accessing results of forward simulations of circuit yield, the results including at least circuit yield results including simulated device shapes. Using the circuit yield results, high-level traits of at least the simulated device shapes are determined. Based on the determined high-level traits and using the circuit yield results, a compact model for predicted yield is constructed, the compact model including a plurality of adjustable parameters, and the constructing the compact model for predicted yield including adjusting the adjustable parameters until at least one first predetermined criterion is met. An optimization problem is constructed including at least the compact model for yield, an objective, and a plurality of constraints. Using the optimization problem, the objective is modified subject to the plurality of constraints until at least one second predetermined criterion is met.

Abstract: Techniques are presented that include accessing results of forward simulations of circuit yield, the results including at least circuit yield results including simulated device shapes. Using the circuit yield results, high-level traits of at least the simulated device shapes are determined. Based on the determined high-level traits and using the circuit yield results, a compact model for predicted yield is constructed, the compact model including a plurality of adjustable parameters, and the constructing the compact model for predicted yield including adjusting the adjustable parameters until at least one first predetermined criterion is met. An optimization problem is constructed including at least the compact model for yield, an objective, and a plurality of constraints. Using the optimization problem, the objective is modified subject to the plurality of constraints until at least one second predetermined criterion is met.

Abstract: A dormant mode target semiconductor device within a leakage current target unit is identified for mitigating leakage current to prevent it from reaching catastrophic runaway. A leakage current shift monitor unit is electrically connected to the output node of the leakage current target unit and collects leakage current from the selected target semiconductor device for two consecutive predefined temporal periods and measures the difference between the collected leakage currents. A comparator receives and compares the outputs of the current shift monitor unit and a reference voltage generator. The comparator propagates an alert signal to the leakage current target unit when the leakage voltage output from the leakage current shift monitor unit exceeds the reference voltage, a condition that indicates that the leakage current is about to approach catastrophic runaway levels.

Abstract: A dormant mode target semiconductor device within a leakage current target unit is identified for mitigating leakage current to prevent it from reaching catastrophic runaway. A leakage current shift monitor unit is electrically connected to the output node of the leakage current target unit and collects leakage current from the selected target semiconductor device for two consecutive predefined temporal periods and measures the difference between the collected leakage currents. A comparator receives and compares the outputs of the current shift monitor unit and a reference voltage generator. The comparator propagates an alert signal to the leakage current target unit when the leakage voltage output from the leakage current shift monitor unit exceeds the reference voltage, a condition that indicates that the leakage current is about to approach catastrophic runaway levels.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure having a body capacitance plate, which is formed with a process that assures that the body capacitance plate is self-aligned to both the source line (SL) diffusion and the bitline diffusion is provided. Thus the amount of overlap between the SL and the bitline diffusions and the body capacitance plate is precisely controlled. More specifically, the present invention forms the structure of a 1T-capacitorless SOI body charge storage cell having sidewall capacitor plates using a process that assures that there is 1) minimal overlap between plate and source/drain diffusions, and 2) that the minimal overlap obtained in the present invention is precisely controlled and is not subject to alignment tolerances. The inventive cell results in larger signal margin, improved performance, smaller chip size, and reduced dynamic power dissipation relative to the prior art.

Abstract: A system and method for the superimposition of differential signals on binary signals in a memory system. The technique can be performed on busses, and in many kinds of storage media. It can be accomplished in many ways depending on the noise that is to be tolerated, and depending on the sophistication of the encoding means.

Abstract: A soft metal conductor for use in a semiconductor device which has an uppermost layer consisting of grains having grain sizes sufficiently large so as to provide a substantially scratch-free surface upon polishing in a subsequent polishing step. The invention also provides a method for making a soft metal conductor that has a substantially scratch-free surface upon polishing by a multi-step deposition process, i.e., first sputtering at a higher temperature and then sputtering at a lower temperature and followed by another high temperature sputtering process. The invention further discloses a method for forming a substantially scratch-free surface on a soft metal conductor by first depositing a soft metal layer at a low deposition temperature and then annealing the soft metal layer at a higher temperature to increase the grain size of the metal.

Abstract: A soft metal conductor for use in a semiconductor device which has an uppermost layer consisting of grains having grain sizes sufficiently large so as to provide a substantially scratch-free surface upon polishing in a subsequent polishing step. The invention also provides a method for making a soft metal conductor that has a substantially scratch-free surface upon polishing by a multi-step deposition process, i.e., first sputtering at a higher temperature and then sputtering at a lower temperature and followed by another high temperature sputtering process. The invention further discloses a method for forming a substantially scratch-free surface on a soft metal conductor by first depositing a soft metal layer at a low deposition temperature and then annealing the soft metal layer at a higher temperature to increase the grain size of the metal.

Abstract: A structure and process to define a via/interconnect structure is described. The structure is formed by reactive ion etching (RIE) where vias are formed first then the interconnects. The disclosed method relies on first depositing a metal with a thickness equivalent to the total height of the via and interconnect. Once vias are delineated by forming a hard mask and lithography, the lines are patterned using a lithographic step. Vias and lines are formed using lithography and RIE in one step and interfacial integrity is maintained resulting in high electromigration performance.

Abstract: A structure and process to define a via/interconnect structure is described. The structure is formed by reactive ion etching (RIE) where vias are formed first then the interconnects. The disclosed method relies on first depositing a metal with a thickness equivalent to the total height of the via and interconnect. Once vias are delineated by forming a hard mask and lithography, the lines are patterned using a lithographic step. Vias and lines are formed using lithography and RIE in one step and interfacial integrity is maintained resulting in high electromigration performance.

Abstract: A soft metal conductor for use in a semiconductor device which has an uppermost layer consisting of grains having grain sizes sufficiently large so as to provide a substantially scratch-free surface upon polishing in a subsequent polishing step. The invention also provides a method for making a soft metal conductor that has a substantially scratch-free surface upon polishing by a multi-step deposition process, i.e., first sputtering at a higher temperature and then sputtering at a lower temperature and followed by another high temperature sputtering process. The invention further discloses a method for forming a substantially scratch-free surface on a soft metal conductor by first depositing a soft metal layer at a low deposition temperature and then annealing the soft metal layer at a higher temperature to increase the grain size of the metal.

Abstract: A soft metal conductor for use in a semiconductor device which has an uppermost layer consisting of grains having grain sizes sufficiently large so as to provide a substantially scratch-free surface upon polishing in a subsequent polishing step. The invention also provides a method for making a soft metal conductor that has a substantially scratch-free surface upon polishing by a multi-step deposition process, i.e., first sputtering at a higher temperature and then sputtering at a lower temperature and followed by another high temperature sputtering process. The invention further discloses a method for forming a substantially scratch-free surface on a soft metal conductor by first depositing a soft metal layer at a low deposition temperature and then annealing the soft metal layer at a higher temperature to increase the grain size of the metal.

Abstract: A soft metal conductor for use in a semiconductor device that has an upper-most layer consisting of grains having grain sizes sufficiently large so as to provide a substantially scratch-free surface upon polishing in a subsequent chemical mechanical polishing step.

Abstract: A hardware design technique allows checking of design system language (DSL) specification of an element and schematics of large macros with embedded arrays and registers. The hardware organization reduces CPU time for logical verification by exponential order of magnitude without blowing up a verification process or logic simulation. The hardware organization consists of horizontal word level rather than bit level. A memory array cell comprises a pair of cross-coupled inverters forming a first latch for storing data. The first latch has an output connected to a read bit line. True and complement write word and bit line input to the first latch. A first set of pass gates connects between the true and complement write word and bit line inputs via gates and the input of said first latch. The first set of pass gates is responsive to a first clock via a second pass gate. A pair of cross-coupled inverters forms a second latch of a Level Sensitive Scan Design (LSSD).