Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor structure, which comprises a first standard cell and a second standard cell located on a substrate, wherein an isolation region is included between the first standard cell and the second standard cell, a plurality of fin structures and a plurality of gates form a plurality of transistors, which are respectively located in the first standard cell and the second standard cell, and a plurality of single diffusion breaks (SDBs) located in the first standard cell and the second standard cell. A plurality of first dummy grooves in the first standard cell and the second standard cell, and a plurality of second dummy grooves in the isolation region, wherein some of the second dummy grooves overlap the first dummy grooves.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit layout including at least two standard cells having different cell heights is disclosed. The standard cells respectively have a well boundary to divide a PMOS region and an NMOS region. The standard cells are abutted side by side along their side edges in a way that the well boundaries of the cells are aligned along the row direction. The power rail and the ground rail of one of the standard cells are extended in width or length to connect to the power rail and the ground rail of the other one of the standard cells.

Abstract: An integrated circuit layout includes a first and a second standard cells abutting along a boundary line. The boundary line and a first active region of the first standard cell include a distance D1. A first gate line on the first active region protrudes from the first active region by a length L1. The boundary line and a second active region of the second standard cell include a distance D2. A second gate line on the second active region protrudes from the second active region by a length L2. Two first dummy gate lines and two second dummy gate lines are disposed at two sides of the first active region and the second active region and are away from the boundary line by a distance S. The lengths L1 and L2, the distances S, D1 and D2 have the relationships: L1?D1?S, L2?D2?S, and D1?D2.

Abstract: A layout includes a first and a second standard cells abutting along a boundary line. The first cell includes first fins. An edge of the first fins closest to and away from the boundary line by a distance D1. A first gate line over-crossing the first fins protrudes from the edge by a length L1. The second cell includes second fins. An edge of the second fins closest to and away from the boundary line by a distance D2. A second gate line over-crossing the second fins protrudes from the edge by a length L2. Two first dummy gate lines at two sides of the first fins and two second dummy lines at two sides of the second fins are respectively away from the boundary line by a distance S. The lengths L1 and L2, the distances S, D1 and D2 have the relationships: L1?D1?S, L2?D2?S, and D1?D2.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit layout including at least two standard cells having different cell heights is disclosed. The standard cells respectively have a well boundary to divide a PMOS region and an NMOS region. The standard cells are abutted side by side along their side edges in a way that the well boundaries of the cells are aligned along the row direction. The power rail and the ground rail of one of the standard cells are shifted to align and connect to the power rail and the ground rail of the other one of the standard cells.

Abstract: A delay cell includes a cascode transistor and an inverter. The cascode transistor is used to receive a control voltage to generate a bias current, and includes a source terminal, a drain terminal, and a gate terminal receiving the control voltage. The inverter is coupled to the cascode transistor and used to generate an output signal according to the bias current in response to an input signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a testkey detection circuit, including a plurality of oscillators and a driving circuit. Each of the oscillators has an enable terminal, a voltage terminal and an output terminal, wherein the enable terminals are connected to a common enable terminal. The driving circuit receives the output terminals of the oscillators and increases a driving level of a selected one of the output terminals as a frequency output.

Abstract: A delay cell includes a cascode transistor and an inverter. The cascode transistor is used to receive a control voltage to generate a bias current, and includes a source terminal, a drain terminal, and a gate terminal receiving the control voltage. The inverter is coupled to the cascode transistor and used to generate an output signal according to the bias current in response to an input signal.

Abstract: A speed-up charge pump includes a first charge pump for receiving an up signal and a down signal in digital form to produce a first voltage control signal at an output node. Further, at least one speed-up phase detector includes a first circuit path to receive the up signal and delay the up signal by a predetermined delay as a delay up signal and operate the up signal and the delay up signal by AND logic into an auxiliary up signal; and a second circuit path to receive the down signal and delay the down signal by the predetermined delay as a delay down signal and operate the down signal and the delay down signal by AND logic into an auxiliary down signal. A second charge pump is respectively receiving the auxiliary up and down signals to produce a second voltage control signal also at the output node.

Abstract: The invention provides a testkey detection circuit, including a plurality of oscillators and a driving circuit. Each of the oscillators has an enable terminal, a voltage terminal and an output terminal, wherein the enable terminals are connected to a common enable terminal. The driving circuit receives the output terminals of the oscillators and increases a driving level of a selected one of the output terminals as a frequency output.